WEBVTT 00:00:00.100 --> 00:00:07.060 Well, good morning, church. Let me invite you to turn with me to the book of 1 John. 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:12.919 Our sermon text today is 1 John, chapter 2, verses 3 through 11. 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:17.379 1 John, chapter 2, verses 3 through 11. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:23.440 I'm going to read that first, and then I'll pray for us. 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:53.420 1 John, chapter 2, verses 3 through 11. 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:58.739 Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 00:01:00.619 --> 00:01:05.980 Beloved, I am writing to you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:09.019 The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 00:01:09.979 --> 00:01:16.680 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, 00:01:16.920 --> 00:01:22.239 because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:27.239 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:33.859 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 00:01:34.980 --> 00:01:40.560 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in darkness and does not know where he is going, 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:43.579 because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 00:01:43.579 --> 00:01:46.239 All right, let's pray together. 00:01:51.120 --> 00:01:55.920 Father, we just sang that our soul might be satisfied in you alone. 00:01:57.679 --> 00:01:59.000 Lord, that is a mighty prayer. 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:06.299 And we ask now that as we come to your word, your Holy Spirit would give us clarity and understanding and grace 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:09.719 as we come to understand what the Apostle John has written here, 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:12.680 not just for his time, but for the church of all time. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:16.400 And Lord, we pray that as a result, our obedience to you would grow, 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:19.599 and our soul would indeed be satisfied in you alone. 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:21.680 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:22.259 Amen. 00:02:22.259 --> 00:02:22.400 Amen. 00:02:22.400 --> 00:02:33.900 So what is the great evidence or sign that someone truly knows God? 00:02:35.640 --> 00:02:38.060 That's what John is getting at in this section, 00:02:38.219 --> 00:02:40.159 and really that's what he's getting at in this whole book. 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:44.020 How can we tell if we genuinely know God? 00:02:45.480 --> 00:02:49.219 Notice John has a few ways of talking about what it means to know God, 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:55.659 and we see right away that we're not talking about merely intellectual knowledge about God. 00:02:57.060 --> 00:03:01.960 No, John has in mind an intimate, saving relationship with God. 00:03:02.900 --> 00:03:05.599 In verse 5, he speaks of the love of God, 00:03:05.740 --> 00:03:09.340 which in this context means the love that believers have for God. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:12.079 And in verse 6, he talks about abiding in God, 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:16.020 abiding like the roots of a tree, abiding in the rich soil of a garden. 00:03:16.020 --> 00:03:19.600 And in verse 9, he talks about being in the light, 00:03:19.800 --> 00:03:21.580 basking in the warmth of God's presence. 00:03:21.780 --> 00:03:27.040 So John's talking about an intimate relationship with God, knowing God. 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:30.879 Friends, this is the heart of Christianity, 00:03:31.200 --> 00:03:37.400 that humans, you and I, can have this sort of relationship with God, our Creator. 00:03:38.840 --> 00:03:42.480 A relationship that at the start of the book, John describes as fellowship. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:44.879 And what is fellowship in the Bible? 00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:48.299 Fellowship is sharing something in common, 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:52.539 that we can actually share something in common with God. 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:58.579 But the message of Christianity is not just that humans as creatures can have this sort of 00:03:58.579 --> 00:04:00.500 intimate relationship with God, their Creator, 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:07.439 but even that humans as sinners can have this sort of intimate relationship with God. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:11.000 Remember the passage that we looked at last week? 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:11.519 John says, 00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:13.960 If anyone says they have no sin, they deceive themselves. 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:18.120 We've all disobeyed God's perfect and good commands. 00:04:18.699 --> 00:04:21.680 And we all stand condemned before God's perfect justice. 00:04:23.060 --> 00:04:26.120 Yet the heart of Christianity is that sinners like you and me, 00:04:26.220 --> 00:04:31.840 who deserve condemnation, can be welcomed into intimate, loving fellowship with God. 00:04:31.900 --> 00:04:33.240 We can know God. 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:37.240 But how can that be? 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:48.439 Well, you know, it's easy to think that surely the way into this kind of relationship with God is that we have to reform our lives 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:50.879 and work hard to be moral and good, 00:04:50.980 --> 00:04:54.000 and then perhaps God will turn around and accept us. 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:57.259 But that's not how it's done. 00:04:58.079 --> 00:05:01.540 It couldn't be that way, because our good works could never be good enough. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:06.399 And besides, how could our good works cover over the wrongs that we've done? 00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:11.180 You know, imagine that I were to rob a bank. 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:13.120 I'd probably be a really bad bank robber, 00:05:13.180 --> 00:05:15.279 but just imagine that I were to go and rob a bank, 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:18.299 and there I go, I head running out of the doors, 00:05:18.559 --> 00:05:20.739 and as I escape the scene of the crime, 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:23.199 I see an elderly person crossing the street, 00:05:23.479 --> 00:05:26.000 and they look like they're having a tough time. 00:05:26.079 --> 00:05:28.719 So I pause, and I let them cross, you know, 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:31.699 because I'm that kind of guy after robbing a bank. 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:35.439 Well, a few blocks later, the police catch up with me, 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:37.539 and they arrest me, and they bring me before the judge. 00:05:37.979 --> 00:05:39.419 And imagine my defense. 00:05:40.539 --> 00:05:43.939 Judge, I know I've committed this great crime robbing this bank, 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:47.800 and you've caught me, but you see, I did some good deeds, actually. 00:05:48.079 --> 00:05:50.279 I even helped an elderly person cross the street 00:05:50.279 --> 00:05:52.339 right outside the bank that I robbed. 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:55.779 Surely that should cover over my crimes, right? 00:05:55.839 --> 00:05:56.720 And you'll let me go. 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:01.779 Well, obviously, this is a silly illustration, right? 00:06:01.779 --> 00:06:02.540 But you get the point. 00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:06.439 Good deeds, no matter how good, 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:09.000 don't erase the very real wrong that's been done. 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:12.659 And that's true for us before God. 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:16.680 Thinking that we can simply reform our lives, 00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:19.060 and that that will get us into a relationship with God 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:22.060 is like thinking that helping the elderly person cross the street 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:24.040 will cancel out our crimes of robbery. 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:24.759 It won't. 00:06:27.180 --> 00:06:28.680 And the sad reality, as friends, 00:06:28.740 --> 00:06:30.699 is that we've robbed God of His glory. 00:06:32.379 --> 00:06:33.500 We've disobeyed Him. 00:06:33.579 --> 00:06:34.480 We've ignored Him. 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:38.480 We've lived our lives without any reference to Him, 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:42.860 even though we depend on God for everything, every second. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:46.939 What could possibly cancel that debt? 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:51.180 And the truth is, it can't come from our side. 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:55.480 There's nothing we can offer as humans to get back into God's favor. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:00.379 But here is the stunning message of Christianity, 00:07:01.159 --> 00:07:04.620 that in love, God makes a way. 00:07:06.040 --> 00:07:09.000 He sees us in our sin, buried under a debt we can't pay, 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:11.000 and in mercy, He comes to pay it. 00:07:11.800 --> 00:07:13.879 And since death is the punishment for sin, 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:17.240 Christ dies willingly in our place 00:07:17.240 --> 00:07:19.860 to deliver us from the penalty of sin 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:21.579 and bring us back to God. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:25.860 He's the propitiation for our sins, 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:29.540 as John has just written a couple verses ago in verse 2. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:34.280 And if you understand that word, propitiation, 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:39.220 you are staring right at the heart of the most glorious thing 00:07:39.220 --> 00:07:41.340 that has ever happened in human history, 00:07:41.820 --> 00:07:45.640 that Christ has died to turn away 00:07:45.640 --> 00:07:48.560 the just wrath of God against human sin 00:07:48.560 --> 00:07:51.120 and bring us back into God's favor. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:55.139 And this is how Christianity is so different 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:57.480 than all the old pagan religions of John's day 00:07:57.480 --> 00:07:59.780 and even every other religion down to our day. 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:02.439 Because you see, Christ, the sacrifice, 00:08:02.840 --> 00:08:04.800 is God the Son, one with the Father. 00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:07.620 So that means Christ is not some helpless victim, 00:08:08.280 --> 00:08:12.000 unwillingly sacrificed to appease a capricious God, 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:15.980 like, you know, the Greeks sacrificing 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:18.220 before they go storm Troy, you know, 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:20.019 trying to appease the capricious gods. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:23.399 No, Christ is fully God. 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:26.659 In Christ, God himself makes the payment. 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:29.620 God himself provides the sacrifice. 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:32.340 God himself bears the penalty 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:34.179 and bears it away once and for all, 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:37.419 for everyone who admits their sin and trusts in Christ. 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:40.860 And because of what Christ has done, 00:08:40.939 --> 00:08:44.240 it's as if the doors of heaven have been flung open wide 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:45.799 for all to enter. 00:08:46.740 --> 00:08:48.659 Come to me, Christ says, 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:50.399 and I will give you rest. 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:54.879 Sinners can now come into an intimate relationship 00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:56.319 with the holy God, their creator, 00:08:56.919 --> 00:08:58.779 on the basis of sheer grace 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:01.379 and live in fellowship with him forever, 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:04.259 starting right now. 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:09.039 But how do you know? 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:12.860 How do you know that you really know God? 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:18.740 Is there any sign that this grace of God in Jesus Christ 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:21.179 is alive in a person's heart, 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:24.799 really uniting them to Father and Son and fellowship? 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.279 Because you know it's possible, of course, 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:28.600 to say you know God, 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:30.039 but not really know him. 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:33.919 It's possible to have these things up here in your head, 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:36.139 but not really possess them in your heart. 00:09:36.199 --> 00:09:38.139 It's possible to know about God. 00:09:39.199 --> 00:09:43.000 It's possible to know about the good news of Jesus Christ, 00:09:43.079 --> 00:09:44.559 to know about the gospel. 00:09:44.559 --> 00:09:47.759 It's possible to know about God, 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:50.979 but not really know God. 00:09:53.219 --> 00:09:54.079 So what is it? 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:56.399 What's the sign, or at least one good sign, 00:09:57.119 --> 00:09:59.259 that we really have come to know God in Christ? 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:04.600 Well, for John, the answer is simple and profound. 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:07.659 And in fact, it might even seem a little mundane at first, 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:08.679 a little too simple. 00:10:09.819 --> 00:10:11.340 But for John, here it is. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:13.019 Verse 3, 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:16.000 By this we know that we have come to know him. 00:10:16.200 --> 00:10:16.580 How? 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:19.679 If we keep his commandments. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.500 If we keep his commandments. 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:28.960 Not if we have mountaintop spiritual experiences, right? 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:31.220 Although there's nothing wrong with those when they come. 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:35.919 Not if we experience miraculous gifts in our life, 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:38.700 although God certainly does miraculous things. 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:43.500 Not if we have a deep knowledge of systematic theology, 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:48.100 although every Christian should seek a deep grasp of biblical truths. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:50.200 No, the criteria, the evidence, 00:10:50.200 --> 00:10:53.240 that someone really knows God through the gospel of grace 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:56.360 is that they keep his commandments. 00:11:00.039 --> 00:11:03.080 Now, John unpacks this in three ways in the rest of this section. 00:11:03.939 --> 00:11:05.799 Notice there are three times where the phrase, 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:08.679 whoever says, appears in our text. 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:09.919 Whoever says. 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:14.059 You find that in verse 4, and in verse 6, and in verse 9. 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:18.120 And we'll take those as the markers of the outline of the passage. 00:11:18.120 --> 00:11:21.159 And basically what John says in summary is that 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:24.960 keeping God's commands is the evidence of really knowing God. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:29.879 Because one, it's the natural overflow of loving the Father, 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.879 and two, of abiding in God the Son, 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:36.740 and three, of walking in the light. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:41.139 Keeping God's commands really is the evidence of knowing God. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:44.379 Because it's the natural overflow of loving God the Father, 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.720 and abiding in God the Son, 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:46.740 and of walking in the light. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:48.899 So let's look at the first of those together. 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.639 Loving God the Father. 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:52.899 Look again at verse 4 and 5. 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:55.259 Whoever says, I know him, but does not keep his commandments, 00:11:55.540 --> 00:11:57.639 is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 00:11:58.300 --> 00:12:00.060 But whoever keeps his word in him, 00:12:00.139 --> 00:12:02.139 truly the love of God is perfected. 00:12:02.779 --> 00:12:04.540 Now, John's pretty blunt, isn't he? 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:06.720 He's maybe a little more blunt than some of us care to be. 00:12:07.620 --> 00:12:10.040 If you say you know God, but you don't keep his commandments, 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:12.700 you're a liar, and the truth is not in you. 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:13.180 Ouch. 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:19.340 Now, let's be sure we understand what John means here. 00:12:19.400 --> 00:12:20.180 Let's be precise. 00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:22.920 Just a few verses earlier at the end of chapter 1, 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:23.800 John said, 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:25.600 If we say we have no sin, 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:28.180 we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 00:12:29.400 --> 00:12:31.520 In other words, everyone, even Christians, 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.980 will continue to sin. 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:35.580 We will break God's commands. 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:38.720 We'll never reach sinless perfection in this life. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:42.759 Though all our sins have been forgiven through the cross of Christ, 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:45.180 sin still remains. 00:12:46.680 --> 00:12:49.980 And this indwelling sin will at times get the upper hand, 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:50.860 and we will fall. 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:54.360 And when we do, we run back to the cross 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:56.759 and find God's mercy to be fresh and new. 00:12:58.160 --> 00:12:59.420 Right after John says, 00:12:59.540 --> 00:13:01.740 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.759 and the truth is not in us, 00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:03.160 he says, 00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:04.879 If we confess our sins, 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:07.919 he's faithful and just to forgive us our sins 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:09.899 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:13.719 Now, John isn't saying that we lose our salvation 00:13:13.719 --> 00:13:15.120 when we sin as Christians. 00:13:15.899 --> 00:13:18.879 God's sovereign grace that made you a child of God 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:20.419 cannot be overturned. 00:13:21.799 --> 00:13:24.299 But we certainly can lose our assurance 00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:26.939 and our sense of peace before God. 00:13:27.819 --> 00:13:30.240 And many of us who have followed Christ for a long time 00:13:30.240 --> 00:13:32.360 know what that feels like when we fall into sin. 00:13:32.360 --> 00:13:36.080 And so we continue to confess our sins, 00:13:36.340 --> 00:13:39.820 and we continue to be amazed by God's abundant grace. 