WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:04.520 Father, we ask that you would gently but deeply pour out your Holy Spirit upon us. 00:00:04.759 --> 00:00:06.219 Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:11.620 We ask, Father, that as we hear your word and we think about your word, 00:00:12.099 --> 00:00:17.960 that it might enter deeply into our minds, our hearts, our wills, our souls, our bodies, 00:00:18.679 --> 00:00:22.120 and that, Father, you would grow us into disciples of Jesus, 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:24.560 gripped by the gospel who live for your glory. 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:28.800 And we ask, Father, that you would pour out your Holy Spirit upon us as a church. 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:33.380 Father, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and build us into a prayerful church, 00:00:33.500 --> 00:00:36.980 a Bible-teaching church, a church which has received the gospel, 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:40.399 is grounded on the gospel, is shaped by the gospel, 00:00:40.520 --> 00:00:45.120 and shares the gospel with a heart for the city and a heart for the whole world. 00:00:45.500 --> 00:00:50.640 And this we ask in the name of Jesus, your Son and the only Savior. Amen. 00:00:51.200 --> 00:00:52.100 Please be seated. 00:00:54.579 --> 00:00:55.920 Shalom from Jerusalem. 00:00:56.920 --> 00:00:57.480 Shalom. 00:00:57.479 --> 00:00:57.719 Shalom. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:00:59.599 It's wonderful to be here. 00:00:59.939 --> 00:01:06.579 And I bring you a blessing and a greeting from your brothers and sisters in the Messiah from Jerusalem. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:11.920 Hopefully, as we go through the text, also some good news from the Middle East. 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:13.959 Not always the bad news. 00:01:14.859 --> 00:01:22.219 I'd like to start by saying that having studied in Jerusalem and having lived there for 17 years, 00:01:22.219 --> 00:01:28.519 I understand a little bit about, not to be an expert, but a little bit about the Hebrew mind. 00:01:29.480 --> 00:01:35.900 And the Hebrew mind, the Jewish mind, the Middle Eastern mindset, is it loves mystery. 00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:38.500 It loves mystery. 00:01:38.500 --> 00:01:39.780 And the Bible is mysterious. 00:01:40.980 --> 00:01:47.700 And the Western mind, that is sometimes called the Greek thinking mind, we actually don't like mystery. 00:01:47.700 --> 00:01:51.040 We like to solve everything. 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:58.540 And so when we watch a murder mystery, we watch a cop show, you have to catch the killer. 00:01:59.460 --> 00:02:02.400 At the end of the 45 minutes, you better know who done it. 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:06.500 And if you don't, we're going to call the TV company, we're going to complain. 00:02:06.800 --> 00:02:11.140 We're going to tell them, you did not catch the killer and I can't sleep tonight until I know what's going on. 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:17.920 But the Jewish mind can actually dwell on a mystery for thousands of years. 00:02:18.900 --> 00:02:22.340 Sometimes they allow the mystery to play out over time. 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:27.420 King David says, I meditate on your word day and night. 00:02:27.419 --> 00:02:29.379 I don't solve it. 00:02:30.339 --> 00:02:35.599 Sometimes the mystery unravels thousands of years later. 00:02:36.359 --> 00:02:42.279 And you can see that in our passage this morning, which is a great passage. 00:02:43.979 --> 00:02:50.819 Reverend George mentioned that the gospel writers, they deliberately choose the words that they use 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:58.239 and they deliberately put the order of the miracles in a particular order to tell us something. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:03.519 And you can also see that Jesus indeed starts with a question. 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:06.400 That is the way you actually teach in the Middle East. 00:03:06.739 --> 00:03:08.539 There's a rabbinical proverb that says, 00:03:08.979 --> 00:03:13.199 you're closer to God when you're asking questions than when you think you have answers. 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:20.359 Because if we answered this book, if we knew everything, what would we do? 00:03:21.839 --> 00:03:22.579 We'll close it. 00:03:23.519 --> 00:03:24.539 Put it on the shelf. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:26.780 I understand the Bible. 00:03:27.139 --> 00:03:28.039 Great book. 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:29.599 Now on to something else. 00:03:29.780 --> 00:03:31.379 Let's go through the Harry Potter series. 00:03:32.679 --> 00:03:34.359 But the Bible is mysterious. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:36.379 And I read it. 00:03:36.579 --> 00:03:37.620 And I search it. 00:03:37.679 --> 00:03:40.000 And I look for the mysteries that are contained inside. 00:03:40.439 --> 00:03:42.039 And then my son will do the same thing. 00:03:43.199 --> 00:03:45.780 And his son will, if the Lord parries. 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:48.839 And that's why this book is alive. 00:03:49.079 --> 00:03:50.319 And it never finishes. 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:56.519 And you can see that when Jesus is running around gathering his disciples, 00:03:56.699 --> 00:03:58.179 as he passes, one of them says, 00:03:58.299 --> 00:04:01.439 look, the Lamb of God. 00:04:02.739 --> 00:04:05.199 And straight away, none of the other disciples go, 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:06.519 the Lamb of God? 00:04:07.239 --> 00:04:08.199 What's that about? 00:04:08.819 --> 00:04:10.299 The guy said he was a door. 00:04:10.459 --> 00:04:11.179 He was a shepherd. 00:04:11.179 --> 00:04:11.799 He's a sheep. 00:04:11.899 --> 00:04:13.139 Where's this Lamb of God business? 00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:16.779 The Lamb of God is a Jewish term. 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:20.219 And it's one of those mysteries that they've been pondering 00:04:20.219 --> 00:04:21.860 ever since the book of Genesis. 00:04:23.219 --> 00:04:27.500 Because you see, when Isaac and Abraham are going up the mountain, 00:04:27.699 --> 00:04:29.159 what are they not carrying? 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:31.139 A lamb. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:34.199 And Isaac even turns to his father and says, 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:36.599 you know, Dad, I see the knife, 00:04:37.219 --> 00:04:38.439 and I see the wood, 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:40.879 and I see the fire, 00:04:41.219 --> 00:04:43.120 but I don't see the Lamb. 00:04:43.659 --> 00:04:44.459 Where's the Lamb? 00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:46.279 And what does his father say? 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:49.779 The Lord will provide a lamb. 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:52.579 And does God provide a lamb? 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:53.079 No. 00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:53.639 No. 00:04:54.159 --> 00:04:54.759 No. 00:04:55.859 --> 00:04:58.319 He provides a ram. 00:04:59.719 --> 00:05:00.800 But if you're Jewish, 00:05:00.919 --> 00:05:02.560 and you know this is the Word of God, 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:04.379 this is the Holy Bible, 00:05:04.519 --> 00:05:05.419 so you read and you said, 00:05:05.659 --> 00:05:06.339 no, wait a second, 00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:09.079 Abraham said that God will provide a lamb. 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:11.300 So what are we waiting for? 00:05:12.219 --> 00:05:13.979 We're waiting for the Lamb of God. 00:05:14.759 --> 00:05:16.099 So when you see the Messiah, 00:05:16.259 --> 00:05:17.639 you go, that's the Lamb of God. 00:05:17.719 --> 00:05:18.599 And it's a code word. 00:05:19.539 --> 00:05:25.539 It tells you a lot more than just a few words of the Lamb of God. 00:05:27.799 --> 00:05:29.819 So when Jesus is calling his disciples, 00:05:29.819 --> 00:05:37.819 one of my favorite little calls is Nathaniel's. 00:05:38.699 --> 00:05:40.599 Because Nathaniel is, 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:42.079 what's Nathaniel doing? 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:46.500 Sitting under a fig tree, right? 00:05:47.259 --> 00:05:48.379 And there's Jesus, 00:05:49.339 --> 00:05:51.259 and he meets Nathaniel, 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:51.680 and he says, 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:55.039 this is an Israelite in whom there is nothing false. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:57.459 That doesn't mean that a guy doesn't tell lies. 00:05:57.459 --> 00:06:01.439 What that means is this guy is a true Israelite bearing good fruit. 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:04.879 He is studying, 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:08.019 and his life is mimicking his life. 00:06:08.120 --> 00:06:09.959 He's not a false student. 00:06:10.279 --> 00:06:11.719 He's a real student. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:15.079 Remember, that's actually the mission of Yeshua, Jesus. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:15.480 He says, 00:06:15.719 --> 00:06:18.600 go into the world and make disciples. 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:19.339 He doesn't say, 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:20.680 go out in the world and get them saved. 00:06:21.719 --> 00:06:23.319 Salvation is actually implied. 00:06:24.540 --> 00:06:26.139 When you become a student of Jesus, 00:06:26.279 --> 00:06:28.560 when you study the Gospels themselves, 00:06:28.759 --> 00:06:30.740 you'll realize what the Gospel is, 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:31.680 which is, 00:06:32.199 --> 00:06:33.759 that the Messiah rose from the dead. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:35.840 That's the Gospel in one line. 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:39.060 The Messiah rose from the dead. 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:41.720 Now, when Nathaniel meets him, 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:42.060 and he says, 00:06:42.100 --> 00:06:43.019 well, how do you know me? 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:44.199 He says, 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:46.759 I saw you while you were under a fig tree. 00:06:47.420 --> 00:06:48.819 And then straight away, 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:49.680 Nathaniel goes, 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:51.560 you are the Son of God. 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:52.540 You're the King of Israel. 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:54.360 And you go, 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:54.720 wow, 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:55.879 that's amazing. 00:06:56.399 --> 00:06:58.319 Because it took Peter three and a half years 00:06:58.319 --> 00:06:59.399 to get to that conclusion. 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:02.399 He had to have three and a half years with Jesus. 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:03.040 And finally, 00:07:03.139 --> 00:07:05.379 when he's up in the north of the Galilee, 00:07:05.500 --> 00:07:06.500 at Caesarea Philippi, 00:07:06.600 --> 00:07:07.620 and Yeshua asks him, 00:07:07.860 --> 00:07:09.139 so who do you think I am? 00:07:09.159 --> 00:07:09.600 And he says, 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:10.480 you are the Messiah. 00:07:10.860 --> 00:07:12.240 You're the Son of the Living God. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:13.159 You know, 00:07:13.219 --> 00:07:13.899 Jesus doesn't say, 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:14.399 well, man, 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:15.219 it took you long enough. 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:17.920 Nathaniel died in 10 seconds. 00:07:19.240 --> 00:07:19.620 And he's like, 00:07:19.659 --> 00:07:19.959 well, yeah, 00:07:19.980 --> 00:07:21.219 you didn't tell me where I was sitting. 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:25.639 Is this the way that the Messiah reveals himself? 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:27.779 All he has to do is walk up and say, 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:28.479 Daniel, 00:07:28.659 --> 00:07:30.680 I saw you while you were sitting in Starbucks. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:33.279 Joey, 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:35.259 I saw you while you were shopping in Walmart. 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:36.839 And the guy's going, 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:37.279 wow, 00:07:37.759 --> 00:07:38.779 this guy's good. 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:40.240 He must be God. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:41.339 You know? 00:07:41.699 --> 00:07:43.839 If that's all the Messiah has to do, 00:07:44.419 --> 00:07:46.319 if the only thing he has to do is say, 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:47.019 where you were, 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:49.219 and that makes you believe that he's the Messiah, 00:07:49.579 --> 00:07:49.800 man, 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:51.479 he could have had all of Israel saved, 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:51.899 couldn't he? 00:07:52.599 --> 00:07:53.959 He just wanders around telling people. 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:56.299 But it's more than that. 00:07:56.399 --> 00:07:56.620 Remember, 00:07:56.919 --> 00:07:58.979 this book is a Jewish text. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:00.439 And so, 00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:03.739 it's full of Hebrewisms. 00:08:04.739 --> 00:08:06.939 Has anybody actually been to Bethsaida? 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:08.819 It's a little fishing village 00:08:08.819 --> 00:08:10.179 in the north of the Galilee. 00:08:11.120 --> 00:08:13.299 It's actually not on the Galilee coast anymore, 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:16.819 because the Galilee has actually receded down a bit. 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:19.139 But it used to be a fishing village. 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:23.079 And there's one thing it doesn't have in it. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:25.180 It doesn't have any fig trees. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:30.100 Because it's not about Nathaniel 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:34.200 sitting under a literal fig tree. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:38.740 What is the first time in the Bible 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:40.960 that we hear of a fig? 00:08:42.540 --> 00:08:44.960 When's the first time you actually hear of a fig in the Bible? 00:08:45.920 --> 00:08:46.620 In Genesis. 00:08:47.280 --> 00:08:48.180 Yeah, Adam and Eve. 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:49.800 And you know the story. 00:08:50.300 --> 00:08:51.759 Adam bites the fruit. 00:08:52.560 --> 00:08:52.820 And, you know, 00:08:52.900 --> 00:08:53.200 it's a little... 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:56.120 Oh my gosh! 00:08:56.820 --> 00:08:57.780 What's that doing there? 00:08:57.900 --> 00:08:58.780 I haven't seen that before. 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:01.959 And in Jewish tradition, 00:09:02.079 --> 00:09:03.159 he's actually eating a fig. 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:08.079 But then he realizes he's naked. 00:09:08.740 --> 00:09:09.899 He's got to cover himself. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:11.259 He's in shame. 00:09:12.179 --> 00:09:14.720 So he covers himself using a fig leaf. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.399 Little does he know 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:18.500 that the sap of a fig 00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:20.120 is a skin irritant. 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:21.579 Okay? 00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:23.559 It's going to hurt. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:26.100 And just imagine the Lord coming down 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:26.379 and going, 00:09:26.379 --> 00:09:27.779 Adam, Adam, where are you? 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:29.679 Oh man, I bet that's itchy. 00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:31.100 Let me... 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:31.919 Here's some cream. 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:32.279 You know? 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:33.500 I'll help you out. 00:09:33.579 --> 00:09:34.199 I'll get some... 00:09:34.199 --> 00:09:35.959 You need some real skins. 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:38.159 And so the first time 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.319 you actually see a fig in the Bible, 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.519 it's to cover. 00:09:42.639 --> 00:09:44.279 It's to cover your sin. 00:09:44.459 --> 00:09:45.939 It's to cover your nakedness. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:47.259 It's to cover your shame. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.759 It's to defend yourself 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:50.100 from God. 00:09:50.959 --> 00:09:52.299 From looking bad 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:55.019 in the presence of God. 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.019 And so the whole... 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:58.299 The image of a fig 00:09:58.299 --> 00:09:59.439 became something 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:00.659 that covered you, 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:02.240 sheltered you, 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:03.720 protected you, 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:05.079 and nurtured you, 00:10:05.199 --> 00:10:06.259 and defended you. 00:10:07.039 --> 00:10:08.519 And what defended 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:10.019 the Jewish people? 00:10:11.460 --> 00:10:12.039 The Torah. 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:15.559 The Torah that the... 00:10:15.559 --> 00:10:16.679 Well, we call the law, 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:17.840 but in Hebrew, 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:18.419 Torah, 00:10:18.600 --> 00:10:19.019 laharat, 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:19.860 from the verb 00:10:19.860 --> 00:10:20.740 to teach 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:21.720 or to instruct. 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:24.100 The instructions of God. 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:25.740 The teaching of God. 00:10:26.019 --> 00:10:27.740 That is what defended you. 00:10:28.560 --> 00:10:29.940 If you followed 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:31.379 the teachings of the Lord, 00:10:31.899 --> 00:10:33.220 if you found yourself 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:34.480 a good rabbi 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.420 who would actually 00:10:35.420 --> 00:10:36.940 teach you the Bible properly, 00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:38.220 then you would put 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:39.620 that Bible into practice 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:41.320 and you would produce fruit. 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.960 When the Messiah 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:45.680 is walking into the temple, 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:47.360 on his way 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:48.279 into Jerusalem, 00:10:48.779 --> 00:10:49.660 he encounters 00:10:49.660 --> 00:10:50.580 a fig tree. 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:52.740 and he walks up to it. 00:10:53.280 --> 00:10:54.460 And what's he looking for? 00:10:55.660 --> 00:10:56.780 He's looking for fruit. 00:10:57.700 --> 00:10:58.580 But does he find any? 00:10:59.300 --> 00:11:00.080 No, he doesn't. 00:11:00.200 --> 00:11:00.920 So what does he do? 00:11:02.160 --> 00:11:02.400 Pow! 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:03.540 Right? 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:04.920 Curses the fig tree. 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:06.400 And then the thing 00:11:06.400 --> 00:11:07.180 withers and dies. 00:11:07.420 --> 00:11:08.740 But the gospel writers 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.879 are pretty clear 00:11:09.879 --> 00:11:10.520 to note 00:11:10.520 --> 00:11:11.820 that they say 00:11:11.820 --> 00:11:12.540 it was not 00:11:12.540 --> 00:11:13.700 the season for figs. 00:11:14.420 --> 00:11:15.520 So what is Jesus 00:11:15.520 --> 00:11:17.020 not going to find 00:11:17.020 --> 00:11:17.520 on the tree? 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:19.300 Fruit. 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:19.419 Fruit. 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:20.579 So it's not 00:11:20.579 --> 00:11:21.779 the tree's fault 00:11:21.779 --> 00:11:22.740 that there's no fruit, 00:11:22.839 --> 00:11:23.139 is it? 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:24.299 I mean, 00:11:24.339 --> 00:11:24.839 you don't go 00:11:24.839 --> 00:11:25.859 at the beginning 00:11:25.859 --> 00:11:26.399 of the season, 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.240 where are my apples? 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:28.000 Oh, there's no apples? 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.179 Okay, rip everything up. 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:30.219 Start again. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:32.059 It's not about 00:11:32.059 --> 00:11:33.059 Jesus 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:33.939 just deciding 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:35.059 he's hungry one day 00:11:35.059 --> 00:11:35.779 and going, 00:11:35.959 --> 00:11:37.039 wow, there's no food here. 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.539 Now I'm really annoyed. 00:11:39.799 --> 00:11:40.599 You should have known 00:11:40.599 --> 00:11:41.099 I was hungry. 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:43.259 What he's doing, 00:11:43.319 --> 00:11:44.359 he's making a statement 00:11:44.359 --> 00:11:44.859 by saying, 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.039 I'm walking into the temple. 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:48.059 I'm going to be 00:11:48.059 --> 00:11:49.519 asking questions 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:50.519 of the temple teachers. 00:11:51.239 --> 00:11:52.019 I'm going to be 00:11:52.019 --> 00:11:53.099 looking at their Torah. 00:11:53.239 --> 00:11:53.719 I'm going to be 00:11:53.719 --> 00:11:54.819 looking at their fruit. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.239 What have they produced? 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:57.879 They have produced 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:58.459 no fruit. 00:11:59.619 --> 00:11:59.879 And so, 00:11:59.979 --> 00:12:00.239 bang, 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:01.279 it's gone. 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:02.579 And so, 00:12:02.699 --> 00:12:03.799 the Torah 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.879 was the covering. 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:06.819 So what is Nathaniel doing? 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:08.000 He's not sitting 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:09.199 under a tree. 00:12:10.359 --> 00:12:11.039 He's studying 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:11.479 the Bible. 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:13.579 It says, 00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:15.300 we have found 00:12:15.300 --> 00:12:16.360 the one 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:17.560 Moses wrote about 00:12:17.560 --> 00:12:18.200 in the law 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:18.940 and about whom 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:20.460 the prophets speak. 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.340 So what Nathaniel's doing, 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:24.139 he was probably 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.020 studying the Bible. 00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:25.920 Which verses 00:12:25.920 --> 00:12:26.560 is he studying? 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:28.340 There are so many 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:29.160 to choose from. 