WEBVTT

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 John 15 this morning, so if you could open up your Bibles and turn to the Gospel of John and chapter 15.

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 There are some notes available, there might be still some at the back.

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 Originally, I was going to preach one sermon from verse 9 to verse 17 of chapter 15.

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 Last week, I only did three verses, so this really is a continuation of the same section,

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 and in some ways is a part two to the sermon of last week.

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 There were just too many good things in these verses to look at.

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 So I'm going to read the sections, we're going to read John chapter 15, 9 to 17,

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 and we're going to focus on verses 12 to 17 this morning.

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 John 15, verse 9,

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 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

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 Now remain in my love.

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 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love,

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 just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love.

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 I've told you this so that my joy may be in you,

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 and that your joy may be complete.

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 My command is this,

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 love each other as I have loved you.

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 Greater love has no one than this,

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 to lay down one's life for one's friends.

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 You are my friends,

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 if you do what I command.

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 I no longer call you servants,

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 because a servant does not know his master's business.

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 Instead, I have called you friends.

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 For everything that I learned from my Father,

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 I have made known to you.

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 You did not choose me,

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 but I chose you,

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 and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit.

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 Fruit that will last.

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 And so that whatever you ask,

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 in my name,

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 the Father will give you.

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 This is my command.

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 Love each other.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father, we have your good word in front of us.

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 It is a joy simply to read it,

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 and to hear what you would say directly,

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 by your Spirit,

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 through the Scriptures to us.

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 And we also thank you, Lord,

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 that we can hear the Scriptures explained,

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 and we pray, Lord, by your Spirit,

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 that we would listen and hear

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 what you would say to us this morning,

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 through the preaching of your word.

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 Most assuredly, that's for our good,

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 and we know it is for your glory.

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 Amen.

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 Well, if you were here with us last week,

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 we looked at verses 9 to 11.

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 And if you weren't,

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 a very, very brief recap.

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 Three things.

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 Everything, verse 11,

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 begins from the love of God the Father and Jesus.

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 As the Father has loved me,

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 so have I loved you.

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 That's number one.

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 Two, Jesus' life shows us

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 that love and obedience go hand in hand.

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 They go together.

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 Three, verse 11,

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 I have told you this,

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 so that my joy may be in you,

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 and that your joy may be complete.

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 We can be as happy as Jesus.

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 So there are the three things from last week.

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 It begins with the Father.

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 However, Jesus' life shows us

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 that love and obedience

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 don't need to be separated,

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 and that we can have the joy

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 or the happiness of Jesus in our lives.

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 As I said, verse 11 is where we left it.

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 Jesus' joy from the love that he has

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 with the Father and from his obedience

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 can be in us.

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 As we love and as we obey Jesus,

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 we experience the same joy

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 that Jesus experiences.

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 But now here's the rub,

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 and I hope you left last week

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 kind of thinking about this.

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 Jesus is perfect

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 in both his love and his obedience.

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 Jesus is perfect.

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 So how can an imperfect Christian,

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 that's you and me,

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 hold love and obedience together?

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 How can we do it?

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 Jesus is perfect.

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 He can do it.

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 How can we do it?

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 And then how can we experience

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 the joy of Jesus?

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 Because he's able to do it,

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 but we're not perfect.

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 Our reality is that we battle sin.

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 We have weaknesses,

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 and we have struggles,

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 and we face temptation.

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 We are finite beings

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 with failing bodies,

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 living in a fallen world,

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 a world that is opposed to God

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 and is under the influence

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 and direction of Satan.

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 We know hurt,

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 and we know disappointment from others.

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 How can we keep love

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 and obedience together

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 with all of this

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 when we see how Jesus does it perfectly?

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 Obedience of our Lord

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 is not easy.

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 What help is there

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 for putting love

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 and obedience into practice?

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 Well, verses 12 to 17

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 are there to help us see that

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 we can share in the joy of Jesus

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 by loving the friends of Jesus

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 with the love that Jesus shows us.

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 That's the big idea this morning

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 through these verses.

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 We share in the joy of Jesus

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 by loving the friends of Jesus

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 with the love that Jesus has shown us.

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 We're going to go through these verses

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 this morning to see that.

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 Verse 12.

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 My command is this.

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 Love each other as I have loved you.

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 Love and obey.

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 Jesus spells out

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 that organic connection for us

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 again in verse 12.

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 My command is this.

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 Love each other.

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 My command is this.

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 Love each other as I have loved you.

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 The command itself is to love.

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 Verse 17.

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 In case you missed it the first time,

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 this is my command.

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 Verse 17.

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 Love each other.

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 We love Jesus

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 when we obey Jesus.

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 And the command of Jesus

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 that we are to obey

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 is the command to love.

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 Obedience is from love to love.

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 It's circular.

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 The source is love.

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 The command is to love.

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 Back and forth.

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 Back and forth.

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 Back and forth.

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 Remember Jesus in his own life.

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 He doesn't separate love

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 on one side of the equation

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 and on the very, very, very far side

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 kind of over there is obedience.

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 He doesn't do that.

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 So for us,

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 to love Jesus

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 is to obey Jesus.

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 To obey Jesus

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 is to love Jesus

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 and to love others.

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 Verse 12.

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 Love each other.

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 Who are the each other?

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 Well, first and foremost,

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 it's the people in your church.

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 And I say in the church

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 because the context here

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 is Jesus talking to his disciples,

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 his followers.

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 These are commands from Jesus

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 to believers

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 to love each other,

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 fellow believers

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 and followers of Jesus.

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 Of course,

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 we are all in one sense

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 to love all people

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 without distinction.

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 In another sense,

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 we are to love all believers,

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 those who are in the faith,

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 whether they're in this church or not,

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 but to say

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 that we love people

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 or that we love Christians

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 generically

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 and then ignore

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 or walk over

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 the people

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 and the Christians

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 that God has put in our path

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 day to day,

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 those who are in close proximity,

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 those who Jesus says

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 are our neighbors

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 because they are near us.

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 Well, to say we love people

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 and to love Christians

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 and to do that

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 is just hypocrisy.

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 No, we are to see

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 each other first

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 as our neighbors,

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 the people near us,

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 fellow believers,

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 the people in this church.

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 Our words,

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 our covenant commitment

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 to each other

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 in the church

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 as members

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 is seen

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 in our actions

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 towards each brother

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 and each sister,

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 the ones we see

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 each week

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 in our church.

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 Verse 13.

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 Here in verse 13

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 is the love

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 for one another

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 in the church

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 that Jesus commands.

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 And it's a

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 do as I do

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 type of love.

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 Let's read verse 13.

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 Greater love

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 has no one

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 than this

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 to lay down

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 one's life

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 for one's friends.

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 What's the extent

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 of this command

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 to love

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 each other?

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 The extent

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 of the command

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 to love

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 is based

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 on the love

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 of Jesus

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 to us.

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 That's what Jesus

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 is referring to

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 and talking about

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 in this verse.

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 And notice

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 that the love

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 of Jesus

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 is not simply

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 words

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 or a simple

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 bless you brother.

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 The love

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 of Jesus

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 towards us

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 is a heart.

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 Jesus' heart

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 that is moved

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 to self-sacrificing

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 action.

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 Love must be

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 from the heart,

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 must involve

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 the affections,

00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:04.019
 and it must be

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 expressed

00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:06.319
 through action.

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 because affection

00:11:08.920 --> 00:11:11.020
 without action

00:11:11.020 --> 00:11:13.080
 is mere sentiment.

00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:15.540
 We can talk

00:11:15.540 --> 00:11:16.340
 a good love,

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 but the love

00:11:18.920 --> 00:11:19.460
 of Jesus,

00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:20.580
 verse 13,

00:11:22.040 --> 00:11:24.180
 the love

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 of Jesus

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 is heart,

00:11:25.660 --> 00:11:26.860
 it is words,

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 and it is deeds.

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 Of course,

00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:31.160
 actions

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 without heart,

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 if we were to do

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 actions without love,

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 without the affections,

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 without the care,

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 without the heart,

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 well,

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 that's a meaningless

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 noise,

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 Paul says

00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:40.480
 in 1 Corinthians.

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 But love

00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:44.500
 without actions

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 is a kind of

00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:48.300
 pharisaical hypocrisy.

00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:50.340
 The heart,

00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.340
 the love,

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 and the actions

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 of obedience

00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:55.680
 and care

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 and love,

00:11:56.780 --> 00:11:57.899
 they go together.

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 Actions

00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:00.120
 properly

00:12:00.120 --> 00:12:01.280
 express

00:12:01.280 --> 00:12:02.259
 love.

00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:02.340
 love.

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 And Jesus'

00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:05.460
 love for us

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 is this,

00:12:06.799 --> 00:12:07.939
 verse 13,

00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:08.960
 that he lays

00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:10.159
 down his

00:12:10.159 --> 00:12:11.000
 life

00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:12.580
 for us.

00:12:13.620 --> 00:12:14.159
 Jesus'

00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:14.960
 love for us

00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:15.500
 is this,

00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:16.480
 it is dying

00:12:16.480 --> 00:12:17.159
 on a cross

00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:18.360
 for his friends,

00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:19.939
 even as those

00:12:19.939 --> 00:12:20.600
 friends,

00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:21.539
 the people he was

00:12:21.539 --> 00:12:22.319
 speaking to right

00:12:22.319 --> 00:12:22.799
 now,

00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:24.080
 were scattering

00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:25.340
 and running

00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.500
 and denying

00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:27.360
 and hiding

00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:28.000
 from him.

00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:30.620
 I want to share

00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:31.419
 three things

00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:33.440
 from these verses

00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:34.779
 from 12 and 13

00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.480
 that we can

00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:36.419
 see

00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.519
 about

00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:38.340
 love.

00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:38.879
 First,

00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:39.600
 love

00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.259
 is

00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.340
 demonstrated.

00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:42.019
 Love

00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:43.000
 is demonstrated.

00:12:43.279 --> 00:12:43.500
 Love

00:12:43.500 --> 00:12:44.639
 is enacted.

00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:46.899
 Jesus came

00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:47.799
 not with

00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:48.559
 ideas

00:12:48.559 --> 00:12:49.820
 and vague

00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.500
 niceties,

00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:52.259
 but he came

00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:53.379
 and he suffered

00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.320
 and he died

00:12:54.320 --> 00:12:55.320
 on the cross

00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:56.700
 in the place

00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.360
 of you

00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:58.340
 and me.

