WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.519 Join us. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:13.640 Y'all, that was beautiful. 00:00:14.280 --> 00:00:15.179 What a beautiful song. 00:00:16.240 --> 00:00:22.400 I hope that you hear in that song, you're not alone, okay? 00:00:22.600 --> 00:00:23.900 You are not alone. 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:26.679 In Christ, you are whole. 00:00:27.559 --> 00:00:31.640 You are made whole and you are set apart as holy. 00:00:32.019 --> 00:00:36.320 And that's what we get to talk about this morning and I'm excited about it. 00:00:37.039 --> 00:00:40.179 Because a lot of us are lonely. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:47.859 A lot of us are asking that question, is there anyone out there that understands? 00:00:49.200 --> 00:00:51.899 In a bigger level, that question, is there anyone out there? 00:00:51.899 --> 00:00:54.939 It's captivated humanity for centuries. 00:00:54.939 --> 00:00:59.619 It's not just only one of my favorite topics to discuss with anyone. 00:01:00.099 --> 00:01:05.579 It's the subject of many television programs, books, podcasts. 00:01:06.019 --> 00:01:10.099 And it's actually the foundation of SETI. 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:15.620 The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence. 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:24.120 That's an organization that is fully dedicated to answering the question, are we alone? 00:01:26.120 --> 00:01:27.580 You ever thought about that? 00:01:29.080 --> 00:01:33.159 You ever wonder about loneliness just on an earthly level? 00:01:34.580 --> 00:01:43.159 Deep down, our souls harbor this lingering fascination, yet also this fear of loneliness. 00:01:43.159 --> 00:01:43.359 Loneliness. 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:52.000 In May 2023, the Surgeon General at the time called loneliness a public health epidemic. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:58.280 Okay, I asked one of our local counselors, what's a good working definition of loneliness? 00:01:59.579 --> 00:02:01.159 And this was suggested. 00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:13.019 An unmet desire to be known, accepted, wanted, and loved by another person or other people. 00:02:13.859 --> 00:02:21.419 When Americans feel lonely, studies show that they report easing their feelings of loneliness in various ways. 00:02:21.419 --> 00:02:31.239 So, one study, a very big study, 50% showed that 50% turned to distractions like TV, podcasts, social media, the doom scroll. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:34.899 41% just go take a walk. 00:02:35.959 --> 00:02:38.519 38% reach out to friends or family. 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:43.239 31% spend time with their pets or exercise. 00:02:44.519 --> 00:02:48.060 26% eat more food. 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:53.240 13% turn to drugs or alcohol. 00:02:54.379 --> 00:02:56.900 9% go to a therapist or a counselor. 00:02:57.699 --> 00:02:59.759 And 6% volunteer. 00:03:00.759 --> 00:03:03.879 But some may do any combination of all of those things. 00:03:05.759 --> 00:03:07.800 But what about Dave? 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:13.000 Dave was tired of dating apps. 00:03:14.180 --> 00:03:16.439 So Dave bought a billboard. 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:27.819 In July 2024, 28-year-old data manager from Pennsylvania, Dave, was going to do something about that loneliness. 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:30.900 So he made a billboard. 00:03:32.199 --> 00:03:35.759 It says, Dave can cook well. 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:38.199 Dave has normal hobbies. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:41.020 Dave owns a cat, pictured. 00:03:42.159 --> 00:03:43.360 Dave bought a billboard. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:46.960 Dave became a worldwide sensation. 00:03:48.160 --> 00:03:52.600 And he received thousands of messages from people all over the world. 00:03:53.080 --> 00:03:56.620 He's been interviewed and all kinds of funny things. 00:03:56.800 --> 00:03:59.160 But that's a funny way to deal with loneliness. 00:03:59.400 --> 00:04:01.940 But, you know, what do you do with loneliness? 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:04.440 Loneliness is an epidemic. 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:09.520 I, um, actually, let's go back to Dave. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:09.979 Let's leave. 00:04:10.079 --> 00:04:11.300 Let's leave that there. 00:04:11.460 --> 00:04:11.859 That's why. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:15.859 I will never forget the time that I was in the fourth grade. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:18.360 And I was involved in a car wreck. 00:04:19.399 --> 00:04:21.560 And I was riding in the back of a station wagon. 00:04:22.339 --> 00:04:26.100 And I had to get out of the car and was all mangled. 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:31.860 And I had to get in the ambulance and they took me by myself and before my parents could get there. 00:04:31.960 --> 00:04:33.780 And I remember feeling so lonely. 00:04:34.760 --> 00:04:40.540 And my mom got to the wreck site and all she saw was my beach towel with my blood all over it. 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:42.360 And she felt lonely. 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:45.460 Just imagine that, that feeling of separation. 00:04:46.760 --> 00:04:49.260 Fast forward, though, to my sophomore year. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:53.120 And I'm riding my 1978 Celica, which has six horns. 00:04:53.259 --> 00:04:54.139 No one believed me. 00:04:54.480 --> 00:04:56.039 They're six horns. 00:04:57.360 --> 00:04:57.719 Okay? 00:04:57.920 --> 00:05:00.839 In case you ran out of one, you got five more. 00:05:02.159 --> 00:05:04.019 And I'm in high school. 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:04.899 It's spring break. 00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:07.980 And all of my friends were out of town. 00:05:08.399 --> 00:05:10.099 And I wasn't invited anywhere. 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:12.719 And I was, we didn't have social media then. 00:05:12.779 --> 00:05:15.240 But you could still hear what was going on. 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:16.839 Like people would call and stuff like that. 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:23.219 And I remember riding around with Pearl Jam's epic song, Black, playing in the background. 00:05:23.719 --> 00:05:25.060 Do-do-do-do-do-do-do. 00:05:25.099 --> 00:05:26.139 And I'm like, I'm so alone. 00:05:26.219 --> 00:05:26.979 I was like, why? 00:05:27.539 --> 00:05:28.299 Why me? 00:05:29.219 --> 00:05:29.620 Right? 00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:31.539 In that 78 Celica. 00:05:33.419 --> 00:05:39.419 Maybe, maybe you have experienced loneliness in a new school. 00:05:40.359 --> 00:05:44.000 I remember I changed schools in the seventh grade, eighth grade, sorry. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:47.779 And walking into that lunchroom the first day. 00:05:47.899 --> 00:05:49.100 I could still remember it. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:51.160 And I knew friends from the neighborhood. 00:05:51.920 --> 00:05:54.339 But when I walked in there, they looked at me a lot differently. 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:55.480 Where do I sit? 00:05:55.980 --> 00:06:00.199 I remember the first week walking down the hall, somebody just goes, you need to go to the store. 00:06:01.220 --> 00:06:02.100 And I was like, ooh. 00:06:02.459 --> 00:06:06.139 And that's when I started wondering about self-image and what I looked like. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:08.680 And I felt lonely. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:16.000 Maybe you've been, you're in a new class this year and you don't have any of your friends in it. 00:06:16.659 --> 00:06:18.419 And you're like, I don't like any of my teachers. 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:19.699 Right? 00:06:20.159 --> 00:06:21.379 That's a hard place to be. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:22.279 You can feel lonely. 00:06:22.779 --> 00:06:28.139 Or maybe you've been in a waiting room at a hospital or to receive the results from a test. 00:06:28.240 --> 00:06:32.539 You can feel that moment of what if I'm alone. 00:06:32.540 --> 00:06:38.080 Now, when I'm talking about loneliness, I don't mean solitude. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:40.240 I want to separate it from solitude. 00:06:40.720 --> 00:06:40.860 Okay? 00:06:42.020 --> 00:06:45.720 Solitude is more of a choice to be alone. 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:47.400 And content. 00:06:47.700 --> 00:06:48.939 And solitude is a good thing. 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:49.140 Right? 00:06:49.140 --> 00:06:50.620 A place where you find peace. 00:06:51.140 --> 00:06:52.220 And you can find pleasure. 00:06:52.900 --> 00:06:55.560 But loneliness is kind of a state of sadness. 00:06:56.500 --> 00:06:56.759 Right? 00:06:56.840 --> 00:06:58.540 A state of feeling that isolation. 00:06:58.540 --> 00:07:02.780 And it just keeps piling up and you feel like no one else understands. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:05.900 And the reality is we all experience loneliness. 00:07:06.980 --> 00:07:09.300 It is a universal human experience. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:10.480 But here's what's important. 