WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:02.220 Amen. Thank you, Treg. 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:07.740 Please take your Bibles and open them up to John chapter 14. 00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:14.900 John chapter 14 this morning. Our passage is going to be chapter 14, verses 1 through 14. 00:00:15.099 --> 00:00:20.000 If you didn't bring your own Bible, that's okay. We provide those for you in the seat backs in front of you. 00:00:20.420 --> 00:00:24.879 And if you don't have a Bible at all, you can take that Bible home with you as our gift to you. 00:00:24.879 --> 00:00:31.280 But we do ask that you open up God's Word because we'll be reading from here John chapter 14, verses 1 through 14. 00:00:31.519 --> 00:00:37.019 And when you found it there in your Bible, if you would stand in honor of God's Word as I read. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:51.460 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:00:51.460 --> 00:00:55.320 Believe in God, believe also in me. 00:00:56.259 --> 00:00:58.340 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:00:58.480 --> 00:01:02.340 If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 00:01:02.899 --> 00:01:08.260 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, 00:01:08.599 --> 00:01:10.659 that where I am you may be also. 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:13.579 And you know the way to where I am going. 00:01:14.540 --> 00:01:15.520 Thomas said to him, 00:01:15.859 --> 00:01:19.180 Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way? 00:01:19.180 --> 00:01:21.200 Jesus said to him, 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:25.980 I am the way and the truth and the life. 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:29.480 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:32.920 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. 00:01:33.520 --> 00:01:36.480 From now on, you do know him and have seen him. 00:01:37.520 --> 00:01:38.320 Philip said to him, 00:01:38.380 --> 00:01:40.920 Lord, show us the Father and it is enough for us. 00:01:41.900 --> 00:01:42.840 Jesus said to him, 00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:46.820 Have I been with you so long and you still do not know me, Philip? 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:50.320 Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. 00:01:50.820 --> 00:01:52.659 How can you say, show us the Father? 00:01:53.320 --> 00:01:57.240 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? 00:01:57.820 --> 00:02:01.040 The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own authority, 00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:04.120 but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 00:02:05.080 --> 00:02:08.039 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, 00:02:08.340 --> 00:02:10.960 or else believe on account of the works themselves. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:13.500 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:02:14.040 --> 00:02:17.820 whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do. 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:20.760 And greater works than these will he do, 00:02:20.860 --> 00:02:23.020 because I am going to the Father. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:26.360 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, 00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:29.460 that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:32.060 If you ask me anything in my name, 00:02:32.700 --> 00:02:33.819 I will do it. 00:02:34.540 --> 00:02:37.300 This is the holy word of God. 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:39.319 If you would be seated as we pray once more. 00:02:39.319 --> 00:02:43.259 Lord, as we open up your word, 00:02:43.400 --> 00:02:45.939 we ask, Father, in the name of Christ, 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:48.259 would you show us your glory? 00:02:49.459 --> 00:02:51.659 Point us, point our attention, point our hearts 00:02:51.659 --> 00:02:53.979 to the goodness and the worthiness of Christ, 00:02:54.199 --> 00:02:55.539 and lead us to worship you, we pray. 00:02:55.699 --> 00:02:56.519 In Christ's name. 00:02:57.500 --> 00:02:57.799 Amen. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:00.740 Well, somehow, as you can see, 00:03:00.859 --> 00:03:02.840 it is Christmas time. 00:03:02.840 --> 00:03:05.780 Which means Christmas music is on the radio. 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:09.280 Houses and churches are being decorated, 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:10.159 set up for Christmas. 00:03:10.280 --> 00:03:11.960 All the preparations are being made. 00:03:12.080 --> 00:03:14.240 Many of you are preparing, like I am, 00:03:14.280 --> 00:03:16.699 to go and visit family for the holiday season. 00:03:17.360 --> 00:03:18.840 But we know as Christians, 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:21.180 this Advent season, Christmas season, 00:03:21.360 --> 00:03:25.199 is preparation for the coming of King Jesus. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:26.780 It's about his birth, 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:28.819 and it's about his coming again. 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:30.120 And so we take our time, 00:03:30.219 --> 00:03:31.300 during this Advent season, 00:03:31.419 --> 00:03:33.060 to prepare our hearts 00:03:33.060 --> 00:03:35.360 to worship the coming King. 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:38.659 Well, this year, over the next four weeks, 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:40.080 these four Sundays of Advent, 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:41.639 what I want us to focus on is 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:45.319 four gifts from God to his people. 00:03:45.819 --> 00:03:46.979 Y'all thought we might pause 00:03:46.979 --> 00:03:48.120 from the Gospel of John, 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:50.479 but as we look through the Gospel of John 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:52.280 and where we were in this book, 00:03:52.280 --> 00:03:53.439 I realized, really, 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:55.219 there's no good reason to stop. 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:58.020 These are four good gifts 00:03:58.020 --> 00:04:00.020 from God to his people. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:01.139 So each Advent Sunday, 00:04:01.219 --> 00:04:02.280 we'll see another gift 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:04.500 from Jesus to his followers. 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:07.500 These are good gifts to you, believer. 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:10.560 But this week, here in John 14, 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:13.060 the gift is a little bit peculiar. 00:04:14.139 --> 00:04:16.240 As we prepare ourselves for his coming, 00:04:16.360 --> 00:04:17.980 this week, we're celebrating 00:04:17.980 --> 00:04:19.819 the gift of his leaving. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:23.259 It's the gift of his departure. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:25.980 John, throughout the Gospel of John, 00:04:26.019 --> 00:04:26.659 he's been telling us 00:04:26.659 --> 00:04:28.680 that after years and years 00:04:28.680 --> 00:04:30.199 and years of waiting, 00:04:30.459 --> 00:04:31.620 years of anticipating, 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:34.079 years of longing for the Messiah to come, 00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:35.980 he has finally come. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:38.459 He's been born in the stable. 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:40.079 The Word has become flesh. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:41.399 He's dwelt among us. 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:43.339 He's born as a baby there in Bethlehem. 00:04:43.399 --> 00:04:44.279 He grows up. 00:04:44.779 --> 00:04:48.659 John demonstrates his ministry there 00:04:48.659 --> 00:04:49.600 among his disciples, 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:50.680 all of the signs, 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:51.960 all of the miracles, 00:04:52.260 --> 00:04:53.240 all of the teaching. 00:04:53.340 --> 00:04:55.220 He's finally here. 00:04:55.340 --> 00:04:57.460 The Messiah has finally come. 00:04:57.560 --> 00:04:58.580 And now he says, 00:04:58.740 --> 00:04:59.939 I'm leaving. 00:05:01.580 --> 00:05:04.640 What kind of gift is that? 00:05:05.960 --> 00:05:08.300 What good can possibly come 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:11.040 from the departure of Christ? 00:05:11.160 --> 00:05:13.900 How is his departure a gift to us? 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:14.820 Well, I want to show us 00:05:14.820 --> 00:05:16.379 three ways this morning 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:18.900 from this chapter in John 14. 00:05:18.899 --> 00:05:23.959 Three ways his leaving is a gift to us. 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:25.099 This will be our outline this morning. 00:05:25.199 --> 00:05:25.979 If you're taking notes, 00:05:26.060 --> 00:05:27.679 I think that that helps you to follow along. 00:05:27.819 --> 00:05:32.099 Three ways Jesus' departure is a gift to us. 00:05:32.299 --> 00:05:38.359 First, we see that his leaving secures our coming. 00:05:38.360 --> 00:05:44.000 His leaving secures our coming. 00:05:44.100 --> 00:05:46.420 Look there with me to verse 1, chapter 14. 00:05:46.920 --> 00:05:50.939 Jesus is preparing for his final march to the cross. 00:05:51.060 --> 00:05:52.199 He's preparing to suffer. 00:05:52.819 --> 00:05:54.460 He's preparing to be humiliated. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:56.580 He's preparing ultimately to die. 00:05:57.180 --> 00:05:57.980 And yet look what he does. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:05:59.600 He turns to his disciples 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:02.040 and he comforts them. 00:06:02.939 --> 00:06:04.759 Look there to what he says in verse 1. 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:05.159 He says, 00:06:05.740 --> 00:06:07.379 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:06:07.480 --> 00:06:08.240 He comforts them. 00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:10.420 He assures them that his leaving 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:11.939 is with purpose. 00:06:12.139 --> 00:06:13.199 It's for their good. 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:15.939 He says he's not taking something away from them. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:18.560 In fact, his departure is giving them 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:20.219 something wonderful. 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:21.480 He comforts them 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:24.539 with a three-fold promise here. 00:06:24.980 --> 00:06:26.199 Look with me starting to verse 2. 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:26.599 He says, 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:26.980 First, 00:06:27.659 --> 00:06:28.779 In my father's house, 00:06:28.899 --> 00:06:30.959 there are many rooms. 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:32.319 You know, 00:06:32.359 --> 00:06:34.459 when I lived in North Myrtle Beach, 00:06:34.739 --> 00:06:37.519 I got to know a man by the name of Gene. 00:06:38.180 --> 00:06:40.120 And I would lead a men's Bible study there 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.419 at Bolino's on the corner 00:06:41.419 --> 00:06:43.019 right by Cherry Grove Beach, 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:44.019 if y'all know where that is. 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:45.079 And Gene would come 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:46.979 and you could tell that he was growing, 00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:47.879 he was learning, 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:50.299 that he was there every single week. 00:06:50.419 --> 00:06:52.539 But it didn't matter what text we were studying, 00:06:52.979 --> 00:06:54.659 didn't matter what topic we were discussing, 00:06:54.859 --> 00:06:56.659 every single week, 00:06:56.959 --> 00:06:58.099 Gene asked the same question. 00:06:58.100 --> 00:06:59.480 He said, 00:06:59.560 --> 00:06:59.900 Jonathan, 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:02.180 what does it mean 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:03.640 that in my father's house 00:07:03.640 --> 00:07:04.460 are many rooms? 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:07.120 And what do those rooms look like? 00:07:07.160 --> 00:07:08.620 What can I expect when I get there? 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:11.540 What are the accommodations there in glory? 00:07:12.100 --> 00:07:13.680 Every week he would ask that question. 00:07:13.760 --> 00:07:15.000 And so I really ought to have 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:16.460 a better answer for you. 