0:00:00.979,0:00:10.690 1 John 5:5-13 0:00:10.690,0:00:12.225 This probably needs to be said 0:00:12.225,0:00:19.984 right here at the beginning. 0:00:25.781,0:00:41.668 I have tried to encourage 0:00:41.668,0:00:47.876 that our church never divide; 0:00:47.876,0:00:50.985 there would not be disunity among us 0:00:50.985,0:00:55.194 over Bible translations. 0:00:55.194,0:00:59.526 I will never try to pry 0:00:59.526,0:01:07.642 the old King James Version [br]out of anybody's hands. 0:01:07.642,0:01:10.279 I am preaching to you today 0:01:10.279,0:01:16.564 from the English Standard Version. 0:01:16.564,0:01:18.440 I could probably recommend 0:01:18.440,0:01:23.396 four or five translations that I believe 0:01:23.396,0:01:26.673 are good translations. 0:01:26.673,0:01:33.694 Some might be more excellent than others. 0:01:33.694,0:01:36.735 Obviously, anybody that knows anything 0:01:36.735,0:01:39.151 about textual criticism 0:01:39.151,0:01:42.281 knows that 1 John 5:7 0:01:42.281,0:01:47.370 is a highly debated and [br]highly contested text. 0:01:47.370,0:01:52.916 I do not mean to preach today at all 0:01:52.916,0:01:59.406 about that controversy. 0:01:59.406,0:02:01.962 I believe that even for [br]those of you that are here 0:02:01.962,0:02:09.999 that may have the old King James, 0:02:09.999,0:02:13.439 the New King James - 0:02:13.439,0:02:18.037 you will see that what I want to emphasize 0:02:18.037,0:02:22.394 from this text is emphasized equally 0:02:22.394,0:02:26.155 by your Bible. 0:02:26.155,0:02:31.878 I firmly believe in the Trinity. 0:02:31.878,0:02:34.317 And I do not for a second believe 0:02:34.317,0:02:36.119 that the English Standard Version 0:02:36.119,0:02:40.565 or the New American Standard versions 0:02:40.565,0:02:41.770 or the Holman Christian - 0:02:41.770,0:02:44.715 I do not believe that [br]they deny the Trinity. 0:02:44.715,0:02:47.497 I do not believe that [br]they attack the Trinity. 0:02:47.497,0:02:50.892 I could show you numerous passages 0:02:50.892,0:02:54.811 where the Trinity is very much supported. 0:02:54.811,0:02:56.437 But I would just say this, 0:02:56.437,0:02:58.286 if you're holding a New King James 0:02:58.286,0:03:00.478 or an old King James in your hand today, 0:03:00.478,0:03:01.920 what I am going to emphasize 0:03:01.920,0:03:05.333 is equally emphasized in your Bibles. 0:03:05.333,0:03:08.450 You may want to make [br]a case for there being 0:03:08.450,0:03:13.654 more witnesses to this fact, 0:03:13.654,0:03:16.127 than what I'm going to [br]talk about this morning, 0:03:16.127,0:03:18.104 but nevertheless, I'm talking about 0:03:18.104,0:03:22.118 what is being witnessed to, 0:03:22.118,0:03:25.336 not so much how many witnesses there are. 0:03:25.336,0:03:28.622 Although, I am going to talk [br]about some of the witnesses. 0:03:28.622,0:03:32.480 Certainly, the Father, the Word, 0:03:32.480,0:03:38.958 and the Holy Ghost attest and affirm 0:03:38.958,0:03:42.884 what I am going to say [br]in these minutes ahead. 0:03:42.884,0:03:47.632 So, I've entitled my sermon, 0:03:47.632,0:03:53.557 "God's Testimony Must Be in Us." 0:03:53.557,0:03:55.369 And I hope to bring this title to life 0:03:55.369,0:03:57.187 as we consider these verses together. 0:03:57.187,0:03:58.678 So, let's read them. 0:03:58.678,0:04:03.467 And I am reading from the [br]English Standard Version. 0:04:03.467,0:04:09.946 "Who is it that overcomes the world 0:04:09.946,0:04:12.218 except the one who believes 0:04:12.218,0:04:18.178 that Jesus is the Son of God?" 0:04:18.178,0:04:22.952 Brethren, remember the [br]big picture of 1 John. 0:04:22.952,0:04:25.849 Antichrist, deceivers, 0:04:25.849,0:04:30.401 those who had gone out from among us. 0:04:30.401,0:04:32.555 They were denying that [br]Jesus is the Christ. 0:04:32.555,0:04:34.936 They were denying that [br]Jesus came in the flesh. 0:04:34.936,0:04:37.483 They were denying the Son. 0:04:37.483,0:04:41.784 We've seen this as we've [br]gone through 1 John. 0:04:41.784,0:04:43.550 They're denying the very thing that 0:04:43.550,0:04:47.404 you have to believe if you would be saved. 0:04:47.404,0:04:52.207 Who overcomes except the one who believes 0:04:52.207,0:04:56.919 that Jesus is the Son of God? 0:04:56.919,0:05:00.741 You remember this: 0:05:00.741,0:05:03.831 When Jesus declared Himself to be 0:05:03.831,0:05:07.579 the Son of God, 0:05:07.579,0:05:10.270 the Jews said that warranted His death. 0:05:10.270,0:05:11.992 Remember what they said to Pilate? 0:05:11.992,0:05:13.624 We have a law. 0:05:13.624,0:05:15.937 He's declaring Himself [br]to be the Son of God. 0:05:15.937,0:05:18.542 By our law, He deserves to die. 0:05:18.542,0:05:20.093 When He declared to be the Son, 0:05:20.093,0:05:22.067 and He declared that God was His Father, 0:05:22.067,0:05:24.501 He was declaring Himself [br]to be equal with God. 0:05:24.501,0:05:26.862 Make no mistake about that. 0:05:26.862,0:05:30.076 Son of God means God the Son. 0:05:30.076,0:05:33.756 It means that He shares divinity 0:05:33.756,0:05:35.966 with the Father and the Spirit. 0:05:35.966,0:05:38.480 Verse 6 - now watch this. 0:05:38.480,0:05:40.856 This is the issue that's [br]on the table here. 0:05:40.856,0:05:45.142 Jesus is the Son of God. 0:05:45.142,0:05:47.862 That is how you overcome. 0:05:47.862,0:05:54.626 "This is He Who came by water and blood - 0:05:54.626,0:05:56.221 Jesus Christ." 0:05:56.221,0:05:58.896 Not just "Jesus," but "Jesus Christ." 0:05:58.896,0:06:00.691 He is the Christ. 0:06:00.691,0:06:02.587 The Christ is that which points us 0:06:02.587,0:06:04.562 to His being the Son; 0:06:04.562,0:06:08.944 to His being the anointed. 0:06:08.944,0:06:12.918 "...not by the water only, 0:06:12.918,0:06:16.599 but by the water and the blood." 0:06:16.599,0:06:17.837 You say, what's that? 0:06:17.837,0:06:20.620 Well, we're going to look at that. 0:06:20.620,0:06:30.279 "And the Spirit is the One Who testifies;" 0:06:30.279,0:06:33.504 That's bear's witness. 0:06:33.504,0:06:37.720 "...because the Spirit is the Truth. 0:06:37.720,0:06:40.451 For there are three that testify: 0:06:40.451,0:06:42.108 (or bear witness) 0:06:42.108,0:06:48.838 The Spirit and the water and the blood; 0:06:48.838,0:06:53.661 and these three agree. 0:06:53.661,0:06:55.585 If we receive the testimony 0:06:55.585,0:06:57.095 (or the witness) of men; 0:06:57.095,0:07:00.127 the testimony of God is greater. 0:07:00.127,0:07:02.357 For this is the testimony of God 0:07:02.357,0:07:06.269 that He has borne concerning His Son. 0:07:06.269,0:07:08.979 Whoever believes (here it is again) 0:07:08.979,0:07:13.219 Whoever believes in the Son of God..." 0:07:13.219,0:07:14.407 That's the issue. 0:07:14.407,0:07:15.918 This is all about believing 0:07:15.918,0:07:18.512 that Jesus is the Son of God - 0:07:18.512,0:07:20.388 believing in the Son of God. 0:07:20.388,0:07:26.102 They have this testimony in himself. 0:07:26.102,0:07:27.789 That's where my title comes from. 0:07:27.789,0:07:31.325 God's testimony must be in us. 0:07:31.325,0:07:33.205 "Whoever does not believe God 0:07:33.205,0:07:35.162 has made Him a liar, 0:07:35.162,0:07:37.433 because he has not [br]believed in the testimony 0:07:37.433,0:07:41.875 that God has borne concerning His Son. 0:07:41.875,0:07:47.001 And this is the testimony, [br]that God gave us eternal life, 0:07:47.001,0:07:49.948 and this life is in His Son. 0:07:49.948,0:07:51.373 Whoever has the Son has life; 0:07:51.373,0:07:53.107 whoever does not have the Son of God 0:07:53.107,0:07:55.016 does not have life." 0:07:55.016,0:07:59.598 You see what's at stake. 0:07:59.598,0:08:01.899 Life. 0:08:01.899,0:08:03.545 Life and death. 0:08:03.545,0:08:05.472 "I write these things to you 0:08:05.472,0:08:09.576 who believe in the name of the Son of God 0:08:09.576,0:08:11.620 that you may know 0:08:11.620,0:08:14.906 that you have eternal life." 0:08:14.906,0:08:18.845 So my title:[br]God's Testimony Must Be in Us. 0:08:18.845,0:08:21.564 Now, it's very helpful [br]when we study Scripture 0:08:21.564,0:08:24.479 to notice repetition. 0:08:24.479,0:08:26.218 Why? 0:08:26.218,0:08:28.347 I mean, when you find repetition, 0:08:28.347,0:08:35.288 that is a good indicator that we have 0:08:35.288,0:08:39.266 something the author [br]is seeking to emphasize. 0:08:39.266,0:08:43.753 Look, why does anybody repeatedly talk 0:08:43.753,0:08:44.876 about the same thing 0:08:44.876,0:08:47.012 over and over and over again? 