WEBVTT

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 Thank you.

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 After the war, Mary received a long-awaited phone call from her son, Jack.

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 Oh, baby, is everything okay? Are you still coming home next week?

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 Yes, Mom, I'm in transit now, just waiting on a few more paperwork.

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 I'll be home in a few weeks at the most.

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 By the way, Mom, I have this buddy that fought with me.

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 He had taken a nasty hit and will need some permanent care.

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 I have invited him to stay with us.

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 Oh, that would be nice to have your buddy for a few days.

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 Is he from our town?

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 No, Mom. I have invited him to stay as long as he likes so that he can be taken care of.

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 Oh, what sort of care would he need?

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 How threatening were the injuries?

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 I'm not sure how well I would cope with someone with a disability in the house.

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 Don't the government have a department to look after them?

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 I would love to have something.

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 I would love to do something for your buddy, but I'm not sure we are the best care for him, my love.

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 But anyway, you come home first.

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 We'll see.

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 Okay, Mom, I'll be in touch.

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 I can't wait to see you.

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 Be home soon.

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 I love you.

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 I love you, Mom.

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 After a week, there was a letter with a photo of Jack in the mailbox.

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 He's in a wheelchair with one of his legs amputated and half his face deformed with an eyes missing.

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 Mom, I'm in an excellent care home provided by the government.

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 It's about a couple of hours' drive from home.

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 I'm learning to drive, especially feed the car, and I will come by to visit as soon as my car is ready.

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 We come to a challenging passage of the Bible, and I would say it's as challenging as Mary seeing her son Jack's photo for the first time after the war.

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 However, it's about a topic that all Christians should know well and have experienced a lot.

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 But also somehow struggle with a lot.

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 It's a topic Jesus identified as the greatest commandment in the whole Bible.

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 It's a mark of those who genuinely belong to Jesus.

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 It's what signified a true Christian.

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 It's a topic of love.

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 Love is such an essential but often misunderstood subject.

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 It often turns out to be utterly different from what we think it is.

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 Maybe that's why John repeatedly repeats, like a broken record.

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 I think not a lot of people know what that means.

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 If you have the black broken record, it will just keep looping back to the same place.

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 So he keeps looking back, looping back into the same line or same idea as he writes this letter of 1 John.

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 Please keep the Bible open to 1 John.

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 We'll be going through the chapter 3 and 4, but I'll refer some to the previous chapter as well.

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 In 1 John 2, 5, John says,

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 If anyone obeys God's word, love for God is truly made complete in them.

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 And then in the same chapter in verse 9 to 10,

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 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.

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 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light,

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 and there is nothing in them that makes them stumble.

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 And then in chapter 3, verse 1,

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 See what great love the Father has lavish on us,

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 that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are.

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 And in our two passages today, the word love repeated more than 30 times.

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 It's actually mentioned 34 times.

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 Chapter 3, verse 16, and chapter 4, verse 9 to 10,

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 It's almost the same.

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 3, 16 says,

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 This is how we know what love is.

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 Jesus Christ lays down his life for us.

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 And then in chapter 4, verse 9,

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 This is how God showed his love among us.

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 He sent his one and only Son into the world,

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 that we might live through him.

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 This is love.

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 Not that we love God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

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 And in this two passages, it's repeatedly calling us to love one another.

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 As the new year begins, we start on our new 5G plan to learn to be an authentic follower,

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 an authentic disciple of Christ.

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 Let's look into three areas that will help us start our journey well.

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 I have three questions.

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 Who or what is love?

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 Who do you live like?

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 And who do you love?

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 When I start preparing this sermon by calling the first poem,

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 What is love?

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 But then after reading the two passages over and over again,

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 especially from chapter 4, verse 7 to 8, and 10 and 16,

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 I think I should call the first poem,

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 Who is love?

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 If you turn to chapter 4, verse 7, it reads,

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 Dear friends, let us love one another,

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 for love comes from God.

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 Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

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 Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.

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 And then verse 10, this is love.

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 Not that we love God, but that he loves us

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 and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

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 And then verse 16,

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 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

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 God is love.

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 Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in them.

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 Apostle John repeated God is love a few times

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 and defined love as what God has done for us through Jesus

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 in chapter 3, 16 and 4, 9 to 10, which I read out before.

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 This identification and definition of love are very different

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 from how we categorize love in this world.

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 Don Carson says,

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 One of the chief ways we distort the biblical picture of God's love

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 is when we purposely presuppose that love demands freedom.

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 The world is saying love means no boundary, no restriction.

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 We distort the ideas of if you love so-and-so, set them free,

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 to mean if you love so-and-so, let them do what they want

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 and be what they want to be.

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 If a boy wants to dress up like a girl,

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 or a girl wants to be a boy, let them be.

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 If people want to start a relationship with the same sex,

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 we shouldn't stop them.

