He Brings Joy

John 3:22-30
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Pastor Colin shares John the Baptist’s message of preparation and repentance, highlighting Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and baptises with the Holy Spirit.

He further explores a key verse, John 3:27, where John the Baptist states that a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given from heaven. Pastor Colin identifies four gifts from heaven through Jesus Christ: purity, peace, love, and joy. He explains that these are not born within us but are graciously given by Jesus.

Lastly, Pastor Colin discusses the significance of these gifts in the life of a believer. He encourages the congregation to open their hearts to these heavenly gifts and to deepen their relationship with Jesus, as they will experience the fullness of these gifts in their lives. By knowing and loving Jesus more, they will grow in purity, peace, love, and joy.

1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:04,260 Some of you may remember that we looked at the opening chapters of John’s gospel 2 00:00:05,020 –> 00:00:11,160 In the early months of last year and we got as far as John chapter 3 and verse 21 3 00:00:11,160 –> 00:00:15,620 and so we’re really taking up where we left off from last year and 4 00:00:15,700 –> 00:00:19,059 The plan is that God willing over these next couple of months 5 00:00:19,379 –> 00:00:21,379 We will seek to meet Jesus 6 00:00:21,600 –> 00:00:27,219 At the end of John 3 and chapter 4 and also chapter 5 of John’s gospel 7 00:00:28,180 –> 00:00:35,200 For those who are new to the church this weekend and already last night we have welcomed many many visitors and 8 00:00:36,020 –> 00:00:37,580 Glad to welcome 9 00:00:37,580 –> 00:00:44,500 Visitors today in all three of these services. Just want to say so glad that you have come welcome 10 00:00:45,060 –> 00:00:48,459 Glad that you come on a special occasion of rejoicing 11 00:00:48,939 –> 00:00:51,480 For all of us here at the church 12 00:00:51,520 –> 00:00:56,740 And I hope that you will want to make it your habit to join with us for 13 00:00:57,180 –> 00:00:58,540 worship and 14 00:00:58,540 –> 00:01:03,560 To meet Jesus through the scriptures as we gather together each 15 00:01:04,139 –> 00:01:08,220 Week we are just so you know where this church is coming from 16 00:01:08,220 –> 00:01:15,260 We are a gathering of people who want to listen to all the God says in other words 17 00:01:15,260 –> 00:01:21,239 We don’t want to be the kind of people who pick up a few bits and pieces from the Bible here and there and then ignore 18 00:01:21,459 –> 00:01:22,639 everything else 19 00:01:22,639 –> 00:01:28,059 so our pattern is to open the Bible to read what God says there and 20 00:01:28,339 –> 00:01:33,400 Then to seek to apply what we see in the Bible to our own lives 21 00:01:33,739 –> 00:01:37,980 and here’s therefore how I would encourage you 22 00:01:38,559 –> 00:01:40,379 to approach the Bible 23 00:01:40,379 –> 00:01:45,400 When you take the Bible in your hands or whether it’s on your iPhone or your iPad or whatever 24 00:01:45,720 –> 00:01:50,580 When you have the Word of God before you, here’s what you should be saying to yourself now this Bible 25 00:01:51,120 –> 00:01:52,139 that 26 00:01:52,139 –> 00:01:54,139 I’m holding in my hands 27 00:01:55,260 –> 00:01:58,160 claims to be the Word of God and 28 00:01:58,959 –> 00:02:04,580 If that really is the case what that means, is that what I read in this Bible is 29 00:02:05,099 –> 00:02:08,779 What God actually says to me today and? 30 00:02:09,539 –> 00:02:15,119 If what I read in this Bible is what God actually says to me today, then nothing is 31 00:02:15,720 –> 00:02:18,199 more important and nothing is more relevant 32 00:02:18,220 –> 00:02:19,600 than 33 00:02:19,600 –> 00:02:26,360 That I should listen to what God says and that I should respond to what God is saying in this Bible to me 34 00:02:26,919 –> 00:02:29,479 And that I should respond in faith 35 00:02:29,880 –> 00:02:33,100 And that I should respond in obedience 36 00:02:33,220 –> 00:02:37,380 And so that’s the kind of spirit in which we as a congregation 37 00:02:37,759 –> 00:02:44,979 wants to come to the Bible as we read it privately at a by day and as we gather together around the Word of God 38 00:02:45,479 –> 00:02:47,479 week by week and 39 00:02:48,199 –> 00:02:52,520 We don’t therefore want to be critics of the Bible. We don’t want to try and be 40 00:02:53,259 –> 00:02:56,800 Selecting what we like and what we don’t like. We don’t wanna be critics of the Bible 41 00:02:56,800 –> 00:03:03,240 We want The Bible to be the critic of us we want to stand under the authority of the Word of God 42 00:03:03,240 –> 00:03:05,639 we want God’s to search us and 43 00:03:06,080 –> 00:03:08,080 to challenge us and 44 00:03:08,479 –> 00:03:14,259 To feed us and to shape us and we believe that he does this through his word 45 00:03:14,259 –> 00:03:16,220 so I hope that 46 00:03:16,220 –> 00:03:21,559 Listening to the Word of God will become a the habit of a lifetime 47 00:03:22,279 –> 00:03:28,860 For every one of us associated in any way with the orchard and I give you this promise that if you will do this 48 00:03:29,279 –> 00:03:32,880 Open the Bible listen to what God says and respond with faith and obedience 49 00:03:33,720 –> 00:03:36,839 if you will do this day by day on your own and 50 00:03:37,940 –> 00:03:41,139 Week by week as we gather here together 51 00:03:42,039 –> 00:03:45,339 You will be nourished and you will be fed 52 00:03:45,380 –> 00:03:46,759 and 53 00:03:46,759 –> 00:03:53,919 over time your whole life will be mold it in a way that will bring great blessing to you and 54 00:03:54,539 –> 00:03:56,539 great glory to God 55 00:03:57,179 –> 00:04:02,660 So with that in mind let’s open the Bible together at the passage that was read for us a few 56 00:04:03,080 –> 00:04:08,779 