1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,540 I invite you to turn there with me. 2 00:00:04,540 --> 00:00:11,040 Fourteen times in this single chapter that subject of giving is mentioned. 3 00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:20,160 Ten of those times it is the Father who is giving to the Son, and four times it is the 4 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:24,320 Son giving to His own. 5 00:00:24,320 --> 00:00:29,520 In those Sunday nights between now and Christmas we want to look at the good gifts of John 6 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:33,640 chapter 17. 7 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:36,880 We begin with verse 1 and the first part of verse 2 where it says, 8 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:43,840 These things Jesus spoke, and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, 9 00:00:43,840 --> 00:00:53,000 Father the hour has come, glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify thee, even as thou 10 00:00:53,000 --> 00:01:01,920 gave us to Him authority over all mankind. 11 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:03,840 You and I live in an age of crisis. 12 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:07,840 There are many different kinds of crisis. 13 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:10,120 There is political crisis in our world. 14 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:14,880 We see it on many fronts, from the Middle East to the Far East, and perhaps even in 15 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:17,560 our own nation. 16 00:01:17,560 --> 00:01:24,080 There is such a thing as a military crisis, and we see examples of this kind of crisis 17 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:31,200 again in many parts of the world, from Afghanistan to Central America and South America, the 18 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:32,420 Philippines. 19 00:01:32,420 --> 00:01:38,620 Economic crisis, yes, we who live in the greatest debtor nation in the world will be hearing 20 00:01:38,620 --> 00:01:44,560 more about economics over the next four years, I have a hunch. 21 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:51,440 Health crisis, indeed, the world is on the brink of the greatest health crisis since 22 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:55,720 the black plague of the Middle Ages. 23 00:01:55,720 --> 00:02:02,020 Crime, teenage crime in particular in our own nation is skyrocketing. 24 00:02:02,020 --> 00:02:05,720 Family crises, oh yes, many. 25 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:09,960 Crisis in the world of religion, indeed, if you've been reading the paper over the last 26 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:15,280 week you know that Rome is having a very serious crisis within its ranks, particularly with 27 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:20,760 one of its professors, professor priests. 28 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:27,760 There is a crisis in the world of religion in the evangelical realm as well, which has 29 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:32,320 impacted all of us over the last couple of years. 30 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:39,360 Many different kinds of crises, and not to mention the personal crises which gripped 31 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:42,440 the lives of millions of people. 32 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:49,480 The greatest crisis though is one dealing with authority. 33 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:57,940 The crisis of authority in our world today is in fact underlying several of those crises 34 00:02:57,940 --> 00:03:00,760 that we mentioned earlier. 35 00:03:00,760 --> 00:03:04,760 Where does the buck finally stop? 36 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:12,840 Who has the final say in a decision or a crisis? 37 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:23,900 Who is it that can insist on his way and then have the power to pull it off to get his way? 38 00:03:23,900 --> 00:03:30,660 In what or in whom does final authority rest? 39 00:03:30,660 --> 00:03:33,080 The Bible gives us the answer to that. 40 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:37,000 In our text, the answer is clear. 41 00:03:37,000 --> 00:03:45,200 There are many authorities and powers in the world, some real and some imaginary, but here 42 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:56,400 we learn who is the supreme authority, the one who is sovereign in the final sense. 43 00:03:56,400 --> 00:04:06,280 The power to rule over all humanity is given to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 44 00:04:06,280 --> 00:04:09,240 He is Lord. 45 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:17,160 Jesus Christ has been established as the supreme authority. 46 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:27,320 Jesus said, thou gavest him, speaking of himself as the Son, even as thou gavest him authority 47 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:30,120 over all mankind. 48 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:37,640 That word authority here is the word exousia in the original language. 49 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:49,040 That word authority means power to act by virtue of the position that one holds. 