WEBVTT 00:00:01.439 --> 00:00:04.719 Welcome to this week's message from the Church at Chelsea Westover. 00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:10.800 Our core values are vibrant worship, intimate fellowship, fulfilling service, and clear biblical truth. 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:13.359 We pray that this message changes your life. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.760 Let's tune in to today's message and see what God has in store for you. 00:00:18.239 --> 00:00:20.879 Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6. 00:00:22.239 --> 00:00:25.839 If you do not have a worship guide, would you raise your hand? 00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:28.239 Anybody that does not have one? 00:00:28.480 --> 00:00:28.800 Okay. 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:30.000 Everybody? 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:30.960 All right. 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:31.920 Thank you. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:34.719 Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6. 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:39.600 We've looked at what that baby consisted of. 00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:42.960 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 00:00:43.119 --> 00:00:45.200 2 Corinthians 9.15, Paul said. 00:00:45.359 --> 00:00:46.640 What was that gift? 00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:49.920 Well, we started out in Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6. 00:00:50.079 --> 00:01:09.840 We took that one verse and we said, For unto us a son, or to us, in fact, he says, unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and then his, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and then he says, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor. 00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:13.599 Then we said, hey, what next? 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:18.239 And then the everlasting father. 00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:23.760 And if you have not seen the previous two messages, please go online and watch them. 00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:34.079 Because I think the significance of these names really reveal to us that baby that was born on Christmas morning. 00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:37.840 In fact, today we're going to be looking at the everlasting father. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:46.959 And to me, the everlasting father is perhaps the most mysterious of all four of the names. 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:51.280 Because we see, as uh C.H. 00:01:51.840 --> 00:02:09.199 Charles Haddon Spurgeon made this profound statement, he says, when we look at the word everlasting Father, it is such a complex name, and it encompasses so much of Christianity in that one word. 00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:15.759 And then he went on and he said, the great prophetic utterance of Isaiah. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:16.879 What was that? 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:23.520 He was a counselor, he was a son, he was a child, and then he was a father. 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:29.680 What complexity there is in all of that theology in this one word. 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:33.280 These few words, but the everlasting father. 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:51.039 And so today, one thing that we we must make clear before I go any further is, because so many people misunderstand this, the very start in this title, the everlasting Father, it does not refer to God the Father. 00:02:51.439 --> 00:02:58.960 It refers to Jesus Christ, the second person in the Trinity as the everlasting Father. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:07.680 Even though we know that they're coequal and the equality of their, but he's also, hey, an individual person. 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:12.400 You have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:16.560 So this is not God the Father. 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:20.159 It's the everlasting Father in reference to Jesus Christ. 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:31.520 And in fact, really, what in reality and in existence, what this shows us is the vast ministry of Jesus Christ throughout the whole New Testament. 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:34.080 That's why it's so powerful. 00:03:34.240 --> 00:03:41.840 The Son is not the Father, neither is the Father the Son, though again, they're essentially and eternally coequal. 00:03:41.919 --> 00:03:47.520 The title brings out the glorious ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:50.879 And with that said this morning, let's look at three things. 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:53.039 Three powerful things. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:04:02.879 Number one, as everlasting Father, he is the Father, and I love this, of a new revelation. 00:04:03.199 --> 00:04:05.759 He's the father of a new revelation. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:14.479 In fact, his name will be called Everlasting Father, which John tells us in John chapter 1, verse 18. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:16.000 Listen to what he says. 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:18.639 No one has seen God at any time. 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:19.759 I like that. 00:04:20.000 --> 00:04:27.439 The only begotten Son, who is, and I love this, in the bosom of the Father. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:33.199 He has declared him, that is Jesus, the Son of God. 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:46.480 In fact, the heart of God would never have ever been revealed to you and me if God had not sent his son, Jesus Christ, who is the everlasting Father. 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:49.759 We would have never understood God's heart. 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:52.000 Now, folks, that's exciting to me. 00:04:52.319 --> 00:04:59.600 We see the heart of God in the everlasting Father, in this new revelation. 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:08.079 Hey, in fact, look at what the Hebrew writer expressed, and he expresses it very well in Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1 and 2. 00:05:08.240 --> 00:05:09.839 Listen to what he said. 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:18.480 God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:20.240 He's talking about the Old Testament. 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:29.519 In Old Testament times, he used the prophets, which Isaiah being one of them used the prophets to speak to the people. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:45.040 But now, as we cross over into the New Testament, as Jesus is born in Bethlehem and begins the new revelation, we see now that the heart of God Himself is come to the people in the New Testament. 00:05:45.360 --> 00:05:49.040 Wow, through the everlasting Father, Jesus. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:54.959 So this is tremendous theology that we see expressed right here. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:06:08.800 And then in verse 2, he even went on to say, hey, this, hey, this Jesus, this everlasting Father, has in the last days spoken to us by his Son in verse 2. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:16.240 So in knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, we are introduced, hey, through this everlasting Father, watch this. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:21.120 We are introduced to the nature and character of God. 00:06:21.680 --> 00:06:22.319 Wow. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:30.160 We see the nature and character of God in this everlasting Father, which is Jesus Christ. 00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:34.160 And I love what, again, John writes in John 14, 9. 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:39.120 He says, Who has seen me, now watch, has seen the Father. 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:48.000 So we see his character and his unbelievable qualities and his nature revealed in this everlasting Father. 00:06:48.160 --> 00:06:55.279 Now, with that said, Jesus then, the everlasting Father, interprets this character. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:56.079 Look at it. 00:06:56.160 --> 00:06:59.120 I want you to see three powerful things. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:05.519 Jesus Christ came to reveal to men the heart of God. 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:07.279 That's why he came. 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:12.560 Jesus Christ came to reveal the heart of God to men. 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:13.920 And what did he reveal? 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:14.560 Number one. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:15.920 Here's what he revealed. 00:07:16.079 --> 00:07:19.279 Number one, the Father of eternal life. 00:07:19.600 --> 00:07:22.079 He revealed eternal life. 00:07:22.240 --> 00:07:28.560 In his prologue, John reminds us, in John chapter 1, verses 1 and 4, listen to what he says. 00:07:41.839 --> 00:07:43.519 In him was life. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:50.079 In fact, throughout his entire ministry, Jesus was ever speaking of eternal life. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:58.000 That's what he constantly was teaching and not only teaching, but presenting was this eternal life. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:07:59.519 What a beautiful picture. 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:01.680 Indeed, listen, I found this out. 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:12.800 45 times at least in the New Testament, this life is spoken of as God's supreme gift to mankind. 00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:16.160 Supreme gift to mankind. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:21.600 Every good gift, every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights. 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:28.480 Oh man, what a beautiful picture that we see right here, this eternal life. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:30.160 Listen to what Jesus said. 00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:31.360 We see two things. 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:36.399 We see the quality of this life, and we see the quantity of this life. 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:37.919 In fact, look at the quality. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:40.320 In John 10, 10, you know what Jesus said. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:41.200 What did he say? 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:42.960 I've come to give you life in what? 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.000 Give it more abundantly. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:51.039 Do you realize, folks, that Jesus Christ revealed to us this eternal life? 00:08:51.200 --> 00:08:54.960 And this eternal life is more than just say, okay, I have eternal life. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:56.080 I die, I go to heaven. 00:08:56.240 --> 00:08:57.200 Okay, that's a good thing. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:08:58.080 Check that off. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:00.000 No, you're missing it. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:04.879 This eternal life is a quality of life that's abundant. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:06.399 And let me tell you what that means. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:16.960 The best way to describe it is Jeremiah 29, 11, where he literally says that I have thoughts of you, and these thoughts are not evil, but they are good. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:20.720 And that I have a purpose for your life. 00:09:20.879 --> 00:09:22.960 And he ends it, and I love the way he ends it. 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:27.440 He says, I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil. 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:31.200 He's come to bring you peace, and we'll see that next Sunday. 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:32.240 The Prince of Peace. 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:34.320 He says, I've come to bring you peace. 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:36.000 But now notice what he says. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:46.799 I love this, and his thoughts not of evil, but to give you and expect it in, and that's the King James, but it literally means a hopeful future, a good future. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:49.200 God has a good future for you. 00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:49.840 Amen. 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:56.799 And God, hey, has revealed that through his son, the everlasting Father, Jesus Christ. 00:09:57.039 --> 00:10:03.279 He literally sent him to say, here's my heart to you, and my heart to you is, I think about you. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.159 I love you. 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:05.679 I have a purpose for you. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:07.120 I have a plan for you. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:08.240 And it's good. 00:10:10.159 --> 00:10:11.200 It's good. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:15.360 Folks, God's got a good plan for your life. 