The Way to Life
Series: THE TRIUMPHANT LIFE
Speaker: James Barnett
Date: 9th March 2019
Passage: John 14:1-31
00:00:00 --> 00:00:09 Do you want to live a life of victory, of triumph, of success?
00:00:10 --> 00:00:15 Do you want to succeed in your job, in your personal goals?
00:00:15 --> 00:00:19 Do you want your life to radiate success so you can say,
00:00:19 --> 00:00:20 I am victorious.
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 I have triumphed over adversity.
00:00:26 --> 00:00:27 It sounds a bit much.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:32 It sounds kind of like I'm selling vitamins or life coaching.
00:00:34 --> 00:00:36 But there's something to it, isn't there?
00:00:37 --> 00:00:39 Maybe your heart skipped a beat.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:40 Yes, I do want that.
00:00:41 --> 00:00:43 We all want to be successful.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:45 We want to see victories.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 We want to see triumph in our lives.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:51 Surely we all want these things.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:55 We want the things that we turn our hands to to succeed.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:58 We want to work hard and we want to win.
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 We want to beat the opposition at work.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:02 We want to win the new client.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:03 We want to get the promotion.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:09 Imagine that feeling of success when all of your debts are paid off.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:11 Can you imagine that feeling?
00:01:11 --> 00:01:18 That feeling of sweet victory when we win and someone else is defeated.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:23 That feeling of a pat on the back that says you are worthwhile.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 What you are doing is valuable.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:28 Maybe you're not like that personally.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:33 Maybe you are seeking a successful and triumphant life through other means.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:36 Maybe it's through kids.
00:01:36 --> 00:01:37 Maybe it's through a sports team.
00:01:38 --> 00:01:44 You know, many of our kids get pushed to succeed because we never did as children.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:51 And so we encourage them to study harder, practice, become successful so I can bask in your success.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:54 Maybe it's the sports team.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:59 We feel like life is worthwhile when our team triumphs.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:01 My team beat your team.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 And so therefore I feel better about myself.
00:02:04 --> 00:02:10 My favorite contestant on My Kitchen Rules beat your favorite contestant on My Kitchen Rules.
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 And therefore I am more successful than you.
00:02:15 --> 00:02:16 Life can be tough.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:25 But these little victories, these triumphs, these moments, whether it's our kids or My Kitchen Rules or our sports team,
00:02:26 --> 00:02:29 they give us a short-term boost of value.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:36 But then worry, stress, anxiety sets in again.
00:02:37 --> 00:02:41 Our emotions go up and down based on external things.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:45 One week the sports team wins and we're feeling great.
00:02:45 --> 00:02:48 Then they lose and we're down in the dumps.
00:02:49 --> 00:02:50 Life has no meaning.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:57 Is it possible that we are chasing victory and triumph in the wrong places?
00:02:58 --> 00:03:04 Are we seeking triumph in things that don't last and don't matter?
00:03:04 --> 00:03:12 Not that long ago, my emotions would regularly go up and down based upon the success of a sports team.
00:03:12 --> 00:03:13 I love cricket.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:15 I'm sorry if you don't love cricket.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:22 And I've now come to realize that, mainly because our cricket team is very bad,
00:03:22 --> 00:03:28 it's helped me realize that I can't place all of my hope and trust in that cricket team.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:32 For many of us, we follow God.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:40 But we add to Christianity a desire for success in our lives to bring us joy and happiness.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:46 Yes, Jesus defeated death and sin, but while I'm waiting for Him to return,
00:03:46 --> 00:03:53 I need other victories to ease the pain of anxiety and loss and failures.
00:03:54 --> 00:03:58 Today, as Steve has mentioned, we're starting a new series on the triumphant life.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:03 This is not going to be nine weeks on how to live your best life now.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 But it's a series that's going to take us through Easter,
00:04:08 --> 00:04:11 the death of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus,
00:04:11 --> 00:04:16 as we see Him triumph over death and sin,
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 as He offers us His victory.
00:04:20 --> 00:04:24 We'll see what this triumphant life that Jesus has to offer us is.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:28 And we come depending on Him.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:32 Now, we're going to be spending the next nine weeks, as I mentioned,
00:04:32 --> 00:04:35 looking at Jesus' last moments.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:40 And as we start this week, we're in chapter 14,
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 in the middle of the book of John.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:44 Strange place to start, but it does make sense for us.
00:04:45 --> 00:04:51 Jesus is meeting with His disciples just before He is crucified.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 And He warns them that He's just about to leave.
00:04:57 --> 00:04:59 Not only that, but He tells His disciples,
00:04:59 --> 00:05:02 one of you is going to betray me.
00:05:02 --> 00:05:06 And so He sends out Judas Iscariot to go and betray Him.
