1 00:00:01,270 --> 00:00:03,110 Shall we turn in the word of God 2 00:00:03,110 --> 00:00:06,690 to the first epistle of John and commence 3 00:00:06,690 --> 00:00:08,570 our study in the will of the Lord 4 00:00:08,570 --> 00:00:12,010 this week on the precious truth that it 5 00:00:12,010 --> 00:00:16,350 contains particularly for the blessing of God's people 6 00:00:16,350 --> 00:00:20,410 and incidentally I'm sure there will be ministry 7 00:00:20,410 --> 00:00:23,570 in the gospel of God's grace for any 8 00:00:23,570 --> 00:00:25,370 who know not the stadium. 9 00:00:26,590 --> 00:00:28,510 I would like to read the first four 10 00:00:28,510 --> 00:00:31,490 verses by way of introduction to this epistle. 11 00:00:32,490 --> 00:00:35,130 Where John has written by the Holy Spirit 12 00:00:35,130 --> 00:00:39,590 these wonderful words, that which was from the 13 00:00:39,590 --> 00:00:43,910 beginning, which we have heard, which we have 14 00:00:43,910 --> 00:00:47,130 seen with our eyes, which we have looked 15 00:00:47,130 --> 00:00:50,950 upon and our hands have handled of the 16 00:00:50,950 --> 00:00:52,170 word of life. 17 00:00:53,110 --> 00:00:57,010 For the life was manifested and we have 18 00:00:57,010 --> 00:00:59,950 seen it and bear witness and show unto 19 00:00:59,950 --> 00:01:04,770 you that eternal life which was with the 20 00:01:04,770 --> 00:01:08,290 father and was manifested unto us. 21 00:01:09,090 --> 00:01:11,770 That which we have seen and heard declare 22 00:01:11,770 --> 00:01:16,010 we unto you that ye also may have 23 00:01:16,010 --> 00:01:20,410 fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is 24 00:01:20,410 --> 00:01:24,070 with the father and with his son Jesus 25 00:01:24,070 --> 00:01:24,910 Christ. 26 00:01:25,830 --> 00:01:29,510 And these things write we unto you that 27 00:01:29,510 --> 00:01:32,550 your joy may be full. 28 00:01:33,410 --> 00:01:35,530 May God bless the hearing and reading of 29 00:01:35,530 --> 00:01:38,890 his word, we very humbly but very earnestly 30 00:01:38,890 --> 00:01:41,930 pray it will be by the power and 31 00:01:41,930 --> 00:01:44,730 in the power of the Holy Spirit we 32 00:01:44,730 --> 00:01:47,550 shall enjoy together the ministry of the precious 33 00:01:47,550 --> 00:01:50,470 truth that this epistle contains. 34 00:01:51,730 --> 00:01:54,870 I'm sure that there must be necessarily a 35 00:01:54,870 --> 00:01:57,690 background that we approach this epistle upon. 36 00:01:58,650 --> 00:02:00,970 As we think of the writings of John 37 00:02:00,970 --> 00:02:04,450 the apostle, particularly do we think of his 38 00:02:04,450 --> 00:02:07,570 great gospel that he has written, and within 39 00:02:07,570 --> 00:02:11,310 that gospel how he has revealed to us 40 00:02:11,310 --> 00:02:13,730 that every person and deity of our Lord 41 00:02:13,730 --> 00:02:14,590 Jesus Christ. 42 00:02:15,510 --> 00:02:17,670 And how in his epistle he goes on 43 00:02:17,670 --> 00:02:19,890 to reveal not only the deity of the 44 00:02:19,890 --> 00:02:25,970 Lord Jesus, but particularly the incarnated life of 45 00:02:25,970 --> 00:02:27,910 the Lord Jesus when he was here below. 46 00:02:29,290 --> 00:02:31,350 John has a very unique ministry. 47 00:02:32,390 --> 00:02:35,290 I often think of the precious fact that 48 00:02:35,290 --> 00:02:37,770 when you look at the epistles that you 49 00:02:37,770 --> 00:02:41,070 find in your New Testament you have three 50 00:02:41,070 --> 00:02:42,690 great lines of truth. 51 00:02:44,230 --> 00:02:46,430 You have what we can call and do 52 00:02:46,430 --> 00:02:50,640 call church truth, and for all pertaining to 53 00:02:50,640 --> 00:02:54,000 church truth we must be indebted to the 54 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:58,700 beloved apostle Paul, to whom God instrumentally has 55 00:02:58,700 --> 00:03:01,740 given to us all that we should know 56 00:03:01,740 --> 00:03:03,680 in relation to the truth of the church. 57 00:03:04,660 --> 00:03:07,160 Then we have what can be called kingdom 58 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:07,600 truth. 59 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:10,960 Now kingdom truth is not a New Testament 60 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:12,460 truth merely at all. 61 00:03:13,380 --> 00:03:15,780 Kingdom truth is an Old Testament truth as 62 00:03:15,780 --> 00:03:18,680 well as new, and perhaps one of the 63 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:21,200 oldest presentations of truth in the word of 64 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:22,760 God from the beginning to the end. 65 00:03:24,020 --> 00:03:27,180 Presenting to us that coming glory of kingdom 66 00:03:27,180 --> 00:03:30,200 that will yet be when our savior will 67 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:32,440 be king of kings and lord of lords 68 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:33,200 over the earth. 69 00:03:34,400 --> 00:03:36,520 And then we have what we can call 70 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:37,680 Christ truth. 71 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:43,560 Relative to the person of Christ himself, and 72 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:47,160 I believe particularly John in a very unique 73 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:51,340 way presents to us, there's no other narrative 74 00:03:51,340 --> 00:03:54,560 writer in the New Testament, the person of 75 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:55,000 Christ. 76 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,880 You begin the reading of his gospel and 77 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,600 you find him introducing that gospel by a 78 00:04:02,600 --> 00:04:06,460 presentation of that blessed one as the eternal 79 00:04:06,460 --> 00:04:11,300 word, who before time ever began was in 80 00:04:11,300 --> 00:04:13,960 the beginning, and the word was with God 81 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:15,260 and the word was God. 82 00:04:15,940 --> 00:04:18,620 The very opening of the chapter 1 presents 83 00:04:18,620 --> 00:04:23,060 to us the glorious eternal character of the 84 00:04:23,060 --> 00:04:26,360 son of God as the eternal word. 85 00:04:27,320 --> 00:04:30,860 And John cannot begin to write without presenting 86 00:04:30,860 --> 00:04:33,700 the greatness of the person of the son 87 00:04:33,700 --> 00:04:34,640 of God. 88 00:04:35,220 --> 00:04:38,480 In like manner you have it in relation 89 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:39,300 to his epistle. 