0:08:47.012,0:08:47.941 Repetition. 0:08:47.941,0:08:51.266 Because he has something that 0:08:51.266,0:08:54.727 he deems important that [br]he wants to give you 0:08:54.727,0:08:56.247 a lot of information about 0:08:56.247,0:08:59.141 and he wants to bring clarity about. 0:08:59.141,0:09:03.352 Repetition means emphasis. 0:09:03.352,0:09:05.337 Emphasis and repetition 0:09:05.337,0:09:08.753 point to importance. 0:09:08.753,0:09:10.565 There's something [br]important happening here. 0:09:10.565,0:09:11.938 Let me tell you this. 0:09:11.938,0:09:16.007 In the space of six verses, 0:09:16.007,0:09:19.129 "testimony" or "witness" - 0:09:19.129,0:09:21.403 either in the noun form or the verb form 0:09:21.403,0:09:24.449 is used ten times. 0:09:24.449,0:09:25.912 Notice it again. 0:09:25.912,0:09:28.167 Look at v. 6. 0:09:28.167,0:09:31.938 "The Spirit is the One Who testifies..." 0:09:31.938,0:09:34.462 Or your Bible may say "bears witness." 0:09:34.462,0:09:35.486 Same thing. 0:09:35.486,0:09:37.715 To testify is to bear witness. 0:09:37.715,0:09:39.738 You see it again in v. 7. 0:09:39.738,0:09:46.299 "There are three that testify." 0:09:46.299,0:09:48.836 You see it in v. 9. 0:09:48.836,0:09:52.564 "If we receive the testimony of men, 0:09:52.564,0:09:55.953 the testimony of God is greater. 0:09:55.953,0:09:59.178 For this is the testimony of God 0:09:59.178,0:10:00.902 that He has born..." 0:10:00.902,0:10:05.573 In the ESV, "borne" is testified 0:10:05.573,0:10:07.403 or witnessed to concerning His Son. 0:10:07.403,0:10:09.095 "Whoever believes in the Son of God 0:10:09.095,0:10:11.396 has the testimony in himself. 0:10:11.396,0:10:12.915 Whoever does not believe God 0:10:12.915,0:10:13.850 has made God a liar 0:10:13.850,0:10:16.662 because he has not [br]believed in the testimony 0:10:16.662,0:10:20.112 that God has testified (or borne) 0:10:20.112,0:10:21.436 concerning His Son. 0:10:21.436,0:10:25.013 And this is the testimony..." 0:10:25.013,0:10:27.818 You saw all ten of them right there. 0:10:27.818,0:10:29.985 Six verses. Ten times. 0:10:29.985,0:10:32.738 Testimony. 0:10:32.738,0:10:37.605 Ok, what do we think of? 0:10:37.605,0:10:39.485 David, what do you think of 0:10:39.485,0:10:46.992 when you think of testimony or witness? 0:10:46.992,0:10:48.853 Speaking the truth about something. 0:10:48.853,0:10:51.550 And I'm asking David [br]because he's an attorney. 0:10:51.550,0:10:54.796 When you think about a witness, 0:10:54.796,0:10:56.771 somebody is going to give testimony, 0:10:56.771,0:10:58.592 we think of in a trial; 0:10:58.592,0:11:00.338 we think of a courtroom situation. 0:11:00.338,0:11:03.858 Facts presented in a court. 0:11:03.858,0:11:04.972 That would be the idea: 0:11:04.972,0:11:07.408 the evidence is being given. 0:11:07.408,0:11:09.982 Someone is trying to prove a case. 0:11:09.982,0:11:13.695 A witness is one who goes up on the stand, 0:11:13.695,0:11:16.955 and he provides information 0:11:16.955,0:11:19.929 about what he knows about the case 0:11:19.929,0:11:21.207 or about an individual 0:11:21.207,0:11:24.706 or about certain circumstances 0:11:24.706,0:11:27.487 that surround an event, right? 0:11:27.487,0:11:31.775 That's what a witness is. 0:11:31.775,0:11:35.110 Well, let's ask ourselves this. 0:11:35.110,0:11:41.414 This term is used ten times. 0:11:41.414,0:11:49.155 Well, who is bearing testimony to what? 0:11:49.155,0:11:50.539 Let's ask that question. 0:11:50.539,0:11:52.583 Look at v. 10. 0:11:52.583,0:11:55.721 What sort of testimony is it that [br]John's all worked up about? 0:11:55.721,0:11:58.085 And obviously, if you're [br]going to use that word: 0:11:58.085,0:11:59.589 bang, bang, bang, bang... 0:11:59.589,0:12:00.592 ten times, 0:12:00.592,0:12:03.013 he has something to say about testimony. 0:12:03.013,0:12:04.026 It matters. 0:12:04.026,0:12:06.971 And listen, if for no other reason 0:12:06.971,0:12:09.234 that we would conclude that it matters 0:12:09.234,0:12:12.101 is because he says it has [br]to do with eternal life. 0:12:12.101,0:12:13.689 It has to do with life and death. 0:12:13.689,0:12:15.979 You either have this testimony in you 0:12:15.979,0:12:17.849 or you don't, and if you don't, 0:12:17.849,0:12:19.106 you call God a liar, 0:12:19.106,0:12:21.523 and if you don't, you don't have the Son; 0:12:21.523,0:12:23.158 and if you don't have the Son, 0:12:23.158,0:12:26.192 you don't have life. 0:12:26.192,0:12:29.687 This is not a small matter. 0:12:29.687,0:12:32.617 Now, who's bearing testimony to what? 0:12:32.617,0:12:35.163 Notice v. 10. 0:12:35.163,0:12:37.305 "Whoever believes in the Son of God 0:12:37.305,0:12:40.208 has the testimony in himself. 0:12:40.208,0:12:41.743 Whoever does not believe God 0:12:41.743,0:12:42.811 has made Him a liar 0:12:42.811,0:12:45.020 because he has not (notice this) 0:12:45.020,0:12:47.852 believed in the testimony 0:12:47.852,0:12:52.020 that God has testified to 0:12:52.020,0:12:54.494 (or borne witness to) 0:12:54.494,0:12:58.723 concerning His Son." 0:12:58.723,0:13:00.827 Do you see that? 0:13:00.827,0:13:08.297 It is God Who bears witness to the Son. 0:13:08.297,0:13:13.140 (incomplete thought) 0:13:13.140,0:13:16.186 Think about this. 0:13:16.186,0:13:22.613 If you consider a courtroom situation, 0:13:22.613,0:13:28.212 who's on the witness stand? 0:13:28.212,0:13:31.771 Who's bearing witness? 0:13:31.771,0:13:34.551 The Father. 0:13:34.551,0:13:38.485 He's bearing witness about who? 0:13:38.485,0:13:41.049 About the Son. 0:13:41.049,0:13:43.885 God is bearing testimony. 0:13:43.885,0:13:46.393 It creates this image 0:13:46.393,0:13:49.664 of facts being presented in a courtroom. 0:13:49.664,0:13:52.290 It's like God Himself [br]takes the witness stand. 0:13:52.290,0:13:53.594 Why? 0:13:53.594,0:13:56.333 What is He bearing witness to? 0:13:56.333,0:14:01.598 Who's on trial? 0:14:01.598,0:14:06.824 It's as though God allows His Son 0:14:06.824,0:14:12.997 to be put on trial. 0:14:12.997,0:14:16.849 Do you know that's what 1 John is about? 0:14:16.849,0:14:19.650 Charges are being brought 0:14:19.650,0:14:22.971 against the Son. 0:14:22.971,0:14:26.349 Do you know what those charges are? 0:14:26.349,0:14:32.939 What are the charges being [br]leveled against the Son? 0:14:32.939,0:14:35.026 He's an imposter. 0:14:35.026,0:14:38.693 He's not the Christ. 0:14:38.693,0:14:41.358 Brethren, that's always the issue. 0:14:41.358,0:14:42.887 It's been the issue - 0:14:42.887,0:14:46.128 people who call into [br]question who Christ is. 0:14:46.128,0:14:48.297 Charges about who He is; 0:14:48.297,0:14:49.922 about what His character's like, 0:14:49.922,0:14:51.844 the nature of His work. 0:14:51.844,0:14:53.925 Brethren, you think about the big picture 0:14:53.925,0:14:55.063 here in 1 John. 0:14:55.063,0:14:57.082 Do you remember back in chapter 2? 0:14:57.082,0:14:59.169 Listen, 1 John 2:19. 0:14:59.169,0:15:00.759 "They went out from us..." 0:15:00.759,0:15:03.177 Who are these people that go out from us? 0:15:03.177,0:15:05.629 Well, they're not of us. 0:15:05.629,0:15:08.045 "If they had been with us,[br]they would have continued with us, 0:15:08.045,0:15:10.356 but they went out, that [br]it might become plain 0:15:10.356,0:15:11.613 that they're not of us." 0:15:11.613,0:15:13.111 And what are they like? 0:15:13.111,0:15:14.770 1 John 2:22 0:15:14.770,0:15:16.942 "Who is the liar but he who denies 0:15:16.942,0:15:20.097 that Jesus is the Christ?" 0:15:20.097,0:15:21.700 They didn't deny Jesus 0:15:21.700,0:15:23.252 as a historical figure, 0:15:23.252,0:15:29.389 but they denied certain [br]realities about Him. 0:15:29.389,0:15:31.404 "This is the antichrist - he who denies 0:15:31.404,0:15:33.709 the Father and the Son." 0:15:33.709,0:15:36.719 They were denying the Son. 0:15:36.719,0:15:38.819 "No one who denies the Son 0:15:38.819,0:15:41.323 has the Father. 0:15:41.323,0:15:42.519 Whoever confesses the Son 0:15:42.519,0:15:43.735 has the Father also." 0:15:43.735,0:15:45.801 You go down to v. 26 of chapter 2. 0:15:45.801,0:15:47.888 "I write these things to you about those 0:15:47.888,0:15:49.959 who are trying to deceive you." 0:15:49.959,0:15:51.106 You know what? 0:15:51.106,0:15:52.707 Many false prophets, 0:15:52.707,0:15:54.105 John says in this epistle, 0:15:54.105,0:15:55.530 have gone out into the world. 