No Incarnation, No Regeneration

nothing is possible. nothing is possible. But hell, the new birth isn't possible. the new birth isn't possible. Faith isn't possible. Faith isn't possible. Faith isn't possible. Purification isn't possible. Purification isn't possible. Purification isn't possible. Justification isn't possible. and my Justification isn't possible. and my Justification isn't possible. and my final glorification. final glorification. final glorification. Being like him isn't possible. Christmas Christmas is important. But for all the reasons that the world But for all the reasons that the world doesn't know much about, doesn't know much about, doesn't know much about, there's a reason Christians have always there's a reason Christians have always there's a reason Christians have always made such [music] a big deal about the made such [music] a big deal about the made such [music] a big deal about the incarnation. If Jesus had not come in incarnation. If Jesus had not come in incarnation. If Jesus had not come in the flesh, Christianity doesn't merely the flesh, Christianity doesn't merely the flesh, Christianity doesn't merely become [music] a weaker version of become [music] a weaker version of become [music] a weaker version of itself. It disappears altogether. itself. It disappears altogether. itself. It disappears altogether. I'm your host, Dan Kruever. In this I'm your host, Dan Kruever. In this I'm your host, Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper episode of Light and Truth, John Piper episode of Light and Truth, John Piper reflects [music] reflects [music] reflects [music] on why the birth of Christ stands at the on why the birth of Christ stands at the on why the birth of Christ stands at the center of every hope we have for center of every hope we have for center of every hope we have for salvation and eternal life. This message salvation and eternal life. This message salvation and eternal life. This message was originally [music] was originally [music] was originally [music] delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on December 23rd, [music] 2007.

in in causing us to be born again. Do you causing us to be born again. Do you causing us to be born again. Do you remember several sermons ago? The way remember several sermons ago? The way remember several sermons ago? The way God, the spirit does it is by bringing God, the spirit does it is by bringing God, the spirit does it is by bringing us into connection us into connection us into connection with with with Christ so that his life becomes our Christ so that his life becomes our Christ so that his life becomes our life. And the life we have as a newborn life. And the life we have as a newborn life. And the life we have as a newborn child isn't just life out of nowhere. child isn't just life out of nowhere. child isn't just life out of nowhere. It's life out of Christ. I am the way, It's life out of Christ. I am the way, It's life out of Christ. I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the truth, and the life. No one comes to the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father but by me. the father but by me. the father but by me. When you touch Jesus like electric When you touch Jesus like electric When you touch Jesus like electric current, life happens and the new birth current, life happens and the new birth current, life happens and the new birth is the spirit bringing us into union is the spirit bringing us into union is the spirit bringing us into union with Christ. So that his life is our with Christ. So that his life is our with Christ. So that his life is our life. life. life. Now that Christ Now that Christ Now that Christ to whom we are united to whom we are united to whom we are united is the incarnate Christ and no other. Listen to this word from John 6:51. I am Listen to this word from John 6:51. I am the living bread. This is Jesus talking the living bread. This is Jesus talking the living bread. This is Jesus talking now. He's got his hands out. I do now. He's got his hands out. I do now. He's got his hands out. I do believe he has his hands out. It doesn't believe he has his hands out. It doesn't believe he has his hands out. It doesn't say that. Just listen. I am the living say that. Just listen. I am the living say that. Just listen. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If bread that came down from heaven. If bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats this bread, he will live anyone eats this bread, he will live anyone eats this bread, he will live forever.

forever. forever. And the bread that I will give him for And the bread that I will give him for And the bread that I will give him for the life of the world is my flesh. Whoa. Whoa. not some kind of hoke pokey not some kind of hoke pokey not some kind of hoke pokey spiritualistic ethereal gas. spiritualistic ethereal gas. spiritualistic ethereal gas. Life Life Life comes through my flesh comes through my flesh comes through my flesh because it's my flesh that's getting because it's my flesh that's getting because it's my flesh that's getting nailed to a cross. nailed to a cross. nailed to a cross. Without that, there will be no life Without that, there will be no life Without that, there will be no life flowing from me to sinners. So when flowing from me to sinners. So when flowing from me to sinners. So when we're united to Christ and his life we're united to Christ and his life we're united to Christ and his life becomes ours, we're united to the God becomes ours, we're united to the God becomes ours, we're united to the God man, man, man, not just some vague Christ figure out not just some vague Christ figure out not just some vague Christ figure out there, to the God man, Jesus Christ. there, to the God man, Jesus Christ. there, to the God man, Jesus Christ. Look at First John 5:10. Look at First John 5:10. Look at First John 5:10. I said I would I would come back to the I said I would I would come back to the I said I would I would come back to the testimony testimony testimony for how we know that we're the children for how we know that we're the children for how we know that we're the children of God. We'll do a lot more on this in of God. We'll do a lot more on this in of God. We'll do a lot more on this in the weeks to come, but just glimpse the weeks to come, but just glimpse the weeks to come, but just glimpse here. 1 John 5:10. Whoever believes in here. 1 John 5:10. Whoever believes in here. 1 John 5:10. Whoever believes in the son of God the son of God the son of God has the testimony in himself.

