WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980 So, we've been looking at what does it mean to be ministry-minded? 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:09.320 What does it mean to serve? 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:19.960 And it all starts, doesn't it, with the servant king, the Lord Jesus, the son of man who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:00:21.480 --> 00:00:26.260 And then we looked at what does it mean to serve as sons of the Father. 00:00:26.260 --> 00:00:34.660 And then last week, as the bride of the king, and this morning I want us to look at what does it mean to serve as friends of the boss. 00:00:36.260 --> 00:00:40.260 I look at John 15 and verse 15. 00:00:41.020 --> 00:00:42.340 It's a remarkable verse. 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:44.120 John 15 and verse 15. 00:00:45.560 --> 00:00:52.760 Jesus says, no longer to his disciples do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:56.000 But I have called you friends. 00:00:56.259 --> 00:00:59.299 I've called you friends. 00:01:01.359 --> 00:01:03.259 It's the ultimate name-dropping, isn't it? 00:01:04.480 --> 00:01:06.200 To call Jesus friends. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:17.920 Or to say we are not only friends of Jesus, but that Jesus regards you and I as his followers as his friends. 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:22.939 It's the ultimate in name-dropping because his name is above every name. 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:30.320 And so if you know someone who's got a really well-known name, you'll know people like this. 00:01:30.579 --> 00:01:33.519 They drop it, don't they, into every conversation. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:37.560 Some of you will remember Dan Quayle. 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:40.859 It's ancient now, but he was the vice president to George Bush Senior. 00:01:41.299 --> 00:01:41.879 I think I've got that right. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:53.640 And in their kind of vice presidential debate, Dan Quayle, who was not short on confidence, compared himself to John F. Kennedy. 00:01:53.640 --> 00:01:57.320 And Lloyd Benson, who he was debating, came back. 00:01:57.840 --> 00:02:03.060 And Lloyd Benson said this, Senator, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:06.480 And Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:07.700 That is very clever. 00:02:07.700 --> 00:02:10.539 It's a double whammy, isn't it? 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:16.979 Because in one breath, this guy was able to tell the nation I was friends with John F. Kennedy. 00:02:17.719 --> 00:02:21.520 And at the same time, he made Dan Quayle look like a dirty name. 00:02:22.259 --> 00:02:23.400 He made a fool of him. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:26.819 And name-dropping, there's a real skill to it. 00:02:28.460 --> 00:02:29.719 There's a way of doing it. 00:02:31.780 --> 00:02:35.039 Somebody has said drop names are like toupees, you know, a wig. 00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:38.959 And badly done, they are obvious and show bad taste. 00:02:39.859 --> 00:02:41.419 Carefully deployed, they weren't wonders. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:44.120 They're kind to laugh. 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:54.039 But I want us to think about this morning what a great privilege it is to have the name of Jesus associated with our name. 00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:59.560 I want you by the end of this sermon to be bold enough to name-drop. 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:03.659 To drop the name of Jesus this week, wherever you go. 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:08.419 And so let's explore, what does it mean to be friends with Jesus? 00:03:08.519 --> 00:03:09.639 To have Jesus as your friend? 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:16.759 And not only to call him friend, but to have him call us friends, which is not quite the same thing. 00:03:17.419 --> 00:03:21.819 I no longer call you servants, but friends. 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:24.060 I don't know how many friends you've got on Facebook. 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:26.680 Maybe hundreds. 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:28.319 Some of you might have thousands. 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:34.519 But in real life, you don't measure friends by quantity, do you? 00:03:35.959 --> 00:03:38.219 There's a proverb that's 3,000 years old. 00:03:38.459 --> 00:03:39.579 It's a proverb of Solomon's. 00:03:40.139 --> 00:03:40.799 It's very up to date. 00:03:40.859 --> 00:03:41.259 It says this, 00:03:41.479 --> 00:03:45.259 A man of many companions may come to ruin. 00:03:46.519 --> 00:03:48.859 But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:52.140 How many friends do you have on Facebook? 00:03:52.260 --> 00:03:52.820 Probably lots. 00:03:53.880 --> 00:03:56.040 But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 00:03:56.600 --> 00:03:57.680 And Jesus is that friend. 00:03:59.240 --> 00:04:02.860 And I no longer call you servants, he says to his disciples, but friends. 00:04:04.740 --> 00:04:07.320 And not to have a friend is really important, isn't it? 00:04:07.940 --> 00:04:09.160 To have a friend is important. 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:13.460 Some of the saddest words I've ever read were by John Paul Getty. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:15.280 He was one of the richest men in the 20th century. 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:20.839 He was a multi-millionaire many times over. 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:23.319 And he's reported to have said at the end of his life, 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:24.980 I've never known love. 00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:28.480 I've never known what it is to have a friend. 00:04:30.220 --> 00:04:31.519 And I think that shocks us. 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:32.339 I hope it shocks us. 00:04:32.399 --> 00:04:33.160 It saddens us. 00:04:34.120 --> 00:04:36.160 For a human being, at the end of their life, 00:04:36.259 --> 00:04:38.379 no matter how much money they've made, 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:40.759 how much they've managed to accumulate for themselves, 00:04:41.240 --> 00:04:43.160 the fact that they never had a friend, it's tragic. 00:04:45.279 --> 00:04:47.399 And why do we find it tragic? 00:04:48.599 --> 00:04:50.679 We find it tragic because my first point is this. 00:04:50.739 --> 00:04:51.839 We were made for friendship. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:55.099 We were made for friendship. 00:04:55.679 --> 00:04:56.759 In the book of Genesis, 00:04:57.619 --> 00:05:00.299 in the account of how God created the world, 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:01.919 we're told that human beings, you, 00:05:02.099 --> 00:05:04.879 every human being that's ever been made, 00:05:04.919 --> 00:05:06.239 has been made in God's image. 00:05:07.839 --> 00:05:10.079 You have been made in God's likeness. 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:12.839 That's the explanation for who you are. 00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:16.939 We've been made in God's image. 00:05:17.359 --> 00:05:20.819 And God is the three-in-one God, isn't he? 00:05:21.159 --> 00:05:25.560 Look at verse 9 of John chapter 15. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:27.079 Look what it says there. 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:31.639 Can you notice there are three loves 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:34.039 intertwined in verse 9. 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:37.260 As the Father has loved me, 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:38.160 Jesus says, 00:05:38.700 --> 00:05:41.160 so have I loved you. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:44.060 Abide in my love. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:46.160 As the Father loves me. 00:05:46.300 --> 00:05:48.480 That is the love of the Father for his Son. 00:05:48.800 --> 00:05:50.860 As the Father has loved me, 00:05:51.300 --> 00:05:53.439 and then there is the love of Jesus for his disciples, 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:54.960 so I have loved you. 00:05:55.840 --> 00:05:57.500 And then there is the love that you and I 00:05:57.500 --> 00:05:59.580 are to have for one another as Jesus' disciples, 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:00.780 which we are to remain in. 00:06:00.779 --> 00:06:04.559 And it's all bundled together in that one verse, isn't it? 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:09.839 A three-fold cord is not easily broken. 00:06:10.219 --> 00:06:11.699 So as the Father has loved me, 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:13.319 Jesus says, that's where it all begins. 00:06:15.119 --> 00:06:17.099 In the beginning, God. 00:06:18.859 --> 00:06:22.139 Before the beginning was God. 00:06:23.719 --> 00:06:26.719 There was something before there was anything. 00:06:26.720 --> 00:06:31.360 God is not some solitary God. 00:06:32.440 --> 00:06:34.880 He's not like Allah on his own, 00:06:35.020 --> 00:06:36.080 like Muslims believe. 00:06:37.640 --> 00:06:41.120 But in the beginning, God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:06:42.780 --> 00:06:44.960 That's what we mean when we talk about God being love. 00:06:46.500 --> 00:06:48.300 You see, before the beginning, 00:06:49.440 --> 00:06:51.160 before there was anything, 00:06:51.280 --> 00:06:51.960 there was God, 00:06:52.080 --> 00:06:53.160 there was friendship, 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:53.980 there was relationship. 00:06:53.980 --> 00:06:56.960 There was Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:06:57.040 --> 00:06:58.960 Do you remember how John puts it in John 1? 00:06:59.460 --> 00:07:00.879 That great passage, he says, 00:07:00.960 --> 00:07:02.360 in the beginning was the Word, 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:05.540 and the Word was God, 00:07:05.819 --> 00:07:08.460 and the Word was with God, 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:10.700 and the Word there is literally towards God. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:13.540 There was a relationship, 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:16.520 a face-to-face relationship in God, 00:07:16.920 --> 00:07:18.080 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:23.279 There was a living, 00:07:23.539 --> 00:07:24.300 and a loving, 00:07:24.479 --> 00:07:25.919 and a delighting in one another. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:28.079 Face-to-face, 00:07:28.159 --> 00:07:28.719 they were planning, 00:07:28.919 --> 00:07:29.539 and communicating, 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:30.779 and sharing with each other. 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:31.639 In the beginning, 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:33.120 there was friendship. 00:07:35.539 --> 00:07:36.799 It's at the bottom of everything. 00:07:37.779 --> 00:07:39.180 It's at the roots of all reality. 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:43.399 It's why in Genesis chapter 2 and verse 8, 00:07:43.459 --> 00:07:44.740 there is this jarring note. 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:46.139 We read through the early chapters, 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:49.339 and Genesis 2 verse 8 is shocking, 00:07:49.479 --> 00:07:50.560 because in Genesis 1, 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:52.639 when there's an account of creation, 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:54.219 we're told that it was good 00:07:54.219 --> 00:07:55.199 at the end of each day. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:56.240 It was good, 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:57.019 it was good, 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:57.939 it was good, 00:07:58.000 --> 00:07:58.560 it was good. 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:01.379 And then you come to Genesis chapter 2 verse 8, 00:08:01.419 --> 00:08:02.180 and it was not good. 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:05.759 And you haven't got to the fall yet. 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:07.800 Sin has not entered into this world 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:08.740 and ruined creation. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:10.279 It was not good, 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:11.379 Genesis 2 verse 8, 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:12.719 for the man to be alone. 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:17.600 It was not morally wrong for him. 00:08:19.140 --> 00:08:20.700 The fall hasn't happened yet. 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:22.700 It was not evil. 00:08:22.960 --> 00:08:24.220 It was not sinful. 00:08:25.960 --> 00:08:27.580 That hasn't happened yet. 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:30.280 But we are told 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:32.800 it was not good for the man to be alone. 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:36.500 Adam was lonely. 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:39.879 And he was lonely, 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.419 not because he was sinful. 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:43.899 Sometimes we are lonely, 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:44.279 aren't we, 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:45.340 because of our sinfulness. 00:08:46.940 --> 00:08:48.980 And we can't live with one another 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:50.100 because of our selfishness. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:52.240 But that wasn't why Adam was lonely. 00:08:54.279 --> 00:08:56.240 He wasn't lonely because he was selfish, 00:08:56.700 --> 00:08:57.519 or sinful. 00:08:59.580 --> 00:09:02.139 Adam wasn't lonely because he was imperfect. 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:08.879 Adam was lonely because he was made 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:10.559 in the image and the likeness of God. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.100 And he needed someone to love. 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:17.679 He needed someone to share his life with. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:18.659 He needed someone to talk to. 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:20.080 He needed someone to work with. 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:21.819 And it's important for you and I to see that. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:23.159 So it may be this morning, 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:24.159 if you are lonely, 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:27.840 it doesn't necessarily mean 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:28.879 that there's anything wrong with you. 00:09:28.879 --> 00:09:33.320 It's because you've been made for friendship. 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:35.519 We need friends because we need God. 00:09:35.620 --> 00:09:37.720 And we've been made in the image and likeness of God. 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:41.259 And Jesus here invites us into that friendship. 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:44.840 No other religion does this. 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:47.939 No other deity does this. 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:50.600 No other God invites you 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:53.059 into friendship 00:09:53.059 --> 00:09:55.200 and into relationship. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:59.540 But as the Father has loved me, 00:09:59.660 --> 00:10:00.240 Jesus says, 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:01.820 so I have loved you. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:03.640 And I want your joy to be complete. 00:10:04.640 --> 00:10:07.040 I want you to remain in this kind of relationship. 00:10:07.300 --> 00:10:08.379 This kind of friendship 00:10:08.379 --> 00:10:10.200 that creation demands. 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:13.180 But the cross defines. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:14.680 Look at verse 13. 00:10:16.440 --> 00:10:17.900 Greater love has no one than this. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.800 That someone lay down his life for his friends. 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:26.199 Not only is it that we were made 00:10:26.199 --> 00:10:28.000 for friendship, 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:30.439 but the second point is this. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.519 Christ died 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:34.199 to give me that friendship. 00:10:35.779 --> 00:10:37.120 It's what Jesus died for. 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:40.019 So don't forget the context here. 00:10:40.099 --> 00:10:40.439 Don't forget, 00:10:40.559 --> 00:10:42.159 this is the night before he goes to the cross. 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.979 And Jesus is facing up 00:10:43.979 --> 00:10:45.019 to what he's about to go to. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:48.859 It's staring him in the face now. 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:50.479 He knows what is going to happen. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:53.919 And it's something he doesn't go into stoically, 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:54.339 does he? 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:59.199 He cries and cries out to his Father. 00:10:59.339 --> 00:11:02.439 He sweats blood in contemplation 00:11:02.439 --> 00:11:03.419 about what's about to happen. 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:07.000 Why should he go through with that? 00:11:08.599 --> 00:11:11.979 He's about to make the supreme sacrifice. 00:11:12.219 --> 00:11:14.139 Greater love has no man than this. 00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:17.679 That he lays down his life for his friends. 00:11:20.100 --> 00:11:21.620 And you are my friends, 00:11:21.699 --> 00:11:22.639 he says to his followers. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:26.639 And tomorrow I'm going to go out 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:27.939 and I'm going to lay down my life 00:11:27.939 --> 00:11:29.399 in the most gruesome and violent 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:30.340 and awful way. 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:32.460 And isn't this the most amazing thing? 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:35.199 Death usually ends a friendship. 00:11:36.319 --> 00:11:38.539 Isn't that why it's so, so painful? 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:41.959 Death normally ends a friendship. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:44.339 But in the case of Jesus, 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:47.199 his death secures the friendship. 00:11:47.200 --> 00:11:51.879 It's interesting, isn't it, 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:53.400 when you compare this passage 00:11:53.400 --> 00:11:54.600 with Romans chapter 5. 00:11:56.180 --> 00:11:57.960 And in Romans chapter 5, 00:11:58.200 --> 00:11:59.040 Paul says, 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:01.600 it was while we were his enemies. 00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:05.400 Jesus says to, 00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:08.620 Jesus says in John, 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:09.460 we are his friends. 00:12:09.640 --> 00:12:10.820 You've got to hold both those things together. 00:12:10.820 --> 00:12:14.100 We are his friends. 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:15.940 That greater love than this. 00:12:16.420 --> 00:12:17.920 There is no greater love than this. 00:12:17.960 --> 00:12:19.520 That a man lay down his life for his friends. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:20.440 You are my friends 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:22.060 and I'm going to lay down my life for you. 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:22.940 Paul says, 00:12:23.040 --> 00:12:23.820 it was when we were powerless. 00:12:25.040 --> 00:12:26.400 It was when we were sinners. 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:28.020 It was when we were his enemies 00:12:28.020 --> 00:12:30.200 that Christ laid down his life for us. 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:32.820 There's no contradiction there. 00:12:34.900 --> 00:12:36.460 Because the reality is this, 00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:38.720 Jesus actually makes us his friends 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:40.460 by laying down his life for us. 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:43.980 Is it the truth of Christianity 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:46.340 that God turns his enemies 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.320 into his friends 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:48.540 through the cross of his son? 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:51.340 That's the way it works. 00:12:53.780 --> 00:12:56.879 There's so many examples we could use. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:12:58.580 Maximilian Colby, 00:12:58.760 --> 00:13:00.320 he was a Catholic priest 00:13:00.320 --> 00:13:01.220 who died in Auschwitz. 00:13:03.040 --> 00:13:04.120 And near the end of his time 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:05.320 in that prisoner of war camp, 00:13:05.400 --> 00:13:06.700 a prisoner had apparently escaped, 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:07.620 if you know the story. 00:13:07.780 --> 00:13:08.680 All the people in the camp 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:10.640 were paraded in the blazing hot sun. 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:13.620 And one man from each line 00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.920 was selected at random, 00:13:15.900 --> 00:13:16.860 including a sergeant 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:17.960 whose name I can't pronounce. 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.780 And apparently this man, 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:22.840 as he was singled out to be executed, 00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:24.100 he just cried out, 00:13:24.160 --> 00:13:24.800 he cried out, 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.680 I've got a wife, 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:27.100 I've got children, 00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:29.340 I'll never see them again. 00:13:29.340 --> 00:13:32.040 And at that moment, 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:34.080 a man stepped forward from the ranks 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.780 and offered to take that guy's place. 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:39.680 He was prisoner at 16670, 00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:41.420 Father Maximilian Colby, 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:43.560 a Roman Catholic priest 00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:44.620 and an elderly man. 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:47.680 And he was towards the end of his life 00:13:47.680 --> 00:13:49.360 and the SS commander in charge, 00:13:49.780 --> 00:13:50.600 Butcher Fritz, 00:13:51.300 --> 00:13:52.060 as he was known, 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:53.580 didn't care who went to the bunker, 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:55.740 as long as there were 10 of them. 00:13:57.280 --> 00:13:58.259 So he just nodded 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.300 and Maximilian Colby 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:00.820 laid down his life for this man. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.100 He just swapped places with him. 00:14:03.280 --> 00:14:04.900 Greater love has no man. 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:06.420 It's such an inspiring story. 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:08.939 But Maximilian Colby 00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:09.620 was an old man 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.519 who was going to die anyway. 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:14.599 You don't want to detract 00:14:14.599 --> 00:14:15.419 from his heroism. 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:16.399 And it's a great 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.399 and inspiring story 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.039 for you and I. 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:21.159 For Maximilian Colby 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:22.059 to give his life 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:22.860 for someone else, 00:14:23.079 --> 00:14:24.740 but it's only anticipating 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.620 what is going to happen anyway. 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.419 We're going to die, aren't we? 00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:30.579 We're already dying. 00:14:32.360 --> 00:14:33.699 In fact, Jesus Christ 00:14:33.699 --> 00:14:34.559 is the only one 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:35.240 who's ever lived 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.820 who did not have to die 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:37.680 and yet he chose to. 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.480 Greater love 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:42.200 has no man than this 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:43.139 that he laid down his life 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.680 for his friends. 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:48.799 And so this friendship 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:50.320 that Jesus is talking about 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:51.620 is what we were made for. 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:54.220 And it's what Jesus died 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.299 to bring us into. 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.120 And so this, 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.560 at the very heart 00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:00.279 of our Christianity 00:15:00.279 --> 00:15:01.600 is to have this 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.820 kind of relationship 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:03.560 with God. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.180 He died to make 00:15:06.180 --> 00:15:06.639 his enemies 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.320 his friends. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:10.000 I want to give you 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.519 four points 00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.399 of application 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:13.120 to explore 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.139 what does it mean 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:14.639 to have Jesus 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.639 as your friend. 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.460 First thing to say is 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.740 that Jesus is a loyal friend. 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.620 Jesus is 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.960 the kind of friend 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:26.200 who lets you in 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:27.320 but never lets you down. 00:15:28.899 --> 00:15:30.440 Does that make sense to you? 00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:31.700 Jesus is the kind of friend 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:33.040 who lets you in 00:15:33.040 --> 00:15:34.240 but never lets you down. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.940 You are my friends 00:15:36.940 --> 00:15:37.840 verse 14 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:38.560 if you do 00:15:38.560 --> 00:15:39.780 what I command. 00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:41.759 No longer 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:43.000 do I call you servants 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.560 for the servant 00:15:43.560 --> 00:15:44.200 does not know 00:15:44.200 --> 00:15:44.900 what his master 00:15:44.900 --> 00:15:45.620 is doing. 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.860 But I have called you 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.440 friends 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:49.120 for I 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.480 all that I have heard 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.120 from my father 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:52.100 I have made known 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:53.560 to you. 00:15:53.559 --> 00:16:00.219 You see 00:16:00.219 --> 00:16:00.839 this relationship 00:16:00.839 --> 00:16:01.779 is not the kind 00:16:01.779 --> 00:16:02.519 of relationship 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:03.179 that you might have 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:03.659 with your boss 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.159 at work. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.419 A servant 00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:09.299 does not know 00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:10.199 his master's business 00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:10.559 does he? 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:14.339 You don't know 00:16:14.339 --> 00:16:14.799 probably 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:16.039 what your boss 00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:16.500 is thinking 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.179 lots of the time 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:18.879 what his plans are. 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:21.500 He doesn't let you in 00:16:21.500 --> 00:16:22.399 just tells you 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:22.759 what to do. 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.039 And Jesus says 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.519 I am not going to 00:16:26.519 --> 00:16:27.459 call you servants 00:16:27.459 --> 00:16:28.079 I am going to 00:16:28.079 --> 00:16:28.659 call you friends 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.740 because everything 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.379 I have learnt 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:31.340 from my father 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:32.100 which again 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:33.019 is an amazing 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.559 expression 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:35.759 I have made known 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.120 to you. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.199 So here is 00:16:39.199 --> 00:16:39.860 the friend 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.519 who sticks closer 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.059 than a brother 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:41.860 he is loyal to us 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.579 he lets us in 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:44.600 so that we can 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.620 share confidences 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.860 we can unburden 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:47.659 ourselves to him. 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.539 He lets us in 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.179 which is 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:51.439 isn't it 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.060 a very dangerous 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:52.620 thing to do. 