1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:02,560 Amen. Please be seated. 2 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:09,360 It's so good to be back with you. 3 00:00:11,200 --> 00:00:13,320 And let me just. Briefly say as we. 4 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:17,200 Begin this morning. How grateful that I am for you, 5 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:19,400 but also All Saints Presbyterian Church. 6 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:21,040 Some of you may not know this, but. 7 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,400 Four of our six pastors have history here. 8 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:27,000 Which means I get accused of stealing people to come work at 9 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:28,640 our church in Austin all the time. 10 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:32,640 And I'm not ashamed about that because this truly has been such 11 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:35,480 a wonderful place. So Craig Chapman says hello. 12 00:00:35,480 --> 00:00:37,600 He looks the same as he did 30 years ago when he was 13 00:00:37,600 --> 00:00:39,920 ministering here, just more Gray. 14 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:45,160 Josh Keller says hello. Is still sporting Euro soccer 15 00:00:45,160 --> 00:00:46,760 haircuts. I'm not sure when those will go 16 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:49,600 out of style. Maybe 10 years ago. 17 00:00:51,560 --> 00:00:57,280 Will Stockdale still has a? Tom Selleck level mustache and 18 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:00,920 you know, when it comes to me, I don't know that things have 19 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:01,800 changed. A. 20 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:06,400 Whole lot either. Down South, I'm also known as 21 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:11,040 the Crying. Pastor, which used to. 22 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:14,600 Bother me, but it doesn't bother me as much anymore. 23 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:19,040 I think maybe just because I'm. A little less prideful. 24 00:01:19,040 --> 00:01:24,520 Than I used to be from life and ministry and health and things. 25 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:28,080 So God can finally have his way with me. 26 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:33,880 And actually, I kind of hope that would be true for all of us 27 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:37,400 this morning. So let's hear God's Word 28 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:39,880 together. And then let's pray to that end. 29 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:49,950 If you would please stand for the reading of God's Word, John 30 00:01:49,950 --> 00:01:55,230 chapter 16. I've said all these things to 31 00:01:55,230 --> 00:01:56,790 you to keep you from falling away. 32 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,800 They will put you out. Of the synagogues, indeed, the 33 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:03,400 hour is coming when whoever kills you will think He is 34 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:08,639 offering service to God. And they will do these things 35 00:02:08,639 --> 00:02:10,840 because they have not known the Father nor me. 36 00:02:12,160 --> 00:02:15,360 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes 37 00:02:15,360 --> 00:02:17,360 you may remember that I told them to you. 38 00:02:17,880 --> 00:02:20,840 I did not say these things to you from the beginning because I 39 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,600 was with you. But now I am going to Him who 40 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:26,000 sent me, and none of you asked me. 41 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:30,000 Where are you going? But because I've said. 42 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:31,840 These things to you. Sorrow has filled your. 43 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:37,000 Heart nevertheless. I tell you the truth, it is to 44 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:38,360 your. Advantage that I go. 45 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:40,560 Away for if I. Do not go away. 46 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:42,360 The helper will not come to you. But if I. 47 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:45,840 Go. I will send him to you, and when 48 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,760 he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and 49 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:52,160 righteousness and judgment concerning sin, because they do 50 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:55,640 not believe in me, concerning righteousness because I go to 51 00:02:55,640 --> 00:02:59,840 the Father and you will see me no longer concerning judgment. 52 00:02:59,840 --> 00:03:04,080 Because the ruler of this world is judged I. 53 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:07,000 Still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them 54 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,880 now. And when the Spirit of truth 55 00:03:09,880 --> 00:03:12,600 comes, He will guide you into. All the truth. 56 00:03:12,920 --> 00:03:14,880 For he will not speak on his own. 57 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:16,720 Authority. But whatever he hears, he will 58 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:19,240 speak. And He will declare to you the 59 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:22,960 things that are to come. He will glorify me. 60 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,080 For he will take. What is mine and declare it to 61 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:27,160 you. All that the. 62 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:30,720 Father has is mine. Therefore I said that he will 63 00:03:30,720 --> 00:03:32,960 take. What is mine and declare it to 64 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:36,240 you. I have said these things to you, 65 00:03:36,240 --> 00:03:39,920 that in me you may have peace, in the world you will have 66 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,520 tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome. 67 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:48,320 The world, the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 68 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:57,320 Please be seated. Father, your word is a. 69 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:00,840 Lamp into our feet and it's a light into our path. 70 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:04,840 And so, I pray, give us eyes. To see it and give us. 71 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:09,040 Ears to hear it. And perhaps more than anything, 72 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:10,760 give us hearts that would want to follow you. 73 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:16,000 And we ask and pray this in Jesus Christ name, Amen. 74 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:19,160 Amen. Where are you going? 