Participants: Dwight K. Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP041412
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00:05 From the campus of Andrews University,
00:08 this is New Perceptions with Dr. Dwight K. Nelson. 00:28 No sweeter name than the name of Jesus 00:33 No sweeter name have I ever known 00:37 No sweeter name than the name of Jesus 00:43 No sweeter name 00:45 No sweeter name than the name of Jesus 00:49 No sweeter name have I ever known 00:53 No sweeter name than the name of Jesus 01:00 You are the life 01:02 You are the life to my heart and my soul 01:06 You are the light to the darkness around me 01:10 You are the hope to the hopeless and broken 01:15 You are the only Truth and the Way 01:24 Wish I can see Him again. No sweeter name. 01:27 No sweeter name than the name of Jesus 01:32 No sweeter name have I ever known 01:36 No sweeter name than the name of Jesus 01:44 No sweeter name than the name of Jesus 01:49 No sweeter name have I ever known 01:53 No sweeter name than the name of Jesus 01:59 You are the life 02:01 You are the life to my heart and my soul 02:06 You are the light to the darkness around me 02:10 You are the hope to the hopeless and broken 02:14 You are the only Truth and the Way 02:19 You are the life to my heart and my soul 02:23 You are the light to the darkness around me 02:27 You are the hope to the hopeless and broken 02:31 You are the only Truth and the Way 02:39 Truth and the way 02:44 Jesus 02:49 Jesus 02:52 Take the name of Jesus 02:58 Jesus 03:01 Oh, Jesus 03:06 Jesus 03:10 Take the name of Jesus 03:15 Jesus 03:19 You are the life to my heart and my soul 03:24 You are the light to the darkness around me 03:28 You are the hope to the hopeless and broken 03:32 You are the only Truth and the Way 03:39 Truth and the way 07:30 This week we ask Andrew students 07:31 a very important question. 07:34 What does the gospel mean to you? 07:38 The gospel to me means good news. 07:41 Freedom. Salvation. 07:42 The gospel to me means His unfathomable love. 07:46 The gospel to me is a gift. 07:50 The gospel to me means Joy. 07:52 The gospel to me means love. 07:55 The gospel to me is a solution from everyday's struggles. 07:59 The gospel means to me that there is a hope for my future. 08:03 To me a gospel I said, 08:04 a think that makes people change. 08:09 To me the gospel means 08:12 evaluating my own life and giving up 08:15 something in mind to replace over something 08:19 that God tells me to replace with. 08:22 To me the gospel means the reassurance of my faith. 08:26 To me the gospel makes me realize 08:29 how unworthy I'm at salvation. 08:31 And just knowing that God care so much about my life is 08:37 it just truly sets me free and we ritually guides us. 08:42 The gospel is we hope to see 08:43 family members and loved ones that I've lost. 08:46 Gospel to me the literal transition of the word 08:49 gospel is good news. 08:50 So the only thing I think about 08:52 when I think of the phrase good news is Jesus Christ. 08:55 The gospel means peace to me, 08:59 I just think about the gift of the friendship of Jesus Christ 09:06 and it just overwhelmed from the peace knowing that 09:09 even if all else fails 09:11 if nobody is here for me today or tomorrow, 09:15 I have Jesus and that's peace. 09:32 So what's the gospel mean to you? 09:34 If they put a camera in your face and asked you, 09:39 how would you respond? 09:41 What is the gospel to this generation? 09:46 I hope that by the time this teaching is through, 09:50 you will know the answer. 09:51 Let's pray. 09:53 Oh, God. 09:55 Gospel means good news, we know that much 09:58 but what so good about the good news? 10:02 What would you say to us through holy scripture? 10:06 What would you tuck deep within our minds, our spirits, 10:09 our souls, so that when you-- 10:11 when we hurry out of this sanctuary 10:16 into the world that awaits us, 10:17 the good news goes with us, make it clear please. 10:21 For Jesus glory in His name, we pray, amen. 10:26 One of the most provocative paintings for me, 10:29 I can't talk for you, I'm not an art critics 10:31 so don't come up to me afterwards. 10:33 One of the most provocative paintings for me 10:36 from the day Jesus was crucified, all right, 10:40 is the oil canvas work of the 19th-century 10:45 Italian artist named, Antonio Ciseri. 10:50 The title of the painting "Ecce Homo." 10:54 It means behold the man. 10:56 I'll put it on the screen for you in just a minute 10:58 but I have so moved by this painting, 11:00 I really this is a special painting to me, 11:02 I put it as I was writing this week 11:04 I put it as the desktop for my laptop 11:07 just so can I see it watch that picture. 11:13 Ciseri, 19th-century is known 11:15 for his almost photographic effect, 11:19 it looks like a photograph, 11:20 take a look we put it on the screen right now 11:22 Ecce Homo, there it is. 11:24 How many here seeing this picture before? 11:26 Come on, you seen it, haven't you? Yeah. 11:28 Ecce Homo, Latin behold the man there in 11:32 Pilate's praetorian residence, the governor has pulled away 11:39 from his throne of judgment, 11:41 he's standing leaning over the banister 11:43 above the rocastin of the rabble 11:48 who are screaming for the blood of this prisoner. 11:51 Pilate points back at Jesus, 11:53 you see Jesus striped to the waist crown of thorns. 11:57 If you could see with clarity like my laptop screen 12:00 you would see his eyes are looking down, 12:02 He's not looking at anybody, 12:03 He's just looking down as if lost in thought. 12:06 Pilate is framed by a centurion, 12:09 you see the execution, 12:10 he has the scourge or the flagram in his hand. 12:14 I think that's probably 12:15 Mrs. Pilate in one of her attendees 12:17 and then some minor government officials, 12:19 that's the judgment scene. 12:22 No where is that judgment scene were finely nuanced 12:28 then the gospel of John, 12:29 the fourth gospel our theme book 12:32 and in three weeks it's all over, 12:34 this is three Sabbaths coming today. 12:36 I want to go back to that moment, 12:38 I want to go to Pilate's judgment hall. 12:41 And so without any further we do. 12:43 What is the gospel mean to me? 12:44 Let's find out John Chapter 19, open your Bible, 12:47 you didn't bring your Bible we'll put it on the screen 12:49 for you wind symphony, and by the way 12:51 beautifully done today. 