50 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:53,640 There are two significant thoughts that are wed in that definition, and they always are 51 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:58,480 with this word, exousia or authority. 52 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:05,560 It is power to act by virtue of the position that one holds. 53 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:11,120 Power and position are always linked together in this word. 54 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:19,840 This authority is freedom, freedom of action, freedom to do as one wishes because no one 55 00:05:19,840 --> 00:05:25,560 else is in a position to establish any limit. 56 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:29,520 William Hendrickson has said this. 57 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:36,320 The fact that Jesus has the authority probably means that nothing in the realm of what is 58 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:43,040 proper nor in the realm of what is possible could stop him from doing what he wanted to 59 00:05:43,040 --> 00:05:44,400 do. 60 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:51,760 He is free in every respect to do what he intends. 61 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:59,320 When we talk about final authority, we are talking about absolute freedom without limit 62 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:01,520 to do what one wishes. 63 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:09,720 There is only one in the entire universe who has that authority, and that is Jesus Christ. 64 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:13,880 He is the supreme authority. 65 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:17,760 This is suggested by one of the names given to him, and I invite you to turn to Colossians 66 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:28,560 chapter 1 where we see this name. 67 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:35,880 The Father has given to the Son all authority. 68 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:41,560 Colossians 1.15 says, And he is the image of the invisible God. 69 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:48,200 In other words, he is the exact representation of all that God is. 70 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,400 That's what image means. 71 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:57,200 God is invisible, but everything that the invisible God is and all of his glorious attributes 72 00:06:57,200 --> 00:07:01,680 is found in the person of Jesus Christ. 73 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:09,720 He goes on to say in verse 15, He is the firstborn of all creation. 74 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:14,800 Now there are some, particularly some cults, that say, well there you see it. 75 00:07:14,800 --> 00:07:17,720 Jesus Christ is born. 76 00:07:17,720 --> 00:07:21,240 He is born the first of all things in creation. 77 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:22,720 That means he is part of creation. 78 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:24,680 He is not the creator. 79 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:26,880 He is something that is created. 80 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:31,280 But they fail to understand what this word means, firstborn. 81 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:35,720 It means he is the preeminent one. 82 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:37,800 He is the one who is above all others. 83 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:42,000 He is the unique one of all creation. 84 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:51,800 And to make it clear that he is not a created being, he goes on to say in verse 16, By him, 85 00:07:51,800 --> 00:08:00,200 the firstborn, who has all authority, by him all things were created, both in the heavens 86 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:01,920 and on earth. 87 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:09,920 In other words, anything that is a part of the universe was created by him, all things, 88 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:16,840 visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things 89 00:08:16,840 --> 00:08:23,320 have been created by him, or better, have been created through him. 90 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:29,920 In other words, he is the means, he is the agent by which God brought everything into 91 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:33,920 existence is through the Son. 92 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:41,280 And he says furthermore, all things are for him, or literally unto him. 93 00:08:41,280 --> 00:08:43,500 So he is the origin of all things. 94 00:08:43,500 --> 00:08:48,880 Everything came into existence by means of him, and ultimately everything will give account 95 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:52,480 to him, is what Paul is saying. 96 00:08:52,480 --> 00:08:59,200 Firstborn, means that all of the rights that belong to the firstborn are his. 97 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:04,960 He is above all others, unique in that position. 98 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:10,960 Jesus said, Father, you have given authority over all mankind to me. 99 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:12,600 Now what does that mean? 100 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,200 What does that gift mean to the Son? 101 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:17,320 And how does he exercise it? 102 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:20,440 Well let me just suggest several ways quickly. 