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.740 To give someone 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.320 that amount 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:55.900 of information 00:16:55.900 --> 00:16:56.660 at work 00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:57.720 you might have 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.120 done that 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:58.580 and you found 00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.320 yourself stabbed 00:16:59.320 --> 00:16:59.820 in the back 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.880 you can't be 00:17:00.880 --> 00:17:01.800 totally free 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.400 in the workplace 00:17:02.400 --> 00:17:02.740 out there 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.220 in society 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:03.700 in general. 00:17:05.600 --> 00:17:06.680 But here is a friend 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.120 that you can be 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:08.039 totally free with 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:10.559 you can share 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:11.180 confidences 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:11.840 with him 00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:12.500 he lets you in 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.480 on all the secrets 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:16.059 all the things 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:16.820 that the father 00:17:16.820 --> 00:17:18.460 has shared 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:18.720 with him 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.420 he shares with us. 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:22.240 and we can 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:23.039 share our secrets 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.460 with him 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:26.000 we don't have 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.460 to stand 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.680 on our 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.620 P's and Q's 00:17:28.620 --> 00:17:30.039 we don't have 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.460 to go through 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.100 the protocols 00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:33.180 we don't have 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.519 to make an 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:33.800 appointment 00:17:33.800 --> 00:17:34.360 with his PA 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.560 to get him 00:17:35.560 --> 00:17:36.100 he says 00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:36.660 I no longer 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.180 call you 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.880 servants 00:17:37.880 --> 00:17:38.220 you are 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.779 friends. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.600 It's a lovely 00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:42.180 little story 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:42.920 in one of 00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:43.560 Gordon MacDonald's 00:17:43.560 --> 00:17:43.800 books 00:17:43.800 --> 00:17:44.880 about a monk 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.120 and his 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:45.480 apprentice 00:17:45.480 --> 00:17:48.000 and the 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.340 monk and 00:17:48.340 --> 00:17:48.720 the apprentice 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.420 are travelling 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:49.860 to an 00:17:49.860 --> 00:17:50.220 abbey 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.720 in a nearby 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:52.240 village 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.380 and at the 00:17:53.380 --> 00:17:53.940 city gates 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:54.560 they part 00:17:54.560 --> 00:17:55.060 for the evening 00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:55.400 and they say 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:55.840 we'll meet 00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:56.400 the next 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:56.720 morning 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.200 according to 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:58.500 plan they 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:58.860 meet the 00:17:58.860 --> 00:17:59.360 next morning 00:17:59.360 --> 00:17:59.740 and they 00:17:59.740 --> 00:18:00.100 begin the 00:18:00.100 --> 00:18:00.620 long walk 00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:00.960 back to 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.360 the abbey 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:03.680 and the 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:03.980 monk 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:04.460 notices 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:04.840 something 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:05.180 about the 00:18:05.180 --> 00:18:05.480 apprentice 00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:05.880 there's 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.100 something 00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:06.340 in the 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:06.720 atmosphere 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:08.440 he notices 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:08.980 that the 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.340 young man 00:18:09.340 --> 00:18:09.900 is unusually 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:10.460 silent 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.340 there's 00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:12.559 certain 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.059 vibes 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.559 coming off 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.220 his friend 00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.900 and he 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:16.480 asks the 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:16.799 apprentice 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.319 is there 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:17.500 anything 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:18.019 wrong 00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:19.759 what 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.120 business 00:18:20.120 --> 00:18:20.380 is it 00:18:20.380 --> 00:18:20.980 of yours 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:22.360 comes the 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:23.100 terse reply 00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:24.980 and the 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.500 monk is 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.000 sure that 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:26.660 his brother 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:27.160 is troubled 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.940 but he said 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.559 nothing and the 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:30.340 distance between 00:18:30.340 --> 00:18:30.759 them as they 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.440 began to walk 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.259 increased and 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.720 the apprentice 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.539 walked slowly 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.000 as if to 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.720 separate himself 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.059 from his 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:36.160 teacher and 00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:36.420 when the 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:36.880 abbey came 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.500 in sight the 00:18:37.500 --> 00:18:38.200 monk stopped 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:38.700 at the gate 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.720 he waited for 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.100 the student 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:40.539 to catch 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:41.439 up and 00:18:41.439 --> 00:18:41.779 he said 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.079 this he 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:42.459 said tell 00:18:42.459 --> 00:18:42.819 me my 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:43.319 son what 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:43.639 troubles 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.259 your soul 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:46.859 the young 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:47.339 man began 00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:47.899 to react 00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.299 again but 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.679 he saw 00:18:48.679 --> 00:18:49.599 the warmth 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.240 in his 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.039 master's eyes 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:51.279 and he 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:51.799 began to 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.379 melt and 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:52.919 he says 00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:54.159 he said 00:18:54.159 --> 00:18:54.500 after a 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:54.799 great deal 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.359 of silence 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:55.740 I've 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:55.980 sinned 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.359 greatly 00:18:56.359 --> 00:18:59.279 I've 00:18:59.279 --> 00:18:59.480 sinned 00:18:59.480 --> 00:18:59.819 greatly 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:02.500 last night 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:02.839 I slept 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.039 with a 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.459 woman and 00:19:03.459 --> 00:19:03.779 abandoned 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.339 my vows 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.019 I'm not 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:05.659 worthy to 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.179 enter the 00:19:06.179 --> 00:19:06.779 abbey at 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.399 your side 00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:09.579 the teacher 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:09.839 put his 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.159 arm around 00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:10.559 the student 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.399 and said 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.319 we will 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:12.759 enter the 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:12.980 abbey 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.439 together 00:19:13.439 --> 00:19:15.039 and we 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:15.379 will enter 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:15.939 the cathedral 00:19:15.939 --> 00:19:16.439 together 00:19:16.439 --> 00:19:18.220 and together 00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:18.579 we will 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.199 confess your 00:19:19.199 --> 00:19:19.980 sin and 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.460 no one 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:21.179 but God 00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:22.460 will know 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:22.899 which of the 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.279 two of us 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.579 fell 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:25.539 isn't that 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:25.819 lovely 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:28.819 that's the 00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.099 kind of 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:29.539 friend we 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.179 have in the 00:19:30.179 --> 00:19:30.579 Lord Jesus 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:33.359 he is the 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:34.159 friend of 00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:34.639 sinners 00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.860 he became 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.040 sin for 00:19:37.040 --> 00:19:37.340 us 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:39.720 he identified 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:41.060 himself as 00:19:41.060 --> 00:19:41.740 the sinner 00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:43.320 at his 00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:43.880 baptism 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:44.400 what is 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:44.840 going on 00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:45.000 there 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.759 he stands 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.140 in the 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.780 place of 00:19:46.780 --> 00:19:47.060 sinners 00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:49.600 and he 00:19:49.600 --> 00:19:49.980 puts his 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.840 arms around 00:19:50.840 --> 00:19:51.080 us 00:19:51.080 --> 00:19:51.840 and we've 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.540 all got 00:19:52.540 --> 00:19:53.240 skeletons in 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.540 the cupboard 00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:53.940 haven't we 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.620 and we've 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.080 all got 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.500 things that 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:55.900 we don't 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.320 want people 00:19:56.320 --> 00:19:56.680 to know 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.140 even the 00:19:57.140 --> 00:19:57.520 youngest 00:19:57.520 --> 00:19:57.900 of us 00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.320 here 00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:59.300 and Jesus 00:19:59.300 --> 00:19:59.800 knows 00:19:59.800 --> 00:20:00.300 because there 00:20:00.300 --> 00:20:00.520 are no 00:20:00.520 --> 00:20:00.860 secrets 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:01.220 with him 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:03.759 and he 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:03.980 is the 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:04.259 one to 00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:04.519 whom the 00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.000 secrets of 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.539 our hearts 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.000 they are 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.440 an open 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:06.799 book 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:10.339 and he 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:10.799 comes to 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.079 you and he 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.440 puts his 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.100 arm around 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.420 you and he 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:12.740 says come 00:20:12.740 --> 00:20:12.920 on 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:15.600 let's go 