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:18.559 That's what Christmas is all about. 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:21.039 It's not about just opening gifts. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:24.799 It's not about, hey, having all the parties and the fun. 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:26.559 And Lord, the cookies. 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:29.519 My wife made those Christmas cookies again. 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:30.320 I'm in trouble. 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:31.759 I was like Santa Claus. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:35.600 I was stealing some cookies after everybody went to bed last night. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:39.679 I got me a big glass of milk and started eating cookies. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:42.399 The mouse was in the house. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.960 I said, honey, you gotta get rid of it. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:48.000 Take them to church. 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:54.480 And then she goes and makes these little uh chocolate balls. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:57.519 Well, but they were good. 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:02.480 If it's in the house, the mouse will get it. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:11.200 I just saw it and bless God, that mouse grabbed it. 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:14.960 But hey, God has come. 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:24.080 It's not all about that, which that's a good part of it, but it's really about the reason Jesus came was to give you purpose of life. 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:38.480 And you say, I was thinking this week because I've been through so much this week uh counseling and dealing with this little 13-year-old boy that lost his dad last year, lost his mother, who was tragically killed. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:48.080 And I thought to myself, I gotta, I gotta look him in the face and and love on him and tell him, I know right now he has no idea what's going on. 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:49.759 He's lost his world. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:55.600 But God still, I said, Chandler has a plan for you and a purpose for you. 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:58.240 And we know that all things work together for good. 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:00.960 He, I can't explain, all I can do is quote it. 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:02.960 I don't understand it, but I believe it. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:08.080 Amen. 00:12:09.039 --> 00:12:12.559 But this is what he brought, this eternal life. 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:14.320 And then we see the quantity. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:16.720 Look at what he says in John 10, 28. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.440 I love it. 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:19.759 He says, and I give unto them eternal life. 00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:24.960 There's that word, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hands. 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:30.960 Ladies and gentlemen, we not only have a, hey, eternal life means quality, but it means quantity. 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.320 You'll never die. 00:12:32.639 --> 00:12:33.279 Amen. 00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:35.360 Is that not good? 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:40.639 That's now that's the greatest gift of all. 00:12:41.279 --> 00:12:42.879 And what a picture. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:44.720 Yep. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:55.600 It reminds me of the little girl, the preacher was invited over to the house to eat Christmas dinner, which I'm very willing to come. 00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.440 I do come. 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:04.559 Every time I walk in and visit a house, somebody says, Preacher, would you like a pizza this or this? 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:05.759 Uh yes. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:07.279 I would. 00:13:07.440 --> 00:13:08.320 A cup of coffee? 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:09.039 Absolutely. 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:11.360 Uh pie, cake, absolutely. 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:12.639 Cookies, absolutely. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:14.720 I am not gonna offend my people. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:16.639 Amen. 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:28.240 But now listen, this little girl, so the preacher comes in, and the dad says, Honey, will you quote a verse for the pastor? 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.759 She said, Yes, absolutely. 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:34.240 So immediately she quotes which most children learn, John 3, 16. 00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:44.080 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have internal life. 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.840 That's what she said. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.679 Internal life. 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:52.000 And the pastor paused for a minute and he smiled. 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:54.240 He said, Darling, that's right. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:57.679 Internal life as well as eternal. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:59.039 But that's what it means. 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.559 She had it right. 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:05.360 Once you get saved, you have internal life. 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:07.919 You'll never die, folks. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:09.279 Can I get an amen? 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:19.679 So we see again the expression right here that hey, Jesus, the everlasting father, interprets to man God's heart. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:21.120 And what is God's heart? 00:14:21.440 --> 00:14:24.159 He's the father of eternal life. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:25.759 Notice secondly. 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:28.960 He's the father of eternal light. 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:30.399 L-I-G-H-T. 