WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.720 Bible with you this morning. Please open it up to John chapter 6. 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:08.740 John chapter 6. 00:00:24.500 --> 00:00:27.780 We've been working through this chapter for some time now. 00:00:27.780 --> 00:00:31.380 We're really digging into the details. 00:00:31.620 --> 00:00:34.820 There's a long conversation here between Jesus and a crowd. 00:00:36.520 --> 00:00:39.140 We've looked at almost everything that Jesus has said here. 00:00:40.020 --> 00:00:42.200 This morning is our last morning in the chapter. 00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:46.040 We want to consider a few final statements that Jesus made, 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:48.219 which we've kind of skipped over until now. 00:00:49.659 --> 00:00:52.180 Let me just say a word of prayer. 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:56.560 Father in heaven, please help us now in these moments as we read your words, 00:00:56.560 --> 00:00:58.760 which you've preserved for us. 00:00:58.859 --> 00:00:59.700 Give us insight. 00:00:59.880 --> 00:01:01.140 Give us wisdom. 00:01:01.340 --> 00:01:02.240 Give us understanding. 00:01:02.780 --> 00:01:07.900 Help us to hear what Jesus said and to know exactly how it applies to us. 00:01:08.600 --> 00:01:10.060 We ask this in his name. 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:11.020 Amen. 00:01:11.019 --> 00:01:13.579 All right. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:17.560 So let's get our bearings in this conversation one last time. 00:01:18.420 --> 00:01:22.939 And we want to keep this whole conversation with the crowd and with Jesus' disciples 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:25.019 and with Peter in mind as much as we can, 00:01:25.119 --> 00:01:30.620 because this is the context of the statements that Jesus made that we're going to consider this morning. 00:01:30.699 --> 00:01:36.359 We need to look at what Jesus said, but also when and why he said what he said. 00:01:36.359 --> 00:01:39.400 And this is the picture that we've seen so far here. 00:01:40.180 --> 00:01:44.340 There's Jesus who's speaking to this crowd in the synagogue in Capernaum. 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:50.480 And in Jesus' own words, he is speaking to them words which are spirit and life, 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:54.579 words of truth that have been given to him by his father to say. 00:01:54.579 --> 00:01:59.019 And then there's this crowd who is listening. 00:01:59.819 --> 00:02:04.019 And on the whole, they do not believe what Jesus is saying, 00:02:04.259 --> 00:02:10.900 even though some of them have tasted for themselves the bread that he made just the day before 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:12.180 on the other side of the lake. 00:02:12.919 --> 00:02:15.439 And many have seen signs that he has performed. 00:02:16.699 --> 00:02:20.139 They have seen, and yet they do not believe, says Jesus. 00:02:20.139 --> 00:02:27.839 And Jesus has been very patient, it seems, to take time to speak with them more, 00:02:28.139 --> 00:02:29.719 to tell them more truth. 00:02:30.939 --> 00:02:35.500 And yet the crowd, it seems, from bad to worse. 00:02:36.939 --> 00:02:39.879 They go from holding their unbelief on the inside 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:46.639 to openly and blatantly challenging Jesus and grumbling at him and arguing with him. 00:02:46.639 --> 00:02:53.539 And then, after this conversation with the crowd is over, 00:02:54.099 --> 00:03:00.339 there's a conversation between Jesus and his disciples in verse 60 and down. 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:08.299 And they too are grumbling, some of them, about the things that Jesus has been saying. 00:03:09.579 --> 00:03:14.099 Jesus points out to them that he knows that some of them do not believe. 00:03:14.099 --> 00:03:22.560 And then we come to this moment in verse 66 where many of them walk out the door on Jesus 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.620 and no longer follow him. 00:03:25.759 --> 00:03:30.719 And in the midst of all of this, we saw last Sunday a guy named Peter, 00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:32.680 one of the twelve, 00:03:33.560 --> 00:03:38.939 declare that he has no intentions of walking away from Jesus 00:03:38.939 --> 00:03:45.520 because he believes and knows that Jesus is the Holy One of God. 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:47.259 These are his words. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:52.539 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God. 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:55.400 So what is going on here? 00:03:55.520 --> 00:04:00.579 How is it that Peter sees and believes and knows the truth about Jesus, 00:04:01.139 --> 00:04:03.620 but all these others do not? 00:04:04.620 --> 00:04:05.819 What is going on here? 00:04:05.819 --> 00:04:11.340 Why is the crowd not persuaded by Jesus' words? 00:04:12.819 --> 00:04:15.719 Peter was persuaded at some point. 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.379 Why him and not the rest? 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:22.719 Is it because Peter is smarter than the others? 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:27.079 Is it because Peter is more gullible than the others? 00:04:28.039 --> 00:04:30.980 Is it because Peter doesn't actually know, 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:34.560 but that he's just made up his mind that this is what he believes? 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:38.120 Or is there something else going on here? 00:04:39.600 --> 00:04:43.439 Well, we already heard from Jesus that there is something else going on here, 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:44.360 something much bigger. 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:54.160 We heard it for the first time when Jesus said this in John 6, verse 36. 00:04:54.459 --> 00:04:54.800 He said, 00:04:54.800 --> 00:05:10.240 So the people in the crowd, they're not coming to Jesus because they don't believe in him. 00:05:11.460 --> 00:05:15.240 And Jesus tells them that despite the fact that they're not coming, 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:16.240 some will come, 00:05:16.240 --> 00:05:23.699 some will come, and not just some, but all of those who the Father gives to him will come to him. 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:31.340 There's this unseen story that we talked about unfolding here between Father and Son. 00:05:32.340 --> 00:05:38.240 A story in which God the Father is giving people to his Son. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:47.780 And Jesus seems to be expressing unshakable confidence that not a single one of those whom the Father intends to give to him 00:05:47.780 --> 00:05:53.800 will fail to recognize Jesus and believe in him and come to him. 00:05:54.600 --> 00:05:57.139 And from there, Jesus goes on in the conversation. 00:05:57.300 --> 00:05:59.360 But then it comes up again. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:04.360 Jesus says something and it further exposes their unbelief. 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:07.319 And they start grumbling about what he said. 00:06:07.920 --> 00:06:09.220 Down in verse 41. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:14.840 At this, the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:17.560 I am the bread that came down from heaven. 00:06:18.780 --> 00:06:19.580 They said, 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:22.439 Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:25.139 whose father and mother we know? 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:27.780 How can he now say, 00:06:27.920 --> 00:06:29.040 I came down from heaven? 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:34.080 Stop grumbling among yourselves. 00:06:34.360 --> 00:06:35.319 Jesus answered, 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:39.680 No one can come to me 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:42.980 unless the Father who sent me 00:06:42.980 --> 00:06:44.600 draws them. 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:48.080 So first it's the statement 00:06:48.080 --> 00:06:50.460 that all who the Father gives to Jesus 00:06:50.460 --> 00:06:51.379 will come to him. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.860 And now it's this statement 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:56.259 that no one can come to Jesus 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:59.740 unless the Father who sent him 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:01.080 draws them. 00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:04.740 So there's more involved with coming to Jesus. 00:07:05.199 --> 00:07:06.939 And that more that's involved 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:08.759 is what the Father must first do 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.519 to make it possible. 00:07:11.659 --> 00:07:14.079 And then the conversation goes on from there. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:17.800 And eventually we come to the conversation 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:19.439 that he has with his disciples. 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:22.560 And Jesus says almost the same thing again. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:25.339 Right before a bunch of them leave, 00:07:25.599 --> 00:07:27.699 they're grumbling about his words. 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:30.039 And Jesus says this. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:30.959 He says, 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:32.939 There are some of you who do not believe. 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:35.459 For Jesus had known from the beginning 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:36.859 which of them did not believe 00:07:36.859 --> 00:07:38.739 and who would betray him. 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:40.639 He went on to say, 00:07:41.359 --> 00:07:43.399 This is why I told you 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:46.839 that no one can come to me 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:48.879 unless the Father 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:52.019 enables them to. 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:54.240 That's the NIV translation. 00:07:54.539 --> 00:07:55.799 The more literal translation 00:07:55.799 --> 00:07:57.719 that most Bible translations have 00:07:57.719 --> 00:07:59.839 is unless it has been granted 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:01.039 to him 00:08:01.039 --> 00:08:02.500 by the Father 00:08:02.500 --> 00:08:03.459 or given to him 00:08:03.459 --> 00:08:04.159 by the Father. 00:08:07.039 --> 00:08:08.199 So a third time 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.779 we see that Jesus points out 00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:11.019 the unbelief of some 00:08:11.019 --> 00:08:11.680 who are there. 00:08:12.859 --> 00:08:15.060 And then he gives an explanation for it. 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:16.519 He says, 00:08:16.659 --> 00:08:17.659 There are some among you 00:08:17.659 --> 00:08:19.620 who do not believe. 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:22.360 This is why I told you 00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:24.560 that no one can come to me 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:26.060 unless it is granted to him 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:27.439 by the Father. 