0:15:55.530,0:15:56.742 You know what you've got? 0:15:56.742,0:15:59.579 You've got a lot of people out there: 0:15:59.579,0:16:00.843 deceivers. 0:16:00.843,0:16:02.634 They are running all around. 0:16:02.634,0:16:03.971 And you know what they do? 0:16:03.971,0:16:05.831 They claim to be witnesses for Christ. 0:16:05.831,0:16:07.412 "Let me tell you about Christ." 0:16:07.412,0:16:08.856 Some of them are even so bold 0:16:08.856,0:16:10.018 to take that name: 0:16:10.018,0:16:13.026 Jehovah's Witnesses. 0:16:13.026,0:16:14.566 (incomplete thought) 0:16:14.566,0:16:16.784 They show up at your door. 0:16:16.784,0:16:18.993 Jehovah's Witnesses. 0:16:18.993,0:16:20.199 "We're the 'witnesses.' 0:16:20.199,0:16:21.603 We're here to witness to you 0:16:21.603,0:16:22.732 about who God is, 0:16:22.732,0:16:24.010 but let me tell you this: 0:16:24.010,0:16:27.071 Jesus is not God." 0:16:27.071,0:16:29.831 See, that's what we have in this world. 0:16:29.831,0:16:35.385 People who are bringing accusation 0:16:35.385,0:16:39.826 against Christ; 0:16:39.826,0:16:44.529 against who He says He is in Scripture. 0:16:44.529,0:16:52.855 Charges being brought against Him by men. 0:16:52.855,0:16:54.151 And you know what? 0:16:54.151,0:16:57.657 They bring these charges - 0:16:57.657,0:16:59.635 they bring this witness, 0:16:59.635,0:17:01.218 that's contrary to the witness 0:17:01.218,0:17:04.668 of the apostles. 0:17:04.668,0:17:06.069 We have it today. 0:17:06.069,0:17:08.876 Brethren, you know what I see in all this? 0:17:08.876,0:17:14.404 I see a fantastic picture 0:17:14.404,0:17:20.727 of just the mercy of God. 0:17:20.727,0:17:23.929 Why? 0:17:23.929,0:17:28.161 Brethren, do you know [br]back there 2,000 years ago, 0:17:28.161,0:17:29.734 those Jewish leaders, 0:17:29.734,0:17:32.429 they called Jesus an imposter. 0:17:32.429,0:17:34.473 You remember that? 0:17:34.473,0:17:40.074 "This imposter said that He was [br]going to rise after three days." 0:17:40.074,0:17:44.346 They put Him on trial. 0:17:44.346,0:17:47.220 They said, "If You're the Son of God, 0:17:47.220,0:17:48.649 You tell us." 0:17:48.649,0:17:50.555 And you know when they went to Pilate, 0:17:50.555,0:17:52.699 they said we have a law. 0:17:52.699,0:17:54.605 He did claim to be the Son of God. 0:17:54.605,0:17:56.757 "Tell us if You're the Messiah." 0:17:56.757,0:17:59.664 He says, "I've told you. [br]You won't believe." 0:17:59.664,0:18:03.535 You said it, guys. 0:18:03.535,0:18:05.580 You know what God allowed? 0:18:05.580,0:18:10.098 God allowed His Son to be put on trial. 0:18:10.098,0:18:13.026 God allowed His Son to have accusations 0:18:13.026,0:18:14.255 brought against Him. 0:18:14.255,0:18:17.076 But you know what's amazing to me? 0:18:17.076,0:18:19.803 God has allowed His Son 0:18:19.803,0:18:23.756 to be put on trial every day since then 0:18:23.756,0:18:26.530 right up until today. 0:18:26.530,0:18:31.050 God actually allows this world 0:18:31.050,0:18:34.702 to be filled with many false witnesses 0:18:34.702,0:18:38.104 who bring charges and bring accusations 0:18:38.104,0:18:39.640 and who seek to witness 0:18:39.640,0:18:41.242 about who Christ is, 0:18:41.242,0:18:43.011 and they're false and they're liars. 0:18:43.011,0:18:48.193 He allows Christ to be put on trial 0:18:48.193,0:18:51.328 and to have His character called out 0:18:51.328,0:18:55.186 and tested. 0:18:55.186,0:18:58.794 And God condescends 0:18:58.794,0:19:01.925 in the sight of you and me 0:19:01.925,0:19:04.712 to take the witness stand 0:19:04.712,0:19:07.517 and let us sit on the jury 0:19:07.517,0:19:11.715 to hear the facts; 0:19:11.715,0:19:14.141 to hear the evidence, 0:19:14.141,0:19:18.069 and to come to a conclusion 0:19:18.069,0:19:19.773 about this matter. 0:19:19.773,0:19:21.316 And I'll tell you what, 0:19:21.316,0:19:23.645 you know what's amazing about it? 0:19:23.645,0:19:25.498 Is a lot of us who He allows to sit 0:19:25.498,0:19:30.052 in that jury to hear the evidence, 0:19:30.052,0:19:32.715 we're the very mockers; 0:19:32.715,0:19:34.805 we're the very fault-finders. 0:19:34.805,0:19:36.314 What's amazing to me 0:19:36.314,0:19:39.782 is that God doesn't put [br]us immediately on trial; 0:19:39.782,0:19:43.761 find us guilty and just snuff us out. 0:19:43.761,0:19:46.506 Instead, like I say, brethren, 0:19:46.506,0:19:51.068 He stoops to say, 0:19:51.068,0:19:55.202 you're hearing all these accusations. 0:19:55.202,0:19:57.767 You're hearing what the deceivers say. 0:19:57.767,0:20:01.715 You're hearing the false witnesses. 0:20:01.715,0:20:03.898 But I'm going to declare to you 0:20:03.898,0:20:06.713 the facts about My Son. 0:20:06.713,0:20:07.716 And hear these. 0:20:07.716,0:20:09.378 And brethren, all we have to do 0:20:09.378,0:20:10.901 is side with God in these facts 0:20:10.901,0:20:13.635 and He says, "you have eternal life." 0:20:13.635,0:20:15.303 That's what He says. 0:20:15.303,0:20:20.610 Hear My testimony of My Son. 0:20:20.610,0:20:23.852 And you believe that testimony, 0:20:23.852,0:20:25.823 and you will have life. 0:20:25.823,0:20:28.031 He mercifully lets us hear 0:20:28.031,0:20:32.816 His own testimony concerning His Son. 0:20:32.816,0:20:34.757 Receive it. Embrace it. 0:20:34.757,0:20:36.437 And what we're going to look at: 0:20:36.437,0:20:38.748 Internalize it. 0:20:38.748,0:20:41.845 A testimony needs to be in you. 0:20:41.845,0:20:44.277 And you have life. 0:20:44.277,0:20:48.268 But, as v. 10 says, 0:20:48.268,0:20:51.579 if we refuse to believe God's testimony 0:20:51.579,0:20:53.403 about His Son, 0:20:53.403,0:20:59.664 we make God out to be a liar. 0:20:59.664,0:21:01.849 You know what that tells us? 0:21:01.849,0:21:07.167 Sometimes we can view [br]unbelief as ignorance. 0:21:07.167,0:21:10.743 We can view unbelief as 0:21:10.743,0:21:17.097 just some kind of weakness to be pitied. 0:21:17.097,0:21:19.471 But do you see what John says here? 0:21:19.471,0:21:21.251 John doesn't let us do that. 0:21:21.251,0:21:26.182 If we refuse God's [br]testimony about His Son - 0:21:26.182,0:21:27.754 you must understand this, 0:21:27.754,0:21:33.629 unbelief - it's an attack on [br]the very character of God. 0:21:33.629,0:21:38.665 It questions His honesty. 0:21:38.665,0:21:42.883 Unbelief is criminal. 0:21:42.883,0:21:46.275 Unbelief is a sin to be deplored, 0:21:46.275,0:21:47.191 to be hated, 0:21:47.191,0:21:48.811 to be abominated. 0:21:48.811,0:21:51.326 It's wicked. 0:21:51.326,0:21:55.346 That's what we're being shown here. 0:21:55.346,0:21:58.868 So, here's what I want to ask you. 0:21:58.868,0:22:02.576 What is the content of God's testimony 0:22:02.576,0:22:05.990 that He bears about His Son? 0:22:05.990,0:22:10.653 What does He actually [br]have to say about the Son? 0:22:10.653,0:22:13.941 When God takes that witness stand, 0:22:13.941,0:22:16.564 what does He testify to? 0:22:16.564,0:22:17.953 That's the question. 0:22:17.953,0:22:19.020 Notice this. 0:22:19.020,0:22:26.362 Notice the flow of v. 7,8, and 9. 0:22:26.362,0:22:28.760 If you've got the King James, 0:22:28.760,0:22:30.626 they're moved around a little bit, 0:22:30.626,0:22:35.901 but you get the same flow. 0:22:35.901,0:22:36.901 Notice this, 0:22:36.901,0:22:40.190 "there are three that testify: 0:22:40.190,0:22:46.041 the Spirit and the water and the blood, 0:22:46.041,0:22:48.354 and these three agree." 0:22:48.354,0:22:49.318 Now, notice that. 0:22:49.318,0:22:50.787 We've been talking about God 0:22:50.787,0:22:54.894 bringing testimony about His Son. 0:22:54.894,0:22:57.010 But, notice this, 0:22:57.010,0:22:59.934 "there are three that testify: 0:22:59.934,0:23:01.891 the Spirit, the water, and the blood. 0:23:01.891,0:23:04.761 And these three agree." 0:23:04.761,0:23:07.983 Now, notice how he just very naturally, 0:23:07.983,0:23:11.644 very fluidly flows into v. 9. 0:23:11.644,0:23:13.911 "If we receive the testimony of men, 0:23:13.911,0:23:16.746 the testimony of God is greater. 0:23:16.746,0:23:18.504 For this is the testimony of God 0:23:18.504,0:23:20.352 that He has borne concerning His Son." 0:23:20.352,0:23:21.451 You see what He says? 0:23:21.451,0:23:24.205 This is the testimony of God. 0:23:24.205,0:23:25.948 What? 0:23:25.948,0:23:27.366 Well, these three that agree. 0:23:27.366,0:23:30.637 Their testimony: the Spirit, [br]the water, and the blood. 