WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone. If I could ask you to turn in your Bibles, please, to the letter of 1 John.

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 The letter of 1 John, not the Gospel of John, but 1 John, which is further on the New Testament,

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 towards the end of the New Testament, actually. And it's page 1225, if you're using the red church Bible.

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 So 1225, 1 John. And we're going to be reading from chapter 2 and verses 3 to 6 this morning.

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 1 John 2, and reading from verse 3.

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 We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commands.

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 Whoever says, I know Him, but does not do what He commands, is a liar.

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 And the truth is not in that person.

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 But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them.

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 This is how we know we are in Him.

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 Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.

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 And we pray that the Lord will bless the reading of His word through His Spirit.

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 The book, The Shack, is a phenomenal bestseller.

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 It has over 200, no, 20 million sales, not 200 million sales, 20 million sales.

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 And it's also been made into a Hollywood film.

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 I don't know if anyone saw it when it came out.

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 For many Christians, and indeed non-Christians, who come across it,

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 it is like a breath of fresh air,

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 challenging and changing their idea of what it means to be an authentic Christian.

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 It's the fictional account, the book is a fictional account of an emotionally broken father

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 who has a meeting with all three persons of the Trinity in a shack,

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 which is where the book gets its name.

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 The meetings with each member of the Trinity transform this father's understanding of faith forever,

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 as he has helped to heal from his pain by God Himself.

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 Now, each of these three characters, who represent Father, Son and Spirit,

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 dispel many supposed misconceptions about who Jesus is,

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 what the Bible is about and what Christianity looks like.

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 But the shack does this by separating faith in Jesus from any hint of organized religion.

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 This is a quote from the shack.

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 The Bible, and this is one of the members of the Trinity speaking,

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 the Bible doesn't teach you to follow rules.

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 It's a picture of Jesus, is how the book puts it.

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 God doesn't want us to look for rules and principles.

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 Look for relationship, a way to coming to be with us.

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 No rules, just relationships.

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 Religion-free faith is the message.

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 So in the world of the shack, rules and principles get in the way of knowing God.

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 Another author, Leonard Sweet, puts it like this,

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 faith is not ritual, dogma, religion, or spiritual weirdness.

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 It's authentic experience made personal through our full participation in what God is doing.

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 So how do we react to such sentiments or ideas or statements?

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 It does awaken something in us, doesn't it?

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 Part of us might feel, though, that there's a danger in drawing the line like that.

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 I think it's reasonable to want to have a clear line between authentic faith on the one hand

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 and dead religion on the other hand.

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 And it's certainly much easier in today's culture to emphasise a life of grace

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 and of being true to yourself over any idea of living by a set of rules or of any kind of ritual.

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 But as we draw that line to determine authentic Christianity on one side,

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 do we draw the line in the right place?

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 Do we put that line in the right place?

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 Or to put it another way, as we are drawing that line,

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 are we drawing the same line that Jesus is drawing?

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 This is a big topic.

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 And this morning, we want to look at one small but important aspect of it.

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 That is the place of obedience, good works, and faithfulness

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 in relation to authentic Christianity.

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 So whether we've been following Jesus since childhood,

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 or we're just starting out in our Christian walk,

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 or simply wondering if following Jesus is for me,

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 I want us all this morning to see that obeying what Jesus commanded

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 is a necessary and good part of the Christian life.

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 Like verse 5 tells us in 1 John chapter 2,

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 obedience, good works, and faithfulness are an assurance to us

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 that we are in a complete relationship with Jesus.

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 And verses 3 and 6, I believe, will show us that

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 the line, the line that we want to draw between authentic Christianity and dead religion,

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 it's not faith versus religion,

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 it's not even law versus grace,

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 but rather we want to see that true religion,

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 that is obedience,

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 is a necessary part of true faith.

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 Have you ever wondered how long we know what a metre is?

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 Have you ever thought about that?

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 I mean, has anyone gone and checked all of the rulers in this school?

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 Or checked all the rulers in the world?

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 So we're all using the same metre?

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 If I order a metre of, you know, material from the UK,

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 how do I know I'm going to get a metre?

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 Well, the international standard for the metre was set in the 1890s.

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 A precision engineering firm in London was tasked with creating metal bars,

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 and they were 90% platinum and 10% iridium,

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 because that was the best mix to get a bar that wouldn't change

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 with temperature or pressure or climate.

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 So they made these bars with marks on them

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 that wouldn't alter or change to measure out a metre.

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 And these standard metal bars, the standard,

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 were then distributed all over the world

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 to make sure that each country had the same measure of what a metre was.

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 Now, the Apostle John isn't interested in measuring distances,

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 but he is concerned about measuring hearts.

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 And his letter gives us three standards,

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 or three measures,

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 by which we can know what authentic Christianity looks like.

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 And throughout his letter,

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 these three things come up again and again.

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 And if you're any way familiar with 1 John,

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 some of these will ring a bell.

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 First thing is,

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 do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?

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 You can't be a Christian if you don't believe that.

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 Do you obey the commands of Jesus,

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 which is what we're looking at this morning?

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 And do you love the people of God?

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 The three measures,

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 the three standards,

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 the international standards of Christianity.

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 All three, John says,

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 are a necessary measure of authentic Christianity.

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 The place where we should draw the line.

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 And as much as we intuitively know and think

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 it should be just about relationships,

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 and there shouldn't be any rules or religion,

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 the reality is this.

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 There is a standard for the rule of faith within the church.

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 And that's a standard that Jesus himself has laid down.

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 The Apostle John is well-placed

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 to help us understand what the measure should be.

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 He's probably the closest follower of Jesus Christ who ever lived.

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 He was known in the Bible, in the Gospel,

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 as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

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 Imagine being called the disciple whom Jesus loved.

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 He was one of the first disciples to be called by Jesus,

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 to leave his job.

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 He was one of the fishermen with his brother James,

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 and to come follow Jesus.

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 And John then is beside Jesus

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 for all the three years of Jesus' public ministry.

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 And he's one of the inner circle of three.

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 Along with his brother James and Peter,

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 who were brought along by Jesus

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 to special events and occurrences

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 that the other disciples weren't at.

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 So you think of the transfiguration.

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 John was there.

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 John, he reclines next to Jesus at the Last Supper.

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 Jesus, mere hours later,

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 as he hangs on the cross,

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 uses his final words

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 to entrust the care of his own mother Mary

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 to John,

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 the disciple whom he loved.

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 John lived right to the end

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 of the first century.

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 And he had the task

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 as the last living apostle of Jesus

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 to see out the completion

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 of the New Testament

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 that we have with us today.

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 He had his own eyewitness account of Jesus,

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 what it was like to be with Jesus,

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 all that Jesus taught and said,

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 which we know is the Gospel of John.

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 He writes Revelation

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 as a witness to the risen Jesus,

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 the last book of the New Testament.

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 And he also gives us

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 these three short letters,

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 first, second, and third John.

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 John is well-placed

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 to tell us what the measure should be.

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 And he says in verse 3,

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 in chapter 2,

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 we know that we have come to know him,

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 that is Jesus,

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 if we keep his commands.

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 John is clear.

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 Authentic Christianity must include obedience.

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 And of course, what John says

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 isn't an invention of John's.

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 He didn't come up with the standard.

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 Listen back to Jesus' own words.

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 We've read some of them already.

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 If we go back to the Gospel of John,

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 so if we flick back in our Bibles,

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 it's page 108.2.

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 108.2 to chapter 14.

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 So John, chapter 14.