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:19.260 But sadly, I'm sorry to say, 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:21.439 I can't tell you exactly 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:22.980 what these rooms look like. 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:24.060 But I can tell you, 00:07:24.520 --> 00:07:26.700 I don't think the point of this promise 00:07:26.699 --> 00:07:29.319 is for us to worry about the accommodations. 00:07:31.459 --> 00:07:32.399 Some translations, 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:33.199 you know, 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:33.939 they say, 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:35.420 in my father's house 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:36.819 are many mansions. 00:07:37.539 --> 00:07:39.379 We've all heard the old hymns, 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:40.939 Elvis Presley saying, 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:41.719 I've got a mansion 00:07:41.719 --> 00:07:43.459 down over the hilltop. 00:07:43.959 --> 00:07:45.539 And there's some really interesting, 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:46.099 in my opinion, 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:47.839 really interesting history there 00:07:47.839 --> 00:07:50.240 of why some versions say mansions, 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:51.740 other versions say houses, 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:53.099 other versions say rooms, 00:07:53.159 --> 00:07:53.779 rather, excuse me. 00:07:53.779 --> 00:07:55.379 And I read up on that. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:57.299 I got my argument all together, 00:07:57.399 --> 00:07:57.979 the description, 00:07:58.139 --> 00:07:59.679 I had the explanation fully ready 00:07:59.679 --> 00:08:00.459 to give to you 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:02.459 why I prefer the translation 00:08:02.459 --> 00:08:03.739 rooms to houses. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:05.039 And then I shared all of that 00:08:05.039 --> 00:08:05.859 with somebody who's much, 00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:07.339 much wiser than I am. 00:08:07.479 --> 00:08:08.219 And she said, 00:08:08.279 --> 00:08:08.439 really, 00:08:08.479 --> 00:08:09.579 I don't need to know all of this. 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:11.619 So I'll spare you. 00:08:12.279 --> 00:08:13.219 And she was right. 00:08:14.479 --> 00:08:14.779 You know, 00:08:14.799 --> 00:08:16.619 the point is not for us 00:08:16.619 --> 00:08:18.159 to argue about accommodations, 00:08:18.539 --> 00:08:19.939 mansions against rooms, 00:08:20.039 --> 00:08:21.479 whatever that room might look like. 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:24.900 Jesus is assuring his disciples 00:08:24.900 --> 00:08:27.960 and he's assuring you, 00:08:28.200 --> 00:08:30.040 he's assuring us, believer, 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:33.720 that there is room enough for you 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:35.519 in the house of God. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:38.560 That is an astounding promise, 00:08:38.659 --> 00:08:39.100 is it not? 00:08:39.940 --> 00:08:42.620 That there is room in the Father's house. 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:44.060 And what a comfort that is 00:08:44.060 --> 00:08:45.279 to know that no matter 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:47.120 what happens to us here, 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:49.500 no matter what loss we may endure here, 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:51.200 no matter what suffering 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:52.399 we may endure here, 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:53.480 no matter what tragedy 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:54.960 we may endure here, 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:56.159 no matter what may be taken 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.460 from us here, 00:08:57.620 --> 00:09:00.580 this promise cannot be taken 00:09:00.580 --> 00:09:01.399 from you. 00:09:01.820 --> 00:09:02.919 There is room 00:09:02.919 --> 00:09:05.299 in the Father's house. 00:09:06.320 --> 00:09:07.019 Not only that, 00:09:07.080 --> 00:09:07.639 Jesus says, 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:08.899 second part of this promise here, 00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:09.240 he says, 00:09:09.299 --> 00:09:10.440 I'm leaving now 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:12.840 to go and prepare your place. 00:09:13.639 --> 00:09:14.799 And this is the beauty 00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:16.080 of the second part of the promise. 00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:18.000 Jesus isn't just leaving, 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.080 he says in verse 2, 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:21.280 that he goes to prepare 00:09:21.280 --> 00:09:23.680 a place for his disciples. 00:09:23.900 --> 00:09:24.000 You know, 00:09:24.060 --> 00:09:26.000 my brother Gene wound up, 00:09:26.259 --> 00:09:27.800 he died a couple years ago. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:30.300 And as I heard the news 00:09:30.300 --> 00:09:30.940 of his passing 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:32.700 and as I went to his funeral, 00:09:33.180 --> 00:09:34.500 this verse was all 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:35.280 I could think about. 00:09:36.580 --> 00:09:38.280 And I will never read 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:39.220 this verse again 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:40.780 without thinking of Gene 00:09:40.780 --> 00:09:42.100 and him asking me this question 00:09:42.100 --> 00:09:43.920 every single week. 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:46.000 What are those rooms like? 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:47.960 I don't know exactly 00:09:47.960 --> 00:09:48.680 what Gene saw 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:49.800 when he entered into glory, 00:09:49.920 --> 00:09:50.660 but I know 00:09:50.660 --> 00:09:52.740 because of Jesus' words 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:53.720 right here, 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:55.200 this promise to him 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:55.920 and to us 00:09:55.920 --> 00:09:57.019 that he found 00:09:57.019 --> 00:09:58.580 a place prepared 00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:00.920 just for him. 00:10:03.600 --> 00:10:04.580 There's room 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:06.639 in the house of God 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:07.519 for him. 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:07.780 You know, 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:08.200 ironically, 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:09.120 this is the opposite 00:10:09.120 --> 00:10:10.120 of the Christmas story, 00:10:10.280 --> 00:10:10.700 isn't it? 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:11.980 And we know 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:12.879 the Christmas story. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:13.279 Jesus, 00:10:13.559 --> 00:10:14.620 the Son of God, 00:10:14.679 --> 00:10:15.399 became man. 00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:16.679 He entered into the womb 00:10:16.679 --> 00:10:17.679 of the Virgin Mary. 00:10:18.200 --> 00:10:19.379 The time came for her 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:20.360 to give birth. 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:21.320 And what happened? 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:24.159 There was no room 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:25.519 for him, 00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:26.200 for her, 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:27.360 in the end. 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:29.419 Before he was even born, 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:30.559 he was turned away. 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:31.820 He was rejected. 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.299 There was no room 00:10:33.299 --> 00:10:34.100 for God 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:35.639 in the house of man. 00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:37.379 But Jesus says here, 00:10:37.379 --> 00:10:38.340 in me, 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:39.279 because of me, 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:40.019 through me, 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:41.200 through faith in me, 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:42.439 there is room 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:43.320 for sinners 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:44.960 in the house of God. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:48.019 That should amaze us. 00:10:48.159 --> 00:10:49.799 Jesus has left 00:10:49.799 --> 00:10:52.080 to prepare a place 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:54.179 for sinners like us. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:54.980 And the best part 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:55.480 of the promise, 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:56.159 verse 3, 00:10:56.879 --> 00:10:57.279 he says, 00:10:57.379 --> 00:10:58.419 if I go and prepare 00:10:58.419 --> 00:10:59.500 a place for you, 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.059 he says, 00:11:00.179 --> 00:11:02.179 I will come again 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:04.240 and take you to myself 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:05.679 that we may be 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:06.980 where he is 00:11:06.980 --> 00:11:07.440 also. 00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:09.779 One reason that I love 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.920 this Advent season, 00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:11.820 as we've already said, 00:11:11.899 --> 00:11:12.860 is because we're not 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:14.320 just looking backwards 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:15.539 to the first coming 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.100 of Christ. 00:11:16.240 --> 00:11:17.899 We're looking forwards 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.980 to when he will come again. 00:11:21.060 --> 00:11:21.600 And this is how 00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.920 the Christian life 00:11:22.920 --> 00:11:23.580 is lived. 00:11:23.680 --> 00:11:24.899 We live in between 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:26.000 the two comings 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:26.720 of Christ. 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:28.460 We live with one eye 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:29.740 towards his first coming 00:11:29.740 --> 00:11:31.039 and all that he accomplished 00:11:31.039 --> 00:11:32.560 in his perfect life, 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:34.120 his sacrificial death, 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:35.600 his victorious resurrection, 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:38.560 and we look with another eye 00:11:38.560 --> 00:11:39.899 looking forwards 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:41.180 towards his second coming. 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:43.600 He has promised us. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:45.340 He has gone to the Father 00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.519 to prepare our place 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.700 and he will certainly 00:11:47.700 --> 00:11:49.159 come again 00:11:49.159 --> 00:11:50.540 to take us 00:11:50.540 --> 00:11:51.879 that we may be 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.620 where he is also. 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:54.840 Jesus is leaving, 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:56.420 secures our coming. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:58.000 Not only this. 00:11:58.159 --> 00:11:58.480 Second, 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:00.600 Jesus is leaving, 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:03.759 strengthens our believing. 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:05.899 The second reason 00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:07.159 this is a gift for us, 00:12:07.240 --> 00:12:08.139 his leaving 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:10.980 strengthens our believing. 00:12:11.960 --> 00:12:12.740 Look here to verses 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.940 four through eleven. 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:14.340 Jesus, 00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:16.019 here in verses four through eleven, 00:12:16.120 --> 00:12:16.840 he tells us 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:19.080 some fundamental truths 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:21.300 that must be believed 00:12:21.300 --> 00:12:23.159 if you and I 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:23.940 are going to go 00:12:23.940 --> 00:12:24.480 to the Father. 