[0:00] Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, show us the Father? Don't you believe that I am in the Father and that the Father is in me?
[0:14] The words I say to you are not just my own, rather it is the Father living in me who is doing his work. Chapter 18.
[0:24] We're going to read verses 28 at the end of the chapter. Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor.
[0:41] By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness, the Jews did not enter the palace. They wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, what charges are you bringing against this man?
[0:57] If you were not a criminal, they replied, we would not have handed him over to you. Pilate said, take him yourselves and judge him by your own law. But we have no right to execute anyone, the Jews objected.
[1:11] This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken, indicating the kind of death he was going to die, would be fulfilled. Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, are you the king of the Jews?
[1:28] Is that your own idea, Jesus asked, or did others talk to you about me? Am I a Jew, Pilate replied? It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me.
[1:41] What is it you have done? Jesus said, my kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.
[1:55] You are a king then, said Pilate. Jesus answered, you are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason, I was born. And for this, I came into the world to testify to the truth.
[2:09] Everyone on the side of truth listens to me. What is truth? Pilate asked. With this, he went out again to the Jews and said, I find no basis for a charge against him.
[2:22] But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release the king of the Jews? And they shouted back, no, not him.
[2:34] Give us Barabbas. Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion. I doubt any of you would argue with me when I say that there is a crisis of truth today.
[2:50] The utter confusion of our world seems to be an echo of Pilate's scornful question or response, I should say, to our Lord Jesus when he said, what is truth?
[3:03] Our world today is a ship tossed on the sea of subjectivism without a compass to direct her. And in absence of God's truth, our world is committed to the idea that everyone has their own truth.
[3:20] So you make your own truth, whatever fits your mind, your affections, your will. That's your truth. And the truly authentic life is to be true to your truth, whatever that may be.
[3:33] So you might have been born a boy. But if you think you're a woman or would like to identify as such, why then you can do that. Just declare yourself to be a woman.
[3:44] That is your truth. And you need to be faithful to that truth. And what we're discovering is that society cannot operate without an objective standard of truth.
[3:58] It doesn't work. God never meant for the world to work that way. And it's unraveling around us and must of necessity do so. The obvious problem, of course, is that all of our truths do not agree.
[4:14] And so they're bound to collide. And when they do, there's no objective standard to be the referee or the judge. And so the one with the loudest voice wins or the most powerful, the most power and force to enforce their will upon another.
[4:31] One version of truth demanding all to honor them. Crashing into each other without any hope of some objective standard of truth to unify us.
[4:41] No wonder we're a country divided. We've lost the truth. But this crisis of truth is not just a societal problem. It's not just a national problem.
[4:53] It's a very personal problem. A personal tragedy. Leaving real lives of real people ruined for lack of knowledge.
[5:04] People wonder. Who am I? What am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Is there life after death? Is there a heaven?
[5:15] If so, what's the way to heaven? Is there a hell? If so, what's the way to escape it? Is there a purpose in life? If so, what is it?
[5:25] Why do I feel guilty? Is there a God? What's he like? Can I know him? How can I be right with him? What is real and unreal?
[5:38] Where can I find words that are trustworthy and true? What is truth? The world gropes in the dark with no sure answer to these and other important questions.
[5:53] As we're left each one to our own truth claims. With none better than anyone else's. And the result is that most people don't know that they're lost.
[6:04] And don't know how to be saved. The crisis of truth is a very personal problem. An important personal problem. And so it is good news to us that 2,000 years ago.
[6:20] A man from Nazareth called Jesus said, I am the truth. I'm the way. And you must walk me for there's no other way to the father.
[6:32] I'm the truth. And you must believe on me if you would ever get to the father. I'm the life. And you must receive me or forever be cut off from the father. And so our big text for today is John 14 and verse 6.
[6:46] And specifically that one statement. I am the truth. Nothing could be more relevant to the truth crisis that we're facing today.
[6:59] And this exclusive claim of Jesus. I am the truth. Now the truth is something that John gives special emphasis to in his gospel.
[7:10] All the gospels speak of the truth. But John has many of our Lord's words about the truth that the other three gospels do not record.
[7:21] And so let me give you three such texts. The first is this found in John 14, 6. This exclusive claim that I am the truth.
