Okay. It's good to see y'all here this morning. If you would please turn your Bibles to John's Gospel in chapter 12. John chapter 12. Did everybody get that song? A copy of it? Okay. Yeah, there's some really, really good hymns. That hymn there came from a little black hymn book that we have at Sildatna Baptist called Hymns Modern and Ancient. And they're really, really good. And our hymns here, in our hymn book here, there's some really good hymns in those, you know? And they just draw your thoughts and your mind to the Lord Jesus, and that's what we want, so. Let's pray, all right? We'll look into the word. Father, we thank you and we praise you for your mercy to us. We thank you for your grace. And Lord, we know that The only way that we can be righteous before you is by your mercy and your grace alone. It's nothing that we do, Father. If there was something that we could do, then we would have something to boast about and rob you of glory. But because we're debtors to mercy alone, Father, we praise you and we thank you for your mercy. and that mercy and that grace that you saved us with is in your son, the Lord Jesus. So please, we pray that your spirit would come now and magnify the Lord Jesus in our hearts and our minds. Please, draw us closer to Christ. We pray for our brothers and sisters who are apart from us this morning. We ask that you'd work in them. And any who are sick, we pray that you'd heal them. And Lord, just work in each of our hearts, we pray now. Thank you, Father. We praise you again for your son and the promise of his return for us. And I pray that you'd strengthen that hope in us this morning, please. In Jesus' name, we thank you. Amen. Well, look, if you would, there to John's gospel in chapter 12. And we've been We left off down around verse 39 last week. So let's look there please. Look, if you would, though, first up to verse 37, okay? I know we got down past that, but just for context and a little background there. Though He, that is the Lord Jesus, had done so many miracles before them, yet they did not believe on Him. And what I want us to think about is that Again, the Lord Jesus, this is in the last week before he's to go to the cross for us and then give his life for us and raise again. And so the thing that we see all throughout the scriptures is that God has manifested his mercy and his grace all the time to unsave people and to his people. And yet, as we see here, here are the Jews Like it says in John 1, he was in the world and the world was made through him and the world knew him not. He came to that which was his own and his own received him not. But then, thank the Lord, it doesn't stop there. But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become sons of God, even to those who believe on his name. And so we see though that this belief that they had back then and the belief that we have today is the result of Christ's death and resurrection. He purchased all that we need for life and godliness, all right? And so as we look down through here, we see that Jesus did so many things right before these folks. It's not like it was obscure and they couldn't tell for sure. You look at some of the miracle workers that go on today, and it's all a big farce, you know? But these things were done in the open and it was obvious that the Lord Jesus was real, that he was the Messiah, that he was God who became a man. And so look there to verse 37, it says, though he had done so many miracles before them, right in front of them, yet they did not believe on him. All right. And so the problem was not with the Lord Jesus. The problem was with the people before whom he did it. And, you know, that's the same thing, I think, even with us today. When you and I, if we're filled with God's spirit and we speak to people and we live before them and they see Christ. And so a lot of times, at least I do, I get discouraged because I think, you know, I've told this person time and time again. And, you know, and of course, you know, I mean, we're not the Lord Jesus, but they hear the gospel and hear the gospel. And, you know, sometimes I get thinking, well, maybe it's because I'm not saying it right or something like that. But again, what we have to keep in mind is just like we are seeing here in John's gospel and Romans, in fact, the whole Bible, God has to open people's eyes spiritually. There has to be life there before they can believe. And the reason why some people don't believe is not, certainly in the case with our Lord, it wasn't because he wasn't saying things right or doing things right. He just had not imparted faith. He hadn't given them life yet, all right? And so that's what we see here, though the Lord Jesus had done all these things right in front of them, yet they didn't believe on him. And we see that that's the purpose for which John wrote the gospel. Look back, if you would, to John, Chapter 21. Excuse me, John, Chapter 20. All right. John, Chapter 20. Look at John chapter 20 and verse 30. All right. John 20 and 30. Many other signs truly Jesus did in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book. But these are written, notice the purpose, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life through his name. And then look, if you would, over to verse 25 of chapter 21. And there are also many other things which Jesus did The witch, if they should be written, everyone, I suppose that not even the world itself could contain the books that should be written. In other words, all the things that Jesus did haven't been written down, but if there were, the