WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.220 This morning, if you will open up with me to your copy of God's Word. 00:00:03.220 --> 00:00:06.100 We're going to be in Galatians chapter 5. 00:00:11.480 --> 00:00:12.880 Galatians chapter 5. 00:00:12.980 --> 00:00:21.640 Our main text today will be from verse 1, and then we'll also be reading verses 13 through 25. 00:00:23.080 --> 00:00:26.640 I'll remind you, this is the Word of God, and it reads, 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:29.280 For freedom Christ has set us free. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.000 Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 00:00:34.520 --> 00:00:36.060 And then skipping down to verse 13. 00:00:36.840 --> 00:00:38.460 For you are called the freedom brothers. 00:00:39.140 --> 00:00:44.480 Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:47.439 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word. 00:00:47.659 --> 00:00:49.539 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:00:50.260 --> 00:00:55.219 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 00:00:55.219 --> 00:01:00.060 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:05.480 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. 00:01:05.959 --> 00:01:09.900 For these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 00:01:10.599 --> 00:01:13.280 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 00:01:13.280 --> 00:01:15.500 Now the works of the flesh are evident. 00:01:15.780 --> 00:01:22.780 Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, 00:01:23.379 --> 00:01:28.460 rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:34.359 I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 00:01:34.359 --> 00:01:43.280 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:45.840 Against such things there is no law. 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:51.219 And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 00:01:51.760 --> 00:01:55.739 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 00:01:56.239 --> 00:01:56.500 Amen. 00:01:56.500 --> 00:01:56.579 Amen. 00:01:57.459 --> 00:02:03.959 So if you had one guess, or maybe even five guesses, as to what passage you would hear as we study the Advent topic of love, 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:06.780 I doubt that you would have guessed this text. 00:02:07.420 --> 00:02:14.520 Maybe you would have chosen the classic marriage passage on love, that love is patient, or love is kind, it does not envy or boast. 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:19.360 Or maybe the story of six-pound, eight-ounce, baby Jesus lying in a manger, 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:24.159 combined with some Old Testament prophecy, Emmanuel, God with us, 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:30.400 the wise men giving him gifts that represent both his kingship and his destiny to die as a sacrificial lamb of God. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:34.359 Christ is indeed the culmination of God's love for his people. 00:02:34.819 --> 00:02:39.079 And certainly the Christmas story leading to the Easter story is what we celebrate. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:43.800 But this morning I'd like to draw our attention to the effects of God's love in Christ, 00:02:43.900 --> 00:02:47.939 rather than primarily the display of God's love in Christ. 00:02:48.579 --> 00:02:52.000 It's far too easy in a culture of cheap grace and easy believism 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.900 to get so caught up in the love of God for me, 00:02:55.639 --> 00:02:58.460 that we miss the call of his love to take up our cross, 00:02:59.020 --> 00:03:05.620 our lethal injection, our electric chair, or our firing squad daily in order to follow him. 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:13.159 Hopefully as we walk through our text today, we'll see God's love as a central force behind every aspect of the Christian life. 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:18.900 And we'll see the Christmas story not only as a display of God's love, but a call to action. 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:23.719 Our text today establishes and supports a pattern found throughout the scripture, 00:03:23.920 --> 00:03:27.120 which is essential to understanding and practicing holy living. 00:03:27.879 --> 00:03:32.640 Our obedience, that pattern being our obedience, summed up as loving God and loving others, 00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:35.340 is a result of the activity of the Holy Spirit, 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:38.219 as he stirs our hearts with affection for God, 00:03:38.520 --> 00:03:41.520 by pointing to the person and work of Christ on our behalf, 00:03:41.920 --> 00:03:46.140 causing us to love the things he loves and participate in the work that he is doing. 00:03:46.139 --> 00:03:51.159 So, summed up, the Holy Spirit helps us to love God by exalting Christ, 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:54.179 which is God's greatest display of love to us, 00:03:54.579 --> 00:03:59.279 causing us then to love what he loves and do what he does. 00:03:59.839 --> 00:04:05.519 So today, our text, through our text, we'll see together how God's love, 00:04:05.560 --> 00:04:08.479 and this will be our four main points, so I'll go through them as we're going, 00:04:08.959 --> 00:04:11.479 how God's love causes freedom in Christ, 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:14.560 causes obedience to God's commands, 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:17.240 gives us the model for love, 00:04:17.439 --> 00:04:20.099 and gives us the means of our love. 00:04:20.620 --> 00:04:24.159 So first of all, if you will look with me at our first main heading, 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:25.439 freedom in Christ. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:28.959 So God's love gives us freedom in Christ. 00:04:29.039 --> 00:04:31.800 So verse 1 says that Christ has set us free, 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:37.680 and Paul gives us an encouragement not to submit again to a yoke of slavery. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:43.259 And this one verse is disconnected in proximity to the other verses that we're reading, 00:04:43.340 --> 00:04:47.860 but I do want to start here because Paul refers back to it then in verse 13. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:51.379 So I want to start here by way of introduction to our primary topic of love, 00:04:51.780 --> 00:04:54.220 because I believe Paul is here establishing a link 00:04:54.220 --> 00:04:57.300 between understanding the peace that we have with God, 00:04:57.340 --> 00:04:58.980 which Caleb talked about last week, 00:04:59.420 --> 00:05:00.639 and what he goes on to teach, 00:05:00.720 --> 00:05:05.620 that the whole law is fulfilled in loving our neighbor as ourself. 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:08.139 And that's going to be like our primary thing that we're going to be looking at. 00:05:08.180 --> 00:05:14.019 How is it that the law, the whole law is fulfilled in us loving our neighbor as ourself? 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:17.680 So if you look with me, Galatians 5, verses 2 through 12, 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:18.819 I'm not going to read it, 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:22.300 but Paul explains the point of his whole letter to the Galatians, 00:05:22.639 --> 00:05:25.620 and this will be some context that we're moving out of today. 00:05:25.780 --> 00:05:30.459 So peace with God or our salvation comes by grace alone. 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:33.339 In any attempted addition to Christ's finished work, 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:35.819 his perfect life, death, and resurrection 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:40.620 is a subtraction from the efficacy of Christ's work on our behalf. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:44.479 So in other words, when we try to add works to Christ's already finished work, 00:05:44.539 --> 00:05:48.659 we're actually subtracting from the value of Christ's work. 00:05:49.019 --> 00:05:51.259 So Paul here was pushing against a heresy 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:53.919 which had arisen from a group of people called the Judaizers, 00:05:54.299 --> 00:05:58.120 who taught that someone had to believe Christ as Lord 00:05:58.120 --> 00:06:01.220 and be circumcised in order to be a true believer. 00:06:01.740 --> 00:06:05.379 In other words, they said that Christ's work wasn't enough for salvation, 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:09.420 but works must be added to it in order to be righteous before God. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:12.800 And while most of us wouldn't say that Christ's work wasn't enough, 00:06:13.139 --> 00:06:15.319 we often live as though it wasn't. 00:06:15.399 --> 00:06:17.699 And this can be demonstrated in a bunch of different ways. 00:06:18.220 --> 00:06:20.740 I find it personally, and what I see in others, 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:22.459 it can be demonstrated through shame, 00:06:23.019 --> 00:06:24.780 prolonged unnecessary guilt, 00:06:25.500 --> 00:06:26.980 pride, self-pity, 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:31.200 and working our way to a perceived higher status before God. 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:36.860 Often when we sin, we act as though we are no longer deserving of God's love, 00:06:36.920 --> 00:06:39.400 which carries with it the assumption that at some point 00:06:39.400 --> 00:06:41.180 we were good enough to deserve God's love, 00:06:41.220 --> 00:06:44.620 and now I feel bad about myself because I've now done something wrong. 00:06:44.700 --> 00:06:47.939 But this is not what grace in Christ looks like, 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:50.540 and this is what Paul is teaching against here, 00:06:50.580 --> 00:06:52.580 and it's also what Caleb taught on last week. 00:06:52.580 --> 00:06:54.240 So I think there's a really clear connection. 00:06:54.240 --> 00:06:56.560 All of our Advent topics mesh together, 00:06:56.560 --> 00:07:00.460 but there's a clear connection in understanding the peace that we have with God 00:07:00.460 --> 00:07:03.439 and the great love of God in Christ. 00:07:03.960 --> 00:07:08.000 So peace with God means that we no longer have to prove ourselves to God, 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:09.720 we don't have to prove ourselves to others, 00:07:09.900 --> 00:07:12.400 and we don't have to prove ourselves to ourselves, 00:07:12.400 --> 00:07:14.900 but we can live in the freedom of the cross, 00:07:14.900 --> 00:07:17.439 no longer under a covenant of works, 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:20.279 which says we must be good enough to be God's child, 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:22.459 under which we all fall short. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:25.759 But now we live under a covenant of grace, 00:07:25.759 --> 00:07:27.959 which tells us you're not good enough, 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.019 and that's kind of the point. 00:07:29.120 --> 00:07:30.079 But Christ is. 00:07:30.279 --> 00:07:31.899 He fulfilled the covenant of works. 00:07:32.360 --> 00:07:34.019 He took our punishment on the cross. 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:37.060 So as we surrender our meager attempts at righteousness 00:07:37.060 --> 00:07:39.019 and accept His grace to us, 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:43.279 we through faith alone receive the righteousness of God. 