WEBVTT 00:00:00.180 --> 00:00:07.960 If you're joining us this morning, I want to tell you, you're catching us at the tail end of a of a series we've been on together on the discipleship 00:00:07.960 --> 00:00:11.090 and following after Christ and what that means as believers. 00:00:11.200 --> 00:00:18.280 If you've been here throughout this series, you no doubt, hopefully have learned that because if not, I have done a horrific job at what 00:00:18.280 --> 00:00:21.640 our goal was as we've gone through this, series together. 00:00:22.040 --> 00:00:29.160 And hopefully when you're walking away with some big ideas of what to think when Jesus gives his call in Matthew 00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:32.210 four and he tells the disciples to follow after me. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:39.340 When you consider Jesus's statements throughout Scripture and pursuing him, hopefully you have learned that Jesus's goal isn't in your life. 00:00:39.420 --> 00:00:40.590 It's not for you to behave. 00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:43.000 It's not just for you to believe. 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:47.400 His desire for your life is for you to follow. 00:00:48.080 --> 00:00:48.960 And how do you follow him? 00:00:50.160 --> 00:00:54.940 Well, some people think that God's goal for your life is simply for you to be moral. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:00:58.380 And what it means to follow after Jesus. 00:00:58.900 --> 00:01:03.110 It's not about you just becoming moral, or it's the goal isn't about your morality. 00:01:04.260 --> 00:01:07.640 Well, God's desire for your life is his goal. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:12.040 For your life is a transformation that begins with a new faith in Christ. 00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:17.650 In fact, the Bible tells us that those that are in Christ are a new creation. 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:25.520 And it tells us, as we gaze upon the face of Christ, moment by moment, we are transformed into his image. 00:01:26.440 --> 00:01:30.500 God, in your faith in Jesus and what he has done for you. 00:01:30.780 --> 00:01:37.960 The Bible tells us that a new relationship in God has begun that will last throughout all of eternity as God 00:01:37.960 --> 00:01:41.100 continues to work his life in you. 00:01:42.800 --> 00:01:49.960 We looked together at the life of the disciples and throughout their ministry with Jesus, they would have said, I think especially 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:54.360 in the beginning when they started to follow after Christ, man, we are ready to do this. 00:01:54.440 --> 00:01:56.810 And we even looked at the commitment of a rabbi. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:01.720 When someone pursues a rabbi, it's not just an intellectual time of learning. 00:02:01.720 --> 00:02:05.240 It's a dedication of all that you are to all that they are. 00:02:05.240 --> 00:02:07.410 So that you begin to mimic the life of the rabbi. 00:02:07.420 --> 00:02:12.070 You learn everything about this rabbi and the scriptures in which he teaches. 00:02:13.580 --> 00:02:20.700 In fact, when you look at the life of the disciples and you see their commitment to Jesus, Thomas in John chapter 11, verse 26, 00:02:20.780 --> 00:02:23.920 at one point he said, let's follow Jesus and die with him. 00:02:24.820 --> 00:02:29.410 And we even learned that Peter, he's somewhat of a samurai ninja. 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:33.740 At one point he takes out a sword to defend Jesus and lops off people's ears. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:38.140 I don't know if he was aiming for that target or not, but these guys are. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:41.060 They seem committed at certain points and following Jesus. 00:02:41.120 --> 00:02:44.460 If not, that behavior says to us, okay, these guys are they're really in it. 00:02:47.120 --> 00:02:51.080 But at different points throughout Jesus's ministry and especially at the crucifixion of Christ. 00:02:52.880 --> 00:02:53.380 They abandoned him. 00:02:55.480 --> 00:02:57.540 This morning we're going to turn to the book of John. 00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:00.560 We're going to be in chapter six and in chapter 20. 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:06.020 And as we conclude this series together, there's one particular thing I want to focus on. 00:03:06.160 --> 00:03:07.890 And that's the simple answer to the question. 00:03:09.540 --> 00:03:10.860 And what do you do when you follow Jesus? 00:03:12.660 --> 00:03:13.330 And it gets hard. 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:16.030 How do you make it? 00:03:17.880 --> 00:03:19.680 And what can we learn from the lives of these disciples? 00:03:19.880 --> 00:03:27.580 And the adversity that they faced that kept, kept them pursuing after Christ, even after abandoning him? 00:03:27.720 --> 00:03:29.080 You know when you read the book of John. 00:03:29.940 --> 00:03:37.140 I love the way this book plays out because really, chapter by chapter, it's broken up for us in interactions with 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:41.100 individuals as Jesus continues his ministry in this world. 00:03:41.480 --> 00:03:46.680 In John chapter one, it's Jesus's interaction with the people in John the Baptist and John chapter two. 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:51.430 It's the wedding at Cana in John chapter three, it's his interaction with Nicodemus. 00:03:51.660 --> 00:04:00.820 And in John chapter four, it's his interaction with the woman at the well in John chapter five, it's the sick man at Bethsaida or 00:04:00.820 --> 00:04:01.580 Bethsaida. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:02.860 And John chapter six. 00:04:04.680 --> 00:04:05.140 I love this chapter. 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:06.790 It's about food. 00:04:08.980 --> 00:04:15.460 And Jesus's interaction with the disciples as they've just experienced a meal with Christ. 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:19.800 And in fact, John chapter six is the feeding of the 5000. 00:04:21.800 --> 00:04:28.880 A story that Jesus is themed to us is to say that God is sufficient and able to supply 00:04:28.880 --> 00:04:30.360 what he promises for his people. 00:04:31.980 --> 00:04:39.480 But when you get to John chapter six and verse 26, Jesus begins this dialogue to help the people recognize that their faith within 00:04:39.480 --> 00:04:42.880 him isn't genuine, or at least it's not one that's durable. 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:51.560 And after Jesus feeds the thousands, he makes this statement in John chapter six and verse 26, and he continues 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:57.900 on from verse 26, as if to validate the point he makes through an illustration that he gives about the sufficiency of himself. 