00:05:08 --> 00:05:12 Now, with Judas gone, Jesus, with His disciples,
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 in the moments before He's crucified,
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 sits with them, and they are concerned.
00:05:18 --> 00:05:19 They are worried.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 They're worried about their future, what's going to happen.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 And so Peter asks, Lord, where are you going?
00:05:27 --> 00:05:30 Jesus responds, you can't follow me, but you will later.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 But Peter, he's indignant.
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 No, no, no.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 I'm going to go wherever you go.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:39 And so this leads Jesus to calm their worries,
00:05:39 --> 00:05:41 their fears, and their troubled hearts.
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 So we're going to be in John chapter 14.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 Please have your Bibles open.
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 Have the Bible app open on your phone.
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 It will be on the screen as well.
00:05:50 --> 00:05:53 We're going to start in chapter 14, verse 1.
00:05:53 --> 00:05:57 Jesus said,
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 Do not let your hearts be troubled.
00:06:00 --> 00:06:04 Now, at first, this might seem like an offhanded thing to say.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:06 Just calm down.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:07 You're going crazy.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:08 Everything is fine.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:11 Because I know that never works when I try and say that to anyone.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 But Jesus says,
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 Do not let your hearts be troubled.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 And then He unpacks it.
00:06:18 --> 00:06:20 Don't let your hearts be troubled.
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 Trust in Me.
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 Believe in God.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 And believe in Me.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:30 God and Me, we're doing the same work.
00:06:31 --> 00:06:35 And Jesus goes on to describe what being with the Father,
00:06:35 --> 00:06:38 what their future with Jesus will look like.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:41 It's like a house that has many rooms.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 And so Jesus is going to say,
00:06:44 --> 00:06:44 Don't be troubled.
00:06:45 --> 00:06:46 I have a place for you.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:49 He's going to prepare a place for these disciples.
00:06:49 --> 00:06:52 It's not that Jesus has to go and do what I would do
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 if I was preparing a place for you,
00:06:54 --> 00:06:55 which would be to clean things.
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 Jesus isn't going to sweep out the house.
00:06:58 --> 00:07:00 He's not going to turn down the beds,
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 place a chocolate on the pillow.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:07 Jesus has to make a way open to the house.
00:07:07 --> 00:07:11 Jesus is going so that the Father's house is open.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:14 And it's the Father's house.
00:07:14 --> 00:07:21 He's going to depart so that we can be in God's house as a father.
00:07:21 --> 00:07:24 It's not that we're going to God's house as slaves,
00:07:24 --> 00:07:27 living in the tiny bedroom off to the side.
00:07:27 --> 00:07:28 It's not the slaves' quarters.
00:07:28 --> 00:07:32 But this is the Father's house as His children.
00:07:34 --> 00:07:37 And it's likely here that Jesus is using palace imagery.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:42 It's a description that conjures up images of rulers at the time
00:07:42 --> 00:07:45 who their houses were built,
00:07:45 --> 00:07:46 and then they would have many extensions.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 They would have a son grow up,
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 and then the son would add rooms to the father's house.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 And then a son would add other rooms,
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 and then other rooms,
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 and the house would just grow and spread out.
00:07:57 --> 00:08:01 But it was all connected to one central room.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:05 This image that Jesus is using,
00:08:05 --> 00:08:09 it's a deeply family-oriented image.
00:08:09 --> 00:08:13 It's a heavenly one that Jesus uses,
00:08:13 --> 00:08:16 one that surpasses even the rulers' palaces.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 It's one of close community,
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 of everyone having relationship
00:08:21 --> 00:08:24 and close connection with God,
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 the Father Himself.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:29 And then Jesus shifts the language a little bit in verse 3.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:34 And if I go and prepare a place for you,
00:08:34 --> 00:08:38 I will come back and take you to be with me,
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 that you also may be where I am.
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 It's no longer a house.
00:08:41 --> 00:08:43 It's, I'm going to take you to be with me.
00:08:44 --> 00:08:47 It goes from being a location to a relationship.
00:08:48 --> 00:08:51 It's not just about heaven as a place,
00:08:51 --> 00:08:54 but it's a relationship with Jesus Himself.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 Jesus says to the disciples,
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 you're worried because I'm leaving,
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 but don't let your hearts be troubled.
00:09:01 --> 00:09:04 I've got a place prepared for you.
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 And it's close to God Himself.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 Now, this passage from John 14
00:09:10 --> 00:09:14 is one of the most common passages read at funerals.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:17 I've spoken on this passage a number of times.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:20 It's likely that you've heard this.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:24 And it's because it speaks to our very souls.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 A loved one has departed,
00:09:27 --> 00:09:29 and our hearts are troubled.