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:45.459 And this is the old covenant, new covenant. 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:48.259 This is what God promised Israel in the Old Testament, 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:50.839 and then what the prophet says we'll look at in a minute, 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:54.039 promised the new covenant would be in the New Testament, 00:07:54.079 --> 00:07:56.459 that we're no longer under a covenant of works, 00:07:56.639 --> 00:07:58.639 but under a covenant of grace. 00:07:59.199 --> 00:08:02.279 So there's a story I'd like to reference that Nathan has talked about before, 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:05.639 about pastor and Puritan John Bunyan, 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:07.119 author of Pilgrim's Progress. 00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:12.219 And this story kind of provides an applicable commentary on this topic. 00:08:12.220 --> 00:08:15.560 Eric Geiger records this particular account. 00:08:16.520 --> 00:08:17.140 It says, 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:18.900 Bunyan continually preached grace, 00:08:19.400 --> 00:08:23.000 constantly reminding people that Jesus' perfect obedience was theirs, 00:08:23.400 --> 00:08:27.100 that His righteousness was freely given in exchange for their sins. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:30.860 Some religious leaders were concerned that the emphasis on grace 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:34.680 would cause people to live however they want and do whatever they want. 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:37.440 They feared an emphasis on Jesus' performance 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:40.660 instead of our performance would cause people to sin, 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:42.120 to live unguarded lives, 00:08:42.219 --> 00:08:45.159 and to lose a sense of responsibility for personal holiness. 00:08:46.419 --> 00:08:48.719 Thus, some religious leaders told John Bunyan, 00:08:48.839 --> 00:08:51.219 if you keep preaching free salvation in Jesus, 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:53.259 based off of His performance and not theirs, 00:08:53.740 --> 00:08:55.699 Christians are going to do whatever they want. 00:08:56.199 --> 00:08:57.860 And Bunyan's response was beautiful. 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:58.600 He insisted, 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:01.299 if I keep preaching free salvation in Jesus, 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.259 based off of His performance and not theirs, 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:06.519 Christians are going to do whatever He wants. 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:10.240 Grace, not law, empowers us to obey Him. 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:12.659 Grace can do what the law cannot do, 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:14.000 create a new heart, 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:15.860 a heart that obeys out of love 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:18.659 and not out of fear or an attempt to earn a favor. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:21.320 So Paul here in verse 1 pleads, 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:22.440 Caleb pled last week, 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:23.460 and I plead with you now, 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:26.620 do not submit again to a yoke of slavery, 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:28.320 of having to prove yourself to God, 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:32.639 but walk in the freedom of Christ's perfect obedience imputed to you. 00:09:33.460 --> 00:09:35.220 Paul continues on in verse 13 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:37.180 on what this true freedom looks like, 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:39.299 which brings us to our second point. 00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:43.339 The love of God causes obedience to God's commands. 00:09:43.959 --> 00:09:44.500 So at this point, 00:09:44.599 --> 00:09:48.519 some of you may question my use of the word cause in this context. 00:09:48.739 --> 00:09:50.679 Before you jump to this conclusion that I'm wrong 00:09:50.679 --> 00:09:52.620 and therefore deserve to be tuned out, 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:55.919 allow me the opportunity to demonstrate this pattern from our text, 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:57.639 from the Old Testament prophecy, 00:09:57.959 --> 00:09:59.479 and from Christ's teaching. 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:01.019 So we're going to return, 00:10:01.199 --> 00:10:02.919 we'll flip around to a couple places today, 00:10:02.919 --> 00:10:04.319 hopefully not too many, 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:05.679 but Galatians 5, 00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:06.339 where we are, 00:10:06.479 --> 00:10:08.019 verses 13 through 16, 00:10:08.259 --> 00:10:09.039 let me read those. 00:10:09.939 --> 00:10:10.339 It says, 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:12.360 For you were called to freedom, brothers, 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:15.879 only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.059 but through love serve one another. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:20.779 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, 00:10:21.099 --> 00:10:22.799 you shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:10:23.339 --> 00:10:25.199 But if you bite and devour one another, 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:27.699 watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:29.259 And then in verse 16, 00:10:29.259 --> 00:10:30.759 that I say, 00:10:30.980 --> 00:10:31.919 Walk by the Spirit, 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:35.120 and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:40.120 So verse 13 says that freedom from the law was given to us 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:42.080 so that we would love and serve one another, 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:46.319 not so that we could use our freedom that we've been given for our own pleasure. 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:50.740 So there's a purpose behind the freedom that we have in Christ. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.960 We're going to tackle verse 14 in a bit. 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:53.399 Like I said, 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:57.019 it's kind of the main driving point that takes a little bit of unpacking. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:58.500 But skipping down to verse 16, 00:10:58.500 --> 00:11:01.460 if we do something called walking by the Spirit, 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:04.820 Paul tells us that we won't gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:05.799 In other words, 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:10.919 walking by the Spirit is the means or the way in which we obey God's commands. 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:12.000 Walk by the Spirit, 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:14.159 and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:16.899 The Old Testament prophets told of a time 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:19.620 when God's people would live under this new covenant of grace 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:22.139 and have the effect that it would have on them. 00:11:22.539 --> 00:11:26.220 Listen to the words of Jeremiah in chapter 31, verse 33. 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:29.080 Speaking of this new covenant of grace, he says, 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:34.060 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. 00:11:34.580 --> 00:11:37.920 I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:40.220 I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:47.519 Ezekiel expounds a bit more on this point, even more compellingly, in chapter 36, verses 25 through 27. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:48.639 He says, 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:50.679 I will sprinkle clean water on you, 00:11:50.779 --> 00:11:52.819 and you shall be clean from all your uncleanliness, 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:55.220 and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:58.399 And I will give you a new heart and a new spirit I will put within you. 00:11:58.799 --> 00:12:01.019 And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh, 00:12:01.059 --> 00:12:02.439 and give you a heart of flesh. 00:12:03.079 --> 00:12:03.659 And he says, 00:12:03.699 --> 00:12:05.179 And I will put my spirit within you, 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:07.980 and cause you to walk in my statutes, 00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:10.480 and be careful to obey my rules. 00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.279 Again, he says, 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:14.019 I will cause you to walk in my statutes, 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:16.460 and be careful to obey my rules. 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:19.560 God promises here that under the new covenant, 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:21.759 the people of God would be an obedient people, 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:24.820 because of his spirit living inside of them. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:28.280 Christ teaches similarly in John chapter 14. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:29.340 So if you guys will, 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:30.800 flip with me there. 00:12:30.900 --> 00:12:32.440 Again, that's John chapter 14. 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:35.540 You can keep your finger in Galatians. 00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:39.220 We'll be flipping back and forth between these two chapters a couple times today. 00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:51.340 I'm going to be skipping around a little bit. 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:53.680 I'll try to call your attention to the specific verses. 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:56.820 So John 14, 12 says, 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.519 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:02.660 whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.300 Verse 15, 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:06.900 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:08.620 And then in verse 16, 00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:12.919 we see that he promises the spirit would come as a helper. 00:13:13.419 --> 00:13:13.700 It says, 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:14.820 And I will ask the Father, 00:13:15.019 --> 00:13:17.440 and he will give you another helper to be with you forever, 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:20.980 even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive. 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:24.039 So again, this tied together, 00:13:24.200 --> 00:13:26.899 obeying God's commandments and the spirit of God given. 