Experience God in a New Way

Most of us have had Most of us have had this experience. this experience. this experience. You see something you want online and You see something you want online and You see something you want online and you order it you order it you order it and it says arrival and it says arrival and it says arrival two to three days. two to three days. two to three days. And so what do you do for the next two And so what do you do for the next two And so what do you do for the next two to three to three to three sometimes four days? sometimes four days? sometimes four days? You go and see You go and see You go and see is it there yet? is it there yet? is it there yet? Right? Has the package arrived? So you Right? Has the package arrived? So you Right? Has the package arrived? So you look at the front door, the back door look at the front door, the back door look at the front door, the back door and wondering has that mysterious person and wondering has that mysterious person and wondering has that mysterious person who you don't know magically dropped off who you don't know magically dropped off who you don't know magically dropped off that package you ordered on your phone that package you ordered on your phone that package you ordered on your phone or computer. or computer. or computer. And when it finally arrives, you get the And when it finally arrives, you get the And when it finally arrives, you get the package and you bring inside unless package and you bring inside unless package and you bring inside unless you're in a hurry, you usually don't you're in a hurry, you usually don't you're in a hurry, you usually don't just toss it aside. Even though you know just toss it aside. Even though you know just toss it aside. Even though you know what it is, what it is, what it is, you still go ahead and you you still go ahead and you you still go ahead and you tear it open the package and be sure the tear it open the package and be sure the tear it open the package and be sure the people from China or wherever people from China or wherever people from China or wherever it's from it's from it's from have packaged it properly and it's what have packaged it properly and it's what have packaged it properly and it's what you thought it was. And and we enjoy you thought it was. And and we enjoy you thought it was. And and we enjoy getting something new, don't we?

getting something new, don't we? getting something new, don't we? We just do. It doesn't matter who you We just do. It doesn't matter who you We just do. It doesn't matter who you are, where you from. We like getting are, where you from. We like getting are, where you from. We like getting something that is something that is something that is new. new. new. We like getting a new outfit We like getting a new outfit We like getting a new outfit for school or for an event that's coming for school or for an event that's coming for school or for an event that's coming up. up. up. We like getting a new phone that's just We like getting a new phone that's just We like getting a new phone that's just come out. They're many have a new phone come out. They're many have a new phone come out. They're many have a new phone that has this new toy that's got an even that has this new toy that's got an even that has this new toy that's got an even better camera. better camera. better camera. Right? Right? Right? How about a new car? How about a new car? How about a new car? There's nothing greater than a new car. There's nothing greater than a new car. There's nothing greater than a new car. Maybe the greatest thing about a new car Maybe the greatest thing about a new car Maybe the greatest thing about a new car is that is that is that new car smell, isn't it? new car smell, isn't it? new car smell, isn't it? We we like getting new things and of We we like getting new things and of We we like getting new things and of course the the ultimate newness and gift course the the ultimate newness and gift course the the ultimate newness and gift is a newborn baby, isn't it? is a newborn baby, isn't it? is a newborn baby, isn't it? Whether it's your first child or your Whether it's your first child or your Whether it's your first child or your grandchild, a new baby that that this grandchild, a new baby that that this grandchild, a new baby that that this smell of a new baby, the the the smell of a new baby, the the the smell of a new baby, the the the innocence, the potential, the hope that innocence, the potential, the hope that innocence, the potential, the hope that is in a human life that will continue to is in a human life that will continue to is in a human life that will continue to grow.

No matter how old we get, No matter how old we get, we all enjoy we all enjoy we all enjoy receiving something, getting something receiving something, getting something receiving something, getting something that's that's that's new. new. new. New. New. New. So, as we So, as we So, as we close the door on summer and open the close the door on summer and open the close the door on summer and open the door to a new season and a new school door to a new season and a new school door to a new season and a new school year, we began a brand new series today year, we began a brand new series today year, we began a brand new series today called called called all all all things things things new. new. new. All All All things things things new. new. new. And it is my prayer that as we embark And it is my prayer that as we embark And it is my prayer that as we embark upon this new series today, as we go upon this new series today, as we go upon this new series today, as we go deeper into it, deeper into it, deeper into it, that God would do a new work, a new that God would do a new work, a new that God would do a new work, a new thing in your life. And my challenge to thing in your life. And my challenge to thing in your life. And my challenge to you is that you open up your heart, open you is that you open up your heart, open you is that you open up your heart, open up your mind up your mind up your mind for God to do a new thing for God to do a new thing for God to do a new thing in in in you.

