Would you turn back to John,
Chapter 21? Tonight, Lord willing, I'm going
to be preaching out of 2 Samuel, Chapter 7, where it is said that
David sat before the Lord. And I want to preach on David
sitting before the Lord. I'd like to read verse 24 once
again. This is the disciple which testifies
of these things, and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. There is so much that we just
do not know. Isn't that the truth? I don't know if our economy is
going to recover. I don't know if it's all going
down the tubes. Don't know. I don't know about
what's going to happen in the Middle East. What's going to
happen to us as a result? I do not know where this nation
is going. I don't know. Really. I don't know you. I know you. But I also don't
really know what you're going through. I do not know why. You do what you do. There's a
reason behind it, but I don't know. That's why I really can't
make an accurate judgment about anything that you do, because
I don't know all the facts. And, you know, I don't really
know myself. I really don't know myself. You
know, I never surprised myself because I know this. I'm unpredictable in my I mean,
How am I going to react to something? Sometimes I might react the way
I think I should. Sometimes I don't. Sometimes
I act just... I don't know myself. I don't
trust myself. I don't know. I don't know what's
going to happen tomorrow. I don't know if I'm going to
get sick. I don't know if I'm going to have health. I don't
know if I'm going to die tomorrow. I don't know what's going to
happen tomorrow. There's so much I don't know. You know, the scripture actually
says if a man thinks he knows anything, he knows nothing yet
as he ought to know. There is so much that I do not
know, yet John says, we know that his testimony is true. We know They may not, but we do. We know. Now, this is the language
of the Lord Jesus when he speaks to Nicodemus. He said, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, we speak what we know, and we testify
what we have seen, and you receive not our witness. This is the
language of faith. We know. They may not, but we do. Do you? I have entitled this message,
We Know. Do you? We know. Do you? John says, We know his testimony
is true. Now, the language is unusual
in John chapter 24. This is John speaking. He's speaking
of himself. He says, This is the disciple
which testifies of these things. All I've written up to this point. I'm giving testimony to this. I was an eyewitness to this. I'm testifying of this. And I
wrote these things. This is the disciple which testified
to these things and wrote these things. And then for some reason
he speaks in the third person when he's speaking of himself.
He says, now I'm giving testimony and I wrote this down and we
know. That his testimony is true. Who's
the way he's speaking of? He says we know his testimony
is true. He is speaking as the representative
of all of God's elect. Every single one of God's elect
chimes in in agreement with John. We know that his testimony is
true. The truth, listen to me, the
truth needs no proof. It recommends itself as the truth. That's the power there is in
the truth. When you hear the absolute truth, if God makes himself known to
you, you know it's the truth. Those who believe say, we know. This is not an opinion, this
is not speculation, this is not what I think we know. John says this is the disciple
which testifies of these things. He's given testimony, he's not
giving his opinion, he's not giving his interpretation of
what took place, he's testifying what he's seeing. And this word
testimony is where we get the word martyr from. He's not just
spitting out the facts, but he's saying what I'm saying I'm willing
to die for. That's how strong this testimony
is. I'm testifying. I'm not giving
my opinion. I'm giving what God has taught
me, what I've seen. And I'm willing, by the grace
of God, to die for what I'm saying. That's how valuable this is to
me. This is how important this is to me. I'm bearing witness. I'm testifying. And notice what
he says next. This is the disciple which testifies
to these things and wrote these things. It's written down. Here's
what happens when something is not written. Look up in verse
20 of John chapter 21. Then Peter, turning about, seeth
the disciple whom Jesus loved following, which also leaned
on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that
betrayeth thee? Peter, seeing him, saith to Jesus,
Lord, what shall this man do? What's going to happen to him?
Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what
is that to thee? What business is it of yours,
you follow me? Then went this saying abroad
among the brethren that that disciple should not die. But
did the Lord ever say he won't die? No, he didn't. He said, if it's my will for
him to tarry till I come, what business is that of yours? He
didn't say he'll never die. But when people took it and ran
with it, they came up with something different than what was actually
said. So if something's not actually written down, All we have left
is my opinion, or your opinion, or my interpretation, or my speculation,
and I don't want to go there. He wrote it down. This is a reference
to God's holy word, the scriptures. The Bible is the infallible word
of God. The Bible claims to be inspired. All scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and it's profitable. is beneficial. All Scripture.