books couldn't contain them all. And yet the problem, again, was not with the revelation. It was with those who didn't receive it. So that's what we see here in John chapter 12. So he did all these things and yet they didn't believe on him. Look at verse 38 now and notice this is why. Notice what it says there that the saying of Esaias or Isaiah that the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Now, notice, and I think that that last phrase should be taken as as explicative or explaining what he says in the first part. Notice he says, Lord, who has believed our report? And then the next phrase explains it. He says, indeed, to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? So, in other words, Isaiah foretold that though Jesus did all these things. It wouldn't be enough because Christ, the arm of the Lord, who is the Lord Jesus, had to be revealed to people. He had to give people eyes to see him. And though he'd done all these things, though he'd spoke the words of the father, they still did not, what? Still didn't believe on him. Even though the whole book of John and all the rest of the Bible was written so that people would believe that Jesus is the Christ. There's no other book like the Bible. It's the word of God. And everything that was written in it was written to enable us to believe God. You can read the Koran and some of these other books, and they're not going to produce living faith in God because it only comes through the scriptures and it only is received by people for whom Christ died, those whom he gave life and faith and repentance and everything else we need for life and godliness. So it's through the scriptures and it's a unique book. So notice it says here, to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed therefore verse 39 look at this this is important therefore they did not believe right no therefore they what could not believe they could not in other words they were not able to believe that's important that we see that difference and notice the word therefore he's explaining He's explaining what he just spoke of there. In verse 38. Who has believed our report? Indeed, to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? Therefore they could not believe. And notice why they couldn't believe. He explains this. Because as Isaiah said again. He has blinded their eyes. and harden their hearts, or their heart, that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. Who's the he? Hmm? It's the Lord, that's right. Now what I want us to see here is that this is a hardening in judgment. Okay? And this is going right along with what we're seeing in the book of Romans. There was a hardness in part, as it tells us in Romans chapter 11, among the Jewish people. Remember the purpose? Till the fullness of the Gentiles should come in. What I want us to see here, brothers and sisters, is that we are at God's mercy. Everybody is at God's mercy. But you see, that can only be understood and believed unless God is what? Had mercy on you. Because you see, every one of us are, by nature, as a sinner, what? Proud and self-confident and think we can do things on our own. That's the nature of sin, all right? And that's the way each one of us are. So we see here that The reason why the Lord's report was not believed and that the Lord Jesus, though he is God's, the arm of the Lord, he could not be believed because God had blinded their eyes, he'd hardened their heart so that they not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart and be converted so that God would heal them. And you might say, Jack, this is all we ever hear. But you know something? I have to continuously think about it, and you have to continuously think about it and believe it. Like I said, by nature, and this is what the scriptures teach, that we're all self-confident, and we've got to be delivered from that self-confidence. Because the one that we trust is the source of our power and our enablement. And so until we come to the place, and we will never come to the place, this side of heaven, where we do not trust in ourselves sometimes, and that we will not have to fight against that natural inclination to self-confidence. That's pride. And I think that that's what the apostle speaks of there in Romans chapter seven, where he says, it's no longer I, but sin that dwells in me. He's still speaking of indwelling sin. He's still speaking of pride there. And this side of heaven, the only person, the only man that's ever lived that never had a problem with self-confidence is our Lord Jesus. So here we see that these people could not believe. Not that they didn't believe, but he's telling us why. And again, what we need to keep in mind is that God is not obligated to any of his creatures, and even is hardening here. It wasn't just God just says, well, I'm gonna harden this one. No, everything that God does, he does for his glory, and it's never unjust. When God hardens people, he gives them over to what they deserve. When God is merciful to people, that is mercy and grace. Okay? We've got to keep that in mind. God is never unjust. And it's not like these Jewish people or anybody else is neutral or innocent. I mentioned a friend of mine the other day that I was speaking to, and he was upset with what I'd said to somebody else. He'd heard it or whatever. And he said, I'm neutral. Jesus said, if you're not for me, you're what? Against me. And he who doesn't gather to me does what? Scatters from me, okay? So that's the condition we see with the Jewish people here and with everybody today, okay? So these things, now look at verse 41. These things Isaiah said when he saw his glory and spoke of him. Who's his glory? It's Jesus. And he spoke about Jesus, okay? In fact, let's go back just quickly, all right? Let's look at Isaiah chapter six, okay? Please, Isaiah chapter six. And it's good that we see this. Look at Isaiah chapter six and verse one. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. And his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another, the seraphim, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. The whole earth is full of his glory. and the post of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then I said, this is Isaiah speaking here, woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips. And remember what we know from the other scriptures, and here too, Unclean lips speak of an unclean heart. It speaks of the inward man. Out of the mouth proceed the things of the heart, the Lord Jesus tells us. So when Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up, who was he seeing? The Lord Jesus. And you know what it did to him? He said, woe is me, I am a... And Isaiah was not some floozy, you know what I'm saying? He was a prophet. But he said, when he saw the glory, he saw Jesus high and lifted up, he said, I'm undone. Woe is me, I'm a wicked man. And you know what? When every person sees the Lord, it will bring about the same response in us. But again here in the site, now Isaiah actually saw a vision. These people back in Jesus' day actually saw Jesus, all right? But you and I, by the grace of the Lord Jesus, have seen him how? By faith. And when we get a view of the Lord Jesus, who He is, and what He did on the cross, and that it was for me, we have the same response. Lord, woe is me, I'm undone. But you see, only God can give us that vision. Only God can do that. And He does it by His Spirit, using His word, so that we see the Lord Jesus, and He's holy, and He's good, and He's, I mean, We can't comprehend Him. And then to recognize that He gave that life for us on the cross. And that brings about, again, the response of repentance. Oh God, help me. I'm messed up, to say the least. Okay? All right, let's go back to John 12 then, all right? So he says, these things Isaiah said when he saw his glory, that is the Lord Jesus, and spoke of him, the Lord Jesus. And yet, look at verse 42, nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him. So again, you can see that even amongst the rulers, some still did believe on him. And it was again by what? By grace. But, and look at the contrast here, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. So here were these people who believed on the Lord Jesus, but because of the Pharisees, and you see, brothers and sisters, it's no different today. We have people that, I was reading in a book the other day, It's a good book, and I haven't read the whole thing yet, but it's called The Intolerance of Tolerance by a guy named D.A. Carson. Anyhow, one of the illustrations he brings out is one of our previous Miss Americas, I believe it was a Miss America. Anyhow, she was a professing Christian, and somebody said something to her about homosexuality and lesbianism. I hate to use the terms, but anyhow, and what she thought of it. And she said, well, I was raised to teach that it was wrong, and so I don't believe it or something. I don't agree with it. I mean, she took a stand, but you know what, though? He also notes in there some responses of the people who hated it. They called her some bad names, and I won't repeat them. But they're trying to squeeze you into the world's mold. They want us to behave and act just like them. And you know why? Because we're different. And it's not because of us, it's because of Christ in us. And you know what? Our lives are light. Jesus said that in Matthew 7. He says, you are the light of the world. And he wasn't speaking that we are the light, but the light is in us. And guess what? Light on a hill can't be hidden. A city on a hill can't be hidden. So you see, the world is always trying to squeeze you and I into its mold. We'll never get down there. But listen to what it says in Romans chapter 12. Listen, he says. And I'm you know, I know Mr. Cardwell's Lord willing going to be here and we won't get this far, but in listen to what it says in Romans 12, he says, I beseech you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service, listen to this, and be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove or show what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. You know what? When you and I are living like that, because of God's mercies, again, it's not because of us, it's because of God's mercies, when we're living by the power of the Holy Spirit, and people see that we are holy, that we have a living hope, and our hope is real, and it's seen in how we live, right? And you know what people do to that? They hate it. They despise you. They despise me. Why? Because you see, we've been born again. See, Christianity isn't just a religion. It's reality. Jesus really did become a man. He really is God. And he really did give his life on the cross. And he gave it to everyone who believes in him. And we're different. If anyone is in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation. And they can't deny that reality. And when they can't, what do they do? Oh, we don't want it. They hate us and they get violent. And that's what we see all across our country, don't we? We see violence to the max. Why? Because people hate the light. And that's what we see here. All right. So