WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.560 How many of you are familiar with the old country music singer Tom T. Hall? Raise your hand. You know, you're giving away your age, probably, but old guy. 00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:26.620 Well, many years ago, he had a song that was popular. I don't know if you'd call it a hit or not. It was called I Love. It started off like this. I love little baby ducks, old pickup trucks, slow moving trains, and rain. 00:00:26.620 --> 00:00:43.719 I love little country streams, sleep without dreams, Sunday school in May, and hay. And after every stanza like that, he had this little chorus, and I love you too. 00:00:43.719 --> 00:00:50.039 Lisa dared me to do that. 00:00:50.039 --> 00:01:09.259 And one member of this church told me, I would give good money if you would sing in church. 00:01:09.260 --> 00:01:14.719 Good money is a hundred dollar bill right here when I walk out today. Okay? 00:01:16.500 --> 00:01:20.920 That's a silly song, isn't it? It really is. 00:01:21.880 --> 00:01:24.620 But there's a lot of truth in it. 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:30.100 Haven't you said things like he sings about, I love the mountains. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:32.020 I love the beach. 00:01:32.019 --> 00:01:34.839 I love this and that. 00:01:34.939 --> 00:01:35.840 I love dogs. 00:01:36.699 --> 00:01:38.459 I love whatever. 00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:46.719 And then, as we talk about loving this and that, we look at our spouse, we look at someone special in our life, 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:50.140 and we gaze into their eyes and say, I love you. 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:57.599 We use that word love in a very trite, trivial way a lot of times, don't we? 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:02.959 And I guess that's okay most of the time. 00:02:03.739 --> 00:02:08.919 When we hear someone, because of that, when we hear someone talk about love, 00:02:09.740 --> 00:02:11.740 we don't really sit up and take notice, do we? 00:02:12.979 --> 00:02:20.379 Because the word's just thrown about, talked about, sung about all the time in ways that are not really meaningful. 00:02:20.379 --> 00:02:25.340 So it's okay not to pay attention when people are just talking about love in general, 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:30.840 but it's not okay when Jesus is the one talking about love. 00:02:31.359 --> 00:02:34.079 When Jesus spoke about love, he was always serious. 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:39.579 Never in a trivial way do you find in the New Testament, in the Gospels, 00:02:39.639 --> 00:02:41.740 where Jesus talked about love in a flippant way. 00:02:42.699 --> 00:02:46.379 He was usually, or always, talking about it in the context of relationships. 00:02:48.519 --> 00:02:49.519 Relationship with God. 00:02:50.379 --> 00:02:52.219 And relationships with people. 00:02:53.139 --> 00:02:57.120 A good example comes when Jesus answered a question on one occasion. 00:02:57.780 --> 00:02:59.599 It's found in Matthew chapter 22. 00:02:59.799 --> 00:03:00.680 It'll be on the screen. 00:03:01.799 --> 00:03:05.359 He was asked, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:07.419 And he said to him, 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:12.439 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 00:03:13.099 --> 00:03:16.159 This is the great and first commandment. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:18.159 And a second is like it. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:20.859 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:25.160 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. 00:03:26.200 --> 00:03:30.120 Well, the Apostle John heard Jesus say that. 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:35.380 In fact, most likely Jesus said that on more than one occasion, 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:40.480 talking about the essence of the law is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:42.700 and love your neighbor as yourself. 00:03:42.699 --> 00:03:45.500 John took it to heart. 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:52.799 John wrote about the importance of love in his gospel, the gospel of John that we have in our New Testament. 00:03:53.759 --> 00:03:59.459 He really talked a lot about our love for God, but especially our love for one another as Christians, 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:04.879 in his first letter, what we call 1 John in the New Testament. 00:04:05.920 --> 00:04:10.340 And then John is the one, he's the only gospel writer, 00:04:10.760 --> 00:04:15.100 that tells us about the new commandment to love 00:04:15.100 --> 00:04:21.720 that Jesus gave them just before he was arrested and crucified. 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:23.900 It's in John chapter 13. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:26.100 And if you would, turn in your Bible there. 00:04:26.160 --> 00:04:31.800 It'll be on the screen, but it'll be something to mark in your Bible if it's not already marked. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:37.620 The new commandment that Jesus gave, a new kind of love he's given to his followers. 00:04:38.140 --> 00:04:40.360 John 13, beginning in verse 34. 00:04:40.360 --> 00:04:47.000 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:52.639 Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:05:00.040 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:06.280 It may seem a little strange if you're just reading through the gospel of John, you come across this. 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:07.199 Jesus says, 00:05:07.199 --> 00:05:09.860 The new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. 00:05:10.819 --> 00:05:13.899 When you've probably read, you know, 00:05:14.719 --> 00:05:19.399 Jesus talked about the importance of loving God and loving your neighbor. 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:25.019 But really, if you look at the context, it's not strange. 00:05:29.039 --> 00:05:32.659 Jesus is about to wind up his earthly ministry. 00:05:32.660 --> 00:05:39.380 Later on that night, he's going to be arrested, tried, the next day crucified. 00:05:40.400 --> 00:05:44.980 What Jesus is doing is preparing his disciples for his departure. 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:52.540 And he's telling them how important it is that they, his followers, his disciples, 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:57.320 that they love one another, that they stay united. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:05:59.459 They stay together. 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:07.000 You know, this is the new commandment that Jesus issued, not just to them, 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:10.079 but Jesus knew it would be recorded. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:17.539 It's the new commandment for us as followers of Jesus to love one another. 00:06:17.899 --> 00:06:20.719 And we're talking this morning about our brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:26.360 Jesus issued a new commandment about the importance of us loving one another in the church. 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:33.800 Being united to one another like a real family in our church. 00:06:34.680 --> 00:06:42.000 I want us to look at these two verses at the new way Jesus calls us to love one another. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:48.019 And as we go through this, you think, am I loving my brothers and sisters in Christ in this church? 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:48.600 Family. 00:06:49.620 --> 00:06:50.560 Like Jesus did. 00:06:51.480 --> 00:06:52.579 Just look first. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:56.500 Jesus gives us a new focus for our love. 00:06:57.220 --> 00:06:58.759 Our brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:06:59.040 --> 00:07:00.060 That's the first phrase. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:01.540 Love one another. 00:07:01.639 --> 00:07:03.100 And he's talking to his disciples. 00:07:04.360 --> 00:07:08.360 The focus of that Old Testament commandment, love your neighbor as yourself. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:10.939 The focus was on your neighbor. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:15.639 Now, when Jesus issued that or reminded them of that commandment, 00:07:15.639 --> 00:07:20.360 as they heard it, read it from their Old Testament, from the law of Moses, 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:23.180 the Jews understood that very simply. 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:27.740 Love your neighbor means love your fellow Jews and love them only. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:32.379 Love people who are just like us, they thought. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:34.939 But that was never what God intended by the commandment. 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:39.939 The way we know that is because Jesus told the story about the good Samaritan. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:47.620 And the bottom line of the story of the good Samaritan is we, as Jesus' followers, as his people, 00:07:48.579 --> 00:07:57.379 we are to be a neighbor to anybody who comes across our path that has a need that we can meet. 00:07:57.379 --> 00:08:03.719 Jesus told his disciples, told everybody who heard that day, 00:08:04.079 --> 00:08:09.620 your neighbor is anybody in your life that has a need that you can meet. 00:08:09.620 --> 00:08:17.699 And we should demonstrate neighbor love by helping them, trying to meet their need if possible. 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:25.259 But you know, it's not just Jews in the first century who thought in terms of just loving their own kind. 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:30.459 Don't we just naturally think the same way? 00:08:33.439 --> 00:08:34.340 Think about it. 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:36.980 We may not say it. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:41.000 We may not have really just dwelled on it so much. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:49.919 But we tend, don't we, to love people who look like us, who think like us, 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:52.580 who live life the way that we live. 00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:57.559 But Jesus issues a new commandment that has a new focus. 