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.120 and confess 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.740 this together 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:18.339 and no one 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:18.819 will know 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:21.059 which of us 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.519 is a sinner 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:24.160 he was 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.000 made 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.600 sin 00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:26.740 for us 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.420 he who 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.000 knew 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:28.620 no sin 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.519 that we 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.240 might be 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.600 put right 00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:31.079 with God 00:20:31.079 --> 00:20:33.500 you see 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.099 he lets 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.599 us in 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:34.939 but he 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:35.500 never 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.960 lets us 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.259 down 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:39.299 Jesus 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.939 will never 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:40.559 use 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:41.279 that 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.759 information 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.799 against us 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.779 the devil 00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.199 well yeah 00:20:44.199 --> 00:20:44.599 he's the 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.039 accuser 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.279 of the 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:45.599 brethren 00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:47.379 he will 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.000 remind you 00:20:48.000 --> 00:20:48.579 all the 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.000 time of 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.399 your sin 00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:49.899 but Jesus 00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:50.259 is the 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.720 friend of 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.019 sinners 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:52.939 and he 00:20:52.939 --> 00:20:53.319 lets us 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:53.720 in and so 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.019 we can 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.500 share 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.099 confidences 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:55.740 we can 00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.419 unburden 00:20:56.419 --> 00:20:57.319 our hearts 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.279 we can 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.699 confess 00:20:58.699 --> 00:20:59.279 our sins 00:20:59.279 --> 00:20:59.460 to him 00:20:59.460 --> 00:20:59.659 and he 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:00.139 will never 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.579 use that 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:00.980 information 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.699 against us 00:21:01.699 --> 00:21:04.220 not ever 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.799 even on the 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.259 great day 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.679 of judgment 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:06.119 when the 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:06.559 books are 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.220 open and the 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.000 secrets of my 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.419 heart is 00:21:08.419 --> 00:21:08.859 revealed 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:10.799 my friend 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.039 will be 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.299 there 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:13.839 and all 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.139 of my 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.519 sin he's 00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:14.779 taken 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:17.079 and if 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.899 anyone dares 00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:18.240 on that 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:18.720 day to 00:21:18.720 --> 00:21:19.339 accuse us 00:21:19.339 --> 00:21:19.639 or to 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.139 dredge it 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:20.599 up he is 00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:20.899 there 00:21:20.899 --> 00:21:23.579 by our 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.099 side even 00:21:24.099 --> 00:21:24.319 at the 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:24.659 great day 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:24.980 of judgment 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.480 he lets us 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:25.779 in but he 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.339 never lets us 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:26.699 down he's a 00:21:26.699 --> 00:21:27.139 loyal friend 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:28.259 why wouldn't 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.560 you want a 00:21:28.560 --> 00:21:28.900 friend like 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:29.180 that 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:32.700 there aren't 00:21:32.700 --> 00:21:33.000 too many 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.420 people around 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:33.700 like that 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.040 are there 00:21:34.040 --> 00:21:37.160 and so 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.440 one of the 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.080 really hard 00:21:38.080 --> 00:21:38.540 things about 00:21:38.540 --> 00:21:39.480 growing up 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.060 particularly in 00:21:40.060 --> 00:21:40.400 our culture 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:40.780 today for 00:21:40.780 --> 00:21:41.140 the children 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:41.480 that are here 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:41.960 you children 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:42.700 look up for a 00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:42.860 minute 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:44.900 friendship is 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.440 difficult isn't 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:45.980 it 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.460 particularly as 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:47.759 you get into 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.500 teenage years 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:50.540 and you have 00:21:50.540 --> 00:21:51.380 friends and 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:53.040 sometimes those 00:21:53.040 --> 00:21:53.720 friends turn out to 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.300 be very very 00:21:54.300 --> 00:21:54.800 different than you 00:21:54.800 --> 00:21:55.180 thought and it 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:55.640 breaks your 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.259 little heart 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:57.980 you struggle 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.460 with that 00:21:58.460 --> 00:22:00.620 and you think 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.100 well can I 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:01.560 trust this 00:22:01.560 --> 00:22:02.000 person or you 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.500 might think 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.700 I'm all alone 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.180 in school 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.520 I'm all alone 00:22:05.520 --> 00:22:07.380 but here is a 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.980 friend who 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.340 will never 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:09.740 break your 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.040 heart 00:22:10.040 --> 00:22:11.780 here is a 00:22:11.780 --> 00:22:12.100 friend who 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:12.600 is loyal 00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:12.960 wouldn't you 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.200 want a 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:13.540 friend like 00:22:13.540 --> 00:22:13.759 that 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:16.740 the second 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.080 thing I want 00:22:17.080 --> 00:22:17.440 to say about 00:22:17.440 --> 00:22:17.780 Jesus' 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.460 friendship is 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.120 it's a 00:22:19.120 --> 00:22:19.500 productive 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.040 friendship 00:22:20.040 --> 00:22:21.220 it's a 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:21.460 fruitful 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:21.820 friendship 00:22:21.820 --> 00:22:22.120 look at 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.800 verse 16 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:27.759 it says 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:27.980 this 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.599 you did 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:29.139 not choose 00:22:29.139 --> 00:22:29.440 me 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.919 but I 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:31.740 chose you 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:33.180 and appointed 00:22:33.180 --> 00:22:33.539 that you 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:33.960 should go 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.480 and bear 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.099 fruit 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:36.819 and that 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.299 your fruit 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.559 may abide 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:40.399 my last 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:44.980 Charles Kingsley 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:45.399 is the author 00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:46.039 of Watership 00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.240 Down 00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.700 he was once 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:47.079 asked what's 00:22:47.079 --> 00:22:47.480 the secret 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.019 of a happy 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.519 and buoyant 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:48.859 life 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:49.480 he simply 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:49.940 said 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.360 I had 00:22:51.360 --> 00:22:51.799 a friend 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:53.340 I had 00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:53.799 a friend 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:56.360 Solomon 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:57.180 in Ecclesiastes 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.920 chapter 4 00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:58.640 says two 00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:58.880 are better 00:22:58.880 --> 00:22:59.320 than one 00:22:59.320 --> 00:23:01.820 and he 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.059 gives us 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.580 all sorts 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:02.940 of reasons 00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.380 why that 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:03.680 is so 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:03.960 it's a 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.200 lovely 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.440 little 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:04.779 cameo 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.039 picture 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.180 of 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.460 friendship 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:07.360 he says 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:07.640 two are 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:07.779 better 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.320 than one 00:23:08.320 --> 00:23:10.080 so you've 00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:10.299 got a 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.820 good return 00:23:10.820 --> 00:23:11.120 for their 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:11.500 work 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:14.019 that kind 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.620 of relationship 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:16.080 it's a 00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:16.320 fruitful 00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:16.779 relationship 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:16.980 it's 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.320 productive 00:23:17.320 --> 00:23:18.820 there was 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.299 research 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:20.779 done on 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.099 social 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.579 incentives 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:21.899 in the 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.359 workplace 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:24.159 that was 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:24.440 the title 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:24.659 of the 00:23:24.659 --> 00:23:25.579 research 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:25.879 paper 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.399 it was 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:26.619 published 00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:26.899 in the 00:23:26.899 --> 00:23:27.159 review 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:27.440 of 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:27.799 economic 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.299 studies 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:29.259 and it 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:29.519 looked at 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:30.059 the productivity 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:30.539 of fruit 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:30.919 pickers 00:23:30.919 --> 00:23:31.839 and the 00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:32.299 networks 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.039 of friends 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.299 that they 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:33.639 form 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:35.519 