WEBVTT 00:00:00.740 --> 00:00:01.560 Well, good morning. 00:00:03.280 --> 00:00:04.759 It's good to be back with you all. 00:00:04.900 --> 00:00:08.660 All the pastors are finally back from vacation, and we are not planning to go anywhere soon. 00:00:09.400 --> 00:00:14.359 On behalf of our families, I want to express our gratitude to the church for allowing and 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:19.580 encouraging us to take some time off each year for providing that opportunity for us 00:00:19.580 --> 00:00:22.140 to be refreshed and renewed with our families. 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:25.719 We've been blessed by that, and hopefully we'll return that blessing to you. 00:00:25.719 --> 00:00:31.079 Please turn to Hebrews 13, page 1009 of your pew Bible. 00:00:32.299 --> 00:00:38.780 Sometimes 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the great love chapter, but Hebrews 13 is also 00:00:38.780 --> 00:00:41.759 a great chapter about Christian love. 00:00:42.399 --> 00:00:46.399 It's also a fitting conclusion to the book of Hebrews. 00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:51.079 As we've seen over the past year, the book of Hebrews is about the surpassing greatness 00:00:51.079 --> 00:00:52.820 of Jesus Christ. 00:00:52.820 --> 00:00:59.380 But Jesus is the eternal Son of God, through whom all things were created, as our brother, 00:01:00.140 --> 00:01:04.099 who came to share our human nature and to bring us with him to glory. 00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:11.120 As our great high priest, merciful and faithful, as our all-sufficient sacrifice, and as our 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:12.519 soon-coming King. 00:01:13.599 --> 00:01:18.819 Now, the last three chapters of Hebrews, chapters 11, 12, and 13, call us to live in light of 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:24.099 the surpassing greatness of Jesus, to live a life of faith, hope, and love. 00:01:24.839 --> 00:01:32.579 In chapter 11, we saw the call to live by faith in God's promises, and a series of examples 00:01:32.579 --> 00:01:33.459 of people who did. 00:01:33.559 --> 00:01:39.639 And chapter 12 focused on hope, about running the race with endurance, looking forward to 00:01:39.639 --> 00:01:42.000 the joy that God has set before us. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:44.819 And finally, chapter 13 focuses on love. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:49.620 Costly, concrete, Christ-like love. 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:54.640 The Apostle Paul said, now faith, hope, and love remain these three, but the greatest of 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:56.099 these is love. 00:01:56.579 --> 00:01:58.039 And that's what we're looking at this morning. 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:03.120 So let's read together Hebrews 13, starting at verse 1 and going down to verse 6. 00:02:03.120 --> 00:02:07.900 Let brotherly love continue. 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:17.120 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:25.000 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:26.580 since you also are in the body. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:34.540 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God 00:02:34.540 --> 00:02:37.120 will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 00:02:37.880 --> 00:02:43.960 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:48.540 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:02:48.860 --> 00:02:51.540 So we can confidently say, the Lord is my helper. 00:02:52.040 --> 00:02:53.660 I will not fear. 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:56.140 What can man do to me? 00:02:56.580 --> 00:03:01.240 One of the greatest obstacles to love is fear. 00:03:02.340 --> 00:03:04.420 So we'll see in these verses three things. 00:03:04.600 --> 00:03:07.100 First, the love to which God calls us. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:10.660 Second, the fears that hinder us. 00:03:11.220 --> 00:03:15.320 And third, the perfect love that drives out all fear. 00:03:16.400 --> 00:03:19.320 So first, the love to which God calls us. 00:03:19.380 --> 00:03:23.820 This passage is structured around five exhortations concerning love. 00:03:23.819 --> 00:03:28.060 They are crisp, clear, terse, memorable statements. 00:03:28.859 --> 00:03:31.459 They could be translated literally as follows. 00:03:31.579 --> 00:03:34.000 Verse one, brotherly love, continue. 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:38.319 Verse two, love of strangers, don't neglect it. 00:03:39.019 --> 00:03:41.639 Verse three, prisoners, remember them. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:44.519 Verse four, marriage, precious. 00:03:45.519 --> 00:03:48.500 Verse five, not loving money, that's the way. 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:51.840 Those are the main exhortations of the passage. 00:03:53.159 --> 00:03:57.979 And they're not only crisp and memorable, they're also attractive in the picture they present. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:03.840 Imagine and think about a community that is consistently characterized by all of those things. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:09.000 A community characterized by brotherly love, family-like intimacy. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:14.060 You know, have you ever visited with a family that just really enjoys being together? 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:19.180 They don't just reluctantly go through the motions of having dinner a couple times a week together. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:21.439 They love to spend time with each other. 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:22.819 They play games together. 00:04:22.980 --> 00:04:25.379 They have serious conversation with one another. 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:27.319 They don't hide things from each other. 00:04:27.519 --> 00:04:29.180 They share their stuff with each other. 00:04:29.180 --> 00:04:30.519 They have each other's back. 00:04:30.639 --> 00:04:34.300 They support each other and work together as a team because they're bound together. 00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:38.780 You see, brotherly love is not primarily a feeling. 00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:44.680 It's a bond that cultivates a feeling for one another. 00:04:45.460 --> 00:04:49.259 Now think about a church or a small group of Christians that's like that. 00:04:50.079 --> 00:04:53.199 A church characterized by family-like love. 00:04:53.600 --> 00:04:57.639 Knowing that we're bound together as brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:04:57.639 --> 00:05:02.839 Think about a church that intentionally cultivates our affection and care for one another. 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:09.180 Not just a group of individuals who gather once a week to hear someone talk and then go their separate ways, 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:12.000 but people who treat each other like family. 00:05:13.099 --> 00:05:16.519 Recently, I received an encouraging email from an out-of-town visitor. 00:05:17.500 --> 00:05:23.919 She had visited Trinity, forgotten her Bible, wrote to ask if we had it, and she said this. 00:05:23.920 --> 00:05:27.180 She said, I forgot my Bible because I was distracted by fellowship. 00:05:28.140 --> 00:05:29.939 She said, you have a wonderful congregation. 