00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:29.019 In verse 21, he goes back. 00:13:29.159 --> 00:13:29.379 Again, 00:13:29.480 --> 00:13:31.840 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, 00:13:32.220 --> 00:13:33.480 he it is who loves me. 00:13:33.919 --> 00:13:34.680 In verse 25, 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:35.239 again, 00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:39.599 the promise of the spirit who would help us people remember all that he had taught. 00:13:39.739 --> 00:13:40.099 It says, 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:42.219 These things I have spoken to you while I'm still with you, 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.139 but the helper, 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:43.959 the Holy Spirit, 00:13:44.079 --> 00:13:45.479 whom the Father will send in my name, 00:13:45.859 --> 00:13:47.500 he will teach you all the things, 00:13:48.099 --> 00:13:48.799 all things, 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:49.659 and bring you, 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:52.699 bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:53.299 Okay, 00:13:53.359 --> 00:13:53.519 so, 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.259 so far, 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:57.559 we can see that under the new covenant, 00:13:57.719 --> 00:14:01.099 we will be free in Christ because of our peace with God 00:14:01.099 --> 00:14:04.659 and obedient to his commands because of his spirit working in us. 00:14:05.219 --> 00:14:08.359 But this might be a little bit confusing to us. 00:14:09.099 --> 00:14:14.279 How does this make sense in light of the choices that we have to make every day? 00:14:14.339 --> 00:14:18.000 Because it kind of seems like this is robotic, 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:20.219 and it kind of seems like God is just putting his spirit, 00:14:20.339 --> 00:14:20.919 zapping us, 00:14:20.979 --> 00:14:23.239 and then automatically we obey his commands. 00:14:23.319 --> 00:14:29.259 And when we see things like this that appear to be contrary to what our experience is, 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.679 we don't need to just ignore them, 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:35.739 but we need to take a little bit deeper of a look to see how these things are actually going together. 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:36.339 And so, 00:14:36.439 --> 00:14:36.899 this morning, 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:37.739 I don't pretend, 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:39.759 and I don't think anyone here would pretend, 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:46.739 that we totally understand how God's sovereignty and man's will or man's choices work out together. 00:14:47.019 --> 00:14:50.139 But there are attributes of those two things, 00:14:50.219 --> 00:14:51.639 God's sovereignty and man's will, 00:14:51.639 --> 00:14:52.860 that are revealed in Scripture, 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:57.480 that are important for us to understand what obedient Christian life looks like. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:57.720 So, 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:58.399 this is a hard, 00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:00.319 but very important question to answer, 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:01.720 how these two things work together. 00:15:02.179 --> 00:15:05.139 And I believe if we understand verse 14 of our text, 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:08.879 we'll come to a greater understanding of the law, 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:14.819 and how it works together through us to prompt obedience. 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:17.180 This is why I have a backup, 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:18.800 in case my computer goes bad. 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:20.220 Give me a second. 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:30.360 Okay. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:32.720 So, 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:33.620 like I said, 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.440 it's a hard, 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.879 but important question to answer, 00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:38.320 and I believe if we can really understand verse 14, 00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:40.780 how the whole law is fulfilled in one word, 00:15:41.140 --> 00:15:42.920 you shall love your neighbor as yourself, 00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:46.059 we'll come to a greater understanding of how these two things work together. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:46.559 So, 00:15:46.719 --> 00:15:49.439 how could this be possible is the question that we're trying to answer. 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:52.039 How is it that by loving someone else, 00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:55.479 which is not necessarily one of the Ten Commandments explicitly, 00:15:56.059 --> 00:15:57.639 how is it that by doing this, 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:59.699 we fulfill the Ten Commandments, 00:15:59.699 --> 00:16:03.899 which are a summation of the moral law that God expects from his people. 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:04.259 So, 00:16:04.339 --> 00:16:05.539 to understand this saying, 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:08.500 we must first understand two things. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.339 First, 00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:11.579 how do you love your neighbor as yourself? 00:16:11.719 --> 00:16:12.219 And secondly, 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:14.460 how do you love your neighbor as yourself? 00:16:14.540 --> 00:16:14.740 And so, 00:16:14.800 --> 00:16:15.120 what I mean, 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:17.100 first we have to understand, 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:18.200 in what way, 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.960 or how do you love your neighbor as yourself? 00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:22.759 How are we expected to love our neighbor as ourself? 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:23.200 And then, 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.279 by what means? 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.920 How do we actually do it? 00:16:25.960 --> 00:16:29.019 What gives us the power to love our neighbor as ourself? 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:31.519 And if we understand the answers to these two questions, 00:16:31.920 --> 00:16:35.320 I believe it'll be clear what Paul means by this challenging statement, 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:38.279 that we fulfill the law by loving our neighbor. 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:38.919 So, 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:41.839 we're going to move on to our third main point today, 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:45.399 that God's love is a model for our love. 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:45.659 So, 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:47.899 we'll be looking at answering the question, 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:49.379 how do you love your neighbor as yourself? 00:16:49.819 --> 00:16:52.980 In what way are we expected to love our neighbor? 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:53.339 Now, 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:56.919 the short answer to this is simply how Christ loves us. 00:16:57.620 --> 00:16:59.379 This is our standard. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:01.699 It's given to us in a couple of places that we'll look at. 00:17:01.700 --> 00:17:07.340 But our standard is not simply loving other people better than other people love us, 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:10.920 or meeting some standard that we make in our own mind, 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:12.640 or when it's convenient for us, 00:17:12.840 --> 00:17:15.240 but how Christ loves us. 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:15.799 So, 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.680 John 13, 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.940 verses 34 through 35 says, 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.880 a new commandment I give to you, 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.160 that you love one another. 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:23.519 Just as I have loved you, 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:25.500 you also are to love one another. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:26.700 By this, 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:28.640 all people will know that you are my disciples, 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:31.039 if you have love for one another. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:34.200 He then repeats this command in John chapter 15, 00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.399 verse 12, 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.799 this is my commandment, 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:39.899 that you love one another as I have loved you. 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:44.200 Greater love has no one than this, 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:46.920 that someone lay down his life for his friends. 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:47.899 And of course, 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.359 we know, 00:17:48.659 --> 00:17:49.680 they didn't know this time, 00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:51.619 but that's what Christ did. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.859 He laid down his life for his friends, 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:58.680 and so our standard is to lay down our lives for one another. 00:17:59.360 --> 00:17:59.799 So, 00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:03.500 we could spend a whole lot of time talking about what it means to love other people, 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.920 like Christ loved us, 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:07.100 but I want to hit a couple of points today. 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:07.779 So, 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.279 firstly, 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:10.840 we need to love each other sacrificially, 00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:13.039 in a way that hurts, 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:16.340 to where we actually have to give something up, 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.320 to love someone else, 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:18.759 putting away our own wants, 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:19.799 desires, 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:20.880 dreams, 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:21.880 finances, 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:24.300 all for the needs of others. 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:24.740 Secondly, 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:27.200 we need to love each other unconditionally. 