He Wants You to Be Saved

John 5:30-47
Broadcast Featured Image

In this final sermon, Pastor Colin focuses on the end of the conversation between Jesus and His enemies, initiated by the healing of a man who had been infirm for 38 years by the pool of Bethesda. This act, performed on the Sabbath, had incited controversy and anger among Jesus’ opponents, who were then seeking to kill Him.

Pastor Colin underscores the remarkable nature of Jesus’ extended response to His enemies, comprising 28 uninterrupted verses. He highlights the divine restraint that must have allowed Jesus to speak these words without interruption from an otherwise hostile crowd.

As he sets the scene, he draws a parallel to someone in the listeners’ lives who might be antagonistic towards Jesus. He encourages them to think about how the hostility of others can sometimes spill over and affect their own experiences as Christians.

Pastor Colin then reminds the congregation of Jesus’ gracious words even towards His enemies, emphasising that Jesus’ purpose is to offer eternal life even to those who oppose Him. He cites an earlier sermon where Jesus described His unity with the Father, which is crucial for understanding the offer of eternal life.

In the second part of the sermon, Pastor Colin turns to the necessity of understanding the truth about oneself. He goes through a seven-fold diagnosis from Jesus on the human condition, pointing out that many people, including religious leaders, thought they knew God but did not genuinely know Him.

1 00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,200 Well, please open your bible at John and chapter 5 2 00:00:03,200 –> 00:00:10,120 This is the last of our eight weeks in this part of the scripture together. I have so enjoyed 3 00:00:10,460 –> 00:00:17,660 These weeks in John chapter 4 and John chapter 5 God willing we will come back to John’s gospel at some point 4 00:00:17,879 –> 00:00:19,260 next year 5 00:00:19,260 –> 00:00:25,740 Today we’re coming to the end of the conversation between Jesus and his enemies that was provoked 6 00:00:25,860 –> 00:00:29,000 by the healing of the man who had been lying for 7 00:00:29,040 –> 00:00:33,779 38 years beside the pool of Bethesda and the reason that this provoked 8 00:00:34,220 –> 00:00:39,020 controversy was that Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath and 9 00:00:39,459 –> 00:00:45,220 Verse 18 if you look back there tells us that the Lord was speaking 10 00:00:45,740 –> 00:00:51,020 After this event to those who were seeking all the more to kill him 11 00:00:51,020 –> 00:00:56,380 That’s verse 18 and verse 19 says Jesus said to them 12 00:00:57,419 –> 00:01:03,900 So what follows from verse 19 all the way down to verse 47 at the end of the chapter are? 13 00:01:04,300 –> 00:01:09,379 All the words that Jesus spoke to people who wanted to kill him 14 00:01:09,379 –> 00:01:14,680 and it’s important to keep that in mind as we listen to these remarkable and very 15 00:01:15,059 –> 00:01:17,339 Wonderful words of the Lord Jesus Christ 16 00:01:17,800 –> 00:01:20,739 28 verses and there isn’t a single 17 00:01:21,419 –> 00:01:25,940 Interruption from the folks who are listening to Jesus no questions. No 18 00:01:26,480 –> 00:01:32,699 Interjection, I think there must have been a divine restraint upon these enemies of Jesus that they listened to him without 19 00:01:33,019 –> 00:01:35,000 interrupting for 28 verses 20 00:01:35,000 –> 00:01:41,199 Especially in the light of the truth that he told them that we are going to look at together today 21 00:01:41,919 –> 00:01:44,820 So to get the scene picture Jesus 22 00:01:45,800 –> 00:01:52,879 Surrounded by a crowd of demonstrators, that’s probably the the best way for us to picture of it today that this is a hostile 23 00:01:53,339 –> 00:01:54,660 environment 24 00:01:54,660 –> 00:01:57,940 These are people who’ve taken a fence at Jesus 25 00:01:58,720 –> 00:02:02,099 They have it in for him. It’s not a friendly crowd 26 00:02:03,839 –> 00:02:09,520 So as we listen to these words of Jesus and we try and apply them to our own lives 27 00:02:10,160 –> 00:02:13,919 Think about the person in your life who is most 28 00:02:15,639 –> 00:02:18,059 antagonistic towards Jesus and 29 00:02:20,460 –> 00:02:24,360 Sometimes the hostility that that person has towards Jesus will overflow 30 00:02:25,520 –> 00:02:32,479 So on to you as a Christian so that you feel all the time. You’re sort of walking on eggshells with that person 31 00:02:33,679 –> 00:02:38,100 This is the person that Jesus is speaking to here 32 00:02:38,139 –> 00:02:40,139 Now we saw last week 33 00:02:40,820 –> 00:02:45,220 Jesus speaks with such wonderful grace to his enemies verse 24 34 00:02:45,500 –> 00:02:48,039 Truly truly I say to you you who want to kill me 35 00:02:48,940 –> 00:02:55,699 Whoever here’s my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment 36 00:02:55,699 –> 00:02:58,039 but has passed from death to life 37 00:02:59,360 –> 00:03:02,300 Every word that Jesus speaks here is so that 38 00:03:03,220 –> 00:03:06,639 Even his enemies may enter into 39 00:03:07,360 –> 00:03:09,380 Eternal life and 40 00:03:09,839 –> 00:03:16,220 So what does Jesus say so that people who are far from God and very hostile to him will come into eternal life? 41 00:03:16,220 –> 00:03:18,220 There are two things 42 00:03:18,220 –> 00:03:21,479 The first and we looked at this last week is that Jesus speaks about himself 43 00:03:21,580 –> 00:03:28,339 If you’re going to come into eternal life you have to know who Jesus is and that’s why we looked last week at that 44 00:03:28,839 –> 00:03:30,399 marvelous 45 00:03:30,820 –> 00:03:33,779 Seven-fold description of Jesus 46 00:03:33,779 –> 00:03:39,160 he tells us that he is one with the Father in work and will and love and an 47 00:03:39,320 –> 00:03:43,360 Authority and