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 Some politicians go as far as proposing laws,

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 including prison for up to 10 years,

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 or heavy fines for anyone caught trying to suppress

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 or change someone's sexuality.

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 The world puts up slogans saying,

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 Love is freedom.

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 Love is lust.

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 This kind of thinking and slogan

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 feeds into all the gender identity debate,

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 gay and lesbian movement,

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 the redefinition of marriage,

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 and many other problems our world faces today.

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 Humans are saying,

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 Love is God.

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 And motivated by my love,

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 I should not be stopped.

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 I should be allowed to choose or control my destination

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 and decision.

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 We have a microscopic and distorted view of love

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 that is all about us, ourselves.

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 Very self-centered,

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 self-serving,

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 self-fulfilling,

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 self-glorifying,

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 and self-honoring

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 kind of love.

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 That is not true and authentic love at all.

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 The kind of self-guided misconception of love

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 drives King,

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 the person mentioned in the first passage,

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 in chapter 3,

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 to become upset

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 when his offering to God

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 was not as favorable as his brother.

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 He harbored hatreds towards his brother

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 and ended up murdering him.

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 Get rid of his competition for God's love.

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 John reminded us

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 that love is from God

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 and God is love.

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 Love cannot be found in this world without God

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 and cannot be defined in any human terms

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 or any human construction

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 because love is not from this world.

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 Same is true freedom.

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 True love can only be found in the words of God,

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 in the Bible,

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 which recorded all that God says and does

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 to set us free truly.

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 The Bible also shows us

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 what it costs God to do so.

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 I've been reading a book by Jared Wilson

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 called Gospel Deeps.

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 He says,

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 The Bible shows us

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 our God who is love,

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 saying and doing all sorts of things,

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 most our more sensitive souls

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 will not consider loving at all.

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 We must remember that God's ocean and love

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 occupies space in the perfect balance

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 of the infinite universe

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 of all his attributes.

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 He is love, yes,

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 but he is also just and jealous.

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 In the Bible,

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 we find the love of God

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 violates human freedoms

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 regularly and consistently.

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 If there's one thing

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 any Bible figures can count on,

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 besides that God loves them,

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 it's that they're not in control

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 of their destiny.

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 God has a plan for us

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 that awaits ours.

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 Jared concludes that

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 the Bible picture of God's love

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 is much bigger,

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 stranger,

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 and more complex

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 than how humans can imagine it

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 or try to construct it

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 in humans' terms.

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 Love is from God

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 and God is love.

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 God sent his one and only son

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 into this world

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 as an atoning sacrifice

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 for our sins.

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 God shows his love

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 by sending Jesus

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 to be among us.

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 Love is Jesus Christ

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 laid down his life for us

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 so we might live through him.

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 To live through Jesus

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 is to focus on this area

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 of his sacrificial love.

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 Sacrificial love

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 refers to the offering

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 of oneself for others' benefit,

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 often without any reward

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 in return.

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 It's not natural

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 for a human

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 to be sacrificial in love

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 or other-centered

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 in how we live.

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 God knows that,

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 so he repeatedly

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 remind us

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 and command us

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 to do so.

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 In chapter 3,

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 verse 11,

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 for this

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 is a message

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 you heard

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 from the beginning.

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 We should love

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 one another.

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 And then verse 16,

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 this is how we know

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 what love is.

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 Jesus Christ

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 laid down his life

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 for us

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 and we ought to

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 lay down our life

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 for our brothers

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 and sisters.

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 Jesus.

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 Verse 23,

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 and this is his command,

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 to believe in the name

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 of his Son,

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 Jesus Christ,

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 and to love one another

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 as he commands us.

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 And then in chapter 4,

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 verse 11,

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 dear friend,

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 since God so loved us,

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 we also ought to love

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 one another.

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 And he has given us,

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 and verse 21,

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 and he has given us

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 this command,

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 anyone who loves God

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 must also love

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 their brother and sisters.

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 Jesus.

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 Apart from all these commands,

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 John also warned us

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 from chapter 3,

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 verse 14,

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 that we know

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 that we have passed

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 from death

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 to life

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 because we love

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 each other.

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 Anyone who does not love

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 remains in death.

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 What is

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 remain in death

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 means?

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 It means

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 we are separated

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 from our God

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 and others.

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 it means

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 we stay

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 in our old life

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 and have not been

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 born again

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 in the kingdom

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 and family of God.

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 It means

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 we are not

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 experiencing

00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:54.100
 the full intention

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 of what God

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 has made us to be

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 because God

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 made us

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 to glorify

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 and to enjoy

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 him forever.

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 And the consequences

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 of not meeting up

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 to God's expectation,

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 of not completing

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 what God

00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:10.959
 has set out

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 for us to achieve

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 will be

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 the diminishing

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 in our confidence

00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:16.139
 before God

00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.539
 and we grow

00:14:17.539 --> 00:14:18.299
 in fear.

00:14:19.699 --> 00:14:20.019
 And God

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:21.059
 knows that as well.