12:54 Didn't she love the collaboration 12:55 with wind symphony and organ and worship team. 12:59 I'll tell you there is no other worship place 13:01 where you can have this many musicians, 13:04 minister the way you did, thank you 13:06 Allan Mitchell, very much, bless you. 13:10 All right, so if you don't bring your, 13:11 can't read your Bible, you can see on it 13:13 look at the monitor up there 13:14 and on the pew as well. 13:17 Okay, enough talking. 13:18 John 18, we'll pick it up John 18. 13:20 I'm in the New Revised Standard version. 13:22 This is the most significant narrative 13:24 in the history of the universe. 13:25 So if you didn't bring your Bible, 13:26 do yourself the favor 13:27 of pulling the pew Bible out in front of you. 13:29 I'll give you the page number, 13:30 you've got to track this, page 729, John 18. 13:35 John 18:28, "Then," okay, Peter is just deny Jesus, 13:39 the last time you and I are together 13:41 two Sabbaths ago. 13:43 "Then," after Peter's denial, 13:47 "They," this is the Judean aristocracy. 13:51 "They led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium," 13:55 Pilate sermon residence. 13:57 "And it was early morning. 13:59 But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, 14:02 lest they should be defiled, 14:04 but that they might eat the Passover." 14:06 I tell you what the scrupulous duplicity of Jerusalem's elite 14:11 is almost breathtaking, you can't believe it. 14:15 They're-- here they are illegally railroading 14:18 an innocent man to his death and they know it. 14:21 And yet they hypocritically pretend, obedience 14:24 to divine law and moral purity 14:26 when they are more guilty than the pagan governor 14:29 to whom they've just deliver Jesus. 14:30 They fear ritual contamination 14:33 when they are plagued with moral rot. 14:37 Verse 29. 14:39 "Pilate," catering to there insensibilities 14:43 comes out to them verse 29, 14:44 "And Pilate went out to them and said, 14:46 What accusation do you bring about this man?"' 14:51 They come with this nifty little well, governor 14:53 we wouldn't be here 14:55 if he wasn't worthy of your action. 14:58 Pilate steps back and you've got courts 15:00 taken him to your own system. 15:02 Now the crafty-- have to acknowledge 15:05 that they are subjugated people and they remind him, 15:07 "Listen we cannot execute capital punishment. 15:10 So we brought him to you." 15:12 Bring the prisoner in. 15:15 Sits inside the praetorium, Jesus bound, 15:18 no longer gag before him. 15:21 Are you the king of the Jews? 15:24 Now they say that's the charge. 15:26 Are you the king of the Jews? 15:28 Jesus looks into the governor's eyes. 15:30 Are you asking that of yourself? 15:32 Or have others said that of me? 15:37 Your leaders, your nation brought you to me. 15:41 And the king is not of this world. 15:44 If our king were of this world, my followers will fight. 15:47 Oh, you are a king then. 15:50 And Jesus replies, this is what verse 37 15:53 "Jesus answered, 15:55 'you say rightly that I am a king. 15:58 For this cause I was born, 16:00 and for this cause I have come into the world 16:02 that I should bear witness to the truth. 16:04 Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.' 16:06 Verse 38 and "Pilate said to him, 16:09 "What is truth?" 16:13 John is a mater of irony in the fourth gospel 16:15 as we've already noted in the series. 16:17 Already in this narrative, 16:19 he is juxta oppose the Jewish hierarchies 16:22 scrupulous execution of the pass over meal 16:25 all the while they unwittingly collaborate 16:27 to kill the genuine pass over lamb. 16:31 Now the patent governor asked a universal question, 16:33 you, what's truth? 16:36 When embodied, incarnated before him is the answer, 16:40 I am the way the truth in the life. 16:43 Pilate won't wait, what's truth? 16:45 Gone. 16:47 "Pilate said to Him, 'What is truth?' 16:48 And when he had said this, 16:50 he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, 16:52 'I find no fault in Him at all." 16:56 Put the pause button right there. 16:59 Because right now in this narrative 17:01 a series of seven threes, seven trios, 17:06 seven triples is gonna emerge. 17:10 Unique only to the forth gospel, 17:13 the gospel of John, each of these trios, 17:16 an insightful point for you and me. 17:18 And I think we got to scribble all seven down. 17:20 Only in John, the seven trios, 17:22 seven triples that yield one truth. 17:26 So grab your study guide, 17:27 let's do it right now, come you got a study guide, 17:29 pull it out of your worship bulletin. 17:30 Ushers, let's go, let's get a study guide to everybody, 17:33 you gonna want, you gonna want these seven trios 17:35 that lead to one truth. 17:37 So hold your hand up, 17:38 our friendly ushers are coming your way up 17:39 in the balcony over flow you're sitting there. 17:42 Glad to have you and those of you watching on television 17:44 we're delighted to have you as well. 17:45 Let me cut to chase with you, let me put it on the screen, 17:48 I want you to have the same study guide, 17:49 the seven trios, you're gonna want these seven. 17:52 So let's put on screen right now, 17:54 there it is www.pmchurch.tv, 18:00 that's our website. 18:02 And you are looking for the series "The last days". 18:03 Is it the last days of John, 18:05 it's a two part series and it's-- 18:08 Rather it's a two series 18:09 in the forth gospel, the last the-- 18:11 The last word and then the last days. 18:16 Three Sabbaths and it's history. 18:18 So you're looking for the series "The last days" 18:20 tied up today's teaching, you see it on the screen there. 18:22 Finis, Latin for end, what really happened that day. 18:27 It's a study guide right beside 18:28 that title, you got it, let's go. 18:30 All right, seven threes that form one truth, 18:33 all you need to, John, 18:34 all you need to the forth gospel. 18:36 Trio number one right it down, 3 "no faults". 18:40 Put the quotation marks around it 18:41 because those are Pilate's words. 18:42 There times "no fault", 18:44 three "no faults" before the cross. 18:47 Pilate comes out to the cross 18:49 and we just read it here in verse 38, 18:51 "I find no fault in him at all." 18:52 Drop down to chapter 19:4, 18:54 I find no fault in him, drop down to verse 6, 18:57 I find no fault in him. 18:59 Three times this pagan governor early Friday morning 19:02 declares to the leaders of the Judean aristocracy 19:07 and the rabble, he's not guilty, 19:09 I'm telling you he is not guilty. 