00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:33.360 They really seem to have a small-town kind of feel to it. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:37.900 The instant rapport amongst them was truly genuine and so pleasant. 00:05:38.660 --> 00:05:41.300 I sense that your congregation really loves to be there. 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:45.740 They were also intent on fellowshipping and hanging out in the basement afterwards. 00:05:45.900 --> 00:05:51.180 You've created a special community that will feed on itself and grow naturally because the support is there. 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:59.019 Hebrews says, continue that kind of love, that family-like love, that brotherly, sisterly love for one another. 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:01.040 It's a beautiful thing. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:04.879 But then in verse 2, he goes on to talk about a contrast. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:09.660 Not just love for one another within the family of God, but also love for outsiders. 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:15.300 It's not just a tight-knit community that's closed off to other people. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:21.220 It's a hospitable community that intentionally welcomes and cares for outsiders. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:24.960 There's actually a play on words between verse 1 and verse 2. 00:06:25.620 --> 00:06:29.620 Verse 1, the word for brotherly love, is a Greek word, philadelphia. 00:06:30.460 --> 00:06:36.840 It's a compound word, phila for love, and adelphia representing brother or sister. 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:47.759 And then verse 2, the word translated show hospitality to strangers is also a compound word, philoxenia, love for strangers. 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:53.879 The word stranger could be translated outsider or foreigner or visitor. 00:06:54.919 --> 00:07:01.659 So this is a community characterized both by family-like intimacy as well as welcoming generosity. 00:07:01.660 --> 00:07:06.540 Earlier this summer, I got another email from another visitor to Trinity. 00:07:07.380 --> 00:07:10.520 Now, we don't always get all these emails, but I thought I'd share both of them with you. 00:07:10.580 --> 00:07:13.580 It was a thoughtful and encouraging email, but at the end, she shared a concern. 00:07:14.520 --> 00:07:16.920 She said, we arrived 30 minutes early for the service. 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:19.680 We saw a lot of interaction between people. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:25.180 We were surprised that no one greeted us, except the man who gave us a bulletin who said good morning, 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:29.360 and a young man in front of us turned around and shook our hands during the greeting time. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:35.139 With the sense of community we observed, this seems to be inconsistent with what we would have expected. 00:07:36.020 --> 00:07:39.819 Even after the service, we did not have anyone attempt to speak to us either. 00:07:40.580 --> 00:07:44.420 We engaged ourselves in conversation with someone, and then we left unnoticed. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:52.639 She said, we are not complaining, just making an observation that may be helpful for those who do come and who do need to be noticed. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:58.600 Brothers and sisters, let us not neglect to love strangers. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:06.360 To love visitors, to love foreigners, to love outsiders, to love anyone who is different than us in some way or another. 00:08:07.340 --> 00:08:12.340 You know, one of the unique challenges we have as a church is that we constantly have people passing through. 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:15.300 The church I grew up in, everyone knew everyone. 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:21.080 There were 75 people, and if somebody new came in, everybody knew it. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:25.319 There were maybe one or two new people every week, at most. 00:08:26.919 --> 00:08:29.779 Here we have five or ten new people at least every week. 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:39.399 College students, homeless people, refugees, young professionals, visiting scholars, extended family, probably half of you. 00:08:40.199 --> 00:08:40.500 Right? 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:44.279 Coming to New Haven and not planning to stay forever. 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:44.360 Sure. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:49.360 But this is part of the mission that God has given us as a church. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:53.659 To love strangers until they become friends. 00:08:54.579 --> 00:08:59.799 To welcome outsiders until they become just part of the family. 00:09:00.839 --> 00:09:02.799 I remember the first time I came to Trinity. 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:04.759 I was a nerdy college student. 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:15.819 And someone who was not in college, who was quite a bit older than me, greeted me, engaged me in conversation, and even remembered my name the next time I showed up three months later. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.600 That's part of what kept me coming back to this church. 00:09:20.319 --> 00:09:23.860 It was an attractive expression of Christ-like love. 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:29.539 So we see the attractiveness of brotherly love, of love for outsiders. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:32.460 Third, remembering prisoners and the persecuted. 00:09:32.460 --> 00:09:38.480 In the context of Hebrews, some of the Christian believers had been imprisoned because of their faith in Christ. 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:44.220 And back then, if you were in a Roman prison, you would get one meal a day from the guards. 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:45.740 Bread and water. 00:09:46.780 --> 00:09:49.920 And if that's all you ever ate, you would gradually start to waste away. 00:09:50.420 --> 00:09:52.340 Because it wasn't enough to sustain you. 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:58.320 But chapter 10, verse 34, says you had compassion on those in prison. 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:06.020 That probably means they actually brought food to the prison to give to their fellow Christian believers in prison. 00:10:06.640 --> 00:10:08.180 And perhaps others as well. 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:12.879 They brought food, comfort, and spiritual encouragement. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:15.460 They endured the stench of Roman prisons. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:16.860 Roman prisons had no windows. 00:10:17.960 --> 00:10:19.760 And that means no air circulation. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:30.419 Think of a bunch of people stuck together, sometimes in a moldy basement, in the stocks, with no air circulation. 00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:32.299 And going to visit them. 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:36.360 Your clothes would stink as you left. 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:40.200 The guards would sometimes demand bribes. 