00:07:11.000 --> 00:07:13.720 It was never part of God's original design. 00:07:14.600 --> 00:07:14.820 Okay? 00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:21.720 God himself is the opposite of loneliness in his being. 00:07:21.840 --> 00:07:23.540 In fact, God is community. 00:07:24.340 --> 00:07:25.200 He is Father. 00:07:25.580 --> 00:07:26.460 He is Son. 00:07:26.459 --> 00:07:28.079 He is Holy Spirit. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:35.719 Our catechism, which question 65, by the way, said what is forbidden in the fifth commandment? 00:07:35.799 --> 00:07:39.079 And it just basically said the first one and it said the opposite of that thing. 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:40.879 So that's why I left it out. 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:50.500 So, but the catechism also says in questions four through six, it tells us who God is. 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:50.939 Okay? 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:51.579 Okay? 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:52.379 And it says this. 00:07:53.120 --> 00:08:01.899 God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:04.500 There is only one living and true God. 00:08:05.240 --> 00:08:07.339 There are three persons in the Godhead. 00:08:07.459 --> 00:08:09.939 The Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:15.120 These three are one God, the same in substance, and equal in power and glory. 00:08:15.120 --> 00:08:15.600 Okay? 00:08:15.600 --> 00:08:16.199 Okay? 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:22.139 So God in his being is never alone and never has been alone. 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:26.100 And loneliness was never meant for us originally either. 00:08:26.840 --> 00:08:31.899 And when God created us, he said, it's not good for man to be. 00:08:31.899 --> 00:08:45.379 See, the fear of loneliness began then after he asked that question, after sin entered the world, where he said, where are you? 00:08:46.100 --> 00:08:47.539 And where were we? 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:48.899 We were hiding. 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:51.059 We were getting away isolated. 00:08:51.539 --> 00:08:53.059 We started to pull away. 00:08:53.419 --> 00:08:55.519 That's when loneliness came into the world. 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:58.659 And it's been a problem ever since. 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:01.439 Maybe you experience it. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:06.300 And I've expressed to you all before, I've had a lot of church hurt. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:08.680 Maybe you have too from somewhere. 00:09:09.200 --> 00:09:13.460 That can make you feel isolated where you just run away from God's people and away from God. 00:09:15.420 --> 00:09:21.640 Maybe you experience some moment where you're like, I don't know who I can talk to about this. 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:23.640 That's when I feel most isolated. 00:09:24.160 --> 00:09:30.660 It's something I need to talk about, but I can't talk to someone about it without affecting the thing and making it worse. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:34.320 Maybe you've been in a situation like that in your life or at work. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:41.240 Well, today God is going to show us a little bit more about how to deal with loneliness. 00:09:41.960 --> 00:09:44.120 Listen to what he says to start. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:45.120 Okay. 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:54.000 If you love me, you will keep my commandments and I will ask the Father and he will give you another helper to be with you forever. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:10:00.539 Even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. 00:10:01.279 --> 00:10:05.960 You know him for he dwells with you and will be in you. 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:06.960 Okay. 00:10:06.960 --> 00:10:07.960 Okay. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:11.160 We all experience loneliness. 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:16.340 And here, if you remember from last week's passage, the disciples, they're scared. 00:10:16.560 --> 00:10:16.700 Okay. 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:18.980 Because Jesus has just said he's going away. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:21.840 And he says, you don't know the way to where I'm going. 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:25.700 And then he said, I'm the way, the truth, and the life. 00:10:25.980 --> 00:10:27.139 And they're scared. 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:28.320 Okay. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:29.900 Because they don't want him to leave. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:32.440 They're confused about where he's going. 00:10:33.280 --> 00:10:34.820 And how does Jesus comfort them? 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:39.680 He says in this passage, he promises that he's going to send a helper. 00:10:40.520 --> 00:10:40.879 Okay. 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:43.560 And here's why this is important. 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:49.820 If you could do it, if we could do it on our own, then we wouldn't need a helper. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:51.600 Okay. 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:54.720 Now let's talk about that word helper just for a minute. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:58.460 In this passage, it's translated helper. 00:10:58.600 --> 00:11:00.019 You'll look in your Bible. 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:01.460 Some of them may say counselor. 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:04.160 Some may say advocate. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:05.440 Okay. 00:11:05.500 --> 00:11:07.519 The Greek word, it's like that word love. 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:11.340 There's a bunch of, like we say love, but there's a bunch of different Greek words. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:13.040 Well, this word is paraclete. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:16.500 And we don't, we've got a bunch of different English words that don't really capture all of it. 00:11:16.540 --> 00:11:19.019 So you'll notice it different in different Bibles. 00:11:19.160 --> 00:11:20.820 So let's talk about that for a minute. 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.600 It can mean advocate. 00:11:22.700 --> 00:11:23.560 It can mean counselor. 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:25.879 Think about a best friend. 00:11:25.979 --> 00:11:26.799 It can mean that. 00:11:27.639 --> 00:11:29.479 And so it's hard to just express in one word. 00:11:29.559 --> 00:11:35.639 But if you could combine your best friend, somebody who was always there to help you all the time perfectly, 00:11:36.459 --> 00:11:40.219 somebody who always protected you, who always told you the truth, 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:44.659 and whenever you had a problem, they could help you work it all out and sort it out right all the time perfectly, 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:46.179 that's paraclete. 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:50.939 If you could put all that into one person, that's the paraclete. 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:52.299 That's the helper. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:53.299 Okay. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:11:55.579 So who is the helper? 00:11:56.739 --> 00:11:59.039 Spoiler alert, the Holy Spirit. 00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:02.139 Verse 26 is going to tell us that. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:03.439 It's the Holy Spirit. 00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:04.959 It's God himself. 00:12:05.479 --> 00:12:14.279 The third person in the Godhead who's going to be with those who look to Jesus Christ in faith. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:17.139 Faith is putting your trust in someone. 00:12:17.319 --> 00:12:21.620 It's being sure that what they say is true and trusting that that thing that they say is true. 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:27.059 The assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things not seen, as the scriptures say. 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:33.979 So Jesus here is addressing the problem of loneliness by promising the Holy Spirit. 00:12:34.919 --> 00:12:46.339 He's ensuring that we are never left alone because he promises to fill the space of loneliness with his presence, with God's presence. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:58.019 The problem is we are really busy trying to fill that space with our own things, with our own, like those lists of things I read earlier. 00:12:58.440 --> 00:13:00.000 They're not bad things. 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:04.639 But are we taking our loneliness to God himself? 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:11.000 A lot of times we fill it with busyness, with distraction, with performance, with addictions. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:22.080 I don't know when it hits you most, but for me, loneliness will hit me sometimes when I'm riding in my car and it's quiet and I've got a lot of time to think. 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:28.419 And remember, studies show that when you have a lot of time to think, your thoughts are going to go negative first. 