moments ago John’s Gospel in chapter 3 and we’re going to look at some words today of John the Baptist 57 00:04:09,479 –> 00:04:14,899 The man who was given the great privilege of announcing the coming of Jesus and 58 00:04:15,860 –> 00:04:17,859 John at one point 59 00:04:17,980 –> 00:04:20,100 attracted huge crowds 60 00:04:20,779 –> 00:04:25,140 With his preaching. He had a very simple message and it was this 61 00:04:26,859 –> 00:04:29,160 Something that has never ever happened in the entire 62 00:04:29,459 –> 00:04:35,980 History of the world before is about to take place. God is going to come you are going to meet with God 63 00:04:36,820 –> 00:04:40,839 Therefore you had better get ready make straight paths for the Lord 64 00:04:41,480 –> 00:04:45,459 Prepare the way of the Lord. That was the message of John 65 00:04:46,339 –> 00:04:49,279 Now many people when they heard this message felt 66 00:04:49,859 –> 00:04:54,420 well, if I’m really going to meet with God, I better get myself ready and 67 00:04:55,200 –> 00:05:02,779 That led them to confess some sins in their lives and then to be baptized as a sign of their repentance 68 00:05:02,980 –> 00:05:03,940 repentance 69 00:05:03,940 –> 00:05:07,739 John spoke to them about Jesus he described him in these two ways 70 00:05:07,739 –> 00:05:13,440 he said behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and 71 00:05:13,820 –> 00:05:17,380 Then he said this is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit 72 00:05:18,619 –> 00:05:21,260 In other words the two first things that you need to know about 73 00:05:21,420 –> 00:05:26,739 Jesus Christ is that he’s the one who comes to take away sins and the one who comes to 74 00:05:26,940 –> 00:05:33,799 Remorse your life to soak your life as it were in the presence and the power of God himself 75 00:05:34,820 –> 00:05:42,700 Now I want you to notice today particularly from verse 27 some words that this man John spoke 76 00:05:44,140 –> 00:05:46,899 verse 27 John answered a 77 00:05:47,980 –> 00:05:49,700 person 78 00:05:49,700 –> 00:05:51,579 cannot receive 79 00:05:51,579 –> 00:05:53,619 even one thing 80 00:05:54,380 –> 00:05:56,859 Unless it is given to him 81 00:05:57,600 –> 00:05:59,600 from heaven a 82 00:05:59,619 –> 00:06:02,160 Person cannot receive even one thing 83 00:06:03,359 –> 00:06:07,220 Unless it is given to him 84 00:06:08,260 –> 00:06:10,260 from heaven 85 00:06:10,440 –> 00:06:16,380 Now I pick out that verse to start with because in the passage that’s before us there are actually four 86 00:06:16,640 –> 00:06:20,839 Marvelous gifts that are given from heaven more particularly 87 00:06:20,839 –> 00:06:27,019 They’re given by Jesus Christ who came from heaven and is ready to give each of these 88 00:06:27,220 –> 00:06:33,220 Gifts to all who will receive them let me tell you an outline where they are so you know where we’re going today 89 00:06:33,260 –> 00:06:35,660 the first is the gift of purity and 90 00:06:36,140 –> 00:06:42,619 The great question that’s before us here. What is it that makes a person clean and right before God? 91 00:06:44,040 –> 00:06:46,040 Second the gift of peace 92 00:06:46,380 –> 00:06:48,459 Here we are in a world of turmoil 93 00:06:48,500 –> 00:06:55,040 How can a person find peace that question is before us in this passage from the Bible Today’s third? 94 00:06:55,679 –> 00:06:59,160 The marvelous gift of love how can a person love? 95 00:06:59,320 –> 00:07:03,859 What about a person who has been hurt and wounded and is inhibited and withdraws? 96 00:07:04,239 –> 00:07:11,640 How can a person get to a place of being able to love that’s what’s before us today and fourthly the gift of joy? 97 00:07:12,160 –> 00:07:14,160 What is it that gives a person? 98 00:07:14,200 –> 00:07:21,140 Joy John says in verse 29 this joy of mine is now complete now these 99 00:07:21,480 –> 00:07:25,279 Four marvelous gifts are the things that are before us today 100 00:07:25,279 –> 00:07:31,040 John says a person can’t receive even one thing unless it is given to him from heaven 101 00:07:31,040 –> 00:07:34,179 We’re going to look at four things that are given from heaven 102 00:07:34,359 –> 00:07:38,820 And are the gifts of the Lord Jesus Christ to all who will receive them 103 00:07:39,619 –> 00:07:44,579 Now just looking at these four gifts here’s what’s very striking to me 104 00:07:45,619 –> 00:07:48,660 it seems to me that religion is 105 00:07:50,079 –> 00:07:55,700 Often marked by precisely the opposite of these four things 106 00:07:57,480 –> 00:08:03,299 And I suspect that there may be a number among us even this weekend who in the past have had a bad 107 00:08:03,980 –> 00:08:05,980 experience of religion and 108 00:08:06,839 –> 00:08:11,880 Instead of purity what you’ve seen is hypocrisy and 109 00:08:13,559 –> 00:08:15,559 Instead of peace 110 00:08:15,579 –> 00:08:18,140 what you’ve seen is anger and 111 00:08:19,660 –> 00:08:23,399 Instead of love what you’ve seen is a kind of coldness and indifference 112 00:08:23,959 –> 00:08:27,459 towards the needs of other people and of the world and 113 00:08:28,220 –> 00:08:34,140 Instead of joy. What you’ve seen is a kind of misery that made you say that’s not attractive to me 114 00:08:34,159 –> 00:08:40,700 And so, you know that there are many people who have been turned away from taking any serious 115 00:08:41,219 –> 00:08:43,719 consideration of spiritual things because 116 00:08:44,700 –> 00:08:48,919 What they’ve seen has been the very opposite of what we’re seeing here in the Bible 117 00:08:50,239 –> 00:08:55,599 So I want you to look at these things and for us to try and take them in together 118 00:08:57,340 –> 00:08:58,400 Purity 119 00:08:58,400 –> 00:08:59,479 peace 120 00:08:59,479 –> 00:09:00,760 love 121 00:09:00,760 –> 00:09:04,380 Joy, who is not drawn to these things? 