0:23:30.637,0:23:33.908 This is the testimony of God. 0:23:33.908,0:23:36.792 I mean, he just so smoothly transitions 0:23:36.792,0:23:38.391 from the testimony of the Spirit, 0:23:38.391,0:23:40.237 the water and the blood, 0:23:40.237,0:23:42.997 right into talking about [br]the testimony of God, 0:23:42.997,0:23:45.524 because what the Spirit says 0:23:45.524,0:23:47.500 and what the water says 0:23:47.500,0:23:50.061 and what the blood says 0:23:50.061,0:23:52.440 is what God says. 0:23:52.440,0:23:55.073 This is the testimony. 0:23:55.073,0:23:57.198 What these three have to say 0:23:57.198,0:24:01.218 is precisely what the Father has to say. 0:24:01.218,0:24:05.172 All three of these testimonies [br]are in agreement. 0:24:05.172,0:24:06.315 All of them agree. 0:24:06.315,0:24:07.666 You know what that means? 0:24:07.666,0:24:08.697 What the Spirit says 0:24:08.697,0:24:09.972 is in agreement with what 0:24:09.972,0:24:11.605 the water and the blood say. 0:24:11.605,0:24:13.378 What the water says is in agreement 0:24:13.378,0:24:14.857 with the Spirit and the blood. 0:24:14.857,0:24:16.405 What the blood says in agreement 0:24:16.405,0:24:17.468 with the first two, 0:24:17.468,0:24:20.508 and all of those are God bearing testimony 0:24:20.508,0:24:21.577 about His Son. 0:24:21.577,0:24:24.456 They all are in agreement [br]with God's testimony. 0:24:24.456,0:24:27.190 They all perfectly agree. 0:24:27.190,0:24:29.648 What do all three testify to individually 0:24:29.648,0:24:31.895 that is in agreement collectively? 0:24:31.895,0:24:33.737 That's what we have to ask ourselves. 0:24:33.737,0:24:35.739 If we want to know, ok, what is it 0:24:35.739,0:24:38.084 that God is saying about His Son? 0:24:38.084,0:24:39.598 Then, we have to ask this: 0:24:39.598,0:24:41.611 What is it that the Spirit says? 0:24:41.611,0:24:43.155 What is it that the water says? 0:24:43.155,0:24:45.267 And what it is that the blood says 0:24:45.267,0:24:48.265 that they each say individually, 0:24:48.265,0:24:49.736 but when you compare them, 0:24:49.736,0:24:54.341 they all agree collectively? 0:24:54.341,0:24:55.685 Well, you know what? 0:24:55.685,0:24:57.738 To figure that out, [br]we've got to figure out 0:24:57.738,0:25:04.933 what the water is and what the blood is. 0:25:04.933,0:25:08.619 Look, I can't tell what somebody is saying 0:25:08.619,0:25:10.142 unless I know who it is 0:25:10.142,0:25:13.133 that I need to go listen to. 0:25:13.133,0:25:15.008 Tell me what the water's saying. 0:25:15.008,0:25:17.384 Well, if you don't know where to find 0:25:17.384,0:25:19.019 this water or what the water is, 0:25:19.019,0:25:21.054 you're not going to know what it's saying. 0:25:21.054,0:25:24.729 You're not going to know [br]who to listen to, right? 0:25:24.729,0:25:27.861 So, I think we have a good idea 0:25:27.861,0:25:29.151 about Who the Spirit is. 0:25:29.151,0:25:30.866 If you've got the King James Bible, 0:25:30.866,0:25:32.978 you have idea about [br]Who the Father is. 0:25:32.978,0:25:35.358 You have a good idea [br]about Who the Word is; 0:25:35.358,0:25:37.494 Who the Holy Ghost is. 0:25:37.494,0:25:40.496 We have an idea about the Spirit. 0:25:40.496,0:25:47.103 Blood - I would suppose 0:25:47.103,0:25:50.330 that's easier than the water. 0:25:50.330,0:25:52.352 But, let's think about these. 0:25:52.352,0:25:55.071 What is John talking about here? 0:25:55.071,0:26:01.002 Listen, eternal life is at stake. 0:26:01.002,0:26:02.374 So we want to hear 0:26:02.374,0:26:03.949 what the water and the blood 0:26:03.949,0:26:04.707 have to say, 0:26:04.707,0:26:06.825 but we've got to figure out who they are 0:26:06.825,0:26:08.492 so that we can listen to them. 0:26:08.492,0:26:09.870 Because what they have to say 0:26:09.870,0:26:12.165 has to do with life. 0:26:12.165,0:26:14.991 Ok, let's talk about this. 0:26:14.991,0:26:16.539 Water and blood. 0:26:16.539,0:26:18.596 I know - you've all read this, 0:26:18.596,0:26:20.248 and you've probably thought, 0:26:20.248,0:26:22.185 what is that? 0:26:22.185,0:26:24.728 I have. 0:26:24.728,0:26:27.656 And you might flip something open 0:26:27.656,0:26:31.282 and look at a commentary or something. 0:26:31.282,0:26:33.093 I don't know. 0:26:33.093,0:26:35.400 How many of you have ever read that 0:26:35.400,0:26:40.677 and thought I wonder what that means? 0:26:40.677,0:26:45.753 Just a few? 0:26:45.753,0:26:49.741 Ok, let me tell you some [br]theories historically. 0:26:49.741,0:26:51.312 And I want to go through them, 0:26:51.312,0:26:55.089 because I want you to wrestle [br]through these things. 0:26:55.089,0:26:57.610 Here are some of the theories. 0:26:57.610,0:27:03.575 One, this is speaking of natural birth. 0:27:03.575,0:27:06.528 Some say this has to do 0:27:06.528,0:27:09.997 with the Incarnation 0:27:09.997,0:27:13.010 and Jesus being born of a virgin 0:27:13.010,0:27:16.318 because in natural birth, 0:27:16.318,0:27:19.153 the amniotic fluid - the water breaks. 0:27:19.153,0:27:20.192 We talk about that. 0:27:20.192,0:27:21.569 There's your water. 0:27:21.569,0:27:23.233 And then there's typically blood. 0:27:23.233,0:27:25.192 Why? Because women sometimes tear 0:27:25.192,0:27:27.270 and the placenta detaches 0:27:27.270,0:27:31.817 and so some have said that. 0:27:31.817,0:27:33.830 That's what John has in mind. 0:27:33.830,0:27:35.274 Others have said 0:27:35.274,0:27:37.784 this is not birth - 0:27:37.784,0:27:40.894 this is humanity itself, 0:27:40.894,0:27:44.765 because man is just basically 0:27:44.765,0:27:48.949 water and blood. 0:27:48.949,0:27:51.060 That one doesn't even sound convincing, 0:27:51.060,0:27:54.294 but some have thought that. 0:27:54.294,0:27:57.955 Now, one that is very obviously 0:27:57.955,0:28:00.103 going to come into people's minds 0:28:00.103,0:28:05.667 is the spear thrust in Jesus' side. 0:28:05.667,0:28:13.267 And out came blood and water. 0:28:13.267,0:28:15.718 John himself actually mentions that 0:28:15.718,0:28:19.240 over in his Gospel in chapter 19. 0:28:19.240,0:28:20.927 Some have believed 0:28:20.927,0:28:25.076 that the water is baptism, 0:28:25.076,0:28:28.743 and the blood points to the Lord's Supper. 0:28:28.743,0:28:32.460 And so you have the two ordinances, 0:28:32.460,0:28:34.132 or if you're in certain circles, 0:28:34.132,0:28:37.373 the two sacraments. 0:28:37.373,0:28:40.237 So some have thought that. 0:28:40.237,0:28:44.498 Others have thought that water, 0:28:44.498,0:28:46.797 because of Ephesians 5 - 0:28:46.797,0:28:48.849 washing of the water of the Word, 0:28:48.849,0:28:51.177 that this has to do with the Spirit 0:28:51.177,0:28:57.924 and with Scripture and with the cross. 0:28:57.924,0:29:02.299 Ian Paisley believes that 0:29:02.299,0:29:04.553 and he preaches from this text 0:29:04.553,0:29:06.132 and preaches about revival. 0:29:06.132,0:29:08.472 And even though I might not agree with 0:29:08.472,0:29:10.221 how he's interpreted it, 0:29:10.221,0:29:17.414 I would probably recommend [br]his message on that. 0:29:17.414,0:29:19.258 Some have looked at this and said 0:29:19.258,0:29:24.423 the water refers to [br]Jesus' baptizing ministry. 0:29:24.423,0:29:29.374 He baptized people. 0:29:29.374,0:29:32.659 And others believe that this deals 0:29:32.659,0:29:37.599 with Jesus Himself being baptized 0:29:37.599,0:29:40.019 by John the Baptist, 0:29:40.019,0:29:45.089 and then the blood deals with the cross. 0:29:45.089,0:29:49.962 That's what I believe [br]that this is talking about. 0:29:49.962,0:29:51.991 Let me show you why. 0:29:51.991,0:29:55.214 First, I want you to notice the text. 0:29:55.214,0:29:58.020 Notice v. 5. 0:29:58.020,0:30:01.128 "Who is it that overcomes the world 0:30:01.128,0:30:03.288 except the one who believes 0:30:03.288,0:30:08.454 that Jesus is the Son of God? 0:30:08.454,0:30:12.411 This is He who came..." 0:30:12.411,0:30:17.949 Notice the word "came." 0:30:17.949,0:30:21.059 Scott picked a song today: 0:30:21.059,0:30:25.553 "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." 0:30:25.553,0:30:29.462 Come... to ransomed Israel. 0:30:29.462,0:30:32.804 Come. 0:30:32.804,0:30:33.926 You know what? 0:30:33.926,0:30:37.062 Whatever the water and the blood is, 0:30:37.062,0:30:42.851 it describes the manner of His coming. 0:30:42.851,0:30:46.888 That you can see. 0:30:46.888,0:30:49.248 Brethren, this idea of coming - 0:30:49.248,0:30:50.890 it was captured in that song. 0:30:50.890,0:30:54.634 Come. Come. 0:30:54.634,0:30:58.303 Listen to John 11:27. 