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:27.200 See, the disciples, 00:12:27.420 --> 00:12:28.980 they had a hard time 00:12:28.980 --> 00:12:29.820 understanding exactly 00:12:29.820 --> 00:12:31.240 what Jesus was talking about. 00:12:31.320 --> 00:12:32.659 That's not unusual for them. 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:34.440 They kind of bumble around 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:35.300 throughout the Gospel 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:36.600 of John. 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:37.539 They were often 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:38.800 so stuck 00:12:38.800 --> 00:12:39.920 in the physical 00:12:39.920 --> 00:12:41.220 understanding of things 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:42.340 that they just had 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:42.860 a hard time 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.500 understanding 00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.220 the message 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:44.820 of what Jesus 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:45.860 was trying to communicate 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:46.600 to them. 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:47.519 And so they had 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:48.519 a problem here. 00:12:49.100 --> 00:12:49.659 Jesus says, 00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:50.899 I'm going away. 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:53.300 I'm going to the Father. 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:54.200 Apparently, 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.100 he's preparing 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.220 a room for them 00:12:56.220 --> 00:12:56.620 somewhere, 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:58.060 but they don't know 00:12:58.060 --> 00:12:58.919 where he's going. 00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.700 They don't know 00:13:01.700 --> 00:13:02.860 how to get there. 00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:03.779 They want a map. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:04.779 They want a destination. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.519 They want step-by-step 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.100 instructions 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.279 of how they might get 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:09.000 from point A 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:10.100 to point B. 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.560 But Jesus doesn't 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.340 give them that, 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:12.740 does he? 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:13.919 Look there 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:15.019 to verse four. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:16.980 Jesus tells them, 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:18.220 you know the way 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:19.200 to where I am going. 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.899 But Thomas, 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:21.899 he spoke up 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:22.860 on behalf of the disciples 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:23.379 and he said, 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:23.700 Lord, 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.899 we do not know 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.940 where you are going. 00:13:26.820 --> 00:13:28.020 How can we possibly 00:13:28.020 --> 00:13:28.740 know the way? 00:13:29.520 --> 00:13:30.940 Give us a map. 00:13:31.080 --> 00:13:32.680 Tell us how to get there. 00:13:32.800 --> 00:13:34.000 Show us where to go. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.100 What are we supposed to do? 00:13:35.200 --> 00:13:36.260 How do we get 00:13:36.260 --> 00:13:37.180 to the Father? 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:39.480 But look what he says. 00:13:40.780 --> 00:13:42.480 Instead of giving them 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:44.100 directions to follow, 00:13:44.380 --> 00:13:44.860 what does he do? 00:13:45.640 --> 00:13:46.960 Jesus tells them 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.300 several truths 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:49.520 to believe. 00:13:50.700 --> 00:13:51.620 Jesus looks at him 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.180 and he says, 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.800 I am the way 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.659 in the truth 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:58.479 in the life. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:00.139 See, 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:00.839 in order for us 00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:02.319 to go to the Father, 00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.879 we must know 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.719 the way. 00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.719 We agree with Thomas 00:14:06.719 --> 00:14:07.439 on that point. 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.279 We need to know 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.559 the way to the Father. 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:11.000 We must believe 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.219 what Jesus says, 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:13.139 that he 00:14:13.139 --> 00:14:14.659 and he alone 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:16.039 is the way. 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:16.299 See, 00:14:16.339 --> 00:14:17.299 we need to understand 00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:18.519 that the path 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.179 to God, 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.459 the way to God 00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:21.099 is not simply 00:14:21.099 --> 00:14:21.899 a path for us 00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.500 to follow, 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.579 is a person 00:14:23.579 --> 00:14:25.279 for us to know. 00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:27.679 Jesus says, 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:28.259 you want to go 00:14:28.259 --> 00:14:28.759 to the Father? 00:14:30.079 --> 00:14:31.059 What I'm giving you 00:14:31.059 --> 00:14:33.199 is not a step-by-step 00:14:33.199 --> 00:14:34.319 list of instructions 00:14:34.319 --> 00:14:34.919 to follow. 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:36.159 It's not a checklist 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:36.980 to keep. 00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.799 It's not a religious 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:38.980 system to obey. 00:14:39.439 --> 00:14:40.720 I am giving you 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.459 myself. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:44.699 I am the way. 00:14:45.559 --> 00:14:47.399 Believe in me. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.279 Jesus, 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.959 in his first coming, 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:51.919 he didn't just 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.659 simply come to 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:53.519 give us directions 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.379 that we might 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:56.240 be familiar 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.100 with the way. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.759 He is the way. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.419 He hasn't just 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:01.579 come to teach us 00:15:01.579 --> 00:15:02.059 the truth. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:03.819 He is the truth. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.299 He hasn't just 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:06.339 come to give us 00:15:06.339 --> 00:15:07.179 eternal life. 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:09.600 He is eternal life. 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.139 He hasn't just 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.259 come that we go 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.120 through him 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:13.000 to get to the Father. 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:13.740 When we come 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.500 to him, 00:15:14.559 --> 00:15:15.039 when we come 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.759 to Christ, 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:17.120 we come to 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.000 the Father. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:19.559 you must know 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:20.820 the way. 00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:24.340 As we enter 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:25.059 into this Advent 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:25.960 season and this 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:27.039 Christmas season, 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:28.200 as we get so busy 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:28.980 with all of the 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:29.759 traditions, 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.620 the festivities, 00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:31.360 all the busyness 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.440 of what we all 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:33.320 go through 00:15:33.320 --> 00:15:33.759 in the month 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:34.340 of December, 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.019 take time 00:15:36.019 --> 00:15:36.740 and pause 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:37.940 and ask yourself, 00:15:38.039 --> 00:15:39.100 make absolutely 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.200 certain, 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.960 do you know 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:42.500 the way? 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:45.039 Do you know 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:46.240 Christ? 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.700 Do you trust 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.379 him? 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.700 Do you believe 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:50.620 him? 00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:52.759 You must know 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.000 the way. 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.220 See, 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:54.899 this is a 00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:57.139 statement of 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.860 exclusivity 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:00.039 and availability, 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:00.960 isn't it? 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.600 I am the way, 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.139 the truth, 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:03.600 the life. 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.620 No one comes 00:16:04.620 --> 00:16:05.560 to the Father 00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:06.680 except through me. 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:08.100 It's exclusive 00:16:08.100 --> 00:16:09.460 and it is available. 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.340 The sinners like us 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.340 ought to rejoice 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.220 that there is 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:13.840 a way. 00:16:13.840 --> 00:16:16.220 There is a way 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.100 to the Father 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.280 for sinners like us 00:16:18.280 --> 00:16:18.879 who have earned 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.180 no standing 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:21.460 before a holy God 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.940 to be welcomed. 00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.800 We have been given 00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:24.580 a way. 