WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.919 Good morning. So we have reached the topic of love. I feel like it's a topic that's often spoken of maybe even more than the others that we've already hit maybe more than hope joy or peace. 00:00:15.839 --> 00:00:28.719 But I feel that I'd probably venture to say that it's probably often even more misunderstood than some of those. And I think in the church, I think we tend to be a bit more focused, have a bit more of a proper view of it. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:35.379 But because of the surrounding culture, I think we can often have an improper view, get confused. 00:00:35.879 --> 00:00:44.060 So it's my goal this morning to help us have a good biblical view of love, to think through that well, and what that means for us during this Advent season. 00:00:44.259 --> 00:00:51.799 So if you will, go ahead and turn with me to 1 John. We're going to be looking at a very typical love passage in 1 John 4. 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:53.899 So go ahead and turn with me there. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:02.879 So we'll be in a few other places this morning as well, but this will be our primary text. 00:01:03.079 --> 00:01:06.939 So in 1 John 4, I'd like to be looking at verses 7 through 11. 00:01:06.939 --> 00:01:09.700 So let's read it. 00:01:09.700 --> 00:01:10.640 It says, 00:01:36.939 --> 00:01:50.759 So I'd like to look first at the main point that this passage is communicating, and then we're going to get to some of those particulars that are within it. 00:01:51.299 --> 00:02:00.219 So to begin with, I think we can clearly see that John here is calling us to follow the Lord's model in love, calling us to follow his example. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:05.780 Note at the beginning down in verse, let's see, in verse 11 really, right? 00:02:05.939 --> 00:02:07.299 He tells us to, 00:02:07.799 --> 00:02:09.159 Beloved, let us love one another. 00:02:09.240 --> 00:02:11.300 And then he gets into a lot, excuse me, that was verse 7. 00:02:11.400 --> 00:02:12.620 Beloved, let us love one another. 00:02:12.979 --> 00:02:18.500 Then he gets into a lot of particulars about how the Lord modeled that love for us. 00:02:18.620 --> 00:02:20.960 And then down in verse 11, it's kind of bookended, right? 00:02:21.419 --> 00:02:21.620 It says, 00:02:21.680 --> 00:02:26.159 He reminds us that if God so loved us, we should follow in that same love. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:30.579 So it's bookended with an urging, right, to love one another. 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:40.000 And so if we go even further down into this passage, past verse 11, he keeps going and keeps going with that theme of having us just remember to love one another. 00:02:40.120 --> 00:02:41.479 But for this morning, we'll stop here. 00:02:42.359 --> 00:02:54.039 And so with that, with that being the main point, right, of just seeing God's love for us and us to follow in that model, that's how I'd like to structure our study. 00:02:54.039 --> 00:02:56.319 So we're going to be really just looking at two points this morning. 00:02:56.859 --> 00:03:01.819 And the first one will be the Advent love that we have been shown. 00:03:02.639 --> 00:03:04.599 The Advent love that we have been shown. 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:09.659 And secondly, that'll be the Advent love that we can show. 00:03:10.379 --> 00:03:12.039 The Advent love that we can show. 00:03:13.000 --> 00:03:14.239 So let's jump right into it. 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:16.680 The Advent love that we have been shown. 00:03:16.819 --> 00:03:22.699 Like I said earlier, right at the beginning of our passage, in verse 7, it explains that love is from God. 00:03:22.699 --> 00:03:29.519 It goes on to say that anyone who does not show love must not know God because God himself is love. 00:03:29.619 --> 00:03:35.839 And then it goes on to explain how the Lord manifested his love or showed it to us or demonstrated his great love for us. 00:03:36.459 --> 00:03:40.979 It tells us that God sent his only son into the world that we might live through him. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:43.219 And then in verse 10, he goes on. 00:03:43.359 --> 00:03:46.500 I really, I think it's so important to see this point. 00:03:46.500 --> 00:03:56.620 He says that, oh no, the love that we show for each other, or even as he says here, the love that we have for God, that's not the ultimate love. 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:58.319 That doesn't quite meet the standard. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:00.080 That's not the best showing. 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:05.879 But instead, he notes the best showing, the best showing of love is the Lord's love for us. 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:13.120 He says in verse 10, and this is love, that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:21.319 So this driving point, this great love contrasted with the way we love is the ultimate display. 00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:23.040 Ours doesn't even come close. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:27.339 It's our Lord sending his son to be the propitiation for our sins. 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:34.019 So let's spend some good time looking at that love because, right, it's cited as the ultimate display. 00:04:34.019 --> 00:04:40.859 So this act of our Lord becoming a man, dying for our sins is a prime example. 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:42.479 And so how does that work? 00:04:42.560 --> 00:04:49.859 What makes this love so special, so different from all others, so different than our own love that we often show? 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:53.359 And so let's look at a couple of passages that talk about that love. 00:04:53.779 --> 00:04:55.139 Turn with me to Romans 5. 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:56.399 Romans 5. 00:04:56.399 --> 00:05:08.120 I can't remember if it was last Sunday or the Sunday before that that Reese read a big chunk of Romans 5 during the Lord's Supper. 00:05:08.859 --> 00:05:13.659 He described it as the ultimate Advent passage because it mentions, like, all of the themes. 00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:18.000 I'd like to look at a chunk of it this morning that does speak to love. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:20.679 So let's look at Romans 5. 00:05:20.919 --> 00:05:22.679 Let's look at verses 6 through 8. 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:52.660 It says, 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:58.319 At the right time, it says that Christ died for us and we're described as weak and as ungodly. 00:05:59.160 --> 00:06:00.459 Weak and ungodly. 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:05.019 And let's pause on that for a minute. 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:06.160 Weak and ungodly. 00:06:06.280 --> 00:06:12.780 Think about the kind of love that weak and ungodly people can show. 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:21.679 So I think, just thinking about this season, I often hear people talking all about the different Christmas gatherings. 00:06:21.679 --> 00:06:26.159 They either, they tend to describe them as have to go to or get to go to. 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:31.260 And it's so interesting to hear the different perspectives. 