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 And these are the words of Jesus speaking

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 in verse 15.

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 If you love me,

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 keep my commands.

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 Jesus says,

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 if you love me, keep my commands.

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 And then just over the page,

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 chapter 15,

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 and verses 9 and 10,

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 we read these words,

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 which help us to understand it even further.

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 As the Father has loved me,

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 so I have loved you.

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 Now remain in my love.

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 If you keep my commands,

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 you will remain in my love.

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 just as I have kept my Father's commands

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 and remain in his love.

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 Excuse me.

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 Both Jesus and John tell us,

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 they're in agreement,

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 that we cannot say that we love Jesus

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 on one hand,

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 and on the other hand,

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 ignore what Jesus says.

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 You cannot say that you love Jesus

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 and ignore what Jesus says.

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 John has made the positive association,

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 hasn't he,

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 in verse 3,

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 between knowing Jesus

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 and obedience.

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 And in verse 4,

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 the question is flipped around for us,

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 isn't it,

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 in verse 4.

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 Whoever says,

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 I know him,

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 but does not do what he commands,

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 is a liar,

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 and the truth is not in that person.

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 What about those

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 who claim to be Christians,

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 but by their actions

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 show that they are not?

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 Well, John uses very strong words.

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 He calls such a person a liar.

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 And even more fundamental than that,

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 the truth,

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 the truth is not in them,

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 so they can't do anything else but lie.

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 Right thinking about Jesus

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 must be accompanied by right living.

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 We shouldn't separate the two.

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 Pastor and author Mark Dever

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 illustrates it as follows.

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 This isn't my illustration,

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 but I think it's really helpful.

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 Suppose that Bob starts a business,

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 and he,

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 wisely or foolishly,

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 he puts me in charge of it.

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 Bob then goes off to Asia

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 for a multi-month trip

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 to drum up some new business deals.

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 So he leaves me in charge of the office,

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 with a very careful set of instructions

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 for what should happen

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 while Bob is away.

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 While he's away,

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 Bob sends me on a few further emails

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 with additional instructions

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 about what should be done

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 in the office.

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 Now, after a while,

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 a couple of months,

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 Bob returns

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 to find the office in ruins.

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 The phone,

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 the reception,

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 is not being answered

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 because the receptionist

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 has her earphones on

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 and is listening to Spotify

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 on her mobile.

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 Nobody has emptied the bins.

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 They're just overflowing with rubbish.

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 There's no office supplies left

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 when he goes to the cupboard.

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 People show up when they like,

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 go to the canteen

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 and play Jenga

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 and chat.

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 Bob's inbox

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 is full of angry notes

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 from unhappy customers.

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 So Bob walks up to me

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 and he asks,

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 Ralph,

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 what happened here?

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 Didn't you get my emails?

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 I smile

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 in a reassuring kind of way

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 and say,

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 yes,

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 I got the emails.

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 Bob,

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 not only did I get the emails,

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 but I had them printed out

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 and I handed copies

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 to everyone in the office.

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 Actually,

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 some of them were so good

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 we decided to frame them

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 and to hang them up

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 on the walls

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 for inspiration.

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 Some of us

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 were so dedicated, Bob.

00:14:39.120 --> 00:14:41.240
 We used to meet after work

00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.060
 and gather together

00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.460
 to study these letters.

00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:45.240
 Some of us

00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.240
 have even memorized

00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.379
 parts of them

00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.879
 with our kids at home.

00:14:49.780 --> 00:14:50.340
 And we started

00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.360
 putting them into songs

00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.180
 and uploading them

00:14:52.180 --> 00:14:52.700
 to YouTube

00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:53.780
 to share with people.

00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:56.200
 Oh, we can imagine

00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:57.200
 what Bob would say

00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:57.620
 at that point.

00:14:58.139 --> 00:14:58.560
 Ralph,

00:14:58.780 --> 00:14:59.980
 why didn't you do

00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.460
 what the emails said

00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:02.160
 to do?

00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.639
 And what do you mean

00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:04.460
 you love the emails?

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:05.980
 Of course you don't.

00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:08.019
 You see,

00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.040
 despite my efforts

00:15:09.040 --> 00:15:10.160
 at email study,

00:15:10.920 --> 00:15:11.660
 memorization

00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:12.900
 and song creation,

00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:15.320
 I can hardly say

00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:16.340
 that I'm an authentic

00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:18.720
 employee of Bob's.

00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.680
 And likewise,

00:15:21.160 --> 00:15:22.460
 John is saying

00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.060
 that we may have

00:15:23.060 --> 00:15:25.300
 all of our doctrine

00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:26.860
 right about Jesus.

00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:30.100
 And we might shout loudly

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.000
 or sing loudly

00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:32.019
 to all who will listen

00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.840
 that we know him,

00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:33.860
 we know him,

00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.759
 we know him.

00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:37.160
 But John says,

00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.160
 then why aren't you

00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:40.100
 obeying his commands?

00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:44.019
 If you're not a Christian,

00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:46.920
 if you're an atheist,

00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.620
 if you don't believe

00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.180
 there is a God,

00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.779
 then you don't get

00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.980
 any email instructions

00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.759
 from the boss.

00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.080
 The only given

00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:55.120
 in your world

00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.240
 is that we are

00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.440
 all the products

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.300
 and the whole universe

00:15:58.300 --> 00:15:59.639
 is a product of time

00:15:59.639 --> 00:16:01.360
 plus chance

00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.720
 plus energy.

00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:03.460
 That's it.

00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.220
 They're the only given.

00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:06.759
 And it's very easy

00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.700
 in many ways

00:16:07.700 --> 00:16:09.080
 to be authentic

00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:10.860
 in that situation.

00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.480
 You see,

00:16:11.540 --> 00:16:11.960
 you get to be

00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:13.200
 your own boss

00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:14.840
 when there is no God.

00:16:15.580 --> 00:16:16.600
 And you can write

00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:18.240
 your own email instructions.

00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:19.180
 It's very handy.

00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:20.800
 So,

00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:22.139
 if you struggle

00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.360
 with authenticity,

00:16:23.540 --> 00:16:24.060
 don't worry.

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:24.879
 You just get to

00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.440
 send yourself

00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.040
 a new email

00:16:26.040 --> 00:16:27.300
 and update

00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:28.160
 who the authentic

00:16:28.160 --> 00:16:28.820
 you is.

00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:31.400
 But, of course,

00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.460
 the endless chasing

00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.520
 for authenticity

00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:36.400
 down the spiral

00:16:36.400 --> 00:16:37.379
 of self

00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:39.840
 doesn't ever bring

00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:42.100
 lasting completeness

00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:44.660
 or lasting peace.

00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:46.200
 It's a never-ending

00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:47.460
 update of emails

00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:48.920
 to be the authentic

00:16:48.920 --> 00:16:50.379
 you apart from God.

00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.240
 Now, the alternative

00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:55.620
 to being our own boss

00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:58.140
 or being an atheist

00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.179
 isn't to revert

00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:00.139
 to dead religion.

00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:00.759
 Okay?

00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.960
 I want to be very clear

00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.139
 in this.

00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:02.639
 The alternative

00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.799
 isn't to revert

00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:04.740
 to dead religion.

00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.779
 This is not a call

00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.440
 by John

00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.000
 or by me

00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:09.259
 to pompous,

00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.779
 self-justifying

00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.119
 and insincere

00:17:12.119 --> 00:17:13.240
 legalism.