00:09:31 --> 00:09:35 This passage doesn't take away the pain or loss of a loved one,
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 but it focuses our hope.
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 It takes all the worry that we have
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 and places it in the hands of Jesus.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 It's a wonderful reminder
00:09:44 --> 00:09:48 of what Jesus' death and resurrection has done.
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 He has made it
00:09:49 --> 00:09:52 so that we can be in the Father's house.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 It's a comfort,
00:09:54 --> 00:09:56 even though Jesus is about to depart,
00:09:57 --> 00:10:00 that there is an eternal home with God.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 Now, while we are still living,
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 our homes, our houses,
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 are often a big stressor in Sydney.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:13 I'm sure I could do a quick poll of this room,
00:10:13 --> 00:10:17 and it would be a stressor for, you know, 90%.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:21 The stats say that it is one of the biggest stressors.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 Where am I going to live?
00:10:23 --> 00:10:26 Can I pay the rent to be in the right suburb that I want?
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 Because that's the school,
00:10:28 --> 00:10:30 that's in the catchment for the school
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 I want to send my kids to.
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 And if you manage to buy a house,
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 well, there's mortgage stress.
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 Interest rates are low at the moment,
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 but who knows what's going to happen in the future.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 Having a triumphant and victorious life
00:10:42 --> 00:10:45 is so often based on external things.
00:10:46 --> 00:10:49 How many bedrooms does our house have?
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 How many bathrooms?
00:10:51 --> 00:10:53 What's the square footage of your house?
00:10:54 --> 00:10:56 And it's even easy for Christians
00:10:56 --> 00:10:59 to buy into that view of success.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 I'm valuable.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 I'm successful because I live in a house
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 in the right suburb.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:07 I'll be valuable and I'll be successful
00:11:07 --> 00:11:09 when I buy that house,
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 when I can live there.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 But the reality for all those who follow Jesus
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 is it's that our victory,
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 our triumph,
00:11:19 --> 00:11:21 isn't found in our location
00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 or the amount of bricks that we own
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 stacked on each other,
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 but in who owns the house.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:31 We are valuable not because
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 of the things we own,
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 but because of the price
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 that Jesus has paid.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 So we could come to the Father's house.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 This is not anything that we can boast in,
00:11:43 --> 00:11:46 but the location of the best home
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 is given to us.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 But the disciples were still troubled.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 Thomas asks in verse 5,
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 Lord,
00:11:54 --> 00:11:56 we don't know where you are going,
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 so how can we know the way?
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 He's likely worried that
00:12:01 --> 00:12:03 Jesus was departing to a place
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 that he didn't have a map for.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 He needed a location
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 so he could plug it into his Google Maps
00:12:08 --> 00:12:11 so that he could...
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 You know, it's not a location.
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 You can't search for my Father's house
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 in the app.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 It doesn't come up.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:20 He doesn't know where Jesus is going,
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 and so he doesn't know the way.
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 And so Jesus replies,
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 verse 6,
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 I am the way,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 the truth,
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 and the life.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 No one comes to the Father
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 except through me.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:36 Jesus himself
00:12:36 --> 00:12:39 is the way to God.
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 And he is the truth of God.
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 He's the truth of God
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 because he reveals
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 what Jesus is like.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 He does only
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 what God tells him to do.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:52 He is God made flesh.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 And he's life.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:56 He has life in himself.
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 And it's only because Jesus
00:12:58 --> 00:13:00 is both the truth of God,
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 God made flesh,
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 and the life of God,
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 that he can be
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 the way to God.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 And this means that
00:13:10 --> 00:13:12 he's the only way
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 to the Father.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 We can often be tempted
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 to think that
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 all religions
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 are the same,
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 they all have value,
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 but it cannot be true
00:13:22 --> 00:13:24 that all paths
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 lead to God.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 And we can often think,
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 look,
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 as long as you believe
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 in something,
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 that is fine,
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 it is good that you just
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 believe in something,
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 but Jesus is clear.
00:13:35 --> 00:13:37 There is only one way
00:13:37 --> 00:13:37 to the Father,
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 and that's him,
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 it's Jesus.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:40 Jesus.
00:13:42 --> 00:13:42 Again,
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 if we took another poll,
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 but not inside the church,
00:13:44 --> 00:13:46 if we went outside the church
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 and took a poll,
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 do you believe in God?
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 The majority of people
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 would say,
00:13:51 --> 00:13:51 yes,
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 I believe in God
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 of some kind.
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 But if we asked,
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 do you believe in Jesus,
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 the stats would be
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 much lower.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 For Jesus,
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 he is the only
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 way to God.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 He is not just one
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 amidst a number,
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 he is the only
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 way to God.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 Because God is not just
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 some vague,
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 mystical spirit.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 Jesus is God
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 made flesh.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:20 He is the unknowable
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 made known.