00:10:40.279 --> 00:10:43.779 There would be all kinds of hassles to visit someone in prison. 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:53.419 But historians tell us that one of the ways that the early church spread in the ancient world was by the love that Christians consistently showed for one another. 00:10:54.459 --> 00:10:55.259 For prisoners. 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:56.519 For the oppressed. 00:10:56.659 --> 00:10:57.639 For the downtrodden. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:05.819 In the 4th century, the non-Christian Emperor Julian complained to his fellow government officials. 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:13.920 He complained that the Christians were far more devoted to caring not only for fellow Christians who were poor, but for pagans who were poor. 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:18.520 Than the pagan priests and the pagan people themselves. 00:11:19.780 --> 00:11:23.220 It was a powerful and attractive witness of Christ. 00:11:23.940 --> 00:11:28.620 And Christians today still go into prisons and minister to inmates despite the challenges. 00:11:28.620 --> 00:11:38.019 Christian Tabernacle, the church that we partnered with for the summer camp this year, has a monthly ministry, a Bible study, and mentoring program at the jail on Whaley Avenue. 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:39.580 They've invited us. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:43.560 If there are men who want to join with them, talk to me. 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:45.899 And we can go work through that. 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:47.179 They have some training. 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:52.259 There's also opportunities to be a resource for people coming out of prison. 00:11:52.480 --> 00:11:55.620 And wanting to connect with the church and reintegrate into society. 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:57.419 It's hard. 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:59.259 It raises all kinds of challenges. 00:12:00.919 --> 00:12:02.240 But it's a call. 00:12:02.339 --> 00:12:06.279 And Christians today still go into hard places where people are mistreated. 00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:07.699 Right? 00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:09.579 We have our brother, Hanum Asad. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:14.360 If you're on the Trinity email list, the prayer email list, you've been getting his updates. 00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:18.399 If you're not on the prayer email list, fill out a welcome card and say, add me to the prayer list. 00:12:18.979 --> 00:12:23.959 And that way you can get these updates from the missionaries we support and be praying for them on a consistent basis. 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:25.919 But they're on the front lines. 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:35.699 They're bringing immediate care and bringing comfort and spiritual encouragement and truth to people in one of the hardest places in the world to live right now. 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:39.320 Fourth, honoring marriage. 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:42.220 This is the fourth exhortation to love. 00:12:42.300 --> 00:12:44.480 The fourth kind of love that we're called to. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:46.920 Let marriage be held in honor among all. 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:49.300 And let the marriage bed be undefiled. 00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:54.180 Now that word held in honor could also be translated precious. 00:12:54.179 --> 00:13:01.299 Literally, it just says, marriage precious, the marriage to all. 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:05.099 And let the marriage bed be undefiled. 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:09.719 So treat marriage as precious, as something of great value and worth whether you're married or not. 00:13:10.759 --> 00:13:12.019 God invented marriage. 00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:17.319 He invented marriage to be a glorious physical expression of his unbreakable bond with his people. 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:24.420 And God also invented sex to be a regular reaffirmation of the marriage promises. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:27.940 To say, I would marry you all over again tonight. 00:13:28.520 --> 00:13:32.660 I'm giving you everything I have without holding anything back and I'm loving it. 00:13:33.240 --> 00:13:36.020 That's what marriage means and that's what sex means. 00:13:36.540 --> 00:13:37.600 In the biblical picture. 00:13:38.020 --> 00:13:39.080 In the kingdom of God. 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.480 And it's a beautiful picture. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:47.659 That's also why marriage and sex always go together in God's kingdom and should never be separated. 00:13:49.039 --> 00:13:53.519 Verse 4 says, God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 00:13:54.220 --> 00:14:01.340 What that means is that when the bond of sex is separated from the bond of marriage, it becomes inherently unstable. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:03.480 It lacks integrity. 00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:09.019 And it will ultimately break apart in the searching light of God's judgment. 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:14.319 But sexual immorality and adultery will be revealed for what they are. 00:14:15.079 --> 00:14:19.559 A lie that will not remain into God's eternal kingdom. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:23.079 So Hebrews says, let the marriage bed be undefiled. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:32.240 In other words, let it be free from whatever deforms and debases it or impairs its force and vigor. 00:14:33.539 --> 00:14:37.759 Now there are all kinds of things that can defile the marriage bed. 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:45.779 Not only adultery and sexual immorality, but also bitterness and grudges held against her spouse. 00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:47.600 Impatience. 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:49.159 Selfishness. 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:54.539 Hebrews says, let the marriage bed be free of all those things. 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:58.700 Sex and marriage is meant to be a loving act of worship to God. 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:02.200 Marriage is precious in God's kingdom. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:09.780 You know, one of the most beautiful things, I think, is to see an older couple who've been married maybe 40 or 50 years. 00:15:10.580 --> 00:15:12.320 And they're still in love with each other. 00:15:13.900 --> 00:15:16.879 Their love for each other has been refined over the years. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:18.700 Often through painful trials. 00:15:19.060 --> 00:15:21.020 And it's now a seasoned tenderness. 00:15:21.960 --> 00:15:23.340 A mature understanding. 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:25.780 A secure bond. 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:32.500 Hebrews says, build into a marriage that may one day look like that. 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:38.339 So this is the love that God calls us to for insiders and outsiders. 