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:30.100 So here it seems 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:31.860 Jesus is making a parallel statement 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:33.000 to the one he made earlier 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:33.940 in verse 44 00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:36.899 about how no one can come to him 00:08:36.899 --> 00:08:39.000 unless the Father draws them. 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:42.000 It's the same kind of statement. 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:44.539 And it seems to be given 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:45.360 an explanation 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:47.159 for why some don't believe. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:48.799 Only here, 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:49.679 the word used 00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:50.379 is granted 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:52.240 or given 00:08:52.240 --> 00:08:53.399 instead of drawn. 00:08:54.299 --> 00:08:55.539 What the Father must 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.500 first do 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:57.699 for his part 00:08:57.699 --> 00:08:59.179 is grant 00:08:59.179 --> 00:09:00.019 that a person 00:09:00.019 --> 00:09:01.379 may come to Jesus. 00:09:03.079 --> 00:09:04.059 So a little bit 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:04.799 different wording 00:09:04.799 --> 00:09:07.620 but a similar meaning. 00:09:08.579 --> 00:09:09.419 So three times 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:10.639 in this conversation, 00:09:10.779 --> 00:09:11.519 in this chapter, 00:09:12.259 --> 00:09:13.259 Jesus speaks about 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:15.139 something that the Father does 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:17.179 which is deeply connected 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:17.840 to people 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:19.460 believing in Jesus 00:09:19.460 --> 00:09:21.039 and coming to him. 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:23.500 All those 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:25.159 the Father gives me 00:09:25.159 --> 00:09:27.080 will come to me. 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:29.840 No one 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:31.199 can come to me 00:09:31.199 --> 00:09:32.960 unless the Father 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:33.840 who sent me 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:35.039 draws them. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:37.759 And no one 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:38.960 can come to me 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:40.679 unless it is granted to him 00:09:40.679 --> 00:09:42.179 by the Father. 00:09:42.179 --> 00:09:44.979 So what do 00:09:44.979 --> 00:09:46.079 these statements mean? 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:47.539 Let's try to bring them together. 00:09:47.699 --> 00:09:48.620 What do they mean? 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:50.639 Well, 00:09:50.659 --> 00:09:51.299 these particular 00:09:51.299 --> 00:09:52.219 statements of Jesus 00:09:52.219 --> 00:09:53.079 have been the subject 00:09:53.079 --> 00:09:54.120 of much debate 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:55.939 amongst Christians. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:57.579 And unfortunately, 00:09:57.979 --> 00:09:59.319 it's a very ugly debate. 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:01.500 There are brothers and sisters 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:02.539 on all sides of it 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.979 and many of them 00:10:03.979 --> 00:10:05.199 are denouncing one another 00:10:05.199 --> 00:10:06.000 as heretics 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:07.199 or as false teachers. 00:10:08.359 --> 00:10:08.799 In fact, 00:10:09.059 --> 00:10:09.620 this debate 00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.319 is not unlike 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:11.600 the coronavirus debate 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:12.860 that's swirling around us 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:13.420 today. 00:10:14.300 --> 00:10:15.420 You've got people over here 00:10:15.420 --> 00:10:16.340 saying one thing. 00:10:16.940 --> 00:10:18.660 This is how we should read it. 00:10:18.800 --> 00:10:19.540 You've got other people 00:10:19.540 --> 00:10:20.220 over here saying, 00:10:20.320 --> 00:10:21.180 no, you guys are wrong. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.240 You should read it this way. 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:23.900 You've got this third group 00:10:23.900 --> 00:10:24.200 saying, 00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:25.120 you're both wrong. 00:10:25.260 --> 00:10:26.260 I've got it figured out. 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:27.400 This is how it is. 00:10:28.180 --> 00:10:28.720 And then you've got 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.580 a whole bunch more 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:30.879 of us 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:32.000 throwing our hands up 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:32.840 in the air in the middle 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:33.560 kind of wondering, 00:10:33.720 --> 00:10:34.820 well, who do I trust? 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.560 We've got scholars 00:10:36.560 --> 00:10:37.300 over here 00:10:37.300 --> 00:10:38.100 that say this. 00:10:38.160 --> 00:10:38.760 We've got scholars 00:10:38.760 --> 00:10:39.260 over here. 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:40.980 We've got Greek experts 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:41.580 over here 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:42.360 and Greek experts 00:10:42.360 --> 00:10:43.019 over here. 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:44.799 Who do I trust? 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:45.720 Who do I believe? 00:10:46.299 --> 00:10:47.200 Which one is right? 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:48.779 And many of them 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.700 are pointing their fingers 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:50.279 at the others 00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:50.879 and saying, 00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:51.500 well, 00:10:51.819 --> 00:10:53.019 those guys are taking 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:54.059 this out of context 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:55.100 or those guys 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:55.700 are imposing 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:56.480 their view 00:10:56.480 --> 00:10:57.419 or their tradition 00:10:57.419 --> 00:10:59.279 upon this passage 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:01.500 or we know 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.559 what the Greek words 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:03.360 really mean 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:04.319 here. 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:06.019 And at the end 00:11:06.019 --> 00:11:06.460 of the day, 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:07.059 much like with 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:07.580 the coronavirus, 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:08.519 you can almost 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:09.779 just decide for yourself 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.579 whatever you want 00:11:10.579 --> 00:11:11.159 them to mean 00:11:11.159 --> 00:11:13.759 and then go on Google 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.559 and you'll be able 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.559 to find a whole host 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:16.039 of people 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:17.740 who agree with you 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:18.259 and are saying 00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:18.960 the same thing. 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:21.299 It's a little bit 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:22.259 frustrating. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:24.659 Even this week, 00:11:24.699 --> 00:11:25.299 I'll be honest, 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:26.480 as I was studying 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.120 into this, 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:28.279 there were a couple 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:29.159 moments where I just 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:29.460 thought, 00:11:29.819 --> 00:11:31.720 I just want to skip 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:32.340 this verse. 00:11:32.340 --> 00:11:36.360 there are elements 00:11:36.360 --> 00:11:37.100 of all sides 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:38.139 that sound reasonable. 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.420 But as I worked 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:41.060 through all of this, 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:41.879 it came clear to me 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:42.680 that there are really 00:11:42.680 --> 00:11:44.120 two questions here. 00:11:45.160 --> 00:11:46.340 The central question 00:11:46.340 --> 00:11:47.500 here is, 00:11:47.660 --> 00:11:48.360 what did Jesus 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:48.940 mean 00:11:48.940 --> 00:11:51.879 by these statements? 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:54.019 The secondary 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:55.040 question here is, 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:55.620 who do these 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:56.759 statements apply to? 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.860 Who does the 00:11:58.860 --> 00:11:59.560 Father draw 00:11:59.560 --> 00:12:00.379 or who does the 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.100 Father grant 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:02.100 to come to Jesus? 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:03.700 And it's mostly 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:04.480 that question 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.300 which sparks 00:12:05.300 --> 00:12:06.240 all the debate. 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:08.480 For this morning, 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.340 we really only have 00:12:09.340 --> 00:12:09.920 time to look 00:12:09.920 --> 00:12:10.879 at the central question. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:12.440 And so we're going 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.480 to kind of skirt 00:12:13.480 --> 00:12:14.440 the edges of the 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:15.440 debate as much 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:16.120 as possible. 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.720 And if you want 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.659 to talk about 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:20.580 the second question 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:20.899 later, 00:12:20.899 --> 00:12:21.620 I invite you to 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.139 come have that 00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:23.899 conversation later 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:24.860 after the service. 