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 And so Jesus says,
00:14:23 --> 00:14:23 don't let your hearts
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 be troubled.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 You don't know
00:14:26 --> 00:14:26 where you're going,
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 that's okay,
00:14:27 --> 00:14:29 because you know me,
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 and I am the way
00:14:31 --> 00:14:33 that you are going.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:36 Jesus is about to go
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 and be crucified,
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 to purchase
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 our forgiveness
00:14:39 --> 00:14:41 and become the way
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 to the Father,
00:14:42 --> 00:14:44 to make the way open,
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 but he also makes it certain.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 So don't let your hearts
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 be troubled,
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 believe in me,
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 because I am the only
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 way to the Father.
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 So often,
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 I see articles
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 on the internet,
00:14:58 --> 00:15:00 on websites like BuzzFeed,
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 I don't know if you know
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 of BuzzFeed,
00:15:01 --> 00:15:03 but they often have
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 headlines like,
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 10 steps to a healthier life.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 You know,
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 you won't believe
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 step six.
00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 You know,
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 four tricks to crush
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 your life goals.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:11 Have you seen
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 these kinds of things?
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 Have you clicked on them
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 and gone,
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 I kind of have to see
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 what step six is now,
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 you know,
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 you really hooked me in.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 I love these things.
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 Maybe you do too,
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 because they make,
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 they make anything
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 seem possible.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 You know,
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 10 steps to get
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 to the moon.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 Do you know what,
00:15:28 --> 00:15:30 it's only 10 simple steps.
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 Just because number nine
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 is getting a rocket,
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 you know,
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 it makes anything
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 seem possible.
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 But the way
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 to the Father
00:15:38 --> 00:15:41 is far more than that.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:44 It is every step
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 in a life
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 of total obedience.
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 It is millions
00:15:49 --> 00:15:51 and millions of steps.
00:15:52 --> 00:15:54 And that's what Jesus offers.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:58 He took every step
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 in perfect obedience
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 to God.
00:16:00 --> 00:16:00 And he says,
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 I have won that victory.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:05 I have that triumph.
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 I have that goal,
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 that life
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 of total obedience
00:16:09 --> 00:16:11 and I offer it to you.
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 But it's not even
00:16:13 --> 00:16:16 five steps for us.
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 It is just one step.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 Don't let your hearts
00:16:20 --> 00:16:20 be troubled.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 Believe in God.
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 Believe also in me
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 because I am the way.
00:16:26 --> 00:16:29 It's not as catchy
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 a headline
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 as 10 steps
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 to whatever it is.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 But that is our guide
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 to living the triumphant life.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 That is the one step.
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 Believing
00:16:38 --> 00:16:40 in Jesus.
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 Believing in God
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 because he is the way.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 The disciples
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 are still wrestling
00:16:47 --> 00:16:47 with this.
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 They're still trying
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 to understand
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 what it means
00:16:49 --> 00:16:51 that Jesus is going
00:16:51 --> 00:16:51 and they're not going
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 to know where he's going.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 And so now
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 it's Philip's turn
00:16:54 --> 00:16:56 to ask a question.
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 Look,
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 just show us the Father.
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 It will be so much easier
00:17:01 --> 00:17:03 if you just show us God.
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 We won't worry,
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 just show us God.
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 And so Jesus responds,
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 maybe out of frustration,
00:17:11 --> 00:17:13 maybe out of surprise
00:17:13 --> 00:17:15 that they're still asking this.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 And so have a look with me
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 at verse 9.
00:17:17 --> 00:17:20 Jesus answered,
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 Don't you know me,
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 Philip?
00:17:23 --> 00:17:25 Even after I have been
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 with you for such
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 a long time,
00:17:29 --> 00:17:31 anyone who has seen me
00:17:31 --> 00:17:33 has seen the Father.
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 Don't be troubled,
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 you have seen God.
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 You've seen me.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 You just haven't recognized me.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 The disciples
00:17:43 --> 00:17:46 don't fully understand
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 and grasp yet
00:17:46 --> 00:17:48 that Jesus is God himself.
00:17:50 --> 00:17:50 Jesus says,
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 I'm in him.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:53 I do his work.
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 He's in me.
00:17:54 --> 00:17:56 Don't you believe that?
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 Now this,
00:17:58 --> 00:17:58 to me,
00:17:58 --> 00:18:00 is still the most
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 startling part
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 in the whole Bible.
00:18:03 --> 00:18:03 The whole Bible.
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 That the man
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 who goes
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 and dies
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 on the cross
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 is himself
00:18:09 --> 00:18:11 God.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:14 And he is the one
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 who reveals
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 that God
00:18:15 --> 00:18:18 is the Father
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 and he loves us
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 and cares for us.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 Jesus is not just
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 a man.