00:12:59.440 --> 00:13:00.100
 And if you are

00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:01.020
 here this morning

00:13:01.020 --> 00:13:02.980
 and you do

00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:03.560
 not know

00:13:03.560 --> 00:13:04.520
 the joy

00:13:04.520 --> 00:13:05.660
 of the love

00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:06.280
 of Jesus

00:13:06.280 --> 00:13:07.379
 in your life,

00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:09.420
 then see

00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:10.300
 verse 13,

00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:12.760
 see his love

00:13:12.760 --> 00:13:13.800
 for you

00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:14.680
 at the cross,

00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:15.620
 the place

00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.460
 where he died

00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.379
 so that your

00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:18.379
 sin

00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:19.360
 could be

00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:19.760
 forgiven

00:13:19.760 --> 00:13:21.480
 if this day

00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:21.760
 you would

00:13:21.760 --> 00:13:22.400
 believe in him

00:13:22.400 --> 00:13:23.080
 and confess

00:13:23.080 --> 00:13:23.580
 him

00:13:23.580 --> 00:13:24.540
 and confess

00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:25.440
 your sins,

00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.240
 then you

00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:26.879
 will be

00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:27.320
 forgiven

00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.620
 and counted

00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.500
 this very day

00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.259
 as a friend

00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.360
 of Jesus.

00:13:31.720 --> 00:13:32.000
 Love

00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.220
 is demonstrated

00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:35.120
 most clearly

00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.300
 at the cross.

00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.440
 Two,

00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:38.340
 love

00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:38.820
 is

00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:41.100
 self-sacrificing.

00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:42.400
 It puts

00:13:42.400 --> 00:13:43.280
 the needs

00:13:43.280 --> 00:13:44.120
 of others

00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:45.500
 before your

00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:45.780
 own.

00:13:46.900 --> 00:13:47.420
 That is

00:13:47.420 --> 00:13:47.879
 love.

00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:49.540
 Love

00:13:49.540 --> 00:13:51.560
 displaces

00:13:51.560 --> 00:13:52.180
 our own

00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:53.040
 comforts.

00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.540
 And it

00:13:54.540 --> 00:13:54.980
 spends

00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.440
 our

00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:56.060
 resources.

00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:58.340
 It pushes

00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:58.879
 comfort

00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:59.400
 aside.

00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:00.400
 It takes

00:14:00.400 --> 00:14:00.660
 what we

00:14:00.660 --> 00:14:01.000
 have,

00:14:01.040 --> 00:14:01.700
 our time,

00:14:01.900 --> 00:14:02.420
 our energy

00:14:02.420 --> 00:14:02.780
 and our

00:14:02.780 --> 00:14:03.040
 money,

00:14:04.160 --> 00:14:04.560
 and it

00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:04.900
 spends

00:14:04.900 --> 00:14:05.540
 those things

00:14:05.540 --> 00:14:06.240
 on caring

00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:07.680
 for our

00:14:07.680 --> 00:14:08.360
 friends.

00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:09.480
 Love

00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:09.860
 is a

00:14:09.860 --> 00:14:11.180
 laying down

00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:11.620
 of your

00:14:11.620 --> 00:14:12.480
 lunchtimes

00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.620
 or your

00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.000
 evenings

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.560
 to catch

00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:15.540
 up and

00:14:15.540 --> 00:14:16.060
 encourage

00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:16.580
 someone in

00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.200
 their faith.

00:14:18.040 --> 00:14:18.480
 Love,

00:14:18.900 --> 00:14:20.060
 it's coming

00:14:20.060 --> 00:14:20.480
 here on a

00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:20.879
 Sunday and

00:14:20.879 --> 00:14:21.640
 setting aside

00:14:21.640 --> 00:14:22.280
 your preferences

00:14:22.280 --> 00:14:22.700
 for the

00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.280
 start time

00:14:23.280 --> 00:14:24.740
 and the

00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:25.240
 songs we

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:25.500
 sing,

00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:26.060
 good choices

00:14:26.060 --> 00:14:26.620
 Connor by

00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:26.940
 the way,

00:14:27.660 --> 00:14:29.020
 so that we

00:14:29.020 --> 00:14:29.400
 can all

00:14:29.400 --> 00:14:29.759
 meet and

00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.240
 we can all

00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:30.660
 gather and

00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:31.140
 do things

00:14:31.140 --> 00:14:31.520
 together.

00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:31.900
 It means

00:14:31.900 --> 00:14:32.879
 setting aside

00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:33.680
 some of

00:14:33.680 --> 00:14:33.840
 our

00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:34.420
 preferences

00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:35.580
 because maybe

00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:35.900
 we want to

00:14:35.900 --> 00:14:36.280
 meet at a

00:14:36.280 --> 00:14:36.960
 different time

00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:37.240
 or we

00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:37.759
 prefer other

00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.280
 songs.

00:14:39.280 --> 00:14:39.879
 Love is

00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:41.560
 using less

00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:42.000
 money on

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.600
 yourself so

00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.000
 that what you

00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.900
 give to the

00:14:44.900 --> 00:14:46.300
 church allows

00:14:46.300 --> 00:14:47.000
 us to gather

00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:48.300
 and minister

00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:49.079
 and reach

00:14:49.079 --> 00:14:49.419
 out with

00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:49.919
 the gospel.

00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.319
 Love is

00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.399
 giving less

00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:55.019
 priority to

00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:56.219
 hobbies or

00:14:56.219 --> 00:14:57.639
 gardening or

00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:59.120
 exercising or

00:14:59.120 --> 00:14:59.879
 streaming TV

00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.339
 shows in

00:15:01.339 --> 00:15:02.399
 order that for

00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:02.919
 once a month

00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.259
 that you would

00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:03.740
 gather with

00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:04.120
 your brothers

00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.859
 and sisters to

00:15:05.859 --> 00:15:07.339
 pray as a

00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:07.759
 church.

00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:10.819
 Love is

00:15:10.819 --> 00:15:12.799
 self-sacrificing.

00:15:13.459 --> 00:15:14.539
 Three, love is

00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.799
 measured in

00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:16.439
 comparison to

00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:16.779
 Jesus.

00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:19.659
 It is the

00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.719
 greatest love

00:15:20.719 --> 00:15:21.819
 that Jesus

00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:23.139
 has and he

00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:23.639
 says it's to

00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.759
 yield our

00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.519
 life for our

00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:25.879
 friends.

00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:26.519
 That's the

00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.740
 measure of

00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:29.179
 the love that

00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.899
 Jesus has and

00:15:30.899 --> 00:15:31.479
 that he shares

00:15:31.479 --> 00:15:32.159
 with us.

00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:33.899
 And so in

00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.359
 our last

00:15:34.359 --> 00:15:36.299
 breath maybe

00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:36.799
 we'll be

00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:38.399
 serving another.

00:15:39.579 --> 00:15:40.059
 We simply

00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:41.299
 cannot be

00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.659
 known then.

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.559
 If that's the

00:15:43.559 --> 00:15:44.139
 limit of love,

00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:44.879
 if that's the

00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.679
 extent of love,

00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:46.199
 it's measured

00:15:46.199 --> 00:15:46.959
 by what Jesus

00:15:46.959 --> 00:15:47.799
 has shown us,

00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:49.479
 then we

00:15:49.479 --> 00:15:50.459
 can't be

00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.199
 known as

00:15:51.199 --> 00:15:51.659
 people that

00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:52.079
 are tight

00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:52.599
 fisted.

00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.099
 We can't

00:15:54.099 --> 00:15:54.539
 be a

00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.239
 shrug the

00:15:55.239 --> 00:15:56.099
 shoulders type.

00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.019
 We can't

00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:57.859
 be a turn a

00:15:57.859 --> 00:15:59.179
 blind eye to

00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.359
 the needs of

00:16:00.359 --> 00:16:01.179
 other people.

00:16:02.139 --> 00:16:02.819
 If our

00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.419
 friends ask

00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.059
 for help,

00:16:04.359 --> 00:16:05.099
 we should

00:16:05.099 --> 00:16:05.599
 be there.

00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:08.859
 I know

00:16:08.859 --> 00:16:09.399
 this is

00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:10.099
 hard,

00:16:11.319 --> 00:16:11.759
 demanding.

00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:13.099
 It is a

00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:14.719
 high standard.

00:16:15.679 --> 00:16:16.019
 I just

00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.179
 want to

00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:16.439
 say this

00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:16.859
 is not

00:16:16.859 --> 00:16:17.399
 a call

00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.179
 to

00:16:18.179 --> 00:16:18.859
 sinless

00:16:18.859 --> 00:16:19.539
 perfection.

00:16:20.739 --> 00:16:21.039
 One

00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:21.399
 Christian

00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:21.679
 author

00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.099
 helpfully

00:16:22.099 --> 00:16:22.459
 writes,

00:16:22.839 --> 00:16:23.299
 none of

00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:23.659
 us is

00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.199
 perfect,

00:16:25.079 --> 00:16:25.559
 none of

00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:25.699
 us

00:16:25.699 --> 00:16:26.319
 complete,

00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:27.579
 none of

00:16:27.579 --> 00:16:27.939
 us without

00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.379
 weakness

00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:28.959
 and sin.

00:16:29.839 --> 00:16:30.120
 Though we

00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:30.419
 may have

00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:31.019
 grown in

00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.419
 humility,

00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.319
 we still

00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:32.719
 at times

00:16:32.719 --> 00:16:33.459
 take advantage

00:16:33.459 --> 00:16:34.099
 of people

00:16:34.099 --> 00:16:34.819
 we are

00:16:34.819 --> 00:16:35.219
 meant to

00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:35.579
 lead with

00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:35.959
 love.

00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:36.519
 Though we

00:16:36.519 --> 00:16:36.959
 may display

00:16:36.959 --> 00:16:37.199
 the

00:16:37.199 --> 00:16:37.579
 blessed

00:16:37.579 --> 00:16:38.419
 virtue of

00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:38.979
 gentleness,

00:16:39.479 --> 00:16:40.319
 we still

00:16:40.319 --> 00:16:41.039
 at times

00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:42.059
 succumb to

00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:42.779
 outbursts

00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.339
 of anger.

00:16:44.239 --> 00:16:44.679
 God,

00:16:45.239 --> 00:16:45.979
 and God

00:16:45.979 --> 00:16:46.379
 alone,

00:16:47.019 --> 00:16:47.679
 perfectly

00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.939
 exemplifies

00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:49.899
 every virtue

00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:51.059
 in its

00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:51.399
 fullest

00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.159
 forms.

00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:54.239
 But one

00:16:54.239 --> 00:16:54.500
 of the

00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:55.179
 blessings of

00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:55.859
 membership in

00:16:55.859 --> 00:16:56.279
 a local

00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.519
 church is

00:16:57.519 --> 00:16:57.939
 joining

00:16:57.939 --> 00:16:58.419
 together

00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.000
 through our

00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.479
 baptism,

00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:00.839
 through the

00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:01.159
 Lord's

00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.500
 table,

00:17:01.959 --> 00:17:02.979
 to recognize,

00:17:03.739 --> 00:17:04.399
 to see

00:17:04.399 --> 00:17:05.019
 one another

00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.960
 as friends

00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.799
 of Jesus.

00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:07.960
 Members of

00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.399
 a local

00:17:08.399 --> 00:17:08.940
 church,

00:17:09.679 --> 00:17:10.059
 Christians,

00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:10.639
 you have

00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:11.659
 a job,

00:17:11.919 --> 00:17:12.139
 and that

00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.519
 is to

00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.480
 recognize

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.480
 and to

00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:15.200
 keep one

00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:15.799
 another as

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.099
 friends of

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:17.659
 Jesus.