00:04:59.260 --> 00:05:01.740 And he concludes this story with a statement to Peter. 00:05:01.740 --> 00:05:08.780 And he sort of juxtaposes within this context of identifying who he is within these people, the idea of most of the disciples 00:05:08.780 --> 00:05:13.620 around the life of Jesus with this idea of Peter's perspective of Jesus. 00:05:13.900 --> 00:05:20.860 And it gives us this thought of distinguishing what it really is for a disciple to view Christ in a healthy way, to remain consistent in the midst of adversity. 00:05:22.320 --> 00:05:29.420 Now I will tell you when I when I go through this text from verse 26 on, I am going to skip through a large section of Scripture that points 00:05:29.420 --> 00:05:36.790 to the deity and sufficiency of Christ, only because the point in which I want to make rests in verse 26 and on at the end of the chapter, 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:43.960 in verse 66 and to 68, when Peter identifies for us his position in Christ, or the way he 00:05:43.960 --> 00:05:46.800 is perceiving Jesus as it relates to his life. 00:05:46.940 --> 00:05:47.760 But this is what Jesus says. 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:52.040 Jesus answered them, talking about the disciples after the feeding. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:59.140 And he says, truly, truly, I say to you seek me not because or not because you saw signs, but because you 00:05:59.140 --> 00:06:01.020 ate of the loaves and were filled. 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:09.200 And Jesus then said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread of heaven, but it is my father who gives you the true 00:06:09.200 --> 00:06:09.880 bread of heaven. 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:14.080 For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world. 00:06:14.540 --> 00:06:17.500 Then they said to him, Lord, always give us this bread. 00:06:18.200 --> 00:06:24.360 And Jesus goes on further in verse 51 and says, this I am the living bread that came down out of heaven. 00:06:25.320 --> 00:06:27.620 If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. 00:06:27.760 --> 00:06:31.740 And the bread also, which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:37.260 Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, how can this man give us his flesh to eat? 00:06:38.080 --> 00:06:42.270 Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, this is a difficult statement. 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:44.610 Who can listen to it? 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:50.410 And as a result, many of his disciples withdrew and were not walking with him anymore. 00:06:51.600 --> 00:06:54.120 And so Jesus said to the 12. 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:58.380 You do not want to go away also, do you? 00:06:58.540 --> 00:07:00.160 And Simon Peter answered him. 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:01.840 Lord. 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:04.240 To whom shall we go? 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:07.600 You have the words of eternal life. 00:07:10.080 --> 00:07:13.940 I think in Peter's statement, he is acknowledging. 00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:16.860 The following after Jesus is an easy. 00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:23.300 The call to be a disciple of Christ isn't easy. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.950 In the life of Peter. 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:29.020 He may say so because it's not popular. 00:07:31.400 --> 00:07:32.040 It is costly. 00:07:34.520 --> 00:07:41.880 But as Peter begins to give the explanation for the reason for which he pursues Jesus, it's distinguishably different from the way Jesus 00:07:41.880 --> 00:07:43.300 speaks to the rest of the crowd. 00:07:45.400 --> 00:07:52.620 I mean, Jesus tells him, you're following me, basically because I, I have satisfied this temporary, this temporary demand 00:07:52.620 --> 00:07:53.780 of your life. 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:53.920 This. 00:07:54.080 --> 00:07:55.700 You just wanted your bellies full. 00:07:57.420 --> 00:07:58.930 That's the only reason you follow me. 00:08:00.580 --> 00:08:00.920 Peter. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:07.740 Peter goes further beyond just this miracle that satisfies the temporary. 00:08:07.760 --> 00:08:15.000 And he acknowledges that what these miracles pointed to him is that the source of what life is about 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:16.640 goes beyond just the temporal. 00:08:16.700 --> 00:08:18.580 But it's found in Christ alone. 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:25.080 And so when Peters brought to the point of pursue Jesus or leave. 00:08:26.420 --> 00:08:26.540 It says. 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:30.190 But Jesus, you have the words of life. 00:08:32.280 --> 00:08:35.090 If I were to ask you a question this morning and just say. 00:08:38.380 --> 00:08:39.220 In following Jesus. 00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:43.960 If nothing external in your life changed. 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:48.180 Would you still do it? 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:56.840 You know, this morning a friend was telling me about this missionary who lost his life in Africa. 00:09:00.660 --> 00:09:07.720 I can't help but think when something like that takes place, knowing they're going to such a place that at any moment in their lives, they recognize before they ever 00:09:07.720 --> 00:09:11.880 make a decision to go, they could quickly lose their lives. 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:21.940 Read a story about a young lady who went to Ecuador as a missionary and never saw any of her work. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:23.380 Anyone ever come to know the Lord? 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:29.500 She worked with some Indian groups in Ecuador and never saw anyone come to know the Lord. 00:09:29.520 --> 00:09:35.360 But one of the things that she acknowledged in the middle of the story was that a lady came to her and just said. 00:09:37.640 --> 00:09:37.980 What if? 00:09:40.140 --> 00:09:47.760 What if none of these people that you think that you've come to reach, 00:09:47.760 --> 00:09:47.760 ever come to know the Lord? 00:09:47.760 --> 00:09:47.760 Would you do anything differently? 00:09:47.760 --> 00:09:48.490 What if it doesn't happen that way? 00:09:50.640 --> 00:09:56.420 Y'all know when following Jesus, the Bible tells us that there is joy in our lives and our pursuit of God. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:56.960 But. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:10:00.920 But what if nothing around you changed? 