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 He cannot just be
00:18:24 --> 00:18:26 an agent of God,
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 someone sent by God.
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 He is definitively
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 God himself.
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 And so Jesus says,
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 Don't let your hearts
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 be troubled.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:36 Trust in me
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 because you have,
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 if you've seen me,
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 you've seen God.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:41 And the disciples,
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 they would come
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 to understand this
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 later,
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 after his resurrection.
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 They would come
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 to realize
00:18:47 --> 00:18:49 how complete
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 and how wonderful
00:18:50 --> 00:18:52 Jesus' triumph was.
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 Now you might be thinking,
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 well this is great.
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 These comforts
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 are wonderful.
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 I love that
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 my eternal destination
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 is so certain
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 that I have a home
00:19:04 --> 00:19:04 with God
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 and that Jesus
00:19:06 --> 00:19:06 is God himself.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 This is great.
00:19:07 --> 00:19:07 This is lovely.
00:19:07 --> 00:19:10 But it's
00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 so far away
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 waiting for Jesus.
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 It's good
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 that the future home
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 is guaranteed.
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 The way to Jesus
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 is not my own strength.
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 It's not the steps
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 that I do.
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 It's Jesus' strength.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 But do you know what?
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 My life
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 is in turmoil now.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 I'm struggling
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 with addictions.
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 I'm chasing
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 the wrong victories.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 I don't know
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 what's best for my life.
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 I don't know
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 what's best for my kids,
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 my job,
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 my career.
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 My health
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 is failing.
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 I can't stand
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 my job.
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 I'm lonely.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 It would just be
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 so much easier
00:19:45 --> 00:19:47 if Jesus came back
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 now.
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 What does Jesus
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 do
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 for troubled hearts
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 now?
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 What is Jesus
00:19:55 --> 00:19:55 going to do
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 for his disciples
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 because he was
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 about to leave them?
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 Jesus says,
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 don't be troubled.
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 I'm going
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 to send someone.
00:20:04 --> 00:20:07 verse 16.
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 And I will
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 ask the Father
00:20:10 --> 00:20:12 and he will
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 give you
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 another advocate
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 to help you
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 and be with you
00:20:16 --> 00:20:16 forever.
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 The spirit of truth.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 I'm going
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 to send you
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 the advocate.
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 Now,
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 I don't,
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 I'm not in the
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 legal world
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 if you hadn't
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 noticed.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 Advocate
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 is a legal word
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 and I wasn't
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 really across it
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 so I contacted
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 a lawyer this week
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 because advocate
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 is a legal term
00:20:33 --> 00:20:35 and my special
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 lawyer friend
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 told me what
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 an advocate
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 is in legal terms.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 Let me read.
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 An advocate
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 is someone
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 who acts
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 on behalf
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 of another
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 to protect
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 and or advance
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 their interests
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 and includes
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 notions of
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 being a mouthpiece
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 for someone
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 in assisting,
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 defending or
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 pleading their case
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 in a court of law,
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 representing someone
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 who is weaker
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 or in a vulnerable
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 position,
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 representing someone
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 who is not able
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 to adequately
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 or effectively
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 speak on behalf
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 of themselves.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 Generally speaking,
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 if someone was not
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 in a vulnerable,
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 weaker position
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 or had an ability
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 to effectively
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 speak for themselves,
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 they would not
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 really require
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 an advocate.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 But as the majority
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 of the public
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 do not understand
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 the intricacies
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 of the law
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 or possess the skill
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 to articulate their case
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 in the context
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 of the law,
00:21:26 --> 00:21:28 they require
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 an advocate.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 You can see
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 why this
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 is such a
00:21:33 --> 00:21:35 helpful word
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 for us
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 to understand
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 the work
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 of the Holy Spirit.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 He's going
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 to speak
00:21:41 --> 00:21:43 on your behalf.
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 He's the
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 Spirit of truth
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 and He will reveal
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 truth to you.
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 He understands
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 the situation
00:21:51 --> 00:21:53 when you don't
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 and He makes us
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 see the truth.
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 Disciples,
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 you want to see God?
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 God,
00:21:57 --> 00:21:59 the Spirit of truth
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 will help you
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 realize that you
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 have seen Him.
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 These disciples
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 and us,
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 we are in a weak
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 and vulnerable
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 position.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:11 Jesus is going.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 It seems that
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 it's going to be
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 even worse,
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 but the Holy Spirit
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 will stand with them.
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 We do not
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 understand the
00:22:19 --> 00:22:21 intricacies of God.
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 The Spirit does.
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 And He reveals
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 God to us.