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.899 So when John writes, 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.320 Whoever says I know him 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:46.320 but does not keep his commandments is a liar, 00:13:46.759 --> 00:13:48.480 he's not talking about a Christian 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:50.659 who fights against indwelling sin 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:52.440 and at times loses the fight 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:54.500 and who gets back up and keeps fighting. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:58.220 No, he's talking about a person who says 00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.560 they know God, 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:02.939 but they don't care about keeping his commandments. 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:06.399 Or they pick or choose which commandments 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.739 they want to abide by. 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:10.719 Or maybe they even actively reject 00:14:10.719 --> 00:14:12.919 some of the clear commandments of Scripture. 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:16.479 If someone says they know God 00:14:16.479 --> 00:14:20.079 but actively rejects what God's Word says about 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:22.819 generosity and money, for example, 00:14:23.519 --> 00:14:25.259 or sex and marriage, 00:14:25.979 --> 00:14:27.679 or truthfulness and integrity, 00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:30.399 or forgiveness and reconciliation, 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:32.860 if someone actively rejects 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:35.219 or just doesn't care about God's clear commands, 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:38.060 then John says their profession to know God 00:14:38.060 --> 00:14:39.899 is empty and hollow. 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:46.259 Now, of course, people who profess to know God 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.940 but reject or ignore his commands 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.960 can be very nice 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:50.960 and very knowledgeable 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:54.340 and very socially concerned and aware. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.139 That's true. 00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:59.000 But friends, niceness 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:00.759 and knowledge 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:02.620 and social awareness 00:15:02.620 --> 00:15:04.560 are not 00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:06.960 sure and certain criteria 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.940 of genuinely knowing 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:10.040 the God of the Bible. 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:13.019 It's keeping his commands. 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.120 But why? 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:16.920 Why that one? 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:20.080 Well, look at verse 5. 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:21.420 Whoever keeps his word, 00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:22.620 in him truly, 00:15:22.699 --> 00:15:24.399 the love of God is perfected. 00:15:24.699 --> 00:15:26.000 Now, it's not immediately clear 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.799 when John says the love of God 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:28.799 if he's talking about 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:30.659 God's love for us 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:32.519 or our love for God. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.019 That phrase, 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.759 the love of God, 00:15:33.839 --> 00:15:35.279 grammatically could mean either. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:36.419 Either God's love for us 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:37.339 or our love for God. 00:15:37.599 --> 00:15:38.759 And either could make sense. 00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:42.500 If John means God's love for us 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.959 is perfect or completed 00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:45.199 when we obey his commands, 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:47.799 then it would seem that John 00:15:47.799 --> 00:15:49.919 is reminding us of a beautiful truth 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.979 about God's love and grace. 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:54.159 Which is this. 00:15:54.979 --> 00:15:56.339 That God accepts us 00:15:56.339 --> 00:15:57.360 as we are. 00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:59.459 But he doesn't leave us 00:15:59.459 --> 00:16:00.019 as we are. 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.759 His love accepts us 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.860 and immediately begins 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:05.719 to transform and change us. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:07.419 Change us more and more 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:08.620 into people who delight 00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.719 to keep his commands 00:16:09.719 --> 00:16:10.919 even when it's costly 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.579 or unpopular. 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.539 The love of God, you see, 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:15.279 is like a swift river. 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:18.360 When you step into it, 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:21.039 you don't stay in the same place. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:23.120 It picks you up 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:24.860 and it carries you downstream. 00:16:25.659 --> 00:16:27.339 It's a love that changes you 00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:28.819 and transports you 00:16:28.819 --> 00:16:29.980 and transforms you. 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:32.799 It's a love that picks you up 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:33.659 in its current 00:16:33.659 --> 00:16:35.259 and sweeps you along 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:37.000 and it makes the hard-hearted 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.819 and unforgiving, 00:16:37.959 --> 00:16:39.500 it makes them soft 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.240 and compassionate. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:42.139 It makes the heart 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.799 that's desperate for approval 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:45.399 safe and secure. 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:47.519 And it makes the heart 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:49.060 that clings to worldly goods 00:16:49.060 --> 00:16:50.560 for control and for power 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:52.539 generous and open-handed. 00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:56.399 This is God the Father's love 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.299 for us in Christ. 00:16:57.940 --> 00:16:58.919 Changes us. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.680 But in verse 5, 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.919 John could also mean 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:05.859 our love for God. 00:17:06.779 --> 00:17:07.960 And that's probably 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.839 what he means. 00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.359 A little later in this letter, 00:17:10.459 --> 00:17:11.119 John will write 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:12.539 pretty much the same thing 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.899 in chapter 5, verse 3. 00:17:14.419 --> 00:17:15.899 For this is the love of God, 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.259 meaning our love for God, 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:18.339 this is the love of God, 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:19.679 that we keep his commandments. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.279 And his commandments 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.379 are not burdensome. 00:17:23.599 --> 00:17:24.159 In other words, 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.500 what it means, 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.519 this is what it means 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:28.359 for us to love God. 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:31.699 That our love for God 00:17:31.699 --> 00:17:33.059 naturally leads 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.539 to keeping his commands. 00:17:35.699 --> 00:17:36.679 Jesus said the same thing 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:37.740 in John chapter 14 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.599 that Nick read for us 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:39.359 earlier in the service. 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:41.299 If anyone loves me, 00:17:41.359 --> 00:17:41.839 Jesus says, 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.740 he will keep my word. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.339 Pretty straightforward. 00:17:47.960 --> 00:17:48.640 You see, friends, 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.599 here's the secret 00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:52.019 of Christian obedience. 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:56.720 It's not done begrudgingly 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.980 or out of sheer duty 00:17:58.980 --> 00:18:00.339 as if we just sort of 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.339 white-knuckle it 00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:04.119 and begrudgingly obey. 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:08.359 No, it's done 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:10.519 because we love 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.939 the one who tells us 00:18:11.939 --> 00:18:12.539 these things. 