00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:22.459
 God knows

00:14:22.459 --> 00:14:23.679
 we feel this way too.

00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.299
 So he tells us

00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:26.939
 from chapter 3,

00:14:27.039 --> 00:14:27.799
 verse 19,

00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:30.099
 this is how we know

00:14:30.099 --> 00:14:30.899
 that we belong

00:14:30.899 --> 00:14:31.639
 to the truth

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.579
 and how we set

00:14:32.579 --> 00:14:33.079
 our hearts

00:14:33.079 --> 00:14:33.759
 at rest

00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:34.759
 in his presence.

00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:36.379
 If our heart

00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.259
 condemns us,

00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:38.200
 we know that God

00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:38.819
 is greater

00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:40.000
 than our heart

00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:40.819
 and he knows

00:14:40.819 --> 00:14:41.259
 everything.

00:14:43.299 --> 00:14:44.220
 God tells us

00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:44.779
 that he is

00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.939
 greater than our heart

00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:46.779
 and he knows

00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.200
 everything.

00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:48.220
 He knows

00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:49.220
 we will fail him

00:14:49.220 --> 00:14:50.620
 and disobey him

00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.500
 and treat him

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.340
 with hostility.

00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:53.840
 But he still

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.759
 addresses us

00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.700
 as friends,

00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.139
 not as enemy.

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.059
 In verse 21,

00:14:59.379 --> 00:14:59.860
 chapter 3,

00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:00.500
 verse 21,

00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:01.700
 dear friends,

00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:03.340
 if our heart

00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:04.440
 do not condemn us,

00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.540
 we have confidence

00:15:05.540 --> 00:15:06.320
 before God

00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:07.700
 and receive from him

00:15:07.700 --> 00:15:09.040
 anything we ask

00:15:09.040 --> 00:15:10.300
 because we keep

00:15:10.300 --> 00:15:10.960
 his commands

00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:11.860
 and do what

00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:12.700
 pleases him.

00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:15.019
 The key

00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.420
 to have confidence

00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:17.240
 before God

00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:18.160
 is to keep

00:15:18.160 --> 00:15:18.800
 his commands

00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.620
 and do what

00:15:19.620 --> 00:15:20.300
 pleases him.

00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.519
 God is encouraging

00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.259
 us to keep

00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.060
 our focus

00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:25.500
 on pleasing him

00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.920
 with everything

00:15:26.920 --> 00:15:28.820
 that we do

00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:30.720
 and how we live

00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:31.300
 our life.

00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:33.179
 that is the key

00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:34.319
 to our confidence

00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:35.019
 before him.

00:15:36.699 --> 00:15:37.379
 And then again

00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.159
 in chapter 4,

00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:39.519
 verse 16 to 17,

00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.219
 and so we know

00:15:42.219 --> 00:15:42.939
 and rely on

00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:43.299
 the love

00:15:43.299 --> 00:15:43.819
 that God

00:15:43.819 --> 00:15:44.539
 has for us.

00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:46.219
 God is love.

00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.459
 Whoever lives

00:15:47.459 --> 00:15:47.939
 in love

00:15:47.939 --> 00:15:48.779
 lives in God

00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:49.299
 and God

00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:49.759
 in them.

00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:51.359
 And this is how

00:15:51.359 --> 00:15:52.539
 love is made

00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.740
 complete among us

00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.740
 so that we will

00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.500
 have confidence

00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.439
 on the day

00:15:56.439 --> 00:15:57.219
 of the judgment.

00:15:57.220 --> 00:16:00.500
 is in this world

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.820
 we are like Jesus.

00:16:03.820 --> 00:16:05.180
 Jesus is our best

00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:06.620
 example of someone

00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:07.460
 who keeps God's

00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:07.879
 commands

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.600
 and does everything

00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.560
 that pleases God.

00:16:11.800 --> 00:16:13.240
 And more than an example,

00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:15.000
 Jesus is our substitute

00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:16.440
 when coming to

00:16:16.440 --> 00:16:17.500
 fulfillment of God's

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:17.960
 command,

00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:20.120
 of all God's

00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:20.460
 command,

00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.440
 to be made

00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.300
 complete in the

00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:23.980
 love of God

00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.259
 and have confidence

00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.060
 before him

00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:26.959
 at any time,

00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:28.619
 there's one question

00:16:28.619 --> 00:16:29.239
 we should keep

00:16:29.239 --> 00:16:30.019
 asking ourselves.

00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.519
 Who am I like

00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:33.339
 in this world?

00:16:36.119 --> 00:16:37.459
 How do you speak?

00:16:39.379 --> 00:16:40.819
 How do you

00:16:40.819 --> 00:16:41.839
 entertain yourself?

00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:45.159
 Who do you like?

00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.939
 Do you like to build

00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:51.339
 your joy

00:16:51.339 --> 00:16:52.899
 on others' pain?

