From the campus
of Andrews University
00:00:06.18\00:00:08.94
this is New Perceptions
with Dr. Dwight K. Nelson.
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Nobody knows
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The troubles I see
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Nobody knows
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But Jesus
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Nobody knows
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The troubles I see
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Glory,
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Hallelujah
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Sometimes I'm up,
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Sometimes I'm down
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Oh, yes Lord
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Sometimes
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I'm almost to the ground
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Oh yes, Lord
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Nobody knows
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the troubles I see
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Nobody knows
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but Jesus
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Nobody knows
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the troubles I see
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Glory,
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Hallelujah
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Although you see me goin' on so
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Oh, yes Lord
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I have my trials,
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here below
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Oh, yes Lord
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Nobody knows
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the troubles I see
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Nobody knows
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but Jesus
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Nobody knows
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the troubles I see
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Glory, Hallelujah
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Glory, Hallelujah
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Glory, Hallelujah
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Amen.
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We invite you to
turn to page nine
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in your bulletins
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as we share the
word this morning.
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You could follow in your
bulletins are on the screen
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and we ask that you please
read responsively with us.
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"The true light that gives light
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to everyone was
coming into the world.
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He was in the world,
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and though the world
was made through Him,
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the world did not recognize Him.
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He came to that
which was His own,
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but His own did not receive Him.
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Yet to all who did received Him,
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to those who
believed in His name,
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He gave the right to
become children of God--
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The Word became flesh
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and made His dwelling among us.
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We have seen His glory,
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the glory of the
one and only Son,
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who came from the Father,
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full of grace and truth."
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They are considered
among the most sublime
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of all words in
sacred literature.
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The prologue of
the fourth gospel
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only 18 verses long
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and yet in these short verses
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of this majestic introduction
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the story of the universe
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and you and me
and God is captured.
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And so as we did last Sabbath
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before we pray today
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I would like to read
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the words of the
prologue with you.
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Pull out your Bible
whatever translation
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you brought this morning.
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I have the New King James here.
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I'm going to read this
18 short verses together.
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You didn't bring the
Bible grab the pew Bible
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right in front of you,
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a brand new series of last word
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the fourth gospel
for a final generation.
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I want to read the
prologue again with you.
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John 1:1
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"In the beginning was the Word,
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and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.
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He was in the
beginning with God.
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All things were
made through Him,
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and without Him
nothing was made that was made.
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In Him was life,
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and the life was
the light of men.
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And the light
shines in the darkness,
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and the darkness
did not comprehend it.
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There was a man sent from God,
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whose name was John.
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This man came for a witness,
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to bear witness of the Light,
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that all through
him might believe.
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He was not that Light,
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but was sent to bear
witness of that Light.
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That was the true Light
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which gives light to
every man coming into the world.
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He was in the world,
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and the world
was made through Him,
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and the world did not know Him.
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He came to His own,
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and His own did not receive Him.
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But as many as received Him,
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to them He gave the right
to become children of God,
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to those who believe
in His name who were born,
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not of blood, not of
the will of the flesh,
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nor of the will
of man, but of God.
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And the Word became flesh
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and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory,
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the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father,
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full of grace and truth.
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John bore witness of
Him and cried out, saying,
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'This was He of whom I said,
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"He who comes after me
is preferred before me,
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for He was before me.'"
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And of His fullness
we have all received,
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and grace for grace.
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For the law was
given through Moses
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but grace and truth
came through Jesus Christ.
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No one has seen God at any time.
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The only begotten Son,
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who is in the
bosom of the Father,
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He has declared Him."
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Let's pray, oh God, we
are saying in a moment--
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we were saying in a
moment ago word of God,
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word of God speak.
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We are asking that
again a few moments together
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but oh, word of God
speak for your children listen.
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In the name of the
word we pray, amen.
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Would like to see
what it look like,
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what it look like
when the word became flesh?
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I found a stunning
piece of video on YouTube
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and I want to share with you.
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But before we put it up
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here is what I want you
to be doing please, please.
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As you see this, this footage
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I want you to be imagining
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that what you
are actually seeing
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is the word of
God being made flesh.
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God himself in
human fetal form, watch.
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Isn't that amazing?
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That's the way it
was when you were born.
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In fact I was thinking
it kind of look like you
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as I was looking at that image.
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That's the way it
was when I was born.
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That's the way it
was when Jesus was born.
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And who is this Jesus?
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He is the word made flesh.
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But here is the question.
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How could it possibly be
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that our human finite minds
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could comprehend this notion
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that the infinite
creator God of the universe
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reduced himself into a zygote?
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A fertilized egg in
the womb of a teenager,
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how can it be?
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And yet, that is the
one line Christmas narrative
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here in the fourth gospel.
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The Christmas story just one
line long in the Gospel of John
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but I would like to brood
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over that
Christmas story with you
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on this holiday
weekend not Christmas.
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Pull out your Bible
again if you closed it.
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Didn't pull out your Bible
the first time pull it out now,
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with me ruminate
over these words.
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Verse 14, John 1:14 page 714
00:11:06.79\00:11:10.60
in your pew Bible,
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grab that one I want you
to just let the word come in.
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We just saying a moment ago,
00:11:15.60\00:11:16.83
word of God speak,
let the word speak.
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By the way I love
this idea of these
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Andrew's study
Bible circulating,
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thank you Pastor Jose,
for that idea beautiful idea.
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I don't know if they
have come by your way
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but we are gonna
when we get these Bibles
00:11:28.53\00:11:29.95
all marked up
they will become gifts
00:11:29.98\00:11:31.44
for somebody knowing
that they were marked
00:11:31.47\00:11:34.70
in the worship of the community
00:11:34.73\00:11:37.09
of Andrews University
the Pioneer Memorial Church.
00:11:37.12\00:11:40.18
So thank you, for what you did.
00:11:40.21\00:11:42.50
All right, this is John 1:14
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"And the Word became flesh
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and dwelt among us,
and we beheld His glory,
00:11:49.57\00:11:52.58
the glory as of the
only begotten of the Father,
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full of grace and truth."
00:11:55.09\00:11:59.45
And the word, by
the way did you know
00:11:59.48\00:12:01.93
that this is
the only other place
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in the prologue where
the name "Word" appears.
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In the first teaching last week
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as we embarked on this journey
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we read it in the opening salvo.
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Let's read it again, verse 1,
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"In the beginning was the Word,
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and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God."
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Verse 2, "He was in
the beginning with God."
00:12:21.48\00:12:24.32
We noticed from
our study last week
00:12:24.35\00:12:26.18
that the word
shares the eternity
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and the deity of
almighty God Himself
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but He is a separate
being from almighty God.
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So, who is this word?
00:12:37.50\00:12:40.02
Verse 14 declares,
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He is the one who became flesh,
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and the word was made flesh.
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That's John's opening
salvo is quick and clear.
00:12:49.25\00:12:53.97
What he is telling us,
00:12:54.00\00:12:55.58
the Christ child a
sleep in Bethlehem manger
00:12:55.61\00:12:58.72
was none other than
the eternal God made flesh.
00:12:58.75\00:13:02.26
That's all the
Christmas story John has.
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No angles, no shepherds,
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no wise men only
the enfleshment of God.
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And the word became-- became,
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do you know what the
Greek word for became
00:13:15.15\00:13:17.27
is already used in the prologue.
00:13:17.30\00:13:18.79
It was used twice in verse 3.
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Notice verse 3,
00:13:21.17\00:13:23.12
"All things were
made" there it is,
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"All things were
made through Him,
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and without Him nothing
was made that was made."
00:13:26.14\00:13:28.46
The last two was made's
are the identical Greek word.
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So He the word, made everything.
00:13:33.42\00:13:36.47
Now get the-- the
profound implications get this.
00:13:36.50\00:13:40.00
He the word created
the entire universe.
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He made
everything that's verse 3.
00:13:43.15\00:13:44.83
And in verse 14,
00:13:44.86\00:13:45.89
the word same word was made.
00:13:45.92\00:13:48.18
See, was made which means
00:13:48.21\00:13:50.30
that the creator
of the entire cosmos
00:13:50.33\00:13:52.75
and the universe the
creator Himself made Himself.
00:13:52.78\00:13:57.99
He made Himself into a zygote.
00:13:58.02\00:14:01.07
You remember that
from biology don't you?
00:14:01.10\00:14:02.42
He made himself into a zygote
and planted in a teenage womb.
00:14:02.45\00:14:10.09
Wow, how did He do
it? We were not told.
00:14:10.12\00:14:15.09
In fact, the only word
00:14:15.12\00:14:16.54
here is the word the
Bible uses for what--
00:14:16.57\00:14:18.52
what John is
trying to describe here.
00:14:18.55\00:14:20.48
1Timothy 2:16 "Great is
the mystery of godliness,
00:14:20.51\00:14:25.88
God was
manifested in the flesh."
00:14:25.91\00:14:30.33
That's all we know,
00:14:30.36\00:14:31.41
the enfleshment
of God a mystery.
00:14:31.44\00:14:35.98
Well, I tell you what
if there ever a generation
00:14:36.01\00:14:37.72
who might be able to probe
and brood over this mystery
00:14:37.75\00:14:41.58
it had to be this one
given our genetic engineering
00:14:41.61\00:14:43.99
and stem cell research today
00:14:44.02\00:14:46.62
such a possibility is
no longer beyond imagining.
00:14:46.65\00:14:50.65
Thanks to science today.
00:14:50.68\00:14:53.25
And the word became the
Creator transforming Himself
00:14:53.28\00:14:59.10
into the creature
inside that little girls womb.
00:14:59.13\00:15:05.08
Here is what He
look like, this is a--
00:15:05.11\00:15:07.03
take a look at this
is what He looked like.