103 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:25,640 First of all, he exercises his authority over all mankind. 104 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:33,960 He exercised it by going to the cross, where he exhibited his kingship in a most unusual 105 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:36,280 way. 106 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:45,720 There he allowed himself, as the one who had all authority given to him, to be crucified. 107 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:56,360 Never was there a greater evidence of weakness, of shame, than crucifixion, being nailed to 108 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:58,720 a cross. 109 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:05,000 And yet this one who had all authority at his command allowed himself to be nailed to 110 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:13,640 that cross for you and for me, to die in our place, to pay the price for our sin. 111 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:23,760 And Pilate had written, not knowing truly what he wrote, the King of the Jews. 112 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:29,440 He is the King, the one who is over all, who has all authority. 113 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:33,520 Right here in the Gospel of John, if you'll turn back there with me to the tenth chapter, 114 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:44,600 you'll notice that Jesus mentions his authority with relation to his death. 115 00:10:44,600 --> 00:10:51,040 John chapter 10, and look first at verse 11. 116 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:52,040 I am the Good Shepherd. 117 00:10:52,040 --> 00:10:56,720 The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 118 00:10:56,720 --> 00:10:58,440 Again in verse 15. 119 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:05,920 Even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep. 120 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,240 And then once more in verse 18. 121 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:17,120 No one has taken it, my life, away from me, but I lay it down on my own initiative. 122 00:11:17,120 --> 00:11:18,640 Now notice what he says. 123 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:22,520 I have exeusia. 124 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:26,400 I have absolute freedom. 125 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:34,600 I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. 126 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:36,320 Talking about his resurrection. 127 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:38,600 This commandment I received from my Father. 128 00:11:38,600 --> 00:11:43,420 In other words, God gave him a commandment to lay down his life, but that was something 129 00:11:43,420 --> 00:11:48,240 Jesus fully wanted to do, and by his own authority he laid it down. 130 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:59,440 He as the head of all mankind, as the last Adam, laid down his life for the race, the 131 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:04,120 lost and sinful race of the first Adam. 132 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:12,980 He came into the human race by the miraculous birth of Bethlehem, so that he would be without 133 00:12:12,980 --> 00:12:20,440 sin and then could go to the cross and offer himself, lay down his life by his own authority 134 00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:22,320 for you and for me. 135 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:25,760 He exercised that authority at the cross. 136 00:12:25,760 --> 00:12:34,160 Whereas the King, as the one who possessed all authority, he gave his life. 137 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:40,560 Now we see that gift exercised once more in the teaching of scripture at his second coming. 138 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:47,600 He not only exercised that authority when he laid down his life and was raised again, 139 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:54,860 but he exercised his authority yet again in the future when he comes again to the earth. 140 00:12:54,860 --> 00:13:00,160 As surely as he came at Bethlehem, so he will return once more to the earth according to 141 00:13:00,160 --> 00:13:02,400 what the Bible prophesies. 142 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:09,220 In Revelation chapter 19 and verse 16, it says that emblazoned across his chest on that 143 00:13:09,220 --> 00:13:18,440 day will be this sign that says, this banner that says, King of kings and Lord of lords. 144 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:25,080 In other words, all authority belongs to this one who now comes to establish his kingdom 145 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:26,080 in the world. 146 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:32,600 That was prophesied as long ago as the reign of David. 147 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:39,040 In the Psalms we read about it, for example in Psalm 2, mankind is pictured in his rebellion 148 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:46,480 against God, shaking his fist at God saying, we will not have you to reign over us. 149 00:13:46,480 --> 00:13:51,680 And in that same Psalm, the psalmist pictures God as it were laughing at man in his feudal 150 00:13:51,680 --> 00:13:53,300 rebellion. 