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:27.680 And so, 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:29.700 we can get into a whole tizzy, 00:18:29.820 --> 00:18:31.120 trying to understand the word, 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.000 or unpack the word, 00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:33.520 unconditional love. 00:18:33.600 --> 00:18:35.160 We know that God's love for us, 00:18:35.300 --> 00:18:38.800 is conditional on us having faith in him. 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.020 So, 00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:40.320 it's not unconditional in that way, 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:43.180 but it is not contingent on works, 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.620 as we see in scripture. 00:18:44.780 --> 00:18:44.940 So, 00:18:45.300 --> 00:18:47.000 what I mean by unconditionally, 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:50.900 is not expecting that someone will be able to return the favor. 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:52.380 That we don't love other people, 00:18:52.380 --> 00:18:54.340 just so that they love us back, 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.480 but instead, 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:57.120 we love each other, 00:18:57.480 --> 00:19:01.460 knowing that they may not be able to return that favor. 00:19:07.120 --> 00:19:08.380 I'll figure out my ups in a minute. 00:19:08.800 --> 00:19:08.960 So, 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:10.840 it's easy to love those who are easy to love, 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:13.100 but Christ calls us to love our enemies, 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:16.680 to sacrifice for those who cannot pay back. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:16.880 So, 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.980 I want to read really briefly, 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:20.740 the text that Caleb preached from last week, 00:19:20.900 --> 00:19:22.259 I think is a really good reminder, 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:23.180 a really good model, 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:25.759 of the way that Christ loved us. 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:25.980 So, 00:19:26.040 --> 00:19:27.300 this is going to be Romans 5, 00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:29.180 verses 6 through 11. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.340 And it says, 00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.859 For while we were still weak, 00:19:32.919 --> 00:19:33.720 at the right time, 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:35.759 Christ died for the ungodly. 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:39.079 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:41.039 that perhaps for a good person, 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:43.179 one would dare even to die. 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:45.439 But God shows his love for us, 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.839 and that while we were still sinners, 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.339 Christ died for us. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.740 Since therefore, 00:19:49.879 --> 00:19:51.599 we have been justified by his blood, 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:54.899 much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.959 For if while we were enemies, 00:19:57.199 --> 00:19:59.720 we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:02.360 much more now that we are reconciled, 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:04.140 shall we be saved by his life. 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:05.620 More than that, 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:08.299 we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:11.240 through whom we have now received reconciliation. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.319 So, 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:15.720 God's standard of love is dying for enemies, 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:18.299 dying for those who couldn't pay him back, 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:22.480 but simply loving for the sake of loving. 00:20:22.480 --> 00:20:22.860 And then, 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.839 Ephesians 2, 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:27.019 a very classic verse that explains this concept. 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:27.839 Ephesians 2, 00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:29.980 I'll be reading verses 1 through 11. 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:30.940 I know it's a big chunk, 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:32.039 but stay with me. 00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.200 It says, 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:35.460 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:37.059 in which you once walked, 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.839 following the course of this world, 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:40.640 following the prince of the power of the air, 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:43.960 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:46.920 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:49.700 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:52.960 and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.380 So, 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:55.640 this is our status before grace. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:57.299 And in the glorious words, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:58.100 But God, 00:20:58.420 --> 00:21:01.559 being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us, 00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:03.519 even when we were dead in our trespasses, 00:21:03.620 --> 00:21:05.299 made us alive together with Christ. 00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:07.180 By grace you have been saved, 00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:08.240 and raised us up with him, 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:11.779 and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.059 All of this, 00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:16.519 so that in the coming ages he might show 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:19.180 the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:20.900 towards us in Christ Jesus. 00:21:21.560 --> 00:21:23.420 For by grace you have been saved through faith, 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.620 and this is not your own doing, 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.920 it is the gift of God, 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.400 not as a result of work, 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.560 so that no one may boast. 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:30.060 For we are his workmanship, 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:32.259 created in Christ Jesus for good works, 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:33.860 which God prepared beforehand, 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:36.420 that we should walk in them. 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:36.740 So, 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:39.400 Christ loved us when we were dead, 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.980 when we were opposed to him, 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:42.440 when we were his enemies. 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:47.620 How much is it to ask for us to love others in the same way? 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.400 So, 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.539 simply but profoundly, 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:49.840 then, 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:51.120 the more that we know, 00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:53.259 both cognitively and experientially, 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.680 the love of Christ, 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:59.160 the more we'll be able to reflect and display that type of love for others. 00:21:59.220 --> 00:21:59.320 So, 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:01.160 a very simple application at this point 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:01.960 is to know, 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:02.860 get to know, 00:22:03.100 --> 00:22:05.180 experience the love of Christ, 00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:09.120 so that we have a model for how we are to love other people. 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:10.079 And then lastly, 00:22:10.179 --> 00:22:12.519 and this is where we'll spend most of our time today, 00:22:12.719 --> 00:22:17.259 experiencing God's love is the means of loving others, 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:20.179 or the way in which we love others. 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:22.779 So, 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:26.319 several other passages speak to this point using similar language, 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:30.859 which can help us understand exactly what Paul is teaching in verse 14 of our text, 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:34.879 by saying that loving your neighbor as yourself fulfills the law. 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:35.279 So, 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:37.439 we're going to look at a couple of these passages together, 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:39.519 and hopefully it'll give us a better understanding. 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:40.539 So, 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:40.900 Paul, 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:41.920 in Romans 13, 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:42.380 8, 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.880 and following explains, 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:44.720 Oh, 00:22:44.820 --> 00:22:47.120 no one anything except to love each other. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:50.220 For the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.860 For the commandments, 00:22:52.100 --> 00:22:53.279 you shall not commit adultery, 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.140 you shall not murder, 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:55.160 you shall not steal, 00:22:55.320 --> 00:22:56.059 you shall not covet, 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:59.200 and any other commandment are summed up in this word. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.600 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.900 Love does no wrong to a neighbor, 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:04.700 therefore, 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:07.019 love is fulfilling the law. 00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:07.200 So, 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.059 this makes sense, 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.299 right? 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.599 If you love someone else, 00:23:09.619 --> 00:23:10.839 you're not going to be stealing their stuff. 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:12.460 You're not going to be coveting what they have. 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:15.240 You're not going to be unfaithful in marriage. 