19:11 What's the point-- 19:12 What's the point John is making, 19:13 two obvious points, point number 1, 19:16 the roman judicial system clearly found Jesus innocent. 19:20 The Jewish courts did not, but the roman courts did. 19:23 The other obvious point however don't miss it, 19:28 the roman governor intentionally sacrifices 19:31 an innocent man, 19:32 he knows to be innocent for the sake personal 19:35 and political experience. 19:37 How many times have we sacrificed 19:38 somebody in the office, somebody in the dorm, 19:40 somebody in my circle of friends for the sake of me? 19:43 Let him go, who cares. 19:45 Pilate is no different, three times. 19:50 You see John has been really hard 19:52 on the Jewish elite. 19:54 Always dealing with the leaders in his gospel, 19:56 hard on them, but here at the end 19:58 he wants to make sure that we understand, 19:59 it's not only the Jewish leadership 20:01 it's also the roman leadership 20:02 that collaborate together to execute the Messiah. 20:06 You're very clear now, you've got to see this. 20:08 Okay, trio number two, 20:10 three titles before the cross, three titles. 20:13 You remember the forth gospel. 20:15 It was like two years ago but it's just a few months ago 20:17 when we opened the forth gospel together, 20:19 you remember John the Baptist thundered these words. 20:21 Jot down these three titles found in the gospel of Mark, 20:25 gospel of John rather. 20:26 This is John 1:29 "The next day John, 20:28 the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him, 20:30 and he said, 'Behold! the Lamb of God, 20:34 who takes away the sin of the world!" 20:36 Title number one write that down 20:37 behold the lamb, behold the Lamb of God. 20:42 Title number two, 20:43 pick it up in verse 1 of chapter 19, 20:45 right here, the bible is open before you. 20:47 "So then" verse 1 20:48 "Pilate tool Jesus and scourged Him." 20:51 We are talking about barbaric, 20:54 bloody a pre-execution, execution. 20:58 In fact some suggested executioners 21:00 actually out of mercy for the prisoners, 21:02 no, we have long and protracted 21:04 death would arrive on the cross. 21:06 Hastened it, shredding the skin, 21:08 to the skin is flat and hanging on your back. 21:13 Then Pilate to Jesus and scourged Him. 21:15 Innocent man, by the way, he believed. 21:18 Verse 2 "And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns 21:20 and put it on His head, 21:21 and they put on him a purple robe." 21:23 Verse 3 "Then they said, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' 21:25 and they struck Him with their hand 21:26 and the Greek means they kept slapping him back and forth. 21:30 Verse 4 "Pilate then went out again and he said to them, 21:32 'Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, 21:34 that you may know that I find no fault in Him.' 21:36 And here comes verse 5, 21:37 "Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorn 21:41 and the purple robe. 21:42 And Pilate said to them, 'Behold the Man!"" 21:45 write it down. 21:47 Title number two, behold the man. 21:50 But the pagan governor is not through with titles. 21:53 Turn-- drop down to verse 13 21:55 "When Pilate therefore heard that saying, 21:57 he brought Jesus out 21:58 and he sat down in the judgment seat in a place 22:00 that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha. 22:06 I have knelt on that stone, 22:07 it's under building now, it's crawl space, 22:10 I have knelt on that stone. 22:12 So moved, I'll tell you let the whole tour group leave, 22:16 I was all alone, so moved with the realization, 22:19 it's the very stone 22:21 from the time of Pilate, Gabbatha. 22:26 Verse 14, 22:27 "Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, 22:29 and about the sixth hour. 22:30 And he said to the Jews," 22:31 here comes title number three 'Behold your king!" 22:36 Three titles before the cross. 22:39 By the way this is the Antonio Ciseri Movement. 22:42 Just put that picture backup 22:43 This is exactly the moment. 22:45 Now I'm going to read "Desire of Ages" for you. 22:47 You have it in your study guide 22:48 but just look at the picture, you can read it later. 22:50 Just look at that picture, there stood the Son of God 22:52 wearing the robe of mockery 22:54 and the crown of thorns stripped to the waist, 22:57 his back showed the long cruel stripes 23:01 from which the blood float freely, 23:02 his face was stained with blood 23:04 and bore the marks of exhaustion and pain. 23:06 But never had it appeared more beautiful than ever. 23:12 I wish I had a DVD, I wish I could look into those eyes. 23:17 Never ever has this face 23:20 appeared more beautiful than now. 23:26 Wow. 23:28 Every feature express gentleness and resignation 23:30 and the tenderous pity for his cruel foes. 23:33 In his manner there was no weakness, 23:35 but the strength and dignity of long suffering 23:37 and notice this last line, 23:39 even the priest and rulers were convicted 23:41 he was all that he claimed to be. 23:44 He is God, He is. 23:48 Let's kill anybody. 23:53 Behold the lamb, behold the man, 23:56 behold the king, behold your savoir, 23:58 question, is he your savior today? 24:02 Trio number three, write it down, 24:05 "3 languages, 3 languages at the cross." 24:10 Verse 17 let's read it 24:12 "And he, Jesus bearing His cross," 24:14 Oh, where is Simon the Cyrene 24:16 the Libyan, where is the Libyan, 24:17 he's not here, John leaves in completely out 24:20 and we'll notice why in just a moment. 24:23 John "As Jesus is carrying His cross 24:24 and he bearing his cross went out to a place 24:26 called the Place of a Skull, 24:27 which is in Hebrew called Golgotha." 24:29 Isn't that amazing? 24:31 Gabbatha where Pilate sits 24:33 is the judgment seat of the governor, 24:35 Golgotha where Jesus was hanged 24:36 is the judgment seat of God. 24:40 Two judgment seats and they rhyme. 24:47 Verse 18 "When they came to Golgatha they crucified Him, 24:50 Jesus and two others with Him," 24:51 See Dwight there is another three, you are right. 24:53 But that's not unique to John, all four have the three. 24:58 One on either side and Jesus in the center verse 19 25:00 and "Now Pilate wrote a title and put out it on the cross. 