90 00:04:40,020 --> 00:04:42,620 The very introductory words that we read in 91 00:04:42,620 --> 00:04:45,760 verses 1, 2 and 3 present to us 92 00:04:45,760 --> 00:04:48,680 the person of Christ who is the word 93 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:51,800 of life, who is the incarnate word of 94 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:55,140 life, and in the glory of his incarnation 95 00:04:55,140 --> 00:04:58,800 he presents the blessed person of the son. 96 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:01,860 You have very similarly in the book of 97 00:05:01,860 --> 00:05:02,700 the revelations. 98 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:08,500 John cannot begin to write without presenting the 99 00:05:08,500 --> 00:05:11,500 judicial glory of the beloved son of God 100 00:05:11,500 --> 00:05:14,160 as son of man, who is to be 101 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:15,920 the judge of all the earth as you 102 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:17,980 read the opening chapter of the revelation. 103 00:05:19,300 --> 00:05:23,640 John brings you immediately face to face with 104 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:26,600 the person of the son of God, with 105 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,460 the person of the son of man, with 106 00:05:29,460 --> 00:05:32,760 the person of the coming judge of all 107 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:35,780 the earth, that blessed person. 108 00:05:36,780 --> 00:05:39,060 It thrills the heart, it blesses the soul 109 00:05:39,060 --> 00:05:42,740 to be occupied with Christ, and surely we 110 00:05:42,740 --> 00:05:46,760 must and we do confess that was John's 111 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:50,900 blessed joy, to enjoy the person of Christ 112 00:05:50,900 --> 00:05:53,380 and he seems to have enjoyed it perhaps 113 00:05:53,380 --> 00:05:54,520 above all others. 114 00:05:55,740 --> 00:05:58,240 When you look at his gospel, the subject 115 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,220 of his great gospel is the son of 116 00:06:01,220 --> 00:06:05,040 God, presenting that blessed one in all the 117 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,580 glory of his deity, and the manifestation of 118 00:06:08,580 --> 00:06:13,160 his person when within this world God manifests 119 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:13,900 in the flesh. 120 00:06:14,810 --> 00:06:17,040 When you look at the epistles of John, 121 00:06:17,880 --> 00:06:22,880 the epistle particularly is occupied with the father 122 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:27,520 and his family, and you may divide the 123 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:29,260 epistle into two great divisions. 124 00:06:30,660 --> 00:06:33,860 In chapters one and two you have the 125 00:06:33,860 --> 00:06:36,400 family and the father together. 126 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:43,400 The father with his family, and the responsibilities 127 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:47,940 regarding the fellowship, the communion, not only the 128 00:06:47,940 --> 00:06:51,240 relationship but better and greater still the communion 129 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:54,780 of the family with the father, and the 130 00:06:54,780 --> 00:06:59,540 father and his family are presented in the 131 00:06:59,540 --> 00:07:00,680 first two chapters. 132 00:07:01,580 --> 00:07:04,180 The last part of the epistle chapter three 133 00:07:04,180 --> 00:07:10,440 through five present the family and their responsibilities 134 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:11,520 within the world. 135 00:07:12,700 --> 00:07:16,300 For the greatness of realizing and the importance 136 00:07:16,300 --> 00:07:19,780 of realizing, we who are in the family 137 00:07:19,780 --> 00:07:23,740 of God, we have a great responsibility to 138 00:07:23,740 --> 00:07:27,920 represent our father within this world. 139 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:31,840 Now it might be well also before we 140 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:35,660 go into our chapter immediately, to consider the 141 00:07:35,660 --> 00:07:38,520 meaning of what it is to be a 142 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:41,000 child of God and in relationship to God 143 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:41,680 as father. 144 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:46,580 There are only five or six references in 145 00:07:46,580 --> 00:07:50,140 the Old Testament to the title father in 146 00:07:50,140 --> 00:07:54,260 relation to God, and they are usually in 147 00:07:54,260 --> 00:07:56,080 its creatorial relationship. 148 00:07:57,600 --> 00:08:01,260 They have nothing at all in particular to 149 00:08:01,260 --> 00:08:07,500 bring before us the intimacy of relationship as 150 00:08:07,500 --> 00:08:10,060 a child with the father. 151 00:08:11,180 --> 00:08:14,000 But nevertheless God revealed himself in the Old 152 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:17,920 Testament, but there's a great deal of study 153 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:19,580 that we could follow and many of you 154 00:08:19,580 --> 00:08:20,620 may have done so. 155 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:24,040 To realize the revelation of God in the 156 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:24,820 Old Testament. 157 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:28,020 Let me just give you three examples which 158 00:08:28,020 --> 00:08:30,940 will suffice that we may understand the meaning 159 00:08:30,940 --> 00:08:31,440 of it. 160 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:36,320 God revealed himself by the various names that 161 00:08:36,320 --> 00:08:39,120 he gave of himself and spoke of himself 162 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:40,280 to his dear children. 163 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:44,140 By way of example Abraham in chapter 17 164 00:08:44,140 --> 00:08:45,680 of Genesis in verse 1. 