trust and honor and he’s one with the Father in life 48 00:03:43,360 –> 00:03:46,619 So he’s speaking all about himself if you’re to have eternal life 49 00:03:46,619 –> 00:03:51,360 And that’s what I want for you. Jesus is saying then you need to know who I am. I’m one with the Father 50 00:03:52,639 –> 00:03:55,779 Then the second thing is if you’re to have eternal life 51 00:03:56,779 –> 00:03:59,919 You really need to come to terms with the truth about yourself 52 00:03:59,919 –> 00:04:01,919 These are always the two things aren’t they? 53 00:04:02,139 –> 00:04:08,839 To know who God is and to know who you really are and that’s what’s addressed in the second part of the words of Jesus 54 00:04:08,979 –> 00:04:10,979 That we’re looking at today 55 00:04:12,080 –> 00:04:17,119 now when Jesus speaks to a crowd of people who want to kill him and 56 00:04:17,980 –> 00:04:20,239 Tells them the truth about themselves 57 00:04:21,140 –> 00:04:24,220 You can understand that this truth is not pretty 58 00:04:24,619 –> 00:04:29,420 It is not easy to hear and it must have taken immense courage 59 00:04:30,739 –> 00:04:37,399 For our Lord Jesus Christ to speak to people who hated him in the direct way that he did 60 00:04:37,760 –> 00:04:40,279 In these verses that are before us today 61 00:04:41,200 –> 00:04:44,559 But Jesus is full of grace and truth 62 00:04:44,559 –> 00:04:49,640 He speaks the truth and he does so because he is full of grace 63 00:04:49,760 –> 00:04:54,519 I want you to notice verse 34 where Jesus says I say these things 64 00:04:55,700 –> 00:04:57,700 So that you may be saved 65 00:04:59,140 –> 00:05:04,140 Everything that Jesus Christ says that we’re going to look at today is with this one purpose in view 66 00:05:04,420 –> 00:05:12,459 That people who may be far from him will actually in the end be saved and this is worth 67 00:05:13,140 –> 00:05:17,600 Remembering when Jesus Christ says the hardest things to you 68 00:05:18,359 –> 00:05:23,119 It is because he seeks the best things for you and 69 00:05:24,299 –> 00:05:27,359 there will be times when you come to something in the Bible and 70 00:05:28,079 –> 00:05:30,079 You say that’s really hard 71 00:05:31,239 –> 00:05:33,019 Always remember this 72 00:05:33,019 –> 00:05:41,100 When Jesus Christ says the hardest things to you, it is because he seeks the best things for you 73 00:05:41,100 –> 00:05:44,540 I see these things so that you will be 74 00:05:44,559 –> 00:05:46,559 Be saved 75 00:05:48,019 –> 00:05:49,540 Now 76 00:05:49,540 –> 00:05:53,239 Before we get into what Jesus actually says here 77 00:05:53,239 –> 00:05:59,179 I want to say one more thing by way of introduction that I think will help us to connect with 78 00:05:59,480 –> 00:06:07,019 These words of Jesus and I want you to notice verse 35 where we’re told about John the Baptist and Jesus 79 00:06:07,019 –> 00:06:08,739 Says about him 80 00:06:08,739 –> 00:06:09,940 he 81 00:06:09,940 –> 00:06:11,940 was a burning and 82 00:06:12,200 –> 00:06:14,200 shining lamp 83 00:06:15,480 –> 00:06:18,779 You that is the people who now want to kill Jesus 84 00:06:20,059 –> 00:06:21,500 you 85 00:06:21,500 –> 00:06:25,220 We’re willing to rejoice for a while in 86 00:06:26,000 –> 00:06:27,059 his 87 00:06:27,059 –> 00:06:29,600 light that is an extraordinary statement 88 00:06:31,399 –> 00:06:37,720 See John, the Baptist was the forerunner of Jesus he was the one who pointed to Jesus prepared the way for Jesus 89 00:06:37,720 –> 00:06:43,119 He’s the one who pointing to Jesus said behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world 90 00:06:43,119 –> 00:06:49,579 This is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit and Jesus says to these people who now want to kill him 91 00:06:50,339 –> 00:06:52,339 There once was a time 92 00:06:52,899 –> 00:06:55,859 When you enjoyed the light of John the Baptist 93 00:06:56,500 –> 00:07:03,679 Ministry and he was pointing to me. You even had joy in his ministry at one time in your life 94 00:07:05,899 –> 00:07:10,160 So here are people now who are hardened towards Jesus 95 00:07:10,700 –> 00:07:13,779 resistant towards Jesus but 96 00:07:14,660 –> 00:07:16,660 at one time 97 00:07:16,959 –> 00:07:19,339 They had joy in the truth 98 00:07:19,980 –> 00:07:25,200 They were open to the truth one time. They had been responsive to the truth 99 00:07:25,220 –> 00:07:30,899 But now that angry with Jesus now they’ve taken a fence at Jesus now, they’re hostile towards 100 00:07:31,420 –> 00:07:37,420 Jesus and they’re ready to be done with him that tells us something very important it is possible 101 00:07:37,920 –> 00:07:43,880 for a person to lose the light and joy that they once had and 102 00:07:44,459 –> 00:07:46,899 Our Lord makes this very clear later in John’s Gospel 103 00:07:47,980 –> 00:07:52,579 The lights will be among you for just a little while longer walk 104 00:07:52,579 –> 00:07:58,980 While you have the light lest darkness overtake you that’s surely what had happened to these people 105 00:08:00,100 –> 00:08:05,200 they once had rejoiced in John’s Light, but darkness now has overtaken them and 106 00:08:05,720 –> 00:08:09,660 and Jesus comes to these people who once had joy now are in darkness and 107 00:08:10,920 –> 00:08:14,700 He says I’m saying these things because I want you 108 00:08:15,779 –> 00:08:17,779 to be saved 109 00:08:18,839 –> 00:08:22,160 So here is a message that is of special relevance 110 00:08:23,899 –> 00:08:29,579 To people who once had joy once had light, but do so no longer 111 00:08:29,660 –> 00:08:31,660 perhaps 112 00:08:31,959 –> 00:08:33,260 you 113 00:08:33,260 –> 00:08:34,280 once 114 00:08:34,280 –> 00:08:40,460 Walked with the Lord and had joy in the Lord and but today. You’re in a different place in 115 00:08:41,739 –> 00:08:49,400 some way something that Jesus has allowed in