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:26.180 So what did 00:12:26.180 --> 00:12:26.940 Jesus mean 00:12:26.940 --> 00:12:27.860 by these 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:29.740 two similar 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:30.460 statements 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:31.620 that he made? 00:12:32.420 --> 00:12:33.040 No one 00:12:33.040 --> 00:12:33.560 can come 00:12:33.560 --> 00:12:34.040 to me 00:12:34.040 --> 00:12:35.040 unless the 00:12:35.040 --> 00:12:35.519 Father who 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:36.080 sent me 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:37.300 draws him. 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:39.040 And no one 00:12:39.040 --> 00:12:39.540 can come 00:12:39.540 --> 00:12:40.019 to me 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:40.879 unless it 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.519 is granted 00:12:41.519 --> 00:12:42.139 to him 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:43.259 by the 00:12:43.259 --> 00:12:43.600 Father. 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:45.420 Perhaps the 00:12:45.420 --> 00:12:45.800 first thing 00:12:45.800 --> 00:12:46.379 that we notice 00:12:46.379 --> 00:12:47.160 is that word 00:12:47.160 --> 00:12:47.780 unless. 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:49.820 There's a 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.300 condition, 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:51.340 there's a 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:51.879 requirement 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:53.100 in both 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:53.460 of these 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:54.040 statements. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:55.719 A person 00:12:55.719 --> 00:12:56.919 cannot come 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:58.059 to Jesus 00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:58.879 unless 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:00.399 Jesus says 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.099 that person 00:13:01.099 --> 00:13:01.659 is first 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:02.299 drawn 00:13:02.299 --> 00:13:03.639 by the 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:03.959 Father. 00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:05.439 A person 00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:06.079 cannot come 00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:06.579 to Jesus 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:07.439 unless 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.699 that person 00:13:08.699 --> 00:13:09.259 is first 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.120 granted 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:11.659 to come 00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:13.399 by the 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:13.699 Father. 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:15.199 In both 00:13:15.199 --> 00:13:15.599 cases, 00:13:15.719 --> 00:13:16.159 something is 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:17.139 required of 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:17.679 the Father 00:13:17.679 --> 00:13:18.259 to do 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.639 so that a 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.179 person may 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:20.599 come to 00:13:20.599 --> 00:13:21.019 Jesus. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:23.740 A second 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:24.199 thing that 00:13:24.199 --> 00:13:24.579 we see 00:13:24.579 --> 00:13:25.699 here is 00:13:25.699 --> 00:13:26.059 the word 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:26.500 can. 00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:29.000 Now in 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:29.340 English, 00:13:29.579 --> 00:13:30.159 this is a 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:30.720 pretty small 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.159 word, 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.240 just three 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:32.620 letters, 00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:34.039 but in 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:34.419 the original 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:34.939 language, 00:13:35.199 --> 00:13:35.899 it's a 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:36.340 full-blown 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:36.799 verb, 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:37.379 and it 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:37.899 basically 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.600 means to 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.059 have the 00:13:39.059 --> 00:13:39.799 ability to 00:13:39.799 --> 00:13:40.519 do something. 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.360 Can, 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.659 to be 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:43.340 able to, 00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:44.519 we might 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.740 paraphrase 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.240 it as 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.600 no one 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:48.439 is able 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:49.340 to come 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:49.759 to me. 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:51.399 unless 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:52.259 the Father 00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:52.939 does his 00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:53.319 part. 00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:55.120 So it 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.559 seems, 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:56.039 at least 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.439 to me, 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.539 that Jesus 00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:58.220 is talking 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:58.819 about an 00:13:58.819 --> 00:13:59.419 inability 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:01.360 that 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.460 everyone 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.340 has. 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:05.840 No one 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:07.460 can come 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.439 unless. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.039 No one 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:12.759 is able 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.860 to come 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:15.519 unless the 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:15.819 Father 00:14:15.819 --> 00:14:16.819 does his 00:14:16.819 --> 00:14:17.220 part. 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:18.819 Drawing 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:20.040 and granting 00:14:20.040 --> 00:14:20.420 us to 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:20.680 come. 00:14:22.260 --> 00:14:22.920 We have 00:14:22.920 --> 00:14:23.460 an inability. 00:14:24.760 --> 00:14:25.280 Let's 00:14:25.280 --> 00:14:25.580 make it 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:25.980 personal 00:14:25.980 --> 00:14:28.400 and really 00:14:28.400 --> 00:14:29.000 press these 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:29.580 words into 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:30.100 our hearts 00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:30.680 this morning. 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:32.040 Do you 00:14:32.040 --> 00:14:32.700 realize, 00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:34.520 according to 00:14:34.520 --> 00:14:34.860 Jesus, 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:35.960 even to 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:36.740 come to 00:14:36.740 --> 00:14:37.060 him, 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.540 even to 00:14:38.540 --> 00:14:39.140 come to 00:14:39.140 --> 00:14:39.400 him, 00:14:39.460 --> 00:14:39.840 as he's 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.280 been calling 00:14:40.280 --> 00:14:40.860 people to 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.080 do, 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:41.580 you are 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.840 at the 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:43.240 mercy 00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:44.540 of God. 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:44.639 God, 00:14:45.179 --> 00:14:47.099 Jesus 00:14:47.099 --> 00:14:47.559 wants you 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:47.860 to know 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.279 that it's 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:48.599 something 00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:49.459 you cannot 00:14:49.459 --> 00:14:51.539 do on 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.059 your own 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:53.759 without 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.299 God's 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:54.620 help. 00:14:55.639 --> 00:14:56.679 Unless the 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.699 Father draws 00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:58.000 you, 00:14:59.599 --> 00:15:00.120 unless he 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.120 grants it 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:01.519 to you 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.139 to come, 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:04.299 you cannot. 00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:04.479 God. 00:15:07.359 --> 00:15:08.000 These are 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.659 pretty sobering 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:08.979 words, 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.379 aren't they? 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:11.759 I mean, 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.299 it's through 00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:13.059 Jesus that 00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:13.740 we get to 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.240 the Father. 00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.059 No one 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:15.459 comes to 00:15:15.459 --> 00:15:15.879 the Father 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.339 but by 00:15:16.339 --> 00:15:16.639 me. 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:17.759 It's through 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.519 Jesus that 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:18.959 we get 00:15:18.959 --> 00:15:19.599 this eternal 00:15:19.599 --> 00:15:20.459 life and 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:21.240 are raised 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.719 up at the 00:15:21.719 --> 00:15:22.319 last day, 00:15:22.459 --> 00:15:22.879 as Jesus 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.659 has been 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:24.339 talking about. 