WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:08.679 So the scripture reading today will be 1st John chapter 4 verses 7 and ending in 21 starting in verse 7. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:18.100 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 00:00:18.640 --> 00:00:22.280 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:29.900 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. 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:37.280 In this love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 00:00:37.960 --> 00:00:41.539 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 00:00:42.280 --> 00:00:48.140 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us. 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:54.079 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us his Spirit. 00:00:55.140 --> 00:00:59.679 And we have seen and testified that the Father has sent his Son to the Savior of the world. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.479 To be the Savior of the world. 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:06.700 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him and he in God. 00:01:07.219 --> 00:01:15.900 So that we have come to know and to believe that love that God has for us. 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:21.240 God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God and abides in him. 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:27.739 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment. 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:32.599 Because as he is so, also are we in this world. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:36.379 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 00:01:37.019 --> 00:01:41.679 For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not perfected in love. 00:01:41.680 --> 00:01:44.140 We love because he first loved us. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:48.960 If anyone says, I love God, and he hates his brother, he is a liar. 00:01:49.160 --> 00:01:57.080 For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God from whom he has not seen. 00:01:57.660 --> 00:01:59.500 And this commandment we have from him. 00:01:59.880 --> 00:02:02.200 Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 00:02:03.240 --> 00:02:05.440 The word of the Lord. 00:02:05.800 --> 00:02:06.700 Thanks be to God. 00:02:06.700 --> 00:02:17.680 Welcome to the service this morning, Trinity English Church. 00:02:18.460 --> 00:02:21.360 I'm grateful that today we have membership Sunday. 00:02:21.780 --> 00:02:24.699 We'll be inducting our first members after the sermon. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:28.780 And that's very exciting for me as a pastor. 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:31.840 So 1 John chapter 4, 7 to 21. 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:36.979 So please follow along with me as I speak from this passage. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:44.300 Many of you probably know a song by the Beatles called All You Need Is Love. 00:02:45.219 --> 00:02:47.080 Love, love, love, all you need is love. 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:52.080 Even if you don't listen to the Beatles, you've probably heard of it somewhere in a public location. 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:57.219 And that kind of captures what a lot of people think about love. 00:02:57.219 --> 00:03:01.560 In that love is important and everybody knows what love is. 00:03:01.639 --> 00:03:02.840 And everybody knows that love is important. 00:03:02.960 --> 00:03:04.419 That's kind of how we think of it. 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:07.960 So very rarely do we find ourselves explaining to someone what love is. 00:03:07.979 --> 00:03:10.699 Because we take it for granted that they know what love is. 00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:20.740 But this passage that Ben just read for us suggests something that's very shocking and even offensive to some people. 00:03:20.740 --> 00:03:27.640 Because it's teaching us that it's only those who know God and have experienced God's love really know what love is. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:29.920 Love is not something that we can take for granted. 00:03:30.140 --> 00:03:32.680 Love is not something that is common knowledge to all. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:41.620 And in fact, because of that, because love is uniquely revealed to and known by those who know and love God, 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:44.560 John exhorts his fellow believers in this passage, 00:03:44.820 --> 00:03:48.360 Those who have been loved by God ought to love one another. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:50.000 Now that's the main idea of this passage. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:52.759 Those who have been loved by God ought to love one another. 00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:56.919 And first, he teaches us about God's love for us. 00:03:57.000 --> 00:03:58.080 That's the first thing he tells us. 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:05.000 And then secondly, he teaches us about how that love of God motivates us and undergirds our love for one another. 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:07.159 So God's love for us and our love for one another. 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:09.099 I'll talk about those two things in turn. 00:04:09.780 --> 00:04:14.379 So first, verse 7 begins to talk about God's love for us. 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:16.920 Beloved, let us love one another. 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:17.420 Love one another. 00:04:17.420 --> 00:04:17.860 Right? 00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:20.180 That's the first, the command, love one another. 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:24.480 And that's, you can tell that's the main command of this whole passage because it's repeated twice more. 00:04:24.939 --> 00:04:28.500 In verse 21, at the end, it says again, love one another. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:29.100 Right? 00:04:29.200 --> 00:04:31.060 And then it's beginning at the end. 00:04:31.120 --> 00:04:35.259 And then in the middle as well, in verse 11, it says we ought to love one another. 00:04:35.520 --> 00:04:35.639 Right? 00:04:35.639 --> 00:04:38.300 And the reason for that is in verse 7. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:44.219 For love is from God and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 00:04:44.339 --> 00:04:44.699 Right? 00:04:44.759 --> 00:04:46.860 This is the reason why we love one another. 00:04:47.139 --> 00:04:53.979 For, because love is from God and whoever loves has been born of God because love is from God. 00:04:54.279 --> 00:04:57.939 So the converse of that statement is also true and that's in verse 8. 00:04:58.479 --> 00:05:03.099 It's that anyone who does not love then does not know God because God is love. 00:05:03.100 --> 00:05:08.540 And because God is love, those who obviously do not know love then cannot know God. 00:05:08.700 --> 00:05:10.920 And this is a really famous statement, right? 00:05:10.960 --> 00:05:11.620 That God is love. 00:05:11.700 --> 00:05:13.660 It's a weighty statement that a lot of people use. 00:05:14.160 --> 00:05:16.220 But it's frequently misused. 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:21.280 And it's very important that we preserve the order of this statement that God is love as well. 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:23.560 And we can't say that love is God. 00:05:23.680 --> 00:05:23.800 Right? 00:05:23.879 --> 00:05:28.540 Because God is love is found in Scripture and it's backed up in many different places in Scripture. 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:31.960 But the converse of that, love is God, is never found anywhere in Scripture. 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:33.319 And the reason for that is this. 00:05:33.719 --> 00:05:41.839 Is that if we say love is God, then our own fallible definition and understanding of love becomes the standard by which God is judged. 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:42.299 Right? 00:05:43.079 --> 00:05:48.399 Instead of God's perfect standard and His love being the standard by which we judge our love. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:48.719 Right? 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:50.819 That's why it's important that we preserve that love. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:06:00.540 Because it's when we reverse that order, that's when we start to rationalize all kinds of illicit and inappropriate relationships with the pretext of love. 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:06.379 Saying that, well, a husband who commits adultery and then goes off with another woman will say, well, I love her. 00:06:07.159 --> 00:06:07.420 No. 00:06:08.399 --> 00:06:09.759 That's not love. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:10.019 Right? 00:06:10.100 --> 00:06:12.079 That's not the way God calls us that. 00:06:12.139 --> 00:06:13.639 Because you do not define love. 00:06:13.659 --> 00:06:14.959 And love does not define your actions. 00:06:14.959 --> 00:06:20.039 But rather, we define love by what God has done and how He has revealed to us what love is supposed to be like. 00:06:20.599 --> 00:06:20.699 Right? 00:06:21.319 --> 00:06:28.439 And that's why when people say things like love is God, that's when they say, you know, kind of things that don't make a lot of sense. 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:31.079 Like, oh, you know, if you love someone, you should let them do whatever they want. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:31.519 Right? 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:33.139 Because that's what love is. 00:06:33.219 --> 00:06:34.639 You should let them do what they want. 00:06:34.679 --> 00:06:36.319 You should let them be who they want to be. 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:36.819 Right? 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:37.819 People say that. 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:39.219 But that's not what we do. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:41.879 Even unbelievers know that. 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:43.399 That that's not what true love is. 00:06:43.459 --> 00:06:46.180 Because that's not how we treat people whom we truly love. 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:46.459 Right? 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:51.100 It's the illegitimate children that get left alone to do whatever they want to roam those streets. 00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:53.579 It's the real children, genuine children that are disciplined. 00:06:53.839 --> 00:06:54.800 They're educated. 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:55.439 They're taught. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:55.839 Right? 00:06:56.259 --> 00:07:00.860 In the same way, it's the phony friends that we have who will let us do whatever we want to do. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:04.500 Even when we're ruining our lives with bad decisions and vices, they'll let us be. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:07.000 But the true friends will try this. 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:08.120 They will confront us. 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:11.420 They will even get angry with us for ruining our lives and making bad decisions. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:11.680 Right? 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:13.720 So we all know this. 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:17.560 And that's the kind of love with which God has loved us. 00:07:17.660 --> 00:07:17.779 Right? 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:22.480 It's not a dismayed kindness that said you can do whatever you want to do. 00:07:23.259 --> 00:07:29.540 So when we find ourselves or when we hear other people start to contradict the teaching of Scripture, 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:31.819 to violate the teachings of Scripture, 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:36.199 and with the rationalization, the excuse that, you know, 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:38.920 oh, God of love would not teach something like that, 00:07:39.279 --> 00:07:41.719 or that's not a very loving thing to do. 00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:42.259 Right? 00:07:42.339 --> 00:07:45.180 Then that's a sign that we're in grave danger. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:47.240 Because when we start to say things like that, we have to ask ourselves, 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:48.100 who says so? 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:48.539 Right? 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:50.879 According to whose definition of love? 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:51.640 Yours? 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:53.140 Society's definition of love? 00:07:53.200 --> 00:07:53.319 No. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:58.540 God is love, and He alone can define what love is supposed to be. 00:07:58.700 --> 00:08:02.220 So we can't judge God and His actions by our standard of, 00:08:02.340 --> 00:08:07.280 rather, we judge our actions, our love, by what God has revealed to us. 00:08:07.279 --> 00:08:11.099 So then how are we to know this love that God has revealed? 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:14.779 And He gives us the answer to that in verses 9 to 10. 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:16.319 Follow along with me. 00:08:17.139 --> 00:08:21.319 In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:24.739 that God sent His only Son into the world, 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:26.639 so that we might live through Him. 00:08:27.419 --> 00:08:29.139 In this is love, 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:31.099 not that we have loved God, 00:08:31.179 --> 00:08:32.959 but that He loved us, 00:08:32.960 --> 00:08:37.420 and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 00:08:38.300 --> 00:08:40.820 So where was the love of God revealed? 00:08:41.320 --> 00:08:43.200 Not in a romance novel, 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:44.080 or a drama, 00:08:44.259 --> 00:08:44.840 or a textbook, 00:08:45.040 --> 00:08:46.680 or even a philosophy text. 00:08:47.040 --> 00:08:49.820 The love of God was made manifest in this, 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:50.600 it says, 00:08:50.920 --> 00:08:53.700 namely that God sent His only Son into the world, 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:55.560 so that we might live through Him. 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:57.019 In this is love, 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:58.460 not that we have loved God, 00:08:58.519 --> 00:08:59.780 but that He loved us. 00:08:59.820 --> 00:09:00.920 We were just singing about it, right? 00:09:00.920 --> 00:09:02.660 If He had not loved us first, 00:09:02.659 --> 00:09:04.620 we would refuse Him still. 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:08.319 And this is a very reassuring truth, 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:11.639 because it shows that it's not because we were first intelligent, 00:09:11.959 --> 00:09:12.659 or kind, 00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:13.480 or faithful, 00:09:13.719 --> 00:09:14.659 that God loved us, 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:16.480 but rather it's God loving us first. 00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:18.339 That's what leads us to be faithful to Him. 