25:03 And the writing was: Jesus of Nazareth, 25:05 the king of the Jews. 25:07 Then many of the Jews read this title, 25:09 many of them read the title, 25:10 for the place where was crucified was near the city." 25:12 And here it comes "It was written in that title 25:15 in Hebrew that would be Aramaic and Greek and Latin." 25:21 I don't care where are you from in the Roman Empire, 25:22 you're gonna get the point. 25:24 This is the king of the Jews. 25:28 Now the priest are furious, they come to Pilate verse 21 25:32 "Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, 25:34 'Do not write, 'The King of the Jews,' 25:37 You should write 'He said, 'I am the King of the Jews."" 25:40 And Pilate with cold steel in his eyes 25:42 where he was railroaded in to his decision 25:44 and he knows it a leader that he was, 25:50 cold steel what I have written, I have written. 25:55 You see the priest overplayed their hand, 25:58 the charge against Jesus they told Pilate 26:00 was he-- King of the Jews, 26:02 boom, he puts it in writing. 26:05 And they are stuck. 26:09 Trio number four, write it down, 26:10 three Mary's at the cross. 26:14 You know that only John, only John. 26:18 Let's read the verse 25 got down to 25, 26:20 "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother," 26:23 What's His mother's name? 26:24 Mary. 26:25 "And His mother's sister, 26:27 Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene." 26:31 There they are, three Mary's only John notes it. 26:35 And by the way, they are all women. 26:37 Where are the men, where are all the big, 26:41 where are all the big bragioso boys? 26:44 They were "I'll die for you, where are all the men, 26:49 one man is a boy, John boy. 26:53 The only eye witness of Calvary, 26:55 the only account that is eye witnessed. 26:58 All the men have fled. 27:00 I tell you what in a day and age 27:01 when some are wondering whether women 27:04 ought to be granted a place close to Jesus in ministry, 27:08 the story of Calvary seems to indicate 27:11 that perhaps they ought to be there first. 27:18 Passion of a women for Christ. 27:21 Unexcelled. 27:26 The only John boy there to receive Jesus 27:28 dying bestole of his mother to John's care, 27:31 mother's day is just a few weeks away. 27:34 And how is it with your own mother, 27:37 do you care for her and love her 27:39 in all your preoccupied business 27:42 on this campus and in your career? 27:46 Trio number five jot it down, "3 words from the cross, 27:51 the Christian world is long commemorated, 27:53 Christ seven words from the cross. 27:55 Not gone through my gospels and I've numbered them, 27:57 I know exactly the sequence 1, 2, 3. 27:59 But John unique has three that nobody else has, 28:04 here are John's 3 that happened to be numbers, 28:07 they happen to be numbers 3, 5 28:10 and 6 of the seven. 28:11 Let's go to, let's go to his first word in John, 28:13 that will be verse 26 28:15 "When Jesus therefore saw His mother, 28:16 and the disciple whom He loved" 28:17 That would be John boy 28:18 "Standing by, Jesus said to his mother, 28:20 'Woman, behold your son!' 28:24 Then He said to the disciple, 'Behold your mother!' 28:26 'And from that hour John boy took her to his own home." 28:32 Jesus had no siblings to commend her to, 28:35 he gives her to John. 28:37 And John counts it his highest honor 28:39 for the rest of his life until she dies, 28:42 to be her care provider. 28:46 It's word number one, you need word, 28:48 you need word number two, here comes the verse 28 28:50 and "After this, Jesus, knowing 28:52 that all things were now accomplished, 28:54 that the Scripture might be fulfilled said, 28:56 'I thirst!' 28:59 verse 29 "Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; 29:03 and they filled a sponge with sour wine, 29:05 put it on hyssop, and put it up to His mouth." 29:08 Matthew and Mark both quote Psalm 22:1, 29:11 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 29:14 not a breath of it from John, but he will elude to Psalm 22 29:18 from when that those words came in Matthew and Mark 29:22 because in Psalm 22 29:23 the Messiah's tongue becomes so dry, 29:25 it sticks to the roof of his mouth, 29:27 it's like dust in his mouth. 29:29 And John inserts, John inserts I thirst, 29:35 remember that from it's very beginning 29:37 the forth gospel has attempted 29:38 to show the utter humanity of Jesus. 29:42 Our humanity so he sees-- 29:43 He sees this merit woman, says woman-- 29:46 Woman I'm dying of thirst, you have-- 29:47 Can you give me some of this water? 29:49 John who began dine, Jesus thirsty 29:52 and this is gospel showing again his solidarity 29:55 with the human race, 29:56 I'm still human and I'm thirsty, 29:59 he shows it twice confirming that the savior 30:02 is the one with us. 30:04 And then there is a third word, this is the one we all know, 30:06 verse 30 "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, 30:09 He said, 'It is finished!' in those transitions 30:15 "And bowing His head he gave up His spirit." 30:18 There they are, three words from the cross. 30:24 Trio number six jot it down, "3 actions from the cross." 30:27 This is fascinating, absolutely fascinating, 30:29 listen to this, you remember a moment ago 30:31 and we noted that Jesus carried his own cross 30:33 there is no Simon or Libyan around, 30:35 John leaves him believe me Jesus carries his own cross, 30:37 what's up with that? 30:38 John is making a point 30:40 and he wants us to get it by these three actions, 30:43 jot the point down first. 30:44 Jesus was in control of His life 30:47 and death to the very end. 30:50 He is in control, nobody else says, I am. 30:54 All His ministries has been saying my hours not yet, 30:57 my hours not yet, my hours not yet. 30:59 But when his hour comes, he didn't tumble into it, 31:01 he didn't trip into it, he chose his hour. 31:05 Number one, John shows him carrying no cross. 31:08 Nobody-- I should rephrase that, 31:10 nobody carries his cross but Jesus. 31:12 Number two, look at this, action number two, 31:16 the three actions from the cross, 31:18 did we put the slide up the three actions? 31:21 That's it, that's the history-did 31:22 we put it up? 31:23 Okay. 31:25 Action number one, he bores on cross. 31:26 Check action number two. 31:27 He chooses his last words of completion. 