00:06:31.260 --> 00:06:37.000 You'll hear many that seem to be very excited to spend time with people that they very rarely get to see. 00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:41.580 Or many people that are very excited to see people that they see all the time. 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:45.539 But you'll hear so many that are dreading it. 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:49.539 They're not looking forward to spending time with family. 00:06:50.060 --> 00:06:52.300 They're upset about it. 00:06:52.359 --> 00:06:54.659 For some, it seems that they're overwhelmed with all the details. 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:57.479 Maybe they're hosting something and they're stressed about it. 00:06:58.079 --> 00:07:00.819 Or they're overwhelmed with the number of gatherings they attend. 00:07:00.819 --> 00:07:03.939 Or they have long commutes to and from these gatherings. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:07.839 But for many others, I feel like there's a lot of past hurt. 00:07:08.899 --> 00:07:12.800 Maybe hurt that goes back a generation or two or three or more. 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:17.360 Maybe some issues that have never been talked through. 00:07:18.219 --> 00:07:23.740 Or maybe personality or belief clashes that can be so hard around a holiday season. 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:27.740 But why am I mentioning all of that right now? 00:07:27.740 --> 00:07:38.100 Because that's a very clear way that we can contrast the way we choose to love with the way our Lord has chosen to love. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:45.139 We can see even in that tiniest example that our love is not to the standard. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:46.259 Right? 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:51.819 We, when people offend us, or when we're uncomfortable with people, right? 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:57.839 We can sometimes choose to avoid, can choose to run away, or choose to just stress, dread. 00:07:58.199 --> 00:07:58.360 Right? 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:05.719 But the Lord, his position so high above us, and we described as weak and ungodly. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:10.399 He still has chosen to love us to the ultimate extent. 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:14.159 So let's get back to that weak and ungodly idea. 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:17.019 Let's think about our situation as humans. 00:08:18.039 --> 00:08:19.300 Think about way back to the beginning. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:20.079 We were nothing. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:21.859 We were nothing at all. 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:22.659 We were dust. 00:08:23.479 --> 00:08:26.959 And there was an eternal God, fully satisfied in himself. 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:30.740 And he just, perfectly content, decided to create us. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:36.079 But our ancestors, Adam and Eve, in the garden, a perfect place. 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:38.079 In a perfect place, and they had perfect jobs. 00:08:38.720 --> 00:08:41.559 They were to work and to keep the most beautiful area we can imagine. 00:08:41.559 --> 00:08:50.879 But in his foreknowledge and foresight, and also desire to show his great love, he gave us the ability to choose to do good or evil. 00:08:50.959 --> 00:08:53.259 To choose to obey or to disobey. 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:55.340 And we know the story. 00:08:55.439 --> 00:09:00.939 We know that Adam and Eve chose to disobey God by doing the exact thing that he had told them not to do. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:03.840 By eating of the fruit of the tree. 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:07.180 And they immediately felt the guilt. 00:09:07.660 --> 00:09:08.220 Right? 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:14.080 And if we're honest with ourselves, we do something along these lines daily. 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:19.980 We see ourselves choose something that we know is going against the will of the Lord. 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:22.259 Every day we are disobeying. 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:29.340 We are rebelling against a God who has given us such great opportunity, even now, to have eternal life through knowing him. 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:33.840 We constantly rebel against our great God. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:37.620 But what does this passage that we just read say? 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:40.480 It says that he made a way. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:48.360 He made a way for us who choose to disobey our holy God and are therefore deserving of eternal judgment, the wrath of God. 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:48.600 Right? 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:50.420 He made a way for us to be forgiven. 00:09:50.540 --> 00:09:55.480 It says, at the right time, Christ died for the weak, for the ungodly. 00:09:55.560 --> 00:09:55.720 Right? 00:09:56.340 --> 00:10:00.040 He chose to pay the debt that our sins earn us. 00:10:00.039 --> 00:10:04.980 He died the death and bore the wrath of God that we deserved. 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:11.620 He who knew no sin became sin so that in him we could become the righteousness of God. 00:10:11.699 --> 00:10:11.819 Right? 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:13.679 And how did he do this? 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:17.139 As well as think about his sacrificial death on the cross. 00:10:17.219 --> 00:10:19.759 Taking the punishment of our sins. 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:20.879 Right? 00:10:20.980 --> 00:10:22.599 And giving us his righteousness. 00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:28.980 The great exchange that we are saved from the wrath of God and welcomed it into his family. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:29.019 Okay. 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:31.460 Let's look back at our first John passage. 00:10:33.039 --> 00:10:34.340 Back in our first John 4. 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:37.240 In verse 9 and 10. 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:39.480 It says, 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:45.759 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:52.800 And in this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. 00:10:52.799 --> 00:10:58.259 Note that it clearly states how God showed his love for us. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:10:59.000 Right? 00:10:59.079 --> 00:11:03.419 And that how is through sending his son to be the propitiation for our sins. 00:11:04.199 --> 00:11:08.259 So the word propitiation, I think, deserves some time for us to think about. 00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:12.459 What it means is just a super simple definition for us to think about. 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:17.320 Is a sacrifice that bears God's wrath and turns it to favor. 00:11:17.900 --> 00:11:20.019 So a sacrifice that, excuse me. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:24.120 A sacrifice that bears God's wrath and turns it to favor. 