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 The disciples
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 were troubled
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 that Jesus
00:22:30 --> 00:22:30 was leaving,
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 but they
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 wouldn't be alone.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 Verse 18,
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 I will not
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 leave you
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 as orphans,
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 I will come
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 to you.
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 Before long,
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 the world
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 will not see
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 me anymore,
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 but you
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 will see me.
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 Because I
00:22:45 --> 00:22:45 live,
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 you also
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 will leave.
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 You won't
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 be alone.
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 I will be
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 with you
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 in spirit.
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 This is
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 an amazing
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 comfort.
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 Not only that,
00:22:57 --> 00:22:59 but the Holy Spirit
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 was going to
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 bring them
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 into this
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 relationship
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 with God.
00:23:02 --> 00:23:02 It's the
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 love of God.
00:23:03 --> 00:23:03 Verse 21,
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 whoever has
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 my commands
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 and keeps
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 them is
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 the one
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 who loves
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 me.
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 The one
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 who loves
00:23:11 --> 00:23:11 me will
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 be loved
00:23:12 --> 00:23:12 by my
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 Father,
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 and I
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 too will
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 love them
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 and show
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 myself to
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 them.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:18 You will
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 be brought
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 into my
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 family,
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 into the
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 unique
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 love of
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 God
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 that he
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 has for
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 his son
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 and the
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 spirit,
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 that unique
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 triune
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 love that
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 God has,
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 he is going
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 to share
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 that with
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 all of
00:23:34 --> 00:23:34 us.
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 It's being
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 adopted into
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 a new
00:23:38 --> 00:23:40 family with
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 the same
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 comforts,
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 the same
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 language of
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 love.
00:23:44 --> 00:23:46 My father-in-law
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 works for
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 Qantas.
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 Alyssa and
00:23:49 --> 00:23:49 her siblings
00:23:49 --> 00:23:51 used to
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 be able to
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 get,
00:23:52 --> 00:23:52 I believe,
00:23:52 --> 00:23:52 if this is
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 correct,
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 my darling
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 wife,
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 used to
00:23:54 --> 00:23:54 be able to
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 get discounted
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 travel.
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 Free flights,
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 even better,
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 but not
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 anymore.
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 She took
00:24:02 --> 00:24:04 the slight
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 step down
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 of not being
00:24:05 --> 00:24:05 able to get
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 free flights
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 to become
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 a Barnett.
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 Amen?
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 No,
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 that's fine.
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 She left
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 the family
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 that could
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 get free
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 flights,
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 left those
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 privileges.
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 Now I get
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 to be in
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 that family
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 too,
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 but there
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 are privileges
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 to families.
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 The disciples
00:24:24 --> 00:24:24 here get
00:24:24 --> 00:24:26 invited into
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 the close
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 personal love
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 that God
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 had in the
00:24:30 --> 00:24:30 Trinity.
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 The father
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 loved the
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 son,
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 the son
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 loved the
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 spirit,
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 they each
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 loved each
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 other
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 perfectly.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 It's an
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 awesome love.
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 And this
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 love gets
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 spread out
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 and invited
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 for all
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 who would
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 believe
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 and not
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 have their
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 hearts
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 troubled.
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 The disciples
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 were anxious
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 and worried
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 that Jesus
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 was leaving.
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 They didn't
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 know where
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 he was
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 going,
00:24:57 --> 00:24:57 they didn't
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 know how
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 to follow
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 him,
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 and they
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 wanted some
00:25:00 --> 00:25:00 glimpse of
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 God,
00:25:01 --> 00:25:01 and Jesus
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 said,
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 don't be
00:25:03 --> 00:25:03 troubled.
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 Don't have
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 a heart of
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 fear.
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 I might be
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 going,
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 but it is
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 for your
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 benefit.
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 It will be
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 so much
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 better if I
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 leave,
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 because the
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 Holy Spirit
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 is coming
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 so that
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 you can
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 understand the
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 truth that
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 I am
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 God.
00:25:22 --> 00:25:22 I am
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 going to
00:25:23 --> 00:25:23 prepare a
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 place for
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 you to
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 secure your
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 home.
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 I am
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 sending
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 someone to
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 guide you
00:25:29 --> 00:25:29 and walk
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 with you,
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 walk beside
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 you.
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 You will
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 not be
00:25:33 --> 00:25:33 alone.
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 The
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 disciples,
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 they were
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 in a really
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 unique place
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 where they
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 knew Jesus
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 face to
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 face,
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 but they
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 would have
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 something
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 better.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 For us,
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 it is a
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 different kind
00:25:48 --> 00:25:48 of worry
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 than Jesus
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 leaving.
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 We are
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 still anxious,
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 we are
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 still worried
00:25:52 --> 00:25:53 and troubled
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 in our
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 hearts.