122 00:09:05,640 –> 00:09:10,099 The question is since there are often not seen in the world of religion 123 00:09:10,359 –> 00:09:13,780 where do they come from and how do we get them and 124 00:09:14,919 –> 00:09:18,900 John says to us the answer is Jesus Christ 125 00:09:19,840 –> 00:09:21,840 that if we have him 126 00:09:22,299 –> 00:09:28,960 then we have these four marvelous gifts and the more that we come to know him and the more that we come to trust him 127 00:09:28,960 –> 00:09:36,719 And love him the more these marvelous gifts of purity and of peace and of love and of joy are going to be ours 128 00:09:37,559 –> 00:09:39,739 So that’s what’s before us from the Bible today 129 00:09:39,739 –> 00:09:47,599 Let’s look first then at this marvelous gift of purity and ask the question. What is it that makes a person clean? 130 00:09:48,599 –> 00:09:52,440 Now notice verse 25 now a discussion arose 131 00:09:53,940 –> 00:09:55,940 Between some of John’s 132 00:09:56,280 –> 00:09:58,280 disciples and a Jew 133 00:09:58,880 –> 00:10:00,700 over 134 00:10:00,700 –> 00:10:02,700 Purification so there it is 135 00:10:03,239 –> 00:10:07,919 now it’s easy to see how a discussion over purification arose because 136 00:10:08,619 –> 00:10:12,099 John was baptizing all of these people in water 137 00:10:12,840 –> 00:10:16,159 They came to him. We’re told there was lots of water 138 00:10:16,479 –> 00:10:21,880 Which was important because John baptized people by immersing them fully in this water 139 00:10:22,119 –> 00:10:25,200 As we still baptize people in that way today 140 00:10:25,460 –> 00:10:26,659 And 141 00:10:26,659 –> 00:10:30,580 So it was natural since people were being baptized in in water 142 00:10:30,580 –> 00:10:37,900 Which clearly indicates it’s a symbol and a sign of washing that gave rise to the question. Well, what exactly is it? 143 00:10:38,500 –> 00:10:41,380 That makes a person clean. I 144 00:10:42,659 –> 00:10:46,880 Mean, do you get clean before God by being baptized? 145 00:10:48,239 –> 00:10:49,419 if 146 00:10:49,419 –> 00:10:54,020 your appearance brought you to a church when you were a baby and 147 00:10:54,679 –> 00:10:58,520 A service of baptism was performed over you 148 00:10:59,679 –> 00:11:02,780 Does that make you clean before God or? 149 00:11:04,200 –> 00:11:10,080 If you were baptized as a teenager or as an adult, is that the thing? 150 00:11:10,780 –> 00:11:14,380 That makes you clean before God 151 00:11:15,340 –> 00:11:21,580 well a discussion arose between John’s disciples who were doing all of this baptizing and 152 00:11:22,000 –> 00:11:26,580 and a Jew now, of course an observant Jew would have been 153 00:11:27,099 –> 00:11:29,460 participating in a whole pattern of 154 00:11:30,099 –> 00:11:35,359 ritual washings that would have been practiced every day and week and month and year and 155 00:11:35,780 –> 00:11:37,880 So you can see where the discussion is going 156 00:11:37,880 –> 00:11:41,340 Here’s these guys that are doing all the baptizing and here’s this observant 157 00:11:41,340 –> 00:11:46,219 Jew and he comes along and he’s into all of these ritual washing 158 00:11:46,260 –> 00:11:49,940 So he has his view as to how people get clean 159 00:11:49,940 –> 00:11:50,780 is 160 00:11:50,780 –> 00:11:57,380 It that you get clean by pursuing certain rituals on an ongoing basis and by weaving them 161 00:11:57,619 –> 00:12:02,539 Faithfully into the pattern of your life. And if so, which rituals are the ones? 162 00:12:03,580 –> 00:12:05,460 Does going to church 163 00:12:05,460 –> 00:12:07,460 make you clean or 164 00:12:07,919 –> 00:12:12,619 Is it receiving communion or is it something else like? 165 00:12:13,460 –> 00:12:16,140 Serving the poor or are saying prayers 166 00:12:16,219 –> 00:12:17,739 So, what is it? 167 00:12:17,739 –> 00:12:25,640 So you see what you have in this discussion that arose between John’s disciples and the Jew is really something that still with us today 168 00:12:25,820 –> 00:12:30,900 Here are two approaches that are quite common among many people to the question 169 00:12:30,900 –> 00:12:35,340 How do you get clean or pure before God? Is it being baptized? 170 00:12:35,820 –> 00:12:37,820 Something that happens once 171 00:12:37,940 –> 00:12:44,659 Or is it more something that involves pursuing certain rituals patterns of life that need to be 172 00:12:44,979 –> 00:12:50,419 sustained and woven into the fabric of what you do over months and over years 173 00:12:51,140 –> 00:12:54,059 Now it seems that as this discussion took place 174 00:12:55,299 –> 00:12:59,099 at some point John stepped in and 175 00:12:59,900 –> 00:13:06,500 I wonder we’re not actually told this but I wonder when this discussion got going between John’s disciples and the Jew 176 00:13:06,500 –> 00:13:12,659 I imagine that since it was on different views of purification it probably got pretty heated fairly quick and 177 00:13:13,460 –> 00:13:19,479 Perhaps it was at that moment that John himself steps in and intervenes in this conversation 178 00:13:20,400 –> 00:13:28,059 And what he really says is this argument is going on about how a person gets clean. Is it by baptism, or is it by ritual? 179 00:13:28,919 –> 00:13:31,840 John steps into this dispute he says neither 180 00:13:33,000 –> 00:13:34,940 neither 181 00:13:34,940 –> 00:13:37,460 Being baptized doesn’t make you pure 182 00:13:37,979 –> 00:13:41,140 Nor does any religious ritual however? 