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:22.699 And that means as believers, 00:09:22.899 --> 00:09:23.559 if you're a believer, 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:24.120 and you're a Christian, 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:24.919 you follow God, 00:09:25.039 --> 00:09:27.659 then we don't have any cause to be prideful 00:09:28.199 --> 00:09:29.699 about our state with God, 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:30.559 our relationship with God, 00:09:30.579 --> 00:09:31.079 our salvation, 00:09:31.080 --> 00:09:34.440 because we recognize that it's not our own intrinsic merit 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:36.040 that led to God saving us, 00:09:36.280 --> 00:09:37.820 but rather God loved us first. 00:09:38.160 --> 00:09:42.200 It's God's mercy and grace that now makes us part of His plan, 00:09:42.280 --> 00:09:43.040 His family. 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:46.720 So we have nothing to be prideful about in relation to unbelievers. 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:50.500 And it also means that we don't have anything to despair about. 00:09:50.660 --> 00:09:51.440 If you are a believer, 00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:52.820 and you're struggling with the sin, 00:09:53.000 --> 00:09:56.920 and you feel like you can no longer approach God because of your past, 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:58.480 or because of the bad things you've done, 00:09:58.879 --> 00:10:00.180 then we don't have to despair, 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:03.480 because we remember that it's not our level of obedience, 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:07.040 or form of righteousness that made God love us. 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:07.320 No, 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:09.100 God loved us first. 00:10:09.100 --> 00:10:14.080 And then we respond to Him in obedience and love. 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:15.940 So when we're tempted to despair, 00:10:16.040 --> 00:10:16.879 we can remind ourselves, 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:17.080 no, 00:10:17.159 --> 00:10:18.420 we can boldly approach God, 00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:20.100 because He loved us first. 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:21.460 Now, 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:22.879 what does it mean that God loved us 00:10:22.879 --> 00:10:25.840 and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins? 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:29.480 That's a big word that doesn't get used very often nowadays. 00:10:30.180 --> 00:10:32.940 Apart from the language of atonement and Bible, 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:34.000 we rarely see it. 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:36.960 When you propitiate something or someone, 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:42.059 it refers to basically appeasing or satisfying the wrath of someone. 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:43.360 It's placating someone. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:46.059 So it has in view, 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:47.059 it's implicit in the word, 00:10:47.139 --> 00:10:50.220 is the idea of the wrath of God against sin and sinners. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:54.500 So Jesus Christ died then on the cross 00:10:54.500 --> 00:10:58.779 to fully absorb God the Father's wrath towards sin and sinners. 00:10:59.779 --> 00:11:03.179 And in that act of propitiation, 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:06.620 that's where God's love is revealed to us. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:09.099 And so that reveals to us what love is supposed to be. 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:10.039 It's self-sacrifice. 00:11:10.219 --> 00:11:12.859 It's a pouring out that self-sacrificing. 00:11:13.139 --> 00:11:14.859 That's the kind of love that God shows us. 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:15.739 Now, 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:18.620 some people might criticize that idea of propitiation. 00:11:18.759 --> 00:11:19.579 A lot of people are, 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:21.759 don't like the idea of the wrath of God. 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:26.199 They don't want to talk about the fact that Jesus Christ had to pacify God's wrath. 00:11:26.459 --> 00:11:27.979 But the truth is, 00:11:28.099 --> 00:11:31.919 this is very different from what you would normally think of as pacifying someone, 00:11:31.919 --> 00:11:34.879 because the examples in other religions you might think of, 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:35.459 for example, 00:11:35.599 --> 00:11:37.059 in the Greco-Roman Empire, 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:40.199 the Greco-Roman gods, 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:42.199 the pagan gods that they had, 00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:43.159 people were, 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:43.679 you know, 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.519 afraid of them. 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:46.240 So they would offer sacrifices 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:47.919 or they would do certain things, 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:49.179 fulfill certain obligations 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:51.599 to ensure that no harm would befall them, 00:11:51.719 --> 00:11:51.899 right? 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:53.759 Similar way in Asia, 00:11:53.839 --> 00:11:54.339 even now, 00:11:54.459 --> 00:11:54.599 right? 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:55.879 Shamanism and animism, 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:58.319 a lot of people worship spirits and different gods 00:11:58.319 --> 00:12:01.339 and offer sacrifices to make sure that nothing bad happens to them. 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:03.040 And that's not just in Asia. 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:04.840 It happens in Western civilization as well. 00:12:04.940 --> 00:12:07.540 All these charms and talismans that people invest in, 00:12:07.580 --> 00:12:10.139 they do that because they think that that will keep them safe, 00:12:10.440 --> 00:12:11.680 that they will keep them from harm. 00:12:11.820 --> 00:12:13.440 That's a way to appease the gods, 00:12:13.560 --> 00:12:13.759 right? 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:17.740 So the fundamental difference between all of these examples 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:20.879 and the propitiation that Christ has done for us, 00:12:20.920 --> 00:12:21.940 has accomplished for us, 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:24.740 is the fact that it's not the human beings, 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:27.500 it's not we who offer to God a sacrifice 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:29.000 in order to fend for ourselves, 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:33.500 but it's God himself who offers a way for propitiation. 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:35.820 He offers the sacrifice. 00:12:36.100 --> 00:12:38.620 He sends his son to die in our place. 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:40.560 That's the fundamental difference. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.080 We don't go and say, 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:42.299 okay, 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:44.080 I'm afraid of what God's going to do to me, 00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.019 so I'm going to do these things 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.680 to make sure he doesn't do anything to me. 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:47.720 That's not the idea. 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:48.779 That God himself, 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:51.800 because of his great love for us, 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:53.960 makes a way in order to appease 00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:55.480 and to satisfy his wrath. 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:59.560 So that's why in this very passage, 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:01.080 the famous passage that says, 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.860 teaches us that God is love, 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:04.720 it talks about the wrath of God 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:06.040 in the idea of propitiation. 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:08.399 Because unless you understand the wrath of God, 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:10.279 you cannot understand the love of God, 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:10.560 right? 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:12.080 In the same way, 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:13.660 let's say you owe a debt 00:13:13.660 --> 00:13:16.139 and somebody forgives you of your debt, 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.540 forgives you of your loans. 00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:19.740 It's only when you understand, 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:23.180 when you know just how great a debt you owed, 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:25.279 that's when you really know 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:26.620 how much you were forgiven, 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:28.580 how generous and forgiving 00:13:28.580 --> 00:13:30.040 that person was toward you. 00:13:30.440 --> 00:13:31.620 In the same way, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:33.639 it's only when we recognize 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:35.759 the depth of our sin 00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:38.060 and the depth and extent 00:13:38.060 --> 00:13:41.920 of God's fiery and unrelenting wrath toward it 00:13:41.920 --> 00:13:43.879 that we can truly understand 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:46.259 how much deeper 00:13:46.259 --> 00:13:47.740 and how even more relentless 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:49.340 his love toward us was, 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.620 that he made a way 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:52.000 to satisfy that wrath 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:52.919 so that we could have 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:54.039 a relationship with God. 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.179 Theologian, 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.159 my professor from St. Mary, 00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:58.899 David Wells, 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:01.200 summarizes this in this way. 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:04.340 Man is alienated from God by sin, 00:14:04.899 --> 00:14:08.299 and God is alienated from man by wrath. 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:11.399 It is in the substitutionary death of Christ 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:12.919 that sin is overcome 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:15.120 and wrath is averted 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:17.359 so that God can look on man 00:14:17.359 --> 00:14:18.399 without displeasure 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:20.500 and man can look on God 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.519 without fear. 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.899 Sin is expiated 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:26.259 and God is propitiated. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:30.340 And that's why we must understand 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.179 the wrath of God. 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:34.259 That's why in that act of propitiation, 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.460 of satisfying the wrath of God, 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:37.539 we see the depth of God's love 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:39.220 revealed toward us. 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:42.000 And because God's love 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.720 was decisively revealed in Christ 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.580 and what he did 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:45.939 to propitiate the Father, 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:47.600 that's why in verse 18, 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.200 he teaches us 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:50.100 there is no fear in love. 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:52.879 But perfect love casts out fear, 00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.360 for fear has to do with punishment, 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.560 and whoever fears 00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:57.320 has not been perfected in love. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:58.480 That's what it says in verse 18. 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:00.259 As I mentioned before, 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.240 because our loyalty, 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:02.039 faithfulness, 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.440 obedience, 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:04.019 they were not the prior condition 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.840 of God's love. 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:05.399 Rather, 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.620 God loved us first. 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:09.139 We do not have to fear 00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.440 the punishment 00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:11.940 because it was not 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:13.039 on the basis of our obedience 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:13.759 that God saved us, 00:15:13.800 --> 00:15:14.840 but God saved us 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:16.360 in spite of our sin 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:17.159 and disobedience. 00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:18.120 And now, 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:18.759 because of that, 00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:20.320 we have right standing with God 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.600 through what Jesus has done. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.060 And I, 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:24.559 I like to, 00:15:24.619 --> 00:15:25.639 I talk about this a lot 00:15:25.639 --> 00:15:27.059 because in my past as well 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:27.659 as a believer 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.879 and growing up, 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:30.459 I grew up really insecure. 00:15:30.979 --> 00:15:31.699 Really insecure, 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:33.339 not in just with peers, 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.159 but really insecure 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.399 in my relationship with God. 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.719 I was really, 00:15:36.839 --> 00:15:37.639 really legalistic 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.399 and I, 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:40.759 and often was, 00:15:41.979 --> 00:15:43.719 I often tried to produce 00:15:43.719 --> 00:15:45.059 a certain kind of emotion 00:15:45.059 --> 00:15:46.719 or a remorse 00:15:46.719 --> 00:15:47.399 after sin 00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.099 because I believed 00:15:48.099 --> 00:15:49.799 that only when I had done that 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:51.839 and had sufficiently paid my dues 00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.180 that God would take me back 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.639 and have a relationship with him. 