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.480 We ought to rejoice 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:26.300 that there is a way. 00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.100 We ought to rejoice 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.060 that there is 00:16:29.060 --> 00:16:30.259 truth 00:16:30.259 --> 00:16:32.019 in a culture, 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:32.800 in a world 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:33.420 where truth 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.160 is constantly 00:16:34.160 --> 00:16:35.259 fluctuating, 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.500 is constantly updating, 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:38.200 what's morally 00:16:38.200 --> 00:16:38.940 acceptable, 00:16:39.160 --> 00:16:39.920 the moral compass 00:16:39.920 --> 00:16:40.660 of our culture 00:16:40.660 --> 00:16:41.700 is ebbing 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.280 and flowing 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:43.200 by the minute. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.140 It's exhausting 00:16:44.140 --> 00:16:44.879 to keep up. 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.440 We ought to rejoice 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:47.680 that there is 00:16:47.680 --> 00:16:49.000 truth. 00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:50.680 Church, 00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.379 we ought to rejoice 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.300 that there is 00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:53.160 real, 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.140 genuine 00:16:54.140 --> 00:16:55.360 life 00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:56.160 available 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:57.060 for any 00:16:57.060 --> 00:16:57.580 sinner 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:58.160 who would turn 00:16:58.160 --> 00:16:58.740 to Christ. 00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:01.080 The false promises 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:01.860 of this world, 00:17:02.040 --> 00:17:02.900 everything promises 00:17:02.900 --> 00:17:03.379 you fullness 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.000 of life. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.680 Nothing comes 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.059 through, 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.299 nothing but Jesus. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.100 It is available 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:10.539 for any sinner 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.399 who would turn 00:17:11.399 --> 00:17:12.019 to Christ. 00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:13.000 It is available 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:15.779 and it is exclusive. 00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.679 You may have 00:17:18.679 --> 00:17:19.319 heard the phrase, 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:20.819 the mountain 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.500 has many paths. 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:22.839 Have you ever 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.199 heard that? 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:24.679 Apparently, 00:17:24.859 --> 00:17:25.819 it's a religious, 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.539 a Hawaiian 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.980 religious saying 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.459 and it's meant 00:17:28.459 --> 00:17:29.279 to communicate 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.259 that there's 00:17:30.259 --> 00:17:31.679 many equally 00:17:31.679 --> 00:17:32.759 valid paths 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.459 to God. 00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:34.359 And that's how 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:34.819 our culture 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.919 understands religion. 00:17:36.119 --> 00:17:37.419 It's completely 00:17:37.419 --> 00:17:38.339 inclusive. 00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:38.980 the only 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.519 acceptable view 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:41.059 is that all 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.500 views are 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.019 acceptable. 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:44.179 But if we really 00:17:44.179 --> 00:17:44.679 listen to what 00:17:44.679 --> 00:17:45.659 Jesus is saying 00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:46.199 here, 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.619 we don't really 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:48.959 have that option, 00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:49.619 do we? 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.339 Christianity, 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.659 according to Jesus, 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.819 is either the only 00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:55.119 true religion 00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:56.759 or it's a 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.659 complete sham. 00:17:58.980 --> 00:17:59.559 It's either 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.159 worthy of 00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:01.079 total acceptance 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.939 or total 00:18:01.939 --> 00:18:02.819 rejection. 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.759 But what it 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.439 can't be is 00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:04.939 just another 00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:05.899 equally valid 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:06.879 path up the 00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:07.179 mountain. 00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:08.140 Jesus doesn't 00:18:08.140 --> 00:18:08.620 give us 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.460 that option. 00:18:10.220 --> 00:18:10.779 Listen again 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.080 to what he 00:18:11.080 --> 00:18:11.380 says. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:11.779 He says, 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.980 I am 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.940 the way, 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.320 I am 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:16.519 the truth, 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.240 I am 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.340 the life, 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.720 no one 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.680 comes to the 00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:21.100 Father 00:18:21.100 --> 00:18:22.640 except through 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:23.200 me. 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:24.759 Jesus 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.700 says, 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.200 sure, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:26.700 there may be 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.820 many paths 00:18:27.820 --> 00:18:28.380 up the mountain, 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.440 but only one 00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:31.420 path gets you 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:32.440 up the proverbial 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:32.860 mountain. 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.980 You must come 00:18:33.980 --> 00:18:35.620 through me 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.939 faith. 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:36.959 By faith, 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.519 by believing, 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.839 by receiving 00:18:39.839 --> 00:18:40.879 that Jesus 00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:41.579 and Jesus 00:18:41.579 --> 00:18:42.500 alone came 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.259 to live in 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:43.639 the place 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.159 of sinners. 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.859 That Jesus 00:18:45.859 --> 00:18:46.359 and Jesus 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:47.079 alone came 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.939 to die 00:18:47.939 --> 00:18:48.859 in the place 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.559 of sinners. 00:18:49.719 --> 00:18:50.279 And Jesus 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.139 and Jesus 00:18:51.139 --> 00:18:52.000 alone 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.159 rose from 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:53.819 the grave. 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.479 So Jesus 00:18:54.479 --> 00:18:55.619 and Jesus 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.699 alone can 00:18:56.699 --> 00:18:57.799 offer eternal 00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.719 life to any 00:18:58.719 --> 00:18:59.199 who come to 00:18:59.199 --> 00:18:59.799 him in faith. 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:01.839 Jesus 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.119 says, 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.839 to go to 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.299 the Father 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:03.859 you must 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:05.000 come through 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.059 him. 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:06.599 How will 00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:06.879 we do 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.200 that? 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:08.940 How will 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:09.259 we do 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.599 that? 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.579 He tells 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.019 us, 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:13.339 to go to 00:19:13.339 --> 00:19:13.919 the Father 00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:14.819 through him 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.460 we must 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.799 see the 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.220 Father 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.639 in him. 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.399 In other 00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:20.779 words, 00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:21.339 we must 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.559 believe that 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:24.000 Jesus is 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.000 God in 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:25.680 the flesh. 00:19:26.859 --> 00:19:27.279 That he's 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.859 not just the 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:28.559 way to 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.000 God. 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.399 That he 00:19:29.399 --> 00:19:30.399 is God. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:30.799 That he 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.720 is worthy 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.119 of our 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.500 worship. 00:19:32.659 --> 00:19:32.940 That he's 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.579 worthy of 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:34.220 our devotion. 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:34.639 That he's 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.039 worthy of 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.679 our praise. 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.559 That Jesus 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.679 Christ is 00:19:37.679 --> 00:19:38.579 worthy of 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.460 our life. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.399 Thomas has 00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:41.839 had his 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.599 turn and 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.299 now Philip 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.079 gets to 00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:44.419 say his 00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:44.819 piece. 