WEBVTT
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Giving us a little bit of information about who he is and what you're doing and how we can be praying for him.
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!
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John chapter 8, and we're going to be reading from verses 12 to 20 just in a moment.
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But as Alex said, my wife and I, Monica, we are privileged to serve as members at Carrig Tool Baptist Church.
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And we're super thankful for the partnership that we have with you guys here at Carrig Align.
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And super thankful for all the churches we're privileged to partner with in the Court Carry Project.
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Some ways you can be praying for us.
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So you can pray for Monica and I as we just moved over in January.
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So we continue to adjust and it's been an awesome experience.
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But still just getting some logistical things worked out with visas and that sort of thing.
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You can pray for us as we'll be both starting as students at UCC in the fall.
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I think two weeks.
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I should probably check on that.
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See what time we actually start.
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But yeah, you can pray as we begin our studies there at UCC.
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And ultimately pray for us at Carrig Tool Baptist Church as we seek to shine a light into a rapidly growing community.
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But a community that is in great need of the gospel.
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And so please pray for those things.
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But like I said, we're going to be in John chapter 8 this morning, verses 12 to 20.
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So let's read together.
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John records,
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So the Pharisees said to him,
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You are testifying about yourself.
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Your testimony is not valid.
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Jesus said,
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Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true because I know where I come from and I know where I'm going.
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But you don't know where I come from or where I'm going.
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You judge by human standards, but I judge no one.
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And if I do judge, my judgment is true.
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Because it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
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Even in your law, it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.
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I am the one who testifies about myself.
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And the Father who sent me testifies about me.
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Then they asked him,
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Where is your Father?
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You know neither me nor my Father, Jesus answered.
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If you knew me, you would also know my Father.
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He spoke these words by the treasury while teaching in the temple.
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But no one seized him because his hour had not yet come.
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Let's pray together.
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God, this morning, I ask that you would speak to us through your word.
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God, you know better than anyone my fears, my anxieties, my inability to do this task, God, of preaching your word.
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But I ask that you would, by the power of your spirit, empower me to speak with clarity.
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And God, these truths we encounter, would you help us to leave this place with a greater understanding of who you are.
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That you are the Messiah.
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That you're God in human flesh.
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And that we can trust you with every ounce of our being.
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God, would you give me clarity of thought and clarity of speech.
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And make all of this this morning more like your son, Jesus.
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And we ask all these things in his name.
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Amen.
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Now, when I was a child, there was a popular Christian children's song.
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You may know it.
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It was called, I Just Want to Be a Sheep.
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Does anyone know that song?
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Okay, perfect.
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Two people.
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Awesome.
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Well, I know it's a little silly, but just bear with me here.
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One of the verses goes something like this.
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I don't want to be a Pharisee because they're not fair, you see.
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I know.
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I know.
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It's a little silly.
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It gets a few points for creativity with the play on words.
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But still, it's a little ridiculous.
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There's actually another verse, which is even worse, if you can believe it.
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It's about not wanting to be a Sadducee because they are so sad, you see.
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You can save that away for later.
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I'm not going to share the whole thing with you.
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But while the song, it's a little ridiculous, it's a little silly.
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It does serve to illustrate a reality that we find in our text today.
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The Pharisees have not been fair, you see.
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They have not seen Jesus for who he truly is.
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In response to his proclamation that he is the light of the world, the Pharisees question Jesus.
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And Jesus, as we're going to see, he defends himself by grounding his teaching in his own identity
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and in the witness of God the Father.
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But before we can unpack Jesus' teaching and the response from the Pharisees,
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it's important that we situate this exchange in its proper context.
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In the previous chapter, chapter 7, Jesus made his way to the temple
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and he began to teach some of those gathered there for the Feast of Booths,
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which is also called the Feast of Tabernacles.
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Now, this feast was rich with symbolism.
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Part of what would happen during the feast is that individuals,
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they would live in these small shelters that were built to remember God's provision
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during the days when their ancestors had wandered in the wilderness.
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There was also the pouring out of water by the priest,
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which was meant to represent God's ultimate provision of a Messiah
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and the knowledge of God that that Messiah would bring.
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So Jesus' teaching in chapter 7, verses 37 and 38,
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where he offers living water to the spiritually thirsty,
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it speaks with special significance.
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You can imagine this incredible scene,
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the pouring out of water meant to anticipate the coming of the Messiah,
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and here he is in the flesh.
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He's offering living water.
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Now, in our modern copies of the Bible,
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if you were to look down, you'll see that in between Jesus' teaching,
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which ends at chapter 7, verse 52,
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in our passage today,
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you'll find the account of a woman caught in adultery.
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But when the Gospel of John was first written,
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there would have been no separation between Jesus' teaching,
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which ends at chapter 7, verse 52,
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in our passage today.
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The events in our passage, verses 12 to 20,
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they would have followed immediately after chapter 7, verse 52.
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Now, you're probably thinking to yourself,
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why in the world is Tyler telling us all of this?
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Well, it helps to set the stage for the exchange that we see in our passage today.
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Jesus' teaching in our text today
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would also have taken place during the Feast of Booths.
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And the significance of Jesus' teaching,
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it's going to be best understood in that context,
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the context of the celebration of the feast.
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So now that I've thoroughly confused everyone,
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let's turn to our text today.
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looking again at verse 12.
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Jesus spoke to them again.
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I am the light of the world.
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Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness,
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but will have the light of life.
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To those who are gathered in the temple,
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Jesus presents two options.
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He presents belief leading to light and to life,
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and by implication, disbelief leading to darkness and to death.
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Now, if you were to flip briefly through John's gospel,
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you would find that this language of light is quite common.
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In the opening chapter of the book that we actually read this morning,
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chapter 1, verses 1 to 4,
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we're told that all things were created through him.
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And apart from him, not one thing was created that has been created.
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In him was life.
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And that life was the light of men.
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And in our passage today,
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this theme, which runs throughout John's gospel,
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it's going to find new expression.
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Because remember that Jesus is teaching here.
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It's occurring during the Feast of Booths.
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That commemoration of God's provision,
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where the people would live in those small shelters,
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and the priest would pour out the water
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in anticipation of the Messiah.
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Another interesting element of the Feast of Booths
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that I haven't yet mentioned,
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it was a ceremony where torches and large lamps would be lit
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as a reminder of the pillar of fire
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which guided the people of Israel
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during their wanderings in the wilderness.
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These lights and torches, which were lit during the feast,
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they wouldn't have been tiny flames.
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It would have been a massive blaze,
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and it would have been something
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that could have been clearly seen
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both inside and outside the temple grounds.
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So for those who have just heard Jesus' teaching
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that he is the light of the world,
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the light associated with the ceremony
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would have surely been called to their mind.
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And again, this is an incredible image
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because during a festival
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where the ceremony of light unfolds,
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a ceremony serving as a reminder of God's presence
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and his provision during the wilderness wanderings,
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here is Jesus, God in human flesh,
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dwelling among his creation
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in order to make provision for humanity's sin.
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And Jesus still offers this choice to each and every one of us.
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Light and life for those who believe,
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for all those who would believe,
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or darkness and death to those who reject him.
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So how is it that the Pharisees respond to Jesus' powerful proclamation?
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Let's look again at verse 13.
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It says,
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So the Pharisees said to him,
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You are testifying about yourself.
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Your testimony is not valid.
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Now, you probably don't find the Pharisees' accusation
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in response to Jesus all that shocking.
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Because if you're familiar with the relationship
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between the religious leaders and Jesus,
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as it's described throughout the Gospels,
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the response probably doesn't strike you as anything out of the ordinary.
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But once again, in today's text,
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we find these religious leaders walking the same well-worn path.
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And what's more, they drum up this objection
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that Jesus has actually already addressed before.
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In a previous exchange in chapter 5.
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In chapter 5, verses 31 to 47,
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Jesus lays out several reliable witnesses.
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John the Baptist, Jesus' works themselves,
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and God the Father,
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they have all testified to Jesus' identity and his mission.
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But in our passage today,
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the Pharisees respond to this teaching
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by saying to him in verse 13,
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You're testifying about yourself.
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Your testimony is not valid.
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Now, in one sense,
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what the Pharisees say,
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it's not all that unreasonable.