on the 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:35.700 farm 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.619 so workers 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:37.299 were named 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.159 asked to 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.940 name up to 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:39.879 seven friends 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:41.700 and what 00:23:41.700 --> 00:23:41.940 they did 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.180 is they 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.619 watched 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.440 and observed 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.240 on the 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.599 days that 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:44.940 they worked 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.500 alone 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:47.639 to estimate 00:23:47.639 --> 00:23:48.220 their average 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.759 productivity 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.740 and then 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.099 that was 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.720 compared 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.539 with the 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:51.900 performance 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.180 when they 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:52.480 worked with 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:52.619 their 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.059 friends 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:55.339 and one 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.519 of the 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:55.859 authors 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.119 of the 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.420 researcher 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:56.740 prophet 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.180 LSE 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.019 said our 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.319 research 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.879 suggests that 00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.799 getting people 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:00.319 to work with 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:00.940 their friends 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.599 could be one 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.779 way for 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.339 companies to 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:03.879 motivate their 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.839 workers without 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.579 necessarily paying 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:05.980 them off 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:07.480 it seems to 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.839 work doesn't 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:08.180 it two are 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.420 better than 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:08.660 one 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:11.359 two are 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:11.700 better than 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.160 one they 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:12.539 have a good 00:24:12.539 --> 00:24:13.059 return for 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.460 their work 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.460 Jesus says 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.240 I no longer 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.799 call you 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.339 servants 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.140 I no longer 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.480 call you 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:19.120 employees 00:24:19.120 --> 00:24:21.500 you no longer 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.059 have to clock 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.460 in and clock 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:22.740 out 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:24.480 I no longer 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:24.819 call you 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.099 servants 00:24:25.099 --> 00:24:25.640 you are my 00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:26.259 friends 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:28.319 and I've 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:28.660 chosen you 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.039 you didn't 00:24:29.039 --> 00:24:29.380 choose me 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.039 I chose you 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:31.180 and I 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.900 appointed you 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:33.500 literally the 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:33.859 word there is 00:24:33.859 --> 00:24:34.519 I ordained 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:34.740 you 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:37.359 I set you 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.240 apart to go 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.779 and bear fruit 00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.299 and so 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.620 what's the 00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:41.120 purpose of 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:41.640 this friendship 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:44.160 why has 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.780 Jesus made 00:24:44.780 --> 00:24:45.060 you his 00:24:45.060 --> 00:24:45.600 friend it 00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:45.960 would be 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.300 that you 00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:46.560 go and 00:24:46.560 --> 00:24:47.020 bear fruit 00:24:47.020 --> 00:24:50.940 for service 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.980 what kind 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.500 of service 00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:57.400 no Christian 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.000 was ever 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.780 chosen by 00:24:58.780 --> 00:25:00.380 Jesus to 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.040 stop and 00:25:01.040 --> 00:25:01.580 to stand 00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:02.740 around and 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.100 watch 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:05.540 Jesus said 00:25:05.540 --> 00:25:06.120 I choose 00:25:06.120 --> 00:25:06.560 you and I 00:25:06.560 --> 00:25:07.120 have set you 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.780 apart and I 00:25:07.780 --> 00:25:08.320 want you to 00:25:08.320 --> 00:25:09.420 go to go 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:14.620 that's what 00:25:14.620 --> 00:25:15.039 happens at the 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:15.340 end of our 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:15.759 meetings isn't 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:17.060 it the 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:18.380 benediction is 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.220 sending you 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.840 out with 00:25:19.840 --> 00:25:20.519 God's blessing 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.800 we gather 00:25:21.800 --> 00:25:22.279 on the 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:23.100 Lord's day 00:25:23.100 --> 00:25:24.420 to scatter 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:24.880 during the 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.160 week 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:33.779 Jesus says 00:25:33.779 --> 00:25:35.160 let me let 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.480 you into 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.420 my father's 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.000 business secret 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.279 that you 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:38.660 would go 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:38.980 into the 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:39.160 world 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.360 and that 00:25:39.360 --> 00:25:39.600 you would 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:39.759 bear 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.040 fruit 00:25:40.040 --> 00:25:41.820 now what 00:25:41.820 --> 00:25:42.080 kind of 00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.279 fruit are 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.580 we talking 00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:42.840 about 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.720 are we 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.160 talking about 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.820 character 00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:47.460 and conduct 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.160 or are we 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:49.180 talking about 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:49.860 converts 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:52.480 and there's 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:52.680 a bit of 00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.240 disagreement on 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.560 that 00:25:53.560 --> 00:25:55.259 I've appointed 00:25:55.259 --> 00:25:56.160 you to go 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:56.700 and bear 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.200 fruit I 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.600 think 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.480 suggests 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.019 converts 00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.400 I wouldn't 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:00.620 want to 00:26:00.620 --> 00:26:01.019 drive a 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.580 wedge between 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.060 the two 00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:04.279 because godly 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:04.820 character 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.220 fruitful 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.720 character 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.220 does 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.360 attract 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.660 doesn't 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.460 it underwrites 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.059 our testimony 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:11.759 but I 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.160 think he's 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:12.860 speaking here 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.319 about the 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:13.620 actual 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.240 going 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.019 and bearing 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:15.680 fruit 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.880 and can 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.160 you just 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.460 see 00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:17.920 look what 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:18.319 it says 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.519 there 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:18.920 it says 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.519 fruit that 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.720 will 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:20.380 last 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:23.760 and my 00:26:23.760 --> 00:26:24.140 father 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.220 and 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.140 my father 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.220 and 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.560 Claire's 00:26:24.560 --> 00:26:24.760 dad 00:26:24.760 --> 00:26:25.060 is 00:26:25.060 --> 00:26:26.100 writing a 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.440 book on 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:26.900 eldership 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.300 and I'm 00:26:27.300 --> 00:26:28.220 helping him 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.460 a bit 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:28.780 on it 00:26:28.780 --> 00:26:30.100 and 00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:31.460 this is what 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:31.860 I read 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.320 this week 00:26:32.320 --> 00:26:32.600 in it 00:26:32.600 --> 00:26:33.860 he says 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.040 this 00:26:34.040 --> 00:26:34.520 I cannot 00:26:34.520 --> 00:26:35.120 guarantee 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.820 my children 00:26:35.820 --> 00:26:36.240 will be 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.660 converted 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:38.780 but in the 00:26:38.780 --> 00:26:39.300 grace of 00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:39.920 god I 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.660 expect them 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:40.980 to be 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.360 converted 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:44.280 god has 00:26:44.280 --> 00:26:44.860 been merciful 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:45.280 to me 00:26:45.280 --> 00:26:45.560 in my 00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:45.920 house 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:47.759 I can 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.360 trace my 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:48.779 believing 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.620 family line 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.100 back to 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:50.620 at least 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:52.080 1790 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:54.519 and that 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.279 is exceedingly 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.900 precious to 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.100 me 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:58.860 if I bring 00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.500 this up to 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.000 the present 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.960 that represents 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.960 eight generations 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.680 of believers 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:04.279 brackets 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.180 all 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.940 Presbyterians 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:09.759 isn't that 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.299 amazing 00:27:10.299 --> 00:27:14.100 after my 00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:14.320 mum and 00:27:14.320 --> 00:27:14.580 dad 00:27:14.580 --> 00:27:15.279 my mum and 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.519 dad are the 