00:15:38.860 --> 00:15:40.720 For prisoners and the persecuted. 00:15:41.159 --> 00:15:42.039 For marriage. 00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:46.319 But then in verse 5 he says, there's one thing that we should not love. 00:15:47.579 --> 00:15:48.059 Money. 00:15:48.059 --> 00:15:53.079 Keep your life free from the love of money. 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:55.599 Now imagine a society. 00:15:55.739 --> 00:15:57.159 Again, this is an attractive picture. 00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:59.639 Imagine a society that is free from the love of money. 00:16:01.099 --> 00:16:05.219 There would be no predatory, manipulative lending schemes. 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:10.679 There would be no impulsive overspending that results in crippling debt. 00:16:11.619 --> 00:16:17.539 There would be no deceptive advertisements that build on a continual craving for more and more stuff. 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:23.699 There would be no half-hearted workers who just want to retire and get their pension. 00:16:24.599 --> 00:16:30.539 And no cutthroat bosses who make their employees work 90 hours a week and call it an internship. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:39.159 This society would be characterized by a rhythm of work and rest. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.439 Sacrificing and feasting. 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.539 Giving and receiving. 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:46.679 This society would prioritize people over things. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:52.139 The richest people would freely interact with the poorest with genuine mutual respect. 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:56.179 The poor would be free of envy and entitlement. 00:16:57.199 --> 00:17:00.159 The rich would be free from pride and superiority. 00:17:01.719 --> 00:17:06.659 Hebrews says that is the society that the church is called to be. 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:14.420 The church is called to be God's new society, God's new community that is not ruled, that is free from the love of money. 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:17.660 That is not entangled by it. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.900 People who work diligently. 00:17:20.580 --> 00:17:21.840 Who give generously. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:30.700 Who are free to love one another and cultivate their affection for one another because they're not bound up and entangled in all their possessions. 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:36.440 But can instead use them for the sake of loving others. 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:39.180 This is the love to which God calls us. 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.980 It's an attractive picture. 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:43.340 Love for insiders and outsiders. 00:17:43.580 --> 00:17:45.080 Love for prisoners and the persecuted. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.319 Love in marriage. 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.819 Love for marriage but not for money. 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:52.359 Now this is a beautiful and attractive calling. 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:58.939 But I think all of us would have to admit it's also extremely difficult to live these things out. 00:17:59.879 --> 00:18:04.859 In each of these categories there are numerous fears that hinder us. 00:18:06.659 --> 00:18:07.319 I mean think about it. 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:09.460 What hinders us from brotherly love? 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:12.220 From being a tight-knit church community? 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:15.299 Maybe it's the fear of being known. 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:20.500 Over the years many people have come to me and said something like, 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:28.299 I know my life is a mess and when I come to church on Sunday I feel like everybody else has it together except me. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:34.220 And so I just sit in the back or sit behind a pillar and leave quickly afterwards. 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:42.259 Or I just try to put on a good appearance like everyone else so they don't see who I really am. 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:47.799 Because I'm scared that if people really knew me they'd reject me. 00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:51.160 Or maybe it's the fear of being called out. 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.920 Held to a higher standard. 00:18:55.360 --> 00:18:59.420 Maybe you know that there's some area of your life where you're not living to please God. 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:04.620 And you don't want to be confronted about it so you keep your distance from other Christians 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:08.840 so they don't figure it out and so they don't call you out. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:16.300 Maybe it's the fear of getting into potentially difficult, painful relationships that call you to give of yourself. 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:23.500 There's a vulnerability that's inherent in brotherly, sisterly love. 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:29.779 By opening yourself to other people you're also opening yourself to potentially being hurt. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:33.279 And in this fallen world there's no way around that. 00:19:33.359 --> 00:19:38.799 The only way around that is to close yourself in and become completely self-centered and hardened. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:42.599 And that is the worst condition to be in of all. 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:47.700 So there are fears that hinder us from brotherly love. 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:50.299 There are also fears that hinder us from loving outsiders. 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:57.379 Why are there people who come to our church services and aren't personally welcomed by anyone? 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:02.720 Isn't fear one of the major hindrances that holds us back? 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:07.599 What will that person think if I approach them and say hi? 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.740 Will they think I am weird? 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.639 Maybe you've had a conversation like this. 00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:15.519 Hi, is this your first time here at Trinity? 00:20:16.159 --> 00:20:18.159 No, I've been here for five years. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:23.540 I've stopped asking that question. 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:25.320 I say, how long have you been coming? 00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:27.779 It's safe. 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.360 It's safe. 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:34.320 Once I said to someone who I thought looked like a high school student, what grade are you in? 00:20:36.900 --> 00:20:38.740 He said, I'm a second year grad student. 