00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.399 True obedience 00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.379 doesn't flow 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:16.159 from a heart 00:18:16.159 --> 00:18:17.000 that's afraid 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.259 we'll lose God's favor 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.720 and acceptance 00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.439 if we fail. 00:18:19.679 --> 00:18:20.839 It flows from a heart 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:22.159 that's so enraptured 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:23.480 and in awe 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.159 of the one 00:18:24.159 --> 00:18:24.759 who would love us 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.299 so much 00:18:25.299 --> 00:18:25.799 that he sent 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.679 his only son 00:18:26.679 --> 00:18:28.079 to die for our sins. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:30.980 We see how good 00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.819 and how trustworthy 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.720 this God is 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.259 in the gospel 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.500 and we delight then 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:36.480 to listen to his words 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:36.960 and obey 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:39.699 because they must be 00:18:39.699 --> 00:18:40.419 for our good. 00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:42.159 How could they not 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:42.859 be for our good? 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:44.059 How could this God, 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.000 the God who gave 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:45.819 his only son, 00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:46.839 not want 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:48.779 our absolute best? 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.699 So in love, 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.799 we keep his commands 00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:54.839 and they aren't burdensome. 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:57.939 If you've ever been in love, 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.859 you know exactly 00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:00.159 what John's talking about, 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.619 don't you? 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:03.159 When you're madly 00:19:03.159 --> 00:19:04.119 in love with someone, 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.740 they could tell you 00:19:05.740 --> 00:19:07.619 to drive to Milwaukee 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:09.299 for their favorite sandwich 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:11.039 and you'd start Googling 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.099 the best route, right? 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.240 How do I get there? 00:19:13.879 --> 00:19:14.699 You like the sandwich 00:19:14.699 --> 00:19:15.359 from Milwaukee? 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:15.959 Let's go. 00:19:16.059 --> 00:19:16.639 Let's do it. 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.259 Why? 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.659 Because that's just 00:19:21.659 --> 00:19:22.519 what love does. 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:24.480 It delights to do 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.599 the will of the beloved. 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.599 In fact, 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.920 if love doesn't result 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:31.240 in that sort of action, 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:33.319 then we'd question 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:34.339 if it's really love, 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:34.779 wouldn't we? 00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.759 If your spouse 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.799 asks you to do something, 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:38.879 hey, do this thing for me. 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.559 It's really important. 00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.059 And you say, 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:41.599 you know, 00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:42.539 I'm busy right now 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.799 playing some video games. 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.420 I've got to find 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.299 the next geoglyph 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:47.559 to make sure Zelda's okay. 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.379 You know, 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:49.180 you switch players, 00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:50.180 you know what I'm talking about. 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:52.920 Well, 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:54.019 anyone would begin 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.099 to question your love 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.119 after a time, right? 00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:58.200 Do you really love this person 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.980 if you're not eager 00:19:58.980 --> 00:20:00.480 to listen and keep their word? 00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:05.000 John's making the same point 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.019 about our relationship 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.779 with God. 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.220 The reason why 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:10.099 keeping his commands 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:11.440 is a surefire evidence 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.460 that we've really come 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.059 to know God 00:20:13.059 --> 00:20:14.119 in the gospel of grace 00:20:14.119 --> 00:20:15.160 is because it's 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.200 the natural result 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.599 of genuinely loving God 00:20:17.599 --> 00:20:18.859 who loves us so much. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:22.159 love is perfected, 00:20:22.679 --> 00:20:23.179 John writes. 00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:23.500 That is, 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:25.299 it's brought to completion 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:27.899 in delighting 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.879 to do his will. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.779 It doesn't just stay 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:33.439 in the conceptual, 00:20:33.719 --> 00:20:34.240 emotional, 00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:35.579 feeling realm. 00:20:35.699 --> 00:20:37.399 It expresses itself 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.419 in action. 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:43.199 Now, before we go 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:44.179 to John's next point, 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:45.039 there's a practical 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.979 application here. 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:48.500 If you're a Christian 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.360 and you're struggling 00:20:49.360 --> 00:20:50.019 to obey 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:51.740 in a certain area, 00:20:52.860 --> 00:20:54.500 one of the best things 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.420 you can do 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:58.180 is work to rekindle 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.559 your love for God. 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:02.539 And really, 00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.519 the most certain way 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.339 to do that 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:05.779 is to return 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:08.019 to the gospel itself, 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:10.299 Christ crucified for you, 00:21:10.819 --> 00:21:12.400 to set your mind 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:14.140 on those things 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:15.099 until it gets down 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.940 into your heart. 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.880 And begins to kindle 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:19.480 your love for God again. 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.220 Perhaps, for example, 00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:22.839 you're struggling 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.900 with what God says 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:25.059 about marriage 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:26.420 and sexuality, perhaps. 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:28.319 Maybe you can't understand 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:30.160 why God would limit 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:31.380 something like sex 00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:32.000 to marriage 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:33.500 or why God would limit 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.599 marriage to a man 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.019 and a woman. 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.799 It all seems so confusing 00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:37.759 and so hard 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.940 and you're just struggling. 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.500 And friend, I get it. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.720 We all wrestle 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.660 with those questions. 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:46.580 And you know, 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.620 there are really good 00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.640 theological answers 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.500 to those questions 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:50.580 and there are really good 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:51.480 practical answers 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.600 to those questions too. 00:21:54.160 --> 00:21:55.779 But the place to start 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:58.100 is with God Himself. 