God, I'm open God, I'm open for you to do a new thing, a new work for you to do a new thing, a new work for you to do a new thing, a new work in my life. How are we going to do that? in my life. How are we going to do that? in my life. How are we going to do that? We're going to do that by going through We're going to do that by going through We're going to do that by going through this short this short this short but powerful book but powerful book but powerful book called called called First John. First John. First John. Not the Gospel of John, though we'll Not the Gospel of John, though we'll Not the Gospel of John, though we'll refer to it, but 1 John. If you have a refer to it, but 1 John. If you have a refer to it, but 1 John. If you have a Bible, 1 John is at the very back of Bible, 1 John is at the very back of Bible, 1 John is at the very back of your Bible, right before Revelation. your Bible, right before Revelation. your Bible, right before Revelation. 1 John chapter 1 verse 1. We're going to 1 John chapter 1 verse 1. We're going to 1 John chapter 1 verse 1. We're going to go through go through go through this book verse by verse in the this book verse by verse in the this book verse by verse in the following Sundays together. And here's following Sundays together. And here's following Sundays together. And here's what you're going to discover about 1 what you're going to discover about 1 what you're going to discover about 1 John. You'll get a taste of it today. 1 John. You'll get a taste of it today. 1 John. You'll get a taste of it today. 1 John is both deep, John is both deep, John is both deep, really deep, really deep, really deep, and at the same time extremely and at the same time extremely and at the same time extremely practical. practical. practical. So, if you're going along today, you're So, if you're going along today, you're So, if you're going along today, you're going, "Wow, that's too much. That's too going, "Wow, that's too much. That's too going, "Wow, that's too much. That's too heavy. That's too deep." Just wait. heavy. That's too deep." Just wait. heavy. That's too deep." Just wait. Just wait.

Just wait. Just wait. John brings it down where we can see it, John brings it down where we can see it, John brings it down where we can see it, feel it, and actually apply it into our feel it, and actually apply it into our feel it, and actually apply it into our lives. So, 1 John chapter 1 verse 1, lives. So, 1 John chapter 1 verse 1, lives. So, 1 John chapter 1 verse 1, let's look at it. let's look at it. let's look at it. He says, "That which was from the He says, "That which was from the He says, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we beginning, which we have heard, which we beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have have seen with our eyes, which we have have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at, and our hands have touched, looked at, and our hands have touched, looked at, and our hands have touched, this we proclaim concerning the word of this we proclaim concerning the word of this we proclaim concerning the word of life." Hold on to that phrase, "the word life." Hold on to that phrase, "the word life." Hold on to that phrase, "the word of life." of life." of life." Verse 2, "The life appeared, and we have Verse 2, "The life appeared, and we have Verse 2, "The life appeared, and we have seen it, and we testify to it, and we seen it, and we testify to it, and we seen it, and we testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life which proclaim to you the eternal life which proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father, was with the Father, was with the Father, and has appeared [music] to us. and has appeared [music] to us. and has appeared [music] to us. We proclaim to you We proclaim to you We proclaim to you what we have seen what we have seen what we have seen and heard, and heard, and heard, so that you also may have fellowship so that you also may have fellowship so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the with us. And our fellowship is with the with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ." Look Father and His Son Jesus Christ." Look Father and His Son Jesus Christ." Look at verse 4. "And we would write this to at verse 4. "And we would write this to at verse 4. "And we would write this to make our joy make our joy make our joy complete."

John John is writing this letter is writing this letter is writing this letter to churches throughout the Mediterranean to churches throughout the Mediterranean to churches throughout the Mediterranean world. world. world. This is not John the Baptist. This is This is not John the Baptist. This is This is not John the Baptist. This is John the disciple. Uh the time he wrote John the disciple. Uh the time he wrote John the disciple. Uh the time he wrote this is approximately around 85 AD. this is approximately around 85 AD. this is approximately around 85 AD. So, So, So, all the disciples, including Paul, all the disciples, including Paul, all the disciples, including Paul, are now dead. They've all been martyred are now dead. They've all been martyred are now dead. They've all been martyred for the faith. for the faith. for the faith. He is in a town known as Ephesus, which He is in a town known as Ephesus, which He is in a town known as Ephesus, which is in modern-day Turkey. Why is he in is in modern-day Turkey. Why is he in is in modern-day Turkey. Why is he in Ephesus? Many believe he was in Ephesus Ephesus? Many believe he was in Ephesus Ephesus? Many believe he was in Ephesus because he had taken Mary, the mother of because he had taken Mary, the mother of because he had taken Mary, the mother of Christ, out of Jerusalem because of Christ, out of Jerusalem because of Christ, out of Jerusalem because of persecution to this very cosmopolitan persecution to this very cosmopolitan persecution to this very cosmopolitan and important city in the Roman Empire and important city in the Roman Empire and important city in the Roman Empire called Ephesus. called Ephesus. called Ephesus. So, he is writing this letter to a group So, he is writing this letter to a group So, he is writing this letter to a group of churches that are spread out through of churches that are spread out through of churches that are spread out through the Mediterranean world. So, it's 85 AD. the Mediterranean world. So, it's 85 AD. the Mediterranean world. So, it's 85 AD. Christ was resurrected in 33 AD. Peter Christ was resurrected in 33 AD. Peter Christ was resurrected in 33 AD. Peter and Paul were martyred by Nero in around and Paul were martyred by Nero in around and Paul were martyred by Nero in around 66 AD to give you a little historical 66 AD to give you a little historical 66 AD to give you a little historical perspective.