your life has caused you to take offense at him and 116 00:08:50,359 –> 00:08:57,880 No, your posture towards him is not one of joy and praise and thanksgiving, but one that is really very resistant very hard 117 00:08:58,840 –> 00:09:00,840 Indeed 118 00:09:00,859 –> 00:09:06,539 The first thing to say then as I want you to know the great love that the Savior has for you 119 00:09:07,440 –> 00:09:09,440 He wants you to be saved 120 00:09:10,659 –> 00:09:14,559 He wants to bring you out of that awful place of 121 00:09:15,039 –> 00:09:19,539 resistance to a Savior where the judgment of God would be ahead of you and 122 00:09:19,799 –> 00:09:23,599 bring you into the marvelous place where it’s behind you and 123 00:09:24,239 –> 00:09:27,380 He speaks the truth to you 124 00:09:28,239 –> 00:09:30,919 because he loves you and 125 00:09:31,840 –> 00:09:33,859 The truth may not be easy to hear 126 00:09:35,179 –> 00:09:39,799 But it is the truth as Jesus tells us that sets us free 127 00:09:41,299 –> 00:09:43,679 Now last time we saw a sevenfold 128 00:09:45,039 –> 00:09:52,200 Description of who Jesus is in his oneness of the Father same pattern today, but here we’re going to look at a seven-fold 129 00:09:52,419 –> 00:09:57,919 Diagnosis of the human condition as Jesus lays it out here. If you just look through the passage 130 00:09:57,919 –> 00:10:04,260 You’ll see again and again. Jesus is speaking in the early verses about I I I and the father 131 00:10:05,359 –> 00:10:11,599 but here in these later versus Jesus is speaking about you you you we got to know who Jesus is and we got to know 132 00:10:11,599 –> 00:10:13,599 who we are 133 00:10:13,919 –> 00:10:18,619 So the main part of the message here today is to face the truth about yourself 134 00:10:18,659 –> 00:10:26,280 Yourself and here’s the seven fold truth that Jesus points out to these people who are hostile towards him 135 00:10:26,460 –> 00:10:27,840 number one 136 00:10:27,840 –> 00:10:30,739 Verse 37. You do not know God 137 00:10:31,260 –> 00:10:33,260 You do not know God 138 00:10:33,700 –> 00:10:41,599 The Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me his voice. You have never heard and 139 00:10:42,460 –> 00:10:45,659 His form you have never seen 140 00:10:45,659 –> 00:10:47,659 Wow 141 00:10:49,239 –> 00:10:54,979 That must have been really hard for these people to hear, I mean these include 142 00:10:55,940 –> 00:10:59,140 religious leaders who conduct worship 143 00:11:00,119 –> 00:11:02,119 people who come to worship 144 00:11:02,760 –> 00:11:08,780 People who are actively involved in one kind of ministry on another Jesus says you do not know God 145 00:11:09,380 –> 00:11:11,380 You don’t know him 146 00:11:12,099 –> 00:11:14,099 Everybody thinks that you know God 147 00:11:15,059 –> 00:11:17,140 You speak as if you know God 148 00:11:18,700 –> 00:11:20,700 But the truth is you don’t know God 149 00:11:22,340 –> 00:11:29,179 And I won’t suggest to you you know here is where you need to begin in facing the truth about yourself 150 00:11:30,840 –> 00:11:32,840 It really is 151 00:11:33,219 –> 00:11:34,500 possible 152 00:11:34,500 –> 00:11:38,460 To call yourself a Christian when in truth 153 00:11:39,619 –> 00:11:42,520 You really don’t know God 154 00:11:43,520 –> 00:11:51,380 It’s possible to get involved in all kinds of Christian activity and church work and all the rest of it when in 155 00:11:51,780 –> 00:11:58,679 Reality the truth that you may be reluctant to admit is that you really don’t know God 156 00:12:00,080 –> 00:12:02,659 now Jesus wants you to be saved and 157 00:12:03,799 –> 00:12:10,500 Where is that transformation going to take place? It’s going to begin here. You got to stop claiming 158 00:12:10,500 –> 00:12:18,799 What’s not actually true and face up to the reality that you’re actually at this time far from God 159 00:12:19,539 –> 00:12:24,200 Far from God and that if you were left to yourself you’d never get back to him 160 00:12:25,260 –> 00:12:27,859 And you wouldn’t have any hope of finding 161 00:12:28,940 –> 00:12:31,840 his voice you have never heard and 162 00:12:32,500 –> 00:12:35,320 His form you have never seen 163 00:12:36,320 –> 00:12:42,179 Second Jesus says to these people God’s truth isn’t in you look at verse 38 164 00:12:43,200 –> 00:12:45,380 You do not have his word 165 00:12:46,119 –> 00:12:48,119 abiding in you 166 00:12:49,219 –> 00:12:53,900 Now again these leaders had the Old Testament Scriptures they had the Word of God 167 00:12:53,900 –> 00:12:57,039 They were expert in it, and they could argue about it all day 168 00:12:57,919 –> 00:13:00,359 they were very familiar with the Bible and 169 00:13:00,940 –> 00:13:07,140 So to translate that to our setting here today, you have to think about a person who’s been in church 170 00:13:08,119 –> 00:13:13,159 But not just any church a person who’s been in a church where the Bible is taught 171 00:13:15,119 –> 00:13:17,400 Here’s a person who has heard the truth 172 00:13:18,340 –> 00:13:22,679 They have listened to many many sermons they are in Bible study of one sort or another 173 00:13:24,140 –> 00:13:29,260 But here’s the reality the word of God doesn’t abide in them 174 00:13:30,140 –> 00:13:34,580 at what happens when the Word of God comes to their life is a little bit like a 175 00:13:34,820 –> 00:13:41,119 Billiard ball, you know that just hits and shoots off in another direction the Word of God touches your life 176 00:13:41,799 –> 00:13:48,440 But it doesn’t make an impression on your life. It doesn’t stay in your life. It doesn’t remain it doesn’t abide 177 00:13:50,659 –> 00:13:55,460 Number three you do not believe you do not believe 178 00:13:55,460 –> 00:13:57,460 You do not believe 179 00:13:57,760 –> 00:14:02,760 Verse 38 you do not have his word-abiding in you 180 00:14:04,440 –> 00:14:12,200 For now, that’s very interesting. Now, we’re being told why God’s Word doesn’t abide in you here. We’re getting the reason the because 181 00:14:13,919 –> 00:14:16,619 Why is it that when some people 182 00:14:17,380 –> 00:14:20,679 receive the word of God they just flourish and 183 00:14:20,880 –> 00:14:28,280 And other people receiving the same ministry of the Word of God never seemed to make any progress. Why is that? What’s the difference? 