00:21:59.800 --> 00:22:01.420 Do you see that this God 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:02.279 is good 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:03.600 and trustworthy? 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.900 Do you see how 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:07.240 He took on flesh 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:10.060 to become your true lover, 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.339 your true spouse, 00:22:11.460 --> 00:22:12.579 faithful to the end? 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:14.579 That He came 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:15.500 and He loved you 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.899 at the greatest cost 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:17.519 to Himself 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:19.339 so that He might 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.480 take you to Himself 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.679 and make you 00:22:21.679 --> 00:22:22.940 His eternal bride. 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.980 And He even bled 00:22:24.980 --> 00:22:25.519 and died 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.220 to make sure 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:27.639 that you'd never be alone, 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:29.019 never be rejected 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:30.299 for all eternity. 00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:33.799 And when your heart 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.980 starts to kindle 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:36.059 in love 00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.299 for this God 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.940 who loved you 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:39.779 so well, 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:43.399 then you can begin 00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:44.159 to trust Him. 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.440 Trust Him 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:48.379 that His limits, 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.039 for example, 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:49.819 around marriage 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.799 and sexuality 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.759 might be confusing, 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:52.299 might be countercultural, 00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.619 but they're good. 00:22:54.879 --> 00:22:55.740 They're good 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.980 because He is good. 00:22:56.980 --> 00:23:01.380 And so the path 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:01.980 of obedience 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.819 is walked 00:23:02.819 --> 00:23:04.259 along the path 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.920 of love. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.140 Kindle a heart 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.279 of love for God 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:09.740 through worship, 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.640 through meditation 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.339 on Scripture, 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:13.799 through prayer 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.380 and communion 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.120 with God, 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.279 through fellowship 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.200 with other believers. 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:20.019 The road of obedience 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.860 will still be hard 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:21.319 at times, 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:21.860 it's true, 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:23.220 but underneath 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:25.360 you'll feel 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.960 that swift current 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.319 that river 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.480 of God's love 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:31.480 that carries you along 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.960 even when it's hard. 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:36.900 Now, 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:37.740 for the sake of time, 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.720 we're going to move quickly 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.579 through John's 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:40.539 next two points, 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.579 but, you know, 00:23:41.600 --> 00:23:42.279 the good news is 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:42.860 is that John 00:23:42.860 --> 00:23:44.220 weaves his themes 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.180 throughout this book, 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.079 so we'll be returning 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.720 to these themes 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.420 again and again 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:47.920 and we'll be able 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.759 to go much deeper, 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:50.039 but let's see 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:51.100 how John finishes up 00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:51.960 here in our passage. 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.319 In our next verse, 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:53.980 we have John's 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.620 second point, 00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.480 that keeping God's commands 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.099 is evidence 00:23:57.099 --> 00:23:58.360 of truly knowing God 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.860 because it's the natural 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.440 overflow, 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:02.059 not just of love 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.779 for God the Father, 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.839 but of abiding 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.880 in God the Son. 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.620 Let's pick up 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.660 at the end of verse 5. 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.819 By this we know 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.599 that we are in Him. 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:09.880 Whoever says 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:11.120 he abides in Him 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:12.559 ought to walk 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.579 in the same way 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:14.900 in which He walked. 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.279 Now, 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.779 John is talking 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.620 about Jesus here. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.700 Remember John 15 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.420 where Jesus talks 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.559 about abiding in Him 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.599 like a branch 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.819 abides in the vine. 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:24.000 Well, 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:24.380 John says, 00:24:24.380 --> 00:24:24.860 if we say 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:25.760 we abide in Jesus, 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.360 then surely 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.220 we ought to walk 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.300 in the same way 00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:29.580 in which He walked. 00:24:30.440 --> 00:24:31.320 And how was that? 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:32.420 How did Jesus walk? 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.640 Well, 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.080 if you read 00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:33.840 the four Gospels, 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.160 especially the Gospel of John, 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:37.240 you see that Jesus' life 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.180 was animated 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:40.440 by one central, 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:42.160 overriding desire. 00:24:42.840 --> 00:24:44.300 The thing that drove Him 00:24:44.300 --> 00:24:45.380 and guided Him, 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.600 His aim 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.540 and His mission 00:24:47.540 --> 00:24:49.820 was to fulfill 00:24:49.820 --> 00:24:51.460 His Father's will. 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:53.819 There's lots of verses 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.420 we could cite, 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.940 but perhaps the most poignant 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.100 is when Jesus is praying 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:58.200 in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:24:58.840 --> 00:24:59.860 And there in the Garden, 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:01.779 Jesus says 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.539 in His hour 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.779 of greatest trial 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.680 and distress, 00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:05.140 Father, 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.519 not my will, 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.819 but Your will be done. 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.440 And John's point 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:13.880 in verse 6 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.360 of our text 00:25:14.360 --> 00:25:14.980 is very simple. 