WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.360 John 13 and I'm going to look at two verses verses 34 and 35. 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:16.280 John 13 at verse 34, a new commandment I give to you that you love one another just as I have 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:23.600 loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:32.760 if you have love for one another. Now we're all very much aware of how powerful an influence 00:00:32.760 --> 00:00:39.079 example can be, whether it's an example that leads people in the right direction or otherwise, 00:00:39.079 --> 00:00:45.740 an example a life that leads people to consider things which are good or else an example that 00:00:45.740 --> 00:00:52.439 leads people astray into a different type of lifestyle. But example itself can be a very 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:57.179 powerful tool, a very powerful influence and I'm sure we've all found that. Many of us I'm sure 00:00:57.179 --> 00:01:05.120 tonight can actually look to our own background and upbringing and find examples there that helped us 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:11.319 towards where we are now in relation to our faith and our coming to know the Lord. 00:01:12.560 --> 00:01:20.239 But the example of Jesus of course is by far the most powerful of all because there is a perfect 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:26.699 example. Everything that he did as an example to his disciples and to us as we read his word 00:01:26.699 --> 00:01:35.500 comes across to us as a perfect human life and there is no other example like that. It is an infallible 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:41.759 example. It's an example in which he himself is set before us indeed as he says to the disciples here 00:01:41.759 --> 00:01:48.259 in this chapter that he is setting an example to them by what he has done in their presence here 00:01:48.260 --> 00:01:55.219 in this incident where he washed their feet. And yet of course we remember that we're actually not 00:01:55.219 --> 00:02:02.700 saved by Jesus as our example or by following his example only. It's there for us and it's precious 00:02:02.700 --> 00:02:10.540 to us but following Jesus as an example is not itself going to save us. We need Jesus as our atoning 00:02:10.539 --> 00:02:18.680 sacrifice between ourselves and God before we come to follow him as our example. And the basis of our 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:26.439 standing before God is not by our following Jesus' example but by our coming to embrace him as our 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:33.979 substitute redeemer who came into the world to save us from our sins. And having been saved, having come 00:02:33.979 --> 00:02:39.979 to embrace him, having come to know him, we then have his example as something that we set before us 00:02:39.979 --> 00:02:49.179 to follow. And in this instance we have an example of loving one another. As Jesus loved them so he is 00:02:49.179 --> 00:02:55.239 saying this now I am saying to you, I'm commanding you, that you love one another just as I have loved 00:02:55.239 --> 00:03:00.919 you. So that's the first thing we're looking at is that loving one another is as far as Jesus is 00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:07.479 concerned and our relationship with Jesus. It's a new commandment from him for us to love one another. 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:15.719 Second thing we read is that loving one another is to be as Jesus loved us. We love one another 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:21.819 because he's commanded it and he calls it here a new commandment and we love one another because 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:29.459 through that we come to reflect on and reflect out Jesus' love for his people. By this all people will 00:03:29.460 --> 00:03:36.180 know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another. So love for one another, a new 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:44.540 commandment, and then secondly love for one another as Jesus loved us. So obviously the first of those 00:03:44.540 --> 00:03:53.280 love for one another as commanded by Jesus is a requirement on our part. He requires that of us. 00:03:53.280 --> 00:04:00.159 A requirement on his part that we actually love one another. Now he's saying here it's a new 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:04.939 commandment. Why is he calling it a new commandment? Because when you go back to the Old Testament 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:11.979 it's obvious that God taught his people Israel to love him and to love one another as well. You find 00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:18.139 that in some of the great texts of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy chapter 6. Behold the Lord your God is one. 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:22.699 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your strength. 00:04:23.259 --> 00:04:29.279 Go to Leviticus 19 verse 18. It speaks about loving your neighbor as yourself. So the two things are 00:04:29.279 --> 00:04:35.379 combined in the New Testament. You actually find them coming. You love the Lord your God with all your 00:04:35.379 --> 00:04:42.019 heart and your neighbor as yourself as Jesus taught on another occasion. But why is it called a new 00:04:42.019 --> 00:04:47.419 commandment? If it's been in existence for all these centuries, if the people of Israel knew it, 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:52.620 if it was there in the time of Christ himself on earth, why is he calling it a new commandment? 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:59.900 Well one reason I think is that it has never been seen in this way before. God commanded his people 00:04:59.900 --> 00:05:05.240 in the Old Testament to love him and to love one another, to love their neighbor as themselves. 00:05:06.220 --> 00:05:12.680 But it had never been seen visibly like this in the person of a human being. And I know Jesus is more 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:20.160 than a human being, but this is God in the flesh, God in our nature. The word become flesh. And through 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:26.620 that, God is actually giving this great example, Jesus himself giving this example of what it is and 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:32.860 how it is there to love one another. They have never seen God's love this way before. They've heard 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:37.600 about it. They've known about it. They have never seen it in action in the way that it's now revealed 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:43.020 in Christ. So from that point of view, it is a new commandment. Not because it's entirely new. 00:05:43.340 --> 00:05:47.420 Not because they didn't know anything about the substance of it, but because they had never 00:05:47.420 --> 00:05:58.500 seen it as God himself present amongst them. Through Jesus here, went on bended knee to wash their feet. 