75 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:24,560 Where are we going? That was the most common 76 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:28,320 question I got asked while leading East Asian mission trips 77 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:29,880 for. Seven or eight straight years 78 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:33,400 while I was here at PCPC Let. Me tell you it gets annoying 79 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,840 after a while. And there was one particular 80 00:04:36,840 --> 00:04:40,240 student who would ask me that question every single morning. 81 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:44,760 Where are we going? And I just kept saying I don't 82 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:47,320 know until finally I thought I'm just going to make something up 83 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,080 and I did. He came to me and he said where 84 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:54,680 are we going? And I said Hunan Alley. 85 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:59,800 It's this alley that has all the night market stuff, but they do 86 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:02,240 it during the day and it's. Half price. 87 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:05,280 And he got. So excited. 88 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:07,920 He left my presence and I thought. 89 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:09,840 I just. Lied to this student. 90 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:13,320 I'm not sure how I'm going to make this up, but I'm sure not 91 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:17,280 going to make it up right now. And you know what? 92 00:05:17,280 --> 00:05:19,160 6-8 hours. Later I did tell him. 93 00:05:20,200 --> 00:05:22,080 I did. Let him know that I was lying. 94 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:24,840 Hunan's was a Chinese restaurant in Wichita Falls. 95 00:05:24,840 --> 00:05:28,880 Texas, where I grew up. The only Chinese restaurant in 96 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:31,520 town. There's no Hunan Alley. 97 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:35,280 It doesn't exist. And he was thinking, dreaming 98 00:05:35,280 --> 00:05:38,080 and looking for a market that didn't exist all day long. 99 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:44,440 But you know, it did work. Because I did that, he stopped 100 00:05:44,440 --> 00:05:47,200 asking me. Where are we going? 101 00:05:49,800 --> 00:05:53,520 I don't encourage lying, but sometimes they do serve a small. 102 00:05:53,520 --> 00:05:57,920 Little white lie. Purpose it seems where are we 103 00:05:57,920 --> 00:06:01,360 going that that question it's the question that echoes in our 104 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:05,640 passage this morning Jesus says he's leading earth to go back 105 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:09,160 where he came from and yet states none of the disciples are 106 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:14,600 asking him any longer where are you going and now if you're 107 00:06:14,600 --> 00:06:16,760 familiar with the rest of. The upper room discourse. 108 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:19,320 You know that this isn't actually true in one sense. 109 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:24,680 Because Peter asked this exact. Question in chapter 13, moments 110 00:06:24,680 --> 00:06:26,920 before. Jesus predicts the betrayal. 111 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:31,720 And Thomas himself asked a similar question, not knowing 112 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:34,640 where Jesus was going or the way to get there in chapter 14. 113 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,640 And so to understand that Jesus isn't lying here like I. 114 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:41,600 Did to that. Student, OK, we have to consider 115 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:45,080 the question itself. And in this context, it's it's 116 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:48,920 not a question of direction or location, it's a question of 117 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:53,800 protest. As Jesus announces his departure 118 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,640 for 1/3 and final time, the question is now a question of 119 00:06:56,640 --> 00:06:58,800 protest. And maybe I can give a small 120 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:02,120 example. Some of you know that I have an 121 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:03,280 autoimmune. Disease. 122 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:07,680 I've been battling with it for the last 16 years of my life and 123 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:11,480 my symptoms intensified significantly in the last 12 124 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:15,880 months and even more so in May. It left me in the hospital for 125 00:07:15,880 --> 00:07:18,640 two long stays during that month. 126 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:21,320 Thank. You to. 127 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:26,120 Many of you who have been praying for me, thank you. 128 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:29,920 It was rough. I had two conflicting 129 00:07:29,920 --> 00:07:32,080 infections. I had no immune system left to 130 00:07:32,080 --> 00:07:34,480 fight either 1 and in my. 43 plus years. 131 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,280 Of life. It really was my first small 132 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:41,760 brush with my own mortality and with personal. 133 00:07:41,760 --> 00:07:44,480 Thoughts about death? But you know what was one of the 134 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:46,040 hardest parts? Of the whole ordeal. 135 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:53,200 When I was released to come back home, I would only come down the 136 00:07:53,200 --> 00:07:55,560 stairs from my bedroom a few times a day. 137 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:57,440 It took all my energy just to get back up. 138 00:07:58,960 --> 00:08:00,920 And when I would reach the base of the stairs. 139 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:04,200 After coming down to go back up and rest and recover in my own 140 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:07,320 bed, my son. Davis would say. 141 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:12,120 Where are you going now? The first few times it was a 142 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:15,400 question of location. Buddy, I'm going upstairs. 