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:32.720 Look at verse 4, John chapter 1. 00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:37.759 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:45.200 Now later the master goes on, Jesus, and he adds John 8.12. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:49.759 And he says, in John 8.12, I am the light of the world. 00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:52.879 He that follows me shall not walk in what? 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:57.279 Darkness, but shall have everlasting what? 00:14:58.480 --> 00:14:59.120 Life. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.480 There it is again. 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.759 Not in darkness. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:17.600 So we see as eternal light, Jesus reveals every aspect of the holiness of God, the righteousness of God, the justice of God. 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:23.679 And also as eternal light, listen to me, I wrote this down too. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:33.120 He exposes every aspect of wickedness and unrighteousness and ludicness. 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:43.440 I meant the wickedness, the the the horrible things that Satan is author of. 00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:51.759 When I started thinking about how this mother was killed, and I thought to mind, that's just rage and anger. 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:54.320 I meant the way she was killed. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:16:00.639 And then I think about when even when people take their life, that hey, that's not, they're not thinking right. 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.360 That's not them. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:02.799 That's Satan. 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:08.399 He's he's he's come to kill, steal, and destroy. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:13.519 In that same verse, that God says, I've come to give life and give it more abundantly. 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:15.519 John 10, 10. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:17.039 Same verse. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:28.639 So we see that the everlasting Father reveals, hey, Jesus reveals eternal life, but he also reveals, hey, eternal light. 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:33.600 Oh, even we go back to Calvary. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.960 I really see this. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:43.440 Men and demons and Satan have tried to extinguish the light of the gospel ever since Calvary. 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:49.200 They Satan thought, hey, he had won when they crucified Jesus. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:57.440 But he forgot when Jesus said, to tell us that it is finished, that Jesus was in control, not Satan. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:01.279 And then when he said it's finished, Satan said, Ha ha, I've got him. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:04.000 But he forgot about the third day. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:07.200 And on that third day he arose again. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:10.880 The light of the world could not be, hey, contained. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.880 It could not be shut out. 00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:17.599 What a beautiful picture. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.599 In fact, I love what it says. 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:23.920 Hey, hey, hey, it says in write this first, I may have it up there. 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:32.640 I've got so many, but Malachi 4.2, I memorized it, and it says, not only was he buried, but the light shone on. 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:38.079 For the third day he arose as, and listen to what he says in Malachi 4.2. 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:43.680 The Son of Righteousness with his healing in his wings. 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:48.079 The Son of righteousness with healing in his wings. 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:50.000 Malachi 4-2. 00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:51.039 Wow. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:54.960 The Bible tells us that God is light, 1 John 1 5. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:18:03.599 And this fact has been revealed supremely in the person of Jesus Christ, the everlasting Father. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:09.440 A little girl and her brother and family were touring some caverns. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:12.720 You ever been into some deep caverns? 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:16.079 There's some in outside of town and ever been in caverns? 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.759 Actually, we have some right out here. 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:24.400 I've never been, but it said they're really nice at the uh what? 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:26.160 The soda caverns. 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:26.880 Got it. 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:27.440 Okay? 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:44.720 Have you ever been in the well this little girl and her family were going down and they went down and down and down and down with the steps to the deepest part, to the darkest part of the caverns, and the tour guide then nodded his head, which meant turn the lights out. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:53.279 And about that time, when the lights were turned out, the little girl was frightened and said, Ah. 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:56.400 She started screaming. 00:18:56.559 --> 00:19:03.200 And her big brother, as the big brother Wood said, he called her by name, said, It's okay, honey, it's okay. 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:06.480 Somebody can turn the lights back on. 00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:10.240 And about that time they came back on. 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:14.960 Listen, ladies and gentlemen, that's why we have Christmas. 00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:20.319 Jesus Christ came into a dark world so that the light can be turned on. 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:23.200 The light of the world. 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:28.720 You may be in darkness, you may be defeated, you may be discouraged, but I got good news. 00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:30.960 Jesus can turn the light on. 