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:06.459 That was something not only unexpected, but unparalleled, something that had never been seen 00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:07.740 by them before. 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:17.439 And it's new in that respect, at least. And therefore, you find it's also new in the sense 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:23.000 in which there's a movement from the Old Testament emphasis there. You love the Lord, your God, 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:28.420 and your neighbor as yourself. So Jesus is really saying now, you love the Lord, your God, 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:34.500 but you love one another. And he's emphasizing the love for one another to add to what he said 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:40.680 about loving our neighbor in previous contexts. And you see, it's not just to love your neighbor 00:06:40.680 --> 00:06:48.480 as yourself. You love one another as I have loved you. So he's extending the dimensions, really, 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:54.460 if you like. If you think about what he said in the Old Testament about loving God and loving one 00:06:54.459 --> 00:07:00.239 another and loving your neighbor, if you think about that as the first edition of the Book of Love, 00:07:00.299 --> 00:07:07.479 if you like. Well, here is the new expanded enlarged edition. And he's added these details so that it 00:07:07.479 --> 00:07:14.959 takes on an extra dimension, if you like, as Jesus taught it, as Jesus showed it, as Jesus is the example 00:07:14.959 --> 00:07:22.219 of it. So this is the new edition, this new commandment, that you love one another just as I 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:34.060 have loved you. Just as I have loved you. Of course, that is such an enormous statement in itself. 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:43.120 This little word, as or just as, these two words, not very big words, but they're really significant 00:07:43.120 --> 00:07:49.400 and filled with meaning. It's not just any kind of love. It's not just any type of following the 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:55.739 example that Jesus has set for us. It's not just trying to follow his example in love up to a 00:07:55.739 --> 00:08:01.560 certain degree, and then when it satisfies ourselves, we leave it at that. No, he's saying, it's as I have 00:08:01.560 --> 00:08:07.139 loved you, as you have seen my love in action, as you have seen what it meant for me to love you, 00:08:08.139 --> 00:08:18.019 this is how you are to love one another. It's required by Jesus, patterned upon his own 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:24.060 wonderful love, as he has shown that to the disciples, and we'll come back to that in a minute, 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:30.139 when we see the nature of that love, as he washed the feet of the disciples. But it's love for another, 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:36.559 a new commandment. In other words, it's required by Jesus. And you know, it really should be enough 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:42.899 for us, shouldn't it, that we know that our love for one another is commanded by Christ, and we should 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:48.419 say, well, if it's commanded by him, that's enough. That really should be enough for me to persuade me 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:54.899 that I need to love my fellow Christians, that we together need to love one another. It's his command, 00:08:55.240 --> 00:09:00.639 as much as any command. Whatever he has commanded has the same status as any other command. 00:09:01.720 --> 00:09:07.939 It's something of an imperative from him, from his authority, and that's what lies behind our 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:13.800 need to love one another, one of the features of the need to love one another. But then secondly, 00:09:13.940 --> 00:09:19.960 this love of one another as a new commandment, it isn't just required by Jesus. You can see here, 00:09:20.160 --> 00:09:27.540 it's a reliable indicator of something. It's a reliable indicator because he says here, 00:09:27.940 --> 00:09:37.040 by this shall all people know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. It's a distinguishing 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:44.379 mark of God's people, that they love one another. It's one of the main distinguishing marks of God's 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:49.500 people, that they love one another. Now, sadly, as you and I know very well, it doesn't always come 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:54.899 to that, and we don't always match up with that. And I'm sure every one of us has to say of ourselves, 00:09:55.079 --> 00:10:01.099 there are times when I have failed to meet that standard. And when we together as a church have failed 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:07.220 to meet that standard, and it's no excuse for us that there's no perfect church on earth in this world. 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:12.720 The fact remains, this is still the standard. Whatever our past has been, whatever our present is, 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:19.420 whatever our circumstances are, this commandment from Jesus, this new commandment, it's to be a reliable 00:10:19.420 --> 00:10:25.740 indicator for that world out there as to what a Christian life and what the Christian church is about. 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:38.740 There's a sense in which the world out there meets with God when they see us loving one another. 00:10:40.980 --> 00:10:48.940 And as we've said already, there is a powerful example in the example of Jesus to us, but you and I have to 00:10:48.940 --> 00:10:55.940 follow that in the life we live in relation to each other, as well as individually, but in relation to 00:10:55.940 --> 00:11:03.860 each other. This is what Jesus is, by this, all people will know that you are my disciples. If you have 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:11.300 love for one another, he's focusing on their love for one another as a reliable indicator for the world 00:11:11.300 --> 00:11:18.780 of what discipleship for Christ really is about, what the church of God is about, what the 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:24.179 people of God, who they are, what they're like, what their life is all about. 