00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.539
 Do you enjoy

00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:55.099
 bantering

00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.779
 and picking

00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:57.399
 on others?

00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.480
 In how you

00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.139
 organize your

00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:00.560
 priority

00:17:00.560 --> 00:17:01.440
 in life?

00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.399
 What career

00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:04.319
 are you pursuing?

00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:05.680
 Where are you

00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.539
 sending your kids

00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.480
 to school?

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:08.759
 In your

00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.319
 interaction

00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.079
 with others?

00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.220
 In how you

00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:11.900
 spend your

00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.200
 money,

00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:12.720
 time,

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.380
 and energy?

00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.640
 It's all those

00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:17.220
 things that you

00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.799
 live out,

00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.460
 living like Jesus.

00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.420
 And particularly,

00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:22.819
 in how you

00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:23.259
 love your

00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:23.860
 brothers and

00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.200
 sisters.

00:17:25.099 --> 00:17:25.699
 In how you

00:17:25.699 --> 00:17:26.099
 deal with

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:26.879
 conflict and

00:17:26.879 --> 00:17:27.779
 disagreement with

00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.679
 others in God's

00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:29.079
 family.

00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.619
 How do you react

00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.619
 when someone

00:17:32.619 --> 00:17:33.799
 challenges you

00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:35.039
 or hurts you?

00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.539
 God knows that

00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.419
 it's not easy

00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:39.279
 for us to be

00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:39.980
 Christ-like

00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:41.599
 24 hours a day,

00:17:41.719 --> 00:17:42.579
 seven days a week.

00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:44.139
 And he knows

00:17:44.139 --> 00:17:46.379
 if he leaves us

00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:46.819
 alone

00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.919
 and does not

00:17:47.919 --> 00:17:49.019
 violate our freedom

00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.059
 to intervene,

00:17:50.379 --> 00:17:51.319
 we will fail

00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:52.919
 and fail badly.

00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:54.539
 So he

00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:55.200
 reminds us

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.680
 twice,

00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:56.759
 from chapter

00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.580
 3, 24

00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.580
 and chapter

00:17:58.580 --> 00:17:59.279
 4, 12

00:17:59.279 --> 00:17:59.759
 to 13,

00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.340
 that we

00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:00.680
 are not

00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.100
 alone.

00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:03.060
 Chapter

00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.740
 3, 24,

00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.680
 the one who

00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.259
 keeps God's

00:18:05.259 --> 00:18:05.940
 command lives

00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.380
 in him

00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:07.200
 and he

00:18:07.200 --> 00:18:07.740
 in them.

00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.740
 And this is

00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.320
 how we know

00:18:09.320 --> 00:18:09.740
 that he

00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.580
 lives in us.

00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:11.820
 We know it

00:18:11.820 --> 00:18:12.539
 by the spirit

00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.440
 he gives us.

00:18:14.800 --> 00:18:15.340
 And chapter

00:18:15.340 --> 00:18:16.120
 4, verse 12

00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:16.720
 to 13,

00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:17.839
 No one

00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:18.319
 has ever

00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.059
 seen God

00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.900
 but if we

00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.339
 love one

00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:20.779
 another,

00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.720
 God lives

00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.200
 in us

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.799
 and his

00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:24.339
 love is

00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.079
 made complete

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:25.579
 in us.

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.819
 This is how

00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.319
 we know

00:18:27.319 --> 00:18:27.960
 that we

00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.620
 live in him

00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.059
 and he

00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:29.519
 in us.

00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.339
 He has

00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:30.960
 given us

00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.920
 his spirit.

00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.680
 God has

00:18:33.680 --> 00:18:34.360
 given us

00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:35.259
 his spirit

00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.140
 to ensure

00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:36.880
 we remain

00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.440
 and live

00:18:37.440 --> 00:18:37.819
 in him,

00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.839
 to follow

00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:39.220
 Jesus

00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:40.019
 and to

00:18:40.019 --> 00:18:40.380
 lift out

00:18:40.380 --> 00:18:41.019
 his command

00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:41.640
 in our

00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:41.980
 life.

00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.140
 The

00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.519
 Father,

00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.240
 Son,

00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:44.539
 and the

00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.120
 Holy Spirit

00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:45.900
 all work

00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:46.380
 together

00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.280
 to ensure

00:18:47.280 --> 00:18:47.820
 we stay

00:18:47.820 --> 00:18:48.560
 within God's

00:18:48.560 --> 00:18:48.800
 love.

00:18:49.880 --> 00:18:50.240
 So the

00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:50.500
 question

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.000
 remaining

00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.400
 is,

00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:52.800
 who do

00:18:52.800 --> 00:18:53.280
 you love?