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:55.300 And, 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:55.600 you know, 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.840 I don't think I'm alone in that. 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:58.000 I think a lot of believers 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.920 live in that kind of a subtle, 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:01.680 kind of a guilt-ridden life. 00:16:02.160 --> 00:16:03.220 And the church historian, 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:03.980 Richard Loveless, 00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:04.660 writes this. 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.040 He says, 00:16:05.160 --> 00:16:06.700 below the surface of their lives, 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.980 many Christians are guilt-ridden 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.519 and insecure. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.160 They draw their assurance 00:16:10.160 --> 00:16:11.660 of acceptance from God 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:13.480 from their own sincerity, 00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:15.040 their past experience 00:16:15.040 --> 00:16:15.759 of conversion, 00:16:16.160 --> 00:16:17.620 their recent religious performance, 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:19.460 or the relative infrequency 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:20.440 of their conscious, 00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.659 willful disobedience. 00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:22.679 Isn't that true? 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:25.279 We derive our sense of assurance 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.120 in our relationship with God 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:28.039 from how well we have been doing 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.980 and what we have done in the past. 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:30.279 But, 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.740 this passage teaches 00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:34.240 there is no need for fear 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:35.259 for believers 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:37.120 because Christ died 00:16:37.120 --> 00:16:39.240 as the propitiation for our sins. 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.940 Our assurance comes not 00:16:40.940 --> 00:16:41.779 from our performance, 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:43.240 but from the demonstration 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.379 of God's love 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.759 and commitment to us 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:47.100 in what Christ did 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.200 on that cross. 00:16:49.679 --> 00:16:50.120 And, 00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.480 and if that's the case, 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:53.279 and the only way we know love 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:54.179 is through what Christ 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.139 has done for us, 00:16:55.319 --> 00:16:56.220 then, 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:57.700 Christians, 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:58.720 those who have experienced 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.059 God's love 00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:00.179 are ones who are uniquely 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:01.720 equipped to know love. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:02.139 Right? 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.079 And at this point, 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:04.420 of course, 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.640 we might be asking ourselves, 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:07.299 but what about the unbelievers? 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.319 What about people 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.440 who do not believe in Christ? 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.879 Don't they love? 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.480 Don't they love one another? 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:12.920 Right? 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:13.779 So, 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.059 to an extent, 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.139 that is a true statement. 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.319 They do love. 00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:17.740 And, 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:17.879 and, 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:19.299 and the reason for that 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.279 is that we're all made 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.099 in the image of God. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.419 Right? 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:21.639 So, 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.139 we are able to approximate 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:24.019 to a degree 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.759 the, 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:26.539 the love that's in the Trinity 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.200 between the Father, 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.519 Son, 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.139 and the Holy Spirit 00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:29.460 because they are love 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:30.359 and men are created 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:31.119 in God's image. 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:32.399 Now, 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.279 but just, 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.419 while that is true, 00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.899 just as much as if you go to, 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.220 you know, 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:38.000 to look at Michelangelo's 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.619 sculpture of David, 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:41.419 it's a breathtaking sculpture 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:42.559 that's very realistic. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:42.919 Right? 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:43.039 So, 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.599 you look at that 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.219 and it's, 00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.000 I mean, 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:46.379 it looks even more realistic 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:47.159 to certain people's 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:47.819 actual bodies. 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.119 Right? 00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.119 But, 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:50.219 but when you look at that, 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.039 no matter how realistic 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:51.779 it looks, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.279 it does not, 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.519 it can never become 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.719 an actual human being 00:17:55.719 --> 00:17:56.699 because it lacks 00:17:56.699 --> 00:17:57.819 the breath of God. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.240 Right? 00:17:58.899 --> 00:18:00.459 But in the same way, 00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:02.219 no matter how realistic 00:18:02.219 --> 00:18:04.539 the love of unbelievers look 00:18:04.539 --> 00:18:05.919 as they're approximating 00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:06.659 the love of God, 00:18:07.119 --> 00:18:08.379 it cannot become 00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:09.379 the true love 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:11.019 that this passage speaks of 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:12.500 because it has not been 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.259 enabled, 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.200 they've not been enabled 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.920 or empowered 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:16.099 by the spirit of God 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:16.839 whose love. 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:18.359 The love that this passage 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:18.920 has in view, 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.559 it's this kind of sacrificial love 00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.819 that Christ has demonstrated, 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.900 it's seen, 00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:23.339 it's, 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:23.599 it's, 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.960 it's given to believers. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:25.680 It's their, 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:27.279 it's their exclusive possession 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.680 because it's the spirit of God. 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:29.940 So, 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.099 John explains this further 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.879 in verse 13. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.200 He says, 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.720 by this we know 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:35.200 that we abide in him 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:36.220 and he in us 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.359 because he has given us 00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.519 of his spirit. 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:38.920 Right? 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:40.180 Now, 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.279 if you're following along with me, 00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:42.420 you will catch a parallel 00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.620 with the verse immediately 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.160 before this, 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.820 in verse 12 00:18:44.820 --> 00:18:45.320 because it says, 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.200 if we love one another, 00:18:47.300 --> 00:18:48.340 God abides in us 00:18:48.340 --> 00:18:49.880 and his love is perfected in us. 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:50.240 Right? 00:18:50.560 --> 00:18:50.740 So, 00:18:50.800 --> 00:18:51.360 in verse 12, 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:51.720 it says, 00:18:51.840 --> 00:18:52.840 the condition for knowing 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:54.100 whether God is with us or not 00:18:54.100 --> 00:18:55.220 is that we love one another 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.840 and then in verse 13, 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.820 the condition for loving, 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.120 knowing whether God is with us 00:18:59.120 --> 00:18:59.460 or not 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.320 is that we, 00:19:00.560 --> 00:19:02.100 is that we have a spirit. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:02.539 Right? 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.420 And the reason for that, 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.420 and those two are actually 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.220 identical things 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.220 and the reason is that 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.980 God is love. 00:19:08.560 --> 00:19:08.640 Right? 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:08.800 So, 00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:10.100 when we love one another, 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:11.180 then that's an evidence 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.600 of God's presence with us. 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:13.680 That's the evidence 00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:14.680 of the spirit of God 00:19:14.680 --> 00:19:16.480 because as Romans 5, 5 says, 00:19:16.600 --> 00:19:18.259 God's love is poured out 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.020 into our hearts 00:19:19.020 --> 00:19:20.580 through the Holy Spirit 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:21.980 who has been given to us. 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:23.740 The possession of the Holy Spirit, 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:25.620 that's where that love comes from. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.800 That's the spring of love, 00:19:27.020 --> 00:19:28.000 the wellspring of love. 00:19:28.300 --> 00:19:28.420 Therefore, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.360 when we have the spirit, 00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:30.420 we love one another. 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.960 That's why those parallel statements 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.480 are there 00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:34.520 to teach us this truth. 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.599 So, 00:19:35.680 --> 00:19:36.379 that means that 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.139 to be a Christian 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:38.440 then is to be adopted 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.539 by God the Father 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:41.019 into the family of God, 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:42.200 into the loving family of God, 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:44.200 to be united with Christ, 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.240 the body of Christ, 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.819 the church, 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:47.480 and by participating 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.079 in his death 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.660 and resurrection, 00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:49.920 and to be filled 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:51.079 with the Holy Spirit 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:53.000 and to be brought together 00:19:53.000 --> 00:19:53.819 as living stones 00:19:53.819 --> 00:19:54.879 in the temple of God. 00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.059 Right? 00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.119 That's what it does. 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.259 The relationship 00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.099 with the triune God, 00:19:58.180 --> 00:19:59.000 that's what it means 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.359 to be a Christian. 