00:15:24.439 --> 00:15:24.859 It's through 00:15:24.859 --> 00:15:25.299 him that 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:25.659 we are 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:26.279 spared 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:27.679 God's 00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:28.419 judgment 00:15:28.419 --> 00:15:29.039 at the 00:15:29.039 --> 00:15:29.459 end. 00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.539 These are 00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.159 all good 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:32.699 things that 00:15:32.699 --> 00:15:33.259 Jesus has 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:33.819 been talking 00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:34.340 about and 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:35.040 he's told 00:15:35.040 --> 00:15:35.560 us that 00:15:35.560 --> 00:15:35.920 in order 00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:36.540 to receive 00:15:36.540 --> 00:15:36.740 them, 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.140 we must 00:15:37.140 --> 00:15:37.820 believe in 00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:38.040 him. 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.460 We must 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:40.460 come to 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:40.740 him. 00:15:42.020 --> 00:15:43.020 And now 00:15:43.020 --> 00:15:44.320 he tells 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:44.680 us that 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:45.340 we cannot 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:46.080 come to 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:47.720 him unless 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.379 God 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:49.900 acts 00:15:49.900 --> 00:15:50.500 first 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:52.340 to draw 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:52.900 us 00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:54.800 and 00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:55.379 grants 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:55.900 us 00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:57.000 to come 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:57.700 to Jesus. 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.300 What 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:00.880 Jesus is 00:16:00.880 --> 00:16:01.460 saying is 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:01.920 that we 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:02.920 are totally 00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:04.019 at the 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:04.419 mercy 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.979 of God. 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:08.279 Not only 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:08.599 for the 00:16:08.599 --> 00:16:09.000 way of 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.519 salvation, 00:16:09.699 --> 00:16:10.079 but also 00:16:10.079 --> 00:16:10.439 to be 00:16:10.439 --> 00:16:10.839 able to 00:16:10.839 --> 00:16:11.519 get to 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:12.279 the way 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:12.819 of 00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.360 salvation. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.279 Do you 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:16.819 hear that 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.679 in these 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.059 words? 00:16:18.979 --> 00:16:19.620 Do you 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.039 see that 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.379 in these 00:16:20.379 --> 00:16:20.699 words? 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:21.139 Does your 00:16:21.139 --> 00:16:21.659 heart feel 00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.279 the weight 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:22.979 of that 00:16:22.979 --> 00:16:23.939 in these 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:24.740 words of 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.099 Jesus? 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:25.259 Jesus, 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:28.300 these words 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:29.600 speak of 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.460 how lost 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.379 I am. 00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:33.320 And it's 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:33.879 worse than 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.259 it maybe 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.139 feels or 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:36.000 perhaps than 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.639 I originally 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.180 thought. 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.779 I have an 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.580 inability, 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.700 according to 00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.000 Jesus, 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.860 to grab a 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.580 hold of the 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:45.440 lifeline that 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.460 is Jesus 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:48.540 apart from 00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:49.980 the drawing 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:51.779 and granting 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:53.620 of God 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.120 the Father. 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:56.919 What this 00:16:56.919 --> 00:16:57.500 means to me 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.000 is that I 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:58.699 am saved 00:16:58.699 --> 00:17:00.459 from start 00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:01.639 to finish 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:03.480 by God's 00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:05.460 grace as 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.720 an unearned 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.339 gift of 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:07.680 God. 00:17:07.899 --> 00:17:08.619 And not 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:09.299 simply because 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.000 I managed 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.619 in my own 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:12.279 ability to 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.680 get to 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:12.960 Jesus, 00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:13.920 to figure 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:14.440 out who 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.099 he was, 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.359 who's the 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:16.819 Messiah, 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:17.879 to see what 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.379 others could 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:18.940 not see. 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:24.279 Now I'm 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:24.779 not sure at 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.240 this point 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.500 if Peter 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.420 understands what 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:27.920 Jesus is 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.160 saying. 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:28.640 Let's pull 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:29.180 Peter into 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:29.759 focus here. 00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:30.200 He's the 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:30.640 one who 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.320 we looked 00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:31.799 at last 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:32.160 Sunday. 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:33.880 I wonder 00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:34.519 if Peter 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.620 perhaps isn't 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:35.980 somewhat 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.400 congratulating 00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:38.920 himself on 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:40.039 having found 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:40.519 Jesus, 00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.340 the Messiah. 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.840 He said, 00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:45.580 we have 00:17:45.580 --> 00:17:46.140 come to 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:46.799 believe and 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.440 to know 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.799 that you 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.299 are the 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:49.839 Holy One 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.339 of God. 00:17:52.139 --> 00:17:53.119 And he 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:53.700 says this 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.359 right after 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.159 many, 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.000 probably the 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.960 majority of 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:57.259 Jesus' 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.099 disciples just 00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:58.559 walked out 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:58.960 the door 00:17:58.960 --> 00:17:59.379 on him. 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.059 We have 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:02.139 come to 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.680 believe and 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.059 to know 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.619 that you 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:04.200 are the 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:04.720 Holy One 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.240 of God. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.940 But I 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:10.019 think if 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.440 we're listening 00:18:10.440 --> 00:18:10.960 to Jesus 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.419 in these 00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:11.839 words, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.859 what he 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:13.399 wants Peter 00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:13.940 to know 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:15.940 is that he 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.680 hasn't figured 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.879 this out 00:18:17.880 --> 00:18:18.860 all by 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.440 himself 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.720 without 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.760 God's 00:18:21.760 --> 00:18:22.060 help. 00:18:26.260 --> 00:18:26.860 Peter 00:18:26.860 --> 00:18:27.500 makes his 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.200 declaration 00:18:28.200 --> 00:18:29.760 of faith. 