184 00:14:30,119 –> 00:14:35,679 Well, that’s exactly what Jesus is telling us here look you do not have his Word abiding in you 185 00:14:35,679 –> 00:14:41,580 It doesn’t remain it doesn’t have a changing effect. Why because for you do not believe 186 00:14:43,280 –> 00:14:45,280 The one whom he is sent 187 00:14:45,760 –> 00:14:47,280 So 188 00:14:47,280 –> 00:14:51,539 Jesus is saying at Root. Whatever is said on the outside 189 00:14:53,440 –> 00:15:00,059 When there’s not a disposition of hearts that draws near to Jesus and seeks to be fed by 190 00:15:00,659 –> 00:15:03,880 Jesus and receives from Jesus then 191 00:15:04,400 –> 00:15:08,419 what happens is that the words comes and it just has a 192 00:15:08,739 –> 00:15:13,520 Clicking kind of billiard ball sort of an affect no lasting impression 193 00:15:13,580 –> 00:15:19,359 But turn that on its head and see the possibility here if you start believing in Jesus 194 00:15:20,239 –> 00:15:25,380 If you were to come to a place today of saying I need to be fed by Jesus 195 00:15:25,559 –> 00:15:28,760 I need to put my trust in Jesus 196 00:15:28,760 –> 00:15:32,840 I need to be believing these promises as opposed to merely hearing them 197 00:15:32,840 –> 00:15:37,739 I need to be absorbing the word of God by looking to the Savior 198 00:15:37,760 –> 00:15:41,400 Then you would find that the Word of God would penetrate your life 199 00:15:41,440 –> 00:15:45,520 It wouldn’t be like the billiard ball. It would come into you. It would remain in you 200 00:15:45,520 –> 00:15:49,159 It would abide in you and it would begin to change your life. You see 201 00:15:50,599 –> 00:15:52,520 number four 202 00:15:52,520 –> 00:15:59,140 Jesus says to these people, you are unwilling to come unwilling to come to Jesus verse 39 203 00:15:59,739 –> 00:16:01,739 You search the Scriptures 204 00:16:02,239 –> 00:16:09,859 because you think that in them you have eternal life and it is they that bear witness about me yet 205 00:16:10,859 –> 00:16:17,900 You refuse to come to me that you may have life 206 00:16:20,059 –> 00:16:23,400 Now you see what Jesus is saying to these people you once had light 207 00:16:24,979 –> 00:16:29,679 You once had joy for a while in the ministry of John the Baptist 208 00:16:31,419 –> 00:16:37,840 But you don’t have that now you’ve lost the light that you had you’ve lost the joy that you had and here’s why you are 209 00:16:38,219 –> 00:16:40,760 Steadfastly resisting drawing near to me 210 00:16:41,559 –> 00:16:44,880 your posture towards me is one of resistance and 211 00:16:45,479 –> 00:16:48,119 It’s a very determined resistance 212 00:16:50,679 –> 00:16:52,679 What was it that 213 00:16:53,080 –> 00:16:55,080 Kept them from coming 214 00:16:55,739 –> 00:17:00,380 To Jesus when once they had seen so open in the time of John the Baptist 215 00:17:01,679 –> 00:17:03,520 well 216 00:17:03,520 –> 00:17:06,900 There was one issue that offended them and they got stuck on it 217 00:17:08,079 –> 00:17:11,260 The issue that offended them was the issue of the Sabbath 218 00:17:11,260 –> 00:17:14,680 We might say why would you lose all the joy that could be yours? 219 00:17:14,880 –> 00:17:19,260 Because you’ve got hung up on offense over the Sabbath 220 00:17:20,979 –> 00:17:24,239 But you know, isn’t that exactly how it is in our own lives 221 00:17:26,959 –> 00:17:33,660 Christ allows something to happen in our lives that is painful for us and defends us we take a fence 222 00:17:34,500 –> 00:17:41,599 And we get hung up on that thing, and we steadfastly resist. We refuse to draw near to the Savior 223 00:17:42,339 –> 00:17:44,339 light goes 224 00:17:44,420 –> 00:17:46,420 and joy diminishes 225 00:17:47,699 –> 00:17:51,140 And Jesus says that’s the reality of your experience. 226 00:17:52,500 –> 00:17:55,760 I want you to know that this can happen to the best of God’s servants 227 00:17:56,020 –> 00:18:02,839 And that of course is why Jesus is speaking these words here and another way in which they apply to us 228 00:18:04,140 –> 00:18:06,500 You remember John the Baptist himself now? 229 00:18:07,140 –> 00:18:09,140 Jesus refers to him here 230 00:18:09,420 –> 00:18:17,020 He had the most marvelous ministry. In fact, Jesus said on one occasion that there was none greater 231 00:18:18,239 –> 00:18:25,359 None greater. It never had been a greater ministry apart from the ministry of our Lord than the ministry of John the Baptist 232 00:18:26,099 –> 00:18:28,280 But you remember that at one point 233 00:18:28,979 –> 00:18:30,979 After all his faithfulness 234 00:18:31,819 –> 00:18:36,819 Something really hard happened in John the Baptist’s life 235 00:18:37,939 –> 00:18:39,939 He was put in prison 236 00:18:40,060 –> 00:18:41,420 and 237 00:18:41,420 –> 00:18:44,819 When he was in prison, he began to have doubts 238 00:18:45,900 –> 00:18:51,400 about the Christ that he had so marvelously proclaimed to other people and 239 00:18:52,099 –> 00:18:54,979 You can read the story in Matthew in Chapter 11 240 00:18:54,979 –> 00:18:56,319 It’s a very significant 241 00:18:56,400 –> 00:19:01,180 Story because here’s the person who Jesus says there’s nobody has ever had a greater ministry 242 00:19:01,599 –> 00:19:05,599 Than John the Baptist and this man ends up having doubts having proclaimed 243 00:19:06,400 –> 00:19:09,199 Jesus so magnificently to other people and 244 00:19:09,959 –> 00:19:13,119 so he sends from prison a messenger