00:15:07.06\00:15:09.12
That is a human fetus.
Just hold that on the screen.
00:15:09.15\00:15:14.88
That is the word became,
00:15:14.91\00:15:18.24
that's what He
became just like that.
00:15:18.27\00:15:23.83
The eternal God tucked inside
00:15:23.86\00:15:26.87
that fertile warm house
the uterus of this girl.
00:15:26.90\00:15:34.67
And the word and
the word became flesh.
00:15:34.70\00:15:41.72
By the way that's
very interesting word,
00:15:41.75\00:15:43.15
the word flesh in
the Greek it's Sarx.
00:15:43.18\00:15:45.70
It's used in the New Testament
to describe the human race
00:15:45.73\00:15:48.02
to describe our humanity
00:15:48.05\00:15:49.25
to also describe
our fallen human nature.
00:15:49.28\00:15:51.53
So which way is
John using it here,
00:15:51.56\00:15:53.15
what does he mean by that word?
00:15:53.18\00:15:55.22
Its clear the way
John is using in here,
00:15:55.25\00:15:57.13
he is simply saying
the word became human.
00:15:57.16\00:15:59.17
That's what he said,
the word became human.
00:15:59.20\00:16:04.43
The divine being who
is one with the Father
00:16:04.46\00:16:06.35
but separate from the Father
became a human being as well.
00:16:06.38\00:16:10.27
Now, look at I know this is
a holiday weekend, all right,
00:16:10.30\00:16:12.82
and I know that you put your
mind on kind of a slow simmer
00:16:12.85\00:16:16.40
but I need you to
think deep right now.
00:16:16.43\00:16:18.17
I need you to
think deep, please.
00:16:18.20\00:16:20.34
I'm gonna show you
some words in just a second.
00:16:20.37\00:16:22.81
Some words from a Dutch
commentator, they are heavy.
00:16:22.84\00:16:27.83
You are gonna have to probe,
you're gonna have to hang on,
00:16:27.86\00:16:29.75
you're gonna have
to good to concentrate.
00:16:29.78\00:16:31.90
The name of the
commentator Herman Ridderbos.
00:16:31.93\00:16:37.19
I'm gonna put the
words on the screen.
00:16:37.22\00:16:39.85
Try to just grasp with me
what he is trying to tell us.
00:16:39.88\00:16:43.52
So put them on the screen,
let's go, "To 'become flesh'"
00:16:43.55\00:16:45.97
all right that's what we
just read here in John 1:14,
00:16:46.00\00:16:49.34
Herman Ridderbos,
00:16:49.37\00:16:50.51
"To 'become flesh'
is more than to 'appear
00:16:50.54\00:16:53.31
in the sphere of the flesh'
that is, as Jesus of Nazareth."
00:16:53.34\00:16:56.91
So it wasn't hey,
hey, guys, I'm here.
00:16:56.94\00:16:58.52
I'm Jesus of Nazareth.
I'm now flesh. No, no, no.
00:16:58.55\00:17:01.83
It's more. It
is to become flesh.
00:17:01.86\00:17:04.20
"It is an identification that,
00:17:04.23\00:17:06.01
thought it is not
further defined here
00:17:06.04\00:17:07.92
or linked with the virgin birth,
00:17:07.95\00:17:10.19
does mean that all
the redemptive categories"
00:17:10.22\00:17:14.03
that we have just
read in the prologue
00:17:14.06\00:17:15.78
talking about
the word is the life,
00:17:15.81\00:17:17.11
the word is the
light of humanity.
00:17:17.14\00:17:18.63
"All the redemptive categories
00:17:18.66\00:17:20.57
thus far attributed in
the prologue to the Word"
00:17:20.60\00:17:23.78
now hold on,
00:17:23.81\00:17:24.90
now apply with
the same absoluteness
00:17:24.93\00:17:28.49
and exclusiveness to
the man Jesus of Nazareth.
00:17:28.52\00:17:31.73
So whoever this
Jesus of Nazareth is
00:17:31.76\00:17:33.84
everything that's
been said about the word
00:17:33.87\00:17:35.76
is now true about Him.
00:17:35.79\00:17:38.14
Absoluteness, exclusiveness
00:17:38.17\00:17:40.72
it all applies to
this Jesus of Nazareth.
00:17:40.75\00:17:42.68
And keep reading,
00:17:42.71\00:17:44.20
"In his person as
the possessor of that
00:17:44.23\00:17:46.63
which belongs to God alone,"
00:17:46.66\00:17:49.20
this Jesus of Nazareth
possess what only God possesses.
00:17:49.23\00:17:53.96
Completely all of
this "Completely transcends
00:17:53.99\00:17:56.88
and exceeds the
possibilities of a mere man."
00:17:56.91\00:18:00.53
He cannot be a mere
man John is declaring.
00:18:00.56\00:18:06.40
In other words hey,
00:18:06.43\00:18:07.49
let's unpack this
just for a second.
00:18:07.52\00:18:09.26
In other words,
00:18:09.29\00:18:11.01
when the word
was born baby Jesus
00:18:11.04\00:18:13.31
lying in the manger, all right.
00:18:13.34\00:18:15.16
When the word
was born baby Jesus,
00:18:15.19\00:18:18.80
He didn't just--
He didn't just put on
00:18:18.83\00:18:20.57
human nature
like a suit of cloths.
00:18:20.60\00:18:21.94
Hey, guys, I got my human
nature on how does it look?
00:18:21.97\00:18:23.62
Do I look human enough?
00:18:23.65\00:18:25.97
No, and He didn't
take off His divine.
00:18:26.00\00:18:27.81
Hey listen, let me
take off the divine
00:18:27.84\00:18:29.07
so I can become
human. No, no, no.
00:18:29.10\00:18:31.70
What John is trying to make sure
00:18:31.73\00:18:33.09
we get through
his careful language,
00:18:33.12\00:18:35.45
is that the squalling baby
00:18:35.48\00:18:36.95
that emerges
from Mary's young womb
00:18:36.98\00:18:38.84
was the word fully
God made flesh fully man.
00:18:38.87\00:18:44.62
Wow, and that is so critical,
that point is so profound
00:18:44.65\00:18:48.84
we got to jot it down right now.
00:18:48.87\00:18:50.73
Grab new study guide
it's in your worship bulletin.
00:18:50.76\00:18:53.55
Pull your new study guide out.
00:18:53.58\00:18:55.05
Now, I'm gonna get you--
00:18:55.08\00:18:56.16
I'm gonna get to your
cell phones in just a moment
00:18:56.19\00:18:57.74
because you are
gonna use your smart phone
00:18:57.77\00:18:59.07
or your cell phone right here
00:18:59.10\00:19:00.40
because I need to hear from you.
00:19:00.43\00:19:01.46
I'm getting to that not now.
00:19:01.49\00:19:02.89
Pull out your study guide.
Pull out your study guide.
00:19:02.92\00:19:04.82
You didn't get your
study guide thank you ushers,
00:19:04.85\00:19:06.46
let's make sure
everybody gets the study guide.
00:19:06.49\00:19:07.86
Hold your hand up if
came in several of you
00:19:07.89\00:19:09.70
and only one of you
grab the study guide
00:19:09.73\00:19:11.92
you're gonna
want this study guide.
00:19:11.95\00:19:13.02
Hold your hand up good.
00:19:13.05\00:19:14.09
There are hands all
the way to the back,
00:19:14.12\00:19:15.27
there hands up in the balcony.
00:19:15.30\00:19:17.10
Those of you who
are watching in overflow
00:19:17.13\00:19:19.68
put your hand up,
00:19:19.71\00:19:20.99
we will get the study
guides to you as well,
00:19:21.02\00:19:22.28
our youth chapel will
get study guides to you.
00:19:22.31\00:19:27.47
Lets' see this while
it's still fresh in our minds.
00:19:27.50\00:19:31.22
Okay, and while the
ushers are doing that
00:19:31.25\00:19:32.28
let me welcome those of you
00:19:32.31\00:19:33.34
who are watching on
television right now.
00:19:33.37\00:19:34.68
We are delighted to have you.
00:19:34.71\00:19:35.79
I want you to have
the same study guide.
00:19:35.82\00:19:37.39
I'm gonna put it on the
screen for you our website
00:19:37.42\00:19:39.37
when you go to that website
you can get the study guide.
00:19:39.40\00:19:41.12
Let's put it on the
screen. There it is, you see it.
00:19:41.15\00:19:43.75
You see it at the bottom
00:19:43.78\00:19:44.81
www.pmchurch.tv,
www.pmchurch.tv.
00:19:44.84\00:19:52.42
You are looking for a brand
new series called The Last Word,
00:19:52.45\00:19:55.13
the fourth gospel
for a final generation.
00:19:55.16\00:19:57.07
See the big banner at the top.
00:19:57.10\00:19:58.65
You know what that series is.
00:19:58.68\00:20:00.03
This is teaching number two,
00:20:00.06\00:20:01.47
title of this teaching
the in-flesh-ment of God.
00:20:01.50\00:20:06.15
And then we see
that or say study guide
00:20:06.18\00:20:08.16
you click on you will
have our identical study guide.
00:20:08.19\00:20:10.88
And by the way those of
you watching live streaming
00:20:10.91\00:20:13.05
right now,
wherever you are on earth
00:20:13.08\00:20:14.87
we are glad to have you.
00:20:14.90\00:20:15.97
You will get your study
guide while you are watching
00:20:16.00\00:20:17.80
its sitting there
all ready for you.
00:20:17.83\00:20:19.93
All right, let's go.
00:20:19.96\00:20:21.59
Everybody got a study
guide keep your hands up.