00:11:25.280 --> 00:11:29.900 We must remember that our sin truly deserves death. 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:31.860 Truly deserves the wrath of God. 00:11:32.280 --> 00:11:33.740 Because God is holy. 00:11:34.280 --> 00:11:37.780 He truly loves what is good and hates what is bad. 00:11:38.400 --> 00:11:39.379 He will punish them. 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:41.580 And he will by no means clear the guilty. 00:11:42.659 --> 00:11:48.919 And therefore, because of his holiness, but also because of his love for us, he had to punish sin in some way. 00:11:49.059 --> 00:11:53.480 But desired to show his great love, forgiveness, and his mercy. 00:11:55.439 --> 00:11:58.019 And because of this, this is our season. 00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:02.679 The eternal king, the everlasting God, condescended to become a man. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:04.539 Was born as a man. 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:05.840 The great king of the universe. 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:08.779 As we sing, Mary's king is now Mary's child. 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:14.340 The fully God and fully man experiencing all of our pains, our fears, our temptations. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:16.000 But yet, he did not sin. 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.620 Condescended to become a man. 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:22.059 But this king knew where he was headed. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:25.679 All of his life pointed to the cross. 00:12:27.059 --> 00:12:28.139 He had offended many. 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:32.200 We can read all throughout the gospels how he offended people time and time again. 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:37.100 Because they saw their sin because of his teaching. 00:12:38.160 --> 00:12:45.060 The religious leaders of that day were offended that he was getting attention, drawing away from them. 00:12:45.160 --> 00:12:45.280 Right? 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:47.240 Because he had, he spoke with authority. 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:47.879 Right? 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:50.659 And they tried to accuse him. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:53.000 They tried to get rid of his ministry. 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:54.580 But they could never find any faults. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.539 And we know why that was. 00:12:56.539 --> 00:12:57.879 Because he was without sin. 00:12:59.059 --> 00:13:03.379 But yet, his road continued to continue to continue to lead to the cross. 00:13:03.439 --> 00:13:03.620 Right? 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:07.460 But the crucifixion was all part of the plan. 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:13.200 All part of the plan that this eternal God had from the beginning of time. 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:19.779 Thinking about the passage that we often talk about in Acts chapter 2. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:22.419 Where it says in verses 22 through 24. 00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:23.879 Men of Israel, hear these words. 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.000 Jesus of Nazareth. 00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:30.580 A man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst. 00:13:30.580 --> 00:13:36.800 As you yourselves know, this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. 00:13:37.379 --> 00:13:39.820 You crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:43.160 But God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death. 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:45.620 Because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:50.639 A couple of things that are so important to our topic this morning we can note here. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.920 Yes, these people, they were guilty. 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:55.080 They saw the signs and wonders and mighty works. 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:58.540 They heard the teachings that Jesus had done right in front of them. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:14:00.740 They knew he wasn't guilty. 00:14:01.480 --> 00:14:03.419 But they chose to crucify him. 00:14:05.099 --> 00:14:07.559 And so, of course, yes, that was a sinful act. 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:11.299 Choosing to kill someone who's an innocent man. 00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:14.159 But note something here that's so important. 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:19.000 This was according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:33.799 So, if this was a definite plan, part of what God had ordained, his own son being killed, going through all of the troubles of this life, suffering all the temptations and struggles to the fullest extent, 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:38.199 what is the purpose of this terrible death? 00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:53.340 And we can see just such beautiful as we move along in Acts a little bit, thinking a little bit forward to Acts 4 and the apostles just preaching there and explaining so much about it. 00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:56.940 And I'm going to read a little bit from Acts 4, verses 10 through 12. 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.220 It says, 00:14:57.220 --> 00:15:27.200 Note something huge. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:28.220 Hugely important here. 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:32.820 Salvation is being tied directly to Jesus. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:37.000 Our salvation, the only hope that we have. 00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:40.680 This is that propitiation that we were talking about. 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:46.000 God had planned this definite plan to bring about the salvation of his people. 00:15:46.540 --> 00:15:51.259 He desired to show his great love and mercy to us by bringing us that salvation. 00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:53.060 But the how, right? 00:15:53.160 --> 00:15:54.420 Blood had to be shed. 00:15:54.419 --> 00:16:00.459 But to pay for our infinite offenses against God, there had to be an infinite debt paid. 00:16:01.799 --> 00:16:03.279 And now think about what our Lord did. 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:06.759 The perfect God of the universe, right? 00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:14.000 Who became man, chose to take the guilt of our sins upon himself and suffer the punishment that we deserved. 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:18.620 Sure, he suffered a brutal, physical, human death. 00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.779 But he experienced even worse than that. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:23.480 He experienced the wrath of God. 00:16:24.320 --> 00:16:25.860 The weight of our sin. 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:30.000 The worst thing anyone could ever experience. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:34.919 And what all those found in Christ, not found in Christ, will experience. 