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:30.440 And 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:32.139 in Israel, 00:12:32.900 --> 00:12:33.759 I've had the 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.500 privilege 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.300 of working 00:12:35.300 --> 00:12:36.240 with the oldest 00:12:36.240 --> 00:12:37.320 Protestant church 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:37.960 in the Middle East. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:39.180 That's what Christ Church is. 00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:40.300 It's actually 00:12:40.300 --> 00:12:41.180 an Anglican mission 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:42.979 started by a guy 00:12:42.979 --> 00:12:44.039 called William Wilberforce. 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:45.239 And 00:12:45.239 --> 00:12:46.339 I lead 00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:47.899 a small team 00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.759 of Jewish believers 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.259 in Jesus 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:49.879 and we share 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:50.419 the gospel 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:51.399 with 00:12:51.399 --> 00:12:52.699 close to 00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:54.039 25,000 Israelis 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:54.599 every year. 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:56.419 And Israelis 00:12:56.419 --> 00:12:57.079 would come 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:57.839 to church. 00:12:57.919 --> 00:12:58.579 They come to us. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:12:59.000 We don't stand 00:12:59.000 --> 00:12:59.639 on the street corner. 00:12:59.959 --> 00:13:00.899 They come to us. 00:13:01.579 --> 00:13:02.139 And then we have 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:02.699 the opportunity 00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:03.299 to share. 00:13:04.339 --> 00:13:04.759 And 00:13:04.759 --> 00:13:05.639 there are many 00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:06.259 scriptures 00:13:06.259 --> 00:13:07.120 in the Torah 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.240 with which to search 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.299 and look 00:13:09.299 --> 00:13:10.419 for the Messiah. 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:12.439 And often 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.620 our accusation 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.879 that they accuse us 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.979 is they say, 00:13:16.319 --> 00:13:16.819 but you 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.759 Christians, 00:13:18.339 --> 00:13:19.319 you guys worship 00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:19.899 three gods. 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:20.539 I know you do. 00:13:21.719 --> 00:13:22.479 How many gods 00:13:22.479 --> 00:13:23.039 do we worship? 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:25.099 We worship one. 00:13:25.859 --> 00:13:26.419 Yes, 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:27.239 it's mysterious. 00:13:28.979 --> 00:13:30.259 It's a mystery. 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:32.159 But that mystery, 00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:33.079 and I'm so glad 00:13:33.079 --> 00:13:33.759 Trinity Sunday 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.539 only comes around 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.059 once a year. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:35.879 Okay? 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:37.359 Because you 00:13:37.359 --> 00:13:38.419 preach on the Trinity 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:39.399 for more than five minutes, 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.819 you're going into heresy 00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:41.539 by about now. 00:13:41.959 --> 00:13:42.779 It's a mystery. 00:13:43.699 --> 00:13:44.360 And we've had to 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:45.279 walk this mystery 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.779 out for 2,000 years now. 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.519 But you know what? 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.220 It's in the text. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.000 And Nathaniel 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:51.439 would have been 00:13:51.439 --> 00:13:52.259 searching for it. 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:53.939 And Jesus 00:13:53.939 --> 00:13:54.399 would have been 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.059 looking straight 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:55.699 out of the Bible 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.539 right back at him. 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:57.819 And so 00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:59.120 we say to these 00:13:59.120 --> 00:14:00.059 Israelis who come 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:00.379 to us, 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.500 we don't worship 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.139 three gods. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:03.419 I know it's a mystery, 00:14:03.579 --> 00:14:04.340 but allow me 00:14:04.340 --> 00:14:06.720 to share a passage 00:14:06.720 --> 00:14:07.579 and we'll see. 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.120 We'll go on 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.960 a journey together. 00:14:09.160 --> 00:14:10.400 So we go to Isaiah 00:14:10.400 --> 00:14:13.180 and in chapter 48, 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:14.660 verse 12, 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:16.580 we read, 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.500 Shema alai Yaakov 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.800 ve'Yisrael mikrei. 00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:22.340 Shema, 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:23.480 that's a loaded 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.700 Hebrew word. 00:14:26.060 --> 00:14:26.259 Okay? 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:27.120 If you hear the word 00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:27.680 Shema, 00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:30.000 that's like 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:32.100 the oath 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.780 of allegiance. 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.800 Shema Yisrael 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:36.100 Adonai Eloheinu 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:36.800 Adonai Echad, 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:38.200 hear O Israel, 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:39.159 the Lord our God, 00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:40.100 the Lord is one. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:41.860 So when you hear 00:14:41.860 --> 00:14:42.800 the word Shema, 00:14:43.700 --> 00:14:44.480 you sit up, 00:14:44.560 --> 00:14:45.060 pay attention, 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:45.879 because the 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:47.080 following sentences 00:14:47.080 --> 00:14:48.060 are loaded. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:50.779 The Hebrew language 00:14:50.779 --> 00:14:52.639 is an oral language. 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:53.440 The Bible was 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:54.560 an oral culture. 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.480 You listened 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:57.639 to the stories. 00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.800 Listen to me, 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:00.139 Jacob. 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:01.899 And I like 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:02.620 the way God 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:03.819 announces himself 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:04.419 as the God 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:04.860 of Jacob. 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.559 Because it tells you 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.580 something about your God. 00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:09.179 Like, 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:10.720 what's Jacob's character 00:15:10.720 --> 00:15:11.379 in the Bible? 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.100 What's he like? 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:16.139 Jacob is a... 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.659 He's a deceiver. 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.879 He's an usurper. 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:22.799 He tricks his father. 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:24.740 He tricks his brother 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:25.879 out of a birthright. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.460 And not only that, 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:28.919 he's a coward. 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:31.220 Every time you read 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:31.679 in the Bible 00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.340 about Jacob, 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.919 usually the next sentence 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:34.159 is, 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:35.179 and he was afraid. 00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:37.840 He's constantly fearful. 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.299 So even after 00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.059 he usurps 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:40.720 and deceives 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.480 his family, 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.559 he then runs. 00:15:43.059 --> 00:15:43.799 He runs away. 00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:45.399 And even when 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.519 he's coming back 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.820 to make restitution, 00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:48.439 and he knows 00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:49.000 he's going to have 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.820 to meet Esau, 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:51.759 this guy is so brave 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.439 that he sends 00:15:52.439 --> 00:15:53.259 the women and children 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:53.679 in front. 00:15:54.439 --> 00:15:54.659 Okay? 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:57.159 This is our hero type. 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.120 And then God 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:58.860 comes along and says, 00:15:59.080 --> 00:15:59.980 I am the God 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:01.000 of Jacob. 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.299 God, 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:05.080 who is so mighty 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:06.600 and so powerful, 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:08.120 is also still 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.860 so merciful 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:10.179 and so humble 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:11.220 himself, 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.480 even though he himself 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.639 wraps himself 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.259 in pride, 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:16.100 is to identify himself 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:17.080 as the God of Jacob. 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.779 And so here, 00:16:19.039 --> 00:16:19.799 listen to me, 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:20.159 Jacob, 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.819 and Israel, 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:23.019 whom I have named. 