00:20:21.62\00:20:23.02
They are working their
way to you but we need to go.
00:20:23.05\00:20:26.61
Okay, so we fill
out the first line.
00:20:26.64\00:20:27.96
This is-- this is a
simple one you won't have
00:20:27.99\00:20:30.06
if you get your study guide late
00:20:30.09\00:20:31.12
you will know
what goes in there.
00:20:31.15\00:20:32.18
"And the word became flesh."
00:20:32.21\00:20:34.60
Because that's what we are
grappling with this morning.
00:20:34.63\00:20:36.60
"And the word became flesh."
00:20:36.63\00:20:41.46
The Christmas
story according to John,
00:20:41.49\00:20:43.43
the word became flesh.
00:20:43.46\00:20:45.60
Now to help us to understand
Herman Ridderbos's vital point,
00:20:45.63\00:20:49.95
we are gonna go
back to that quotation,
00:20:49.98\00:20:51.17
we will fill in
some key words this time
00:20:51.20\00:20:52.97
and hopefully it will
illumine the quotation.
00:20:53.00\00:20:55.38
Let's go back to
Ridderbos the Dutchmen,
00:20:55.41\00:20:58.44
"To 'become flesh'"
00:20:58.47\00:20:59.90
he is writing now in
his commentary on John.
00:20:59.93\00:21:02.28
"To 'become flesh' is more than
00:21:02.31\00:21:03.86
to 'appear in the
sphere of the flesh,'
00:21:03.89\00:21:06.82
that is, as Jesus of Nazareth."
00:21:06.85\00:21:09.37
To become flesh, "Is
an identification that,
00:21:09.40\00:21:11.74
thought it is not
further defined here
00:21:11.77\00:21:13.95
or linked with the virgin birth,
00:21:13.98\00:21:15.93
does mean that all
the redemptive categories"
00:21:15.96\00:21:19.72
Jesus-- that
the word was a life,
00:21:19.75\00:21:21.45
the word was the
light of humanity.
00:21:21.48\00:21:23.08
"All those redemptive categories
00:21:23.11\00:21:24.49
thus far attributed in
the prologue to the Word,"
00:21:24.52\00:21:27.61
key point jot that down.
00:21:27.64\00:21:29.87
Everything the prologue
uses to describe the word now,
00:21:29.90\00:21:32.92
it's gonna get its
gonna show up somewhere else.
00:21:32.95\00:21:35.33
"All the redemptive
categories of to the Word,
00:21:35.36\00:21:38.28
now apply with
the same absoluteness
00:21:38.31\00:21:41.52
and exclusiveness"
00:21:41.55\00:21:42.69
this cannot be for anybody else
00:21:42.72\00:21:44.96
in the entire universe now apply
00:21:44.99\00:21:48.00
"to the man Jesus of Nazareth."
00:21:48.03\00:21:50.02
Jot that down, Jesus of Nazareth
00:21:50.05\00:21:51.57
just right NAZ
and also little short,
00:21:51.60\00:21:54.01
short line there
just squeeze it in.
00:21:54.04\00:21:56.95
All of that, every
prerogative of the word
00:21:56.98\00:21:59.75
now applies to
"Jesus of Nazareth
00:21:59.78\00:22:01.80
and in his person" look at this,
00:22:01.83\00:22:03.55
"in his person is
a possessor of that
00:22:03.58\00:22:05.16
which belongs to God alone."
00:22:05.19\00:22:08.15
So Jesus of Nazareth possesses
what only God can possess.
00:22:08.18\00:22:11.52
That ought to tell
you about His divinity.
00:22:11.55\00:22:14.53
He possesses that
which belongs to God alone,
00:22:14.56\00:22:18.51
that means, all of
this "completely transcend
00:22:18.54\00:22:20.80
and exceeds the
possibilities of a mere man."
00:22:20.83\00:22:24.77
He is not a mere man,
He is not a good teacher.
00:22:24.80\00:22:29.93
Remember our
teachings from last week.
00:22:29.96\00:22:31.82
No, no, no hence
keep your pen moving.
00:22:31.85\00:22:33.81
"Hence, the Baby of Bethlehem
was fully God and fully Man."
00:22:33.84\00:22:38.45
That is the prologues point.
00:22:38.48\00:22:41.44
Drama is about,
00:22:41.47\00:22:42.50
I'll tell you what we
are gonna love this gospel
00:22:42.53\00:22:43.92
story after story after story
00:22:43.95\00:22:45.75
but this key point will
be locked in our minds now.
00:22:45.78\00:22:48.27
He is fully God and fully Man.
00:22:48.30\00:22:49.88
Keep your pen moving.
00:22:49.91\00:22:50.94
"And thus, Holy
Scripture calls Him
00:22:50.97\00:22:52.50
both the Son of God
and the Son of Man."
00:22:52.53\00:22:58.13
That's why you read
both of those titles
00:22:58.16\00:23:00.18
in the New Testament,
that's why because He is both.
00:23:00.21\00:23:03.50
"It's the truth
of the incarnation"
00:23:03.53\00:23:04.98
keep your pen moving.
00:23:05.01\00:23:06.25
Incarnation is a Latin
word carnal means flesh.
00:23:06.28\00:23:10.35
So incarnation
means in-flesh-ment.
00:23:10.38\00:23:14.03
Fill that in, in-flesh-ment.
00:23:14.06\00:23:16.01
When you say
God was incardinated
00:23:16.04\00:23:17.60
that means God became flesh.
00:23:17.63\00:23:19.43
The in-flesh-ment of God.
00:23:19.46\00:23:23.03
"And the word became flesh."
00:23:23.06\00:23:27.47
Yeah, but come on Dwight,
00:23:27.50\00:23:28.53
why would the word
want to become flesh
00:23:28.56\00:23:30.16
what's the big deal?
00:23:30.19\00:23:31.49
Let's look at the verse again.
00:23:31.52\00:23:33.22
And the word became or
was made flesh and dwelt,
00:23:33.25\00:23:39.94
and dwelt among us.
00:23:39.97\00:23:42.75
Hey, do you remember the
story that the late Paul Harvey,
00:23:42.78\00:23:45.08
remember Paul Harvey.
00:23:45.11\00:23:46.54
You knew who Paul Harvey was,
00:23:46.57\00:23:47.90
you know that,
00:23:47.93\00:23:48.96
yeah, you know
who Paul Harvey is.
00:23:48.99\00:23:50.21
All right, so,
Paul Harvey used to love
00:23:50.24\00:23:53.92
to tell the story
every Christmas time.
00:23:53.95\00:23:55.66
He tell it out at his
radio huge syndication
00:23:55.69\00:23:58.44
all over the--
all over the nation.
00:23:58.47\00:24:00.34
Do you remember the Christmas
story that he would tell?
00:24:00.37\00:24:02.08
It was about this,
Christmas Eve blizzard.
00:24:02.11\00:24:03.86
You remember this
Christmas Eve blizzard
00:24:03.89\00:24:05.50
and the father
who didn't believe
00:24:05.53\00:24:07.78
this non-sense
about God becoming men
00:24:07.81\00:24:10.14
which is a story of Christmas,
I don't believe that stuff.
00:24:10.17\00:24:14.03
And how in the howling
snow of that dark night
00:24:14.06\00:24:15.92
you remember that,
00:24:15.95\00:24:17.03
a flock of black
birds seized his fireplace.
00:24:17.06\00:24:20.20
They are looking for safety.
00:24:20.23\00:24:21.59
They are looking for refugee
and they see this orange glow,
00:24:21.62\00:24:24.22
ah, there is safety.
00:24:24.25\00:24:25.90
And the flock,
that flock just comes
00:24:25.93\00:24:27.49
shooting out of the stormy night
00:24:27.52\00:24:29.88
but they didn't realize
there is a window pane there.
00:24:29.91\00:24:34.53
Another little
boy was with his daddy
00:24:34.56\00:24:36.88
and the little boy was running,
00:24:36.91\00:24:37.96
he puts his hands on the
glass he says, oh, daddy, daddy,
00:24:37.99\00:24:40.71
look at them they
are trashing about.
00:24:40.74\00:24:42.38
Daddy, we got to do something
00:24:42.41\00:24:43.44
they will freeze
to death out here.
00:24:43.47\00:24:45.04
You remember
that story don't you?
00:24:45.07\00:24:46.89
Now, the father
and the little boy
00:24:46.92\00:24:48.40
bundle up in all
their Michigan finest
00:24:48.43\00:24:51.11
and they go
trotting out into the snow.
00:24:51.14\00:24:53.73
And this is a piece
of cake we are gonna--
00:24:53.76\00:24:55.63
we are gonna pick these birds up
00:24:55.66\00:24:56.87
because we have a
little shed right over there.
00:24:56.90\00:24:58.11
We will put them in
00:24:58.14\00:24:59.29
and you remember
they came these giants
00:24:59.32\00:25:01.20
but when the stooped
over to pick up the birds.
00:25:01.23\00:25:04.32
How do you
suppose the birds reacted?
00:25:04.35\00:25:06.20
Thrashing franticly backwards,
get away from me, get away.
00:25:06.23\00:25:10.60
Father realized I can't like
00:25:10.63\00:25:11.67
I'll be able to get these birds.
00:25:11.70\00:25:13.02
And so you
remember how in the story
00:25:13.05\00:25:14.38
the little boy got
the idea said daddy,
00:25:14.41\00:25:16.02
look at what we will do
is we will open the door
00:25:16.05\00:25:18.08
I'll get some bread crumbs
00:25:18.11\00:25:19.32
and we will-- we will just
00:25:19.35\00:25:21.13
from where the birds are
00:25:21.16\00:25:22.22
we will drop the crumbs
they will eat the crumbs,
00:25:22.25\00:25:23.49
we will lead them
right into safety.