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.559 If you say 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:16.220 you're a follower 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.799 of Jesus, 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.380 then you should have 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.460 that same attitude 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.079 as well. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:21.759 not my will, 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.699 but Your will be done. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:26.619 A desire to delight 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:27.379 and to fulfill 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:28.859 the commands of the Father. 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.339 That's the evidence 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:31.359 that Christ is dwelling 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:32.379 in your heart through faith. 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:33.399 That's the evidence 00:25:33.399 --> 00:25:34.279 that you're united 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.460 to Christ by the Spirit. 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.480 That more and more 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.179 you walk 00:25:38.179 --> 00:25:39.039 in the same way 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.819 Christ walked, 00:25:39.939 --> 00:25:41.220 keeping the Father's commands. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:43.480 Friends, 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.919 this is a sad state of affairs 00:25:44.919 --> 00:25:47.179 that there are many churches 00:25:47.179 --> 00:25:48.899 with the name of Christ 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.840 on their sign, 00:25:50.340 --> 00:25:51.360 but they seem 00:25:51.360 --> 00:25:52.500 to have little interest 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.140 in keeping God's commands 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:55.380 the way Christ did. 00:25:56.580 --> 00:25:58.180 Is that not a great tragedy? 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.720 But friends, 00:26:01.820 --> 00:26:03.300 may it not be so with us. 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:05.420 As a church, 00:26:05.540 --> 00:26:07.240 may we not fall 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.980 into the same trap 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:11.320 of talking about Christ, 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:13.540 but never actually living 00:26:13.540 --> 00:26:14.280 like Christ. 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:17.700 don't think that we aren't 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.299 immune 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:20.440 from the same danger. 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:24.579 Let us not be so proud 00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.940 that we don't think 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.279 that we too could slip 00:26:27.279 --> 00:26:29.079 and turn a deaf ear 00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.940 to God's Word. 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:33.259 We must humble ourselves 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.099 before God, 00:26:34.299 --> 00:26:35.519 ask for His mercy, 00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:37.660 and ask for His help, 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.619 and continue to pray, 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.599 not our will, 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.740 but Yours be done. 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:44.859 And in that pursuit, 00:26:45.000 --> 00:26:45.180 friend, 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.259 are we willing 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:48.559 to be confronted 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.859 or challenged even? 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.500 You know, 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.319 one of the great gifts 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.339 of being involved 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.740 in a small group, 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.359 for example, 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:58.059 is that you'll 00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.799 begin to be known 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.460 by a group 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.359 of fellow Christians 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.680 who can encourage you 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.799 and support you 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.259 and rejoice with you, 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:07.160 but who can also 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:08.640 lovingly hold 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:10.140 a mirror up to you 00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:11.980 when your life 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.600 doesn't match 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.259 your profession. 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.740 Oh, 00:27:15.820 --> 00:27:16.780 how we need 00:27:16.780 --> 00:27:18.600 brothers and sisters 00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.220 in Christ 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.000 who are humble 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.800 and gentle 00:27:20.800 --> 00:27:22.180 and courageous enough 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:24.200 to hold up that mirror 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.220 when the time is right 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.380 and show us 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:27.140 our shortcomings. 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.780 Do you have 00:27:29.780 --> 00:27:30.600 that sort of fellowship 00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:32.040 with other Christians? 00:27:33.120 --> 00:27:34.060 If not, 00:27:34.680 --> 00:27:35.340 you need it. 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:36.900 Seek it out. 00:27:37.840 --> 00:27:38.580 Join a small group 00:27:38.580 --> 00:27:39.400 if you're not involved 00:27:39.400 --> 00:27:39.800 in one. 00:27:41.060 --> 00:27:42.100 This is one of the means 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:43.380 whereby you can continue 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.840 to walk in the same way 00:27:44.840 --> 00:27:45.759 as Jesus walked. 00:27:46.360 --> 00:27:47.660 None of us can do it alone. 00:27:48.300 --> 00:27:49.240 We need each other 00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:51.160 to go on abiding in Him. 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.100 Now, 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.200 John's third and last point 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:55.940 takes us from 00:27:55.940 --> 00:27:57.460 loving God the Father 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:59.240 and abiding in Christ the Son 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:01.040 to walking in the light. 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.980 If we walk in the light, 00:28:03.060 --> 00:28:04.519 we will keep God's commands. 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:06.259 But in these last verses, 00:28:06.480 --> 00:28:07.600 picking up in verse 7, 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:09.679 John pinpoints 00:28:09.679 --> 00:28:11.339 one particular aspect 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:12.899 of keeping God's commands, 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:15.500 loving our fellow Christians. 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:17.959 Loving our fellow Christians. 00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:20.399 As John begins this part 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.199 of this section 00:28:21.199 --> 00:28:22.179 in verses 7 and 8, 00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:23.119 John seems to be 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.000 contradicting himself, 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.339 doesn't he? 00:28:24.339 --> 00:28:24.699 He says, 00:28:24.919 --> 00:28:26.179 I'm not writing to you 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:26.659 a new command, 00:28:26.719 --> 00:28:27.339 but an old command, 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:28.359 and yet it is a new command. 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.240 Well, what does he mean by that? 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:33.219 Well, he's referencing here 00:28:33.219 --> 00:28:34.359 the command 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:35.379 to love one another. 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:37.020 And for Christians, 00:28:37.140 --> 00:28:38.780 that's not a new command, right? 00:28:39.520 --> 00:28:40.000 It's something 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.440 that Jesus himself taught. 00:28:42.040 --> 00:28:43.380 Remember the Gospel of John, 00:28:43.800 --> 00:28:44.560 chapter 15, 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.660 verses 12 through 13. 00:28:45.780 --> 00:28:46.200 Jesus said, 00:28:46.600 --> 00:28:47.640 This is my commandment, 00:28:48.040 --> 00:28:49.080 that you love one another 00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:50.000 as I have loved you. 00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:51.140 Greater love 00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:52.020 has no one than this, 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.380 that someone lay down 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.480 his life for his friends. 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:56.560 So John here 00:28:56.560 --> 00:28:57.880 is kind of reminding 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.460 his readers 00:28:58.460 --> 00:29:00.100 that he's not adding 00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:00.860 anything new 00:29:00.860 --> 00:29:01.500 to the message 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.200 when he says 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:02.720 that obedience 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.700 and loving one another 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.400 is essential 00:29:04.400 --> 00:29:05.580 to knowing 00:29:05.580 --> 00:29:06.779 whether you're truly a Christian. 