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.059 first generation 00:27:16.059 --> 00:27:16.480 of Christians 00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:17.380 in their 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:17.720 family 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.660 so ours 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:18.980 goes back 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:19.840 to 1940 00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.640 but in 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:20.840 Claire's 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:22.080 1790 00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:22.880 there was a 00:27:22.880 --> 00:27:23.559 moment in 00:27:23.559 --> 00:27:24.380 1790 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.500 when god 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.240 reached down 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:26.840 from heaven 00:27:26.840 --> 00:27:29.120 and broke 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:29.480 in 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:32.960 isn't this 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.180 what it's 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:33.580 all about 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:36.399 that when 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:36.919 the gospel 00:27:36.919 --> 00:27:37.799 breaks into 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:38.639 a family 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:40.839 there is 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.199 the kind 00:27:41.199 --> 00:27:41.759 of gospel 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.259 fruit 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.599 that lasts 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.439 for generations 00:27:44.439 --> 00:27:45.419 it's not our 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:45.879 testimony for 00:27:45.879 --> 00:27:46.279 so many of 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:46.619 us 00:27:46.619 --> 00:27:49.579 so what 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:49.899 is the 00:27:49.899 --> 00:27:50.419 kind of 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:50.699 thing that 00:27:50.699 --> 00:27:51.699 will transform 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:52.639 Ealing 00:27:52.639 --> 00:27:53.000 in West 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.259 London 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:55.960 well it 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.299 is this 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.579 friendship 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.059 with Jesus 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:59.980 I've chosen 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.779 you for a 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.019 purpose 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.359 and so 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.679 you mums 00:28:02.679 --> 00:28:03.039 isn't it 00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:03.659 what you're 00:28:03.659 --> 00:28:04.059 doing is 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.299 that you 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:05.059 are sending 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.680 the gospel 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.079 out 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:07.599 in your 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:07.879 children 00:28:07.879 --> 00:28:08.200 and your 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.619 grandchildren 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.740 that they 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.339 may bear 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:10.859 fruit 00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:12.579 fruit that 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.099 will last 00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.399 so that 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:13.779 people will 00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.339 see lives 00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:15.019 transformed 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.819 and so 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.019 there will 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.379 be little 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:17.059 communities 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.759 little houses 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.500 of light 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.240 all around 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.319 this area 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:21.720 and further 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.180 afield 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:26.920 not only 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.339 in our 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:27.740 children's 00:28:27.740 --> 00:28:27.980 lives 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.319 but in 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.480 our 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:28.960 grandchildren 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.339 our 00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:30.700 great 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:31.259 grandchildren 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:33.879 it's an 00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:34.160 exciting 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.420 thing 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:34.660 I think 00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:34.960 that Jesus 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.279 shares 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.599 with us 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.059 his 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.359 friendship 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:36.680 is a 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:36.900 loyal 00:28:36.900 --> 00:28:37.339 friendship 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:39.400 he lets 00:28:39.400 --> 00:28:39.660 us in 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:39.859 but he 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:40.359 never lets 00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:40.640 us down 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:40.819 his 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.180 friendship 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:42.019 is fruitful 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.879 and productive 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:45.940 and it's a 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.140 shared 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:46.480 friendship 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.879 that's the 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.240 third thing 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.759 it builds 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.299 community 00:28:48.299 --> 00:28:50.279 it's not 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:51.579 virtual 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.240 community 00:28:52.240 --> 00:28:54.339 but it's 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:54.920 real 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.980 three 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:56.519 dimensional 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.140 community 00:28:57.140 --> 00:29:01.320 I like 00:29:01.320 --> 00:29:01.820 social media 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:02.460 I waste 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:02.820 ridiculous 00:29:02.820 --> 00:29:03.140 amounts of 00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:03.420 time on 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:03.580 it 00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:05.280 but it's 00:29:05.280 --> 00:29:05.560 with people 00:29:05.560 --> 00:29:05.840 you never 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.259 see isn't 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:06.600 it 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.500 or people 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:07.880 that came 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:08.500 once and 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.060 you kind 00:29:09.060 --> 00:29:09.620 of connect 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:09.960 in that 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.259 way 00:29:10.259 --> 00:29:12.320 it's a 00:29:12.320 --> 00:29:14.480 it's a 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:14.880 phantom 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.520 community 00:29:15.520 --> 00:29:19.680 it's not 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.140 real 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.759 community 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:23.240 you see 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.759 with couples 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.300 sometimes don't 00:29:24.300 --> 00:29:24.580 you when they 00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:25.080 get together 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.980 and they turn 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:27.240 in on 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:27.639 themselves 00:29:27.639 --> 00:29:28.319 and no one 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:28.859 can get in 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.439 no one 00:29:29.439 --> 00:29:30.059 can get in 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:32.159 that's not 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:32.539 what friendship 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:32.960 with Jesus 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.319 is about 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:33.619 it's not 00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:34.019 like that 00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:36.500 friendship 00:29:36.500 --> 00:29:37.000 with Jesus 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.859 is a 00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:38.500 shared 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:38.939 friendship 00:29:38.939 --> 00:29:39.919 it builds 00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.579 community 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:43.419 and so the 00:29:43.419 --> 00:29:43.939 Christian life 00:29:43.939 --> 00:29:44.679 is not all 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:45.279 about just 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.819 you and 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:46.159 Jesus 00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:46.619 me and 00:29:46.619 --> 00:29:46.919 Jesus 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:48.899 it's not 00:29:48.899 --> 00:29:49.519 some nice 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:49.939 glowing 00:29:49.939 --> 00:29:50.539 relationship 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.259 between me 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.799 and Jesus 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:53.039 to be a 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.599 friend of 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:53.899 Jesus 00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.559 is to be 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:54.960 a friend 00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.480 of mine 00:29:55.480 --> 00:29:57.380 that ought 00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:57.700 to be our 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.059 slogan 00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.579 it would be 00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:58.860 a great 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.720 mission statement 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:00.259 for the church 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:03.759 you know 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:03.980 those 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.360 you meet 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:04.579 with those 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:04.799 people 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.299 and you say 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:05.680 well I know 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.100 that person 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:06.700 and they say 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:06.880 to you 00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.360 if you're a 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:07.680 friend of 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:07.799 them 00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.019 you're a 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.299 friend of 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.440 mine 00:30:08.440 --> 00:30:08.720 it's a 00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:09.220 great thing 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:12.900 and Jesus 00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.259 says I've 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:13.640 chosen you 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:14.059 to be my 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.480 friends 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:14.840 and you are 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:15.160 no longer 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.740 servants 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.240 you are my 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.559 friends 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.000 and any 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.460 friend of 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:17.680 Jesus 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.019 should be 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.279 a friend 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:18.700 of mine 00:30:18.700 --> 00:30:21.680 there's a 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.220 lovely little 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.779 verse in 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.440 1 Thessalonians 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:23.759 come with me 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.440 to 1 Thessalonians 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:25.380 chapter 4 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:28.039 1 Thessalonians 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:29.019 chapter 4 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:35.960 I always find 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.360 Thessalonians 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:37.220 hard to find 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:39.840 strange 00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:42.180 Thessalonians 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:43.700 I found it 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:45.380 there you go 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:45.920 1 Thessalonians 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.700 chapter 4 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.480 and let me read 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.120 you verses 9 00:30:48.120 --> 00:30:48.420 and 10 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:48.700 look what he 00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.000 says about 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.500 this church 