perspective. perspective. As I look at this passage, As I look at this passage, As I look at this passage, I ask myself I ask myself I ask myself three questions. three questions. three questions. And and I thought about that today as And and I thought about that today as And and I thought about that today as we're getting ready to go in this new we're getting ready to go in this new we're getting ready to go in this new series and how a lot of times here at series and how a lot of times here at series and how a lot of times here at our church, we talk about the importance our church, we talk about the importance our church, we talk about the importance of reading the Bible and reading the of reading the Bible and reading the of reading the Bible and reading the Bible daily. Bible daily. Bible daily. And here's what I discovered in reading And here's what I discovered in reading And here's what I discovered in reading the Bible myself and trying to encourage the Bible myself and trying to encourage the Bible myself and trying to encourage others to do the same thing is that the others to do the same thing is that the others to do the same thing is that the Bible is not an easy book to read. Bible is not an easy book to read. Bible is not an easy book to read. Sometimes we act like, "Oh, just go read Sometimes we act like, "Oh, just go read Sometimes we act like, "Oh, just go read your Bible." Well, the Bible can be a your Bible." Well, the Bible can be a your Bible." Well, the Bible can be a very complex book to read. So, it's best very complex book to read. So, it's best very complex book to read. So, it's best to read the Bible, I think, in small to read the Bible, I think, in small to read the Bible, I think, in small portions. portions. portions. And so, a big part of the Bible and And so, a big part of the Bible and And so, a big part of the Bible and understanding the Bible and what God is understanding the Bible and what God is understanding the Bible and what God is saying is asking the right questions. saying is asking the right questions. saying is asking the right questions. So, today I want to look at three So, today I want to look at three So, today I want to look at three questions that we're going to ask about questions that we're going to ask about questions that we're going to ask about this passage, but I want you to look at this passage, but I want you to look at this passage, but I want you to look at these three questions. If you have never these three questions. If you have never these three questions. If you have never really read the Bible before or you're really read the Bible before or you're really read the Bible before or you're starting to read the Bible again, these starting to read the Bible again, these starting to read the Bible again, these are three questions you could ask of any are three questions you could ask of any are three questions you could ask of any passage in the word of God. Does that passage in the word of God. Does that passage in the word of God. Does that make sense?

make sense? make sense? So, this is kind of a overarching So, this is kind of a overarching So, this is kind of a overarching concept, a grid that will help you and concept, a grid that will help you and concept, a grid that will help you and help me read verses and read passages of help me read verses and read passages of help me read verses and read passages of the Bible and to figure out what God is the Bible and to figure out what God is the Bible and to figure out what God is trying to say to us. So, the first trying to say to us. So, the first trying to say to us. So, the first question I would ask about this passage question I would ask about this passage question I would ask about this passage or about any passage, really, is is this or about any passage, really, is is this or about any passage, really, is is this question. What does this tell us question. What does this tell us question. What does this tell us about God? about God? about God? What is this passage, what are these What is this passage, what are these What is this passage, what are these verses that we're reading here today, verses that we're reading here today, verses that we're reading here today, tell us about tell us about tell us about who God who God who God is? is? is? Well, Well, Well, we can see here we can see here we can see here in 1 John when he says, "That which is in 1 John when he says, "That which is in 1 John when he says, "That which is from the beginning and concerning the from the beginning and concerning the from the beginning and concerning the word of life which was with the Father word of life which was with the Father word of life which was with the Father has appeared us." We can see that John has appeared us." We can see that John has appeared us." We can see that John is making a parallel is making a parallel is making a parallel to his gospel to his gospel to his gospel in John chapter 1 verse 1 following. in John chapter 1 verse 1 following. in John chapter 1 verse 1 following. John chapter 1 verse 1 following says, John chapter 1 verse 1 following says, John chapter 1 verse 1 following says, "In the beginning was the word and the "In the beginning was the word and the "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. word was with God and the word was God. word was with God and the word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

He was with God in the beginning. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made. Through him all things were made. Through him all things were made. Without him nothing was made that has Without him nothing was made that has Without him nothing was made that has been made." That's the Gospel of John 1 been made." That's the Gospel of John 1 been made." That's the Gospel of John 1 verses 1 and 2. Now, the word word here, verses 1 and 2. Now, the word word here, verses 1 and 2. Now, the word word here, it's a critical word. It's a very very it's a critical word. It's a very very it's a critical word. It's a very very important word. important word. important word. So, if we could read it in the Greek So, if we could read it in the Greek So, if we could read it in the Greek language, it would say, "In the language, it would say, "In the language, it would say, "In the beginning was the Logos and the Logos beginning was the Logos and the Logos beginning was the Logos and the Logos was God and the Logos was with God." was God and the Logos was with God." was God and the Logos was with God." Through the Logos everything was made. Through the Logos everything was made. Through the Logos everything was made. In this verse here today, it would say, In this verse here today, it would say, In this verse here today, it would say, "We proclaim to you the Logos of Zoe, "We proclaim to you the Logos of Zoe, "We proclaim to you the Logos of Zoe, the Logos the Logos the Logos of life." Now, the term Logos was packed of life." Now, the term Logos was packed of life." Now, the term Logos was packed with meaning with meaning with meaning for people living in the Greco-Roman for people living in the Greco-Roman for people living in the Greco-Roman world of that day. It's also packed with world of that day. It's also packed with world of that day. It's also packed with meaning for us here today, as well. meaning for us here today, as well. meaning for us here today, as well. We can go back to 500 BC, really We can go back to 500 BC, really We can go back to 500 BC, really pre-Platonic times in the philosophical pre-Platonic times in the philosophical pre-Platonic times in the philosophical world, and we can look at a philosopher world, and we can look at a philosopher world, and we can look at a philosopher with the name of Heraclitus. Heraclitus, with the name of Heraclitus. Heraclitus, with the name of Heraclitus. Heraclitus, who also was from Ephesus, interesting, who also was from Ephesus, interesting, who also was from Ephesus, interesting, talked about the Logos.