00:08:57.940 --> 00:09:02.679 Love one another, meaning all you brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:04.679 Think about this. 00:09:04.739 --> 00:09:08.659 When we became Christians, we became a part of the family of God. 00:09:09.719 --> 00:09:14.899 That's how the church is referred to in several places throughout the New Testament. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:17.819 We're part of the family of God. 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:21.959 And the family of God is made up of all kinds of people. 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:23.679 Male and female. 00:09:24.459 --> 00:09:25.159 Rich and poor. 00:09:25.959 --> 00:09:26.839 Black and white. 00:09:27.799 --> 00:09:28.839 Northerners and southerners. 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:30.839 Tigers and Gamecocks. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:31.560 Gamecocks. 00:09:32.899 --> 00:09:34.420 Just look around this room. 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:38.700 We're all different, aren't we? 00:09:39.820 --> 00:09:42.980 We have different opinions. 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:45.040 Different personalities. 00:09:45.879 --> 00:09:47.360 Different interests. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:49.940 Just look around. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:52.019 Everybody's different. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:55.040 Some people are just playing off. 00:09:58.240 --> 00:10:00.160 I mean, there's some weird people in this room. 00:10:01.300 --> 00:10:02.399 I know some. 00:10:05.200 --> 00:10:07.100 But that's the way it is in your family, isn't it? 00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:09.639 You've got to. 00:10:09.660 --> 00:10:10.980 You have a big family gathering. 00:10:11.540 --> 00:10:12.399 You've got some people there. 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:13.480 They're your blood kin. 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:15.360 Deep down, you love them. 00:10:15.420 --> 00:10:17.759 But some of them are just as weird and odd as they can possibly be. 00:10:18.680 --> 00:10:22.240 If you think, I don't know who that is in my family, you're it. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:25.379 Because everybody has it. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:33.200 And if you don't think anybody in this church is sort of odd, weird, or strange, then that means you are the one who is odd, weird, or strange. 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:54.540 Now, how do we develop loving relationships with all of our brothers and sisters in Christ and really be a united church family? 00:10:54.539 --> 00:11:01.099 Well, we start by not focusing on our differences. 00:11:01.100 --> 00:11:04.240 We don't focus on our differences. 00:11:04.540 --> 00:11:07.960 We don't think about the oddness and weirdness of other people. 00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:10.320 Because that will always keep us apart. 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:20.940 If you just always think about someone, about how different they are, how different they talk, where they're from, it's totally opposite of you. 00:11:21.020 --> 00:11:24.820 If that's all you think about, you'll never really draw close to them, be able to. 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:35.220 What we need to do, first and foremost, is to focus on our most basic, common denominator as Christians. 00:11:35.220 --> 00:11:43.840 And that should be, must be, really, our love for Jesus and our desire to please Him. 00:11:44.540 --> 00:11:50.220 I mean, if you're a Christian, you love Jesus. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:55.340 You want to please Jesus. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:12:00.580 You know, I know that I don't love Him as much as I should. 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:02.940 I certainly don't please Him as I should. 00:12:03.060 --> 00:12:04.220 But I do love Jesus. 00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:06.240 I want to be a faithful follower of His. 00:12:07.340 --> 00:12:09.759 I do want to please Him. 00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:16.279 And as Christians, that is a common thing that we have. 00:12:17.180 --> 00:12:18.460 That kind of love for Jesus. 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:28.940 So, in spite of our differences, if we'll first focus on that, this common love for Jesus and desire to please Him, 00:12:28.940 --> 00:12:32.060 we can find some unity. 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:32.320 We can find some unity. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:34.600 We can find that common ground. 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:41.860 And we can live together and work together and enjoy life together as one church family. 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:47.519 Let me ask you, as an individual, don't think about other people. 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:48.259 Think about you. 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:53.820 Are you enjoying that kind of love with your church family? 00:12:53.820 --> 00:13:02.000 Are you as a church enjoying that kind of unity because you're bound together by your common love for Jesus? 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:10.679 Now, let's think about what this love that Jesus is talking about does not mean as well as what it does mean. 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:15.519 Loving one another does not mean that you cease to be different. 00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:21.039 Loving one another does not mean that you cease to notice how you're different. 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:21.859 You can't do that. 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:28.139 There will always be, in any kind of gathering, even in your extended family, in all seriousness, 00:13:28.139 --> 00:13:32.019 there's always going to be different kinds of personalities, different kinds of interests, 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:34.860 different kinds of opinions and so forth. 00:13:36.060 --> 00:13:37.200 That's true of the church. 00:13:38.100 --> 00:13:40.500 If we talk about loving one another, I want you to be clear. 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:43.500 Everybody in this church will not be best friends. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.139 Think about this. 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.860 Even Jesus had an inner circle. 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:53.379 Peter, James, and John. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:58.379 Think some of the others sort of presented that. 00:13:59.300 --> 00:14:02.820 Jesus told Peter, James, and John, I want you to come with me and left the rest of them behind. 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.740 I mean, wouldn't you? 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:05.820 It's natural. 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.340 It's normal. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:14.700 We're not going to all see everything eye to die, and that's okay. 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:17.580 Everybody's not going to be best friends. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:23.160 Put it more bluntly, you won't have warm feelings for everyone in this church. 00:14:24.420 --> 00:14:25.620 But you can love them. 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:30.420 You can accept them as your brother or sister in Christ. 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.100 Here's another thing. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:38.540 When Jesus is talking about love, loving one another, 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:43.860 he's really talking more about actions than emotions. 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:49.219 Later on in this passage, this is Jesus in the upper room with the disciples. 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:51.879 John 13, 14, 15, and 16. 00:14:51.879 --> 00:15:02.000 Jesus, as he talks with them, as he instructs them, 00:15:05.279 --> 00:15:07.259 he's going to say things like, 00:15:07.820 --> 00:15:10.559 if you love me, you'll obey me. 00:15:10.559 --> 00:15:17.839 Because Jesus defined love more in terms of action than emotion. 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:25.719 There's no doubt that the disciples truly felt loving emotions toward Jesus. 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:29.039 But that was not sufficient for Jesus. 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:34.639 He said, if you love me, do what I say. 00:15:35.739 --> 00:15:36.979 There's other passages he's talking about, 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.679 we truly love God, we'll obey him. 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:40.339 That's what God wants us to do. 00:15:40.479 --> 00:15:42.859 That's how we live out our love. 00:15:45.979 --> 00:15:47.699 Such love we're talking about now. 00:15:48.359 --> 00:15:49.339 Action love. 00:15:50.239 --> 00:15:54.500 That requires that we care about each other. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.319 We're not best friends. 00:15:58.099 --> 00:16:02.039 We're not just warm, fuzzy feelings for everybody in this room. 00:16:02.359 --> 00:16:03.359 But we care. 00:16:04.979 --> 00:16:06.219 And when we love out this, 00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:10.700 we care enough to notice when people are going through a rough time. 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:12.920 Or people have certain needs. 00:16:14.560 --> 00:16:18.220 And if we have the ability to step up and meet those needs, 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:22.820 love will compel us to do so. 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:26.300 Love will compel us to step in there, 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:29.540 that person that is your brother or sister in Christ. 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:31.339 You don't have a long relationship with them. 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:33.019 You don't have a very close relationship. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.719 But they have a need. 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:37.319 They've got something going on in their life that you, 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.480 by God's grace, 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:43.419 you could help them if you would. 