WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.500 So folks, here's what we need to do with our minds if we're to understand John chapter 3. 00:00:06.520 --> 00:00:11.220 We need to walk over to Marchmont. We need to get on the number 24 bus. 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:14.740 And we need to take it all the way to the Royal Infirmary. 00:00:15.620 --> 00:00:19.500 And we need to take a walk around the maternity ward. 00:00:20.780 --> 00:00:21.679 Okay, you with me? 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:27.199 Tell you what, the last time I was in the maternity ward, it felt pretty useless. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:34.859 Okay, our youngest Eve was born. Here's the scene, a number of doctors running around the room doing their thing. 00:00:35.399 --> 00:00:42.560 Up goes the curtain. And I'm told that the best thing that I can do is to be up top and keep chatting to mum. 00:00:43.379 --> 00:00:49.340 And I'd love to tell you in those moments, I offered a few inspirational words and I had sparkling conversation. 00:00:49.480 --> 00:00:52.019 But honestly, I looked deep inside and I had nothing. 00:00:52.020 --> 00:01:00.100 In fact, I even asked Alex, so panicked was I for conversation, I think I even asked her what she'd planned for the rest of that week. 00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:04.120 And I was so aware that I was in that room doing nothing. 00:01:04.960 --> 00:01:09.420 I was doing nothing other than take up space in an already overcrowded room. 00:01:09.420 --> 00:01:15.820 But I was also aware that there was someone in that room who was doing even less than I was doing. 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:19.480 And out she came. 00:01:21.140 --> 00:01:28.099 Crying and contributing nothing other than a lot of pain on behalf of my wife, the kind of which I cannot begin to imagine. 00:01:29.560 --> 00:01:30.379 There's the baby. 00:01:30.379 --> 00:01:34.420 The baby was doing absolutely nothing. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:37.859 Except being born. 00:01:39.299 --> 00:01:44.060 And so with that image in our minds, here's the puzzle of John chapter 3. 00:01:44.979 --> 00:01:47.899 As Jesus explains what it is to be a Christian. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:50.719 Of all the metaphors that he could have picked. 00:01:51.539 --> 00:01:54.840 Of all the sights and sounds that he could have told us to take in. 00:01:54.840 --> 00:02:01.299 Of all the places that he could have taken us to understand what it is to be a Christian. 00:02:01.740 --> 00:02:04.880 He takes us to the maternity ward. 00:02:05.840 --> 00:02:10.860 And he gets us to picture a baby being born. 00:02:11.099 --> 00:02:15.240 Verse 3 is the key verse here if you want to follow with me in the text. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:23.939 No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. 00:02:24.840 --> 00:02:27.840 Now let me just say two things at this point by way of introduction. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:29.620 The first is a clarification. 00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:36.840 You might hear that phrase born again and immediately alarm bells are going off in your minds, right? 00:02:37.980 --> 00:02:44.439 If you're immediately thinking of some kind of spiritual space cadet who looks very much like Ned Flanders from The Simpsons. 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:47.840 Someone who has their heads in the clouds and has nothing to do with everyday life. 00:02:49.099 --> 00:02:50.719 Now you might have picked that up from the media. 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:52.659 You might have picked that up from friends. 00:02:52.659 --> 00:03:00.460 But let me lovingly plead with you today to put those assumptions, presumptions to the side for one minute. 00:03:01.439 --> 00:03:06.900 And come and let Jesus, the one who coined that phrase, let him do the talking. 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:11.680 Let him clarify for you what he means when he uses that phrase. 00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:13.139 Come and hear it as it were. 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:17.639 Come and hear it straight from the horse's mouth. 00:03:17.639 --> 00:03:22.039 And the second thing to say is an invitation. 00:03:23.559 --> 00:03:29.179 As strange as this might seem, I'm convinced that if we can grasp what Jesus is saying here, 00:03:29.399 --> 00:03:35.419 if we can see both the source and the shape of the Christian life as he lays it out here, 00:03:35.839 --> 00:03:38.739 friends, it is wonderfully liberating news for us. 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:45.939 There is life to be found in embracing what Jesus says is true about following him. 00:03:47.180 --> 00:03:52.620 Now listen, if you're still confused.com, let me just say you're right at home in John chapter 3. 00:03:53.860 --> 00:03:59.160 Because the man on the other end of the conversation doesn't have a clue what's going on either. 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:00.260 Do you want to meet him? 00:04:00.259 --> 00:04:02.399 Come with me to the text. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:03.519 I'm a bit of enthusiasm here. 00:04:03.599 --> 00:04:04.060 Come and meet him. 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:05.639 Here he is in John chapter 3. 00:04:06.519 --> 00:04:07.579 His name is Nicodemus. 00:04:07.620 --> 00:04:08.039 Do you see him? 00:04:09.099 --> 00:04:10.379 His name is Nicodemus. 00:04:11.139 --> 00:04:14.199 And this is a one-on-one conversation that he has with Jesus. 00:04:14.419 --> 00:04:18.500 And it centers around the two words that you will find at the end of verse 15. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:23.699 It centers around this thing that Jesus calls eternal life. 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:38.500 That all the way through John's gospel, Jesus has been using this repeated phrase and making this repeated claim that he has come so that we may have eternal life as we hear about him and put our faith and trust in what he's done for us. 00:04:38.860 --> 00:04:41.639 Now let's just break that phrase down for a second, will we? 00:04:42.919 --> 00:04:43.360 Eternal. 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:45.959 Let's talk about quantity. 00:04:47.079 --> 00:04:47.219 Right? 00:04:47.220 --> 00:05:01.940 Life that never ends, starting from the moment that we receive Jesus as Lord, carries on right on through after death into forever, except then it will be perfected and amplified as we know it because we know it in God's new creation. 00:05:04.080 --> 00:05:05.160 And life. 00:05:06.140 --> 00:05:08.000 Talking about quality. 00:05:08.000 --> 00:05:14.899 The kind that deeply satisfies the hungry, thirsty, and restless human soul. 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:26.560 Stemming from the knowledge and enjoyment of our creator God who exists as a glorious community of love as Father, Son, and Spirit three in one. 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:34.779 Eternal life as we know and find our place in relationship with the God who made us. 00:05:34.779 --> 00:05:44.500 Oh, and friends, in our world of death and in our news screens where the war in Europe doesn't seem to be ceasing, 00:05:44.979 --> 00:05:52.019 and in our world of cost of living worries, in our world of political uncertainty and the pain that's coming from that, 00:05:52.119 --> 00:05:55.139 in our world of real heart-breaking questions, 00:05:55.739 --> 00:05:58.579 those two words, eternal life, 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:00.359 they should come at us today, 00:06:00.759 --> 00:06:07.019 should feel like walking into a log fire heated room when you've just come in from a freezing wet walk. 00:06:07.099 --> 00:06:08.759 This is Scotland in winter. 00:06:08.979 --> 00:06:09.240 Okay? 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:13.099 They should come at us with huge refreshment 00:06:13.099 --> 00:06:15.000 and warmth 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:16.079 and life. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:18.819 As C.S. Lewis once said, 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:22.539 too often we're like children who are too happy making mud pies in the dirt 00:06:22.539 --> 00:06:26.219 to contemplate what Jesus means and holds out to us as he offers us a holiday 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:27.339 at the beach. 00:06:27.339 --> 00:06:30.560 We're all too easily pleased. 00:06:31.060 --> 00:06:32.319 And Jesus comes here and he says, 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:34.859 I've come that you may have eternal life. 00:06:36.000 --> 00:06:38.219 Now here's the thing about eternal life. 00:06:39.659 --> 00:06:43.959 Nicodemus in this day is the favorite to get it. 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:50.539 Because he has a spiritual CV to die for. 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:51.299 Right? 00:06:51.459 --> 00:06:52.299 Follow with me. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:53.399 Verse 1. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:56.519 This man is an Orthodox Jew. 00:06:56.519 --> 00:07:00.719 He is part of this devout group called the Pharisees. 00:07:00.899 --> 00:07:08.139 He is deeply committed to external purity, legal observance, and Bible knowledge. 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:14.419 And this man is part of the religious ruling council of the day called the Sanhedrin. 00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:17.419 Nicodemus holds those cards in his hands. 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:20.099 We've got to understand in our terms, 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:22.040 he would be holding all the aces. 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:25.260 You're not just, 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:27.340 you are not beating this guy. 00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:28.740 I think that's the point. 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:30.460 You're not beating him. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:32.720 If you've asked anyone who's around this day, 00:07:32.820 --> 00:07:35.820 who is the favorite to get this thing called eternal life? 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:39.199 The whole neighborhood is pointing straight at Nicodemus. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:41.439 And here's the thing. 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:43.860 However good you think you are here today, 00:07:44.219 --> 00:07:46.759 however religious you think your life might be here today, 00:07:46.899 --> 00:07:48.600 Nicodemus beats you. 00:07:49.879 --> 00:07:52.879 And it's the guy up front who's meant to be the religious guy. 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:54.800 He beats me. 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:57.079 He outprays me. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:07:58.139 He outreads me. 00:07:58.279 --> 00:07:59.500 He outthinks me. 00:07:59.639 --> 00:08:00.719 He outworks me. 00:08:01.320 --> 00:08:02.500 Nicodemus beats me. 00:08:02.900 --> 00:08:04.260 Hands down. 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:08.440 He's just not beating them. 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:11.580 And Nicodemus goes to see Jesus. 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:13.480 Do you see at night in the text? 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:16.980 Just the time of day he went. 00:08:17.380 --> 00:08:19.280 I take it if you're going to suss somebody out, 00:08:19.380 --> 00:08:20.760 you don't want others to see you doing it. 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.400 You go at night. 00:08:22.640 --> 00:08:24.500 Maybe he's intrigued by Jesus 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:26.300 because he's gathering quite a crowd. 00:08:26.400 --> 00:08:27.940 If you remember at the end of chapter two, 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:30.200 as a result of the signs that he's doing. 00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:32.379 He goes at night. 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:36.040 But John, in his classic style of double meaning, 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:39.980 night is also a window into the true state 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.600 of this man's heart before God. 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:44.480 Because spiritually speaking, 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:45.820 the lights might be on, 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:48.040 but there ain't nobody home. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:51.860 Nicodemus, despite having all the aces, 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:54.860 he's in the dark. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:09:00.659 To see being spiritually in the dark, friends, 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:03.019 it is not a matter of the intellect. 00:09:04.519 --> 00:09:05.899 It's a matter of the heart. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:09.860 Famous story told about William Wilberforce 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:12.320 and his good friend and parliamentary colleague, 00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:12.980 William Pitt. 00:09:13.500 --> 00:09:15.800 Great week to pick a parliamentary illustration, 00:09:15.960 --> 00:09:16.379 I tell you. 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:18.940 Pitt, one of the brightest minds of his day, 00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:21.639 eventually becomes prime minister 00:09:21.639 --> 00:09:24.399 and Wilberforce takes Pitt to hear George Whitefield. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:25.580 George Whitefield, 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:29.240 one of the greatest preachers this country has ever known 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:30.480 when he was speaking in London. 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:33.199 And George Whitefield does his thing. 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:35.419 People come to faith in Jesus. 00:09:36.379 --> 00:09:37.899 Wilberforce turns to Pitt and he says, 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:38.960 what did you make of it? 00:09:40.319 --> 00:09:41.720 And Pitt simply replies, 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.819 I didn't understand a word that that man said. 00:09:44.820 --> 00:09:49.040 I just didn't get it. 00:09:50.540 --> 00:09:51.780 You've had that experience before 00:09:51.780 --> 00:09:54.100 when you've spoken to a friend about Christ. 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:56.360 I remember at university taking a friend along 00:09:56.360 --> 00:09:58.600 to a CU event 00:09:58.600 --> 00:10:00.180 when there was one of my favorite speakers speaking. 00:10:00.360 --> 00:10:02.000 So excited afterwards, my friend just, 00:10:03.040 --> 00:10:03.820 what was that all about? 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:09.180 Friends, what we all need to understand 00:10:09.180 --> 00:10:10.700 is that this is all of us, 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:12.980 by nature, 00:10:14.120 --> 00:10:16.520 outwith Jesus Christ. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:18.320 All of us. 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:21.680 We are creatures deserving his judgment. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:24.120 We are following the course 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:26.800 of our own sinful hearts and desires. 00:10:26.920 --> 00:10:28.720 We want nothing to do with God. 00:10:28.780 --> 00:10:30.040 In the words of Christopher Rash, 00:10:30.140 --> 00:10:32.840 each of us are like musicians in an orchestra 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.720 who want nothing to do with the conductor 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:38.320 because we want to play our heart's own song. 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:40.600 Outwith Christ, 00:10:40.920 --> 00:10:42.100 we are creatures 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:45.080 who are spiritually dead. 00:10:47.020 --> 00:10:49.040 It's exactly what the Bible says to us. 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:52.420 And what our hearts need is not CPR. 00:10:53.680 --> 00:10:56.060 What our hearts need is not resuscitation. 00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:57.840 What our hearts need 00:10:57.840 --> 00:11:01.660 is the thing that the Bible calls regeneration. 00:11:03.400 --> 00:11:04.940 We need to be made new. 00:11:05.900 --> 00:11:06.840 We need, in other words, 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.700 we need God. 00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:11.180 We need him to do something in here. 00:11:11.920 --> 00:11:13.160 That's what we need him to do. 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.300 So the problem is. 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:18.379 So there's the problem. 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.000 It's in here. 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:21.720 So Nicodemus makes his play. 00:11:21.840 --> 00:11:22.240 Do you see it? 00:11:22.300 --> 00:11:22.879 Verse two. 00:11:24.560 --> 00:11:25.060 And in turn, 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.820 Jesus challenges and flips 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:28.639 the entire way that Nicodemus 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.759 understands himself 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:30.840 and he understands the world 00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:31.560 in which he lives. 00:11:32.280 --> 00:11:34.019 He flips it on his head. 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:37.039 Because Jesus says 00:11:37.039 --> 00:11:38.759 two things to Nicodemus 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:39.879 about eternal life. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:42.399 He says, 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.199 first of all, 00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:45.019 that there is nothing 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:45.980 you can do 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.639 to earn it. 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:49.740 So the word born 00:11:49.740 --> 00:11:51.100 appears there six times. 00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:51.740 Do you see it? 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.439 Born, born, born, born, born, 00:11:54.439 --> 00:11:54.480 born. 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:56.559 Which is a bizarre metaphor, 00:11:57.220 --> 00:11:58.559 especially if you consider 00:11:58.559 --> 00:11:59.939 that Nicodemus at this point 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:00.980 in time in the text 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:02.039 is an older man. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.360 Now what does that mean? 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:06.240 It means that 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.620 he's not some kind of 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:08.399 teenage boy 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.480 giggling in the classroom 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:10.180 when he hears somebody 00:12:10.180 --> 00:12:11.399 explain the birds and the bees, 00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:11.720 right? 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:14.200 He's an old man. 00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:15.240 He's been already, 00:12:15.300 --> 00:12:16.180 he gets it. 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:18.019 But it's a metaphor 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:19.240 that if Nicodemus 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:19.860 is to understand 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.980 his true spiritual state 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:22.340 before this holy God, 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:23.360 it's a metaphor 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:24.600 that precisely makes 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.220 the point. 00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:26.440 Because Nicodemus 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:27.659 has lived his whole life 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.500 probably according 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:29.320 to the mantra 00:12:29.320 --> 00:12:31.539 that to behave 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:33.120 is to belong. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.460 Perform well, 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:36.639 keep the rules, 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:38.019 stay in line 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:39.159 and demonstrate 00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:39.840 that you're on 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:41.500 the right side of God 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.759 and you're in the kingdom 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:43.899 because you're behaving 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:44.659 like you belong. 00:12:47.159 --> 00:12:48.019 But I just won't 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:48.740 wash with Jesus. 00:12:50.820 --> 00:12:51.740 According to Jesus, 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:54.080 this isn't about Nicodemus 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:55.559 trying to turn over 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:56.320 a new leaf. 00:12:56.580 --> 00:12:57.240 We've got that phrase 00:12:57.240 --> 00:12:57.960 that we use in our culture, 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.320 don't we? 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:58.759 We always use it 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.620 on the 1st of January. 00:13:01.160 --> 00:13:01.759 It's not about 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.759 turning over a new leaf. 00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:04.320 It's not going to cut it. 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:04.700 It's not going to make 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:05.080 a difference. 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:05.519 You're not going to 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.080 know your own heart 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:06.840 well enough to know 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:07.540 that when you try 00:13:07.540 --> 00:13:08.220 and change, 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:10.180 it just doesn't happen. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:11.280 Right? 00:13:12.280 --> 00:13:12.920 That's why gyms 00:13:12.920 --> 00:13:14.160 are rammed in January 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:15.000 and they're nearly dead 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:15.519 in February 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.160 because we always 00:13:16.160 --> 00:13:17.040 make these resolutions 00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:18.040 to do things 00:13:18.040 --> 00:13:18.780 with our lives 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:19.340 and we realise 00:13:19.340 --> 00:13:20.000 after a while, 00:13:20.120 --> 00:13:20.540 actually, 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:22.240 it's just too much 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:22.900 hard work. 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:24.840 I can't do it. 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:26.460 No, 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.320 this is not about 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.139 Nicodemus turning 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:29.120 over a new leaf. 00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:30.180 This is about 00:13:30.180 --> 00:13:30.879 Nicodemus, 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:31.960 by God, 00:13:32.060 --> 00:13:32.700 by his grace, 00:13:32.800 --> 00:13:33.580 giving Nicodemus 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:34.980 a new heart. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:37.680 This is about God, 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:38.519 by his spirit, 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:39.320 giving him 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.360 a new heart, 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:42.000 working in him 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.000 to bring 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.940 a complete 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:45.740 inner 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:46.540 cleansing 00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:48.100 from his sin. 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:49.100 That's what it is 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:50.060 to be born with water, 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:50.639 if you're wondering 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:51.220 what that word 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:51.840 is there for, 00:13:51.840 --> 00:13:53.940 and transforming 00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:55.360 his entire being. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:56.759 This is something 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.660 that only God 00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.300 can do 00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.660 in the soul 00:13:59.660 --> 00:14:01.240 of a human being. 00:14:03.780 --> 00:14:04.399 Only God 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:05.200 can do this. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:08.620 Nicodemus needs 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.139 a new heart. 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:10.519 All of those 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.139 out with Christ, 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:11.940 we need new hearts. 00:14:12.040 --> 00:14:12.440 All of those 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:13.060 that are in Christ, 00:14:13.160 --> 00:14:13.600 we're only there 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:14.320 by the grace of God 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:14.899 because he's given 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:15.519 us a new heart. 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:17.920 Now, 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:18.660 to stop you thinking 00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:19.360 that I've driven you 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.720 into some kind of 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.420 cul-de-sac 00:14:21.420 --> 00:14:22.279 with nowhere to go, 00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.220 let me just tell you 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:23.820 why my soul 00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:25.100 was so refreshed 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:25.639 by the truth 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.259 of this passage 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:26.820 this week. 