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:15.759 But, 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:18.579 this only knocks out six of the ten commandments. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.420 Loving other people, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:23.799 the other four are directed at how we are to interact with God. 00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:24.099 So, 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.099 let's look at some more passages. 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:28.700 Maybe Jesus' teaching can clear it up for us. 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:28.980 Okay? 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.180 So, 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.680 we're going to look at Matthew 22, 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:34.019 verses 34 through 40. 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.440 And it reads, 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:38.359 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.579 they gathered together. 00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:40.539 And one of them, 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:40.960 a lawyer, 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:42.799 asked him a question to test him. 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:43.740 Teacher, 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.839 which is the great commandment in the law? 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.299 And he said to them, 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:49.359 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.220 and with all your soul, 00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.420 with all your mind. 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:53.619 This is the great and first commandment, 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:54.960 and the second is like it. 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:57.019 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:23:57.599 --> 00:24:00.579 On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. 00:24:00.579 --> 00:24:01.019 So, 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:01.779 somehow, 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:04.539 Paul says that loving your neighbor fulfills the law, 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.319 but here, 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:09.559 Jesus says that loving God and loving your neighbor fulfills the law. 00:24:09.679 --> 00:24:09.819 So, 00:24:09.899 --> 00:24:13.179 how can both of these things be true at the same time? 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:13.579 Hopefully, 00:24:13.699 --> 00:24:15.480 you know where I'm going at this point. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:17.460 Experiencing God's love, 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:19.099 and then loving God, 00:24:19.199 --> 00:24:22.039 is the means of loving your neighbor as yourself. 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:22.259 So, 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.740 you can't do one without the other. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:25.859 I hope that you see it so far from our text. 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:28.279 I think something that will really clear it up for us, 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:30.799 is found in 1 John chapter 5. 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.000 So, 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:32.599 if y'all will turn there with me. 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:35.000 Should be the last place we turn, 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:36.039 other than our main text. 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.759 In case you were tempted not to turn there with me. 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:52.359 This is 1 John 5. 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:54.899 We'll be reading verses 1 through 3. 00:25:04.219 --> 00:25:05.059 It says, 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:26.000 So, 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:29.839 it's really important that we understand what's going on in this text, 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:33.480 and we see the different parts about what it means to love other people, 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.459 what it means to love God, 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.899 what it means to obey God's commandments. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:40.359 John here explicitly equates loving God, 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.619 loving God's people, 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:43.399 and obeying God's commandments. 00:25:43.959 --> 00:25:44.599 In other words, 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:46.959 you cannot have one without all three. 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:47.240 So, 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.119 if you don't believe me, 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.759 look back. 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.699 In verse 1, 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.240 we see, 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:55.299 everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ isn't born of God. 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:57.139 Everyone who loves the Father, 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:59.759 loves those who have been born of Him. 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:00.120 So, 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.100 if we love God, 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.460 we will love believers. 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:04.060 We will love the church. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.280 And then it says, 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.920 an indicator, 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:08.780 by this we know that we love the children of God, 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.460 when we love God, 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.920 and obey His commandments. 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:13.340 And then it says, 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:14.360 for this is the love of God, 00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.280 that we keep His commandments, 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:17.620 and His commandments are not burdensome. 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:17.960 And so, 00:26:18.040 --> 00:26:18.759 just in case, 00:26:19.180 --> 00:26:20.940 that we wanted to try to work really hard, 00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:22.660 to love other people with all our might, 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:25.500 but still hold resentment on the inside, 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:27.339 John gives this really helpful, 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:31.160 but also kind of convicting tag onto the end. 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.119 He says, 00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:35.039 for this is the love of God, 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:35.960 that we keep His commandments, 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:39.380 and His commandments are not burdensome. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.339 So, 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.539 many in the church today, 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:42.859 live as though God's commands, 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:44.940 especially loving others, 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.859 with the standard that we've just set for ourselves, 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:49.299 that we are supposed to somehow love each other, 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:51.460 in the same way that Christ loved us. 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:51.640 Now, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.079 this may seem like a burden, 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.299 that's been tied up nicely, 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:56.460 so that you can bear it for the rest of your life. 00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:59.359 But this is not the point of God's commands. 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:02.519 He has commanded what is best for us. 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.559 Many in the church live today, 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:07.200 as though God's commands are burdensome, 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:09.779 which probably contributes to the world's image of the church, 00:27:09.919 --> 00:27:11.419 as miserable rule followers, 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:14.319 instead of joyfully obeying God's commands, 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:17.000 which are designed to promote human flourishing. 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.539 He has commanded what is best for us. 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:20.980 And when we don't believe this, 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:22.279 we fall into sin. 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:24.579 Was this not the original sin? 00:27:24.660 --> 00:27:25.559 Adam and Eve in the garden, 00:27:25.799 --> 00:27:27.399 doubting God's intent, 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:30.119 behind the command that he had given. 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.599 We do the same thing, 00:27:31.660 --> 00:27:32.619 every single day, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:34.160 when we believe that his commands, 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.519 are a burden upon our shoulders, 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:37.379 rather than a privilege, 00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.480 to walk in the way, 00:27:38.759 --> 00:27:40.720 that he desires us to do so. 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:41.799 So, 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:44.119 recall Christ's teaching in John 14. 00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:44.779 I lied. 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.019 We are going to turn back to John. 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.779 So, 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:49.099 if y'all will turn with me to John 14, 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:50.299 we're going to recall, 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:52.700 and then keep moving with this teaching. 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:06.940 So, 00:28:07.000 --> 00:28:07.500 recall with me, 00:28:07.579 --> 00:28:08.400 in Christ's teaching, 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.259 in John 14, 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.440 he already said, 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.359 if we love him, 00:28:11.400 --> 00:28:12.759 we will obey his commandments. 