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:45.539 So let me just ask you this. 00:16:46.099 --> 00:16:48.079 Are you allowing your differences 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:50.860 to keep you at a distance 00:16:50.860 --> 00:16:53.379 from other members of this church? 00:16:54.719 --> 00:16:55.199 Or 00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:58.259 is your common love for Jesus 00:16:58.259 --> 00:17:01.019 and your desire to please Him 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.319 by loving like this, 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:07.500 are you allowing that to draw you closer 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:10.700 to other people in this church? 00:17:11.080 --> 00:17:12.900 Are you allowing it to draw you closer 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:15.059 as a church family? 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.420 Is it happening overall? 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:19.000 This passage also tells us 00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:21.059 that Jesus gives us a new model for our love. 00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.860 Love like He loves. 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.000 He says, 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.960 just as I have loved you. 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:28.340 Love one another just as I have loved you. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:29.779 The Old Testament command 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:31.600 was to love your neighbor as yourself. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:33.359 You were the model 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:35.099 for that love, 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:36.000 the way you love yourself. 00:17:36.219 --> 00:17:36.799 By the way, 00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:38.899 the Old Testament command, 00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.419 love your neighbor as yourself, 00:17:40.459 --> 00:17:42.039 is not a command to love yourself 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:42.379 because 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:44.659 we do that. 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:48.219 Normal people love themselves 00:17:48.219 --> 00:17:50.119 and the idea of that, 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.799 we take care of ourselves. 00:17:53.959 --> 00:17:55.699 We look out for ourselves. 00:17:57.079 --> 00:17:59.359 We take relatively good care of our body. 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:01.199 We feed ourselves. 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:03.279 We go to work. 00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.019 We have money. 00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:05.199 We have things. 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:06.500 We buy things for ourselves. 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:09.279 What Jesus is talking about 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:10.539 or what the Old Testament law is talking about, 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.439 love your neighbor as yourself. 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.399 You care about yourself. 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:13.419 You meet yourself, 00:18:13.599 --> 00:18:14.579 your own needs, 00:18:14.919 --> 00:18:15.939 the best you can. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.399 Do that for other people. 00:18:18.459 --> 00:18:20.000 That was the idea of the Old Testament law. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:21.720 But here, 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:25.119 Jesus says, 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.960 love one another 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:30.299 just as I have loved you. 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:34.920 He's the model for what our love should look like. 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.779 I want us to look at two ways 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:39.400 Jesus models how we can love one another 00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:40.339 or should love one another. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:40.819 Number one, 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:43.000 Jesus models a humble, 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:45.019 serving love. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:48.879 John takes the first 20 verses 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:50.299 of chapter 13. 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.480 That's where we are right now. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:54.359 The first 20 verses describe 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:56.180 Jesus' great example 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:56.759 of humble, 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.819 serving love. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:00.700 He washed his disciples' feet. 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:03.480 Now notice what Jesus said 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.539 after he finished 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.360 in verse 14, 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.380 chapter 13. 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:07.819 If then, 00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:09.559 your Lord and teacher, 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:10.920 if I then, 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.580 your Lord and teacher, 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:13.279 have washed your feet, 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:15.420 you also ought to wash 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.299 one another's feet. 00:19:16.779 --> 00:19:18.460 For I have given you an example 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.880 that you also should do 00:19:19.880 --> 00:19:21.740 just as I have done to you. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:24.500 Jesus truly humbled himself 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.279 to do that, didn't he? 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.480 He was their Lord and teacher. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.920 He was above them. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:31.440 He was their superior, 00:19:32.440 --> 00:19:34.320 yet he chose to get down 00:19:34.320 --> 00:19:35.000 on his knees 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:39.779 and wash the nasty feet 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:42.360 of his disciples. 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.740 And keep in mind, 00:19:45.480 --> 00:19:47.519 Jesus knew that within a few hours, 00:19:48.060 --> 00:19:51.019 Judas would betray him. 00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:54.259 Peter would deny him. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:56.539 And all of them, 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.900 all of them, 00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.740 would abandon him. 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:03.779 Jesus truly humbled himself 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.940 to do what he is for the disciples. 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.940 I mean, you think about it. 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:10.660 If Brian's nasty feet 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:13.599 really had to be washed today, 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:17.019 I would at least think about it. 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:21.119 But if I thought, 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.740 after this is over, 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:26.099 he's going to tell me, 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.519 I don't have any use for you. 00:20:28.139 --> 00:20:29.299 Don't ever bother me again. 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.940 I ain't washing your feet. 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:34.240 That's why, 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.539 isn't that how you feel? 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.980 That's normal human nature. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:42.000 But Jesus does not demonstrate 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.079 normal human nature. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.720 He humbled himself 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:46.059 before these men 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:48.900 who were not going to stay with him. 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:52.440 These inferiors. 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:56.460 He washed their feet. 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:59.120 Now, if we're going to love 00:20:59.120 --> 00:21:00.380 one another as Jesus loves, 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:04.340 we can't ever think of ourselves 00:21:04.340 --> 00:21:07.559 as over superior to anyone 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:08.660 because we really aren't. 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.840 All of us, 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.720 all human beings 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:13.120 are created in the image of God. 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.000 That makes us all 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.640 of equal worth and value. 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.660 In the church, 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:23.319 we're brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:21:23.319 --> 00:21:26.159 we're on the same level. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:30.240 So we cannot ever consider ourselves 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.960 to be above 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:34.819 going out of our way, 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.899 being inconvenienced, 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:40.480 do some humble acts of service 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:44.339 for one another. 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:47.460 I want to encourage you this morning. 