165 00:08:46,420 --> 00:08:49,640 God said to Abraham, walk thou before me, 166 00:08:50,100 --> 00:08:53,260 I am the almighty God, walk thou before 167 00:08:53,260 --> 00:08:55,740 me and be thou perfect. 168 00:08:57,380 --> 00:09:00,480 And to Abraham he presented himself as the 169 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:04,180 omnipotent God, the almighty one. 170 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:08,340 Later on in the book of Exodus chapter 171 00:09:08,340 --> 00:09:11,140 3 when Moses was before the burning bush 172 00:09:11,140 --> 00:09:14,720 and the God of glory appeared unto him 173 00:09:14,720 --> 00:09:17,260 and commissioned him to go and deliver his 174 00:09:17,260 --> 00:09:18,140 people Israel. 175 00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:21,180 Moses said what shall I say to them 176 00:09:21,180 --> 00:09:23,860 when they ask who sent me? 177 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:29,760 And God said tell them I am that 178 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:30,400 I am. 179 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:35,500 And once again God revealed himself not as 180 00:09:35,500 --> 00:09:39,900 the omnipotent one but as the eternal everlasting 181 00:09:39,900 --> 00:09:42,940 I am the self-existent one. 182 00:09:44,220 --> 00:09:45,860 Later on in chapter 6 of the book 183 00:09:45,860 --> 00:09:51,360 of Exodus God told Moses I've revealed myself 184 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:55,840 to Abraham Isaac and Jacob but I've never 185 00:09:55,840 --> 00:10:00,420 revealed myself as Jehovah to them and now 186 00:10:00,420 --> 00:10:04,380 I'm going to reveal myself as Jehovah to 187 00:10:04,380 --> 00:10:05,620 my people Israel. 188 00:10:06,260 --> 00:10:08,960 Which was the redemptive name of God to 189 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:12,320 his earthly people and a precious name of 190 00:10:12,320 --> 00:10:15,680 great meaning as well as multiple meaning in 191 00:10:15,680 --> 00:10:17,020 the old testament scriptures. 192 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:20,140 Now these were revelations of God. 193 00:10:21,340 --> 00:10:25,860 Omnipotent, the eternal character of his being, the 194 00:10:25,860 --> 00:10:30,980 eternal one and Jehovah the redemptive one for 195 00:10:30,980 --> 00:10:31,500 Israel. 196 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:36,840 But may I point out to you God 197 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,860 never could be revealed as father until the 198 00:10:39,860 --> 00:10:41,060 son of God came. 199 00:10:43,700 --> 00:10:45,540 You remember the words of John in chapter 200 00:10:45,540 --> 00:10:48,160 1 verse 14 as well as verse 18. 201 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,320 Verse 18 particularly may I quote no man 202 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:55,520 has seen God in any time but the 203 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:59,840 only begotten son who is in the big 204 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:01,740 in the bosom of the father. 205 00:11:02,060 --> 00:11:06,140 He hath revealed him, he hath made him 206 00:11:06,140 --> 00:11:08,840 known, he hath manifested him. 207 00:11:09,560 --> 00:11:14,320 It was not until the son came the 208 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:16,840 one whose heart filled the bosom of the 209 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:17,320 father. 210 00:11:18,500 --> 00:11:21,860 The one in whose bosom the son was 211 00:11:21,860 --> 00:11:23,600 the delight of the father. 212 00:11:24,600 --> 00:11:27,240 Not until that son came who knew the 213 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,400 father's heart could the heart of the father 214 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:31,300 be revealed. 215 00:11:32,500 --> 00:11:34,680 Let me quote to you very carefully Matthew 216 00:11:34,680 --> 00:11:36,280 11 and verse 27. 217 00:11:37,340 --> 00:11:39,180 The words of the Lord Jesus when he 218 00:11:39,180 --> 00:11:45,160 said no man knoweth the son but the 219 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:45,700 father. 220 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:49,500 Now just pause for a moment reflect on 221 00:11:49,500 --> 00:11:49,740 them. 222 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:56,080 No man knoweth the son but the father. 223 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:02,460 And we cannot enlarge upon that nor qualify 224 00:12:02,460 --> 00:12:02,960 it. 225 00:12:04,020 --> 00:12:07,220 The complete knowledge of what the son is 226 00:12:07,220 --> 00:12:10,140 only the father knows. 227 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:13,600 But then the Savior went on to declare 228 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:19,000 neither knoweth any man the father but the 229 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:19,400 son. 230 00:12:20,220 --> 00:12:24,660 And he to whom the son will reveal 231 00:12:24,660 --> 00:12:25,060 him. 232 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,100 Only the coming of the son of God 233 00:12:30,100 --> 00:12:35,240 incarnate was it ever made possible that the 234 00:12:35,240 --> 00:12:42,060 father in the intimacy, the greatness, the infinitude 235 00:12:42,060 --> 00:12:47,600 of his blessed fatherly heart of affection could 236 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:48,560 ever be revealed. 237 00:12:50,060 --> 00:12:52,500 You may have noted very carefully in your 238 00:12:52,500 --> 00:12:56,620 study of John's gospel that all the way 239 00:12:56,620 --> 00:13:02,800 through it approximately 120 times the father is 240 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:03,240 mentioned. 241 00:13:04,260 --> 00:13:08,440 For by the manifestation of the son incarnate 242 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:13,020 it was the father whom the son revealed. 243 00:13:14,180 --> 00:13:16,440 How did he reveal that father when he 244 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:16,940 was here? 245 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,900 He revealed him by the words which he 246 00:13:20,900 --> 00:13:21,260 spoke. 247 00:13:22,400 --> 00:13:25,720 He revealed him by the works which he 248 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:26,340 performed. 