143 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:17,720 To rest. And to recover. 144 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:23,760 But he. Kept asking the question and 145 00:08:23,760 --> 00:08:26,920 that repeated in that lingering question that was coming from my 146 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:28,960 son. It wasn't really the question. 147 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:30,880 Where are you going? The question was, why are you 148 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:41,020 leaving me? I'm his buddy. 149 00:08:42,299 --> 00:08:44,059 I'm his. Throw the football, buddy. 150 00:08:45,780 --> 00:08:49,280 I'm his soft tossed practice in the front yard. 151 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:50,720 Buddy. I'm his. 152 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:53,480 Grab the BB gun and shoot squirrels while mom's not 153 00:08:53,480 --> 00:08:57,560 looking buddy. I'm his. 154 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:01,280 I can wrestle with you without. Consequences, buddy. 155 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:08,440 And he missed his father and he felt like I was being removed 156 00:09:08,440 --> 00:09:12,320 from his life. And so he would say, where are 157 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:17,080 you going? When I went up the stairs, his 158 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:22,320 heart sank. And Jesus here again announces 159 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:25,760 that he's leaving to go up. And not only that he's leaving 160 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:27,920 to go up, but he offers ominous warning. 161 00:09:27,920 --> 00:09:30,400 You see verses one to four that that when he. 162 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:33,080 Leaves the world his. Followers would be mistreated 163 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:37,040 just as he had been mistreated, and actually soon would be, even 164 00:09:37,040 --> 00:09:39,320 most grotesquely leading up to the cross. 165 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:42,640 But just as. He was going to have his life 166 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:45,400 threatened and he was going to be prosecuted and persecuted. 167 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:47,160 So also would that. Become true. 168 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:50,280 For all who were. Following after him, they would 169 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:52,920 be threatened. Prosecuted and persecuted 170 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:54,960 because the world he came to save, it's also. 171 00:09:54,960 --> 00:10:00,720 The world that is against him naturally opposed to him and to 172 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:04,200 those who follow him, because the world in this sense, in this 173 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:07,720 context, it's not referring to the natural order, it's 174 00:10:07,720 --> 00:10:11,160 referring to all human beings and earthly powers that stand in 175 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:16,480 opposition against God. It's a serious affair. 176 00:10:17,480 --> 00:10:18,720 And so no. Wonder they stop. 177 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:22,880 Asking the question what difference would it make? 178 00:10:24,160 --> 00:10:26,280 Jesus announces his departure, and with it. 179 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:27,920 News that's just too bad to be true. 180 00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:33,440 In sorrow. It says in verse 6 sorrow fills 181 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:36,320 their hearts. It's too much for them to bear 182 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:38,760 alone. And so it begs a different 183 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:41,960 question. And it's our question too, for 184 00:10:41,960 --> 00:10:44,080 those of us wishing to follow Jesus in this. 185 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:48,800 World, Who would help? Them and guide them in such a 186 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:52,600 remarkable absence. Who would help them and guide 187 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:54,560 them in such a remarkable absence? 188 00:10:55,160 --> 00:11:03,560 And Jesus has an answer. The Holy Spirit, that's who. 189 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:06,960 He's the third person of the Trinity. 190 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:09,800 He's Co eternal and Co equal with the Father and the Son. 191 00:11:10,840 --> 00:11:14,440 He's the very power of God and the very presence of Jesus that 192 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:17,120 comes to live and to dwell within. 193 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:21,160 And he comes as a whisper and a breath to comfort those who are 194 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:23,920 hurting. But he also comes as a wind and 195 00:11:23,920 --> 00:11:28,360 a fire to challenge and to refine. 196 00:11:29,800 --> 00:11:34,960 He was the agent of original creation bringing life out of 197 00:11:34,960 --> 00:11:37,200 the darkness in the void in Genesis 1. 198 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:39,280 And he's the agent of new creation in the life of a 199 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:45,000 person, bringing life and light out of the darkness. 200 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:49,000 In the void, he's. Spoken of as the One. 201 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:51,680 Who raised Jesus? From the dead Romans. 202 00:11:51,680 --> 00:11:53,200 Chapter 8. Verse 11. 203 00:11:54,520 --> 00:11:57,000 With the promise. That he will also raise all. 204 00:11:57,000 --> 00:12:01,920 From the dead who believe in him and the Old Testament. 205 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:04,760 Prophets told us. Many, many many times in 206 00:12:04,760 --> 00:12:06,040 different. Places that he's the. 207 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,520 Forerunner to the Eschaton. That that. 208 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:13,840 Glorious end that every droning person really longs for and 209 00:12:13,840 --> 00:12:16,720 might not know it yet. It's when all that's not right 210 00:12:16,720 --> 00:12:18,600 is undone. Forever. 211 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:23,680 And there are. Many groaning. 212 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,000 For that reality, right? Now. 213 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:31,000 Or they're not. And you know what? 214 00:12:31,000 --> 00:12:36,440 While Jesus walked the earth. His presence was localized, He 215 00:12:36,440 --> 00:12:38,240 and his followers, they weren't always together. 