00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:50.539 Think about beginning that 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.339 in your home. 00:21:53.319 --> 00:21:54.839 to be in the church. 00:21:56.799 --> 00:21:57.939 You know, home 00:21:57.939 --> 00:22:00.000 is where we really should be 00:22:00.000 --> 00:22:01.480 practicing what it means 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.480 to be a Christian person. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.659 And I want to encourage you 00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:06.319 as parents, 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.179 as children, 00:22:07.379 --> 00:22:08.480 as brothers and sisters, 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:13.519 we're to love one another 00:22:13.519 --> 00:22:15.879 as Jesus loves the church. 00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.980 At first, 00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:20.000 that means humble, 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:22.159 practical acts of service. 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:24.700 I want you to also know, 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.759 just real quick here, 00:22:26.540 --> 00:22:27.920 Jesus met a real need. 00:22:29.060 --> 00:22:30.200 He didn't just do this 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.200 out of the blue 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:32.540 for no reason. 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.640 I'm sure Brian 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.540 doesn't need his feet 00:22:34.540 --> 00:22:35.240 washed this morning. 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:36.660 I'm sure he took a shower 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:38.300 at least two or three days ago 00:22:38.300 --> 00:22:38.640 anyway, 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.480 if not this morning. 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.540 But Jesus, 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.880 Jesus and his disciples, 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:45.040 they wore sandals everywhere. 00:22:45.940 --> 00:22:47.380 Roads were dirt. 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:48.860 At times, 00:22:48.920 --> 00:22:49.519 they were dusty. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:49.920 At times, 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.480 they were muddy. 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.420 So wherever you went, 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:52.120 when you got there, 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:54.240 your feet would be dirty. 00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.059 Well, 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:56.380 the disciples should have 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.559 washed Jesus' feet 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:58.299 immediately. 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.880 They should have washed 00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.599 their own feet. 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.519 They got ready 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.480 for the evening meal 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.180 as they were going 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:04.099 to do with Jesus. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.900 But they didn't. 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:09.660 So Jesus did what needed 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.320 to be done. 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:13.519 He washed their feet. 00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:14.200 Now, 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.580 if we're going to love 00:23:16.580 --> 00:23:17.040 one another 00:23:17.040 --> 00:23:18.160 as Jesus loves us, 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:21.460 we've got to get involved 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.740 in one another's lives 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.580 to the point 00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:27.100 where we notice needs. 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:30.779 we can see 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:32.759 in someone's life 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:34.179 there's something 00:23:34.179 --> 00:23:34.959 going on. 00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:37.559 They need some help. 00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:40.059 We've got to notice 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.699 the needs 00:23:40.699 --> 00:23:42.799 and then we've got 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:44.419 to do what we need 00:23:44.419 --> 00:23:45.240 to have to do 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.619 if we're able 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:48.199 to meet their needs. 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.799 So let me just ask you, 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:53.200 how observant are you 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:55.019 of the people 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.359 in your Sunday school class 00:23:56.359 --> 00:23:58.180 or other small groups 00:23:58.180 --> 00:23:58.619 you're in? 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.919 It's not going to happen 00:24:01.919 --> 00:24:03.299 much in this kind of gathering. 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.480 This is a worship service. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.180 We've come together 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:08.019 to praise God, 00:24:08.139 --> 00:24:08.799 to pray together, 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.680 to study His Word, 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.500 but we don't really get 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:11.599 to know one another here. 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:13.740 It's going to be 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.619 in small groups. 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:15.779 It's going to be 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.659 away from the church 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.819 doing things together. 00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:20.139 We've got to notice 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:21.980 we've got to care 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:24.480 and we've got to act 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.280 because we're going to love 00:24:25.280 --> 00:24:27.660 what Jesus calls us to love. 00:24:28.360 --> 00:24:28.640 Now, 00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:30.759 Jesus doesn't just model 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.380 humble servant type love. 00:24:32.440 --> 00:24:33.920 He models sacrificial love. 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.900 Jesus repeated 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:38.480 this new commandment 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:41.360 and gave the ultimate example 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.400 of sacrifice 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:45.320 in chapter 15 of John. 00:24:45.520 --> 00:24:46.360 We're in 13. 00:24:46.540 --> 00:24:47.860 Move over to chapter 15. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.880 Look at this. 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:50.280 Jesus said, 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:51.320 This is my commandment 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:52.400 that you love one another 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:53.380 as I have loved you. 00:24:53.780 --> 00:24:54.660 Greater love 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.840 has no one than this 00:24:55.840 --> 00:24:56.320 than someone 00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:57.380 to lay down his life 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.200 for his friends. 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:00.760 Jesus loved us 00:25:00.760 --> 00:25:01.740 enough to lay down 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.520 his life 00:25:02.520 --> 00:25:04.600 for us 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.580 when there was nothing 00:25:05.580 --> 00:25:07.220 about us 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.200 that should compel him 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.740 to do that. 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:12.260 From motivation of love, 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:14.420 Jesus chose 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:17.359 in obedience to his heavenly Father, 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.259 but he chose 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.400 to die on the cross 00:25:20.400 --> 00:25:22.480 as our substitute. 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:27.759 He suffered the wrath 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.480 of God 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:30.359 that we deserve 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.259 because of our sin. 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:35.240 Jesus died on the cross 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:37.700 as our substitute. 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:39.440 He paid the penalty 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:41.180 for our sins. 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.980 And by doing that, 00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:45.120 Jesus satisfied 00:25:45.120 --> 00:25:46.240 God's justice. 00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.680 The penalty for sin 00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.160 is death. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:50.259 And Jesus died 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.980 for our sins. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.640 He died so that we 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.319 wouldn't have to. 