00:19:04.020 --> 00:19:04.780
 We have

00:19:04.780 --> 00:19:05.240
 been told

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.780
 repeatedly

00:19:05.780 --> 00:19:07.000
 from today's

00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.380
 passages

00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.360
 that God

00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:08.920
 is love

00:19:08.920 --> 00:19:10.220
 and he has

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:10.680
 demonstrated

00:19:10.680 --> 00:19:11.140
 his love

00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.560
 for us

00:19:11.560 --> 00:19:12.380
 by sending

00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:12.880
 Jesus,

00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:13.400
 his only

00:19:13.400 --> 00:19:13.740
 son,

00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:14.620
 to atone

00:19:14.620 --> 00:19:15.260
 our sins.

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.539
 in

00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.119
 response,

00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.660
 we should

00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.240
 and ought

00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:19.759
 to love

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:19.960
 one

00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.319
 and the

00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:20.680
 other

00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.559
 by laying

00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:21.799
 down

00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.019
 our

00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.339
 life

00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:22.700
 for our

00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:22.940
 brothers

00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.160
 and

00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:23.500
 sisters.

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.059
 Chapter

00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.440
 4,

00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.519
 verse 20

00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.039
 says,

00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.220
 by loving

00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.839
 one another,

00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.460
 we get

00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:30.839
 to know

00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:31.200
 God

00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.700
 and see

00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.039
 God.

00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.279
 Whoever

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.839
 claims

00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.460
 to love

00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:34.900
 God

00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.839
 yet hates

00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.279
 a brother

00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:36.819
 or sister

00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:37.619
 is a liar.

00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:38.940
 For whoever

00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.480
 does not

00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.019
 love their

00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.500
 brothers and

00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:40.879
 sisters

00:19:40.879 --> 00:19:41.700
 whom they

00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.240
 have seen

00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.359
 cannot love

00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.700
 God

00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:44.359
 whom they

00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:44.779
 have not

00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.079
 seen.

00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:46.819
 Our

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.420
 relationship

00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.000
 with

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.539
 others

00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.819
 reflects

00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.119
 our

00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:50.839
 experience

00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.139
 with

00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:51.519
 God

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:53.599
 yet

00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.200
 to also

00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.899
 affect

00:19:54.899 --> 00:19:55.339
 our

00:19:55.339 --> 00:19:55.899
 experience

00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:56.139
 with

00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:56.420
 God.

00:19:57.619 --> 00:19:57.960
 Tony

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.319
 Evans'

00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:58.759
 book,

00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.720
 Horizontal

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.099
 Jesus,

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:01.539
 also used

00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.119
 this line

00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:02.879
 as his

00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:04.180
 subtitle,

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:04.839
 our

00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.399
 relationship

00:20:05.399 --> 00:20:06.200
 with others

00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.180
 affects

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.519
 our

00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:07.960
 experience

00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.160
 with

00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:08.420
 God.

00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.420
 He

00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:09.579
 has

00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:09.819
 written

00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.099
 this

00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:10.379
 book

00:20:10.379 --> 00:20:11.099
 to explain

00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:11.279
 the

00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:11.839
 correlation

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.720
 between

00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:13.099
 our

00:20:13.099 --> 00:20:13.619
 relationship

00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:13.839
 with

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.139
 others

00:20:14.139 --> 00:20:14.819
 and

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.139
 our

00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:15.659
 relationship

00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:15.939
 with

00:20:15.939 --> 00:20:16.240
 God.

00:20:17.679 --> 00:20:18.359
 He

00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:18.779
 shares

00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.119
 that

00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:20.139
 outside

00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:20.980
 Christ

00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.179
 the

00:20:21.179 --> 00:20:21.379
 King

00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:21.759
 Church

00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:21.980
 in

00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.199
 San

00:20:22.199 --> 00:20:22.619
 Diego,

00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:23.799
 there

00:20:23.799 --> 00:20:24.159
 is a

00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.519
 statue

00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:24.799
 of

00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.119
 Jesus

00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.859
 with

00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.199
 both

00:20:26.199 --> 00:20:26.459
 hands

00:20:26.459 --> 00:20:26.899
 missing.

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.299
 Friend

00:20:28.299 --> 00:20:28.859
 was broke

00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.500
 off in

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:29.879
 the mid

00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.839
 1980s.

00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.419
 Rather

00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:32.839
 have the

00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.179
 statue

00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:33.759
 repaired,

00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.159
 the

00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:34.539
 pastor

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.119
 chose

00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:35.799
 to put

00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:35.980
 a

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.379
 plaque

00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:37.079
 at the

00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.339
 base

00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:37.500
 of

00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:37.699
 it

00:20:37.699 --> 00:20:38.019
 that

00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.419
 reads,

00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:39.519
 I

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:39.839
 have

00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.139
 no

00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:40.619
 hands

00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.159
 but

00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:41.619
 yours.