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:42.700 I was like, oh goodness. 00:20:42.800 --> 00:20:44.040 I hope he didn't hear me clearly. 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:48.700 I was redder than a tomato. 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.619 Right? 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:57.259 And when we move beyond just the greeting someone after church, there can be even greater fears. 00:20:57.399 --> 00:20:57.579 Right? 00:20:57.659 --> 00:21:06.539 If I get to know a family who's recently arrived from a foreign country and perhaps doesn't speak English well and isn't used to the culture here, 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:13.579 their needs might become overwhelming and if I can't meet all of them, then maybe I should just not even meet any of them 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:18.799 and not engage them in the first place at all because it's just too messy. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:27.799 Or if I invest in people who might only stay in New Haven for a year or two, how will I ever have any long-term friends? 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:30.899 So I'm just going to avoid them all. 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:35.700 Or if I invite people to my house, they'll see that it's a mess. 00:21:36.659 --> 00:21:38.879 And they'll see that my kids don't always obey. 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:43.299 Or what about having someone come and live with us who needs a place to stay? 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.019 Yikes! 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:51.559 There are all kinds of fears that can hinder us from loving outsiders. 00:21:51.559 --> 00:22:00.359 Or remembering prisoners and the persecuted on the service, it's much easier to forget prisoners and persecuted Christians. 00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:04.899 Because if you live here in New Haven, you will probably not run into many of them on the street. 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:13.159 And it's potentially inconvenient, costly, and even dangerous to care for them. 00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.799 Honoring marriage. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.159 Maybe you're single. 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:20.619 When I was single, I worked in campus ministry. 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:22.279 With college students. 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:27.699 And one day, two of the student leaders began a small group meeting by asking a scary opening question. 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:29.399 A risky opening question. 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:31.259 They said, what is your greatest fear? 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:32.959 Hmm. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:35.239 If you're a small group leader, try that one out on your small group. 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.779 That's a challenging one. 00:22:38.339 --> 00:22:40.659 You might need to use discernment whether your group's ready for that. 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:45.939 I said, honestly, one of my greatest fears is marriage. 00:22:46.699 --> 00:22:49.639 Being united to one person for the rest of my life. 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.980 What if I choose the wrong person? 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:56.160 But it's also pretty intimidating to think about being single for the rest of my life. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:23:01.000 Now, ironically, one of the students leading that meeting became my wife. 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.380 Only a couple of years later. 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:07.440 So you never know who you're sitting next to in small group. 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:10.259 All right. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:12.380 Don't get, don't let your minds go too far. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.200 Don't get distracted. 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.700 All right. 00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:15.120 Focus. 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.279 I know it's a hot morning. 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.940 We're hanging in there together. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.140 Right? 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:24.440 But if you're single, is it the fear of being left alone that drives you to constantly date? 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:32.539 Or is it the fear of lifelong commitment that makes you hesitant to even consider marriage or dating? 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.940 Or is it both? 00:23:35.080 --> 00:23:42.440 You fear being left alone and you fear commitment, so you end up in long-term, dead-end dating relationships. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.720 Or maybe you're married. 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:52.680 There are all kinds of fears that can hinder genuine intimacy in marriage. 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:57.819 And I could go on and on listing fears. 00:23:58.160 --> 00:23:58.839 Fears about money. 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.759 Fears about the future. 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.860 Fears about the economy. 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:01.960 Fears about politics. 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:04.240 Fears about blah, blah, blah. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.519 But I think you get the idea. 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:09.180 And you can probably imagine some more yourself. 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:15.019 There are plenty of fears that hinder us from living out this love that Hebrews talks about. 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:18.840 But I want to go on because this passage gives us good news. 00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:30.680 We see not just the love to which God calls us, the fears that hinder us, but finally we see perfect love of Christ that drives out all fear. 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:37.160 Verse 5, he has said, I will never leave you. 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:39.600 No, never forsake you. 00:24:40.060 --> 00:24:43.160 So we can confidently say, the Lord is my helper. 00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.920 I will not fear. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:47.180 What can man do to me? 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:52.779 You see, what we have here in this passage is not just a laundry list of commands to obey. 00:24:53.740 --> 00:25:01.380 Every one of these commands is rooted in the unchanging character and the saving work of Jesus Christ. 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:03.340 So first, brotherly love. 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:06.259 What frees us from the fear of being known? 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:08.640 The fear of being called out. 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:14.039 The fear of being, getting drawn into potentially difficult and painful relationships. 