249 00:13:27,380 --> 00:13:33,600 All the thoughts, all the words, all the 250 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:37,640 work the blessed son of God did when 251 00:13:37,640 --> 00:13:39,380 he was upon the earth in the days 252 00:13:39,380 --> 00:13:41,720 of his earthly flesh and ministry. 253 00:13:42,680 --> 00:13:45,560 Were the outpouring and the revelation of the 254 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:51,780 well could he say it did to Philip. 255 00:13:52,420 --> 00:13:55,520 When Philip said Lord show us the father. 256 00:13:56,700 --> 00:14:00,920 And it suffices us Philip have I been 257 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:04,160 so long time with you yet sayest thou 258 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:07,240 to me show us the father. 259 00:14:08,140 --> 00:14:11,760 He that hath seen me hath seen the 260 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:12,600 father. 261 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:15,480 My beloved let me repeat. 262 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:19,160 It is only by the life and the 263 00:14:19,160 --> 00:14:23,100 death and the resurrection of that blessed son 264 00:14:23,100 --> 00:14:25,180 of God in the days of his flesh. 265 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:30,640 The father in all of his character and 266 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:33,040 please let me state may I impress it 267 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:33,800 upon you. 268 00:14:34,820 --> 00:14:39,560 Whatever name God takes and reveals it is 269 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:43,420 a reference and it is an unfolding of 270 00:14:43,420 --> 00:14:46,820 the character that that name implies. 271 00:14:48,220 --> 00:14:52,540 Whether the omnipotent one, whether the omniscient one, 272 00:14:52,620 --> 00:14:56,380 the eternal one, whether Jehovah it is the 273 00:14:56,380 --> 00:15:00,960 meaning of his character and his being that 274 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:02,000 it communicates. 275 00:15:03,220 --> 00:15:06,900 And take that precious name and may I 276 00:15:06,900 --> 00:15:09,080 say it with joy it is the most 277 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:12,720 precious name that any person can address God 278 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:13,080 with. 279 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:24,170 Father how precious, how much do we enjoy, 280 00:15:26,060 --> 00:15:31,380 how great is our intimacy with this priceless 281 00:15:31,380 --> 00:15:32,360 privilege. 282 00:15:33,860 --> 00:15:37,420 When the savior could say I am the 283 00:15:37,420 --> 00:15:40,260 way the truth and the life no man 284 00:15:40,260 --> 00:15:42,400 come upon to the father. 285 00:15:43,900 --> 00:15:47,840 But by me I believe some of the 286 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:49,880 happiest words that fell from the lips of 287 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:53,040 the Lord Jesus when spoken by him on 288 00:15:53,040 --> 00:15:54,340 the day of his resurrection. 289 00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:57,440 When to Mary he said in chapter 20. 290 00:15:58,300 --> 00:16:02,180 Go to my brethren tell them I ascend 291 00:16:02,180 --> 00:16:06,360 unto my father and your father. 292 00:16:07,020 --> 00:16:09,140 Unto my God and your God. 293 00:16:10,180 --> 00:16:14,680 O beloved he brought us to the father. 294 00:16:17,020 --> 00:16:20,920 In case there may be one person who 295 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:24,200 cannot address God as father in that relationship 296 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:25,340 as his child. 297 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:29,400 May I state very briefly and quickly how 298 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:31,100 to become a child of the father. 299 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,840 Let me quote John chapter 1 verse 12 300 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:35,640 and 13. 301 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:42,180 But as many as received him the father's 302 00:16:42,180 --> 00:16:45,380 son to them gave he the right the 303 00:16:45,380 --> 00:16:48,780 privilege the authority to be called the sons 304 00:16:48,780 --> 00:16:51,540 of the children of God even to them 305 00:16:51,540 --> 00:16:55,580 that were born not of blood nor the 306 00:16:55,580 --> 00:16:58,160 will manner of the flesh but of God. 307 00:17:01,270 --> 00:17:04,270 It is through faith in Christ we become 308 00:17:04,270 --> 00:17:05,369 children of God. 309 00:17:05,970 --> 00:17:08,910 As Paul well declared in Galatians 3 26. 310 00:17:09,670 --> 00:17:13,210 For we are all the children of God 311 00:17:14,170 --> 00:17:17,250 through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 312 00:17:19,390 --> 00:17:22,010 Beloved we humbly and earnestly pray that every 313 00:17:22,010 --> 00:17:24,950 one of you can say to the glory 314 00:17:24,950 --> 00:17:27,630 of God to the happiness of your soul. 315 00:17:28,210 --> 00:17:34,550 Thank God I can call him father. 316 00:17:35,890 --> 00:17:38,130 How precious are the words of Paul in 317 00:17:38,130 --> 00:17:39,350 Galatians 4 6. 318 00:17:40,050 --> 00:17:43,290 God has sent forth the spirit of his 319 00:17:43,290 --> 00:17:50,670 son into your heart whereby ye cry Abba. 320 00:17:51,530 --> 00:17:56,950 That blessed Aramaic word of dearest intimacy. 321 00:17:57,930 --> 00:17:58,650 Abba. 322 00:17:59,250 --> 00:18:00,010 Father. 323 00:18:01,030 --> 00:18:02,670 Oh may I repeat it. 324 00:18:03,750 --> 00:18:06,710 You have only three times the expression Abba 325 00:18:06,710 --> 00:18:07,550 in your New Testament. 326 00:18:08,450 --> 00:18:11,090 You know well that it was the son 327 00:18:11,090 --> 00:18:15,570 in the garden in the agony of Gethsemane 328 00:18:15,570 --> 00:18:18,430 who cried out of his heart to that 329 00:18:18,430 --> 00:18:20,010 dearest of all to him. 330 00:18:20,730 --> 00:18:21,270 Abba. 331 00:18:22,130 --> 00:18:22,810 Father. 332 00:18:23,550 --> 00:18:25,970 If it be possible let this cup pass 333 00:18:25,970 --> 00:18:26,670 from me. 334 00:18:27,470 --> 00:18:29,770 And then you have in Romans 8 the 335 00:18:29,770 --> 00:18:33,350 precious truth that you and I can indeed 336 00:18:33,350 --> 00:18:34,370 say Abba. 337 00:18:35,290 --> 00:18:35,970 Father. 