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:33.139 And that's why I'm saying there's a very real sense in which the world out there, they don't meet with 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:37.959 God through the Bible. Most of them never read the Bible. Some of them, many of them don't even know 00:11:37.959 --> 00:11:44.120 what the Bible contains. They would know very little about Jesus himself, about the way of salvation. 00:11:44.120 --> 00:11:50.419 And we meet them, as we heard in prayer, in the supermarket or wherever around us, in our neighborhoods 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:56.980 and our interaction with them at work or whatever, day by day. But this is particularly what Jesus is 00:11:56.980 --> 00:12:02.480 emphasizing. Because they don't read their Bibles and because they don't know God from that, and because 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:07.299 they don't know what the church is like by reading about it in Scripture, they have to see it in us. 00:12:07.299 --> 00:12:15.379 They have to actually come to know what true love really is about and what it looks like. 00:12:15.939 --> 00:12:23.519 Let's face it, we're living in a world where the word love is perverted, where the word love has been 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:29.639 taken and out of context altogether, even in the ordinary sense of human or married love, 00:12:30.219 --> 00:12:36.359 taken and actually made into something that is contrary to what we know genuine true love is. 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:44.159 And certainly biblical love and the love of God. Because we live in a situation, and we say this 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:49.440 very often, but it's there for us always to remember and always to note, where sadly so much 00:12:49.440 --> 00:12:59.000 of what passes for the church and the world is really just the importing of the culture of the world 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:04.399 into its practices. Now, that's not holding ourselves up and saying, aren't we much better than other 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:09.039 people than other Christians who confess to be Christians, but are obviously very worldly and have 00:13:09.039 --> 00:13:13.779 imported things of the world? We're not doing it for that sake. We're doing it because it saddens us, 00:13:14.259 --> 00:13:21.699 because it really grips our heart that people pass off being Christians as just the world dressed up 00:13:21.699 --> 00:13:23.259 in the dressings of the world. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:32.299 By this, all people will know that you are my disciples. Not when you decide to become as like 00:13:32.299 --> 00:13:37.639 the world as possible. Not when you import the values of the world into your thinking and into 00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:43.120 your practice. Not when you really give the impression that actually there's not that much 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:49.220 difference at all between a Christian lifestyle and the lifestyle of everybody else. Not when you give 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:56.160 the impression, as the church sometimes gives, that really out there the best way we can actually live 00:13:56.160 --> 00:14:00.440 for Christ is to try and attract the world by becoming like them. 00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:09.600 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another as I have loved you. 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:14.820 And there is no compromise there on the part of Jesus. 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:22.060 The world, friends, has to come to meet with God through what they see in us. 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:29.860 This is to be our witness. This is our wonderful privilege to live Christ-like lives, 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:36.100 challenging though it is, hugely demanding though it is, time-consuming though it is. 00:14:36.760 --> 00:14:40.120 Everything else about it that's difficult is difficult. 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:43.740 But then it's our great privilege. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:53.039 Because God has given, not just to you individually, but to us collectively, in this locality itself, 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:59.580 he has given to us collectively to be the means by which the world gets a reliable indicator 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:01.440 as to what true love is about. 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:07.800 And what the people of God look like and are like to each other. 00:15:09.160 --> 00:15:10.400 It's a great privilege. 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.820 We should thank God for that. 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:16.300 That he has taught us this way. 00:15:17.140 --> 00:15:19.120 That he has brought us to appreciate this. 00:15:20.020 --> 00:15:22.440 That this, in fact, is what he's emphasized for us. 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:29.080 And, you know, when you go to John's other writings and his epistles, especially his first epistle, 00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:31.940 let me just point you to that for a moment. 00:15:32.540 --> 00:15:37.760 John, 1 John chapter 4 and verses 11 and 12 especially. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.820 Because you read there as follows. 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.700 Well, you can read from verse 10. 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:44.980 In this is love. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:48.840 Not that we have loved God, but that he loved us. 00:15:49.300 --> 00:15:52.180 And sent to son to be the propitiation for our sins. 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.520 Beloved. 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:55.800 See, there's the same emphasis coming through. 00:15:56.320 --> 00:16:03.540 If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.860 But he doesn't leave it at that. 00:16:06.040 --> 00:16:09.120 That's pretty much the same as what he's saying in John 13. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.720 What Jesus said in John 13. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:15.540 But he goes on to say, no one has ever seen God. 00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:23.160 If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.500 We're not going to go into all of that. 00:16:24.580 --> 00:16:28.620 But the point I'm really concerned to put across to use this. 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:35.960 No one has ever seen God is very closely attached to our love for one another being visible. 