00:25:23.52\00:25:25.41
And so they do the bread
crumbs things. Does it work?
00:25:25.44\00:25:28.14
Are you kidding
the birds have no idea
00:25:28.17\00:25:29.58
what these bread crumbs are for.
00:25:29.61\00:25:31.14
Not that no clue that they
lead to salvation, forget it.
00:25:31.17\00:25:35.55
So father says, okay,
we will do it the tough way
00:25:35.58\00:25:37.28
we are gonna shoo them in.
00:25:37.31\00:25:38.44
They try and the
birds go berserk.
00:25:41.00\00:25:44.48
And more to
himself than to his boy
00:25:44.51\00:25:46.75
in the howling winter blizzard
the father says out loud ah,
00:25:46.78\00:25:51.65
if only I could become
one of these black birds
00:25:51.68\00:25:55.51
I could speak their
language they would trust me
00:25:55.54\00:25:58.09
and I could tell them guys,
00:25:58.12\00:25:59.56
you got to go there to be saved.
00:25:59.59\00:26:02.59
And this Paul Harvey
in his inimitable style
00:26:02.62\00:26:05.02
as he tells it just then
through the howl of the wind
00:26:05.05\00:26:08.11
the Christmas Eve
bells began to ring.
00:26:08.14\00:26:11.91
And the father, new the truth
00:26:11.94\00:26:15.00
of God becoming man,
00:26:15.03\00:26:18.16
just a simple little parable
00:26:18.19\00:26:21.39
but it explains to
a degree does it not.
00:26:21.42\00:26:23.71
It explains effectively
00:26:23.74\00:26:25.12
why was the word become
flesh and dwelt among us
00:26:25.15\00:26:28.93
so that He could be one of us.
00:26:28.96\00:26:30.51
So that He could share our life,
00:26:30.54\00:26:31.58
so that He could
share our language,
00:26:31.61\00:26:32.83
so that He could
lead us to safety.
00:26:32.86\00:26:34.15
But the prologue of John
00:26:34.18\00:26:36.93
is much deeper than
Paul Harvey's parable.
00:26:36.96\00:26:39.66
The prologue of John says
00:26:39.69\00:26:40.72
well, there is
much more to this.
00:26:40.75\00:26:43.31
Watch this, the Greek word,
00:26:43.34\00:26:46.74
the Greek word for dwelt
00:26:46.77\00:26:48.16
is the verb form--
00:26:52.36\00:26:55.74
is the verb form of
a noun that the old--
00:26:55.77\00:26:59.56
that the Greek Old
Testament called the Septuagint
00:26:59.59\00:27:02.42
a noun used to describe
00:27:02.45\00:27:03.83
the sanctuary or the tabernacle.
00:27:03.86\00:27:06.30
You remember that
little portable church
00:27:06.33\00:27:08.49
they carried all
through the wilderness.
00:27:08.52\00:27:09.71
You remember that? Same word.
00:27:09.74\00:27:13.22
I mean you know, you
now, what the portable church
00:27:13.25\00:27:14.67
was a bunch of
badger skins on the outside,
00:27:14.70\00:27:16.61
badger skins but inside of it
00:27:16.64\00:27:18.90
the very glory
of all mighty God.
00:27:18.93\00:27:23.17
John takes that same
word turns it into a verb
00:27:23.20\00:27:27.36
and he says
that's what happening.
00:27:27.39\00:27:28.78
In fact some, some
scholars believe listen to this,
00:27:28.81\00:27:31.92
that the reason the
Septuagint translators
00:27:31.95\00:27:34.10
choose the word
skeneh for tabernacle
00:27:34.13\00:27:38.46
the reason they choose that word
00:27:38.49\00:27:40.36
was because it had
the same consonants
00:27:40.39\00:27:43.13
as the Hebrew word for shekinah
00:27:43.16\00:27:45.75
in the English SKN
the same consonants.
00:27:45.78\00:27:52.01
Just badger skins on the outside
00:27:52.04\00:27:53.42
but shekinah
eternal glory on the inside.
00:27:53.45\00:27:58.08
And the Word, and
the Word became flesh.
00:27:58.11\00:28:03.09
In fact, I'll put on the screen
00:28:03.12\00:28:04.18
this is the way you can read it,
00:28:04.21\00:28:05.64
"And the Word become
flesh and tabernacled
00:28:05.67\00:28:08.97
He pitched His tent among
us and we beheld His glory."
00:28:09.00\00:28:15.62
You see guys,
that's the whole point.
00:28:15.65\00:28:18.18
It's not just enough for
God to get up close to us
00:28:18.21\00:28:20.72
so that we are not afraid
00:28:20.75\00:28:21.78
of this big creator coming at us
00:28:21.81\00:28:23.27
so they can speak our language
00:28:23.30\00:28:24.33
and lead us to
safety or salvation.
00:28:24.36\00:28:25.62
No, no, no the prologue says,
00:28:25.65\00:28:27.06
no, there is also
another critical reason
00:28:27.09\00:28:30.17
why the Word would become flesh
00:28:30.20\00:28:31.93
and that is so that we
might behold the glory of God.
00:28:31.96\00:28:38.00
Now here is a question.
00:28:38.03\00:28:39.33
Has the glory of God
already been seen on earth
00:28:39.36\00:28:42.20
by the time they write this?
00:28:42.23\00:28:43.44
Yeah, of course, you
remember the burning bush?
00:28:43.47\00:28:45.28
Glory of God.
00:28:45.31\00:28:46.38
You remember that
tall pillar cloud of fire?
00:28:46.41\00:28:48.46
Glory of God.
00:28:48.49\00:28:49.52
You remember
Mount Sinai going crazy
00:28:49.55\00:28:51.38
with that pyrotechnics
explosion at the top?
00:28:51.41\00:28:54.05
Glory of God.
00:28:54.08\00:28:55.59
The most holy
place in that tabernacle?
00:28:55.62\00:28:57.13
Glory of God.
00:28:57.16\00:28:58.36
They have already seen
the physical glory of God
00:28:58.39\00:29:01.76
but when John
uses the word, glory
00:29:01.79\00:29:03.99
he is not talking about
the physical glory of God
00:29:04.02\00:29:06.18
he is talking about
the glory of this life
00:29:06.21\00:29:09.19
that will culminate in
this mighty climax at Calvary.
00:29:09.22\00:29:14.27
It's a glory of God's character.
00:29:14.30\00:29:16.75
In fact you remember the story,
00:29:16.78\00:29:18.24
remember the meltdown
that the children of Israel
00:29:18.27\00:29:20.20
dancing in front
of the golden calf
00:29:20.23\00:29:21.61
at the foot of Mount
Sinai. You remember that?
00:29:21.64\00:29:23.71
After that meltdown
has been taken care of
00:29:23.74\00:29:25.99
and Moses is pleading
for the lives of the people.
00:29:26.02\00:29:28.24
Moses says and he prays
his prayer in Exodus 33:18
00:29:28.27\00:29:31.46
and I have this prayer
00:29:31.49\00:29:32.52
right where I have
worship every morning.
00:29:32.55\00:29:34.07
I love this prayer
in the Old King James.
00:29:34.10\00:29:35.69
"I beseech thee, oh,
God, show me thy glory."
00:29:35.72\00:29:41.02
Remember that prayer he
wanted to see God's glory.
00:29:41.05\00:29:43.02
Remember that, yeah.
00:29:43.05\00:29:44.82
So God says okay,
come on up to the mountain.
00:29:44.85\00:29:46.91
What did Mosses see,
00:29:46.94\00:29:48.00
pyrotechnics, are you kidding?
00:29:48.03\00:29:49.70
God says I'm gonna
put my hand over you,
00:29:49.73\00:29:50.98
you just gonna see my back
00:29:51.01\00:29:52.04
but what did God
do when He walked by?
00:29:52.07\00:29:54.45
He described His,
His what? His character.
00:29:54.48\00:29:57.87
That's the glory
the earth has not seen.
00:29:57.90\00:30:00.50
A full self revelation of God
00:30:00.53\00:30:03.55
seen in the life of
the Word made flesh.
00:30:03.58\00:30:06.70
Which that means
that in this series
00:30:06.73\00:30:08.24
as we track the Word made flesh
00:30:08.27\00:30:10.10
we are seeing God
every single time.
00:30:10.13\00:30:13.83
How He behaves that's
God, how He cares that's God,
00:30:13.86\00:30:18.23
how He loves that's God,
00:30:18.26\00:30:20.46
the glow at
pinnacles, the Calvary.
00:30:20.49\00:30:25.00
Listen to this, Desire of Ages,
00:30:25.03\00:30:26.99
you have to fill this in.
00:30:27.02\00:30:28.20
It's classic on
the life of Christ.
00:30:28.23\00:30:31.44
Put the screen--
the words on the screen,
00:30:31.47\00:30:33.24
"Both the redeemed
and the unfallen beings
00:30:33.27\00:30:36.57
will find in the cross of Christ
00:30:36.60\00:30:40.30
their science and their song.
00:30:40.33\00:30:43.09
It will be seen that
the glory" here it goes now,
00:30:43.12\00:30:45.61
"the glory shining in the
face of Jesus is the glory"
00:30:45.64\00:30:49.76
write it in "of
self-sacrificing love."
00:30:49.79\00:30:54.18
Would you fill that in please?
00:30:54.21\00:30:55.38
Self- sacrificing
love. That's the glory.
00:30:55.41\00:31:00.39
The glory shining in the
face of the word made flesh.