00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:31.380 Somehow, 00:18:31.800 --> 00:18:32.380 we talked 00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:32.960 last Sunday, 00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:33.700 he sees the 00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.260 truth about 00:18:34.260 --> 00:18:34.900 Jesus that 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:35.620 many do 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:36.000 not. 00:18:37.520 --> 00:18:37.880 And we 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:38.260 might be 00:18:38.260 --> 00:18:38.540 tempted, 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.400 perhaps Peter 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:39.880 was tempted 00:18:39.880 --> 00:18:40.380 to think, 00:18:40.540 --> 00:18:41.540 at least I 00:18:41.540 --> 00:18:42.040 have made 00:18:42.040 --> 00:18:42.480 the right 00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:42.980 choice. 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:44.720 He makes 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.540 his declaration. 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.519 we've come 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:47.059 to believe 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.379 and to 00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:48.139 know that 00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:48.799 you are 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.319 the Holy 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:49.720 One of 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.119 God. 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:51.940 And maybe 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:52.379 we might 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:53.019 be expecting 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:53.879 Jesus to 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.240 say, 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:55.700 well done, 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:56.059 Peter. 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:57.940 You have 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.680 chosen well. 00:19:00.399 --> 00:19:01.440 But instead, 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.740 Jesus says 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.039 somewhat 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.279 an unexpected 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:06.940 response. 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.440 He says, 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.579 have I 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:10.119 not chosen 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:10.599 you? 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:13.500 maybe not 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:13.779 what we 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.359 were expecting 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:14.879 to hear. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:16.459 And this 00:19:16.459 --> 00:19:16.899 kind of a 00:19:16.899 --> 00:19:17.179 moment 00:19:17.179 --> 00:19:18.779 happens again, 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.439 another time 00:19:19.439 --> 00:19:19.939 for Peter. 00:19:20.599 --> 00:19:21.480 As Matthew 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.119 records in 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:23.439 his gospel, 00:19:23.639 --> 00:19:24.000 Matthew 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.459 chapter 16, 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:26.899 you're probably 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:27.699 familiar with 00:19:27.699 --> 00:19:27.899 it. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.219 Jesus 00:19:29.219 --> 00:19:30.639 says to 00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:31.279 his disciples, 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:31.980 who do 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.359 people say 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:33.740 the Son 00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.119 of Man 00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:34.439 is? 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.319 And there's 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:36.000 a conversation 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:36.439 about, 00:19:36.939 --> 00:19:37.279 you know, 00:19:37.459 --> 00:19:38.219 who is 00:19:38.219 --> 00:19:38.659 Jesus? 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:39.500 They give 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:39.899 some of the 00:19:39.899 --> 00:19:40.259 answers. 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.659 Then Jesus 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.319 narrows it 00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:42.740 down and 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.099 he says, 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.639 what about 00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:44.939 you to 00:19:44.939 --> 00:19:45.559 his disciples? 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.139 Who do 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:47.519 you say 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:48.119 that I 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.419 am? 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.839 And this 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.379 is Peter's 00:19:51.379 --> 00:19:51.919 response. 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:54.039 You are 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.779 the Messiah, 00:19:55.399 --> 00:19:56.559 the Son 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:56.879 of the 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:57.559 living God. 00:20:00.699 --> 00:20:01.299 Again, 00:20:01.399 --> 00:20:01.699 we might 00:20:01.699 --> 00:20:02.359 be expecting 00:20:02.359 --> 00:20:03.480 Jesus to 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:03.959 congratulate 00:20:03.959 --> 00:20:04.500 Peter. 00:20:04.679 --> 00:20:05.359 Well done. 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.619 You figured 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.079 it out. 00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:08.759 And again, 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:09.619 Jesus says 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.799 this, 00:20:11.179 --> 00:20:12.219 similar kind 00:20:12.219 --> 00:20:12.659 of a thing. 00:20:12.719 --> 00:20:13.039 He says, 00:20:13.239 --> 00:20:13.739 blessed 00:20:13.739 --> 00:20:15.099 are you, 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:16.359 Simon, 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.039 for this 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.579 was not 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:19.339 revealed to 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:20.519 you by 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.079 flesh and 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:21.379 blood, 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.319 but by my 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.819 Father in 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.099 heaven. 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.519 Jesus gives 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.279 his Father 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.979 the credit 00:20:28.979 --> 00:20:30.759 for Peter's 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.519 understanding 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.179 the truth 00:20:32.179 --> 00:20:33.500 of who 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.179 Jesus is. 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:35.180 God 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:35.220 is. 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.440 It's kind 00:20:35.440 --> 00:20:35.680 of a 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.100 deflating 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.560 moment. 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.519 It takes 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:39.259 away from 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.460 Peter the 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.539 opportunity to 00:20:41.539 --> 00:20:42.400 brag or to 00:20:42.400 --> 00:20:42.940 boast about 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.680 the fact that 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.820 I have 00:20:44.820 --> 00:20:45.820 figured it 00:20:45.820 --> 00:20:46.140 out, 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:48.580 while everybody 00:20:48.580 --> 00:20:49.519 else seems to 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.000 have missed 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.279 it. 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:52.060 It's as though 00:20:52.060 --> 00:20:52.759 Jesus is saying, 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.519 yes, you have 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.160 come to me. 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.440 Yes, you have 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.460 figured out the 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.360 truth about me, 00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:59.019 but not on 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.500 your own, 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:01.900 not without 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:03.059 the blessing 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.740 and the 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.279 revealing, 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:08.440 the granting 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:10.119 and the 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.599 drawing 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:12.180 of my 00:21:12.180 --> 00:21:12.559 Father. 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.599 Without that, 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:16.319 you'd be in the 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:17.160 same spot as 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:17.619 the rest. 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.920 There is more 00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:23.720 going on here 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.680 than just the 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.700 people and 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:26.059 Jesus. 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.259 The Father 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.440 is at work 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.779 in unseen 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.400 ways, 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.080 blessing 00:21:33.080 --> 00:21:34.980 and revealing, 00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:36.820 granting 00:21:36.820 --> 00:21:38.480 and drawing 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:40.080 people. 