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:42.680 In other words, because no one can actually see God as he is. 00:16:43.040 --> 00:16:46.220 And especially that world in which we live does not see God. 00:16:46.540 --> 00:16:48.259 They have to see him in us. 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:51.460 They have to see him through our love. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:53.860 Through our love for one another. 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:54.820 Especially. 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.920 That's the indicator. 00:16:58.800 --> 00:17:00.700 And not only is it an indicator to the world. 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:02.000 But let's not forget this. 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:04.400 First John chapter 3 and verse 14. 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:11.259 By this we know, or herein we know, that we have passed from death to life. 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.140 Why? 00:17:12.140 --> 00:17:16.660 Where's the indicator that we have passed from death to life? 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:21.640 Is it because I can persuade myself individually, personally, that I'm a Christian? 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.980 Yes, that may be part of it. 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.800 But that's not what John is saying. 00:17:25.280 --> 00:17:28.080 By this we know that we have passed from death to life. 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:30.880 Because we love the brothers. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.259 We love the Christians. 00:17:32.580 --> 00:17:34.580 We belong to the church we belong to. 00:17:34.820 --> 00:17:36.400 We love our fellow believers. 00:17:36.560 --> 00:17:37.840 We love our fellow Christians. 00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:40.340 Remember that was said in a time of real difficulty. 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:43.059 Real Christian, real danger to Christians. 00:17:43.959 --> 00:17:45.619 In the days of the Apostle John. 00:17:46.379 --> 00:17:48.419 Real danger from all kinds of sources. 00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:51.519 Not just from these authorities. 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.139 The governing authorities. 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:55.839 But also from defections from the faith. 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:57.359 All sorts of things like that. 00:17:58.179 --> 00:17:59.339 By this we know. 00:18:00.199 --> 00:18:01.819 That we have passed from death to life. 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:04.119 Because we love one another. 00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.980 We love the brethren. 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:06.139 We love Christ's people. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:10.079 So it's an indicator to ourselves. 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.019 Who we are. 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.980 That we have indeed come. 00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:15.139 To be saved by God. 00:18:15.199 --> 00:18:16.159 That we are his people. 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:18.699 Because we love one another. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.720 And the implication is. 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:22.659 We would not have this type of love for one another. 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:24.459 If that were not the case. 00:18:25.419 --> 00:18:26.839 And I'm sure you can follow that. 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:28.319 In your own experience. 00:18:28.459 --> 00:18:29.879 Most if not all of us can say. 00:18:30.059 --> 00:18:31.480 Well there was a time when. 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:32.980 I may have appreciated. 00:18:33.179 --> 00:18:35.159 What some of God's people were like. 00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.799 I appreciated the life they were living. 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.939 I could see they were different. 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:40.220 But I couldn't say I loved them. 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.920 But I love them now. 00:18:42.660 --> 00:18:44.299 Because I've come to be one of them. 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:46.299 Because I belong to them. 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:48.500 Because I see God in them. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:49.759 I see Jesus in them. 00:18:50.320 --> 00:18:52.140 And he has placed me as one of them. 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:54.340 In this wonderful spiritual body. 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.940 So loving one another. 00:18:56.080 --> 00:18:57.539 It's a new commandment. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.860 Briefly in the sense we've said. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.680 It's required by Jesus. 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:03.680 It's a reliable indicator. 00:19:04.080 --> 00:19:05.039 To the world. 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:07.500 To ourselves as Christians. 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:09.460 That this is who we are. 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:10.700 This is who God is. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:12.400 Now secondly. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.779 He goes on to say. 00:19:14.100 --> 00:19:14.820 Loving one another. 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:18.160 Is as Jesus loved us. 00:19:18.340 --> 00:19:19.060 Loved his people. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.160 A new commandment I give you. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.880 That you love one another. 00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:26.060 Just as I have loved you. 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:29.200 And what does that mean? 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.799 Just as I have loved you. 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:33.480 If that's the foundation. 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.580 If that's the pattern. 00:19:35.100 --> 00:19:36.279 If that's the quality. 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:38.140 If that's the nature of the love. 00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:40.100 That we are to have for one another. 00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:41.500 What does that mean in practice? 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:44.180 Well first of all it means. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.799 Self giving. 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.799 Giving of yourself. 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.100 Because it's impossible. 00:19:50.580 --> 00:19:52.200 To define love. 00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.720 Certainly completely. 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:56.960 By thinking of it other than love that's shared. 00:19:57.559 --> 00:19:58.880 Or love that is mutual. 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:01.220 Or goes between one person and another. 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.520 Or a group of people. 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:04.540 That share love together. 00:20:05.540 --> 00:20:08.160 That is exactly what he means here. 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:10.120 By as I have loved you. 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.860 Jesus loved his people. 00:20:13.320 --> 00:20:15.900 In giving himself for them. 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:18.060 And in giving himself to them. 00:20:18.800 --> 00:20:22.620 You go back to the beginning of this wonderful chapter. 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:26.879 You'll see that John very deliberately records some details for us there. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:29.159 Before the feast of the Passover. 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:33.839 When Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of the world. 00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:35.399 This world to the Father. 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.779 He knew that that meant the cross. 00:20:38.459 --> 00:20:40.739 Knew that that meant the death of the cross. 00:20:41.699 --> 00:20:42.719 Sufferings of the cross. 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.639 All of that entailed. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:48.400 He knew that that's what lay ahead of him. 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:51.540 Having loved his own who were in the world. 00:20:52.280 --> 00:20:53.720 He loved them to the end. 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.380 And during supper. 00:20:55.560 --> 00:20:59.340 When the devil had put into the heart of Judas Iscariot already. 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:01.240 To betray him. 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:04.140 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hand. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.660 That he had come from God. 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:07.480 That he was going back to God. 00:21:07.800 --> 00:21:08.920 He rose from his supper. 00:21:09.280 --> 00:21:11.380 Laid down his outer garments. 00:21:11.520 --> 00:21:12.240 And took the towel. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.480 And girded himself. 00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:15.740 He went through all of that action. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.740 That really symbolized. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.319 If you like. 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.819 The humbling of himself. 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.480 In love. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:23.279 To the benefit of his disciples. 00:21:24.400 --> 00:21:25.740 And what that's really saying to us. 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:27.559 Is that the mind of Jesus. 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:29.819 Was set upon what was waiting for him. 00:21:30.180 --> 00:21:31.620 In the sufferings of the cross. 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:33.160 What was waiting for him. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.579 In leaving this world. 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:36.500 And departing to go to the Father. 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.559 After resurrection. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.599 But everything between that moment. 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.599 That he spoke to them. 00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:42.259 And his ascension to glory. 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.599 Is in the mind of Jesus. 00:21:43.699 --> 00:21:44.759 Including the cross. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.279 And what does it say? 00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:48.339 He loved them. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.799 To the end. 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.899 He loved them. 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:54.240 To the furthest extent possible. 00:21:55.219 --> 00:21:56.599 He didn't hold back. 00:21:56.939 --> 00:21:58.139 Anything of himself. 00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:00.579 Though he knew that this was really. 00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:02.779 What was waiting for him. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:04.359 Not only did he know that. 00:22:04.459 --> 00:22:07.059 But he also knew the kind of people there were. 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:09.460 We read there that Jesus. 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:09.899 Judas. 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:11.980 Had already in his heart. 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.919 To betray him. 00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:15.460 Satan had put that desire. 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.740 That thought in his heart. 00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:19.419 And. 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.039 Jesus. 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.399 At that stage. 00:22:23.480 --> 00:22:24.440 Knew this very well. 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.259 But he held. 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.659 Nothing back. 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:31.440 When you look to chapter 15. 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:33.740 Verses 12 and 13. 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:35.960 This is my commandment. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:37.039 That you love one another. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:39.240 As I have loved you. 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.920 Greater love. 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:42.140 Has no one than this. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:44.799 That someone lays down his life. 