these chief priests then and these rulers, they many of them believed on Jesus, but because of the Pharisees, the religious leaders, they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. And then notice it says, verse 43, because or for they love the praise of men more than the praise of God. And I want us to see some things here. That word praise is really the word glory. OK. So they and it means praise, but it's the idea of they love the glory of men more than the glory of God. Look down, if you would, we just were there. Notice verse 41. Look what it says there in verse 41. These things Isaiah said when he saw Jesus' what? Glory. And spoke of the Lord Jesus. You see, as Jesus' glory affected Isaiah, it's going to affect others when they see God's glory in us. Okay? Again, it's not us, but it's Christ in us. And so, these folks didn't confess Christ because they love the glory of men more than or rather than the glory of God. Remember, remember back in John chapter 1? Verse 14, it says, the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we what? Beheld His glory. Beheld His glory. Who did all the people there see Jesus' glory? No, no, they didn't. Some did, but those who didn't see His glory hated Him, okay? Yeah, I mean, it was there. I mean, he was God in a body. But those who did not belong to him and didn't see his glory hated him because of it. It's no different today. In John chapter 2, listen to this. In John chapter 2, remember when the Lord Jesus turned the water into wine. And remember, they ran out of wine, and you remember the miracle. We've seen this before. And in verse 11, it says this, this beginning of miracles Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and he revealed his glory, and his disciples believed on him. You see, there's a connection between belief and seeing the glory of God. How is it that yesterday it was just gorgeous out, wasn't it? The sun was shining and it was warm, at least it was up in Seldatna. I'm assuming it was down here too. And you know, how can a person just go out on a day like yesterday and see the sun shining and the snow melting? And I haven't heard him yet, but like the birds, like about four o'clock in the morning are starting to tweet. They haven't done that all winter. And it's just so neat to, when I get up early like that and I hear them starting to tweet, and I say, oh Lord, that's so neat. And you know what that is? It displays God's glory. But you know what? You miss it if you don't believe. And if you don't believe, you don't see His glory. At least you despise it, because it, again, it speaks of God and His glory, okay? Over in John 5 turn back if you would with me, please to John chapter 5 John chapter 5 and verse 41, please John 5 41 it says here the Lord Jesus. Well, look at verse 39. Okay. Here's the Lord Jesus speaking to the religious leaders of He says, you search the scriptures. It's a statement of fact. OK, it can be taken as an imperative, but he's stating a fact. He says you search the scriptures because in them you think you have life and they are. These are they which testify about me. And you will not come to me. That you may have life. Now look at what he says in verse 41. I do not receive glory from men. That's what the word is. Our King James says honor, and that's okay, but it's the word glory. He says, glory I do not receive from men, but I know you that you do not have the love of God in you. Now notice the connection here between God's glory and what? Loving God. See, faith, seeing God's glory, and loving God all go together. And the only ones who see God's glory and believe in Him and love Him are those who are spiritually alive. God reveals His glory to them. All right. Then look what he goes on to say. He says, I've come in my father's name and you receive me. You do not receive me. You receive me not. If another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, verse 44, who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Now Jesus knew. He knew. Notice again the connection there between receiving glory from one another and Jesus says, how can you believe? In other words, you can't believe. when you seek glory from one another, and you don't seek glory from the only God. Okay? Do not think I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, Moses, in whom you hope. Because if you had believed Moses, you'd believe me because he wrote about me. If you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words? And again, the reason why they didn't was because they didn't see his glory. And they didn't see his glory, and they didn't believe, and they didn't love him because they were spiritually dead. Okay, let's go back to John 12 there, okay? So they loved the glory of men rather than the glory of God. In Romans 1.23, it says this, speaking of the unregenerate, those without God, it says, they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for people and images. Let me quote it. I haven't got it. Let me just read it to you. Romans 123. Claiming, 122, it says, claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. See, so they exchanged the glory of God for the glory of creatures. Over in 2 Corinthians 4, Let me just read these here to you, too. 2 Corinthians chapter 4 and verse 4, speaking of the unsaved, it says, In their case, the God of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, let light shine out of darkness, has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. See, so God's glory is ultimately seen in whom? In the face of Jesus. And again, he's not speaking