00:25:15.140 --> 00:25:19.160 Well, it's knowing that Jesus Christ has become our brother. 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.240 Hebrews 2.11 says, 00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:24.960 Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.680 Children of God the Father. 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:28.879 He is the bond that holds us together. 00:25:29.079 --> 00:25:30.680 That can never be torn apart. 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:33.640 As we sang, he will hold us fast. 00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:37.220 He knows you completely and he loves you completely. 00:25:39.060 --> 00:25:44.100 He's brought us into God's family forever and his love for us will continue without ever ending. 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:53.620 And he's poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit so that our love for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ will also continue without end. 00:25:53.619 --> 00:26:03.000 You know, the word translated continue in verse 1 is the same as the word translated remain in chapter 12, verse 27. 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:08.899 If you look up there, it's talking about the future day of judgment when God will shake the heavens and the earth. 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:10.440 And it says, 00:26:10.560 --> 00:26:15.000 Many things will be removed, but only what cannot be shaken will remain. 00:26:15.800 --> 00:26:19.759 Only God's unshakable kingdom will remain on that day. 00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:27.460 You see, the love of brothers and sisters in Christ for one another cannot be shaken because it's part of God's eternal kingdom. 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:35.900 Christ's love for us as our brother will outlast and overcome our fear of taking our place in the family of God. 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:39.620 So Christ is our brother. 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:41.440 Second, love of outsiders. 00:26:41.560 --> 00:26:44.840 What can transform our fear of outsiders into love of outsiders? 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:49.660 It's knowing that Christ came into this world as an outsider. 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:55.220 And that when we welcome outsiders, we may actually be welcoming Jesus. 00:26:57.060 --> 00:26:58.000 Verse 2 says, 00:26:58.080 --> 00:27:02.740 By loving and welcoming outsiders, some have entertained angels without knowing it. 00:27:02.780 --> 00:27:03.140 You might say, 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:03.800 What does that mean? 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:07.039 Well, it's probably a reference to Abraham and Sarah, 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:12.500 who eagerly greeted three visitors who came to their door in Genesis 18. 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:19.180 They prepared a costly meal and spent costly time with their visitors. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.779 Two of the visitors turned out to be angels, 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:27.559 who brought them a message from God that next year they would finally have a long-awaited son. 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.859 The message came true. 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:35.019 It changed not only the rest of Abraham and Sarah's life, but the rest of human history. 00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:40.859 So Abraham and Sarah extended generous, costly hospitality to their visitors, 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:44.659 but they received something far greater and more lasting in return. 00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:46.860 The point is, 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:58.100 sometimes the outsiders, the newcomers, the foreigners that you welcome may prove to be true messengers of God to you, 00:27:58.680 --> 00:28:03.440 bringing a greater blessing to you than they receive from you. 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:11.059 And ultimately, it's not just about the possibility of welcoming an angel. 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:15.740 It's not really saying, 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:20.120 Go find the random person on the street that you've never met before and invite them into your house, 00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.980 and maybe there'll be an angel. 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:23.960 And then you can go untouched by an angel and tell your story. 00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.140 That's not the point. 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:25.580 Right? 00:28:26.820 --> 00:28:27.600 The point is, 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.680 they might be some, 00:28:29.860 --> 00:28:34.160 an outsider that you welcome may be someone that God has sent into your life 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:37.000 to give you a greater blessing than you can even give them. 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.440 And ultimately, 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:41.080 you may even be welcoming Jesus. 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:42.920 You know, 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:44.040 when Jesus came into the world, 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:46.880 he came as an outsider. 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.600 As a child, 00:28:49.280 --> 00:28:50.220 he became a refugee, 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.640 fleeing the persecution of Herod. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:54.400 As an adult, 00:28:54.800 --> 00:28:55.980 he was often on the road 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:59.320 and dependent on the welcome and hospitality of others. 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:00.520 Even in his death, 00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:02.880 he was crucified outside the gate of the city. 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.560 The message of the gospel 00:29:05.560 --> 00:29:08.040 is that Jesus became the ultimate outsider 00:29:08.040 --> 00:29:10.440 so that anyone who receives him 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:12.900 might be welcomed into the family of God. 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:15.700 Jesus became a homeless refugee 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:18.000 so that those who take him in 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:20.600 might become citizens of God's eternal kingdom. 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:22.919 That's the gospel message. 00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.939 That's what Jesus came to do for us. 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:28.039 And Jesus continues to live 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.359 by his Holy Spirit 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.859 in his brothers and sisters, 00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:32.099 in those who believe in him. 