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.660
 Legalism is

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.299
 trying to earn

00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:17.400
 the boss's favor

00:17:17.400 --> 00:17:19.000
 by obedience.

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.079
 And John makes it clear

00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:23.059
 in verses 1 and 2

00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:24.980
 of chapter 2

00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:26.319
 that sinless perfection

00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.500
 is not what's in view.

00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.559
 Let's read those verses.

00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.500
 My dear children,

00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:32.480
 I write this to you

00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.700
 so that you will not sin.

00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.000
 But if anybody does sin,

00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:39.160
 we have an advocate

00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:40.420
 with the Father.

00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.380
 Jesus Christ,

00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.799
 the Righteous One.

00:17:44.619 --> 00:17:47.299
 He is the atoning sacrifice

00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:49.359
 for our sins.

00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.740
 And not only for ours,

00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.259
 but also for the sins

00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:55.319
 of the whole world.

00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.500
 Sinless perfection

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:01.019
 is not what we're being called to.

00:18:01.119 --> 00:18:02.119
 That's not what's in view.

00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:05.099
 Rules-based religion

00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:07.339
 is not the answer,

00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:08.400
 according to John.

00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.060
 We cannot,

00:18:10.060 --> 00:18:12.600
 we cannot earn

00:18:12.600 --> 00:18:13.519
 our salvation

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:15.220
 by our own efforts.

00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.800
 Our salvation,

00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:17.880
 verse 2,

00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.880
 our forgiveness of sins,

00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:21.960
 is only because

00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:23.519
 of the finished work

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.000
 of Jesus on the cross.

00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.940
 And that is crucial.

00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:28.540
 That is foundational.

00:18:29.340 --> 00:18:30.360
 We are not moving

00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:31.660
 from that rock.

00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:33.860
 We come to a God

00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.860
 as a sinner

00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:37.259
 knowing that we cannot

00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.679
 earn His forgiveness

00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:39.740
 through our obedience.

00:18:40.479 --> 00:18:42.279
 And we simply ask

00:18:42.279 --> 00:18:44.659
 for His free forgiveness

00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:46.979
 at the foot of the cross.

00:18:47.979 --> 00:18:50.000
 So in terms of a sacrifice

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.500
 for our sins,

00:18:52.479 --> 00:18:53.479
 our works,

00:18:53.679 --> 00:18:54.379
 our obedience,

00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.699
 our faithfulness

00:18:55.699 --> 00:18:58.139
 count for nothing.

00:18:59.159 --> 00:19:00.959
 They give no merit

00:19:00.959 --> 00:19:02.679
 in the great transaction

00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:04.840
 where Jesus takes

00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:05.980
 our sin

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.759
 and gives us

00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:10.019
 His righteousness.

00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:12.900
 We are justified,

00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:14.600
 declared not guilty

00:19:14.600 --> 00:19:16.740
 in God's court

00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.980
 because of Jesus alone.

00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.960
 This is the good news

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.860
 of the message

00:19:22.860 --> 00:19:23.660
 of the gospel

00:19:23.660 --> 00:19:24.799
 of Jesus Christ.

00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.580
 Come today.

00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.820
 Come today.

00:19:30.100 --> 00:19:31.180
 Without needing

00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:31.860
 to bring money

00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:34.400
 without gifts,

00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.840
 without good works,

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.880
 without obedience

00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:40.200
 to the foot of the cross

00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:42.799
 and find forgiveness

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:46.279
 for all of your sins.

00:19:47.560 --> 00:19:48.460
 Only then

00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:50.100
 do we also see

00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:51.240
 from verse 3

00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.000
 to verse 6

00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:52.779
 that obedience

00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:54.519
 to the commands

00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.000
 of God

00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.620
 is required.

00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:58.060
 But again and again

00:19:58.060 --> 00:20:00.279
 in our lives,

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:02.119
 if we've lived

00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:02.619
 one day

00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.119
 as a Christian,

00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.799
 we know this.

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.160
 Again and again

00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:06.240
 we fail

00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.359
 as Christians

00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:08.899
 to keep those commands

00:20:08.899 --> 00:20:09.460
 that we are

00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.639
 to obey.

00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:12.519
 And sin

00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.519
 is still present.

00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.839
 So how do I know,

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.680
 and this is a struggle

00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.639
 for many of us

00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:19.099
 as Christians,

00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:21.720
 how do I know

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.940
 that I'm not

00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.799
 one of the people

00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:25.859
 of verse 4?

00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:28.439
 the liar,

00:20:28.979 --> 00:20:30.019
 the hypocrite,

00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:30.799
 the fraud,

00:20:31.179 --> 00:20:32.240
 the one who is not

00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:32.719
 authentic

00:20:32.719 --> 00:20:33.859
 in their Christian walk.

00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.139
 And what place

00:20:36.139 --> 00:20:37.339
 then do my own efforts

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:38.240
 and my own works

00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:39.119
 have

00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:40.819
 in this authentic

00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.899
 Christian life?

00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:47.939
 Well,

00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:49.019
 John has an answer

00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.699
 for us.

00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:51.799
 Remember,

00:20:51.959 --> 00:20:52.579
 our hope

00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:54.460
 verses 1 and 2

00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:55.799
 is not in a

00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.480
 sinless

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.599
 perfection

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.559
 as a means

00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:58.839
 of being

00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.299
 an authentic

00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.699
 Christian.

00:20:59.859 --> 00:21:00.960
 That is not

00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.439
 our hope,

00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:01.899
 that is not

00:21:01.899 --> 00:21:02.500
 our measure,

00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:03.179
 that is not

00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:03.619
 the line

00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.179
 that we draw.

00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.299
 Verse 5,

00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:08.019
 but,

00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:10.759
 but if anyone

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:12.159
 obeys

00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:13.119
 his word,

00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:15.679
 love for God

00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:17.319
 or God's love

00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:19.139
 is truly

00:21:19.139 --> 00:21:20.299
 made

00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.000
 complete

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.019
 in

00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:22.619
 them.

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.299
 Anyone

00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.740
 obeys

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.059
 his word,

00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:25.720
 love for God

00:21:25.720 --> 00:21:26.200
 is truly

00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:26.839
 made complete

00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.339
 in them.

00:21:28.659 --> 00:21:28.960
 You see,

00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.679
 our hope

00:21:29.679 --> 00:21:30.980
 is in an

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.480
 ongoing

00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.439
 transformation.

00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.379
 As we

00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:34.839
 obey

00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:35.399
 Jesus,

00:21:36.179 --> 00:21:36.779
 as we

00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.079
 obey,

00:21:37.179 --> 00:21:37.579
 as it says

00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.099
 here,

00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:39.439
 his word,

00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:39.859
 that is,

00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.099
 as we

00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:40.599
 obey the

00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.119
 scriptures,

00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:41.839
 the Bible,

00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:44.039
 then God

00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.779
 is at

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.139
 work.

00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:46.119
 God

00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.480
 is at

00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:46.839
 work.

00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.359
 Completing

00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.799
 his love

00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.879
 in us

00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.200
 and our

00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:52.679
 love for

00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:52.919
 him.

00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:54.779
 That's what

00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.399
 verse 5

00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:55.839
 is telling

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:56.119
 us.

00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.399
 Completeness.

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.159
 What a

00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:00.659
 great word,

00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.379
 completeness

00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:02.139
 or perfection.

00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:05.359
 And

00:22:05.359 --> 00:22:05.500
 there's

00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:05.839
 something

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.460
 that our

00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:06.899
 hearts

00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:07.539
 yearn for

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.259
 when it

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.679
 hears a

00:22:08.679 --> 00:22:09.119
 word like

00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:09.439
 that,

00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.179
 to be

00:22:10.179 --> 00:22:10.720
 complete.