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.940 And then we saw, 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.079 that he will give his spirit, 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.839 to help us to do so. 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.879 In chapter 15, 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.759 Jesus goes on to explain, 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:22.660 the means by which, 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:24.779 we obey the commands of God. 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.559 And really simply, 00:28:26.039 --> 00:28:26.559 this means, 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:29.099 abiding in God's love. 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.720 So, 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:31.460 we're in chapter 15 now. 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:33.480 Very common passage, 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.379 but important, 00:28:34.539 --> 00:28:35.440 in link to, 00:28:35.700 --> 00:28:36.900 or in tandem with, 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.379 obedience. 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.259 So, 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:38.599 it says, 00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:39.839 abide in me, 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.619 and I in you. 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:42.519 As the branch cannot bear fruit, 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:43.240 by itself, 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:45.359 unless it abides in the vine, 00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.740 neither can you, 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:48.299 unless you abide in me. 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.879 I am the vine, 00:28:49.939 --> 00:28:50.639 and you are the branches. 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.379 And then, 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.740 verses 9 through 10. 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.980 As the Father has loved me, 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.019 so I have loved you. 00:28:57.339 --> 00:28:58.319 Abide in my love. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.939 If you keep my commandments, 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:01.199 you will abide in my love, 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:03.039 just as I have kept my Father's commandments, 00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:05.179 and abide in his love. 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:06.879 As we read earlier, 00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:09.320 he then repeats the commandment already given, 00:29:09.720 --> 00:29:10.960 in chapter 13, 00:29:11.260 --> 00:29:11.880 34, 00:29:12.060 --> 00:29:12.920 also found here. 00:29:13.300 --> 00:29:14.280 This is my commandment, 00:29:14.400 --> 00:29:15.520 that if you love one another, 00:29:16.140 --> 00:29:16.680 as I, 00:29:16.760 --> 00:29:17.700 that you love one another, 00:29:17.800 --> 00:29:18.920 as I loved you. 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.020 And then finally, 00:29:20.120 --> 00:29:20.780 in verse 17, 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:21.380 he says, 00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:23.240 these things I command to you, 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:24.580 so that you will love one another. 00:29:25.340 --> 00:29:25.600 So, 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:28.320 if we look at chapters 14 and 15 together, 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:30.880 a summation of Christ's argument, 00:29:31.020 --> 00:29:31.760 is as follows. 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:34.380 Whoever believes in me, 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.120 loves me. 00:29:35.119 --> 00:29:36.739 Whoever loves me, 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.839 will keep my commandments, 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:39.839 chiefly loving one another, 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.539 all of which are done, 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.979 through abiding in his love, 00:29:43.159 --> 00:29:44.000 by the Spirit, 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:45.579 who will help us to do so. 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:45.759 So, 00:29:45.819 --> 00:29:47.779 you can't do any of these things, 00:29:47.779 --> 00:29:49.199 without the other. 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:51.459 Paul further establishes this point, 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.619 to the Corinthian believers, 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:55.319 in 2 Corinthians 5, 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:58.379 verses 14 through 21. 00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.739 You can just jot that down. 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.299 Listen, 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:03.039 for the love of Christ controls us, 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:04.599 because we have concluded this, 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:06.659 that one has died for all, 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:08.399 therefore all have died. 00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:10.039 And he died for all, 00:30:10.339 --> 00:30:11.599 that those who live, 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:14.359 may no longer live for themselves, 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.420 but for him, 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.359 who for their sake, 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.720 died and was raised. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.099 From now on, 00:30:19.159 --> 00:30:19.460 therefore, 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:21.440 we regard no one according to the flesh, 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:23.460 even though we once regarded Christ, 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.420 according to the flesh, 00:30:24.879 --> 00:30:26.079 we regard him thus, 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:26.720 no longer. 00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:27.779 Therefore, 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:29.079 if anyone is in Christ, 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.099 he is a new creation. 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.700 The old has passed away, 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.180 and behold, 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.139 the new has come. 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:35.160 All this is from God, 00:30:35.240 --> 00:30:36.019 who through Christ, 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:37.619 reconciled us to himself, 00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:40.240 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.779 That is, 00:30:41.920 --> 00:30:42.579 in Christ, 00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:45.819 God was reconciling the world to himself, 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:48.200 not counting the trespasses against them, 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.700 and entrusting to us, 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:51.139 the message of reconciliation. 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.660 Therefore, 00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:54.440 we are ambassadors for Christ. 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:58.019 God making his appeal through us. 00:30:58.620 --> 00:30:59.320 We implore you, 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.480 on behalf of Christ, 00:31:00.640 --> 00:31:01.940 be reconciled to God. 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.380 For our sake, 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:05.120 he made him to be sin, 00:31:05.320 --> 00:31:06.259 who knew no sin, 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:08.059 that in him we might become 00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:10.059 the righteousness of God. 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.220 So, 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:13.000 Paul here teaches that Christ died 00:31:13.000 --> 00:31:14.080 so that we would live 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:15.400 for his sake 00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:16.820 as new creations. 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:19.500 Ministers of this message of reconciliation. 00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:22.059 Not for us to sit on the sidelines, 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:23.840 but for all of us to engage 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:25.859 a lost and dying world. 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.139 So, 00:31:26.199 --> 00:31:27.399 if our standard of love 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:29.759 is the way that Christ loved us, 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:31.299 how can we then claim 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:32.379 that we love others 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:34.319 when we know the fate of their souls, 00:31:34.419 --> 00:31:36.899 which is the same as what you and I deserve? 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.679 An eternal inheritance 00:31:38.679 --> 00:31:40.039 bought with our sin 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:41.720 of the wrath of God. 00:31:41.959 --> 00:31:43.419 How could we say that we love them 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.619 and stay silent 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:46.379 about that message? 00:31:47.079 --> 00:31:48.439 How unloving would it be 00:31:48.439 --> 00:31:50.119 for us to know someone dying 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:51.039 of a treatable illness 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:52.699 and to withhold treatment? 00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.620 Now, 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.500 if you told them 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.299 that there was a cure 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.940 and they just didn't believe you, 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:57.400 well, 00:31:57.460 --> 00:31:59.120 their blood is on their own hands, 00:31:59.180 --> 00:31:59.400 right? 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.580 No. 00:32:00.660 --> 00:32:01.840 If you just tell someone 00:32:01.840 --> 00:32:02.799 and they don't believe you, 00:32:02.799 --> 00:32:03.880 you don't stop there. 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:05.100 You continue to press. 00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:06.819 You continue to convince 00:32:06.819 --> 00:32:08.660 until they understand 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:10.100 they're dying. 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.400 We would do everything we could 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:13.000 to convince them 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.700 that they were wrong. 