talked about the Logos. talked about the Logos. He talked about the Logos. It was a very He talked about the Logos. It was a very He talked about the Logos. It was a very important principle in understanding how important principle in understanding how important principle in understanding how we could relate to reality. What was we could relate to reality. What was we could relate to reality. What was Logos in in Grecian terms? It meant that Logos in in Grecian terms? It meant that Logos in in Grecian terms? It meant that rational principle rational principle rational principle that orders the universe. that orders the universe. that orders the universe. So, Logos is So, Logos is So, Logos is means order. It means pattern. It means means order. It means pattern. It means means order. It means pattern. It means the reason things make the reason things make the reason things make sense. 300 BC, you have another critical 300 BC, you have another critical thinker that Paul would engage in in his thinker that Paul would engage in in his thinker that Paul would engage in in his missionary travels, and that was Zeno. missionary travels, and that was Zeno. missionary travels, and that was Zeno. Zeno was the founder of Stoicism. Stoics Zeno was the founder of Stoicism. Stoics Zeno was the founder of Stoicism. Stoics believe deeply and powerfully, one of believe deeply and powerfully, one of believe deeply and powerfully, one of their core beliefs is that of Logos. In their core beliefs is that of Logos. In their core beliefs is that of Logos. In other words, outside of the universe, other words, outside of the universe, other words, outside of the universe, outside of time and space, there is a outside of time and space, there is a outside of time and space, there is a Logos. There is a divine intelligence, a Logos. There is a divine intelligence, a Logos. There is a divine intelligence, a divine principle that embeds reason and divine principle that embeds reason and divine principle that embeds reason and rationality into the created world.

Imagine a video game. Imagine a video game. Okay? Okay? Okay? So, think about it like code in a video So, think about it like code in a video So, think about it like code in a video game. game. game. If you didn't have code that was If you didn't have code that was If you didn't have code that was embedded in that video game, then you embedded in that video game, then you embedded in that video game, then you couldn't understand what was coming at couldn't understand what was coming at couldn't understand what was coming at you at the screen on the screen. None of you at the screen on the screen. None of you at the screen on the screen. None of it would make any sense. It would be a it would make any sense. It would be a it would make any sense. It would be a bunch of noise and a bunch of colors and bunch of noise and a bunch of colors and bunch of noise and a bunch of colors and a bunch of blah blah blah blah blah blah a bunch of blah blah blah blah blah blah a bunch of blah blah blah blah blah blah coming to you. But, because someone, a coming to you. But, because someone, a coming to you. But, because someone, a designer, designer, designer, has embedded that game with code, has embedded that game with code, has embedded that game with code, then we are able to experience that then we are able to experience that then we are able to experience that game, even get into that game, play that game, even get into that game, play that game, even get into that game, play that game, because it now has meaning and game, because it now has meaning and game, because it now has meaning and order and rational structure. order and rational structure. order and rational structure. So, So, So, in John chapter 1 and in 1 John 1, what in John chapter 1 and in 1 John 1, what in John chapter 1 and in 1 John 1, what he is saying is this, he is saying is this, he is saying is this, is that the Logos, this is that the Logos, this is that the Logos, this divine principle that orders all reality divine principle that orders all reality divine principle that orders all reality and reason, has now actually entered and reason, has now actually entered and reason, has now actually entered into our into our into our world as a world as a world as a person.

Why is our world intelligible? Why is our world intelligible? It's because the Logos has implanted and It's because the Logos has implanted and It's because the Logos has implanted and embedded our world, nature, human embedded our world, nature, human embedded our world, nature, human beings, animals, the stars, everything beings, animals, the stars, everything beings, animals, the stars, everything with this meaning and intelligibility. with this meaning and intelligibility. with this meaning and intelligibility. That's the code that's built in. That's the code that's built in. That's the code that's built in. That's what he's saying here. That's what he's saying here. That's what he's saying here. He's saying this Logos, He's saying this Logos, He's saying this Logos, the invisible Logos, has become visible the invisible Logos, has become visible the invisible Logos, has become visible in the person of Christ. in the person of Christ. in the person of Christ. The uncreated has now entered into the The uncreated has now entered into the The uncreated has now entered into the created. Heaven has now come down to created. Heaven has now come down to created. Heaven has now come down to Earth. Earth. Earth. And is united in the person of Christ. And is united in the person of Christ. And is united in the person of Christ. So, he's saying, we now have a new way So, he's saying, we now have a new way So, he's saying, we now have a new way to [clears throat] experience and to [clears throat] experience and to [clears throat] experience and understand God, but also to experience understand God, but also to experience understand God, but also to experience and understand the world that we live in and understand the world that we live in and understand the world that we live in and the world that he made. a culture's origin stories a culture's origin stories wields great power.