00:20:42.939 --> 00:20:43.240
 This

00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.759
 plaque

00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.559
 declared

00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:44.819
 that

00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.179
 because

00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:45.559
 Jesus

00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:45.879
 has

00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.459
 ascended

00:20:46.459 --> 00:20:46.899
 to

00:20:46.899 --> 00:20:47.079
 his

00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.459
 rightful

00:20:47.459 --> 00:20:47.819
 place

00:20:47.819 --> 00:20:47.959
 in

00:20:47.959 --> 00:20:48.220
 heaven

00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.139
 and

00:20:49.139 --> 00:20:49.279
 is

00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.519
 not

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.079
 physically

00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.779
 present

00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.220
 on

00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.579
 earth,

00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:52.559
 we,

00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:53.459
 his

00:20:53.459 --> 00:20:54.000
 body,

00:20:54.679 --> 00:20:55.019
 are to

00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.459
 be his

00:20:55.459 --> 00:20:56.019
 hands

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:56.699
 to one

00:20:56.699 --> 00:20:57.079
 another.

00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.980
 We

00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.779
 are to

00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.159
 be his

00:21:00.159 --> 00:21:00.559
 feet

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.299
 to one

00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:01.639
 another.

00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.039
 We

00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:03.459
 are to

00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:03.740
 offer

00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:04.019
 his

00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.379
 love

00:21:04.379 --> 00:21:04.619
 and

00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:05.119
 assistance

00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:06.000
 to one

00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.319
 another.

00:21:07.339 --> 00:21:08.619
 We

00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:10.099
 are to

00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.599
 live out

00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:10.819
 our

00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:11.379
 horizontal

00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:12.139
 relationship

00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:13.559
 with one

00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:14.859
 another in

00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:15.379
 light of

00:21:15.379 --> 00:21:16.019
 our vertical

00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.679
 relationship

00:21:16.679 --> 00:21:17.319
 with Christ.

00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.059
 We

00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.500
 are to

00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:19.939
 be the

00:21:19.939 --> 00:21:20.659
 manifestation

00:21:20.659 --> 00:21:22.099
 of Jesus

00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:22.779
 to one

00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.139
 another.

00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.859
 That is

00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.639
 our ultimate

00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.579
 calling as

00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:27.759
 his

00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.240
 disciples.

00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.319
 That is

00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:30.980
 our highest

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.759
 aim and

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.199
 the most

00:21:32.199 --> 00:21:32.759
 authentic

00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:33.319
 reflection

00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.419
 of the

00:21:34.419 --> 00:21:34.779
 two

00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:35.240
 greatest

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.779
 commandments

00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:37.279
 identified

00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.139
 by Jesus

00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.420
 to command

00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:39.920
 to love

00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:40.279
 God

00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:41.019
 and love

00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.220
 our

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.619
 neighbors.

00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:43.720
 The

00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.359
 believer's

00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:44.960
 responsibility

00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.599
 to show

00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.059
 Christ's

00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.200
 life

00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.599
 sacrificial

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.139
 love to

00:21:48.139 --> 00:21:48.579
 others

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.579
 is not

00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:50.139
 optional.

00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:51.519
 God

00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.319
 commands it

00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.319
 as a way

00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.039
 of displaying

00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:54.639
 his love

00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.019
 to the

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:55.319
 world.

00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.740
 When it

00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.160
 comes to

00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.460
 love,

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.180
 it's a

00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:00.779
 full-body

00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.519
 exercise.

00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.220
 It requires

00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.859
 our head

00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.859
 to decide

00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.399
 to love,

00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.979
 our heart

00:22:06.979 --> 00:22:07.699
 to be

00:22:07.699 --> 00:22:08.459
 motivated by

00:22:08.459 --> 00:22:08.799
 God's

00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.219
 spirit to

00:22:09.219 --> 00:22:09.479
 love.

00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:11.039
 It requires

00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.459
 us to

00:22:11.459 --> 00:22:11.899
 open up

00:22:11.899 --> 00:22:12.500
 our eyes

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.159
 and hear

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:14.519
 to notice

00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:15.000
 others'

00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:16.579
 needs and

00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.059
 move our

00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.539
 hands and

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.419
 feet to

00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:19.259
 take action

00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:20.159
 to meet

00:22:20.159 --> 00:22:21.000
 those needs,

00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:22.259
 to show

00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.919
 God's love

00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.319
 to the

00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:23.599
 world.

00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.139
 John

00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:26.939
 reminded us

00:22:26.939 --> 00:22:28.240
 in chapter

00:22:28.240 --> 00:22:29.000
 3, 16

00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.419
 to 18

00:22:29.419 --> 00:22:30.459
 that this

00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:30.939
 is how we

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.419
 know what

00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.099
 love is.

00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:33.599
 Jesus Christ

00:22:33.599 --> 00:22:34.119
 laid down

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.619
 his life

00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:35.119
 for us

00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:35.819
 and we

00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.179
 ought to

00:22:36.179 --> 00:22:36.599
 lay down

00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.079
 our lives

00:22:37.079 --> 00:22:37.480
 for our

00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.219
 brothers and

00:22:38.219 --> 00:22:38.579
 sisters.

