WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480
 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560
 Our passion is to experience and express grace.

00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620
 Join us.

00:00:13.280 --> 00:00:21.059
 This recording is a fresh recording of this sermon due to a technical glitch during our

00:00:21.059 --> 00:00:22.199
 service on Sunday.

00:00:22.199 --> 00:00:32.399
 I hope you'll pick up one of these pew cards about the summer of one another and do be

00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:39.200
 praying with us about how you can lean into that together as we're hoping to both learn

00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:47.600
 and experience together the Holy Spirit shaping us into a gospel community, a community of

00:00:47.600 --> 00:00:54.880
 people bound together by the work of Jesus, transformed together by the grace of Jesus,

00:00:55.179 --> 00:00:58.359
 and sent out together on the mission of Jesus.

00:00:59.480 --> 00:01:05.680
 That mission is where we started last week, talking about the purpose for which God has

00:01:05.680 --> 00:01:14.920
 made us His people, to declare and demonstrate God's glory and grace here and everywhere.

00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:24.260
 God answers the loneliness of this world with the life-giving relationships of His church.

00:01:25.780 --> 00:01:33.640
 So now as we dive into what those relationships are to look like, how we relate to one another

00:01:33.640 --> 00:01:40.799
 in this body, I want to begin this morning with a bit of an extended introduction about our

00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:42.900
 problem of loneliness.

00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:51.640
 This will be addressed in today's passage as well as throughout the summer as we talk about these

00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:52.860
 one another passages.

00:01:54.660 --> 00:01:58.939
 Did you know there will be a lonely person in your next conversation?

00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:06.200
 Statistically speaking, when you're at the office tomorrow and run into a co-worker,

00:02:06.380 --> 00:02:08.840
 one of you is regularly lonely.

00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:15.140
 When you're talking with a couple of friends at the pool tonight, one of them is probably

00:02:15.140 --> 00:02:15.900
 lonely.

00:02:17.379 --> 00:02:24.740
 A huge study of Americans last year from Cigna reveals nearly half of us sometimes or always

00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:27.819
 feel lonely, left out.

00:02:28.800 --> 00:02:33.640
 And every time a study comes out, the statistics on loneliness just get worse.

00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:38.759
 You've probably heard by now of a loneliness epidemic.

00:02:39.739 --> 00:02:42.379
 It's becoming a fairly common medical term.

00:02:43.219 --> 00:02:50.099
 Many studies showing that the health effects of loneliness are similar to smoking 15 cigarettes

00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:51.179
 a day.

00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:53.539
 This led former U.S.

00:02:53.739 --> 00:02:56.299
 Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to say,

00:02:56.300 --> 00:03:03.180
 During my years caring for patients, the most common pathology I saw was not heart disease

00:03:03.180 --> 00:03:04.300
 or diabetes.

00:03:05.160 --> 00:03:06.140
 It was loneliness.

00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:14.100
 And it's this epidemic that led British Prime Minister Theresa May last year to create a senior

00:03:14.100 --> 00:03:18.700
 level position in her government called Minister of Loneliness.

00:03:18.699 --> 00:03:25.359
 And to seek ways to address this growing problem where there's over 9 million British people often

00:03:25.359 --> 00:03:26.759
 or always lonely.

00:03:27.639 --> 00:03:28.039
 And she said,

00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:33.159
 For far too many people, loneliness is the sad reality of modern life.

00:03:34.899 --> 00:03:41.919
 We are a society that's bought the lie that happiness is an individual accomplishment.

00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:46.679
 It's what New York Times columnist David Brooks says.

00:03:46.680 --> 00:03:47.740
 He writes,

00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:53.599
 If I can have just one more victory, lose 15 pounds, or get better at meditation, then I

00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:54.500
 will be happy.

00:03:55.659 --> 00:04:00.340
 But people looking back on their lives from their deathbeds tell us that happiness is found

00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:02.319
 amid thick and loving relationships.

00:04:03.180 --> 00:04:07.740
 It's found by defeating self-sufficiency for a state of mutual dependence.

00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:12.640
 It's easy to say you live for relationships, but it's very hard to do.

00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:16.019
 It's hard to see other people in all their complexity.

00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:20.379
 It's hard to communicate from your depths, not your shallows.

00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:23.560
 It's hard to stop performing.

00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:27.259
 Brooks is right, isn't he?

00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:34.360
 We've bought the lie of self-sufficiency in our culture of individualism.

00:04:34.360 --> 00:04:41.860
 Where participation in non-profit community organizations, religious institutions, parent-teacher associations,

00:04:42.120 --> 00:04:47.100
 anything with a group is rapidly declining.

00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:54.800
 In fact, from 1980 to 2000, there was a 33% decline in family dinners.

00:04:54.800 --> 00:05:03.100
 The rate of having others in our homes dropped nearly in half in that time, and the decline continues.

00:05:04.400 --> 00:05:08.780
 According to these statistics, many of you won't be surprised by these statistics,

00:05:09.220 --> 00:05:12.379
 because you felt this loneliness.