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:02.839 And verse 16, 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.899 that's why it says here, 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.240 so we have come to know 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:05.959 and to believe 00:20:05.959 --> 00:20:08.979 the love that God has for us. 00:20:09.339 --> 00:20:09.779 So, 00:20:09.979 --> 00:20:10.719 it says that 00:20:10.719 --> 00:20:11.639 it's the love 00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:12.899 that God has for us, 00:20:12.979 --> 00:20:13.379 but actually, 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:14.319 literally, 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.579 the preposition 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.339 that's used there 00:20:16.339 --> 00:20:17.619 in the original Greek 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:18.779 is not for, 00:20:18.919 --> 00:20:19.779 it's actually in. 00:20:20.419 --> 00:20:20.639 So, 00:20:20.699 --> 00:20:21.079 it says, 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.319 if you were to translate 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:22.859 that literally, 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:25.279 the love that God has for us 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:26.019 should say 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:28.759 the love that God has in us. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:29.119 Right? 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.779 So, 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:30.479 that shows us 00:20:30.479 --> 00:20:31.359 the love that God 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.839 has poured into us 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.799 is exactly the love 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.839 that we experience. 00:20:35.619 --> 00:20:37.079 And that's why it says 00:20:37.079 --> 00:20:37.719 that God's love 00:20:37.719 --> 00:20:39.219 is perfected in us 00:20:39.219 --> 00:20:40.359 when we love one another. 00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.919 The love that God 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:44.059 bestows on us, 00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:45.659 that perfects itself, 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:47.079 that comes to its fruition 00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:48.039 in fullness 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:49.059 in our love 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.199 for one another. 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:54.079 And because the experience 00:20:54.079 --> 00:20:55.099 of this love 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:56.319 is wrapped up 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:57.159 in the very existence 00:20:57.159 --> 00:20:58.179 of the triune God, 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.860 that's why we have 00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:00.580 to know Jesus 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:01.600 in order to know this love. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:01.820 So, 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:02.759 follow along with me 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:04.080 in verses 14 to 15. 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.160 It says, 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:06.600 and we have seen 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:07.320 and testify 00:21:07.320 --> 00:21:08.360 that the Father 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:09.460 has sent his Son 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.240 to be the Savior 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.799 of the world. 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:12.380 Whoever confesses 00:21:12.380 --> 00:21:12.820 that Jesus 00:21:12.820 --> 00:21:13.799 is the Son of God, 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:15.080 God abides in him 00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:16.539 and he in God. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.259 So, 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:18.000 did you guys catch 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.980 that third parallel? 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.400 Right? 00:21:19.400 --> 00:21:19.960 So, 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:20.759 at first, 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.259 it was, 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:22.720 we must love 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:23.120 one another 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.759 in order for God 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.680 to abide with us. 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:25.280 Second, 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:25.680 it was, 00:21:25.800 --> 00:21:26.440 we must have 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.220 the Spirit of God 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.940 to mean that 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:29.400 God abides with us. 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:29.900 Now, 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.280 it says, 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:31.040 you must confess 00:21:31.040 --> 00:21:31.560 that Jesus 00:21:31.560 --> 00:21:32.519 is the Son of God, 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:34.140 then God abides with us. 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:34.420 Right? 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.259 Again, 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.080 the triune God, 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:37.180 you cannot know 00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:37.980 this love 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.580 without having 00:21:38.580 --> 00:21:39.140 a relationship 00:21:39.140 --> 00:21:40.620 with the triune God. 00:21:40.840 --> 00:21:40.960 Right? 00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:42.200 Because the Father, 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:42.480 Son, 00:21:42.540 --> 00:21:43.259 and Spirit are one, 00:21:43.340 --> 00:21:43.900 we cannot know 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.700 the Father's love 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.540 without confessing 00:21:45.540 --> 00:21:46.060 his Son, 00:21:46.160 --> 00:21:46.740 Jesus Christ, 00:21:46.800 --> 00:21:47.780 as our Lord and Savior. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:49.139 And we cannot know 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.940 the Son's love 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.019 without being filled 00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:52.000 with the Holy Spirit 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.139 who is the Spirit of Christ. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:53.440 Right? 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.639 So, 00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.680 this might be, 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.500 if you're not a believer, 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.680 this is probably 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.579 a difficult teaching. 00:21:59.200 --> 00:21:59.440 And, 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.700 because if you have not yet 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.799 placed your faith in Christ, 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.579 then it's saying, 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:03.000 basically, 00:22:03.099 --> 00:22:03.879 that you do not know 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.980 what love is. 00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.359 And, 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.119 if that's the case, 00:22:07.160 --> 00:22:07.720 you might object 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.440 at this point that, 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:08.639 well, 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.660 I've seen Christians 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.619 who are terrible 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:11.379 at loving people. 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:11.759 Right? 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:12.680 And, 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:12.879 you know, 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.799 I would agree with you. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:15.420 And the reason for that 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:16.879 is because there are Christians 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:18.560 who claim to be Christians 00:22:18.560 --> 00:22:19.420 but who are not 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.340 real Christians. 00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:20.760 Right? 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.940 That's one reason. 00:22:22.580 --> 00:22:22.860 And, 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:24.580 and the second reason 00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.180 might be that 00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:26.260 because you're judging, 00:22:26.520 --> 00:22:27.300 you're defining 00:22:27.300 --> 00:22:28.840 and judging love 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.380 on the basis 00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:30.520 of your own experience 00:22:30.520 --> 00:22:30.880 of love, 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.800 your own skewed 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.640 perception of love, 00:22:32.880 --> 00:22:34.120 that you are not thinking, 00:22:34.280 --> 00:22:35.340 you think that Christians 00:22:35.340 --> 00:22:36.380 are unloving people. 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.160 It could be, 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.060 it could be either 00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:38.900 of those things. 00:22:39.560 --> 00:22:39.900 But, 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:42.000 as Christians would say, 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:42.660 we do not claim 00:22:42.660 --> 00:22:43.280 to be perfect. 00:22:43.840 --> 00:22:44.680 We do not claim 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.420 to be able to love 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:45.740 one another 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:46.819 in a perfect way. 00:22:47.440 --> 00:22:47.680 But, 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.740 I can tell you 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.660 that every Christian 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.420 will tell you 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:52.200 that we love 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.099 one another better 00:22:53.099 --> 00:22:54.779 now than we did 00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.640 when we first 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.480 became a Christian. 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.039 I believe every single 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.920 Christian can say that. 00:22:59.339 --> 00:23:00.319 And that's because 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.240 you cannot have 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.900 a relationship 00:23:01.900 --> 00:23:02.740 with the God 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.579 who is love 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.480 without becoming 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.859 a more loving person. 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:07.460 That's what exactly, 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.720 that's what this passage 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.720 is exactly teaching us. 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:11.299 And, 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:13.140 and if that's the case 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.640 then if you're not 00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:13.980 a believer 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.960 we want to invite you 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.900 because there's 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.799 an invitation here. 00:23:16.860 --> 00:23:17.079 It says, 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:17.860 verse 14, 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:18.819 we have seen 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.380 and testified 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:20.059 that the Father 00:23:20.059 --> 00:23:20.880 has sent His Son 00:23:20.880 --> 00:23:21.519 to be the Savior 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.420 of the world. 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:22.920 Right? 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.299 Not a Savior 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.380 of Israel. 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.220 Not a Savior 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:27.600 of this ethnic group. 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.259 Not a Savior 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.559 of this particular group. 00:23:29.600 --> 00:23:30.360 He came to be 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:30.819 the Savior 00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.759 of the world. 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.059 He's not limited 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.840 to a specific 00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:35.319 geographic location. 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:37.180 It extends to you, 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.059 to everyone 00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.600 that's here. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.519 And then verse 15 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.420 therefore tells us 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:43.600 whoever confesses 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:44.120 that Jesus 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.100 is the Son of God 00:23:45.100 --> 00:23:46.480 God abides in him 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:48.039 and he in God. 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:51.160 Whoever confesses. 00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:51.700 Right? 00:23:51.940 --> 00:23:53.460 That's the criterion. 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:55.019 So when you confess 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.000 Jesus Christ 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.820 you will be born again 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:58.740 into the family of God. 00:23:58.800 --> 00:23:59.440 When you confess 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:00.039 Jesus Christ 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.360 you will be filled 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:02.320 with the Holy Spirit. 