Many people in our culture Many people in our culture for centuries now have been lied to for centuries now have been lied to for centuries now have been lied to by telling us that at the by telling us that at the by telling us that at the beginning of the beginning beginning of the beginning beginning of the beginning is not logos, but is simply is not logos, but is simply is not logos, but is simply accident, chance, accident, chance, accident, chance, and matter in motion and molecules. and matter in motion and molecules. and matter in motion and molecules. That is a gross misunderstanding of the That is a gross misunderstanding of the That is a gross misunderstanding of the nature of reality. nature of reality. nature of reality. God's word tells us, God's word tells us, God's word tells us, nature tells us that there is a God who nature tells us that there is a God who nature tells us that there is a God who has a purpose, who has reason, who has has a purpose, who has reason, who has has a purpose, who has reason, who has rationality, who has embedded us us with rationality, who has embedded us us with rationality, who has embedded us us with reason and rationality to understand him reason and rationality to understand him reason and rationality to understand him and to understand his world. and to understand his world. and to understand his world. And really that's the choice when it And really that's the choice when it And really that's the choice when it comes to origins. comes to origins. comes to origins. The choice is not so much the mechanism The choice is not so much the mechanism The choice is not so much the mechanism of how we got here and who we are. of how we got here and who we are. of how we got here and who we are. That's not really the choice. That's not really the choice. That's not really the choice. The choice really can be articulated The choice really can be articulated The choice really can be articulated well by my youngest daughter Claire when well by my youngest daughter Claire when well by my youngest daughter Claire when she was 4 years old.

she was 4 years old. she was 4 years old. When Claire was 4 years old and she When Claire was 4 years old and she When Claire was 4 years old and she would get caught doing something, let's would get caught doing something, let's would get caught doing something, let's say, you know, taking her sister's say, you know, taking her sister's say, you know, taking her sister's crayon or something, and we'd go, crayon or something, and we'd go, crayon or something, and we'd go, "Claire, you stole that crayon." She'd "Claire, you stole that crayon." She'd "Claire, you stole that crayon." She'd go, "Oh, it was an accident." go, "Oh, it was an accident." go, "Oh, it was an accident." It was an accident. It was an accident. It was an accident. Go forward a few days and her older Go forward a few days and her older Go forward a few days and her older sister, sister, sister, you know, would see the crayon and get you know, would see the crayon and get you know, would see the crayon and get caught on the carpet and she'd go, "She caught on the carpet and she'd go, "She caught on the carpet and she'd go, "She did it on purpose! did it on purpose! did it on purpose! By design!" By design!" By design!" So, really that's the argument when it So, really that's the argument when it So, really that's the argument when it comes to understanding how in the world comes to understanding how in the world comes to understanding how in the world or how on earth we got here or how or how on earth we got here or how or how on earth we got here or how anything got here, it's either here by anything got here, it's either here by anything got here, it's either here by accident accident accident or by or by or by design. design. design. It's either random chance It's either random chance It's either random chance or it's by purpose. or it's by purpose. or it's by purpose. But I would argue way before John said But I would argue way before John said But I would argue way before John said this, so many thinkers, philosophers, this, so many thinkers, philosophers, this, so many thinkers, philosophers, etc. understood the necessity etc. understood the necessity etc. understood the necessity of purpose and design and of purpose and design and of purpose and design and intelligibility being the starting point intelligibility being the starting point intelligibility being the starting point for this world rather than something as for this world rather than something as for this world rather than something as chaotic and unpredictable chaotic and unpredictable chaotic and unpredictable and ineffective as random chance.

and ineffective as random chance. and ineffective as random chance. So, what does this tell us about God? what does this tell us about God? Basically, it tells us Basically, it tells us Basically, it tells us that the invisible that the invisible that the invisible has become has become has become visible. visible. visible. The Logos, the reason, the pattern has The Logos, the reason, the pattern has The Logos, the reason, the pattern has become a person and entered into our become a person and entered into our become a person and entered into our realm. realm. realm. Leads to the second question. Leads to the second question. Leads to the second question. That we'll ask about this passage and That we'll ask about this passage and That we'll ask about this passage and the second question you can ask about the second question you can ask about the second question you can ask about any passage in God's word. And that is, any passage in God's word. And that is, any passage in God's word. And that is, what does this tell us about ourselves? what does this tell us about ourselves? what does this tell us about ourselves? What does this passage tell us about What does this passage tell us about What does this passage tell us about ourselves? Well, ourselves? Well, ourselves? Well, it tells us a lot of things, but one of it tells us a lot of things, but one of it tells us a lot of things, but one of the things it tells us is that we are the things it tells us is that we are the things it tells us is that we are experiential creatures. experiential creatures. experiential creatures. We're experiential creatures. I love We're experiential creatures. I love We're experiential creatures. I love John saying, "Listen, we we're trying to John saying, "Listen, we we're trying to John saying, "Listen, we we're trying to communicate to you folks what we have communicate to you folks what we have communicate to you folks what we have seen, what we have heard, what we have seen, what we have heard, what we have seen, what we have heard, what we have touched, what we have felt. We want to touched, what we have felt. We want to touched, what we have felt. We want to communicate communicate communicate this life, this experience to you. We've this life, this experience to you. We've this life, this experience to you. We've experienced it and we want to share it experienced it and we want to share it experienced it and we want to share it with you. We are experiential creatures with you. We are experiential creatures with you. We are experiential creatures and the way God has designed us and the way God has designed us and the way God has designed us is to is to is to be able to understand our world and to be able to understand our world and to be able to understand our world and to experience the world that he's given us experience the world that he's given us experience the world that he's given us in a multiplicity of ways. So, for in a multiplicity of ways. So, for in a multiplicity of ways. So, for example, let's just take the ocean.