00:05:12.379 --> 00:05:16.120
 No one gets me.

00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:19.680
 No one really knows me.

00:05:20.339 --> 00:05:22.899
 No one understands me.

00:05:24.360 --> 00:05:30.680
 See, it's not merely physical isolation where there literally is no one with you.

00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:34.719
 This loneliness is more relational, emotional.

00:05:34.720 --> 00:05:39.540
 People are lonely in all sorts of places with other people around them.

00:05:40.060 --> 00:05:49.560
 You may be lonely in a marriage, on a college campus, in a nursing home, amidst a busy office,

00:05:49.760 --> 00:05:54.660
 with a 90-day snap streak, while surrounded by kids.

00:05:54.660 --> 00:06:05.220
 It's easy to be alone in a room full of people if no one really knows or understands or gets me.

00:06:06.680 --> 00:06:12.820
 So what that means is that it is easy to be alone right here.

00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:20.420
 In this room full of people, it's actually quite easy to be alone.

00:06:20.420 --> 00:06:26.460
 And loneliness is often true and actually quite acutely felt at church.

00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:33.600
 My awareness of the loneliness is heightened by the fact there are so many people around,

00:06:33.700 --> 00:06:35.300
 but no one who understands me.

00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:38.700
 No meaningful relational connection.

00:06:40.400 --> 00:06:44.819
 I almost started this sermon with a video like the ones you've seen on the news,

00:06:44.819 --> 00:06:50.959
 where the victims are blacked out, silhouetted to conceal their identity,

00:06:51.579 --> 00:06:57.199
 so they can tell their story in their own words, but you don't know who they are.

00:06:57.399 --> 00:07:06.379
 And I thought about having several Southwood members tell of how they feel lonely at church.

00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:15.639
 I decided that was a bit melodramatic, and you would believe me if I told you some of the stories myself.

00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:21.159
 I've talked with people here who've said things like this to me.

00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:27.699
 I love this church, but I just don't have any really good friends here.

00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:30.839
 I'm not sure there's anyone who really gets me.

00:07:30.839 --> 00:07:37.199
 Or they've said, we used to feel so connected here at Southwood,

00:07:37.319 --> 00:07:40.319
 but so many of our friends have left over the years,

00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.819
 and we're having a hard time finding our place now.

00:07:46.159 --> 00:07:51.199
 Or, we found this church to be one of the friendliest we've ever visited,

00:07:51.419 --> 00:07:53.179
 but after being here a couple years,

00:07:53.279 --> 00:07:57.279
 we're struggling to develop deep connections and meaningful relationships.

00:07:57.279 --> 00:08:01.779
 I don't say these things to shame us.

00:08:02.799 --> 00:08:12.579
 I tell you these stories as a reminder of how much we specifically need God's answers to our loneliness.

00:08:12.919 --> 00:08:17.979
 It's not an epidemic that's out there somewhere where other people are lonely.

00:08:18.119 --> 00:08:23.539
 It's a struggle right here in this room, in this community.

00:08:23.539 --> 00:08:26.419
 If you don't feel it, others around you do.

00:08:27.279 --> 00:08:33.639
 When you have a conversation in the hallway after church, one of you is likely lonely.

00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:42.799
 What's even worse if you read about loneliness is the answers that many offer.

00:08:43.639 --> 00:08:46.120
 I won't bore you with all the prescriptions,

00:08:47.079 --> 00:08:53.819
 but one from a prominent psychiatrist stuck out because it reveals our blindness in this.

00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:57.800
 Her answer to the loneliness and isolation you feel,

00:08:58.820 --> 00:08:59.620
 and I quote,

00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:03.260
 befriend yourself.

00:09:06.400 --> 00:09:11.120
 Thankfully, God answers our loneliness.

00:09:11.640 --> 00:09:17.800
 In fact, we're only learning these days more about what He has seen from the beginning.

00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:21.679
 It is not good for man to be alone.

00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:24.159
 He created us in His image,

00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:28.059
 the image of the triune God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit,

00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:29.639
 and perfect relationship.

00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:33.699
 He created us as relational beings.

00:09:34.379 --> 00:09:38.519
 So when He looks at His good, good, very good creation and says,

00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:42.240
 it's not good for man to be alone,

00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:46.180
 that's a relational status, not a marital status.

00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:50.060
 And yes, God gives Himself in relationship,

00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:52.279
 walking and talking with the man,

00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:55.220
 but He also wants the man to have another human,

00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:58.360
 a woman, a friend, a companion like Him.

00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:04.779
 So when mankind falls and sin breaks our relationship with God,

00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:06.700
 and our relationship with each other,

00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:09.879
 God answers that broken relationship,

00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:11.820
 that lonely isolation,

00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:14.820
 by sending His Son to redeem

00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:19.680
 and to institute not merely individuals who know God

00:10:19.680 --> 00:10:21.520
 and have relationship with Him,

00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:23.140
 but even more than that,

00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.720
 a church, a family,

00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:28.220
 a community shaped by the gospel.