216 00:12:38,240 --> 00:12:41,920 They were sometimes separated. Remember Martha's comments to 217 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:46,600 Jesus in John Chapter 11 and Lazarus had died and. 218 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:49,880 She said Jesus if. You had only been here. 219 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:56,800 My brother would not have died, but it's different with the. 220 00:12:56,800 --> 00:13:00,840 Spirit. The Spirit universalizes. 221 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:05,360 The presence of Christ and the power of God and while. 222 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:08,000 Jesus walked the earth His. Presence was external to the 223 00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,080 disciples. He ministered to them, but not 224 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,360 in them. And it's. 225 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:16,360 Different with the Spirit, the Spirit dwells. 226 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:19,560 Within Jesus dwelt with them, the Spirit will dwell in them. 227 00:13:19,560 --> 00:13:22,640 And so it's no wonder then. That Jesus would say. 228 00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:25,360 Something as. Outrageous as his departure. 229 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:28,960 Being advantageous. His. 230 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:31,960 His. Followers, past or present, need 231 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:33,720 not fear. Or overreact to the. 232 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:35,880 World or the things of. This world, whether threats. 233 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,360 Or prosecutions. Or persecutions. 234 00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:41,360 They need not overreact. Because the Spirit has. 235 00:13:41,360 --> 00:13:45,480 Come. That's Jesus's answer to not 236 00:13:45,480 --> 00:13:48,160 only minister to us, but in US and through. 237 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:52,240 US. He is the answer to the 238 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:55,680 lingering question and this passage. 239 00:13:55,680 --> 00:13:58,240 Shows us specifically that he would be. 240 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:01,480 Both advocate and guide 2 points this morning. 241 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:08,280 You're welcome. First advocate look at verse. 7. 242 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:17,040 Nevertheless, I tell you the. Truth. 243 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,960 Jesus says it is to your advantage that I go away. 244 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:22,960 If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. 245 00:14:22,960 --> 00:14:24,760 But if I go, I will send him to you. 246 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:28,760 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin 247 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:34,080 and righteousness and judgment. And so we can already see. 248 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:36,120 This. Passage is laden with courtroom 249 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:38,240 language. Jesus calls the Spirit the 250 00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:41,360 Helper. In Greek, the word translated. 251 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:42,760 Helper is Paraclete. It's. 252 00:14:42,760 --> 00:14:48,520 Literally one who calls out from alongside and this word can be 253 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,920 just as easily translated as counselor or advocate is in a a 254 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:55,640 formal legal defense and in Greek legal contexts. 255 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:57,480 A Paraclete toss was exactly that. 256 00:14:57,960 --> 00:15:02,440 Not the judge, but an expert counselor eyewitness who spoke 257 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:05,000 on behalf of and represented an accused person. 258 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:09,640 And that advocate would plead the defendant's innocence before 259 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:13,880 the judge and the jury, often exposing the errors and lies of 260 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:16,560 the prosecution's case in order to do so. 261 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:20,600 The advocate would also. Become a a prosecutor in that 262 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:26,360 sense. Do you remember Atticus Finch in 263 00:15:26,360 --> 00:15:29,760 To Kill a Mockingbird? Probably the most famous 264 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:32,840 advocate in modern literature in my opinion. 265 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,680 It's a great story. And I'm about to ruin it for you 266 00:15:36,680 --> 00:15:43,080 if you haven't read it. Actually, just the final court 267 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:44,400 scene. Do you remember the final court 268 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:48,520 scene? Atticus Finch stands in this in 269 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:53,120 this tense Alabama courtroom, and he's there to defend Tom 270 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:57,440 Robinson, who's a black man accused of raping Maela Yule, a 271 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:02,800 white woman, and Finch. Gives this powerful. 272 00:16:02,800 --> 00:16:05,480 Closing argument and he. Exposes the errors. 273 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:10,280 In the lies of the prosecution's case and he says #1 Mae Ella's 274 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:13,160 injuries could not have been caused by Tom because he himself 275 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:19,480 is physically handicapped #2 she accused Tom to cover her own 276 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:22,920 shame for having broken a deep Alabamian social. 277 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:27,160 Taboo of a white. Woman trying to seduce a black 278 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:32,640 man. #3 he says. Bob Yule Mael is known to be. 279 00:16:32,640 --> 00:16:34,960 Abusive father he's. The one capable of and 280 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:36,920 responsible for all of her injuries. 281 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:43,000 And then, finally, he concludes with an impassioned speech. 282 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:47,040 For the jury to rise above their social prejudices. 283 00:16:49,080 --> 00:16:53,640 And to declare Tom's innocence. The The Advocate. 284 00:16:53,640 --> 00:16:58,720 Becomes a prosecutor and this is. 285 00:16:58,720 --> 00:16:59,920 Exactly what? Jesus. 286 00:16:59,920 --> 00:17:01,360 Had done with the. Disciples. 