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:24.459 Anihu, 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.059 Ani Roshonaf, 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:26.740 Ani Achoron, 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.799 I am the first 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:29.100 and I am the last. 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:30.600 So who said 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.259 he was the first 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:31.819 and the last? 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:36.240 Who did? 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.379 God. 00:16:38.980 --> 00:16:39.199 Well, 00:16:39.339 --> 00:16:40.519 at the moment, 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.620 the prophet 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.419 has just said, 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:44.120 I am the first 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.120 and I am the last. 00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.539 But we don't know 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:47.500 who that is yet. 00:16:48.839 --> 00:16:49.839 So just pretend 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.620 your Israelis 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.500 for a second 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:53.080 and I ask you, 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.660 who's the first 00:16:53.660 --> 00:16:54.100 and the last? 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.940 I'm not sure. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.080 Next sentence, 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.740 Af Yavdei Aretz 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.740 V'Yemeni T'Tachash 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.820 and my hand 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.860 has laid the foundations 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:01.460 of the earth 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.620 and my right hand 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.460 has stretched out 00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:03.879 the heavens 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:05.240 or opened them up. 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.859 Ani Karei Alehem 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:09.900 V'Yachadu Yachadu 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:11.220 When I call them, 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:12.099 they stand up. 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.319 So who made the heavens 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:13.799 and the earth? 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.140 God. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:15.819 So you're right. 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.799 The first and the last 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.519 is God. 00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:18.620 Excellent. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.720 In verse 16, 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:23.980 Kiyavu Alai 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.400 Now come close to me. 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:26.819 Shmauzot 00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.860 Now when you have 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:29.940 the word Shmau 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:32.380 in two very close 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:33.299 sentences together, 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:35.120 in Hebrew exegesis, 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.059 you actually link 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.319 those two verses together. 00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:38.559 Okay? 00:17:38.600 --> 00:17:39.759 That's the way rabbis do it. 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:40.880 That's the way Jesus does it 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:42.319 in Luke 4. 00:17:43.700 --> 00:17:45.259 So come close to me 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:46.380 and listen to this. 00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:51.100 Not since the beginning 00:17:51.100 --> 00:17:52.620 have I spoken in secret. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:53.920 Now devar, 00:17:54.060 --> 00:17:55.400 the word to speak, 00:17:55.520 --> 00:17:56.740 is also the word for word. 00:17:57.120 --> 00:17:57.600 Devar. 00:17:58.180 --> 00:18:00.260 It's also the word for thing. 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.200 So the word 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:04.460 is a thing. 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.420 Me'et haita shamani 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:07.920 Me'et 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:09.420 That's a biblical Hebrew time word. 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.300 You don't use it 00:18:10.300 --> 00:18:11.340 in modern Hebrew anymore. 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.460 It literally means 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:15.140 since the beginning. 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:17.680 Since the beginning of time. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:19.560 Haita shamani 00:18:19.560 --> 00:18:21.880 I was there. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.860 So somebody was there 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:26.040 since the beginning of time. 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:26.900 Va'ata 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:28.020 Now that's another 00:18:28.020 --> 00:18:29.660 biblical Hebrew time word 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.420 which means 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:32.200 right now. 00:18:32.800 --> 00:18:33.520 As in 00:18:33.520 --> 00:18:34.420 right now. 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:36.640 Right now and right now. 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.540 So since the beginning of time 00:18:38.540 --> 00:18:39.380 until 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.560 right now. 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.240 Whoever the first 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.960 and the last is, 00:18:43.300 --> 00:18:44.420 whoever made the heavens 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:44.880 and the earth, 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.400 he is 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:46.140 timeless. 00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.280 He is God. 00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:49.340 But then it says, 00:18:50.060 --> 00:18:50.760 Adonai 00:18:50.760 --> 00:18:52.360 Hashem 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:53.520 Adonai 00:18:53.520 --> 00:18:54.960 Yahweh 00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:56.520 Shalachani 00:18:56.520 --> 00:18:57.060 Veruach 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.919 The Lord God 00:18:58.919 --> 00:18:59.019 God 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.059 The Lord God 00:18:59.059 --> 00:19:00.980 The Lord God 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:03.019 The Lord God 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.259 But we just said 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.899 that the first 00:19:04.899 --> 00:19:05.419 and the last 00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:06.460 who made the heavens 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:06.879 and the earth 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.720 who was there 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.240 in the beginning 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.899 of the time 00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:09.919 was God, 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.419 didn't we? 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.960 And now the prophet 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:13.480 says, 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.579 The Lord God 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.839 sends me 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:18.039 with his spirit. 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:19.940 So, 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:21.159 looking at this text, 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.679 it's mysterious. 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:24.840 who is the first 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.480 and the last? 00:19:26.140 --> 00:19:27.320 Who is this 00:19:27.320 --> 00:19:28.960 very powerful person 00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:30.360 who makes the heavens 00:19:30.360 --> 00:19:31.000 and the earth? 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:33.039 And the gospel 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:34.060 writer of John, 00:19:34.360 --> 00:19:35.400 when he starts 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:35.940 the gospel, 00:19:36.100 --> 00:19:37.400 he begins by saying, 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:38.160 In the beginning 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:38.779 was the 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:40.259 word, 00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:41.080 the davar, 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:42.700 which is the word, 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.140 which is also a thing. 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:45.560 In the beginning 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:46.360 was the word, 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.380 and the word was 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:49.040 was with God, 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.200 and the word 00:19:50.200 --> 00:19:51.600 was God, 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:53.540 and nothing was made 00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:55.120 without the word. 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.700 The gospel of John 00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.240 is just 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.440 quoting again 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.560 Isaiah 48. 00:20:01.760 --> 00:20:02.980 It's playing out 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:04.580 the mystery 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:06.400 that since the prophet 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:06.880 Isaiah, 00:20:07.020 --> 00:20:07.520 you would read 00:20:07.520 --> 00:20:07.840 and go, 00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:08.880 No, I don't get it, 00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:09.720 but I'm looking 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.520 for this person. 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.740 There's somebody here, 00:20:13.320 --> 00:20:14.200 and Nathaniel's 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.720 doing that. 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.500 Nathaniel is looking 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.180 for this person, 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:17.980 and then what Yeshua 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.340 says, 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:18.660 Jesus, 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.360 when he sees him, 00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:19.660 he says, 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:21.019 I know you, 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:22.360 because I was 00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:22.980 looking back. 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.180 When you were 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.779 looking for me, 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.740 I was looking back, 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.200 and he says, 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.539 You are 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.860 the Son of God. 00:20:29.320 --> 00:20:30.279 You are the King 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.700 of Israel, 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.460 and he gets it. 