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:31.699 So if you go there, you're probably human, okay? 00:13:32.459 --> 00:13:34.579 But that's when loneliness hits me. 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.379 Well, I'm the only one. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:39.939 And social media, it always cures it for me because it gives me no reason to compare. 00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:42.299 And I go on there and it all goes away. 00:13:42.579 --> 00:13:44.500 So I don't know what Jesus is talking about needing a helper. 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.620 That's got social media. 00:13:46.839 --> 00:13:47.240 Joke. 00:13:47.819 --> 00:13:50.319 It makes it way, way worse, right? 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.980 But Jesus continues. 00:13:54.079 --> 00:13:56.120 And see, he's with us all the time. 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:59.159 I will not leave you as orphans. 00:14:00.019 --> 00:14:01.399 I will come to you. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:04.100 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more. 00:14:04.179 --> 00:14:06.060 But you will see me because I live. 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.639 You also will live. 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:11.299 In that day, you will know that I'm in my Father. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.679 And you in me. 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:14.220 And I in you. 00:14:14.899 --> 00:14:17.139 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them. 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.980 He it is who loves me. 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:21.600 And he who loves me will be loved by my Father. 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:26.420 And I will love him and manifest myself to him. 00:14:27.540 --> 00:14:32.460 Okay, so here Jesus is addressing our greatest fears of loneliness. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:37.139 He's promising that he's not going to abandon us as orphans. 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:43.460 He's saying, you always have a place to belong if you are mine. 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:47.360 His presence will always be with us. 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:53.340 The intertwining of our spirit with God's spirit via the Holy Spirit. 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:56.159 It's known as union with Christ. 00:14:56.740 --> 00:15:00.899 And as my late seminary professor, Dr. Howard Griffith, a wonderful man, said, 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:03.539 union with Christ is everything. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:11.039 The intertwining of our spirit with God's spirit. 00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:13.539 I'm in the Father. 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:15.339 You in me. 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:17.480 I in you. 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:20.879 Let's think about this from a practical level. 00:15:21.579 --> 00:15:22.860 Feeling and understanding. 00:15:23.839 --> 00:15:23.980 Okay. 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:31.360 God understands us on a level that we cannot even begin to understand. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:34.300 Just feeling. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:37.720 The Father feels what Jesus feels. 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:40.980 Jesus feels what the Father feels. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:43.759 This means that God feels what you feel. 00:15:44.680 --> 00:15:54.639 And that you can experience and feel a measure of what God himself feels when he looks at human beings. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:59.300 Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.700 We talked about that a few weeks ago. 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:03.420 It starts by letting his presence in. 00:16:04.280 --> 00:16:05.700 And then love your neighbor. 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:09.840 Neighbor meant human beings as yourself. 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:17.360 So God's love in us then allows us to look and feel about other human beings the way that he does. 00:16:18.280 --> 00:16:24.980 With that agape love, that sacrificial give my life for the sake of other humans love. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.980 It notices. 00:16:25.980 --> 00:16:28.220 It's a love that cares. 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:30.480 It's a love that provides. 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:35.980 Now earlier in verse 12, Jesus said, 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:42.060 Whoever believes in him will do the works that he does and even greater works, 00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:44.779 All because he's going to the Father. 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:46.679 And what's going to happen? 00:16:46.839 --> 00:16:53.759 He's going to send the helper, the advocate, the best friend, the counselor. 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:59.659 What he's saying is, I'm going to be there helping you all the time. 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:00.799 Now think about this. 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:03.379 If some of you in here, maybe you've worked out before. 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:09.259 If you have a good workout trainer, you, periods of time, you don't like them. 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:12.019 Because they ask you to do things that you dislike. 00:17:12.660 --> 00:17:14.700 And then you're in a moment and you're like, I can't do any more. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.019 Like, yeah, do ten more of those. 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.660 And they always lie about the clock. 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.480 They're like, one more minute and it's two more minutes. 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:22.640 They're perpetually pushing you further. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:23.859 Okay? 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.660 But they're doing it because they help you. 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:28.160 And when you get down, they help you back up. 00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:31.240 Think about a bodyguard. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:35.000 You've seen people walking around with their entourages. 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:38.779 And then something happens and they jump in. 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:40.019 They take over immediately. 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:42.559 They shield with their own bodies. 00:17:44.059 --> 00:17:45.579 Or space people. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.519 This is space town. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.579 Think about astronauts. 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:55.019 When astronauts are floating in space, they always have communication with Houston. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:55.380 Right? 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.119 Houston, we have a problem. 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.099 That's okay. 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.160 We're going to solve your problem. 00:17:59.579 --> 00:17:59.920 Right? 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.440 They're always there in their ear. 00:18:01.440 --> 00:18:12.480 So, in the same way, but a much greater way, Jesus is always with us, providing protection, 00:18:13.320 --> 00:18:22.420 guidance, encouragement, and constant communication via his Holy Spirit, his presence inside you. 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:25.000 That's why he says he will manifest. 00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:27.779 He will show his love to who, though? 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:28.160 Everybody? 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:28.360 Everybody? 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:33.240 Well, the whole world will see Jesus by the people that really follow Jesus. 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:36.580 But he's saying here, by those who keep my commandments, which you're going to get into. 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:38.200 Who call him Lord. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:39.140 Who call him teacher. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:40.720 Who call him their rabbi. 00:18:40.840 --> 00:18:46.019 Who give their lives and they form their lives around the things that he asks them to form their lives around. 00:18:46.900 --> 00:18:47.980 Ultimately, himself. 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:53.060 Offering themselves as living sacrifices, as Romans 12 says. 00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.460 Holy and pleasing to God. 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:56.300 This is your spiritual act of worship. 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:59.759 You offer your life to Jesus, who is the truth. 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:02.099 Who is God himself. 