Reflections on Scripture with Dr. Leins
| Time Stamp | Transcript |
| 0:09 | today |
| 0:10 | let’s talk about Jesus who said I am the |
| 0:15 | way |
| 0:16 | let me Begin by telling you a true story |
| 0:19 | it was my first trip to Africa now |
| 0:21 | almost 30 years ago |
| 0:23 | I was invited to travel to the west |
| 0:26 | coast of the continent into the country |
| 0:28 | of Ghana deep in the bush |
| 0:31 | my interpreter was named Gideon a |
| 0:34 | wonderful man of kindness generosity and |
| 0:36 | Christian faith |
| 0:38 | he translated for me through many days |
| 0:40 | of teaching and preaching and during our |
| 0:43 | meals he taught me songs in his native |
| 0:45 | language Asante Tui |
| 0:48 | after a week it was time to leave his |
| 0:51 | village |
| 0:51 | the pastors who had walked through the |
| 0:53 | bush to attend the conference were going |
| 0:55 | home |
| 0:56 | Gideon invited me to come to his house |
| 1:00 | I was very honored |
| 1:02 | as we set out through the cane fields |
| 1:05 | out of the small village and into the |
| 1:08 | bush Gideon gave me a warning |
| 1:12 | now you must only walk exactly where I |
| 1:15 | walk only step exactly where I step |
| 1:19 | your foot must go in no other place |
| 1:24 | he said |
| 1:25 | why I asked |
| 1:27 | Mumba was his response and he raised his |
| 1:30 | hand like this |
| 1:33 | the Mamba is able to stand up quite tall |
| 1:38 | it can be aggressive |
| 1:40 | and is the largest venomous snake in |
| 1:43 | Africa also it is the fastest moving |
| 1:46 | snake on the Earth |
| 1:48 | how terrifying |
| 1:50 | so off we went first downhill on a path |
| 1:55 | with a turn here or there |
| 1:57 | and then uphill to the left where there |
| 2:00 | was no path |
| 2:02 | and then another turn or two |
| 2:04 | suddenly I realized I have no idea where |
| 2:09 | I am or how to get back |
| 2:12 | but thankfully Gideon was immediately |
| 2:15 | before me he knew exactly where he was |
| 2:19 | where there was no path Gideon was the |
| 2:21 | path where there was no way Gideon was |
| 2:25 | the way |
| 2:26 | suddenly |
| 2:28 | there was a very small clearing and a |
| 2:31 | tiny little Hut |
| 2:33 | a woman had a straw brush sweeping the |
| 2:36 | dirt |
| 2:37 | and two men were standing outside of the |
| 2:39 | Hut along with a younger woman |
| 2:43 | I was introduced to Gideon’s family |
| 2:46 | they did not speak English |
| 2:48 | I did not speak Twi |
| 2:50 | Gideon excused himself and went into the |
| 2:53 | hut |
| 2:56 | in a moment he returned with a lovely |
| 2:59 | gold colored dashiki a shirt in the |
| 3:03 | style of West African men |
| 3:06 | I was certain that it was the most |
| 3:08 | costly piece of clothing that he owned |
| 3:10 | and perhaps the most precious item in |
| 3:13 | his entire home |
| 3:15 | I was overwhelmed |
| 3:18 | he presented it to me with thanks for |
| 3:20 | allowing him to teach for the week as he |
| 3:23 | said the word of Jesus Christ |
| 3:27 | then Gideon led me back through the bush |
| 3:29 | to the Village of isiama where we had |
| 3:33 | met |
| 3:34 | my point is that where there was no path |
| 3:37 | and when I had no idea which way to go |
| 3:41 | Gideon was my path Gideon was my way |
| 3:46 | now please keep that story in mind as we |
| 3:49 | look at the Gospel of John chapter 14. |
| 3:52 | it is the night of the Last Supper |
| 3:54 | Jesus has once again foretold of his |
| 3:57 | impending death |
| 4:00 | Judas has already left to betray the |
| 4:02 | Lord |
| 4:03 | then Jesus explained that he was going |
| 4:06 | to leave and that they would not be able |