to Jesus and 245 00:19:13,839 –> 00:19:15,839 The question is this 246 00:19:15,900 –> 00:19:20,439 are you the one that was to come or are we to seek someone else and 247 00:19:22,180 –> 00:19:24,180 Jesus sent back this message he 248 00:19:24,880 –> 00:19:31,459 Accounted the miracles that were taking place signs that he is indeed the Messiah, but then the most important thing he said is this 249 00:19:32,760 –> 00:19:35,939 John blessed is the one 250 00:19:37,199 –> 00:19:39,500 Who is not offended 251 00:19:40,339 –> 00:19:42,339 by me 252 00:19:42,380 –> 00:19:44,459 Blessed is the one who is not 253 00:19:45,199 –> 00:19:47,079 offended 254 00:19:47,079 –> 00:19:48,900 by me 255 00:19:48,900 –> 00:19:50,160 if 256 00:19:50,160 –> 00:19:53,000 You take offense at 257 00:19:53,619 –> 00:19:55,439 Jesus Christ 258 00:19:55,439 –> 00:20:00,640 You lose the light and you lose the joy that you had and 259 00:20:01,520 –> 00:20:05,959 There is no more miserable place to be in life 260 00:20:07,280 –> 00:20:13,619 Than to be holding out on a grievance against the Savior who loves you 261 00:20:14,760 –> 00:20:17,819 what happens is it just shuts out the light and 262 00:20:18,300 –> 00:20:20,439 it shuts out the joy and 263 00:20:21,439 –> 00:20:27,699 Jesus is speaking to the core issue right here in these words that are before us in John’s gospel 264 00:20:27,699 –> 00:20:29,959 He said now look here’s what’s happening. You’re 265 00:20:30,719 –> 00:20:32,339 refusing to come to me 266 00:20:32,339 –> 00:20:37,719 And then notice what he says next. He said you’re refusing to come to me that you may have life 267 00:20:39,599 –> 00:20:41,500 Here’s Jesus reaching out to look 268 00:20:41,500 –> 00:20:47,800 There’s a joy that you could have there’s a peace that you could have there’s a strength that you could have you could be enjoying 269 00:20:47,800 –> 00:20:48,920 it now 270 00:20:48,920 –> 00:20:51,640 even in the difficulties that you may face 271 00:20:52,619 –> 00:20:55,199 But because you have set yourself with this 272 00:20:55,719 –> 00:21:01,260 Refusal to draw near to me though you once had joy in me you don’t have it 273 00:21:01,260 –> 00:21:03,719 You don’t have it now, and it’s to your own great loss 274 00:21:05,199 –> 00:21:08,560 Number five you do not love God 275 00:21:10,079 –> 00:21:12,079 Verse 42 I know 276 00:21:13,479 –> 00:21:16,359 That you do not have the love of God 277 00:21:17,880 –> 00:21:20,640 Within you. Why is your heart so hard? 278 00:21:22,099 –> 00:21:24,099 Well here’s the reason Jesus says 279 00:21:25,400 –> 00:21:30,959 And you may congratulate yourself on all the good that you’ve done and all the good that you may still do 280 00:21:30,959 –> 00:21:36,459 But here’s the thing says Jesus. You don’t have the first thing that God requires of you 281 00:21:36,459 –> 00:21:40,979 You don’t have that love for God in your heart. It’s not that and you know it 282 00:21:41,900 –> 00:21:43,479 number six 283 00:21:43,479 –> 00:21:45,479 You seek the wrong kind of glory 284 00:21:46,339 –> 00:21:49,420 Verse 44 how can you believe? 285 00:21:50,280 –> 00:21:57,479 When you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only 286 00:21:58,300 –> 00:21:59,880 God 287 00:21:59,880 –> 00:22:02,579 You receive glory from one another Jesus says 288 00:22:03,400 –> 00:22:08,979 In other words what really matters to you is what other people think about you 289 00:22:09,619 –> 00:22:16,280 The great thing that’s down at the bottom of the motivation of your life is to do with the 290 00:22:16,699 –> 00:22:21,119 Impression that others have of you and the impression that you make on them 291 00:22:21,140 –> 00:22:27,239 You are looking Jesus is saying for you’re well done in the wrong place 292 00:22:28,699 –> 00:22:36,000 You’re not looking to God for your well done. You’re looking to other people for your well done and that’s 293 00:22:36,000 –> 00:22:43,979 Pushing you all the time to go with the flow of the culture that’s around you 294 00:22:44,599 –> 00:22:47,180 and how can you believe? 295 00:22:47,420 –> 00:22:51,020 If that’s what really matters most to you 296 00:22:51,579 –> 00:22:58,380 Now I want you to notice the emotion of Jesus at this point in verse 44. It’s very very striking 297 00:22:59,380 –> 00:23:03,140 I don’t even know what word to put on it, but 298 00:23:03,780 –> 00:23:05,719 How can you believe? 299 00:23:07,420 –> 00:23:09,420 Our Savior said that 300 00:23:11,040 –> 00:23:16,439 Now we all love the stories, don’t we where Jesus 301 00:23:17,540 –> 00:23:22,400 models how to reach lost people. I mean his 302 00:23:23,079 –> 00:23:27,579 masterful leading of nicodemus who comes to him at night and then 303 00:23:27,739 –> 00:23:33,319 Eventually comes to faith and the Lord Jesus Christ and all that we can learn from how Jesus reached Nicodemus 304 00:23:33,500 –> 00:23:35,959 the winsome winning of 305 00:23:36,439 –> 00:23:38,319 the woman at the well 306 00:23:38,319 –> 00:23:43,420 That we looked at just a few weeks ago and the masterful way in which the Lord Jesus 307 00:23:43,719 –> 00:23:47,719 Connected with this lady and drew her speaking first to her thirst 308 00:23:47,719 –> 00:23:54,000 And then drawing her through a knowledge of her own sins into all that it means to trust him as the Redeemer 309 00:23:54,319 –> 00:23:56,719 What a marvelous story and we say boy 310 00:23:56,719 –> 00:24:03,540 We want to be able to do evangelism like that everything that we can learn from Jesus. And of course so we should but I 311 00:24:04,880 –> 00:24:06,880 Want you to see from this passage 312 00:24:08,280 –> 00:24:10,280 That there were some people 313 00:24:11,020 –> 00:24:18,500 Who were not one to faith even by the sustained witness of the Son of God himself 314 00:24:21,680 –> 00:24:23,680 28 verses uninterrupted 315 00:24:24,339 –> 00:24:26,260 Do you 316 00:24:26,260 –> 00:24:28,260 How can you believe 317 00:24:30,160 –> 00:24:31,859 Now 318 00:24:31,859 –> 00:24:37,180 you may have a loved one who is far from God and 319 00:24:38,239 –> 00:24:40,239 whose heart is hard and 320 00:24:41,839 –> 00:24:45,780 You will probably find yourself thinking I know this in my own life 321 00:24:46,459 –> 00:24:48,359 If 322 00:24:48,959 –> 00:24:55,199 If only I could find the right words to say that would break through her or his hardness of heart 323 00:24:56,439 –> 00:24:58,439 and then you say 324 00:24:58,439 –> 00:25:00,839 Maybe if he just read this book 325 00:25:01,599 –> 00:25:02,859 or 326 00:25:02,859 –> 00:25:07,760 if only she would just listen to that sermon and 327 00:25:09,079 –> 00:25:12,540 We have this sense that there must be a silver bullet somewhere 328 00:25:13,599 –> 00:25:15,599 That’s going to get through 329 00:25:16,260 –> 00:25:21,880 The hardness of heart of a person that you dearly 330 00:25:22,479 –> 00:25:24,479 love 331 00:25:24,640 –> 00:25:29,160 But your experience and it’s exasperating to you is 332 00:25:30,199 –> 00:25:33,599 With all your prayers and with all your best efforts 333 00:25:34,719 –> 00:25:38,780 Nothing that you say seems to get through to them 334 00:25:39,699 –> 00:25:42,599 And of course you say what am I doing wrong? 335 00:25:42,599 –> 00:25:44,599 Well 336 00:25:44,839 –> 00:25:46,959 When you’re in that position that 337 00:25:47,400 –> 00:25:54,859 Nothing, you say or do gets through to them. I want you to remember this the Son of God Himself has been there 338 00:25:55,800 –> 00:25:57,020 and 339 00:25:57,020 –> 00:25:59,020 You can therefore say to him 340 00:26:00,680 –> 00:26:04,599 Jesus you know what this is like for me 341 00:26:04,599 –> 00:26:11,280 You know how painful it is to love someone with a really hard heart 342 00:26:13,040 –> 00:26:15,800 You’ve been there in your perfect life 343 00:26:17,560 –> 00:26:24,520 Now please help me while I am here in my very imperfect life 344 00:26:26,459 –> 00:26:27,939 Number seven 345 00:26:27,939 –> 00:26:34,079 Your hope is misplaced your hope is misplaced that last of the seven things that Jesus says to them 346 00:26:34,599 –> 00:26:38,119 Do not think that I will accuse you before the father 347 00:26:38,959 –> 00:26:41,079 There is one who accuses you 348 00:26:42,160 –> 00:26:44,160 Moses on 349 00:26:44,780 –> 00:26:48,020 Whom you have set your hope 350 00:26:50,979 –> 00:26:55,900 In other words here were people who had set their hope on their own virtue 351 00:26:56,959 –> 00:27:00,880 Their hope was that they would live a life good enough for God a phrase that is often 352 00:27:01,000 –> 00:27:06,219 Repeated by many people today and Jesus is saying that hope is misplaced if your hope is 353 00:27:07,020 –> 00:27:12,459 That you will measure up to the commandments of Moses and live a life that is good enough for God that hope is misplaced 354 00:27:12,939 –> 00:27:15,500 That’s what Jesus is saying here 355 00:27:17,060 –> 00:27:18,880 Remember the successful man 356 00:27:18,880 –> 00:27:21,040 we know him as the rich young ruler who came to 357 00:27:21,479 –> 00:27:22,439 Jesus and 358 00:27:22,439 –> 00:27:25,099 Asked now what do I have to do to get eternal life? 359 00:27:25,459 –> 00:27:31,579 Which of course is the subject here as we saw and Jesus recites the commandments and the man says I’ve kept all of these since 360 00:27:31,579 –> 00:27:36,739 I was young and by the time Jesus was finished the conversation the man who thought he’d kept all of them 361 00:27:36,819 –> 00:27:41,099 Surely must have seen clearly the Arianen kept any of them in fact. He hadn’t kept the first 362 00:27:41,719 –> 00:27:44,500 to have no other gods before the Lord because 363 00:27:45,339 –> 00:27:50,760 The God of his life was himself. It was all about himself. That was why he couldn’t part with what mattered to him 364 00:27:51,760 –> 00:27:53,800 And wouldn’t become a follower of Jesus 365 00:27:54,579 –> 00:28:01,099 So now let’s let’s put together what Jesus is saying here to these people whose hearts are heart 366 00:28:01,540 –> 00:28:04,400 You once had light you once had joy 367 00:28:06,060 –> 00:28:11,839 But you have lost the light and you have lost the joy that you had 368 00:28:12,640 –> 00:28:14,380 and 369 00:28:14,380 –> 00:28:16,859 Here’s what he says to them now. Here’s where you are now 370 00:28:17,540 –> 00:28:20,900 You don’t know God the truth is not in you 371 00:28:21,140 –> 00:28:26,219 You don’t believe you don’t have a desire to come to Jesus you don’t love God 372 00:28:26,500 –> 00:28:30,900 You’re seeking the wrong kind of glory and your hope for the future is utterly 373 00:28:31,500 –> 00:28:37,660 Misplaced and I see this so that you will be saved 374 00:28:38,739 –> 00:28:40,739 that’s what he says is 375 00:28:41,420 –> 00:28:42,979 he I 376 00:28:42,979 –> 00:28:47,199 Say this so that you will be saved in other words. I’m seeing this 377 00:28:47,260 –> 00:28:51,260 Because I want you to know God 378 00:28:52,619 –> 00:28:59,359 I’m seeing this because I want the truth to abide in you and to make a difference in your life. I 379 00:29:00,439 –> 00:29:05,239 Say this because I want you to believe and to come to me Jesus is saying I 380 00:29:05,920 –> 00:29:09,900 Say this because I want you to have the love of God in your heart 381 00:29:09,939 –> 00:29:14,780 I say this because I want you to seek the glory that will never never pass away 382 00:29:14,780 –> 00:29:20,500 And I say this because I want you to have a real hope that is rock-solid and will never ever fail 383 00:29:21,060 –> 00:29:23,060 I’m saying this so that you’ll be saved 384 00:29:25,500 –> 00:29:30,839 Only a Savior who loves would say that to people who hate him 385 00:29:33,099 –> 00:29:38,579 When they