00:31:00.42\00:31:03.36
The glory of self
sacrificing love, keep reading.
00:31:03.39\00:31:05.88
"In the light from Calvary
00:31:05.91\00:31:07.50
it will be seen that the
law of self-renouncing love"
00:31:07.53\00:31:11.27
you know, what
self-renouncing love is?
00:31:11.30\00:31:12.97
When you want something
00:31:13.00\00:31:14.03
and if somebody you love
also wants it you give it.
00:31:14.06\00:31:17.29
When somebody who is
asking something from you
00:31:17.32\00:31:19.46
that will be sacrificial
for you, you give it.
00:31:19.49\00:31:21.90
I want to tell you a story
00:31:21.93\00:31:22.96
that's just come
into my mind right now,
00:31:22.99\00:31:25.25
I didn't plan
to tell you a story
00:31:25.28\00:31:26.31
but it's coming
to my mind right now.
00:31:26.34\00:31:28.12
A young coed met me
after the service last week,
00:31:28.15\00:31:31.27
last week right
here in this church
00:31:31.30\00:31:34.32
because I was hanging
around that front pew.
00:31:34.35\00:31:35.79
If you want to chat
that's where I'll be.
00:31:35.82\00:31:37.45
Not at the door
but right here, okay.
00:31:37.48\00:31:40.27
So she comes, she has
little catch in her voice.
00:31:40.30\00:31:45.32
I said, what's up?
She hands me an envelope.
00:31:45.35\00:31:49.25
She says, I've had a dream
00:31:49.28\00:31:50.72
and she
described her dream to me
00:31:50.75\00:31:52.73
but she said God came to me.
00:31:52.76\00:31:56.34
I never met
this girl in my life.
00:31:56.37\00:31:58.55
God came to me.
She's a new student.
00:31:58.58\00:32:01.03
God came to me and God said
00:32:01.06\00:32:03.58
girl that dream of yours
00:32:03.61\00:32:06.51
would you be
willing to sacrifice
00:32:06.54\00:32:07.87
for somebody else's dream?
00:32:07.90\00:32:11.24
Set up in wresting with this
and pastor, I need to do this
00:32:11.27\00:32:13.44
and she handed me an envelope.
00:32:13.47\00:32:14.50
I said what's in this envelope?
00:32:14.53\00:32:15.56
She says $800.
00:32:15.59\00:32:18.81
She is chasing a dream herself
00:32:18.84\00:32:24.55
but she gave $800 as
an act of worship to God.
00:32:24.58\00:32:28.20
Now, listen to me carefully
00:32:28.23\00:32:29.86
that's what self-renouncing
self-sacrificing life is.
00:32:29.89\00:32:34.13
You give it up
for somebody else.
00:32:34.16\00:32:39.42
Once in a while we
see it in the human race
00:32:39.45\00:32:44.04
the Word became flesh
so that the glory of God
00:32:44.07\00:32:47.16
we could see it
day in and day out.
00:32:47.19\00:32:49.90
Isn't that
amazing? God bless her.
00:32:49.93\00:32:52.82
Young coed at
Andrews University.
00:32:52.85\00:32:57.66
"In the light from
Calvary it will be seen that
00:32:57.69\00:32:59.05
the law of self-renouncing love
00:32:59.08\00:33:00.65
is the law of life
for earth and heaven,
00:33:00.68\00:33:02.23
that the love which
'seeketh not her own'
00:33:02.26\00:33:03.69
has its source
in the heart of God"
00:33:03.72\00:33:05.49
that's where did she get it from
00:33:05.52\00:33:06.83
she God it
straight form God's heart.
00:33:06.86\00:33:08.00
I mean it was just
mainlined into her.
00:33:08.03\00:33:09.73
She was simply
doing as God would do.
00:33:09.76\00:33:11.71
Keep reading,
"and that in the meek
00:33:11.74\00:33:13.27
and lowly One"
the word made flesh,
00:33:13.30\00:33:14.80
"is manifested the character"
00:33:14.83\00:33:16.56
and I want you to see that word
00:33:16.59\00:33:17.68
"the character of Him
who dwelleth in the light
00:33:17.71\00:33:19.82
which no man can approach."
00:33:19.85\00:33:21.43
The character--
what is God's glory?
00:33:21.46\00:33:23.03
It's His character.
00:33:23.06\00:33:24.39
The word becomes
flesh so that we can see,
00:33:24.42\00:33:27.55
see the character of
God lived out in our mist.
00:33:27.58\00:33:33.21
Wow, "And the Word became flesh
00:33:33.24\00:33:37.04
and dwelt among us,
00:33:37.07\00:33:38.90
and we beheld His glory."
00:33:38.93\00:33:45.44
But so what? So what?
00:33:45.47\00:33:50.90
I mean yeah, big deal
what difference does the word
00:33:50.93\00:33:56.62
becoming flesh in our
lives today make for us?
00:33:56.65\00:34:01.18
What difference
is the divine Christ
00:34:01.21\00:34:02.55
becoming human made
00:34:02.58\00:34:03.88
in the way you
live this last week.
00:34:03.91\00:34:06.49
Does it make any difference?
Did you even think about it?
00:34:06.52\00:34:09.19
Look, why is it good news
00:34:09.22\00:34:12.55
that the son of God
is also the son of man?
00:34:12.58\00:34:16.08
Here is the question,
what does in humanity of Christ
00:34:16.11\00:34:19.70
mean to you right now?
00:34:19.73\00:34:23.14
I want to hear
from you right now.
00:34:23.17\00:34:25.29
Take out that
phone of yours, will you?
00:34:25.32\00:34:26.62
Come on, you have been
dying to use it, pull it out.
00:34:26.65\00:34:30.41
Pull it out, you
know I called it smart--
00:34:30.44\00:34:31.86
I said this is first service--
00:34:31.89\00:34:33.95
we have never done this before
00:34:33.98\00:34:35.07
so I'm kind of learning as I go.
00:34:35.10\00:34:36.70
They said, Dwight,
they come to me afterwards,
00:34:36.73\00:34:38.09
Dwight, don't call these
smart phones, its just phone.
00:34:38.12\00:34:42.69
Any phone can do this.
00:34:42.72\00:34:44.06
And I'm thinking to myself
00:34:44.09\00:34:45.14
you know why I
call them smart phones
00:34:45.17\00:34:46.27
because any phone that can
send a text is very smart to me.
00:34:46.30\00:34:50.91
No, no, as a
special category of phone
00:34:50.94\00:34:52.35
just say take
out your cell phone.
00:34:52.38\00:34:54.03
Okay, would you just take
out your cell phone please?
00:34:54.06\00:34:57.34
I'm gonna put a question
and a number on the screen
00:34:57.37\00:34:59.75
and I have Karen's iPad.
00:34:59.78\00:35:03.67
Yeah, I'm hopping if
I use this enough times
00:35:03.70\00:35:05.55
it will become Dwight's iPad
00:35:05.58\00:35:06.61
so I'm kind of working it here.
I have Karen's iPad in pulpit.
00:35:06.64\00:35:10.92
All right, so I
got to turn it on now
00:35:10.95\00:35:12.52
because I'm gonna read
00:35:12.55\00:35:14.74
what you send me
in a split second.
00:35:14.77\00:35:16.46
Now, don't put the--
don't put the question up yet
00:35:16.49\00:35:18.50
because I found
in our first church
00:35:18.53\00:35:19.79
before I was even through
00:35:19.82\00:35:22.20
and I'm with
people that I thought
00:35:22.23\00:35:23.68
didn't know how to do this.
00:35:23.71\00:35:27.06
Boy, that day embrace me.
00:35:27.09\00:35:29.43
I said you dummy, don't you know
we are as good as those kids.
00:35:29.46\00:35:34.12
All right, so I got
to turn this on see.
00:35:34.15\00:35:39.40
Yeah I know how to do this.
00:35:39.43\00:35:40.93
See wow, how did
you do that, Dwight?
00:35:40.96\00:35:43.63
I practiced. Okay, all right.
00:35:43.66\00:35:47.97
Wow, okay, now here is the deal.
00:35:48.00\00:35:52.83
I'm gonna put the
question on the screen
00:35:52.86\00:35:55.36
I want you to answer.
00:35:55.39\00:35:56.42
No don't put
the question up yet.
00:35:56.45\00:35:57.83
I want your
answer, just do this.
00:35:57.86\00:35:58.92
You guys are incredible.
00:35:58.95\00:35:59.98
I saw one guy do
just all one hand.
00:36:00.01\00:36:03.40
Could never read the
text but it was all one hand.
00:36:03.43\00:36:06.57
Okay, here comes the question
00:36:06.60\00:36:09.21
and by the way those of you
who are watching live streaming
00:36:09.24\00:36:10.89
right now, this is for you too.
00:36:10.92\00:36:12.12
Anywhere in the world
you can text this number.
00:36:12.15\00:36:15.00
All right, so
here is the question,
00:36:15.03\00:36:17.86
what does the humanity of
Christ mean to you right now?
00:36:17.89\00:36:20.61
I don't need a
paragraph or an answer
00:36:20.64\00:36:22.06
I just need a few words.
00:36:22.09\00:36:23.12
Okay, come on get
those thumbs moving.
00:36:23.15\00:36:25.04
What does the humanity of
Christ mean for you right now?
00:36:25.07\00:36:32.88
Oh, my, it is working
mission control this is working.
00:36:32.91\00:36:38.96
Okay, so what I'm gonna
do-- am I appear to talk.
00:36:38.99\00:36:41.32
The problem is that
the tab keeps changing.
00:36:41.35\00:36:43.71
All right, I give you
just little more time.
00:36:43.74\00:36:48.87
Send.