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:59.580 He satisfied God's justice 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:01.039 so that we 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:02.139 could experience 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:03.039 God's forgiveness 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:05.220 and know 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:06.539 the love of God 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:08.000 as our heavenly Father. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:10.259 If you're not a Christian, 00:26:11.159 --> 00:26:12.460 I want you to understand 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.519 that Jesus died 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.119 on that cross 00:26:14.119 --> 00:26:15.319 to save you 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.839 to pay the penalty 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.819 for your sins. 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.699 And if you will 00:26:20.699 --> 00:26:23.279 confess your sin, 00:26:24.240 --> 00:26:25.179 repent of your sin, 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.319 turn from your sin, 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:28.480 and trust Jesus 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:30.180 that He died for you. 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:30.960 He paid the penalty 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.559 for your sins. 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.579 And commit your life 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.019 to Him 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:35.180 as your Lord. 00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:37.079 He will save you, 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:37.900 forgive you, 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:39.500 make you a child of God. 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:40.839 Put the love of God 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:42.120 in your heart 00:26:42.120 --> 00:26:43.220 so that you can 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.920 love other people 00:26:44.920 --> 00:26:46.000 like Jesus loves. 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:48.900 If you are a Christian, 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:51.180 you have experienced 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.700 the benefits 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:52.680 of Jesus' death. 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:54.220 You've experienced 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.740 the benefits 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:56.259 of His sacrificial love. 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.299 Now Jesus calls you 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.419 demonstrated. 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:02.440 Do like I have done 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.960 for you. 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:03.960 You know, 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.559 most of us, 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:05.619 we're never ever 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.379 going to be called 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:07.539 to give our life 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.180 for another person. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.379 Most of us. 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.839 The majority of us. 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.220 But, 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.980 we are called 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.940 to demonstrate 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:20.079 sacrificial love 00:27:20.079 --> 00:27:21.919 for other people. 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:24.440 I want you to look 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:24.779 at something 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:26.220 that John also wrote 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.740 in his first letter 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:29.500 that talks about 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:31.240 self-sacrifice, 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.940 self-giving. 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:35.400 It's in 1 John chapter 3. 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.740 John writes, 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.480 But if anyone has 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:38.519 the world's goods 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:40.640 and sees his brother 00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:41.660 in need, 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:44.039 yet closes his heart 00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.779 against him, 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:47.200 how does God's love 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:48.299 abide in him? 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.519 Little children, 00:27:50.140 --> 00:27:51.000 let us not love 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:52.859 in word or talk, 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.859 but in deed 00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:56.779 and in truth. 00:27:56.779 --> 00:28:03.460 We can't even think, 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.440 shouldn't even think 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:04.819 of ourselves 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.799 as loving people 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:09.700 if we just close our eyes 00:28:09.700 --> 00:28:11.500 to what's going on 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.160 in their life 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:14.099 and refuse to get involved 00:28:14.099 --> 00:28:14.680 when there's something 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:15.379 that we could do 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:15.920 to help them. 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.480 Following Jesus' 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:20.099 model of sacrificial love 00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:21.399 will sometimes require us 00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:23.079 to give of ourselves, 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.059 give of our money, 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:27.919 give of our talent, 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.980 some of the abilities 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.819 that we have 00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:31.700 to meet the needs 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:33.039 of a brother or sister. 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:35.559 We can do that. 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.460 Are you in the habit 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.539 of demonstrating 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:40.000 sacrificial love 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:41.720 in your home, 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.419 first, 00:28:44.440 --> 00:28:45.480 and in this church? 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:48.639 Are you living out 00:28:48.639 --> 00:28:49.480 what Jesus said 00:28:49.480 --> 00:28:50.240 when he told us 00:28:50.240 --> 00:28:51.720 to love one another 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.619 as he loves us? 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.759 What you see next 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.759 in verse 35? 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.920 Jesus gives us 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:57.559 a new purpose 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.180 for our love. 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.799 He says, 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.019 and the idea 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.259 is to demonstrate 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.299 that we are Christians 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.920 and be a positive witness. 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.339 Jesus says it like this, 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.579 by this all people 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.000 will know 00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:07.879 that you are my disciples 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.900 if you have love 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.480 for one another. 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.980 Jesus' commandment 00:29:11.980 --> 00:29:12.900 for us to love 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:13.519 one another 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:15.539 is given 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.619 so that 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.839 if we'll do it, 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:20.099 it'll have 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.000 such a positive 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.160 impact on people, 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:24.440 it'll make a difference 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.080 in their life. 00:29:25.900 --> 00:29:27.000 If we truly love 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.940 one another like Jesus, 00:29:28.060 --> 00:29:28.960 people will know 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.920 that we are Christians 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:31.480 by our acts of love. 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.080 He's saying 00:29:34.080 --> 00:29:36.340 that our love for him 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.540 should be attractive 00:29:37.540 --> 00:29:39.340 to other people. 00:29:41.800 --> 00:29:42.680 Attractive love 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.779 is used by God 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:44.440 to draw people 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.160 to himself, 00:29:45.860 --> 00:29:46.759 to draw people 00:29:46.759 --> 00:29:47.320 to churches. 