151 00:13:53,300 --> 00:14:01,060 And then God says, I have established my king at Zion, my holy mountain. 152 00:14:01,060 --> 00:14:02,920 What is God saying? 153 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:05,120 Man may rebel. 154 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:10,000 Man may shake his fist in the face of God, but ultimately God is in control. 155 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:14,080 And one day his king to whom all authority is committed will return to the earth and 156 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:18,280 rule and reign upon this earth. 157 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:23,120 We see it exercised again in the context of the Gospel of John in the fifth chapter. 158 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:29,040 I want you to turn back there with me and look at verse 25. 159 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,680 What does this gift of all authority mean to the son? 160 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:32,680 How is he exercised? 161 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:35,840 Well, he exercised it at the cross. 162 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:39,320 And he will exercise it when he comes again. 163 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:44,320 But now in John chapter 5 we see that he is going to exercise it even yet later at the 164 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:47,480 final judgment of all people. 165 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:55,080 John 5 25, truly, truly I say to you, says Jesus, an hour is coming, now notice those 166 00:14:55,080 --> 00:15:01,960 next three words, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and 167 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:04,360 those who hear shall live. 168 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:06,560 What is this he is talking about? 169 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,960 He is talking about salvation. 170 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:14,560 Those who hear his voice and believe in him and who are raised from the death of sin, 171 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:17,320 this is spiritual resurrection here. 172 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:21,760 The hour is coming and now is, says Jesus. 173 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:27,200 But then in verse 26 he says, For just as the Father has life in himself, even so he 174 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:31,740 gave to the Son also to have life in himself. 175 00:15:31,740 --> 00:15:37,080 What this is saying is that life inherently is God's. 176 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:40,740 As it belongs to the Father so it belongs to the Son. 177 00:15:40,740 --> 00:15:42,360 Life is inherently divine. 178 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:45,660 It is God's because he is life. 179 00:15:45,660 --> 00:15:47,760 You and I have derived life. 180 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:49,720 We are given life. 181 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:58,800 But God is life and Jesus says here that just as the Father so he himself has life in himself. 182 00:15:58,800 --> 00:16:05,400 Then he says in verse 27, he the Father gave him the Son authority. 183 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:07,840 There is that word exousi again. 184 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:14,600 Has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of man. 185 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:18,800 Do not marvel at this for an hour is coming. 186 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:23,680 Notice the absence of those three words that were found in verse 25. 187 00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:25,800 Here's something that's still in the future. 188 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:35,680 An hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear his voice and shall come 189 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:37,960 forth. 190 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:43,840 Those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life and those who committed the evil deeds 191 00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:46,480 to a resurrection of judgment. 192 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:51,920 What our Lord is saying here is that because he has all authority given to himself, one 193 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:53,960 day he will exercise that in judgment. 194 00:16:53,960 --> 00:16:57,720 He said does Jesus really talk about judgment? 195 00:16:57,720 --> 00:16:58,720 Yes. 196 00:16:58,720 --> 00:16:59,960 Yes he does. 197 00:16:59,960 --> 00:17:02,560 Many times including this text. 198 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:07,200 And he says one day there is going to be a resurrection. 199 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:12,240 And as we know from our study of the Bible, while it doesn't all happen at one time, eventually 200 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:15,960 everyone who's ever lived will be resurrected. 201 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:20,440 To stand before him as the judge. 202 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:27,840 Those who are saved to eternal life and those who are lost to eternal judgment. 