183 00:13:41,880 –> 00:13:43,719 scrupulously it is observed 184 00:13:43,719 –> 00:13:50,679 so what is it that makes a person clean and this is where we come to our verse 27 John answered a 185 00:13:51,679 –> 00:13:55,520 Person cannot receive even one thing 186 00:13:57,059 –> 00:13:59,460 Unless it is given 187 00:14:00,280 –> 00:14:02,280 to him 188 00:14:02,520 –> 00:14:04,520 from heaven 189 00:14:04,679 –> 00:14:09,960 In other words what John is saying is look purity is a gift 190 00:14:11,719 –> 00:14:13,719 and it comes from heaven 191 00:14:13,900 –> 00:14:21,380 it comes from the hand of Jesus Christ who came from heaven so that this gift should be yours and 192 00:14:22,299 –> 00:14:27,020 John of course is saying look. I can’t make a person clean by my 193 00:14:27,380 –> 00:14:31,020 baptism he says in verse 28. I am NOT the Christ 194 00:14:32,700 –> 00:14:39,299 And you can’t give this gift of being pure to yourself either it has to be received and 195 00:14:39,679 –> 00:14:43,900 It has to be received from Jesus Christ who has come from heaven 196 00:14:44,380 –> 00:14:47,799 And you thankful that purity is a gift 197 00:14:48,880 –> 00:14:50,880 to be received 198 00:14:51,719 –> 00:14:58,859 Now this is very wonderful folks. We live in a culture where people sometimes think of purity as 199 00:15:00,179 –> 00:15:02,179 Something that you are born with 200 00:15:03,179 –> 00:15:05,179 But then that you might lose 201 00:15:05,919 –> 00:15:07,919 When you mess up 202 00:15:08,780 –> 00:15:12,599 But in the Bible it is precisely the opposite way around 203 00:15:14,640 –> 00:15:17,380 None of us is born with purity 204 00:15:18,960 –> 00:15:21,179 Actually, we’re born sinners 205 00:15:22,640 –> 00:15:27,479 So purity is not something that we have until it is lost 206 00:15:28,200 –> 00:15:30,799 It’s something that we’re without 207 00:15:31,799 –> 00:15:33,799 until it is received and 208 00:15:34,559 –> 00:15:39,400 Jesus Christ came into the world so that this gift of being washed 209 00:15:40,640 –> 00:15:44,059 this wonderful gift of being cleansed and 210 00:15:44,820 –> 00:15:49,380 Therefore made pure before God so that this gift should be yours 211 00:15:49,380 –> 00:15:54,559 So here’s what John is saying in the middle of all this discussion about this important question 212 00:15:54,559 –> 00:15:56,739 How do I get clean and right before God? 213 00:15:56,859 –> 00:16:02,580 He is saying. A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given to him from heaven 214 00:16:02,580 –> 00:16:08,460 And that certainly includes this marvelous gift of purity 215 00:16:09,400 –> 00:16:11,760 Second the gift of peace 216 00:16:12,739 –> 00:16:14,739 What brings a person? 217 00:16:15,580 –> 00:16:16,900 peace 218 00:16:16,900 –> 00:16:19,299 And look with me if you would at verse 26 219 00:16:20,500 –> 00:16:25,200 They came to John. That’s John’s disciples came to him and 220 00:16:25,559 –> 00:16:27,559 And they said to him Rabbi 221 00:16:29,020 –> 00:16:36,159 He who was with you across the Jordan to whom you bore witness that’s Jesus, of course 222 00:16:37,320 –> 00:16:41,440 Luke he Jesus is Baptizing and 223 00:16:42,059 –> 00:16:44,719 All are going to him 224 00:16:46,780 –> 00:16:52,880 Now think about what is happening here for some time John had been the kind of man of the moment 225 00:16:53,020 –> 00:16:54,119 I 226 00:16:54,119 –> 00:16:59,539 Remember vast crowds have been coming from all over Judea and from Jerusalem as well 227 00:17:00,500 –> 00:17:05,739 Because of his ministry that had attracted so many and had brought such an extraordinary response 228 00:17:06,260 –> 00:17:13,239 John the Baptist was used by God to lead a movement of spiritual renewal that had a broad 229 00:17:13,780 –> 00:17:15,780 influence I 230 00:17:16,239 –> 00:17:21,760 think if time magazine was around in those days that he would have been a good candidate to be person of the year and 231 00:17:22,420 –> 00:17:24,420 I mean he really was that influential 232 00:17:26,439 –> 00:17:29,739 The ministry of John you see was to point people to Jesus 233 00:17:31,140 –> 00:17:38,560 so as soon as the public ministry of Jesus began these vast crowds that had been coming to John and 234 00:17:39,020 –> 00:17:42,459 Feeding from his ministry. What did they do they flock? 235 00:17:43,300 –> 00:17:45,060 to Jesus 236 00:17:45,060 –> 00:17:51,300 Now even larger crowds are around him and John is left with a relatively small handful 237 00:17:52,739 –> 00:17:59,339 so John’s ministry was in decline at this moment in John’s gospel in chapter 3 and 238 00:18:00,599 –> 00:18:06,160 With the crowds that had been there now gone and moving away from John for his disciples 239 00:18:07,180 –> 00:18:09,180 This was really a problem 240 00:18:10,560 –> 00:18:16,239 Now all of us know what this is like and you can discover it in many many spheres of life 241 00:18:18,099 –> 00:18:20,099 You’re doing something really well 242 00:18:21,760 –> 00:18:24,280 and then someone else comes along and does it better and 243 00:18:26,540 –> 00:18:28,540 That ain’t so easy 244 00:18:29,119 –> 00:18:33,540 your career seems to be going someplace, and then it seems to plateau and 245 00:18:34,040 –> 00:18:41,520 Then it seems to be tailing off and you say it’s not really on the trajectory that at once was it’s not now headed 246 00:18:41,520 –> 00:18:46,619 Where I thought it was this is where John’s ministry is. It’s in decline. It’s in decline 247 00:18:46,619 –> 00:18:52,339 You found an opportunity and you say here’s a space in which I can really invest myself and do something 248 00:18:53,040 –> 00:18:57,099 Really exciting an area in which I can be genuinely useful 249 00:18:57,099 –> 00:19:01,300 And then someone else comes along and is more successful in exploiting that area than you were 250 00:19:03,420 –> 00:19:08,619 You’re praised for your success in school or for your prowess in sports and 251 00:19:09,800 –> 00:19:15,640 And then after just a few years the spotlight moves and no one is cheering for you 252 00:19:16,119 –> 00:19:18,119 anymore 253 00:19:18,140 –> 00:19:24,280 Now here’s the question that this raises how is it for you when others are doing better than you are? 254 00:19:26,619 –> 00:19:31,140 How is it for you when what is happening for you is actually less 255 00:19:32,160 –> 00:19:34,160 than it was before 256 00:19:35,680 –> 00:19:39,280 Well for the disciples of John, they did not handle this, well 257 00:19:39,280 –> 