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Because we find in places like the book of Deuteronomy,
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in chapter 1915,
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one witness cannot establish any iniquity or sin against a person,
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whatever that person has done.
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A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
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And Jesus himself,
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he's referenced this sort of command in John chapter 5.
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But the problem is these Pharisees,
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they've either ignored or are unaware of the fact
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that there are others vouching for Jesus.
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Jesus isn't the only one who has been giving testimony
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in support of his identity and his ministry.
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So, at the outset,
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there's a sense in which
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the foundation of the Pharisees' accusation towards Jesus,
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it's just wrong.
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But look at how Jesus responds.
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At least to begin with,
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Jesus shows that even if it were the case
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that he's the only one bearing witness
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to his identity and to his ministry,
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it wouldn't matter.
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How is it that he does this?
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He responds to this accusation from the Pharisees,
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first by grounding the truth of his testimony
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in his own identity.
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To say it another way,
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Jesus' testimony is true because of who Jesus is.
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Let's look again at verses 14 to 16.
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We find in verse 14,
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even if I testify about myself,
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Jesus replied,
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my testimony is true
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because I know where I came from
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and where I am going.
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But you don't know where I come from
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or where I am going.
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You judge by human standards.
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I judge no one.
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And if I do judge,
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my judgment is true
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because it is not I alone who judge,
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but I and the Father who sent me.
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Jesus says to these Pharisees,
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listen, even if what you're saying is true,
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it doesn't matter.
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What I am saying is true because of who I am.
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Jesus is the Messiah.
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He's God in human flesh,
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and God does not lie.
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In Numbers 23, 19,
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the author tells us
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that God is not like his human creation
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when it comes to matters of trustworthiness.
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For God is not a man that he might lie
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or a son of man that he might change his mind.
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Does he speak and not act?
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Does he promise and not fulfill?
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And of course,
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the implied answer to those rhetorical questions
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is absolutely not.
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Or you can consider Titus 1, verses 1 to 3,
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where Paul introduces the epistle this way.
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Paul, a servant of God
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and an apostle of Jesus Christ,
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for the faith of God's elect
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and their knowledge of the truth
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that leads to godliness,
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in the hope of eternal life
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that God, who cannot lie,
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promised before time began.
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There's no need to worry about
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whether Jesus is telling the truth or not.
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He's not been lying to these Pharisees.
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In fact, he cannot lie.
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Now, I want to stop for just a moment
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because for those of us who are in Christ,
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this truth should be a point of great comfort.
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In Romans 8, 28,
00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:43.060
it tells us that in every single circumstance,
00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:45.080
God is working for our good.
00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:47.840
That is a certainty.
00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:52.480
Or when we're told in 1 John 1, 9,
00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:54.879
that the person who confesses their sins
00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.740
will be met with forgiveness,
00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.960
you can rest in that truth.
00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.620
That is a certainty.
00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.519
Jesus is God incarnate,
00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.680
and God will never,
00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.900
indeed, he can never lie.
00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:11.759
His testimony is trustworthy always.
00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:16.220
In Jesus, he continues his response
00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:19.660
to the Pharisees in verses 15 and 16.
00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.099
It says,
00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.500
You judge by human standards.
00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.640
I judge no one.
00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.660
And if I do judge,
00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.920
my judgment is true,
00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:30.420
because it is not I alone who judge,
00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.819
but I am the Father who sent me.
00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:35.819
Now, if you're anything like me,
00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.819
you probably found verses 15 to 16
00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.679
a bit confusing,
00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.639
at least at first glance.
00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:45.220
Is Jesus saying he does judge here,
00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.859
or that he doesn't judge,
00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:50.359
or is John just sort of contradicting himself?
00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.939
Well, I don't believe so,
00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:55.439
but I need to be clear on my starting point.
00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:59.379
I think, I believe that the Bible is God's word.
00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.639
And as we've already discussed,
00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:03.160
God cannot lie.
00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.820
And so, I don't believe that
00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:06.220
when we properly understand
00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.360
what a text is saying,
00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:09.660
the Bible ever contradicts itself.
00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.780
But those considerations aside,
00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:14.240
I think we can probably give
00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:16.640
the human author of the Gospel of John
00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.960
the benefit of the doubt,
00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.520
because it seems unlikely
00:18:19.520 --> 00:18:21.620
that in the span of just a few verses,
00:18:21.800 --> 00:18:22.759
he would fail to notice
00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:24.840
if he were actually contradicting himself.
00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.660
So, what is he saying here?
00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:31.380
Well, I think rather than understanding
00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.900
Jesus' words here
00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:35.140
as a general claim to the effect
00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:38.080
that he never judges under any circumstances,
00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:41.060
I think they're meant to communicate
00:18:41.060 --> 00:18:42.860
a particular kind of judgment
00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:45.220
that Jesus never engages in.
00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:48.640
And we can begin to see this
00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.580
with greater clarity
00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:51.500
when we look at how he describes
00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.560
the judgment of the Pharisees.
00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:55.259
He uses this phrase
00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.819
by human standards.
00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:59.059
Or some translations,
00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.879
they use the phrase
00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:01.279
according to the flesh.
00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:05.659
The Pharisees are way off base
00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:08.220
in their evaluations of Jesus.
00:19:08.919 --> 00:19:09.740
And I love the way
00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.859
this one scholar puts it.
00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:11.359
He says,
00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:13.119
they see his flesh,
00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.859
as it were,
00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.319
but they never contemplate
00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.039
the possibility
00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.259
that he could be the word made flesh.
00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.419
Jesus sees things
00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:24.019
as they truly are.
00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:26.479
And he judges rightly.
00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:29.079
The text tells us
00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.679
that his judgments are good
00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:31.659
and they're right
00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:33.419
and they're made in unison
00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:34.619
with the Father.
00:19:36.199 --> 00:19:37.119
And again,
00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.019
in this truth,
00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.759
you and I can be thankful.
00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:43.240
We live in a fallen world.
00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.659
A world where,
00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.519
because of sin,
00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.159
things are not
00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:49.439
as they should be.
00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.419
As we mentioned this morning,
00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.819
if you watch or listen
00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.219
to the news for an hour,
00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.000
this will become
00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.799
abundantly clear.
00:19:58.399 --> 00:20:00.099
But in the midst of a world
00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:02.779
so often marked by injustice,
00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:05.000
we can trust that God
00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.199
is seeing things
00:20:06.199 --> 00:20:07.459
for what they are.
00:20:08.719 --> 00:20:09.799
And one day,
00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.700
he will exercise
00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.839
final judgment.
00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:14.460
This is the way
00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.279
the Apostle Paul
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.940
describes it.
00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.220
He,
00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.379
God the Father,
00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.259
has set a day
00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.099
when he is going
00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.299
to judge the world
00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.500
in righteousness
00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.159
by the man
00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:26.059
he has appointed.
00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.359
He's provided proof
00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.500
of this to everyone
00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.139
by raising him
00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:31.940
from the dead.
00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:34.820
And you can rest assured
00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:35.799
that when he judges,
00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.279
he will judge correctly.
00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:39.160
Not in a human
00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.400
or fallible
00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.980
and fleshly way.
00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.240
So to take stock
00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.220
of where we've come so far,
00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:47.120
so thus far,
00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:47.500
Jesus,
00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.240
he's grounded
00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.080
the truth
00:20:49.080 --> 00:20:49.920
of his testimony
00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.420
in his identity.
00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.660
But now,
00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.519
he's going to bring
00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.360
an outside witness
00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.259
to his defense.
00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.779
Jesus teaches
00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.500
those gathered
00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.079
in the temple
00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.839
that his testimony
00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:03.599
is also affirmed
00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:05.299
by God the Father.
00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.319
Again,
00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.839
in verses
00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:09.700
17 and 18,
00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.359
John records
00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:11.940
that even
00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.880
in your law,
00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.480
it is written
00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.319
that the testimony
00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.859
of two witnesses
00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.799
is true.
00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.680
I am the one
00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.440
who testifies
00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.279
about myself
00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:22.039
and the Father
00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.960
who sent me
00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.680
testifies
00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.440
about me.