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:03.940 So please, 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.200 if you're not a believer 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.220 don't leave this service 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.900 this morning 00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.620 without a serious 00:24:07.620 --> 00:24:08.200 consideration 00:24:08.200 --> 00:24:09.800 of this invitation. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:11.720 but if you are 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.460 already a Christian 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:15.500 then we have 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.399 a particular burden 00:24:16.399 --> 00:24:17.379 and responsibility 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.319 and an expectation 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:20.099 because as this passage 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:20.659 teaches us 00:24:20.659 --> 00:24:21.440 those who have been 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:22.599 loved by God 00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.819 ought to love 00:24:23.819 --> 00:24:24.440 one another. 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:24.879 Right? 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.779 You can't draw near 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.519 to a fire 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.680 without being warmed 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.480 by its heat. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.099 Right? 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.500 You can't go into 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.220 a body of water 00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:33.279 without getting wet. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:33.919 Right? 00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.879 In the same way 00:24:34.879 --> 00:24:36.099 you cannot draw near 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.859 to the God 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:37.559 who is love 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.519 without becoming 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.559 a more loving person. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:40.119 Right? 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:43.039 So verses 11 to 12 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.299 says, 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:43.940 Beloved, 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:46.579 if God so loved us 00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.940 we also ought 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:49.000 to love one another. 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.500 No one has ever 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.279 seen God 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.000 and if we love 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.480 one another 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:54.000 God abides in us 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:55.019 and his love 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:56.039 is perfected 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.099 in us. 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.859 This is a saying 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.799 that recurs 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.799 throughout the Old Testament 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.240 that no one 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.000 has seen God. 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.299 Right? 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.299 No one has seen 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:04.180 the essence of God 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.419 because God is invisible 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:06.680 God is spirit. 00:25:06.919 --> 00:25:07.019 Right? 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:09.559 But this is parallel 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.500 to what John says 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.259 actually earlier 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:11.920 in chapter 1 00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:12.500 verse 18 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:12.960 where he says 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:13.660 no one has 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.819 ever seen God. 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.519 The only God 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.700 who is at the Father's side 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.879 he has made him known. 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.180 Right? 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.420 So here he's saying 00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:20.339 in chapter 1 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:20.740 he has said 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.660 that no one has seen God 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.759 the only way you can see God 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.319 or know God 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.059 is through Jesus 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.440 because he's the incarnate God. 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.859 And that's crazy 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.879 because now what he's saying 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.859 here in this passage 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.339 is that 00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:31.139 no one has seen this God 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:32.180 no one can see God 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.799 but now we see this God 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.579 in our love 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.439 for one another. 00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:38.079 When Jesus walked the earth 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.240 and he revealed God 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:40.220 he was God in the flesh 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.819 he was the Son of God 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:42.299 he revealed the Father to us 00:25:42.299 --> 00:25:43.980 and now it's the church 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:44.980 the body of Christ 00:25:44.980 --> 00:25:46.139 in our love for one another 00:25:46.139 --> 00:25:47.019 that we reveal 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.480 this God. 00:25:49.399 --> 00:25:50.460 This was precisely 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.240 the mistake 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:53.059 of the church fathers 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:54.559 the desert fathers 00:25:54.559 --> 00:25:56.759 who left society 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.659 and Christian community 00:25:57.659 --> 00:25:58.299 to pursue 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:58.919 a relationship 00:25:58.919 --> 00:25:59.740 with God alone. 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:00.179 Right? 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.960 They sought to deepen 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.819 their love for God 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:04.819 and increase their knowledge 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.139 of God 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:06.240 by going alone. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.960 But the truth 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.039 that's tied in this passage 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.379 is that God 00:26:10.379 --> 00:26:11.200 is revealed 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:12.379 in Christian community. 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.619 It's in our love 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:14.359 for one another 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:15.980 that's where we find 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.299 the presence of God 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.759 in the family of God 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:20.099 in the body of Christ. 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:20.799 Right? 00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:21.980 There can be no 00:26:21.980 --> 00:26:23.200 vertical reconciliation 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.159 with God 00:26:24.159 --> 00:26:25.220 apart from 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:25.939 a horizontal 00:26:25.939 --> 00:26:26.839 reconciliation 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.919 with one another. 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:28.960 That's why there's 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.799 no such thing 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.119 as an isolated Christian. 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:32.259 no such thing 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:32.939 as a Christian 00:26:32.939 --> 00:26:34.139 a maverick Christian 00:26:34.139 --> 00:26:34.739 that lives 00:26:34.739 --> 00:26:35.239 and does 00:26:35.239 --> 00:26:36.659 his or her own thing. 00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:39.559 And so verses 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:41.199 if this weren't clear enough 00:26:41.199 --> 00:26:42.339 John makes this 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:44.039 even more abundantly clear 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.519 in verses 20 and 21. 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:47.799 If anyone says 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:49.459 I love God 00:26:49.459 --> 00:26:51.419 and hates his brother 00:26:51.419 --> 00:26:53.359 he is a liar 00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:56.239 for he who does not 00:26:56.239 --> 00:26:57.079 love his brother 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:58.159 whom he has seen 00:26:58.160 --> 00:27:00.140 cannot love God 00:27:00.140 --> 00:27:01.660 whom he has not seen. 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:03.779 And this commandment 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.600 we have from him 00:27:04.600 --> 00:27:05.620 whoever loves God 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.860 must also love 00:27:06.860 --> 00:27:07.640 his brother. 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:09.860 We have a saying 00:27:09.860 --> 00:27:10.100 right? 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.820 Out of sight 00:27:10.820 --> 00:27:12.019 out of mind. 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.779 And if you 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:15.340 reflect on your own experience 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:15.880 you will say 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:17.320 that that's a true statement. 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.180 My family 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.880 my parents 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.240 live 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:21.980 in Seattle, Washington 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.800 which is quite far 00:27:22.800 --> 00:27:23.980 and I can say 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:25.180 that even with my parents 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.360 whom I love dearly 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:28.000 if I don't make an effort 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.839 to call 00:27:28.839 --> 00:27:29.779 and to stay in touch 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:30.159 with them 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.899 to FaceTime 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:32.359 out of sight 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:32.879 out of mind. 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.679 They don't come to my mind 00:27:34.679 --> 00:27:35.619 nearly as much as 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.819 you guys come to my mind 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.119 right? 00:27:37.719 --> 00:27:39.000 Because they're not here 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.899 they're not around 00:27:39.899 --> 00:27:40.299 right? 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:42.019 And that's why 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:42.819 this passage 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.519 is teaching us 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.139 that you know what 00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:45.819 if you claim to love God 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.959 yet hate the brother 00:27:46.959 --> 00:27:47.619 or sister 00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:48.740 the fellow Christian 00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.699 that's around you 00:27:49.699 --> 00:27:50.759 then you are a liar 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:52.619 because you cannot love 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:53.339 God 00:27:53.339 --> 00:27:54.119 without loving 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:55.279 the brothers and sisters 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:55.939 that you have. 00:27:56.359 --> 00:27:56.439 Right? 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.799 We can't love 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.599 the person 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.759 that you can see 00:28:00.759 --> 00:28:01.719 with your own eyes 00:28:01.719 --> 00:28:03.079 and hear with your own ears 00:28:03.079 --> 00:28:04.579 and touch with your own hands 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:06.379 then how can you possibly 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:07.379 love God 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.639 whom you cannot see? 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:09.459 Right? 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.459 That's what 00:28:11.459 --> 00:28:12.699 John's getting at. 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:14.479 He reiterates this point 00:28:14.479 --> 00:28:15.119 in verse 21 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:16.059 and this commandment 00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.819 we have from him 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:18.459 whoever loves God 00:28:18.459 --> 00:28:19.799 must also love 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.519 his brother. 00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.219 And 00:28:22.219 --> 00:28:23.299 what I find 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.119 so moving 00:28:24.119 --> 00:28:24.839 about this passage 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.459 is that 00:28:25.460 --> 00:28:26.180 if you look 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:27.579 kind of just 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.259 survey it 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.900 real quickly 00:28:28.900 --> 00:28:29.880 in verse 7 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:31.000 and verse 11 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.600 see how 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:33.579 Apostle John 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:35.440 addresses us 00:28:35.440 --> 00:28:36.380 how he addresses 00:28:36.380 --> 00:28:37.000 his audience 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.440 he says 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.559 beloved 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.259 right? 