00:19:43,140 Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan to whom you bore witness, Luke 258 00:19:48,359 –> 00:19:50,160 he is baptizing 259 00:19:50,160 –> 00:19:52,880 I mean it’s like hey you’re John the Baptist 260 00:19:53,660 –> 00:19:59,839 we’re the ones that do the baptizing and now Jesus is doing it he’s on our turf, you see he’s taking our crowd 261 00:19:59,839 –> 00:20:01,839 That’s what they’re saying 262 00:20:02,699 –> 00:20:04,839 So there’s resentment here and 263 00:20:06,199 –> 00:20:08,199 there’s envy here and 264 00:20:08,959 –> 00:20:12,780 there’s self-pity here, there’s disappointment here and 265 00:20:13,660 –> 00:20:16,920 There’s probably a fair degree of anger mixed in here as well 266 00:20:19,359 –> 00:20:27,180 That’s John’s disciples, but what’s so very striking to me is that you don’t see any of that in John himself none of it at all 267 00:20:28,339 –> 00:20:30,339 John is at peace and 268 00:20:31,000 –> 00:20:33,380 here’s why it’s in verse 27 a 269 00:20:33,839 –> 00:20:34,920 person 270 00:20:34,959 –> 00:20:37,640 Cannot receive even one thing 271 00:20:38,619 –> 00:20:40,660 Unless it is given to him 272 00:20:41,439 –> 00:20:43,520 From heaven. I see what he’s saying 273 00:20:44,400 –> 00:20:46,400 Let me try and put it to you this way 274 00:20:46,760 –> 00:20:48,760 the secret of 275 00:20:49,339 –> 00:20:52,479 freedom from resentment and jealousy and 276 00:20:53,520 –> 00:20:54,760 self-pity is 277 00:20:54,760 –> 00:21:02,420 To see that someone else’s success is given to him or to her by God and to accept with gratitude 278 00:21:02,699 –> 00:21:05,239 What God has given to you 279 00:21:05,939 –> 00:21:10,739 now, that’s the principle of verse 27 applied the secret of freedom from 280 00:21:11,060 –> 00:21:13,260 resentment when others are doing better than you 281 00:21:15,319 –> 00:21:21,979 The secret of freedom from self-pity where you’re what’s happening for you as less than it was before 282 00:21:23,380 –> 00:21:30,199 It is to see that whatever is given to someone else is the gift of God to him and to her and to accept with 283 00:21:30,680 –> 00:21:32,140 gratitude 284 00:21:32,140 –> 00:21:33,839 Whatever it is 285 00:21:33,839 –> 00:21:36,619 that God has given to you and 286 00:21:37,500 –> 00:21:39,439 Jon has peace 287 00:21:39,439 –> 00:21:41,439 unlike his disciples and 288 00:21:41,880 –> 00:21:48,599 The reason that he has peace is that he accepts and finds joy in what God has 289 00:21:48,880 –> 00:21:50,880 given to him 290 00:21:51,760 –> 00:21:58,699 Now you see this principle worked out even more strongly in what Jon goes on to say when he speaks about 291 00:21:59,000 –> 00:22:03,060 Himself as being the friend of the bridegroom 292 00:22:03,439 –> 00:22:05,979 He’s speaking of Jesus as being the bridegroom 293 00:22:06,680 –> 00:22:12,500 Jesus being center stage and himself being like the best man the friend of the bridegroom 294 00:22:12,500 –> 00:22:14,619 That’s the role that’s been given to me 295 00:22:14,619 –> 00:22:17,459 I’m not looking for something that hasn’t been given to me 296 00:22:17,459 –> 00:22:23,420 What I’m looking to do is to be faithful in what has been given to me. Do you see this in verse 29? 297 00:22:23,479 –> 00:22:26,219 He says the one who has the bride is the bridegroom 298 00:22:26,219 –> 00:22:33,239 the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at 299 00:22:34,160 –> 00:22:36,160 The bridegrooms voice 300 00:22:37,660 –> 00:22:42,160 Now the friend of the bridegroom we would say the best man 301 00:22:43,020 –> 00:22:45,359 Played a really significant role in a Judean wedding 302 00:22:48,319 –> 00:22:52,640 Apparently in other parts of Israel, there were different customs and cultures 303 00:22:52,819 –> 00:22:56,119 But particularly where Jesus and John the Baptist were at the time 304 00:22:56,239 –> 00:23:00,699 At this point in Judea the friend of the bride-groom or the best man 305 00:23:01,280 –> 00:23:03,439 Played a really significant role 306 00:23:03,619 –> 00:23:07,479 Let me let me tell you what it was and for all her married here 307 00:23:07,479 –> 00:23:10,939 You just think about your best man and go figure how this would have been for you 308 00:23:12,060 –> 00:23:18,160 The role of the best man in a Judean wedding was first to send out all the invitations 309 00:23:18,459 –> 00:23:19,459 You think about whoever was the best man in your wedding? 310 00:23:21,479 –> 00:23:23,020 Second 311 00:23:23,020 –> 00:23:26,280 To be responsible for every arrangement with regards to the reception 312 00:23:27,040 –> 00:23:32,479 and third to attend to all of the needs of the bride to make sure that she was ready for the arrival of the 313 00:23:32,479 –> 00:23:39,439 bride groom now, you think about whoever was the best man in your wedding and you’ll be saying he was responsible for sending out the 314 00:23:39,599 –> 00:23:41,599 invitations they would still be waiting and 315 00:23:42,260 –> 00:23:46,219 If he was responsible for the arrangements for the reception 316 00:23:46,780 –> 00:23:53,099 Place and if he was responsible for attending to all the needs of the bride we would still not be married 317 00:23:53,099 –> 00:23:55,099 But that’s beside the point 318 00:23:55,660 –> 00:23:59,079 that’s what happened in that custom in that culture and 319 00:23:59,939 –> 00:24:02,040 John says now look I I 320 00:24:02,979 –> 00:24:06,260 Am the friend of the bridegroom? I’m not the bridegroom 321 00:24:06,939 –> 00:24:10,880 But I am the friend of the bridegroom. I’m not the Christ 322 00:24:12,180 –> 00:24:15,400 What that means is it’s not about me 323 00:24:17,140 –> 00:24:19,619 The bride does not belong to me 324 00:24:20,699 –> 00:24:24,280 Know the bride belongs to the bridegroom 325 00:24:25,920 –> 00:24:33,380 Now this is clearly a good word for all of us on this wonderful day of celebration 326 00:24:34,699 –> 00:24:41,540 Friends our ministry is never to showcase ourselves, right? 