00:19:02.700 --> 00:19:14.440 So, the Holy Spirit, we all experience loneliness, but the Holy Spirit also gives us guidance in our loneliness. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.559 Okay? 00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:19.619 We can't do it on our own, so God sends us a helper. 00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:23.039 But now, he also sends us some guidance. 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:25.960 All right, let's read these next verses here. 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:34.339 Judas, not Iscariot, said to him, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world? 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:43.399 Jesus answered him, if anyone loves me, he'll keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:47.019 Whoever does not love me, whoever does not love me, whoever does not keep my words. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:52.320 And the word that you hear is not mine, but the Father's who sent me. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:55.940 These things I've spoken to you while I'm still with you. 00:19:56.400 --> 00:20:07.860 But the helper, spoiler alert, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:12.500 Okay, so naturally, these statements here that Jesus has said, they're confusing. 00:20:13.479 --> 00:20:17.399 And so Judas says, not Iscariot, this is the son of James. 00:20:17.939 --> 00:20:19.819 He asked Jesus, what do you mean? 00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:26.559 And Jesus responds by talking about the correlation between loving God, keeping his commandments, 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:31.819 and then he highlights our need for a constant helper, a constant teacher. 00:20:32.339 --> 00:20:35.779 And he starts talking about coming and making his home in us. 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:43.720 Okay, so the Holy Spirit gives us guidance, and if we could do it on our own, we wouldn't need a teacher. 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.779 We wouldn't need a helper. 00:20:45.339 --> 00:20:46.440 We wouldn't need a teacher. 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:51.680 So is Jesus saying in these verses, here, I'll go back to the verses. 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:58.240 Is he saying, if you've ever broken a commandment, you don't love me. 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:01.059 Because you could read that into this. 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:02.460 Do you think he's saying that? 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:05.600 You shout it out. 00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:07.299 This is an open discussion at this point. 00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:09.880 No. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:11.940 Now, why would he not be saying that? 00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:17.299 Because why? 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.860 Because God loves us. 00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.779 Okay, yes. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:25.759 That is, I can't argue with that at all. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:29.859 I wouldn't want to argue with it, especially such a sweet voice. 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.519 My goodness. 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:37.019 He's not saying that if you've ever messed up, that you're not a Christian and that God doesn't love you. 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:39.879 Okay, that would be inconsistent with the rest of Scripture. 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:41.119 Right? 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.680 It wouldn't be consistent. 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:46.700 None of us keeps the commandments perfectly. 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:55.920 But if we love Jesus and God loves us, part of that is expressed in the way of living the way that he taught. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:56.600 Okay? 00:21:57.700 --> 00:22:02.200 Through the Holy Spirit's work, we can spend time with Jesus. 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.759 We can become near Jesus. 00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:05.960 And we can actually become like Jesus. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:10.720 And start to do some of those crazy love things that we read about in the Bible. 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:19.220 But Jesus says in Matthew 5, 17 through 19, he didn't come to abolish the law. 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:21.539 Didn't come to abolish the commandments. 00:22:22.400 --> 00:22:24.440 Does anyone know what he said he came to do with those? 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:26.680 To fulfill them. 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:27.720 Okay? 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:32.900 Jesus is the only one who keeps all the commandments. 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:39.860 But he expects us, in that verse he says too, to do them and to teach them as well. 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:44.860 What's even more amazing is that he says he's going to go back to the Father. 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:48.299 And they're going to come make a home within us. 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:50.819 Now, in the verses last week, he said, 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:53.940 In my Father's house are many rooms. 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.140 Okay? 00:22:55.140 --> 00:22:58.580 This is the same language when he says we're going to make a home in you. 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.380 So think about that for a second. 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.900 God's got a home in heaven for us. 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:06.200 And while we're on earth, we've got a home in us for God. 00:23:06.800 --> 00:23:09.020 There's this constant, again, connection. 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.840 This union with Christ. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:15.280 So, when he makes our home inside us, 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:18.840 he continues to teach us and to remind us of the things that he says. 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:21.440 And that's the work of the Holy Spirit. 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:24.960 The one who changes us and forms us into the image of God. 00:23:25.840 --> 00:23:26.080 Okay? 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:29.600 And there's a cooperation with our spirit and the Holy Spirit. 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:32.080 My friend Butch Hardman, he always used to say, 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:35.360 It's possible for the Holy Spirit to be resident and not president. 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.520 Right? 00:23:38.520 --> 00:23:39.580 Is he president? 00:23:40.580 --> 00:23:42.820 And you might, it's an election year. 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:44.360 Let's re-elect the Holy Spirit. 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:44.919 Okay? 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:51.279 So, through that gift of the Spirit, Jesus is saying, 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:56.519 If you love me, I'm going to help you keep my commandments. 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.920 I'm the one who kept them fully, 00:23:58.019 --> 00:24:00.640 but I'm going to help you live out where I call you to be now. 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:02.180 I'm going to help you become like me. 00:24:02.560 --> 00:24:06.240 I'm going to help you treat human beings the way that I've created you to treat them. 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:10.779 And I'm using you as a vessel of my love and my mercy to those people in your life 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:12.559 that I'm calling you to love. 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:13.859 I'm always there. 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.539 I'm always providing strength. 00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.200 I'm always providing encouragement. 00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:19.799 I'm holding you in my arms in every moment. 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:27.339 But what might that look like for us to hold him close to us 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:29.419 and call out to him in every moment? 00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:31.519 I'll tell you, it's not easy. 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:37.779 For me, there's this phrase that my friend Bill Nash has been saying a lot lately to me 00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.539 over the past few years. 00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.619 It's called, palms up. 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:44.740 And I think the story goes, I may botch it, 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:48.339 that there was this guy who was going to testify in a courtroom. 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:50.699 And he would get really nervous. 