00:10:28.780 --> 00:10:32.860
 God answers the broken loneliness of this world,

00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:35.759
 yours and mine,

00:10:36.539 --> 00:10:38.919
 with gospel community.

00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:42.039
 And He tells us what the relationships in that community

00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:44.180
 ought to look like.

00:10:45.159 --> 00:10:47.539
 That's the backdrop from the Garden of Eden

00:10:47.539 --> 00:10:49.060
 to today,

00:10:49.820 --> 00:10:52.820
 of God telling us about one anothering.

00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:55.519
 This morning, take a Bible,

00:10:56.740 --> 00:10:58.700
 turn to 1 John chapter 4,

00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:02.520
 and we will start with the most common

00:11:02.520 --> 00:11:04.440
 of the one another's in the New Testament,

00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:06.940
 love one another.

00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:08.879
 If you've got your Bible,

00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:10.480
 this is a great example this morning

00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:13.480
 of a time where the best place

00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:15.580
 for you to get distracted during the sermon

00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:17.400
 is these verses all around,

00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:18.300
 the ones we're going to read.

00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:20.740
 It's why I want you to have a Bible in your hands.

00:11:21.180 --> 00:11:22.120
 If you get distracted,

00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:24.800
 1 John 3, 1 John 4,

00:11:24.900 --> 00:11:25.540
 the whole chapter,

00:11:25.640 --> 00:11:27.700
 they're talking about these same things.

00:11:27.700 --> 00:11:29.480
 So you can read more about it there.

00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:31.400
 But this morning,

00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:34.040
 we're going to read 1 John 4,

00:11:34.820 --> 00:11:36.900
 starting at verse 7.

00:11:37.940 --> 00:11:39.120
 This is God's Word.

00:11:40.160 --> 00:11:42.840
 Beloved, let us love one another.

00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:44.600
 For love is from God,

00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:46.740
 and whoever loves has been born of God

00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.620
 and knows God.

00:11:48.540 --> 00:11:50.759
 Anyone who does not love does not know God,

00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:53.040
 because God is love.

00:11:54.040 --> 00:11:56.960
 In this, the love of God was made manifest among us,

00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:59.639
 that God sent His only Son into the world

00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:01.560
 so that we might live through Him.

00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:03.560
 And this is love,

00:12:03.660 --> 00:12:05.160
 not that we have loved God,

00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.820
 but that He loved us

00:12:06.820 --> 00:12:08.980
 and sent His Son to be the propitiation,

00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:11.040
 the atoning sacrifice

00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:14.180
 for our sins.

00:12:15.360 --> 00:12:17.980
 Beloved, if God so loved us,

00:12:18.660 --> 00:12:22.240
 we also ought to love one another.

00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:24.960
 Father, let's pray.

00:12:27.799 --> 00:12:29.840
 Father, we thank You for Your Word,

00:12:29.919 --> 00:12:32.200
 and we ask for Your help

00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:34.980
 that You would not only teach us,

00:12:35.060 --> 00:12:36.100
 but by Your Spirit

00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:39.240
 that You would transform and mold our hearts

00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:41.779
 that we might know Your love

00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:44.299
 and show Your love to others.

00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:45.460
 In Jesus' name,

00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:46.639
 Amen.

00:12:48.780 --> 00:12:51.660
 Let us love one another.

00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:55.740
 We ought to love one another.

00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:57.879
 In many ways,

00:12:57.940 --> 00:12:59.840
 when we talk about loving one another,

00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.860
 we're talking about the foundation

00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:04.980
 of the relationships God calls us into

00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.360
 in His church.

00:13:06.680 --> 00:13:08.280
 Many of these one another's

00:13:08.280 --> 00:13:09.879
 that we'll be talking about

00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.420
 build off of this one

00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:12.419
 and live it out

00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:14.779
 in different situations of life.

00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:17.159
 As I've read through this

00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:18.039
 and other passages

00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:19.779
 where God commands us

00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.819
 to love one another,

00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:23.579
 I've written this working description

00:13:23.579 --> 00:13:26.839
 of love for us.

00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.019
 Three parts.

00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:31.019
 It's deeply felt value

00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:33.879
 moving toward one another

00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:37.339
 in sacrificial action.

00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:41.519
 deeply felt value.

00:13:42.040 --> 00:13:42.639
 In other words,

00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:45.280
 love involves our emotions,

00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:48.780
 feeling something toward someone else, right?

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:51.639
 We're told to love one another deeply

00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:53.160
 and earnestly

00:13:53.160 --> 00:13:54.700
 and from the heart,

00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:57.139
 genuinely finding someone else

00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.500
 significant and valuable

00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:00.139
 in themselves.

00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:05.220
 Where is that value going to come from

00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:07.519
 when you don't really like someone

00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.160
 different from you?

00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:12.120
 We'll see that as we go.

00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:14.720
 But something's got to happen

00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:16.399
 if we're going to love them

00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:18.340
 from the heart.

00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:20.879
 Of course,

00:14:20.980 --> 00:14:21.740
 it's a feeling

00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:25.320
 that leads also to actions.