took offense at him Jesus could he’ve easily have walked away and ignored them and 386 00:29:39,239 –> 00:29:41,239 Then there would be no hope at all with there 387 00:29:42,939 –> 00:29:44,880 But Jesus 388 00:29:44,880 –> 00:29:51,199 speaks to them and that’s why there was hope for them right there in John 5 as these hardened people are listening to the words 389 00:29:51,199 –> 00:29:57,400 Of Jesus and that’s why there’s hope for every one of us here today because the words of Jesus are coming to us from the gospel 390 00:29:58,219 –> 00:29:59,479 and 391 00:29:59,479 –> 00:30:03,319 He speaks these words so that we may be saved so that 392 00:30:04,000 –> 00:30:06,420 hardness of heart may not be the end of us 393 00:30:06,800 –> 00:30:08,500 Losing 394 00:30:08,500 –> 00:30:10,500 Light and losing joy 395 00:30:11,219 –> 00:30:13,219 It’s why I say these things 396 00:30:14,239 –> 00:30:15,699 So 397 00:30:15,699 –> 00:30:22,160 Face the truth about yourself. That’s clearly the message of these remarkable verses in which Jesus so directly 398 00:30:22,939 –> 00:30:28,219 Speaks and speaks with grace seeking the good of those who seek him harm 399 00:30:29,280 –> 00:30:35,660 Face the truth about yourself. But you say well now ok I get it. I see where I’m at what now am I to do? 400 00:30:36,420 –> 00:30:41,260 And I want just very briefly to point out one more thing having face the truth about yourself 401 00:30:41,699 –> 00:30:46,239 You find the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ 402 00:30:47,280 –> 00:30:51,420 It’d be very easy for a pastor at this point to say what’s the end of the sermon? 403 00:30:51,420 –> 00:30:54,540 Well, it’s repent and believe and actually that would be true and appropriate 404 00:30:55,979 –> 00:31:01,479 But it’s actually not the words that Jesus uses here. So let’s go where Jesus goes here 405 00:31:02,260 –> 00:31:08,819 Where Jesus goes here in terms of what it means for them to move forward is all about 406 00:31:09,479 –> 00:31:13,020 The scriptures he keeps coming back to the scriptures 407 00:31:13,719 –> 00:31:21,180 Here’s how you’re gonna find your way out of hardness of heart. It’s the scriptures. It’s this good. He keeps coming back to that 408 00:31:22,420 –> 00:31:24,880 Now just notice what he says here very briefly 409 00:31:25,119 –> 00:31:30,040 The first don’t miss this how Jesus declares very clearly in these verses that 410 00:31:30,500 –> 00:31:34,800 God has spoken in the scripture. Notice verse 38 411 00:31:36,140 –> 00:31:38,380 You do not have his 412 00:31:39,060 –> 00:31:40,839 Word 413 00:31:40,839 –> 00:31:45,979 Abiding in you now. He’s referring to the Old Testament scriptures. So what is Jesus? 414 00:31:47,380 –> 00:31:49,660 definition off the scripture 415 00:31:50,280 –> 00:31:56,699 What is Jesus understanding of the scripture it is God’s Word 416 00:31:58,439 –> 00:32:00,439 That’s Jesus doctrine of Scripture 417 00:32:01,260 –> 00:32:02,739 His 418 00:32:02,739 –> 00:32:08,479 Word not the word of Moses and Isaiah not the word of man about God 419 00:32:08,640 –> 00:32:14,140 but God’s word speaking to us God’s word coming out of the 420 00:32:14,760 –> 00:32:18,699 Father’s own mouth that’s so beautifully stated in 421 00:32:19,339 –> 00:32:24,339 Second Timothy in chapter 3 and verse 16. It’s God breathed its his Word 422 00:32:26,359 –> 00:32:28,479 That’s Jesus doctrine of 423 00:32:29,660 –> 00:32:31,420 Scripture and 424 00:32:31,420 –> 00:32:36,500 Of course this then is how you come to know God. He’s just been saying you don’t know God 425 00:32:36,500 –> 00:32:38,699 How would you come to know God well his word? 426 00:32:39,579 –> 00:32:46,420 He’s made himself known he has revealed himself. Why did he speak his word well he spoken his word 427 00:32:47,979 –> 00:32:50,439 So that you will come to know him and 428 00:32:51,319 –> 00:32:54,420 If you come to know him then you will come to love him 429 00:32:54,819 –> 00:33:00,020 And if you come to love him then you will be drawn to the one he assert Jesus Christ 430 00:33:00,020 –> 00:33:02,160 and if you come to believe in Him 431 00:33:02,180 –> 00:33:06,760 Then your hope is going to be well placed and you’re going to be seeking after the glory that never fades away 432 00:33:07,760 –> 00:33:13,760 So he’s pointing back to the solid rock of Scripture look you can know God 433 00:33:14,619 –> 00:33:18,260 You can come to know him and all of his glory in all of his wonder 434 00:33:18,260 –> 00:33:22,739 And this is where you get back to the scripture immerse yourself in the scripture 435 00:33:23,880 –> 00:33:31,239 And then secondly the whole of Scripture points to Jesus Christ can’t miss this here. It comes twice verse 39 436 00:33:31,920 –> 00:33:35,640 You search the scripture. This is the Old Testament. He’s speaking about of course 437 00:33:36,400 –> 00:33:42,579 Because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness 438 00:33:43,260 –> 00:33:46,359 About me so the whole of the Old Testament 439 00:33:46,900 –> 00:33:54,000 Scripture is pointing in some way to Jesus Christ our need for Christ who Christ is what Christ will do and what he will accoplish 440 00:33:55,160 –> 00:34:01,880 and then you have it again in verse 46 if you believed Moses you would believe me for 441 00:34:02,040 –> 00:34:04,500 he wrote off me 442 00:34:05,160 –> 00:34:09,139 two marvellous statements from the lips of our Lord, Jesus Christ 443 00:34:09,860 –> 00:34:14,780 About the whole of scripture bearing witness to him 444 00:34:15,379 –> 00:34:17,780 Let me just say this in a moment here. I 445 00:34:19,939 –> 00:34:23,540 Want you to be very very aware of 446 00:34:25,219 –> 00:34:32,379 the spiritual dangers of a diminished doctrine of Scripture 447 00:34:32,379 –> 00:34:39,320 many people who profess to be Christians and especially many younger