00:24:51.139 --> 00:24:54.000 And the lawyer said to him, hey, just remember, 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:56.859 put your palms up when you're sitting on that witness stand. 00:24:57.679 --> 00:25:01.039 And you can't control the outcomes. 00:25:01.679 --> 00:25:02.659 Just give it up to God. 00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:05.099 And he said, you know, I should probably do that in everything, 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.559 not just when I'm on the witness stand. 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:10.379 And so for me, this phrase for my wife and I has become 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:13.659 one that we say often to each other. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:15.019 We can't control outcomes. 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:17.039 So in those moments where I'm lonely or I'm fearful, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.899 I just try to say palms up. 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:23.240 And sometimes I just say it over and over and over and over. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.519 I don't do it perfect. 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:26.819 But that's one of the ways I try to invite the Holy Spirit 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:28.619 into the loneliness of every moment. 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.200 Palms up. 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.279 Palms up right now, God. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.700 You've got this. 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.879 I can't control this outcome. 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:35.839 So when that hits me in my loneliness, 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:37.639 that's one of the phrases that I go to. 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:42.640 But the Holy Spirit, he, since we all experience loneliness, 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.040 we can't do it alone. 00:25:44.280 --> 00:25:46.480 We need a helper, right? 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:48.740 The Holy Spirit gives us guidance in our loneliness. 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:50.840 If we could do it on our own, then we wouldn't need a teacher. 00:25:51.560 --> 00:25:55.520 But also, the Holy Spirit gives us transcendental peace 00:25:55.520 --> 00:25:56.580 in our loneliness. 00:25:57.560 --> 00:25:58.680 Let's read about that. 00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:01.660 Peace I leave with you. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:04.539 My peace I give to you. 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:07.640 Not as the world gives do I give to you. 00:26:08.060 --> 00:26:09.840 Let not your hearts be troubled. 00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:12.019 Neither let them be afraid. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:16.340 You heard me say to you, I'm going away, and I'll come to you. 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:20.740 If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I'm going to the Father. 00:26:21.160 --> 00:26:22.860 For the Father is greater than I. 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:25.779 And now I've told you before it takes place, 00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:28.560 so that when it does take place, you may believe. 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:31.240 I will no longer talk much with you, 00:26:31.580 --> 00:26:33.299 for the ruler of this world is coming. 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:35.799 He has no claim on me, 00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:38.920 but I do as the Father has commanded me, 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:41.680 so that the world may know that I love the Father. 00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:45.460 Rise, let us go from here. 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:51.660 So, Jesus here is now directly, I feel, 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:55.500 addressing the fears and anxieties that all of us have 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:59.859 that accompany the loneliness that we all experience at some point. 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:03.599 The disciples are scared because Jesus is their life, 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:05.480 and he says, I'm going away. 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:07.160 I'm not going to talk to you for a while. 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:11.580 You may have experienced this going away fear. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:14.540 I know this time of year, some of you have to drop your kids off at college. 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:19.019 You're wondering, what's happening? 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:21.359 I can't protect them. 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:24.400 Well, they're thinking that way. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.599 He's going away. 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:27.119 He's not going to protect us. 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:30.900 You may have dropped your kids off at camp before. 00:27:30.900 --> 00:27:34.820 You know, for the first time, fears of what might happen. 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:39.720 But you may have been fearful of being alone before, right? 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:41.740 So, all of that's going on in their minds. 00:27:42.840 --> 00:27:45.759 And Jesus says, don't let your hearts be troubled, 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.720 and don't be afraid. 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.800 He even gives them like a gentle rebuke. 00:27:50.000 --> 00:27:52.620 If you really knew where I was going, you'd be excited. 00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:55.000 He says, if you really love me, right? 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.940 Who loves me? 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.720 You keep my commandments. 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:58.940 If you're willing to keep my commandments, be excited about this, 00:27:58.940 --> 00:28:02.860 because this is actually going to turn out way better for you and for me 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:04.420 in the long run. 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:07.700 But you've got to have the end game in mind here. 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:11.900 He tells them these things now, he says, 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:13.700 so that later they will believe in him. 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:15.620 And we know right now, looking back, 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:19.160 what he's talking about is the cross, his death, 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:21.480 and then the resurrection, okay? 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:24.940 Jesus is talking about willingly giving up his life 00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:28.480 as the only one who's truly fully obedient, okay? 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.039 To the Father. 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:32.580 And he says he's not doing it because Satan, 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:34.680 Satan has no claim on him. 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:37.680 Why is he doing this? 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:40.259 Because it's an expression of what it means 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:42.320 to truly love the Father. 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:46.440 He's giving his life for the sake of the other, 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:49.279 being the true good Samaritan. 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:54.559 And now he's our good shepherd, okay? 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:57.480 And he's doing it for us. 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:00.720 This is an expression of what it means. 00:29:00.819 --> 00:29:04.879 He gives up his life for us in our loneliness. 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:10.419 And in verse 27, he goes on to promise us peace. 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.899 He says, peace I give you, not like the world gives, 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:15.720 because the world gives you peace that requires something of you. 00:29:15.720 --> 00:29:19.200 The world gives you peace that is going to end 00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:24.759 when you don't give that person what they want, okay? 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:26.539 Jesus says, I don't give it like that. 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:29.720 He gives a peace that transcends, that supersedes, 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:34.579 that is outside of loneliness that we'll experience on earth. 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.240 Why is that? 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:38.620 Because Jesus is offering us an eternal peace, 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:40.720 a peace that will never end. 