has the testimony in himself. has the testimony in himself. What testimony? Verse 11, What testimony? Verse 11, What testimony? Verse 11, this is the testimony this is the testimony this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life. that God gave us eternal life. that God gave us eternal life. And this life is in his son. It's not And this life is in his son. It's not And this life is in his son. It's not dangling out there in dangling out there in dangling out there in La La Land. It's in his son. La La Land. It's in his son. La La Land. It's in his son. [snorts] Verse 12. Whoever has the Son [snorts] Verse 12. Whoever has the Son [snorts] Verse 12. Whoever has the Son has life. has life. has life. Whoever does not have the Son of God Whoever does not have the Son of God Whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. does not have life. does not have life. The Word became flesh and dwelt among The Word became flesh and dwelt among The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory. Glory as of us. And we beheld his glory. Glory as of us. And we beheld his glory. Glory as of the only son from the Father, full of the only son from the Father, full of the only son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And from his fullness grace and truth. And from his fullness grace and truth. And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. we have all received grace upon grace. we have all received grace upon grace. That's where our life comes from. The That's where our life comes from. The That's where our life comes from. The son, the word made flesh is our life. This is the testimony. This is the testimony. How do you know How do you know How do you know that you're a child of God? How do I that you're a child of God? How do I that you're a child of God? How do I know that John Piper is alive? Like you know that John Piper is alive? Like you know that John Piper is alive? Like you do this, it's my birth certificate.

do this, it's my birth certificate. do this, it's my birth certificate. It's not. It's just a play birth It's not. It's just a play birth It's not. It's just a play birth certific. It's my visa card. Actually, certific. It's my visa card. Actually, certific. It's my visa card. Actually, it's my verse birth certificate. Does it's my verse birth certificate. Does it's my verse birth certificate. Does anybody Does anybody believe you're anybody Does anybody believe you're anybody Does anybody believe you're alive because you have on file a birth alive because you have on file a birth alive because you have on file a birth certificate? certificate? certificate? You don't. It's because you breathe. You don't. It's because you breathe. You don't. It's because you breathe. It's exactly the same with Jesus Christ. It's exactly the same with Jesus Christ. It's exactly the same with Jesus Christ. You know that you're a child of God cuz You know that you're a child of God cuz You know that you're a child of God cuz you breathe. You're alive. You're alive. You can't. You can't. You can't. Why would you? Why would you? [sighs] [sighs] You're alive. You see him for who he is. You're alive. You see him for who he is. You're alive. You see him for who he is. You love him for who he is. You trust You love him for who he is. You trust You love him for who he is. You trust him for who he is. You embrace him for him for who he is. You embrace him for him for who he is. You embrace him for who he is. That's how you know you're who he is. That's how you know you're who he is. That's how you know you're alive. The testimony is within you. And alive. The testimony is within you. And alive. The testimony is within you. And what is it again? The testimony. Verse what is it again? The testimony. Verse what is it again? The testimony. Verse 11. 11. 11. This is the testimony. God gave us life. This is the testimony. God gave us life. This is the testimony. God gave us life. That's how you know you're alive That's how you know you're alive That's how you know you're alive to him, alive to God, to him, alive to God, to him, alive to God, and dying to sin.