people are 448 00:34:40,500 –> 00:34:44,040 Going down this road of saying. Oh, yes, I believe in the Bible 449 00:34:45,540 –> 00:34:50,379 But I don’t go with all of the stuff about in yearnsee 450 00:34:51,060 –> 00:34:57,399 Which means that because it is spoken by God His word God doesn’t speak errors does he? 451 00:34:58,620 –> 00:35:01,879 so what happens when folks go down that road that 452 00:35:02,600 –> 00:35:05,659 Is they start chipping away at? 453 00:35:06,239 –> 00:35:07,820 the Bible I 454 00:35:07,820 –> 00:35:11,699 Just love the words of Jesus. I loved. Oh, yeah, I love the Gospels 455 00:35:12,560 –> 00:35:14,699 And also Kean on the Old Testament 456 00:35:14,699 –> 00:35:20,100 I don’t see that having any authority in my life and another time another place and so forth and so on and 457 00:35:20,459 –> 00:35:24,000 So you chip away you chip away. You chip away 458 00:35:26,199 –> 00:35:28,679 But notice what Jesus says here if 459 00:35:28,860 –> 00:35:32,540 If you believed Moses 460 00:35:34,139 –> 00:35:36,139 You would believe 461 00:35:36,520 –> 00:35:38,520 me 462 00:35:38,620 –> 00:35:43,040 In other words if you lose confidence in the Old Testament 463 00:35:44,040 –> 00:35:47,560 Scriptures it won’t be long before you lose confidence in Jesus as well 464 00:35:48,600 –> 00:35:52,600 you’ll just keep chipping away, and then you’ll find things in the Gospels that you chip away and 465 00:35:52,820 –> 00:35:56,760 I mean look what Jesus says here Moses wrote about me 466 00:35:58,679 –> 00:36:01,320 Well you see if you’ve dissed Moses 467 00:36:02,620 –> 00:36:10,320 Then you now have a fallible Jesus. Who’s mistaken in his view of Moses and and on and on and on it goes 468 00:36:13,379 –> 00:36:19,580 The spiritual dangers of a diminished view of scripture 469 00:36:21,280 –> 00:36:24,899 Now if you come to the Bible as a critic 470 00:36:25,600 –> 00:36:30,000 The Bible will always be a closed book to you 471 00:36:31,459 –> 00:36:37,639 I’ve spoken with folks who said I’ve read the whole Bible, and I I didn’t know God speaking to me at all and 472 00:36:38,580 –> 00:36:40,580 That’s possible 473 00:36:41,500 –> 00:36:44,379 You come to the Bible as a critic 474 00:36:45,419 –> 00:36:49,020 You come with a sense of superiority to and that analyze 475 00:36:49,739 –> 00:36:53,500 what’s there it’s going to be a closed book to you and 476 00:36:53,580 –> 00:36:54,620 And 477 00:36:54,620 –> 00:37:02,360 your heart may be as hard at the end as it was at the beginning I always remember that these people that Jesus is talking to 478 00:37:02,360 –> 00:37:05,000 here were students of the Bible and 479 00:37:05,979 –> 00:37:07,979 our hearts were hard 480 00:37:09,239 –> 00:37:15,840 So if you are going to break beyond hardness of heart you have to humble yourself before God 481 00:37:16,800 –> 00:37:18,800 You have to open his word 482 00:37:19,560 –> 00:37:21,500 With the honest 483 00:37:21,500 –> 00:37:28,739 Recognition of your true position before him you have to come before God and open the Bible with this kind of spirit 484 00:37:28,760 –> 00:37:32,179 you have to say God I don’t even know you and 485 00:37:34,040 –> 00:37:36,860 I need you to make yourself known to me 486 00:37:38,540 –> 00:37:41,159 Lord the truth, isn’t in me 487 00:37:41,159 –> 00:37:46,840 And if I’m to come to a knowledge of the truth, I need to receive it because I’m not going to produce it 488 00:37:47,780 –> 00:37:51,919 Lord I don’t have faith and if I’m to have faith 489 00:37:52,340 –> 00:37:56,459 please create Faith in me, through your word 490 00:37:58,540 –> 00:38:04,219 Lord the inclination of my heart is so often to turn from Jesus Christ 491 00:38:04,719 –> 00:38:10,939 So work through your word in me to change the inclination of my heart and to give me new desires 492 00:38:13,459 –> 00:38:15,459 Lord I 493 00:38:15,459 –> 00:38:19,280 Do not have a true love for you in my heart 494 00:38:21,340 –> 00:38:28,679 So create that love for you by revealing your endless love for me in the Scriptures 495 00:38:30,000 –> 00:38:32,600 Lord I’ve been seeking the wrong kind of glory 496 00:38:32,600 –> 00:38:38,699 I’ve been pushed by the wrong kind of influences now rescape. What is motivating me 497 00:38:39,399 –> 00:38:41,399 by your word 498 00:38:41,439 –> 00:38:44,739 And Lord, I’ve been putting my hope in all the wrong places 499 00:38:45,540 –> 00:38:51,540 And so Lord, will you use your word to establish me on the solid rock that is Jesus Christ 500 00:38:52,020 –> 00:38:57,000 So that I will have a hope that will never never never be put to shame 501 00:38:59,379 –> 00:39:01,379 A hard heart 502 00:39:01,780 –> 00:39:03,780 Lost joy 503 00:39:04,120 –> 00:39:08,280 And Jesus says face the truth about yourself 504 00:39:08,800 –> 00:39:10,239 And 505 00:39:10,239 –> 00:39:14,260 Then drawn here in the Scriptures and find the truth about Jesus 506 00:39:14,260 –> 00:39:19,300 And he says I say these things so that the end of you will not be a hard heart 507 00:39:20,340 –> 00:39:22,320 but I say these things so that you 508 00:39:23,439 –> 00:39:25,280 may be saved 509 00:39:25,280 –> 00:39:27,040 father 510 00:39:27,040 –> 00:39:33,179 We pray that the grace and love and truth of the Lord Jesus Christ may bear 511 00:39:34,159 –> 00:39:40,320 Wonderful fruit softening all of our hearts in a fresh way and giving us a new humility 512 00:39:40,780 –> 00:39:46,419 Before you and your wonderful word. Thank you that when you say the hardest things to us 513 00:39:46,419 –> 00:39:49,719 it’s always because you seek the best things for us and 514 00:39:50,040 –> 00:39:54,879 We see in this your marvelous grace for which we thank you in Jesus name 515 00:39:55,780 –> 00:39:57,780 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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