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.039 He says, 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.619 Lord, show 00:19:46.619 --> 00:19:46.940 us the 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.019 Father and 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.259 it is 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:48.720 enough for 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:49.099 us. 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:49.559 You see 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:49.759 what he's 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.200 saying there? 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:51.839 He's 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.059 saying, 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.019 Jesus, you 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.519 are saying 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.399 some bold 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:56.059 things and 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.859 we want to 00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.539 believe what 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:58.019 you're saying. 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.460 We want to 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.299 accept what 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:00.700 you're saying. 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.680 Jesus, if you 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:02.059 would just 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.759 show us 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.519 God, maybe 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:03.859 that would 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.420 help just a 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:04.720 little bit. 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:06.940 I wonder if 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:07.440 you ever feel 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:07.920 that way. 00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:10.019 God, just 00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:10.720 show me. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:11.940 Show me a 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.400 piece of who 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:13.119 you are and 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:13.839 maybe that would 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.420 strengthen my 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.720 faith. 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.379 Let me see 00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:15.639 you. 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.519 I'll believe 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.299 that you are 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:17.859 who you say 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.400 you are. 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.000 Look what 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:20.660 Jesus says 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.480 to Philip. 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.220 Jesus says 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.700 to him, 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:25.299 have I been 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.079 with you so 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:26.819 long and you 00:20:26.819 --> 00:20:27.759 still do not 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.339 know me, 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:28.720 Philip? 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.599 Whoever has 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.700 seen me 00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:33.039 has seen 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.960 the Father. 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.519 How can you 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.419 say show us 00:20:36.419 --> 00:20:36.960 the Father? 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.419 Do you not 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:38.759 believe that I 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.439 am in the 00:20:39.439 --> 00:20:40.220 Father and the 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:41.319 Father is in 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:41.720 me? 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.319 The words that 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:45.039 I say, I 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.559 don't speak on 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:45.879 my own 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.460 authority, but 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:47.200 the Father who 00:20:47.200 --> 00:20:48.200 dwells in me 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.960 does his 00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.399 works. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.980 Believe that I 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.439 am in the 00:20:51.439 --> 00:20:52.539 Father and the 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.379 Father is in 00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:54.240 me or else 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:55.220 believe on 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.940 account of 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.579 the works 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.579 themselves. 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.120 What is he 00:20:58.120 --> 00:20:58.519 saying? 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.440 He's saying 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.700 you have 00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.880 seen God. 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.440 You have 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.640 seen enough 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.339 Philip. 00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:07.799 You have 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.680 seen my 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.240 works. 00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:09.539 You have 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.059 heard my 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.420 words. 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:10.740 If you 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.299 have seen 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:11.819 me, you 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.380 have seen 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:12.940 the Father. 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:13.920 If you 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.980 know me, you 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.480 know the 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:15.779 Father. 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:16.120 If you 00:21:16.120 --> 00:21:17.480 believe me, you 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.120 believe the 00:21:18.120 --> 00:21:18.400 Father. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:18.839 If you 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:20.360 worship me, you 00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:21.299 worship the 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.680 Father. 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:22.779 If you 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.240 come to 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:24.460 me, you 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.480 come to 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.019 the Father. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:27.380 And only 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.559 in me can 00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:29.480 anyone come 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.400 to him. 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.120 Believe in 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:32.420 me. 00:21:33.120 --> 00:21:33.759 Believe also 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.440 in God, he 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:34.759 said in 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.240 verse 1. 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:35.900 To come to 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.539 the Father, you 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.859 must come to 00:21:37.859 --> 00:21:39.220 Jesus and see 00:21:39.220 --> 00:21:40.620 him for who 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.620 he is. 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.319 Now, that's 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:45.120 one thing for 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:45.680 the disciples, 00:21:46.079 --> 00:21:46.539 isn't it? 00:21:47.299 --> 00:21:47.859 The disciples 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:49.079 who lived and 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:50.039 walked with 00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.720 Jesus, who 00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:52.160 saw him face 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.820 to face, who 00:21:52.820 --> 00:21:53.279 could reach 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.680 out and 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.900 touch Jesus. 00:21:55.060 --> 00:21:55.279 But what 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.920 about us? 00:21:57.060 --> 00:21:57.980 2,000 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.620 something years 00:21:58.620 --> 00:21:59.940 later, why 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.420 are we 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.140 gathered here 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:02.300 worshiping this 00:22:02.300 --> 00:22:02.940 man, Jesus 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.380 Christ? 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:04.080 How can we 00:22:04.080 --> 00:22:04.600 claim to 00:22:04.600 --> 00:22:05.580 have seen 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:05.980 him for 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.380 who he 00:22:06.380 --> 00:22:06.779 is and 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.400 to believe 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:08.080 him that 00:22:08.080 --> 00:22:08.740 he is God? 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:09.340 Why are we 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.220 here celebrating 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.800 and honoring 00:22:10.800 --> 00:22:12.019 this man, Jesus 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.440 Christ? 00:22:12.540 --> 00:22:12.960 I'm going to 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.540 make a bold 00:22:13.540 --> 00:22:14.320 assumption about 00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:15.100 you, which 00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:15.680 is that none 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.100 of us have 00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:16.540 ever seen 00:22:16.540 --> 00:22:17.019 Jesus. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.420 Meaning, none 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:19.759 of us are 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.480 2,000 years 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:20.779 old. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.039 None of 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.359 us have 00:22:22.359 --> 00:22:23.079 physically 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.539 seen Jesus. 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.180 Why do 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:26.079 we believe? 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.859 We believe 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:30.319 because by 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.859 the grace 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.519 of God, 00:22:32.079 --> 00:22:33.240 the message 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:33.839 of the 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:35.619 gospel came 00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.420 to us 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.980 into our 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:39.339 ears and 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:39.740 by the 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.920 spirit into 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.619 our hearts. 