00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:52.859 he says 00:30:52.859 --> 00:30:53.420 Paul says 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:53.660 about this 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:53.819 church 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.359 now concerning 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:54.859 brotherly 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.240 love 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:57.819 you have 00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.599 no need 00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.000 for anyone 00:30:59.000 --> 00:30:59.359 to write 00:30:59.359 --> 00:30:59.640 to you 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.160 for you 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:00.680 yourselves 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.079 have been 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:01.599 taught by 00:31:01.599 --> 00:31:01.920 God 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:02.720 to love 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.500 one another 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:05.460 for that 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.119 indeed is 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.480 what you 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:06.940 are doing 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.599 to all 00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:07.980 the brothers 00:31:07.980 --> 00:31:08.259 throughout 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:08.839 Macedonia 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.279 but we 00:31:09.279 --> 00:31:09.900 urge you 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.359 brothers 00:31:10.359 --> 00:31:11.420 do this 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:11.920 more 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.980 and more 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:14.660 what do 00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:15.079 friends of 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:15.620 Jesus do 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:17.720 they love 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.059 one another 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.960 and that's 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.160 what he 00:31:20.160 --> 00:31:20.480 commands 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.259 in John 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:21.839 15 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:23.059 verse 12 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:24.700 this is my 00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.160 commandment 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.440 that you 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:26.019 love one 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.240 another 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:26.640 as I 00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:26.960 have loved 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.160 you 00:31:27.160 --> 00:31:28.140 verse 17 00:31:28.140 --> 00:31:28.620 these things 00:31:28.620 --> 00:31:29.299 I command 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:29.519 you 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:29.860 so that 00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:30.259 you will 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.759 love one 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.079 another 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:35.480 friends of 00:31:35.480 --> 00:31:35.759 Jesus 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.740 love each 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.000 other 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:40.180 they're not 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.559 just friends 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:40.960 on Facebook 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:41.359 as good as 00:31:41.359 --> 00:31:41.700 that is 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.079 they're 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:42.380 friends in 00:31:42.380 --> 00:31:42.640 real life 00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:42.880 so look 00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:43.140 around 00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:44.299 look around 00:31:44.299 --> 00:31:46.200 go on 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.680 don't be 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:46.920 shy 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.660 look around 00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:48.900 know who 00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.240 these people 00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:49.779 are 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:53.400 know the 00:31:53.400 --> 00:31:53.880 empty seats 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:54.180 and the people 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.900 that they 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.200 should be 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:55.420 here 00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:57.980 and these 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.259 are people 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.720 from Christ 00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:58.980 died 00:31:58.980 --> 00:32:00.180 and they 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.480 are his 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:00.940 friends 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:03.599 and any 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.000 friend of 00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.440 Jesus is 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:04.700 to be a 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.000 friend of 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.200 mine 00:32:05.200 --> 00:32:08.000 that's my 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.340 command 00:32:08.340 --> 00:32:08.819 Jesus says 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.580 11 commandments 00:32:09.580 --> 00:32:10.000 we believe 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:10.380 in don't we 00:32:10.380 --> 00:32:12.319 as the 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:12.700 father has 00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:13.000 loved me 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.299 so you 00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:13.580 should love 00:32:13.580 --> 00:32:13.920 one another 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.319 so put 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:14.720 yourself out 00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:14.980 for one 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.140 another 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:15.720 lay down 00:32:15.720 --> 00:32:16.259 your life 00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:16.720 for one 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.000 another 00:32:17.000 --> 00:32:17.640 and as 00:32:17.640 --> 00:32:18.100 the father 00:32:18.100 --> 00:32:18.500 has loved 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:18.700 me 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.100 so I 00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:19.600 love you 00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:23.460 Jesus 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.200 gave his 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.660 life 00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:27.279 but tragically 00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:27.580 we don't 00:32:27.580 --> 00:32:28.160 sometimes give 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.420 each other 00:32:28.420 --> 00:32:28.720 the time 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.039 of day 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:31.680 the last 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.220 thing I 00:32:32.220 --> 00:32:32.400 want to 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:32.740 finish with 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:32.980 is if 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.220 you're a 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.539 friend of 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:33.779 Jesus 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.120 Jesus 00:32:34.120 --> 00:32:34.539 gives you 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:34.819 permission 00:32:34.819 --> 00:32:35.159 to use 00:32:35.159 --> 00:32:35.279 his 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:35.399 name 00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:35.619 look at 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:36.220 verse 16 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:38.619 he gives 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.019 you permission 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.379 to use 00:32:39.379 --> 00:32:39.519 his 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.799 name 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:43.480 so 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:43.779 whatever 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.399 you ask 00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:44.899 the father 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:45.319 in my 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:45.559 name 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:45.819 he may 00:32:45.819 --> 00:32:46.059 give it 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:46.759 to you 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:48.559 Jesus 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:48.939 says 00:32:48.939 --> 00:32:49.980 feel free 00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.279 to use 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:50.480 my 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:50.759 name 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:54.359 and that 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:54.619 means 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:54.939 doesn't it 00:32:54.939 --> 00:32:55.659 reflecting on 00:32:55.659 --> 00:32:56.039 what you 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:56.439 want 00:32:56.439 --> 00:32:58.200 if you're 00:32:58.200 --> 00:32:58.419 going to 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.679 use 00:32:58.679 --> 00:32:59.019 Jesus 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.379 name 00:32:59.379 --> 00:32:59.700 if you're 00:32:59.700 --> 00:32:59.899 going to 00:32:59.899 --> 00:33:00.319 ask 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.539 in 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:00.799 Jesus 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.319 name 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:03.099 it 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:03.460 means that 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:03.619 you're 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:03.879 going to 00:33:03.880 --> 00:33:04.320 think about 00:33:04.320 --> 00:33:04.680 what you're 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.080 asking 00:33:05.080 --> 00:33:05.440 for 00:33:05.440 --> 00:33:07.640 don't 00:33:07.640 --> 00:33:07.900 come to 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.000 me 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.280 after the 00:33:08.280 --> 00:33:08.440 service 00:33:08.440 --> 00:33:08.640 and say 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:08.920 well I 00:33:08.920 --> 00:33:09.240 asked 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:09.640 that I 00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:10.640 win the 00:33:10.640 --> 00:33:10.960 lottery 00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:12.160 in Jesus 00:33:12.160 --> 00:33:12.400 name 00:33:12.400 --> 00:33:12.580 and I've 00:33:12.580 --> 00:33:12.860 never done 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:12.940 it 00:33:12.940 --> 00:33:13.120 or something 00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:13.540 ridiculous 00:33:13.540 --> 00:33:13.900 like that 00:33:13.900 --> 00:33:14.120 or I 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.440 asked that 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:14.740 I pass 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.280 my exams 00:33:15.280 --> 00:33:15.920 without doing 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.540 any work 00:33:16.540 --> 00:33:17.300 in Jesus 00:33:17.300 --> 00:33:17.660 name 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.540 and that 00:33:18.540 --> 00:33:18.780 didn't 00:33:18.780 --> 00:33:19.040 happen 00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:19.560 that's 00:33:19.560 --> 00:33:19.720 not what 00:33:19.720 --> 00:33:19.820 it's 00:33:19.820 --> 00:33:20.220 talking about 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:20.820 if you're 00:33:20.820 --> 00:33:20.960 going to 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.400 ask in 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:21.620 Jesus 00:33:21.620 --> 00:33:22.040 name 00:33:22.040 --> 00:33:23.200 it means 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:23.520 that you're 00:33:23.520 --> 00:33:23.660 going to 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:23.980 think about 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:24.220 what you're 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:24.520 asking 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:27.539 and Jesus 00:33:27.539 --> 00:33:27.779 says 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:28.119 when you 00:33:28.119 --> 00:33:28.440 come to 00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:28.559 the 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:28.759 father 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.039 use 00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.220 my 00:33:29.220 --> 00:33:29.400 name 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:29.539 by 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:29.720 all 00:33:29.720 --> 00:33:30.079 means 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.579 and you 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:30.700 can 00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:30.879 ask 00:33:30.879 --> 00:33:31.099 whatever 00:33:31.099 --> 00:33:31.259 you 00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.440 want 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:33.299 but you 00:33:33.299 --> 00:33:33.519 need to 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:33.639 think 00:33:33.639 --> 00:33:33.759 about 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:33.960 what you 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:34.240 want 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:36.500 Thomas 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:36.940 Merton 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.359 wrote this 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:37.639 he said 00:33:37.639 --> 00:33:37.839 this 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:38.460 why do 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:38.759 we have 00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.240 to spend 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:39.859 our lives 00:33:39.859 --> 00:33:40.279 striving 00:33:40.279 --> 00:33:40.579 to be 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:40.960 something 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:42.400 that we 00:33:42.400 --> 00:33:42.740 would never 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.079 want to 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.299 be 00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:45.859 if only 00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.240 we knew 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:46.500 what we 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:46.839 