338 00:18:36,650 --> 00:18:38,450 And Galatians 4 6. 339 00:18:39,030 --> 00:18:41,370 That God has sent forth the spirit of 340 00:18:41,370 --> 00:18:44,410 his son into your heart whereby ye cry 341 00:18:44,410 --> 00:18:45,090 Abba. 342 00:18:45,830 --> 00:18:46,510 Father. 343 00:18:49,220 --> 00:18:51,180 May I say that the gateway to the 344 00:18:51,180 --> 00:18:53,760 epistle of John in its precious truth that 345 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:55,180 it conveys is this. 346 00:18:56,600 --> 00:18:58,480 To tell us what it means to have 347 00:18:58,480 --> 00:18:59,800 fellowship with the father. 348 00:19:02,820 --> 00:19:07,600 Fellowship into which we have been brought with 349 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:11,320 the father as well as with his son. 350 00:19:13,220 --> 00:19:13,980 What an honor. 351 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:16,820 What a priceless privilege. 352 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:19,520 But let's go to our chapter immediately. 353 00:19:20,420 --> 00:19:22,820 I wanted to know that John begins this 354 00:19:22,820 --> 00:19:25,620 precious truth of the chapter as he speaks 355 00:19:25,620 --> 00:19:28,500 of the Lord Jesus being manifested. 356 00:19:28,700 --> 00:19:29,960 And please note the opening words. 357 00:19:30,360 --> 00:19:32,100 That which was from the beginning. 358 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:35,980 Now John is not referring to Genesis 1 359 00:19:35,980 --> 00:19:36,280 1. 360 00:19:37,620 --> 00:19:41,660 Neither is John referring to John gospel chapter 361 00:19:41,660 --> 00:19:42,700 1 verse 1. 362 00:19:46,110 --> 00:19:48,370 John 1 1 takes you back further than 363 00:19:48,370 --> 00:19:49,430 Genesis 1 1. 364 00:19:51,330 --> 00:19:54,590 In the beginning was the word and the 365 00:19:54,590 --> 00:19:56,650 word was with God and the word was 366 00:19:56,650 --> 00:19:58,310 God John wrote in his gospel. 367 00:19:58,850 --> 00:20:01,290 And it goes back into the eternal past. 368 00:20:02,670 --> 00:20:05,070 But if you look at the family. 369 00:20:05,950 --> 00:20:08,130 And if you look at the fellowship of 370 00:20:08,130 --> 00:20:09,690 the family with the father. 371 00:20:11,030 --> 00:20:13,070 He goes back to the beginning of that 372 00:20:13,070 --> 00:20:17,730 blessed manifestation when the son became flesh. 373 00:20:19,810 --> 00:20:20,750 Read Luke's gospel. 374 00:20:21,510 --> 00:20:23,270 And if you look at the introduction, the 375 00:20:23,270 --> 00:20:24,750 opening words of Luke's gospel. 376 00:20:25,090 --> 00:20:27,010 Luke takes us back to the beginning. 377 00:20:27,850 --> 00:20:30,570 And he places the birth. 378 00:20:31,430 --> 00:20:35,490 Yes, the conception and the birth and the 379 00:20:35,490 --> 00:20:38,510 early days and the manhood of the Lord 380 00:20:38,510 --> 00:20:38,910 Jesus. 381 00:20:40,150 --> 00:20:43,650 And John refers to that manifestation of the 382 00:20:43,650 --> 00:20:46,470 son of God in his incarnate body. 383 00:20:47,070 --> 00:20:48,870 That which was from the beginning. 384 00:20:49,150 --> 00:20:50,490 And note the proof of it. 385 00:20:51,210 --> 00:20:52,090 Which we have heard. 386 00:20:52,850 --> 00:20:54,250 Which we have seen. 387 00:20:55,270 --> 00:20:58,330 Which we have seen with our eyes. 388 00:20:58,430 --> 00:21:00,870 Which we have looked upon and our hands 389 00:21:00,870 --> 00:21:03,830 have handled of the word of life. 390 00:21:05,370 --> 00:21:08,190 John is not penetrating back into the eternal 391 00:21:08,190 --> 00:21:08,670 past. 392 00:21:09,290 --> 00:21:12,130 He could not penetrate with his ears, with 393 00:21:12,130 --> 00:21:14,450 his eyes and with his hands. 394 00:21:15,730 --> 00:21:17,550 To that eternal past. 395 00:21:18,290 --> 00:21:20,210 Nor even to the beginning of creation. 396 00:21:21,410 --> 00:21:24,250 But oh, he is speaking a precious truth. 397 00:21:24,990 --> 00:21:27,010 And he is speaking to convey to you 398 00:21:27,010 --> 00:21:29,490 and to me the blessedness of it, that 399 00:21:29,490 --> 00:21:31,530 it was to him and to his fellow 400 00:21:31,530 --> 00:21:32,870 companion apostles. 401 00:21:33,650 --> 00:21:34,490 We heard him. 402 00:21:36,210 --> 00:21:38,270 There's no question of doubt the first time 403 00:21:38,270 --> 00:21:39,390 John heard his voice. 404 00:21:39,950 --> 00:21:41,290 You may read in John 1. 405 00:21:41,930 --> 00:21:44,090 When the Baptist said, behold the Lamb of 406 00:21:44,090 --> 00:21:44,530 God. 407 00:21:45,270 --> 00:21:47,230 Which taketh away the sin of the world. 408 00:21:47,790 --> 00:21:49,290 Behold the Lamb of God. 409 00:21:49,790 --> 00:21:53,510 And John with his companion Andrew followed him. 410 00:21:54,750 --> 00:21:58,250 And Jesus saw them and said, Whom seek 411 00:21:58,250 --> 00:21:58,450 ye? 412 00:21:58,570 --> 00:21:59,870 Rabbi, where dwellest thou? 413 00:22:00,070 --> 00:22:01,490 He said, come and see. 414 00:22:02,570 --> 00:22:03,910 And so they heard him. 415 00:22:06,260 --> 00:22:07,320 They saw him. 416 00:22:08,780 --> 00:22:10,720 They not only heard him in the days 417 00:22:10,720 --> 00:22:11,400 of his flesh. 418 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:14,240 They not only saw him in the days 419 00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,740 of his flesh in that blessed incarnate form. 420 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:19,920 We gazed upon him. 421 00:22:21,140 --> 00:22:23,420 We looked intently upon him. 422 00:22:24,300 --> 00:22:27,380 And then we handled him. 423 00:22:30,150 --> 00:22:32,230 What reverent words are these? 424 00:22:34,460 --> 00:22:38,580 Suggesting the priceless privilege of the one who 425 00:22:38,580 --> 00:22:39,720 is the word of life. 426 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:42,580 The one who is eternal life. 427 00:22:43,260 --> 00:22:45,440 The one who came from the Father is 428 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:46,480 eternal son. 429 00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:49,480 And took upon him that human form. 430 00:22:50,660 --> 00:22:51,640 We heard his voice. 