00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:12.819
 My

00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.220
 work,

00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.599
 I work

00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:14.859
 as a

00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:15.200
 software

00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:15.619
 engineer.

00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:15.659
 engineer.

00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.339
 And

00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.459
 there's

00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:17.819
 an

00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.199
 endless

00:22:18.199 --> 00:22:18.819
 set of

00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.559
 characteristics

00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.319
 and

00:22:20.319 --> 00:22:21.239
 behaviours

00:22:21.239 --> 00:22:22.199
 and

00:22:22.199 --> 00:22:22.799
 skills

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.399
 to

00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:23.759
 strive

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.019
 for.

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:24.919
 You

00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.059
 can

00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.279
 always

00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.459
 be

00:22:25.459 --> 00:22:25.779
 better.

00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:26.519
 And

00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:26.699
 it's

00:22:26.699 --> 00:22:27.099
 probably

00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.299
 the

00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:27.500
 same

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:27.739
 whatever

00:22:27.739 --> 00:22:28.199
 job

00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:28.399
 you

00:22:28.399 --> 00:22:28.559
 are

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:28.719
 in

00:22:28.719 --> 00:22:29.259
 or

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.439
 whatever

00:22:29.439 --> 00:22:29.779
 work

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:29.919
 you

00:22:29.919 --> 00:22:30.079
 do.

00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:30.539
 It's

00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:30.779
 almost

00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.500
 impossible

00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.219
 to

00:22:32.219 --> 00:22:32.500
 become

00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:32.639
 the

00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:32.939
 complete

00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:33.279
 engineer.

00:22:33.459 --> 00:22:33.559
 But

00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:33.799
 I

00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.039
 want

00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.179
 to

00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:34.319
 be

00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:34.639
 better.

00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.279
 Or

00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.539
 being

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:36.779
 a

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.519
 complete

00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.379
 parent.

00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.459
 A

00:22:39.459 --> 00:22:39.859
 complete

00:22:39.859 --> 00:22:40.339
 parent.

00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.819
 protector,

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.099
 provider,

00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.379
 teacher,

00:22:44.939 --> 00:22:45.559
 comforter,

00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.559
 and mentor.

00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:48.220
 It's

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:48.579
 riddled

00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.079
 with

00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.619
 failures

00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.299
 on an

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:50.559
 almost

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:50.859
 daily

00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.240
 basis.

00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:51.579
 But I

00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:51.980
 want to

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.379
 get there.

00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:52.899
 I want

00:22:52.899 --> 00:22:53.139
 to be

00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.480
 complete.

00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.799
 Completeness

00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.419
 in anything

00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:57.019
 we do,

00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:58.819
 it's just

00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.579
 always over

00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.159
 the horizon

00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:00.839
 as we

00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.279
 sail

00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.179
 towards it.

00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.099
 But we

00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:03.419
 know,

00:23:03.599 --> 00:23:04.039
 we know

00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:04.379
 we must

00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:05.119
 continue

00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:06.619
 to work

00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:07.480
 and to

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:07.899
 act

00:23:07.899 --> 00:23:08.519
 in these

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.019
 areas.

00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:12.000
 And yet

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.639
 here in

00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:13.440
 verse 5,

00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:14.779
 we read

00:23:14.779 --> 00:23:15.139
 that a

00:23:15.139 --> 00:23:15.660
 love for

00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.079
 God,

00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.119
 if anyone

00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:17.639
 obeys his

00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:17.819
 word,

00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.259
 love for

00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.480
 God,

00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.920
 or his

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.299
 love for

00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:20.460
 us,

00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:21.420
 here we

00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:21.720
 read that

00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.299
 love for

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.619
 God,

00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.420
 the true

00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:24.960
 measure of

00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:25.460
 authentic

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.200
 Christianity,

00:23:26.879 --> 00:23:27.879
 can be

00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:28.440
 made

00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.779
 complete

00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.839
 in

00:23:30.839 --> 00:23:31.639
 us.

00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:34.000
 And I

00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.220
 think of

00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.539
 it as a

00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:34.859
 virtuous

00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.400
 circle.

00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:36.379
 You know

00:23:36.379 --> 00:23:36.559
 you can

00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.000
 have vicious

00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:37.720
 circles that

00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.400
 spiral out of

00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:38.879
 control and

00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.200
 things go

00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.380
 wrong,

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:39.600
 but you

00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:39.820
 can have

00:23:39.820 --> 00:23:40.140
 virtuous

00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:40.700
 circles.

00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:41.660
 They're a

00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.060
 thing as

00:23:42.060 --> 00:23:42.260
 well.

00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:43.060
 It's a

00:23:43.060 --> 00:23:43.340
 virtuous

00:23:43.340 --> 00:23:44.020
 circle of

00:23:44.020 --> 00:23:44.500
 love for

00:23:44.500 --> 00:23:44.840
 God,

00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:45.720
 leading to

00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.660
 obedience to

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:46.960
 God,

00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:47.580
 leading to

00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:48.220
 a love to

00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.520
 God,

00:23:49.020 --> 00:23:49.400
 leading of

00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.240
 obedience to

00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:50.560
 God,

00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.320
 towards

00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:52.280
 completeness

00:23:52.280 --> 00:23:53.060
 of love

00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:53.840
 and knowing

00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:54.140
 him.

00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:54.780
 It's a

00:23:54.780 --> 00:23:55.100
 virtuous

00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.700
 circle that

00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.240
 we practice.

00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:57.740
 And

00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.560
 completeness

00:23:58.560 --> 00:23:59.680
 and this

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.540
 virtuous circle

00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:01.440
 is possible

00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.940
 because it's a

00:24:02.940 --> 00:24:04.620
 Holy Spirit

00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:06.100
 enabled work.

00:24:07.100 --> 00:24:07.840
 Brothers and

00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.159
 sisters,

00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.699
 we have

00:24:08.699 --> 00:24:09.299
 the Spirit.

00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.359
 God,

00:24:11.619 --> 00:24:12.579
 who began

00:24:12.579 --> 00:24:13.059
 this good

00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.679
 work in

00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:13.980
 us,

00:24:14.199 --> 00:24:14.619
 it's his

00:24:14.619 --> 00:24:15.059
 initiative,

00:24:15.599 --> 00:24:16.659
 promises that

00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.119
 through his

00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:17.879
 Holy Spirit

00:24:17.879 --> 00:24:18.839
 that he will

00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.539
 bring that

00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.279
 work to

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.899
 completion.

00:24:21.379 --> 00:24:21.740
 Does that

00:24:21.740 --> 00:24:22.319
 sound familiar?

00:24:22.439 --> 00:24:22.659
 Are there

00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:23.240
 verses in the

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.699
 Bible that

00:24:23.699 --> 00:24:24.119
 sound like

00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:24.359
 that?

00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.359
 Because it's

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:25.759
 true.

00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:26.399
 That's what

00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:26.839
 the Word

00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.259
 says.

00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:27.919
 He has

00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:28.439
 began the

00:24:28.439 --> 00:24:28.839
 good work

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.159
 in us,

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:30.019
 will bring

00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.279
 it to

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.699
 completion.

00:24:31.679 --> 00:24:32.179
 We will

00:24:32.179 --> 00:24:32.779
 be faithful

00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.220
 to the

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.519
 end,

00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.099
 and we

00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:34.759
 will indeed,

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.559
 in the

00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:35.759
 end,

00:24:35.839 --> 00:24:36.579
 be perfect

00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.319
 as Christ

00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.059
 is perfect.