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:49.299 You know, 00:29:49.319 --> 00:29:49.859 when you people 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.879 come here to this church 00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:51.539 and get involved 00:29:51.539 --> 00:29:52.460 for a few months, 00:29:53.159 --> 00:29:55.419 what will they observe 00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:57.980 about how you relate 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.859 to one another 00:29:58.859 --> 00:30:02.019 in the various 00:30:02.019 --> 00:30:02.919 small groups 00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.519 that are here? 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:06.259 You people come in, 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.299 they don't really know you, 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:08.319 but they're in your 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:08.960 Sunday school class, 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:10.119 they're in some small group. 00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.539 What will they observe 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.419 over time 00:30:12.419 --> 00:30:13.700 about your love 00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.399 for one another? 00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:16.539 Will they see evidence 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:18.240 tangible evidence 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:20.680 of what you're doing 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.619 in one another's lives, 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.339 how you're sharing 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.139 life together, 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:25.279 or that will they 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.019 just see a bunch 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.579 of different people 00:30:26.579 --> 00:30:27.279 who come together 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.879 for superficial fellowship 00:30:28.879 --> 00:30:31.659 and then just go 00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:32.259 on their way 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.960 when they leave here 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.519 and forget about 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:33.960 one another? 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.019 Let's make this 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.639 more personal. 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.480 Do you, 00:30:38.599 --> 00:30:39.200 as an individual, 00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:40.500 try to help new people 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.319 feel loved 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:42.460 and accepted 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:43.740 in this church? 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:46.700 do you try? 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:47.900 Do you put forth 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:48.359 an effort 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:50.019 to help them 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:52.180 feel like they belong? 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.059 They're a part 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:54.000 of the family. 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.539 Lisa and I 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:59.339 have learned 00:30:59.339 --> 00:30:59.940 what it's like 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:01.700 to join a new church 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:03.339 where you know 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:04.519 very few people 00:31:04.519 --> 00:31:05.200 at all. 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:06.900 Prior, 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:08.019 for the last 00:31:08.019 --> 00:31:09.240 40 years, 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.319 when we've gone 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.139 to a new church, 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.179 I was a pastor 00:31:13.179 --> 00:31:16.039 and it's very easy 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:16.980 to get to know 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.339 people, 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:19.139 people want to 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:19.919 get to know you, 00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:20.779 it just happens. 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:21.740 You don't have 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.259 to do anything. 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.460 It just happens. 00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:27.559 But when you're 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.299 not the pastor 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:29.200 and you just go 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.079 into a church 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.579 where you don't 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.159 really know 00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:33.139 anybody, 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:34.679 you know very few, 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.200 it's just 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:37.720 way hard. 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.259 You feel like 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.720 a stranger. 00:31:42.119 --> 00:31:43.359 You are an outsider. 00:31:45.939 --> 00:31:46.679 We know 00:31:46.679 --> 00:31:47.619 what it feels like 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:49.039 to be that way. 00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.439 Never really 00:31:50.439 --> 00:31:51.220 knew 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.679 what that was like. 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:55.419 Being a part 00:31:55.419 --> 00:31:56.299 of a church family 00:31:56.299 --> 00:31:58.099 doesn't happen 00:31:58.099 --> 00:31:58.579 quickly. 00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:00.240 And it certainly 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:00.960 doesn't happen 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.720 automatically. 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:03.159 It takes time 00:32:03.159 --> 00:32:03.460 and effort. 00:32:04.399 --> 00:32:05.220 I want to say 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.519 to you, 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.299 if you're a visitor 00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.359 or you're a relative 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:08.059 of a new member 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.399 here, 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:10.460 you've got to 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.240 do your part 00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:11.920 to feel at home. 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:14.180 You've got to 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:14.860 get involved. 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:16.720 You will never 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:17.240 feel a part of 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:17.820 this church family 00:32:17.820 --> 00:32:18.500 if all you come 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.100 to is the worship 00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:19.480 service. 00:32:21.040 --> 00:32:21.540 You've got to 00:32:21.540 --> 00:32:22.200 get involved. 00:32:22.440 --> 00:32:23.200 In small groups, 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:23.460 you've got to 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.100 even get involved 00:32:24.100 --> 00:32:24.620 with people. 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:26.399 And then you've 00:32:26.399 --> 00:32:26.699 got to be 00:32:26.699 --> 00:32:27.299 patient 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:29.199 and give it 00:32:29.199 --> 00:32:29.619 time. 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.839 Because relationships 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.639 don't just 00:32:31.639 --> 00:32:34.259 birth and blossom 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:34.899 overnight. 00:32:34.900 --> 00:32:36.560 Now, if you're 00:32:36.560 --> 00:32:37.140 a long-time 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:37.440 member, 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:39.240 some of these 00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.060 old members 00:32:40.060 --> 00:32:40.640 I was referring 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.240 to a while ago, 00:32:42.400 --> 00:32:43.640 I encourage you, 00:32:44.600 --> 00:32:45.840 make a real 00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:47.519 effort to get 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.240 to know 00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:50.400 new members. 00:32:52.380 --> 00:32:52.900 There's been 00:32:52.900 --> 00:32:53.380 people at 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.100 Village Church 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:54.759 since we've 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.160 been there 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:56.480 that have come 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:57.200 up to us 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:57.780 and just 00:32:57.780 --> 00:32:58.880 introduced 00:32:58.880 --> 00:32:59.360 themselves, 00:32:59.480 --> 00:32:59.880 tell us what 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.440 they do. 00:33:01.040 --> 00:33:01.620 We've met 00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:02.420 people who are 00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.660 retired like us 00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:04.700 and they want 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:04.880 to know, 00:33:04.960 --> 00:33:05.100 you know, 00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:05.620 where are you 00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:06.180 from? 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.040 And they tell 00:33:07.040 --> 00:33:07.300 us about 00:33:07.300 --> 00:33:07.800 themselves. 00:33:08.060 --> 00:33:08.759 They make 00:33:08.759 --> 00:33:09.300 it a point. 