example, let's just take the ocean. example, let's just take the ocean. Think about the number of ways that you Think about the number of ways that you Think about the number of ways that you and I can have knowledge of the ocean. and I can have knowledge of the ocean. and I can have knowledge of the ocean. We can read about the ocean. We can read about the ocean. We can read about the ocean. We can look at pictures and look at cute We can look at pictures and look at cute We can look at pictures and look at cute little videos about the ocean. little videos about the ocean. little videos about the ocean. Or we can go to the ocean. Or we can go to the ocean. Or we can go to the ocean. And we go to the ocean, we can look, and And we go to the ocean, we can look, and And we go to the ocean, we can look, and we can see we can see we can see the ocean. We can see the horizon. the ocean. We can see the horizon. the ocean. We can see the horizon. We also We also We also if we're close enough if we're close enough if we're close enough we can hear the ocean. we can hear the ocean. we can hear the ocean. There's something peaceful about hearing There's something peaceful about hearing There's something peaceful about hearing the ocean, about hearing the ocean, about hearing the ocean, about hearing the waves crash on the on the shore. the waves crash on the on the shore. the waves crash on the on the shore. How else can we experience the ocean? How else can we experience the ocean? How else can we experience the ocean? Well, Well, Well, we can smell the ocean. we can smell the ocean. we can smell the ocean. We can smell the salt water. We can smell the salt water. We can smell the salt water. I often tell people about sharks. They I often tell people about sharks. They I often tell people about sharks. They go, "I'm going to a place that's ocean. go, "I'm going to a place that's ocean. go, "I'm going to a place that's ocean. How do I know if there are sharks How do I know if there are sharks How do I know if there are sharks there?" I said, "It's very simple. Take there?" I said, "It's very simple. Take there?" I said, "It's very simple. Take this test. Walk out in the middle of the this test. Walk out in the middle of the this test. Walk out in the middle of the ocean, dip your finger in it, taste it. ocean, dip your finger in it, taste it. ocean, dip your finger in it, taste it. If it's salty, there are sharks there." If it's salty, there are sharks there." If it's salty, there are sharks there." Anyway, so you can you can smell the ocean. You can you can you can smell the ocean. You can do what you can taste the ocean.

do what you can taste the ocean. do what you can taste the ocean. You can walk on the side of the ocean on You can walk on the side of the ocean on You can walk on the side of the ocean on the shoreline holding hands with the one the shoreline holding hands with the one the shoreline holding hands with the one you love. you love. you love. And And And you can jump in you can jump in you can jump in and experience the ocean and experience the ocean and experience the ocean by swimming in it, or diving in it, or by swimming in it, or diving in it, or by swimming in it, or diving in it, or fishing in it, or surfing in it, or fishing in it, or surfing in it, or fishing in it, or surfing in it, or whatever you want to do. You can whatever you want to do. You can whatever you want to do. You can experience the ocean in a multiplicity experience the ocean in a multiplicity experience the ocean in a multiplicity of ways. of ways. of ways. And still And still And still not fully understand the ocean. not fully understand the ocean. not fully understand the ocean. You can understand enough of it to enjoy You can understand enough of it to enjoy You can understand enough of it to enjoy it. You can have understand enough of it it. You can have understand enough of it it. You can have understand enough of it to see it, to feel it, to smell it, to to see it, to feel it, to smell it, to to see it, to feel it, to smell it, to enter into it, and to explain it to enter into it, and to explain it to enter into it, and to explain it to others and say, "Wow, come join me on others and say, "Wow, come join me on others and say, "Wow, come join me on this trip. Hey, let's go here. Let's go this trip. Hey, let's go here. Let's go this trip. Hey, let's go here. Let's go to this ocean. Let's look at it. Let's to this ocean. Let's look at it. Let's to this ocean. Let's look at it. Let's experience it. Let's jump in." And yet experience it. Let's jump in." And yet experience it. Let's jump in." And yet you know that there's so much more you know that there's so much more you know that there's so much more that you don't know that you don't know that you don't know about the beauty about the beauty about the beauty about the power about the power about the power and the mystery of John John is writing and trying to is writing and trying to is writing and trying to somehow put down into words for us to somehow put down into words for us to somehow put down into words for us to understand what he and his other understand what he and his other understand what he and his other disciples experienced.