00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:41.179 Now, I'm quite aware I've spent a lot of time explaining all of this, right? 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.199 There are a couple reasons why. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:46.819 Firstly, that's foundational to our understanding of the gospel. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:51.059 We must trust in the shed blood of Christ to cover our sins. 00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:53.500 It's our only hope for salvation. 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:59.200 And secondly, it's because this is the perfect display of love. 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:06.440 I often think about love as a willingness to do anything for anyone. 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:14.359 I was thinking back to, like, who do I see as someone who has consistently shown me love? 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:20.000 And I always, for some reason, immediately think back to my granddad, who's, I mean, incredible. 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:24.639 But I think of one particular instance of crashing my dirt bike into a swimming pool. 00:17:25.199 --> 00:17:31.839 And his 70-year-old self running down a hill from his house to help us pull it out. 00:17:33.459 --> 00:17:39.539 But seriously, there are people that show great love to us. 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:43.000 A friend taking a phone call at 3 a.m. when we really need someone. 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:50.359 Or someone really inconveniencing themselves to do something that we would enjoy or when we just need them. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:58.319 But even more so, think about this display of love that the Lord has shown us, right? 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.019 Romans 5. 00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.440 Think back to where we were, right? 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:02.859 You know, some might die for a good person. 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:04.220 That's rare, right? 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:07.640 But God demonstrated his love for us by dying for who? 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:08.720 Right? 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:11.140 A bunch of righteous Christians who always do the right thing. 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:14.360 Or for the best people in the world who are really close to sinless. 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:17.020 Or for those he knew would eventually follow him. 00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:18.520 No. 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.540 None of that. 00:18:20.040 --> 00:18:20.180 Right? 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:21.300 What does it say? 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:22.259 He died for sinners. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.580 He died for the ungodly. 00:18:24.040 --> 00:18:25.920 He died for those who spat in his face. 00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:29.700 He died for those who reject him until he changes their desires. 00:18:30.580 --> 00:18:31.420 He died for us. 00:18:31.420 --> 00:18:35.000 We could never deserve this grace. 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:39.620 But he has graciously shown us this greatest act of kindness. 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:42.820 Even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins. 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:47.420 He truly was willing to do whatever it took to save us. 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:49.680 And it took such a great price. 00:18:50.800 --> 00:18:52.320 Note that the love candle is red. 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:53.539 Right? 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:57.440 It symbolizes the ultimate display of God's love for us. 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:59.079 His blood shed on our behalf. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.440 Christ bore the wrath of God. 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:05.000 Suffered the death and punishment that our sin deserves. 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:09.220 So this is the great Advent love that we have been shown. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.379 Right? 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:13.599 Our Lord's willingness to do whatever it took to ransom us. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:16.759 A people who could never deserve it. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:20.980 So, in light of that great Advent love that we have been shown. 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.859 Let's think about our second point. 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:26.559 And that's the Advent love that we can show. 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:29.900 The Advent love that we can show. 00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:32.359 So let's get back to our original passage. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:34.859 So flip back to 1 John 4 if you're not already there. 00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:44.220 All throughout this passage, we can see that us demonstrating love 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:46.940 is part of our evidencing that we know God. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:51.180 It speaks that if people are failing to demonstrate love, 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:54.259 they must not truly know God because God is love. 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:54.640 Right? 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:58.980 It speaks that if we're found in Christ, we must display this love. 00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.920 And then the end urges us. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.660 Verse 11, right? 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.319 It says, 00:20:02.319 --> 00:20:04.400 Beloved, if God so loved us, right? 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.440 All we've just talked about. 00:20:06.059 --> 00:20:08.539 We also ought to love one another. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:12.180 Ask us to remember how God has loved us. 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:16.220 And therefore, because we see that love, we should love each other well. 00:20:17.380 --> 00:20:22.380 We see so many of these same types of exhortations all through Scripture. 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:26.880 Thinking back to Matthew 22, right? 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:28.799 There's a lawyer that is seeking to test Jesus. 00:20:29.060 --> 00:20:30.160 And what he said was, 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.259 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.700 And he said to him, 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:38.059 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:41.019 This is the great and first commandment. 