287 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:03,760 While he was on earth. He would deflect to. 288 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:07,880 Himself attacks that were aimed to them and respond with truth 289 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,680 in their defense. He was always their advocate, 290 00:17:10,839 --> 00:17:11,880 their. Representative, their 291 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:14,079 spokesperson. And you know what? 292 00:17:15,119 --> 00:17:18,440 It's the same role he fulfills now in heaven before. 293 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:24,079 God the Father. The apostle John who pinned this 294 00:17:24,079 --> 00:17:26,920 gospel says later on in his. First Epistle. 295 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,280 My children, I'm writing these things to you so that you may 296 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:33,440 not sin, but if anyone does sin, we have an. 297 00:17:33,440 --> 00:17:36,480 Advocate with the Father, who is Jesus Christ the righteous. 298 00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:39,560 He is the. Propitiation for our sins and 299 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:42,080 not for ours only, but also for the sins. 300 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:47,800 Of the world so. Friends, Jesus died and he 301 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:50,960 raised, and he returned to the Father, and guess what he's 302 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,040 doing there until he returns to us again. 303 00:17:55,120 --> 00:18:00,520 He's advocating. For those who come through him 304 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:02,840 to the Father, he's our representative, he is our 305 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:06,480 spokesperson, he's our defense, and he's pleading, not our 306 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,400 righteousness before the Father. But his? 307 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:19,600 Very own that's the case. Jesus Christ's righteousness, he 308 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:22,800 argues his own. Case on our behalf and the 309 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:24,000 Father. Sees it. 310 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:28,800 And he rejoices in it. And he accepts it. 311 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:33,760 And he welcomes us and he. Approves all us believing. 312 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:38,520 Guilty sinners. He clears us of all charges. 313 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:42,040 Because he's our heavenly advocate and on. 314 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:45,320 Earth. He was the disciples earthly 315 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:49,280 advocate. So this seems very important, 316 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:51,440 does it not? Who would fill this important 317 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:54,600 role on Earth now, given what the disciples were facing? 318 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:57,600 And Jesus says again, it's the holy. 319 00:18:58,120 --> 00:19:02,880 Spirit. The Spirit continues Jesus's 320 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:05,520 work here on earth. He serves his advocate. 321 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:06,720 He. Defends us and he. 322 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:12,720 Prosecutes the world. He does this internally in the 323 00:19:12,720 --> 00:19:16,360 hearts and minds of men, and that's really what Jesus means 324 00:19:16,360 --> 00:19:20,040 when He says in verses 8 to 11 that when the Spirit comes, He 325 00:19:20,040 --> 00:19:23,400 will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness 326 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:26,000 and judgment. That. 327 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:28,400 Phrase convict the world. It really means to. 328 00:19:28,400 --> 00:19:30,800 Prosecute to expose. The world's lies. 329 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:33,240 Because the world is. Off in its conclusions about 330 00:19:33,360 --> 00:19:41,880 Jesus and about life in general. Like Finch, he provides Tom's 331 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:43,560 case. Before the prejudice jury. 332 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:45,400 The Spirit. The Spirit. 333 00:19:45,400 --> 00:19:48,760 Vindicates Jesus's. Work before the prejudice world. 334 00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:55,240 Theologian FF Bruce summarizes this so clearly in his comments 335 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:57,280 on this passage, so I want to share them with you. 336 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:01,360 Lean in and here. He says the Spirit. 337 00:20:01,360 --> 00:20:04,160 'S presence is a demonstration to the world which condemned 338 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:06,440 Jesus, that he was in the right and they were in the wrong. 339 00:20:07,600 --> 00:20:09,240 The Spirit bears. Witness to the. 340 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:12,760 World, that Jesus who was. Rejected, condemned and put to 341 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:16,200 death by the world he's been vindicated and exalted by. 342 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:20,640 God the Father, which is what? Jesus said concerning 343 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:22,640 righteousness, I go to the. Father. 344 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:28,000 His rejection, condemnation and execution expressed in violent 345 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:29,360 clarity. The world's. 346 00:20:29,360 --> 00:20:33,200 Refusal to believe in Him and that unbelief is now exposed. 347 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:38,520 His condemnation is now shown to have been utterly unrighteous in 348 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:40,440 His resurrection and return to the Father. 349 00:20:40,560 --> 00:20:43,320 It's the demonstration of His righteousness. 350 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:46,240 He ends up welcomed and vindicated. 351 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:47,160 Not. Rejected. 352 00:20:47,360 --> 00:20:49,480 He is seated. At the right hand of God the 353 00:20:49,480 --> 00:20:53,640 Father, He is the ultimate righteous one who conquered evil 354 00:20:53,720 --> 00:21:00,600 and death. Itself, the world generally 355 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:03,280 refuses to. Recognize and believe this. 356 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:06,720 Like the the jury. That listens to Finch's. 357 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:09,240 Plea its prejudices, keep it from. 358 00:21:09,240 --> 00:21:15,880 Hearing the truth it wants Tom. Guilty, even if he's. 359 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:19,000 Innocent. And that's the. 360 00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:22,160 Crux of what these verses are. Saying that the the world tends 361 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:24,360 to deny sin, and it therefore senses no need of. 362 00:21:24,360 --> 00:21:28,280 Salvation what? Why request a savior? 