00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.059
Jesus says to them,
00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.859
By the way,
00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.099
it isn't just me
00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:29.759
who's saying
00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.619
these things.
00:21:31.919 --> 00:21:32.440
Again,
00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.079
we've already seen
00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.039
that in chapter 5,
00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:34.980
Jesus had presented
00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:37.480
several reliable witnesses
00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:37.539
!
00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.480
who have vouched
00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.339
for his identity.
00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:41.279
But in our text today,
00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:41.940
he mentions
00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.099
just one witness,
00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.220
God the Father.
00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.579
So how is it
00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.259
that the Father
00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.460
has testified
00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.279
and vouched
00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.200
for Jesus'
00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.480
identity?
00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.099
Well,
00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:53.639
one way
00:21:53.639 --> 00:21:55.019
was his affirmation
00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.539
of Jesus
00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.440
and his ministry
00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.639
that took place
00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:59.000
at Jesus' baptism.
00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.279
This is how
00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.180
the Gospel of Matthew
00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.500
records those events.
00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.539
When Jesus was baptized,
00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.500
he went up
00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:07.980
immediately
00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.000
from the water.
00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.039
The heavens
00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.099
suddenly opened
00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.599
for him
00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.220
and he saw
00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.299
the Spirit of God
00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:16.000
descending like a dove
00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.200
and coming down on him.
00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.139
And a voice
00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:20.099
from heaven said,
00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:22.680
This is my beloved Son,
00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.220
with whom
00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.759
I am well pleased.
00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.819
Jesus
00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.079
and his ministry
00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.059
had received
00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.339
the Father's stamp
00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.240
of approval,
00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.579
a visible
00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.539
and audible
00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.420
affirmation
00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.620
that Jesus
00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.900
is the Son
00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.640
of God,
00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.839
God
00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:42.120
in human flesh.
00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.880
And we see
00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.799
another incredible
00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.680
example
00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.640
of this
00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.700
historically
00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:49.519
verifiable
00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.200
event
00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.960
of the resurrection
00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.600
where God
00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.600
raises Jesus
00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.319
from the dead
00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.500
and he vindicates
00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.840
his claims.
00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.480
But sadly,
00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.740
despite these things,
00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.299
we find
00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.380
the Pharisees
00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.039
unwilling
00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:05.299
or unable
00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.140
to accept
00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.720
what Jesus
00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.600
is saying.
00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.360
In verse 19,
00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.200
they ask Jesus,
00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.100
Where is this Father
00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:12.779
that you've been
00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.240
saying so much about?
00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:16.779
Now,
00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.180
the text,
00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.740
it doesn't say
00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.359
whether this is
00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.380
a genuine question
00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.160
on the part
00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.099
of the Pharisees
00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:23.120
or whether
00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:23.759
they're attempting
00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.440
to mock
00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.460
Jesus' teaching
00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.420
in some way.
00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.180
And I can certainly
00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.059
see them asking
00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.620
this question
00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.039
to sort of
00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.519
poke fun
00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.000
at Jesus.
00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.620
But either way,
00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.339
this question
00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.640
represents a failure
00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.740
to understand
00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.099
Jesus'
00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.299
very nature
00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:40.059
and the closeness
00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.940
of the relationship
00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.779
that he shares
00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.359
with God,
00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:42.859
the Father.
00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.500
And we can see
00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.220
this in Jesus'
00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.099
response to
00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.720
their question
00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:49.380
in verse 19.
00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.019
He says to them,
00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.859
You know neither
00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:54.180
me nor my Father.
00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.099
If you knew me,
00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.660
you would also
00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.779
know my Father.
00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.779
How is it that
00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.779
Jesus can say
00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.960
something like that?
00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.640
Well,
00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.759
John tells us
00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:09.579
in John chapter 1,
00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.039
18,
00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.920
that no one
00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.240
has seen God,
00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:14.019
the one
00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.700
and only
00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.160
Son
00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.880
who is
00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.480
himself
00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.980
God
00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.759
and is
00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.039
at the
00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.519
Father's
00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:18.740
side.
00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.400
He has
00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.900
revealed
00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:20.240
him.
00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.319
Another
00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.799
translation
00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.599
says that
00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.539
Jesus is
00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.460
in closest
00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.400
relationship
00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.279
with the
00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.620
Father.
00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.880
How close
00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.220
is this
00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.779
relationship
00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.700
between Jesus
00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.660
and the
00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:33.920
Father?
00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.140
Well,
00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.620
let's flip
00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:34.940
forward,
00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.359
if you would,
00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:35.960
just briefly
00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.019
to John
00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.900
chapter 14.
00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:47.580
John chapter
00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:48.080
14,
00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.440
and we're
00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:48.660
going to be
00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.660
looking just
00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.340
really briefly
00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.940
at verses
00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.540
8 through
00:24:51.540 --> 00:24:51.900
11.
00:24:56.780 --> 00:24:57.740
John records
00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.540
this interaction
00:24:58.540 --> 00:24:59.519
between Jesus
00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.500
and Philip.
00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.000
In verse 8,
00:25:03.040 --> 00:25:03.220
it says,
00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:03.600
Lord,
00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.480
said Philip,
00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.360
show us the
00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:05.800
Father,
00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:06.740
and that's
00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.200
enough for
00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.559
us.
00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.960
Jesus said
00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.279
to him,
00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.019
have I been
00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.519
among you
00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.099
all this
00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.440
time,
00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.720
and you
00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.220
still don't
00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.620
know me,
00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:13.920
Philip?
00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.900
The one
00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.279
who has
00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.759
seen me
00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.539
has seen
00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.000
the Father.
00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.740
How can
00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.200
you say,
00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:20.880
show us
00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.420
the Father?
00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.460
Don't you
00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.059
believe that
00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.819
I am in
00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.359
the Father
00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:24.880
and that
00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.400
the Father
00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:26.279
is in me?
00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.059
The words
00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.539
I speak
00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.039
to you,
00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.960
I do not
00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.460
speak on
00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:30.920
my own.
00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.559
The Father
00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.059
who lives
00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.539
in me
00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.359
does his
00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.700
works.
00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.500
Believe me
00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.120
that I am
00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.359
in the
00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:36.680
Father.
00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.660
And the
00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:37.960
Father
00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.519
is in
00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:38.720
me.
00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.180
Otherwise,
00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.759
believe because
00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.120
of the
00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.420
works
00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.960
themselves.
00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.240
We have
00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.660
to remember
00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.339
that yes,
00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.900
there is a
00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.359
distinction
00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.779
between the
00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.759
persons of
00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.299
the Trinity,
00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.799
between
00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.559
Father,
00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.240
Son,
00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:52.980
and Holy
00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.539
Spirit.
00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.380
But each
00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.480
person partakes
00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.059
of the divine
00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.779
nature and
00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.380
is fully
00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.160
God.
00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.759
Sharing a
00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.819
closeness and
00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.440
an intimacy
00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.359
that is
00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.359
impossible for
00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:04.839
you and I
00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.380
as finite
00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.279
humanity to
00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.799
fully grasp.
00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.099
As John
00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.519
says,
00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.359
the Son is
00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.039
in closest
00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.879
relationship
00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.960
with the
00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.299
Father.
00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.480
How is it
00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.039
that Jesus
00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.200
can say to
00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.119
these Pharisees
00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.940
that if they
00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.539
knew him,
00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:20.920
they would
00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.440
know the
00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.759
Father?
00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.859
It's because
00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.500
the Father
00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.299
and Son
00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.359
share a
00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.000
relationship
00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.779
such that
00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.399
Jesus can
00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:28.700
say,
00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.920
to see me
00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.019
is to see
00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.440
him.
00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.440
God's
00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.440
love
00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.440
and
00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.920
so in
00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.059
this
00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.660
exchange
00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.600
with the
00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.140
Pharisees,
00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.660
we've seen
00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:39.120
Jesus defend
00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.759
the truth of
00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.440
his teachings
00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:42.039
by appealing
00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.700
to his own
00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.700
identity in
00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.259
the testimony
00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.100
of the
00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:45.440
Father.