wanted 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:49.359 why do 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:49.879 we waste 00:33:49.879 --> 00:33:50.420 our times 00:33:50.420 --> 00:33:50.839 which are 00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.359 just the 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:51.639 opposite 00:33:51.639 --> 00:33:51.960 of what 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:52.220 we were 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:52.519 made 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:52.799 for 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:55.859 and so 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:56.099 we need 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:56.440 to reflect 00:33:56.440 --> 00:33:56.980 on what 00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.379 we want 00:33:57.379 --> 00:33:57.639 don't we 00:33:57.639 --> 00:33:58.019 to pray 00:33:58.019 --> 00:33:58.879 in the 00:33:58.879 --> 00:33:59.180 name of 00:33:59.180 --> 00:33:59.440 Jesus 00:33:59.440 --> 00:33:59.799 is to 00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.139 want 00:34:00.139 --> 00:34:00.440 what 00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:00.700 he 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.220 wants 00:34:01.220 --> 00:34:03.000 and so 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.240 what does 00:34:03.240 --> 00:34:03.559 he want 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:03.960 for you 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:05.740 it's not 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:05.879 what I 00:34:05.879 --> 00:34:06.079 want 00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:07.019 for myself 00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:07.519 but what 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:07.659 does 00:34:07.659 --> 00:34:07.940 Jesus 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.219 want 00:34:08.219 --> 00:34:08.639 for me 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:10.619 what are 00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:10.820 these 00:34:10.820 --> 00:34:11.619 good works 00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:12.159 that he 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:12.779 has prepared 00:34:12.779 --> 00:34:13.500 beforehand 00:34:13.500 --> 00:34:13.900 for me 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.420 to walk 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.699 in 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:17.179 and not 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:17.579 only that 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.000 to pray 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.480 in Jesus 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:18.960 name 00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:20.699 is to 00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.059 recognize 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.460 Lord I 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:21.880 need you 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.820 I need 00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:23.079 you 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.680 to help 00:34:23.680 --> 00:34:23.840 me 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.200 fulfill 00:34:24.200 --> 00:34:24.460 this 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:24.920 commandment 00:34:24.920 --> 00:34:25.119 you've 00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.300 given 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:27.340 you told 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.519 us 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:27.940 that as 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.079 your 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.400 friends 00:34:28.400 --> 00:34:28.840 we love 00:34:28.840 --> 00:34:28.980 one 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:29.200 another 00:34:29.200 --> 00:34:29.700 and quite 00:34:29.700 --> 00:34:30.039 frankly 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.360 that is 00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:30.940 hard work 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:31.380 sometimes 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:33.740 so Lord 00:34:33.740 --> 00:34:34.119 help me 00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:36.099 and give 00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:36.660 me direction 00:34:36.660 --> 00:34:37.260 and give 00:34:37.260 --> 00:34:37.720 me help 00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.539 and empower 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:38.980 me to do 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.260 this 00:34:39.260 --> 00:34:39.780 and that is 00:34:39.780 --> 00:34:40.300 what it means 00:34:40.300 --> 00:34:40.740 to use 00:34:40.740 --> 00:34:41.320 Jesus name 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:44.460 use my 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:44.720 name 00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:45.260 Jesus says 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:45.579 by all 00:34:45.579 --> 00:34:45.820 means 00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.059 and not 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:46.360 only in 00:34:46.360 --> 00:34:46.460 prayer 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:46.700 but in 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.059 everything 00:34:47.059 --> 00:34:50.119 remember 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:50.480 what 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.519 Paul says 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.079 in Colossians 00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:52.340 he says 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:52.719 whatever you 00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:52.840 do 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.159 whether it's 00:34:53.159 --> 00:34:53.579 in word 00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:54.400 or deed 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:55.179 do everything 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:56.920 in the name 00:34:56.920 --> 00:34:57.219 of the Lord 00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:57.559 Jesus 00:34:57.559 --> 00:35:01.019 and to be 00:35:01.019 --> 00:35:01.420 a friend 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:01.880 of Jesus 00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.699 means 00:35:02.699 --> 00:35:04.239 that you 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:04.679 are Jesus 00:35:04.679 --> 00:35:05.279 representative 00:35:05.279 --> 00:35:05.739 you bear 00:35:05.739 --> 00:35:06.179 his name 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:08.299 in everything 00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:08.739 you do 00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:10.980 and it means 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.460 wanting to 00:35:11.460 --> 00:35:11.940 honor his 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.139 name 00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:12.980 every Christian 00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:13.599 stands for 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:13.960 Christ 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:15.539 every Christian 00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.119 is a 00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:16.539 representative 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.240 of Christ 00:35:17.240 --> 00:35:18.559 every one 00:35:18.559 --> 00:35:18.800 of us 00:35:18.800 --> 00:35:19.139 is an 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.619 advert 00:35:19.619 --> 00:35:21.039 for or 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.380 against 00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:21.679 him 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:23.199 and we 00:35:23.199 --> 00:35:23.420 either 00:35:23.420 --> 00:35:23.920 commend 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:25.039 him to 00:35:25.039 --> 00:35:25.400 others 00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:25.800 or we 00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:26.300 repel 00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:26.519 them 00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:27.099 from him 00:35:27.099 --> 00:35:29.740 so it's 00:35:29.740 --> 00:35:30.159 a great 00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:30.699 privilege 00:35:30.699 --> 00:35:31.019 isn't it 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.240 to have 00:35:31.240 --> 00:35:31.699 his name 00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:35.000 to be 00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:35.420 able to 00:35:35.420 --> 00:35:36.119 drop his 00:35:36.119 --> 00:35:36.420 name 00:35:36.420 --> 00:35:36.619 into 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:37.220 conversations 00:35:37.220 --> 00:35:39.760 but let's 00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.099 not do it 00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:40.360 in a way 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:41.039 that embarrasses 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.280 him 00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:46.320 you know 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:46.500 what it's 00:35:46.500 --> 00:35:46.660 like 00:35:46.660 --> 00:35:46.920 isn't it 00:35:46.920 --> 00:35:47.400 you're 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:47.960 cut up 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:48.360 by some 00:35:48.360 --> 00:35:48.720 driver 00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:48.900 that's 00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:49.160 got a 00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:49.380 fish 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:49.600 on the 00:35:49.600 --> 00:35:49.760 back 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:49.960 of their 00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:50.460 car 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:57.000 there's a 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:57.380 joke 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:57.600 isn't 00:35:57.600 --> 00:35:57.740 there 00:35:57.740 --> 00:35:58.320 why do 00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:58.700 people 00:35:58.700 --> 00:36:00.860 say they've 00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.080 got a 00:36:01.080 --> 00:36:01.500 friend in 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:01.800 Jesus 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:02.300 find it 00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:02.640 hard to 00:36:02.640 --> 00:36:02.780 make 00:36:02.780 --> 00:36:03.080 friends 00:36:03.080 --> 00:36:03.200 with 00:36:03.200 --> 00:36:03.360 anyone 00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:03.740 else 00:36:03.740 --> 00:36:08.340 we 00:36:08.340 --> 00:36:08.480 bear 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:08.640 his 00:36:08.640 --> 00:36:08.860 name 00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:09.080 what 00:36:09.080 --> 00:36:09.220 about 00:36:09.220 --> 00:36:09.340 if 00:36:09.340 --> 00:36:09.440 you're 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:09.580 not 00:36:09.580 --> 00:36:09.680 a 00:36:09.680 --> 00:36:09.860 friend 00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:10.000 of 00:36:10.000 --> 00:36:10.280 Jesus 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:13.760 Jesus 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.019 says 00:36:14.019 --> 00:36:14.160 if 00:36:14.160 --> 00:36:14.260 you're 00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:14.380 not 00:36:14.380 --> 00:36:14.640 with 00:36:14.640 --> 00:36:14.980 me 00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:17.080 you 00:36:17.080 --> 00:36:17.200 are 00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:17.480 against 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:17.800 me 00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:19.420 and I 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:19.700 suspect 00:36:19.700 --> 00:36:19.940 as I 00:36:19.940 --> 00:36:20.160 finished 00:36:20.160 --> 00:36:20.460 this morning 00:36:20.460 --> 00:36:20.780 in this 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:21.100 room 00:36:21.100 --> 00:36:21.360 I 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.120 doubt 00:36:22.120 --> 00:36:23.000 that there's 00:36:23.000 --> 00:36:23.380 anybody 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:23.660 who's 00:36:23.660 --> 00:36:24.360 rabidly 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:25.140 anti-Christian 00:36:25.140 --> 00:36:25.620 furiously 00:36:25.620 --> 00:36:26.160 anti-Christian 00:36:26.160 --> 00:36:28.460 but maybe 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:29.040 apathetically 00:36:29.040 --> 00:36:29.560 so you're 00:36:29.560 --> 00:36:30.180 not against 00:36:30.180 --> 00:36:30.320 him 00:36:30.320 --> 00:36:30.519 but you're 00:36:30.519 --> 00:36:31.060 not for 00:36:31.060 --> 00:36:31.300 him 00:36:31.300 --> 00:36:32.880 and your 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.460 heart isn't 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:33.800 head over 00:36:33.800 --> 00:36:34.240 heels in 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:34.620 love with 00:36:34.620 --> 00:36:34.880 Jesus 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:35.580 and he's 00:36:35.580 --> 00:36:36.240 not what 00:36:36.240 --> 00:36:36.620 you think 00:36:36.620 --> 00:36:37.060 about during 00:36:37.060 --> 00:36:37.580 the day 00:36:37.580 --> 00:36:38.340 and you're 00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:38.660 not eager 00:36:38.660 --> 00:36:39.120 to follow 00:36:39.120 --> 00:36:39.440 him 00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:40.039 and you've 00:36:40.039 --> 00:36:40.360 got no 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:40.700 interest 00:36:40.700 --> 00:36:41.059 really in 00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:41.440 his plan 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:41.720 for your 00:36:41.720 --> 00:36:42.019 life 00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.760 and you're 00:36:42.760 --> 00:36:43.280 not for 00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:43.500 him 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.300 you put up 00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:44.800 with a bit 00:36:44.800 --> 00:36:45.280 of church 00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:45.619 but you're 00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:46.019 not for 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:46.240 him 00:36:46.240 --> 00:36:47.159 and Jesus 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:47.559 says if 00:36:47.559 --> 00:36:47.920 you're not 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:48.460 for me 00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:48.900 you are 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:49.539 against me 00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:52.300 and so let me 00:36:52.300 --> 00:36:53.240 encourage you if that is you 00:36:53.240 --> 00:36:54.079 name drop 00:36:54.079 --> 00:36:58.679 because the bible says all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved 00:36:58.679 --> 00:37:03.299 and let me encourage you if you've not done that this morning do it now 00:37:03.299 --> 00:37:10.059 and to come to God in the name of Jesus to use his name and wonderfully doors open don't they 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:22.539 it's amazing if you drop the right name it gives you access use the name of Jesus this morning and what you'll find there is a father's welcome and forgiveness for all your sin and access to the father's heart 00:37:22.539 --> 00:37:42.820 i no longer call you servants i call you friends greater love has no man than this that he laid down his life for his friends and you are my friends so use my name by all means 00:37:42.820 --> 00:37:44.820 you