I want you to turn to John chapter number 13. John chapter number 13. Understand this. If you're a Christian, every child of God should be a dedicated student of the word of God. What I hold in my hands, what you are holding this morning is a living book. Yes, there's history. Yes, there's science. Yes, there's many facts in the word of God, but this is not a textbook. This is God's holy word. As a matter of fact, in my mind, there's no difference when you open up the pages of the Word of God and you begin to read than if God would jump out of the balcony of heaven and begin to speak in an audible voice. That is how real the Word of God is to the children of God. When you study the Gospel of John as any book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, you are looking for the focus, you are looking for the main theme in which the writer is presenting. In the Gospel of John, it begins at the very outset in John chapter number 1, and it reminds us of this doctrine of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you read, and I encourage you in the next few days to read this small gospel, the 21 chapters, but every verse, every chapter, it surrounds itself with the doctrine of the deity of Christ. As a matter of fact, when you search for the context of the intended purpose or the intended meaning, If you get anything out of the gospel of John, at least in its context, other than the deity of Christ, you are out of context for which John is presenting this gospel. We understand in John chapter number one, the Bible says, in the beginning was the word and the word was with God, but watch this. and the word was God and then in that very traditional verse in verse 14 in chapter number one and the word the same word it became flesh and dwelt among us that is simply the doctrine of the deity of Christ that reminds me, I am not serving a religious leader. I am not serving just some good man that lived upon this earth. But when you speak of the Lord Jesus Christ, he was literally God robed in the flesh. We are preparing to celebrate his resurrection. You know why he got up from the grave? Because he was not Buddha. He was not Muhammad. He was not a statue sitting up on a shelf. but he was God and is God and always will be God yes he died upon a cross but he could not stay dead he was resurrection in the body and he got up from the grave he was all God not ceasing to be all man So when you study the Gospel of John, it is constantly surrounding this great Bible doctrine of the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, when we come to John chapter number 13, the Bible is not a sporadic book. Everything is given in order in the Word of God. So that tells me, that shows me that everything that you find in the Bible, it's there for a reason. There are no, in the English language, and I love books and I enjoy reading, and many times in literature, there is considered filler words. And that simply means they just needed some space field. They just needed something to be put in that paragraph. Well, let me make this statement. There are no filler words in the word of God. Everything is there for a reason. So it's very interesting if he is still focused on the deity of Christ, and he is. It is very interesting what John says in chapter number 13. Now, we understand this. If I'm studying the Bible, I'm looking for the audience. I'm trying to find the best we can to our ability some 2,000 years later. I'm trying to find the timeline of the Word of God. So as John is writing in chapter 13, we know this, it is just hours before Calvary. As a matter of fact, as John is writing this and he is focused on this fault of Jesus going to the cross. So in just a few hours, he would bleed and he would die for the sins of the world. But notice the very beginning of John chapter 13. This is interesting. The Lord Jesus Christ, though these are some of the last known hours before Calvary, in chapter 13, at the beginning of this chapter, He is washing the feet of the disciples. I thought about this often. If I knew that this was my last day to live upon the earth, I wouldn't be washing the feet of nobody. I'd be on my motorcycle somewhere. The pastor asked if I played golf. I do not play golf, but I do ride my motorcycles. I know this part of the country, many of you ride horses. Horses are dangerous, motorcycles are safer. That's just my opinion. That's just my opinion. If this was my last day, I hate to say this, but it's probably true. I probably wouldn't even be in church. I'd be outside somewhere enjoying something. But whatever I'd be doing, I would not be washing the feet of my friends. But yet Jesus, in all of his deity, in all of his godliness, He humbled himself and he washed the feet of the disciples. It is not a command that we wash each other's feet, but it is a picture. It is a sign of humility. Being all God, watch this. He began to wash the feet of those that would deny him. He washed the feet of those that would forsake him in his humility. Not only did He wash the feet of the disciples, but look at the second paragraph which begins in verse number 21. Jesus foretells of His betrayal. You know the Bible, you understand the Word of God. This is before Calvary, this is before He would suffer as no man has ever suffered. And