The Bible is either the Word of God or it is a lie. No different than Shakespeare
or Milton or somebody like that. No. It's either God's Word or
it's man's Word. Now, it's God's Word. John says
it's written down. I wrote it down so people can't
speculate. And then he says, we know that
his testimony is true. We know. Now, a very reasonable
question is, John, how do you know? How can you speak with
such confidence? Now, it's one thing to speak
with confidence and not have it. I mean, I kind of like a
little boy who says, I'm not afraid of anything. I'm not afraid
of anything. Well, it's one thing to say and
it's one thing to really feel and experience. I'm really not.
I'm afraid of everything. But I'll say, I'm not afraid
of anything. You've seen kids do this. It's one thing to say, we know, trying
to bolster up some, and it's another thing to say, we know,
because we really do know. How do you know, John? How can
you speak with such confidence? We know that his testimony is
the absolute truth. How do you know? That's a reasonable
question. Well, listen to this scripture,
Matthew chapter 13, verse 11. The Lord said to his disciples,
it's given to you. to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. If you know,
it's because it was given to you to know. If you know, it's
because God revealed this to you. It's revelation. It comes
from the written word, written down, but you know when God makes
you to know. when he reveals himself. Somebody
says, well, I don't know. Then God hasn't revealed it to
you. Because if he has revealed it to you, you know. Somebody says, God's tried to
teach me something. Oh, no, God doesn't try to do anything. If
he teaches you, you're taught and you know. John put it this
way in 1 John chapter 2 verse 20. But you have an option from
the Holy One and know all things. Because of this divine unction,
this revelation by the Spirit of God, you know all things. Turn with me to Hebrews chapter
8. Hebrews chapter 8. Verse 10. For this is the covenant that
I'll make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord.
I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their
hearts. You see, this is God's work.
And I will be to them a God. That means he's for you and they
shall be to me a people. And they shall not teach every
man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the
Lord. For all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
All of God's people, every one of them, they're going to know
me. And here's how come. For I'll be merciful to their
unrighteousness, and their sins and their negligence, I will
remember no more. And they're going to know me.
How is it that we know? God reveals Himself. If you say, I can't say I know,
well then it's not been given to you. You've had no revelation
from God. You have no unction. You've not
been taught by God. Now, rather than argue with this,
if I were you, I'd say, Lord, teach me. Lord, cause me to know. Don't argue with this and say,
well, how can he reveal himself to some and not others? No, don't
go there. Say, Lord, teach me. Lord, give me this answer. Lord,
make me to know so that I can say truly, we know His testimony
is true. We know. Now, we realize our
knowledge is partial. We realize that. Paul said in
1 Corinthians 13, we know in part. And we prophesy in part
regarding everything I know I don't know it all together. For instance,
I know that I'm sinful. I know it. I know I'm a sinner,
but I don't know how sinful I am. Not really. And I can say that
regarding everything I know. Our knowledge is partial. We
see through a glass darkly, but it's real nonetheless. And this
knowledge we have is much more than an assent to some propositions.
It's not the knowledge that puffs up, but the knowledge that builds
up. Look in 1 Corinthians chapter 8. 1 Corinthians chapter 8. Verse 1. Now, as touching things
offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. We know
that idol is nothing but an idol. Knowledge alone is what he's
talking about. Correct data. Knowledge puffs up. It fills one with pride. I know
more than you do. And I've got something on you.
Knowledge is power. If I have this knowledge, that
means I've got one up on you. There's something I know that
you don't know. Now, that kind of knowledge.
All it does is swell one with pride, nothing more. But charity
edifies, it builds up. And if any man think that he
knows anything, I've got that down, Pat. Move on to the next
thing. He knows nothing, yet as he ought
to know. But if any man love God, the
same is known of him. This is what God recognizes.
Now, this thing of what we know, it's not just knowing the correct
data. It's a love for the truth, what
we know we love. I love the fact that God is sovereign. I know He is, and I love that
He is. I love that He's in control.
I love that He's the first cause behind everything. I love it.
I love, I know salvation is by grace and I love salvation being
by grace. I know that Christ is an effectual
redeemer. I know that everybody he died
for must be saved and I love it because I find my salvation
in his death, his burial and his resurrection. We love what
we know. If I haven't received the love
of the truth, it's not a saving knowledge. We love what we believe. Luke spake of the things that
are most surely believed among us, and knowing the certainty
of those things wherein we've been instructed. And this knowledge
we have, when we say we know, and this is what every believer
says, we know. And I'm going to get into more of what we know,
or who we know. You can't separate those things. This knowledge we have, we know,
comes with it a desire to do the will of God. In our heart,
if we know, if we know, along with this knowledge, there is
a genuine desire to do the will of God. Now let me show you what
I'm talking about. Turn with me to John chapter
7. John chapter 7. Verse 16. Let's start in verse 15. And the Jews
marveled at the teaching of the Lord, saying, How knoweth this
man letters, having never learned? He doesn't have any education.