00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:28.399
 Sacrificial action.

00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:31.019
 The love God felt

00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:33.120
 led Him to give, right?

00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.940
 God so loved the world

00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:36.480
 that He gave.

00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:39.360
 That love here is a verb.

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:42.860
 That love looks like something,

00:14:43.460 --> 00:14:44.120
 John says.

00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.080
 And what it looks like

00:14:45.080 --> 00:14:46.879
 is sending His Son

00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:48.159
 into the world

00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.120
 that we might live

00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:52.100
 through Him.

00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:55.340
 The agape love,

00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.659
 that's the word John uses

00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:58.740
 throughout this passage for love,

00:14:58.840 --> 00:15:00.840
 is both God's love

00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:02.460
 and our love.

00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.259
 Same word

00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.540
 over and over.

00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.580
 For John,

00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:07.500
 it's this consistently active,

00:15:07.800 --> 00:15:10.440
 even condescending love

00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:10.840
 that is,

00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:11.720
 it's tangible

00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:12.660
 and for the good

00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:13.560
 of someone else

00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.800
 because the lover

00:15:14.800 --> 00:15:16.519
 places value upon them

00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:18.340
 even when it's not deserved.

00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:21.019
 Even when bending down

00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:22.759
 to reach them.

00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.920
 And so as God does,

00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:29.939
 love acts in costly,

00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.259
 sacrificial ways

00:15:32.259 --> 00:15:34.139
 for the good of the other.

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:36.159
 It's the way God has loved us

00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:38.259
 and the way we are to love

00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:39.199
 one another.

00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.519
 Not just feeling it,

00:15:40.599 --> 00:15:41.779
 but showing it.

00:15:43.719 --> 00:15:45.679
 You know what this is like.

00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.759
 Some of you are married

00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:48.019
 to someone like me

00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.620
 who says,

00:15:48.879 --> 00:15:50.199
 I love you a lot.

00:15:50.839 --> 00:15:52.159
 Maybe too often.

00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:53.980
 And sometimes,

00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:54.959
 when that love

00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:56.280
 is not being demonstrated

00:15:56.280 --> 00:15:58.040
 by my thoughtful action,

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.060
 it's even frustrating

00:15:59.060 --> 00:15:59.940
 to be told

00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:01.660
 that that feeling is there.

00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:02.460
 See,

00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.800
 it's missing something

00:16:03.800 --> 00:16:05.320
 when I stand next

00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:07.320
 to an overgrown yard

00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:09.100
 and while watching

00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.300
 the football game,

00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.620
 tell my wife,

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.680
 I love her.

00:16:13.800 --> 00:16:16.240
 You might feel like saying

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:16.580
 even,

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:17.340
 no way,

00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:19.379
 don't tell me that again

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:21.259
 until I can see it.

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.700
 Until you show me.

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:25.280
 And at the same time,

00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:25.879
 most of us

00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:26.960
 wouldn't feel

00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.120
 very loved

00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:29.300
 by a friend or spouse

00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:30.580
 who did all of the things

00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.720
 we expected dutifully,

00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.000
 checked off all the lists,

00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:34.200
 but claimed to feel

00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.680
 nothing at all for us.

00:16:36.160 --> 00:16:37.000
 You see my list

00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.820
 of completed projects?

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.500
 I love her.

00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:40.879
 No.

00:16:41.900 --> 00:16:42.680
 You're always

00:16:42.680 --> 00:16:43.740
 disrespectful

00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:45.580
 and constantly cold

00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:47.500
 and completely uncaring

00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.340
 toward her.

00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:48.860
 No,

00:16:49.020 --> 00:16:50.540
 that's not love.

00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:54.259
 Love is deeply felt value

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:56.179
 combined with

00:16:56.179 --> 00:16:58.259
 sacrificial action.

00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.360
 They go together

00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:00.539
 and even feed each other,

00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.000
 don't they?

00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.079
 Significantly,

00:17:04.899 --> 00:17:07.039
 those two things happen

00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:11.480
 as love moves towards another

00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:14.019
 with those feelings and actions.

00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.139
 See,

00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:16.159
 this is where you'll notice

00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.700
 that love is a verb

00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:19.540
 with an object

00:17:19.540 --> 00:17:21.540
 where our call

00:17:21.540 --> 00:17:22.180
 is to move

00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.540
 into relationship,

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:24.759
 not just generically

00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.540
 to love.

00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.519
 We're not just told

00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.240
 love,

00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.720
 love generally.

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:29.480
 No,

00:17:29.800 --> 00:17:31.400
 love God,

00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:33.300
 love neighbor,

00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:34.880
 love enemies,

00:17:35.300 --> 00:17:36.940
 love brothers and sisters,

00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:37.660
 love,

00:17:37.800 --> 00:17:38.700
 in this case,

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.620
 one another.

00:17:41.360 --> 00:17:42.400
 In our passage,

00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.380
 particularly,

00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.680
 love those

00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:46.920
 within the family of God.