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:06.480 What if the people you love and care about that you want to come to know the Lord? 00:10:06.540 --> 00:10:07.300 What if they don't? 00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:15.840 I mean, what if what if relationships that were stressed continue to be stressed, and maybe even more so because of Jesus? 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.020 What if. 00:10:19.900 --> 00:10:21.860 I think that's where Peter is in this. 00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:28.110 I think that's where the group that Jesus is talking to in this chapter, I think that's where they are. 00:10:29.660 --> 00:10:32.940 Jesus were in it, as long as it's beneficial to me. 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:35.080 But the moment, it's not beneficial to me. 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:35.750 You know what? 00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:36.390 This is hard. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:40.780 I quit. 00:10:41.060 --> 00:10:48.120 But what was different about the life of Peter that in these moments, even at adversity, he 00:10:48.160 --> 00:10:53.100 chooses to pursue after Christ, even though the rest of the group abandons him? 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:54.360 I think this in my head. 00:10:54.640 --> 00:11:02.580 If you use Jesus for just personal gain or what you might get out of it when it seems hard, you 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:02.820 leave. 00:11:05.160 --> 00:11:10.010 If Jesus is used simply as an ends to the personal gratification in my life, an ends to my means. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:16.280 When it gets hard. 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:19.120 I leave. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:21.600 But if I see Jesus for who he is. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:24.940 King of Kings. 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:25.610 Lord of Lords. 00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:29.780 The truth in what he is. 00:11:32.400 --> 00:11:36.350 The peripheral in those moments no longer matter. 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:42.820 I think, Peter, and seeing the ministry of Jesus, he's come to this place in his life and he's just made that statement. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:45.120 He's saying, looking at Jesus. 00:11:45.140 --> 00:11:47.680 Not to be honest, in Peter's life, we know he abandons Christ. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:53.840 But in this moment, one of the things he recognizes in the midst of a verse that what keeps him near Christ isn't what's happening on the external around him. 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:58.940 It's that he's looked at Christ, and he sees the worth and value of who Jesus is in them, of himself. 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.640 Jesus. 00:12:01.640 --> 00:12:05.080 These things around us may be difficult, but this is what I've recognized in you. 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.420 There is truth. 00:12:06.420 --> 00:12:06.480 You. 00:12:06.680 --> 00:12:08.240 You have the words of life. 00:12:08.260 --> 00:12:10.760 How did Peter find comfort in these moments? 00:12:10.760 --> 00:12:11.020 It was. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:13.240 It was the truth of who Christ is. 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:16.470 As he's beginning to see this revealed to himself. 00:12:16.780 --> 00:12:24.180 Now, reality is, if I just thought of a transitional thought for a minute, sometimes just because something is true doesn't mean we always follow 00:12:24.180 --> 00:12:24.400 it. 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:31.780 In fact, with the life of Peter, just because he's discovering who Jesus is, we see at the end of Jesus's life, Peter's not always 00:12:31.780 --> 00:12:32.600 going to follow Jesus. 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:38.020 Even in the truth. 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.880 So how do you work through this? 00:12:43.140 --> 00:12:44.200 In John chapter 20. 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:45.620 I'm going to invite you to turn there for just a moment. 00:12:45.640 --> 00:12:49.840 We're going to pick up in verse 24 of the story of the disciples interaction with Christ. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:52.320 And just look at some of the details of these verses now. 00:12:53.180 --> 00:12:59.260 But in John chapter 20, we get a different story of another disciple going through the same adversity and following Jesus. 00:12:59.260 --> 00:13:03.300 And I think this guy, he does not get a fair shake in our minds today. 00:13:03.400 --> 00:13:05.420 I mean, we often call him Doubting Thomas right now. 00:13:06.660 --> 00:13:11.670 The passage tells us in verse 24, this is how Thomas deals with it. 00:13:12.060 --> 00:13:12.600 He says this. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:20.300 But Thomas, one of the 12 called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came, so that the other disciples were saying to him, we have seen the Lord. 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:27.300 But he said to them, unless I see in his hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into 00:13:27.300 --> 00:13:28.680 his side, I will not believe. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:37.880 When Thomas is making this statement. 00:13:40.160 --> 00:13:44.810 It tells us in this very first verse in verse 2524, he wasn't with the disciples. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:49.760 You know, it's interesting when you study the dynamic of the lives of the disciples. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:52.670 They handle things in different ways, right? 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:58.040 I mean, sometimes you have the loudmouth disciple that's got to work everything out verbally. 00:13:58.040 --> 00:14:03.820 You know, people like that, like there's some people that process it by themselves alone, and there's some that's just got to work it out by talking. 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:04.940 Right. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:10.320 You probably know three we're going to we're going to tell everyone in the church, point to the most talkative, mouthy person. 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.020 No, we're not going to do that. 00:14:11.420 --> 00:14:13.820 But that's Peter, that's Peter. 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:16.550 He says everything on his sleeve, what he's thinking exactly. 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:21.400 He's always when Jesus calls the disciples to something, it's like it's always Peter making the statement, is it Jesus? 