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.259 And a second is like it. 00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:44.279 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:20:45.140 --> 00:20:48.080 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:51.640 Jesus stresses here the need for great love. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.900 Firstly to him, right? 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.340 The Lord. 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.920 But then he ties us second, right? 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:58.580 He states that we must love our neighbor as we love ourselves. 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:01.779 In other words, he's assuming, right, that we love ourselves a lot. 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:07.119 And we should treat others just as well, if not even better, than ourselves. 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:09.359 In other words, right, how we see it elsewhere. 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:11.199 To seek others' interests above our own. 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:14.139 To count others more significant than ourselves, right? 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:15.960 To seek to serve rather than to be served. 00:21:16.919 --> 00:21:19.659 And note the amount of weight he puts on this. 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:21.939 He puts on loving God and loving others. 00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:24.799 He states that on these two commandments, right, 00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:26.960 depend all the law and the prophets. 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.980 Remember that, as Nathan mentioned earlier, 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:31.340 he didn't come to abolish the law, 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:33.860 but rather to fulfill the law, right? 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:35.539 So here he's stressing the importance, right, 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:38.059 of our love for God and our love for others 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:40.880 as the great high calling of the law and the prophets. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:44.799 And in another passage, if y'all will turn here, Colossians 3, 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.600 we see something similar. 00:21:46.740 --> 00:21:49.240 And I think we could even see a slight, 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:52.840 but even more intense part of it. 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.880 So Colossians 3. 00:21:56.960 --> 00:22:00.900 I think way back, probably four or five years ago, 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:03.140 when I was in college at North Georgia, 00:22:03.600 --> 00:22:05.680 this passage really struck me, 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:09.220 and there's part of it that I think really shows us 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:12.559 the high standard of the love that the Lord wants us to display. 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:16.140 So verses 12 through 17 here in Colossians 3, 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.400 it says, 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:18.660 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:19.360 holy and beloved, 00:22:19.560 --> 00:22:20.640 compassionate hearts, 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.620 kindness, 00:22:22.220 --> 00:22:22.660 humility, 00:22:23.100 --> 00:22:23.660 meekness, 00:22:23.780 --> 00:22:24.500 and patience, 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:26.300 bearing with one another, 00:22:26.360 --> 00:22:28.140 and if one has a complaint against another, 00:22:28.320 --> 00:22:29.160 forgiving each other. 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:31.420 As the Lord has forgiven you, 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:32.960 so you also must forgive. 00:22:34.280 --> 00:22:35.019 And above all these, 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.700 put on love, 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:38.160 which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.680 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:42.360 to which indeed you were called in one body, 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:43.300 and be thankful. 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:46.059 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:48.319 teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, 00:22:48.559 --> 00:22:50.859 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:53.079 with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.440 And whatever you do, 00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:57.039 in word or deed, 00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:59.139 do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, 00:22:59.779 --> 00:23:02.180 giving thanks to God the Father through him. 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:06.139 And in a somewhat parallel passage to this, 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.559 over in Ephesians 5, 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:10.259 Paul is giving some instruction to husbands. 00:23:10.379 --> 00:23:10.599 He says, 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.019 Husbands, 00:23:11.139 --> 00:23:11.859 love your wives, 00:23:12.219 --> 00:23:13.259 as Christ loved the church, 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.359 and gave himself for her. 00:23:15.219 --> 00:23:19.719 So note something similar happening in both the Colossians passage we just read, 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:21.039 and in that verse in Ephesians. 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.619 And what it is, 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:26.199 is highlighted in verse 13 of Colossians 3. 00:23:27.139 --> 00:23:27.519 It says, 00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:29.599 Bearing with one another, 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:31.519 and if one has a complaint against another, 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:33.119 forgiving each other. 00:23:33.339 --> 00:23:33.980 And catch this, 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:36.579 as the Lord has forgiven you, 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:39.059 as the Lord has forgiven you, 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.579 so you also must forgive. 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.539 Catch that. 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:45.160 Paul is calling us here to the same type of forgiveness 00:23:45.160 --> 00:23:47.480 that the Lord has demonstrated. 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.920 That's massive. 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:52.319 Because think about the forgiveness that the Lord has shown us. 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:56.079 Remember that we have infinite offenses 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:58.700 against his great holiness. 00:23:58.700 --> 00:24:03.420 And he was the one who bore the suffering for it. 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.940 He bore the wrath of God. 00:24:06.039 --> 00:24:08.279 He took the full weight of what our sin, 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.460 which was directly against him, 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.519 was deserving of. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:16.359 And then because of his great love, 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.740 our sin is now wiped clean. 00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:21.799 He doesn't just leave us alone at that point. 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:23.420 He welcomes us into his family. 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.279 Fully knowing, 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:28.879 fully understanding even our present failings, 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.079 our future failings. 00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.779 It's not a conditional forgiveness. 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:35.339 It's not a conditional love. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:39.779 The love here in Ephesians that we just read about, right? 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:44.839 It says even like giving our own selves up, right? 00:24:44.899 --> 00:24:48.460 The highest thing we could do to love another person. 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:51.779 It's recalled to the same type of love, 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:55.559 the same type of forgiveness that the Lord has demonstrated. 00:24:58.619 --> 00:25:01.920 Think about the realities that we experience at times 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:06.259 of when we're maybe even legitimately trying to forgive someone. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:10.220 We often say we've forgiven someone, 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:12.879 but then we see a similar circumstance 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:14.680 or a similar struggle coming up, 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:16.680 and we remind ourselves 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:18.279 and sometimes even remind them 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:20.119 to our shame of the past situation 00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:22.079 and hold it against them. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:25.500 Or we say we've forgiven someone 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:29.980 and then simply choose to not be around them 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.079 or avoid them. 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:33.699 Or we say we've forgiven someone, 00:25:33.879 --> 00:25:36.960 but then we go and talk about them 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:38.279 to others through gossip. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:41.679 Or even more subtle 00:25:41.679 --> 00:25:44.259 and possibly more dangerous because of it, 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:46.699 we say we've forgiven someone, 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:48.939 but we harbor some sort of memory 00:25:48.939 --> 00:25:50.980 or the unforgiveness 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:53.519 or bitterness down deep in our hearts 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:55.460 and hold on to it 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:57.000 where it makes our hearts hard 00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:58.980 as it festers. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:03.099 This is not what we're called to. 00:26:03.599 --> 00:26:05.299 We're called to the same type 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.579 of forgiveness and love 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.720 that our Savior displayed. 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:11.099 And remember that our Lord 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:13.799 has not only chosen to do 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:15.319 whatever it took to ransom us, 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.819 but our debts are paid, 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:18.099 our sins are no more, right? 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.900 He doesn't remember them anymore. 00:26:20.880 --> 00:26:22.000 And then by the resurrection, 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.480 we are given new life. 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:25.099 We are reconciled to Him. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:27.980 And so because of that, 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.120 we are called to display 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:30.420 that same type 00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:32.180 of love and forgiveness. 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:34.039 To even go to the extent 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:35.700 to lay our own lives down 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:37.660 for the sake of others. 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:40.000 To truly reconcile 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.779 so much as it depends on us. 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:44.299 To demonstrate that same love 00:26:44.299 --> 00:26:45.500 that Christ has shown us. 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.120 We have to remember 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:50.059 that we're so undeserving. 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:52.460 And so when those around us 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:54.819 seem or are so undeserving, 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.579 we must love well. 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:58.179 Remember that we are 00:26:58.179 --> 00:27:00.179 the wretch that by God's 00:27:00.179 --> 00:27:00.839 marvelous love 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:01.879 is now God's treasure. 00:27:03.639 --> 00:27:04.759 It's by His grace 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.639 that we are part of His family. 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:07.639 Nothing good that we have done. 00:27:07.720 --> 00:27:08.419 It's His wounds 00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:09.319 that have paid our ransom. 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.759 And therefore, 00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:11.559 we should be willing 00:27:11.559 --> 00:27:12.599 to show that same grace, 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.439 that same love, 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.199 that same mercy 00:27:14.199 --> 00:27:16.000 to those around us 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.000 who, yes, 00:27:17.139 --> 00:27:17.699 have wronged us. 00:27:17.779 --> 00:27:19.460 None of us deserve anything. 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:22.840 Those who have hurt us so much 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.779 are those that are 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.400 incredibly inconvenient to love. 