00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:41.920 And what 00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.660 he is doing 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.620 factors in 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.279 hugely 00:21:44.279 --> 00:21:46.299 to what's 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:46.779 going on 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.059 here. 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:47.940 No one 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.580 can come 00:21:48.580 --> 00:21:49.039 to me 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.779 unless 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.580 the Father 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:52.960 who sent 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.299 me 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.720 draws him. 00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:55.860 No one 00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:56.380 can come 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:56.700 to me 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.160 unless 00:21:57.160 --> 00:21:57.960 it is 00:21:57.960 --> 00:21:58.360 granted 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:58.840 to him 00:21:58.840 --> 00:21:59.220 by 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.100 the 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:00.480 Father. 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.720 We might 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.140 imagine 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:03.559 that we 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:03.720 are 00:22:03.720 --> 00:22:04.039 drowning 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.400 in the 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:04.720 ocean 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:06.059 and that 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:06.339 God 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:06.940 throws out 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.220 one of 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.519 those 00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.400 life rings 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:09.140 to us. 00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.519 That's 00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:09.920 Jesus. 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.279 And the 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.720 life ring 00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.180 is there 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:12.480 in the 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.839 water, 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.100 right in 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:14.460 front of 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:14.759 us. 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:15.299 Jesus 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.819 has come 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:16.279 into our 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.759 world, 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:19.480 but we're 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.160 unable to 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.720 get to 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:20.940 it. 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.960 For some 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.319 reason, 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:23.779 it's just 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.460 out of reach. 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:26.059 we have 00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.380 this 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.160 inability 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.980 that Jesus 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:29.980 speaks of. 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:31.720 And there's 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.160 all kind of 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.860 debate as 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:34.140 to what's 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:34.579 the reason 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.059 for this 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.519 inability. 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.140 What is 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.400 this 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:36.759 inability? 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.539 Perhaps it's 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:38.840 like the 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:39.380 people of the 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:39.660 crowd, 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.200 even some 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.420 of the 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.059 disciples who 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.539 left that 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:41.819 day, 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:42.519 like a 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:42.960 blindness, 00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.160 where we're 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:44.799 just unable 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.400 to see 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.200 Jesus as 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.759 the special 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.519 provision of 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.000 God that 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.539 he is. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:50.279 or perhaps 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:50.659 it's a 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:50.940 stubborn 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.759 heartedness, 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:53.799 a deeply 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.680 rooted 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.680 unwillingness 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.319 to acknowledge 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.980 that Jesus 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.480 is the 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:57.920 life ring 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:58.379 that God 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:59.059 has provided. 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:01.940 Whatever it 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.240 is, 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.339 it seems 00:23:03.339 --> 00:23:03.940 clear from 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.259 Jesus' 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:04.879 words that 00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.339 we need 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:05.940 more than 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.899 just the 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:07.399 life ring 00:23:07.399 --> 00:23:07.839 to be 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.139 saved. 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:08.779 We need 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.480 help from 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.039 God, 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.839 the Father, 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.279 to come 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.440 to the 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:13.920 life ring 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.940 so we can 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.460 grab a hold 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:15.779 of it. 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.339 God must 00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:18.099 work first 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:19.299 with his 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.619 power in 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.000 us, 00:23:21.219 --> 00:23:22.679 or else 00:23:22.679 --> 00:23:23.740 we will 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.480 remain 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.159 unable 00:23:25.159 --> 00:23:26.299 to come 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:26.839 to Jesus. 00:23:29.079 --> 00:23:29.859 And so 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.339 we truly 00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:30.819 are at 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.240 the mercy 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:31.819 of God. 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:34.419 We need 00:23:34.419 --> 00:23:35.500 the Father 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.619 to draw 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.059 us. 00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.899 We need 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.439 the Father 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:40.779 to grant 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:41.439 it to us 00:23:41.439 --> 00:23:41.839 that we 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:42.240 come 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:44.219 to Jesus, 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:46.639 or else 00:23:46.639 --> 00:23:47.240 we can't. 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:49.099 God 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.399 to pray. 00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:49.599 Now this 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:50.079 is perhaps 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.779 a surprising 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.399 and unexpected 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:52.139 thing to 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:52.559 many of 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:52.859 us. 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:54.779 Not for 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:55.119 all of 00:23:55.119 --> 00:23:55.359 us. 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:55.779 Some of 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.139 us may 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:56.819 remember a 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:58.079 time before 00:23:58.079 --> 00:23:58.659 we became 00:23:58.659 --> 00:23:59.500 a follower 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.059 of Jesus 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:01.039 where we 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.980 felt drawn 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.740 by God. 