0:30:58.303,0:31:00.109 "Martha said to Jesus, 0:31:00.109,0:31:04.478 'Yes, Lord, I believe [br]that You are the Christ; 0:31:04.478,0:31:06.336 the Son of God, 0:31:06.336,0:31:09.022 Who is coming into the world.'" 0:31:09.022,0:31:12.024 The verb tense there is interesting. 0:31:12.024,0:31:15.349 "...Who is coming." 0:31:15.349,0:31:22.303 Why not just all-said-and-done past tense? 0:31:22.303,0:31:24.262 I believe You came. 0:31:24.262,0:31:25.785 Why talk this way? 0:31:25.785,0:31:28.334 "...Who is coming." 0:31:28.334,0:31:30.167 Maybe because coming doesn't have 0:31:30.167,0:31:32.813 so much to do with His birth 0:31:32.813,0:31:34.619 in the beginning 0:31:34.619,0:31:44.460 as much as His ministry as a whole. 0:31:44.460,0:31:46.417 John 6:14 "When the people saw the sign 0:31:46.417,0:31:47.851 that He had done, they said, 0:31:47.851,0:31:50.402 'This is indeed the Prophet 0:31:50.402,0:31:53.802 Who is to come into the world.'" 0:31:53.802,0:31:56.449 Matthew 11:3 - You remember, 0:31:56.449,0:32:01.221 John the Baptist finds himself in jail, 0:32:01.221,0:32:03.106 prison by Herod, 0:32:03.106,0:32:04.477 and what does he say? 0:32:04.477,0:32:07.438 He sends his disciples to Jesus 0:32:07.438,0:32:09.917 and he says, 0:32:09.917,0:32:12.707 "Are You the One Who is to come, 0:32:12.707,0:32:14.603 or should we be looking for another?" 0:32:14.603,0:32:17.273 The One Who is to come. 0:32:17.273,0:32:19.291 How about 1 John 5:20? 0:32:19.291,0:32:21.297 Right as we're wrapping up this epistle. 0:32:21.297,0:32:26.180 "We know that the Son of God has come." 0:32:26.180,0:32:28.431 Well, here's the thing, 0:32:28.431,0:32:31.580 if water and blood 0:32:31.580,0:32:34.008 describe something about the manner 0:32:34.008,0:32:37.119 in which Jesus comes, 0:32:37.119,0:32:38.791 it probably rules out baptism 0:32:38.791,0:32:41.742 and the Lord's Supper right off. 0:32:41.742,0:32:43.627 It probably rules out the fact that 0:32:43.627,0:32:47.113 water is speaking about Scripture. 0:32:47.113,0:32:49.641 But here's something else [br]I want you to notice. 0:32:49.641,0:32:53.120 Look at v. 6. 0:32:53.120,0:32:56.524 "This is He Who came by water and blood." 0:32:56.524,0:32:58.682 So it describes the manner of His coming, 0:32:58.682,0:33:01.737 but notice this as well. 0:33:01.737,0:33:08.720 "Jesus Christ - not by the water only, 0:33:08.720,0:33:11.190 but by the water and the blood." 0:33:11.190,0:33:14.831 Why would somebody say 0:33:14.831,0:33:17.446 something this way? 0:33:17.446,0:33:19.738 I mean, if you're talking to somebody else 0:33:19.738,0:33:21.736 and you want to substantiate 0:33:21.736,0:33:23.610 that two things happened - 0:33:23.610,0:33:26.710 two separate things. 0:33:26.710,0:33:29.457 And you say, look, I want you to know, 0:33:29.457,0:33:30.709 it wasn't only this, 0:33:30.709,0:33:35.049 it was this and this. 0:33:35.049,0:33:37.343 That seems like it's speaking 0:33:37.343,0:33:41.470 about two separate things. 0:33:41.470,0:33:43.492 Now listen. 0:33:43.492,0:33:45.885 There's a courtroom scene here. 0:33:45.885,0:33:48.505 God is bearing testimony 0:33:48.505,0:33:50.548 by the water and the blood 0:33:50.548,0:33:56.442 against the false witness. 0:33:56.442,0:33:59.545 You know why you talk this way? 0:33:59.545,0:34:01.759 If you're John, you talk this way 0:34:01.759,0:34:06.370 because those who are in opposition to you 0:34:06.370,0:34:11.176 affirm the one, but not the other. 0:34:11.176,0:34:13.899 That's why you talk that way. 0:34:13.899,0:34:15.519 Those who are in opposition 0:34:15.519,0:34:18.423 may be affirming whatever the water means, 0:34:18.423,0:34:19.343 but not the blood. 0:34:19.343,0:34:20.365 That's why you say, 0:34:20.365,0:34:22.506 He came not just by the water, 0:34:22.506,0:34:25.019 He came by the water and the blood. 0:34:25.019,0:34:26.615 You want to drive that blood home 0:34:26.615,0:34:30.274 because that is what is being contested. 0:34:30.274,0:34:33.958 I suspect that these are [br]two separate things. 0:34:33.958,0:34:38.231 One is being somewhat acknowledged 0:34:38.231,0:34:40.400 by the deceivers. 0:34:40.400,0:34:42.998 The other is being rejected. 0:34:42.998,0:34:44.909 And if they're two separate things, 0:34:44.909,0:34:47.183 it would eliminate all these theories 0:34:47.183,0:34:50.949 that the two seem to indicate one thing, 0:34:50.949,0:34:52.557 like the spear in the side 0:34:52.557,0:35:00.142 or birth and the fluid and the blood. 0:35:00.142,0:35:03.547 I really believe that what we have here 0:35:03.547,0:35:09.663 is we have two distinct events. 0:35:09.663,0:35:11.914 I believe that what John has in mind here 0:35:11.914,0:35:15.814 is Jesus' water baptism 0:35:15.814,0:35:20.038 and His bloody death on the cross. 0:35:20.038,0:35:21.292 And here's why I think 0:35:21.292,0:35:23.748 that this is what John means. 0:35:23.748,0:35:29.321 First, it just works. 0:35:29.321,0:35:32.237 That wouldn't be my only [br]reason, but it works, right? 0:35:32.237,0:35:34.931 I mean, when you think [br]about baptism, there's water. 0:35:34.931,0:35:37.220 When you think about [br]the cross, there's blood. 0:35:37.220,0:35:38.586 It works that way. 0:35:38.586,0:35:40.477 It's not off in left field. 0:35:40.477,0:35:43.892 Here's the second thing. 0:35:43.892,0:35:47.500 The second thing is that water and blood 0:35:47.500,0:35:54.392 validate the manner of Jesus' coming. 0:35:54.392,0:35:57.383 "This is He Who came 0:35:57.383,0:35:59.209 by the water and the blood." 0:35:59.209,0:36:02.934 Now when you think of [br]the Son of God coming, 0:36:02.934,0:36:05.299 you know what the baptism 0:36:05.299,0:36:09.352 and the cross are? 0:36:09.352,0:36:13.917 They're like bookends. 0:36:13.917,0:36:18.324 To what? 0:36:18.324,0:36:21.977 His ministry. 0:36:21.977,0:36:25.825 It's like the start and the end. 0:36:25.825,0:36:31.612 He came. He came as the Messiah. 0:36:31.612,0:36:36.660 This is pointing to His [br]very earthly ministry - 0:36:36.660,0:36:38.604 the public ministry of our Lord. 0:36:38.604,0:36:40.539 You've got baptism at the commencement 0:36:40.539,0:36:41.549 of His ministry, 0:36:41.549,0:36:44.149 and the blood brings in the consummation 0:36:44.149,0:36:46.747 of His saving ministry 0:36:46.747,0:36:48.049 there on the cross. 0:36:48.049,0:36:50.021 Water and blood seem to serve 0:36:50.021,0:36:53.657 to sum up Christ's redemptive mission. 0:36:53.657,0:36:55.727 The inauguration, the consummation 0:36:55.727,0:36:58.594 of the public ministry [br]of the Incarnate Christ. 0:36:58.594,0:37:01.316 But here's another thing, brethren, 0:37:01.316,0:37:03.149 think with me here. 0:37:03.149,0:37:04.558 You know the thing that John 0:37:04.558,0:37:06.844 is wanting to drive home? 0:37:06.844,0:37:10.309 Is that Jesus is the Christ. 0:37:10.309,0:37:14.470 It is Jesus is the Son of God. 0:37:14.470,0:37:17.947 Let me ask you this. 0:37:17.947,0:37:24.489 What happened at the baptism? 0:37:24.489,0:37:28.933 Listen, we're talking about the testimony 0:37:28.933,0:37:30.669 of the water 0:37:30.669,0:37:34.919 and the testimony of the blood. 0:37:34.919,0:37:37.145 What do they speak? 0:37:37.145,0:37:39.221 Is there anything that happened 0:37:39.221,0:37:41.076 at the baptism of Christ 0:37:41.076,0:37:45.969 that speaks to Him being the Son of God? 0:37:45.969,0:37:49.156 Because that is the [br]issue on the table here. 0:37:49.156,0:37:51.815 Is there anything at His baptism? 0:37:51.815,0:37:57.753 That speaks of Him being the Son of God? 0:37:57.753,0:37:59.208 Brethren, when He was baptized 0:37:59.208,0:38:02.505 a voice from Heaven said - 0:38:02.505,0:38:06.012 brethren, listen to this. 0:38:06.012,0:38:09.850 This is what we find concerning 0:38:09.850,0:38:13.133 the water in John 1. 0:38:13.133,0:38:16.638 John says this in John 1:31: 0:38:16.638,0:38:19.000 "I myself did not know Him, 0:38:19.000,0:38:21.863 but for this purpose I came baptizing." 0:38:21.863,0:38:23.020 Now, notice this. 0:38:23.020,0:38:28.663 Why did John come baptizing with water? 0:38:28.663,0:38:32.674 He says, "that He might [br]be revealed to Israel." 0:38:32.674,0:38:34.710 This is the revelation. 0:38:34.710,0:38:35.775 And notice this: 0:38:35.775,0:38:36.992 "John bore witness. 