[7:34] And without me you are lost. You're lost on this sea of the world. You don't know where you've come from and where you're going. And here we see that Jesus Christ, God's eternal son, is himself the answer to the truth crisis.
[7:51] I'm the truth, he says. He not only speaks the truth. He not only does the truth. He is the truth. He is the personification, the very embodiment of truth.
[8:08] John says in chapter 1, he's God. The very word of God. The expression of God. And the word, that word became flesh and dwelt among us.
[8:20] And we've seen his glory, the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth. And into this crisis of truth, God sent his own eternal son, who is the truth.
[8:35] The second passage is John chapter 8, if you want to turn there. This problem of truth is nothing new to our generation. Jesus faced it 2,000 years ago.
[8:47] And he said it goes right back to the Garden of Eden. Here he's speaking to the unbelieving Jews. In John 8 and verse 43, he says, Why is my language not clear to you?
[9:02] Well, because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil. And you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth.
[9:17] For there is no truth in him. And when he lies, he speaks his native language. For he is a liar and the father of lies.
[9:31] Yet, because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. If I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me? He who belongs to God, here's what God says.
[9:44] Now, here it is. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God. You belong to the devil, the father of lies.
[9:55] That's why you do not hear my voice. Now, when God made Adam and Eve, there was nothing in the world but truth. God's truth.
[10:07] God, who is the truth, was speaking. And they were listening. For the word of the Lord is right and true. He is faithful in all he does. Amen. But then, one day, another voice was heard in the garden.
[10:22] It was coming from the serpent. That old serpent who is the devil, Revelation says. Devil, the devil, that fallen angel, high angel that God had created, who rebelled against God.
[10:39] And he came to spread his rebellion on earth, the home of God's image bearers. And so, the devil speaks on the earth for the first time to Eve.
[10:51] Did God really say you must not eat of all the trees in the garden? That you must not eat from any tree in the garden?
[11:02] Oh, we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden. But God did say you must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden. And you must not touch it or you will die.
[11:15] You will not surely die. The devil said. The first lie ever told on planet earth. And Eve bought it hook, line, and sinker.
[11:28] The big lie is still the big lie of the ages. That you can sin against God and get away with it. You can break his commands without being judged for it.
[11:40] And since then, the father of lies has not only filled the earth with that lie. But with a whole host of other lies. Such that the whole world has bought into them.
[11:50] And now circulates those lies. Doing his work for him. The devil comes into this world of truth. And he switches all the price tags.
[12:03] And what's valuable, he puts a low value on. And what's not valuable, he puts a high price tag on. And he's switching all the signs. And over the broad road that's leading to destruction, he puts the sign, This is the way to life.
[12:17] And over the narrow road that leads to life, he's got a sign that says, This is the way to destroy your life. This is the way to ruin. Lies.
[12:30] Lies. Calling evil good and good evil. Putting darkness for light and light for darkness. Putting bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 520. And the whole world is under the power of his lies.
[12:44] 1 John 519. We know that we are children of God. And that the whole world is under the power. The control of the evil one.
[12:57] The whole world is in his lap. He's got them. And he's got them with his lies. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4.4. That the God of this age.
[13:08] That's the devil. The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers. So they cannot see the glory of Christ. Who is the image of God. They can't see the truth.
[13:19] They can't hear the truth. Why? Because they're captive to his lies. They belong to the devil. And that's why they believe him in his lies.
[13:29] Instead of Christ in his truth. They'd rather believe the lie than to believe the truth. Did you know that the only way Satan's kingdom. Can survive.
[13:40] Is that. If he can blind you. From the glory. Of Jesus Christ. Because if you see him for who he is.
[13:52] You will love him. You will be drawn to him. You will follow him. And he blinds your eyes. So that you can't see him. His lies. He's good at it.
[14:03] He lets men think that they're devising their own truth. That's what men think today. We're devising our own truth. When in reality. They're just mimicking another one of Satan's lies.
[14:17] You're a dupe of the devil. If you're following your own truth. You're just following. One of. The variations of his lies.
[14:28] So friend. If you're outside of Christ this morning. He has you right where he wants you. And he's keeping you in bondage. By hiding from you the truth about Jesus.
[14:39] The truth about yourself. Come to Christ. And be set free. You know. That's the message that God gave to Saul of Tarsus.