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:29.220 Friends, 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:29.720 is it not 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:31.620 incredibly good news 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:33.100 that when Jesus 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.120 wants us 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:35.240 to understand 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.519 what it is 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.519 to be a Christian, 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:40.180 he doesn't take us 00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:41.100 round the religious 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:42.139 hall of fame, 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:43.379 show us all the 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.399 heroes of the faith, 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:45.720 sends us away 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.139 and says, 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.000 try again. 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.320 No, 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:50.240 he takes us 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.600 to the maternity 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.139 ward 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.879 and he says, 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:55.180 come to me 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:57.320 and be born again. 00:14:58.620 --> 00:14:59.019 Do you see 00:14:59.019 --> 00:14:59.580 the difference 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.399 between the two? 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:02.480 Not try harder, 00:15:02.580 --> 00:15:03.580 not try again, 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.639 trust that I've 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.159 done it all, 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:05.700 look to me 00:15:05.700 --> 00:15:06.840 and be born again. 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:10.600 Oh friends, 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.240 I'm a Christian 00:15:11.240 --> 00:15:11.940 not because 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:13.060 I am the man. 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.600 I am a Christian 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.539 because I am 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.659 the baby. 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:19.980 that's the 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:20.819 liberating truth 00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:21.779 of this passage. 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.279 This is what it 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.480 is to know 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:26.579 God's grace. 00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:28.819 Oh friends, 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.399 this is what it 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:29.879 means to have 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.620 God as our 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.019 gracious 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:31.659 heavenly 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:33.259 father and 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:33.839 this is what it 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:34.039 means. 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:34.519 This is an 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.179 invitation to 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:35.839 run to him 00:15:35.839 --> 00:15:36.199 knowing that 00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:36.639 we're saved 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.299 by grace, 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.219 to run to him 00:15:39.219 --> 00:15:40.980 and ask for 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.639 more grace. 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:45.600 Oh and here's 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.019 a wonderful 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.620 book and I 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.080 don't mean to 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.600 cost you tons 00:15:48.600 --> 00:15:48.960 of money at 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.279 this time, 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:49.740 this is just 00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.360 books that I 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:50.879 found really 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:51.259 great. 00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.559 Dane Ortlund 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:52.879 and his 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.699 wonderful book 00:15:53.699 --> 00:15:54.539 Gentle and 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.100 Lowly. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.299 Friends, 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:56.659 if you want 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:58.460 to recapture 00:15:58.460 --> 00:16:00.159 Christ's love 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:00.899 for you, 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:02.340 his child, 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.980 here is a 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.759 wonderful book 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.439 where he does 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:06.139 this, okay? 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.039 Here's the quote, 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.980 when you come 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.679 to Christ 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.459 for mercy 00:16:09.459 --> 00:16:10.159 and love 00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:10.879 and help 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:11.360 in your 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:11.939 anguish 00:16:11.939 --> 00:16:13.000 and perplexity 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.860 and sinfulness, 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:16.259 you are going 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.339 with the flow 00:16:17.339 --> 00:16:18.099 of his deepest 00:16:18.099 --> 00:16:18.679 wishes, 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.179 not against 00:16:20.179 --> 00:16:20.519 them. 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:22.799 Do you see, 00:16:23.599 --> 00:16:24.319 this is what it 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:25.179 is to be saved 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:26.179 by grace alone. 00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:29.259 This is how 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:29.899 the grace of 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.599 God works, 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.839 working in us 00:16:32.839 --> 00:16:33.500 because this is 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.319 how the spirit 00:16:34.319 --> 00:16:35.240 of God works. 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:37.240 And that's 00:16:37.240 --> 00:16:37.560 what Jesus 00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:38.060 means there 00:16:38.060 --> 00:16:38.759 at verse 8. 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.519 What does he 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.120 describe the 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.759 Holy Spirit? 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.259 He's like the 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:42.720 wind. 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:43.899 Remember, 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:45.519 the spirit 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.060 is not an 00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:46.320 it, 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:46.919 the spirit 00:16:46.919 --> 00:16:47.539 is the third 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.360 person of 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:48.919 the Godhead. 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:50.539 He is like 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.000 the wind. 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.039 You can't 00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:53.740 see the wind, 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:55.159 but boy can 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:55.960 you see the 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:56.779 effects of the 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:56.980 wind. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:57.680 Likewise, 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.600 you don't see 00:16:58.600 --> 00:16:59.360 how the spirit 00:16:59.360 --> 00:16:59.919 is moving, 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.480 you don't see 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.279 how he is at 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:01.519 work, 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.659 but boy can 00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.100 you see the 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.720 effects of him 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.079 moving. 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.200 The words 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.480 of that 00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:07.099 old hymn 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:07.500 that some 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:07.720 of us 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:07.940 might have 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.299 grown up 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.660 singing, 00:17:08.799 --> 00:17:09.160 I know 00:17:09.160 --> 00:17:09.680 not how 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.279 the spirit 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:10.880 moves, 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.019 convincing 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:12.579 men of 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:12.900 sin, 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:13.799 revealing 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.259 Jesus 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.019 through the 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:15.319 word, 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.120 creating 00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:17.259 faith 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.559 in him. 00:17:20.039 --> 00:17:20.620 And here's 00:17:20.620 --> 00:17:20.960 what I want 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.259 to do, 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:21.480 I guess, 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:21.740 as your 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.359 pastor this 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:22.579 morning, 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:22.900 I want 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.539 to encourage 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:23.940 you as 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.319 a church, 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.799 our church 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.220 family, 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.319 that I see 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.900 the spirit 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:28.440 at work 00:17:28.440 --> 00:17:29.799 in you. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:32.259 some of 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.759 you seeking 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.559 to investigate 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.240 Jesus, 00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.339 whereas six 00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:35.799 months ago 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.399 that wasn't 00:17:36.399 --> 00:17:37.119 even on your 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.579 radar. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.539 Friends, 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.180 that is the 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:39.940 spirit at work. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.339 Some of 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:44.159 us installing 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:44.740 things in our 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.299 computers so we 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:45.859 don't go near 00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:46.259 stuff we 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.619 shouldn't be 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:47.220 looking at. 00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.039 Some of us 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.740 thinking twice 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.539 about relationship 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.220 for us that's 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:52.339 just not helpful. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:52.740 Friends, 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.379 that is the 00:17:53.379 --> 00:17:54.180 spirit at work 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:54.899 in our lives. 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:56.919 Some of us 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:58.079 giving sacrificially 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:59.000 of ourselves 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.259 to our 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:00.799 children, 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.379 taking the 00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.179 time that it 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:03.460 needs, 00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:04.220 pouring in the 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:04.720 hours to 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.220 seek to try 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:05.839 and raise 00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.539 them and 00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:07.599 nurture them 00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.019 in the ways 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.619 of the Lord. 00:18:08.879 --> 00:18:09.199 Friends, 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.980 that is the 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.419 spirit. 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:12.439 And I went 00:18:12.439 --> 00:18:12.939 to see Audrey 00:18:12.939 --> 00:18:13.319 and Donald 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:14.339 ten days ago 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.899 just before I 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:15.579 went on holiday 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:17.059 just listening 00:18:17.059 --> 00:18:17.679 to what life 00:18:17.679 --> 00:18:18.279 is like for 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:18.480 them. 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.199 It's hard. 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:21.000 Listen to Audrey 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.579 tell me about 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.259 the fact that 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:22.799 she's in a lot 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:23.259 of pain. 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.179 But let me 00:18:25.179 --> 00:18:25.460 tell you, 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.139 I heard a lot 00:18:26.139 --> 00:18:26.779 about pain 00:18:26.779 --> 00:18:27.639 but I heard 00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.059 nothing 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:28.779 about panic. 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:30.980 Do you know 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.419 what she said? 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:31.679 She said, 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.440 I'm just ready 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:32.960 to go. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:33.899 And then she 00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:34.339 added one 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:34.720 little word 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.299 at the end, 00:18:36.279 --> 00:18:36.619 home. 00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.359 First Peter, 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.159 the spirit of 00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:40.379 God, 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:40.819 we've been 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.599 born again 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.579 to a living 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:42.960 hope in 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.679 Christ Jesus. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.139 Friends, 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:45.740 that is the 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.019 spirit. 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.919 Some of us 00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:48.279 putting our 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:48.839 hands up and 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:49.299 asking for 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.740 help and 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.339 opening up to 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:50.740 brothers and 00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.240 sisters about 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:51.740 the struggles 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.379 in our life 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:52.740 because we 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.379 understand we're 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.000 saved by grace 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.379 alone. 00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.720 That's the 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.000 spirit. 00:18:57.480 --> 00:18:57.700 It's one 00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:57.980 thing I 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:58.319 picked up 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:58.759 in America, 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.120 friends, 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.559 to always 00:18:59.559 --> 00:18:59.860 be on the 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.080 lookout, 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:01.440 how God's 00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:02.019 spirit is 00:19:02.019 --> 00:19:02.539 at work 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.600 in everyday 00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.559 unspectacular 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.059 ways in 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.740 our lives. 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:06.720 Let me 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.400 just encourage 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:07.799 you, 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:08.440 the urge 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.039 to fight 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.720 sin and 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.160 pursue 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.000 Christ is 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.600 not a 00:19:11.600 --> 00:19:12.019 sign of 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.440 failure, 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.340 it's a 00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:14.480 sign of 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:14.900 faith. 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.059 Do you 00:19:15.059 --> 00:19:15.519 know why? 00:19:15.840 --> 00:19:16.380 Because it's 00:19:16.380 --> 00:19:16.920 God who's 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.259 put that 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.000 desire there. 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:19.120 It's the 00:19:19.120 --> 00:19:19.720 spirit working 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.100 in our 00:19:20.100 --> 00:19:20.980 lives that's 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.580 given us the 00:19:21.580 --> 00:19:22.220 desire in the 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.960 first place. 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:25.059 that we 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.380 would want 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:25.799 to pursue 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:26.299 Christ and 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.759 not pursue 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.120 our own 00:19:27.120 --> 00:19:27.400 agenda. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:27.759 That's the 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.019 spirit. 00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:28.279 You know, 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:28.740 Alex and I 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.059 were walking 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:29.600 around Bath 00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:30.079 this week. 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:31.000 The two of 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.319 us had a 00:19:31.319 --> 00:19:31.640 night off 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:31.980 without the 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.319 kids, 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.460 walking around 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:33.980 Bath City 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.340 Centre, 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.460 people pouring 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.100 out of pubs, 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:36.720 out of work, 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:37.940 students doing 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.400 their thing, 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.620 things going on 00:19:39.620 --> 00:19:39.980 in the city 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.420 centre that 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:40.960 go on in any 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.500 city centre. 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:41.779 Do you know 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.059 what the two 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:42.600 of us said? 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:44.819 If it wasn't 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.440 for God at work 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.059 in our lives, 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:47.420 we'd be doing 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.100 exactly the 00:19:48.100 --> 00:19:48.420 same. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:52.759 Oh, 00:19:52.800 --> 00:19:52.980 friends, 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.300 do you see 00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:53.940 how he's 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:55.140 put these 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.039 desires here? 00:19:56.920 --> 00:19:57.480 He has 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.080 caused us to 00:19:58.080 --> 00:19:58.860 be born again 00:19:58.860 --> 00:20:00.180 by his 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.600 spirit. 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.360 He's washed 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:02.900 us clean 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:03.820 by his 00:20:03.820 --> 00:20:04.259 blood, 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.720 cleansed us 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.180 through his 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.720 work on the 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:07.160 cross. 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:07.740 Friends, 00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:08.279 I look at 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:08.420 you, 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:08.980 just to finish 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:09.320 this little 00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:09.759 bit off, 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:10.480 I look at 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:10.640 you, 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:10.920 do you know 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.420 what I see? 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.580 Term of 00:20:13.580 --> 00:20:14.100 endearment. 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.259 I see 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.779 babies. 00:20:18.420 --> 00:20:20.960 Nicodemus, 00:20:21.060 --> 00:20:21.519 this is how 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:21.880 it works 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:22.480 in God's 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:22.820 kingdom. 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:23.840 When it 00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:24.180 comes to 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.860 eternal life, 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.480 there's nothing 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.039 that you can 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.680 do to earn 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.240 it except 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.220 secondly, 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:30.580 trust that 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:30.920 I've done 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.720 everything that 00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.060 you might 00:20:32.060 --> 00:20:32.660 have it. 