0:38:36.992,0:38:38.901 'I saw the Spirit descend from Heaven 0:38:38.901,0:38:41.057 like a dove and it remained on Him. 0:38:41.057,0:38:43.306 I myself did not know Him, 0:38:43.306,0:38:45.409 but He Who sent me to baptize with water 0:38:45.409,0:38:47.420 said to me, 'He on Whom you see the Spirit 0:38:47.420,0:38:48.591 descend and remain, 0:38:48.591,0:38:51.185 this is He Who baptizes [br]with the Holy Spirit. 0:38:51.185,0:38:53.882 And I have seen and have borne witness 0:38:53.882,0:38:57.363 that this is the Son of God.'" 0:38:57.363,0:39:01.963 You see, that baptism was the bookend. 0:39:01.963,0:39:03.161 It was the beginning. 0:39:03.161,0:39:04.725 It was the inauguration 0:39:04.725,0:39:06.952 of His earthly ministry. 0:39:06.952,0:39:08.922 His rescuing of sinners. 0:39:08.922,0:39:11.200 This is where He comes on the scene. 0:39:11.200,0:39:12.503 And when He does, 0:39:12.503,0:39:14.760 and when He goes in that water, 0:39:14.760,0:39:16.709 John says I knew it. Why? 0:39:16.709,0:39:18.806 The Spirit of God came on Him. 0:39:18.806,0:39:22.000 He says I knew that was the Son of God. 0:39:22.000,0:39:23.419 And if that's not enough, 0:39:23.419,0:39:25.285 that voice spoke from Heaven. 0:39:25.285,0:39:27.470 "This is My Son." 0:39:27.470,0:39:29.041 The water - that baptism - 0:39:29.041,0:39:32.549 it declares Him as the Son of God. 0:39:32.549,0:39:36.778 The Spirit is one with the [br]testimony in all of this. 0:39:36.778,0:39:39.054 The Spirit came upon Him; 0:39:39.054,0:39:41.471 identified Him. 0:39:41.471,0:39:48.438 Brethren, if we go to the blood, 0:39:48.438,0:39:50.767 I'll tell you this. 0:39:50.767,0:39:55.640 1 Timothy 3 0:39:55.640,0:39:57.361 "Great indeed we confess is 0:39:57.361,0:39:58.790 the mystery of godliness." 0:39:58.790,0:40:00.337 We know this, 0:40:00.337,0:40:02.191 that Jesus Christ, 0:40:02.191,0:40:03.942 He was manifested in the flesh. 0:40:03.942,0:40:06.002 God manifested in the flesh. 0:40:06.002,0:40:10.034 And He was vindicated by the Spirit. 0:40:10.034,0:40:13.729 Vindicated. How was He vindicated? 0:40:13.729,0:40:17.097 Brethren, when He shed blood, 0:40:17.097,0:40:23.198 how was He vindicated? 0:40:23.198,0:40:27.278 You know what Romans 1:4 says? 0:40:27.278,0:40:30.015 Let me read it to you. 0:40:30.015,0:40:33.361 "He was declared to be the Son of God 0:40:33.361,0:40:36.573 in power according to [br]the Spirit of holiness 0:40:36.573,0:40:38.663 by His resurrection from the dead, 0:40:38.663,0:40:40.232 Jesus Christ our Lord." 0:40:40.232,0:40:41.926 I'll tell you this. 0:40:41.926,0:40:43.528 At the baptism, 0:40:43.528,0:40:48.260 the Spirit testified by coming upon Him. 0:40:48.260,0:40:49.615 John the Baptist said 0:40:49.615,0:40:53.038 this is the Son of God. 0:40:53.038,0:40:55.318 It's proven. The voice from Heaven: 0:40:55.318,0:40:56.712 "This is My Son." 0:40:56.712,0:40:59.785 When you go to His death on the cross, 0:40:59.785,0:41:01.349 vindicated. 0:41:01.349,0:41:03.726 The Spirit of God raises [br]Him from the dead. 0:41:03.726,0:41:06.824 This declares Him, Paul says, 0:41:06.824,0:41:09.093 to be the Son of God. 0:41:09.093,0:41:15.399 Brethren, just look at [br]what's being said here 0:41:15.399,0:41:17.656 by John in 1 John. 0:41:17.656,0:41:20.856 "Who is it that overcomes the world[br]except the one who believes 0:41:20.856,0:41:22.851 that Jesus is the Son of God?" 0:41:22.851,0:41:23.766 Look at v. 10. 0:41:23.766,0:41:25.807 "Whoever believes in the Son of God 0:41:25.807,0:41:29.364 has the testimony." 0:41:29.364,0:41:32.730 Notice what it says in 5:12-13. 0:41:32.738,0:41:34.313 "Whoever has the Son has life. 0:41:34.313,0:41:36.188 Whoever does not have the Son of God 0:41:36.188,0:41:37.264 does not have life. 0:41:37.264,0:41:39.882 I write these things to you who believe 0:41:39.882,0:41:42.386 in the name of the Son of God 0:41:42.386,0:41:44.576 that you may know that [br]you have eternal life." 0:41:44.576,0:41:46.870 What is it that John's making a case for? 0:41:46.870,0:41:49.372 Jesus as the Son of God. 0:41:49.372,0:41:50.654 He is the Christ. 0:41:50.654,0:41:52.929 What is it that the water [br]bears witness to? 0:41:52.929,0:41:53.990 That fact. 0:41:53.990,0:41:56.299 What is it that the blood [br]bears witness to? 0:41:56.299,0:41:57.664 That fact. 0:41:57.664,0:41:59.990 He comes. He identifes with our sin. 0:41:59.990,0:42:01.468 Brethren, that baptism - 0:42:01.468,0:42:02.584 you think about it. 0:42:02.584,0:42:05.368 It was a baptism of repentance. 0:42:05.368,0:42:09.046 It was a baptism where [br]people confess their sins. 0:42:09.046,0:42:10.641 Jesus had none to confess, 0:42:10.641,0:42:12.719 but He identifies with us. 0:42:12.719,0:42:15.410 He identifies with us in that baptism. 0:42:15.410,0:42:17.501 He identifies with us at the cross. 0:42:17.501,0:42:20.863 He becomes sin for us at that cross. 0:42:20.863,0:42:23.235 He makes atonement for us. 0:42:23.235,0:42:25.457 He satisfies the wrath of God. 0:42:25.457,0:42:29.318 These two bookend His public ministry. 0:42:29.318,0:42:31.770 They both at the beginning and at the end, 0:42:31.770,0:42:34.201 they boldly declare 0:42:34.201,0:42:35.446 and they are one 0:42:35.446,0:42:38.046 with the testimony of the Spirit, 0:42:38.046,0:42:41.620 that He is the Son of God. 0:42:41.620,0:42:44.470 That is what's being [br]put on the table here. 0:42:44.470,0:42:47.672 Brethren, there's another reason. 0:42:47.672,0:42:49.504 This one has more to do with history. 0:42:49.504,0:42:55.689 But we know that in John's day, 0:42:55.689,0:42:59.828 there was a gnostic heretic 0:42:59.828,0:43:02.109 by the name of Cerinthus. 0:43:02.109,0:43:07.646 And he was saying 0:43:07.646,0:43:11.001 that the eternal Christ 0:43:11.001,0:43:13.998 came upon the man Jesus Christ 0:43:13.998,0:43:19.014 at the baptism. 0:43:19.014,0:43:24.617 But that eternal Christ left the man Jesus 0:43:24.617,0:43:28.322 prior to the cross. 0:43:28.322,0:43:30.230 It would make perfect sense 0:43:30.230,0:43:34.521 why John would say, 0:43:34.521,0:43:37.211 not the water only - 0:43:37.211,0:43:39.718 the water and the blood. 0:43:39.718,0:43:44.211 Christ was there in the water 0:43:44.211,0:43:46.213 and in the blood. 0:43:46.213,0:43:50.525 And He is One. He is the Christ. 0:43:50.525,0:43:52.300 You have to see that in v. 6. 0:43:52.300,0:43:53.842 He plants that right in there. 0:43:53.842,0:43:56.429 Jesus Christ. 0:43:56.429,0:43:59.357 You see, we don't experience [br]a lot of the attacks 0:43:59.357,0:44:02.188 on Christ's person like they did then. 0:44:02.188,0:44:03.427 They're different. 0:44:03.427,0:44:04.719 They tend to morph. 0:44:04.719,0:44:05.718 But you know what? 0:44:05.718,0:44:07.095 In every age it's the same. 0:44:07.095,0:44:08.397 It's an attack on Christ. 0:44:08.397,0:44:11.030 And what God testifies to 0:44:11.030,0:44:12.659 when He takes the witness stand 0:44:12.659,0:44:14.338 and He bears witness to 0:44:14.338,0:44:17.415 is what is true about His Son. 0:44:17.415,0:44:19.080 And what is true about Him? 0:44:19.080,0:44:21.522 God came. Immanuel. 0:44:21.522,0:44:22.858 God with us. 0:44:22.858,0:44:26.623 God came and God identified with sinners 0:44:26.623,0:44:28.513 as a man Himself. 0:44:28.513,0:44:30.534 And He was baptized; 0:44:30.534,0:44:32.485 He was declared to be the Son of God. 0:44:32.485,0:44:34.382 He did these miracles. 0:44:34.382,0:44:37.555 He publicly displayed Himself. 0:44:37.555,0:44:40.078 And these works attested to Him. 0:44:40.078,0:44:41.897 And He comes all the way to the end, 0:44:41.897,0:44:43.489 and the Spirit vindicates Him 0:44:43.489,0:44:45.319 and raises Him from the dead, 0:44:45.319,0:44:47.460 and shows that the shedding of His blood 0:44:47.460,0:44:49.147 was acceptable to the Father. 0:44:49.147,0:44:50.734 The grave could not hold Him. 0:44:50.734,0:44:53.343 And in that, He is declared [br]to be the Son of God. 0:44:53.343,0:44:55.163 That's what Scripture says to us. 0:44:55.163,0:45:03.331 Now, folks, here's the thing. 0:45:03.331,0:45:07.555 The whole basis of my [br]overcoming this world; 0:45:07.555,0:45:10.812 the whole basis for my eternal life 0:45:10.812,0:45:12.419 is what? 0:45:12.419,0:45:15.076 V. 5 says it: The basis of [br]my overcoming the world 0:45:15.076,0:45:18.332 is that I believe He's the Son of God. 0:45:18.332,0:45:21.709 The basis for my eternal life 0:45:21.709,0:45:24.716 we find in v. 11-13. 