[14:50] When Saul was out to kill Christians. And he met Jesus. And that changed him. Forever. And the assignment that Jesus gave to Paul.
[15:02] The day of his conversion. Is I'm sending you to open. Their eyes. The eyes of the Jews and Gentiles. All the people that I send you to. I am sending you to open their eyes.
[15:13] To turn them from darkness to light. From the power of Satan. To the. To God. So that they might receive forgiveness of sins.
[15:25] In a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. Satan doesn't want you to have forgiveness of sins. In a place among those who are sanctified. By Christ.
[15:35] Christ. And so in his power. He blinds you. To the truth. This is the world you live in. It's a world of lies.
[15:46] Yes. The big lie. No fear. Of judgment. And a thousand other lies. Some believe the lie of evolution. That God did not create the world in six days.
[15:59] Not accountable. Then. To him. If he's not my maker. I can do what I want. Some believe the lie that there is no God. Other believe.
[16:10] Others believe the lie. Oh yes. There is a God. But he's all love. And he would never send anyone to hell. That everyone is basically good. And everybody goes to heaven when they die.
[16:23] Others believe that there's many ways to God. Jesus is just one of the many ways. And all the world religions are just putting different names on the one God. And we're all headed there. Others believe the lie that this world and its pleasures are the things to live for.
[16:38] This is the way. Go the way of the world. That's the good life. Others believe that tomorrow is a good time to get saved. That's another one of the devil's big lies.
[16:52] Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow is the devil's lie. You see he's been at this lying business from Genesis 3 onward. Through all of human history.
[17:03] He's been telling his lies. And that's why people don't believe in Jesus. And that's why people won't listen to his word. That's why they're not in church today. They're everywhere else except the place where Jesus' truth is being taught.
[17:16] Being read. Being preached. Being prayed. Being sung. Why do you not hear my voice? I'll tell you because you do not belong to me. You belong to the devil.
[17:27] Your father. And you're listening to his language. The language of lies. And Jesus said it here in John chapter 8 verses 31 and 32.
[17:42] It's only the truth that will ever set you free. If you hold to my teaching. You are really my disciples. And then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
[17:55] And if the son will set you free. You shall be free indeed. Because Jesus is the truth. And in knowing him we are set free.
[18:08] From Satan and his lies. So that's the second. Text. That we have in John. That we don't have in the others. John 14. 6. John chapter 8.
[18:19] And now one further. John chapter 18. The passage that was read for us. That takes us right into Pilate's palace. And we hear this conversation. As Pilate is examining.
[18:32] The truth. You're a king then. Says Pilate. You are right. In saying I am a king. In fact.
[18:43] For this reason. I was born. And for this I came into the world. To testify. To the truth. Everyone on the side of truth.
[18:55] Listens to me. What is truth? Pilate asked. You see the problem of truth is not a new one.
[19:09] And it's not an unimportant one. Jesus says it's the very reason. He was born. Why did he come down? Why did he visit our planet?
[19:20] Why has he come? I came into the world. For this very reason. To testify. To the truth. The truth.
[19:32] In the past. God spoke to our forefathers. Through the prophets. At many times. In various ways. But in these last days. He has spoken to us. In his son.
[19:43] Whom he appointed heir of all things. And through whom he made the universe. And God's voice from the mount of transfiguration. Was listen to him. This is the one I'm speaking through.
[19:55] The Lord Jesus. My eternal son. And now Jesus. Says. Everyone on the side of truth. Listens to me. Now that's either the most arrogant statement.
[20:09] Any man on earth has ever come up with. Or else it's the truth. That there are just two sides. There's the truth. And there's lies. And every single one.
[20:21] Who's on the side of truth. And every single one. Who's on the side of truth. Listens to Jesus. That's what he says. And if you're not listening to Jesus. If you're not following Jesus truth.
[20:31] If you're not building your life upon Jesus words. You are on this side. Of believing the lies. The whole world divides.
[20:42] Upon meeting the truth. Which side are you on? Pilate scoffs it off.
[20:54] What is truth? The answer of course. Is he's standing right in front of you. Pilate. He is the truth. He is the truth.
[21:05] Blessed be God. The truth has come. Into a world of lies. Let's be clear. Pilate shows he's not interested.