00:29:07.460 --> 00:29:08.140 In fact, he's saying 00:29:08.140 --> 00:29:08.920 this is the command 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:09.600 Jesus gave us 00:29:09.600 --> 00:29:10.660 from the very beginning, 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:12.240 and it's the command 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.860 you receive 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.720 from the very beginning 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:15.200 of your walk with Christ. 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.620 And yet, 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:21.299 lest this command 00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:23.680 lose its wonder 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:25.799 and power, 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.680 John reminds us 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:30.680 that in a manner of speaking, 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:34.080 it is a new command. 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:36.740 And it will always be new. 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.100 Why? 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.799 Well, when Jesus gave 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.720 this command 00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.660 to his disciples, 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.240 do you remember 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:43.799 what he said? 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.700 In John 13, 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.039 he says, 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:47.220 A new command I give you 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.240 that you love one another 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:50.320 just as I have loved you. 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:52.480 You also are to love 00:29:52.480 --> 00:29:52.960 one another. 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.460 By this, 00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:55.259 all people will know 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.360 that you are my disciples 00:29:56.360 --> 00:29:58.060 if you have love 00:29:58.060 --> 00:29:58.680 for one another. 00:29:58.680 --> 00:30:01.340 It's a new command 00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:04.279 because Jesus made it new. 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:06.440 And he made it new 00:30:06.440 --> 00:30:08.440 when he defined love 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:11.019 by his own life and actions. 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:13.560 Just as I have loved you, 00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:15.940 you also are to love one another. 00:30:17.080 --> 00:30:19.080 The self-giving love of Jesus, 00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.600 that's what love is. 00:30:21.320 --> 00:30:22.580 And that's how our lives 00:30:22.580 --> 00:30:23.060 as Christians 00:30:23.060 --> 00:30:24.180 are meant to be lived. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:26.880 And as we do so, 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:28.519 we aren't just following 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.259 a new command. 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.200 John even says, 00:30:31.299 --> 00:30:33.099 We're living in a new age. 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.639 It's a new commandment 00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:36.420 that I'm writing to you 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.220 which is true in him 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.579 and in you 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:39.480 because the darkness 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.680 is passing away 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:42.059 and the true light 00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:43.319 is already shining. 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.099 Jesus, 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.319 the light of the world 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.099 is shining, 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:47.799 John says. 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.460 The risen Lord Jesus 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:51.000 sits at the Father's right hand, 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:51.980 ascended in glory. 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:54.460 The church gathers in his name, 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:55.619 filled with his spirit. 00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:57.180 The gospel message 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.900 is proclaimed, 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.360 the power of God 00:30:59.360 --> 00:31:00.000 for salvation 00:31:00.000 --> 00:31:00.980 to all who believe. 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.000 And as the church 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.200 gathers in the power 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:03.820 of the spirit 00:31:03.820 --> 00:31:04.620 of the risen Lord 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:05.759 and as the gospel 00:31:05.759 --> 00:31:06.519 is proclaimed, 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.759 as this new age 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:10.180 breaks in upon us, 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.160 John says, 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:13.980 the darkness is passing away. 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:17.000 That old age of sin 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:17.720 and death 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.540 and decay, 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.680 the old age 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.900 of self-centeredness 00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:23.100 and the desires 00:31:23.100 --> 00:31:23.900 of the world 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:25.820 is passing away 00:31:25.820 --> 00:31:27.759 and the true light 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.340 is shining. 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.580 And what does it mean 00:31:31.580 --> 00:31:32.300 to walk 00:31:32.300 --> 00:31:34.259 in this heavenly light 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.420 of the risen Lord Jesus? 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.220 John says, 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.299 it means to love 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.559 those whom 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.500 the Father loves. 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:43.740 It means to love 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.440 those for whom 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.279 Christ laid down 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:45.819 his life. 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:49.000 The genuine mark 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:49.480 of obedience 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.680 for the true Christian 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:52.400 will be love 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.519 for the church. 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:54.799 Love 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.940 for the brothers, 00:31:56.120 --> 00:31:56.640 John says, 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.539 by which he means 00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.740 the brothers and sisters 00:31:58.740 --> 00:32:00.460 in the spiritual family 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.339 of the church. 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:03.240 It's almost as if 00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.860 John is saying, 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.660 okay, 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.339 how do you know 00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:06.019 you know God 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:06.640 through the gospel? 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.540 What's the sign 00:32:07.540 --> 00:32:08.580 that that's really 00:32:08.580 --> 00:32:09.220 taking place? 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:09.380 Well, 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.740 if you keep 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:10.240 his commandments. 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.300 And what's the key way 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:12.660 to know 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.120 if you're keeping 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:13.680 the commandments? 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:15.800 If you love 00:32:15.800 --> 00:32:16.680 your brothers and sisters 00:32:16.680 --> 00:32:17.340 in Christ. 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.500 A loveless Christian 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:22.220 is no Christian 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.680 at all. 00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:24.420 Such a person 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.280 is still stumbling 00:32:25.280 --> 00:32:26.259 about in the darkness, 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.000 John says. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.640 Friends, 00:32:30.680 --> 00:32:31.040 when the world 00:32:31.040 --> 00:32:31.740 looks at our church, 00:32:31.800 --> 00:32:32.540 what do they see 00:32:32.540 --> 00:32:34.180 if they care to look? 00:32:37.040 --> 00:32:37.820 Let's pray 00:32:37.820 --> 00:32:38.380 that they see 00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.080 a community 00:32:39.080 --> 00:32:41.600 that loves one another. 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.280 And let's pray 00:32:44.280 --> 00:32:44.800 that they see 00:32:44.800 --> 00:32:45.259 a community 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.320 that loves one another 00:32:46.320 --> 00:32:47.759 not because 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.800 we all share 00:32:48.800 --> 00:32:49.980 the same socioeconomic 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.440 background. 