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:13.080 And they've 00:33:13.080 --> 00:33:13.700 helped us 00:33:13.700 --> 00:33:15.540 to get to 00:33:15.540 --> 00:33:16.140 know them, 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:17.820 break down 00:33:17.820 --> 00:33:18.540 some barriers, 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.560 some fears. 00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:22.019 I want to 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.519 encourage you, 00:33:22.580 --> 00:33:22.980 long-time 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.320 members, 00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:24.860 you have a 00:33:24.860 --> 00:33:25.480 responsibility 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.519 before God 00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:28.940 to welcome 00:33:28.940 --> 00:33:30.000 new members 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:30.820 into this 00:33:30.820 --> 00:33:32.040 church and 00:33:32.040 --> 00:33:32.840 to help 00:33:32.840 --> 00:33:33.420 them. 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:35.680 belong. 00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:37.340 Feel like 00:33:37.340 --> 00:33:39.019 this is my 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:40.240 church family. 00:33:41.620 --> 00:33:41.940 Now, 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:43.640 loving one 00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:44.040 another like 00:33:44.040 --> 00:33:45.640 Jesus is 00:33:45.640 --> 00:33:46.200 not something 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:46.519 that comes 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:47.460 naturally to 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:49.019 us and 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:49.360 it's not 00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:49.680 easy. 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.420 The last 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:51.759 thing we're 00:33:51.759 --> 00:33:51.820 going to 00:33:51.820 --> 00:33:52.279 look at is 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.140 Jesus promises 00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:53.680 that God 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:54.060 will give us 00:33:54.060 --> 00:33:54.640 what we need 00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:55.140 to do. 00:33:55.580 --> 00:33:56.480 We can love 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:56.860 one another 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:57.320 as he loves 00:33:57.320 --> 00:33:57.660 us. 00:33:58.600 --> 00:33:58.779 Fourth, 00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.140 Jesus promises 00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:01.300 us new power 00:34:01.300 --> 00:34:01.820 to love, 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.759 the power of 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.380 the Holy Spirit. 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:04.960 Jesus went 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.360 on that 00:34:05.360 --> 00:34:06.060 same night, 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:06.820 John chapter 00:34:06.820 --> 00:34:07.460 14, 00:34:07.580 --> 00:34:08.019 beginning in 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:08.500 verse 15, 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:08.920 he says 00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.180 this, 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:09.900 if you 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.539 love me, 00:34:10.980 --> 00:34:11.440 you will 00:34:11.440 --> 00:34:11.900 keep my 00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.440 commandments 00:34:12.440 --> 00:34:13.700 and I 00:34:13.700 --> 00:34:14.099 will ask 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:14.619 the Father 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.220 and he 00:34:15.220 --> 00:34:15.579 will give 00:34:15.579 --> 00:34:16.099 you another 00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.659 helper to 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:17.059 be with you 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.360 forever. 00:34:17.720 --> 00:34:18.280 Even the 00:34:18.280 --> 00:34:18.880 spirit of 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.280 truth, 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.180 whom the 00:34:20.180 --> 00:34:20.740 world cannot 00:34:20.740 --> 00:34:21.280 receive, 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.000 because it 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.539 neither sees 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:22.920 him or 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:23.440 knows him, 00:34:23.700 --> 00:34:24.119 you know 00:34:24.119 --> 00:34:24.480 him for 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:25.039 he dwells 00:34:25.039 --> 00:34:25.480 with you 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:25.980 and will 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.619 be in you. 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:28.579 ever since 00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:28.880 the day 00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.519 of Pentecost, 00:34:29.579 --> 00:34:29.759 you read 00:34:29.759 --> 00:34:30.259 about Acts 00:34:30.259 --> 00:34:30.539 2, 00:34:30.739 --> 00:34:31.119 when a 00:34:31.119 --> 00:34:31.659 person becomes 00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.039 a Christian, 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:32.539 the spirit 00:34:32.539 --> 00:34:32.940 of God 00:34:32.940 --> 00:34:33.460 comes to 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.420 live within 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:34.699 them. 00:34:34.859 --> 00:34:35.219 The spirit 00:34:35.219 --> 00:34:35.539 of God 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:35.960 lives in 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:36.219 you and 00:34:36.219 --> 00:34:36.579 me if 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:36.679 we're 00:34:36.679 --> 00:34:37.119 Christians. 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.619 Now Paul 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:39.380 explains how 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.019 we're empowered 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.500 by the Holy 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:40.799 Spirit. 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:41.739 He says this 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:42.579 in Romans 5, 00:34:42.879 --> 00:34:43.299 he says, 00:34:43.379 --> 00:34:44.079 God's love 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:44.739 has been poured 00:34:44.739 --> 00:34:46.059 into our 00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:47.099 hearts through 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.459 the Holy 00:34:47.459 --> 00:34:49.019 Spirit who 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:49.299 has been 00:34:49.299 --> 00:34:50.419 given to 00:34:50.419 --> 00:34:50.819 us. 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:53.059 God's love 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.619 has been poured 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.059 into our 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:54.879 hearts through 00:34:54.879 --> 00:34:55.279 the Holy 00:34:55.279 --> 00:34:57.199 Spirit who 00:34:57.199 --> 00:34:57.399 has been 00:34:57.399 --> 00:34:57.819 given to 00:34:57.819 --> 00:34:58.139 us. 00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:00.859 If you're 00:35:00.859 --> 00:35:01.279 a Christian, 00:35:02.459 --> 00:35:03.339 you can love 00:35:03.339 --> 00:35:03.939 others as 00:35:03.939 --> 00:35:04.759 Jesus loves 00:35:04.759 --> 00:35:05.500 you because 00:35:05.500 --> 00:35:05.899 the Holy 00:35:05.899 --> 00:35:06.239 Spirit, 00:35:06.339 --> 00:35:06.719 the spirit 00:35:06.719 --> 00:35:07.199 of God, 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:07.859 the spirit 00:35:07.859 --> 00:35:08.519 of Christ 00:35:08.519 --> 00:35:11.059 will enable 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:11.399 you. 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:12.779 I love 00:35:12.779 --> 00:35:13.219 what Paul 00:35:13.219 --> 00:35:13.619 says in 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:13.979 Philippians 00:35:13.979 --> 00:35:14.219 2, 00:35:14.279 --> 00:35:16.039 13 about 00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:16.619 God giving 00:35:16.619 --> 00:35:17.059 us the 00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:17.639 desire and 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.159 the ability 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:18.639 to please 00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:18.839 him. 00:35:18.939 --> 00:35:19.139 I want you 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.399 to look at 00:35:19.399 --> 00:35:19.619 this. 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:21.059 For it is 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:21.519 God who 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:21.959 works in 00:35:21.959 --> 00:35:22.619 you both 00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:23.399 to will, 00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.139 to want, 00:35:24.259 --> 00:35:24.959 to desire, 00:35:25.379 --> 00:35:26.119 and to 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:28.079 work for 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.719 his good 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.159 pleasure. 00:35:29.959 --> 00:35:30.739 We can 00:35:30.739 --> 00:35:31.419 love one 00:35:31.419 --> 00:35:31.879 another in 00:35:31.879 --> 00:35:32.279 our church 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:33.979 family if 00:35:33.979 --> 00:35:34.439 we want 00:35:34.439 --> 00:35:36.619 to because 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:36.959 the Holy 00:35:36.959 --> 00:35:37.639 Spirit living 00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.579 within us 00:35:38.579 --> 00:35:40.339 will help 00:35:40.339 --> 00:35:40.739 us. 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:42.039 He'll give 00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:42.359 us the 00:35:42.359 --> 00:35:43.099 desire to 00:35:43.099 --> 00:35:43.379 love. 00:35:44.819 --> 00:35:45.439 He'll give 00:35:45.439 --> 00:35:45.699 us the 00:35:45.699 --> 00:35:46.319 ability to 00:35:46.319 --> 00:35:47.039 do things 00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:47.659 to demonstrate 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.399 our love 00:35:48.399 --> 00:35:51.079 if we'll 00:35:51.079 --> 00:35:51.679 obey him. 