When God came down and visited them and When God came down and visited them and they saw Jesus heal people, they saw him they saw Jesus heal people, they saw him they saw Jesus heal people, they saw him cast out demons, they saw him raise the cast out demons, they saw him raise the cast out demons, they saw him raise the dead. dead. dead. They experienced the love and the hope They experienced the love and the hope They experienced the love and the hope and the joy that he gave them. and the joy that he gave them. and the joy that he gave them. And the mission when he sent them out And the mission when he sent them out And the mission when he sent them out and he's trying to explain, "Hey, this and he's trying to explain, "Hey, this and he's trying to explain, "Hey, this is who we are. We're meant to receive is who we are. We're meant to receive is who we are. We're meant to receive and to live and to have meaningful and to live and to have meaningful and to live and to have meaningful relationships." He goes, "Our fellowship relationships." He goes, "Our fellowship relationships." He goes, "Our fellowship is with you. We want to have greater is with you. We want to have greater is with you. We want to have greater connection, greater fellowship with you connection, greater fellowship with you connection, greater fellowship with you and our fellowship is with the Logos, and our fellowship is with the Logos, and our fellowship is with the Logos, the triune God, the Father, the Son and the triune God, the Father, the Son and the triune God, the Father, the Son and explicitly the Spirit." And he's saying, explicitly the Spirit." And he's saying, explicitly the Spirit." And he's saying, "Hey, I want you to have "Hey, I want you to have "Hey, I want you to have this relationship. We're designed to this relationship. We're designed to this relationship. We're designed to have have have a meaningful a meaningful a meaningful deep connection, intimate relationship deep connection, intimate relationship deep connection, intimate relationship with the almighty God who also, as John with the almighty God who also, as John with the almighty God who also, as John says so many times, says so many times, says so many times, is our Father is our Father is our Father through Christ.

Everybody put your hands together right Everybody put your hands together right there. Do it right here. Right? It's there. Do it right here. Right? It's there. Do it right here. Right? It's good, isn't it? Let's keep them here. good, isn't it? Let's keep them here. good, isn't it? Let's keep them here. Keep them here. Keep them here. Okay. Keep them here. Keep them here. Okay. Keep them here. Keep them here. Okay. So, we're like this. So, we're like this. So, we're like this. Right? Our hands are Right? Our hands are Right? Our hands are are close to one another. are close to one another. are close to one another. They're tight. They're tight. They're tight. But then if we do this, if we interlace But then if we do this, if we interlace But then if we do this, if we interlace them, them, them, right? right? right? When I was in junior high, this meant a When I was in junior high, this meant a When I was in junior high, this meant a lot. If you ever could have held hands lot. If you ever could have held hands lot. If you ever could have held hands like this, you were like this, you were like this, you were you were happy. Right? This this is Right? This this is This is what I think God desires for us This is what I think God desires for us This is what I think God desires for us to grow in and understand in our life. to grow in and understand in our life. to grow in and understand in our life. Yes, he wants us to know him like this. Yes, he wants us to know him like this. Yes, he wants us to know him like this. This is great. But as we continue to This is great. But as we continue to This is great. But as we continue to grow, grow, grow, understand him, understand him, understand him, swim in the ocean of his reality and the swim in the ocean of his reality and the swim in the ocean of his reality and the knowledge of his love and obey him and knowledge of his love and obey him and knowledge of his love and obey him and follow him and pray to him and worship follow him and pray to him and worship follow him and pray to him and worship him and look to him and take risk for him and look to him and take risk for him and look to him and take risk for him, boom, we develop a more intimate him, boom, we develop a more intimate him, boom, we develop a more intimate relationship with our father. relationship with our father. relationship with our father. That's what John's trying to share with That's what John's trying to share with That's what John's trying to share with us.

us. us. We've seen him. We've heard him. We've We've seen him. We've heard him. We've We've seen him. We've heard him. We've been around him. And we share this with been around him. And we share this with been around him. And we share this with you. Which brings us to our our third Which brings us to our our third question. question. question. Again, Again, Again, third question I have about this third question I have about this third question I have about this passage. This is the third question you passage. This is the third question you passage. This is the third question you can have about any passage or verse you can have about any passage or verse you can have about any passage or verse you read in scripture. read in scripture. read in scripture. And and the third question is this, is And and the third question is this, is And and the third question is this, is how do we apply this? how do we apply this? how do we apply this? How how do we apply How how do we apply How how do we apply what we're reading? what we're reading? what we're reading? What does this tell us What does this tell us What does this tell us to do? Well, to do? Well, to do? Well, it's kind of obvious. One of the things it's kind of obvious. One of the things it's kind of obvious. One of the things that's happening here is is it John is that's happening here is is it John is that's happening here is is it John is saying, "Wow, we've experienced this new saying, "Wow, we've experienced this new saying, "Wow, we've experienced this new life, this new joy, this new life, this new joy, this new life, this new joy, this new relationship with God in a radically new relationship with God in a radically new relationship with God in a radically new way, and and we're so excited about it. way, and and we're so excited about it. way, and and we're so excited about it. We're so pumped up about it that we We're so pumped up about it that we We're so pumped up about it that we can't stay silent. And we want to share can't stay silent. And we want to share can't stay silent. And we want to share it with you so that you will have joy it with you so that you will have joy it with you so that you will have joy and so that we will have joy. and so that we will have joy. and so that we will have joy. Right? Right? Right? We we we want to be sure that the joy We we we want to be sure that the joy We we we want to be sure that the joy and the love and the intimate and the love and the intimate and the love and the intimate relationship that God has given to us, relationship that God has given to us, relationship that God has given to us, that we can share it with you, that you that we can share it with you, that you that we can share it with you, that you receive it so that our joy receive it so that our joy receive it so that our joy maybe may will be made complete.