00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.259
 Within your church family,

00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:48.940
 there must be

00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:50.720
 someone whose life

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.560
 you are entering

00:17:51.560 --> 00:17:53.280
 with your love.

00:17:54.360 --> 00:17:55.140
 You're engaging

00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.420
 in relationship,

00:17:56.620 --> 00:17:58.380
 removing their aloneness

00:17:58.380 --> 00:18:00.400
 as you bend towards them.

00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.680
 Love pushes you

00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.640
 toward one another

00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:04.519
 because you value them.

00:18:04.820 --> 00:18:06.180
 You're willing to sacrifice

00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.880
 for them

00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.800
 in a relationship

00:18:07.800 --> 00:18:10.019
 where you even pay the price

00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:11.040
 to enter in,

00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.059
 to understand someone

00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:13.920
 different from you.

00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.980
 We talk about being driven

00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:18.059
 by relationships

00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:19.500
 and our core commitments

00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.599
 here at Southwood.

00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:23.759
 We say we genuinely love people

00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.339
 and are committed

00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.079
 to developing

00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:26.599
 life-giving relationships

00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:28.659
 inside and outside the church.

00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:30.379
 These relationships

00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.079
 with others

00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:32.440
 created in God's image

00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.159
 are a reflection

00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:34.420
 of the relational nature

00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.180
 of the Trinity.

00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:36.940
 And we share

00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.960
 the heart of God

00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:39.159
 when we put others

00:18:39.159 --> 00:18:40.299
 before ourselves

00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.500
 and are willing

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:43.059
 to share our lives

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.220
 with them.

00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.500
 Sounds good,

00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:49.139
 but it's fair to ask,

00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:51.519
 do we really love people

00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.879
 or are we just friendly

00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.940
 on Sunday mornings?

00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.819
 Do we put legs

00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.579
 on our love

00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:00.200
 in one another's lives?

00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.659
 Do we really find

00:19:01.659 --> 00:19:02.639
 ourselves and others

00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:03.379
 pulled out

00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:04.619
 of lonely isolation

00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:06.799
 into true community?

00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.319
 Now hear me,

00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.200
 I'm not down

00:19:09.200 --> 00:19:10.279
 on Southwood here.

00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:12.259
 Y'all love well

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:12.960
 so often

00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:14.319
 and love my family

00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:15.119
 so well.

00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.879
 But going deeper

00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.500
 is hard,

00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:17.919
 isn't it?

00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:20.439
 And even when we do well,

00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.599
 when God commends

00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.679
 a church for its love,

00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.980
 the command is typically

00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:25.500
 love more and more.

00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:26.980
 Don't stop loving.

00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:28.619
 Continue to overflow

00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.619
 with love

00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:31.079
 toward one another.

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.879
 Don't stop.

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.619
 There's always room

00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:35.219
 to grow

00:19:35.219 --> 00:19:37.939
 in this vital area.

00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.919
 Tertullian writes

00:19:40.919 --> 00:19:41.959
 that it was said

00:19:41.959 --> 00:19:42.459
 of Christians

00:19:42.459 --> 00:19:44.000
 in the first couple centuries,

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.739
 see how they love

00:19:45.739 --> 00:19:46.299
 one another.

00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.839
 They are even willing

00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.899
 to die

00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:50.059
 for one another.

00:19:51.679 --> 00:19:52.559
 We've celebrated

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.179
 this week

00:19:53.179 --> 00:19:54.579
 many who loved

00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.179
 like that

00:19:55.179 --> 00:19:56.619
 75 years ago

00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.759
 on D-Day

00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.639
 and we've marveled

00:19:59.639 --> 00:20:00.619
 at how hard

00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:02.319
 that kind

00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:03.619
 of sacrificial love

00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:05.059
 must be.

00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.059
 It's hard.

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.879
 It requires a lot.

00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:10.299
 I mean,

00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:10.659
 I don't think

00:20:10.659 --> 00:20:11.239
 I've ever seen

00:20:11.239 --> 00:20:12.359
 anyone die

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.219
 for someone else

00:20:13.219 --> 00:20:14.599
 during a worship service

00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:16.179
 here in this room.

00:20:16.479 --> 00:20:17.319
 True love

00:20:17.319 --> 00:20:18.339
 that removes loneliness

00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.019
 doesn't happen

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.239
 during the meet and greet time.

00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:22.419
 It may start there,

00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.259
 but it doesn't end there.

00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.759
 To do what God

00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:28.019
 is calling us to here

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:29.199
 involves intentional,

00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:31.840
 personal sacrifice

00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:33.240
 that can only happen

00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.920
 when I've entered

00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:35.319
 into someone's life

00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:36.720
 in relationship,

00:20:36.860 --> 00:20:37.519
 beginning to learn

00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.580
 who they are,

00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.880
 how I can show love

00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:41.400
 to them particularly.

00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.279
 It's why you'll hear us

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:43.940
 say over and over

00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.420
 this summer

00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.120
 we want everyone

00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:45.779
 at Southwood

00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:46.640
 in a small group

00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:48.460
 and or a connect community.