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.140 Beloved 00:28:41.140 --> 00:28:42.920 that's how he addresses us 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.880 that's how he refers 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.860 to his fellow believers 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.819 and that's 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.400 the sign 00:28:46.400 --> 00:28:47.279 that's the evidence 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.720 that John himself 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:49.779 has been mastered 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:51.059 by the very thing 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.799 that he's teaching 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:53.099 he's calling us 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.879 loved one another 00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.839 and he himself 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.759 loves the people 00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:56.440 he's writing to 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.339 he calls them 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:57.819 beloved 00:28:57.819 --> 00:28:59.940 and 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:01.839 that's the 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:03.359 and that's the 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:03.639 thing 00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:04.940 that's why he calls us 00:29:04.940 --> 00:29:05.960 to brotherly love 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.159 right? 00:29:06.240 --> 00:29:06.519 He says 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.720 love your brother 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.059 love 00:29:08.059 --> 00:29:09.259 and that's 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.919 something that we've 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:10.759 talked about in the past 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:12.139 but brotherly love 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:12.779 it's 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.359 we have siblings 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:15.079 that we 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.099 tolerate 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:17.659 simply because 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:18.240 they're a family 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.639 right? 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.800 they have all kinds 00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:20.320 of oddities 00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:20.900 and foibles 00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:22.160 yet we live with them 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.920 like sometimes 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:23.640 we share a bedroom 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.100 with them 00:29:24.100 --> 00:29:24.400 right? 00:29:24.840 --> 00:29:25.220 and that's 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.700 and we do that 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.440 because they're our 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:27.960 family 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.420 right? 00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:29.680 and that's 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.680 it's the same 00:29:30.680 --> 00:29:31.480 thing that the 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.400 Christian community 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.220 is the family 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.660 of God 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.520 we're not here 00:29:34.520 --> 00:29:35.380 because we share 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:36.020 the same 00:29:36.020 --> 00:29:37.360 ethnicity 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:38.480 or you know 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:40.100 political opinions 00:29:40.100 --> 00:29:41.340 or because we're 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:41.900 in the same 00:29:41.900 --> 00:29:42.759 age group 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.580 or because we live 00:29:43.580 --> 00:29:44.480 in the same area 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.280 that's not why 00:29:45.280 --> 00:29:45.780 we're here 00:29:45.780 --> 00:29:46.780 we're here 00:29:46.780 --> 00:29:47.759 because we have 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.779 the same father 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.299 and we've been 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.819 brought into 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:50.299 the family 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.740 of God 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.720 that's why 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.500 when we have 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.319 run into each 00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:53.980 other's foibles 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.700 and oddities 00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.819 and even sins 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:57.000 we don't just say 00:29:57.000 --> 00:29:57.579 oh forget it 00:29:57.579 --> 00:29:58.019 I'm leaving 00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.480 right? 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.279 we commit to 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.740 one another 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:02.619 that's what it 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.119 means to be 00:30:03.119 --> 00:30:03.500 family 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.779 that's why 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.539 John calls us 00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:06.379 to brotherly 00:30:06.379 --> 00:30:06.660 love 00:30:06.660 --> 00:30:06.940 right? 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:07.819 that's why 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.420 when there's 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.539 weak or infirm 00:30:09.539 --> 00:30:09.920 among us 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.700 we care for them 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.379 and serve them 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:11.700 that's why 00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.160 when there's 00:30:12.160 --> 00:30:12.940 poor among us 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.799 we are generous 00:30:13.799 --> 00:30:14.299 toward them 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.779 and give 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.299 toward them 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.879 that's why 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.460 when there's 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.879 those who are 00:30:16.879 --> 00:30:17.740 lonely among us 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.759 we comfort them 00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:20.279 we become their 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.680 friend 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.620 we are compassionate 00:30:21.620 --> 00:30:22.180 toward them 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:22.880 that's why 00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.799 when people sin 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.420 against us 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.400 within the church 00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:26.880 we confront them 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:28.279 we talk to them 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.519 and we forgive them 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.140 right? 00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.319 that's what it means 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.460 to be a family 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.140 of God 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:35.460 the Bible 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:35.880 the Bible contains 00:30:35.880 --> 00:30:36.759 a whole host 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.640 of commandments 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:39.920 toward one another 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.300 right? 00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.180 tells us 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:43.220 to greet one another 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.320 confess your sins 00:30:44.320 --> 00:30:44.900 to one another 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:46.040 care for one another 00:30:46.040 --> 00:30:46.940 serve one another 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:48.340 bear one another's burdens 00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:49.759 encourage and edify 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.380 one another 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.920 exhort one another 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:53.040 stir up one another 00:30:53.040 --> 00:30:54.740 to love and good works 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:56.040 be patient with 00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:57.440 and forgive one another 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:59.080 teach and admonish 00:30:59.080 --> 00:30:59.640 one another 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.220 submit 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.500 to one another 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.440 these are all quotes 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.059 from the Bible 00:31:03.059 --> 00:31:04.480 and all of these 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:06.059 things are summed up 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:07.440 in this one command 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.640 to love 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.779 one another 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.599 right? 00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:13.000 because those 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:13.500 who have been 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:14.779 loved by God 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:16.240 ought to love 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:17.759 one another 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:21.639 today 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:23.039 we're going to be 00:31:23.039 --> 00:31:23.619 inducting 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.259 the first 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.500 members of 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.379 Trinity Cambridge Church 00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:28.039 if we could grab 00:31:28.039 --> 00:31:28.859 the tuckets 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.519 I think that'd be great 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:31.539 and 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.219 membership 00:31:32.219 --> 00:31:33.159 is simply 00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:34.179 a formal 00:31:34.179 --> 00:31:35.379 recognition 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.799 of this 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.819 love for one another 00:31:37.819 --> 00:31:40.559 because 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.240 as we said 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:41.539 earlier 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:41.819 he said 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.379 he who does 00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:43.019 not love 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.519 his brother 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.139 whom he has 00:31:44.139 --> 00:31:44.480 seen 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.339 cannot love 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:45.700 God 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.220 whom he 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:46.879 has not 00:31:46.879 --> 00:31:47.399 seen 00:31:47.399 --> 00:31:48.720 that's why 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.159 it is not 00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:49.779 enough for 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.200 a Christian 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:50.700 to simply 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:51.359 claim to 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:51.980 love God 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:52.519 without 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.279 involvement 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:53.819 in the local 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.240 church 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.559 and membership 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.480 is an expression 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:56.899 of that 00:31:56.899 --> 00:31:57.379 commitment 00:31:57.379 --> 00:31:58.059 to one another 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.639 to love 00:31:58.639 --> 00:31:59.139 one another 00:31:59.139 --> 00:32:00.679 and this is 00:32:00.679 --> 00:32:01.079 especially 00:32:01.079 --> 00:32:01.539 important 00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.039 in a society 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:02.899 like ours 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.539 because it's 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.319 so transient 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.980 and it's 00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:07.879 people 00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.779 move for 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.599 jobs 00:32:09.599 --> 00:32:10.039 or whatever 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:10.759 and a lot 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:11.119 of people 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:11.639 hop from 00:32:11.639 --> 00:32:12.179 one church 00:32:12.179 --> 00:32:12.740 to another 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:14.099 and in a 00:32:14.099 --> 00:32:14.839 transient society 00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:15.720 like ours 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.379 sometimes 00:32:16.379 --> 00:32:17.119 relationships 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:17.759 within the 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:17.919 church 00:32:17.919 --> 00:32:18.259 can be 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:18.579 treated 00:32:18.579 --> 00:32:18.839 like 00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:19.299 disposable 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:19.779 goods 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:21.519 that was 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:22.000 good for a 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.240 season 00:32:22.240 --> 00:32:22.619 now I'm 