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.839 For his friends. 00:22:48.900 --> 00:22:49.940 That's what he knew. 00:22:50.420 --> 00:22:51.980 That's what was in his heart to do. 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:53.559 The selfless love. 00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:55.220 Of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.140 Knowing all this. 00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.200 At that moment. 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.779 Still he loved them to the end. 00:22:59.120 --> 00:22:59.819 He loved them. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:01.240 To the extent. 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.740 That he needed to love. 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:04.120 That they needed to be loved. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.819 In order to be saved. 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:09.599 And you know. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.079 It's. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:13.039 It's very much symbolic. 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.779 As you read. 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.000 What he did with the clothes. 00:23:15.620 --> 00:23:16.299 His outer clothes. 00:23:16.380 --> 00:23:16.720 And so on. 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:16.960 In fact. 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.380 It's really. 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.819 Pretty much the language. 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:20.539 Of Philippians chapter 2. 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:20.980 Isn't it? 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:23.120 In the form of God. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:23.779 He. 00:23:24.420 --> 00:23:25.299 Thought it not. 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.339 Something to grasp. 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:27.319 Or to hold on to. 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.700 But made himself. 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.819 Of no reputation. 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:31.140 Taking the form of a servant. 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:32.380 He. 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:32.740 He. 00:23:32.860 --> 00:23:33.720 He left. 00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:34.320 If you like. 00:23:34.800 --> 00:23:35.960 The form of God. 00:23:36.020 --> 00:23:36.620 That he had been in. 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.540 From all eternity. 00:23:37.540 --> 00:23:39.240 The place that he had. 00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:42.840 In the Trinity. 00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:43.580 And glory. 00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:45.259 He took. 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.140 Something else. 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.220 The form of a servant. 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:49.120 Didn't cease to be God. 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.800 But he took something. 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:50.820 He didn't have before. 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:53.019 You compare that to. 00:23:53.339 --> 00:23:54.559 To John 13 here. 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.339 And that's what you find. 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:55.740 Isn't it? 00:23:56.159 --> 00:23:56.980 When he knew that. 00:23:57.379 --> 00:23:58.679 His hour had come. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.279 He laid aside. 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.039 His garments. 00:24:02.179 --> 00:24:02.939 His outer garments. 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.579 And he took a towel. 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:06.480 And girded himself. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.359 Round his waist. 00:24:07.419 --> 00:24:07.839 With it. 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.279 He might have said. 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.599 Look at these disciples. 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:16.720 Here's one. 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.059 Who's going to betray me. 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:20.339 Here's one. 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.480 Who's going to deny me. 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.399 Here. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.399 The whole lot of them. 00:24:24.480 --> 00:24:25.960 And they're not going to be faithful to me. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.759 To the end. 00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:27.980 They're going to be bewildered. 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.799 Most of them are going to turn their back. 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.960 When it comes to the cross. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.480 And when it comes to my death on the cross. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.000 How can I possibly be. 00:24:35.639 --> 00:24:36.740 Expected to love. 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:38.200 This kind of person. 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.519 These kind of people. 00:24:42.919 --> 00:24:44.039 He loved them. 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.480 He loved them to the end. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:49.160 Truly I'm saying to you. 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.839 A new commandment. 00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:52.259 That you love one another. 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:54.440 Just as I have loved you. 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.620 What kind of difficulties. 00:24:55.980 --> 00:24:57.019 Do you and I have. 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:58.299 In loving Christ. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.579 In serving Christ. 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.920 In being Christians in this world. 00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.319 Yes there are difficulties. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.860 Of course we don't deny that. 00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:06.700 What are the challenges we have. 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:09.440 To actually showing our love for one another. 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.860 In the face of a hostile world. 