00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.860
But now
00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.440
as we come
00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:48.960
to the
00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.220
final verse
00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.720
of this
00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.320
passage,
00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.019
we find
00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:54.860
John's
00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.559
affirmation
00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.720
of God's
00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.080
sovereign
00:26:57.080 --> 00:26:57.759
control
00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.779
over all
00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.319
things.
00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.440
If you
00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.779
look with
00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.099
me one
00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.559
more time
00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.019
at verse
00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.379
20,
00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.980
John makes
00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.279
a point
00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.559
here to
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.960
tell us
00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.619
where it
00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.200
is that
00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.940
Jesus has
00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.579
been teaching.
00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.299
He says,
00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.339
he, that
00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.859
is Jesus,
00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.440
he spoke
00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.160
these words
00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.660
by the
00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.039
treasury
00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:16.639
while teaching
00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.220
in the
00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.519
temple,
00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.879
but no
00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.500
one seized
00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.099
him because
00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.720
his hour
00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.399
had not
00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.200
yet come.
00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.259
It's
00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.700
important for
00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:25.920
us to
00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.339
remember that
00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.779
this is a
00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.799
public place
00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.759
where Jesus
00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.480
has been
00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.119
saying these
00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:30.480
things.
00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.579
And Jesus,
00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.059
he's saying
00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.480
some things
00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:32.859
that if
00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.140
they're
00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.720
understood
00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.180
by the
00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.400
people
00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.779
listening
00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.299
to them,
00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:35.920
they're
00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.400
likely to
00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.660
put them
00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.000
in some
00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.879
pretty hot
00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.559
water.
00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.440
But John
00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.180
reminds us
00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.720
again that
00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.599
Jesus was
00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.759
being guarded
00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.440
by God
00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.119
for arrest
00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.220
until the
00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.460
proper time.
00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.440
The time
00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.299
would come
00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.059
for Jesus
00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.440
to be
00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.859
arrested
00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.000
and handed
00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.799
over to
00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.440
the authorities,
00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.019
but not
00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.599
quite yet.
00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.700
There was
00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.440
work yet to
00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.820
be done,
00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.940
and nothing
00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.680
and no
00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.340
one could
00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:01.740
thwart
00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.240
God's
00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.559
plan.
00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.039
And
00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.460
brothers and
00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.660
sisters,
00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.080
this is
00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:06.600
true not
00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.500
only of
00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.039
the events
00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.519
surrounding
00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.980
Jesus'
00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:10.100
life and
00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.660
ministry,
00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:12.220
but our
00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.920
lives as
00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:13.240
well.
00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.559
Over
00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.180
every
00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:16.700
intimate
00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.779
detail of
00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.519
your life,
00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.680
over every
00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.559
intimate detail
00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.160
of my
00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:21.600
life,
00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.019
God is
00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.640
in control.
00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:30.960
God is
00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.800
working his
00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.780
perfect plan,
00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:35.060
a plan
00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:35.460
that will
00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.160
result in
00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.960
your good
00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.540
and his
00:28:38.540 --> 00:28:39.160
glory.
00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.180
Let's pray
00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.540
together.
00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:45.480
God, thank
00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.060
you so much
00:28:46.060 --> 00:28:46.320
for the
00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:46.800
opportunity
00:28:46.800 --> 00:28:48.100
to open
00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:48.800
your word
00:28:48.800 --> 00:28:49.280
today.
00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:51.619
God, I
00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:51.859
just want
00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.139
to thank
00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:52.500
you for
00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.940
who you
00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.299
are.
00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.279
And as
00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.660
we leave
00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.160
this place,
00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.579
would you
00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.700
instill in
00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.099
us a
00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.440
greater
00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.299
understanding
00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.759
of your
00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:01.359
nature and
00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.000
your kindness
00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.279
to us in
00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.379
Jesus Christ?
00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.299
And would
00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.779
you make us
00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.639
more and more
00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.279
like him
00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.720
each and
00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.579
every day?
00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:12.059
Amen.
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.439
Giving us a little bit of information about who he is and what you're doing and how we can be praying for him.
00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:09.439
!
00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.960
John chapter 8, and we're going to be reading from verses 12 to 20 just in a moment.
00:00:35.960 --> 00:00:43.060
But as Alex said, my wife and I, Monica, we are privileged to serve as members at Carrig Tool Baptist Church.
00:00:43.439 --> 00:00:48.159
And we're super thankful for the partnership that we have with you guys here at Carrig Align.
00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:52.820
And super thankful for all the churches we're privileged to partner with in the Court Carry Project.
00:00:53.640 --> 00:00:55.260
Some ways you can be praying for us.
00:00:55.379 --> 00:00:59.519
So you can pray for Monica and I as we just moved over in January.
00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.359
So we continue to adjust and it's been an awesome experience.
00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:09.500
But still just getting some logistical things worked out with visas and that sort of thing.
00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:14.840
You can pray for us as we'll be both starting as students at UCC in the fall.
00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.180
I think two weeks.
00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:17.439
I should probably check on that.
00:01:17.859 --> 00:01:19.260
See what time we actually start.
00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:22.359
But yeah, you can pray as we begin our studies there at UCC.
00:01:22.359 --> 00:01:30.939
And ultimately pray for us at Carrig Tool Baptist Church as we seek to shine a light into a rapidly growing community.
00:01:31.260 --> 00:01:34.140
But a community that is in great need of the gospel.
00:01:34.859 --> 00:01:37.039
And so please pray for those things.
00:01:37.920 --> 00:01:43.260
But like I said, we're going to be in John chapter 8 this morning, verses 12 to 20.
00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:45.740
So let's read together.
00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:48.620
John records,
00:01:48.620 --> 00:02:02.540
So the Pharisees said to him,
00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:04.460
You are testifying about yourself.
00:02:04.900 --> 00:02:06.880
Your testimony is not valid.
00:02:06.879 --> 00:02:08.379
Jesus said,
00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:15.539
Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true because I know where I come from and I know where I'm going.
00:02:16.079 --> 00:02:18.879
But you don't know where I come from or where I'm going.
00:02:19.519 --> 00:02:22.840
You judge by human standards, but I judge no one.
00:02:23.699 --> 00:02:27.019
And if I do judge, my judgment is true.
00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:32.319
Because it is not I alone who judge, but I and the Father who sent me.
00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:37.680
Even in your law, it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true.
00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:40.919
I am the one who testifies about myself.
00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:44.659
And the Father who sent me testifies about me.
00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:46.299
Then they asked him,
00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:47.560
Where is your Father?
00:02:48.579 --> 00:02:51.099
You know neither me nor my Father, Jesus answered.
00:02:51.680 --> 00:02:54.719
If you knew me, you would also know my Father.
00:02:55.579 --> 00:02:58.799
He spoke these words by the treasury while teaching in the temple.
00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:03.040
But no one seized him because his hour had not yet come.
00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:04.800
Let's pray together.
00:03:08.100 --> 00:03:12.520
God, this morning, I ask that you would speak to us through your word.
00:03:13.980 --> 00:03:21.720
God, you know better than anyone my fears, my anxieties, my inability to do this task, God, of preaching your word.
00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:25.939
But I ask that you would, by the power of your spirit, empower me to speak with clarity.
00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:35.199
And God, these truths we encounter, would you help us to leave this place with a greater understanding of who you are.
00:03:36.099 --> 00:03:37.280
That you are the Messiah.
00:03:38.400 --> 00:03:40.139
That you're God in human flesh.
00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:45.000
And that we can trust you with every ounce of our being.
00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:49.500
God, would you give me clarity of thought and clarity of speech.
00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:53.900
And make all of this this morning more like your son, Jesus.
00:03:54.960 --> 00:03:57.400
And we ask all these things in his name.
00:03:58.340 --> 00:03:58.620
Amen.
00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:04.259
Now, when I was a child, there was a popular Christian children's song.
00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:06.159
You may know it.
00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:08.780
It was called, I Just Want to Be a Sheep.
00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:09.860
Does anyone know that song?
00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:12.139
Okay, perfect.
00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:12.659
Two people.
00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:13.060
Awesome.
00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:17.379
Well, I know it's a little silly, but just bear with me here.
00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:19.459
One of the verses goes something like this.
00:04:20.439 --> 00:04:24.899
I don't want to be a Pharisee because they're not fair, you see.