00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.559
 That's job

00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.679
 number one

00:17:19.679 --> 00:17:20.019
 in this

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.339
 church,

00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:20.740
 is to

00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.359
 recognize

00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:21.899
 those who

00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.319
 are friends

00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:22.819
 of Jesus

00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:24.019
 and help

00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.799
 keep one

00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.359
 another in

00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:25.919
 the faith.

00:17:27.419 --> 00:17:27.779
 And this,

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.339
 brothers and

00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:28.659
 sisters,

00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.399
 is our

00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:31.000
 public and

00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.519
 our private

00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.059
 duty of

00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.519
 care to

00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.000
 one another

00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.480
 and not

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:34.879
 mere

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.399
 sentiment.

00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:37.819
 To help

00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.299
 us understand

00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:38.519
 this, I

00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:38.919
 want us to

00:17:38.919 --> 00:17:39.419
 turn to

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.320
 1 John

00:17:40.320 --> 00:17:41.320
 chapter 3.

00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.640
 1 John

00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.400
 chapter 3,

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:43.740
 so if you

00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.039
 could turn

00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.279
 in your

00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:44.640
 Bibles,

00:17:44.800 --> 00:17:45.100
 please,

00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.440
 to 1 John

00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.140
 chapter 3.

00:17:47.300 --> 00:17:48.860
 It's page

00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:50.060
 1226.

00:17:51.800 --> 00:17:52.140
 We're going

00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:52.440
 to be looking

00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:52.960
 at verse

00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.920
 16.

00:17:56.580 --> 00:17:56.940
 The

00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.240
 apostle

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:57.779
 John,

00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:58.380
 he wrote

00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:58.820
 the gospel

00:17:58.820 --> 00:17:59.360
 of John,

00:17:59.480 --> 00:17:59.820
 and he

00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:00.759
 also authored

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.100
 a number

00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:01.800
 of letters.

00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:02.779
 And so

00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:04.240
 he wrote,

00:18:04.340 --> 00:18:04.940
 he recorded

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.380
 the words

00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:05.880
 of Jesus

00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.820
 for us,

00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:07.680
 and those

00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.279
 words have

00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:08.899
 an enormous

00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:09.779
 effect on

00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:10.960
 John in

00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.519
 his life.

00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.519
 And later

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.099
 he writes

00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:13.700
 to a church,

00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.119
 and I

00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:15.559
 believe he's

00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:16.200
 more than

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:17.079
 likely picking

00:18:17.079 --> 00:18:18.139
 up the

00:18:18.139 --> 00:18:18.599
 words of

00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:19.099
 Jesus that

00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:19.619
 he wrote

00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:20.039
 in chapter

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:20.619
 15,

00:18:20.619 --> 00:18:21.379
 of that

00:18:21.379 --> 00:18:22.559
 self-sacrificing

00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:23.559
 love poured

00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.460
 into Christians,

00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.200
 into their

00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.700
 duties and

00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.220
 their lives.

00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:27.980
 And John

00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.920
 makes it

00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:29.460
 incredibly

00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.160
 practical for

00:18:30.160 --> 00:18:30.399
 us,

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:30.759
 and I think

00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.059
 this is the

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.819
 best commentary

00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:33.180
 on John

00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:33.700
 15,

00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.619
 is John

00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.180
 himself

00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:37.180
 explaining

00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:37.799
 these verses.

00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.560
 So John,

00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.299
 1 John

00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.140
 3,

00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.900
 chapter 3,

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:41.720
 verses 16

00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:42.240
 to 18.

00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.880
 This is how

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.380
 we know

00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:47.940
 what love

00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.279
 is.

00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:49.960
 Jesus Christ

00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.580
 laid down

00:18:50.580 --> 00:18:51.220
 his life

00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:51.779
 for us,

00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.460
 and we

00:18:52.460 --> 00:18:53.140
 ought to

00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:53.680
 lay down

00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:54.420
 our lives

00:18:54.420 --> 00:18:55.160
 for our

00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:55.759
 brothers

00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.580
 and sisters.

00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.460
 If anyone

00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:59.160
 has material

00:18:59.160 --> 00:18:59.700
 possessions,

00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:00.900
 and sees a

00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.420
 brother or

00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.000
 sister in

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.480
 need,

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.340
 but has

00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:03.960
 no pity

00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:04.519
 on them,

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.079
 how can

00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.539
 the love

00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.160
 of God

00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:07.640
 be in

00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.299
 that person?

00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:09.819
 Dear

00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.259
 children,

00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:11.779
 let us

00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.259
 not love

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.079
 with words

00:19:13.079 --> 00:19:14.240
 or speech,

00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.740
 but with

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.340
 actions

00:19:16.340 --> 00:19:17.259
 and in

00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.620
 truth.

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:21.059
 We are

00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.460
 wonderfully

00:19:21.460 --> 00:19:22.079
 blessed by

00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.400
 a church

00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:22.799
 family.

00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.279
 We lift

00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.059
 our eyes

00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.539
 to our

00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:25.920
 Savior,

00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:27.180
 who laid

00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:27.680
 down his

00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.160
 life on

00:19:28.160 --> 00:19:28.680
 the cross

00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:30.160
 for us.

00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.440
 And so

00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:33.160
 we ought

00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:34.180
 to lay

00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:34.680
 down our

00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.140
 lives,

00:19:35.840 --> 00:19:36.200
 to lay

00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:36.620
 down our

00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.279
 comforts,

00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:37.620
 to lay

00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:37.980
 down our

00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.440
 possessions

00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.240
 of time

00:19:39.240 --> 00:19:39.740
 and energy

00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.180
 and money,

00:19:40.600 --> 00:19:41.240
 which we

00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:41.960
 all have

00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:42.580
 in some

00:19:42.580 --> 00:19:42.940
 measure

00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:45.100
 for our

00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:45.700
 brothers and

00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.080
 sisters.

00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.000
 John makes

00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:50.660
 it clear in

00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.720
 1 John 3,

00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:54.540
 let us

00:19:54.540 --> 00:19:55.279
 never claim

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.920
 to love

00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.320
 Jesus,

00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:57.500
 and then

00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.140
 neglect

00:19:58.140 --> 00:19:59.720
 truth and

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.080
 action.

00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:01.299
 if you

00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.099
 see your

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.839
 brother or

00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.500
 sister in

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:03.859
 need,

00:20:04.619 --> 00:20:04.879
 or you

00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:05.279
 are asked

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.819
 for help,

00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:06.899
 do not

00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:07.379
 turn the

00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.019
 blind eye

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.279
 or shrug

00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.879
 the shoulders,

00:20:10.319 --> 00:20:10.720
 but know

00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.220
 that God

00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.699
 has gifted

00:20:11.699 --> 00:20:12.359
 each of

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:13.199
 us for

00:20:13.199 --> 00:20:13.839
 acts of

00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.279
 service in

00:20:15.279 --> 00:20:15.879
 his

00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:16.379
 kingdom.

00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:20.460
 Back to

00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.639
 the Gospel

00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.159
 of John

00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:22.579
 in chapter

00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.139
 15,

00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.119
 verse 14.

00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:27.099
 You are

00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.959
 my friends

00:20:27.959 --> 00:20:29.299
 if you

00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:31.019
 do what

00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.719
 I command.

00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.279
 Jesus

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.059
 calls his

00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.939
 disciples in

00:20:37.939 --> 00:20:38.539
 verse 14

00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.459
 his friends.

00:20:40.219 --> 00:20:41.479
 You are

00:20:41.479 --> 00:20:42.759
 my friends.

00:20:42.979 --> 00:20:43.879
 You are

00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.819
 my friends.

00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:46.219
 And we

00:20:46.219 --> 00:20:46.779
 sung about

00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.859
 it, and

00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:48.359
 it is so

00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:48.599
 true.

00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.239
 What a

00:20:49.239 --> 00:20:50.819
 comfort to

00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.539
 be called

00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.399
 a friend

00:20:52.399 --> 00:20:53.119
 of Jesus,

00:20:53.219 --> 00:20:53.659
 to be called

00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.340
 a friend

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:54.740
 of the

00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.860
 living God,

00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:56.240
 to be

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.580
 his friend

00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:58.060
 and not

00:20:58.060 --> 00:20:58.519
 his enemy.

00:20:59.860 --> 00:21:00.400
 But now

00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.720
 we need

00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.180
 to deal

00:21:01.180 --> 00:21:02.320
 with what

00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:02.840
 I describe

00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:03.160
 as a

00:21:03.160 --> 00:21:03.580
 troubling

00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:04.080
 if.

00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:06.240
 The call

00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.160
 you are

00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:07.860
 my friends

00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.279
 is linked

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:08.720
 to do

00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.040
 what I

00:21:09.040 --> 00:21:09.660
 command

00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.779
 by an

00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.279
 if.

00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.500
 You are

00:21:13.500 --> 00:21:14.040
 my friends

00:21:14.040 --> 00:21:14.840
 if you

00:21:14.840 --> 00:21:15.180
 do what

00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.660
 I command.

00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.200
 And we

00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.920
 can naturally

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.200
 read verse

00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.840
 14 like

00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.140
 this.

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:20.980
 If you

00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.380
 obey,

00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.340
 then you

00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:23.579
 can be

00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:23.819
 my

00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.159
 friend.

00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.059
 If you

00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:26.379
 obey,

00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:27.039
 then you

00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.259
 can be

00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:27.480
 my

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:27.799
 friend.

00:21:28.459 --> 00:21:28.599
 And we

00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:28.839
 can read

00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.059
 like,

00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:29.879
 obedience

00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:30.639
 first,

00:21:31.199 --> 00:21:31.539
 friendship

00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.419
 is second.

00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:34.659
 And we

00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.019
 can start

00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.619
 to think

00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.240
 and to

00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:36.699
 act.

00:21:37.619 --> 00:21:37.819
 We can

00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:39.059
 do this.

00:21:39.439 --> 00:21:39.539
 Like,

00:21:39.679 --> 00:21:40.539
 the ground

00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:41.519
 of our

00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.119
 friendship,

00:21:42.459 --> 00:21:43.019
 the basis

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.379
 of our

00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:43.679
 friendship

00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:44.159
 with Jesus

00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:44.619
 is our

00:21:44.619 --> 00:21:45.220
 obedience.

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.399
 Because we

00:21:47.399 --> 00:21:48.220
 read something

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.740
 like this,

00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.220
 or we

00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.000
 pick up

00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.619
 verse 14

00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.319
 in isolation

00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.160
 and we

00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:52.299
 say,

00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:52.599
 okay,

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.819
 command

00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.559
 obedience.

00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:56.200
 If that's

00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:56.559
 right,

00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.220
 then I

00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.519
 can be

00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:57.839
 a friend

00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.180
 of Jesus.

00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:58.519
 Then I

00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:58.900
 am a

00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.079
 friend

00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.519
 of Jesus.