0:45:24.716,0:45:26.419 It is that I have the Son. 0:45:26.419,0:45:29.125 It is that I believe in the Son of God. 0:45:29.125,0:45:32.208 I believe that He is the Son of God. 0:45:32.208,0:45:34.930 Brethren, if the whole [br]basis of my overcoming 0:45:34.930,0:45:36.718 and the whole basis of my life 0:45:36.718,0:45:39.493 is in Christ as the Son of God, 0:45:39.493,0:45:41.652 God the Son - 0:45:41.652,0:45:43.603 if I am to look there; 0:45:43.603,0:45:45.975 if my only hope is to be there, 0:45:45.975,0:45:47.258 if I am to rely on Him; 0:45:47.258,0:45:49.085 if I am to rest on Him; 0:45:49.085,0:45:51.397 if it's absolutely essential 0:45:51.397,0:45:56.286 that I know that I have this life 0:45:56.286,0:45:57.871 or that I'm going to overcome, 0:45:57.871,0:46:01.316 it's got to be that I, brethren, 0:46:01.316,0:46:03.526 it's only going to be that if you believe 0:46:03.526,0:46:04.485 in Jesus Christ. 0:46:04.485,0:46:07.460 If you're supposed to [br]believe in Jesus Christ 0:46:07.460,0:46:09.129 to have this life and to overcome, 0:46:09.129,0:46:10.042 I'll tell you this, 0:46:10.042,0:46:11.853 brethren, it is absolutely essential 0:46:11.853,0:46:14.041 that you know that you can believe in Him. 0:46:14.041,0:46:15.000 That's the issue. 0:46:15.000,0:46:17.207 That's why God takes the stand. 0:46:17.207,0:46:19.575 He takes the stand to say, 0:46:19.575,0:46:23.604 "Sinner, I'm not here just to tell you 0:46:23.604,0:46:26.658 that He's like this, [br]but I'm here to tell you 0:46:26.658,0:46:29.513 He's like this to know that you can 0:46:29.513,0:46:32.852 put your faith in Him." 0:46:32.852,0:46:35.299 That's what this is all about. 0:46:35.299,0:46:38.872 He is the One Who came from glory. 0:46:38.872,0:46:41.358 He is the One Who could suffer 0:46:41.358,0:46:44.367 in the place of a multitude of sinners, 0:46:44.367,0:46:45.812 because He isn't man only. 0:46:45.812,0:46:47.713 Oh yes, He became like man. 0:46:47.713,0:46:49.321 He came like man. 0:46:49.321,0:46:51.094 He came in the likeness of man. 0:46:51.094,0:46:52.607 He came fully man; 0:46:52.607,0:46:54.450 in every respect man, 0:46:54.450,0:46:57.477 yes, like the offspring of Abraham. 0:46:57.477,0:46:59.592 Yes, He did and He had to. 0:46:59.592,0:47:01.049 He had to be man. 0:47:01.049,0:47:03.798 And He had to fulfill the law as a man. 0:47:03.798,0:47:06.176 And He had to die as a man. 0:47:06.176,0:47:08.857 But He was more than man. 0:47:08.857,0:47:11.730 He is the God-man. 0:47:11.730,0:47:13.610 And that will be attacked all the time. 0:47:13.610,0:47:15.883 And He was the God-man when He came. 0:47:15.883,0:47:17.421 He was the God-man there 0:47:17.421,0:47:18.594 when He was baptized. 0:47:18.594,0:47:20.203 He was the God-man when He died; 0:47:20.203,0:47:21.912 when He hung His head and He said, 0:47:21.912,0:47:23.010 "It is finished." 0:47:23.010,0:47:25.808 And He gave up His spirit. 0:47:25.808,0:47:27.627 Brethren, and He was vindicated. 0:47:27.627,0:47:31.358 What He did, He did as the Son of God, 0:47:31.358,0:47:34.235 and He was declared to be so. 0:47:34.235,0:47:35.695 You have to recognize this. 0:47:35.695,0:47:37.851 His coming out of the grave 0:47:37.851,0:47:40.826 vindicated that He was [br]indeed the Son of God. 0:47:40.826,0:47:42.504 Because if He was merely a man, 0:47:42.504,0:47:44.647 He would have never come out of the grave. 0:47:44.647,0:47:46.727 Because one man cannot pay the sins 0:47:46.727,0:47:48.623 of a whole multitude of men. 0:47:48.623,0:47:49.886 No way. 0:47:49.886,0:47:51.541 There's nothing just about that. 0:47:51.541,0:47:54.428 He actually had to have the ability 0:47:54.428,0:47:57.497 to pay what all of us owed. 0:47:57.497,0:47:59.661 And the fact that He [br]came out of that grave, 0:47:59.661,0:48:02.150 showed that it was paid. 0:48:02.150,0:48:04.871 Brethren, if I am to rely on Him; 0:48:04.871,0:48:06.340 if I am to rest on Him; 0:48:06.340,0:48:08.131 it is absolutely essential 0:48:08.131,0:48:10.359 that I know that I can rely on Him. 0:48:10.359,0:48:14.885 And John says you can know. 0:48:14.885,0:48:16.449 There is a testimony. 0:48:16.449,0:48:18.990 Brethren, men will come to you 0:48:18.990,0:48:20.821 and they will say all sorts of things. 0:48:20.821,0:48:23.056 Men will tell you what they [br]know, what they've heard, 0:48:23.056,0:48:24.259 what their opinion is. 0:48:24.259,0:48:25.557 But what we're told here 0:48:25.557,0:48:28.496 is that there is a greater testimony. 0:48:28.496,0:48:31.451 This is not just the [br]testimony of a mere man. 0:48:31.451,0:48:34.022 This is the revelation of God Himself. 0:48:34.022,0:48:36.171 You must know God stepped in. 0:48:36.171,0:48:38.120 He had this book written. 0:48:38.120,0:48:39.479 He's given it to us. 0:48:39.479,0:48:41.884 The testimony is here, brethren, 0:48:41.884,0:48:43.201 of Who Christ is, 0:48:43.201,0:48:45.310 and the fact that you can rest on Him. 0:48:45.310,0:48:47.255 This is a much greater testimony 0:48:47.255,0:48:50.647 than any man can give. 0:48:50.647,0:48:52.893 This is the greater testimony. 0:48:52.893,0:48:54.656 Now, here's the thing, brethren. 0:48:54.656,0:48:57.723 Here is the thing. 0:48:57.723,0:49:00.214 Here's were my title comes in. 0:49:00.214,0:49:03.140 This revelation does not simply mean 0:49:03.140,0:49:05.581 I look at some external fact and I say, 0:49:05.581,0:49:06.630 oh, well, that's nice. 0:49:06.630,0:49:09.153 I can read that. I see it. 0:49:09.153,0:49:11.734 He's the Son of God. 0:49:11.734,0:49:16.603 What John says in v. 10, 0:49:16.603,0:49:20.273 "Whoever believes in the Son of God 0:49:20.273,0:49:26.068 has the testimony in himself." 0:49:26.068,0:49:31.143 Make sure you don't miss that. 0:49:31.143,0:49:33.795 John says that for the true believer, 0:49:33.795,0:49:41.143 God's testimony is internalized. 0:49:41.143,0:49:42.981 What does that mean? 0:49:42.981,0:49:44.395 What does that mean to have 0:49:44.395,0:49:52.831 God's testimony in you? 0:49:52.831,0:49:54.263 Well, I'll tell you this, 0:49:54.263,0:49:59.130 it's no longer just an [br]external fact to you. 0:49:59.130,0:50:06.326 It's something that [br]finds a place within you. 0:50:06.326,0:50:07.862 Certainly, it means that 0:50:07.862,0:50:10.465 what God has testified to 0:50:10.465,0:50:14.831 concerning His Son 0:50:14.831,0:50:16.973 is not just out there, 0:50:16.973,0:50:19.751 or in here. 0:50:19.751,0:50:23.572 It's in here. 0:50:23.572,0:50:27.811 It means it's mine. 0:50:27.811,0:50:29.945 It's inside. 0:50:29.945,0:50:31.512 I've internalized it. 0:50:31.512,0:50:34.503 It means the truth concerning Christ 0:50:34.503,0:50:38.828 resonates in me. 0:50:38.828,0:50:44.328 It's like a plant that has roots 0:50:44.328,0:50:48.396 that go into the ground. 0:50:48.396,0:50:50.974 This goes into me with roots 0:50:50.974,0:50:53.185 that go down deep inside. 0:50:53.185,0:50:56.309 The testimony of God is in me. 0:50:56.309,0:50:57.947 I feel it in myself. 0:50:57.947,0:51:00.063 My whole outlook on life, on death, 0:51:00.063,0:51:01.742 is controlled by this. 0:51:01.742,0:51:04.799 I view everything by the testimony of God 0:51:04.799,0:51:06.012 about His Son. 0:51:06.012,0:51:08.813 I hope, I rely, I find [br]my confidence there. 0:51:08.813,0:51:10.863 Brethren, don't you want this? 0:51:10.863,0:51:12.684 Don't you want it? 0:51:12.684,0:51:15.127 Don't you want that resonating within you 0:51:15.127,0:51:17.011 where you look at Christ and you say, 0:51:17.011,0:51:20.353 I know it. I know this inside. 0:51:20.353,0:51:22.088 It regulates. It motivates. 0:51:22.088,0:51:23.485 It constrains me. 0:51:23.485,0:51:25.114 Everything I do, my conscience - 0:51:25.114,0:51:27.354 everything that's within us. 0:51:27.354,0:51:28.590 What's within you? 0:51:28.590,0:51:30.819 Your will, your conscience, 0:51:30.819,0:51:34.015 your memory, your desires. 0:51:34.015,0:51:35.435 Brethren, when it's in you, 0:51:35.435,0:51:36.998 all those things that are in you 0:51:36.998,0:51:39.395 find rest there; find confidence there. 0:51:39.395,0:51:42.372 All your hopes, all your faith, 0:51:42.372,0:51:44.224 that's the foundation. 