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:36.079 And when that light is turned on, it's forever on. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.839 And it can't be put out. 00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:39.200 Is that not good? 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.799 Is that not good? 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:58.240 So we see the father of eternal life, the father of eternal light, and the third thing that this father of everlasting, the father of everlasting reveals to us, the everlasting father, is the father of eternal love. 00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:04.559 In John 1.18, no one had seen God at any time, but then notice. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:10.480 But the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:15.279 Could any words better describe the revelation of the heart of God? 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.079 None. 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.799 None. 00:20:17.119 --> 00:20:31.839 He came from the very bosom of God to tell a lost world, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:36.000 Folks, John 3, 16 is God's love to you. 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:37.599 And listen to what it says. 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:38.400 I love it. 00:20:38.640 --> 00:20:41.119 Listen, in fact, quote it with me. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.559 For God so loves. 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:44.319 Read it, go. 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.720 Now let me tell you what that means. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:21:00.720 That's God's definition of his love that came from his bosom to you and me. 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:02.240 Notice what it is. 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:04.960 God so loved the world. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:08.240 That is a plenteous love. 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:11.440 You know God's love never runs out. 00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:12.640 Can I get an amen? 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:20.880 Hey, God's love never runs out for you, and God's love will never run out on you. 00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:22.480 Amen. 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:25.440 We have people's love. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:29.200 They'll love you for a little while, then they'll run out on you. 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.960 But not God's love. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:33.039 God's love is plenteous. 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:35.359 He loves you to the end. 00:21:36.640 --> 00:21:37.759 Then notice what else. 00:21:37.839 --> 00:21:39.039 For God so loved the world. 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:41.839 Now notice the second phrase that he gave his only begotten son. 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.920 It's a priceless love. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.880 God gave his very best. 00:21:47.519 --> 00:21:49.839 God gave his very best for you. 00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:51.839 Now that's true, agape love. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.759 Giving of your very best. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:59.519 That whosoever believeth in him shall not perish. 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.920 It's a protective love. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:07.440 God's love protects us, but shall have everlasting life. 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:09.440 It's a permanent love. 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:14.240 What a picture of this unbelievable eternal love. 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:19.680 One, it's plenteous, it's priceless, it's protective, and it's permanent. 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:21.599 That is the love of God. 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.559 Amen. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:26.559 And no man can give you that kind of love. 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.000 No man. 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.519 But God did. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.960 God did. 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:35.359 I love what he says in Hebrews 9 12. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.400 Listen to what he says. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:41.279 With his own blood, he entered the most holy place once for all. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:47.359 By the way, it's only, hey, hey, he died once and for all, and you only have to be saved once and for all. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.880 And listen to what he says. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:53.200 Having, here it is, obtained eternal redemption. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:23:00.079 And because of that eternal redemption, you and I have eternal salvation. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.680 Wow, what a picture. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:13.440 And then he says in Hebrews 5, 9, having been perfected, he became the now watch, the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.720 There it is. 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:23.519 Eternal love, eternal light, eternal salvation. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:30.240 That is what the little baby brought to us on Christmas morning. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:34.559 The Father, the everlasting Father is the Father of a new revelation. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:38.240 Secondly, he's the father of a new religion. 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.440 Oh yeah. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:41.200 He's the father of a new religion. 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:43.519 Listen to what he says in James 1:27. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.640 Powerful. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:55.279 And he says, James speaks of, look at it, pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:02.799 Without doubt, Jesus was the father and founder of this new religion. 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.160 No doubt about it. 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:11.279 The Hebrews were in the habit of calling man father of things which they invented. 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:14.319 In fact, I was doing a little research on this. 