00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.119
 Now,

00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.720
 I hope

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.680
 that such

00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:04.720
 a conclusion

00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.299
 or such

00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:05.819
 a sense

00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.160
 of verse

00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:06.619
 14

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.279
 doesn't

00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.000
 feel right.

00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.559
 In fact,

00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:08.920
 I hope

00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.380
 it feels

00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:10.480
 wrong.

00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.200
 That's

00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:12.240
 not how

00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.660
 we should

00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.140
 think

00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:13.839
 and read

00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.960
 verse 14

00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:16.259
 in context,

00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:16.779
 in the context

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.440
 of John,

00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:18.039
 in the context

00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.559
 of all

00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.019
 of Scripture.

00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.180
 If you've

00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.480
 been to

00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.220
 this church

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.639
 or you

00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:23.039
 go to

00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.759
 a like-minded

00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.379
 gospel

00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:24.920
 church,

00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.599
 then you

00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.139
 should know

00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:26.500
 that it

00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:28.099
 is anti-gospel

00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:30.339
 and anti-Jesus

00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.480
 to say

00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.259
 obedience

00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.440
 is the

00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.079
 grounds

00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.859
 for knowing

00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.359
 Jesus.

00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:36.240
 Obedience

00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:36.960
 is not

00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.539
 the grounds

00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.000
 for knowing

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.420
 Jesus.

00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.220
 Obedience

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.839
 is not

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:40.480
 the grounds

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.180
 for friendship

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:42.480
 with Jesus.

00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.279
 That's not

00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:43.720
 how this

00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.740
 if is

00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.200
 working.

00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:46.879
 For we

00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.360
 know

00:22:47.360 --> 00:22:48.340
 from the

00:22:48.340 --> 00:22:48.620
 Scriptures

00:22:48.620 --> 00:22:49.040
 that the

00:22:49.040 --> 00:22:49.340
 ground

00:22:49.340 --> 00:22:49.920
 is this,

00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.280
 that Jesus

00:22:51.280 --> 00:22:51.800
 Christ

00:22:51.800 --> 00:22:52.680
 freely

00:22:52.680 --> 00:22:53.320
 gave

00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:53.640
 himself

00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:54.440
 for us

00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:55.200
 and it

00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:55.660
 is by

00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.900
 grace

00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.600
 that we

00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:57.880
 have been

00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.300
 saved,

00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.060
 not by

00:22:59.060 --> 00:22:59.200
 our

00:22:59.200 --> 00:22:59.600
 obedience.

00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:00.320
 It is

00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:00.680
 only through

00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.260
 faith

00:23:01.260 --> 00:23:01.960
 in the

00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.260
 work

00:23:02.260 --> 00:23:02.860
 that Jesus

00:23:02.860 --> 00:23:03.460
 has done

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.200
 that we

00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.900
 are his

00:23:04.900 --> 00:23:05.580
 friends.

00:23:07.540 --> 00:23:08.200
 Many of

00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.380
 us are

00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:08.720
 familiar with

00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.220
 Ephesians

00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.960
 chapter 2

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:11.320
 verses 8

00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:11.740
 to 10

00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.020
 and this

00:23:12.020 --> 00:23:12.280
 is what

00:23:12.280 --> 00:23:12.700
 it says,

00:23:12.800 --> 00:23:12.960
 for it

00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.260
 is by

00:23:13.260 --> 00:23:14.100
 grace

00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:14.639
 you have

00:23:14.639 --> 00:23:14.879
 been

00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:15.459
 saved

00:23:15.459 --> 00:23:16.419
 through

00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.059
 faith

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.859
 and this

00:23:17.859 --> 00:23:18.539
 not from

00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.059
 yourselves,

00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.859
 it is the

00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:20.619
 gift of

00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.019
 God,

00:23:21.480 --> 00:23:22.279
 not by

00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.059
 works,

00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:23.980
 not by

00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.519
 obedience,

00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.259
 not by

00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.899
 the law

00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:26.919
 so that

00:23:26.919 --> 00:23:27.319
 no one

00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.980
 can boast.

00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:29.959
 For we

00:23:29.959 --> 00:23:30.399
 are God's

00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:31.059
 handiwork

00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:32.279
 created in

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:32.779
 Christ Jesus

00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:33.459
 to do

00:23:33.459 --> 00:23:34.159
 good works

00:23:34.159 --> 00:23:35.079
 which God

00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.659
 prepared in

00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:36.359
 advance for

00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:36.659
 us to

00:23:36.659 --> 00:23:36.859
 do.

00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.219
 But our

00:23:38.219 --> 00:23:38.819
 salvation,

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.059
 the grounding

00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.500
 of our

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.039
 salvation

00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:42.480
 is that

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:42.740
 it is

00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.079
 in

00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:43.659
 Jesus

00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:44.379
 Christ

00:23:44.379 --> 00:23:45.019
 alone.

00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:46.379
 It is

00:23:46.379 --> 00:23:46.920
 grace

00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.420
 alone,

00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.259
 through

00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.899
 faith

00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:49.399
 alone,

00:23:49.659 --> 00:23:49.859
 in

00:23:49.859 --> 00:23:50.480
 Christ

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.000
 alone,

00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:51.859
 always

00:23:51.859 --> 00:23:52.359
 and

00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:52.759
 forever.

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:53.599
 Amen.

00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.599
 Or we

00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.240
 would be

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.019
 undone.

00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:57.159
 If our

00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:57.500
 friendship

00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.019
 with Jesus

00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.779
 was based

00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.099
 on our

00:23:59.099 --> 00:23:59.579
 obedience,

00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:02.519
 we'd

00:24:02.519 --> 00:24:02.920
 have no

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.359
 chance.

00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.099
 But

00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:06.700
 we must

00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.740
 also not

00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.519
 discard

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.379
 obedience

00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:09.560
 obedience

00:24:09.560 --> 00:24:10.040
 as of

00:24:10.040 --> 00:24:10.500
 little

00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.720
 or of

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:11.980
 no

00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.660
 importance.

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.600
 We must

00:24:13.600 --> 00:24:14.160
 not

00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.340
 discard

00:24:15.340 --> 00:24:16.340
 obedience

00:24:16.340 --> 00:24:17.460
 and so

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.280
 cheapen

00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:19.440
 the very

00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.420
 grace that

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.120
 Christ has

00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.680
 shown us.

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:23.100
 We confess

00:24:23.100 --> 00:24:24.420
 Jesus as

00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.840
 both

00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:25.640
 Savior

00:24:25.640 --> 00:24:27.220
 and

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.040
 Lord

00:24:28.040 --> 00:24:29.320
 and we

00:24:29.320 --> 00:24:30.220
 love him

00:24:30.220 --> 00:24:31.580
 and we

00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:32.320
 obey him.

00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:32.720
 Remember,

00:24:32.820 --> 00:24:33.080
 they go

00:24:33.080 --> 00:24:33.540
 together.

00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:34.880
 Those attempts

00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:36.020
 to separate

00:24:36.020 --> 00:24:36.480
 them out

00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.120
 and push

00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:37.700
 them apart

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.400
 and say

00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.380
 it's all

00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:39.860
 by what

00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:40.460
 you do,

00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:40.980
 you gotta

00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.300
 do,

00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:41.660
 you gotta

00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:41.900
 do,

00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.160
 you gotta

00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.340
 do.

00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.120
 It's

00:24:43.120 --> 00:24:44.620
 only about

00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:45.360
 faith and

00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:45.620
 it doesn't

00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.019
 matter how

00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.700
 you live.

00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.560
 Once saved,

00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.560
 always saved.

00:24:48.800 --> 00:24:49.400
 You put

00:24:49.400 --> 00:24:49.920
 your hand up

00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.759
 one time and

00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.300
 it doesn't

00:24:51.300 --> 00:24:51.540
 matter,

00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:51.880
 you don't

00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.120
 have to

00:24:52.120 --> 00:24:52.480
 repent,

00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:52.800
 you don't

00:24:52.800 --> 00:24:53.000
 have to

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.180
 follow

00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:53.660
 Jesus.

00:24:54.540 --> 00:24:55.220
 Be so

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.060
 wary of

00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.320
 those

00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:57.080
 extremes

00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.120
 that push

00:24:58.120 --> 00:24:59.380
 love and

00:24:59.380 --> 00:24:59.960
 obedience of

00:24:59.960 --> 00:25:00.860
 Jesus apart.

00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:02.740
 How then

00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.380
 are we best

00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:04.180
 to understand

00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:04.860
 verse 14?

00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.280
 It still

00:25:05.280 --> 00:25:06.740
 seems brutally

00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.820
 kind of

00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.299
 hard.

00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:08.839
 The if,

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:09.740
 you are my

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:09.960
 friends,

00:25:10.139 --> 00:25:10.639
 if you

00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.519
 do what

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.039
 I command.

00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.519
 Well,

00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.159
 I think it's

00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:13.539
 helpful not

00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.179
 to isolate

00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:14.679
 the verse,

00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.599
 but to

00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.039
 look at it

00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.220
 in the

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.819
 wider context.

00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:17.139
 We look

00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:17.339
 in the

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.819
 wider context

00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.139
 of the

00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:18.419
 scriptures

00:25:18.419 --> 00:25:19.240
 and what

00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.700
 it means

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:19.919
 to be

00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:20.480
 a Christian,

00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.399
 but I

00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:22.679
 think it's

00:25:22.679 --> 00:25:23.000
 helpful.

00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.319
 I'm just

00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:23.519
 going to

00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.299
 put it up

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.659
 there and

00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.059
 read these

00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.519
 verses out.

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:25.819
 These are

00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.519
 other verses

00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:27.839
 just in the

00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.359
 context of

00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.740
 John and

00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.079
 in these

00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:29.439
 immediate

00:25:29.439 --> 00:25:30.779
 chapters that

00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.599
 say similar

00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:32.279
 things.

00:25:32.899 --> 00:25:33.119
 And so I

00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.279
 think we

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:33.460
 want to

00:25:33.460 --> 00:25:34.019
 take all of

00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.240
 these

00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.679
 together.

00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:38.220
 chapter 14

00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.779
 and verse 15.

00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:38.960
 I'm just

00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.120
 going to

00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:39.580
 read these

00:25:39.580 --> 00:25:39.880
 out.

00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.640
 If you

00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.279
 love me,

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.120
 you will

00:25:42.120 --> 00:25:42.680
 obey what

00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.039
 I command.

00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.500
 If you

00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:43.799
 love me,

00:25:43.840 --> 00:25:44.240
 you will

00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:44.600
 obey.

00:25:45.320 --> 00:25:46.380
 Whoever has

00:25:46.380 --> 00:25:47.160
 my commands

00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.779
 and obeys

00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:48.779
 them, he

00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:49.259
 is the one

00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:49.700
 who loves

00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:49.940
 me.

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.799
 If anyone

00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.720
 loves me,

00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.539
 he will

00:25:53.539 --> 00:25:54.100
 obey my

00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:54.519
 teaching.

00:25:56.080 --> 00:25:56.759
 He who

00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.440
 does not

00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.019
 love me

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.840
 will not

00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.380
 obey my

00:25:59.380 --> 00:25:59.740
 teaching.