The aim of the new birth is to awaken The aim of the new birth is to awaken faith in the crucified incarnate son of faith in the crucified incarnate son of faith in the crucified incarnate son of God. And if there were no incarnate God. And if there were no incarnate God. And if there were no incarnate crucified son of God, then the new birth crucified son of God, then the new birth crucified son of God, then the new birth would not be performed because the point would not be performed because the point would not be performed because the point of it would not be possible. of it would not be possible. of it would not be possible. The incarnation of the son of God is The incarnation of the son of God is The incarnation of the son of God is necessary because the life that we have necessary because the life that we have necessary because the life that we have in the new birth in union with him is in the new birth in union with him is in the new birth in union with him is the life of the son of the incarnate the life of the son of the incarnate the life of the son of the incarnate Christ. Christ. Christ. I am the way, the truth, and the life. I am the way, the truth, and the life. I am the way, the truth, and the life. And I became the way And I became the way And I became the way by being man. by being man. by being man. Just a little comment here before I move Just a little comment here before I move Just a little comment here before I move on to the last part. This means on to the last part. This means on to the last part. This means that Christianity that Christianity that Christianity is not a kind of spirituality that is not a kind of spirituality that is not a kind of spirituality that floats in the air from religion to floats in the air from religion to floats in the air from religion to religion. So many people today So many people today trying to make a case that Christianity trying to make a case that Christianity trying to make a case that Christianity and other religions are one.

They aren't They aren't for a very simple reason. I'll read you for a very simple reason. I'll read you for a very simple reason. I'll read you three of them. Whoever has the son has three of them. Whoever has the son has three of them. Whoever has the son has life. Whoever does not have the son does life. Whoever does not have the son does life. Whoever does not have the son does not have life. not have life. not have life. Muslims and Jews in particular reject Muslims and Jews in particular reject Muslims and Jews in particular reject the sun. the sun. the sun. Tragically, Tragically, Tragically, that ends it. It's over. It's over. All other talk is pointless. [snorts] All other talk is pointless. [snorts] All other talk is pointless. [snorts] He who has the Son has life. Reject the He who has the Son has life. Reject the He who has the Son has life. Reject the Son, you reject life. Number two, that's Son, you reject life. Number two, that's Son, you reject life. Number two, that's 1 John 5:12. John 5:23. Whoever does not 1 John 5:12. John 5:23. Whoever does not 1 John 5:12. John 5:23. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father honor the Son does not honor the Father honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. If you say that the son of God incarnate If you say that the son of God incarnate is a mere man, is a mere man, is a mere man, you dishonor the son and thus dishonor you dishonor the son and thus dishonor you dishonor the son and thus dishonor the father. Therefore, all talk of the father. Therefore, all talk of the father. Therefore, all talk of worshiping the true God is vain.

worshiping the true God is vain. worshiping the true God is vain. All you do is dishonor the true God if All you do is dishonor the true God if All you do is dishonor the true God if you dishonor his son. you dishonor his son. you dishonor his son. Number three, Number three, Number three, Luke 10:16, Jesus said, "The one who Luke 10:16, Jesus said, "The one who Luke 10:16, Jesus said, "The one who rejects me rejects him who sent me." rejects me rejects him who sent me." rejects me rejects him who sent me." These are plain. There's no big These are plain. There's no big These are plain. There's no big theological argument here. These are theological argument here. These are theological argument here. These are plain statements from the Lord himself. plain statements from the Lord himself. plain statements from the Lord himself. If you reject me, you reject the father. If you reject me, you reject the father. If you reject me, you reject the father. Therefore, all talk about us having the Therefore, all talk about us having the Therefore, all talk about us having the same God is ludicrous. same God is ludicrous. same God is ludicrous. And you got pastors in this city signing And you got pastors in this city signing And you got pastors in this city signing off on that. I come now to close with these last two I come now to close with these last two things that I brought attention to last things that I brought attention to last things that I brought attention to last week. Justification and purification. Or week. Justification and purification. Or week. Justification and purification. Or if you want to use the old if you want to use the old if you want to use the old sanctification, you can. But purity is sanctification, you can. But purity is sanctification, you can. But purity is what's used in this text. I'm going to what's used in this text. I'm going to what's used in this text. I'm going to use it. use it. use it. Look at 1 John 3. We're back to our text Look at 1 John 3. We're back to our text Look at 1 John 3. We're back to our text now. 3-5.