00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:27.019
I know.
00:04:27.379 --> 00:04:27.699
I know.
00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:28.519
It's a little silly.
00:04:28.620 --> 00:04:31.819
It gets a few points for creativity with the play on words.
00:04:32.340 --> 00:04:33.899
But still, it's a little ridiculous.
00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:38.120
There's actually another verse, which is even worse, if you can believe it.
00:04:38.120 --> 00:04:43.439
It's about not wanting to be a Sadducee because they are so sad, you see.
00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:46.139
You can save that away for later.
00:04:47.000 --> 00:04:48.660
I'm not going to share the whole thing with you.
00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:52.000
But while the song, it's a little ridiculous, it's a little silly.
00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:57.519
It does serve to illustrate a reality that we find in our text today.
00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:01.720
The Pharisees have not been fair, you see.
00:05:02.399 --> 00:05:06.500
They have not seen Jesus for who he truly is.
00:05:06.500 --> 00:05:14.819
In response to his proclamation that he is the light of the world, the Pharisees question Jesus.
00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:21.899
And Jesus, as we're going to see, he defends himself by grounding his teaching in his own identity
00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:25.139
and in the witness of God the Father.
00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:31.199
But before we can unpack Jesus' teaching and the response from the Pharisees,
00:05:31.199 --> 00:05:37.019
it's important that we situate this exchange in its proper context.
00:05:37.659 --> 00:05:43.019
In the previous chapter, chapter 7, Jesus made his way to the temple
00:05:43.019 --> 00:05:47.839
and he began to teach some of those gathered there for the Feast of Booths,
00:05:47.939 --> 00:05:50.000
which is also called the Feast of Tabernacles.
00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:53.379
Now, this feast was rich with symbolism.
00:05:54.300 --> 00:05:57.779
Part of what would happen during the feast is that individuals,
00:05:57.779 --> 00:06:03.819
they would live in these small shelters that were built to remember God's provision
00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:07.759
during the days when their ancestors had wandered in the wilderness.
00:06:08.919 --> 00:06:13.199
There was also the pouring out of water by the priest,
00:06:13.239 --> 00:06:17.879
which was meant to represent God's ultimate provision of a Messiah
00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:22.519
and the knowledge of God that that Messiah would bring.
00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:29.599
So Jesus' teaching in chapter 7, verses 37 and 38,
00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:33.639
where he offers living water to the spiritually thirsty,
00:06:34.659 --> 00:06:36.719
it speaks with special significance.
00:06:38.159 --> 00:06:40.180
You can imagine this incredible scene,
00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:46.439
the pouring out of water meant to anticipate the coming of the Messiah,
00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:49.480
and here he is in the flesh.
00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:52.639
He's offering living water.
00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:56.439
Now, in our modern copies of the Bible,
00:06:56.540 --> 00:06:59.579
if you were to look down, you'll see that in between Jesus' teaching,
00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:02.740
which ends at chapter 7, verse 52,
00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:04.959
in our passage today,
00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:08.000
you'll find the account of a woman caught in adultery.
00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:11.779
But when the Gospel of John was first written,
00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:16.040
there would have been no separation between Jesus' teaching,
00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:19.100
which ends at chapter 7, verse 52,
00:07:19.339 --> 00:07:20.420
in our passage today.
00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:24.120
The events in our passage, verses 12 to 20,
00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:29.420
they would have followed immediately after chapter 7, verse 52.
00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:31.980
Now, you're probably thinking to yourself,
00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:34.959
why in the world is Tyler telling us all of this?
00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:41.439
Well, it helps to set the stage for the exchange that we see in our passage today.
00:07:42.779 --> 00:07:45.259
Jesus' teaching in our text today
00:07:45.259 --> 00:07:48.939
would also have taken place during the Feast of Booths.
00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:52.579
And the significance of Jesus' teaching,
00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:55.639
it's going to be best understood in that context,
00:07:55.959 --> 00:07:59.419
the context of the celebration of the feast.
00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:01.879
So now that I've thoroughly confused everyone,
00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:03.919
let's turn to our text today.
00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:06.699
looking again at verse 12.
00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:13.439
Jesus spoke to them again.
00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:16.860
I am the light of the world.
00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:21.620
Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness,
00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:24.860
but will have the light of life.
00:08:26.080 --> 00:08:28.840
To those who are gathered in the temple,
00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:31.939
Jesus presents two options.
00:08:31.939 --> 00:08:36.139
He presents belief leading to light and to life,
00:08:36.139 --> 00:08:42.059
and by implication, disbelief leading to darkness and to death.
00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:47.120
Now, if you were to flip briefly through John's gospel,
00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:50.679
you would find that this language of light is quite common.
00:08:50.679 --> 00:08:55.299
In the opening chapter of the book that we actually read this morning,
00:08:56.019 --> 00:08:58.279
chapter 1, verses 1 to 4,
00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:01.620
we're told that all things were created through him.
00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:07.320
And apart from him, not one thing was created that has been created.
00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:09.840
In him was life.
00:09:10.539 --> 00:09:13.299
And that life was the light of men.
00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:15.919
And in our passage today,
00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:18.500
this theme, which runs throughout John's gospel,
00:09:18.500 --> 00:09:20.699
it's going to find new expression.
00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:24.539
Because remember that Jesus is teaching here.
00:09:24.659 --> 00:09:26.799
It's occurring during the Feast of Booths.
00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:30.139
That commemoration of God's provision,
00:09:30.719 --> 00:09:32.639
where the people would live in those small shelters,
00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:35.279
and the priest would pour out the water
00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:38.139
in anticipation of the Messiah.
00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:42.360
Another interesting element of the Feast of Booths
00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:43.879
that I haven't yet mentioned,
00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:48.779
it was a ceremony where torches and large lamps would be lit
00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:51.319
as a reminder of the pillar of fire
00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:53.659
which guided the people of Israel
00:09:53.659 --> 00:09:56.080
during their wanderings in the wilderness.
00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:01.299
These lights and torches, which were lit during the feast,
00:10:02.100 --> 00:10:03.539
they wouldn't have been tiny flames.
00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:05.159
It would have been a massive blaze,
00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:06.039
and it would have been something
00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:07.899
that could have been clearly seen
00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:11.220
both inside and outside the temple grounds.
00:10:12.699 --> 00:10:15.779
So for those who have just heard Jesus' teaching
00:10:15.779 --> 00:10:18.559
that he is the light of the world,
00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:21.240
the light associated with the ceremony
00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.559
would have surely been called to their mind.
00:10:24.939 --> 00:10:28.199
And again, this is an incredible image
00:10:28.199 --> 00:10:30.539
because during a festival
00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:34.500
where the ceremony of light unfolds,
00:10:34.500 --> 00:10:38.899
a ceremony serving as a reminder of God's presence
00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:41.879
and his provision during the wilderness wanderings,
00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:46.120
here is Jesus, God in human flesh,
00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:48.659
dwelling among his creation
00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:52.120
in order to make provision for humanity's sin.
00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:59.539
And Jesus still offers this choice to each and every one of us.
00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:03.100
Light and life for those who believe,
00:11:03.299 --> 00:11:05.159
for all those who would believe,
00:11:05.840 --> 00:11:09.179
or darkness and death to those who reject him.
00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:16.899
So how is it that the Pharisees respond to Jesus' powerful proclamation?
00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:19.779
Let's look again at verse 13.
00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:25.199
It says,
00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:26.519
So the Pharisees said to him,
00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:28.519
You are testifying about yourself.
00:11:29.439 --> 00:11:31.779
Your testimony is not valid.
00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:37.519
Now, you probably don't find the Pharisees' accusation
00:11:38.039 --> 00:11:41.159
in response to Jesus all that shocking.
00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:44.379
Because if you're familiar with the relationship
00:11:44.379 --> 00:11:47.360
between the religious leaders and Jesus,
00:11:47.839 --> 00:11:50.240
as it's described throughout the Gospels,
00:11:51.199 --> 00:11:54.639
the response probably doesn't strike you as anything out of the ordinary.
00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:57.419
But once again, in today's text,
00:11:57.500 --> 00:12:02.659
we find these religious leaders walking the same well-worn path.