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.039 You know, 00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:54.459 we're never 00:35:54.459 --> 00:35:54.899 going to love 00:35:54.899 --> 00:35:55.319 one another 00:35:55.319 --> 00:35:56.959 perfectly like 00:35:56.959 --> 00:35:57.739 Jesus loves 00:35:57.739 --> 00:35:58.139 us. 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.339 No one can 00:36:00.339 --> 00:36:00.799 love like 00:36:00.799 --> 00:36:01.379 he loves 00:36:01.379 --> 00:36:01.919 exactly. 00:36:02.919 --> 00:36:03.599 But if we 00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.239 make it our 00:36:04.239 --> 00:36:04.839 goal, our 00:36:04.839 --> 00:36:05.579 desire, we 00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.159 pray, we 00:36:06.159 --> 00:36:06.699 ask God to 00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:07.099 help us, we 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:07.500 put forth 00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.500 effort, we 00:36:08.500 --> 00:36:09.299 can love 00:36:09.300 --> 00:36:09.780 one another 00:36:09.780 --> 00:36:10.240 by the 00:36:10.240 --> 00:36:10.620 power of 00:36:10.620 --> 00:36:10.840 the Holy 00:36:10.840 --> 00:36:12.860 Spirit to 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:13.539 some degree. 00:36:14.700 --> 00:36:15.340 All of 00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:15.720 us. 00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:16.960 And I 00:36:16.960 --> 00:36:17.260 want to ask 00:36:17.260 --> 00:36:17.440 you now, 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:17.860 will you make 00:36:17.860 --> 00:36:18.280 that commitment 00:36:18.280 --> 00:36:18.740 this morning? 00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:20.240 Will you 00:36:20.240 --> 00:36:20.960 ask God to 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:22.400 help you to 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:22.920 love your 00:36:22.920 --> 00:36:23.519 brothers and 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:24.039 sisters in 00:36:24.039 --> 00:36:24.860 Christ first 00:36:24.860 --> 00:36:25.300 in this 00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:25.780 church? 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:28.039 To love 00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:29.900 that Jesus 00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:30.400 has shown 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:30.660 you. 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.019 Will you 00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:33.920 also ask God 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:34.300 to help you 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:34.860 to love 00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.539 the people 00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:35.840 in your 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:37.180 house, in 00:36:37.180 --> 00:36:37.640 your home? 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.120 That same 00:36:39.120 --> 00:36:40.140 kind of love, 00:36:42.039 --> 00:36:42.740 a sacrificial 00:36:42.740 --> 00:36:44.000 love, a 00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.640 serving love. 00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:45.820 I want to 00:36:45.820 --> 00:36:46.539 close by 00:36:46.539 --> 00:36:48.240 reading the 00:36:48.240 --> 00:36:48.860 best description 00:36:48.860 --> 00:36:49.200 of Christian 00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:49.900 love ever 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.760 written. 00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:51.740 It's in 00:36:51.740 --> 00:36:52.260 1 Corinthians 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:53.320 13, beginning 00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.120 in verse 4. 00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:55.720 Paul writes, 00:36:56.340 --> 00:36:56.780 love is 00:36:56.780 --> 00:36:58.120 patient and 00:36:58.120 --> 00:36:58.640 kind. 00:36:59.039 --> 00:36:59.460 Love does 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.019 not envy 00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:00.660 or boast. 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.460 It is not 00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:02.480 arrogant or 00:37:02.480 --> 00:37:02.860 rude. 00:37:03.160 --> 00:37:03.700 It does not 00:37:03.700 --> 00:37:04.280 insist on 00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:04.700 its own 00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:05.060 way. 00:37:05.340 --> 00:37:05.900 It is not 00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:07.080 irritable or 00:37:07.080 --> 00:37:07.740 resentful. 00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:08.540 It does not 00:37:08.540 --> 00:37:09.240 rejoice at 00:37:09.240 --> 00:37:09.820 wrongdoing, 00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:10.800 but rejoices 00:37:10.800 --> 00:37:11.300 with the 00:37:11.300 --> 00:37:11.640 truth. 00:37:12.260 --> 00:37:13.140 Love bears 00:37:13.140 --> 00:37:14.000 all things, 00:37:14.360 --> 00:37:15.200 believes all 00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:15.640 things, 00:37:15.940 --> 00:37:16.640 hopes all 00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:17.060 things, 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.360 endures all 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:18.800 things. 00:37:19.160 --> 00:37:20.160 Love never 00:37:20.160 --> 00:37:20.980 ends. 00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:21.820 That's how 00:37:21.820 --> 00:37:22.540 Jesus loves 00:37:22.540 --> 00:37:22.860 us. 00:37:24.580 --> 00:37:25.180 I encourage 00:37:25.180 --> 00:37:25.500 you now, 00:37:25.580 --> 00:37:26.260 ask God to 00:37:26.260 --> 00:37:26.820 help you 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:28.180 to show 00:37:28.180 --> 00:37:28.800 that kind 00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:29.240 of love 00:37:29.240 --> 00:37:29.620 to your 00:37:29.620 --> 00:37:30.940 family and 00:37:30.940 --> 00:37:31.500 your church 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.880 family every 00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:33.300 day. 00:37:33.300 --> 00:37:34.300 let's pray 00:37:34.300 --> 00:37:34.580 together. 00:37:35.220 --> 00:37:35.740 Father, 00:37:36.460 --> 00:37:37.900 we need 00:37:37.900 --> 00:37:39.000 help to 00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:39.480 love like 00:37:39.480 --> 00:37:39.840 Jesus 00:37:39.840 --> 00:37:40.660 loved. 00:37:41.519 --> 00:37:41.980 But we 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.480 know from 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:43.120 the promise 00:37:43.120 --> 00:37:43.500 of your 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.100 word that 00:37:44.100 --> 00:37:44.480 you have 00:37:44.480 --> 00:37:45.060 given us 00:37:45.060 --> 00:37:45.460 all we 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:45.920 need in 00:37:45.920 --> 00:37:46.039 the 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:46.420 indwelling 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:47.079 Holy Spirit. 00:37:48.300 --> 00:37:49.000 You have 00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:49.519 poured your 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:50.139 love into 00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:50.800 us through 00:37:50.800 --> 00:37:51.119 him. 00:37:52.159 --> 00:37:52.539 So we 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.079 pray now, 00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:53.440 Father, 00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:55.340 convict us 00:37:55.340 --> 00:37:55.619 of our 00:37:55.619 --> 00:37:55.900 sin. 00:37:57.760 --> 00:37:58.440 Help us 00:37:58.440 --> 00:37:58.780 to be 00:37:58.780 --> 00:37:59.039 truly 00:37:59.039 --> 00:37:59.800 repentant of 00:37:59.800 --> 00:38:00.420 indifference, 00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:01.180 of unconcern, 00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:01.720 of a lack 00:38:01.720 --> 00:38:02.180 of love. 00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:04.119 Help us, 00:38:04.320 --> 00:38:04.500 Father, to 00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:04.860 make the 00:38:04.860 --> 00:38:05.599 commitment that 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.340 by your 00:38:06.340 --> 00:38:07.260 grace, by 00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:07.860 the power of 00:38:07.860 --> 00:38:08.340 your Spirit, 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.340 we will put 00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:09.800 forth the 00:38:09.800 --> 00:38:10.480 effort to 00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:11.280 love, to 00:38:11.280 --> 00:38:12.180 meet needs, 00:38:12.179 --> 00:38:13.159 and really 00:38:13.159 --> 00:38:14.259 work on 00:38:14.259 --> 00:38:14.739 doing what 00:38:14.739 --> 00:38:15.619 we can to 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:16.119 make this 00:38:16.119 --> 00:38:17.599 one church 00:38:17.599 --> 00:38:18.619 family, 00:38:18.859 --> 00:38:20.000 brothers and 00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:21.159 sisters in 00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.659 Christ. 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:23.940 Show us all 00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:24.440 how we should 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.139 respond to 00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:25.539 you. 00:38:27.019 --> 00:38:27.819 Help us not 00:38:27.819 --> 00:38:28.219 to put it 00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:28.699 off, but 00:38:28.699 --> 00:38:29.739 to respond 00:38:29.739 --> 00:38:30.859 to you now 00:38:30.859 --> 00:38:31.779 in obedience 00:38:31.779 --> 00:38:33.219 and go all 00:38:33.219 --> 00:38:33.579 and put it 00:38:33.579 --> 00:38:34.259 into practice. 00:38:35.159 --> 00:38:35.960 Put it into 00:38:35.960 --> 00:38:36.940 practice in our 00:38:36.940 --> 00:38:37.659 church family as 00:38:37.659 --> 00:38:37.899 well. 00:38:38.819 --> 00:38:39.279 It's in Jesus' 00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:39.819 name that we 00:38:39.819 --> 00:38:40.159 pray. 00:38:40.839 --> 00:38:41.159 Amen.