00:14:21.660 --> 00:14:25.000 You've got the words of life, Jesus, the gates, or Jesus? 00:14:25.020 --> 00:14:26.780 You are the Christ, the son of the living God. 00:14:26.780 --> 00:14:28.060 And Christ says, I'll build my rock. 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:30.940 It's Peter who's who's always shooting off and saying those things. 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:33.140 Thomas is a little different. 00:14:35.140 --> 00:14:36.900 When difficult things happen his way. 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:40.380 He's the guy that likes to go off by himself and work through that. 00:14:42.800 --> 00:14:43.880 Verse 24. 00:14:43.880 --> 00:14:50.880 The same thing's happening with Thomas here again, he sees Christ has been crucified and he's 00:14:50.880 --> 00:14:52.920 been devastated by this. 00:14:53.040 --> 00:14:54.620 Jesus was the one that he was following. 00:14:55.280 --> 00:14:58.720 And so in silence he wants to work through this. 00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:01.240 He wants to just find a place of dependability. 00:15:01.960 --> 00:15:03.820 Right. 00:15:04.420 --> 00:15:06.800 I mean, how can I get my feet back under me again? 00:15:09.100 --> 00:15:11.960 I mean, some of us have been there in life, if not all of us were. 00:15:12.020 --> 00:15:13.960 You just feel like it's been ripped out from under you. 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:17.120 You're just looking for something to grab Ahold of, something to trust in again. 00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:26.300 You know, one of the interesting things I've seen in ministry in Utah, um. 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:29.000 One of the questions I think I get asked more than any other question. 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:32.920 I get to ask lots of questions. 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:32.920 There's no question off the books. 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:35.020 By the way, if you ever wanted anything, just ask. 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:38.060 we take no offense to that and in fact encourage it. 00:15:39.420 --> 00:15:40.820 But one of the questions I get asked a lot. 00:15:42.780 --> 00:15:44.780 Is a question personal to me? 00:15:44.780 --> 00:15:46.620 People want to know, um. 00:15:47.920 --> 00:15:48.710 Am I going to go anywhere? 00:15:50.040 --> 00:15:51.160 Like, how long are you here? 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.580 That's the question. 00:15:52.820 --> 00:15:55.460 You moved here from out of state, you foreigner. 00:15:55.520 --> 00:15:56.500 How long are you going to be here? 00:15:58.780 --> 00:16:03.240 And usually I give two responses to that, but I know where that question comes from. 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.420 Like. 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:06.620 Someone in their heart is saying, I'm about to make a decision. 00:16:06.940 --> 00:16:08.360 That is not easy. 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:15.540 And I want to know I'm making that decision with someone that's going to be there, right? 00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:19.480 Now I'll tell you, don't build your faith on a person. 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:23.800 Our encouragement of our church is to always do that in Jesus, because people will disappoint you. 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:26.370 And God's never called you to build your faith in people. 00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:28.580 He always calls you to a relationship in him. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:33.180 On the other end of that the statements a beautiful statement to. 00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:38.590 It shows us how important each other can be and the encouragement of our own faith. 00:16:38.640 --> 00:16:40.120 Right? 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:47.360 In fact, when Thomas is going through this in a personal time by himself, away from the disciples, one of the one of the beautiful pictures here 00:16:47.360 --> 00:16:49.150 is that the disciples come back to Thomas. 00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:53.160 I'm sure they thought to themselves, he needs some space for a minute. 00:16:55.160 --> 00:16:57.100 But that community that he was a part of. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:04.380 Wrap themselves around them in this adversity and the first joyful news they receive and the challenge that they're faced. 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:06.339 And they come back to Thomas and they share it. 00:17:06.540 --> 00:17:08.720 And Thomas is still pessimistic about it. 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.640 They're like, they're not giving up. 00:17:09.760 --> 00:17:12.760 Easy on Thomas, but he's still a little pessimistic about it. 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:14.400 And he says, you know what? 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:20.180 And less and less I put my I don't know why he wants to do this, but put my hand into his side. 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.670 I'm not going to believe that's gross. 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:23.020 But he this is what I mean. 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:25.440 He's saying I need some verifiable proof. 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:32.620 I need something to really give me a rock solid thought about this, that I know that when 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:35.680 I commit to Jesus that I am all in. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:42.600 And so the story goes on in verse 26, after eight days, his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:48.560 And Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst, and said, peace be with you. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:56.650 Then he said to Thomas, reach here with your finger and see my hands, and reach here your hand, and put it into my side. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:58.760 And do not be unbelieving, but believing. 00:18:03.780 --> 00:18:04.220 You know, one of the. 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.860 Thoughts in verse 26. 00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:12.510 Even though the disciples are with Thomas, and even though they've seen Jesus. 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:17.720 It tells us here in this passage, the doors have been shut. 00:18:17.840 --> 00:18:19.780 Now, if you ever you ever want to have a. 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.180 A freaked out moment. 