[21:15] In the truth at all. He knows the truth. About Jesus innocence. Even confesses it. I find no fault in this man. He's not interested in truth.
[21:29] You know what he's interested in. Is pleasing the people. Seeing his approval ratings go up. Seeing the Jews. Pilate's our man. And so he releases Barabbas.
[21:40] A criminal. And he hands Jesus over. To be crucified. The truth. The truth. So Jesus is a king.
[21:53] He says. Yes he is. He's a king of truth. He has a kingdom. It's not of this world. Where his servants would fight.
[22:04] It's a kingdom of truth. And his reason for coming into this world. Is to testify to that truth. And is this not what the record shows.
[22:16] Throughout the four gospels. Jesus testifying to the truth. All three years of his entire public ministry. What is he doing? He's preaching.
[22:27] He's teaching. He's testifying to the truth. In their synagogues. On the Sabbath. In various cities. Testifying to the truth.
[22:37] In the temple. At Jerusalem. Where all the people gathered. Teaching them. Walking along with his disciples. He's teaching them. Taking every teachable moment.
[22:48] To plant truth. Into their minds and hearts. Truth that will counter the lies. The lies that they were believing. About God. About themselves. About the Messiah.
[22:59] About his kingdom. He's now in the countryside. And he's sitting on a mountainside. And multitudes gather. What's he do? He teaches them. He teaches them.
[23:10] He testifies to the truth. Now he's sitting on a boat. Pushed out from the shore. And the shore is full of people. The natural pulpit. Where his voice can carry.
[23:20] Why? What's he doing? He's teaching the truth. He's countering the lies. Of the evil one. Now he's sitting by a well.
[23:35] And there's one immoral Samaritan woman. There with him. And he's testifying to the truth. Of what she's really thirsty for. And what and who alone can satisfy her thirst.
[23:47] And he's exposing the lies. That she has been living. And believing. And now he's alone at night. With Nicodemus. That religious leader. And the teacher of Israel. Who himself.
[23:59] Doesn't have the foggiest notion. About the most important truth. And so Jesus testifies. To the truth. That as Moses lifted up the serpent.
[24:10] In the wilderness. And whoever looked. Lived. Even so. The son of man must be lifted up. That whoever believes on him. Will not perish. But have everlasting life. Truth.
[24:21] And he's testifying. Testifying to it. Exposing the lie. Of his self-righteousness. All his ideas. About God. And salvation. So whether with many.
[24:34] Or with few. That's how we find him occupied. For three years. Always teaching. Always testifying. To the truth. For this reason. He was born. And came into the world.
[24:46] Mark. Begins his gospel. In chapter 1. Verses 35. And following. Early in the morning. After a jam-packed day. And evening of ministry. There's Jesus.
[24:57] He's up early. He's out of the house. He's in a lonely place. Where he can talk with his father alone. When Peter and the others wake up. They go looking for him. They find him. And they say.
[25:08] Everybody's looking for you. Jesus. Come on. They're waiting. And Jesus replied. No. Let us go somewhere else. To the nearby villages.
[25:20] So I can preach there also. That is why I have come. And so he traveled throughout Galilee. Preaching in their synagogues.
[25:31] And casting out devils. Casting out liars. And preaching the truth. Testifying to the truth. And from the start.
[25:43] People were amazed. And what amazed them. Was the authority. With which. Jesus. Testified to the truth. The religious leaders.
[25:53] Didn't like him. They hated him. He exposed their sins. He exposed their sham religion. He exposed the lies. That they were believing. And teaching.
[26:03] And so very early on. They tried hard. To find a way to kill him. John 7. And Jesus is at Jerusalem. For one of the feasts. Many have gathered. In the temple courts.
[26:14] And Jesus goes into the temple courts. And he's teaching. The people. He's testifying. To the truth. And the Pharisees. Were so jealous.
[26:24] At the way the people. Were paying attention. To Jesus. And not to them. That they sent. The temple guards. Go arrest him. Go arrest him. Jesus just.
[26:36] Keeps. Teaching the truth. And finally. The temple guards. Come back. Empty handed. To the chief priests. And the Pharisees. Who asked. Why didn't you bring him in? Never.