203 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:29,680 That's what Jesus is saying. 204 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:33,680 And he says all authority to judge is his. 205 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:35,600 It rests in no one else. 206 00:17:35,600 --> 00:17:37,240 No thing else. 207 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:47,700 He, the Son, Jesus Christ, is the final judge of every man's soul. 208 00:17:47,700 --> 00:17:53,280 One day each of us will stand before him and give account of ourselves. 209 00:17:53,280 --> 00:18:00,520 And those who have trusted him, who have bowed the knee and received him in this life, will 210 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:02,280 be saved. 211 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:08,040 And those who have rejected him in that day will be lost. 212 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:10,920 You see what proof is there that this is really going to happen? 213 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:13,520 God has given us proof. 214 00:18:13,520 --> 00:18:16,720 It is proof that is mentioned in Acts 17-31. 215 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:21,560 God has given assurance to all men that he will one day do that and that he has raised 216 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:24,440 Jesus Christ from the dead. 217 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:29,680 If there is no resurrection, then don't worry about a future judgment. 218 00:18:29,680 --> 00:18:34,360 But if Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, then know that there is an appointment on 219 00:18:34,360 --> 00:18:36,820 the calendar of God. 220 00:18:36,820 --> 00:18:43,200 That there is a day set aside already in his divine calendar when the judgment of all will 221 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:44,200 take place. 222 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:48,520 That is what Paul says in Acts 17-31. 223 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:52,040 And so, what does this gift of all authority mean to him? 224 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:58,020 It means that one day he will judge all people. 225 00:18:58,020 --> 00:19:01,540 But his authority is given to him now for another purpose as well. 226 00:19:01,540 --> 00:19:07,200 Turn back with me to Matthew chapter 9. 227 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:14,160 This authority given to the Son means that now, in this day of grace and mercy and forgiveness, 228 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:20,560 he can forgive sins. 229 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:27,600 In Matthew chapter 9, it says, In getting into a boat, he crossed over and came to his 230 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:28,740 own city. 231 00:19:28,740 --> 00:19:29,740 What city was that? 232 00:19:29,740 --> 00:19:32,400 Where did he live? 233 00:19:32,400 --> 00:19:34,560 Capernaum, on the Sea of Galilee. 234 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:40,880 And behold, they were bringing to him a paralytic lying on a bed. 235 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:48,620 When Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, Take courage, my son, your sins 236 00:19:48,620 --> 00:19:51,920 are forgiven. 237 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:56,640 Now they thought that the man's immediate need was that of healing. 238 00:19:56,640 --> 00:20:03,080 Jesus saw that his immediate need, his greater need, was for forgiveness, not healing. 239 00:20:03,080 --> 00:20:07,200 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, This fellow blasphemes. 240 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:10,360 Now why would they say that? 241 00:20:10,360 --> 00:20:18,080 Because they believed, and correctly so, that only God can forgive sins. 242 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:24,600 And yet here is this man saying, Your sins are forgiven. 243 00:20:24,600 --> 00:20:30,880 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? 244 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:34,680 For which is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven? 245 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:38,000 Or to say, Rise up and walk? 246 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:42,280 For which is easier to say, Your sins are forgiven, right? 247 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:46,840 I mean, who's going to know whether the sins are forgiven or not? 248 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:49,880 But if you say, Rise up and walk, it's going to be evident pretty quick whether you have 249 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:56,560 any power behind your words. 250 00:20:56,560 --> 00:21:03,400 But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has exousia, has authority on earth 251 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:12,080 to forgive sins, and then he said to the paralytic, Rise up, rise rather, take up your bed and 252 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:14,120 go home. 253 00:21:14,120 --> 00:21:17,300 And he rose and went home. 254 00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:21,360 And when the multitude saw this, they were filled with awe and glorified God who had 255 00:21:21,360 --> 00:21:25,080 given such authority, such exousia to man. 256 00:21:25,080 --> 00:21:29,760 They didn't fully understand that Jesus was more than man. 257 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:37,100 But here Jesus illustrates the fact that he has authority to forgive sins by also saying 258 00:21:37,100 --> 00:21:40,440 to the man, You're healed. 