00:22:42.519 --> 00:22:43.180 What does 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.720 Paul say in 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.019 Romans? 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:44.839 Faith comes 00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.680 through seeing. 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.559 What does 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:46.899 he say? 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:47.819 Faith comes 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.319 through, help 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.559 me, through 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:49.940 hearing. 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.340 And hearing 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.039 through the 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:53.220 word of 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.779 Christ. 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.279 See, his 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.980 leaving at 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:56.620 the completion 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.240 of his 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.860 work, his 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:59.059 departing to 00:22:59.059 --> 00:22:59.860 go to be 00:22:59.860 --> 00:23:00.259 with the 00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:01.220 Father, his 00:23:01.220 --> 00:23:02.360 leaving has 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:03.660 inaugurated the 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:04.720 age of 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.500 believing. 00:23:06.600 --> 00:23:07.539 His leaving 00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.940 has inaugurated 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:09.680 the age of 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.559 spiritual 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.680 seeing. 00:23:12.580 --> 00:23:13.640 His leaving 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.740 has inaugurated 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.680 the age of 00:23:15.680 --> 00:23:16.680 the church. 00:23:16.840 --> 00:23:17.380 The reason 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.160 why we 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.000 are here in 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:19.540 All-in-Doll, 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.420 South Carolina 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.520 believing that 00:23:21.520 --> 00:23:22.500 Jesus Christ is 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.320 God in the 00:23:23.320 --> 00:23:24.500 flesh is because 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.700 by his spirit he 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.520 has opened your 00:23:26.520 --> 00:23:27.720 eyes to see it 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.660 through the 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:28.980 word. 00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:30.900 None of us 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.900 has seen 00:23:31.900 --> 00:23:33.560 Jesus, but we 00:23:33.560 --> 00:23:34.140 were given 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:35.400 eyes to see 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.900 and a heart 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:37.680 to believe 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.980 that he is 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.540 who he says 00:23:39.540 --> 00:23:40.080 he is. 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:41.800 And this is 00:23:41.800 --> 00:23:43.060 what Peter 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:43.659 says in 00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:44.359 1 Peter 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.099 chapter 1. 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:46.240 It says, 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.200 Blessed be the 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.679 God and 00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:48.240 Father of our 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.759 Lord Jesus 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.359 Christ. 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:50.779 According to 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.339 his great 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.279 mercy he has 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:53.319 caused us to 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.740 be born again 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.779 to a living 00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.599 hope through 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.440 the resurrection 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.019 of Jesus 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.700 Christ from 00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.159 the dead. 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.200 To an 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.139 inheritance that 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:02.480 is imperishable, 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:03.740 undefiled, 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:04.940 and unfading, 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:05.720 kept in heaven 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.859 for you who 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.839 by God's power 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.639 are being guarded 00:24:08.639 --> 00:24:09.720 through faith 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.639 for a salvation 00:24:10.639 --> 00:24:11.399 ready to be 00:24:11.399 --> 00:24:12.079 revealed in the 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:12.779 last time. 00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:14.679 In this you 00:24:14.679 --> 00:24:15.480 rejoice, though 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.099 now for a 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.619 little while, 00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:17.339 if necessary, 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:18.119 you have been 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:18.919 grieved by 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.919 various trials, 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.879 so that the 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:22.339 tested genuineness 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.279 of your faith, 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.339 more precious 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.259 than gold that 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:25.960 perishes though 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.740 it is tested by 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:28.079 fire, may be 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:29.079 found to result 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.480 in praise and 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:32.079 glory and honor 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:33.019 at the revelation 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.299 of Jesus Christ. 00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:34.980 Listen to this. 00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.500 Though you have 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.500 not seen him, 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.960 you love him. 00:24:39.659 --> 00:24:40.299 Though you do 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.440 not now see him, 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:42.440 you believe in 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:42.720 him. 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:43.720 And rejoice 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.619 with joy that 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.799 is inexpressible 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.480 and filled with 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:47.480 glory, obtaining 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:48.579 the outcome of 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.759 your faith and 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.940 the salvation of 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.859 your souls. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.799 Does this describe 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.119 you? 00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:55.779 Though you have 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.759 not seen him, 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:58.440 you love him. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.240 Does your heart 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.859 love him? 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.579 Does your heart 00:25:02.579 --> 00:25:04.379 rejoice in him 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:05.079 with joy 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:06.639 inexpressible? 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.359 If it does, 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.359 church, this is a 00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:09.940 miracle of God's 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.759 grace. 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:10.819 grace. 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.720 This is the work 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.920 of the spirit 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:14.720 to open up the 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.379 eyes of those 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:16.200 who are spiritually 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.200 blind that they 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:18.500 might see the 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.680 glory of God 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.720 in the gospel of 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.839 Jesus Christ. 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:23.819 It is his work, 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.619 but also, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.819 guess what? 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:28.819 It is now also 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:30.859 our work, 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.660 which leads us 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.359 to our final 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.619 benefit of his 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.099 departure. 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:37.319 Third, his 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:40.159 leaving supercharges 00:25:40.159 --> 00:25:41.299 our working. 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.559 His leaving 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:45.559 supercharges 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:47.359 our working. 00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.859 What is the 00:25:49.859 --> 00:25:50.980 church to do 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.919 in between the 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.719 two comings of 00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.119 Christ? 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:55.599 We don't just 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:56.599 sit on our 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.639 hands and wait 00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.500 patiently for 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.240 Christ's return. 00:26:00.199 --> 00:26:00.980 We don't just 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.019 sit around and 00:26:02.019 --> 00:26:03.000 wait for him to 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:03.819 come while we do 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.299 nothing. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:04.720 No. 00:26:05.119 --> 00:26:06.939 Now, because of 00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:08.000 his departure, 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.859 because he has 00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.899 left and ascended 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.720 to go to the 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:13.119 Father, we are 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:15.059 empowered to do 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.899 the work of 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:17.500 God with the 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.720 power of God 00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.939 for the glory 00:26:19.939 --> 00:26:20.939 of God. 