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:34.459 And you know, 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.099 many of 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:37.619 Jesus' brothers and sisters 00:29:37.619 --> 00:29:39.819 are literally homeless 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:41.139 or refugees 00:29:41.139 --> 00:29:42.379 or foreigners 00:29:42.379 --> 00:29:43.419 or outsiders. 00:29:43.919 --> 00:29:45.719 And in welcoming and loving outsiders, 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:48.119 we're expressing our welcome and love for Jesus himself. 00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:50.559 That's why Jesus said in Matthew 25, 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.559 I was a stranger 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:54.219 and you welcomed me. 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:55.899 He says, 00:29:55.959 --> 00:29:56.759 Truly I say to you, 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:58.419 as you did it to one of the least of these, 00:29:58.479 --> 00:29:59.399 my brothers and sisters, 00:29:59.459 --> 00:30:00.579 you did it to me. 00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.959 So come and inherit the kingdom 00:30:02.959 --> 00:30:04.219 prepared for you. 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:07.719 That's what transforms our fear of outsiders 00:30:07.719 --> 00:30:08.819 into love of outsiders, 00:30:08.959 --> 00:30:10.519 knowing that Christ became an outsider 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:12.819 in order to take us in. 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.460 Third, 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:16.559 what motivated us to remember prisoners 00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.679 and the persecuted 00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:18.659 is knowing that Christ 00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:20.259 came to liberate us. 00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.539 Hebrews 2, 14 and 15 says, 00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:23.559 We were captives 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.379 to sin, 00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:25.000 death, 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:25.619 and the devil. 00:30:26.679 --> 00:30:28.619 We were subject to cruel masters 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:30.000 who kept us in bondage. 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:30.939 But Jesus came 00:30:30.939 --> 00:30:32.439 not just to visit us in prison 00:30:32.439 --> 00:30:34.960 and give us some temporary relief, 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:37.379 but to liberate us from our bondage. 00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:40.099 At the cost of his own life, 00:30:40.639 --> 00:30:42.119 he took on our flesh and blood 00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:43.659 so that through his death 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:44.979 he might destroy the devil 00:30:44.979 --> 00:30:47.000 and deliver all those 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:48.019 who fear of death 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:50.239 were subject to lifelong slavery. 00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:51.919 And Jesus has become 00:30:51.919 --> 00:30:53.959 our merciful and faithful high priest. 00:30:54.379 --> 00:30:55.000 In other words, 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.379 our advocate and representative. 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.679 He paid a great price 00:30:58.679 --> 00:30:59.699 so that we might go free. 00:31:01.219 --> 00:31:01.519 And boy, 00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.919 that's a glorious motivation 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:04.799 for ministry to prisoners. 00:31:05.479 --> 00:31:06.719 That's a glorious calling 00:31:06.719 --> 00:31:08.199 to stand with our brothers 00:31:08.199 --> 00:31:09.199 and sisters in Christ 00:31:09.199 --> 00:31:10.099 who are mistreated 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:11.119 and persecuted. 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:13.339 Because Jesus Christ came 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.759 to liberate us 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:16.519 and free us. 00:31:17.619 --> 00:31:18.000 Fourth, 00:31:18.099 --> 00:31:18.859 what motivates us 00:31:18.859 --> 00:31:19.559 to hold marriage 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.119 as precious 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:22.159 and to pursue sexual purity, 00:31:22.559 --> 00:31:23.539 it's knowing that Christ 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.259 is our husband 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:26.059 and we are his beloved bride. 00:31:27.019 --> 00:31:28.259 The scripture says in Christ 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.039 that we are chosen 00:31:29.039 --> 00:31:30.939 and precious to God. 00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:32.879 That he's pledged himself to us 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:33.919 in unwavering 00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:35.659 and undivided loyalty. 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:36.859 That he instituted 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.659 the new covenant 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:39.560 by shedding his own blood. 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.460 He died to make us 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.460 pure and whole. 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.040 And he has said, 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.620 never will I leave you. 00:31:46.300 --> 00:31:47.880 Never will I forsake you. 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.840 I will never go back 00:31:48.840 --> 00:31:49.600 on my promise. 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.460 His love for you 00:31:51.460 --> 00:31:52.720 will not fail. 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.759 That's what can strengthen us. 00:31:57.800 --> 00:31:58.640 To hold marriage 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.519 as a precious thing. 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:01.940 And to come to him 00:32:01.940 --> 00:32:03.180 with all our junk 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:04.319 from the past. 00:32:05.319 --> 00:32:06.220 Knowing that he died 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.099 to make us pure 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.339 and whole. 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:11.359 And to wash us clean 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:12.660 and make us new. 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:14.480 And give us a life 00:32:14.480 --> 00:32:15.639 full of his spirit. 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.480 And finally, 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:21.440 Jesus came to be 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.940 our eternal savings 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.980 and retirement. 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.559 That will never dwindle 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:27.900 or fade away. 00:32:29.539 --> 00:32:30.440 And so we can keep 00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:30.980 our life free 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.779 from the love of money. 