259 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:44,320 And he was healed. 260 00:21:44,320 --> 00:21:48,160 Jesus Christ can forgive your sins. 261 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:52,640 But to forgive sins, we have to acknowledge, for him to forgive our sins, we have to acknowledge 262 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:54,180 them. 263 00:21:54,180 --> 00:21:58,600 If we try to justify and excuse them, if we try to hide them and cover them up, if we 264 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:03,400 try to rename them and make them presentable, if we try to sweep them under the rug where 265 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:09,560 maybe God won't see them, our sins remain. 266 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:14,320 But if we bring them out and acknowledge them in the presence of a holy God in humility 267 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:23,000 and shame, and receive his Son who paid the price for those sins, who died for them, then 268 00:22:23,000 --> 00:22:25,040 those sins are forgiven. 269 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:28,960 They're gone and cleansed forever. 270 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:31,960 He has authority to forgive sin. 271 00:22:31,960 --> 00:22:36,440 And finally, let me point out to you that he has authority to give eternal life to his 272 00:22:36,440 --> 00:22:37,440 own. 273 00:22:37,440 --> 00:22:41,240 That's in John 17, the last part of verse 3, and we're going to look at that next week, 274 00:22:41,240 --> 00:22:43,400 so I'm not going to deal with it now. 275 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:47,280 But what does that authority that is given to him over all mankind mean? 276 00:22:47,280 --> 00:22:52,840 Well, it means that he exercised that authority when he died in our place. 277 00:22:52,840 --> 00:23:00,040 He laid down his life by his exusia, and he raised himself from the dead by his own authority. 278 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:05,040 It means that one day he will come again to the earth and establish his kingdom by his 279 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:06,380 authority. 280 00:23:06,380 --> 00:23:15,040 It means that he will one day exercise authority in bringing final judgment to all people. 281 00:23:15,040 --> 00:23:22,600 It means that right now he has authority to forgive sins of those who humble themselves, 282 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:27,440 purging their sin, repenting of their sin, and who receive him in faith. 283 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:32,640 And it means that he has authority to give eternal life to all of those who believe in 284 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:33,640 him. 285 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:40,120 Now, I want to take the last five minutes to talk about the implications of this authority 286 00:23:40,120 --> 00:23:44,280 of Jesus to us who are saved. 287 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:45,560 What does this mean to us? 288 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:47,280 What is the application to us? 289 00:23:47,280 --> 00:23:50,320 Well, there are some applications to us. 290 00:23:50,320 --> 00:23:57,400 I remind you of John 1-12 when it says, but as many as received him, who is that? 291 00:23:57,400 --> 00:23:59,720 Jesus Christ, the Word. 292 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:04,280 But as many as received him, to them he gave the what? 293 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:13,520 The exusia, the authority to become the sons of God, the children of God. 294 00:24:13,520 --> 00:24:20,120 In other words, you and I are given freedom to become the children of God. 295 00:24:20,120 --> 00:24:23,080 And we receive Christ. 296 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:31,120 We are set free from the bondage of the law with all of its prohibitions, its ceremonies, 297 00:24:31,120 --> 00:24:32,800 its rituals. 298 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:38,360 We are set free from all of that to belong to Jesus Christ. 299 00:24:38,360 --> 00:24:45,320 That's why Paul says to the Galatians, stand fast in the liberty with which Christ has 300 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:49,480 made you free. 301 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:55,560 Because our freedom in Christ needs to be governed, doesn't it? 302 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:58,520 And it is governed by principles of God's Word. 303 00:24:58,520 --> 00:24:59,640 Why is that? 304 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:06,640 If we are truly free, then why are there principles to guide us in the Word? 305 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:12,680 It's because even though we are free from the law, we still have sin dwelling within 306 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:15,120 us. 307 00:25:15,120 --> 00:25:25,840 And we still have flesh that will listen to that sin and will abuse and misuse our liberty. 308 00:25:25,840 --> 00:25:31,040 I want you to turn with me to 1 Corinthians chapter 6. 