He didn't go to seminary. How does he know letters? Jesus
answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent
me. If any man will do his will. That's his desire. I want to
do his will. I want to know the truth. I want
to do his will. If any man will do his will,
he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether
I speak of myself. If I do not know, the problem
is not my intellect. The problem is my will. My sinful, perverse will. Our Lord said, if you continue
in my word, then argue my disciples indeed, and you shall know the
truth. You shall know the truth and
the truth will set you free. Sheep. No. Turn with me to John 10. And when he put forth his own
sheep, and before go on reading, there's sheep and there's goats.
Do you remember what the Lord said in Matthew chapter 25 when
he, on judgment day, he separated the nations as a shepherd divided
his sheep from the goats. The sheep were set on his right
side. The goats were on his left. There are sheep and there are
goats. There are believers and there are unbelievers. There
are those who are saved and those who are unsafe. Sheep and goats.
A goat never becomes a sheep. And a sheep never becomes a goat.
There are sheep and there are goats. And he talks about his
own sheep. Now look what he says about a sheep. Verse 4, And when
he put forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep
follow him, for they know his voice. They know his voice. They know his voice in the gospel.
They know when the truth is being preached. They know his voice. Look in verse 24 of the same
chapter, John chapter 10. Then came the Jews round about
him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? Hold
on. Did the Lord ever make anybody
to doubt? No. No. This is foolish. How long
does thou make us to doubt? You're confusing us. You're making
us doubt. We're starting to wonder about
everything, listen to you. Well, that's the way goats respond
to the truth. How long does thou make us to
doubt? If thou be the price, tell us plainly. Jesus answered
them, I told you. And you Believed not. The works that I do in my Father's
name, they bear witness of me. There's no excuse for you to
not believe. But you believe not, because you are not of my
sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them. and they follow me." Sheep believe. Who are the sheep? That's God's
elect. That's the ones Christ died for.
That's those who believe. They know His voice. Now, what are the things that
we know? If I'm a sheep, I speak with
John. We know that his testimony is
true. What is it? that we know. What
is it that we can speak with such confidence? We turn to 2
Peter 1. 2 Peter 1. Verse 20. Knowing this first This comes first. We've got to
begin here. If we don't have this, we don't have anything.
We've got to begin right here. Knowing this first, that no prophecy
of the scripture is of any private interpretation. How many times
have you talked to somebody and they said, well, that's what
your interpretation is. My interpretation is different. No. The Bible is not somebody's private
interpretation. Well, here's what it means to
me. I don't care what it means to you. What does it mean? That's the only issue, not what
does it mean to me or you? It's not relative. It's not subjective. It's of no private interpretation.
Knowing this verse that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation for the prophecy. came not in old time by the will
of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy
Ghost." Now, I know that the Bible is the inspired, infallible
Word of God. Can I prove that? No, I can't. Nor can I prove to you that God
exists, or that He is. But I know He is. And I know this book is God's
revelation of Himself. Now somebody says, I just can't
believe that. Well, I'm sorry. But I do. I do. I know the Bible is the Word
of God. Prove it to me. I feel no need
to. You don't need to prove the truth.
This is the truth. God's Word stands on its own. And I'm so sure that this is
the Word of God that I'm willing to preach it and leave you alone
with God. I'm not going to try to manipulate
you. I'm not going to try to do anything with you. Just preach
the truth and leave you alone. This is God's inspired Word. If we don't have a written revelation,
we're left with my opinion or your opinion. Is that what you
want to be left with? Not me. Not only do I know it's
the Word of God, I love the fact that God gave this revelation
of Himself. I'm so thankful for the Scripture.
I'm so thankful that it's written down, that we're not dependent
on men like me or you to make known God, that God has made
Himself known in His Word. It's written down, not to be
changed, not to be added to, not to be subtracted from. I
know the Bible is the Word of God. All Scripture. It's what
the Bible claims for itself. All Scripture is given by inspiration
of God. Now, it's either just the production
of man, just like Shakespeare or Milton or some other great
work of art and literature, or it's the infallible Word of God. And I know, I know this is God's
Word. Turn to Romans chapter 8. Romans chapter 8, verse 28. And we know. Do you hear what he says? We
know. How do you know? Because God
revealed it. Because it's in his written word.