363 00:21:28,280 --> 00:21:33,880 If there's nothing to be saved from and and the world calls 364 00:21:33,880 --> 00:21:37,600 into question the person and work of Jesus concluding one way 365 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:38,960 or another. That he was. 366 00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:42,800 At worst delusional and at. Best a good. 367 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:46,640 Person and a rabbi who ended up letting his religious delusions 368 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:52,040 just go a little too far into criminality, into a guilty 369 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:55,240 verdict, into punishment, though the punishment was quite harsh 370 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:56,600 for the crimes that were committed. 371 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,160 But. He was judged, nonetheless, as 372 00:22:01,160 --> 00:22:03,080 not being. What his followers always. 373 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:07,920 Claimed him to be, no matter how virtuous he may have been. 374 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:11,720 The cross was proof. At some level of his delusion 375 00:22:11,720 --> 00:22:12,520 and his. Guilt. 376 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:16,760 It's heavy. Isn't it? 377 00:22:18,880 --> 00:22:22,000 And we we sense this swelling opposition and increasing 378 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:25,400 measure in our own culture is secularism is taking a greater 379 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:28,000 hold over time. It used to feel like the. 380 00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:31,680 World around us was, you know, disagreeable towards 381 00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:34,360 Christianity from time to time and from issue to issue. 382 00:22:34,360 --> 00:22:37,920 But now, more and more, that disagreement feels like palpable 383 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:42,640 opposition. And yet Jesus warns us not to 384 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:46,120 overreact. Don't let. 385 00:22:46,120 --> 00:22:47,560 Your hearts be troubled because he. 386 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,760 Says in verse 33 at the end of this beautiful section, before 387 00:22:50,760 --> 00:22:55,760 he's going to pray for his disciples that he's overcome the 388 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:59,280 world. And so we need to listen to 389 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:02,800 that, lest our fears might lead us into two opposite. 390 00:23:02,800 --> 00:23:05,440 Errors. OK, first that we would. 391 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:11,240 Become Contra cultural instead of countercultural, isolating 392 00:23:11,240 --> 00:23:14,000 from the world, combating and condemning the culture instead 393 00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:16,120 of being in the world and yet just different from it. 394 00:23:19,320 --> 00:23:21,440 Or the opposite. Secondly, that we would become 395 00:23:21,440 --> 00:23:24,440 conformists. So instead of influencing the 396 00:23:24,440 --> 00:23:26,880 culture, we become influenced by the culture. 397 00:23:28,920 --> 00:23:32,080 If we live amidst materialism, we become a little bit 398 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:34,240 materialistic. If we live amidst pluralism, we 399 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:35,960 become a little bit. Pluralistic. 400 00:23:36,760 --> 00:23:39,840 We essentially take on. Whatever world it is. 401 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:42,320 That we exist in and we just. Wash. 402 00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:49,840 Over it a nice Christian veneer. It's just a spiritualized. 403 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:57,040 Secularism, and that's a danger and listen that the spirit is in 404 00:23:57,040 --> 00:24:03,000 the business of. Exposing these lies of. 405 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:07,560 Vindicating the work of. Jesus who said for God so loved 406 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:11,480 the world. And who said I'm not only the 407 00:24:11,480 --> 00:24:14,720 propitiation for your sins, but that for the entire? 408 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:20,960 World. And the Spirit comes in and he 409 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:24,200 convicts, and in some cases will convince the hearts and minds of 410 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:27,080 the truth and mercy found through Jesus for the world, and 411 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:28,240 He will. Apply the work of. 412 00:24:28,320 --> 00:24:29,880 Jesus in just. That way. 413 00:24:31,960 --> 00:24:36,160 Where we might love someone we considered our enemy. 414 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:41,320 And it's a loving thing, then, that the Spirit. 415 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:43,840 Exposes that error that. We might be saved. 416 00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:45,720 And he does this in our lives too, doesn't he? 417 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:50,720 This convicting and convincing work where he sneaks into the 418 00:24:50,720 --> 00:24:53,080 cracks and crevices. Of our lives. 419 00:24:53,760 --> 00:24:55,320 And he? Exposes the errors. 420 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:57,640 And our thinking and our living and our feeling. 421 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:02,560 We don't like it at first. It's like an unwelcome 422 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:08,440 interruption, but we need it. As Tim Keller once said, you 423 00:25:08,440 --> 00:25:11,080 cannot become a Christian unless you have had a sense of someone 424 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:13,160 calling into question your current way of life. 425 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:17,560 The sense that someone is dealing with you, asking you 426 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:20,440 questions, bringing to light things you wish not to be 427 00:25:20,440 --> 00:25:25,640 brought up, and why Divine disturbance precedes 428 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:32,200 transformation. Some of you need to. 429 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:38,720 Be disturbed. And you know what? 430 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:43,480 Every time, in my experience, a person heeds the Spirit's 431 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:47,240 convicting. Call it always leads to fuller 432 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:48,920 life. It never leads. 