00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.700
 God's

00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.640
 work is

00:24:40.640 --> 00:24:41.779
 made complete

00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.960
 in us

00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.960
 through the

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:44.460
 means of

00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:45.059
 our obedience,

00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:45.980
 our good

00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.460
 works,

00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.319
 and our

00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.920
 faithfulness.

00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:48.539
 They are

00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:49.220
 the means,

00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.359
 or the

00:24:50.359 --> 00:24:50.799
 path,

00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.079
 or the

00:24:51.079 --> 00:24:51.720
 plan that

00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.180
 God has

00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.660
 laid out

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.259
 for us

00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.779
 to follow

00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.940
 in order

00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:55.539
 to have

00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.660
 a complete

00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.700
 love of

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.640
 his in

00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.160
 our lives

00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.480
 as we

00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.019
 put off

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:01.539
 sin and

00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.000
 put on

00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:02.599
 love and

00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:03.099
 obedience.

00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:05.259
 Now,

00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:06.119
 legalism

00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:07.719
 is the

00:25:07.719 --> 00:25:08.159
 error where

00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:08.439
 we want

00:25:08.439 --> 00:25:09.639
 to take

00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.439
 our salvation

00:25:10.439 --> 00:25:11.359
 and we

00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:11.599
 want to

00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.059
 build our

00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:12.719
 own tower

00:25:12.719 --> 00:25:13.259
 of goodness

00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.899
 upon it,

00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.679
 or we

00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:16.099
 want to

00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:16.579
 put our

00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.059
 own tower

00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:17.519
 of goodness

00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.539
 in place

00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.339
 of what

00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:19.879
 Jesus has

00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.159
 done.

00:25:20.639 --> 00:25:21.199
 That's

00:25:21.199 --> 00:25:21.619
 essentially

00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:23.039
 legalism.

00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:24.539
 But a

00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:26.059
 similar but

00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.459
 opposite claim

00:25:27.459 --> 00:25:28.039
 is that,

00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:28.379
 well,

00:25:29.379 --> 00:25:30.339
 you know,

00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:31.059
 it's all of

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.439
 grace,

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.019
 and therefore

00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:32.759
 following

00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.460
 Jesus is

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:33.900
 free of

00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.519
 any kinds

00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.099
 of demands.

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:35.839
 And that

00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:36.579
 too is a

00:25:36.579 --> 00:25:37.019
 serious

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.460
 error,

00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.779
 where we

00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.579
 dishonour

00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.119
 God and

00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:40.759
 his words

00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.460
 and we

00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:41.920
 believe that

00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.279
 it does

00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.759
 not matter.

00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:44.980
 The solution

00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:45.539
 to both

00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.819
 legalism

00:25:46.819 --> 00:25:47.960
 and

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:49.160
 licentiousness

00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.900
 or living

00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.500
 a life

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:52.099
 that doesn't

00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.720
 honour God,

00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.140
 the solution

00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.779
 to both,

00:25:53.900 --> 00:25:54.539
 both of

00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:54.839
 those,

00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:55.839
 is that

00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.960
 Christ wants

00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:58.339
 to continue

00:25:58.339 --> 00:25:59.660
 his work

00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:00.660
 in and

00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.200
 through us.

00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.799
 it doesn't

00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:04.180
 end when

00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:04.860
 we come

00:26:04.860 --> 00:26:05.400
 to faith

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:05.900
 in Jesus.

00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.640
 He acts

00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.220
 within us

00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.200
 to empower

00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:09.880
 us to do

00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.500
 good works

00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:11.000
 that he

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.779
 has prepared

00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.819
 in advance

00:26:12.819 --> 00:26:13.420
 for us

00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.920
 to do.

00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:16.000
 All so

00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.720
 that love

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.620
 for God

00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.259
 and love

00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:18.779
 of God

00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:19.580
 would be

00:26:19.580 --> 00:26:20.259
 truly made

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:20.940
 complete,

00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.319
 verse 5,

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:22.980
 in us.

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:24.980
 If anyone

00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.740
 obeys his

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.100
 word,

00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.319
 love for God

00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:27.799
 is truly

00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:28.640
 made complete

00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.259
 in them.

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.540
 Jesus is

00:26:30.540 --> 00:26:31.180
 working and

00:26:31.180 --> 00:26:31.860
 making us

00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:33.000
 authentic

00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.660
 Christians.

00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:35.860
 What does

00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.300
 that mean

00:26:36.300 --> 00:26:36.780
 for us

00:26:36.780 --> 00:26:38.380
 each day?

00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.080
 What does

00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:39.740
 it look like

00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.140
 in the

00:26:40.140 --> 00:26:40.880
 Christian life?

00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.180
 Well,

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.460
 there's many,

00:26:42.560 --> 00:26:42.980
 many,

00:26:43.060 --> 00:26:43.700
 many ways

00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.720
 that we

00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.280
 apply this

00:26:45.280 --> 00:26:45.759
 every day.

00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.560
 We put

00:26:47.560 --> 00:26:48.160
 off sin

00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:49.560
 and we

00:26:49.560 --> 00:26:49.980
 put on

00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.460
 the fruit

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:50.740
 of the

00:26:50.740 --> 00:26:51.259
 Holy Spirit

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.560
 in its

00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:51.940
 place.

00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.460
 We stop

00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.240
 practices

00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:56.460
 like lying

00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:56.840
 to each

00:26:56.840 --> 00:26:57.280
 other when

00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.960
 we hide

00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.460
 behind

00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:58.859
 poor

00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.420
 excuses

00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:01.420
 and instead

00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:02.180
 we practice

00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.639
 speaking the

00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:04.379
 truth in

00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:04.779
 love.

00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:05.700
 That's what

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:05.980
 it means

00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.480
 to obey.

00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.559
 We love

00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.299
 God's

00:27:09.299 --> 00:27:09.700
 people

00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:11.019
 as much

00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.619
 as God

00:27:11.619 --> 00:27:12.920
 through

00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.899
 his body

00:27:13.899 --> 00:27:14.559
 the church.

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.740
 That's what

00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.059
 it means

00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.379
 to obey.

00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:16.599
 It means

00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.220
 to love

00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:18.160
 God's

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:18.500
 people.

00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:19.839
 Prayer,

00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:20.639
 fellowship,

00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:21.759
 baptism,

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.859
 and the

00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:23.359
 Lord's

00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:23.879
 table are

00:27:23.879 --> 00:27:24.220
 all

00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:25.019
 commanded

00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:26.559
 commanded

00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:26.940
 by

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.539
 Jesus.

00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.180
 They're

00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:29.359
 all

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.619
 things

00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:29.759
 that

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:29.859
 are

00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.359
 elicited

00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.660
 by

00:27:30.660 --> 00:27:31.059
 God

00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.599
 and

00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:31.759
 are

00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.259
 part

00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.440
 of

00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:32.599
 what

00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:32.740
 it

00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.079
 means

00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.819
 to be

00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.519
 a

00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:34.900
 Christian.

00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:36.960
 You see,

00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.879
 ours is a

00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.980
 grace-based,

00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.599
 entered by

00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.160
 faith,

00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:42.900
 promise-filled,

00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.000
 relational,

00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.059
 true religion,

00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:46.079
 with good

00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:46.599
 practices,

00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.139
 rules,

00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:47.740
 and rituals

00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:49.139
 that help

00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:50.579
 to sustain

00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:51.319
 and grow

00:27:51.319 --> 00:27:52.039
 the authentic

00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.700
 Christian

00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.220
 over a

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.600
 lifetime.