327 00:24:42,219 –> 00:24:47,219 That’s an Maine moment by the way our ministry is never 328 00:24:48,839 –> 00:24:55,260 To showcase ourselves. What is our ministry is the friends of the bridegroom it is to send out the invitation 329 00:24:56,560 –> 00:25:03,260 It is to attend to all of the needs of the bride to make sure that she is ready for the coming of her great 330 00:25:03,579 –> 00:25:04,859 bridegroom 331 00:25:04,859 –> 00:25:07,119 The one who has the bride is 332 00:25:07,380 –> 00:25:14,140 The bridegroom now, of course John spoke more than he knew when he said these words 333 00:25:14,959 –> 00:25:20,439 Describing Jesus as the bridegroom. He would have known of course that in the Old Testament 334 00:25:20,680 –> 00:25:25,959 God spoke of his people Israel as being his bride what he did not know at this point 335 00:25:26,099 –> 00:25:27,939 Was that in the New Testament? 336 00:25:27,939 –> 00:25:33,339 God would speak of the church as the bride of Jesus Christ 337 00:25:34,319 –> 00:25:36,920 The one who has the bride is 338 00:25:38,020 –> 00:25:45,579 The bridegroom is this beautiful Jesus Christ is the one who has the bride the church belongs 339 00:25:45,760 –> 00:25:47,760 Not to us 340 00:25:48,160 –> 00:25:50,160 but belongs to him and 341 00:25:50,959 –> 00:25:57,280 The goal of the ministry that we share together friends is never that the bride should. Love us 342 00:25:57,280 –> 00:25:58,959 the 343 00:25:58,959 –> 00:26:03,459 Goal of the ministry that we share is that the bride should love Jesus Christ 344 00:26:04,199 –> 00:26:06,540 Who is the bridegroom? 345 00:26:06,800 –> 00:26:11,920 And I love it that it says the one who has the bride is 346 00:26:12,239 –> 00:26:19,060 The bridegroom you see it’s not saying though. This is wonderfully true. It’s not saying that the church has Jesus 347 00:26:19,560 –> 00:26:22,739 It’s saying it the other way around which is the even greater truth? 348 00:26:23,319 –> 00:26:25,599 Jesus is the one who has the church 349 00:26:25,959 –> 00:26:32,280 He’s the one who said I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it 350 00:26:32,319 –> 00:26:39,599 that’s why the church has a great and glorious future because it belongs to Jesus Christ our 351 00:26:40,160 –> 00:26:47,660 Sovereign and all conquering Savior and King the church is the Bride of Christ and the one who has the bride is 352 00:26:48,560 –> 00:26:51,400 The bridegroom now John has great peace 353 00:26:51,920 –> 00:26:55,300 He accepts what has been given to him and he finds great joy 354 00:26:56,160 –> 00:26:58,160 in it 355 00:26:58,260 –> 00:27:02,319 Third the great gift of love how can a person love? 356 00:27:03,760 –> 00:27:10,680 Now with all of this talk about Bride and Bridegroom, it’s obvious that this theme here is before us 357 00:27:11,479 –> 00:27:14,780 The Bride and Bridegroom is clearly an analogy 358 00:27:16,040 –> 00:27:18,280 but every analogy is 359 00:27:19,000 –> 00:27:20,800 an image 360 00:27:20,800 –> 00:27:24,780 Chosen to communicate a particular point 361 00:27:26,599 –> 00:27:28,599 What is the point 362 00:27:28,760 –> 00:27:34,199 That is communicated by choosing the analogy of the Bride and the Bridegroom 363 00:27:34,800 –> 00:27:39,219 Clearly, It relates to this marvelous marvelous gift of love 364 00:27:40,520 –> 00:27:45,739 And what we are being taught here, is that Jesus Christ has set his love upon you 365 00:27:46,699 –> 00:27:49,900 that he is deeply deeply committed to you and 366 00:27:50,579 –> 00:27:55,699 that he is actively engaged in drawing you to himself 367 00:27:57,219 –> 00:28:01,680 Now if you wanted to communicate these truths, what analogy would you use? 368 00:28:03,119 –> 00:28:08,699 You would use an analogy that’s familiar to everyone one that we can understand 369 00:28:09,359 –> 00:28:11,979 the winning of another person’s love 370 00:28:12,920 –> 00:28:14,920 I come from the North of Scotland 371 00:28:15,079 –> 00:28:18,280 my wife Karen comes from the south of England and 372 00:28:18,739 –> 00:28:21,199 In the great kindness of God our lives 373 00:28:22,479 –> 00:28:27,819 Intersected as we became in the same year students in the same College in London. I 374 00:28:29,199 –> 00:28:31,760 Spotted her on the first weekend 375 00:28:33,020 –> 00:28:39,819 and I set about winning her heart and it took me two years and 376 00:28:42,219 –> 00:28:44,119 You see 377 00:28:44,160 –> 00:28:52,079 That’s all in this analogy here the Lord Jesus Christ has set his love on you and sets about winning your heart and 378 00:28:52,719 –> 00:28:56,900 For some of us. He may have been working on you for a lot more than two years, too 379 00:28:58,560 –> 00:29:02,060 He’s actively engaged in winning your trust 380 00:29:03,560 –> 00:29:05,780 winning your confidence and 381 00:29:06,939 –> 00:29:12,839 how does a person do this how would you go about winning the heart of another well, you disclose yourself and 382 00:29:13,760 –> 00:29:16,140 you disclose your love and 383 00:29:16,859 –> 00:29:21,000 You see that’s how Jesus Christ seeks to win us to himself 384 00:29:21,479 –> 00:29:28,300 Like the bridegroom that he is you see that’s the point of the analogy Jesus Christ is seeking by disclosing 385 00:29:28,719 –> 00:29:32,160 Himself and by disclosing his love 386 00:29:32,800 –> 00:29:34,760 to win you 387 00:29:34,760 –> 00:29:39,780 To trust and confidence and love in return for him 388 00:29:39,939 –> 00:29:42,219 And that’s why we’re so concerned to meet 389 00:29:42,540 –> 00:29:49,420 Jesus in the Gospel of John because this is where we’re going to discover who he is and what is this love that he has 390 00:29:49,420 –> 00:29:56,219 For each and every one of us. So here’s the question. How can a person love and 391 00:29:57,319 –> 00:30:02,959 The answer to that question obviously is that love is the natural