00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:22.900 It's. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:28.900 You're in a room with all the doors locked, and all of a sudden Jesus is standing there and you're what in the world, right? 00:18:29.060 --> 00:18:32.880 This guy could just go through buildings so there's no escaping him. 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:36.760 But it tells us in this passage, these doors are shut. 00:18:36.760 --> 00:18:39.470 And I want to tell you, this is the new American Standard Version. 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:45.600 this verse, the doors being shut, it can be translated as being shut. 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:53.290 But the more correct terms, I mean, it gives either the opinion this door is firmly shut or this door is locked. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:19:00.600 Right now, I think the more accurate translation the King James and the New American Standard said the door is shut, which is accurate to the Greek text, but 00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:04.540 I think it's this door isn't just shut, this door is locked. 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:07.570 Because you got to think, these disciples right now, in these moments are hiding. 00:19:08.620 --> 00:19:10.620 They've just seen Jesus's life taken. 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:13.330 Now they're worried as a follower of Jesus, their life is going to be taken. 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:16.500 They're going to go in these rooms and they don't want anybody coming in. 00:19:17.580 --> 00:19:18.600 And these doors are locked. 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:25.920 In fact, in John chapter 20 and verse 19, the same word for shut is used with the 11 disciples as they're or the ten disciples 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:29.140 as they're gathered together, they're in a room, and it tells us that they are in hiding. 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:32.160 And the same Greek word is used for being shut. 00:19:32.220 --> 00:19:33.230 I think it's the word for locked. 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:41.020 It's also the same Greek word that when John the Baptist is thrown into prison in Luke chapter three and verse 20, he is he is in 00:19:41.020 --> 00:19:41.400 prison. 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:43.400 The doors aren't just shut, they're locked. 00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:43.840 Right. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:46.380 And these guys don't want anything coming in. 00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:51.180 And these guys by their acts are just showing just how fearful they still are. 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:54.460 Even though they've seen the resurrected Christ, they're still hiding. 00:19:57.360 --> 00:20:02.560 Here's another important point. 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.950 And Jesus shows up. 00:20:07.080 --> 00:20:08.460 And the words that Jesus shares. 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:13.020 They're not just some thought out expression that he wanted to share. 00:20:13.020 --> 00:20:17.640 It was based on what Thomas had said, right? 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:21.800 Here's what I think is important that we're learning about Christ in the midst of adversity. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.660 Jesus hears you. 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.500 Thomas. 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.730 Even when you were locked up in your room. 00:20:35.780 --> 00:20:37.180 Even when you had given up on Christ. 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:41.410 Even when you're claiming that you no longer believe. 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:45.930 Even when you think the rest of the world can't get in. 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:48.880 Jesus was there. 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:58.660 How else would he have known in verse 27 to show up and say the very things that you just expressed that would take you, or 00:20:58.800 --> 00:21:01.960 that you said would have to happen for you to believe? 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:05.960 Jesus was there. 00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:10.770 Maybe that's a challenge, right? 00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:18.080 Even if you built the deepest bunker in this world, preparing yourselves for whatever zombie apocalypse you think might come. 00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.620 It's not keeping Jesus out. 00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:28.260 Even if you've given up, turned away and locked the door. 00:21:31.320 --> 00:21:33.280 Even if you don't want to let anyone else in. 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.640 And Jesus is there. 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:46.900 I know these doors are physically locked in the lives of the disciples, but I think it works great as a metaphor for 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.260 us. 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:56.130 You know, sometimes in our lives we get so wounded, we just want to shut everything away and just give up. 00:21:58.600 --> 00:22:00.820 Jesus cares too much about you. 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:08.000 Jesus says this to Thomas, and this is what happens in the life of Thomas. 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:11.240 In verse 28, he gives this beautiful pronouncement of Christ. 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:18.860 Thomas answered and said to him, my Lord and my God. 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:22.480 So this passage no doubt points to the deity of Christ. 00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:27.340 And Jesus is God come in the flesh. 00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:31.320 And that is significant for us to understand. 00:22:31.860 --> 00:22:39.290 But related to the text and what I want to share with us this morning, Jesus certainly is God, and Jesus is certainly present. 00:22:39.560 --> 00:22:43.440 And what's important is the way that Thomas responds to that understanding. 00:22:45.280 --> 00:22:46.300 So we saw in the life of Peter. 00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:48.260 Peter said, this is what is true. 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:54.520 And regardless of everything going around me, regardless of the adversity, I know this is true and I cannot deny it. 00:22:54.760 --> 00:22:59.210 But the truth is, just because something's true doesn't mean you're going to act upon it. 00:23:00.800 --> 00:23:01.720 Why? 