00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.139
 If anyone

00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:40.759
 has material

00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.279
 possession

00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.039
 and sees

00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.480
 a brother

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.039
 or sister

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.579
 in need

00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:44.319
 but has

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:44.899
 no pity

00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:45.439
 on them,

00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:46.799
 how can

00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.240
 the love

00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.619
 of God

00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.019
 be in

00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.619
 that person?

00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.099
 Be

00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.579
 children,

00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.179
 lest not

00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:52.740
 love with

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.379
 words or

00:22:53.379 --> 00:22:53.819
 speech,

00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:54.839
 but with

00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.480
 actions

00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.259
 and in

00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:56.659
 truth.

00:22:58.639 --> 00:22:59.159
 Love

00:22:59.159 --> 00:22:59.699
 is not

00:22:59.699 --> 00:23:00.359
 an abstract

00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:01.099
 concept.

00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.379
 It

00:23:02.379 --> 00:23:02.899
 concerns

00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:03.119
 the

00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.740
 outworking

00:23:03.740 --> 00:23:04.159
 of the

00:23:04.159 --> 00:23:04.719
 believer's

00:23:04.719 --> 00:23:05.719
 faith in

00:23:05.719 --> 00:23:06.379
 ordinary

00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.480
 day-to-day

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.039
 interaction

00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.699
 with others.

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.419
 The love

00:23:11.419 --> 00:23:11.959
 that God

00:23:11.959 --> 00:23:12.480
 wants us

00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.000
 to exhibit

00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:13.959
 is not

00:23:13.959 --> 00:23:14.839
 any random

00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.319
 act of

00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:15.779
 kindness

00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.759
 that make

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.159
 us feel

00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:17.659
 good about

00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:18.139
 ourselves.

00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:19.619
 It's a

00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.039
 kind of

00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.039
 love that

00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.359
 we need

00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.219
 to decide

00:23:22.219 --> 00:23:23.439
 whether we

00:23:23.439 --> 00:23:24.159
 put other

00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:24.779
 person's

00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.339
 needs above

00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.079
 our comfort

00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:27.359
 as we do

00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:27.759
 it to

00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.639
 glorify and

00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.240
 honor God.

00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.240
 God

00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.460
 remember

00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.120
 Mary and

00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:32.640
 her son

00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:34.099
 at the

00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:34.480
 beginning of

00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.579
 this sermon.

00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.240
 I'm like

00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:38.460
 Mary when

00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:38.859
 I come to

00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.339
 loving God

00:23:39.339 --> 00:23:39.859
 and others.

00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.160
 There are a

00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.539
 lot of

00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.059
 calculation

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.579
 going on

00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:42.839
 in my

00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:43.160
 mind.

00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:44.720
 Can I

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:44.980
 do it

00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:45.359
 well?

00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.299
 Because I

00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:46.660
 don't want

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.400
 to be seen

00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.900
 as someone

00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.480
 that starts

00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:48.980
 something that

00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.380
 I can't

00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:49.720
 complete.

00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.099
 What will

00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.640
 I get in

00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.759
 return if

00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.019
 I make

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.420
 myself

00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:54.940
 vulnerable

00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.500
 in this

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.000
 situation?

00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:58.000
 What if

00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.319
 the other

00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.000
 person does

00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.559
 not love

00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.140
 me back?

00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.740
 Will I

00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:01.920
 be

00:24:01.920 --> 00:24:02.200
 short

00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.680
 changed?

00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.920
 Are they

00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:05.339
 all going

00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:05.740
 end up

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.480
 hating me?

00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.000
 Or what

00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.259
 if the

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.700
 other person

00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:09.240
 becomes so

00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.859
 attached to

00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.599
 me that

00:24:11.599 --> 00:24:11.920
 I lose

00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.500
 my freedom

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:13.019
 and I

00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.420
 can't keep

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:13.720
 up with

00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.240
 their demands?

00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.819
 All these

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.339
 questions

00:24:16.339 --> 00:24:17.279
 are telling me

00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:18.099
 and us

00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:19.079
 that we

00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:19.819
 love ourselves

00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.240
 more.

00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.660
 Instead of

00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:22.019
 God,

00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:22.660
 we listen

00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.220
 to ourselves.

00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.740
 We have

00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:25.380
 not tapped

00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:26.300
 into the

00:24:26.300 --> 00:24:26.940
 fountain of

00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:27.280
 love,

00:24:27.720 --> 00:24:28.100
 our living

00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:28.540
 God.

00:24:30.060 --> 00:24:30.920
 I know

00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.340
 the right

00:24:31.340 --> 00:24:32.360
 answer to

00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:32.920
 the question,

00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.180
 who do

00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:34.620
 you love?