| 4:08 | to follow him immediately |
| 4:10 | Peter objected |
| 4:12 | he would follow Jesus right now he was |
| 4:15 | willing to lay down his life for the |
| 4:16 | Lord |
| 4:18 | but Jesus explained that |
| 4:20 | Peter would deny him three times before |
| 4:23 | the crowed |
| 4:26 | anyway Peter could not come where Jesus |
| 4:29 | was going no not yet |
| 4:32 | then the Lord began to speak Comfort to |
| 4:35 | his disciples |
| 4:40 | John 14 1. |
| 4:42 | let not your hearts be troubled |
| 4:46 | believe in God believe also in me to |
| 4:49 | believe so a double emphasis |
| 4:53 | in my father’s house are many mansions |
| 4:57 | if it were not so I would have told you |
| 5:00 | for I go to prepare a place for you |
| 5:03 | and if I go and prepare a place for you |
| 5:05 | I will come again and receive you to |
| 5:08 | myself that where I am there you may be |
| 5:11 | also and you know the way where I am |
| 5:14 | going |
| 5:16 | Jesus was leaving and was going to his |
| 5:20 | father’s house |
| 5:22 | but the disciples were confused |
| 5:25 | where was this house |
| 5:27 | how were they supposed to get there |
| 5:30 | okay |
| 5:32 | it had plenty of space they each would |
| 5:35 | have a mansion prepared |
| 5:36 | for them |
| 5:38 | he clearly was a real place and a really |
| 5:40 | big place this heavenly father’s house |
| 5:44 | surely it was glorious the likes of |
| 5:46 | which they could not conceive |
| 5:48 | but they could not understand anything |
| 5:51 | else about it |
| 5:53 | how did they get there |
| 5:56 | when was this going to happen |
| 5:59 | it was all very confusing and Thomas |
| 6:01 | said Lord |
| 6:02 | we don’t know where you’re going how can |
| 6:05 | we know the way |
| 6:07 | and then Jesus assured them |
| 6:11 | I am the way |
| 6:14 | he said |
| 6:15 | and he added and the truth |
| 6:18 | and the life |
| 6:21 | in short Jesus tells them |
| 6:24 | don’t fret don’t worry Don’t Be Afraid |
| 6:27 | my departure is for your good |
| 6:30 | it’s necessary that I go in this way in |
| 6:34 | order that I may prepare a place for you |
| 6:38 | there can be no place for you unless I |
| 6:41 | finish my task on Earth |
| 6:43 | there will be no mansion in heaven for |
| 6:46 | you unless I complete the purpose for |
| 6:49 | which the father has sent me |
| 6:52 | I suspect Jesus was thinking and perhaps |
| 6:55 | saying something of that |
| 6:58 | soon he would leave |
| 7:00 | but he would return |
| 7:02 | for them |
| 7:05 | the entire purpose and mission of Jesus |
| 7:08 | was to bring his disciples |
| 7:10 | that is all of his disciples |
| 7:13 | to the father |
| 7:15 | so that they could live in the father’s |
| 7:17 | house with him forever |
| 7:20 | they could not find their way there or |
| 7:22 | wander until they got there or explore |
| 7:25 | and discover a way there |
| 7:27 | all of that was just foolishness |
| 7:30 | Jesus was the only way through the bush |
| 7:34 | the only way past the dangers of snakes |
| 7:37 | and sin and death |
| 7:40 | but Jesus was all they needed he was the |
| 7:43 | way he would get them to the father’s |
| 7:46 | house to their new home |
| 7:49 | of peace and joy |
| 7:52 | the story of Gideon |
| 7:55 | is a good story Gideon was a dear man |
| 7:58 | but Gideon was not the Son of God Jesus |
| 8:00 | Christ and so |
| 8:03 | you might have noticed that there are |
| 8:04 | some places where the analogy breaks |
| 8:07 | down |
| 8:10 | first |
| 8:12 | following Gideon |
| 8:14 | one had to be absolutely obedient on |
| 8:18 | pain of death |
| 8:19 | step exactly where he stepped be |
| 8:22 | perfectly obedient in your walk |