response 392 00:30:04,040 –> 00:30:09,619 To knowing that you are loved and so loving Jesus Christ 393 00:30:09,900 –> 00:30:16,800 is the free and joyful and natural response of a person who has come to see 394 00:30:17,280 –> 00:30:19,280 Jesus Christ loves me 395 00:30:20,819 –> 00:30:25,819 we love him the Bible says because he has first loved us, so 396 00:30:27,000 –> 00:30:33,119 when you see how much Jesus Christ loves you you will love him and 397 00:30:33,760 –> 00:30:39,439 The more you see how much Jesus Christ loves you the more you will love him 398 00:30:40,040 –> 00:30:41,079 and 399 00:30:41,079 –> 00:30:49,119 If you do not yet love Jesus Christ truly there could only be one possible reason and that is that you do not yet see 400 00:30:49,500 –> 00:30:51,599 How much he loves 401 00:30:52,239 –> 00:30:53,319 you 402 00:30:53,319 –> 00:30:55,140 That’s why we’re concerned to meet 403 00:30:55,140 –> 00:31:01,660 Jesus and to discover who he is and to discover his great love for us in the gospel of John 404 00:31:01,660 –> 00:31:04,180 may that be what happens for every one of us as 405 00:31:04,180 –> 00:31:10,180 We seek to meet Christ in the scriptures here this picture of the bridegroom 406 00:31:10,920 –> 00:31:13,079 It obviously speaks about love 407 00:31:14,500 –> 00:31:20,079 But it speaks about something else it’s see Christ loves us 408 00:31:21,920 –> 00:31:24,079 But let me put the emphasis somewhere else now 409 00:31:25,260 –> 00:31:27,260 It’s Christ 410 00:31:27,699 –> 00:31:32,300 Who loves us? I mean it does make a difference who it is that loves you, right? 411 00:31:33,020 –> 00:31:37,420 It’s Christ who loves you. I mean we’re talking about God in the flesh 412 00:31:39,020 –> 00:31:41,020 We’re talking about the one 413 00:31:41,619 –> 00:31:44,859 To whom everything that is God’s belongs 414 00:31:46,800 –> 00:31:54,359 What that means is for you to become his would mean that all that is his becomes yours 415 00:31:56,140 –> 00:32:01,140 This is absolutely staggering think about it this way picture with me for a moment 416 00:32:01,140 –> 00:32:05,680 A woman who is absolutely destitute. I 417 00:32:06,839 –> 00:32:08,839 Mean she has nothing 418 00:32:09,280 –> 00:32:12,140 she has made some poor choices in life 419 00:32:13,160 –> 00:32:17,640 She has debts that have mounted up beyond her ability to pay 420 00:32:18,959 –> 00:32:23,839 She is alone. There is no one in the world who cares for her 421 00:32:25,560 –> 00:32:30,680 But one day she meets a man who takes an interest in her 422 00:32:31,560 –> 00:32:37,479 Of course the long this function of her life makes her very very slow to trust 423 00:32:38,599 –> 00:32:40,739 very very slow to respond 424 00:32:42,180 –> 00:32:49,219 But over time the man wins her heart and wins her trust and eventually asks for her hand in marriage 425 00:32:51,280 –> 00:32:58,420 Now what her life will be if she marries this man what her life will be afterwards depends entirely 426 00:32:58,780 –> 00:33:00,780 on who he is 427 00:33:01,239 –> 00:33:03,300 I mean if he has racked up 428 00:33:04,239 –> 00:33:06,239 debts of his own 429 00:33:06,579 –> 00:33:12,219 Then combining these two in marriage is simply going to put this woman in a situation of even being more 430 00:33:12,459 –> 00:33:14,459 Indebted than she was in the first place 431 00:33:14,819 –> 00:33:21,819 And if this man brings all kinds of this function and baggage from his life 432 00:33:23,040 –> 00:33:26,060 into the marriage and dumps it on top of all of the 433 00:33:26,099 –> 00:33:32,020 Dysfunction and baggage that is already in her life, then this couple is really really gonna struggle 434 00:33:33,540 –> 00:33:36,719 But let’s suppose for a moment that this man is a king 435 00:33:38,060 –> 00:33:42,140 Let’s suppose that he is a good king and a noble king 436 00:33:43,619 –> 00:33:45,619 the moment 437 00:33:45,640 –> 00:33:48,479 That these two are married what happens? 438 00:33:49,699 –> 00:33:52,819 Well this woman’s debts great though, they are 439 00:33:53,880 –> 00:33:55,719 are sucked up 440 00:33:56,040 –> 00:34:00,000 Immediately into the vast weath of the royal treasury and paid off immediately 441 00:34:01,520 –> 00:34:03,520 just absorbed 442 00:34:04,439 –> 00:34:12,179 and what else happens to this destitute woman the moment she marries the king she becomes the 443 00:34:13,340 –> 00:34:18,479 Queen an entire change of identity. She is no longer a destitute woman 444 00:34:20,320 –> 00:34:23,719 She doesn’t have any royal blood in her 445 00:34:24,719 –> 00:34:26,899 She was not born to this 446 00:34:28,219 –> 00:34:35,939 But the moment she is married to the king all the privileges of royalty that go with him 447 00:34:36,379 –> 00:34:38,379 Come to her 448 00:34:40,219 –> 00:34:44,120 Now you may say at this point, but this really sounds like we’re into the realm of a fairy tale 449 00:34:44,139 –> 00:34:48,100 But you see why would any king be interested in a destitute woman? 450 00:34:49,340 –> 00:34:52,639 But you say this is the very point of the gospel 451 00:34:53,340 –> 00:34:56,080 That the Son of God has loved us 452 00:34:56,979 –> 00:34:59,159 weak and helpless sinners 453 00:35:00,439 –> 00:35:06,360 That he who was rich became poor so that we through his poverty might become rich and 454 00:35:07,060 –> 00:35:11,699 The greatest love that you can ever know is the love of Jesus Christ 455 00:35:12,100 –> 00:35:18,020 For you and any love that you have been blessed with or are blessed with now in this world is 456 00:35:18,300 –> 00:35:19,159 a 457 00:35:19,159 –> 00:35:24,199 Pointer a little taste a little sample of the immeasurable love 458 00:35:25,320 –> 00:35:29,060 That is in the heart of God through Jesus Christ for you 459 00:35:30,179 –> 00:35:32,120 so we’re looking here at 460 00:35:32,120 –> 00:35:35,219 Amazing gifts a person can’t receive even one thing 461 00:35:35,699 –> 