00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:55.640
 That's what

00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.059
 Christianity

00:27:56.059 --> 00:27:56.759
 is about.

00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.140
 Thank God

00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:58.759
 for his

00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.840
 wisdom.

00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:00.640
 It's not

00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.559
 shallow.

00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:03.299
 It's shallow

00:28:03.299 --> 00:28:03.819
 at the shallow

00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.500
 end as we

00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.039
 come to put

00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:05.460
 our trust

00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:05.819
 in him.

00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:06.660
 But as we

00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.240
 walk through

00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.720
 the Christian

00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.059
 life,

00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.440
 there are

00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:09.600
 depths and

00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.120
 depths that

00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:10.559
 God has

00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:10.940
 laid out

00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.539
 for us.

00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:14.840
 And then

00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.220
 finally,

00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.039
 verse 6,

00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.220
 the end of

00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.680
 verse 5

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.460
 into verse 6.

00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:22.799
 this is

00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.180
 how we

00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.640
 know we

00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.000
 are in

00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.200
 him.

00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:25.680
 And this

00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:26.059
 is key.

00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:27.660
 Whoever

00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.500
 claims to

00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.360
 live in

00:28:29.360 --> 00:28:31.420
 him must

00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.480
 live as

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.120
 Jesus did.

00:28:34.360 --> 00:28:34.980
 So we

00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.380
 bring no

00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:35.819
 merit of

00:28:35.819 --> 00:28:36.180
 our own

00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:36.480
 to the

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:36.860
 cross.

00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.299
 But from

00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:38.819
 the cross,

00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.819
 by grace,

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.559
 God is

00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.240
 changing us

00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:41.740
 to become

00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.680
 an authentic

00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.539
 and complete

00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.380
 Christian,

00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.120
 an authentic

00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:46.000
 and complete

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.720
 human being.

00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:48.140
 And this

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.759
 happens through

00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:49.380
 our union

00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:50.220
 by faith

00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.819
 with Jesus

00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.240
 as we're

00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.579
 united to

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.019
 Christ.

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.600
 And this

00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:54.920
 is where

00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.519
 John brings

00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:55.940
 us as a

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.799
 final confirmation

00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.319
 of our

00:28:57.319 --> 00:28:58.079
 faith at

00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.339
 the end

00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:58.680
 of verse

00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.200
 5.

00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:02.360
 Live as

00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:03.500
 Jesus did.

00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.279
 And before

00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.839
 we consider

00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.819
 what it means

00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:07.319
 to live as

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:07.779
 Jesus did,

00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:08.640
 I think we

00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:08.980
 need to

00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.519
 understand a

00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:09.880
 little bit

00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.380
 of why

00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:11.160
 Jesus lived

00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.519
 on earth

00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:11.860
 at all.

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.019
 Why did

00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.640
 Jesus come?

00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:15.880
 Well,

00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.420
 God is

00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:16.980
 always

00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:19.200
 related to

00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.580
 people

00:29:19.580 --> 00:29:21.320
 through

00:29:21.320 --> 00:29:22.440
 covenants,

00:29:23.260 --> 00:29:23.660
 through

00:29:23.660 --> 00:29:24.500
 agreements,

00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:25.640
 where God

00:29:25.640 --> 00:29:27.240
 comes and

00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.900
 sets the

00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:30.400
 rules and

00:29:30.400 --> 00:29:31.060
 is faithful

00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:32.000
 to a

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.700
 people through

00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.280
 a covenant.

00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.580
 And he's

00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:35.060
 established

00:29:35.060 --> 00:29:35.520
 gracious

00:29:35.520 --> 00:29:36.120
 covenants

00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:36.780
 throughout all

00:29:36.780 --> 00:29:37.300
 of history

00:29:37.300 --> 00:29:39.080
 for the

00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:39.800
 path that

00:29:39.800 --> 00:29:40.140
 we should

00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:40.640
 follow to

00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:40.920
 be in

00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:41.460
 relationship

00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.120
 with God.

00:29:43.260 --> 00:29:43.560
 And in

00:29:43.560 --> 00:29:43.880
 all those

00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.760
 covenants,

00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.259
 they are

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.019
 graciously

00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.740
 given by

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.099
 God.

00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:47.819
 He initiates

00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.059
 them.

00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.700
 We enter

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.059
 into them

00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.980
 through faith

00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.640
 in God's

00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.140
 promises.

00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.240
 And our

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.900
 lives are

00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:54.900
 regulated by

00:29:54.900 --> 00:29:55.819
 good laws

00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.180
 and good

00:29:56.180 --> 00:29:56.859
 principles that

00:29:56.859 --> 00:29:57.339
 God gives

00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:57.559
 us.

00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:58.920
 You see,

00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.619
 it's never,

00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:00.240
 ever,

00:30:00.420 --> 00:30:01.039
 ever been

00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.440
 throughout

00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:01.859
 history,

00:30:02.099 --> 00:30:02.940
 faith versus

00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.480
 religion,

00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:04.579
 or law

00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.640
 versus grace.

00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.180
 It has

00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:07.759
 always been

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.319
 grace,

00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.539
 leading to

00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:10.119
 faith,

00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:11.140
 leading to

00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.740
 walking in

00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.700
 the path that

00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.180
 God has

00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:13.779
 planned out.

00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.160
 That's

00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:14.940
 always been

00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.220
 the way

00:30:15.220 --> 00:30:15.440
 it has

00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:15.680
 been.

00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:16.980
 So people

00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.279
 in the

00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:17.799
 Old Testament,

00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.579
 and we

00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.859
 struggle with

00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:20.299
 this sometimes,

00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:20.619
 I think,

00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:21.879
 it was so

00:30:21.879 --> 00:30:22.460
 different back

00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:22.759
 then,

00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:23.759
 and how

00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.180
 they related

00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.639
 to God

00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:25.059
 was so

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.359
 different.

00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.299
 How were

00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.039
 they saved?

00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:27.980
 How were

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.399
 they saved?

00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.680
 How did

00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.279
 they earn

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:30.940
 their salvation?

00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:31.720
 How were

00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.279
 they saved?

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.639
 Well,

00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:33.819
 they were

00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:34.240
 saved,

00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.619
 like you

00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:34.920
 and I,

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.539
 by a

00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:35.980
 gracious

00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.779
 act of

00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.139
 God.

00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:38.579
 They were

00:30:38.579 --> 00:30:39.119
 rescued

00:30:39.119 --> 00:30:40.460
 from slavery

00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:41.019
 in Egypt

00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.899
 through the

00:30:41.899 --> 00:30:42.720
 great Passover

00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.339
 event.

00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.279
 And in

00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:45.799
 faith,

00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.119
 they were

00:30:46.119 --> 00:30:46.639
 called to

00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.240
 trust in

00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:47.759
 the promises

00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.420
 of God

00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.220
 for a

00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.740
 land and

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:50.379
 for blessings

00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:50.899
 and for

00:30:50.899 --> 00:30:51.740
 salvation and

00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.799
 ultimately for

00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.279
 a king.

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.740
 So their

00:30:55.740 --> 00:30:56.960
 covenant was

00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:57.660
 like ours.