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.000 You hear 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.419 that in 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:06.000 testimonies 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.419 from time 00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:06.859 to time, 00:24:06.959 --> 00:24:07.159 this 00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:08.219 unexplainable 00:24:08.219 --> 00:24:09.359 pull that 00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:09.839 a person 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:11.639 feels to 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:11.959 go to 00:24:11.959 --> 00:24:12.519 church or 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:12.799 to an 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.519 evangelistic 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:14.079 meeting or 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.599 simply to 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.059 open their 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.619 Bible and 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.139 read it, 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:17.040 or to 00:24:17.040 --> 00:24:17.420 pray, 00:24:18.080 --> 00:24:18.480 when for 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.320 years before 00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:19.820 that they 00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:20.280 didn't want 00:24:20.280 --> 00:24:20.540 to do 00:24:20.540 --> 00:24:20.900 any of 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.140 that. 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:22.660 They 00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:22.920 thought it 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.160 was a 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.520 waste of 00:24:23.520 --> 00:24:23.880 time. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.600 But for 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.000 others of 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.200 us, 00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:27.640 maybe we 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:27.880 don't 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:28.340 remember 00:24:28.340 --> 00:24:29.480 feeling 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.640 drawn. 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:32.520 Maybe it 00:24:32.520 --> 00:24:32.920 felt more 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:33.259 like a 00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.580 careful 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.380 investigation 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:36.120 or a 00:24:36.120 --> 00:24:36.960 long-thought-out 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:37.520 decision 00:24:37.520 --> 00:24:39.259 to follow 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:39.640 Jesus. 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.500 Or maybe it 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:40.900 was something 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.240 that we 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.900 just remember 00:24:41.900 --> 00:24:42.400 believing 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:43.240 ever since 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.779 we were 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.220 a kid. 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.920 Every person 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.279 has a 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.500 different 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:49.700 story and 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:50.059 different 00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:50.940 feelings that 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.380 went along 00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:51.859 with that 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:52.400 story of 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:52.759 how they 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.759 first came 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.180 to be a 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.700 follower of 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:55.019 Jesus. 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.660 But however 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.140 it happened 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.380 for you that 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.000 you came to 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.519 confess, 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:00.920 like Peter 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.279 does, 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:03.019 that Jesus 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:03.460 is the 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:03.900 Holy One 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.299 of God, 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:05.200 Jesus wants 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:05.559 you to 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:07.000 know that 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.460 you didn't 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.819 come to 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.279 that all 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:09.000 by yourself. 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:11.299 Whether you 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:12.120 realized it or 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.759 felt it or 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.120 not, 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.500 you had 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:14.980 help, 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:17.120 God the 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.700 Father was 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.279 acting, 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:20.779 granting, 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:22.539 blessing, 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:24.400 revealing, 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.519 and drawing 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:26.839 you. 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:29.160 And so 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.839 trusting these 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.359 words of 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.559 Jesus as 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:32.120 the truth, 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:34.140 we ought 00:25:34.140 --> 00:25:34.599 to thank 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:36.660 God that 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.059 he has 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:38.460 drawn us, 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.000 that he 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.579 has granted 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.220 it to us 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:41.759 to come 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.940 to Jesus 00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:43.920 and have 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.380 life. 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:47.400 Perhaps 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:47.880 we've taken 00:25:47.880 --> 00:25:48.259 this for 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:48.600 granted. 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.059 Maybe we've 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.460 even been 00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.420 guilty of 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.380 thinking that 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:53.799 God is 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.860 obligated to 00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:55.519 draw us, 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:57.340 to grant 00:25:57.340 --> 00:25:58.440 us to 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:58.759 come. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.100 Maybe even 00:26:01.100 --> 00:26:01.820 that he owes 00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:02.519 it to us. 00:26:03.860 --> 00:26:04.539 But the 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:05.279 very fact that 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.340 Jesus says 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.160 it like this, 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.840 that he brings 00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.299 it up, 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.380 should make it 00:26:09.380 --> 00:26:10.039 clear that God 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.619 doesn't owe 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.139 it to us 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.559 at all. 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.039 It's a 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:14.299 gift of 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.720 grace. 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.220 Maybe you're 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.599 here this 00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:19.039 morning and 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.359 you're not 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.819 sure where 00:26:19.819 --> 00:26:20.339 you stand 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:20.920 with Jesus. 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.639 Maybe you're 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.200 worried about 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.720 whether God 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.359 has drawn 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.779 you or is 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.559 drawing you 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:28.139 or whether 00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:29.460 he has 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.339 granted you 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:30.980 to come to 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.539 Jesus or 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:31.940 whether he 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.619 will grant 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.000 you to 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.319 come. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.839 If that's 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.240 you this 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.519 morning, 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.019 I want to 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.779 encourage you. 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:39.440 Jesus himself 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.099 seemed quite 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:41.339 content to 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:42.379 leave what 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:42.940 God the 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.879 Father does 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:45.559 in the 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.019 Father's 00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.879 capable hands. 