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.480 Look there to 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.339 verse 11 again. 00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:26.099 And Jesus said 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:27.240 that one strong 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:28.119 reason to believe 00:26:28.119 --> 00:26:29.279 that he is in the 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.819 Father and the 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.939 Father was in him 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.940 was the works 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.680 that he was 00:26:32.680 --> 00:26:33.120 doing. 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.779 Who can claim 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.480 to do the 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.440 works of Christ? 00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.840 He rose a man 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.759 from the grave, 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.420 Lazarus. 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.580 He turned water 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.299 into wine. 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.000 He healed the 00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.299 sick. 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.320 He gave sight 00:26:43.320 --> 00:26:44.039 to the blind. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.320 The works 00:26:45.320 --> 00:26:46.500 testified that he 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.700 is who he 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.900 claims to be. 00:26:49.080 --> 00:26:49.680 Believe me 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.799 that I am in 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.420 the Father and 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:52.340 the Father is in 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:53.759 me, or else 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:54.880 believe on account 00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:55.779 of the works 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.779 themselves. 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.400 See, his 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:59.299 works, they 00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.759 declared and they 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.799 demonstrated that 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:02.700 he is God in 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.160 the flesh. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.779 That's the 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:05.879 purpose of the 00:27:05.879 --> 00:27:06.660 works of Christ. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.480 They were to 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.700 draw attention 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:10.539 to himself as 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.400 God for the 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.200 faith of his 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.640 people and the 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:15.460 glory of God. 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.400 Now, guess 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:16.660 what? 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:17.900 He says, 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:19.839 Christian, you 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:21.200 get to go 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.480 about the same 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.000 work. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.660 Look what he 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.099 says in verse 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.460 12. 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.299 This ought to 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.920 absolutely floor 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.420 us. 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:29.759 He says, 00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.599 truly, truly, I 00:27:30.599 --> 00:27:31.200 say to you, 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:33.759 whoever believes 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.819 in me, do you 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:35.460 believe in him? 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.859 This is for you. 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.980 Whoever believes 00:27:39.980 --> 00:27:41.839 in me will also 00:27:41.839 --> 00:27:42.779 do the works 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.579 that I do. 00:27:44.059 --> 00:27:45.059 And greater 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.839 works than 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.640 these he will 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:48.700 do because I 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:50.079 am going to 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:51.099 the Father. 00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:53.680 Because I am 00:27:53.680 --> 00:27:55.640 going to the 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.039 Father. 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:58.379 The church is 00:27:58.380 --> 00:27:59.200 the body of 00:27:59.200 --> 00:27:59.680 Christ. 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.040 Christ is the 00:28:02.040 --> 00:28:02.760 head of the 00:28:02.760 --> 00:28:03.220 church. 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:04.700 And now, the 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.440 church, because 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.280 of Jesus' 00:28:06.520 --> 00:28:07.240 departure, we 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.680 go about God's 00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.940 work of declaring 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:11.400 and demonstrating 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.720 that Jesus 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:14.460 Christ is Lord 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.880 to the glory of 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:16.720 God the Father. 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:19.100 Now, that work 00:28:19.100 --> 00:28:19.800 might take a 00:28:19.800 --> 00:28:20.480 thousand different 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.160 manifestations. 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.440 That might look 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.180 a thousand 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.160 different ways. 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:26.220 The work itself 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.060 is as diverse 00:28:27.060 --> 00:28:27.840 as the 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.820 giftings God 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.580 has given the 00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.540 body of Christ. 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.900 It may look like 00:28:31.900 --> 00:28:33.120 praying for one 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:34.120 another or serving 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:35.060 one another or 00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:36.220 using our gifts to 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.180 build up the body 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.680 of Christ. 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.380 It might look like 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.580 works of ministry 00:28:39.580 --> 00:28:40.240 or works of 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.500 mercy or works of 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.460 evangelism. 00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:43.300 It can look a 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:44.040 million different 00:28:44.040 --> 00:28:44.620 ways. 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.860 But the point, 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:47.160 the aim, is the 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:48.340 same as Jesus' 00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:50.380 work, which is 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:52.460 to declare and to 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.380 demonstrate that 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:55.620 Jesus Christ is 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.700 God. 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:59.180 He says, this 00:28:59.180 --> 00:28:59.900 ought to floor us, 00:28:59.980 --> 00:29:00.720 church, how in 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.880 the world can our 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:03.680 work be even 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:05.320 greater than 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:06.120 Christ's work? 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:07.760 Think about this 00:29:07.760 --> 00:29:08.180 with me. 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.460 His work now 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:11.380 through us, now 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:11.880 that he has 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:13.200 departed, his 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:13.940 work is now 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:14.600 through us 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:16.700 greater in scope 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:18.040 than when he was 00:29:18.040 --> 00:29:18.600 here on earth. 00:29:19.540 --> 00:29:20.500 It is no longer 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.820 limited to one 00:29:21.820 --> 00:29:23.320 small area of the 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:23.639 world. 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:25.099 This work, this 00:29:25.099 --> 00:29:26.339 Christ-exalting 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.539 God-glorifying 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:28.299 work is now 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:29.299 being done all 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.859 over the globe. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.379 He sent his 00:29:32.379 --> 00:29:33.259 disciples out and 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.879 said, you will be 00:29:33.879 --> 00:29:35.359 my witnesses in 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:36.839 Jerusalem and in 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:38.099 Judea and in 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.240 Samaria to the 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.819 uttermost ends of 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:41.579 the world. 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:43.179 Go declare and 00:29:43.179 --> 00:29:44.759 demonstrate that 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.899 Jesus Christ is 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:46.259 Lord. 00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.779 Go and make my 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.059 name known. 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.759 It's greater in 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.240 scope. 00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.899 His work now 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:52.519 through us is 00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.620 also greater in 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.340 clarity. 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.360 We have a 00:29:56.360 --> 00:29:57.920 finished gospel. 00:29:59.060 --> 00:30:00.180 We have the 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:01.360 life and the 00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:02.380 death and the 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:03.200 resurrection of 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.200 Christ to believe 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:05.160 and to proclaim. 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.320 We have a 00:30:06.320 --> 00:30:07.600 complete scripture, 00:30:07.800 --> 00:30:08.840 a complete word of 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.019 God to believe and 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.960 to obey and to 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.720 proclaim. 