0:51:44.224,0:51:46.263 This is that which rules us. 0:51:46.263,0:51:48.841 It motivates us. 0:51:48.841,0:51:54.036 God's greater testimony must be in us. 0:51:54.036,0:51:56.407 I must know for certain [br]that it's within me. 0:51:56.407,0:51:58.461 Brethren, do you know that? 0:51:58.461,0:52:02.343 Oh, brethren, there was a day in my life, 0:52:02.343,0:52:03.447 I can remember, 0:52:03.447,0:52:05.615 Christ - He was kind of out there. 0:52:05.615,0:52:08.116 He was, yes, He was the Son of God; 0:52:08.116,0:52:10.147 He wasn't God. He was somehow inferior. 0:52:10.147,0:52:11.946 I had these low views. 0:52:11.946,0:52:14.446 Really, it didn't motivate my life. 0:52:14.446,0:52:15.792 It didn't resonate in here. 0:52:15.792,0:52:17.598 It wasn't in my mind all the time. 0:52:17.598,0:52:20.539 Brethren, if you've [br]got something inside you, 0:52:20.539,0:52:22.819 it's going to be [br]something you think about. 0:52:22.819,0:52:24.655 To be inside you means it fills you. 0:52:24.655,0:52:26.674 It fills your mind. [br]It fills your memory. 0:52:26.674,0:52:28.841 It fills your thoughts. [br]It fills your hopes. 0:52:28.841,0:52:31.374 It fills your faith. 0:52:31.374,0:52:33.802 Suddenly, when I came to Christ, 0:52:33.802,0:52:35.630 everything changed. 0:52:35.630,0:52:37.582 Everything. The place. It was in me. 0:52:37.582,0:52:39.476 It was something that I thought about. 0:52:39.476,0:52:40.752 It was where my hopes are. 0:52:40.752,0:52:42.242 I could feel it. 0:52:42.242,0:52:43.535 I could feel that. 0:52:43.535,0:52:45.341 There was a resting there. 0:52:45.341,0:52:48.999 There was what God said [br]about His Son was mine. 0:52:48.999,0:52:50.434 I possessed it. 0:52:50.434,0:52:55.402 And it takes hold of you. 0:52:55.402,0:52:58.257 But here's the thing, 0:52:58.257,0:53:01.052 you find this in v. 11. 0:53:01.052,0:53:04.280 "This is the testimony, 0:53:04.280,0:53:06.575 that God gave us eternal life..." 0:53:06.575,0:53:08.908 You see, the life is in His Son. 0:53:08.908,0:53:10.868 This testimony is this: 0:53:10.868,0:53:12.633 it's about who the Son is 0:53:12.633,0:53:14.136 and about the fact 0:53:14.136,0:53:15.719 that if you've internalized it, 0:53:15.719,0:53:18.410 you have eternal life. 0:53:18.410,0:53:21.202 But remember, 0:53:21.202,0:53:29.762 part of the testimony is eternal life. 0:53:29.762,0:53:33.266 The testimony is in us. 0:53:33.266,0:53:38.206 Do you remember how [br]Jesus defines eternal life? 0:53:38.206,0:53:42.237 It's to know the only God, 0:53:42.237,0:53:45.546 and to know His Christ. 0:53:45.546,0:53:47.092 You see what it's saying? 0:53:47.092,0:53:49.071 If that's what eternal life is, 0:53:49.071,0:53:51.313 and eternal life is part of the testimony, 0:53:51.313,0:53:55.077 and that testimony has to be in us, 0:53:55.077,0:53:58.418 then guess what? 0:53:58.418,0:54:00.899 You know what's in you? 0:54:00.899,0:54:04.028 You know what grabs you? 0:54:04.028,0:54:06.726 I know God. 0:54:06.726,0:54:08.991 Brethren, can you say that? 0:54:08.991,0:54:10.430 Can you say that? 0:54:10.430,0:54:12.630 Because it's in you? 0:54:12.630,0:54:16.419 Can you say, "I know God." 0:54:16.419,0:54:17.390 I know Him. 0:54:17.390,0:54:19.418 He's revealed Himself to me. 0:54:19.418,0:54:20.731 I know Him in that family 0:54:20.731,0:54:22.174 like David was talking about. 0:54:22.174,0:54:23.417 I know He's my Father. 0:54:23.417,0:54:24.348 I know it. 0:54:24.348,0:54:27.443 Brethren, that's the [br]thing that blew me away. 0:54:27.443,0:54:30.954 That floored me after I got saved. 0:54:30.954,0:54:33.212 God was real to me. 0:54:33.212,0:54:36.211 I knew Him! 0:54:36.211,0:54:38.652 I loved Him. 0:54:38.652,0:54:40.169 I found a beauty in Him. 0:54:40.169,0:54:41.698 I found a desire in Him. 0:54:41.698,0:54:42.922 That's what's being said. 0:54:42.922,0:54:45.884 This has to be internalized. 0:54:45.884,0:54:48.714 You get to v. 13, and John is saying, 0:54:48.714,0:54:50.648 look, I'm writing these things to you 0:54:50.648,0:54:53.176 that those of you that [br]believe in the Son of God, 0:54:53.176,0:54:56.403 you may know that you have eternal life. 0:54:56.403,0:54:58.130 Brethren, it's internal. 0:54:58.130,0:55:00.452 It's been internalized. 0:55:00.452,0:55:05.911 V. 11 is saying this testimony 0:55:05.911,0:55:08.438 that God gave us eternal life. 0:55:08.438,0:55:10.403 Life in His Son. 0:55:10.403,0:55:13.013 That's in us. 0:55:13.013,0:55:14.483 If you believed in the Son, 0:55:14.483,0:55:18.232 you have the testimony of God in you. 0:55:18.232,0:55:19.858 And that testimony of eternal life 0:55:19.858,0:55:23.638 is that you know Him. 0:55:23.638,0:55:26.533 Brethren, can you say that? 0:55:26.533,0:55:27.970 Do you know God? 0:55:27.970,0:55:30.491 Look, I'm not asking you [br]whether you come to church. 0:55:30.491,0:55:34.761 I know you're all sitting in church today. 0:55:34.761,0:55:39.083 This isn't just about whether you pray 0:55:39.083,0:55:43.254 or whether you've ever read your Bible. 0:55:43.254,0:55:44.050 I'm asking you. 0:55:44.050,0:55:46.440 Can you sit there and say with confidence, 0:55:46.440,0:55:48.550 because that testimony of God 0:55:48.550,0:55:50.714 has resonated in your own soul? 0:55:50.714,0:55:54.234 Jesus Christ is not like any other man. 0:55:54.234,0:55:55.981 He is God come down 0:55:55.981,0:55:58.004 and He has done such things 0:55:58.004,0:56:00.685 as satisfied God on my behalf. 0:56:00.685,0:56:02.399 And I know my only hope 0:56:02.399,0:56:05.341 and my only confidence is in Him 0:56:05.341,0:56:08.659 as the Christ, the Messiah, [br]the Son of God. 0:56:08.659,0:56:10.820 I know He is the One Who is to come 0:56:10.820,0:56:12.043 and I know He's come. 0:56:12.043,0:56:14.002 And I know what did has satisfied God 0:56:14.002,0:56:15.223 on my behalf. 0:56:15.223,0:56:16.796 And that is where my hope is. 0:56:16.796,0:56:17.958 And I know Him, 0:56:17.958,0:56:19.685 and He has made Himself real. 0:56:19.685,0:56:22.266 And He has spoken peace to my soul. 0:56:22.266,0:56:30.639 He has said, "I love you."[br]And you've heard it. 0:56:30.639,0:56:32.266 You are my son. 0:56:32.266,0:56:35.042 I've laid down my blood for you. 0:56:35.042,0:56:37.262 Brethren, can you say that? 0:56:37.262,0:56:40.824 Because that's what's being said here. 0:56:40.824,0:56:44.810 You know, whether you've [br]experienced this or not, 0:56:44.810,0:56:50.787 you know that's what you want. 0:56:50.787,0:56:53.042 Any other kind of religion, 0:56:53.042,0:56:54.281 it's a sham. 0:56:54.281,0:56:56.225 It's shallow. 0:56:56.225,0:56:57.858 Because any kind of religion that 0:56:57.858,0:57:00.382 doesn't have this testimony of God 0:57:00.382,0:57:05.850 resonating within you, it's no good. 0:57:05.850,0:57:07.843 I want the real thing. 0:57:07.843,0:57:11.088 I want the fullness of the real thing. 0:57:11.088,0:57:17.795 You say, pastor, I [br]haven't had that happen. 0:57:17.795,0:57:20.188 What do I do? 0:57:20.188,0:57:23.490 I'll tell you what you do, 0:57:23.490,0:57:29.092 is if that's true of you, 0:57:29.092,0:57:30.788 it's offered to you nonetheless. 0:57:30.788,0:57:33.181 And God says to you, 0:57:33.181,0:57:38.506 "Hear My testimony concerning My Son." 0:57:38.506,0:57:41.256 You confess your sins to God. 0:57:41.256,0:57:43.313 You call upon Him to save you. 0:57:43.313,0:57:47.106 You call upon Him to [br]give you real salvation. 0:57:47.106,0:57:50.406 True salvation. 0:57:50.406,0:57:52.703 With hope in nothing else. 0:57:52.703,0:57:54.924 Hope in nothing else, 0:57:54.924,0:57:58.660 except this One Who is the Son of God - 0:57:58.660,0:58:01.186 Jesus the Christ. 0:58:01.186,0:58:05.946 Oh, brethren, do you know that He's yours? 0:58:05.946,0:58:08.305 Can you say, 0:58:08.305,0:58:12.360 God is my Abba Father? 0:58:12.360,0:58:14.050 I know it. 0:58:14.050,0:58:17.039 I know it. 0:58:17.039,0:58:21.787 That's what it is to have [br]the testimony in you. 0:58:21.787,0:58:30.476 God's testimony must be in us. 0:58:30.476,0:58:32.349 This is for you. 0:58:32.349,0:58:34.242 I died for you. 0:58:34.242,0:58:35.649 I went to that bloody cross 0:58:35.649,0:58:37.515 and I poured out My soul 0:58:37.515,0:58:39.276 for you, 0:58:39.276,0:58:41.427 that you might have life; 0:58:41.427,0:58:45.540 that you might know Me. 0:58:45.540,0:58:48.665 Father, oh, I want it to be a reality 0:58:48.665,0:58:57.274 among all of us. 0:58:57.274,0:58:59.398 Thank You for the redemption that we have 0:58:59.398,0:59:01.151 in Christ Jesus. 0:59:01.151,0:59:02.449 Amen.