here of something that's visible, all right? Because even the Corinthians had never seen the Lord Jesus physically. And we certainly haven't, at least I haven't, I hope you haven't either. But we've seen him by faith, and we see God's glory in him, okay? Over in Hebrews in chapter one, it says this, speaking again of the Lord Jesus, It says, Hebrews 1.1 says, Listen, He is the radiance or the brightness of the glory of God and the exact imprint or image of His nature. And He upholds the universe by the word of His power. Okay. So Jesus is the brightness of God's glory. All right. Now look at let's go back to John 12 there. All right. So he says they love the glory of men more than or rather than the glory of God. And that's why God hardened them. Okay. He, again, he wasn't just, everything that God does is, he does it either in justice or mercy, or both. You know, God is merciful to us who believe in Jesus, but it's because Christ has paid our sin debt, okay? So God can be just to do that. Well, let's look down then, look at verse 44 there. So Jesus cried and said, he who believes on me does not believe on me, but rather on him who sent me. And he who has seen me sees him who sent me." What I want us to think about here is that all throughout the ages there have been believers. Has anyone ever believed in God apart from the Lord Jesus? No, no. I mean, again, even going back to the Old Testament, you think of Abel and Seth and all those Old Testament saints, they believed in God. Where did their faith come from? The Lord Jesus. He is the author and perfecter of that faith. You read that in Hebrews chapter 11 about all those people that did things by faith. Well, where did they get the faith? It was given to them by the Holy Spirit and purchased for them by the Lord Jesus, okay? All of this is because of God's what? His mercy, which is ultimately seen where? In the cross of the God-man Jesus, okay? So he who believes on me, the Lord Jesus says, does not believe on me, but rather believes on him who sent me. Over in 1 Peter and chapter one, it says this. 1 Peter chapter one. In verse 20 it says, he, that is referring to the Lord Jesus, he was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but he was made manifest in these last times for your sake, who through him are believers in God. In other words, these people believed in God, how? Through the Lord Jesus. No one believes in God apart from Christ, okay? who raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory so that your faith and your hope are in God. No one has faith or hope in God apart from Christ. Notice he goes on there in verse 45. So he says, he who believes not on me, he who believes in me does not believe on me, but rather on him who sent me. So to believe in Christ, again, is to believe in the Father. And he who sees me sees who? The Father, sees him who sent me. And again, let's make another application. As you and I depend on the Lord Jesus by faith, which is given to us by the Holy Spirit, who do people see? They see Christ. And that's how you and I are salt and light in this world. It's not that we are, again, it's because we're indwelt by Christ. When I'm living self-confidently and sinning, whatever that might be, who do people see? Jack. They don't need to see Jack. You don't need to see Jack. But the good news is that when I do live self-confidently and seek my own glory, the blood of Jesus cleanses me from that. So that's the good news. Then notice in verse 46 there, Lord Jesus, he goes on, he says, I have come a light into the world, and notice why, and with this we'll close here. He says, I have come a light into the world so that whoever believes on me should not remain or continue in darkness. Why did Jesus come? He came so that you would not continue in darkness. You who, what? Believe on Him. But you know what? Everyone who does not believe in the Lord Jesus, what? Continues. They remain where? In darkness. And they don't see God's glory. And whenever they do see it in the creation or in saints, they despise it. and try to deny it. Again, that's why people believe the foolish things that they believe, like Darwinism or whatever. They've got to believe that everything evolved. Why? Because everything shouts to the glory of God. His righteousness is seen in His creation, and especially in His church. And they don't want to see that. In John chapter 3, verse 16. Well, John 3, 16, everybody knows John 3, 16. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He who believes on him is not condemned, but he that does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Listen to this, and this is the condemnation. that light has come into the world and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, nor comes to the light, lest his deeds be exposed. But he who does truth, that is the one who believes in Jesus, comes to the light that his deeds may be seen that they were made or done by God. So we're either, we obey the truth, we believe in the Lord Jesus, and we're light, or else we're evil deeders and hate the light. And those are the only two camps. There's nobody neutral. There's no shadow. You're either in darkness or you're in the light. And it's by mercy that we're in the light. Okay, now let's pray. Father, we thank you for the Lord Jesus. We thank you for sending him to bear our sins in his own body on the tree, on the cross, so that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness. By his wounds, we've been healed. Thank you, Father. We praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.