now. 3-5. now. 3-5. and everyone who thus hopes in him. In other words, if you're deeply In other words, if you're deeply confident that you're going to see him confident that you're going to see him confident that you're going to see him someday and become like him, that's what someday and become like him, that's what someday and become like him, that's what that's referring to. Verse three, that's referring to. Verse three, that's referring to. Verse three, everyone who thus hopes in him everyone who thus hopes in him everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. purifies himself as he is pure. purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning Everyone who makes a practice of sinning Everyone who makes a practice of sinning practices lawlessness and sin is practices lawlessness and sin is practices lawlessness and sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared lawlessness. You know that he appeared lawlessness. You know that he appeared to take away sins and in him there is no to take away sins and in him there is no to take away sins and in him there is no sin. Now I want you to see in this text sin. Now I want you to see in this text sin. Now I want you to see in this text purification explicitly, justification purification explicitly, justification purification explicitly, justification implicitly. Let's do purification first. implicitly. Let's do purification first. implicitly. Let's do purification first. John says, "If you've experienced a new John says, "If you've experienced a new John says, "If you've experienced a new birth and thus your heart has been birth and thus your heart has been birth and thus your heart has been awakened to hope in Jesus Christ and you awakened to hope in Jesus Christ and you awakened to hope in Jesus Christ and you cannot wait until he appears because all cannot wait until he appears because all cannot wait until he appears because all you'll your sin will be done away with you'll your sin will be done away with you'll your sin will be done away with and you won't be battling with the and you won't be battling with the and you won't be battling with the internet anymore. You won't be battling internet anymore. You won't be battling internet anymore. You won't be battling with pride anymore and you won't be with pride anymore and you won't be with pride anymore and you won't be battling with selfishness anymore and battling with selfishness anymore and battling with selfishness anymore and you won't be battling with all the you won't be battling with all the you won't be battling with all the bitterness and anger in your life.

bitterness and anger in your life. bitterness and anger in your life. You'll be free and like him if that's You'll be free and like him if that's You'll be free and like him if that's the passion of your life." This text the passion of your life." This text the passion of your life." This text says says says you will purify yourself now. you will purify yourself now. you will purify yourself now. If you want it to happen in the future, If you want it to happen in the future, If you want it to happen in the future, you're just kidding yourself if you you're just kidding yourself if you you're just kidding yourself if you don't want it to happen now. don't want it to happen now. don't want it to happen now. But oh, he's going to show up someday But oh, he's going to show up someday But oh, he's going to show up someday and then I really want to be pure. You and then I really want to be pure. You and then I really want to be pure. You won't. won't. won't. I used to play those games when I was a I used to play those games when I was a I used to play those games when I was a kid. Get saved when I'm old because it's kid. Get saved when I'm old because it's kid. Get saved when I'm old because it's boring to be saved. boring to be saved. boring to be saved. So get saved when you're old. So get saved when you're old. So get saved when you're old. Won't happen. The hardness will creep over you and you The hardness will creep over you and you will lose all your capacity to know him, will lose all your capacity to know him, will lose all your capacity to know him, see him, love him, and God will withdraw see him, love him, and God will withdraw see him, love him, and God will withdraw from you. Then you will perish thinking from you. Then you will perish thinking from you. Then you will perish thinking that on your deathbed you could repent that on your deathbed you could repent that on your deathbed you could repent and you'll be an Esau and you'll be an Esau and you'll be an Esau pleading for repentance and it will not pleading for repentance and it will not pleading for repentance and it will not be given. be given. be given. Don't play that game. If you're 30 years Don't play that game. If you're 30 years Don't play that game. If you're 30 years old, don't play it. If you're 40, don't old, don't play it. If you're 40, don't old, don't play it. If you're 40, don't play it. 50, don't play it. And sure, play it. 50, don't play it. And sure, play it. 50, don't play it. And sure, don't play it. If you're six, don't play it. If you're six, don't play it. If you're six, don't play that game.