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.600 Verse 9, 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.140 how can this 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.680 be true? 00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:36.960 Well, 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.519 according to 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:37.880 Jesus, 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.400 do you see, 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:38.680 and I think 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.080 this is a 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:39.640 surprise in 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.220 the text, 00:20:40.660 --> 00:20:41.180 if you come 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.580 with me to 00:20:41.580 --> 00:20:42.160 verse 9, 00:20:42.600 --> 00:20:43.140 Nicodemus 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.440 should have 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.080 known this. 00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:44.800 This ain't 00:20:44.800 --> 00:20:45.180 coming from 00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.860 left field, 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.519 as far as 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.019 Jesus is 00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:47.440 concerned. 00:20:47.560 --> 00:20:47.800 You're the 00:20:47.800 --> 00:20:48.200 leader of 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:48.519 Israel, 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:48.940 you're the 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.279 religious 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.700 guy, 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.180 you've read 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.680 the stuff, 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.039 you should 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.680 know this. 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.220 If you think 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.779 back to what 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:55.420 Fiona read in 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.360 Ezekiel 36, 00:20:57.360 --> 00:20:58.840 this is what 00:20:58.840 --> 00:20:59.460 God promised 00:20:59.460 --> 00:20:59.960 he would do 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.279 for his 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:00.799 Old Testament 00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.279 people, 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.779 for his 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.160 people, 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.700 his all 00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.200 nations, 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:04.620 hear about 00:21:04.620 --> 00:21:05.140 Christ and 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.580 are gathered 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:05.900 in. 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.559 He was 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:06.799 going to 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.340 do this, 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:07.640 he was 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:07.860 going to 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.240 work to 00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:08.759 bring about 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:10.059 that heart 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.640 transformation 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.220 that his 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:11.920 people need. 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:12.660 He was 00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:12.980 going to 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.160 make a 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:14.880 way for 00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:15.340 them to be 00:21:15.340 --> 00:21:15.940 cleansed from 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.660 their sin and 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.319 uncleanness. 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.819 he was 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.220 going to 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.579 do the 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.179 taking out 00:21:19.179 --> 00:21:19.539 of the 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:19.879 heart of 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:21.179 stone and 00:21:21.179 --> 00:21:21.539 he was 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:21.919 going to 00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:22.899 do in 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.480 its place 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.299 put in a 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.899 heart of 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:25.519 flesh. 00:21:27.099 --> 00:21:27.339 And if you 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:27.839 also remember, 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.439 what else was 00:21:28.439 --> 00:21:28.839 God going to 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.559 put in his 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.439 people's hearts? 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:33.079 His law and 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.039 a desire to 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.200 obey it, 00:21:35.539 --> 00:21:36.079 that they would 00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.960 long to walk 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:38.319 in his ways in 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.119 obedience and 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.879 worship of 00:21:39.879 --> 00:21:40.399 him. 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.559 That's what God's 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:42.859 going to do, 00:21:42.919 --> 00:21:43.139 a heart 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:43.960 transformation in 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.439 the lives of 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:44.900 his people. 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.160 It's almost 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.600 as if the 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:47.039 God who 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:48.039 first breathed 00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.680 life into 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:49.140 the very 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.120 first human 00:21:50.120 --> 00:21:50.640 being. 00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:51.180 And I love 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:51.759 that bit in 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.500 Genesis that 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.799 you get, 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.080 it's almost 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:53.480 like God, 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.620 I breathe the 00:21:55.620 --> 00:21:56.000 breath of 00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.680 life into 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.140 Adam in 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:57.480 the Garden 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:57.880 of Eden. 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:58.740 It's almost 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.320 as if the 00:21:59.320 --> 00:21:59.880 God of the 00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:00.840 universe through 00:22:00.840 --> 00:22:01.539 Christ is 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.019 going to do 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:03.559 it again. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.200 He's going to 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:06.620 breathe spiritual 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:07.680 life into his 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:08.140 people. 00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:10.259 But here's the 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:10.700 question, 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:13.180 what gives 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:13.720 Jesus the 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.100 right to 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:14.500 speak so 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.319 authoritatively 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:15.620 on this 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:15.840 one? 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.440 It's a good 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:18.920 question to 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:19.259 ask, 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:19.580 isn't it? 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:20.880 Verse 13, 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.840 what does he 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:22.080 say? 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.759 He says he's 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.380 been there. 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:25.940 That's how he 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.440 can speak in 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:26.799 these things, 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.180 because he's 00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:27.720 been there. 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.799 Some of us 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.360 might learn the 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:30.940 hard way when 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.360 you book a 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:31.720 holiday, 00:22:31.980 --> 00:22:32.460 listening to 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:32.720 what the 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.420 hotel says 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.360 about itself 00:22:34.360 --> 00:22:36.200 is not always 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.660 the best 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.180 policy, 00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:37.660 is it? 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:38.819 Because they 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.380 always big 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:40.259 themselves up, 00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.600 food, 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.319 to die for, 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:41.980 entertainment 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.660 out of this 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:42.940 world, 00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.940 staff are a 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.340 charm, 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.240 complete with 00:22:45.240 --> 00:22:46.039 wide-angle 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.880 lens photos 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.420 to make 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.940 things look 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.680 more beautiful 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.059 than they 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.700 actually are. 00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:50.759 So what do 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.080 we do? 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:51.460 We go on 00:22:51.460 --> 00:22:51.940 the website 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.400 and what do 00:22:52.400 --> 00:22:53.039 we look for? 00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.779 We look for 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.420 reviews of 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:55.920 people that 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.980 have actually 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.700 been there. 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.200 And even 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.519 though you 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.080 get 800 00:22:59.080 --> 00:23:00.100 positive reviews, 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.840 you search 00:23:00.840 --> 00:23:01.440 for that one 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:01.799 review, 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.220 because of 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.500 course that 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.080 one person 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:03.380 is the only 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:03.799 person that's 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.240 actually been 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.680 there. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:06.140 So what we 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.500 do, we 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.120 listen to the 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:07.580 voices of 00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:08.140 people who 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.680 have actually 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.039 been there. 00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:10.319 And that's 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.679 what Jesus 00:23:10.679 --> 00:23:11.200 is saying 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:11.379 here. 00:23:11.439 --> 00:23:11.720 He can 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.079 speak of 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:12.339 heavenly 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:12.819 things. 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.259 Why? 00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:15.679 Because he's 00:23:15.679 --> 00:23:16.299 from there. 00:23:16.919 --> 00:23:17.399 He's been 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:17.720 there. 00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.240 In fact, he's 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:18.639 been there 00:23:18.639 --> 00:23:19.259 since time 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.079 began, except 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:20.619 now he's 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.079 taken on 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:22.119 flesh and 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.700 he's come 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.799 down to 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.599 reveal the 00:23:24.599 --> 00:23:25.319 Father to 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.599 us. 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.240 Because of 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.000 the pursuing, 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:27.639 loving 00:23:27.639 --> 00:23:28.279 determination 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.159 of God, 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.519 the God 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.039 that so 00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:31.439 loved the 00:23:31.439 --> 00:23:31.799 world that 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.500 is perishing, 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.639 he came to 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.359 bring forgiveness 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.079 and transformation 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:36.000 to bear in 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.460 the hearts 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.019 of his people. 00:23:37.019 --> 00:23:37.680 So Christ 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:38.259 can come 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:38.740 and say, 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.200 I've come 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.619 to reveal 00:23:39.619 --> 00:23:40.099 the Father. 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.539 Why? 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.019 That this 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:42.400 is how it 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.740 works in 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.019 the kingdom 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.500 of God. 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:43.740 Do you 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:43.960 need to 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.319 be born 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:44.619 of the 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.019 Spirit and 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.359 of water? 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:45.779 Why? 00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.720 Because he's 00:23:48.720 --> 00:23:49.240 been there. 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:51.440 And he's 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:51.819 come to 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.420 tell us. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.059 And he's 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:54.460 come to 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:54.879 give us. 00:23:54.879 --> 00:23:55.720 Verse 14. 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:56.440 He's come 00:23:56.440 --> 00:23:57.240 to give us. 00:23:58.680 --> 00:23:59.440 And he uses 00:23:59.440 --> 00:23:59.799 his Old 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.579 Testament story 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:00.960 from the 00:24:00.960 --> 00:24:01.299 book of 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.900 Numbers. 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:03.340 from when 00:24:03.340 --> 00:24:04.280 the Israelites 00:24:04.280 --> 00:24:04.980 were wandering 00:24:04.980 --> 00:24:05.580 in the desert. 00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:06.600 A time in 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.120 Israel's history 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:07.500 where people 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:07.920 are just 00:24:07.920 --> 00:24:08.759 complaining, 00:24:09.080 --> 00:24:09.400 they are 00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.380 bitter, 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:10.900 they are 00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:11.740 angry about 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.519 God and 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:12.940 about his 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.519 chosen leader 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:13.940 Moses. 00:24:15.280 --> 00:24:16.040 And God 00:24:16.040 --> 00:24:17.660 so angry 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.019 with his 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.880 people's sin, 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.620 his righteous 00:24:19.620 --> 00:24:20.140 anger, 00:24:20.280 --> 00:24:20.720 he sends 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.800 snakes among 00:24:21.800 --> 00:24:22.240 them who 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.060 bite many 00:24:23.060 --> 00:24:23.500 of them. 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.360 Because a 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:25.900 holy God 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.700 must deal 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:27.300 with sin. 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:27.700 But in 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.820 his mercy, 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.019 God says 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.620 to Moses, 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:32.340 would you 00:24:32.340 --> 00:24:32.940 make a 00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.519 statue of 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.120 a snake 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:35.720 and would 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.259 you raise 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.720 it up and 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.080 put it on 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.519 a pole? 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:39.820 Lift it up 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.300 and tell 00:24:40.300 --> 00:24:41.080 everyone who's 00:24:41.080 --> 00:24:41.660 been beaten 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.500 all they need 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.540 to do to 00:24:43.540 --> 00:24:44.200 be healed, 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:45.240 to be saved, 00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:48.580 is to look 00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:49.080 at the snake 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:49.640 on the pole. 00:24:51.040 --> 00:24:51.380 Look 00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:53.580 and live. 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:56.860 And the 00:24:56.860 --> 00:24:57.360 thing about 00:24:57.360 --> 00:24:58.060 that episode 00:24:58.060 --> 00:24:58.720 is that people 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.540 would be saved 00:24:59.540 --> 00:25:00.240 not by being 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:00.880 in proximity 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.620 to the 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.060 snake. 00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.200 People 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:04.540 would be 00:25:04.540 --> 00:25:05.000 saved and 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.340 healed not 00:25:05.340 --> 00:25:06.040 by acknowledging 00:25:06.040 --> 00:25:06.400 the mere 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.400 existence of 00:25:07.400 --> 00:25:08.100 a snake. 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.200 Well, 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:10.400 friends, 00:25:10.460 --> 00:25:10.800 people would 00:25:10.800 --> 00:25:11.340 be saved 00:25:11.340 --> 00:25:12.020 solely by 00:25:12.020 --> 00:25:12.740 looking to 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.420 and trusting 00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:14.060 what God 00:25:14.060 --> 00:25:14.620 has said 00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.300 was true 00:25:15.300 --> 00:25:17.120 about the 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:17.500 snake. 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:19.960 And Jesus 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.340 says, 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.880 in the same 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.160 way, 00:25:21.260 --> 00:25:21.900 my earthly 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.500 life will 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.020 end with 00:25:23.020 --> 00:25:23.760 me lifted 00:25:23.760 --> 00:25:24.480 up on a 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:24.980 cross. 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:27.019 and what 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.339 we need 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.180 to understand 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:28.920 as human 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.460 beings is 00:25:29.460 --> 00:25:29.779 that our 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:30.220 sin is 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.079 way more 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.960 eternally 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.640 deadly than 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.220 a snake 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:33.559 bite. 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.799 What do 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.099 you need 00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:36.680 to do to 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.220 be healed 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.620 and to 00:25:37.620 --> 00:25:37.839 live, 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:38.319 says 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:38.960 Jesus? 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.559 You need 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:41.839 to look 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.240 at me. 00:25:43.640 --> 00:25:44.180 I need 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:44.620 to trust 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:44.860 in what 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.360 I've done. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.140 You need 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.700 to look 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:48.720 at my 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.440 blood pouring 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:50.039 out of my 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.460 side, 00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:51.220 my blood 00:25:51.220 --> 00:25:52.980 shed for 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.420 you. 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.380 And I 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:55.680 love this. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:55.900 Friends, 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:56.160 I hadn't 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.519 seen this 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:56.960 until this 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.259 week. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.740 John 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.259 writes as 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.980 Jesus dies 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.460 in chapter 00:25:59.460 --> 00:26:00.120 19, 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:02.740 that he 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.120 gave up 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.599 his spirit. 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.440 The image 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:06.839 there is 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.420 of him 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:09.059 breathing 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:09.839 his last. 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.420 Psalmist 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:11.620 John 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.259 symbolically 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.779 saying, 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.039 through what 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.640 has happened 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.099 here, 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:16.640 through the 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.360 death and 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:17.839 the subsequent 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.940 resurrection of 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.279 Jesus, 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:19.779 as he 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.360 inhales 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.460 and as he 00:26:21.460 --> 00:26:22.059 exhales, 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.660 this will 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.140 be the 00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.779 means by 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.779 which he 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.500 will breathe 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.019 the spirit, 00:26:26.120 --> 00:26:26.640 the breath 00:26:26.640 --> 00:26:27.279 of life, 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:28.720 into his 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.080 people. 00:26:30.600 --> 00:26:31.519 All those 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:31.980 who would 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:32.580 look on 00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:33.180 him for 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:34.279 trust and 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:35.460 for forgiveness. 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:36.920 And so the 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.860 invitation for 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.500 all of us 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.180 here today, 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.220 maybe particularly 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.940 if you don't 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.400 know this 00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:42.019 Jesus as 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.400 your Lord 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:42.700 and your 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.680 King and 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.380 your Saviour, 00:26:45.300 --> 00:26:48.259 is to look 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.860 at him on 00:26:48.860 --> 00:26:49.500 the cross, 00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:52.560 embrace it, 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.700 trust him, 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:54.960 love him, 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.940 and look 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.420 and live. 00:27:00.300 --> 00:27:01.040 Here is, 00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:01.400 if you think 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:01.880 back to what 00:27:01.880 --> 00:27:02.380 Archie said, 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.019 shared a few 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.580 weeks ago, 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.880 is Jesus 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.400 came on the 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:05.740 scene in 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.040 John's 00:27:06.040 --> 00:27:06.680 gospel as 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.040 the 00:27:07.040 --> 00:27:08.380 substitute 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:08.840 groom. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.500 Here then 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.240 is Christ 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:13.000 the divine 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.800 bridegroom 00:27:13.800 --> 00:27:16.360 come to 00:27:16.360 --> 00:27:17.000 breathe 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.640 life 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:19.640 into his 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.020 bride. 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.759 And she 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.160 lives. 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.259 And we 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.640 live 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:28.280 because of 00:27:28.280 --> 00:27:28.560 him. 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:30.860 Friends, 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:31.660 let me just 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.420 take you to 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:34.660 a cracking 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.259 little Italian 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:35.960 restaurant in 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.259 Louisville, 00:27:36.360 --> 00:27:36.740 Kentucky 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:39.000 called 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.740 Martinis. 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:42.200 Alex and 00:27:42.200 --> 00:27:42.620 I had a 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:43.120 night out 00:27:43.120 --> 00:27:43.759 with our 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.259 dear friend 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.819 Betsy and 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.180 our friend 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.579 Gary, 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.059 a night that 00:27:48.059 --> 00:27:48.400 will live 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.079 long in my 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.539 memory for 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.240 two reasons. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.859 Number one, 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:52.900 hands down 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.599 the best 00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.380 lasagna I've 00:27:54.380 --> 00:27:55.339 ever tasted. 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.819 So big with 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:58.420 the portions I 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:58.940 couldn't finish 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.200 it all, 00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.500 I had to 00:27:59.500 --> 00:27:59.759 take it 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.180 home, 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.680 got a 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.319 doggy bag 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:01.620 to take 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:01.779 it home 00:28:01.779 --> 00:28:02.099 the next 00:28:02.099 --> 00:28:02.380 day to 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:02.740 have for 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.039 lunch. 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.380 Friends, 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:03.680 you can 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.240 take the 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.700 boy out 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.120 of Scotland. 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:08.899 But the 00:28:08.899 --> 00:28:09.539 second reason 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:09.739 it will 00:28:09.739 --> 00:28:10.139 live long 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:10.339 in my 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:10.899 memory is 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:11.579 hearing 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.159 Betsy's 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.559 story of 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:12.879 how she 00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.319 became a 00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:13.619 Christian. 00:28:15.839 --> 00:28:16.039 Do you 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.159 know what 00:28:16.159 --> 00:28:16.539 she said? 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:16.939 She started 00:28:16.939 --> 00:28:17.519 telling us, 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:17.879 she said, 00:28:17.919 --> 00:28:18.279 it was this 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.000 difference I 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.599 noticed in 00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:20.079 my older 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.419 brother, 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.439 CJ. 00:28:23.219 --> 00:28:23.500 You see, 00:28:23.599 --> 00:28:23.979 neither of 00:28:23.979 --> 00:28:24.239 them grew 00:28:24.239 --> 00:28:24.559 up in a 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:24.839 Christian 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.359 family, 00:28:25.959 --> 00:28:26.579 and CJ, 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:27.019 the oldest 00:28:27.019 --> 00:28:27.500 brother, 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.159 had grown 00:28:28.159 --> 00:28:28.559 long, 00:28:28.639 --> 00:28:29.259 hippie hair, 00:28:29.679 --> 00:28:30.179 loved to 00:28:30.179 --> 00:28:30.819 smoke pot, 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:31.319 he was 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.000 obsessed with 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.439 sports, 00:28:32.439 --> 00:28:32.719 and he 00:28:32.719 --> 00:28:33.379 couldn't wait 00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:33.859 to move 00:28:33.859 --> 00:28:34.219 out of 00:28:34.219 --> 00:28:34.459 home. 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.019 As soon as 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.500 the opportunity 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:35.859 came, 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.099 he was 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.500 gone. 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:38.480 And she 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:38.680 said, 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.400 years later, 00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:39.680 all of a 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:39.819 sudden, 00:28:39.879 --> 00:28:40.299 my phone 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:40.539 went, 00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:40.740 and it 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.200 was CJ 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.619 on the 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:41.960 phone, 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.279 and he 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:42.740 wants to 00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:43.039 meet, 00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.019 he wants 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.700 to talk, 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.559 and I 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:45.859 find out 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.119 he's done 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:46.519 the exact 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.019 same thing 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.339 with all 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:47.859 my family 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.359 members, 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.779 so I 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.339 meet him, 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:50.900 and one 00:28:50.900 --> 00:28:51.359 by one, 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:51.639 he goes 00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:52.059 around our 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.519 family, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:53.319 and he 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:53.779 tells us 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:54.099 how he's 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:54.759 gone away, 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.240 he's met 00:28:55.240 --> 00:28:55.660 people at 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.139 university, 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.660 he's put 00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.259 his faith 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:57.799 in Jesus 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.420 Christ, 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.220 and she 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.420 said, 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:00.700 I don't 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.079 know what 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.539 happened, 00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:02.279 but the 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.660 guy I 00:29:02.660 --> 00:29:03.039 was looking 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.379 at was 00:29:03.379 --> 00:29:03.779 not the 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.200 same guy 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.399 I was 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:04.779 spoken to 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.099 before, 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.700 what have 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:05.980 you done 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:06.240 with my 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.480 older 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:06.819 brother? 