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 We are
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 not sure
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 when Jesus
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 is going
00:25:57 --> 00:25:57 to come
00:25:57 --> 00:25:57 back.
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 And we are
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 anxious and
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 worried about
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 life as we
00:26:01 --> 00:26:01 wait.
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 There is
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 sickness,
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 we still
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 need to
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 work,
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 we still
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 need to
00:26:05 --> 00:26:05 raise kids,
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 we still
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 need to
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 study hard,
00:26:07 --> 00:26:07 we are
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 still worried
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 about housing.
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 It is
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 Sydney after
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 all.
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 Jesus
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 speaks to
00:26:14 --> 00:26:14 us and
00:26:14 --> 00:26:14 says the
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 comfort is
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 the same
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 for us
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 now.
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 Jesus
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 has gone,
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 he has
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 prepared a
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 place and
00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 he is
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 waiting to
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 bring us
00:26:25 --> 00:26:25 to him.
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 Paul
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 reflects on
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 this in
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 1 Corinthians
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 chapter 15,
00:26:31 --> 00:26:31 he says,
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 thanks be to
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 God,
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 he gives
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 us the
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 victory
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 through our
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 Lord Jesus
00:26:38 --> 00:26:38 Christ.
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 Jesus
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 gives us
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 the victory,
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 he offers
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 us his
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 triumph.
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 He speaks
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 to us and
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 says,
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 I offer
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 you a
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 triumphant
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 life,
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 not because
00:26:51 --> 00:26:51 you've
00:26:51 --> 00:26:51 earned it,
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 not because
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 you deserve
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 it,
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 not because
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 it's some
00:26:55 --> 00:26:55 short-term
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 triumph that
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 will last
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 for a
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 moment and
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 be gone,
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 but it
00:26:59 --> 00:26:59 is the
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 best triumph,
00:27:01 --> 00:27:01 the best
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 victory.
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 Jesus has
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 won the
00:27:05 --> 00:27:05 battle over
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 death and
00:27:06 --> 00:27:08 sin into
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 the love
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 of God
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 and he
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 offers us
00:27:12 --> 00:27:12 God's
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 spirit which
00:27:13 --> 00:27:13 will guide
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 us and
00:27:14 --> 00:27:14 be with
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 us now
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 and he
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 offers this
00:27:16 --> 00:27:18 to us.
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 Imagine
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 an
00:27:22 --> 00:27:22 Olympian,
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 can someone
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 give me a
00:27:24 --> 00:27:24 really hard
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 Olympic field?
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 Anybody
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 got an
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 idea?
00:27:28 --> 00:27:28 Water
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 polo.
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 Okay,
00:27:31 --> 00:27:31 we're going
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 to go with
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 water polo.
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 Anybody
00:27:33 --> 00:27:33 think of
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 something harder
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 than water
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 polo?
00:27:36 --> 00:27:36 I think
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 drowning would
00:27:37 --> 00:27:37 be pretty
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 tough in
00:27:38 --> 00:27:38 water polo
00:27:38 --> 00:27:38 personally.
00:27:39 --> 00:27:39 Let's
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 imagine
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 water
00:27:41 --> 00:27:41 polo.
00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 This
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 person
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 has
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 trained
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 all of
00:27:45 --> 00:27:45 their
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 life
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 to
00:27:47 --> 00:27:47 become
00:27:47 --> 00:27:47 the
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 best
00:27:48 --> 00:27:48 and
00:27:48 --> 00:27:48 their
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 goal
00:27:49 --> 00:27:49 is to
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 win
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 the
00:27:51 --> 00:27:51 Olympics.
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 Day
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 and
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 night
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 they've
00:27:54 --> 00:27:54 thought
00:27:54 --> 00:27:54 about
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 nothing
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 else.
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 They've
00:27:57 --> 00:27:57 sacrificed
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 everything
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 and they
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 have become
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 the very
00:28:00 --> 00:28:00 best.
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 They're
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 an
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 expert
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 in
00:28:03 --> 00:28:03 water
00:28:03 --> 00:28:03 polo.
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 And
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 finally
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 the
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 Olympics
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 come
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 and the
00:28:07 --> 00:28:07 four year
00:28:07 --> 00:28:08 cycle
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 comes
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 around
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 we're
00:28:09 --> 00:28:09 all
00:28:09 --> 00:28:09 watching
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 it
00:28:10 --> 00:28:10 at
00:28:10 --> 00:28:10 3am
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 in the
00:28:11 --> 00:28:11 morning
00:28:11 --> 00:28:11 wherever
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 it is
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 and this
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 person
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 finally
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 wins.
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 They win
00:28:17 --> 00:28:17 gold.