Because he's made himself known. We know. Someone says, I don't
know. Then God didn't reveal it to
you. But I know. Every believer can say this. We know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose. You see, God
has a purpose, and that purpose is going to be done. And we know
that everything that happens, everything, doesn't matter what
it is, sickness, health, poverty, wealth, all the things that come
to us, the bad things, the good things, all things work together,
not separately. I can't see what the Lord's doing.
I never can. But I trust that he's doing it. That's what I
know. Do I know what he's doing? No,
I don't know what he's doing. I had somebody come up to me
recently. He said, tell me what God's doing in your life. I said,
I don't know. I don't know. I don't. But I know what he's done. I
know what he's done. He accomplished my salvation.
As far as what's going on right now, I don't know. But I do know
that whatever it is, it's working together for my good. and for
His glory. It's His purpose. And because
God is God, His purpose should be done. Now, how do you know
that's the case? Because God said it in His Word. We have
a scripture for it. And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are called
according to His purpose. There in Romans 7, look in verse
14. Back a page. Romans chapter 7, verse 14. For we know that the law, God's
holy law, the Ten Commandments, the thou shalt and the thou shalt
not, we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, fleshly,
sold under sin, a slave to sin, so that I cannot keep God's holy
law. I haven't. And I say this to
my shame. And what I'm saying about myself
is true regarding you, whether you know it or not. You and I,
but I'll just speak of myself, I've never kept one commandment
one time. Not once. I can't do anything. We know that the law is spiritual,
but I'm carnal, soul under sin. Look what it says in verse 18
of the same chapter. For I know that in me, that is in my flesh,
dwelleth no good thing. I know that about me. There's
nothing in me that is good in my flesh, what I am by nature.
I know. I know this. Well, how do you
know it? I'll tell you what. If you've
ever been given any glimpse of who the Lord is, this is what
you'll say about yourself. And if you haven't seen who he
is, you can't enter into this. I think of what Isaiah said when
he saw the Lord. He said, I saw the Lord high
and lifted up and his train filled the temple. You know what Isaiah
said about himself when he saw the Lord? He said, whoa, here's
me. I'm undone. I'm a man of unclean
lips. Everything that comes out of
my mouth is unclean because I say it. And I dwell in the midst
of a people of unclean lips. When Daniel saw the Lord, he
said, my comeliness, that which I thought was beautiful about
me, turned to corruption. Job said, I've heard of thee
with the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee,
wherefore I hate myself, and I repent in dust and ashes. Now, if the Lord has shown you
who He is, that's the only way you're going to know who you
are. But if He shows you who He is in His holiness, in His
absolute justice, in His highness, you're going to know that in
you dwelleth no good thing. If somebody says, I don't know
that about myself, then you've not seen the Lord. He's not revealed
himself to you, because if he does, this you will know. And then in 2 Corinthians chapter
8, verse 9, For you know, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor,
that you through his poverty might be rich. You know the grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich Rich in righteousness. Rich in love. Rich in praise. The angels were falling down
before Him. Oh, the riches of the Lord Jesus
Christ. He owns everything. He created
all things. Though He was rich, yet for your
sakes, He became poor. Yes, He became physically poor.
He who created the universe had no place to lay His head. But
he became poor in righteousness. He was made sin. All that sin
is, he was made to be. That's what that poverty is.
That though he was yet rich for your sakes, because your sin
was placed upon him, he was made poor, that you, through his poverty,
through his poverty, might be rich. I am rich in righteousness. I have the righteousness of God.
I'm rich in peace, the peace of God that passes all understanding.
Oh, you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, don't you? You know you weren't
redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold received
by tradition from your fathers, but you know you were redeemed
with the precious blood of Christ. You know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ. You understand that? You're riches. came through his poverty, what
happened to him on the cross. You know. You know what grace does. And then,
Paul, this is so important. I want you to read this with
me. This is a very familiar passage of scripture, but turn to 2nd
Timothy, chapter one. Verse 12. for the which cause I also suffer
these things, because of the gospel that I preach. Nevertheless,
I'm not ashamed. Oh, I'm not ashamed of the gospel
I preach. I'm ashamed of myself, but I'm not ashamed of the gospel.
It's the very power of God unto salvation. I'm not ashamed, for
I know whom I have believed. and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I have committed to him against that day, I know
whom I have believed." Now listen real carefully. What I believe
is determined completely by who I believe. What I believe is determined
by who I believe. If you believe in a Christ who
is not absolutely sovereign, you can believe in free will.