00:32:22.619 --> 00:32:22.899 gone 00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:24.500 but 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.299 that's 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:25.679 not 00:32:25.679 --> 00:32:26.799 how we 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:26.980 treat 00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.319 family 00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:27.619 that's 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:27.919 not how 00:32:27.919 --> 00:32:28.299 the family 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:28.579 of God 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:28.980 is supposed 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.339 to be 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:29.980 and by 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.379 becoming 00:32:30.379 --> 00:32:31.039 members 00:32:31.039 --> 00:32:31.960 we are 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.639 basically 00:32:32.639 --> 00:32:33.179 rebelling 00:32:33.179 --> 00:32:33.700 against 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.420 that culture 00:32:34.420 --> 00:32:34.920 and trend 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.759 of transience 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.819 and independence 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.660 and saying 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.100 that no 00:32:38.100 --> 00:32:38.620 the church 00:32:38.620 --> 00:32:38.940 of God 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:39.340 the family 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:39.640 of God 00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:39.920 it's 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.380 permanent 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:40.900 we're 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:41.500 acknowledging 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.259 its permanence 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:43.080 and acknowledging 00:32:43.080 --> 00:32:43.680 our own 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.620 interdependence 00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:45.200 to one another 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:48.000 and of course 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:48.519 until 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:50.680 and because 00:32:50.680 --> 00:32:51.360 also 00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:51.840 until 00:32:51.840 --> 00:32:52.720 you might say 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.220 like at this 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:53.420 point 00:32:53.420 --> 00:32:53.920 that you know 00:32:53.920 --> 00:32:54.880 but aren't 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.319 we all 00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.160 in the family 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:56.519 of God 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.120 aren't all 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:57.500 believers 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:58.200 all across 00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:58.559 the world 00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:58.900 aren't we 00:32:58.900 --> 00:32:59.460 all part 00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.740 of the 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.420 are we all 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:00.700 members 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.100 of the same 00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:01.640 church of God 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.120 you know 00:33:02.120 --> 00:33:02.799 that is true 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:03.960 we do 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.500 belong to 00:33:04.500 --> 00:33:05.139 the universal 00:33:05.139 --> 00:33:05.759 church 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:07.139 but 00:33:07.139 --> 00:33:08.019 until we 00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:08.599 reach heaven 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:09.279 the universal 00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:09.680 church 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.079 the church 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:10.599 across 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:11.480 generations 00:33:11.480 --> 00:33:12.119 and across 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:12.940 boundaries 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.779 cannot function 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.399 like the family 00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:14.839 of God 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.940 we can't 00:33:15.940 --> 00:33:16.319 function 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:16.960 like the family 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.240 of God 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.700 with the 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:17.980 believers 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.399 who are 00:33:18.399 --> 00:33:19.099 in China 00:33:19.099 --> 00:33:19.839 or South 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.240 Africa 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:20.659 right 00:33:20.659 --> 00:33:22.019 you can't 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.500 because of 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.419 the geographic 00:33:23.419 --> 00:33:23.899 boundary 00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:24.500 the language 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:24.859 boundary 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:25.319 the cultural 00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:25.619 boundary 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:26.000 we cannot 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.480 function 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.960 like that 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:27.460 in the family 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.740 we need 00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.259 brothers and 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:29.579 sisters 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.079 whom we 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.579 see 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.340 whom we 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:31.700 hear 00:33:31.700 --> 00:33:32.160 whom we 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:32.960 relate 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.559 to interact 00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:33.799 with 00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.120 that we 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:34.779 can love 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.299 and be 00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:35.940 loved by 00:33:35.940 --> 00:33:36.440 and that's 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:36.759 why 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.299 he says 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:37.539 he who 00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:37.900 does not 00:33:37.900 --> 00:33:38.539 love his 00:33:38.539 --> 00:33:38.799 brother 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.079 whom he 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:39.460 has seen 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.019 cannot love 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.279 God 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.539 whom he 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:40.960 has not 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.579 seen 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:41.980 right 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:43.940 in many 00:33:43.940 --> 00:33:44.400 ways it's 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:44.980 easier for us 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:45.519 to claim to 00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:46.140 love a brother 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.680 that we don't 00:33:46.680 --> 00:33:47.279 have to see 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:47.759 right 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.559 it's like 00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:49.059 oh like 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.920 I never see 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:50.360 him or I 00:33:50.360 --> 00:33:50.720 never see 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:50.920 her 00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:51.319 oh yeah 00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:51.640 and when 00:33:51.640 --> 00:33:52.059 someone asks 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.340 you do you 00:33:52.340 --> 00:33:52.940 love that 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:53.400 person of 00:33:53.400 --> 00:33:53.640 course 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:54.180 of course I 00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:54.480 love that 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:54.779 person 00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:55.799 it's harder 00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:56.180 when that 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:56.579 person is 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.019 living with 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.240 you and 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:57.460 you have 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:57.759 to deal 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.259 with all 00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.659 that person 00:33:58.659 --> 00:33:59.240 that person's 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.879 issues it's 00:33:59.879 --> 00:34:00.240 harder to 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:00.579 love that 00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:00.899 person 00:34:00.899 --> 00:34:02.019 that's why 00:34:02.019 --> 00:34:02.639 church membership 00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.279 is important 00:34:03.279 --> 00:34:04.299 we're saying 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:04.680 that you know 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.019 what we're 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:05.399 going to deal 00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:05.779 with those 00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.559 things we're 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:07.000 going to love 00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.440 one another 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:07.899 through those 00:34:07.899 --> 00:34:08.579 things we're 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.019 going to commit 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.559 to one another 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.059 through those 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:10.980 things that's 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.800 what this 00:34:11.800 --> 00:34:12.820 represents 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:16.659 so by taking 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.199 this important 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:17.940 step many of 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:18.259 you guys are 00:34:18.259 --> 00:34:18.980 taking today you 00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.639 are acknowledging 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.460 that this local 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.320 church then is 00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:22.360 our spiritual 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:24.079 family and I 00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:24.619 want to commend 00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.259 each of you 00:34:25.260 --> 00:34:26.280 who is doing 00:34:26.280 --> 00:34:27.200 that because 00:34:27.200 --> 00:34:28.060 it's a 00:34:28.060 --> 00:34:28.780 weighty decision 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:30.560 I also want 00:34:30.560 --> 00:34:31.020 to commend 00:34:31.020 --> 00:34:31.900 those of you 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:32.440 who have 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.080 seriously 00:34:33.080 --> 00:34:33.360 weighed 00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:33.760 this decision 00:34:33.760 --> 00:34:34.020 and have 00:34:34.020 --> 00:34:34.680 decided not 00:34:34.680 --> 00:34:35.220 to become a 00:34:35.220 --> 00:34:35.580 member at 00:34:35.580 --> 00:34:35.980 this time 00:34:35.980 --> 00:34:37.320 because it 00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:37.640 is a 00:34:37.640 --> 00:34:37.880 weighty 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:38.260 decision 00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:39.000 and it 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.600 is important 00:34:39.600 --> 00:34:40.180 so I want 00:34:40.180 --> 00:34:40.560 to commend 00:34:40.560 --> 00:34:41.680 those people 00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:41.980 who have 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:42.400 done that 00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:42.920 as well 00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.880 but I do 00:34:43.880 --> 00:34:44.360 hope that 00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:44.920 soon you 00:34:44.920 --> 00:34:45.420 will become 00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:45.860 members 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:47.620 as we 00:34:47.620 --> 00:34:48.120 work out 00:34:48.120 --> 00:34:48.480 those things 00:34:48.480 --> 00:34:49.120 together and 00:34:49.120 --> 00:34:49.720 commit and 00:34:49.720 --> 00:34:50.380 consider what 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:50.780 it means to 00:34:50.780 --> 00:34:51.100 be the 00:34:51.100 --> 00:34:51.540 family of 00:34:51.540 --> 00:34:51.740 God 00:34:51.739 --> 00:34:53.419 if you 00:34:53.419 --> 00:34:54.059 have not 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:54.559 thought about 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:55.099 membership at 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:56.000 all and if 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.339 this is a 00:34:56.339 --> 00:34:56.799 new concept 00:34:56.799 --> 00:34:57.259 to you then 00:34:57.259 --> 00:34:57.799 I invite you 00:34:57.799 --> 00:34:58.159 to think 00:34:58.159 --> 00:34:58.639 about it 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.239 and to pray 00:34:59.239 --> 00:34:59.659 about it 00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:00.479 and consider 00:35:00.479 --> 00:35:01.019 in the future 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.839 of submitting 00:35:01.839 --> 00:35:02.279 a membership 00:35:02.279 --> 00:35:02.779 questionnaire 00:35:02.779 --> 00:35:03.919 and take 00:35:03.919 --> 00:35:04.299 going through 00:35:04.299 --> 00:35:04.839 the class 00:35:04.839 --> 00:35:05.239 membership 00:35:05.239 --> 00:35:05.879 class with 00:35:05.879 --> 00:35:06.139 us 00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:08.299 now if 00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:08.719 you'll turn 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:09.039 to your 