maybe may will be made complete. maybe may will be made complete. So, it's like how do we apply this? So, it's like how do we apply this? So, it's like how do we apply this? Well, we have to get to a spot where Well, we have to get to a spot where Well, we have to get to a spot where we're so full of Christ we're so full of Christ we're so full of Christ realizing his great sacrifice for us, realizing his great sacrifice for us, realizing his great sacrifice for us, his resurrection for us, his resurrection for us, his resurrection for us, so full of the love of Christ that we so full of the love of Christ that we so full of the love of Christ that we want to bring others want to bring others want to bring others to invite them to church, to invite them to invite them to church, to invite them to invite them to church, to invite them to worship, to invite them to experience to worship, to invite them to experience to worship, to invite them to experience the love and the light that we have. That That's the goal. That That's the goal. Th- This We We want to have a a new Th- This We We want to have a a new Th- This We We want to have a a new experience with God, a new understanding experience with God, a new understanding experience with God, a new understanding with God. We want to grow deeper in his with God. We want to grow deeper in his with God. We want to grow deeper in his love and and and in the knowledge of him love and and and in the knowledge of him love and and and in the knowledge of him so much that we're like, "Hey, I want so much that we're like, "Hey, I want so much that we're like, "Hey, I want someone at work to come with me. I want someone at work to come with me. I want someone at work to come with me. I want one of my friends. I want one of my one of my friends. I want one of my one of my friends. I want one of my family members, someone I work out with, family members, someone I work out with, family members, someone I work out with, someone I play golf with. I want to someone I play golf with. I want to someone I play golf with. I want to bring them to a place bring them to a place bring them to a place where they can hear the same good news where they can hear the same good news where they can hear the same good news that has changed my life." that has changed my life." that has changed my life." That's the application.

So, are you doing that? Ar- Are you So, are you doing that? Ar- Are you pursuing a relationship with God? And pursuing a relationship with God? And pursuing a relationship with God? And are you overflowing with the joy of that are you overflowing with the joy of that are you overflowing with the joy of that relationship, this intimacy so much that relationship, this intimacy so much that relationship, this intimacy so much that you're inviting others? Well, here's what I do know. Well, here's what I do know. A lot of you are. A lot of you are. A lot of you are. A lot of you A lot of you A lot of you are. are. are. You say, "Well, how do you know that? You say, "Well, how do you know that? You say, "Well, how do you know that? Are you psychic?" No, I am not. But I do know that last Sunday But I do know that last Sunday one Sunday, we at our church baptized one Sunday, we at our church baptized one Sunday, we at our church baptized 171 171 171 people. people. people. Right? In one day. So that means as you can see those pictures that means as you can see those pictures that a lot of us that a lot of us that a lot of us are inviting our family members, our are inviting our family members, our are inviting our family members, our friends, co-workers, people we know to friends, co-workers, people we know to friends, co-workers, people we know to say, "Hey say, "Hey say, "Hey come with me to church. Come with me to my Bible to church. Come with me to my Bible study class. Come with me study class. Come with me study class. Come with me to camp. Come with me to VBS. Come with to camp. Come with me to VBS. Come with to camp. Come with me to VBS. Come with me to the youth gathering and hear the me to the youth gathering and hear the me to the youth gathering and hear the message message message that changed my life."

You know, one of the things we we do You know, one of the things we we do here here here through our technology team is that if through our technology team is that if through our technology team is that if you were unable to be here you were unable to be here you were unable to be here on a Sunday morning, we broadcast on a Sunday morning, we broadcast on a Sunday morning, we broadcast this message live online. this message live online. this message live online. So people watch our worship services So people watch our worship services So people watch our worship services from all over the country and all over from all over the country and all over from all over the country and all over Houston when they can't make it to Houston when they can't make it to Houston when they can't make it to church. church. church. So last week So last week So last week having the message, we're we're doing having the message, we're we're doing having the message, we're we're doing inviting people to get baptized inviting people to get baptized inviting people to get baptized and there's a family that's watching and there's a family that's watching and there's a family that's watching online here in Houston online here in Houston online here in Houston and they're just watching. and they're just watching. and they're just watching. And they're saying, "Hey, we want to And they're saying, "Hey, we want to And they're saying, "Hey, we want to experience experience experience jump in if you would jump in if you would jump in if you would and get baptized." and get baptized." and get baptized." So they drove, I don't know who who they So they drove, I don't know who who they So they drove, I don't know who who they called, they drove wherever they were called, they drove wherever they were called, they drove wherever they were all the way to the church with their all the way to the church with their all the way to the church with their family. family. family. And that's Julia right there and she got And that's Julia right there and she got And that's Julia right there and she got baptized but she first saw it watching baptized but she first saw it watching baptized but she first saw it watching >> [applause] holds holds I'm making all I'm making all I'm making all things things things new.

new. new. All things new. My prayer for you My prayer for you is as we embark [music] on this brand is as we embark [music] on this brand is as we embark [music] on this brand new journey, this brand new series, as new journey, this brand new series, as new journey, this brand new series, as we dive into this book, as we dive into we dive into this book, as we dive into we dive into this book, as we dive into this new school year, [music] that God this new school year, [music] that God this new school year, [music] that God is going to do a new work and a new is going to do a new work and a new is going to do a new work and a new thing in thing in thing in >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> your life. >> your life. >> your life. >> Amen.