431 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:53,700 We saw him. 432 00:22:55,020 --> 00:23:00,140 We gazed with intent upon him. 433 00:23:01,400 --> 00:23:03,740 And we had the privilege of handling him. 434 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:08,480 Oh I think of those priceless words following 435 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:09,320 his resurrection. 436 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:12,280 As he appeared in the midst of the 437 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:12,860 disciples. 438 00:23:13,840 --> 00:23:15,940 And they were struck with fear and terror. 439 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:18,180 Supposing they had seen a spirit. 440 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:20,860 Handle me and see. 441 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:25,040 A spirit hath not flesh and blood as 442 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:25,840 ye see me have. 443 00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:27,640 Flesh and bones as ye see me have. 444 00:23:28,880 --> 00:23:30,360 And oh beloved the privilege. 445 00:23:31,300 --> 00:23:32,480 Please may I say. 446 00:23:33,740 --> 00:23:37,500 What John is conveying is what he and 447 00:23:37,500 --> 00:23:42,420 his companion apostles heard, saw, gazed intently upon. 448 00:23:42,420 --> 00:23:45,480 And then at the blessed privilege of even 449 00:23:45,480 --> 00:23:46,900 handling. 450 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:50,820 And knowing in intimacy the blessed one. 451 00:23:51,740 --> 00:23:53,940 Who was eternal God. 452 00:23:54,560 --> 00:23:56,380 But manifest in the flesh. 453 00:23:57,220 --> 00:23:59,560 Now you might say and I might say. 454 00:23:59,640 --> 00:24:01,160 How could we ever do that? 455 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:03,940 Beloved please let me suggest how. 456 00:24:06,420 --> 00:24:06,920 True. 457 00:24:08,120 --> 00:24:09,160 We could not. 458 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:10,620 We have not been with him in the 459 00:24:10,620 --> 00:24:11,680 days of his flesh. 460 00:24:12,340 --> 00:24:14,200 As children we used to sing a hymn. 461 00:24:14,820 --> 00:24:16,520 Concerning his earthly life. 462 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:19,840 And usually the refrain ended I would like 463 00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:21,280 to have been with him then. 464 00:24:22,440 --> 00:24:23,000 Oh no. 465 00:24:23,940 --> 00:24:25,080 Not possible. 466 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:27,400 But beloved let me say. 467 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:31,540 We have the record of that life. 468 00:24:33,380 --> 00:24:35,880 There on the pages of divine inspiration. 469 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:39,100 The manifestation of that human life of our 470 00:24:39,100 --> 00:24:40,520 Lord Jesus is written. 471 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:44,900 And the beloved apostles have written it out 472 00:24:44,900 --> 00:24:45,480 in full. 473 00:24:46,940 --> 00:24:48,300 And you and I. 474 00:24:49,240 --> 00:24:50,920 We can hear his voice. 475 00:24:52,300 --> 00:24:53,200 You and I. 476 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:56,560 Can gaze upon him with our eyes. 477 00:24:57,400 --> 00:25:01,080 You and I can be more intently considering 478 00:25:01,080 --> 00:25:02,000 who he is. 479 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:02,900 What he was. 480 00:25:03,420 --> 00:25:04,880 In the days of his pilgrimage. 481 00:25:05,700 --> 00:25:08,000 From the manger to the cross and beyond 482 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:10,140 his post resurrection day ministry. 483 00:25:11,620 --> 00:25:12,600 And you and I. 484 00:25:12,980 --> 00:25:14,500 Oh may I say it lovingly. 485 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:17,920 You and I can handle him. 486 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:20,920 Do you ever notice in the book of 487 00:25:20,920 --> 00:25:21,500 Leviticus. 488 00:25:22,040 --> 00:25:24,440 At the consecration of the high priest and 489 00:25:24,440 --> 00:25:25,240 the fellow priest. 490 00:25:25,860 --> 00:25:27,280 Aaron and his sons. 491 00:25:27,920 --> 00:25:30,260 That Moses took of that which was upon 492 00:25:30,260 --> 00:25:30,860 the altar. 493 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:36,520 And he filled the hands of Aaron and 494 00:25:36,520 --> 00:25:37,300 his sons. 495 00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:40,020 With all that spoke to the heart of 496 00:25:40,020 --> 00:25:40,880 God of Christ. 497 00:25:41,760 --> 00:25:44,440 And the word consecration in the old testament 498 00:25:44,440 --> 00:25:44,960 means. 499 00:25:45,360 --> 00:25:46,400 In the Hebrew meaning. 500 00:25:46,740 --> 00:25:48,260 The filling of the hands. 501 00:25:49,580 --> 00:25:51,740 Oh how I pray that as I come 502 00:25:51,740 --> 00:25:52,520 here today. 503 00:25:53,100 --> 00:25:54,440 And through the week and the will of 504 00:25:54,440 --> 00:25:55,700 the Lord. 505 00:25:55,980 --> 00:25:58,320 My hands will be filled with Christ for 506 00:25:58,320 --> 00:25:58,640 you. 507 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:01,320 To minister him to your heart. 508 00:26:06,240 --> 00:26:07,460 This is part of the fellowship. 509 00:26:10,590 --> 00:26:11,370 And John. 510 00:26:12,190 --> 00:26:14,850 Is seeking to impart the preciousness and the 511 00:26:14,850 --> 00:26:15,390 truth of it. 512 00:26:15,490 --> 00:26:16,090 But read on. 513 00:26:16,430 --> 00:26:17,810 As he goes on to say. 514 00:26:18,370 --> 00:26:20,650 Our hands have handled the word of life. 515 00:26:20,970 --> 00:26:23,350 For the life was manifested. 516 00:26:23,930 --> 00:26:25,990 Please let me repeat with emphasis. 517 00:26:26,430 --> 00:26:30,050 It's the manifestation in an incarnate form. 518 00:26:30,550 --> 00:26:31,690 Of the son of God. 519 00:26:31,990 --> 00:26:33,270 In a body of flesh. 520 00:26:33,570 --> 00:26:36,230 That life which was eternal life. 521 00:26:36,530 --> 00:26:38,430 Who was the word of life. 522 00:26:38,650 --> 00:26:39,890 Was manifested. 523 00:26:40,250 --> 00:26:41,330 We have seen it. 524 00:26:41,750 --> 00:26:42,770 And we bear witness. 