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.339 Which, 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.759 however you deal with it, 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:36.900 is fleeting 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:38.099 and temporary. 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:41.220 Even when our money fails, 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:43.319 even when our bodies fail, 00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.599 even when this world 00:32:44.599 --> 00:32:45.120 is shaken, 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:46.620 Jesus will remain. 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:48.339 You see, 00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.579 the perfect love of Christ 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.399 is this. 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.419 He's our brother 00:32:51.419 --> 00:32:52.579 who holds us together. 00:32:53.179 --> 00:32:54.159 He's the outsider 00:32:54.159 --> 00:32:55.619 who's come to take us in. 00:32:56.079 --> 00:32:57.019 He's our liberator 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.919 who paid our way 00:32:57.919 --> 00:32:58.699 out of bondage. 00:32:58.959 --> 00:32:59.679 He's our husband 00:32:59.679 --> 00:33:00.919 who calls us chosen 00:33:00.919 --> 00:33:01.959 and precious to him. 00:33:03.179 --> 00:33:04.000 He's our savings 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.639 and retirement 00:33:04.639 --> 00:33:06.119 that will never dwindle 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:06.659 or disappear 00:33:06.659 --> 00:33:07.619 into all eternity. 00:33:08.739 --> 00:33:09.879 That's the perfect love 00:33:09.879 --> 00:33:10.399 of Christ 00:33:10.399 --> 00:33:12.559 that drives out all fear. 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.799 It's knowing who he is. 00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:21.179 Maybe you don't know him yet. 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:24.039 Ask him today. 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:25.019 Say, 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.299 Jesus, 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:26.219 I want to know you. 00:33:27.179 --> 00:33:28.719 If this is who you really are, 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.719 come into my life. 00:33:30.699 --> 00:33:31.579 Make me yours. 00:33:32.579 --> 00:33:33.439 Make me your brother, 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.699 sister, 00:33:35.979 --> 00:33:37.339 part of your family. 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:40.139 I want to conclude 00:33:40.139 --> 00:33:40.740 with the words 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:42.599 of our sister in Christ, 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:43.579 Sonia, 00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:44.399 who passed away 00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:45.939 earlier this week. 00:33:46.659 --> 00:33:48.059 She faced her greatest fear, 00:33:48.759 --> 00:33:49.899 many of our greatest fear, 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.359 death itself, 00:33:51.799 --> 00:33:52.419 on Thursday. 00:33:52.619 --> 00:33:53.579 She had been battling cancer 00:33:53.579 --> 00:33:54.279 for some time. 00:33:55.559 --> 00:33:55.959 This weekend, 00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:56.439 I looked through 00:33:56.439 --> 00:33:57.339 her Facebook page, 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:59.119 and I happened to notice 00:33:59.119 --> 00:34:00.559 her last Facebook post. 00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:02.199 It was posted the day 00:34:02.199 --> 00:34:03.000 before she died. 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:04.299 And it was just 00:34:04.299 --> 00:34:05.400 two sentences long. 00:34:07.019 --> 00:34:07.680 She said, 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:08.159 I'm on my way 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:09.000 to Smilo again. 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:10.199 There's always 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:11.079 something going on. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:13.460 But God is going with me, 00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:15.199 so I'm not afraid. 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.840 The Lord is my helper. 00:34:18.860 --> 00:34:19.860 I will not fear. 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.900 What can man do to me? 00:34:22.460 --> 00:34:23.280 Brothers and sisters, 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:25.260 let us not be afraid. 00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:27.340 But let us love one another 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:29.440 as Christ has loved us. 00:34:30.199 --> 00:34:30.760 Let us pray. 00:34:30.760 --> 00:34:36.060 Lord Jesus, 00:34:36.160 --> 00:34:36.740 we thank you 00:34:36.740 --> 00:34:38.980 for your perfect love 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:40.240 that drives out all fear. 00:34:41.200 --> 00:34:42.100 We thank you 00:34:42.100 --> 00:34:43.520 that you have poured out 00:34:43.520 --> 00:34:44.060 your love 00:34:44.060 --> 00:34:45.140 into our hearts 00:34:45.140 --> 00:34:46.700 by your Holy Spirit 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:48.180 so that we might 00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:49.520 be changed, 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.580 so that we might 00:34:50.580 --> 00:34:51.260 be transformed, 00:34:51.560 --> 00:34:52.100 so that we might 00:34:52.100 --> 00:34:52.820 be a people 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.500 who reflect 00:34:53.500 --> 00:34:54.840 your likeness, 00:34:55.240 --> 00:34:55.840 your character, 00:34:56.600 --> 00:34:57.160 your love. 00:34:57.159 --> 00:35:00.399 Lord, 00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:01.139 would you make us 00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:02.359 into this kind 00:35:02.359 --> 00:35:02.819 of community 00:35:02.819 --> 00:35:03.559 as a church, 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:06.859 a community 00:35:06.859 --> 00:35:08.139 defined by 00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:09.539 your love for us 00:35:09.539 --> 00:35:12.179 and characterized 00:35:12.179 --> 00:35:13.199 by living that out 00:35:13.199 --> 00:35:14.519 with one another 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:16.159 and with all those 00:35:16.159 --> 00:35:16.759 around us. 00:35:17.859 --> 00:35:18.699 We pray this 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:19.379 in Christ's name. 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.259 Amen. 00:35:20.259 --> 00:35:20.379 Amen. 00:35:20.379 --> 00:35:20.440 Amen. 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:20.460 Amen. 00:35:20.460 --> 00:35:20.480 Amen. 00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:20.500 Amen. 00:35:20.500 --> 00:35:20.519 Amen. 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:20.539 Amen. 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:20.559 Amen. 00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:20.619 Amen. 00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:22.379 Amen. 00:35:22.379 --> 00:35:22.420 Amen.