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.220 And so 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.740 should we. 00:26:49.960 --> 00:26:50.799 Try as we 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.299 may, we 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.819 may not be 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.319 able to 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.539 detect or 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.399 to feel the 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:56.359 unseen work 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:56.899 of God 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:58.099 inside of us 00:26:58.099 --> 00:26:58.920 or inside of 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.519 other people. 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.399 But we can 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.019 rest assured, 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:02.899 as Jesus did, 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:04.000 that he is 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.660 at work in 00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.220 the hearts of 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.599 people. 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.379 Granting, 00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.039 revealing, 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.220 blessing, 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:13.759 drawing. 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:16.000 And we 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.319 can have 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.180 confidence from 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.220 many of the 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.819 other scriptures, 00:27:19.079 --> 00:27:19.399 we're not 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:20.099 going to look 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.539 at them this 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:20.899 morning, 00:27:21.160 --> 00:27:21.940 that God 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:22.779 is merciful, 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.500 he is 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:24.960 gracious, 00:27:25.660 --> 00:27:26.139 he is 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:26.779 compassionate, 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.700 and he is 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.420 loving, 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:28.819 and he 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.680 desires to 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:31.119 save people. 00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:33.819 And so 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.859 at the end 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.299 of it all, 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:35.980 we need only 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.420 concern 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:36.860 ourselves 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:37.460 with this. 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:39.299 Do I 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:40.240 believe 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:41.640 that Jesus 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.160 is the 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:42.680 Holy One 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.180 of God? 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:45.460 Do I 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.039 believe it? 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.740 Will I 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.500 follow him 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.059 and accept 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.960 him as my 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.640 Messiah? 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.080 God 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:52.140 God 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.040 God 00:27:53.040 --> 00:27:54.080 will 00:27:54.080 --> 00:27:55.080 do I 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:55.140 know? 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.240 There's a 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.980 beautiful promise 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.620 of assurance 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.220 that Jesus 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.920 gives in the 00:27:57.920 --> 00:27:58.480 midst of all 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:58.900 this. 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.360 Down in 00:28:04.360 --> 00:28:04.680 verse 00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:07.759 37, 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.440 he says, 00:28:09.520 --> 00:28:10.240 whoever comes 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.680 to me, 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:12.460 I will never 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.320 drive away. 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:15.099 God 00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.339 and so if 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:15.679 you have 00:28:15.679 --> 00:28:16.119 not come 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.659 to Jesus, 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.819 come to 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.059 him. 00:28:19.679 --> 00:28:20.460 Believe in 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:20.720 him. 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.079 Whoever 00:28:23.079 --> 00:28:23.619 does, 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.399 if you 00:28:24.399 --> 00:28:25.059 do, 00:28:26.519 --> 00:28:27.019 he will 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.559 never 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.399 drive you 00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:29.179 away or 00:28:29.179 --> 00:28:29.659 cast you 00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:29.899 out. 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:32.799 That's the 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.279 promise of 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:33.539 the Lord 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:33.919 Jesus. 00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:36.659 Let's 00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:36.879 pray. 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:36.980 Amen. 00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:42.339 Father in 00:28:42.339 --> 00:28:42.500 heaven, 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:42.960 we thank 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:43.220 you for 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:43.860 these words 00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.940 and we 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:45.360 ask that 00:28:45.360 --> 00:28:45.620 you would 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.099 press them 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.559 into our 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:46.920 hearts. 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:47.960 We say 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.519 thank you 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.019 to you 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:50.660 for drawing 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.960 us and 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.480 for granting 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.440 to us who 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:53.940 have come 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.460 to you 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:56.480 that we 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.980 have come, 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.160 that we 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:58.839 do see, 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.480 as Peter 00:28:59.480 --> 00:28:59.920 saw, 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.099 what many 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:01.660 did not 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.380 and do 00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:03.000 not today. 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:06.380 We pray 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:06.759 and ask 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.119 that you 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:08.720 would help 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.079 us to 00:29:09.079 --> 00:29:09.539 keep this 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:09.920 in mind 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.220 as we 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:10.579 think of 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:10.960 others 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:12.980 around us 00:29:12.980 --> 00:29:13.400 who don't 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:13.940 know you 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:15.220 and who 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:15.599 do not 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:15.960 believe. 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.400 Help us 00:29:16.400 --> 00:29:17.259 to understand 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.319 how we 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.220 ought to 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:20.619 reach out 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.099 to them 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:22.200 and speak 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.680 to them 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.039 in light 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.500 of these 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:23.940 words. 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.640 Give us 00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:26.059 wisdom 00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:27.299 and help 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:27.819 us to be 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.640 salt and 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:28.960 light, 00:29:29.420 --> 00:29:30.319 as we've 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:30.819 talked about 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.339 earlier this 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:31.819 morning in 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.099 Sunday 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:32.500 school, 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.920 to our 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.259 world, 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:35.960 to our 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.400 community, 00:29:36.400 --> 00:29:37.000 to our 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.300 neighbors. 00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.280 We thank 00:29:39.280 --> 00:29:39.560 you that 00:29:39.560 --> 00:29:39.840 you are 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.300 a gracious 00:29:40.300 --> 00:29:41.580 and merciful 00:29:41.580 --> 00:29:42.600 and loving 00:29:42.600 --> 00:29:43.000 God. 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.160 And we 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:45.720 say this in 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.360 Jesus' name. 00:29:46.360 --> 00:29:47.740 Amen.