00:36:48.90\00:36:50.43
Okay, text the
number on the screen,
00:36:50.46\00:36:53.17
answer the question.
00:36:53.20\00:36:54.23
What does the
humanity of Christ mean to you?
00:36:54.26\00:36:56.40
It means, here we go, it
means He is approachable.
00:36:56.43\00:37:02.08
Oh, I like that. It
means He is approachable.
00:37:02.11\00:37:04.71
It means hope for
me, here is another one.
00:37:04.74\00:37:06.71
It means companionship. It
means life more abundantly.
00:37:06.74\00:37:12.81
Here is one, it means He
can relate to me spot on.
00:37:12.84\00:37:18.30
He can relate to
me. He can relate to me.
00:37:18.33\00:37:22.47
I better step up
my game, very good.
00:37:22.50\00:37:28.27
Love beyond understanding.
You got there right.
00:37:28.30\00:37:34.44
It means life, one word.
00:37:34.47\00:37:38.25
That He became
flesh it's life for me.
00:37:38.28\00:37:44.29
All I liked that and
where to go, man is it going.
00:37:44.32\00:37:49.57
I'm up to 302 already.
00:37:49.60\00:37:53.09
Come on guys I
can't get all of you in.
00:37:53.12\00:37:56.04
Slow down, okay, I
just go to top, everything.
00:37:56.07\00:38:01.63
Well, I like that one.
00:38:01.66\00:38:02.80
What's it mean
to you, everything.
00:38:02.83\00:38:05.07
Open door to divinity.
00:38:05.10\00:38:08.12
It means now I have
an open door to God.
00:38:08.15\00:38:11.96
Wow, that's what one person put.
00:38:11.99\00:38:14.27
Wow, yeah that's a wow.
00:38:14.30\00:38:15.86
Awesome, here is
another one, awesome.
00:38:15.89\00:38:17.30
We will now go back.
00:38:17.33\00:38:18.62
Go back.
00:38:22.70\00:38:25.18
You know this technology,
00:38:25.21\00:38:26.24
there is a
problem with these things.
00:38:26.27\00:38:28.84
I'm trying to get back,
00:38:28.87\00:38:31.06
it means God say you
have enough of these.
00:38:31.09\00:38:36.15
Its Apple saying you
have enough of these.
00:38:36.18\00:38:37.87
Okay, come on,
view. Yeah, okay, view.
00:38:43.22\00:38:46.85
Okay, it means He
understands my plight.
00:38:46.88\00:38:50.74
It means I always have a friend.
00:38:50.77\00:38:54.69
It means that we
mean enough to God
00:38:54.72\00:38:57.06
that He would do
anything to see us in heaven,
00:38:57.09\00:38:59.63
isn't that good?
00:38:59.66\00:39:01.39
Wow,
00:39:01.42\00:39:02.57
It means God becoming
one with us to save us,
00:39:07.23\00:39:10.59
that's it
that's the bottom line.
00:39:10.62\00:39:13.78
It means having a friend
00:39:13.81\00:39:14.84
who is always there
even if I can't see Him.
00:39:14.87\00:39:19.35
Wow, we are up to 478 now.
00:39:19.38\00:39:24.60
It means that we
mean enough to God,
00:39:24.63\00:39:29.07
that He would do
anything to see us in heaven.
00:39:29.10\00:39:33.42
Yeah, can you believe
00:39:33.45\00:39:35.47
the you mean that
much to God by the way?
00:39:35.50\00:39:38.22
You mean so much to God
00:39:38.25\00:39:40.66
that He became you to get you
00:39:40.69\00:39:44.00
to live with Him
what's up with that?
00:39:44.03\00:39:46.66
It means the opportunity
to dwell with Him forever.
00:39:52.84\00:39:58.25
Hey guys, you are all
right, everybody is right.
00:39:58.28\00:40:01.44
Everybody is right.
00:40:01.47\00:40:03.33
Now, I had to sum all of this up
00:40:03.36\00:40:05.26
your responses
before I even saw them.
00:40:05.29\00:40:07.58
So here is how I summed
it up. See if this works.
00:40:07.61\00:40:09.50
Will you
please-- I wrote this out
00:40:09.53\00:40:13.84
here's what the
humanity of Christ means to us.
00:40:13.87\00:40:15.78
Take your study guide again.
00:40:15.81\00:40:17.65
"Because the Word became flesh
00:40:17.68\00:40:20.42
we now know
this truth about God,
00:40:20.45\00:40:22.92
He is the God who is
up close and personal."
00:40:22.95\00:40:29.56
See when you send
a text message to me
00:40:29.59\00:40:30.62
isn't that personal?
00:40:30.65\00:40:31.69
I have no idea who this
text message is coming from.
00:40:31.72\00:40:33.43
It's just a bunch
of numbers at the top.
00:40:33.46\00:40:36.89
But when the Word became flesh
00:40:36.92\00:40:38.96
we now know
this truth about God,
00:40:38.99\00:40:40.24
He is the God who is
up close and personal.
00:40:40.27\00:40:44.41
That's a familiar third
millennium expression isn't it?
00:40:44.44\00:40:46.27
Up close and
personal. What's that mean?
00:40:46.30\00:40:49.40
Because of the incarnation,
00:40:49.43\00:40:50.47
because of the
in-flesh-ment of God,
00:40:50.50\00:40:52.22
He is up close and personal.
00:40:52.25\00:40:53.64
Now would you
jot this down please?
00:40:53.67\00:40:54.96
It means, He is "In
our face some of the time."
00:40:54.99\00:40:58.94
I mean the drama is about
to begin in the Gospel of John
00:40:58.97\00:41:00.99
and I'm telling you
Jesus is going after.
00:41:01.02\00:41:03.02
I mean He is in the
face with a heart of love
00:41:03.05\00:41:05.34
but He is in the face of people
00:41:05.37\00:41:06.93
who think they
have it all together
00:41:06.96\00:41:09.18
when they are bankrupt.
00:41:09.21\00:41:10.49
He really gets in my face
00:41:10.52\00:41:12.09
when Dwight thinks He
has it in all together.
00:41:12.12\00:41:13.94
And man, you are-- you
are empty right now boy,
00:41:13.97\00:41:16.55
I'm in your face you need Me.
00:41:16.58\00:41:18.88
You will watch Him do that
00:41:18.91\00:41:19.97
again and again
in these stories.
00:41:20.00\00:41:22.15
In our face some of the time
00:41:22.18\00:41:24.24
but I love this next one,
"By our side all of the time."
00:41:24.27\00:41:28.84
All of the
time. All of the time.
00:41:28.87\00:41:32.63
By our side He is the God
who is up close and personal.
00:41:32.66\00:41:36.69
Keep your pen moving,
00:41:36.72\00:41:38.01
"Who to be one with
us became one of us."
00:41:38.04\00:41:43.85
That's the truth.
00:41:43.88\00:41:47.61
He wanted to be one with
us so He became one of us.
00:41:47.64\00:41:51.95
And you can't get
any closer than that.
00:41:51.98\00:41:54.26
Can you? No you can not.
00:41:54.29\00:41:56.98
That's as close as it comes.
00:41:57.01\00:42:00.54
I don't think
you gonna express it
00:42:00.57\00:42:01.69
much more pointedly than this.
00:42:01.72\00:42:04.03
I'm gonna hold this up see
if we can get a camera on this.
00:42:04.06\00:42:06.35
I want you to have this book.
00:42:06.38\00:42:09.53
This book is a paper
back edition, thank you.
00:42:09.56\00:42:15.08
It is a paper back
edition, thank you very much.
00:42:15.11\00:42:20.23
Come on stop, okay,
00:42:20.26\00:42:22.92
audios goodbye, all right.
00:42:22.95\00:42:28.96
Are you doing that to
me? Is somebody doing this?
00:42:28.99\00:42:31.48
Can you do that
from your cell phone?
00:42:31.51\00:42:32.96
You can't.
00:42:32.99\00:42:34.02
What was I doing now
as I just turn-- yeah.
00:42:34.05\00:42:37.87
You watch this, this
thing never been shut off
00:42:37.90\00:42:40.48
so fast in his life.
00:42:40.51\00:42:42.24
Good bye, okay.
00:42:42.27\00:42:43.84
It's out of power
now I can't do anything.
00:42:49.53\00:42:52.39
I want you to have
this book right here.
00:42:52.42\00:42:53.47
This is the
inspirational best seller.
00:42:53.50\00:42:55.47
The classic on the life of Jesus
00:42:55.50\00:42:57.12
called the Desire of Ages.
00:42:57.15\00:42:58.33
The reason I'm so excited
about this particular one
00:42:58.36\00:43:00.17
which is why I want
you to see the cover
00:43:00.20\00:43:01.43
because when you
go to the bookstore,
00:43:01.46\00:43:02.49
we have already told
the university bookstore
00:43:02.52\00:43:04.56
and the Christian
bookstore across the street here
00:43:04.59\00:43:06.50
alert them that you
are gonna be coming.
00:43:06.53\00:43:09.01
This book is in the
New King James version
00:43:09.04\00:43:11.81
and that's why I want you
to read the life of Christ
00:43:11.84\00:43:13.53
with a fresher translation
than the Old King James.
00:43:13.56\00:43:15.98
The Old King James is
just tough sledding sometimes.
00:43:16.01\00:43:18.41
You are gonna love
this, you are gonna love this,
00:43:18.44\00:43:22.18
The Desire of Ages.
00:43:22.21\00:43:25.18
You know, why don't
you join the journey?
00:43:25.21\00:43:26.64
Just grab one of
these, you got the gospels.
00:43:26.67\00:43:29.01
We are gonna be on this journey,
00:43:29.04\00:43:30.24
you and I for a few weeks.