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:23.839 For instance, Jubal in the Old Testament, in Genesis 4.21, is called the father of all those who play the harp and flute. 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:29.599 Then I also looked at Jabel in Genesis chapter 4, verse 20. 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:34.240 He was the father of those who dwelt in tents and have livestock. 00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:46.480 And then later in history, men followed this custom and name in certain great men of history by fathers, for example. 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:53.039 And I this is this is really kind of exciting when you follow the whole lineage here. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:25:00.559 For example, Socrates. 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:04.640 He was called the father of psychology. 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:10.240 And then we have Galen, who was named the father of medicine. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:23.839 And then we have Herodias, who was named throughout the centuries the father of history, the one that began historical facts and writings. 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.759 The father of history. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:33.680 In a very real sense, therefore, we can talk about Christ as the founder of true religion. 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.400 Amen. 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:40.640 He was the beginning. 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:42.079 He's the end. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.839 He's the founder. 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:50.480 And this New Testament reveals that this new religion exhibited two things. 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:52.559 You want to know if you got the real thing? 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:55.200 You want to know if you know what's wrong in America? 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:58.160 We have religion, but not real religion. 00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:01.599 We don't have the real thing, a lot of us. 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.440 It's obvious. 00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:15.519 When 82 to 85% of people don't go to church and they they look for any excuse not to come to church, that's that's that's not pure religion. 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.640 That's religion. 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:18.960 But what is pure and undefiled religion? 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:19.680 Well, guess what? 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.559 God's word tells us. 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.359 It's pretty simple. 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:23.200 James chapter 1, 27. 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.480 Hey, pretty simple. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.119 Here it is. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.680 Look at it. 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.480 It's awesome. 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:34.160 The manifesto of heaven for the life here on this earth is exhibited and explained right here in James 1.27. 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.200 Look at what he says. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:39.440 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this. 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:40.160 What is it? 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.440 What's real religion? 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:50.000 To visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.440 That's pretty clean. 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.400 Pretty clear. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.599 Look at what he says. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:27:04.079 James is here restating the same truth which the Lord Jesus Christ stated and explained in Matthew 25. 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:08.400 If you remember verses 36 through 43, you gotta read it. 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:13.680 It's powerful, which stated that, hey, I was naked, hey, you clothed me. 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.920 I was hungry, you fed me. 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:25.920 He went through the list of what a true Christian does compared to one that professes to be a Christian. 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:30.079 And here's here he really, it's so simple. 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:32.319 What does he say right here? 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:34.960 He says, we are to what? 00:27:36.079 --> 00:27:40.480 Visit the orphans and widows and take care of them. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:55.680 In fact, James uses precisely the same word, the word visit there, when he says that pure religion and none defiled in the eyes of the Father God is to visit those who have no father or have no husband. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:58.559 That's pretty clear, isn't it? 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:03.359 Why do you think we're so adamant about visiting here, by the way? 00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:08.079 People say, Well, I don't know about this going house to house and visiting people. 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:11.039 Well, I tell you what, if you believe the Bible, you believe it. 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:11.839 In the book. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.559 That's right. 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.200 It's there. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:15.599 We are to visit those that are in need. 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:21.440 That's why I love our amazing grays and Darren and Tabitha do such a great job of it. 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:23.359 And she texts me all the time. 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:30.240 I in fact, I told you all those I got this week who I need to see, and I I checked them all off. 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:32.160 I got them all this week. 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.480 Why? 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:37.359 Because that's what I'm supposed to do, folks. 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:39.279 That's what it says. 00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:41.680