309 00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:35,580 As we think about the application of this, yes we are free. 310 00:25:35,580 --> 00:25:43,880 And I tell you what, I think most of us have not understood that yet. 311 00:25:43,880 --> 00:25:49,680 The Corinthians did understand it, but they abused it. 312 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:52,640 They understood they were free in Christ. 313 00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:56,600 And then they went too far. 314 00:25:56,600 --> 00:26:00,800 And their excuse in going too far, I mean by going too far, they were allowing sin in 315 00:26:00,800 --> 00:26:04,760 their lives and in their church. 316 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:09,200 They were going too far, but their excuse was, well all things are lawful. 317 00:26:09,200 --> 00:26:15,080 Do you see that in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 10, excuse me verse 12? 318 00:26:15,080 --> 00:26:17,240 All things are lawful for me. 319 00:26:17,240 --> 00:26:20,040 That was a statement that the Corinthians were making to Paul. 320 00:26:20,040 --> 00:26:23,600 Paul, don't you lay anything on us. 321 00:26:23,600 --> 00:26:27,400 Don't you try to tell us what we ought to do and not to do. 322 00:26:27,400 --> 00:26:29,800 All things are lawful for us. 323 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:39,720 Interestingly, that word lawful is the verb form of the word exousia. 324 00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:43,280 They were saying, we are free. 325 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:51,280 But Paul goes on to say, alright that's true, but not all things are profitable. 326 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:53,400 All things are lawful for me. 327 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:56,040 Paul again quotes them. 328 00:26:56,040 --> 00:27:00,680 He says, I will not be mastered by any. 329 00:27:00,680 --> 00:27:06,200 And then just turn over a page or two to chapter 10 verse 23. 330 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:13,640 Where he says, all things are lawful, again he quotes them, but all things are not profitable. 331 00:27:13,640 --> 00:27:19,160 And once more he says, all things are lawful, but not all things edify. 332 00:27:19,160 --> 00:27:20,840 What is Paul doing here? 333 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:22,360 He is reinforcing the truth. 334 00:27:22,360 --> 00:27:28,080 Yes, you are free because you have received him. 335 00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:33,000 You are liberated to live life fully. 336 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:42,180 But remember some principles in your life that will cause your freedom not to be abused 337 00:27:42,180 --> 00:27:43,180 and misused. 338 00:27:43,180 --> 00:27:47,200 There are three of them and he gives us in the two verses we've read. 339 00:27:47,200 --> 00:27:52,000 Is this practice that I am contemplating or I am involved in. 340 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:54,200 Is it helpful? 341 00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:56,280 Is it expedient? 342 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:59,280 That's the first question I have to ask myself. 343 00:27:59,280 --> 00:28:02,160 So I feel free to do this. 344 00:28:02,160 --> 00:28:06,980 But Paul says, is it truly helpful? 345 00:28:06,980 --> 00:28:08,720 Does it bring an advantage to me? 346 00:28:08,720 --> 00:28:12,680 Is there some useful purpose in it or is it a waste? 347 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:18,960 Hey, I may be free to do it, but if it's a waste, why be involved in it? 348 00:28:18,960 --> 00:28:21,160 A second principle. 349 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:27,160 All things are lawful, but will this practice enslave me? 350 00:28:27,160 --> 00:28:30,840 I should not be brought into the master of any. 351 00:28:30,840 --> 00:28:34,840 So if what I am contemplating being involved in is something that is going to dominate 352 00:28:34,840 --> 00:28:40,840 me and control me and enslave me, though I may be free to do it, I lay it aside. 353 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:45,840 I don't want to abuse my freedom. 354 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:51,760 And then he asks, thirdly, is this practice that I am contemplating that I feel free to 355 00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:55,280 be involved in, is that edifying? 356 00:28:55,280 --> 00:28:57,240 Does it build me up in the things of God? 357 00:28:57,240 --> 00:29:00,320 Does it build up others in the things of God? 358 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:06,240 Or is there the possibility it may put a stumbling block before someone else, even someone else 359 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:11,120 who is weaker in the faith? 360 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:16,480 You see, he is saying, yes indeed, we are free, but as many as received him to them 361 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:20,960 he gave the freedom to be the children of God. 362 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:27,000 But now he says, on the other hand, you're free, but remember these principles and apply 363 00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:31,240 them in your life so that you don't abuse that freedom. 