00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:06.639
And what's more, they drum up this objection
00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:10.159
that Jesus has actually already addressed before.
00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:13.639
In a previous exchange in chapter 5.
00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:18.860
In chapter 5, verses 31 to 47,
00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:22.259
Jesus lays out several reliable witnesses.
00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:26.980
John the Baptist, Jesus' works themselves,
00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:28.719
and God the Father,
00:12:28.860 --> 00:12:34.159
they have all testified to Jesus' identity and his mission.
00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:37.480
But in our passage today,
00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:40.200
the Pharisees respond to this teaching
00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:42.240
by saying to him in verse 13,
00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:44.220
You're testifying about yourself.
00:12:44.539 --> 00:12:47.120
Your testimony is not valid.
00:12:48.340 --> 00:12:51.279
Now, in one sense,
00:12:51.379 --> 00:12:52.480
what the Pharisees say,
00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:54.399
it's not all that unreasonable.
00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:58.039
Because we find in places like the book of Deuteronomy,
00:12:58.460 --> 00:12:59.920
in chapter 1915,
00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:05.419
one witness cannot establish any iniquity or sin against a person,
00:13:05.819 --> 00:13:07.259
whatever that person has done.
00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:11.939
A fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
00:13:13.219 --> 00:13:14.679
And Jesus himself,
00:13:14.819 --> 00:13:18.360
he's referenced this sort of command in John chapter 5.
00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:21.639
But the problem is these Pharisees,
00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:25.519
they've either ignored or are unaware of the fact
00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:28.180
that there are others vouching for Jesus.
00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:33.440
Jesus isn't the only one who has been giving testimony
00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:37.600
in support of his identity and his ministry.
00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.399
So, at the outset,
00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.899
there's a sense in which
00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:45.740
the foundation of the Pharisees' accusation towards Jesus,
00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:46.700
it's just wrong.
00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:50.160
But look at how Jesus responds.
00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:53.259
At least to begin with,
00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:56.000
Jesus shows that even if it were the case
00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:58.400
that he's the only one bearing witness
00:13:58.400 --> 00:14:00.720
to his identity and to his ministry,
00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:01.660
it wouldn't matter.
00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:03.800
How is it that he does this?
00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:07.700
He responds to this accusation from the Pharisees,
00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:11.259
first by grounding the truth of his testimony
00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:13.180
in his own identity.
00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:16.160
To say it another way,
00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:21.000
Jesus' testimony is true because of who Jesus is.
00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:25.259
Let's look again at verses 14 to 16.
00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:30.740
We find in verse 14,
00:14:30.819 --> 00:14:33.379
even if I testify about myself,
00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:34.460
Jesus replied,
00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:36.080
my testimony is true
00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:39.200
because I know where I came from
00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:41.259
and where I am going.
00:14:41.819 --> 00:14:43.819
But you don't know where I come from
00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:44.819
or where I am going.
00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:47.319
You judge by human standards.
00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:48.659
I judge no one.
00:14:48.659 --> 00:14:51.079
And if I do judge,
00:14:51.719 --> 00:14:53.279
my judgment is true
00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:56.319
because it is not I alone who judge,
00:14:56.319 --> 00:14:59.360
but I and the Father who sent me.
00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:03.139
Jesus says to these Pharisees,
00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.559
listen, even if what you're saying is true,
00:15:05.719 --> 00:15:06.659
it doesn't matter.
00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:09.759
What I am saying is true because of who I am.
00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:12.779
Jesus is the Messiah.
00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:15.819
He's God in human flesh,
00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:17.759
and God does not lie.
00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:21.039
In Numbers 23, 19,
00:15:21.219 --> 00:15:22.039
the author tells us
00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.899
that God is not like his human creation
00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:27.959
when it comes to matters of trustworthiness.
00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:32.180
For God is not a man that he might lie
00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:35.660
or a son of man that he might change his mind.
00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.820
Does he speak and not act?
00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:40.000
Does he promise and not fulfill?
00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:41.940
And of course,
00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:45.100
the implied answer to those rhetorical questions
00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:46.600
is absolutely not.
00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:52.400
Or you can consider Titus 1, verses 1 to 3,
00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:55.759
where Paul introduces the epistle this way.
00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:58.960
Paul, a servant of God
00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:01.019
and an apostle of Jesus Christ,
00:16:01.700 --> 00:16:03.639
for the faith of God's elect
00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:05.460
and their knowledge of the truth
00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:06.799
that leads to godliness,
00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:09.799
in the hope of eternal life
00:16:09.799 --> 00:16:12.159
that God, who cannot lie,
00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:14.879
promised before time began.
00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:18.759
There's no need to worry about
00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:21.740
whether Jesus is telling the truth or not.
00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:24.580
He's not been lying to these Pharisees.
00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:26.280
In fact, he cannot lie.
00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:30.040
Now, I want to stop for just a moment
00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:33.139
because for those of us who are in Christ,
00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:37.000
this truth should be a point of great comfort.
00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:40.340
In Romans 8, 28,
00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:43.060
it tells us that in every single circumstance,
00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:45.080
God is working for our good.
00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:47.840
That is a certainty.
00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:52.480
Or when we're told in 1 John 1, 9,
00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:54.879
that the person who confesses their sins
00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.740
will be met with forgiveness,
00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:59.960
you can rest in that truth.
00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.620
That is a certainty.
00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:04.519
Jesus is God incarnate,
00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:05.680
and God will never,
00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.900
indeed, he can never lie.
00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:11.759
His testimony is trustworthy always.
00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:16.220
In Jesus, he continues his response
00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:19.660
to the Pharisees in verses 15 and 16.
00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.099
It says,
00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.500
You judge by human standards.
00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.640
I judge no one.
00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.660
And if I do judge,
00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:27.920
my judgment is true,
00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:30.420
because it is not I alone who judge,
00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:32.819
but I am the Father who sent me.
00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:35.819
Now, if you're anything like me,
00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:38.819
you probably found verses 15 to 16
00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.679
a bit confusing,
00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.639
at least at first glance.
00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:45.220
Is Jesus saying he does judge here,
00:17:45.319 --> 00:17:46.859
or that he doesn't judge,
00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:50.359
or is John just sort of contradicting himself?
00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:52.939
Well, I don't believe so,
00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:55.439
but I need to be clear on my starting point.
00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:59.379
I think, I believe that the Bible is God's word.
00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:01.639
And as we've already discussed,
00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:03.160
God cannot lie.
00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.820
And so, I don't believe that
00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:06.220
when we properly understand
00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.360
what a text is saying,
00:18:07.560 --> 00:18:09.660
the Bible ever contradicts itself.
00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.780
But those considerations aside,
00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:14.240
I think we can probably give
00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:16.640
the human author of the Gospel of John
00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:17.960
the benefit of the doubt,
00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.520
because it seems unlikely
00:18:19.520 --> 00:18:21.620
that in the span of just a few verses,
00:18:21.800 --> 00:18:22.759
he would fail to notice
00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:24.840
if he were actually contradicting himself.
00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:27.660
So, what is he saying here?
00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:31.380
Well, I think rather than understanding
00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.900
Jesus' words here
00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:35.140
as a general claim to the effect
00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:38.080
that he never judges under any circumstances,
00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:41.060
I think they're meant to communicate
00:18:41.060 --> 00:18:42.860
a particular kind of judgment
00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:45.220
that Jesus never engages in.
00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:48.640
And we can begin to see this
00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.580
with greater clarity
00:18:49.580 --> 00:18:51.500
when we look at how he describes
00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.560
the judgment of the Pharisees.
00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:55.259
He uses this phrase
00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.819
by human standards.
00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:59.059
Or some translations,
00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.879
they use the phrase
00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:01.279
according to the flesh.
00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:05.659
The Pharisees are way off base
00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:08.220
in their evaluations of Jesus.
00:19:08.919 --> 00:19:09.740
And I love the way
00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.859
this one scholar puts it.
00:19:10.919 --> 00:19:11.359
He says,
00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:13.119
they see his flesh,
00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.859
as it were,
00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.319
but they never contemplate
00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.039
the possibility
00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:19.259
that he could be the word made flesh.
00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.419
Jesus sees things
00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:24.019
as they truly are.