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.240 And when those relationships 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.059 are so hard, 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:30.340 we can so often 00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:30.940 help each other 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.799 by simply choosing 00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.539 to show grace, 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.460 to show love, 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.140 show undeserved kindness. 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.720 1 Peter 4.8 says, 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.539 Above all, 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.620 keep loving one another earnestly 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:42.380 since love covers 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:43.600 a multitude of sins. 00:27:44.439 --> 00:27:44.559 Right? 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:47.059 At a time when Jesus 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.839 was getting closer 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:49.299 and closer to the cross, 00:27:49.959 --> 00:27:50.779 He made this statement 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:52.500 in John chapter 13, 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:54.000 verses 34 and 35. 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:55.919 He said, 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.579 A new commandment I give to you, 00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.719 that you love one another. 00:27:59.159 --> 00:28:00.439 Just as I have loved you, 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.779 you also are to love one another. 00:28:03.879 --> 00:28:04.500 By this, 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.539 all people will know 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:06.539 that you are my disciples, 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.139 if you have love 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:08.959 for one another. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.259 Know that Jesus 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.740 is just as firm 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.660 in this statement 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.460 as the passages 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:16.180 that Paul wrote earlier, 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:16.819 that, well, 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:17.339 Paul wrote, 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.460 that we read earlier. 00:28:19.720 --> 00:28:20.740 Just as He had loved 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.259 the disciples 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:22.900 and now just as He loved us, 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.120 that is the same love 00:28:24.120 --> 00:28:25.019 that we are called to. 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:27.740 To give out all of ourselves 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:29.539 for the sake of others' souls. 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.400 And after all of that, 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:33.579 note something, 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.200 I think, 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:36.099 really convicting for me 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.740 and for, 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:37.720 I'm sure, 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.240 many of us. 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.220 Note that our Lord explains 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.160 that this is how people 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.559 will know 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.839 that we are truly following Him. 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.119 They will feel that 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:44.759 they must truly be following Christ 00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.859 as they see our love 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.539 for each other. 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.699 And being real with ourselves, 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.720 I know myself, 00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:55.419 and I feel like our 00:28:55.419 --> 00:28:56.679 CFC church culture 00:28:56.679 --> 00:28:57.439 and our church culture 00:28:57.439 --> 00:28:57.879 as a whole 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:58.980 can often be really heavy 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.500 in knowledge. 00:29:00.159 --> 00:29:01.319 We've heard Nathan's reference 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:03.259 to babies with large heads 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.599 time and time again, right? 00:29:06.980 --> 00:29:08.039 That's often us. 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:11.180 So I'd like to try 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:11.879 to land the sermon 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:12.379 a little bit 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:13.440 by looking at a passage 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:15.159 that reminds us 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:16.859 of all of the outworkings, 00:29:16.920 --> 00:29:17.700 the characteristics 00:29:17.700 --> 00:29:19.039 of love. 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.940 So the typical love passage, 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.039 1 Corinthians 13. 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:24.539 So turn there. 00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:27.099 1 Corinthians 13. 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:34.219 We're going to look at 00:29:34.219 --> 00:29:35.699 the first seven verses here. 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.359 It says, 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.319 If I speak in the tongues 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.719 of men and of angels 00:29:43.719 --> 00:29:44.899 but have not love, 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.559 I am a noisy gong 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.699 or a clanging cymbal. 00:29:48.699 --> 00:29:50.219 If I have prophetic powers 00:29:50.219 --> 00:29:51.479 and understand all mysteries 00:29:51.479 --> 00:29:52.559 and all knowledge, 00:29:52.659 --> 00:29:53.659 and if I have all faith 00:29:53.659 --> 00:29:55.219 so as to remove mountains 00:29:55.219 --> 00:29:56.240 but have not love, 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.419 I'm nothing. 00:29:58.419 --> 00:29:59.839 If I give away all I have 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:01.019 and if I deliver up my body 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.579 to be burned 00:30:01.579 --> 00:30:02.500 but have not love, 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.259 I gain nothing. 00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:05.059 Love is patient 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:06.039 and kind. 00:30:06.859 --> 00:30:07.679 Love does not envy 00:30:07.679 --> 00:30:08.279 or boast. 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.639 It is not arrogant 00:30:09.639 --> 00:30:10.200 or rude. 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.920 It does not insist 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.720 on its own way. 