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.380 Because it isn't personal. 00:23:07.670 --> 00:23:10.330 For Thomas in these moments of adversity. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.300 It turned around. 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:16.500 When it became personal. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:20.300 It's not just Lorde anymore. 00:23:20.300 --> 00:23:22.080 It's not just God anymore, but it's. 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:25.940 It's my God, and it's my Lord. 00:23:28.580 --> 00:23:35.740 So for us in the midst of adversity and regardless of what's happening around us, what's important for a foundation is 00:23:35.760 --> 00:23:42.230 not only to rest ourselves in the truth, but rest ourselves in the truth that is personal to our lives. 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:44.850 And then Jesus goes on from the statement, this is what he says. 00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:51.510 Jesus said to him, because you have seen me and have you believed, blessed are they who do not see and yet believed. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:58.840 In verse 30, therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book, but these 00:23:58.840 --> 00:24:05.060 have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name. 00:24:06.560 --> 00:24:07.520 In verse 29. 00:24:08.540 --> 00:24:09.920 sometimes we read this text. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:12.880 I think we think this is a negative statement against against Thomas. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.560 I don't think it is. 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:20.420 Verse 29 I think what Jesus is first recognizing, he's saying, listen, I have performed many things in the lives of people. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:22.800 They never saw the significance of who I was. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:27.080 But Thomas, you did exactly what you were supposed to do by my actions. 00:24:27.080 --> 00:24:33.820 You have seen through the miracles, through my statements, you have seen it declared the value of who I am for your life. 00:24:34.040 --> 00:24:36.470 And so you have taken it the step that it was intended to go. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.600 You have believed. 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:41.630 But now thinking about beyond Thomas, then there's going to be a world. 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:48.840 Once Jesus ascends to the father, there is going to be a world that's going to live on the pronouncement of these disciples, having seen the resurrected Christ. 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:53.900 And now we ourselves are going to believe in Jesus says that you too, like Thomas, are being blessed. 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:57.460 And Jesus performed signs. 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.260 And in verse 31. 00:25:05.340 --> 00:25:05.860 The writer of John. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:10.220 He ends his book on this story. 00:25:12.420 --> 00:25:19.500 This is if all of John and the stories of the interaction of Jesus and the lives of people he continues to share how Jesus interacts and 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:22.150 people respond, and Jesus interacts and people respond. 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:29.640 And in chapter 20, when he gets to the end of the book, it's like it's like the story of Thomas is the pinnacle of what the author wants 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:34.010 us to understand and what Jesus has done and who Jesus is. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:37.060 And seeing now how Thomas responds, he's saying. 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:41.960 He's saying just like Thomas. 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.880 Making this truth personal. 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:46.700 This. 00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:50.260 This is what Christ has come for. 00:25:50.520 --> 00:25:58.040 He has come for you to set you free in him by dying for your sin, that you may enjoy this personal 00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:59.800 relationship with him. 00:26:02.780 --> 00:26:03.690 This is what it's about. 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:14.160 You know, when I think about what Thomas did in verse 28, and I see how his faith became personal, this is one of the things I think 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.740 is important to encourage us on. 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:20.740 Is that Thomas's faith, it met a moment with Jesus where it became personal. 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.360 What can I tell you? 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.160 I don't think it ended there. 00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:33.400 I think Thomas used that opportunity to make his faith in Christ personal every day. 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:42.300 I think for us to stand in the midst of adversity in our walk with Christ, it's important 00:26:42.300 --> 00:26:48.740 for us to make our faith personal in our relationship with God every day. 00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:55.980 History tells us that Thomas went on from this moment. 00:26:57.160 --> 00:27:04.400 Eventually he begins to travel to share the gospel of who Christ is and what Christ came to do and the good news of 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:04.880 Jesus. 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.820 And he ends up in the country of India. 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:11.320 Only to meet the end of his life. 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:15.880 Thomas was speared. 00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:26.620 You know, when I think about the life of Thomas, I think about the lives of people that pursued after Christ with all that they were, something important 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:33.400 that I see in their story is that not only did they make their faith personal, they made their faith monumental. 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.420 Right? 00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:38.720 And this is what I mean when John is sharing this story about Jesus. 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:41.640 The disciples knew John was there with Thomas. 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:45.980 The disciples knew the impact and the significance of this moment. 