525 00:26:45,020 --> 00:26:47,900 And show unto you that eternal life. 526 00:26:48,380 --> 00:26:51,360 Which was with the father and was manifested 527 00:26:51,360 --> 00:26:52,300 unto us. 528 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:56,460 My the glory of that blessed one. 529 00:26:56,940 --> 00:26:58,460 I think of the words of John again 530 00:26:58,460 --> 00:26:59,600 in John one fourteen. 531 00:26:59,940 --> 00:27:01,900 The word was made flesh. 532 00:27:02,440 --> 00:27:05,520 And dwelt amongst us full of grace and 533 00:27:05,520 --> 00:27:05,800 truth. 534 00:27:06,140 --> 00:27:08,460 And we beheld his glory. 535 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:12,760 The glory is of the only begotten of 536 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:13,580 the father. 537 00:27:15,860 --> 00:27:17,680 Now beloved may I repeat again. 538 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:20,160 John realized. 539 00:27:20,260 --> 00:27:21,940 And the apostles all realized. 540 00:27:23,020 --> 00:27:24,340 Through that life. 541 00:27:24,800 --> 00:27:25,520 The heart. 542 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:27,060 The greatness. 543 00:27:27,060 --> 00:27:29,240 The glory of the father. 544 00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:31,220 Was revealed. 545 00:27:32,420 --> 00:27:34,600 And then he goes on to declare in 546 00:27:34,600 --> 00:27:35,900 verse three repeating it. 547 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:39,200 That which we have seen and heard. 548 00:27:40,540 --> 00:27:42,460 Declare we unto you. 549 00:27:43,440 --> 00:27:44,980 You know something particularly. 550 00:27:45,140 --> 00:27:46,820 He does not say that which you heard. 551 00:27:47,560 --> 00:27:49,580 He omits the word first of all. 552 00:27:49,840 --> 00:27:52,420 That which we have seen and heard declare 553 00:27:52,420 --> 00:27:53,380 we unto you. 554 00:27:53,760 --> 00:27:54,840 For they had heard. 555 00:27:55,500 --> 00:27:57,040 For may I repeat again. 556 00:27:57,740 --> 00:28:01,040 The epistle of John is a family letter. 557 00:28:03,920 --> 00:28:06,580 It is written to the family of God. 558 00:28:07,180 --> 00:28:09,540 And to the family of God particularly. 559 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:14,400 Many texts can be used in making the 560 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:16,180 gospel clear and plain we know. 561 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:19,760 But the whole letter is written to the 562 00:28:19,760 --> 00:28:20,260 family. 563 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:23,820 And John says this is the purpose for 564 00:28:23,820 --> 00:28:24,520 our writing. 565 00:28:25,380 --> 00:28:27,280 This is the purpose for bringing it to 566 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:27,580 you. 567 00:28:27,980 --> 00:28:30,580 Not only to present to you the incarnate 568 00:28:30,580 --> 00:28:32,440 son of God as we know he was. 569 00:28:32,720 --> 00:28:34,860 But here is the purpose in verse three 570 00:28:34,860 --> 00:28:35,480 and four. 571 00:28:36,080 --> 00:28:39,700 As he says that ye also may have 572 00:28:39,700 --> 00:28:40,420 fellowship. 573 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:42,460 With us. 574 00:28:43,620 --> 00:28:47,260 Meaning with himself and the companion apostles. 575 00:28:47,980 --> 00:28:50,000 May I point out to you something precious 576 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:51,680 in Acts two and verse forty two. 577 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:55,480 Remember the very first day of Pentecost when 578 00:28:55,480 --> 00:28:57,580 those converts confessed the Lord. 579 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:01,400 We read in verse forty two they continue 580 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:03,380 steadfastly in what? 581 00:29:03,860 --> 00:29:05,620 The apostles doctrine. 582 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:08,300 And next fellowship. 583 00:29:09,860 --> 00:29:11,600 And then the breaking of bread and bread. 584 00:29:13,460 --> 00:29:14,020 Fellowship. 585 00:29:14,740 --> 00:29:17,620 My beloved may I say we need to 586 00:29:17,620 --> 00:29:19,920 get back to some Pentecostal fellowship. 587 00:29:20,640 --> 00:29:22,380 And you know that I am not inferring 588 00:29:22,380 --> 00:29:23,420 the speaking in tongues. 589 00:29:28,330 --> 00:29:30,250 We need to get back to the fellowship 590 00:29:30,250 --> 00:29:32,630 that God through his son brought us into. 591 00:29:33,550 --> 00:29:34,670 To his son. 592 00:29:35,510 --> 00:29:36,950 To his father. 593 00:29:37,710 --> 00:29:43,000 Our fellowship said John is with the father. 594 00:29:44,420 --> 00:29:46,040 And with his son. 595 00:29:47,680 --> 00:29:49,120 Jesus Christ. 596 00:29:52,670 --> 00:29:54,710 What's the fellowship the father enjoys? 597 00:29:55,690 --> 00:29:58,210 What's the fellowship that the son enjoys? 598 00:29:59,630 --> 00:30:02,710 Beloved I cannot say anything greater to you 599 00:30:02,710 --> 00:30:03,250 than this. 600 00:30:04,170 --> 00:30:07,330 The fellowship of the father's heart is his 601 00:30:07,330 --> 00:30:09,130 delight in his beloved son. 602 00:30:13,620 --> 00:30:15,420 This is my beloved son. 603 00:30:15,900 --> 00:30:18,000 In whom is all my delight. 604 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:20,700 Hear ye him. 605 00:30:23,290 --> 00:30:24,830 And oh that we may realize. 606 00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:29,300 Where does the father find his fellowship? 607 00:30:31,020 --> 00:30:33,900 He finds it in all of his complete 608 00:30:33,900 --> 00:30:36,760 delight in the person of his beloved son. 609 00:30:37,940 --> 00:30:40,990 Where should I find it? 610 00:30:41,010 --> 00:30:43,910 My beloved may I say very very earnestly 611 00:30:43,910 --> 00:30:46,150 in such days as we now live in. 612 00:30:46,610 --> 00:30:48,090 This is what we need. 613 00:30:49,390 --> 00:30:54,590 To strengthen and to balance our souls and 614 00:30:54,590 --> 00:30:57,430 our hearts and our lives and our consciences 615 00:30:57,430 --> 00:31:00,050 in the midst of all that we're surrounded 616 00:31:00,050 --> 00:31:00,610 with. 617 00:31:01,870 --> 00:31:06,470 To know we should permit nothing to harm. 618 00:31:07,050 --> 00:31:07,590 To break. 