00:43:30.27\00:43:32.52
You can read ahead,
00:43:32.55\00:43:33.64
read ahead in the bulletin
00:43:33.67\00:43:34.80
the reflection
questions are all there
00:43:34.83\00:43:36.82
so you can know
what next weeks teachings
00:43:36.85\00:43:38.43
is gonna start focusing on.
00:43:38.46\00:43:39.55
You can spend the week
looking over that chapter
00:43:39.58\00:43:41.63
because we are gonna
go a chapter at a time
00:43:41.66\00:43:43.10
when we get out
of this prologue,
00:43:43.13\00:43:44.29
only one more
time in the prologue.
00:43:44.32\00:43:46.64
Reflections on September 11
00:43:46.67\00:43:49.02
that will be next
week from the prologue,
00:43:49.05\00:43:50.93
the children of Abraham
00:43:50.96\00:43:52.55
in the bosom of the
Father don't miss next week.
00:43:52.58\00:43:56.57
Once we get into the drama
00:43:56.60\00:43:57.63
it's a story bang, bang, bang
00:43:57.66\00:43:59.45
with teaching,
teaching, teaching.
00:43:59.48\00:44:01.46
Get a hold of this book,
00:44:01.49\00:44:02.57
let this book become a
part of your worship journey.
00:44:02.60\00:44:05.82
I want to read from this
book couple of quotations
00:44:05.85\00:44:08.07
and I want to tell you a
story and sit down, all right.
00:44:08.10\00:44:09.86
Couple quotation, tell
you a story and sit down.
00:44:09.89\00:44:13.10
Okay, so, and by the way
00:44:13.13\00:44:16.18
this is in your study guide
so pull your study guide out
00:44:16.21\00:44:17.98
because you are
gonna fill this in.
00:44:18.01\00:44:19.20
This is just dynamite
talking about point it.
00:44:19.23\00:44:22.43
I mean, what is this mean?
00:44:22.46\00:44:23.62
What is the humanity
of Christ mean to us?
00:44:23.65\00:44:25.60
Watch this, put it on the screen
00:44:25.63\00:44:27.92
for you this is
Desire of Ages, that classic.
00:44:27.95\00:44:30.93
"Since Jesus
came to dwell with us,
00:44:30.96\00:44:33.84
we know that God is
acquainted with our trials,
00:44:33.87\00:44:36.70
and sympathizes with our griefs.
00:44:36.73\00:44:39.62
Every son and
daughter of Adam may understand
00:44:39.65\00:44:42.53
that our Creator" write it
in "is the friend of sinners."
00:44:42.56\00:44:46.96
You said that again and again.
00:44:46.99\00:44:48.36
I read it right here in my iPad,
00:44:48.39\00:44:49.78
you were saying it,
saying it, saying it
00:44:49.81\00:44:51.25
but isn't that something
00:44:51.28\00:44:52.44
our Creator is
the friend of sinners.
00:44:52.47\00:44:54.49
And then I just love this line,
00:44:54.52\00:44:56.08
"For in every doctrine of grace,
00:44:56.11\00:44:59.02
every promise of
joy, every deed of love,
00:44:59.05\00:45:02.85
every divine
attraction presented
00:45:02.88\00:45:04.67
in the Savior's life on
earth, we see 'God with us.'
00:45:04.70\00:45:09.44
" That one line by the way
00:45:09.47\00:45:10.94
one of you having
worship in organic chemistry
00:45:10.97\00:45:13.80
just starting his
worships last week
00:45:13.83\00:45:15.97
he told me after first church
00:45:16.00\00:45:18.19
that was the line we focused on.
00:45:18.22\00:45:19.67
So if you are in
organic chemistry
00:45:19.70\00:45:21.20
this week you
heard that line read.
00:45:21.23\00:45:24.31
Wow, wow.
00:45:24.34\00:45:27.90
One more, here's the other one.
00:45:27.93\00:45:30.78
"By His life and His death,
00:45:30.81\00:45:32.51
Christ has achieved even more
00:45:32.54\00:45:35.19
than recovery from the ruin
00:45:35.22\00:45:36.78
wrought through sin.
00:45:36.81\00:45:37.94
It was Satan's purpose to bring
about an eternal separation
00:45:37.97\00:45:40.41
between God and us,
00:45:40.44\00:45:41.84
but in Christ" I love this
00:45:41.87\00:45:43.88
"in Christ" can
you believe this,
00:45:43.91\00:45:45.67
"in Christ we become
more closely united to God
00:45:45.70\00:45:48.72
than if we had never fallen."
00:45:48.75\00:45:52.53
You are gonna be closer to God
00:45:52.56\00:45:53.61
now than ever in the
history of the universe
00:45:53.64\00:45:56.57
because out of your fall
00:45:56.60\00:45:59.09
something happened
between you and God
00:45:59.12\00:46:01.81
which is why you
are been eternity, wow.
00:46:01.84\00:46:05.54
"In taking our
nature," keep reading now,
00:46:05.57\00:46:07.27
"In taking our nature,
00:46:07.30\00:46:08.70
the Savior has
bound Himself to humanity
00:46:08.73\00:46:11.49
by a tie that is
never to be broken.
00:46:11.52\00:46:15.03
Through the eternal
ages He is linked with us."
00:46:15.06\00:46:18.42
It's not that suit of
cloths that he takes our and say
00:46:18.45\00:46:20.10
hey, this is a great experiment
sure glad it ended well.
00:46:20.13\00:46:23.96
Are you kidding?
00:46:23.99\00:46:25.07
He now has you for
ever and ever, amen.
00:46:25.10\00:46:29.32
He is human for
ever and ever, amen.
00:46:29.35\00:46:31.64
Fully God, fully man
for ever and ever, amen.
00:46:31.67\00:46:35.52
You don't understand
what He had to give up
00:46:35.55\00:46:38.56
to have five
figures and five toes
00:46:38.59\00:46:41.02
and be living it
to one place in time.
00:46:41.05\00:46:43.76
He gave it up.
00:46:43.79\00:46:46.04
He loved you so
much. He loved me so much.
00:46:46.07\00:46:52.05
"God has adopted human
nature in the person of His Son,
00:46:52.08\00:46:55.09
and has carried the same
00:46:55.12\00:46:56.55
into the highest
heaven." Keep going.
00:46:56.58\00:46:58.22
"In Christ the family of earth
00:46:58.25\00:46:59.71
and the family of
heaven are bound together.
00:46:59.74\00:47:01.34
Christ
glorified is our brother."
00:47:01.37\00:47:04.48
We have a
brother in the universe
00:47:04.51\00:47:06.69
who is one with us, one with us.
00:47:06.72\00:47:11.56
We have a bro,
we have a brother,
00:47:11.59\00:47:15.05
glorify Christ is our brother.
00:47:15.08\00:47:17.00
And then this last line,
00:47:17.03\00:47:18.09
it doesn't get
more profound than this.
00:47:18.12\00:47:19.62
"Heaven is
enshrined in humanity,
00:47:19.65\00:47:23.06
and humanity is enfolded in
the bosom of Infinite Love."
00:47:23.09\00:47:30.17
Up close and personal
00:47:30.20\00:47:32.44
for ever and ever, amen.
00:47:32.47\00:47:38.49
That's what the
humanity of Christ means to us,
00:47:38.52\00:47:41.04
up close and personal.
00:47:41.07\00:47:45.52
Now, I end with a story
that happened just this week.
00:47:45.55\00:47:50.37
On the end of the
line the voice of a woman
00:47:50.40\00:47:53.17
from a state far from here,
00:47:53.20\00:47:55.88
a lovely southern
accent tune of voice.
00:47:55.91\00:47:59.80
I heard the voice
say, I have been watching
00:47:59.83\00:48:01.28
on television and so
I wanted to call you.
00:48:01.31\00:48:05.17
And with that she
began the story of a life
00:48:05.20\00:48:07.93
that has been
crushed with difficulties.
00:48:07.96\00:48:11.13
Her daughter's life has
been messed up by drugs,
00:48:11.16\00:48:13.92
two children out of
wedlock with different fathers.
00:48:13.95\00:48:16.53
By the time she was through
telling me about her daughter
00:48:16.56\00:48:20.74
and those two grandchildren
that the woman has brought
00:48:20.77\00:48:22.89
into her heart and
home, the woman is in tears.
00:48:22.92\00:48:26.33
And then she
told me about herself
00:48:26.36\00:48:27.66
she is fighting breast cancer.
00:48:27.69\00:48:30.57
I mean it just kept compounding
00:48:30.60\00:48:32.88
but I knew that if I called you,
00:48:32.91\00:48:34.71
you would pray for me.
00:48:34.74\00:48:36.70
I said, you bet
I'll pray for you
00:48:36.73\00:48:38.52
but I want to read a
scripture first before we pray.
00:48:38.55\00:48:41.52
And so she is on the
phone and I'm reaching over
00:48:41.55\00:48:43.70
to get my Bible
here at the office
00:48:43.73\00:48:45.66
and I pull it over.
00:48:45.69\00:48:47.31
I said, I want you
to listen these words.
00:48:47.34\00:48:48.45
Now, I didn't know
that this sermon was gonna--
00:48:48.48\00:48:49.97
I don't know that
was gonna be the sermon.
00:48:50.00\00:48:51.03
I didn't know where the sermon
was going up close in personal
00:48:51.06\00:48:53.27
but I ended up reading
00:48:53.30\00:48:54.51
one of those
majestic promises Isaiah 43,
00:48:54.54\00:48:57.15
where God says, do not be afraid
00:48:57.18\00:49:00.83
I'm with You, when you
pass through the waters
00:49:00.86\00:49:03.74
they will not overflow you.