00:35:41,620 Unless it’s given to him from heaven says John the Baptist and then he’s laying out for us all the things that are given 462 00:35:42,320 –> 00:35:49,060 The gift of purity that comes from Jesus Christ the gift of peace that comes from walking with him 463 00:35:49,159 –> 00:35:55,840 The gift of love that is found in union with him and then one more thing today, and that’s the gift of joy 464 00:35:56,919 –> 00:35:58,919 What gives a person joy? 465 00:35:58,959 –> 00:36:03,899 You notice how at the end of verse 29 John says there for this joy of mine 466 00:36:04,500 –> 00:36:06,500 Is now complete 467 00:36:08,919 –> 00:36:15,340 And this is remarkable because John doesn’t say this on the day of his biggest crowd 468 00:36:15,780 –> 00:36:20,239 The crowds that once came to John are a thing of the past 469 00:36:22,199 –> 00:36:24,199 And yet this man is 470 00:36:24,659 –> 00:36:26,659 completely at peace 471 00:36:28,159 –> 00:36:34,760 He is not disappointed. He’s not saying what’s happened to what I once enjoyed he’s not jealous 472 00:36:34,760 –> 00:36:37,919 He’s not resentful and he’s not afraid of the future either 473 00:36:38,060 –> 00:36:40,060 He says my joy is complete 474 00:36:40,860 –> 00:36:42,860 It’s marvelous 475 00:36:43,520 –> 00:36:47,540 You see he’s not riding on the adrenaline of his own success 476 00:36:50,479 –> 00:36:52,959 He’s finding his joy in Jesus Christ 477 00:36:54,340 –> 00:36:59,580 Friends, let me say this to you if your joy is in your own success 478 00:37:01,080 –> 00:37:03,080 There is 479 00:37:03,760 –> 00:37:05,760 Nothing more wonderful than 480 00:37:05,760 –> 00:37:07,760 your own success 481 00:37:07,760 –> 00:37:10,159 Your joy will never be complete 482 00:37:11,719 –> 00:37:16,040 Because there’ll always be someone else who’s more successful than you are you’ll always be chasing the wind 483 00:37:17,239 –> 00:37:22,600 If your joy is in your own success your joy will never be complete 484 00:37:23,439 –> 00:37:25,840 But John’s joy is in Jesus 485 00:37:27,399 –> 00:37:32,000 And he says this joy of mine is now complete 486 00:37:32,840 –> 00:37:33,439 a 487 00:37:33,439 –> 00:37:37,939 man by the name of Ronald Wallace has said this in a way that I’ve found so profoundly helpful 488 00:37:38,280 –> 00:37:42,159 He said this joy comes without being cultivated 489 00:37:42,959 –> 00:37:48,540 to those who allow themselves to become absorbed as John did in the glory and the wonder of 490 00:37:48,979 –> 00:37:50,360 the Christ 491 00:37:50,360 –> 00:37:55,219 And I love the way he puts these three words in there without being cultivated 492 00:37:55,800 –> 00:38:01,600 You see we live in a world where people are chasing after joy all the time. What’s gonna make me happy this year 493 00:38:01,639 –> 00:38:07,879 What’s the next thing that’s gonna bring me joy and we chase and chase and chase and chase after happiness 494 00:38:07,959 –> 00:38:12,120 And it’s easy to get the idea that we you know 495 00:38:13,000 –> 00:38:18,320 chasing around after the next thing is going to be the means by which we find joy and 496 00:38:19,719 –> 00:38:24,459 Here’s the reality you don’t get joy by chasing joy 497 00:38:25,120 –> 00:38:27,040 You really don’t 498 00:38:27,040 –> 00:38:30,840 You find joy by giving yourself to Jesus by becoming 499 00:38:31,340 –> 00:38:36,780 Absorbed Ronald Wallace says in the glory and the wonder of Jesus Christ my joys in Jesus and 500 00:38:38,239 –> 00:38:43,639 Because he has become the very center of my life and of my being my joy is in him 501 00:38:43,639 –> 00:38:48,679 It’s complete and no one can ever take away my joy 502 00:38:50,320 –> 00:38:53,239 So here we end today, what do you know in your life of 503 00:38:54,719 –> 00:38:56,320 purity 504 00:38:56,320 –> 00:38:57,840 peace 505 00:38:57,840 –> 00:38:59,840 love and joy 506 00:39:00,840 –> 00:39:02,840 You think you need more of these things 507 00:39:03,939 –> 00:39:10,179 these are marvelous gifts and they can be yours, but all of them are found in Jesus Christ who died and 508 00:39:10,679 –> 00:39:15,780 rose in order to procure them and now holds them in his hands and 509 00:39:16,300 –> 00:39:20,159 Offers them to us as we receive him 510 00:39:21,080 –> 00:39:27,199 The more, you know and love and worship and trust and serve Jesus Christ 511 00:39:27,199 –> 00:39:33,100 The more you are going to know of purity and peace and love and joy 512 00:39:34,459 –> 00:39:38,120 In your life. Let’s pray together 513 00:39:40,959 –> 00:39:47,699 Father we recognize the great needs that we have of purity and peace and love and joy in our lives and 514 00:39:49,320 –> 00:39:55,100 We thank you that your son, Jesus Christ came into the world so that these great gifts 515 00:39:56,080 –> 00:39:58,300 May be ours through him 516 00:40:00,659 –> 00:40:05,659 Granted this year knowing more of him and more of his great love for us 517 00:40:06,600 –> 00:40:14,020 we may grow in our knowledge and experience of these great gifts that come freely from your hand in Christ and 518 00:40:14,760 –> 00:40:16,919 These things we ask in the Savior’s name 519 00:40:18,159 –> 00:40:20,159 Amen

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Colin Smith

Trustee / Founder and Teaching Pastor

Colin Smith is the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He has authored a number of books, including Heaven, How I Got Here and Heaven, So Near – So Far. Colin is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible. Follow him on X formerly Twitter.

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Sermons on John’s Gospel You are asking about how you can seek after God. The good news is that God is seeking after you! In part 2 of this series through the Gospel of John, our aim is to Meet Jesus in John 3, 4, and 5.  You will discover who Jesus is—God and Saviour—

Colin Smith

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