00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:49.160
 Those are not

00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.180
 the only places

00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.580
 loneliness can be put to death

00:20:51.580 --> 00:20:52.660
 where I like to say

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:54.160
 loneliness goes to die.

00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.500
 They're not the only places

00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.059
 that happens,

00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.360
 but they're good steps

00:20:58.359 --> 00:20:59.579
 toward knowing

00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:01.139
 and being known

00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:02.240
 in relationship.

00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:05.479
 We can't say as a church

00:21:05.479 --> 00:21:06.500
 that we love

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.579
 our homebound members

00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.979
 if we don't make time

00:21:08.979 --> 00:21:09.659
 to visit them.

00:21:10.939 --> 00:21:12.719
 We can't say as a church

00:21:12.719 --> 00:21:14.179
 that we love youth

00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:15.719
 if we don't make a priority

00:21:15.719 --> 00:21:17.219
 of leading a small group

00:21:17.219 --> 00:21:17.939
 for them,

00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:19.059
 showing up in their lives

00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.879
 consistently.

00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:22.459
 Maybe that's the small group

00:21:22.459 --> 00:21:23.459
 you should be in this fall.

00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:26.519
 We can't say as a church

00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:28.259
 that we love families

00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.539
 if we don't spend

00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.720
 enough time listening

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.799
 to understand

00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:33.680
 why the middle-aged couple

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.339
 in the hallway

00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:35.660
 seems sad

00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.799
 or tired.

00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.740
 Are they struggling

00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.500
 in their marriage

00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.579
 with their kids?

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.720
 Something else?

00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.420
 Do you even know?

00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.720
 I didn't say loving

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.200
 one another

00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.500
 would be comfortable

00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:48.500
 or easy.

00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:50.879
 Neither did God.

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.740
 In fact,

00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.559
 he said it would be costly.

00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:56.619
 In a gospel community,

00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.659
 you'll have to love

00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.759
 plenty of people

00:21:58.759 --> 00:21:59.839
 that you wouldn't put

00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:01.899
 on your own list

00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:03.259
 who are not easy

00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.559
 for you to love.

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.159
 The value,

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:08.500
 valuing the other

00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:10.319
 is the key.

00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:12.059
 I value myself,

00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:13.679
 but we must value

00:22:13.679 --> 00:22:15.159
 one another

00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:17.419
 because you won't move

00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.259
 toward another

00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.599
 with sacrificial action

00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.839
 unless you actually

00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.759
 value them.

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.799
 And often,

00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:24.819
 unfortunately,

00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.839
 we don't.

00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:29.099
 You've said it before

00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.740
 of someone.

00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:32.599
 We don't click.

00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.240
 He's just awkward.

00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:39.000
 She's so difficult

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.359
 or condescending.

00:22:40.660 --> 00:22:41.240
 And those things

00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.779
 may be true,

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:43.420
 but here's the beauty

00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.799
 of love

00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.640
 in God's family.

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.819
 They may be difficult

00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.599
 for you to love,

00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:51.339
 but God loves him.

00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:54.579
 But she is valuable,

00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:57.259
 precious to God.

00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:59.160
 God sent his son

00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.980
 and Jesus gave

00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:01.819
 his precious blood

00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.960
 for that one

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.799
 who's hard

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.500
 for you to love.

00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.440
 Her sins

00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:07.720
 that you can hardly stand

00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.779
 to put up with

00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:10.259
 that drive you crazy.

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:12.779
 Jesus cares about them

00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:14.759
 and gave his precious blood

00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:16.900
 for those sins.

00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:19.519
 How dare we value

00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.860
 someone less

00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:22.340
 than God does?

00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:23.840
 How dare we say

00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:25.259
 he's not worth

00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.100
 the trouble

00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:26.900
 to me?

00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.800
 What does love

00:23:29.800 --> 00:23:30.380
 look like,

00:23:30.820 --> 00:23:31.080
 pastor?

00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.280
 I want to be loving,

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.460
 but it's so hard.

00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.200
 How do I do that?

00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.600
 Where does it come from?

00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:36.320
 Y'all,

00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:37.259
 it is hard,

00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:38.940
 but it's not

00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.900
 complicated.

00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.900
 We love

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:44.320
 because he first

00:23:44.320 --> 00:23:45.440
 loved us.

00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:47.680
 God sent his own son

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.420
 into the world

00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.860
 that we might live

00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:50.820
 through him.

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.460
 And this is love

00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:54.279
 that God paid a price

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:56.059
 that we can't even imagine

00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:57.559
 to move toward

00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.320
 you and me

00:23:58.320 --> 00:23:59.259
 and toward every one

00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.279
 of your brothers and sisters

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.940
 and bring us

00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:02.420
 into a family together

00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:03.480
 where that love

00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:05.160
 defines our relationship.

00:24:06.820 --> 00:24:07.460
 Southwood,

00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:10.539
 if God so loved us,

00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:12.840
 we also ought

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.779
 to love

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:15.079
 one another.