00:25:59.740 --> 00:26:01.440
 The

00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:01.799
 verse we're

00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.140
 looking at,

00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:02.539
 if you

00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.019
 keep my

00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.539
 commands,

00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:03.960
 or sorry,

00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.259
 the verse

00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:04.960
 before it,

00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.519
 verse 10,

00:26:06.620 --> 00:26:06.880
 if you

00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.559
 keep my

00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:07.980
 commands,

00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:08.640
 you will

00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:09.180
 remain in

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.740
 my love.

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.500
 And the

00:26:10.500 --> 00:26:10.880
 verse we're

00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.259
 looking at,

00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.620
 you are

00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.359
 my friends

00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.019
 if you

00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.380
 do what

00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:13.859
 I command.

00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:15.799
 And I

00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.120
 would say

00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.299
 if you

00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:16.720
 take those

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:16.960
 verses

00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.900
 together and

00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.759
 understand the

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.359
 wider sense

00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.779
 of scripture

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.220
 and what we

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.720
 know to be

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:22.460
 true about

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.079
 the basis

00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.440
 of our

00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.000
 friendship with

00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.299
 Jesus,

00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.160
 obedience

00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:27.620
 points towards

00:26:27.620 --> 00:26:28.579
 love and

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.019
 friendship.

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.420
 our

00:26:29.420 --> 00:26:30.200
 obedience is

00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.980
 a pointer

00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.139
 towards the

00:26:32.139 --> 00:26:32.900
 reality of

00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:33.339
 our friendship

00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.920
 with Jesus.

00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:35.379
 It's not

00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.059
 that obedience

00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:37.079
 causes

00:26:37.079 --> 00:26:37.900
 friendship.

00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.400
 Love

00:26:39.400 --> 00:26:40.920
 comes first.

00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:41.940
 Love

00:26:41.940 --> 00:26:43.519
 comes first.

00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.559
 The love

00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.139
 of Jesus

00:26:45.139 --> 00:26:45.839
 for you

00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.960
 always,

00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.879
 always,

00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.920
 always comes

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.420
 first.

00:26:50.279 --> 00:26:51.220
 Verse 14,

00:26:51.639 --> 00:26:52.200
 Jesus saying

00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:53.139
 that if you

00:26:53.139 --> 00:26:54.139
 see somebody

00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:55.500
 doing what

00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:56.099
 I command,

00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.079
 that is a

00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.879
 visible sign

00:26:57.879 --> 00:26:58.319
 that they

00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.000
 are my

00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.439
 friend.

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.559
 That's

00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.659
 really what

00:27:01.659 --> 00:27:02.279
 verse 14

00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.759
 is saying.

00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:03.779
 Like Jesus

00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:05.119
 explained in

00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:05.899
 chapter 14,

00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.279
 one of the

00:27:06.279 --> 00:27:06.639
 verses we

00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:06.939
 looked at,

00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.980
 if anyone

00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.619
 loves me,

00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.399
 he will

00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:10.279
 obey my

00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:10.759
 teaching.

00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:15.039
 Verses 15

00:27:15.039 --> 00:27:15.679
 and 16,

00:27:15.919 --> 00:27:16.539
 I no longer

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.039
 call you

00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.480
 servants

00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.019
 because a

00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.559
 servant does

00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.059
 not know

00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.779
 his master's

00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:20.240
 business.

00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.279
 Instead,

00:27:21.899 --> 00:27:22.319
 I have

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:22.779
 called you

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.539
 friends.

00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.799
 for everything

00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.779
 that I

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.839
 learned from

00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.500
 my father

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.240
 I have

00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:28.680
 made known

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.099
 to you.

00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:29.980
 You did

00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.440
 not choose

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:30.740
 me,

00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.500
 but I

00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:32.200
 chose you

00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.859
 and appointed

00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.460
 you so

00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:33.759
 that you

00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.339
 might go

00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:34.799
 and bear

00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.259
 fruit,

00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.339
 fruit that

00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:36.920
 will last,

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:37.700
 and so

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.059
 that whatever

00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.740
 you ask in

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.200
 my name,

00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.779
 the father

00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.519
 will give

00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.139
 you.

00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:46.379
 Jesus

00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:48.079
 gives us

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.299
 many

00:27:48.299 --> 00:27:48.879
 encouragements

00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.099
 here.

00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:49.500
 Again,

00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:49.700
 I just

00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:49.900
 want to

00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:50.400
 call out

00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.279
 three

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:52.019
 this

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:52.400
 morning.

00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.279
 Encouragements

00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.640
 as to what

00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:53.980
 it means

00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:54.359
 to be a

00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.759
 friend and

00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.259
 not a

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.599
 servant.

00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.339
 To be a

00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.319
 friend and

00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:58.700
 not a

00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.059
 servant.

00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.539
 Encouragements

00:28:00.539 --> 00:28:00.779
 that will

00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.599
 help us

00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.480
 in our

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.099
 obedience of

00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:04.039
 him and

00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.700
 our service

00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.640
 to others.

00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.119
 First,

00:28:06.880 --> 00:28:07.680
 we are in

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.579
 the family

00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.480
 and we

00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.160
 know the

00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.039
 family business

00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.059
 and the

00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:12.640
 family business

00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.500
 is to bear

00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.460
 fruit.

00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:15.180
 Verse 15,

00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.000
 I no longer

00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.599
 call you

00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.099
 servants

00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:18.079
 because a

00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.599
 servant does

00:28:18.599 --> 00:28:19.099
 not know

00:28:19.099 --> 00:28:19.819
 his master's

00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.279
 business.

00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.379
 Instead,

00:28:21.579 --> 00:28:21.740
 I have

00:28:21.740 --> 00:28:22.240
 called you

00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.000
 friends.

00:28:23.439 --> 00:28:23.659
 For

00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:23.980
 everything

00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.379
 that I have

00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:24.859
 learned from

00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.519
 my father,

00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.579
 I have

00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.159
 made known

00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:27.639
 to you.

00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.059
 God

00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:30.899
 could

00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:31.539
 demand

00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.659
 that we

00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:33.240
 simply

00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.480
 obey

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:36.000
 like a

00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.339
 servant.

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.079
 Think of

00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:39.779
 the supreme

00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.579
 commander

00:28:40.579 --> 00:28:41.599
 of an

00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:41.919
 army,

00:28:42.699 --> 00:28:43.139
 tasked

00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:43.919
 with the

00:28:43.919 --> 00:28:44.639
 grand

00:28:44.639 --> 00:28:45.659
 plan and

00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.439
 ambition to

00:28:46.439 --> 00:28:47.339
 defeat the

00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:47.679
 enemy.

00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:49.480
 will that

00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.160
 commander,

00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:50.740
 the supreme

00:28:50.740 --> 00:28:51.240
 commander,

00:28:51.820 --> 00:28:52.420
 can come to

00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.160
 a soldier on

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:53.680
 the battlefield

00:28:53.680 --> 00:28:54.519
 and say,

00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:56.000
 go and

00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.580
 take that

00:28:57.580 --> 00:28:57.900
 hill.

00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.160
 And a

00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:00.539
 soldier,

00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:01.860
 they just

00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:02.140
 have to

00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:02.920
 follow orders,

00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:04.000
 no ifs or

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.660
 buts or

00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:05.279
 why that

00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.720
 hill or

00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.039
 can you

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.720
 send Johnny

00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.700
 or Joey

00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.400
 or Mikey

00:29:08.400 --> 00:29:08.820
 over the

00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:09.279
 back there,

00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:09.539
 I'm not

00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.080
 really keen

00:29:10.080 --> 00:29:10.420
 on that

00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.700
 hill.

00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:11.820
 No,

00:29:12.080 --> 00:29:12.600
 the general

00:29:12.600 --> 00:29:13.120
 orders,

00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.180
 the soldier

00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.820
 obeys,

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.859
 the hill

00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:17.200
 is stormed.

00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.159
 That's one

00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:18.960
 way to do

00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:20.740
 command and

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.079
 obey,

00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.539
 isn't it?

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.500
 It's not,

00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.779
 it's not

00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.599
 how Jesus

00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.439
 treats us.

00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:27.740
 Jesus shares

00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.859
 everything with

00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:30.000
 us, all

00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.659
 that is needed

00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.579
 for life and

00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.319
 godliness and

00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:32.960
 obeying the

00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.220
 father.

00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.139
 He shares

00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.799
 with us

00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.519
 we're part

00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.019
 of the

00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.460
 family.

00:29:37.720 --> 00:29:38.059
 We have

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.579
 refrigerator

00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.240
 rights.

00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:39.720
 We can

00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:40.179
 walk into

00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:40.619
 the house

00:29:40.619 --> 00:29:41.039
 and take

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.460
 food.

00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.960
 We're

00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.319
 not a

00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:43.680
 servant.

00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:44.620
 We're

00:29:44.620 --> 00:29:44.940
 not a

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.880
 low-ranked

00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.240
 soldier.

00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:47.840
 We're

00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.259
 more like

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.759
 trusted

00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:49.660
 confidants.

00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.340
 We're

00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:50.740
 more like

00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.539
 generals in

00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:51.960
 his army.

00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.160
 We know

00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:53.700
 the mission.

00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.279
 We know

00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:55.559
 what he

00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.100
 calls us

00:29:56.100 --> 00:29:56.220
 to.

00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.480
 We know

00:29:56.480 --> 00:29:57.140
 why he

00:29:57.140 --> 00:29:57.259
 has

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.819
 shown us

00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.380
 the depths

00:29:59.380 --> 00:29:59.660
 of his

00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.279
 love for

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.620
 us in

00:30:00.620 --> 00:30:01.000
 tying on

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.480
 the cross.

00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:02.240
 How will

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:02.500
 he not

00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:02.799
 show us

00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.120
 everything

00:30:03.120 --> 00:30:03.720
 we need

00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.039
 in this

00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:05.059
 life to

00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.640
 follow him?

00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.759
 We know

00:30:06.759 --> 00:30:07.299
 the mission.

00:30:07.900 --> 00:30:08.420
 The mission

00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:08.779
 to be

00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:10.240
 fruit-bearing

00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.259
 friends of

00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.759
 Jesus.

00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.759
 Second,

00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:14.779
 we are

00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:15.660
 chosen by

00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.359
 Jesus to

00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:18.019
 bear fruit.

00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:19.059
 Verse 16,

00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:20.859
 you did

00:30:20.859 --> 00:30:21.420
 not choose

00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:21.900
 me, but

00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:22.539
 I chose

00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:22.900
 you and

00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.440
 appointed

00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.000
 you so

00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.339
 that you

00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:24.900
 might go

00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.599
 and bear

00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:26.099
 fruit,

00:30:26.259 --> 00:30:27.379
 fruit that

00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:28.440
 will last.

00:30:29.660 --> 00:30:30.119
 If we

00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.299
 need

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.019
 confirmation

00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.859
 in these

00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.960
 verses that

00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.799
 salvation is

00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:35.379
 not by

00:30:35.379 --> 00:30:35.940
 works,

00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.640
 then we

00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:36.940
 have it

00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.279
 here.