00:27:47.060 --> 00:27:54.360 And so when you go back and you read stories of events that happened in the lives of people as they interact with God, they're sharing monumental 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:58.860 moments of decision making in their lives as it relates to the relationship with God. 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:08.360 And in a personal way to them when they continued in their relationship with the Lord, when they would look back, having experienced adversity 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:15.540 in the moment, they would look back to these moments and recognize how significant they were to their faith and how personal 00:28:15.540 --> 00:28:16.560 it became to them. 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:23.780 When Thomas, when he goes to India and he loses his life, his personal faith as he is out there and he's facing the midst of adversity and 00:28:23.780 --> 00:28:29.180 he knows he's about to lose his life, I don't think Thomas is just focused on the moment like, oh, this stinks. 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:36.340 I think Thomas is looking back at important parts of his life, saying, I am here in this moment because I know how valuable it is, because in 00:28:36.360 --> 00:28:39.580 my life there was this place where I gave up in the midst of adversity. 00:28:39.760 --> 00:28:45.000 But God met me there, that monument, that pillar that stands in my heart. 00:28:45.260 --> 00:28:52.840 And when you study that throughout Scripture, you see not only how important it was to the disciples, but throughout the history of the nation of Israel. 00:28:53.880 --> 00:28:57.860 In fact, at one point in Israel, you'll see these in your notes when you have your small groups. 00:28:57.880 --> 00:29:04.920 This week we've outlined a few of them for you, but at one point in the life of Jacob, can I tell you when I read the story of Jacob, I'm like, man, if he were alive 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:07.900 today, I think I'd smack him a little bit like he is. 00:29:08.020 --> 00:29:11.400 He irritates me until something happens in his life. 00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:17.220 He is a very irritating person to me and I read in Genesis chapter 28, I wouldn't seriously, I just mentally smack him. 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.590 Okay, I'm a pastor. 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.040 Please. 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:19.710 No, I'm just kidding. 00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:23.760 So in Genesis chapter 28, it says this in verse 18. 00:29:23.760 --> 00:29:27.560 So Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put under his head. 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:33.060 He's running away from his brother because he's just he has just taken the birthright and his brother wants to kill him. 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:34.840 So he's out sleeping with some stones. 00:29:35.100 --> 00:29:36.380 Sounds great, doesn't it? 00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:39.340 And set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:40.800 He called the name of that place Bethel. 00:29:42.540 --> 00:29:45.400 However, previously the name of the city has been Luz. 00:29:46.420 --> 00:29:48.540 Then Jacob made a vow, saying. 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:51.060 If God will be with me. 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:54.160 And will keep me on this journey that I take. 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:57.680 And will give me food to eat and garments to wear. 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.460 Listen what he says in verse 21. 00:29:59.800 --> 00:30:01.520 And I return to my father's house in safety. 00:30:02.600 --> 00:30:05.280 Then the Lord will be my God. 00:30:05.280 --> 00:30:11.860 So Jacob has this moment when he's leaving where God comes and he shares with Jacob in a dream what exactly he's going to do in the life of Jacob. 00:30:12.020 --> 00:30:17.460 So Jacob just says, okay, God, if you're going to do that when I come back, you, you'll be my God, right? 00:30:18.200 --> 00:30:22.700 It's like to this point you hear sometimes in Scripture, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, right? 00:30:23.060 --> 00:30:26.930 Well, to this point, the God of Abraham and Isaac, it's he doesn't belong to Jacob. 00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:30.490 As Jacob continues to shove away. 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.760 Then in verse 32. 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:34.920 Chapter 32. 00:30:35.560 --> 00:30:35.940 Excuse me. 00:30:37.080 --> 00:30:37.480 Jacobs. 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:40.570 Now, on the way back for the land he ran away from. 00:30:42.370 --> 00:30:47.780 He has just sent his family ahead of him back to the land that he left, and he is all by himself. 00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.100 It says. 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:54.700 Then Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 00:30:56.500 --> 00:31:00.860 And when he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh. 00:31:00.920 --> 00:31:08.420 The man touched the socket of Jacob's thigh, so that the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. 00:31:08.760 --> 00:31:11.060 Then he said, let me go, for the dawn is breaking. 00:31:11.460 --> 00:31:15.140 But Jacob is saying to him, I will not let you go unless you bless me. 00:31:15.840 --> 00:31:17.200 So he said to him, what is your name? 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.040 And he said, Jacob. 00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:21.320 And he said, your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel. 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:24.230 For you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed. 00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:30.510 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved. 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:37.920 Therefore to this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is on the socket of the thigh, because he touched the socket of 00:31:37.920 --> 00:31:40.640 Jacob's thigh and the sinew of the hip. 00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:45.020 What Israel's created here. 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:48.490 It's a monumental moment. 00:31:50.360 --> 00:31:52.740 Well, not only did Jacob's faith become personal. 00:31:54.320 --> 00:31:59.160 But it came so became so intimate and real and life changing. 00:32:01.060 --> 00:32:02.440 Regardless of what happened around him. 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.600 He wouldn't let it go. 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:09.080 It's a place in his life. 