00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.679
 I want to challenge you

00:24:17.679 --> 00:24:18.419
 to put a face

00:24:18.419 --> 00:24:19.919
 on love today,

00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.720
 to put a name

00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.919
 on love,

00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.059
 make it personal.

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.619
 I want you to just

00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:25.619
 pick one person,

00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:28.019
 pick now

00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.839
 or pray about it

00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.639
 this afternoon,

00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:30.399
 perhaps,

00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.519
 one person

00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.519
 to move toward

00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.519
 in one way

00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:34.539
 this summer.

00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.699
 I'll take him

00:24:36.699 --> 00:24:37.240
 to lunch,

00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.459
 I'll visit her

00:24:38.459 --> 00:24:38.980
 and ask her

00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:40.099
 to share her story,

00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:41.279
 I'll spend time

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.339
 with that young person

00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.919
 or that old person.

00:24:44.339 --> 00:24:44.980
 Bonus points

00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:45.619
 if you pick someone

00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.659
 you struggle to value

00:24:46.659 --> 00:24:47.759
 and love already.

00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.319
 But can you just imagine

00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.159
 with me for a minute,

00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.699
 imagine what that would do

00:24:52.699 --> 00:24:53.980
 to our community

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.819
 if every one of us

00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:57.279
 entered thoughtfully,

00:24:57.399 --> 00:24:58.899
 even sacrificially,

00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.919
 into the life

00:24:59.919 --> 00:25:01.219
 of one other person

00:25:01.219 --> 00:25:02.159
 this summer.

00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.539
 Statistically speaking,

00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:05.059
 we'd remove

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.899
 a lot of aloneness.

00:25:07.419 --> 00:25:08.199
 A lot of loneliness

00:25:08.199 --> 00:25:08.959
 would be gone.

00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.799
 Practically speaking,

00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:12.240
 we would see a network

00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:14.100
 of life-giving relationships

00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:15.039
 that would multiply

00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:16.380
 in our community.

00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.640
 Missionally speaking,

00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:19.039
 people in our community,

00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.319
 those around us,

00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:21.220
 the watching world,

00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:22.440
 would see the reality

00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.840
 of the love of God

00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:26.120
 and the compelling worth

00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.019
 of a God

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.319
 who loves us

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:29.160
 and calls us

00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.740
 to love

00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.299
 and live

00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.420
 for Him.

00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:33.240
 I dream

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:35.120
 of homebound members

00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:35.960
 tired

00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:37.799
 from so many visits

00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:39.139
 and sending us

00:25:39.139 --> 00:25:39.839
 to their neighbors

00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.980
 at the nursing home

00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:42.159
 because they're so exhausted

00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:42.980
 by so many of us

00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.579
 showing up.

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:46.259
 I dream of young people

00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.159
 outnumbered

00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:48.279
 by the adults

00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.859
 who show up

00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.579
 to love them,

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:51.319
 having to send some adults

00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.119
 to another room

00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:52.639
 to pray

00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.980
 so the room they're in

00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.279
 still feels like youth group.

00:25:56.659 --> 00:25:57.919
 I dream of marriages

00:25:57.919 --> 00:25:59.419
 where small group friends

00:25:59.419 --> 00:26:00.339
 see struggles

00:26:00.339 --> 00:26:01.599
 before you do

00:26:01.599 --> 00:26:03.599
 and offer so much support

00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:05.079
 that you don't despair

00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:05.919
 even in those times

00:26:05.919 --> 00:26:06.359
 where marriage

00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.559
 is really hard

00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:10.139
 because you're so supported

00:26:10.139 --> 00:26:11.460
 you're not alone.

00:26:13.439 --> 00:26:14.220
 Each Sunday

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.039
 all summer

00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.059
 we're going to get

00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:17.139
 to see a different aspect

00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:18.299
 of what this looks like

00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.500
 and how God teaches us

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.359
 to love and relate

00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.539
 to each other.

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.299
 He's going to give us

00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.059
 another brush

00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:23.699
 as it were

00:26:23.699 --> 00:26:25.000
 in relationship

00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.819
 with one another

00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.339
 to paint

00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:28.539
 one more beautiful stroke

00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.720
 on the picture

00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.939
 of gospel community.

00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.199
 That picture

00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:35.279
 that Jesus started painting

00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:37.059
 when he painted you and me

00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.279
 into the picture

00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:41.299
 with his own blood.

00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.759
 A picture in fact

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:45.160
 that will be perfected

00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:47.440
 as God lives with us

00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:49.340
 and we live with him

00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:52.039
 and each other forever, right?

00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:55.180
 There ain't no darkness

00:26:55.180 --> 00:26:56.160
 strong enough

00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:57.860
 that could tear you out

00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.960
 from my heart.

00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.759
 There ain't no strength

00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.819
 that's strong enough

00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.939
 that could tear

00:27:02.939 --> 00:27:04.319
 this love apart.

00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.099
 No, I won't

00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:07.379
 let you go.

00:27:08.939 --> 00:27:10.059
 Do you hear Jesus

00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.099
 saying that

00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:12.000
 to you this morning?