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.319 End. 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:45.220 Our loneliness here might feel like eternity, 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.980 but it's really just temporary. 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:50.920 And that's what Jesus is kind of pointing out. 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:52.620 Listen, don't be afraid. 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:54.720 I'm going to send someone to be with you, 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:57.680 but if you only knew eternity ahead, 00:29:58.460 --> 00:30:00.240 well, you'd be so excited right now. 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:03.759 Because he's present with us, 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:05.480 even in our darkest moments. 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:08.900 He's present with you in your darkest moments. 00:30:08.900 --> 00:30:13.980 But I need to talk about dog voice for a minute 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:15.160 before we end, okay? 00:30:16.300 --> 00:30:18.160 You all have a dog voice. 00:30:18.580 --> 00:30:19.460 I know it. 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:22.400 It's how you talk to your animal 00:30:22.400 --> 00:30:24.700 when you need to comfort them. 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:27.420 Okay, my dog voice, 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:28.700 I'm willing to admit it up here, 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:30.140 goes a little something like this. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:33.519 You're the sweetest boy in the whole wide world. 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:37.840 And no matter what has happened with my animals, 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:40.720 if I use that dog voice, 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:42.679 they're instantly happy. 00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:44.059 Okay? 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:50.359 Well, on a far, far, far, far greater level, 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:52.639 Jesus is looking at his disciples, 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:54.359 and I want him to hear him saying it to you today. 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.799 It's going to be okay. 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:01.220 Everything's going to be all right. 00:31:01.919 --> 00:31:03.259 Don't be afraid. 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.900 Okay? 00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:09.180 He's given us that. 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:12.379 Why is it going to be okay, y'all? 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:15.140 Because if we could do this on our own, 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:17.119 we wouldn't need a savior. 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:20.240 But he's saying it's going to be okay, right? 00:31:20.779 --> 00:31:22.819 He's given you this peace that conquers 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:25.200 not only fear of loneliness, 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:27.879 but the fear of death. 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:28.320 Okay? 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:31.680 And we know that the cross 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:33.500 is going to end the battle, 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:36.500 but it's going to be the beginning 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:38.760 of a new life to come. 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.040 All right? 00:31:40.260 --> 00:31:41.820 In every single moment. 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.580 He's going back to the Father, 00:31:44.320 --> 00:31:46.140 and he's going to send his Holy Spirit, 00:31:46.780 --> 00:31:49.340 and that assures us that we're never, ever alone, 00:31:49.440 --> 00:31:50.420 even in times of trial. 00:31:50.520 --> 00:31:52.140 He understands our loneliness. 00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:54.120 It's all going to be okay. 00:31:55.020 --> 00:31:56.280 If we could do it on our own, 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:57.240 then we wouldn't need a savior. 00:31:57.339 --> 00:31:58.379 But the reality is, 00:31:58.899 --> 00:32:01.099 we can't do it on our own. 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:04.079 That's the slide I thought was up there 00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:05.079 the whole time I was saying that. 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.619 And there was a dog behind my head. 00:32:08.839 --> 00:32:09.639 You've got to love that. 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:10.160 So, 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:13.759 I want you to now just reflect on loneliness 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.980 as we come in to land the plane here. 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.879 Think of loneliness on the cross now. 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:19.940 Okay? 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:21.559 Jesus on the cross. 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:24.559 What did he say to God, the Father? 00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:28.200 Why have you saken me? 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:31.259 Why have you left me alone here? 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.200 Right? 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:36.759 He was alone for a moment right there, 00:32:36.839 --> 00:32:38.619 and it was the worst lonely moment 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:40.579 that we could ever think of. 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.220 Okay? 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:45.599 So that we don't have to be alone forever. 00:32:46.919 --> 00:32:48.359 The thief on the cross, 00:32:48.700 --> 00:32:51.259 thank you, God, for putting us next to you 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.619 in this picture of loneliness. 00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:54.759 One of the thieves said, 00:32:54.879 --> 00:32:55.139 nope, 00:32:55.479 --> 00:32:56.699 not going to have it. 00:32:57.199 --> 00:32:58.519 The other thief says, 00:32:58.959 --> 00:33:00.739 will you please just remember me? 00:33:01.739 --> 00:33:03.000 And what did Jesus say? 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.419 Yep. 00:33:05.479 --> 00:33:06.439 Today I will. 00:33:07.539 --> 00:33:09.500 But first you need to go get church membership 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:10.719 and get baptized. 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:14.279 And the thief didn't do it. 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.239 And the story ended. 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:16.739 No. 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:20.120 That stuff is important. 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.059 It's a privilege. 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:21.660 Right? 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:25.440 But what is really required for salvation 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:28.880 is that we believe in Jesus 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:30.500 and he remembers our name. 00:33:30.819 --> 00:33:31.880 And he gives us a new name 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.920 and he gives us a new life. 00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:34.740 And it's the same for you wherever you are. 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:35.539 It's not your works, 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:36.279 your performances. 00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:38.900 It's not how good you forgive people. 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:41.539 It's not how many efforts you put in 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.759 to serving in your church. 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:43.759 All important things. 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:45.819 It's giving your life to him. 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:47.440 And in that moment, 00:33:47.539 --> 00:33:49.079 you see that great exchange. 00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:50.720 And if you've had that great exchange, 00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:52.879 then the Holy Spirit is right with you 00:33:52.879 --> 00:33:53.819 where you are. 00:33:54.599 --> 00:33:54.859 Okay? 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.859 But if you haven't, 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:56.960 you need to. 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:57.980 It's time. 00:33:58.200 --> 00:33:59.619 It's time to make that exchange. 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:01.079 Go and give your life to Jesus. 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:03.619 Because he's offering you 00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:06.220 an eternal peace 00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:09.000 that transcends the temporary loneliness 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:09.900 here on this earth. 