We will purify ourselves. We will purify ourselves. Meaning, we're going to fight, right? Meaning, we're going to fight, right? Meaning, we're going to fight, right? We're going to fight. Nobody in this We're going to fight. Nobody in this We're going to fight. Nobody in this room is perfect. Nobody will be pure room is perfect. Nobody will be pure room is perfect. Nobody will be pure perfectly before you die. The question perfectly before you die. The question perfectly before you die. The question is, who's fighting? [sighs] is, who's fighting? [sighs] is, who's fighting? [sighs] Who's fighting? who says, "Yes, I want him to come. Yes, who says, "Yes, I want him to come. Yes, I'd like to be like him perfectly. It I'd like to be like him perfectly. It I'd like to be like him perfectly. It grieves me not to be more like him than grieves me not to be more like him than grieves me not to be more like him than I am. Now, I'm [snorts] going to fight I am. Now, I'm [snorts] going to fight I am. Now, I'm [snorts] going to fight this thing." Who's that? That's the this thing." Who's that? That's the this thing." Who's that? That's the children of God talking. I don't care children of God talking. I don't care children of God talking. I don't care how many times you fall down. If you get how many times you fall down. If you get how many times you fall down. If you get up talking like that, you're a child of up talking like that, you're a child of up talking like that, you're a child of God. Purification Purification follows [snorts] from the new birth. Get follows [snorts] from the new birth. Get follows [snorts] from the new birth. Get love of God calls us to be a child of love of God calls us to be a child of love of God calls us to be a child of God. New life flows into us God. New life flows into us God. New life flows into us confident that we will one day be like confident that we will one day be like confident that we will one day be like him. And then the logic of verse three, him. And then the logic of verse three, him. And then the logic of verse three, those who thus hope in him purify those who thus hope in him purify those who thus hope in him purify themselves as he is pure. that follows themselves as he is pure. that follows themselves as he is pure. that follows from the love of God and the new birth.

from the love of God and the new birth. from the love of God and the new birth. And therefore, if there can't be And therefore, if there can't be And therefore, if there can't be regeneration without an incarnation, regeneration without an incarnation, regeneration without an incarnation, then there won't be any purification then there won't be any purification then there won't be any purification without an incarnation either. without an incarnation either. without an incarnation either. Everything hangs on the incarnation. Everything hangs on the incarnation. Everything hangs on the incarnation. Lastly, justification. justification. It's not mentioned here. It's not It's not mentioned here. It's not It's not mentioned here. It's not mentioned at all in 1 John directly, but mentioned at all in 1 John directly, but mentioned at all in 1 John directly, but I want you to look at something and see I want you to look at something and see I want you to look at something and see if you puzzle what I puzzle. This is 1 if you puzzle what I puzzle. This is 1 if you puzzle what I puzzle. This is 1 John 3. John 3. John 3. What's going on in verses four and five? What's going on in verses four and five? What's going on in verses four and five? Out of the blue. Out of the blue. Out of the blue. Is it out of the blue? Why are you Is it out of the blue? Why are you Is it out of the blue? Why are you saying this? Everyone who makes a saying this? Everyone who makes a saying this? Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices practice of sinning also practices practice of sinning also practices lawlessness. Well, what's the point of lawlessness. Well, what's the point of lawlessness. Well, what's the point of that? What you bringing up lawlessness that? What you bringing up lawlessness that? What you bringing up lawlessness for? It's not even used anywhere else in for? It's not even used anywhere else in for? It's not even used anywhere else in the book. Out of the blue, he says, "If the book. Out of the blue, he says, "If the book. Out of the blue, he says, "If you practice sin, you practice you practice sin, you practice you practice sin, you practice lawlessness because sin is lawlessness."

And you know And you know that he appeared to take away sins. What's the point? What's the point? Here's my Here's my Here's my effort to see this. He wants to make effort to see this. He wants to make effort to see this. He wants to make clear clear clear that the great work of Christ in saving that the great work of Christ in saving that the great work of Christ in saving us from sin, verse five, he appeared to us from sin, verse five, he appeared to us from sin, verse five, he appeared to take away sin, the great work of Christ take away sin, the great work of Christ take away sin, the great work of Christ in taking away sin in taking away sin in taking away sin does not merely involve purification. You don't get dirty when you break a You don't get dirty when you break a law. You get guilty when you break a law. You get guilty when you break a law. You get guilty when you break a law. law. law. Your danger is not being Your danger is not being Your danger is not being defiled. When you break a law, your defiled. When you break a law, your defiled. When you break a law, your danger is going to jail.