31:30 He decides when it's gonna be finished. 31:33 He chooses it. 31:34 And action number three, only in John. 31:37 Notice the sequence you read just a moment ago 31:38 in verse 30, how Jesus died. 31:40 And when you and I die, this is the way we ill die. 31:42 If Jesus doesn't come, 31:43 you and I are gonna breathe our last. 31:45 This is the way we're gonna die. 31:46 We're gonna- There goes our last breath 31:49 and after we breathe our last breath, 31:51 boom, our head will go down. 31:53 Isn't that how it happens in the movies? 31:56 I mean I'm figuring that's the way it goes. 31:59 I've been with people when they died. 32:00 I know that's the way it goes. 32:05 Not with Jesus. 32:06 He doesn't go, phew, last breath, boom. 32:09 Jesus goes like this. 32:12 He bows his head, then breathes his last. 32:16 Intentional action. 32:18 Three actions to show that he is in control 32:21 and look how quick Keener puts it. 32:23 Put it on the screen, you have to fill this in. 32:24 "The crucifixion in John is Jesus' triumph." 32:27 The synoptic is focused on his passion, his suffering. 32:29 Oh, my Lord, what you went through. 32:31 None of that in John. Jesus ends the conqueror. 32:34 He ends in triumph. 32:39 My hour has finally come. 32:41 Final trio number 7, jot it down. 32:43 There are three woundings because of the cross. 32:46 You need to, John. 32:47 Now the first two are in all the gospels. 32:50 Wounding number one, that's the flagrum, 32:52 that's when that, that those leather straps 32:55 embedded with bone and metal and rock 32:57 are wrapped around you by the executioner. 32:59 Once he gets it around you, your bare, 33:01 he yanks it and it just shreds your skin. 33:04 It just shreds. 33:05 He has already been wounded once. 33:06 The other wounding of course is Calvary. 33:08 But the third wounding nobody else knows. 33:12 Let's pick it up in verse 31. 33:14 He has just died. "Therefore--" Verse 31. 33:17 "-because it was the Preparation Day, 33:19 that the bodies should not remain 33:20 on the cross on the Sabbath 33:22 for that Sabbath was a high day, 33:23 the Jews asked Pilate 33:24 that their legs might be broken, 33:26 and that they might be taken away." 33:28 You see the barbaric form 33:29 of crucifixion is slow asphyxiation. 33:31 You will strangulate to death 33:34 because in order to breathe, 33:35 you have to raise yourself up, 33:37 suck it, and then sink back down. 33:40 It is such searing pain 33:42 that the Latin has coined a word excruciatus. 33:45 From whence comes our word 33:46 and it means from out of the cross-- excruciating. 33:49 The next time you have an excruciating headache, 33:50 you are saying my pain is from out of the cross. 33:53 Excruciatus. 33:56 So when they want to hasten death, 33:58 what do they do? 33:59 They break the legs because you know, 34:01 you have no strength now. 34:03 Raise yourself up, you will simply hang 34:05 and they strangulate. 34:07 'Cause you're legs are broken, it's too painful. 34:09 That's what they did. 34:11 Verse 32, "Then the soldiers came 34:12 and broke the legs of the first 34:14 and of the other who was crucified with Him." 34:16 "But-" verse 33, "- 34:17 when they came to Jesus 34:18 and saw that He was already dead-" 34:21 You don't die this fast. 34:24 And, "-they saw that He was already dead, 34:25 they did not break His legs." 34:26 Verse 34, "But one of the soldiers 34:28 pierced His side with a spear, 34:30 and immediately blood and water came out." 34:36 Only in John. 34:38 The third wounding. 34:39 Isn't this amazing? Think about it. 34:42 Jesus rode to the cross 34:43 that begins at the front of the gospel. 34:45 Begins with water turning into wine, isn't that right? 34:49 Water turning into wine. 34:51 His road to Calvary ends with wine turning into water. 34:56 They just gave Him some wine and then it comes out water. 35:00 Reverses the buckets, water to wine, wine to water 35:06 what's the big deal John, ah, wine and water, 35:09 blood and water, blood and water, blood and water, 35:12 it's embedded throughout the entire gospel, 35:14 blood and water, blood and water. 35:15 You are saved by blood and water, blood and water. 35:20 Here they are, Ladies and Gentlemen, 35:22 seven unique trios woven into John's narrative of Calvary 35:25 but what is the one truth. Seven trios, one truth. 35:28 What is it? 35:30 Listen carefully. 35:31 What is the gospel? They answered. 35:34 What the gospel means to me, 35:36 in the triumphant cry of Jesus, it is finished. 35:40 There is a closure and completeness we not- 35:43 we need not only to intellectually grasp 35:46 but experientially embrace and here's what I mean. 35:51 In our particular community of faith, 35:53 highly convictional community that it is, 35:56 where right living and right behaving 35:59 are rightly emphasized. 36:02 There is a danger that we may live 36:05 with a numinous sense, a latent uncertainty 36:09 regarding the status of my salvation. 36:12 I mean, am I really saved? 36:14 How do I know, how do I know I'm fully saved? 36:18 Oh, yeah, I know, I know John 3:16. 36:20 I know that Jesus died for me 36:22 but do I, can I have the assurance 36:23 of his provision for my salvation? 36:26 I'm talking about failing, fumbling, 36:28 stumbling, sinning me. 36:30 How can I know that that salvation is for me? 36:38 I know he triumphed on the cross. 36:39 I read the story just now 36:41 but what is God waiting for-- for me? 36:43 How can I rise above this troubling sense 36:46 that in order to be really sure, really secure 36:49 there is something else I need to be doing. 36:52 How can I know I am saved. 36:56 We all need, all of us need to take a closer 36:59 look at this, at this death cry. 37:02 It is finished. 37:03 In fact would you jot this down please? 37:04 The literal Greek phrase is finished. 37:06 Jot his down. 37:07 The literal Greek for is "It has been completed." 37:10 Write that down. It has been completed. 37:16 Keep your pen moving. 37:18 That Greek is in the perfect tense. 37:20 Now that means, it's describing an action 37:22 finished in the past, jot that down. 37:24 An action finished in the past 37:26 whose effects continue into the present. 37:30 So it has happened back there 37:32 but the effect is still going under there. 37:34 It would be like you getting a FedEx, 37:35 you get a FedEx registered letter on Monday. 