[26:51] Never. Has any man. Spoke like this man. The things he knows. The way he says it. Never before.
[27:02] Have we seen anything. Like this. You see. That's it. He is the truth. And he speaks. With authority. As if he were the last word.
[27:13] On truth itself. Of course he is. You know how he introduces. His statements. Often. I tell you the truth.
[27:25] Truly. Truly. I say unto you. 30 times. In Matthew's gospel. Alone. He came into a world. Of lies. To testify. To the truth. And then there's that sample.
[27:36] Sermon of Jesus. Preaching. That Matthew gives us. So. We call it the sermon. On the mount. Matthew. 5 to 7. He's sitting on the mountainside. They gather around him.
[27:47] And he. Begins to teach them. And more and more. Crowds come. And are listening. And at the end. Of the sermon. Matthew. Says. When Jesus had finished. Saying these things.
[27:59] The crowds were amazed. At his teaching. Because he taught them. As one who had authority. Authority. And not as their teachers.
[28:11] Of the law. They would quote each other. And all the rabbis. Until they were blue in the face. And Jesus said. Truly. Truly. I say unto you.
[28:23] I say unto you. Now. The sample sermon. He's testifying. To the truth. And in doing so.
[28:33] He's exposing. The lies. That they were believing. Lies. That were taking them. To hell. No wonder. He's so earnest. No wonder. He's so. So insistent.
[28:44] So authoritative. The lies. Are destroying. These people. That were made. To glorify God. And enjoy him. Forever. Lies about God. Who he is.
[28:55] What he's like. Lies about his kingdom. The character. Of those who belong to it. Oh. They're poor in spirit. They mourn. For their sin.
[29:05] They're meek. They hunger. And thirst. For righteousness. They can never get enough. They're merciful. They're pure in heart. They're peacemakers.
[29:17] And in this world. Under the control. Of the devil. They're persecuted. Because of me. And the truth. They're the people.
[29:28] That belong to the kingdom. Lies about the righteousness. Needed to get into heaven. I tell you. That unless your righteousness. Surpasses that of the Pharisees.
[29:39] And the scribes. You will certainly not. Enter the kingdom of heaven. You remember what was said. If only two men get into heaven. Surely one would be a Pharisee. I tell you.
[29:50] Whatever they say. I tell you. Your righteousness. Must exceed theirs. Or you'll never enter. I'm sure of it. I'm certain. As if he knew.
[30:00] For certain. Who's going to get in. What's the requirement. It was truth with authority. There were lies about God's law. As if. All God.
[30:11] Was really interested in. Was your outward obedience. So you have heard. That it was said to the people. Long ago. Do not murder. And anyone who murders. Will be subject to the judgment. And you think.
[30:22] That as long as you've kept. Yourself from killing someone. You're good with the sixth commandment. But I say to you. That anyone. Who is angry. With his brother. Will be subject to judgment.
[30:36] Again. You've heard it said. Anyone who says to his brother. Raka. A term of contempt. Is answerable to the Sanhedrin. The Jewish high court. But I say to you.
[30:47] Anyone who says. You fool. Will be in danger. Of the fire of hell. As if he knew the truth. Of what God required.
[30:58] In the sixth commandment. And of the hell. To pay for breaking it. That's authority. And you've heard it said. Do not commit adultery.
[31:09] And you think. That as long as you've not slept. With someone else's wife. You're good with the seventh commandment. But I tell you. That anyone who looks with lust. Upon another woman. Has already committed adultery.
[31:20] With her in his heart. He is not standing well. With the seventh commandment. He speaks. He's the very law giver himself. The judge.
[31:30] Who knows the intent of the law. And what is required by it. And he exposes the lies. He goes on to expose the lies. About marriage. And divorce.
[31:41] And oaths. And revenge. And the demands of love. That it even includes your enemies. You've heard it said. Just love your neighbor. And hate your enemies.
[31:52] But I say to you. Love your enemies. Lies. And he testifies to the truth. With unheard of authority.
[32:05] Confronting their lies. About money. About worry. About priorities. About false teachers. Lies about where the broad road is going. And lies about the narrow road.
[32:17] Even lies about how it will go on judgment day. For not everyone who says to me. Lord, Lord. Will enter the kingdom of heaven. But only he who does the will of my father.