00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.160
 We did

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.819
 not choose

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.279
 Jesus.

00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.319
 He chose

00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.720
 us.

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.599
 We

00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:42.799
 didn't

00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.259
 decide

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.740
 one day,

00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:44.319
 I'm going

00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:44.819
 to really

00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:45.599
 obey Jesus

00:30:45.599 --> 00:30:46.059
 and he'll

00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.339
 have to

00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:46.619
 be my

00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:46.960
 friend.

00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:47.980
 It's not

00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.299
 how it

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:48.500
 works.

00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:48.839
 Jesus

00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:49.639
 chose

00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:50.920
 you and

00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.440
 appointed

00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.259
 you for

00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.819
 love and

00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.279
 obedience.

00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.539
 It's not

00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.279
 by works.

00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.220
 In the

00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.879
 plans of

00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.319
 the Father

00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:58.660
 and the

00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.099
 Son in

00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.460
 eternity

00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.039
 past,

00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:00.839
 before a

00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.180
 single

00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:01.799
 atom

00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:03.000
 came into

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.440
 being and

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:03.720
 spun,

00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:04.660
 Jesus

00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.859
 chose

00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:06.220
 you,

00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.440
 Jesus

00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.160
 appointed

00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.500
 you,

00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:08.880
 that you

00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.620
 would go

00:31:09.620 --> 00:31:10.500
 and bear

00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.180
 fruit,

00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.279
 fruit that

00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:13.100
 will last,

00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.180
 last into

00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:14.700
 eternity.

00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.120
 This is the

00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:17.579
 family business.

00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.440
 This is why

00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.259
 you are sons and

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.779
 daughters of

00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.480
 God the

00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:20.819
 Father.

00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:21.700
 This is why

00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:22.240
 you are brothers

00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:22.839
 and sisters

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.579
 with Jesus.

00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:24.319
 That's why

00:31:24.319 --> 00:31:25.240
 we are brothers

00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:25.819
 and sisters

00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.339
 in this

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:26.920
 church,

00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:27.920
 because we're

00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:28.180
 in the

00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:29.120
 family business

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:30.240
 and it all

00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.000
 originates in

00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:31.740
 the love of

00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.339
 the Father

00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.140
 to the Son

00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.860
 and the plan

00:31:33.860 --> 00:31:34.440
 of the Father

00:31:34.440 --> 00:31:35.380
 through the

00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:35.880
 Son to

00:31:35.880 --> 00:31:36.620
 rescue and

00:31:36.620 --> 00:31:37.180
 appoint a

00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:38.059
 people that

00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:38.759
 would be

00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.420
 fruitful.

00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:40.440
 Why?

00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:41.820
 Because Jesus

00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.539
 is fruitful.

00:31:43.480 --> 00:31:44.200
 Jesus is

00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:44.620
 fruitful.

00:31:45.840 --> 00:31:46.340
 Those that

00:31:46.340 --> 00:31:47.220
 image Jesus,

00:31:47.360 --> 00:31:47.660
 those that are

00:31:47.660 --> 00:31:47.920
 going to be

00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.640
 like Jesus

00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.320
 will be

00:31:49.320 --> 00:31:49.799
 fruitful.

00:31:50.580 --> 00:31:51.080
 A people

00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.920
 for Jesus

00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.400
 that are

00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:53.380
 fruitful in

00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:53.960
 their lives

00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:54.700
 of love for

00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.160
 each other,

00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:57.000
 just like

00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.960
 Jesus loved.

00:31:58.580 --> 00:31:59.620
 Fruitful in

00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:00.700
 fulfilling the

00:32:00.700 --> 00:32:01.539
 great command

00:32:01.539 --> 00:32:02.019
 of Jesus

00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.620
 on earth.

00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:03.420
 In Matthew

00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:04.059
 28,

00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.600
 Matthew 28,

00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.000
 Jesus says

00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.440
 to go,

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.320
 make disciples,

00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.840
 baptize them.

00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:10.680
 What's the

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.240
 final thing?

00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:13.759
 Teach them

00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.400
 everything that

00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:16.039
 I've commanded.

00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:18.360
 Jesus chose

00:32:18.360 --> 00:32:18.820
 us and

00:32:18.820 --> 00:32:19.680
 appointed us

00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.400
 to his

00:32:20.400 --> 00:32:21.059
 plan.

00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:22.320
 Isn't that

00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:22.759
 great?

00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.160
 Would you

00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:23.320
 not?

00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.640
 You've been

00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:25.160
 let in.

00:32:26.980 --> 00:32:27.600
 Follow the

00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:27.920
 plan?

00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.080
 Obey our

00:32:29.080 --> 00:32:29.440
 Lord?

00:32:30.320 --> 00:32:30.980
 Third and

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.259
 finally,

00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:33.100
 know that

00:32:33.099 --> 00:32:33.559
 we are not

00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:33.959
 left on

00:32:33.959 --> 00:32:34.539
 our own.

00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.399
 We are

00:32:35.399 --> 00:32:36.179
 not left

00:32:36.179 --> 00:32:36.539
 on our

00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.019
 own in

00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:37.679
 our obedience

00:32:37.679 --> 00:32:38.379
 and following

00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:39.039
 of Jesus.

00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:40.839
 Know that

00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:41.539
 whatever we

00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:42.599
 ask in the

00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.439
 name of the

00:32:43.439 --> 00:32:43.859
 Father,

00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.359
 whatever we

00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:46.240
 ask so

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:46.519
 that we

00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:47.699
 can be a

00:32:47.699 --> 00:32:49.059
 fruit-bearing

00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.919
 disciple of

00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:50.279
 Jesus,

00:32:50.719 --> 00:32:51.359
 everything we

00:32:51.359 --> 00:32:51.859
 ask that

00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.299
 would help

00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.719
 us to

00:32:52.719 --> 00:32:53.619
 love others,

00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.319
 the Father

00:32:55.319 --> 00:32:56.480
 will give

00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.019
 to you.

00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:58.579
 he will

00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.220
 give you

00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.200
 what is

00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:01.319
 needed for

00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:01.839
 obedience.

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.039
 Scripture,

00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.799
 it just

00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.559
 says it

00:33:06.559 --> 00:33:07.059
 all the

00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.500
 time.

00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.259
 Here are

00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:08.839
 some verses.

00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.359
 His divine

00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:11.720
 power has

00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.440
 given us

00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.099
 everything we

00:33:13.099 --> 00:33:14.039
 need for

00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:15.000
 godly life

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.539
 through our

00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:16.079
 knowledge of

00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.960
 him who

00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.619
 called us

00:33:17.619 --> 00:33:18.279
 by his own

00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:18.740
 glory and

00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:18.960
 goodness.

00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.240
 That's

00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:19.799
 2 Peter.

00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:21.019
 If any

00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:21.319
 of you

00:33:21.319 --> 00:33:21.740
 lacks

00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.480
 wisdom,

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.119
 you should

00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:25.139
 ask God

00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:25.539
 who gives

00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.400
 generously to

00:33:26.400 --> 00:33:27.280
 all without

00:33:27.280 --> 00:33:28.200
 finding fault

00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.040
 and it will

00:33:29.040 --> 00:33:29.500
 be given

00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:29.900
 to you.

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.320
 That's the

00:33:30.320 --> 00:33:30.660
 book of

00:33:30.660 --> 00:33:31.160
 James,

00:33:31.259 --> 00:33:31.519
 which we

00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:31.840
 read from

00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:32.220
 earlier.

00:33:34.320 --> 00:33:34.840
 Jesus

00:33:34.840 --> 00:33:35.620
 himself said

00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:36.080
 in Matthew

00:33:36.080 --> 00:33:36.500
 9,

00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.320
 ask the

00:33:37.320 --> 00:33:37.980
 Lord of

00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.480
 the harvest,

00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.480
 ask the

00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:39.920
 Lord of

00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:40.360
 the harvest,

00:33:40.780 --> 00:33:41.140
 therefore,

00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:42.160
 to send

00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:43.000
 out workers

00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.880
 into his

00:33:43.880 --> 00:33:44.680
 harvest field.

00:33:44.780 --> 00:33:45.200
 Will he

00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:46.180
 not give

00:33:46.180 --> 00:33:46.660
 us all

00:33:46.660 --> 00:33:47.000
 that is

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.800
 needed for

00:33:47.800 --> 00:33:48.300
 his good

00:33:48.300 --> 00:33:49.019
 purposes in

00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:49.540
 this world

00:33:49.540 --> 00:33:50.240
 if we

00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:51.100
 would ask

00:33:51.100 --> 00:33:51.500
 him?

00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.240
 God the

00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:53.800
 Father will

00:33:53.800 --> 00:33:54.680
 equip us

00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:56.120
 for obedience,

00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:56.839
 for loving

00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:57.599
 others as

00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:58.199
 we ask.

00:33:58.339 --> 00:33:58.819
 He knows

00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.299
 the future,

00:33:59.399 --> 00:33:59.659
 we do

00:33:59.659 --> 00:33:59.979
 not.

00:34:00.919 --> 00:34:01.599
 He knows

00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:02.039
 what we

00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:02.379
 need.

00:34:02.879 --> 00:34:03.179
 Let us

00:34:03.179 --> 00:34:03.859
 ask him

00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:04.299
 for what

00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:04.679
 we need

00:34:04.679 --> 00:34:05.119
 in his

00:34:05.119 --> 00:34:06.159
 name so

00:34:06.159 --> 00:34:06.639
 that we

00:34:06.639 --> 00:34:07.119
 would be

00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:07.599
 fruitful

00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:08.420
 individually

00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:08.920
 and as

00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.599
 a church

00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.579
 in our

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.380
 love and

00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:11.500
 our

00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:11.859
 obedience

00:34:11.859 --> 00:34:12.519
 of him.

00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:13.579
 I just

00:34:13.579 --> 00:34:14.039
 have one

00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:15.079
 final

00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.639
 application

00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:15.960
 this

00:34:15.960 --> 00:34:16.259
 morning.

00:34:19.799 --> 00:34:20.500
 It's a

00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:21.019
 hard one

00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:22.059
 and I

00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.480
 realize it

00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.259
 can be a

00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:23.859
 very personal

00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.360
 one for

00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.440
 many people

00:34:25.440 --> 00:34:25.980
 here but

00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.380
 what if

00:34:26.380 --> 00:34:28.180
 I or

00:34:28.180 --> 00:34:28.640
 someone I

00:34:28.640 --> 00:34:29.480
 know really

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.280
 I mean

00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:30.920
 really

00:34:30.920 --> 00:34:31.840
 struggles to

00:34:31.840 --> 00:34:32.180
 obey.