00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:26.479
And he judges rightly.
00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:29.079
The text tells us
00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.679
that his judgments are good
00:19:30.679 --> 00:19:31.659
and they're right
00:19:31.659 --> 00:19:33.419
and they're made in unison
00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:34.619
with the Father.
00:19:36.199 --> 00:19:37.119
And again,
00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.019
in this truth,
00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.759
you and I can be thankful.
00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:43.240
We live in a fallen world.
00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.659
A world where,
00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.519
because of sin,
00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.159
things are not
00:19:48.159 --> 00:19:49.439
as they should be.
00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:51.419
As we mentioned this morning,
00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.819
if you watch or listen
00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.219
to the news for an hour,
00:19:54.379 --> 00:19:55.000
this will become
00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.799
abundantly clear.
00:19:58.399 --> 00:20:00.099
But in the midst of a world
00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:02.779
so often marked by injustice,
00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:05.000
we can trust that God
00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.199
is seeing things
00:20:06.199 --> 00:20:07.459
for what they are.
00:20:08.719 --> 00:20:09.799
And one day,
00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.700
he will exercise
00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.839
final judgment.
00:20:13.419 --> 00:20:14.460
This is the way
00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.279
the Apostle Paul
00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.940
describes it.
00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.220
He,
00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.379
God the Father,
00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:20.259
has set a day
00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.099
when he is going
00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.299
to judge the world
00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:23.500
in righteousness
00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:25.159
by the man
00:20:25.159 --> 00:20:26.059
he has appointed.
00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.359
He's provided proof
00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.500
of this to everyone
00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:31.139
by raising him
00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:31.940
from the dead.
00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:34.820
And you can rest assured
00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:35.799
that when he judges,
00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.279
he will judge correctly.
00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:39.160
Not in a human
00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.400
or fallible
00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.980
and fleshly way.
00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.240
So to take stock
00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:46.220
of where we've come so far,
00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:47.120
so thus far,
00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:47.500
Jesus,
00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:48.240
he's grounded
00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.080
the truth
00:20:49.080 --> 00:20:49.920
of his testimony
00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:51.420
in his identity.
00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.660
But now,
00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.519
he's going to bring
00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.360
an outside witness
00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:56.259
to his defense.
00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.779
Jesus teaches
00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.500
those gathered
00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.079
in the temple
00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:01.839
that his testimony
00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:03.599
is also affirmed
00:21:03.599 --> 00:21:05.299
by God the Father.
00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.319
Again,
00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.839
in verses
00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:09.700
17 and 18,
00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.359
John records
00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:11.940
that even
00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:12.880
in your law,
00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:13.480
it is written
00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.319
that the testimony
00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:15.859
of two witnesses
00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.799
is true.
00:21:17.640 --> 00:21:18.680
I am the one
00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.440
who testifies
00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.279
about myself
00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:22.039
and the Father
00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:22.960
who sent me
00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.680
testifies
00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:24.440
about me.
00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:27.059
Jesus says to them,
00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.859
By the way,
00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.099
it isn't just me
00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:29.759
who's saying
00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.619
these things.
00:21:31.919 --> 00:21:32.440
Again,
00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.079
we've already seen
00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:34.039
that in chapter 5,
00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:34.980
Jesus had presented
00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:37.480
several reliable witnesses
00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:37.539
!
00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.480
who have vouched
00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.339
for his identity.
00:21:40.079 --> 00:21:41.279
But in our text today,
00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:41.940
he mentions
00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:43.099
just one witness,
00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.220
God the Father.
00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.579
So how is it
00:21:46.579 --> 00:21:47.259
that the Father
00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.460
has testified
00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:49.279
and vouched
00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.200
for Jesus'
00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.480
identity?
00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.099
Well,
00:21:53.139 --> 00:21:53.639
one way
00:21:53.639 --> 00:21:55.019
was his affirmation
00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.539
of Jesus
00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.440
and his ministry
00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.639
that took place
00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:59.000
at Jesus' baptism.
00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.279
This is how
00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:02.180
the Gospel of Matthew
00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:03.500
records those events.
00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.539
When Jesus was baptized,
00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:07.500
he went up
00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:07.980
immediately
00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.000
from the water.
00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.039
The heavens
00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.099
suddenly opened
00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.599
for him
00:22:12.599 --> 00:22:13.220
and he saw
00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.299
the Spirit of God
00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:16.000
descending like a dove
00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.200
and coming down on him.
00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:19.139
And a voice
00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:20.099
from heaven said,
00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:22.680
This is my beloved Son,
00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.220
with whom
00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:25.759
I am well pleased.
00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.819
Jesus
00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:30.079
and his ministry
00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.059
had received
00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:32.339
the Father's stamp
00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:33.240
of approval,
00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:34.579
a visible
00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.539
and audible
00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.420
affirmation
00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.620
that Jesus
00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.900
is the Son
00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.640
of God,
00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.839
God
00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:42.120
in human flesh.
00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:43.880
And we see
00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.799
another incredible
00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.680
example
00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.640
of this
00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.700
historically
00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:49.519
verifiable
00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.200
event
00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.960
of the resurrection
00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.600
where God
00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.600
raises Jesus
00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.319
from the dead
00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.500
and he vindicates
00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.840
his claims.
00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.480
But sadly,
00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.740
despite these things,
00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.299
we find
00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.380
the Pharisees
00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.039
unwilling
00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:05.299
or unable
00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:06.140
to accept
00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.720
what Jesus
00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.600
is saying.
00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.360
In verse 19,
00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.200
they ask Jesus,
00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.100
Where is this Father
00:23:12.100 --> 00:23:12.779
that you've been
00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.240
saying so much about?
00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:16.779
Now,
00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.180
the text,
00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.740
it doesn't say
00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.359
whether this is
00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.380
a genuine question
00:23:20.380 --> 00:23:21.160
on the part
00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.099
of the Pharisees
00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:23.120
or whether
00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:23.759
they're attempting
00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:24.440
to mock
00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.460
Jesus' teaching
00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.420
in some way.
00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:28.180
And I can certainly
00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.059
see them asking
00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.620
this question
00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.039
to sort of
00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:30.519
poke fun
00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.000
at Jesus.
00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.620
But either way,
00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.339
this question
00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:35.640
represents a failure
00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.740
to understand
00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.099
Jesus'
00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.299
very nature
00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:40.059
and the closeness
00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.940
of the relationship
00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.779
that he shares
00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.359
with God,
00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:42.859
the Father.
00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:45.500
And we can see
00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.220
this in Jesus'
00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:47.099
response to
00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.720
their question
00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:49.380
in verse 19.
00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:52.019
He says to them,
00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.859
You know neither
00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:54.180
me nor my Father.
00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:56.099
If you knew me,
00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.660
you would also
00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.779
know my Father.
00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.779
How is it that
00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:02.779
Jesus can say
00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.960
something like that?
00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.640
Well,
00:24:06.640 --> 00:24:07.759
John tells us
00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:09.579
in John chapter 1,
00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.039
18,
00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.920
that no one
00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:12.240
has seen God,
00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:14.019
the one
00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.700
and only
00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.160
Son
00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.880
who is
00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.480
himself
00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.980
God
00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:17.759
and is
00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.039
at the
00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.519
Father's
00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:18.740
side.
00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:19.400
He has
00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.900
revealed
00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:20.240
him.
00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.319
Another
00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:23.799
translation
00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.599
says that
00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.539
Jesus is
00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.460
in closest
00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.400
relationship
00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.279
with the
00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.620
Father.
00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.880
How close
00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.220
is this
00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.779
relationship
00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.700
between Jesus
00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.660
and the
00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:33.920
Father?
00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.140
Well,
00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.620
let's flip
00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:34.940
forward,
00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.359
if you would,
00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:35.960
just briefly
00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:37.019
to John
00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.900
chapter 14.
00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:47.580
John chapter
00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:48.080
14,
00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.440
and we're
00:24:48.440 --> 00:24:48.660
going to be
00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.660
looking just
00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.340
really briefly
00:24:50.340 --> 00:24:50.940
at verses
00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.540
8 through
00:24:51.540 --> 00:24:51.900
11.