619 00:31:08,670 --> 00:31:13,740 To sever the fellowship which we have been 620 00:31:13,740 --> 00:31:16,880 brought into with the father and his son. 621 00:31:17,320 --> 00:31:20,200 The father finds his delight in the son. 622 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:22,260 Where does the son find his delight? 623 00:31:23,960 --> 00:31:26,640 You find his delight is in the father. 624 00:31:29,690 --> 00:31:32,230 And you and I by grace divine fellow 625 00:31:32,230 --> 00:31:34,250 believer have been brought into that fellowship. 626 00:31:37,320 --> 00:31:39,620 To enjoy fellowship with the father. 627 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:44,800 To enjoy fellowship with the son. 628 00:31:47,570 --> 00:31:49,370 Many times I hear some of my brethren 629 00:31:49,370 --> 00:31:51,150 say what fellowship do you belong to? 630 00:31:51,770 --> 00:31:53,310 Well I hope you belong to this one. 631 00:31:55,920 --> 00:31:58,080 I'm not interested in anything better than this. 632 00:31:58,440 --> 00:31:59,380 There is nothing better. 633 00:32:01,940 --> 00:32:03,320 Oh my fellow believer. 634 00:32:03,540 --> 00:32:04,940 My fellow believer. 635 00:32:05,280 --> 00:32:08,080 There's nothing that can sever the relationship. 636 00:32:09,500 --> 00:32:11,300 But there can be much as we can 637 00:32:11,300 --> 00:32:14,000 learn and will learn that may mar the 638 00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:14,460 fellowship. 639 00:32:15,060 --> 00:32:16,980 Then what John in his purpose as he 640 00:32:16,980 --> 00:32:19,760 writes says before us is this. 641 00:32:20,420 --> 00:32:23,820 Our fellowship which we the apostles have enjoyed 642 00:32:23,820 --> 00:32:26,500 is with the father and with his son 643 00:32:26,500 --> 00:32:27,620 Jesus Christ. 644 00:32:27,620 --> 00:32:30,860 Now note the fourth verse as he goes 645 00:32:30,860 --> 00:32:31,520 on to say. 646 00:32:33,360 --> 00:32:36,560 I said and these things write we unto 647 00:32:36,560 --> 00:32:41,960 you that your joy may be full. 648 00:32:44,340 --> 00:32:45,900 Beloved may I point out. 649 00:32:46,940 --> 00:32:48,740 Would you remember the words of the psalmist 650 00:32:48,740 --> 00:32:52,240 in chapter sixteen verse eleven those precious closing 651 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:52,760 words. 652 00:32:53,660 --> 00:32:57,320 In thy presence is fullness of joy and 653 00:32:57,320 --> 00:33:00,320 at thy right hand there are pleasures forever 654 00:33:00,320 --> 00:33:00,840 more. 655 00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:04,860 And may I state in closing that I 656 00:33:04,860 --> 00:33:07,260 fully believe and I say it with confidence 657 00:33:07,260 --> 00:33:10,140 and I say it pleading with my own 658 00:33:10,140 --> 00:33:11,720 conscience and my own soul. 659 00:33:12,680 --> 00:33:15,220 In the days in which we are now 660 00:33:15,220 --> 00:33:20,660 living how we need to realize we have 661 00:33:20,660 --> 00:33:24,880 been brought where we can still have our 662 00:33:24,880 --> 00:33:29,980 joy and find it where the apostles found 663 00:33:29,980 --> 00:33:30,520 it too. 664 00:33:31,100 --> 00:33:35,440 In fellowship with the father and with his 665 00:33:35,440 --> 00:33:37,940 son Jesus Christ. 666 00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:40,580 How did we get into this fellowship? 667 00:33:41,860 --> 00:33:42,660 There's only one way. 668 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:44,680 We've gone into it through life in Christ. 669 00:33:45,540 --> 00:33:48,320 Please may I say the basis of this 670 00:33:48,320 --> 00:33:50,240 fellowship is not L-I-G-H-T. 671 00:33:52,870 --> 00:33:57,140 It's life through this meaning to life. 672 00:33:58,340 --> 00:34:00,900 But the basis of fellowship with the father 673 00:34:00,900 --> 00:34:03,480 please may I say the youngest child in 674 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:04,020 the family. 675 00:34:04,460 --> 00:34:06,380 The oldest child in the family. 676 00:34:06,680 --> 00:34:09,040 The oldest believer to the youngest believer. 677 00:34:10,480 --> 00:34:14,780 Because of life in Christ they're in this 678 00:34:14,780 --> 00:34:20,760 fellowship and that fellowship with the father and 679 00:34:20,760 --> 00:34:24,560 with his son we should be enjoying. 680 00:34:25,920 --> 00:34:28,679 Delighting in where the father's heart delights. 681 00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:30,900 In his son. 682 00:34:31,420 --> 00:34:34,260 Delighting where the son of God delights. 683 00:34:35,360 --> 00:34:36,719 In his father. 684 00:34:39,150 --> 00:34:40,110 What a fellowship. 685 00:34:44,190 --> 00:34:46,750 Now may I say to you it's a 686 00:34:46,750 --> 00:34:47,530 big one. 687 00:34:48,949 --> 00:34:51,070 It takes in every child of God. 688 00:34:52,489 --> 00:34:56,010 And God grants that we today who are 689 00:34:56,010 --> 00:35:01,150 his children may surely say Lord help me 690 00:35:01,150 --> 00:35:08,770 day by day to maintain to enjoy my 691 00:35:08,770 --> 00:35:12,530 fellowship with thee and with the son. 692 00:35:13,630 --> 00:35:16,430 His faithful communion shall we pray. 693 00:35:18,570 --> 00:35:23,760 Father we have to say in the words 694 00:35:23,760 --> 00:35:28,610 of another how thou could think so well 695 00:35:28,610 --> 00:35:31,150 of me and be the God thou art. 696 00:35:32,130 --> 00:35:37,250 His darkness to my intellect but it's sunshine 697 00:35:37,250 --> 00:35:38,830 to my heart. 698 00:35:40,740 --> 00:35:45,160 That thou didst bring to this earth sending 699 00:35:45,160 --> 00:35:49,300 him the son of thy love life eternal 700 00:35:49,300 --> 00:35:53,120 for us to bring us to thyself. 701 00:35:55,480 --> 00:35:57,120 Let me close our meditation. 702 00:35:57,980 --> 00:36:01,300 We pray that every child of God will 703 00:36:01,300 --> 00:36:03,260 separate from this gathering. 704 00:36:04,780 --> 00:36:10,760 Breathing those precious words of intimate relationship in 705 00:36:10,760 --> 00:36:12,460 the joy of their souls. 706 00:36:13,260 --> 00:36:17,260 Lifting their heart up and saying I'm a 707 00:36:17,260 --> 00:36:17,820 father. 708 00:36:19,120 --> 00:36:20,660 We adore thee. 709 00:36:22,340 --> 00:36:26,420 And grant that as the week continued we 710 00:36:26,420 --> 00:36:31,580 shall enjoy fellowship with the father and with 711 00:36:31,580 --> 00:36:32,200 his son. 712 00:36:32,200 --> 00:36:35,360 For we ask it in our savior's precious 713 00:36:35,360 --> 00:36:36,400 and worthy name. 714 00:36:37,400 --> 00:36:37,780 Amen.