00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:35.780
 They seem

00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:36.039
 to be on

00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.579
 the path

00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.220
 with Jesus

00:34:37.220 --> 00:34:38.640
 then off

00:34:38.640 --> 00:34:39.220
 the path

00:34:39.220 --> 00:34:40.380
 and then

00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:40.820
 back on

00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:41.220
 the path

00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:43.160
 again and

00:34:43.160 --> 00:34:43.539
 it seems

00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:43.980
 to be that

00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:45.480
 sin dominates

00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:47.480
 yet Christ

00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.460
 sometimes

00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.480
 shines through.

00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:51.320
 I don't

00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:51.559
 know if

00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:52.380
 you have

00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:52.780
 people in

00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.340
 mind or

00:34:53.340 --> 00:34:53.980
 maybe that

00:34:53.980 --> 00:34:54.699
 even describes

00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:55.139
 your own

00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:55.719
 struggle in

00:34:55.719 --> 00:34:56.199
 some way.

00:34:58.139 --> 00:34:58.860
 If to be

00:34:58.860 --> 00:34:59.440
 a friend

00:34:59.440 --> 00:34:59.880
 of Jesus

00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.579
 means to

00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:00.980
 obey

00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:03.920
 then what

00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:04.300
 about when

00:35:04.300 --> 00:35:04.760
 the obedience

00:35:04.760 --> 00:35:05.320
 is so

00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:06.719
 hard and

00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:07.119
 the battle

00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:07.539
 is so

00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:09.400
 great that

00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:09.880
 we can

00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.519
 no longer

00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.320
 know for

00:35:11.320 --> 00:35:11.860
 certain if

00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:12.320
 that person

00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:12.599
 is a

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:12.880
 believer.

00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:15.380
 Well I

00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:15.760
 just want

00:35:15.760 --> 00:35:16.260
 to share

00:35:16.260 --> 00:35:17.420
 a story.

00:35:17.760 --> 00:35:18.039
 It's part

00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.380
 of a recent

00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:19.139
 blog post

00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.639
 by a

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.259
 pastor called

00:35:20.259 --> 00:35:20.599
 Zach

00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.099
 Melgren.

00:35:21.839 --> 00:35:22.359
 If you're

00:35:22.359 --> 00:35:22.679
 interested in

00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:22.960
 a link to

00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:23.239
 the blog

00:35:23.239 --> 00:35:23.779
 post you

00:35:23.779 --> 00:35:24.359
 can ask

00:35:24.359 --> 00:35:25.000
 me afterwards

00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.059
 and read

00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.779
 the full

00:35:26.779 --> 00:35:27.239
 story.

00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.039
 Now in

00:35:29.039 --> 00:35:29.719
 sharing this

00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:30.319
 I'm going

00:35:30.319 --> 00:35:30.539
 to say

00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:30.779
 there are

00:35:30.779 --> 00:35:32.179
 no easy

00:35:32.179 --> 00:35:32.980
 answers here.

00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:34.039
 This is

00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:35.639
 not the

00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.279
 pat answer.

00:35:37.239 --> 00:35:37.779
 There are

00:35:37.779 --> 00:35:38.739
 ups and

00:35:38.739 --> 00:35:40.579
 downs of

00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.000
 someone's

00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:41.279
 struggles.

00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:41.619
 Those are

00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.099
 unique.

00:35:43.239 --> 00:35:43.639
 Where there's

00:35:43.639 --> 00:35:44.059
 an ambiguous

00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:45.059
 faith we

00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:46.440
 simply struggle.

00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:47.319
 But I

00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:47.679
 hope in

00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.519
 this sharing

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:48.920
 that you

00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.559
 find encouragement

00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:50.340
 to pray.

00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:52.260
 You find

00:35:52.260 --> 00:35:52.579
 encouragement

00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:53.280
 to walk

00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:53.880
 with people

00:35:53.880 --> 00:35:54.200
 in their

00:35:54.200 --> 00:35:54.659
 struggles.

00:35:55.800 --> 00:35:56.500
 And ultimately

00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.840
 to rest in

00:35:57.840 --> 00:35:58.360
 Jesus'

00:35:58.700 --> 00:36:00.420
 judgment in

00:36:00.420 --> 00:36:01.599
 knowing that

00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.380
 he knows

00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:03.000
 who are

00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.820
 his friends.

00:36:04.159 --> 00:36:04.720
 That he

00:36:04.720 --> 00:36:05.519
 knows those

00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:05.900
 that he

00:36:05.900 --> 00:36:06.500
 has chosen.

00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:06.840
 Because we

00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:07.260
 don't have

00:36:07.260 --> 00:36:07.599
 perfect

00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:08.039
 knowledge.

00:36:08.599 --> 00:36:09.300
 He does.

00:36:09.460 --> 00:36:09.800
 And he

00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.400
 will judge.

00:36:11.019 --> 00:36:11.539
 But it's a

00:36:11.539 --> 00:36:12.200
 real struggle

00:36:12.200 --> 00:36:12.700
 isn't it?

00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.059
 Obedience.

00:36:15.300 --> 00:36:15.980
 When it's

00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:16.519
 not there

00:36:16.519 --> 00:36:17.980
 or it's

00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:19.079
 just

00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:21.059
 really hard.

00:36:22.099 --> 00:36:22.800
 Here's the

00:36:22.800 --> 00:36:23.079
 story.

00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:23.780
 For over

00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.460
 15 years

00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:24.960
 my brother

00:36:24.960 --> 00:36:25.880
 Jake battled

00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:26.420
 a fierce

00:36:26.420 --> 00:36:26.860
 addiction.

00:36:27.740 --> 00:36:28.240
 It was a

00:36:28.240 --> 00:36:28.840
 heartbreaking

00:36:28.840 --> 00:36:29.800
 roller coaster

00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:30.599
 of recovery

00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:31.400
 and relapse.

00:36:31.539 --> 00:36:31.760
 There were

00:36:31.760 --> 00:36:32.300
 seasons where

00:36:32.300 --> 00:36:32.579
 he seemed

00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:33.860
 deeply connected

00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:34.380
 to the Lord

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:34.740
 and other

00:36:34.740 --> 00:36:35.940
 painful years

00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.639
 where his

00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:37.000
 addiction

00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.539
 pulled him

00:36:37.539 --> 00:36:38.780
 entirely away

00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:39.139
 from the

00:36:39.139 --> 00:36:39.679
 church and

00:36:39.679 --> 00:36:40.280
 from Christ.

00:36:40.860 --> 00:36:41.360
 Yet in the

00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:42.019
 year before

00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:42.659
 he died

00:36:42.659 --> 00:36:44.039
 we saw

00:36:44.039 --> 00:36:44.759
 glimpses

00:36:44.759 --> 00:36:45.440
 of a shift

00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:45.839
 as he

00:36:45.839 --> 00:36:46.539
 began attending

00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:47.039
 a gospel

00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.399
 preaching

00:36:47.399 --> 00:36:48.139
 church again.

00:36:49.339 --> 00:36:50.239
 When Jake

00:36:50.239 --> 00:36:50.960
 passed we

00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:52.059
 were left

00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:52.539
 facing what

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:52.940
 I call

00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.679
 ambiguous

00:36:53.679 --> 00:36:54.960
 faith.

00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:56.599
 Losing a

00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.339
 loved one

00:36:57.339 --> 00:36:58.759
 with unclear

00:36:58.759 --> 00:37:00.039
 faith leaves

00:37:00.039 --> 00:37:00.739
 us wrestling

00:37:00.739 --> 00:37:01.779
 and agonizing

00:37:01.779 --> 00:37:02.339
 uncertainty.

00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:03.639
 Caught between

00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.879
 this profound

00:37:04.879 --> 00:37:06.159
 doubt and

00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.779
 this desperate

00:37:06.779 --> 00:37:08.199
 hope we

00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:09.000
 ask ourselves

00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:10.539
 where did

00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.259
 they truly

00:37:11.259 --> 00:37:12.339
 stand with

00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:12.780
 God.

00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:15.019
 To find

00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.800
 peace in

00:37:15.800 --> 00:37:16.440
 that uncertainty

00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:17.780
 we have to

00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:18.380
 look at what

00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:19.220
 it actually

00:37:19.220 --> 00:37:20.000
 means to

00:37:20.000 --> 00:37:20.780
 follow Jesus.

00:37:21.220 --> 00:37:21.800
 To find

00:37:21.800 --> 00:37:22.460
 peace in

00:37:22.460 --> 00:37:23.079
 that uncertainty

00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:23.740
 we have to

00:37:23.740 --> 00:37:24.120
 look at what

00:37:24.120 --> 00:37:24.900
 it actually

00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:25.680
 means to

00:37:25.680 --> 00:37:26.660
 follow Jesus.

00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.220
 Ultimately it

00:37:28.220 --> 00:37:28.940
 means moving

00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.100
 in his

00:37:30.100 --> 00:37:30.640
 direction.

00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:32.480
 Ultimately it

00:37:32.480 --> 00:37:33.200
 means moving

00:37:33.200 --> 00:37:33.840
 in his

00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.260
 direction.

00:37:35.260 --> 00:37:35.940
 Let's add

00:37:35.940 --> 00:37:36.660
 some texture

00:37:36.660 --> 00:37:37.579
 to the parable

00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:37.900
 of the

00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:39.000
 prodigal son.

00:37:39.200 --> 00:37:39.740
 It's a story

00:37:39.740 --> 00:37:40.260
 I think we're

00:37:40.260 --> 00:37:41.780
 all probably

00:37:41.780 --> 00:37:42.460
 familiar with

00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:43.700
 from the

00:37:43.700 --> 00:37:43.980
 scriptures.

00:37:44.160 --> 00:37:44.700
 Imagine the

00:37:44.700 --> 00:37:45.640
 son trudging

00:37:45.640 --> 00:37:46.720
 home after

00:37:46.720 --> 00:37:47.580
 squandering his

00:37:47.580 --> 00:37:49.600
 inheritance and

00:37:49.600 --> 00:37:50.320
 as he walks

00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:51.160
 back towards the

00:37:51.160 --> 00:37:51.740
 father the

00:37:51.740 --> 00:37:52.600
 doubt creeps

00:37:52.600 --> 00:37:52.840
 in.

00:37:53.220 --> 00:37:53.840
 There's no

00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:54.940
 way my

00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:55.580
 father will

00:37:55.580 --> 00:37:56.019
 take me

00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:57.200
 back he

00:37:57.200 --> 00:37:57.640
 thinks.

00:37:58.400 --> 00:38:00.160
 Fearful he

00:38:00.160 --> 00:38:00.860
 turns around

00:38:00.860 --> 00:38:01.260
 and he walks

00:38:01.260 --> 00:38:02.120
 a quarter of a

00:38:02.120 --> 00:38:02.940
 mile back

00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:04.180
 towards his

00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:05.560
 old life.

00:38:06.160 --> 00:38:07.160
 But then a

00:38:07.160 --> 00:38:07.780
 memory of his

00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:08.740
 father's compassion

00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:09.980
 floods his mind

00:38:09.980 --> 00:38:10.880
 and he shakes

00:38:10.880 --> 00:38:11.519
 off the fear.

00:38:11.659 --> 00:38:12.119
 He turns

00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:12.940
 around again

00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:14.139
 and continues

00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:15.659
 forward home.