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:14.099 It is not irritable 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:14.819 or resentful. 00:30:15.399 --> 00:30:16.420 It does not rejoice 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.019 at wrongdoing 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.759 but rejoices 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.539 with the truth. 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.619 Love bears all things, 00:30:20.879 --> 00:30:21.779 believes all things, 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.839 hopes all things, 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.660 endures all things. 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:27.599 Ultimately, 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:30.319 this describes 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.639 the love that Christ 00:30:31.639 --> 00:30:32.819 has for us 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:34.379 and we must be 00:30:34.379 --> 00:30:35.339 living out that love, 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.420 that love that he has shown us, 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.420 a love that continues 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:38.180 to love 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:39.980 no matter what. 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:43.120 He has bestowed 00:30:43.120 --> 00:30:44.299 such great love 00:30:44.299 --> 00:30:44.799 upon us 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.740 by paying the ultimate 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.140 sacrifice of his blood 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.960 which ultimately leads 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.640 to our forgiveness 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:51.039 and our reconciliation. 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:53.600 Let's model the same 00:30:53.600 --> 00:30:54.180 for each other. 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.320 This is 00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:57.279 not an easy thing. 00:30:58.320 --> 00:30:59.220 Thinking back to 00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:00.000 even this morning, 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:01.660 Margaret and I 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.400 had some conflict 00:31:02.400 --> 00:31:03.480 that was entirely 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.140 my fault 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:07.020 and I was astounded 00:31:07.020 --> 00:31:07.560 at when 00:31:07.560 --> 00:31:08.820 I started to 00:31:08.820 --> 00:31:09.920 remind myself 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.740 and when we together 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:12.060 were remembering 00:31:12.060 --> 00:31:13.100 the love 00:31:13.100 --> 00:31:13.780 that Christ 00:31:13.780 --> 00:31:15.520 had for us, 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:16.900 how quickly 00:31:16.900 --> 00:31:17.600 we reconciled 00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:19.780 because we understand 00:31:19.780 --> 00:31:21.740 who we are, 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.640 how undeserving 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.140 of grace 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:24.120 that we are 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:26.060 in the scheme 00:31:26.060 --> 00:31:26.740 of looking 00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:27.520 at God's holiness 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:29.460 and in light 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:29.720 of that, 00:31:29.779 --> 00:31:30.440 how we can truly 00:31:30.440 --> 00:31:31.379 forgive each other 00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:33.599 no matter what 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:34.099 the offense. 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.460 And so it's hard. 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.740 It's hard to show 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.279 this love 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:39.740 and I think 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.700 the reason why 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.119 is because 00:31:41.119 --> 00:31:42.579 we are humans, 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.000 right? 00:31:43.400 --> 00:31:44.160 We are sinful. 00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:46.480 We make mistakes. 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:47.440 We consistently 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.180 go against 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.980 our new nature. 00:31:51.100 --> 00:31:52.120 But this is the love 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.740 that we're called to, 00:31:52.820 --> 00:31:53.779 the same love 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.720 that Christ 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.460 has shown us. 00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:56.779 Go ahead 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.640 and grab your bulletins. 00:31:59.820 --> 00:32:00.460 There's a quote 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:00.920 on it 00:32:00.920 --> 00:32:03.100 by Jonathan Edwards. 00:32:06.300 --> 00:32:07.060 I think it goes 00:32:07.060 --> 00:32:07.580 very well 00:32:07.580 --> 00:32:07.880 with this 00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:08.440 first Corinthians 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.840 passage. 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.279 It says, 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.160 All of the fruits 00:32:11.160 --> 00:32:11.700 of the Spirit 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.300 which we are 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:12.900 to lay weight 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.240 upon 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.000 as evidential 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.539 of grace 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.640 are summed up 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.200 in charity 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.460 or Christian love 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.440 because 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.839 this is the sum 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.720 of all grace. 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:22.620 So this season, 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.460 let's look well 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.299 to Christ's 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.059 perfect example 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:25.539 of love 00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.900 and in doing that, 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.920 looking to his example, 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:29.079 show that same love 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.900 for each other. 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.000 So let's pray.