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:12.599 The thief didn't want to be alone. 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.159 Right? 00:34:13.299 --> 00:34:14.599 And the core of the thief's question 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.279 was loneliness. 00:34:15.819 --> 00:34:16.940 And at the core of hell 00:34:16.940 --> 00:34:18.619 is loneliness. 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.599 And y'all, 00:34:20.719 --> 00:34:22.719 that's what we're really all afraid of. 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.219 Deep down inside, 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:27.179 separation from God. 00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:29.219 And he's saying, 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:30.199 do not fear. 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:31.460 Do not fear. 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.039 In Christ, 00:34:32.139 --> 00:34:32.779 we don't fear 00:34:32.779 --> 00:34:33.880 because God made him 00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.739 who knew no sin 00:34:34.739 --> 00:34:35.860 to be sin in our behalf 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.659 so that in him 00:34:36.659 --> 00:34:37.839 we might become 00:34:37.839 --> 00:34:39.179 the righteousness of God. 00:34:39.239 --> 00:34:40.139 It's not our righteousness. 00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:41.440 It's God's righteousness. 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:43.200 It's Jesus's righteousness. 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.639 And the Holy Spirit, 00:34:44.740 --> 00:34:45.320 you know what he does? 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.920 He's always there 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:49.119 helping you remember this. 00:34:49.780 --> 00:34:49.900 See, 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:50.519 on the cross, 00:34:50.659 --> 00:34:52.760 Jesus met that greatest need. 00:34:53.480 --> 00:34:55.059 He died in our lonely place. 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:56.800 On the cross, 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:58.860 Jesus addressed our greatest fear, 00:34:59.039 --> 00:35:00.420 separation from God, 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:02.340 by dying in our lonely place 00:35:02.340 --> 00:35:03.960 and offering us 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:05.280 an eternal place 00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.280 with him. 00:35:06.280 --> 00:35:07.800 And on the cross, 00:35:07.940 --> 00:35:09.580 Jesus defeated Satan, 00:35:10.040 --> 00:35:12.080 the one who tries to hold us 00:35:12.080 --> 00:35:13.480 in slavery to what? 00:35:13.760 --> 00:35:16.380 The fear of death. 00:35:17.560 --> 00:35:17.940 Okay? 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:20.100 Jesus conquered him 00:35:20.100 --> 00:35:22.260 by conquering death itself. 00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:24.180 The wages of sin is death. 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:25.600 Jesus took care of it. 00:35:25.660 --> 00:35:26.440 It is paid. 00:35:27.180 --> 00:35:29.080 And he's now the final sacrifice 00:35:29.080 --> 00:35:30.060 for our sins 00:35:30.060 --> 00:35:31.160 once and forever. 00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:32.119 And there is now, 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:32.539 therefore, 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.859 no condemnation 00:35:33.859 --> 00:35:35.339 for those who are 00:35:35.339 --> 00:35:36.859 in Christ Jesus, 00:35:37.000 --> 00:35:38.379 those who have Christ Jesus 00:35:38.379 --> 00:35:40.739 presently in them 00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:42.159 via the Holy Spirit 00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:43.000 because they've given 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.739 their lives 00:35:43.739 --> 00:35:44.980 to Christ. 00:35:46.179 --> 00:35:47.339 Because we have 00:35:47.339 --> 00:35:47.839 a helper, 00:35:48.319 --> 00:35:48.940 a counselor, 00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:50.159 a best friend, 00:35:50.899 --> 00:35:51.779 and an advocate, 00:35:52.279 --> 00:35:53.199 this is all possible. 00:35:53.319 --> 00:35:54.420 Now listen about advocates 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:55.059 for a second. 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:56.119 One of my friends 00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:56.719 says it this way, 00:35:56.719 --> 00:35:57.559 the Holy Spirit, 00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:58.819 in addition to pointing us 00:35:58.819 --> 00:35:59.359 to Jesus, 00:36:00.359 --> 00:36:02.039 is our emotional advocate. 00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:03.399 Okay? 00:36:03.759 --> 00:36:05.119 Satan's going to come at us 00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:06.519 as a prosecuting attorney, 00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:08.439 but the Spirit reminds us 00:36:08.439 --> 00:36:09.879 that there is no condemnation 00:36:09.879 --> 00:36:10.679 towards us 00:36:10.679 --> 00:36:11.579 because of Christ. 00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.239 We're free 00:36:12.239 --> 00:36:13.179 and we're clear, 00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:14.119 as we sang earlier, 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:15.039 we are free 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:16.779 in the eyes 00:36:16.779 --> 00:36:17.919 of the highest court. 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:19.159 That means we can rest. 00:36:19.859 --> 00:36:20.679 The Holy Spirit 00:36:20.679 --> 00:36:22.399 is also a renewing advocate. 00:36:23.259 --> 00:36:23.439 Okay? 00:36:23.639 --> 00:36:25.079 He not only frees us 00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:26.239 from emotional weight 00:36:26.239 --> 00:36:26.939 of shame 00:36:26.939 --> 00:36:28.279 and condemnation. 00:36:28.799 --> 00:36:29.539 He frees us 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:30.739 to live obediently 00:36:30.739 --> 00:36:31.359 to God 00:36:31.359 --> 00:36:32.859 in a happy way. 00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:34.299 That means we can live 00:36:34.299 --> 00:36:35.000 more beautifully. 00:36:36.419 --> 00:36:36.799 So, 00:36:36.919 --> 00:36:37.919 think of a spotlight. 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:38.599 A spotlight 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:39.919 is on the stage, 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:40.179 right? 00:36:40.379 --> 00:36:41.399 All you can see 00:36:41.399 --> 00:36:42.399 is the actor 00:36:42.399 --> 00:36:43.099 on the stage. 00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:44.659 That's the Holy Spirit's 00:36:44.659 --> 00:36:45.159 job now. 00:36:46.199 --> 00:36:47.359 Who's he pointing us to? 00:36:47.739 --> 00:36:48.179 Jesus. 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.039 Because he says, 00:36:49.139 --> 00:36:49.759 I will send you 00:36:49.759 --> 00:36:50.579 another helper. 00:36:51.179 --> 00:36:52.039 That means that 00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:53.079 there is a first helper. 00:36:53.959 --> 00:36:55.239 There's a first advocate. 00:36:55.239 --> 00:36:56.879 And the first advocate 00:36:56.879 --> 00:36:57.879 is Jesus Christ. 00:36:59.079 --> 00:36:59.539 Now, 00:36:59.699 --> 00:37:00.879 the problem is 00:37:00.879 --> 00:37:03.739 we trust in the wrong advocate 00:37:03.739 --> 00:37:04.599 a lot of times. 00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:05.779 Okay? 00:37:05.919 --> 00:37:06.819 The advocate 00:37:06.819 --> 00:37:07.779 that you trust in 00:37:07.779 --> 00:37:08.339 is that thing 00:37:08.339 --> 00:37:09.419 that if it's taken away 00:37:09.419 --> 00:37:10.039 right now, 00:37:10.359 --> 00:37:11.359 you're crushed. 00:37:13.139 --> 00:37:14.219 That's your advocate. 00:37:15.419 --> 00:37:15.739 Okay? 00:37:16.379 --> 00:37:17.759 We're supposed to be able 00:37:17.759 --> 00:37:19.719 to focus on Christ 00:37:19.719 --> 00:37:20.519 at all times. 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:21.559 That's the hard thing. 00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:22.799 That's why we also need 00:37:22.799 --> 00:37:23.159 a helper. 00:37:23.159 --> 00:37:24.039 That's why we need 00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:24.460 each other. 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.119 We need community 00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:25.819 to do that. 00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:26.579 Right? 00:37:26.699 --> 00:37:27.759 But Christ is to be 00:37:27.759 --> 00:37:28.579 our first advocate 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.420 and then the job 00:37:29.420 --> 00:37:30.359 of the second advocate, 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:31.159 the one on earth, 00:37:31.599 --> 00:37:32.299 is to point us 00:37:32.299 --> 00:37:33.359 to the advocate in heaven 00:37:33.359 --> 00:37:34.639 who is before 00:37:34.639 --> 00:37:35.460 the throne of God 00:37:35.460 --> 00:37:36.799 constantly interceding 00:37:36.799 --> 00:37:37.379 for us 00:37:37.379 --> 00:37:39.440 once and for all 00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:40.319 eternally. 