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.080 We don't. 00:32:51.860 --> 00:32:52.920 Not because we all 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.500 share the same 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.560 ethnic or racial background. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.160 We don't. 00:32:55.800 --> 00:32:56.740 Not because we all 00:32:56.740 --> 00:32:57.580 share the same hobbies 00:32:57.580 --> 00:32:58.080 or interests 00:32:58.080 --> 00:32:58.920 or taste in music 00:32:58.920 --> 00:32:59.880 or vocational pursuits. 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.500 We don't. 00:33:00.860 --> 00:33:01.580 None of these things 00:33:01.580 --> 00:33:02.580 are why we love each other. 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.560 We love each other. 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:07.519 because we share 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.399 a common Savior. 00:33:11.159 --> 00:33:12.220 When I look at you, 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:12.960 fellow Christian, 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:15.460 I see someone 00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:16.960 loved by the Lord Jesus 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:19.339 just as I have been loved. 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.720 He shed His blood 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.179 for you. 00:33:23.299 --> 00:33:23.980 He rose again 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:25.240 for your justification. 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.480 The same Spirit 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.220 that lives in me 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.899 lives in you. 00:33:31.240 --> 00:33:32.619 And if I don't see that, 00:33:32.619 --> 00:33:34.639 if I don't live 00:33:34.639 --> 00:33:35.479 like that's true, 00:33:36.479 --> 00:33:37.579 then I'm still 00:33:37.579 --> 00:33:38.239 in darkness 00:33:38.239 --> 00:33:39.339 stumbling about. 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:43.239 But friends, 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.179 as John says here, 00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.779 there's good reason 00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:47.319 for hope 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:48.439 and assurance. 00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:50.679 As John writes, 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.559 this commandment 00:33:51.559 --> 00:33:52.699 to love one another 00:33:52.699 --> 00:33:53.559 is true. 00:33:54.339 --> 00:33:55.659 It's true in Him 00:33:55.659 --> 00:33:57.419 and it's true in you. 00:33:58.919 --> 00:33:59.959 So let's live 00:33:59.959 --> 00:34:00.519 what's true. 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:03.079 let's live this love 00:34:03.079 --> 00:34:03.680 for one another 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:04.839 that is true in Christ 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:05.400 and yes, 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:06.539 is true in us. 00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:07.859 And let's do so 00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:08.559 more and more 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:10.480 because the true light 00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.000 is shining. 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.539 The kingdom 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:13.659 has dawned. 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:16.059 And let us know 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.759 we are Christians 00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.559 by our love. 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:19.340 Love for God 00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:21.219 and love for one another. 00:34:22.219 --> 00:34:22.840 Let's pray. 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:22.940 Amen. 00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:22.980 Amen. 00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.019 Amen. 00:34:23.019 --> 00:34:23.039 Amen. 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.079 Amen. 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.099 Amen. 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:23.539 Amen. 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:23.980 Amen. 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.980 Amen. 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.039 Amen. 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.259 Father, 00:34:31.340 --> 00:34:32.099 as we pause 00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:34.420 in light of what 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:35.179 the Apostle John 00:34:35.179 --> 00:34:36.420 is saying in this passage, 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:39.539 God, 00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:40.000 perhaps 00:34:40.000 --> 00:34:41.780 there are some of us 00:34:41.780 --> 00:34:42.579 who have realized 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:42.920 that 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:45.539 we've not really 00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.079 been taking 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:46.759 your commandments 00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:47.519 as seriously 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:48.219 as we ought. 00:34:53.860 --> 00:34:54.579 And Father, 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:55.420 if that is true, 00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:56.380 we thank you 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.980 for the conviction 00:34:57.980 --> 00:34:59.000 of your Holy Spirit 00:34:59.000 --> 00:35:00.780 who shows us 00:35:00.780 --> 00:35:01.460 these things 00:35:01.460 --> 00:35:04.160 so that we might 00:35:04.160 --> 00:35:05.619 turn and be saved. 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:09.220 So, Father, 00:35:09.280 --> 00:35:10.059 if there are any here 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.820 who are sensing 00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:13.559 that perhaps 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:15.059 I don't really know God 00:35:15.059 --> 00:35:16.480 because I don't 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.460 really care 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.340 about His commandments, 00:35:19.180 --> 00:35:21.300 that they would not 00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.559 stay there, 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:23.960 but, Father, 00:35:24.140 --> 00:35:25.000 you would open 00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:25.519 their eyes 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.380 to see Christ 00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.599 crucified for them, 00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:31.039 loved by Him, 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.199 and would they 00:35:32.199 --> 00:35:33.639 trust in you. 00:35:36.699 --> 00:35:37.300 And, God, 00:35:37.340 --> 00:35:37.719 as we think 00:35:37.719 --> 00:35:38.579 about this passage 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:39.420 about keeping 00:35:39.420 --> 00:35:40.059 your commands 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:41.119 and loving 00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:41.820 one another, 00:35:42.519 --> 00:35:42.780 Lord, 00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.860 how much 00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.360 we know 00:35:44.360 --> 00:35:45.219 we need your help. 00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:46.920 Jesus, 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:47.639 you promised 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.239 you would send 00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:48.820 another helper, 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.739 the Holy Spirit, 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.280 who would allow us 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:52.059 to live these things 00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:52.880 out in community. 00:35:54.380 --> 00:35:54.780 Oh, 00:35:54.840 --> 00:35:55.139 help us 00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.900 to keep in step 00:35:55.900 --> 00:35:56.400 with Him. 00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:58.719 Would His love 00:35:58.719 --> 00:35:59.460 be shed abroad 00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:00.319 in our hearts? 00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.460 Would His power 00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:02.900 be at work 00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.579 in our lives 00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.539 and in our relationships 00:36:04.539 --> 00:36:08.079 so that what John 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:08.819 writes about here 00:36:08.819 --> 00:36:09.339 might be true 00:36:09.339 --> 00:36:10.099 of us today 00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:11.759 and that we might 00:36:11.759 --> 00:36:12.420 live in the light? 00:36:13.679 --> 00:36:14.420 We pray this 00:36:14.420 --> 00:36:15.159 in Jesus' name. 00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:16.219 Amen. 00:36:16.219 --> 00:36:16.359 Amen. 00:36:16.359 --> 00:36:16.400 Amen. 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:16.420 Amen. 00:36:16.420 --> 00:36:16.440 Amen. 00:36:16.440 --> 00:36:16.460 Amen. 00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:16.500 Amen. 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:16.519 Amen. 00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:16.539 Amen. 00:36:16.539 --> 00:36:18.440 Amen. 00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:18.500 Amen. 00:36:18.500 --> 00:36:20.400 Amen. 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:20.440 Amen. 00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:20.500 Amen. 00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:20.539 Amen. 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:21.440 Amen. 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:22.440 Amen. 00:36:22.440 --> 00:36:22.500 Amen. 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:24.440 Amen. 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:24.500 Amen. 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:25.119 Amen.