all of a sudden, the chosen twelve, we understand that Jesus is a sovereign God. Before he ever chose Judas Iscariot, he knew that he had betrayed him. Before he ever chose the other 12, 11 disciples, he knew exactly what would happen at Calvary, and now he is prophesying. Now he is sitting there with all the 12 disciples, and he tells them, one of you will betray me. As a matter of fact, the Bible says it is at this moment that Satan entered into the heart of Judas Iscariot. But I'm interested, watch the Bible in verse number 31. Now look at the language of the word of God. Notice what just happened. Therefore, he is not changing the subject. He's not going in a different direction. It is still the same subject. It is still the same day. It is still the same audience. He's still speaking to the disciples. Can I say this in the exposition? Number one, there is a necessary cause of this deity. Verse 31 in John chapter number 13, therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, now, that means this present time, this moment, this very hour, now, watch this, Jesus, he'd already raised the dead, but now, he'd already changed the water into wine, but now, he'd already made the blind to see, but now. and how he'd already made the lame to walk again and caused the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. But now this moment is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified. Notice this, the tone of the scripture, in him. Why? Verse 32, if God be glorified in him, this necessary cause, God shall also glorify him where? In himself and shall straightway or immediately glorify him. You know what this necessary cause is? Jesus said, oh yes, he was a miracle working God, but that's not why he came. He's still a miracle working God, but that was not the purpose and the meaning that he came to this earth. but he came for one reason that he would glorify God his father and he would glorify his father by going to a cross by bleeding and dying for your sins by bleeding and dying for my sins yes he could work miracles Yes, he could do amazing things, but he glorified God for one reason and one purpose. In just a little while, he would shed every drop of his blood for sinful mankind. In just a little while, he would suffer as no man would suffer. They would literally beat him with the palms of their hands. They would whip him with a cat of nine tails. The Bible said they would press and twist a crown of thorns upon his brow. He would shed every drop of his blood. This is how he would glorify his father. Number one, there's the necessary calls to this deity. But number two, look at the new commandment given by deity. Watch verse 33. It's amazing what he is saying to the 12 disciples, the 11 now. Look what he says. Little children, physically, they're grown men. Physically, they've been grown men for many, many years. He's not speaking of their physical stature. He is speaking of their spiritual ability. And he is about to command them and give them a commandment that they had never heard. They had never been instructed. Remember, this was right before Calvary. And notice what he tells the disciples. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You shall seek me. As I said unto the Jews, as I said unto the Jews, whether I go, ye cannot come, so now to the disciples, I say to you, watch this, a new commandment. Oh, they had heard many commandments of Christ, but right before Calvary, Jesus said, I give you a new commandment. I give unto you, what is it, Lord? That you love one another? How, as I have loved you? Why? That you also love one another. He's looking around this place, this table, this room, and he sees Peter, and he sees James, and he sees John, he sees all the other disciples. He said, I'm preparing to leave you. I'm preparing to physically go away from you. I told the Jews that that would happen now. Now I tell you, and here's what I wanna do before I leave you. I give you a new commandment. Yes, we understand. We are to love our enemies. The Bible teaches that. Yes, we understand that we are to love those that despitefully have used us, but that's not what he said. He said, James, I want you to love John. John, I want you to love Peter. I want you to love these other disciples that you love. Why, Lord? Look at verse 35. Look at the evidence of this new commandment. By this, this one thing, it's a singularity. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples. Watch the wording. If you have love one to another, James, John, it's not just a matter of saying I love you, it's a matter of showing that I love you. The greatest evidence of being a disciple of Christ, watch this, is that we simply love one another. Oh, in religion, we've made it some outward standard. We've made it a suit and tie that you wear. If that is so, that's ridiculous because most men in Washington, D.C., I was just there the other day, they wear suits and ties. They don't even know who God is. That don't make you a disciple. You can carry a Bible. That don't make you a disciple. Sadly, there's a lot of men around America and just a few hours around the world. They'll be preaching behind some podium on some stage and they are not disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, the greatest evidence that