433 00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:54,600 To decay because he's. Applying the life saving work of 434 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:58,040 Jesus, that's what He does not only to your life, but in your 435 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:01,480 life, and He guides you in a true and better way. 436 00:26:01,960 --> 00:26:03,200 And that's where we'll end today. 437 00:26:03,200 --> 00:26:12,030 Look at verse 13. When the Spirit of truth comes, 438 00:26:12,030 --> 00:26:14,950 He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on 439 00:26:14,950 --> 00:26:15,870 His own. Authority. 440 00:26:16,310 --> 00:26:18,150 But whatever he hears, he will speak. 441 00:26:18,910 --> 00:26:21,150 And he will declare to you the things that are to come. 442 00:26:22,030 --> 00:26:24,870 He will glorify me, for He will take what is mine, and he will 443 00:26:24,870 --> 00:26:26,270 declare. It to you. 444 00:26:27,750 --> 00:26:31,190 All the father has is mine, and therefore I said. 445 00:26:31,190 --> 00:26:32,670 That he. Will take what is mine and. 446 00:26:32,670 --> 00:26:36,920 Declare it to you, so the the. Focus here. 447 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:39,600 It's shifting. It's it's shifting from the 448 00:26:39,600 --> 00:26:40,440 spirits. Work as. 449 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:42,200 Advocate in the world to the spirits. 450 00:26:42,200 --> 00:26:48,480 Work as guide for the disciples. They're feeling guideless and 451 00:26:48,480 --> 00:26:51,440 this is an explanation of how the spirit will carry on the 452 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:54,080 work of guiding in their lives. And there's two specific things 453 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:56,560 that are mentioned here. Many, but we're going to do 2 454 00:26:56,840 --> 00:26:58,000 first. He mentions the. 455 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:05,320 Spirits word. He is the spirit of truth, so 456 00:27:05,320 --> 00:27:07,920 after the work of. Convicting and convincing He 457 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,680 guides into all truth, and His first and foremost work, as He 458 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:15,320 indwelt the disciples, was to call to mind all. 459 00:27:15,320 --> 00:27:18,480 That Jesus had taught. Them and to call to mind all. 460 00:27:18,480 --> 00:27:20,840 That God the Father wished. To share with them. 461 00:27:21,280 --> 00:27:22,160 So they could. Record. 462 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:25,160 What we now have is the entire New Testament scriptures. 463 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:32,320 The very word of God. It's the Spirit's word the 464 00:27:32,320 --> 00:27:33,920 Apostle Peter testifies to. This. 465 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:35,560 In his second epistle he says this. 466 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:38,360 Listen, we have the. Prophetic word more fully. 467 00:27:38,360 --> 00:27:42,000 Confirmed. To which you will. 468 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:44,840 Do well to pay attention is to a lamp shining in a dark. 469 00:27:44,840 --> 00:27:47,600 Place. And know this first of all that 470 00:27:47,600 --> 00:27:48,880 no. Prophecy of Scripture. 471 00:27:48,880 --> 00:27:52,400 Comes from someone's own interpretation for no. 472 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:55,120 Prophecy was ever produced. By the will of man, but men 473 00:27:55,120 --> 00:27:57,640 spoke from God. As they were carried. 474 00:27:57,640 --> 00:27:59,760 Along. By the Holy Spirit. 475 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:04,920 Meaning. The Word of God is the Spirit's 476 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:09,000 Word. His work of convicting and 477 00:28:09,000 --> 00:28:11,960 convincing it quickly becomes a work of confirming the truth of 478 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:15,240 God and the words of Christ into a timeless Canon for our 479 00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:16,440 benefit. And this should tell us 480 00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:19,480 something that the primary vehicle. 481 00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:23,160 Through which you will hear the Spirit speak is the very word of 482 00:28:23,160 --> 00:28:28,120 God. It's important for our lives. 483 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:29,800 He confirmed it through the disciples. 484 00:28:29,800 --> 00:28:32,840 It's that important. Do you know it? 485 00:28:35,080 --> 00:28:37,600 Are you familiar with it? Do you give time to it? 486 00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:44,360 In my pastoral experience, many have said to me over the years 487 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:47,520 at different times for different reasons, that God doesn't speak 488 00:28:47,520 --> 00:28:51,960 to me and in my. Experience the majority of those 489 00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:54,920 who say. This they're unacquainted or 490 00:28:54,920 --> 00:28:57,200 I'll acquainted. With the scriptures and. 491 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:01,080 They'll describe. Life as difficult or dry? 492 00:29:03,640 --> 00:29:06,080 But it's no wonder to me in that instance that they aren't 493 00:29:06,080 --> 00:29:08,520 convinced of God's presence or voice in their lives. 494 00:29:08,680 --> 00:29:10,640 They give little or no attention to His. 495 00:29:10,640 --> 00:29:16,240 Voice, this is his. Words on a page. 496 00:29:20,360 --> 00:29:22,920 And so I eventually respond, in one way or another, hopefully 497 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:26,400 kindly, that perhaps the problem is not that God isn't speaking, 498 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:32,280 but that you weren't listening. Do you wish to hear? 499 00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:34,600 God's voice. Then consume the scriptures. 500 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:36,440 Do you wish to sense the Spirit's guidance? 501 00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:39,360 Then consume the scriptures. He will speak to you. 502 00:29:39,560 --> 00:29:42,600 But don't just read them. Let them read you. 503 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:48,320 Surrender not just your mind to them. 504 00:29:49,040 --> 00:29:51,000 Surrender your very life to them. 505 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:54,680 Be willing to be. Exposed. 506 00:29:56,120 --> 00:29:58,120 It won't return void. Because it's the spirits. 507 00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:00,840 Word and then second and finally the spirits worship. 