danger is going to jail. danger is going to jail. When you break a law, When you break a law, When you break a law, your danger is the judge, not the your danger is the judge, not the your danger is the judge, not the bathtub or whatever. bathtub or whatever. bathtub or whatever. You see what he's doing? You see what he's doing? You see what he's doing? He's saying all sin, of course, you're He's saying all sin, of course, you're He's saying all sin, of course, you're impure and a holy God can't have you impure and a holy God can't have you impure and a holy God can't have you there without purification and hence new there without purification and hence new there without purification and hence new birth and transformation and final birth and transformation and final birth and transformation and final glorification and likeness to Jesus. All glorification and likeness to Jesus. All glorification and likeness to Jesus. All that is absolutely necessary if we're that is absolutely necessary if we're that is absolutely necessary if we're going to be with him forever and joy. going to be with him forever and joy. going to be with him forever and joy. But now he's saying, and don't forget But now he's saying, and don't forget But now he's saying, and don't forget this, this, this, all sin is lawbreaking. all sin is lawbreaking. all sin is lawbreaking. Which means you got another problem on Which means you got another problem on Which means you got another problem on your hand. your hand. your hand. Guilt. Guilt. Guilt. You got another problem on your hand. You got another problem on your hand. You got another problem on your hand. Wrath from a holy lawgiver. Wrath from a holy lawgiver. Wrath from a holy lawgiver. What you going to do about that? New What you going to do about that? New What you going to do about that? New birth. That won't do any good. birth. That won't do any good. birth. That won't do any good. New birth won't solve your guilt New birth won't solve your guilt New birth won't solve your guilt problem.

Being made like him at the end won't Being made like him at the end won't solve your guilt problem. You're as solve your guilt problem. You're as solve your guilt problem. You're as guilty as ever when you become like guilty as ever when you become like guilty as ever when you become like Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Years and years and years of god Years and years and years of god Years and years and years of god demeaning sin undelt with if all you got demeaning sin undelt with if all you got demeaning sin undelt with if all you got is new birth. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Well, you know the answer to that and so >> Well, you know the answer to that and so >> Well, you know the answer to that and so does John. Let me give you two verses does John. Let me give you two verses does John. Let me give you two verses where he tips his hand as to how he sees where he tips his hand as to how he sees where he tips his hand as to how he sees this. This is 1 John 4:10. this. This is 1 John 4:10. this. This is 1 John 4:10. In this is love, not that we loved God, In this is love, not that we loved God, In this is love, not that we loved God, not that we loved God, but that he loved not that we loved God, but that he loved not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the us and sent his son to be the us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. propitiation for our sins. propitiation for our sins. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Big word, propitiation. Big word, propitiation. Big word, propitiation. What's that? Removal of the indignation and judgment Removal of the indignation and judgment and wrath of God. He sent his son to and wrath of God. He sent his son to and wrath of God. He sent his son to remove remove remove the consequence of our guilt.

the consequence of our guilt. the consequence of our guilt. Propitiation wrath absorbed by Jesus for Propitiation wrath absorbed by Jesus for Propitiation wrath absorbed by Jesus for you couldn't have happened without the you couldn't have happened without the you couldn't have happened without the incarnation. incarnation. incarnation. He has a body. He goes to the body with He has a body. He goes to the body with He has a body. He goes to the body with the body to the cross. And God almighty the body to the cross. And God almighty the body to the cross. And God almighty says, "I love the people that I'm going says, "I love the people that I'm going says, "I love the people that I'm going to make alive and I'm going to remove to make alive and I'm going to remove to make alive and I'm going to remove all wrath from them and pour it out on all wrath from them and pour it out on all wrath from them and pour it out on my son." my son." my son." If you don't love Jesus for that, you're If you don't love Jesus for that, you're If you don't love Jesus for that, you're blind. Oh, how precious. It's about that Oh, how precious. It's about that amazing amazing amazing substitution. And the other verse is 1 substitution. And the other verse is 1 substitution. And the other verse is 1 John 2:1. John 2:1. John 2:1. My little children, I'm writing these My little children, I'm writing these My little children, I'm writing these things to you so that you may not sin. things to you so that you may not sin. things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the father, we have an advocate with the father, Jesus, the incarnate Jesus, the incarnate Jesus, the incarnate son of God. Jesus Christ, son of God. Jesus Christ, son of God. Jesus Christ, the righteous.