you're my disciple is that you love one another. I can imagine it is estimated for the last three and a half years in the life and the ministry of Christ that they're walking through the streets of Jerusalem and Jesus leading the way. Can you imagine the storekeepers leaning by the gate saying, well, that must be his disciples. They are walking with him. They are seen with him. But the Lord said, no longer will you be seen with me. And the greatest evidence that you're a disciple is that you love one another. Can I make this statement? Thank God you're saved. Thank God you're on your way to heaven. But if you wanna be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, it's a matter of loving the family of God, loving your brother and loving your sister. That is the evidence that you're a disciple. There's a lot of men that are saved behind pulpits, but they're not disciples. There's a lot of people in good Bible believing churches just like this, but they're not disciples. Jesus said the evidence that you're my disciple is simply you love one another. We see this new commandment given by deity. We noticed the necessary calls, but number three, look at verse 36. There's a noble comment spoken to this deity, a noble comment. Look at verse 36. Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, Where are the goings now? Jesus answered him, whether I go thou, thou canst not follow me now, but thou shall follow me afterwards. Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I, watch this, this noble comment, I will lay down my life for thy sake. Lord, not only will I follow you, I'll die for you. I'll give my life for you. I've read many commentators that say this, well, it's just a statement of arrogance. Peter would not die for him. I have even read some that he's simply lying to the face of the Son of God. But can I say it this way? I don't believe that's true. I believe he was very sincere in his comment. I believe this was a very noble comment. At that moment, I think he would have died for Christ. At that moment, I think he would have given his life for Christ. You know why I believe that preacher? Because how many times has the man of God preached, I came to an altar and I said, Lord, I won't do that no more. Lord, I'll change my way of living. Lord, I won't mess up no more. But about the time I got in the parking lot, I already messed up. about the time I got in my car, got to my house, I'd already messed up. But I meant what I said at the altar. It was a noble comment. Number four, watch the exposition. Look at the noteworthy criticism given by D&T in verse 38. Not only is there a noble comment, not only was there a new commandment, but there's a noteworthy criticism. Verse number 38, Jesus, he answered him. He asked him a question, Peter, thou lay down thy life for my sake. Peter, will you really die for me? Peter, will you really give your life for me? Verily, Simon Peter. Oh yes, all the other disciples are there, but directly. He's speaking to Simon Peter. Oh yes, this applies to every one of us, but directly, he's speaking to Simon Peter. Verily, verily, take heed, Peter, pay attention. Truly, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. Peter, you won't die for me, not at this moment. As a matter of fact, Peter, you'll deny that you even know me. Peter, when I need you the most, you'll deny my existence in your life. Can I say this morning, I'm almost done. When my Rachel went to heaven, I didn't get angry at God. I didn't get mad at God, but I doubted God. God, you make no mistakes, but it sure seems like you made one this time. Lord, I know you never fail, but it seems like you failed me. For the last two years, my faith has become weak. I've had not one night, I've had many nights. God, are you sure? God, I don't understand this. God, I remember I finally got my heart right with the Lord. I'd graduated high school and a few months after that, Oh, I'd been saved at an early age, but as a teenager, I tried to run from God. You can't run from a God that holds the world in the palm of his hands, but I tried and I, God got me back. I remember that night I came to an altar, I surrendered to the Lord, Lord, whatever you want. Next day, I told my father what I'd done and let's have a revival meeting. He said, you need to go back to that church. It just happened to be Rachel's church. You need to go back to the altar and you tell the preacher what you've done. And I did that next night. It was a Monday night. I came back and I told him, I said, I give my life to the Lord, whatever God wants. I don't know what all that means, but whatever God wants, that's exactly what I'll do. And I remember my Rachel, she began to cry. She began to praise the Lord for my life changing. She said, that's what I want to do. I want to give my life to the Lord too. And she was always such a wonderful person and she always did so good. I don't know why she ever dated me, but anyhow, that was a mistake, but God got our hearts right and put it all together. And then I remember, God told me to do two things. He told me to go to Bible college and he told me to marry Rachel. And I did both of them. We got out of Bible college. God allowed me to immediately step into full-time ministry. But I knew the whole time that God was