You can believe that his sovereignty is not exercised over man's will,
it's up to man as to what he's going to do. You can believe
something like that if you believe in a Jesus Christ who is less
than absolutely sovereign. But if you believe in the sovereign
Christ, it's impossible to believe in free will. His will is over everything.
He controls everything. You see, what you believe is
determined by who you believe. If you believe that Christ is
God and is incapable of failure, you believe that it would be
impossible for Him to die for somebody and that person would
wind up in hell. You'll believe that his death accomplished what
he intended for it to do, if you believe he's God and incapable
of failure. Now, if you believe he's somewhat
less than that, you can believe he can be a failure. You see,
what you believe is determined by who you believe. Now, Paul
said, I know whom I have believed, and because of who he is, I'm
persuaded that he is a to keep that which I committed to him
against that day. In Romans 14, 14, I'm going to
give these real quick because I want to wind this up. Paul
said, I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that there's
nothing unclean of itself. Sins not in things, I know that. There's nothing unclean of itself.
Sin is not in things. I don't become sinful by drinking
alcohol or smoking tobacco. I become sinful because that's
the way I'm born. It's in my heart. So I know this. I'm persuaded of the Lord Jesus.
And then listen to the scripture. Ephesians 5, 5 and 6. This you
know that no whoremonger. You know this. You know this. that no whoremonger, nor unclean
person, nor covetous man, have any inheritance in the kingdom
of God and of Christ. Let no man deceive you with vain
words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the
children of disobedience." Somebody says, I believe grace, and then
they can live like the devil. Well, salvation is by grace,
so I'm okay. You know better than that. You
know better than that. Let no man deceive you with vain
words. Now, here's the last one. Turn to John chapter 4. John chapter four. Verse four. And he must need to go through
Samaria. The only reason why the Lord
must do anything is he must do his father's will. You see, one
of his elect is there and he's going to get her. He must need
to go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria,
which is called Cyper, near to the parcel of Bram, that Jacob
gave to his son Joseph. Now, Jacob's well was there.
Jesus, therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on
the well, and it was about the six hour, noon, hot, and there
cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water. Now, most people
think that because she came at noon, it was because she didn't
want to come when everybody else did. And as you go on reading
about this passage of scripture, this woman had been married five
times and was living with somebody at the time, outside of marriage
in a sinful way. I mean, she knew if she came
up, probably people would say, well, there she is. You can imagine
the names they would call her. So she picked the time when nobody
would come to go to the well, noon, the hottest time of the
day. Then cometh the woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus
saith unto her, Give me to drink. For his disciples were gone away
into the city to buy meat. Then saith the woman of Samaria
unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of
me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews had no dealing with
the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto
her, If you knew the gift, the free gift, the
gift given with no strings attached. If you knew the gift of God. In Acts 2.38 we read of the gift
of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 5.17 we read of the
gift of righteousness. In Romans 5, 18, we read of the
gift of justification, being not guilty. In Romans 6, 23,
we read of the gift of eternal life. In Ephesians 2, 8, we read
of the gift of faith. In Ephesians 3, 7, we read of
the gift of grace, the unspeakable gift, the unspeakable gift, the
Lord Jesus Christ himself. Now, our Lord says to this poor
woman in her ignorance. I mean, she was ignorant. And he says to her, if you knew
the gift of God, and who it was that saith unto
me, unto you, give me a drink. If you knew who I was, here's
what you do. Go on reading. Thou wouldst have
asked him, and he would have given thee living Now, if you
know the gift, oh, thank God for the gift. It's not something
you earn. It's not something you merit. It's not something
you prepare yourself for. And now I'm worthy to get it.
It's the free gift of God. If you knew the giver, who it
is that gives this gift, you know what you'd do? If you knew,
you'd ask. That's what you'd be doing right
now, if you know. You'd be asking, Lord, give me this gift. Give
me the gift of righteousness. Give me the gift of faith. Give
me the gift of justification. Give me the gift of grace. Give
me the gift of eternal life. Give me your gift. If you knew
who the giver was and the gift he gives, you'd ask. And you
know what would happen in asking? He'd give to you that gift. And if you don't have this gift,
there's only one reason, because you haven't asked for it. I've asked and he hasn't given
it to me. You didn't ask. You tried to bargain. You tried to
say, if you do this, I'll do that. God won't meet you there.
He'll just send you to hell like that. I'm not talking about bargaining.
I'm talking about asking for his free gift. If you knew, you'd
ask. And he would give. Let's pray.