00:37:41.299 --> 00:37:42.699 And if you have union 00:37:42.699 --> 00:37:43.539 with the Holy Spirit, 00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:45.440 you have someone 00:37:45.440 --> 00:37:46.719 constantly teaching you, 00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:47.639 pointing you, 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:49.159 and that is your Savior. 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.579 So Jesus has to be 00:37:51.579 --> 00:37:52.519 our advocate though. 00:37:52.579 --> 00:37:53.340 And when we ask him 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:53.699 to be, 00:37:54.579 --> 00:37:55.440 he's going to give us 00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:56.259 that Holy Spirit 00:37:56.259 --> 00:37:57.199 to come and live 00:37:57.199 --> 00:37:58.139 inside us. 00:37:58.940 --> 00:38:00.279 So why does all this matter? 00:38:01.440 --> 00:38:02.500 Because we can't do it 00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:02.960 on our own. 00:38:04.039 --> 00:38:05.099 And Jesus endured 00:38:05.099 --> 00:38:06.380 the loneliness of the cross 00:38:06.380 --> 00:38:08.960 to end loneliness forever. 00:38:09.159 --> 00:38:09.840 His presence 00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:11.719 is our deepest answer 00:38:11.719 --> 00:38:12.980 or the answer 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:14.380 to our deepest fears. 00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:15.699 So to conclude, 00:38:16.239 --> 00:38:17.400 what does this have to do 00:38:17.400 --> 00:38:18.219 with you right now? 00:38:18.739 --> 00:38:19.840 Take a stab at this. 00:38:19.840 --> 00:38:21.079 Well, today 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:22.559 and tomorrow 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.480 and the next day. 00:38:25.059 --> 00:38:26.720 Try starting your day 00:38:26.720 --> 00:38:28.800 by inviting the Holy Spirit 00:38:28.800 --> 00:38:29.760 into your thoughts. 00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:31.600 Before you get on your phone, 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:33.800 into your prayers, 00:38:34.440 --> 00:38:35.320 into your actions, 00:38:36.120 --> 00:38:37.120 when you hit a moment 00:38:37.120 --> 00:38:37.920 of isolation 00:38:37.920 --> 00:38:39.120 or you feel bad 00:38:39.120 --> 00:38:40.120 or something like that, 00:38:40.740 --> 00:38:41.680 remind yourself, 00:38:42.880 --> 00:38:43.600 God is with me. 00:38:44.900 --> 00:38:45.680 You're going to hit 00:38:45.680 --> 00:38:46.660 a tough time this week. 00:38:46.720 --> 00:38:47.100 You might hit 00:38:47.100 --> 00:38:47.960 a tough time today. 00:38:47.960 --> 00:38:49.220 You can invite 00:38:49.220 --> 00:38:50.480 His peace in that moment. 00:38:50.599 --> 00:38:51.440 Come guard my heart 00:38:51.440 --> 00:38:52.280 and my mind right now, 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:52.920 Spirit. 00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.240 Because He already 00:38:54.240 --> 00:38:55.460 understands where you are. 00:38:56.320 --> 00:38:57.519 And you're not alone. 00:38:57.840 --> 00:38:58.639 You're not abandoned. 00:38:58.940 --> 00:38:59.900 You're not unloved. 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:01.280 You're taken care of. 00:39:02.039 --> 00:39:02.639 Palms up 00:39:02.639 --> 00:39:04.179 on those outcomes. 00:39:05.679 --> 00:39:06.920 During your conversations 00:39:06.920 --> 00:39:07.699 with other people, 00:39:08.760 --> 00:39:10.360 we're called to live out 00:39:10.360 --> 00:39:11.420 the things that God 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:12.320 has put in us. 00:39:12.320 --> 00:39:15.200 Maybe this week, 00:39:15.260 --> 00:39:16.160 try to be intentional 00:39:16.160 --> 00:39:17.220 about reaching out 00:39:17.220 --> 00:39:18.000 to somebody 00:39:18.000 --> 00:39:19.920 who might be feeling lonely. 00:39:21.700 --> 00:39:23.140 It could be a phone call. 00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:24.320 It could be a visit. 00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:26.500 It could be just a kind word 00:39:26.500 --> 00:39:27.559 in a grocery store. 00:39:29.019 --> 00:39:30.200 You can be a vessel 00:39:30.200 --> 00:39:31.600 of God's enduring love 00:39:31.600 --> 00:39:32.200 and encouragement 00:39:32.200 --> 00:39:33.559 wherever you go. 00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:35.800 But you've got to be present 00:39:35.800 --> 00:39:36.660 in those moments. 00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:37.580 You've got to be intentional 00:39:37.580 --> 00:39:38.220 in those moments. 00:39:38.780 --> 00:39:40.280 And then, lastly, 00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:41.019 the unexpected. 00:39:41.019 --> 00:39:42.579 During the unexpected. 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:44.139 I want to challenge you 00:39:44.139 --> 00:39:44.980 to invite this truth 00:39:44.980 --> 00:39:45.460 into your life. 00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:46.199 I want to challenge me 00:39:46.199 --> 00:39:46.920 to invite this truth 00:39:46.920 --> 00:39:47.440 into my life. 00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:48.239 That God's not going 00:39:48.239 --> 00:39:49.460 to leave us, right? 00:39:49.539 --> 00:39:51.019 But every time I feel fear 00:39:51.019 --> 00:39:51.699 or anxiety 00:39:51.699 --> 00:39:52.659 or you this week, 00:39:53.579 --> 00:39:54.920 take hold and speak 00:39:54.920 --> 00:39:56.099 this truth over yourself. 00:39:58.360 --> 00:40:00.500 Jesus is with me now 00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:02.259 and I will never be alone. 00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:04.860 Jesus is with me now 00:40:04.860 --> 00:40:07.019 and I will never be alone. 00:40:08.119 --> 00:40:09.440 And you just say that out loud. 00:40:09.440 --> 00:40:11.539 In that moment, 00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:12.880 even if you have to say it 00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:13.760 a hundred times a day, 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:16.280 we all experience loneliness 00:40:16.280 --> 00:40:18.179 and he endured it 00:40:18.179 --> 00:40:19.400 so we don't have to forever. 00:40:20.840 --> 00:40:22.059 You're never alone, y'all. 00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:25.460 Is there anyone out there? 00:40:27.519 --> 00:40:27.960 Yes. 00:40:28.720 --> 00:40:29.599 All the time. 00:40:30.300 --> 00:40:31.280 Every single moment. 00:40:31.780 --> 00:40:32.639 His name is Jesus. 00:40:33.240 --> 00:40:34.099 Jesus is with you. 00:40:34.179 --> 00:40:34.860 He's for you. 00:40:34.860 --> 00:40:35.840 And he's in you 00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.880 by his Holy Spirit 00:40:36.880 --> 00:40:38.320 every step of the way 00:40:38.320 --> 00:40:39.559 and that changes 00:40:39.559 --> 00:40:40.599 every single thing. 00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:42.500 So if you don't know him, 00:40:43.240 --> 00:40:43.840 would you make that 00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:44.760 great exchange today 00:40:44.760 --> 00:40:46.300 of giving your life to him 00:40:46.300 --> 00:40:49.039 and accepting eternal peace? 00:40:49.099 --> 00:40:49.700 If you do, 00:40:50.860 --> 00:40:51.920 Jesus is with me now 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:53.820 and every single moment 00:40:53.820 --> 00:40:55.039 I will never be alone. 00:40:56.280 --> 00:40:56.960 Let's pray. 00:40:57.480 --> 00:40:58.940 Father, thank you for today. 00:40:59.079 --> 00:40:59.900 Thank you for these people. 00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:01.280 Help us to live out, 00:41:02.620 --> 00:41:03.240 Father, the truths 00:41:03.239 --> 00:41:03.819 of your Spirit. 00:41:04.439 --> 00:41:05.399 Thank you that you're present 00:41:05.399 --> 00:41:06.259 with us right now 00:41:06.259 --> 00:41:07.039 and you're present 00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:07.979 with us in every moment 00:41:07.979 --> 00:41:08.679 and if anyone here 00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:09.959 doesn't know that peace 00:41:09.959 --> 00:41:11.359 that transcends understanding, 00:41:11.939 --> 00:41:12.879 I pray that they would 00:41:12.879 --> 00:41:13.959 give their lives to you 00:41:13.959 --> 00:41:15.019 and that you would 00:41:15.019 --> 00:41:16.299 change them forever 00:41:16.299 --> 00:41:18.339 the way that you've changed us. 00:41:18.399 --> 00:41:19.000 And those of us 00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:19.719 that have forgotten 00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:21.359 the power that we have 00:41:21.359 --> 00:41:22.099 at our fingertips 00:41:22.099 --> 00:41:23.179 in every single moment, 00:41:23.299 --> 00:41:24.639 may we start calling upon it 00:41:24.639 --> 00:41:25.879 and may Satan himself 00:41:25.879 --> 00:41:26.759 shudder 00:41:26.759 --> 00:41:28.819 because we do not care 00:41:28.819 --> 00:41:30.659 what he throws our way. 00:41:30.819 --> 00:41:32.959 He has no power over us 00:41:32.960 --> 00:41:33.599 because of you, 00:41:33.659 --> 00:41:34.260 Holy Spirit, 00:41:34.720 --> 00:41:35.320 because of you, 00:41:35.400 --> 00:41:35.880 Lord Jesus, 00:41:36.099 --> 00:41:36.760 because of you, 00:41:36.840 --> 00:41:37.480 God the Father. 00:41:37.840 --> 00:41:38.280 Thank you. 00:41:38.360 --> 00:41:38.980 We pray these things 00:41:38.980 --> 00:41:40.079 in Christ's holy name. 00:41:40.720 --> 00:41:41.380 Abba, Father. 00:41:41.840 --> 00:41:42.179 Amen. 00:41:43.159 --> 00:41:44.320 For more information, 00:41:44.639 --> 00:41:45.579 visit us online 00:41:45.579 --> 00:41:46.639 at southwood.org. 00:41:46.639 --> 00:41:53.739 and visit us tinyirsiniz.hub.com. 00:41:53.739 --> 00:42:23.719 Thank you.