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 Here we go
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 I've got a
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 gold medal
00:28:19 --> 00:28:19 here.
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 It's not
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 Olympic gold
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 medal don't
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 worry I
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 didn't
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 earn this.
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 And
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 they're
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 about to
00:28:25 --> 00:28:27 take the
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 step up
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 onto the
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 podium
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 to win
00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 the gold
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 medal
00:28:30 --> 00:28:32 that they
00:28:32 --> 00:28:32 have rightly
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 earned.
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 They have
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 worked hard
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 for.
00:28:34 --> 00:28:36 And
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 instead
00:28:37 --> 00:28:39 they
00:28:39 --> 00:28:39 step
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 down
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 off
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 the
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 podium
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 and
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 they
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 walk
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 over
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 and
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 offer
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 it
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 to
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 you.
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 I'm
00:28:44 --> 00:28:44 just
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 going to
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 place it
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 right there.
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 There you go.
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 Good job Adam.
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 You worked
00:28:50 --> 00:28:50 hard for that.
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 This doesn't
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 make any
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 sense.
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 I cannot
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 imagine
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 any
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 Olympian
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 doing
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 that.
00:28:58 --> 00:28:58 Stepping
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 down the
00:28:59 --> 00:28:59 thing that
00:28:59 --> 00:28:59 they have
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 fought for
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 and worked
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 for and
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 sacrificed
00:29:02 --> 00:29:02 everything
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 for.
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 To not
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 step up
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 onto the
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 podium but
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 actually to
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 step down
00:29:07 --> 00:29:07 and invite
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 somebody else
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 to take
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 the prize
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 and to
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 get the
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 victory
00:29:11 --> 00:29:11 and to
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 go off
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 and have
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 the victory
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 lap.
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 That
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 doesn't
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 make any
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 sense.
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 That would
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 not happen.
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 And yet
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 this is
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 what Jesus
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 has done
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 for us.
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 His
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 triumph
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 was not
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 won for
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 him
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 alone.
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 We
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 are his
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 prize.
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 The
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 victory
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 is for
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 us.
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 And he
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 hands us
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 this
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 prize.
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 We
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 can
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 shun
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 the
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 efforts
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 on the
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 cross.
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 We
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 can
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 chase
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 our
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 own
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 triumphs
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 that
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 will
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 never
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 satisfy.
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 We
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 can
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 live
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 in
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 ignorance
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 of the
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 prize
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 that
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 Jesus
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 has
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 won
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 for us
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 on
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 the
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 cross.
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 Or
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 we
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 can
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 live
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 now
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 with
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 a
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 triumphant
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 life
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 won
00:29:57 --> 00:29:57 for us
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 by
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 Jesus.
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 Let
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 me
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 pray.
00:30:00 --> 00:30:04 Heavenly
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 Father,
00:30:06 --> 00:30:08 we
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 chase
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 short-lived
00:30:09 --> 00:30:11 selfish
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 victories
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 that are
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 truly not
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 wins.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Lord,
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 we
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 are in
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 awe of
00:30:20 --> 00:30:20 the
00:30:20 --> 00:30:20 victory
00:30:20 --> 00:30:20 that
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 Jesus
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 has
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 won,
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 that he
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 has
00:30:23 --> 00:30:25 followed
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 every
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 step in
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 a life
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 of
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 obedience
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 to
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 you.
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 Lord,
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 it
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 does not
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 make sense
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 to us
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 that he
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 would
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 offer
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 us
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 this
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 victory
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 and
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 triumph,
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 but we
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 thank you
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 so much
00:30:38 --> 00:30:40 that you
00:30:40 --> 00:30:40 have given
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 us this
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 gift,
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 this place
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 in your
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 home with
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 this triumph.
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 Lord,
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 help us
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 not to
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 chase
00:30:48 --> 00:30:48 things that
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 do not
00:30:49 --> 00:30:49 satisfy.
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 Help us
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 to fix
00:30:52 --> 00:30:52 our eyes
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 on the
00:30:53 --> 00:30:53 goal
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 of being
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 with you.
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 And
00:30:56 --> 00:30:56 Father,
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 we thank
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 you that
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 as we
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 wait,
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 as we
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 live here
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 on this
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 earth,
00:31:01 --> 00:31:03 thank you
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 that you
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 have filled
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 us with
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 your spirit,
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 that you
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 offer us
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 the advocate,
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 not just
00:31:08 --> 00:31:11 to comfort
00:31:11 --> 00:31:11 us,
00:31:12 --> 00:31:12 but so
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 that we
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 can know
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 you,
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 that we
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 can have
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 Jesus
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 revealed.
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 And we
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 pray all
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 this in
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 your son's
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 name for
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 your glory.
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 Amen.