00:24:56.780 --> 00:24:57.740
John records
00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.540
this interaction
00:24:58.540 --> 00:24:59.519
between Jesus
00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.500
and Philip.
00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.000
In verse 8,
00:25:03.040 --> 00:25:03.220
it says,
00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:03.600
Lord,
00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.480
said Philip,
00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.360
show us the
00:25:05.360 --> 00:25:05.800
Father,
00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:06.740
and that's
00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.200
enough for
00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.559
us.
00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.960
Jesus said
00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:10.279
to him,
00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.019
have I been
00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.519
among you
00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.099
all this
00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.440
time,
00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.720
and you
00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.220
still don't
00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.620
know me,
00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:13.920
Philip?
00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.900
The one
00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.279
who has
00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.759
seen me
00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.539
has seen
00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.000
the Father.
00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.740
How can
00:25:19.740 --> 00:25:20.200
you say,
00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:20.880
show us
00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.420
the Father?
00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.460
Don't you
00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.059
believe that
00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.819
I am in
00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.359
the Father
00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:24.880
and that
00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.400
the Father
00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:26.279
is in me?
00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.059
The words
00:25:28.059 --> 00:25:28.539
I speak
00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.039
to you,
00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.960
I do not
00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.460
speak on
00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:30.920
my own.
00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.559
The Father
00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:33.059
who lives
00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.539
in me
00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.359
does his
00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:34.700
works.
00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.500
Believe me
00:25:35.500 --> 00:25:36.120
that I am
00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.359
in the
00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:36.680
Father.
00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.660
And the
00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:37.960
Father
00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.519
is in
00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:38.720
me.
00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.180
Otherwise,
00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.759
believe because
00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.120
of the
00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.420
works
00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:41.960
themselves.
00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.240
We have
00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.660
to remember
00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.339
that yes,
00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:46.900
there is a
00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:47.359
distinction
00:25:47.359 --> 00:25:48.779
between the
00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.759
persons of
00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.299
the Trinity,
00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:50.799
between
00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:51.559
Father,
00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.240
Son,
00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:52.980
and Holy
00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.539
Spirit.
00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.380
But each
00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.480
person partakes
00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.059
of the divine
00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.779
nature and
00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.380
is fully
00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.160
God.
00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.759
Sharing a
00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.819
closeness and
00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.440
an intimacy
00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.359
that is
00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.359
impossible for
00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:04.839
you and I
00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.380
as finite
00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:06.279
humanity to
00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.799
fully grasp.
00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.099
As John
00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.519
says,
00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.359
the Son is
00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.039
in closest
00:26:12.039 --> 00:26:12.879
relationship
00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.960
with the
00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.299
Father.
00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:16.480
How is it
00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.039
that Jesus
00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:18.200
can say to
00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.119
these Pharisees
00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.940
that if they
00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.539
knew him,
00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:20.920
they would
00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.440
know the
00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.759
Father?
00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:23.859
It's because
00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.500
the Father
00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.299
and Son
00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.359
share a
00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.000
relationship
00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.779
such that
00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.399
Jesus can
00:26:28.399 --> 00:26:28.700
say,
00:26:28.700 --> 00:26:29.920
to see me
00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.019
is to see
00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.440
him.
00:26:31.440 --> 00:26:32.440
God's
00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.440
love
00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.440
and
00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:34.920
so in
00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.059
this
00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.660
exchange
00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:36.600
with the
00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.140
Pharisees,
00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.660
we've seen
00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:39.120
Jesus defend
00:26:39.120 --> 00:26:39.759
the truth of
00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:40.440
his teachings
00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:42.039
by appealing
00:26:42.039 --> 00:26:42.700
to his own
00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.700
identity in
00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.259
the testimony
00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:45.100
of the
00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:45.440
Father.
00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.860
But now
00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.440
as we come
00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:48.960
to the
00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:50.220
final verse
00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.720
of this
00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.320
passage,
00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:53.019
we find
00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:54.860
John's
00:26:54.860 --> 00:26:55.559
affirmation
00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.720
of God's
00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.080
sovereign
00:26:57.080 --> 00:26:57.759
control
00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.779
over all
00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.319
things.
00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.440
If you
00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.779
look with
00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.099
me one
00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.559
more time
00:27:02.559 --> 00:27:03.019
at verse
00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.379
20,
00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.980
John makes
00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.279
a point
00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.559
here to
00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.960
tell us
00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:07.619
where it
00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.200
is that
00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.940
Jesus has
00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.579
been teaching.
00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.299
He says,
00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.339
he, that
00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.859
is Jesus,
00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.440
he spoke
00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.160
these words
00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:14.660
by the
00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.039
treasury
00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:16.639
while teaching
00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.220
in the
00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:17.519
temple,
00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.879
but no
00:27:18.879 --> 00:27:19.500
one seized
00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.099
him because
00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:20.720
his hour
00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.399
had not
00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.200
yet come.
00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.259
It's
00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.700
important for
00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:25.920
us to
00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:26.339
remember that
00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.779
this is a
00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.799
public place
00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:28.759
where Jesus
00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.480
has been
00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.119
saying these
00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:30.480
things.
00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.579
And Jesus,
00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.059
he's saying
00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.480
some things
00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:32.859
that if
00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.140
they're
00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.720
understood
00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.180
by the
00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.400
people
00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.779
listening
00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.299
to them,
00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:35.920
they're
00:27:35.920 --> 00:27:36.400
likely to
00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.660
put them
00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.000
in some
00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.879
pretty hot
00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.559
water.
00:27:39.819 --> 00:27:40.440
But John
00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.180
reminds us
00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.720
again that
00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.599
Jesus was
00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:43.759
being guarded
00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.440
by God
00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.119
for arrest
00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.220
until the
00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.460
proper time.
00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.440
The time
00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.299
would come
00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.059
for Jesus
00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.440
to be
00:27:51.440 --> 00:27:51.859
arrested
00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.000
and handed
00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.799
over to
00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.440
the authorities,
00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.019
but not
00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.599
quite yet.
00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.700
There was
00:27:57.700 --> 00:27:58.440
work yet to
00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:58.820
be done,
00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.940
and nothing
00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.680
and no
00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.340
one could
00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:01.740
thwart
00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.240
God's
00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:02.559
plan.
00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.039
And
00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.460
brothers and
00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.660
sisters,
00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.080
this is
00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:06.600
true not
00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.500
only of
00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.039
the events
00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.519
surrounding
00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.980
Jesus'
00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:10.100
life and
00:28:10.100 --> 00:28:10.660
ministry,
00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:12.220
but our
00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.920
lives as
00:28:12.920 --> 00:28:13.240
well.
00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.559
Over
00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.180
every
00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:16.700
intimate
00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.779
detail of
00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:18.519
your life,
00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.680
over every
00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.559
intimate detail
00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.160
of my
00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:21.600
life,
00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.019
God is
00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.640
in control.
00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:30.960
God is
00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.800
working his
00:28:31.800 --> 00:28:32.780
perfect plan,
00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:35.060
a plan
00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:35.460
that will
00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.160
result in
00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.960
your good
00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:38.540
and his
00:28:38.540 --> 00:28:39.160
glory.
00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.180
Let's pray
00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.540
together.
00:28:44.540 --> 00:28:45.480
God, thank
00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.060
you so much
00:28:46.060 --> 00:28:46.320
for the
00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:46.800
opportunity
00:28:46.800 --> 00:28:48.100
to open
00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:48.800
your word
00:28:48.800 --> 00:28:49.280
today.
00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:51.619
God, I
00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:51.859
just want
00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.139
to thank
00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:52.500
you for
00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:52.940
who you
00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.299
are.
00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.279
And as
00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.660
we leave
00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.160
this place,
00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.579
would you
00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.700
instill in
00:28:57.700 --> 00:28:58.099
us a
00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.440
greater
00:28:58.440 --> 00:28:59.299
understanding
00:28:59.299 --> 00:28:59.759
of your
00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:01.359
nature and
00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:02.000
your kindness
00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.279
to us in
00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.379
Jesus Christ?
00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.299
And would
00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:06.779
you make us
00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.639
more and more
00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:08.279
like him
00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.720
each and
00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.579
every day?
00:29:10.579 --> 00:29:12.059
Amen.