[32:29] Who is in heaven. Many will say to me. On that day. Lord, Lord. Did not we prophesy in your name. And in your name drive out demons. And perform many miracles.
[32:39] And then I will tell them plainly. I never knew you depart from me. You workers of iniquity. This Jesus. Sitting on the grass before them.
[32:52] Speaks as if he will someday be the one sitting on the throne. Judging all men. And assigning them their eternal destinies. And he closes his sermon by saying.
[33:02] It all has to do with what you do with these words of mine. You can build on sand. Which is to hear them. And not to put them into practice. Or you can build on the rock.
[33:14] Which is to hear the truth. And to build your life upon the truth. And you remember. The end of the two. And the crowd is amazed.
[33:30] Because of the authority with which he speaks. I am the truth. And for this reason. I was born and came into the world. To testify to the truth. Now some of you are saying.
[33:41] Well I thought he was born. And came into the world to die. I thought he was born. And came into the world. To die and to save sinners.
[33:53] And you're saying. Or he's saying. For this reason. I was born and came into the world. To testify to the truth. Yes.
[34:04] And when he told that to Pilate. He was just minutes away from the cross. And it would be precisely there. In suffering. And dying. That he would give his greatest testimony.
[34:16] To the truth. The truth about man's sin. And the truth about God's holy justice. And wrath against sinners. And his righteous punishment.
[34:28] For it. Once upon a time. There was a just. And a kind king. Who had a problem in his kingdom. People were killing others.
[34:40] In accidents. By driving drunk. And he treasured the lives of his subjects. And so he passed a law. Making it punishable by death. If you take the life of another.
[34:51] Because you're drunk while you're driving. Your own life will be taken. Well. It stopped drunk driving. Immediately. But it didn't last. And eventually it happened again.
[35:03] Now the justice of the king. Is being tried. Would he do as he said? Would he enforce the law?
[35:13] With his stipulated punishment? Well he did. Each time it happened. And his subjects. Hailed him. As a kind.
[35:25] And just. King. Then one day. The king noticed his. His servants. Whispering to each other. He said. What is it? They said.
[35:36] Oh king. There's been another death. Caused by a drunk driver. Shook his head sadly. He said. The law is clear.
[35:47] Justice. Must be served. The life. That was taken. Is to be. Regarded.
[35:59] As precious. In my sight. Then they shook their head. And they said. Oh. Oh king. The guilty one. It's your.
[36:11] Your only son. It's your only son. And grief stricken. The king. Removed himself. To his chamber alone. Here's the ultimate test.
[36:22] Of his justice. How just. Is this king. Really? And in a similar way. I say. God has. Shown the truth.
[36:33] Of his holy justice. His judgment. His judgment upon sin. Down through the ages. There's Cain's curse. There's Noah's flood. There's Sodom and Gomorrah.
[36:44] There's Lot's wife. There's his judgment. Upon the nations. And even upon his own nations. Of Israel and Judah. But still the lie. Persisted.
[36:55] Judgments. An empty threat. You will not surely die. And so Jesus. Came at last. To testify. To the truth. About God. In a way. That would remove.
[37:06] Any just cause of doubt. Yes. God had said. That the wages. Of sin is death. That be sure. Your sin. Will find you out. The law books. Were playing. Because of these things.
[37:16] The wrath of God. Is coming. And he will. In no way. Clear the guilty. But what will he do. When the sin and guilt. Is found on his own.
[37:27] Son. His one and only. Beloved son. When the real sins. Of his people. Their lies. Their bitterness. Their hatred. Their sexual immorality.
[37:38] Their pride. Their lack of love. When these sins. Are laid on him. Imputed to him. And he becomes sin. For them. What then? What of all this talk.
[37:49] Then of judgment. And wrath. We read. Yet it pleased the Lord. To crush him. And to cause him.
[38:02] To suffer. To make his life. A guilt offering. To pour out his infinite wrath. Undiluted upon. His own son. And to give him. The punishment. That brought us peace.
[38:14] Hell. Came to Calvary. That day. In Jesus. Cry of forsaken. Sinners by his God. In the outer darkness. Of his soul. He was testifying.