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.160 Or he remembered. 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.300 The goodness of God. 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.180 Madam. 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:19.740 I love that the name of Israel means wrestling with God. 00:32:21.840 --> 00:32:27.400 Because it says to us as people that the journey, the journey may not be easy. 00:32:29.410 --> 00:32:36.800 But it's so important that you see the value of your relationship with God that in the midst of that battle, 00:32:36.800 --> 00:32:41.400 you refuse to let go and you wrestle in that adversity with the Lord. 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:44.320 I love this verse in Second Chronicles chapter 20 and verse 12. 00:32:45.520 --> 00:32:48.280 Israel has an enemy coming in to attack them. 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:49.560 And this is what they say to God our God. 00:32:50.840 --> 00:32:55.420 We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:01.660 And my kids are. 00:33:03.740 --> 00:33:10.540 Young and wrapping their heads around Jesus and what he's done for them. 00:33:11.250 --> 00:33:11.900 And. 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:15.200 But in my mind, as they continue to grow older, I cannot wait. 00:33:17.520 --> 00:33:19.830 For days where I can take them to places. 00:33:20.840 --> 00:33:23.110 And just say, you know what happened here? 00:33:25.300 --> 00:33:26.920 This is where I met the Lord. 00:33:28.720 --> 00:33:35.740 This is the spot in the woods when I was 19 years old, when I went up and I just gave my life and I said, I don't 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.100 want it. 00:33:37.840 --> 00:33:38.140 God. 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:38.800 It's yours. 00:33:40.660 --> 00:33:43.220 Or I could take him to Lions Park. 00:33:43.340 --> 00:33:46.570 When I first moved to Utah in the middle of the city and I stopped. 00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:50.360 And I'm thinking God's leading my heart to a place like this to do ministry for him. 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:51.870 I have no idea what it's going to look like. 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.940 I'm nervous. 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.520 I'm worried. 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:54.490 We've got no money. 00:33:54.580 --> 00:33:55.580 I don't know how it's going to happen. 00:33:57.580 --> 00:33:58.240 God does it. 00:34:01.020 --> 00:34:02.760 Or I'll take him to this building. 00:34:03.040 --> 00:34:03.680 Maybe we'll be here. 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:04.180 Maybe we'll not. 00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:05.350 Who knows what the future holds. 00:34:06.040 --> 00:34:06.140 But. 00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:13.480 But times where I would run from my home down to where our old church was in a in a storefront and would run past this building and I run in circles and 00:34:13.480 --> 00:34:17.440 just pray God would give us a place permanent in the city that we could meet and know God. 00:34:17.620 --> 00:34:22.920 These monumental moments where you can look back because, sometimes in your life it's going to get hard. 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:26.980 But my gosh, the truth of who God is. 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:30.560 The intimacy of making that personal. 00:34:32.540 --> 00:34:35.560 And remembering the places in your life where he shows up. 00:34:37.159 --> 00:34:38.120 And he's there. 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:44.469 They're so important that the best part of a meal they don't even eat. 00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:47.060 I mean, give me that thigh, man. 00:34:47.060 --> 00:34:48.060 They're like, no. 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:48.820 Why? 00:34:50.639 --> 00:34:52.060 Because something more important has happened. 00:34:54.540 --> 00:34:57.110 This is where we as people. 00:34:58.780 --> 00:35:00.140 This is where we met God. 00:35:00.140 --> 00:35:07.580 And so we take this as a family, as a people group, as a time just to stop and reflect, as an offering before God. 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:11.320 The beauty of what he has done in our lives by making that faith personal. 00:35:13.520 --> 00:35:16.380 Shall I tell you? 00:35:17.740 --> 00:35:24.240 You may not wrestle with God, and he may not dislocate your hip in a physical way, right? 00:35:25.810 --> 00:35:27.570 But can I tell you? 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:31.040 Israel takes place in you. 00:35:32.140 --> 00:35:38.440 Every time you take, take the opportunity to lift up the Word of God and meet with a God in a personal way. 00:35:40.180 --> 00:35:46.400 Every time you gather with his body of believers and you interact for the encouragement one another and building one another in the faith. 00:35:47.700 --> 00:35:54.900 Every time you take an opportunity to pray and to wrestle and to meet Lord, the Lord and your needs and to praise 00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:56.280 him for what he's done. 00:35:56.440 --> 00:36:03.500 Those become monumental moments where you can point back over a period of time, and your kids recognize that's where, mom, that's 00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:05.200 where dad met the Lord. 00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:07.500 He read his word right here, and he prayed right here. 00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:11.980 Those moments sear in your children's mind over the significance of who God is. 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:15.020 Why? 00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:21.360 Because the truth of who God is became personal in your lives. 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:24.080 And you buried it in your heart. 00:36:25.200 --> 00:36:28.080 And you held on to it every day. 00:36:29.180 --> 00:36:31.640 Looking back at the moments where God was there. 00:36:33.220 --> 00:36:36.720 Because, adversity comes, but you. 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:38.720 In the midst of that. 00:36:39.820 --> 00:36:40.890 Keep your eyes on the Lord. 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:45.360 Because he, as Peter says, has the words of life. 00:36:47.080 --> 00:36:48.450 What drew the disciples back? 00:36:51.620 --> 00:36:53.230 Wasn't the ease of following Jesus. 00:36:55.020 --> 00:36:56.560 You look at John 20, they gave up. 00:36:58.920 --> 00:36:59.920 What drew them back. 00:37:01.560 --> 00:37:04.580 What's the truth of who Christ was and a personal way. 00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.250 And that's how you move forward.