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.920 He gets it. 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.700 And then Jesus says, 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:35.820 Wow, 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:37.240 you believe so fast? 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.900 That's great. 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:38.820 You're going to see 00:20:38.820 --> 00:20:39.620 even better things 00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.019 than this. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.920 You're going to see 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.519 even better. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.600 In fact, 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:44.620 Jesus even tells 00:20:44.620 --> 00:20:45.200 his disciples 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:46.180 that we're going 00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.960 to do better things 00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.440 than Jesus. 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:49.880 We're going to do 00:20:49.880 --> 00:20:50.559 greater things 00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.039 than Jesus. 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.600 Did we? 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.380 Yes. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.160 We did, 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.960 but probably not 00:20:58.960 --> 00:20:59.340 in the ways 00:20:59.340 --> 00:20:59.980 we thought. 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.420 You know, 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.759 Jesus healed people. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:04.579 He did. 00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.600 Everywhere he went, 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.019 healed people. 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:07.640 I don't know 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.200 how many healed, 00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:08.680 maybe a couple 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.160 of thousand. 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:11.480 What did the church do? 00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.720 Built hospitals 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.440 all over the world. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:17.000 Fought back the plague 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.940 in multiple countries. 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:20.539 Jesus taught people. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.640 Jesus taught disciples. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.980 Around about 120, 00:21:25.600 --> 00:21:26.160 when you get to 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.839 the book of Acts. 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.819 What did the church do? 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:31.059 It built schools 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:31.860 everywhere, 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.920 and it educated 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.380 the world. 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.839 One of the things 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.900 that the Anglican Mission, 00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.559 Christ Church, 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:37.839 did, 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:39.160 that I think is the best 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.100 thing we ever did 00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:41.759 in our history 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:43.240 in Jerusalem, 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.240 is we built 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.200 a school for girls. 00:21:46.800 --> 00:21:47.540 What's the value 00:21:47.540 --> 00:21:48.120 of a woman 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:49.019 in the Middle East 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:50.400 in the 1800s? 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.340 Not much. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:53.080 Right? 00:21:53.600 --> 00:21:54.400 In Islam, 00:21:54.540 --> 00:21:55.160 how many women 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.100 can I have, guys? 00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:57.840 Now, four. 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.340 Right? 00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.420 And if I don't like one, 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.120 I'm going to divorce one. 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:00.640 I'm going to get another one. 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:01.380 Okay? 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.480 In Judaism, 00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:03.560 how many wives 00:22:03.560 --> 00:22:04.180 can I have? 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:08.019 That's what everybody says, 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:08.599 that actually, 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.319 there's no number. 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:10.839 And so, 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.759 what the rabbis do 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.180 is they go, 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:12.500 wow, 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:13.480 why is there no number? 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.059 This would make it 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:14.799 real easy for us. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:15.879 And so, 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.920 they look through the Bible 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:18.319 to see a man 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.599 after God's own heart. 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.299 How many wives 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.259 does King David have? 00:22:23.400 --> 00:22:24.559 He has 18. 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:25.720 Okay? 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:25.900 So, 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.000 there's your magical number. 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:27.859 Not that I'm saying 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.900 Jews ever had 18 wives. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.480 They didn't. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.160 Okay? 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.759 But that was their 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.720 magical number. 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.200 And again, 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:33.920 it tells you something 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.599 about God. 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:37.440 Because out of which wife 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:39.220 does God bring 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:40.019 the Messiah in? 00:22:41.600 --> 00:22:42.740 The last one. 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:44.759 Right? 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.059 Number 18. 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:48.180 Bathsheba is 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.320 wife number 18 00:22:49.320 --> 00:22:50.539 of David. 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:51.360 Now, 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:51.700 normally, 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:53.059 in my little Western mind, 00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:53.880 I would say, 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:54.759 excuse me, 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.820 but if we're going to have 00:22:55.820 --> 00:22:57.500 a Davidic king around here, 00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:59.299 we need to have 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.960 the wife number one. 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.940 That's the right thing to do. 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:02.539 And plus, 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.740 she's an actual princess. 00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:05.320 She's actually 00:23:05.320 --> 00:23:06.600 the daughter of King Saul. 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.279 So, 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:07.539 you know, 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.079 you want to have 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:08.919 a messianic king, 00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:09.959 let's actually go 00:23:09.959 --> 00:23:10.619 through the princess. 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:12.779 But what God does 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.399 is he says, 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:13.919 actually, 00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:16.419 the wife that everybody 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.379 doesn't like, 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.819 the thing that's all bad, 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:22.359 everything that's wrong, 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.500 the adultery, 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:24.139 the murder, 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.859 the lying, 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.500 the stealing, 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:25.959 everything that's wrong, 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:27.219 I can redeem that. 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.319 I can make it better. 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.799 I can reach down 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.319 into darkness 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.339 and turn it into light. 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.879 It shows you once again 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:35.539 what God continues to do. 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:37.099 And so, 00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.200 the Messiah comes 00:23:38.200 --> 00:23:39.799 from her. 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.460 In Israel, 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:45.159 in the 1800s, 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.200 women weren't worth much. 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.279 So, 00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.139 what did the mission do? 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.200 School for girls. 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.460 Arabs went, 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.379 Jews went, 00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:54.240 Turks went, 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.200 Egyptians went, 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.259 Armenians went. 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.799 And because the British 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.720 are so meticulous 00:23:58.720 --> 00:24:00.379 about record keeping, 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.299 okay, 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.240 if you went to the hospital 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.180 and took a band-aid, 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.920 they would write that down. 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:05.299 Okay, 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.500 we have these great records 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.799 in our church library 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:09.079 about how many band-aids 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:10.620 and yards of linen 00:24:10.620 --> 00:24:12.180 and drops of iodine 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.579 we used. 