37:38 You tear it open and you find out 37:40 it's from a law firm 37:41 you have never heard of in your life. 37:43 Turns out that your great uncle whom you have never met 37:47 but have heard of, turns out your great uncle has died. 37:52 And some years before he died and he died childless 37:56 but some years before he died, 37:57 he filled out the will of his entire estate to you 38:04 and now that the law firm has found you, 38:08 you are about to inherit 38:09 his entire estate worth $3.3 billion. 38:16 I say, praise God for great uncles like that, huh. 38:19 $3.3 billion. 38:23 See, long ago, that will was completed with you in mind, 38:27 it was all signed, sealed and delivered back there 38:29 but now they finally find you 38:31 and the effects of that closure back 38:33 there now continues to reap its effect. 38:36 That's what's happening in the Greek tense 38:38 of "It is finished." 38:39 It's that same reality. Now listen up. 38:41 When Jesus died for the entire human race, 38:45 something was culminated. Something was completed. 38:48 In a very certain sense, 38:49 his mission of salvation was finished. 38:53 Finish. It was finished at the cross. 38:56 But, like your great uncle's will, 38:58 the effects keep rolling throughout history 39:01 as one human being after another 39:04 discovers that she, that he is named in Christ's will 39:08 and it's all there for the asking. 39:14 All you have to do is trust the benefactor, 39:18 believe his will or his word and receive the gift. 39:24 It is finished. 39:26 Means, we can rest secure and Jesus finished mission 39:29 and work at the cross. 39:32 In fact would you write this down, please? 39:35 What counts is not- that's my typo- 39:39 What counts is not my unfinished work- 39:46 but rather His finished work. 39:50 Get that down. 39:52 The secret to overcoming 39:54 our apprehension over our salvation 39:56 is to shift the focus from us to Him. 39:58 Otherwise, we are gonna be 40:01 as guilty as the medieval church 40:03 in making the same mistake they made for centuries. 40:05 And that reminds you about the medieval church. 40:07 Their scholars all thought and taught 40:11 that the earth was the centre of the universe 40:13 and all the stars and all the suns 40:16 rotate around the earth. 40:18 Then along comes a little scientist named Galileo. 40:21 He says, I got to change this notion, guys. 40:23 I looked up there and guess what, 40:24 the sun does not revolve around us. 40:27 We revolve around the sun. 40:31 We are not the centre of attraction. 40:34 The sun is. 40:37 I fear that too many of us have constructed 40:40 a faulty salvation/theological paradigm that places us 40:45 as the centre of attention, as the centre of attraction, 40:51 salvation revolves around me, so that what I do, 40:54 or do not do make all the difference. 40:56 What I accomplish or do not accomplish, 40:58 that's what makes all the difference. 41:00 I become the centre of my own universe. 41:05 Calvary, when you hear that shout, 41:09 "it is finished" declares that thinking is wrong. 41:15 Simply bankrupt. 41:19 Calvary is a closure. 41:20 It is the completeness. 41:22 It is the finishing of God's salvation. 41:24 Oh, yes, you're right, you're right, you're right. 41:25 In heaven's sanctuary, in the throne room right now, 41:28 the saving work of Christ continues 41:31 but that hardly minimizes or negates 41:34 the triumphant finish once for all sacrifice 41:37 of the Lord Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. 41:43 I repeat, the reason some of us 41:48 feel apprehension of our salvation today 41:51 is because like the medieval church 41:53 we believe we are the centre 41:55 around which the savior and salvation revolve 41:57 but how silly, how sad, I mean, look, 42:04 if I am the centre and I know how weak and frail, 42:07 I know how sinning I am, how utterly helpless, 42:11 if I am the centre, no wonder I have no hope. 42:14 No wonder there is no courage for me. 42:17 But if Christ is the center of attraction, 42:20 if he is the center of thy completed work, 42:23 then everything I have is pinned on him. 42:28 My hope, my assurance, my salvation securing Him. 42:35 Jot this down, will you? Please. 42:37 "The truth is--" This is critical. 42:39 "The truth is that the Son-" 42:41 And by the way, that's capital "SON." 42:44 "The son does not revolve around us- 42:47 we revolve around the Son." 42:55 Jesus is the center of attraction 42:57 for salvation not you. 43:00 Shrilling on me. 43:02 No wonder as soon as Jesus dies, 43:04 John immediately, did you notice this, 43:05 immediately he starts talking about the Sabbath 43:06 and blood or water. 43:07 What's up with that, John? 43:09 Why the Sabbath? Jot this down. 43:10 "In the Creation story-" You remember this. 43:13 "In the Creation story, on Friday 43:15 God declares His finished work- and it was 'very good' 43:18 and on the seventh-day Sabbath He rests." 43:23 "In the Redemption story-" Keep writing. 43:25 The same God, "--on Friday declares His finished work- 43:31 and it was 'very good' 43:32 and on the seventh-day Sabbath He rests in the tomb." 43:38 Once salvation is finished, He rests. 43:45 Nothing to add. 43:47 I can't add anything to creation, can I? 43:48 Oh, God, I want to add, I want to add 43:49 little something to creation. 43:51 You can't add anything. 43:53 If I can't anything to creation, 43:54 how could I add anything to salvation? 43:55 It's finished. 43:56 2,000 years ago, it was done before I was born. 44:04 Sabbath is embedded in John's Calvary story 44:07 to assure us that it is finished 44:09 means it really is finished. 44:13 You can rest. 44:14 You can rest in Him. 44:18 But why the blood and the water? 44:19 Good question. 44:20 When that soldier took his lancet up to the rib cage, 44:24 it burst the pericardial sack of Jesus' heart 44:27 releasing that trickle of blood and water 44:30 that John had, boy, himself witnessed. 44:32 He saw it running down the chest of his dead master. 44:40 John wants us to remember all through the fourth gospel, 44:44 it's been blood and water, blood and water, 44:47 water-baptism, water to wine, blood and water, 44:50 blood and water all the way through. 44:53 And when we get to the climactic moment 44:55 of the universe's history, John declares, 44:59 it's blood and water, all Jesus for our salvation. 