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.480 And yet, 00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:16.200 when it comes to eternal damnation 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.960 and suffering beyond comprehension, 00:32:18.360 --> 00:32:19.039 we are content 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.059 to stay silent 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:21.139 and acquiesce 00:32:21.139 --> 00:32:22.139 to the world's demands 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:24.039 to keep our faith private. 00:32:24.639 --> 00:32:26.259 How silly is this? 00:32:27.059 --> 00:32:28.259 The minute percentage 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.179 of claimed believers 00:32:29.179 --> 00:32:30.139 who actively share 00:32:30.139 --> 00:32:31.259 their faith in America 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:33.359 provides a scathing commentary 00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:34.659 on our selfishness 00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.859 with our own time, 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.440 energy, 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.500 and effort. 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:38.159 And I hope 00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:39.599 that this hurts 00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.259 a little bit, 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:42.039 especially if it's true. 00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:43.019 But I know for many, 00:32:43.139 --> 00:32:43.839 including myself, 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.500 that the problem 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:45.259 isn't merely 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:46.440 not caring. 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.900 Though sometimes it is. 00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.379 A lot of the times 00:32:49.379 --> 00:32:50.180 we are simply 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.180 forgetful people. 00:32:51.319 --> 00:32:52.059 We get stuck 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.559 in a fishbowl 00:32:53.559 --> 00:32:54.500 of only interacting 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.879 with what we can see 00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:57.579 and feel around us. 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.379 But I hope 00:32:58.379 --> 00:33:00.339 the Word of God, 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:02.119 Christ coming to earth, 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.359 is a wake-up call 00:33:03.359 --> 00:33:03.980 for us. 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:05.000 We've been given 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.099 marching orders, 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.940 and this is why 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:08.500 we need daily mind renewal 00:33:08.500 --> 00:33:09.420 to set our minds 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:09.920 and hearts 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:11.400 back on the things 00:33:11.400 --> 00:33:11.980 of above 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.220 where they belong. 00:33:14.099 --> 00:33:14.299 So, 00:33:14.299 --> 00:33:14.819 as we remember 00:33:14.819 --> 00:33:15.859 the peace of God, 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:16.960 the peace that we have 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.399 with God, 00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:18.500 not because of our works, 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.859 but because of His great love 00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.879 to provide a sacrifice 00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:22.339 through the atoning 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:23.200 blood of Christ, 00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:25.019 we have a hope 00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:25.899 and a life 00:33:25.899 --> 00:33:26.599 that is to come 00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:27.559 which enables us 00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.519 to give up our lives 00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:30.039 now for the abiding 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:31.480 reward in heaven. 00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.500 We have the joy 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.220 of salvation 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:34.200 and contentment 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:35.619 with whatever comes 00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.700 into our path, 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:38.159 and we have love 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.960 for one another 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.059 as God's love 00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:41.279 overflows 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:42.180 through us. 00:33:42.879 --> 00:33:43.639 Our experience 00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:44.259 of God's love 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.120 is not merely 00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:46.540 a cognitive ascent 00:33:46.540 --> 00:33:47.020 or something 00:33:47.020 --> 00:33:47.759 that happens 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.860 in our minds, 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:49.700 but it always 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:50.920 works itself out 00:33:50.920 --> 00:33:51.800 in the way 00:33:51.800 --> 00:33:53.240 that we treat others. 00:33:53.360 --> 00:33:54.000 In other words, 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:55.720 it produces fruit. 00:33:56.280 --> 00:33:56.440 So, 00:33:56.560 --> 00:33:57.500 our text continues 00:33:57.500 --> 00:33:58.880 if we look back 00:33:58.880 --> 00:33:59.960 at Galatians 5, 00:34:00.620 --> 00:34:01.860 starting in verse 16. 00:34:01.859 --> 00:34:07.240 It says, 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:07.979 But I say, 00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:09.420 walk by the Spirit 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:10.279 and you will not 00:34:10.279 --> 00:34:11.139 gratify the desires 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:11.799 of the flesh. 00:34:12.279 --> 00:34:13.079 For the desires 00:34:13.079 --> 00:34:13.619 of the flesh 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.460 are against the Spirit 00:34:14.460 --> 00:34:15.179 and the desires 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:15.759 of the Spirit 00:34:15.759 --> 00:34:16.699 are against the flesh. 00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.639 For these are opposed 00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:19.179 to each other 00:34:19.179 --> 00:34:19.859 to keep you 00:34:19.859 --> 00:34:20.699 from doing the things 00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.579 that you want to do. 00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:23.059 But if you are led 00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.639 by the Spirit, 00:34:23.739 --> 00:34:24.739 you are not under the law. 00:34:25.380 --> 00:34:25.980 Now the works 00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:26.500 of the flesh 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.019 are evident. 00:34:27.239 --> 00:34:28.059 Sexual immorality, 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:28.559 impurity, 00:34:28.719 --> 00:34:29.319 sensuality, 00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:29.860 idolatry, 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.360 sorcery, 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:30.700 enmity, 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.140 strife, 00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:31.559 jealousy, 00:34:32.100 --> 00:34:32.600 fits of anger, 00:34:32.760 --> 00:34:33.240 rivalries, 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.700 dissensions, 00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.180 divisions, 00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:34.760 envy, 00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:35.740 drunkenness, 00:34:35.840 --> 00:34:36.140 orgies, 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:37.220 and things like these. 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.480 I warn you 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.400 as I warned you before, 00:34:39.580 --> 00:34:40.740 those who do such things 00:34:40.740 --> 00:34:41.519 will not inherit 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.380 the kingdom of God. 00:34:42.820 --> 00:34:43.720 But the fruit of the Spirit 00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.420 is love, 00:34:44.580 --> 00:34:44.860 joy, 00:34:45.080 --> 00:34:45.380 peace, 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:45.940 patience, 00:34:46.140 --> 00:34:46.400 kindness, 00:34:46.660 --> 00:34:46.880 goodness, 00:34:47.100 --> 00:34:47.660 faithfulness, 00:34:48.080 --> 00:34:48.420 gentleness, 00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:49.440 self-control. 00:34:50.140 --> 00:34:51.100 Against such things 00:34:51.100 --> 00:34:51.920 there is no law 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:53.140 and those who belong 00:34:53.140 --> 00:34:53.800 to Christ Jesus 00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:55.140 have crucified the flesh 00:34:55.140 --> 00:34:56.220 with its passions 00:34:56.220 --> 00:34:57.019 and desires. 00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:58.720 If we live by the Spirit, 00:34:58.719 --> 00:35:00.339 let us also walk 00:35:00.339 --> 00:35:01.239 by the Spirit. 00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:02.839 So we must ask ourselves 00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:04.859 a question at this point. 00:35:05.000 --> 00:35:06.159 Which of these lists 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:07.839 characterizes the pattern 00:35:07.839 --> 00:35:09.119 of my life? 00:35:09.459 --> 00:35:10.699 According to this definition, 00:35:10.879 --> 00:35:11.859 if this is what it looks like 00:35:11.859 --> 00:35:13.299 to walk by the Spirit 00:35:13.299 --> 00:35:14.599 and to live in obedience, 00:35:15.339 --> 00:35:17.159 which are you pursuing? 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.659 Do you walk in the flesh 00:35:18.659 --> 00:35:20.000 gratifying its desires 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:21.719 or do you walk by the Spirit 00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:23.339 of God pursuing His desires? 00:35:24.179 --> 00:35:25.839 Belief produces action 00:35:25.839 --> 00:35:26.799 always. 00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:27.800 So, 00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:29.100 what do your actions 00:35:29.100 --> 00:35:31.440 say about your beliefs? 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.720 The great American mind, 00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.680 Jonathan Edwards, 00:35:35.160 --> 00:35:35.880 once wrote, 00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.400 in a quote, 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:37.120 that's on the front 00:35:37.120 --> 00:35:37.740 of your bulletin, 00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:38.620 if you want to turn there 00:35:38.620 --> 00:35:38.920 with me. 00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.680 He once wrote, 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:45.859 all the fruits of the Spirit, 00:35:46.339 --> 00:35:47.960 which we are to lay weight upon 00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:49.359 as the evidence of grace, 00:35:49.359 --> 00:35:51.299 are summed up in charity 00:35:51.299 --> 00:35:52.440 or Christian love, 00:35:52.919 --> 00:35:54.159 because this is the sum 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:55.000 of all grace. 