calling me what I'm doing today as an evangelist. But I had many good men, older men of God that with wisdom said, you should probably pastor first. So God allowed me to pastor. And I'm very grateful for those years that God allowed me to pastor and see things and hear things and do things that I never would have experienced. And not one time did my Rachel complain about the ministry. Finally, the day came in our life, we surrendered to evangelism. By faith, we stepped out knowing this is what God wanted for our life. We've slept, I have, I've slept on top of air conditions, I've slept in basements of churches, I've slept on church pews. I'm gonna say this, God, when God's people leaves the church, God leaves the church because it's the most haunted, I mean, it's weird. If you ever slept alone in a church building, I think the demons of hell, I don't know how that happens, but it's just a weird place to, I've slept in auditoriums, I've slept on platforms of church, not one time. Did Rachel ever complain about the ministry? Oh, she complained about shoe sales and she complained if her food wasn't cooked the way she wanted it cooked, it not only ruined her day, it ruined me and Adelie's day. I mean, it ruined everybody's day around her. I mean, she complained about that. She never complained about the ministry. when God allowed her to go to heaven. God, are you sure? And I begin to doubt. And I begin to wonder, God, why? I haven't been angry at God, but I've questioned God. I have failed God in my faith. Simon Peter, you won't die for me. As a matter of fact, when I need you the most, you'll fail me the most. Look at your Bible. It's a very dangerous thing to begin in chapter 14. Many of us do that. We've memorized, some of you, most of you have memorized the first three or four verses of John chapter 14. It's a wonderful passage, but it does not begin there. Many times we end in John chapter number 13 with the denial of Simon Peter, but it doesn't end there. Oh yes, there's chapter divisions in the Bible. I'm very thankful for those chapter divisions. They help us keep order. They put structure in the pages of the Word of God. But when Jesus was speaking to Simon Peter, there wasn't a chapter 13 and a chapter 14. There was no division there. He's still speaking to Simon Peter. He's still speaking to this man that said, I'll die for you. And yet Jesus said, no, Simon Peter, you'll deny that you even know me. So can I say, not only is there a noteworthy criticism, but here's the message, number five, look at the next chapter. Jesus still speaking. Jesus still talking to this man, Simon Peter. You'll deny me, not once, Simon Peter. You'll deny me, not twice, Simon Peter, three times. I need you the most. You'll fail me the most. But look at the next chapter. Still, all the disciples are still there. Yes, this applies to us, but he's speaking to Simon Peter. And look what he said in the next chapter to the same man. Simon Peter, watch verse one. Let not your heart be troubled. You're gonna fail me, Simon, but let not your heart be troubled. You're gonna mess up, Simon, but let not your heart. He should have said, Simon Peter, in the next chapter, he should have said, Simon Peter, I'm done with you. I'm through with you. You're no longer a disciple. You don't belong with me. You ought to just go with Judas Iscariot. You messed up, Simon Peter. And can I say in my life, I've failed God. I have messed up upon God. There's been many days of my life. My faith has been so weak. Oh, but I'm glad chapter 14's in the Bible. I'm glad he didn't throw away Simon Peter, but yet he told this man that would deny him, let not your heart be troubled. And then he asked him a question. You believe in God? And I believe Simon Peter said, yes, I believe also in me. One writer put it this way. Yes, Simon Peter, you will fail me, but I will not fail you. Watch verse number two. Simon Peter still speaking to, oh, the other disciples are there, but he's speaking to Simon Peter. In my father's house, watch this. Many times preachers try to emphasize the word mansion and you really have no idea what that looks like in heaven. We ought to emphasize the word many. In my father's house are many mansions. Simon Peter, still speaking to this man that's about to deny him three times. If it were not so, I would have told you. And watch this. To a man that's getting ready to deny him three times, looking Simon Peter dead in the eyes. I go to prepare a place for you." Watch the Bible. Adley, you come and help us. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again. Watch this. And receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. He should have told Simon Peter, You're no longer a disciple. He should have told Simon Peter, I'm done with you. But instead he said, Simon Peter, just a little while, I'm gonna leave you. I'm going to the father's house. Simon Peter, just for you, I'm gonna prepare a place for you. Can we be honest this morning? Every one of us have failed God in this building. Every one of us has messed up in this building. God should have thrown me away a long time ago. God should have said, I'm done with you. Look what all I've done, but yet you failed me. Can I say because of mercy and because of grace, God has prepared a place for you.