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.720 But we also have 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:15.099 all the baptismal records 00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:15.539 as well. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:17.620 And 25% of all the girls 00:24:17.620 --> 00:24:18.500 that went to that school 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.859 became believers in Jesus. 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:21.960 So, 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.279 wow, 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.579 just one little school 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:24.519 and all these girls 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.299 coming to faith 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.420 as well as getting educated. 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.980 But what happened is, 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.779 is there was a reaction. 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.539 And if, 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:30.860 if, 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:32.140 if you've got a daughter, 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.140 you don't want to send her 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:33.720 to the mission, 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:35.320 she might become a believer 00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:35.720 in Jesus. 00:24:35.800 --> 00:24:36.300 That's terrible. 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:36.980 So, 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:37.759 what do you have to do? 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.820 Build your own school 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.480 for girls. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:41.740 So, 00:24:41.800 --> 00:24:42.660 the reaction is, 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:44.779 the Arabs built schools 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.180 for girls, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.880 the Jewish people 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.860 built schools for girls, 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.920 the Turks built schools 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.340 for girls. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.740 We changed the face 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.320 of education 00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:51.060 in the Middle East 00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:53.220 just by doing that, 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:54.360 that little thing. 00:24:54.359 --> 00:24:57.459 we have this little impact 00:24:57.459 --> 00:24:58.339 on, 00:24:58.439 --> 00:24:58.899 on, 00:24:59.299 --> 00:24:59.559 on, 00:24:59.939 --> 00:25:00.899 on the education 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.779 of, 00:25:01.919 --> 00:25:03.039 of the Middle East. 00:25:03.459 --> 00:25:04.240 And people come to hear 00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.740 that story. 00:25:05.039 --> 00:25:05.279 So, 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:05.979 we have the opportunity 00:25:05.979 --> 00:25:07.219 to continue to share. 00:25:08.379 --> 00:25:08.939 But here, 00:25:09.479 --> 00:25:10.679 Jesus is talking to 00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:11.559 Nathaniel 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.639 and he says, 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.019 listen, 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.839 greater things 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.740 you're going to do. 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.500 And they did. 00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:18.159 And plus, 00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:19.579 you are going to see 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.240 angels 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.699 ascending and descending 00:25:21.699 --> 00:25:22.859 on the Son of Man. 00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:24.559 So, 00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.639 where do angels start? 00:25:28.699 --> 00:25:29.279 If, 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:30.899 if you see angels 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:31.699 ascending 00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:33.139 and descending, 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.599 where do they start from? 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.459 Here. 00:25:37.899 --> 00:25:38.459 See, 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.319 in Jewish tradition, 00:25:39.899 --> 00:25:40.279 angels 00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.059 are here. 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.859 They're right here. 00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.500 In fact, 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.959 in Jewish tradition, 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.799 every time you go off 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.179 to synagogue, 00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.099 you actually come home 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.579 with angels. 00:25:49.839 --> 00:25:50.579 They're everywhere. 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:52.219 Even the prophet Elijah 00:25:52.220 --> 00:25:53.339 had to open up 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:53.960 the eyes of one 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.480 of his servants 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:54.799 and say, 00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:55.759 just have a look 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.240 at how many 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:56.839 are with us 00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:59.000 than actually against us. 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:00.740 They're right here. 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.220 We have 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.559 an incredible army 00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.500 of people 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.319 surrounding us, 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.440 defending us, 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.460 shepherding us, 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.620 encouraging us. 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.839 We are most definitely 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:11.120 not alone. 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.420 And also, 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.180 the text is, 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.819 Jesus often identifies 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.960 himself as the Son of Man. 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.579 Notice, 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.440 Nathaniel says, 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.660 you're the Son of God. 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:21.240 And Jesus says, 00:26:21.400 --> 00:26:22.440 I'm the Son of Man. 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.440 Why doesn't he use 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.460 the term Son of God? 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.880 Where do you get 00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:29.360 the term Son of God 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:29.840 from? 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:30.660 Well, 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:31.380 in Jewish tradition, 00:26:31.540 --> 00:26:32.460 the term Son of God 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.380 actually just denotes 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.040 a relationship. 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.400 And anybody 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.300 who has a relationship 00:26:36.300 --> 00:26:36.800 with God 00:26:36.800 --> 00:26:37.880 is called a Son of God. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.360 So, 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:43.740 Israel has a relationship 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.220 with God. 00:26:44.360 --> 00:26:44.560 So, 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.500 it's called a Son of God. 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.960 Angels have a relationship 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.400 with God. 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:47.580 So, 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:48.040 they're called 00:26:48.040 --> 00:26:48.759 the Son of God. 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:50.019 You have a relationship 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.480 with God. 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:50.800 So, 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.380 you are called 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:52.000 Sons and Daughters 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.400 of God. 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.220 So, 00:26:53.300 --> 00:26:54.259 if Jesus just walked up 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.480 and said, 00:26:54.540 --> 00:26:54.759 hi, 00:26:54.900 --> 00:26:56.240 I am the Son of God, 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:57.300 then everybody goes, 00:26:57.600 --> 00:26:57.900 yeah, 00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:58.860 me too. 00:27:00.280 --> 00:27:00.600 So, 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:01.840 Jesus says, 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.259 I am the Son of Man. 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:04.000 Now, 00:27:04.120 --> 00:27:05.440 that's also a strong 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:05.920 biblical, 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:08.060 prophetic 00:27:08.060 --> 00:27:09.740 title. 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.860 Where do you hear 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:11.900 the Son of Man 00:27:11.900 --> 00:27:12.759 term from? 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.120 Which book of the Bible? 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.019 Daniel? 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.139 Daniel. 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.339 Daniel. 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:20.000 And it comes from 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.339 Daniel chapter 7, 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.900 which is a fantastic passage. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.759 It's one of my favorites. 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:24.960 We often use it 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:26.079 in Israel 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:27.420 to show people 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.839 to read 00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.299 that there's this 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.240 special person. 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.740 In Daniel chapter 7, 00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:32.960 in verse 9, 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.279 Daniel looks into heaven 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.200 and he sees, 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:35.759 he says, 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:36.700 I looked into heaven 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:37.940 and I saw thrones. 