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:12.880 His work is 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:14.340 greater in clarity 00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:15.060 now that he's 00:30:15.060 --> 00:30:15.540 gone to the 00:30:15.540 --> 00:30:15.840 Father. 00:30:16.620 --> 00:30:17.700 And because of 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:19.340 this, now that 00:30:19.340 --> 00:30:20.280 he's departed, his 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.680 work through us is 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:24.399 greater in power to 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:24.940 save. 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.779 You heard the 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:28.460 verse that Dreg 00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:29.559 prayed just a 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.059 moment ago. 00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.200 I'm not ashamed of 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.720 the gospel, Paul 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.160 says. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.359 For it is the 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:36.359 power of God for 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.879 the salvation of 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:39.299 any who believe. 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.759 To the Jew first 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:43.099 and also to the 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:43.539 Greek. 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.839 As the gospel of 00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.899 Jesus Christ goes 00:30:46.899 --> 00:30:48.119 forth to the ends 00:30:48.119 --> 00:30:48.819 of the earth, 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.939 through the 00:30:49.939 --> 00:30:51.219 witness of the 00:30:51.219 --> 00:30:53.259 church, spiritually 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:55.059 blind, are 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:57.359 seeing, believing, 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.399 coming to faith and 00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.159 coming into the 00:31:00.159 --> 00:31:00.439 kingdom. 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:02.659 That's the story of 00:31:02.659 --> 00:31:03.539 every single 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.479 Christian in this 00:31:04.479 --> 00:31:04.819 room. 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.539 Somehow, in some 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:09.019 way, by God's 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:10.219 grace, the word of 00:31:10.219 --> 00:31:12.059 God came to you in 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.759 power and you 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:14.459 believed. 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:18.299 church, don't 00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:18.840 you want to be a 00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:19.220 part of that 00:31:19.220 --> 00:31:19.539 work? 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.380 Don't you want to 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.000 be a part of the 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.759 work that God is 00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.900 doing in the 00:31:24.900 --> 00:31:25.220 world? 00:31:26.360 --> 00:31:27.640 If you do, good 00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:28.180 news, he has 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.680 promised you 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.360 everything you 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:30.660 need to go about 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.400 the work of God. 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.259 He says here, 00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.840 whatever you ask 00:31:34.840 --> 00:31:35.940 in my name, this 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:37.000 I will do that the 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:37.740 Father may be 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.680 glorified in the 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:38.920 Son. 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.640 If you ask me 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:40.980 anything in my 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:43.160 name, I will do 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:43.460 it. 00:31:44.360 --> 00:31:44.900 Church, we 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.200 ought to know 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:45.860 this is not a 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:47.800 blank check to 00:31:47.800 --> 00:31:48.640 ask God for 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.660 whatever we want, 00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.440 whatever we want 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.019 to do to 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.779 manipulate the 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.620 hand of God to 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.960 fulfill our 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.540 agenda. 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.580 This is a 00:31:55.580 --> 00:31:57.000 promise of power 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:58.019 to complete the 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.259 agenda of God. 00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:00.920 If we would 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:02.120 commit ourselves to 00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:03.160 His work, we 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:04.940 have every bit of 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.860 power and provision 00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:06.820 we need to do 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.080 it. 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:09.080 If we pray in the 00:32:09.080 --> 00:32:09.840 name of Christ. 00:32:11.040 --> 00:32:11.600 Church, I 00:32:11.599 --> 00:32:13.399 invite you and 00:32:13.399 --> 00:32:15.500 I urge you to 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:17.179 pray that God 00:32:17.179 --> 00:32:18.179 would magnify His 00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:19.000 name through us. 00:32:20.719 --> 00:32:21.419 That this 00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:22.199 Christmas season 00:32:22.199 --> 00:32:23.559 that God would 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.480 do His work 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:25.439 through you. 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.000 If you feel 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:27.019 inadequate for that, 00:32:27.419 --> 00:32:27.799 wonderful. 00:32:28.519 --> 00:32:29.039 You're at a 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.799 perfect place to 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.219 ask Him to 00:32:30.219 --> 00:32:30.480 work. 00:32:31.399 --> 00:32:32.219 Would you pray 00:32:32.219 --> 00:32:33.359 that God would 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.480 magnify His name 00:32:34.480 --> 00:32:35.019 through this 00:32:35.019 --> 00:32:36.019 church body? 00:32:36.719 --> 00:32:37.379 That He would 00:32:37.379 --> 00:32:38.959 use us and speak 00:32:38.959 --> 00:32:39.719 through us and 00:32:39.719 --> 00:32:40.819 continue His work 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:42.059 through us in 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:42.539 ways that are 00:32:42.539 --> 00:32:43.279 beyond our 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.859 greatest expectations 00:32:44.859 --> 00:32:45.559 and dreams. 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:48.039 Don't you want to 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.700 be a part of that? 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:51.659 Step number one 00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:52.439 is to believe it. 00:32:53.879 --> 00:32:54.659 Make certain 00:32:54.659 --> 00:32:55.639 that you know 00:32:55.639 --> 00:32:56.240 the way. 00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:58.099 Make certain 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:59.339 that you know 00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.419 the Lord Jesus 00:33:00.419 --> 00:33:00.859 Christ. 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.700 And if you do, 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.039 then church, 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:04.519 join Him in His 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.879 glorious work. 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.559 And this Christmas 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:08.639 as we prepare 00:33:08.639 --> 00:33:09.480 ourselves for His 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:09.940 coming, 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:10.920 the birth of 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:11.360 Emmanuel, 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:12.480 God with us. 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.240 Church, 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:13.839 who is it that 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.220 the Lord is 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:14.839 placing on your 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.380 heart that needs 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:15.799 to hear the 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.339 message of the 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:16.620 gospel? 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.279 Who is it near 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.259 you within your 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:21.200 sphere of influence 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:22.220 that needs to 00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.279 hear the word 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:23.880 of truth? 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.120 That there is a 00:33:25.120 --> 00:33:26.120 way to the 00:33:26.120 --> 00:33:26.860 Father for sinners 00:33:26.860 --> 00:33:27.539 like us. 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:30.299 Join Him in His 00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:30.599 work. 00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:31.579 His name is Jesus. 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.480 He has come and 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:32.980 He will come 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.259 again. 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.620 Let's pray. 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:42.259 Lord, we thank 00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:43.899 You that You 00:33:43.899 --> 00:33:44.500 have come. 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:47.000 We thank You for 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.619 the good news of 00:33:47.619 --> 00:33:48.359 the gospel, the 00:33:48.359 --> 00:33:50.699 promise that any 00:33:50.699 --> 00:33:51.639 who come to You 00:33:51.639 --> 00:33:54.419 will find forgiveness 00:33:54.419 --> 00:33:55.419 for their sins and 00:33:55.419 --> 00:33:56.979 will find acceptance 00:33:56.979 --> 00:33:57.979 in the house of the 00:33:57.979 --> 00:33:58.619 Father that our 00:33:58.619 --> 00:33:59.939 eternal destination 00:33:59.939 --> 00:34:01.500 is secure for those 00:34:01.500 --> 00:34:02.279 who trust in You. 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:03.899 and we pray, 00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:05.379 Lord, asking with 00:34:05.379 --> 00:34:06.740 confidence, not in 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.619 ourselves, but in 00:34:07.619 --> 00:34:08.739 Your power, God, 00:34:08.779 --> 00:34:09.920 would You use us 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:11.440 and work through us 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:12.199 for Your glory? 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.039 It is our desire, 00:34:14.199 --> 00:34:15.699 God, that we would 00:34:15.699 --> 00:34:16.460 be about the work 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:17.460 of God, not in our 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.300 strength, Lord, but 00:34:18.300 --> 00:34:18.980 through Your power. 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.719 We pray all this in 00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:21.259 Jesus' name. 00:34:22.259 --> 00:34:22.539 Amen.