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:09.739 worship guide 00:35:09.739 --> 00:35:11.239 you'll find 00:35:11.239 --> 00:35:12.000 inside the 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:12.359 membership 00:35:12.359 --> 00:35:12.940 covenant 00:35:12.940 --> 00:35:14.759 so I'm 00:35:14.759 --> 00:35:15.079 going to 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:15.539 read the 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.079 names of 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:16.319 our 00:35:16.319 --> 00:35:16.940 membership 00:35:16.940 --> 00:35:17.739 candidates 00:35:17.739 --> 00:35:18.480 and when 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.039 your name 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:19.319 is read 00:35:19.319 --> 00:35:19.699 out loud 00:35:19.699 --> 00:35:20.000 I want 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.219 you to 00:35:20.219 --> 00:35:20.900 stand up 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.839 and once 00:35:21.839 --> 00:35:22.299 everybody's 00:35:22.299 --> 00:35:22.599 up we're 00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:22.759 going to 00:35:22.759 --> 00:35:23.259 read the 00:35:23.259 --> 00:35:23.599 covenant 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.119 membership 00:35:24.119 --> 00:35:24.539 covenant 00:35:24.539 --> 00:35:25.079 together 00:35:25.079 --> 00:35:27.900 so John 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.400 Buckley 00:35:28.400 --> 00:35:29.420 is already 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:29.819 standing 00:35:29.819 --> 00:35:31.559 Cheryl 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:32.119 Huckins 00:35:32.119 --> 00:35:34.619 Emily 00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:35.159 Huckins 00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:37.219 Matt 00:35:37.219 --> 00:35:37.699 Huckins 00:35:37.699 --> 00:35:41.000 Taylor 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.539 Jacoby 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:43.879 Sarah 00:35:43.879 --> 00:35:44.279 Lee 00:35:44.279 --> 00:35:46.599 Lauren 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:47.000 Miller 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:49.139 Stephen 00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:49.519 Miller 00:35:49.519 --> 00:35:51.500 Mariah 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:51.960 Nolan 00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:54.239 Stephanie 00:35:54.239 --> 00:35:54.759 Tuckett 00:35:54.759 --> 00:35:56.480 Taryn 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:56.960 Tuckett 00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:58.759 Jenny 00:35:58.759 --> 00:35:59.119 Wong 00:35:59.119 --> 00:36:01.179 Hannah 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:01.519 Wu 00:36:01.519 --> 00:36:03.920 Jun 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.319 Wu 00:36:04.320 --> 00:36:06.240 and 00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.620 Sean 00:36:06.620 --> 00:36:06.880 Wu 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:08.380 so 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.059 I'm 00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:09.200 already 00:36:09.200 --> 00:36:09.519 standing 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.059 so 00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:12.100 let's 00:36:12.100 --> 00:36:13.500 hold it 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:13.640 in your 00:36:13.640 --> 00:36:13.780 hand 00:36:13.780 --> 00:36:14.039 let's 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:14.340 read the 00:36:14.340 --> 00:36:14.580 membership 00:36:14.580 --> 00:36:14.880 covenant 00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:15.220 out loud 00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:15.500 together 00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:19.000 having 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:19.300 having been 00:36:19.300 --> 00:36:19.719 brought 00:36:19.719 --> 00:36:20.519 by God's 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:20.800 sovereign 00:36:20.800 --> 00:36:21.320 grace 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:21.940 into the 00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:22.300 fellowship 00:36:22.300 --> 00:36:22.760 of the 00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:23.119 spirit 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.599 through 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.139 repentance 00:36:24.139 --> 00:36:24.900 and faith 00:36:24.900 --> 00:36:25.400 in Jesus 00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:25.840 Christ 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:26.920 and having 00:36:26.920 --> 00:36:27.179 been 00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:27.619 baptized 00:36:27.619 --> 00:36:28.320 upon our 00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:28.780 profession 00:36:28.780 --> 00:36:29.320 of faith 00:36:29.320 --> 00:36:30.219 we do 00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:30.679 now 00:36:30.679 --> 00:36:31.119 in the 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:31.380 presence 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:31.920 of God 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:32.659 angels 00:36:32.659 --> 00:36:33.219 and this 00:36:33.219 --> 00:36:33.699 assembly 00:36:33.699 --> 00:36:34.460 most 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:35.099 solemnly 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:35.960 and joyfully 00:36:35.960 --> 00:36:36.840 enter into 00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:37.219 covenant 00:36:37.219 --> 00:36:37.760 with one 00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:38.079 another 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:38.800 as one 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.260 body 00:36:39.260 --> 00:36:39.840 in Christ 00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:41.400 we engage 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:41.920 therefore 00:36:41.920 --> 00:36:42.800 by the aid 00:36:42.800 --> 00:36:43.059 of the 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.619 Holy Spirit 00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:44.440 to love 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:44.880 God 00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.400 with all 00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:45.559 our 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:45.920 heart 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.420 soul 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:46.960 mind 00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:47.659 and strength 00:36:47.659 --> 00:36:48.739 to strive 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:49.099 for the 00:36:49.099 --> 00:36:49.559 advancement 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.059 of this 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.400 church 00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:51.359 in knowledge 00:36:51.359 --> 00:36:52.019 holiness 00:36:52.019 --> 00:36:52.859 and peace 00:36:52.859 --> 00:36:53.920 promote the 00:36:53.920 --> 00:36:54.400 church's 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.079 spirituality 00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:56.139 and fruitfulness 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:57.359 to sustain 00:36:57.359 --> 00:36:58.159 its worship 00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:58.859 ordinances 00:36:58.859 --> 00:36:59.659 and discipline 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.759 to welcome 00:37:00.759 --> 00:37:01.440 and test 00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.039 biblically 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:02.859 instruction 00:37:02.859 --> 00:37:03.380 from the 00:37:03.380 --> 00:37:03.699 scriptures 00:37:03.699 --> 00:37:04.239 by the 00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:04.539 elders 00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:04.940 of the 00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:05.219 church 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:06.380 seeking to 00:37:06.380 --> 00:37:06.639 grow 00:37:06.639 --> 00:37:07.099 toward 00:37:07.099 --> 00:37:07.539 biblical 00:37:07.539 --> 00:37:08.019 unity 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:08.420 in the 00:37:08.420 --> 00:37:08.739 truth 00:37:08.739 --> 00:37:09.439 to 00:37:09.439 --> 00:37:09.879 contribute 00:37:09.879 --> 00:37:10.539 cheerfully 00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.259 and regularly 00:37:11.259 --> 00:37:11.719 to the 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:12.119 support 00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:12.479 of the 00:37:12.479 --> 00:37:12.879 ministry 00:37:12.879 --> 00:37:13.399 the 00:37:13.399 --> 00:37:13.819 expenses 00:37:13.819 --> 00:37:14.219 of the 00:37:14.219 --> 00:37:14.559 church 00:37:14.559 --> 00:37:15.019 the 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.479 relief 00:37:15.479 --> 00:37:15.819 of the 00:37:15.819 --> 00:37:16.119 poor 00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:16.699 and the 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.059 spread 00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:17.399 of the 00:37:17.399 --> 00:37:17.759 gospel 00:37:17.759 --> 00:37:18.379 through all 00:37:18.379 --> 00:37:18.799 nations 00:37:18.799 --> 00:37:20.539 we also 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.059 engage 00:37:21.059 --> 00:37:21.599 to love 00:37:21.599 --> 00:37:22.139 one another 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:23.179 to remember 00:37:23.179 --> 00:37:23.739 one another 00:37:23.739 --> 00:37:24.339 in prayer 00:37:24.339 --> 00:37:25.319 to aid 00:37:25.319 --> 00:37:25.839 one another 00:37:25.839 --> 00:37:26.459 in sickness 00:37:26.459 --> 00:37:27.319 and distress 00:37:27.319 --> 00:37:28.379 to cultivate 00:37:28.379 --> 00:37:29.399 Christian sympathy 00:37:29.399 --> 00:37:30.199 in feeling 00:37:30.199 --> 00:37:30.979 and courtesy 00:37:30.979 --> 00:37:31.819 in speech 00:37:31.819 --> 00:37:32.739 to avoid 00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:33.539 all gossip 00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.299 backbiting 00:37:34.299 --> 00:37:34.979 and excessive 00:37:34.979 --> 00:37:35.419 anger 00:37:35.419 --> 00:37:36.579 to be slow 00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:37.079 to take 00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:37.599 offense 00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.299 but always 00:37:38.299 --> 00:37:38.900 ready for 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:39.500 reconciliation 00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:40.559 and mindful 00:37:40.559 --> 00:37:41.000 of the 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.440 rules of 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:41.960 our Savior 00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.839 to secure 00:37:42.839 --> 00:37:43.339 it without 00:37:43.339 --> 00:37:43.759 delay 00:37:43.759 --> 00:37:45.099 we further 00:37:45.099 --> 00:37:45.599 engage 00:37:45.599 --> 00:37:46.139 to share 00:37:46.139 --> 00:37:46.500 the love 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:47.000 of Christ 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.619 with others 00:37:47.619 --> 00:37:48.639 to educate 00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:49.299 our children 00:37:49.299 --> 00:37:49.639 in the 00:37:49.639 --> 00:37:50.339 Christian faith 00:37:50.339 --> 00:37:51.139 to seek 00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:51.839 the salvation 00:37:51.839 --> 00:37:52.360 of our 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:52.719 kindred 00:37:52.719 --> 00:37:53.500 and acquaintances 00:37:53.500 --> 00:37:54.539 to walk 00:37:54.539 --> 00:37:55.440 circumspectly 00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:56.039 in the world 00:37:56.039 --> 00:37:57.039 to be just 00:37:57.039 --> 00:37:57.380 in our 00:37:57.380 --> 00:37:57.900 dealings 00:37:57.900 --> 00:37:58.579 faithful 00:37:58.579 --> 00:37:58.960 in our 00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.559 engagements 00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.639 and exemplary 00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:00.900 in our 00:38:00.900 --> 00:38:01.460 deportment 00:38:01.460 --> 00:38:02.380 to seek 00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:03.139 God's help 00:38:03.139 --> 00:38:03.759 in abstaining 00:38:03.759 --> 00:38:04.339 from all 00:38:04.339 --> 00:38:04.759 drugs 00:38:04.759 --> 00:38:05.199 food 00:38:05.199 --> 00:38:05.739 drink 00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:06.460 and practices 00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:07.259 which bring 00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:07.920 unwarranted 00:38:07.920 --> 00:38:08.320 harm 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:08.600 to the 00:38:08.600 --> 00:38:08.880 body 00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:10.000 or jeopardize 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:10.500 our own 00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:11.160 or another's 00:38:11.160 --> 00:38:11.440 faith 00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:12.860 we moreover 00:38:12.860 --> 00:38:13.520 engage 00:38:13.520 --> 00:38:14.120 that when we 00:38:14.120 --> 00:38:14.760 remove from 00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:15.400 this place 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:16.220 we will 00:38:16.220 --> 00:38:17.040 if possible 00:38:17.040 --> 00:38:17.980 unite with 00:38:17.980 --> 00:38:18.600 a like-minded 00:38:18.600 --> 00:38:19.080 church 00:38:19.080 --> 00:38:19.720 where we can 00:38:19.720 --> 00:38:20.220 carry out 00:38:20.220 --> 00:38:20.740 the spirit 00:38:20.740 --> 00:38:21.200 of this 00:38:21.200 --> 00:38:21.520 covenant 00:38:21.520 --> 00:38:23.080 we acknowledge 00:38:23.080 --> 00:38:23.820 that implicit 00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.520 within this 00:38:24.520 --> 00:38:24.780 covenant 00:38:24.780 --> 00:38:25.640 is the consent 00:38:25.640 --> 00:38:26.280 to be governed 00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:27.240 by the doctrinal 00:38:27.240 --> 00:38:27.900 and relational 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.500 commitments 00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.240 that have been 00:38:29.240 --> 00:38:30.080 officially adopted 00:38:30.080 --> 00:38:30.880 by the church 00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:31.900 and that address 00:38:31.900 --> 00:38:32.420 our statement 00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:33.020 of faith 00:38:33.020 --> 00:38:33.560 biblical 00:38:33.560 --> 00:38:34.160 counseling 00:38:34.160 --> 00:38:35.240 peacemaking 00:38:35.240 --> 00:38:36.340 church discipline 00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:37.039 marriage and 00:38:37.039 --> 00:38:37.440 divorce 00:38:37.440 --> 00:38:38.300 and singleness 00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:39.059 and courtship 00:38:39.059 --> 00:38:40.780 may the grace 00:38:40.780 --> 00:38:41.260 of the Lord 00:38:41.260 --> 00:38:42.019 Jesus Christ 00:38:42.019 --> 00:38:42.820 and the love 00:38:42.820 --> 00:38:43.300 of God 00:38:43.300 --> 00:38:44.200 and the fellowship 00:38:44.200 --> 00:38:45.280 of the Holy Spirit 00:38:45.280 --> 00:38:46.400 be with us all 00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:47.180 amen 00:38:47.180 --> 00:38:49.660 thank you guys 00:38:49.660 --> 00:38:51.880 so please 00:38:51.880 --> 00:38:52.740 be seated 00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:58.699 okay 00:38:58.699 --> 00:38:58.739 so 00:38:59.959 --> 00:39:00.559 thank you 00:39:00.559 --> 00:39:01.599 so 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:01.979 thank you