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.879 And the Ancient of Days 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.680 came and he sat 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.359 on his throne 00:27:41.359 --> 00:27:42.639 and his head 00:27:42.639 --> 00:27:43.200 was like, 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.680 it was white as wool 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.660 and his seat 00:27:45.660 --> 00:27:46.960 was flaming with fire 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.779 and he's attended 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.660 by thousands 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.600 and ten thousands 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:51.120 and the books 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:51.640 are opened 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.259 and we're ready 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.299 to judge the world. 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.920 And then this other guy 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.420 shows up 00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.420 called the Son of Man. 00:27:57.380 --> 00:27:58.740 And all the world 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.799 actually worships him. 00:28:01.279 --> 00:28:02.140 The Son of Man 00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.120 is given authority 00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:04.140 and a kingdom 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:05.200 and a dominion 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.420 and every tribe 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.019 and every tribe 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:07.940 will worship him. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.240 It's like, 00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:09.799 wow, 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.859 who is this 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:12.359 very powerful person? 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.079 And Yeshua, 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.440 Jesus, 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:14.919 comes along 00:28:14.919 --> 00:28:15.139 and says, 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.259 I am the Son of Man. 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:17.440 I am that person. 00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:19.299 That's me. 00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:20.819 And even death 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.539 is not going to 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:22.359 hold me still. 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.079 Remember the gospel. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.379 Jesus rose 00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:26.240 from the dead. 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.980 He is alive. 00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:30.559 But most Jewish people 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.200 can't get past 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.039 the first sentence. 00:28:32.680 --> 00:28:34.139 I looked into heaven 00:28:34.139 --> 00:28:35.299 and I saw 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.859 thrones. 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:39.259 What's the problem? 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.279 How many thrones 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.000 should be in heaven? 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.400 One. 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.119 But Daniel says 00:28:44.119 --> 00:28:44.980 he looked and he saw two. 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:46.339 So who's sitting 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:46.940 on the other one? 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.359 And so for a couple 00:28:48.359 --> 00:28:48.879 of hundred years 00:28:48.879 --> 00:28:49.720 before Jesus, 00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:51.119 there's this big debate 00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:51.420 going, 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.319 who is sitting 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.099 on the other throne? 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.859 And for Jesus, 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.940 it's him. 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:58.819 He is the one 00:28:58.819 --> 00:29:00.200 sitting on the other throne. 00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.660 And in Israel, 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.539 when we share 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:03.160 these passages 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.160 with people, 00:29:04.859 --> 00:29:05.759 it's kind of exciting. 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:06.539 Sometimes it's a bit 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:07.160 too challenging 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.700 and people 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:09.660 run away. 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.360 But sometimes 00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:10.940 they do something 00:29:10.940 --> 00:29:11.500 like this. 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.200 One day, 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:14.559 we had an orthodox man 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:16.240 and his secular friend 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.519 come in to Christchurch 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.600 and we began 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:19.700 to share the history 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.840 of the mission. 00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:22.200 We described 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:22.620 the building. 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:24.140 We described 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:25.380 the stained glass windows. 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.400 We talked about 00:29:27.400 --> 00:29:27.920 the history 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:29.000 of our place 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.940 and the rise 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.059 of Messianic Judaism. 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.259 Because the number 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.080 of Jews in Israel 00:29:33.080 --> 00:29:33.799 is increasing. 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:35.819 We've been in Israel 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:37.099 for 17 years 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:39.119 and in 17 years 00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:39.779 we've watched 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:40.940 the number of Jews 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.899 who believe in Jesus 00:29:41.899 --> 00:29:43.839 go from 15,000 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.779 to 22,000. 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.079 Which, 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:46.919 when you do the math, 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:48.759 is a 46% increase. 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:51.200 Which is just awesome! 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.740 Because now 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:54.240 we're running out of space. 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.240 So we're talking 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:57.019 to these guys 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:58.379 and we share 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.279 about who we are, 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.299 share a little 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:01.119 about the history 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:02.639 of Messianic Judaism, 00:30:02.959 --> 00:30:03.859 share some of these 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.599 Bible passages 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:06.699 and then 00:30:06.699 --> 00:30:07.879 the conversation finishes. 00:30:09.699 --> 00:30:10.659 And everybody's 00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:11.359 still standing there. 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:15.099 No one quite knows 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:15.819 how to leave. 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:18.299 So we're all 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:18.919 looking at each other. 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:21.000 It's getting 00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.919 a little awkward now. 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:24.179 And then the secular guy 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:24.779 leans in 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.939 and he says, 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.319 how do I 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.559 get saved? 00:30:30.099 --> 00:30:30.439 We say, 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.600 the Messiah 00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:32.360 rose from the dead. 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.620 Here's a New Testament. 00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:34.759 Start reading. 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.000 Come and join us. 00:30:36.100 --> 00:30:37.680 And the Rabbi guy, 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.519 the Orthodox guy 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:38.779 goes, 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:40.380 can I get saved too? 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:41.960 Yes. 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.059 Yes, you can. 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:45.759 You can search 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.240 the Scriptures, 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:46.980 you can look 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.860 at those mysteries 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:49.340 and you will find out 00:30:49.340 --> 00:30:50.299 that the Messiah 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.340 is sitting on the throne. 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:52.980 That the Son of Man 00:30:52.980 --> 00:30:54.039 is alive and well. 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.380 And God, 00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.740 in His wisdom, 00:30:57.039 --> 00:30:58.259 has been reaching out 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.000 and touching 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.740 Jewish people 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.339 and bringing them 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:00.839 to Himself. 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:02.079 And we have also 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.720 seen it 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:04.359 in the Muslim world. 00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.339 When you turn 00:31:06.339 --> 00:31:07.099 the TV on 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:08.160 and you look 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:09.440 at the Middle East, 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.279 it looks pretty dark, 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:10.839 doesn't it? 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.319 It looks horrible. 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.440 There's lots of violence. 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.380 And all of that 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:15.759 is true. 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:17.400 But God 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.519 is also working. 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:20.120 If He is sitting 00:31:20.120 --> 00:31:20.700 on the throne, 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.799 if He is in control, 00:31:21.920 --> 00:31:22.720 if He is alive, 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.480 then He is working. 00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:25.579 If He is the King, 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.519 then He is in control. 