the righteous. the righteous. Why do you think he says the righteous? Why do you think he says the righteous? Why do you think he says the righteous? You can see where I'm going. You can see where I'm going. You can see where I'm going. I think this is John's I think this is John's I think this is John's statement about justification. I got guilt. I got wrath. I've got the I got guilt. I got wrath. I've got the shortcomings of no righteousness, no shortcomings of no righteousness, no shortcomings of no righteousness, no perfection. perfection. perfection. I got nothing going for me. I got nothing going for me. I got nothing going for me. And Jesus Christ, because of the love of And Jesus Christ, because of the love of And Jesus Christ, because of the love of God, is sent into the world. And he God, is sent into the world. And he God, is sent into the world. And he provides the righteousness I don't have. provides the righteousness I don't have. provides the righteousness I don't have. And he absorbs the guilt and the wrath And he absorbs the guilt and the wrath And he absorbs the guilt and the wrath that I don't want. that I don't want. that I don't want. And he enables the Holy Spirit then to And he enables the Holy Spirit then to And he enables the Holy Spirit then to move on me and open my eyes to see that move on me and open my eyes to see that move on me and open my eyes to see that and be saved by believing it.

and be saved by believing it. and be saved by believing it. So I conclude, nothing's possible. nothing's possible. But hell, the new birth isn't possible. the new birth isn't possible. Faith isn't possible. Faith isn't possible. Faith isn't possible. Purification isn't possible. Purification isn't possible. Purification isn't possible. Justification isn't possible. And my Justification isn't possible. And my Justification isn't possible. And my final glorification, final glorification, final glorification, being like him, isn't possible. being like him, isn't possible. being like him, isn't possible. [snorts] [snorts] [snorts] Christmas Christmas Christmas is important, is important, is important, but for all the reasons that the world but for all the reasons that the world but for all the reasons that the world doesn't know much about, doesn't know much about, doesn't know much about, what a glorious holiday. It's worth a what a glorious holiday. It's worth a what a glorious holiday. It's worth a few lights. few lights. few lights. It's worth a lot of family love. It's It's worth a lot of family love. It's It's worth a lot of family love. It's worth a lot of gifts. It's Make it good. worth a lot of gifts. It's Make it good. worth a lot of gifts. It's Make it good. Make it good. Make it good. Make it good. But get this. Get this. and love him.

But get this. Get this. and love him. But get this. Get this. and love him. Love him. Love him. Love him. Love him. Love him. Love him. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, we believe that you are here Lord Jesus, we believe that you are here in this room by your spirit in this room by your spirit in this room by your spirit listening to me make much of you. And I listening to me make much of you. And I listening to me make much of you. And I believe that you're pleased believe that you're pleased believe that you're pleased with what we've sung and prayed and with what we've sung and prayed and with what we've sung and prayed and preached. preached. preached. And we just want to say And we just want to say And we just want to say out loud that we love you out loud that we love you out loud that we love you and that this holiday over the next and that this holiday over the next and that this holiday over the next couple of days is about you and we want couple of days is about you and we want couple of days is about you and we want to ask for forgiveness for if we've to ask for forgiveness for if we've to ask for forgiveness for if we've gotten anything lopsided here gotten anything lopsided here gotten anything lopsided here and that you would draw near to the and that you would draw near to the and that you would draw near to the families of our church and the single families of our church and the single families of our church and the single people of our church and the young and people of our church and the young and people of our church and the young and the old of our church and the lonely and the old of our church and the lonely and the old of our church and the lonely and the surrounded of our church and make the surrounded of our church and make the surrounded of our church and make yourself centrally precious, the yourself centrally precious, the yourself centrally precious, the treasure that you are.

We ask this so that you would be We ask this so that you would be glorified in everything we experience in glorified in everything we experience in glorified in everything we experience in these days. these days. these days. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth. As you know, we are of Light and Truth. As you know, we are of Light and Truth. As you know, we are committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered committed to providing God- centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Kroover. On our next episode, Dan Kroover. On our next episode, Dan Kroover. On our next episode, [music] John Piper continues our 15-part [music] John Piper continues our 15-part [music] John Piper continues our 15-part series, Born from Above, with a message series, Born from Above, with a message series, Born from Above, with a message titled The Living Word Imparts [music] titled The Living Word Imparts [music] titled The Living Word Imparts [music] Imperishable Life. I hope you'll join Imperishable Life. I hope you'll join Imperishable Life. I hope you'll join us. For more [music] resources, visit us. For more [music] resources, visit us. For more [music] resources, visit desiring.org.