[38:25] To the truth. That sin. Is an eternal wrong. Against the infinite God. And deserving. Of his infinite wrath. Sinner friend. Don't be tricked. By the lie. Of the devil.
[38:35] If God. Did not spare. His own son. When he showed up. In the place of judgment. With the sins. Of his people. Don't think. For a moment. That he will spare you. If you show up.
[38:45] In the place of judgment. With any of your sins. Unforgiven. Not put. Under the blood. Of Jesus. Your sins.
[38:59] Are an offense. To God. And it's so great. That his wrath. Can only be satisfied. In two places. In hell. Forever. By the sinner. Or on the cross. By Jesus Christ.
[39:11] The substitute. Of the sinner. That infinite. God man. Suffering. God's infinite wrath. You see how.
[39:24] The cross. Testifies. To the truth. About God's holiness. And his justice. His wrath. Against sin. And the greatness. Of man's sin. And offense. But on the cross.
[39:37] Jesus is testifying. To another. Important truth. And it's the amazing. Love of Jesus. First. The love of his father. For sinners. The love of God.
[39:48] For sinners. Amazing love. And grace. What love is this. To save his enemies. Who hated him. And he would sacrifice.
[39:59] His one and only. Beloved son. It's unheard of. It's marvelous grace. It's. It's staggering mercy. And it happens. There's nowhere else. In the universe. You wouldn't give your son.
[40:10] To die. For some. Enemy of yours. That hated you. And neither would I. But he did. He did. And in doing so.
[40:20] Jesus. Jesus. He demonstrates. He testifies. To the wondrous love of Jesus. What love is this. Oh my soul. What manner of love is this.
[40:35] Amazing love. How can it be. That thou my God. Shouldst die for me. Behold on the cross. Jesus testifying. In his groans.
[40:46] In his suffering. In his dying. In his cry. It is finished. His giving up his. Behold how God loves you. That he would give his only begotten son.
[40:57] That whoever believes on him. Would not perish. But have everlasting life. You see another lie of Satan. Is that God's not good.
[41:09] He's not loving and gracious. And merciful to sinners. He's just out for himself. Doesn't care about you. That's what he told Eve. Try saying that at the cross of Jesus.
[41:21] Where Jesus testifies in blood. To the truth of the father's love. For sinners. Oh believe it. Sinner friend. Jesus is testifying.
[41:32] To the truth of God's love. For sinners. Or again Satan will tell you. That you're too great a sinner. To be forgiven. Oh not for this savior. There's more than enough merit.
[41:43] In his blood. To forgive you. Isn't it a blessed thing. To have the truth. In a world of lies. The truth. His word.
[41:55] Defines reality. He is the way. You can't get to the father. Except through him. He's the truth. You can't even know the father.
[42:07] Apart from him. And he's the life. You can't live with the father. Except through him. For this is the testimony. That God has given.
[42:18] Concerning his son. That eternal life. Is in him. He that has the son. Has life. He that has not the son of God. Has not life.
[42:30] Which side are you on? The truth has come again. This morning to you. And it divides. Divides. Everyone on the side of truth. Listens to me.
[42:42] Jesus says. Take him. Believe him. Take him at his word. Trust in him. Cast yourself upon him. Beg for his mercy. To you. A hell deserving sinner.
[42:52] And then every day. Ask him. Teach me your way. Oh Lord. That I may walk in your truth. I want to walk in your truth. I want to walk with you. In light. And he says.
[43:04] Yes. You come. And take. My yoke upon you. And learn from me. And you'll find. True rest. Soul rest. Rest for your souls.
[43:17] Amen. Let's pray. Father. We have. Heard. The Lord Jesus. Testifying to the truth.
[43:27] Again. We thank you. For sending him. On this mission. Of truth. We were sunk. In a world of lies. And we believe them. As much as anyone else.
[43:38] Today. Is believing them. And we confess. It is only. In coming. To Jesus Christ. That we have been set free. From Satan's power. And lies. Set free.
[43:50] From our sins. Set free. From the coming. Destruction. That awaited us. Thank you. For this new life. In Christ. Thank you. For eternal life. That is ours. In him. Draw others.
[44:01] Today. Free them. From Satan's power. Bring them. From darkness. To light. The light of Jesus. Who is the truth. We ask in his name. Amen.
[44:11] Amen. Amen.