00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:58.720
 It was

00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.379
 based on

00:30:59.379 --> 00:30:59.899
 grace,

00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.180
 entered into

00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:02.059
 by faith,

00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:02.619
 in the

00:31:02.619 --> 00:31:03.339
 promises of

00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:03.700
 God,

00:31:04.240 --> 00:31:04.980
 and regulated

00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.639
 by good

00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:06.259
 law that

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.879
 God gave,

00:31:06.879 --> 00:31:07.859
 which we

00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:08.799
 summarize in

00:31:08.799 --> 00:31:09.099
 the Ten

00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:09.700
 Commandments.

00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.759
 Now,

00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.220
 it was,

00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:11.559
 of course,

00:31:11.600 --> 00:31:12.400
 a temporary

00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.559
 and lesser

00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.080
 covenant,

00:31:14.519 --> 00:31:15.420
 but it was

00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:15.980
 founded on

00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.360
 the same

00:31:16.360 --> 00:31:16.920
 principles,

00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:17.900
 and was

00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:18.380
 gracious,

00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.640
 and was

00:31:19.640 --> 00:31:20.259
 the means

00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:21.059
 through which

00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.700
 people were

00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.160
 saved.

00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.740
 Only we

00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.120
 have a

00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:25.740
 better covenant,

00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.580
 and we

00:31:27.580 --> 00:31:28.160
 only have a

00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:28.759
 better covenant

00:31:28.759 --> 00:31:30.700
 because Jesus,

00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.080
 the Son of

00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:32.340
 God,

00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:32.940
 the promised

00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.299
 King,

00:31:33.400 --> 00:31:34.140
 has come in

00:31:34.140 --> 00:31:34.600
 the flesh.

00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.000
 You see,

00:31:36.080 --> 00:31:36.600
 where old

00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:37.519
 Israel failed,

00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:39.160
 Jesus always

00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:39.839
 succeeded.

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.319
 They rebelled

00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:41.879
 in the desert

00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.559
 against God,

00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:42.819
 and they

00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.519
 kicked against

00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:43.900
 God,

00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.079
 and when

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:45.619
 Jesus was

00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.139
 in his

00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.559
 desert,

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.359
 and being

00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:47.960
 tempted by

00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.539
 Satan for

00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.579
 40 days,

00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:52.220
 he obeyed

00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.900
 God's word,

00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:53.900
 and he

00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.599
 passed the

00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:55.039
 test.

00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:57.460
 Where old

00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:57.980
 Israel,

00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.680
 they took

00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.319
 the law of

00:32:00.319 --> 00:32:00.599
 God,

00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.579
 and they

00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:01.960
 turned it

00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:02.359
 almost into

00:32:02.359 --> 00:32:03.359
 this soulless

00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:04.240
 rule-keeping

00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:06.139
 with pointless

00:32:06.139 --> 00:32:07.420
 extra regulation,

00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:07.639
 regulations.

00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.059
 Jesus took

00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:10.539
 the law,

00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:11.639
 and he

00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:12.240
 showed its

00:32:12.240 --> 00:32:13.319
 true meaning

00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:13.740
 in the

00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.200
 Sermon on

00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.579
 the Mount,

00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:15.720
 and he

00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.139
 showed a

00:32:16.139 --> 00:32:17.379
 deeper meaning

00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:18.240
 to it.

00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:19.240
 He didn't

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.819
 add extra

00:32:19.819 --> 00:32:20.539
 regulations on

00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.000
 the outside,

00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.220
 he put them

00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.819
 on the inside

00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.500
 in the heart,

00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.099
 and he

00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:25.400
 said,

00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:27.259
 love your

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.680
 enemies,

00:32:28.799 --> 00:32:29.759
 and he

00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.059
 said,

00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.339
 don't lust

00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:31.680
 in your

00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.139
 heart,

00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:33.000
 or hate

00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:33.519
 your brother

00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:33.879
 in your

00:32:33.879 --> 00:32:34.279
 heart.

00:32:36.160 --> 00:32:37.059
 So Jesus

00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:38.079
 expanded the

00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:38.299
 law.

00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.200
 He

00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.919
 expanded the

00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.119
 law.

00:32:40.279 --> 00:32:40.599
 He showed

00:32:40.599 --> 00:32:40.940
 the true

00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.379
 depth of

00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:41.480
 it,

00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:41.940
 and showed

00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.799
 in his

00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:44.279
 life what

00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.879
 it looks

00:32:44.879 --> 00:32:45.379
 like to

00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:45.919
 obey the

00:32:45.919 --> 00:32:46.259
 law when

00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:46.379
 you're

00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:47.039
 spirit-filled,

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.839
 what obedience

00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.559
 looks like,

00:32:48.659 --> 00:32:49.099
 what good

00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:49.740
 works look

00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:50.019
 like,

00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:51.440
 what faithfulness

00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.039
 looks like.

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.960
 This is what

00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:56.240
 John is saying

00:32:56.240 --> 00:32:57.279
 in verse 6

00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:57.859
 this morning.

00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.480
 Whoever

00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:01.419
 claims to

00:33:01.419 --> 00:33:02.139
 live in

00:33:02.140 --> 00:33:04.480
 him must

00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:06.520
 live as

00:33:06.520 --> 00:33:07.300
 Jesus did.

00:33:08.080 --> 00:33:08.960
 Must live

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:09.400
 as Jesus

00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:09.820
 did.

00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.600
 Spirit-empowered,

00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:13.080
 faithful,

00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:14.300
 obedient,

00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.440
 doing good

00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:16.920
 works from

00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.440
 the heart.

00:33:19.620 --> 00:33:20.700
 Here is our

00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.160
 manna from

00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:21.460
 heaven.

00:33:22.840 --> 00:33:24.120
 Here is our

00:33:24.120 --> 00:33:25.620
 sustenance and

00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.160
 our hope.

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.120
 Jesus walked a

00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:29.440
 life of self-denial

00:33:29.440 --> 00:33:30.860
 and submission to

00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:31.399
 his heavenly

00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:31.819
 father.

00:33:32.219 --> 00:33:33.039
 His perfect

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:34.559
 record means

00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:35.439
 that he is

00:33:35.439 --> 00:33:36.259
 the ultimate

00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.139
 covenant

00:33:37.139 --> 00:33:38.159
 keeper.

00:33:39.159 --> 00:33:39.759
 The ultimate

00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.099
 one.

00:33:40.719 --> 00:33:41.159
 Unlike the

00:33:41.159 --> 00:33:41.519
 people of

00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:41.899
 God who

00:33:41.899 --> 00:33:42.179
 had gone

00:33:42.179 --> 00:33:42.659
 before him,

00:33:43.059 --> 00:33:44.000
 Jesus always

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.599
 kept the

00:33:44.599 --> 00:33:45.459
 covenant laws

00:33:45.459 --> 00:33:46.159
 and regulations.

00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.439
 Christian,

00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:51.199
 we can never

00:33:51.199 --> 00:33:52.159
 achieve in

00:33:52.159 --> 00:33:52.839
 this life the

00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:53.479
 perfect life

00:33:53.479 --> 00:33:53.979
 of Jesus.

00:33:56.639 --> 00:33:58.899
 We are

00:33:58.899 --> 00:33:59.500
 trying to

00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.519
 image Jesus

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:00.779
 and to

00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.299
 become more

00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:01.779
 like him

00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.379
 in this

00:34:02.379 --> 00:34:02.660
 life.

00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.139
 But until

00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:03.799
 he returns

00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.299
 and sin

00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:04.759
 and death

00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.220
 and Satan

00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:06.039
 are done

00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.440
 away with

00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:06.759
 finally,

00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:07.200
 we will

00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:07.599
 struggle.