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.180
 And I

00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:36.980
 know also

00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:38.420
 the real

00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.880
 answer to

00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:40.540
 that question

00:24:40.540 --> 00:24:42.040
 is, I

00:24:42.040 --> 00:24:43.020
 love myself

00:24:43.020 --> 00:24:44.000
 and we

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.720
 love ourselves,

00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.060
 not God

00:24:46.060 --> 00:24:46.680
 or others.

00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:49.360
 When I

00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:49.660
 come to

00:24:49.660 --> 00:24:50.060
 the topic

00:24:50.060 --> 00:24:50.560
 of love,

00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:51.980
 what is

00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.680
 the initial

00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:53.380
 emotional

00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:54.360
 reaction that

00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.000
 whirls up

00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.380
 deep in

00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:55.579
 you?

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.000
 Are you

00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.140
 glad that

00:24:58.140 --> 00:24:58.740
 God knows

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.279
 you and

00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.819
 has given

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.519
 his spirit

00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.619
 our assurance

00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.220
 and helper

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.619
 to fulfill

00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:04.319
 his commands

00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:04.920
 and keep us

00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.299
 in him?

00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.359
 In this

00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:07.799
 world,

00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.039
 are you

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.799
 like Jesus?

00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.019
 Or will

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.400
 you be

00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.680
 found wanting

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.700
 when it

00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.240
 comes to

00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.839
 magnifying

00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.539
 Jesus to

00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.079
 one another?

00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.859
 God

00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.599
 knows where

00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.319
 we are at.

00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:24.299
 he knows

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.679
 we are

00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:25.399
 like a

00:25:25.399 --> 00:25:25.639
 wounded

00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.299
 soldier,

00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:27.619
 handicapped

00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.159
 regarding

00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:29.039
 loving him

00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.559
 and others.

00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.279
 He made

00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.980
 the best

00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.519
 arrangement

00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.139
 for us

00:25:34.139 --> 00:25:35.019
 to heal

00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.980
 and learn

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.319
 how to

00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:36.819
 love by

00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.279
 sending

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.960
 his son,

00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:38.859
 Jesus.

00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:40.939
 Jesus

00:25:40.939 --> 00:25:41.419
 said,

00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.659
 all things

00:25:42.659 --> 00:25:43.039
 have been

00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.439
 committed

00:25:43.439 --> 00:25:43.839
 to me

00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.259
 by my

00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.599
 father.

00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.159
 No one

00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.799
 knows a

00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.319
 son except

00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:47.899
 the father

00:25:47.900 --> 00:25:48.800
 and no one

00:25:48.800 --> 00:25:49.280
 knows a

00:25:49.280 --> 00:25:49.960
 father except

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.460
 the son

00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.780
 and those

00:25:51.780 --> 00:25:52.320
 to whom

00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:53.320
 he chooses

00:25:53.320 --> 00:25:54.200
 to refill

00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:54.480
 him.

00:25:55.580 --> 00:25:56.380
 Come to

00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:56.780
 me,

00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.580
 all you

00:25:57.580 --> 00:25:58.100
 who are

00:25:58.100 --> 00:25:58.840
 weary and

00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.820
 burdened,

00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:00.480
 and I

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.000
 will give

00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.580
 you rest.

00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.019
 Take my

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.780
 yoke upon

00:26:03.780 --> 00:26:04.560
 you and

00:26:04.560 --> 00:26:05.400
 learn from

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:05.700
 me,

00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:06.560
 for I am

00:26:06.560 --> 00:26:07.340
 gentle and

00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:07.840
 humble in

00:26:07.840 --> 00:26:08.140
 heart,

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.860
 and you

00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.320
 will find

00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:09.840
 rest for

00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.340
 your soul,

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.220
 for my

00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.780
 yoke is

00:26:11.780 --> 00:26:12.220
 easy,

00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.320
 my burden

00:26:13.320 --> 00:26:14.100
 is light.

00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:16.440
 Today is a

00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:16.960
 day for you

00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.500
 to come to

00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.440
 Jesus and

00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.059
 be united

00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.680
 with God,

00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:20.900
 and God

00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:21.319
 will give

00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:22.259
 you rest

00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:22.640
 and his

00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.619
 spirit to

00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.240
 help you

00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:24.880
 love those

00:26:24.880 --> 00:26:25.579
 you can

00:26:25.579 --> 00:26:26.039
 see,

00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.500
 and so

00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.259
 that you

00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.920
 are genuinely

00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.720
 following him.

00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.140
 And as you

00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.920
 experience God's

00:26:31.920 --> 00:26:32.559
 love for you,

00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.880
 we are called

00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:35.099
 to go and

00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.880
 show this world

00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.660
 God's love for

00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:38.000
 them with the

00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.720
 help of his

00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.940
 spirit, to

00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.900
 love with

00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:42.259
 action and

00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.819
 in truth.

00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:57.579
 set

00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:58.839
 and

00:26:58.839 --> 00:26:59.319
 let's

00:26:59.319 --> 00:27:01.279
 create—