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.519 And at Christchurch, 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:30.299 we had a conference 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:31.460 where we wanted 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:33.099 to hear what God 00:31:33.099 --> 00:31:33.559 was doing 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.700 amongst the Arabic peoples. 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:36.279 So we invited 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.000 Iranians 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:38.200 and Iraqis. 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:40.000 We invited Jordanians 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.579 and Syrians 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.200 and Lebanese. 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.620 We invited the Turks 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.339 and the Moroccans 00:31:43.339 --> 00:31:43.860 and the Egyptians. 00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:45.059 They all came 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:45.740 to Christchurch. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.000 And they shared, 00:31:47.120 --> 00:31:47.779 this is what God 00:31:47.779 --> 00:31:48.180 is doing 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:49.539 in our countries. 00:31:50.140 --> 00:31:50.559 And there was 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.500 this Kurdish man 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:53.200 called Ali Pektash. 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.639 He doesn't mind us 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.259 actually using 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:56.079 his name at all. 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.539 And he used to be 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:59.319 a very staunch 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:00.099 Kurdish Muslim. 00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:01.220 He actually used 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:02.319 to work for the PKK. 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.779 You heard of that group? 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.759 They blow up Turks. 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.460 Or currently, 00:32:07.539 --> 00:32:07.879 now the Turks 00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.679 are blowing them up. 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.679 But as a good Muslim, 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.700 he needed to go 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.399 on the Hajj. 00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.519 So he takes 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.700 a pilgrimage to Mecca. 00:32:15.399 --> 00:32:16.619 And while he's in Mecca 00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:17.259 and he puts on 00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:18.079 his little white robe 00:32:18.079 --> 00:32:18.639 and he's going to be 00:32:18.639 --> 00:32:19.679 walking around the Kaaba, 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.759 he has a vision 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.240 of Jesus. 00:32:22.860 --> 00:32:23.539 The first time 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.039 he has a vision 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:24.400 of Jesus, 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:24.720 he's like, 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:24.980 wow, 00:32:25.060 --> 00:32:25.440 I think I haven't 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:26.000 had enough water 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:26.420 to drink. 00:32:27.100 --> 00:32:28.060 I'll just keep going. 00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:28.759 I'm a good Muslim. 00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.200 But Jesus kept 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.019 coming back to him. 00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:33.259 Kept coming back 00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:33.380 to him. 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.180 He wouldn't stop. 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.480 So the third time 00:32:35.480 --> 00:32:36.160 Jesus shows up, 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:36.420 he says, 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:36.700 okay, 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.519 who are you? 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.160 And he becomes 00:32:39.160 --> 00:32:39.600 a follower 00:32:39.600 --> 00:32:40.279 of the Messiah. 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:40.720 And then he goes 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.620 back to Kurdistan 00:32:41.620 --> 00:32:42.620 and in Kurdistan 00:32:42.620 --> 00:32:42.920 they say, 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:43.180 hey, 00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:43.580 Ali, 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.640 Hajji, 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.720 good to see you. 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.680 How is the Hajj? 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:47.440 And he goes, 00:32:47.600 --> 00:32:47.860 oh, 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.880 it was great. 00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:50.080 I became a Christian. 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:53.000 That doesn't normally 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.980 happen when you're on the Hajj. 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.320 But now, 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.660 instead of blowing Turks up, 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.580 he's working in Turkey 00:32:57.580 --> 00:32:58.220 planting churches. 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.820 And that's the type 00:33:00.820 --> 00:33:01.460 of Middle East 00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:02.620 that we're actually 00:33:02.620 --> 00:33:03.400 involved with. 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.000 Those are the types 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.820 of the good stories 00:33:04.820 --> 00:33:05.940 that we actually hear. 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:06.880 God 00:33:06.880 --> 00:33:08.320 is working. 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.760 The Son of Man 00:33:09.760 --> 00:33:10.980 is alive. 00:33:11.260 --> 00:33:12.160 And he is ruling 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.600 and reigning. 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.860 He is changing lives. 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:15.179 He is sitting 00:33:15.179 --> 00:33:15.779 on the throne. 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.639 And we're not afraid. 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:19.219 Not anymore. 00:33:20.219 --> 00:33:20.539 And that, 00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:21.159 I have to say, 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.119 is good news. 00:33:22.619 --> 00:33:22.859 Yes? 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:25.019 Very good news. 00:33:25.899 --> 00:33:26.639 Brothers and sisters, 00:33:26.939 --> 00:33:28.339 shalom from Jerusalem. 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:29.959 Amen. 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:30.079 Amen. 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:35.539 Maybe just before, 00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:36.019 we're going to have 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.759 some intercessions, 00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:37.319 but before that, 00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:38.360 let's just stand for a moment. 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.920 After the word is open 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.380 like that, 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:42.240 it's really appropriate 00:33:42.240 --> 00:33:43.220 for us just to pause 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.000 in prayer. 00:33:44.200 --> 00:33:44.940 So let's just pause. 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.640 I'll have a moment 00:33:45.640 --> 00:33:46.360 or so of silence 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:46.980 and I'll pray. 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:47.079 Amen. 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.140 Amen. 00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:47.180 Amen. 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.240 Amen. 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:47.259 Amen. 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:47.340 Amen. 00:33:47.340 --> 00:33:48.180 Amen. 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:49.180 Amen. 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:49.220 Amen. 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.180 Amen. 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:51.180 Amen. 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:51.220 Amen. 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:52.180 Amen. 00:33:52.180 --> 00:33:52.220 Amen. 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:53.180 Amen. 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:54.180 Amen. 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:55.180 Amen. 00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:56.180 Amen. 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:56.220 Amen. 00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:57.059 Amen. 00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:58.180 Amen. 00:33:58.180 --> 00:33:58.220 Amen. 00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:59.059 Amen. 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:02.619 Amen. 00:34:02.619 --> 00:34:03.559 Amen. 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:05.599 Amen. 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:07.519 Amen. 00:34:07.619 --> 00:34:07.899 Amen. 00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:11.239 Amen. 00:34:11.239 --> 00:34:12.099 Amen. 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.980 Amen. 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.820 Amen. 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:19.400 Amen. 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:27.619 Amen. 00:34:28.059 --> 00:34:28.239 Amen. 00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:28.619 Amen. 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:29.019 Amen. 00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:29.039 Amen. 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:34.639 sovereign today, that you are sovereign in Canada, that you are sovereign in the Middle East. 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:45.000 And we thank you, Father, that when ideologies or cultures keep you out or try to keep you out, 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:53.539 that Jesus comes in dreams. Father, we confess before you that we human beings cannot keep you 00:34:53.539 --> 00:35:00.059 out. We thank you, Father, for the work that you are doing amongst Muslims, bringing them to yourself. 00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:06.380 We thank you, Father, for the work in Jerusalem and for bringing people to yourself. We ask your 00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:12.699 blessing on Aaron and his team and Christ Church Jerusalem and CMJ. Father, may you use it in a 00:35:12.699 --> 00:35:19.980 mighty and powerful way to share the gospel with many Jewish and others in Jerusalem. May many come 00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:24.780 to a saving faith in Jesus through that work. And Father, we ask the same thing for ourselves. 00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:31.199 Father, may we be fruitful for your glory. May you so pour out your Holy Spirit upon us 00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:37.980 and so draw us close to King Jesus that you might use us to share the gospel not only in Ottawa, 00:35:38.320 --> 00:35:43.579 but beyond Ottawa to the ends of the earth. And all this we ask and thank in the name of Jesus, 00:35:43.740 --> 00:35:45.800 your Son and our Saviour. Amen.