00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.340
 But Jesus

00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:10.940
 is the

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.360
 ultimate

00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.400
 covenant

00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:13.300
 keeper.

00:34:14.000 --> 00:34:14.880
 Jesus is the

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.139
 ultimate

00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.519
 covenant

00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.019
 keeper with

00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:16.800
 a big K.

00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.119
 But the

00:34:19.119 --> 00:34:19.619
 joy of the

00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:20.179
 gospel is

00:34:20.179 --> 00:34:20.460
 this,

00:34:20.820 --> 00:34:21.519
 that through

00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.320
 our being

00:34:22.320 --> 00:34:23.480
 united with

00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:23.920
 Jesus,

00:34:24.159 --> 00:34:24.759
 our union

00:34:24.760 --> 00:34:26.500
 with him

00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.760
 and the

00:34:27.760 --> 00:34:28.220
 forgiveness

00:34:28.220 --> 00:34:28.800
 of our

00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.260
 sins

00:34:29.260 --> 00:34:30.700
 and the

00:34:30.700 --> 00:34:31.160
 gift of

00:34:31.160 --> 00:34:31.560
 the Holy

00:34:31.560 --> 00:34:32.120
 Spirit,

00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:33.520
 we become

00:34:33.520 --> 00:34:34.220
 like him

00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:34.680
 through that

00:34:34.680 --> 00:34:35.500
 virtuous circle.

00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:36.860
 And we

00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:37.580
 are becoming

00:34:37.580 --> 00:34:38.940
 a covenant

00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:39.700
 keeper with a

00:34:39.700 --> 00:34:40.260
 small K.

00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:42.200
 Our works

00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:42.920
 indeed are

00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.440
 imperfect

00:34:43.440 --> 00:34:46.220
 and incomplete,

00:34:47.680 --> 00:34:48.140
 but

00:34:48.140 --> 00:34:48.560
 nonetheless,

00:34:49.140 --> 00:34:49.980
 those works,

00:34:50.100 --> 00:34:50.640
 the things you

00:34:50.640 --> 00:34:50.960
 do,

00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:52.260
 honour God.

00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:53.320
 they are

00:34:53.320 --> 00:34:53.960
 pleasing to

00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.200
 him,

00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.420
 they are

00:34:55.420 --> 00:34:55.920
 genuine,

00:34:56.720 --> 00:34:57.260
 they are

00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:57.880
 necessary.

00:34:59.140 --> 00:35:00.580
 Christ is

00:35:00.580 --> 00:35:01.360
 being formed

00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:03.160
 in you.

00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:05.320
 His love

00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:05.980
 is being

00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:07.180
 made complete

00:35:07.180 --> 00:35:08.700
 in you

00:35:08.700 --> 00:35:10.040
 as you

00:35:10.040 --> 00:35:10.500
 walk

00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:12.140
 as Jesus

00:35:12.140 --> 00:35:12.660
 walked.

00:35:13.820 --> 00:35:14.400
 What God

00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:14.860
 has joined

00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.280
 together,

00:35:16.000 --> 00:35:16.500
 love and

00:35:16.500 --> 00:35:17.000
 obedience,

00:35:18.120 --> 00:35:18.660
 let none

00:35:18.660 --> 00:35:18.980
 of us

00:35:18.980 --> 00:35:19.320
 separate.

00:35:20.600 --> 00:35:21.080
 Amen.

00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:22.520
 Let's

00:35:22.520 --> 00:35:22.740
 pray.

00:35:26.660 --> 00:35:27.160
 Our

00:35:27.160 --> 00:35:27.420
 Father,

00:35:27.500 --> 00:35:27.900
 we thank

00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.180
 you that

00:35:28.180 --> 00:35:28.420
 in the

00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.000
 gospel of

00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:29.280
 Jesus

00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:29.740
 Christ,

00:35:29.880 --> 00:35:30.200
 that the

00:35:30.200 --> 00:35:30.860
 manifold

00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:33.060
 wisdom of

00:35:33.060 --> 00:35:34.720
 God is

00:35:34.720 --> 00:35:35.360
 shown to

00:35:35.360 --> 00:35:35.660
 all the

00:35:35.660 --> 00:35:36.300
 powers and

00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:37.080
 principalities

00:35:37.080 --> 00:35:37.700
 and rulers

00:35:37.700 --> 00:35:38.200
 of the

00:35:38.200 --> 00:35:38.540
 universe.

00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.200
 It's on

00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:39.620
 display.

00:35:39.820 --> 00:35:40.040
 Your

00:35:40.040 --> 00:35:41.380
 wisdom,

00:35:41.560 --> 00:35:41.740
 God,

00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.200
 is beyond

00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:42.520
 ours.

00:35:42.660 --> 00:35:43.120
 We could

00:35:43.120 --> 00:35:43.600
 not have

00:35:43.600 --> 00:35:44.040
 imagined

00:35:44.040 --> 00:35:44.640
 such a

00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:45.060
 great

00:35:45.060 --> 00:35:46.440
 salvation.

00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:47.680
 We

00:35:47.680 --> 00:35:48.020
 simply

00:35:48.020 --> 00:35:48.500
 thank you.

00:35:48.600 --> 00:35:48.920
 Thank you

00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.180
 for the

00:35:49.180 --> 00:35:49.840
 cross of

00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.180
 Christ.

00:35:51.200 --> 00:35:51.680
 Thank you

00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:52.000
 for the

00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.379
 gift of

00:35:52.379 --> 00:35:52.539
 the

00:35:52.539 --> 00:35:52.879
 Spirit.

00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:53.940
 Thank you

00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.239
 for the

00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:54.539
 love of

00:35:54.539 --> 00:35:54.639
 the

00:35:54.639 --> 00:35:54.919
 Father.

00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:57.559
 Lord,

00:35:57.839 --> 00:35:59.179
 we need

00:35:59.179 --> 00:35:59.359
 you.

00:36:00.819 --> 00:36:01.500
 Help us

00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:02.500
 each and

00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:03.079
 every day

00:36:03.079 --> 00:36:04.399
 to be

00:36:04.399 --> 00:36:04.839
 faithful,

00:36:05.119 --> 00:36:05.339
 to be

00:36:05.339 --> 00:36:05.719
 obedient,

00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:06.419
 to do

00:36:06.419 --> 00:36:07.019
 good works,

00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:07.779
 to love

00:36:07.779 --> 00:36:08.179
 our brothers

00:36:08.179 --> 00:36:08.779
 and sisters

00:36:08.779 --> 00:36:10.079
 and to

00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:10.739
 become more

00:36:10.739 --> 00:36:11.799
 complete in

00:36:11.799 --> 00:36:13.139
 Christ and

00:36:13.139 --> 00:36:13.699
 his love.

00:36:14.379 --> 00:36:14.619
 Amen.

00:36:14.619 --> 00:36:14.719
 Amen.

00:36:14.719 --> 00:36:15.899
 Amen.

00:36:15.899 --> 00:36:16.000
 Amen.

00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:16.059
 Amen.

00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:16.119
 Amen.

00:36:16.119 --> 00:36:18.059
 Amen.

00:36:18.059 --> 00:36:18.119
 Amen.

00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:20.059
 Amen.

00:36:20.059 --> 00:36:20.119
 Amen.

00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:20.159
 Amen.

00:36:20.159 --> 00:36:20.199
 Amen.

00:36:21.679 --> 00:36:22.679
 Amen.