508 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:03,400 He guides us to worship Jesus says he will. 509 00:30:03,400 --> 00:30:05,680 Glorify me. He'll take what is mine and 510 00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:09,200 He'll give it to you. That the Spirit delights to 511 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:11,280 draw. Attention to the person and work 512 00:30:11,280 --> 00:30:15,880 of Jesus and He is generous in sharing all the benefits that 513 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:17,880 have been accomplished. Through the death. 514 00:30:18,240 --> 00:30:21,680 And the resurrection and the return of Jesus into the lives 515 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:24,520 of believers. He loves to draw our eyes to 516 00:30:24,520 --> 00:30:24,840 God. The. 517 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:26,600 Father's incredible power and plan. 518 00:30:26,800 --> 00:30:28,520 He loves to. Create in our hearts and 519 00:30:28,520 --> 00:30:31,880 experience of mutual affection. Where the love of God is poured 520 00:30:31,880 --> 00:30:35,040 out into our hearts. And the love in our. 521 00:30:35,040 --> 00:30:39,360 Hearts is poured out. Unto God declaring the wonder, 522 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:42,040 and the majesty, and the. Power of God. 523 00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:46,720 Doxology. He's a spirit who guides. 524 00:30:46,720 --> 00:30:51,120 Us into worship, the very end for which we were. 525 00:30:51,120 --> 00:30:55,160 Created. The epicenter of what it means 526 00:30:55,160 --> 00:30:57,920 to actually experience joy in relationship to God. 527 00:31:00,320 --> 00:31:05,240 And He wants our hearts to taste and see that God is good and 528 00:31:05,240 --> 00:31:07,000 that we would be moved inwardly to worship. 529 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:10,280 To A, to adore, to glorify. That we would share in the 530 00:31:10,280 --> 00:31:11,720 spirits. Greatest delight? 531 00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:15,960 And in so doing that, we would be enlivened from the inside out 532 00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:19,240 and have a good reason to carry on his work. 533 00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:22,640 We need him to guide us that way. 534 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:27,400 You know, one of the things I've learned most from my marriage. 535 00:31:28,480 --> 00:31:33,240 Is how to love food. You see, I grew up in Wichita 536 00:31:33,240 --> 00:31:36,360 Falls, TX where you eat to. Live. 537 00:31:36,360 --> 00:31:39,480 You don't live. To eat OK. 538 00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:41,400 And my. Relationship with food. 539 00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:43,320 Growing up was more one of necessity. 540 00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:46,560 I mean we appreciated good tasting food and my mom did the 541 00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:47,880 best. That she could with what she 542 00:31:47,880 --> 00:31:50,120 could. Find there just wasn't a lot to 543 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:53,480 be found. You'd have to drive. 544 00:31:53,640 --> 00:31:57,360 A considerable distance to get a high culinary experience, and 545 00:31:57,360 --> 00:31:59,800 then you'd have to decide if you want to pay for it anyways. 546 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:07,600 But then I met Allison. She grew up in very different 547 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:11,120 circumstances. A city girl with a. 548 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:14,960 Mom whose culinary skills? Are out of this world the best? 549 00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:18,840 Chef that I know on the face of the earth that doesn't require 550 00:32:18,840 --> 00:32:19,880 you to. Go to the restaurant. 551 00:32:22,040 --> 00:32:23,960 Incredible. Which means Allison grew up in a 552 00:32:23,960 --> 00:32:27,320 world with, you know, homemade vinaigrette sous video meats. 553 00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:30,040 Fresh vegetables, Chocolate souffles. 554 00:32:30,040 --> 00:32:32,520 I didn't know what that was until I was 25 years old. 555 00:32:35,280 --> 00:32:37,240 Food wasn't a necessity for. Her it was a. 556 00:32:37,240 --> 00:32:41,360 Joy, she didn't eat. To live, she lived to eat. 557 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:46,400 And our first dates in Dallas 20 years ago prove this because 558 00:32:46,400 --> 00:32:49,640 when I chose a location, it was Louie's Pizza in the Innis Drive 559 00:32:49,640 --> 00:32:51,600 in. And when she would choose the 560 00:32:51,600 --> 00:32:55,000 location, it was Ladoni OR. Rise or Abacus? 561 00:32:55,000 --> 00:33:01,480 Or something in that ilk. And you know what? 562 00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:05,280 She did that because she knew something I didn't about food. 563 00:33:05,280 --> 00:33:09,200 She became my guy. I went from treating something 564 00:33:09,200 --> 00:33:15,000 is just a necessity to being guided into a new way of 565 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:16,920 tasting. A new way? 566 00:33:17,120 --> 00:33:20,240 Of seeing a new. Way of delighting. 567 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:26,080 And friends, some of you need a. Guide like that spiritually. 568 00:33:26,480 --> 00:33:31,320 And you have one. It's the very Spirit of God who? 569 00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:34,080 Has what you might not have. Who knows what you might not 570 00:33:34,080 --> 00:33:38,680 know, and who will deliver to you heavenly food that you may 571 00:33:38,680 --> 00:33:42,040 never have actually? Tasted because your spiritual 572 00:33:42,040 --> 00:33:47,600 life has. Just been one of necessity that 573 00:33:47,600 --> 00:33:49,200 will never. Lead you to worship. 574 00:33:53,480 --> 00:33:56,080 Do you want to taste and see an experience that the Lord is 575 00:33:56,080 --> 00:33:58,560 good, the holy? Spirit is your guide. 576 00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:02,800 Not just to guide you into intellectual. 577 00:34:02,800 --> 00:34:04,400 Truth, but to guide you into the. 578 00:34:04,400 --> 00:34:07,640 Affections of your heart that respond and create the 579 00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:10,120 experience that so many of you've never had and you've 580 00:34:10,120 --> 00:34:15,480 always longed for. The secret is the spirit, the. 581 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:19,320 Answer. Is the Spirit that's who the. 582 00:34:19,320 --> 00:34:22,199 Spirit is and what he does. He is both. 583 00:34:22,320 --> 00:34:27,600 Ever present advocate and he's ever present guy, so let him 584 00:34:28,239 --> 00:34:30,120 have. His way with you. 585 00:34:32,239 --> 00:34:33,760 In the name of God. The father of the. 586 00:34:33,760 --> 00:34:37,400 Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.