364 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:37,520 That's one implication for us in this authority that is given to Jesus Christ, this freedom 365 00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:43,720 that is his and ours in him, but there's a second implication that I just want to mention 366 00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:48,320 that's found in Matthew 28 and verse 18. 367 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:57,400 We've just completed a great missions festival and I know that this verse was at least referred 368 00:29:57,400 --> 00:30:02,320 to once, or the context was, but I'm not sure this verse was. 369 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:07,680 And you cannot leave this verse out from the rest of it. 370 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:15,680 In verse 18, Jesus came up and spoke to them saying, all exeusia, all authority has been 371 00:30:15,680 --> 00:30:21,320 given to me in heaven and on earth. 372 00:30:21,320 --> 00:30:28,160 Going therefore, make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the 373 00:30:28,160 --> 00:30:34,880 Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded 374 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:41,600 you and, lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age. 375 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:44,280 So Jesus Christ has been given all authority. 376 00:30:44,280 --> 00:30:45,760 What does that mean to me? 377 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:52,640 Well, I want to suggest to you in closing that it means that I am free to fearlessly 378 00:30:52,640 --> 00:30:55,520 obey his commission. 379 00:30:55,520 --> 00:30:58,960 I am free to go wherever he sends me. 380 00:30:58,960 --> 00:31:02,440 It may be across the street or across the ocean. 381 00:31:02,440 --> 00:31:08,320 It may be in a familiar culture or it may be in a culture that is quite strange to me. 382 00:31:08,320 --> 00:31:19,840 But I am free to go and there to make disciples by baptizing them and teaching them all things 383 00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:21,000 that he's commanded. 384 00:31:21,000 --> 00:31:23,240 Why am I free to do that? 385 00:31:23,240 --> 00:31:29,560 Because all authority resides in him. 386 00:31:29,560 --> 00:31:35,720 And because he is in that place of supreme authority over all affairs in the earth, I 387 00:31:35,720 --> 00:31:42,000 serve a Lord who is greater than any president, who is greater than any dictator, greater 388 00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:45,360 than any government, any rule, any regulation. 389 00:31:45,360 --> 00:31:50,180 I am free to serve him. 390 00:31:50,180 --> 00:31:53,520 I need not fear to obey his commission. 391 00:31:53,520 --> 00:32:01,640 And he says, I, the one in whom all authority resides, I am with you even to the end of 392 00:32:01,640 --> 00:32:04,160 the age. 393 00:32:04,160 --> 00:32:07,080 So we don't have to be afraid. 394 00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:09,360 We don't have to hold back reluctantly. 395 00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:14,560 We can give ourselves fully to that commission that he's given us to make disciples. 396 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:17,680 So let's be busy doing that. 397 00:32:17,680 --> 00:32:20,720 All authority is his and we are in him. 398 00:32:20,720 --> 00:32:28,120 And because he is with us, we can fearlessly and courageously be involved in the Master's 399 00:32:28,120 --> 00:32:30,120 work in this world. 400 00:32:30,120 --> 00:32:31,920 Well, we have to close. 401 00:32:31,920 --> 00:32:36,120 Let's pray. 402 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:46,680 The gift of authority over all mankind was given by the Father to the Son. 403 00:32:46,680 --> 00:32:56,000 Whether we want to admit it or like to believe it, one day he will exercise his authority 404 00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:58,840 toward each of us. 405 00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:02,120 We will stand before him in judgment. 406 00:33:02,120 --> 00:33:07,920 The question is, are we prepared to do that? 407 00:33:07,920 --> 00:33:21,080 Will we stand before him as one who is forgiven and saved or as one who is neglectful or rebellious 408 00:33:21,080 --> 00:33:24,300 and lost? 409 00:33:24,300 --> 00:33:31,840 Will you receive him and be given the liberty to become a child of God? 410 00:33:31,840 --> 00:33:42,260 Men and slaves, philosophies dead end, good works amount to nothing. 411 00:33:42,260 --> 00:33:48,640 The only thing that counts in the sight of God is our genuine trust in the only Savior 412 00:33:48,640 --> 00:33:52,600 he has provided, Jesus Christ. 413 00:33:52,600 --> 00:34:02,320 Father, thank you for giving to the Son authority over all mankind. 414 00:34:02,320 --> 00:34:06,940 Help each of us to tap into the significance of that, to live in the light of it, to be 415 00:34:06,940 --> 00:34:14,540 prepared for that day when we will stand personally before him and give account of our lives. 416 00:34:14,540 --> 00:34:20,480 May those of us who know Christ this week understand what the authority given to Jesus 417 00:34:20,480 --> 00:34:29,200 means to us in the responsibilities we have to be your ambassadors to this world. 418 00:34:29,200 --> 00:34:36,040 May we stand faithfully, even if it means standing alone in those places where you have 419 00:34:36,040 --> 00:34:46,480 assigned us to represent you, whether that be the school classroom or the office at work, 420 00:34:46,480 --> 00:34:56,200 if it be at the gas station in our neighborhoods, may we represent you well. 421 00:34:56,200 --> 00:35:17,080 In Jesus' name, amen.