45:05 Not my blood and water, His blood and water. 45:09 We are secure in Him. Jot this down, will you? 45:13 "The blood of His finished sacrifice-" 45:14 What's that all about? 45:15 "--that covers my sins in the past, 45:17 the water of His continuous purification-" 45:18 What's that all about? 45:19 "--that cleanses my life in the present." 45:21 Isn't this amazing? 45:22 Listen, guys. Look at this. 45:23 John has made sure that 45:25 we're not only dealing in the past. 45:26 Oh, come on. Everything's 2,000 years ago. 45:28 Yeah, that's good. 45:29 The blood covers everything 45:31 but those are the words but what about the present 45:33 when I mess up, mess up, mess up. 45:35 We have water for cleansing now. 45:37 So there's- Jesus covers us in the past 45:39 and He covers us in the present 45:40 and He would journey with us into his future. 45:44 Blood and water. 45:46 Oh, you don't have to be apprehensive, 45:48 you don't have to worry 45:49 about the state of your salvation, 45:51 is there something more I should be doing, God? 45:53 I don't feel very secure. Forget it. 45:56 It is finished means it really is finished. 46:05 Just how finished these words from the century ago, 46:08 you've never seen this quote, 46:09 I'll put it on the screen for you, 46:11 you have it in your study guide, 46:12 "Christ planted the cross between heaven and earth, 46:16 and when the Father beheld the sacrifice of His Son, 46:19 He bowed before it 46:21 in recognition of its perfection. 46:23 It is enough, 'He said. 46:25 'The atonement is complete." 46:27 There it is, it is enough, it is complete, 46:31 it is finished three of them. 46:34 It is enough, 46:36 it is complete, 46:38 it is finished. 46:40 Oh, child of God who are you? 46:43 Where should I be looking right now, child of God. 46:47 Be at peace, be at peace. 46:54 No worry, no fear, 47:00 it's all done, 47:01 it is finished means it really is finished. 47:06 He did it, it's your, the will, it's yours, 47:12 everything, it's yours, it is finished 47:17 means it really is finished, 47:22 Jesus paid it all. 47:25 All to he might owe, sin had left a crimson stain, 47:32 but he washed me white as snow 47:34 that old gospel him puts the blood and water together 47:37 and I want to sing just one stanza 47:38 right now, don't go, don't move, 47:40 just stay seated I want to put-- 47:42 we got to see Pilate one more time, 47:43 that picture is so moving, 47:45 there you go hymn 184, 47:47 you don't even have to look it up, 47:48 the words would be right here we're going to sing a stanza, 47:50 just sing it of the screen, you see Jesus there, 47:54 it is finished, Jesus paid it all, 47:56 let's sing that together just a chord would be fine. 48:06 It's up on the screen, sing about the blood and water. 48:10 I hear the Savior say 48:15 Thy strength indeed is small 48:21 Child of weakness watch and pray 48:27 Find in Me thine all in all 48:33 Jesus paid it all 48:39 All to Him I owe 48:44 Sin had left a crimson stain 48:50 He washed it white as snow 48:58 I want to sing that chorus again, 48:59 I want to sing that chorus 49:00 that's the truth of it is finished, 49:02 that's the truth of the blood of-- 49:03 The blood and the water, he paid it all, 49:05 I owe everything to Him. 49:06 Sin left us crimson, awful stain in my life 49:10 but he has washed it white as snow. 49:12 Let's sing that, sing that chorus again. 49:14 Jesus paid it all 49:20 All to Him I owe 49:26 Sin had left a crimson stain 49:33 He washed it 49:37 White as snow 49:41 My dear fiends, that's the gospel. 49:43 Somebody puts a camera in your face and asks you, 49:45 that's the gospel, everybody who was on the screen 49:47 had it right, but that's the gospel. 49:51 He's paid it all. 49:52 All to Him I owe, that's the gospel. 49:56 So do I-- What next step do I take, 49:57 I mean I got to do something I can't just hear about Calvary 49:59 and not take another step, 50:01 could you pull your-- Your connect card out right now, 50:04 our closing moment, I want to draw your attention 50:06 to this card, there is a next step, 50:08 surely here that you can take, Jesus paid it all, 50:12 all to Him I owe, sin had a crimson stain, 50:16 he washed me, he washed it white as snow. 50:21 Look at that-- You've already written on this side, 50:23 you're going to turn this in, in just a moment. 50:25 Thank you for-- for your name there but-- 50:28 But go the back side it says my next step today is-- 50:33 Is next step to design to fit every teaching. 50:36 Here are two that I'd suggest, here are two, 50:39 I want to spend some time everyday 50:40 this next week thanking God 50:42 that it is finished really means it is finished. 50:45 Why not, everyday when you have your worship 50:47 you just say, hey, God this week-- 50:49 This post ester week I'm celebrating 50:52 that it is finished really means it is finished. 50:55 Every morning you'll need a little reminder, 50:58 you can just do it. 50:59 Put a check mark there, yeah-- 51:01 Dwight I'll join you in that 51:02 and here's another one I would like to share 51:04 John 19's "It is finished story" 51:06 with someone who needs this assurance, 51:08 now listen to me carefully, 51:09 I'm going to be misunderstood probably 51:11 but I'm going to say it anyway, 51:13 the older you get sometimes 51:15 in this particular community of faith, 51:18 the more apprehensive you can become. 51:22 My dear grandmother, she rests in Jesus now, 51:25 died at 99 years of age 51:26 but I remember visiting her once out of Loma Linda, 51:29 I was pasturing here 51:30 and went out there to see grandma 51:32 and you know, she'd be watching on T.V 51:34 and it's her boy and knowing all that, 51:35 but she said, Dwight, 51:37 you know tell me again, how it works. 51:41 I mean, she has-- She has been a world-- 51:43 world church leader and all but why, 51:45 she just because the older you get 51:47 I guess probably the nearer you get to death 51:50 you're just saying, do I really have 51:51 all my bases covered, is everything okay? 51:54 Now at your age you're saying, 51:56 "Hey, of course I got, it's great, hallelujah 52:00 but there may be somebody in your circle, 52:06 in your neighborhood circle, 52:07 in your family circle, in your friendship circle, 52:12 who struggles with knowing 52:13 the good news of the 'It is finished'. 