| 8:26 | now in contrast to that those who follow |
| 8:29 | Jesus |
| 8:30 | can never be absolutely and perfectly |
| 8:33 | obedient no person’s walk is without sin |
| 8:39 | but Jesus has already been perfectly |
| 8:42 | obedient on behalf of his disciples |
| 8:47 | we who believe are not saved because of |
| 8:50 | our meritorious obedience or our ability |
| 8:53 | to walk perfectly |
| 8:55 | though we surely wish that we could be |
| 8:58 | perfectly obedient |
| 9:00 | but no |
| 9:02 | you are saved by his grace through faith |
| 9:06 | in him |
| 9:08 | so even when you misstep or disobey and |
| 9:12 | sin |
| 9:13 | he receives you and he claims you he |
| 9:16 | forgives you and he saves you |
| 9:19 | because |
| 9:21 | Jesus loves you and because you believe |
| 9:24 | in him |
| 9:27 | second |
| 9:29 | as good a guide as Gideon was |
| 9:33 | even he could not stop a Mamba |
| 9:36 | the dangers of the Bush were |
| 9:39 | overwhelming even to him |
| 9:42 | in contrast |
| 9:44 | Jesus has already fought and triumphed |
| 9:46 | over every snake and Scorpion |
| 9:49 | and over every assault of the devil |
| 9:53 | Jesus is not just a good guide he is the |
| 9:57 | Good Shepherd and he lays down his life |
| 10:00 | for his sheep for you |
| 10:04 | nothing will triumph over Jesus |
| 10:07 | and because Jesus is in you and you are |
| 10:11 | in Jesus |
| 10:13 | the Bible says that you are more than |
| 10:16 | conquerors through him who loved us |
| 10:19 | you are more than a conqueror because |
| 10:22 | Jesus loves you |
| 10:25 | because Jesus |
| 10:27 | is the mighty warrior |
| 10:29 | who has defeated the powers of sin death |
| 10:32 | and the devil on your behalf |
| 10:35 | and on behalf of all who believe in him |
| 10:39 | third |
| 10:41 | when we reached Gideon’s house |
| 10:44 | I received a gold-colored dashiki |
| 10:48 | and believe me that was a wonderful gift |
| 10:51 | but in contrast |
| 10:53 | when Jesus takes you to your heavenly |
| 10:56 | home |
| 10:57 | you will receive not only a robe of |
| 10:59 | Christ’s righteousness but a whole new |
| 11:03 | Heavenly Body |
| 11:04 | like unto his glorious body |
| 11:08 | and that truly is unimaginably wonderful |
| 11:14 | finally fourth |
| 11:17 | after a brief moment |
| 11:19 | it was time to leave Gideon’s house |
| 11:23 | to tell the truth |
| 11:25 | there was no potable water |
| 11:28 | it was a very very little food |
| 11:30 | there was no place to rest or to be |
| 11:33 | refreshed |
| 11:34 | but in contrast to this |
| 11:38 | in your father’s house |
| 11:40 | with many mansions |
| 11:43 | there is a place |
| 11:44 | that is prepared especially and |
| 11:46 | specifically for you |
| 11:49 | there are no dangers there |
| 11:52 | but God provides you |
| 11:54 | with the beauty of paradise |
| 11:57 | with Heavenly rest |
| 11:59 | and with Everlasting peace |
| 12:03 | imagine having peace at all |
| 12:06 | then imagine having it forever |
| 12:11 | the light of that place is Jesus himself |
| 12:14 | the waters are living and the joys are |
| 12:18 | unspeakable |
| 12:20 | unlike any other place that you have |
| 12:22 | ever seen or can ever imagine |
| 12:26 | in heaven |
| 12:27 | the presence and the blessings of the |
| 12:31 | Lord God |
| 12:32 | will never end |
| 12:35 | all of that and more is what Jesus was |
| 12:38 | saying when he promised |
| 12:41 | In My Father’s House |
| 12:43 | are many mansions |
| 12:45 | if it were not so I would have told you |
| 12:49 | for I go to prepare a place |
| 12:52 | for you |
| 12:55 | amen |
| 12:59 | [Applause] |
| 13:00 | thank you |
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