00:49:03.77\00:49:05.80
When you pass through the fire,
00:49:05.83\00:49:07.07
it will not burn you,
00:49:07.10\00:49:09.74
you are precious in My sight.
00:49:09.77\00:49:13.32
So don't be afraid I'm with you.
00:49:13.35\00:49:15.88
Up close and personal
that's what the promise is.
00:49:15.91\00:49:19.96
So we read that promise together
00:49:19.99\00:49:21.19
on the long distance phone
00:49:21.22\00:49:22.29
and then I said, I
want to pray with you.
00:49:22.32\00:49:23.42
But she says I want to
tell you one more story.
00:49:23.45\00:49:26.03
I said, all right.
00:49:26.06\00:49:28.66
She said, I want to
tell you about my husband.
00:49:28.69\00:49:30.72
She has mentioned him.
00:49:30.75\00:49:32.25
I said, okay.
00:49:32.28\00:49:33.88
My husband
recently died of cancer
00:49:33.91\00:49:36.80
and it's a dreadful cancer.
00:49:36.83\00:49:40.34
He was a truck driver,
00:49:40.37\00:49:42.14
called home every single night.
00:49:42.17\00:49:45.66
He was her lifeline.
00:49:45.69\00:49:51.07
And after he died
00:49:51.10\00:49:53.17
her little world
just imploded upon itself.
00:49:53.20\00:49:58.60
Some time after his death,
00:49:58.63\00:50:01.69
the grandchildren are
staying with some friends
00:50:01.72\00:50:05.60
so she is in
the house all alone.
00:50:05.63\00:50:06.97
You got the picture she
is in the house all alone.
00:50:07.00\00:50:09.87
She is lying in
bed its pitch black
00:50:09.90\00:50:14.91
and all of that
broken is just wells up
00:50:14.94\00:50:17.62
with inner and she
begins to sob into the darkness.
00:50:17.65\00:50:22.36
God, don't you know
what I'm going through.
00:50:22.39\00:50:26.70
How could You do this to me?
00:50:26.73\00:50:28.85
He was everything to me.
00:50:28.88\00:50:30.65
My life is gone
and she is just sobbing
00:50:30.68\00:50:33.77
and sobbing and sobbing.
00:50:33.80\00:50:37.06
And then she told me
all of a sudden in the dark
00:50:37.09\00:50:44.42
she feels a
presence right beside her
00:50:44.45\00:50:51.14
and then she says pastor,
I'm telling you the truth.
00:50:51.17\00:50:54.68
I heard the voice speak to me
00:50:54.71\00:51:01.02
and the voice said to her,
00:51:01.05\00:51:05.26
I know how your heartaches
00:51:05.29\00:51:09.45
and I'm so sorry.
00:51:09.48\00:51:14.35
It was never supposed
to have turned out this way
00:51:14.38\00:51:20.33
but I will be with you,
00:51:20.36\00:51:23.60
I will be with
you the whole way.
00:51:23.63\00:51:28.55
And by this time
because, I'm listening
00:51:28.58\00:51:30.25
to a real life testimony.
00:51:30.28\00:51:33.41
I got my eyes out of I can't see
00:51:33.44\00:51:36.87
I'm trying to dry my
cheeks I don't want her to hear
00:51:36.90\00:51:39.51
I'm trying to get
a hold of my voice.
00:51:39.54\00:51:42.33
Do you know why those
tears sprained in my eyes?
00:51:42.36\00:51:45.46
I'll tell you why because I
have heard that story before.
00:51:45.49\00:51:49.33
I have heard that
story before again and again
00:51:49.36\00:51:52.52
and it rings
through just like God.
00:51:52.55\00:51:57.22
He's done it.
00:51:57.25\00:51:59.81
Wouldn't it be just like
Him up close and personal.
00:51:59.84\00:52:06.69
Guys, I'm telling,
00:52:06.72\00:52:09.56
I'm telling it doesn't
get any better than Christ
00:52:09.59\00:52:16.22
that has to be this Christ
00:52:16.25\00:52:19.14
who is God of
close and personal.
00:52:19.17\00:52:20.81
That has to be
about the best news
00:52:20.84\00:52:24.98
you and I will
ever hear in this life.
00:52:25.01\00:52:29.77
Amen. Amen.
00:52:29.80\00:52:32.49
Up close and personal.
00:52:39.15\00:52:44.11
So I got to tell you
00:52:44.14\00:52:46.04
I got to be honest
with you I'm praying,
00:52:46.07\00:52:49.15
I have some
friends pray, I'm praying,
00:52:49.18\00:52:54.12
that this
opportunity God is giving us
00:52:54.15\00:52:58.54
to immerse
ourselves in the life of Jesus
00:52:58.57\00:53:00.69
whether you do it
here or dorm worship
00:53:00.72\00:53:02.81
or co-curricular or wherever
00:53:02.84\00:53:05.29
this year I'm praying
00:53:05.32\00:53:09.23
that this
opportunity Jesus is giving you
00:53:09.26\00:53:11.62
to get up close
in personal with Him,
00:53:11.65\00:53:15.08
you will not let it go.
00:53:15.11\00:53:17.27
You will not say ah, come
on it's just another journey.
00:53:17.30\00:53:20.51
No, no, no.
00:53:20.54\00:53:24.47
I believe Jesus is coming soon.
00:53:24.50\00:53:27.18
I mean the stuff
that just happening
00:53:27.21\00:53:28.49
I'm writing in
this "The Fourth Watch"
00:53:28.52\00:53:29.55
blog you know, but the
stuff is been happening
00:53:29.58\00:53:31.33
I'm saying can I
take a little pause God,
00:53:31.36\00:53:32.54
can I take little
pause in the sermon service.
00:53:32.57\00:53:33.86
I want to get into
the second coming again.
00:53:33.89\00:53:35.62
No, I believe
Jesus is coming soon.
00:53:35.65\00:53:38.44
Now, listen carefully,
00:53:38.47\00:53:39.51
He is coming, He is gonna come
00:53:39.54\00:53:42.44
when He has a people
00:53:42.47\00:53:44.99
that He is in fleshed
in up close and personal
00:53:45.02\00:53:48.77
so that when the
world meets these people
00:53:48.80\00:53:54.07
they will see Him incarnated
up close and personal.
00:53:54.10\00:54:01.24
And so I'm inviting you please
with all the earnest of my heart
00:54:01.27\00:54:04.22
I'm inviting you please
don't miss this opportunity.
00:54:04.25\00:54:08.61
Please take--
00:54:08.64\00:54:10.38
get hold of the New
King James, Desire of Ages,
00:54:10.41\00:54:12.62
take your gospels and every week
00:54:12.65\00:54:14.66
between our Sabbaths together
00:54:14.69\00:54:16.87
every week get up
close in personal with Jesus.
00:54:16.90\00:54:20.56
For the life
with me I can't think
00:54:25.80\00:54:29.20
of what would be
better news than that truth.
00:54:33.20\00:54:36.20
I want to pray with
you, I want to pray with you
00:54:45.25\00:54:48.06
but before we do
would you stand with me
00:54:48.09\00:54:50.32
and sing this
little chorus you know it.
00:54:50.35\00:54:52.55
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
00:54:52.58\00:54:55.68
Look full in His wonderful face
00:54:55.71\00:54:59.31
and the things of
earth will grow strangely dim
00:54:59.34\00:55:03.03
in the light of
His glory and grace.
00:55:03.06\00:55:06.02
Let's sing that
together, shall we?
00:55:06.05\00:55:07.50
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
00:55:16.90\00:55:24.88
Look full in His wonderful face
00:55:24.91\00:55:32.87
And the things of earth
00:55:32.90\00:55:37.47
Will grow strangely dim
00:55:37.50\00:55:43.66
In the light
00:55:43.69\00:55:47.81
Of His glory and grace
00:55:47.84\00:55:55.80
I want to sing it
acapella with you now.
00:55:55.83\00:55:57.15
Sing it again please
quietly as if it were a prayer.
00:55:57.18\00:56:00.40
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
00:56:00.43\00:56:08.28
Look full
00:56:10.58\00:56:13.34
In His wonderful face
00:56:13.37\00:56:21.33
And the things of earth
00:56:21.36\00:56:26.63
Will grow strangely dim
00:56:26.66\00:56:34.36
In the light
00:56:34.39\00:56:37.71
Of His glory and grace
00:56:37.74\00:56:45.71
Holy Father, that's the truth.
00:56:47.44\00:56:50.45
You will have a
generation at the end of times
00:56:50.48\00:56:52.63
just before the return of Jesus
00:56:52.66\00:56:54.83
up close and personal.
00:56:54.86\00:56:59.81
You have become that to us
00:56:59.84\00:57:03.81
and you are pleading.
00:57:03.84\00:57:06.28
Please won't You
become that to me
00:57:06.31\00:57:08.99
up close come,
come, come near up close.
00:57:09.02\00:57:13.20
Lets be personal You and I.
00:57:13.23\00:57:15.71
Oh, Father don't let
us miss this opportunity
00:57:15.74\00:57:21.81
to get up close
00:57:21.84\00:57:22.93
and personal with the word
00:57:22.96\00:57:28.95
so that
incarnated in fleshed in us
00:57:28.98\00:57:32.76
this whole world one last time
00:57:32.79\00:57:36.86
might see the truth about You.
00:57:36.89\00:57:40.78
And now may the love of God
00:57:45.50\00:57:50.65
and the grace of His Son
00:57:50.68\00:57:54.36
and the communion
of the Holy Spirit
00:57:54.39\00:57:57.60
be with you and me, amen.
00:57:57.63\00:58:02.52