00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.599
 Will you say it

00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.339
 to someone else?

00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:17.579
 Let's pray.

00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:19.960
 Father,

00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:21.619
 teach us,

00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.559
 mold us,

00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.240
 change us

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.240
 into the kind of

00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.679
 community

00:27:26.679 --> 00:27:27.960
 that you would have us

00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.960
 to be.

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.240
 Overwhelm us

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.559
 with the love of Jesus.

00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:34.019
 Give us a fresh glimpse

00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:35.480
 of your love for us

00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.660
 and your love

00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:37.880
 for others

00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.839
 in our family

00:27:38.839 --> 00:27:41.259
 that we might love

00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.700
 as you love.

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:45.019
 We ask in Jesus' name.

00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.160
 Amen.

00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:49.440
 We welcome our children

00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:51.200
 and their parents

00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:51.900
 back in

00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.579
 to celebrate

00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.539
 the Lord's Supper

00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:55.019
 with us this morning.

00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.140
 As they come,

00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:57.299
 I want to remind you

00:27:57.299 --> 00:28:00.000
 of some really good news.

00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:02.220
 Someone

00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:04.059
 who knows you

00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.680
 completely

00:28:04.680 --> 00:28:06.659
 longs to be with you.

00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.200
 Someone who knows

00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:11.039
 the worst about you

00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.639
 chooses

00:28:11.639 --> 00:28:13.200
 to love you

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.659
 and will never stop.

00:28:17.159 --> 00:28:18.659
 Jesus said this

00:28:18.659 --> 00:28:19.379
 to his disciples.

00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:19.819
 Jesus,

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.480
 on the night

00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.359
 that he was betrayed,

00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.299
 took bread

00:28:22.299 --> 00:28:23.339
 and he broke it

00:28:23.339 --> 00:28:24.720
 and gave it

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.379
 to his disciples

00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:26.319
 as I'm ministering

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.779
 in his name.

00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.519
 Give this bread

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.000
 to you.

00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.339
 He said,

00:28:28.459 --> 00:28:28.759
 take,

00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.279
 eat,

00:28:29.399 --> 00:28:30.439
 this is my body

00:28:30.439 --> 00:28:32.119
 broken for you.

00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.139
 Do this

00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:34.019
 in remembrance

00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.559
 of me.

00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:36.000
 In the same way,

00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.959
 after supper,

00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.720
 he took the cup

00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.119
 and said,

00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:39.319
 this cup is the new covenant

00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.199
 in my blood

00:28:40.199 --> 00:28:40.879
 shed for many

00:28:40.879 --> 00:28:41.679
 for the forgiveness

00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:42.339
 of sins.

00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.500
 Drink from it,

00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.879
 all of you.

00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.639
 Whenever you eat

00:28:46.639 --> 00:28:47.159
 this bread

00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:48.259
 and drink this cup,

00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.399
 you proclaim

00:28:49.399 --> 00:28:50.399
 his death,

00:28:50.459 --> 00:28:52.199
 his great demonstration

00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.220
 of his love

00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:55.360
 until he comes.

00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:58.420
 This is love.

00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.440
 Not that we loved God,

00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:02.120
 but that he loved us

00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:03.240
 and sent his son

00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:05.100
 as the atoning sacrifice

00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:06.740
 for our sins.

00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.240
 God demonstrates

00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.039
 his own love

00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:10.000
 in that while we were

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.740
 yet sinners,

00:29:11.120 --> 00:29:13.759
 Christ died for us.

00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:16.259
 If you've never known

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.039
 and tasted

00:29:17.039 --> 00:29:18.299
 and trusted love

00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.220
 like that,

00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.440
 you need to meet Jesus.

00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.480
 His love

00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.759
 is awesome

00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:24.039
 and is always

00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.580
 like that.

00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:26.000
 We'd love to tell you

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.860
 more about it.

00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:27.920
 We'd encourage you

00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.940
 not to come to this table

00:29:28.940 --> 00:29:29.480
 this morning,

00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.840
 but to come and talk

00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:32.140
 with us about Jesus.

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:32.960
 We'd love to talk

00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.799
 and pray with you

00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.799
 about him.

00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:36.880
 But if you've tasted

00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:37.900
 that love,

00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.860
 you're a part of

00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.559
 Christ's church

00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:41.100
 in any local body,

00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.340
 not just this one.

00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:42.740
 Come,

00:29:43.100 --> 00:29:43.860
 feast with us

00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.860
 and celebrate

00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.840
 the love

00:29:45.840 --> 00:29:46.740
 that will never

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.440
 let us go,

00:29:47.860 --> 00:29:48.759
 that God gives

00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.480
 to us

00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.879
 with one another.

00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.980
 Let's pray.

00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.220
 For more information,

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.519
 visit us online

00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.819
 at southwood.org.

00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:09.359
 www.campbellios.co.uk

00:30:09.419 --> 00:30:10.659
 For more information,

00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:10.799
 visit us ales at 845.

00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:17.559
 www.campbellios.co.uk