52:15 That's what the second sentence is, 52:16 look it I would like to share John 19's 52:18 'It is finished' story with someone who needs it. 52:21 God if you leave me to somebody to-- 52:23 Somebody this next week or five weeks from now, 52:25 I'm not gonna forget this. 52:26 I know the good news is it is finished, 52:29 means it really is finished 52:31 and so help me to just be able to tell that story. 52:37 Sat beside an agnostic 52:38 when I was flying out to Germany 52:39 just a few days ago for ester weekend out there, 52:42 want to tell you next Sabbath 52:44 that conversation with an agnostic 52:46 from Norte Dame University. 52:48 I'll share that story with you. 52:50 There will be somebody that will come in your life 52:52 that you can share the gospel with. 52:54 Just say God I make myself available please, 52:56 if there is somebody that needs it, 52:58 I want to-- I want to help. 53:01 Somebody you're saying, you know, Dwight, 53:02 I really need to come to the savior, 53:04 I mean, he died for me. 53:05 This thing really hit me, those seven trios, 53:08 they're just-- it's inescapable. 53:10 He did this in advance for me. 53:12 He signed the will and I am in it, 53:15 and I've never formally come to Jesus 53:17 and if that's you my friend 53:19 just put a little check mark here. 53:20 I'd like to begin, I'm gonna soon begin 53:21 a relationship with Jesus, I'll send you an email 53:23 we put-- We'll put material in your hand. 53:26 There you go, we'll put material 53:27 in your hand to help you. 53:29 You can do it. 53:30 Jesus is ready, you're in the will. 53:34 It's all signed. 53:35 It's finished. 53:37 Baptism, we are having some beautiful Baptism 53:39 next week and then the following week 53:41 and then you'll say, Dwight I'm really all prepared 53:42 I just need to do it. 53:43 Put a check mark right there, 53:45 I'm interested in Baptism 53:46 and we can work you in either next Sabbath 53:48 or the last Sabbath of school year. 53:50 Why not you are ready, 53:51 you don't need to take a whole bunch of classes you're ready. 53:54 If you're not, we wont, 'cause nobody gets Baptized 53:57 unless they feel that this is the moment. 53:59 Put a check mark there. 54:00 There are the boxes you can put a check mark on, 54:02 always happy to be in touch with you. 54:03 Everyone in those boxes, in that small box, 54:05 you put a check mark there, you get an email. 54:07 Within 48 hours, you'll get an email 54:09 explaining the next step for you 54:11 in one of those responses. 54:16 This is the time when we receive 54:17 our morning tithes and offerings. 54:19 Freely you have received Jesus said, now freely give. 54:23 Oh, the day, whatever the offering is for 54:27 it doesn't matter to you just give, give today. 54:30 You have tithes you want to return, give today. 54:32 As the--As the ushers come by as they will in just a moment 54:35 I want to have a dedication prayer with you. 54:37 This is where you drop your little white card, 54:38 just drop it and we'll take it from there, 54:40 we'll be in touch with you don't worry. 54:41 Don't take it and hand it at the door, no, 54:43 just-- Just drop it in that offering plate. 54:46 Want to sing that chorus one more time, 54:48 when we're through but the-- 54:50 We got simple gifts coming up 54:52 and it's beautiful from the wind symphony 54:54 and so I'm gonna pray first and they'll play while they-- 54:57 returning our, sending our cards. 54:59 Oh, God, this is it, 55:02 this is--This is Calvary, 55:04 what's the good news to us the good news is, 55:06 is that God finished 2,000 years ago. 55:13 We place all our weight on the word of Jesus, 55:15 not the word of anyone else, the word of Jesus 55:21 and I pray for every heart here Holy father please 55:24 don't let anybody go home with an apprehension, 55:26 I'm just not sure what, what-- 55:30 bring peace to that troubled heart, 55:33 bring calm to that agitated mind. 55:36 Go back to Calvary with her or with him, 55:40 point to the one who is the savior of the world 55:43 and let us all leave this place 55:46 full of grace and truth in Christ. 55:50 We return our tithes and offerings. 55:54 How could we repay you for Calvary, 55:55 we're in the will, we're in the will. 55:58 We have it all, please receive our humble gifts 56:02 and gratitude in Jesus name. 56:05 Amen. 56:10 I'd like to take a moment here 56:11 at the end of the service to tell you about 56:13 one of the most important groups of people 56:15 that make this ministry possible. 56:18 They are a team of people, 56:19 they are not afraid to get down into this thick of life itself. 56:23 Which is why you're going to find them 56:24 you will find them moving forward on their knees. 56:27 They are our prayer partners, 56:29 a group of men and women and young adults 56:32 who believe that this humble television ministry 56:35 has been raised up by God for such a time as this. 56:38 And so they pray earnestly, that God will use the preacher, 56:41 that God will use me, 56:42 that God will use the countless other volunteers 56:44 to spread the everlasting gospel 56:47 and the Word of God in ways 56:48 we could ever have imagined before. 56:50 They are the ones who are praying 56:52 that God is going to open up the hearts of people, 56:55 open up the hearts of viewers 56:56 around the world for the message, 56:58 the critical message for this end time generation. 57:03 And what I'd like to do is ask you, 57:05 would you be willing to be a prayer partner with us? 57:07 A prayer partner with New Perceptions? 57:09 You don't have to call our toll free number, 57:11 you don't have to go online to register. 57:13 All I need to know 57:14 is that you'd be willing to lift this little ministry up 57:19 day after day after day. 57:21 Pray that somehow through radio 57:24 and television and the web. 57:25 God will open up new doors, new-- 57:28 New regions on earth, 57:29 where the everlasting gospel can be proclaimed. 57:32 There is no question the power of prayer 57:35 has potential to take this ministry 57:37 to place this we could never have imagined before. 57:40 So, that's it, 57:41 would you please be willing 57:43 to partner with me in prayer? 57:45 The times are urgent, the need is critical 57:48 and I hope you'll say yes. 57:50 Till we are together, 57:51 next time may the prayer answering God 57:54 accompany you every step of the way. |
Revised 2014-12-17