00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:56.239 And the only way, 00:35:56.419 --> 00:35:56.659 therefore, 00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:58.139 in which any can know 00:35:58.139 --> 00:35:58.899 their good estate 00:35:58.899 --> 00:36:00.279 is by discerning 00:36:00.279 --> 00:36:01.059 the exercises 00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:02.399 of this divine charity 00:36:02.399 --> 00:36:03.239 in their hearts. 00:36:03.779 --> 00:36:04.779 For without charity, 00:36:04.899 --> 00:36:05.839 let men have 00:36:05.839 --> 00:36:07.000 gifts you please. 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:08.139 They are nothing. 00:36:09.219 --> 00:36:09.839 In other words, 00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:11.679 if you don't love others, 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:13.500 to some increasing degree, 00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:14.219 in the way 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:16.119 that Christ has loved you, 00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.639 then you simply 00:36:17.639 --> 00:36:18.919 don't love God 00:36:18.919 --> 00:36:19.500 in the way 00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.779 that He has told us 00:36:20.779 --> 00:36:22.239 to love Him. 00:36:22.659 --> 00:36:22.859 So, 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:24.000 we have to have 00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:25.319 love for one another. 00:36:25.419 --> 00:36:25.519 So, 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:25.980 this morning, 00:36:26.359 --> 00:36:27.339 maybe you find yourself 00:36:27.339 --> 00:36:28.539 never having experienced 00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:29.699 the transforming love 00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.159 of God 00:36:30.159 --> 00:36:30.960 in a way 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.739 that causes you 00:36:31.739 --> 00:36:32.259 to give up 00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:33.259 your own life daily 00:36:33.259 --> 00:36:34.759 for the sake of others. 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:36.100 after seeing 00:36:36.100 --> 00:36:36.920 from God's word 00:36:36.920 --> 00:36:37.880 that the real experience 00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:38.680 of God's love 00:36:38.680 --> 00:36:40.160 produces obedience, 00:36:40.480 --> 00:36:41.380 the fruit of the Spirit, 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:43.120 chiefly a deep, 00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:44.320 abiding love for others 00:36:44.320 --> 00:36:45.100 and a desire 00:36:45.100 --> 00:36:46.000 for them to know 00:36:46.000 --> 00:36:46.860 this love of God, 00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:48.120 you may now see 00:36:48.120 --> 00:36:48.900 that God's love 00:36:48.900 --> 00:36:50.160 had only been information 00:36:50.160 --> 00:36:51.040 that you had been taught 00:36:51.040 --> 00:36:53.380 rather than a life-altering relationship. 00:36:53.680 --> 00:36:53.800 So, 00:36:53.860 --> 00:36:54.540 the call to you 00:36:54.540 --> 00:36:55.080 this morning 00:36:55.080 --> 00:36:56.020 is simple. 00:36:56.540 --> 00:36:57.000 Repent 00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:57.900 and believe. 00:36:58.040 --> 00:36:58.520 Turn away 00:36:58.520 --> 00:36:59.980 from your self-focus, 00:37:00.400 --> 00:37:00.860 life, 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.840 and slave to sin 00:37:01.840 --> 00:37:02.440 and turn 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:03.800 to Christ's love. 00:37:03.800 --> 00:37:05.140 Throw yourself on Him 00:37:05.140 --> 00:37:06.480 is the only chance 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.039 at righteousness 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:08.220 before a holy God 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:09.260 and walk 00:37:09.260 --> 00:37:09.960 in the freedom 00:37:09.960 --> 00:37:11.600 of His love. 00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:12.940 For many of us, 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.600 the love of God 00:37:13.600 --> 00:37:14.780 has grown cold 00:37:14.780 --> 00:37:15.560 in our hearts. 00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.780 We know that we ought 00:37:16.780 --> 00:37:17.860 to love God deeply 00:37:17.860 --> 00:37:19.160 and love others genuinely, 00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.080 but the commands 00:37:20.080 --> 00:37:21.320 that God has given 00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:22.480 may seem like 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.220 a burden to bear 00:37:23.220 --> 00:37:24.180 rather than a privilege 00:37:24.180 --> 00:37:24.700 to live 00:37:24.700 --> 00:37:25.600 as God has designed 00:37:25.600 --> 00:37:26.320 us to live. 00:37:26.620 --> 00:37:27.600 And the call to us 00:37:27.600 --> 00:37:28.680 is the same. 00:37:29.180 --> 00:37:29.980 Don't turn back 00:37:29.980 --> 00:37:30.720 to the slavery 00:37:30.720 --> 00:37:31.740 of working 00:37:31.740 --> 00:37:32.740 to be in right status 00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:33.440 before God. 00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:34.240 seeking to prove 00:37:34.240 --> 00:37:34.960 yourself through 00:37:34.960 --> 00:37:35.460 your love 00:37:35.460 --> 00:37:36.380 for others. 00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:37.780 Some of you 00:37:37.780 --> 00:37:38.720 may find yourselves 00:37:38.720 --> 00:37:39.980 tempted to desire 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:40.980 and pursue the things 00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:41.579 of this world. 00:37:42.039 --> 00:37:42.440 Money, 00:37:42.700 --> 00:37:43.099 love, 00:37:43.260 --> 00:37:44.320 being liked by others, 00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:45.260 sin, 00:37:45.500 --> 00:37:45.840 apathy, 00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:46.460 and your faith. 00:37:47.200 --> 00:37:47.920 Remember this morning 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.480 that the commands 00:37:48.480 --> 00:37:48.880 of God, 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:49.700 avoiding sin, 00:37:49.840 --> 00:37:50.720 pursuing righteousness, 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:51.679 loving others 00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.360 in the same way 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:53.599 that Christ has loved us, 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:54.740 have been given 00:37:54.740 --> 00:37:55.519 as a gift 00:37:55.519 --> 00:37:56.460 and are not meant 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:57.340 to be burdensome. 00:37:57.840 --> 00:37:58.980 Fight this temptation, 00:37:59.460 --> 00:38:00.400 rely on the Spirit 00:38:00.400 --> 00:38:00.920 of God 00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:01.780 and equip 00:38:01.780 --> 00:38:02.940 for this daily battle 00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:03.900 against your flesh. 00:38:04.820 --> 00:38:05.660 If you find yourself 00:38:05.660 --> 00:38:06.920 not loving others well, 00:38:07.280 --> 00:38:08.940 living or loving selfishly, 00:38:09.059 --> 00:38:09.880 having trouble dying 00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:10.539 to yourself, 00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:12.240 the answer is not shame 00:38:12.240 --> 00:38:13.579 and it's not guilting yourself 00:38:13.579 --> 00:38:14.240 into action 00:38:14.240 --> 00:38:15.240 by trying harder. 00:38:15.740 --> 00:38:16.160 Rather, 00:38:16.340 --> 00:38:17.240 it's experiencing 00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:18.780 and being fully satisfied 00:38:18.780 --> 00:38:20.240 in God's love, 00:38:20.720 --> 00:38:21.880 allowing it to overflow 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:23.200 in you to others. 00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:25.539 If our love for others 00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:26.139 is a measure 00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:26.980 of our concept 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.980 and experience 00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.960 of Christ's love, 00:38:29.380 --> 00:38:30.240 then if you are struggling 00:38:30.240 --> 00:38:31.039 to love others, 00:38:31.119 --> 00:38:31.740 you need to pursue 00:38:31.740 --> 00:38:32.900 a deeper understanding 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:34.320 of the reality 00:38:34.320 --> 00:38:35.059 of the depth 00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:36.099 of this great love. 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:37.840 Remember the message 00:38:37.840 --> 00:38:38.860 of the Gospel. 00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:39.760 So simply, 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:40.400 this is done 00:38:40.400 --> 00:38:41.159 through participating 00:38:41.159 --> 00:38:42.320 in the means of grace 00:38:42.320 --> 00:38:43.400 given to us, 00:38:43.500 --> 00:38:44.079 pursuing Him 00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:44.599 and His Word, 00:38:44.740 --> 00:38:45.500 spending time with Him 00:38:45.500 --> 00:38:45.940 in prayer, 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:47.880 encouraging and being encouraged 00:38:47.880 --> 00:38:48.579 through the fellowship 00:38:48.579 --> 00:38:49.380 with other believers, 00:38:49.940 --> 00:38:50.900 and allowing the preaching 00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:51.659 of God's Word 00:38:51.659 --> 00:38:52.960 to soften hard hearts, 00:38:53.400 --> 00:38:54.300 singing true songs 00:38:54.300 --> 00:38:55.460 with one another, 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.880 and letting your affections 00:38:56.880 --> 00:38:58.579 be turned again to Christ. 00:38:58.720 --> 00:38:59.200 So together, 00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:00.039 let's rest 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:01.099 in the finished work 00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:02.440 of Christ this Christmas season 00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:03.500 and live freely. 00:39:04.140 --> 00:39:04.960 Go to Him daily 00:39:04.960 --> 00:39:05.559 in His Word 00:39:05.559 --> 00:39:06.180 and in prayer 00:39:06.180 --> 00:39:07.280 as a source 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:08.380 of your love for others, 00:39:08.780 --> 00:39:10.019 and behold the great love 00:39:10.019 --> 00:39:10.480 of God, 00:39:10.860 --> 00:39:11.940 allowing it to push you 00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:13.000 on to greater love 00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:13.820 and good works 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.700 as we set our eyes 00:39:14.700 --> 00:39:15.300 to Christ, 00:39:15.700 --> 00:39:17.019 the author and perfecter 00:39:17.019 --> 00:39:18.000 of our faith. 00:39:18.440 --> 00:39:19.260 Let's pray together.