00:38:16.780 --> 00:38:17.639
 Imagine this

00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:19.059
 happens several

00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:20.000
 times on his

00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.679
 long journey.

00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:21.639
 A quarter

00:38:21.639 --> 00:38:22.340
 mile back

00:38:22.340 --> 00:38:23.280
 a half a

00:38:23.280 --> 00:38:24.000
 mile forward.

00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:24.920
 A quarter

00:38:24.920 --> 00:38:25.699
 a mile back

00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:26.699
 a half a

00:38:26.699 --> 00:38:27.320
 mile forward.

00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:28.559
 His heart

00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:29.539
 wages war

00:38:29.539 --> 00:38:30.199
 within him.

00:38:31.659 --> 00:38:32.679
 But looking

00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:33.119
 at the

00:38:33.119 --> 00:38:34.460
 entirety of

00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:35.039
 his journey

00:38:35.039 --> 00:38:36.840
 where is he

00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:37.079
 headed?

00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:39.299
 he is headed

00:38:39.299 --> 00:38:39.679
 home.

00:38:41.139 --> 00:38:41.960
 What if that

00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:42.639
 prodigal son

00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:43.199
 encounters a

00:38:43.199 --> 00:38:43.920
 deadly snake

00:38:43.920 --> 00:38:45.360
 and dies

00:38:45.360 --> 00:38:45.920
 during one of

00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:46.759
 those backward

00:38:46.759 --> 00:38:48.360
 diversions?

00:38:49.319 --> 00:38:50.279
 The truth

00:38:50.279 --> 00:38:50.860
 remains.

00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.599
 He was still

00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:53.360
 headed home.

00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:54.840
 He is still

00:38:54.840 --> 00:38:55.659
 his father's

00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:55.880
 son.

00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:57.579
 If your

00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:58.239
 loved one

00:38:58.239 --> 00:38:59.139
 belonged to

00:38:59.139 --> 00:38:59.539
 Christ,

00:39:00.319 --> 00:39:01.000
 a season of

00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:01.519
 rebellion

00:39:01.519 --> 00:39:02.819
 did not

00:39:02.819 --> 00:39:03.860
 unsave their

00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:04.440
 soul.

00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:05.920
 Just as their

00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:07.059
 own faithfulness

00:39:07.059 --> 00:39:07.579
 did not

00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:08.200
 save it.

00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:09.920
 That identity

00:39:09.920 --> 00:39:11.260
 was purchased

00:39:11.260 --> 00:39:12.119
 by the blood

00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:13.260
 of Jesus.

00:39:14.139 --> 00:39:14.579
 They were

00:39:14.579 --> 00:39:15.320
 simply a child

00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:15.760
 of God

00:39:15.760 --> 00:39:16.320
 fighting their

00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:17.139
 battles and

00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:17.700
 making their

00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.220
 way home.

00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:20.420
 Friends,

00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:21.960
 Jesus has

00:39:21.960 --> 00:39:22.360
 shown us

00:39:22.360 --> 00:39:23.059
 his love

00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:24.680
 and the

00:39:24.680 --> 00:39:25.019
 love of

00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:25.500
 the father

00:39:25.500 --> 00:39:27.119
 which is

00:39:27.119 --> 00:39:27.960
 his joy.

00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:29.220
 His joy

00:39:29.220 --> 00:39:30.220
 he has

00:39:30.220 --> 00:39:30.760
 shown us.

00:39:31.639 --> 00:39:31.980
 He has

00:39:31.980 --> 00:39:32.460
 given us

00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:32.980
 his good

00:39:32.980 --> 00:39:34.000
 commands to

00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:34.740
 love one

00:39:34.739 --> 00:39:35.119
 another,

00:39:35.699 --> 00:39:36.359
 especially in

00:39:36.359 --> 00:39:36.939
 this church.

00:39:37.819 --> 00:39:38.579
 His love

00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:38.899
 and his

00:39:38.899 --> 00:39:39.799
 commands are

00:39:39.799 --> 00:39:40.479
 his great

00:39:40.479 --> 00:39:42.279
 joy to

00:39:42.279 --> 00:39:43.479
 us as we

00:39:43.479 --> 00:39:44.019
 serve him

00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:45.579
 here, as

00:39:45.579 --> 00:39:46.079
 we make

00:39:46.079 --> 00:39:46.779
 our way

00:39:46.779 --> 00:39:47.479
 home

00:39:47.479 --> 00:39:48.459
 together.

00:39:49.819 --> 00:39:50.699
 Is that

00:39:50.699 --> 00:39:51.139
 easy?

00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:52.079
 Clearly

00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:52.500
 not.

00:39:52.679 --> 00:39:53.039
 Is it

00:39:53.039 --> 00:39:53.539
 costly?

00:39:53.939 --> 00:39:55.299
 Every day

00:39:55.299 --> 00:39:56.779
 is it

00:39:56.779 --> 00:39:57.459
 worth it?

00:39:58.259 --> 00:39:59.019
 A thousand

00:39:59.019 --> 00:39:59.799
 times over.

00:40:00.259 --> 00:40:00.659
 Will we

00:40:00.659 --> 00:40:01.259
 know joy?

00:40:01.260 --> 00:40:02.900
 Well, that's

00:40:02.900 --> 00:40:03.360
 the promise

00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:03.860
 of Jesus

00:40:03.860 --> 00:40:04.980
 who gave

00:40:04.980 --> 00:40:05.860
 up everything.

00:40:06.840 --> 00:40:07.240
 He gave

00:40:07.240 --> 00:40:07.560
 up the

00:40:07.560 --> 00:40:08.260
 very heights

00:40:08.260 --> 00:40:08.740
 of heaven

00:40:08.740 --> 00:40:09.360
 for us

00:40:09.360 --> 00:40:10.900
 and he

00:40:10.900 --> 00:40:11.560
 laid his

00:40:11.560 --> 00:40:12.000
 body in

00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:12.640
 a grave

00:40:12.640 --> 00:40:13.560
 for us

00:40:13.560 --> 00:40:15.140
 and still

00:40:15.140 --> 00:40:15.600
 knew the

00:40:15.600 --> 00:40:16.580
 joy and

00:40:16.580 --> 00:40:17.160
 the love

00:40:17.160 --> 00:40:17.540
 of the

00:40:17.540 --> 00:40:18.280
 father through

00:40:18.280 --> 00:40:18.720
 it all.

00:40:19.740 --> 00:40:20.240
 Follow the

00:40:20.240 --> 00:40:20.700
 love and

00:40:20.700 --> 00:40:21.300
 obedience of

00:40:21.300 --> 00:40:22.120
 Jesus closely

00:40:22.120 --> 00:40:23.900
 and you

00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:24.420
 will gain

00:40:24.420 --> 00:40:25.220
 his joy,

00:40:25.640 --> 00:40:26.700
 the joy that

00:40:26.700 --> 00:40:27.100
 comes from

00:40:27.100 --> 00:40:27.780
 loving his

00:40:27.780 --> 00:40:29.340
 friends with

00:40:29.340 --> 00:40:29.940
 the same

00:40:29.940 --> 00:40:31.660
 love, the

00:40:31.660 --> 00:40:32.220
 same love

00:40:32.220 --> 00:40:32.620
 that he

00:40:32.620 --> 00:40:33.140
 has shown

00:40:33.140 --> 00:40:33.480
 us.

00:40:34.200 --> 00:40:34.700
 Let's

00:40:34.700 --> 00:40:34.960
 pray.

00:40:44.539 --> 00:40:45.120
 Jesus

00:40:45.120 --> 00:40:46.860
 says, my

00:40:46.860 --> 00:40:47.620
 command is

00:40:47.620 --> 00:40:48.760
 this, love

00:40:48.760 --> 00:40:49.600
 each other

00:40:49.600 --> 00:40:51.260
 as I have

00:40:51.260 --> 00:40:51.760
 loved you.

00:40:51.860 --> 00:40:52.140
 Greater

00:40:52.140 --> 00:40:52.720
 love has

00:40:52.720 --> 00:40:53.180
 no one

00:40:53.180 --> 00:40:53.640
 than this

00:40:53.640 --> 00:40:54.880
 to lay

00:40:54.880 --> 00:40:55.700
 down one's

00:40:55.700 --> 00:40:56.220
 life for

00:40:56.220 --> 00:40:56.539
 one's

00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.000
 friends.

00:40:58.200 --> 00:40:58.519
 You

00:40:58.519 --> 00:40:59.880
 are my

00:40:59.880 --> 00:41:00.360
 friends.

00:41:02.579 --> 00:41:03.500
 Jesus, we

00:41:03.500 --> 00:41:04.639
 thank you

00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:05.460
 for those

00:41:05.460 --> 00:41:06.380
 words of

00:41:06.380 --> 00:41:07.460
 comfort,

00:41:08.119 --> 00:41:09.119
 those words

00:41:09.119 --> 00:41:09.659
 of joy

00:41:09.659 --> 00:41:10.079
 that you

00:41:10.079 --> 00:41:10.960
 love us,

00:41:11.340 --> 00:41:11.739
 that you

00:41:11.739 --> 00:41:12.079
 have given

00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.400
 us your

00:41:12.400 --> 00:41:13.139
 good commands,

00:41:13.340 --> 00:41:13.840
 that you

00:41:13.840 --> 00:41:14.739
 count us

00:41:14.739 --> 00:41:15.539
 as your

00:41:15.539 --> 00:41:15.960
 very

00:41:15.960 --> 00:41:16.900
 friends.

00:41:18.059 --> 00:41:18.420
 And we

00:41:18.420 --> 00:41:18.860
 ask,

00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:20.159
 Father, for

00:41:20.159 --> 00:41:21.019
 all that

00:41:21.019 --> 00:41:21.980
 we need

00:41:21.980 --> 00:41:23.579
 through your

00:41:23.579 --> 00:41:24.219
 son and by

00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:24.940
 your spirit

00:41:24.940 --> 00:41:26.059
 to live

00:41:26.059 --> 00:41:26.759
 lives that

00:41:26.759 --> 00:41:27.259
 bring glory

00:41:27.259 --> 00:41:27.579
 to you.

00:41:27.579 --> 00:41:28.119
 keep us

00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:28.759
 headed in

00:41:28.759 --> 00:41:29.299
 the right

00:41:29.299 --> 00:41:30.380
 direction.

00:41:31.599 --> 00:41:32.039
 And, Father,

00:41:32.119 --> 00:41:32.639
 help each

00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:33.019
 of us in

00:41:33.019 --> 00:41:33.420
 this church

00:41:33.420 --> 00:41:34.079
 to love

00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:35.179
 each other

00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:35.799
 as we

00:41:35.799 --> 00:41:36.440
 have been

00:41:36.440 --> 00:41:37.159
 loved.

00:41:38.159 --> 00:41:38.500
 Amen.

00:41:38.500 --> 00:41:38.619
 Amen.

00:41:41.320 --> 00:41:45.960
 We're going to sing in response to what we've heard this morning.