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.539 But you 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:08.720 know what 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.180 she also 00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.539 said, 00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.079 she said, 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:10.579 whatever had 00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:11.059 happened in 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:11.299 him, 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:11.799 whatever had 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.160 gone on 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.619 in here, 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.139 I didn't 00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:14.859 understand it, 00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.139 but I 00:29:15.139 --> 00:29:15.819 wanted it. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:18.079 And you 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.279 know what 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:18.579 she said, 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:18.960 here was 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.379 her line, 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.259 how was 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.940 it manifesting 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:21.500 itself in 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:21.899 CJ's 00:29:21.899 --> 00:29:22.240 life? 00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:22.960 Here's what 00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.460 she said, 00:29:24.119 --> 00:29:24.759 he couldn't 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:26.299 stop saying 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.680 sorry. 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:31.580 And so 00:29:31.580 --> 00:29:32.080 here is 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:33.160 John chapter 00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:34.039 three, 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.519 telling us 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:36.820 what has 00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:37.220 gone on 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.860 in CJ's 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.240 life, 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.120 explaining to 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:40.259 us, 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.620 if we're a 00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.160 Christian here 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.400 today, 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:41.799 what has 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.840 gone on 00:29:42.840 --> 00:29:43.160 in our 00:29:43.160 --> 00:29:43.580 lives, 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.860 that there's 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.140 been a 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.759 baby born. 00:29:48.820 --> 00:29:49.200 And why 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.660 has he done 00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:49.779 it? 00:29:49.820 --> 00:29:50.320 What is this 00:29:50.320 --> 00:29:50.799 all about? 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.200 How should 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:51.560 we leave 00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:52.000 here today? 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.500 Why has 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:52.759 he done 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:52.900 it? 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.539 He's done 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:53.799 it so 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.100 that we 00:29:54.100 --> 00:29:55.180 would walk 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.500 in the 00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:55.980 newness of 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.340 life. 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:56.740 He's done 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.000 it so 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.200 that we 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.660 would pursue 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:59.180 righteousness 00:29:59.180 --> 00:29:59.820 and Christ 00:29:59.820 --> 00:30:00.540 likeness. 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:03.519 Oh friends, 00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:03.980 I am a 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.700 new creation. 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:06.360 No more 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:07.259 in condemnation. 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.000 Here in 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.380 the grace 00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:08.759 of God 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.340 I stand 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:09.540 and I 00:30:09.540 --> 00:30:10.120 will praise 00:30:10.120 --> 00:30:10.620 you Lord. 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:10.920 I will 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.540 praise you 00:30:11.540 --> 00:30:12.279 Lord and 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:12.480 I will 00:30:12.480 --> 00:30:13.100 sing of 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:13.460 all that 00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:13.759 you have 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.140 done, 00:30:14.580 --> 00:30:15.200 a joy 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:15.720 that knows 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.259 no limit, 00:30:16.400 --> 00:30:17.120 a lightness 00:30:17.120 --> 00:30:17.500 in my 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:17.920 spirit. 00:30:18.560 --> 00:30:20.060 Here in 00:30:20.060 --> 00:30:20.600 the grace 00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:21.140 of God 00:30:21.140 --> 00:30:22.560 I stand. 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.080 Let's 00:30:24.080 --> 00:30:24.300 pray, 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:24.640 will we? 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:28.740 Father, 00:30:28.900 --> 00:30:29.200 I'm so 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.580 aware of 00:30:29.580 --> 00:30:29.700 the 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.020 parable 00:30:30.020 --> 00:30:30.360 of the 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:30.700 sower 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:32.840 that tells 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:33.140 us when 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:33.480 your word 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.080 goes forth 00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:34.520 so often 00:30:34.520 --> 00:30:35.100 the evil 00:30:35.100 --> 00:30:35.680 one comes 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.060 and tries 00:30:36.060 --> 00:30:36.580 to snatch 00:30:36.580 --> 00:30:36.960 it away. 00:30:37.100 --> 00:30:37.160 And 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:37.360 Father, 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.840 I pray 00:30:37.840 --> 00:30:38.200 that just 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:38.820 now by 00:30:38.820 --> 00:30:40.360 your living 00:30:40.360 --> 00:30:40.900 and abiding 00:30:40.900 --> 00:30:41.560 spirit in 00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:41.759 us, 00:30:41.840 --> 00:30:42.020 Father, 00:30:42.080 --> 00:30:42.380 that you 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:42.840 would do 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.640 your work 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.020 in our 00:30:44.020 --> 00:30:44.440 midst. 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:47.700 O 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.059 Father, 00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.360 bring 00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:49.019 comfort, 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:50.400 bring 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:51.320 challenge, 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:52.380 bring 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.160 rebuke, 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:54.059 bring a 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:54.539 wonderful 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.259 reminder of 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.460 your 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:56.000 fatherly 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:57.100 care and 00:30:57.100 --> 00:30:57.820 love for 00:30:57.820 --> 00:30:58.180 us. 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.240 O 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:01.400 Father, 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:01.740 for those 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.279 who don't 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:04.580 know life 00:31:04.580 --> 00:31:05.000 in your 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.279 son, 00:31:05.360 --> 00:31:05.660 the Lord 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:05.960 Jesus, 00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:06.700 may today 00:31:06.700 --> 00:31:07.039 be the 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:08.840 day where 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:09.299 they put 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:09.840 their faith 00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:10.340 in him. 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:13.480 Father, 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.080 we thank 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:14.320 you that 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:14.639 we are 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:15.179 saved, 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:17.359 not because 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:18.000 we tried 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.500 again, 00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:19.720 because that 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.099 could never 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.519 work. 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:21.599 Father, 00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.099 thank you 00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:22.359 that we 00:31:22.359 --> 00:31:23.079 are saved 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.119 because you 00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:24.599 tell us 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.019 by your 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:25.359 grace, 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:25.819 by your 00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.240 spirit, 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.179 that we've 00:31:28.179 --> 00:31:28.579 been born 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:28.960 again. 00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:30.799 O 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.019 Father, 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:31.679 receive our 00:31:31.679 --> 00:31:32.019 praise, 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:32.519 we pray. 00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:34.000 In Jesus' 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.559 name we 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:34.980 ask. 00:31:35.659 --> 00:31:36.019 Amen. 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.159 Amen. 00:31:36.819 --> 00:31:37.179 Amen.