00:25:11.940 --> 00:25:12.920 There's so much isn't there. 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:14.500 So much that you have to endure. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.140 So much that you have to expect. 00:25:16.140 --> 00:25:18.220 So many difficulties that come your way. 00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:19.380 So many challenges. 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:21.980 So many persecutions. 00:25:21.980 --> 00:25:23.120 Even at times. 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:28.520 But then you go to this. 00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.100 And you say well. 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.960 Whatever I face in this world. 00:25:34.020 --> 00:25:35.340 It's as nothing. 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:36.600 Compared to what he knew. 00:25:37.060 --> 00:25:39.060 And he faced even at that moment. 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.259 Yet what did he do. 00:25:41.820 --> 00:25:42.980 Was he deflected. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:44.320 From his love for them. 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:47.339 Was he put off going through. 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:48.019 With his love. 00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:49.879 And finishing what he had come to do. 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:52.740 Just because he knew the kind of people they were. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.939 No of course he wasn't. 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:56.299 He might have found it. 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.740 Easy to say. 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.859 I can't wash the feet. 00:25:58.859 --> 00:25:59.879 Of all of these. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:01.159 Sinners. 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:04.940 And undoubtedly. 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:09.920 Some of our fellow Christians are easier to love than others. 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:15.300 But Jesus does not qualify our love that way. 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:18.540 This is my commandment. 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:23.880 That you love one another just as I have loved you. 00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:27.680 Just as I have loved you. 00:26:29.300 --> 00:26:30.740 I daily failed. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:33.620 In meeting that standard. 00:26:34.540 --> 00:26:36.040 I'm conscious of that. 00:26:36.580 --> 00:26:38.420 I have to confess that before God. 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.980 And I'm sure you do as well. 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:42.800 But this is what we're always drawn back to. 00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:44.800 This is really the crux of the issue. 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:46.500 This is the supreme example. 00:26:46.820 --> 00:26:49.460 This is what we've patterned our lives on. 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:53.059 As I have loved you. 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:55.140 So you. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:58.420 Now must love one another. 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.420 It's self-giving. 00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:05.539 We give of ourselves in love to others. 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:07.559 To our fellow Christians. 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.980 As well as to the Lord. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:11.220 That means our time. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.400 Our gifts. 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.460 Whatever way God has gifted us. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.079 Our talents. 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.920 Our use of time. 00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:18.700 Our priorities. 00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:21.960 It's all for his sake. 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.960 But it's as he has loved us. 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:28.019 That we are to love one another. 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.720 And again. 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:30.900 I don't want to labor the difficulty of it. 00:27:30.960 --> 00:27:31.500 By any means. 00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:34.240 I don't want to in any way give the impression that. 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:36.299 We're making it easier than it really is. 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:38.059 But I don't want to labor the difficulty. 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:40.440 Because I want to focus on the privilege of it. 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:42.480 And the privilege of actually having it. 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.960 For one another's benefit. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.880 But also for that world out there. 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:49.940 To see what a Christian life is like. 00:27:50.280 --> 00:27:52.080 What a follower of Christ is like. 00:27:52.300 --> 00:27:52.980 Not only that. 00:27:53.020 --> 00:27:56.080 But what followers of Jesus together are like. 00:27:56.079 --> 00:28:00.740 So you are to love one another. 00:28:01.960 --> 00:28:03.139 And that's the final point. 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.679 To love one another. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:07.639 Because this really is a love that's shared. 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:10.159 I can't believe the time has gone. 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:12.400 When you're talking about love. 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:13.320 You don't notice the time. 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.560 Do you? 00:28:13.600 --> 00:28:14.620 Especially the love of Jesus. 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:17.380 And the way that we're required to love one another. 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:19.180 But let me just point you briefly. 00:28:19.320 --> 00:28:21.540 To another passage. 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.980 In Ephesians chapter 4. 00:28:23.320 --> 00:28:24.120 And I'll be very brief. 00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:25.380 Ephesians 4. 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:28.800 Verses 15 and 16 especially. 00:28:29.800 --> 00:28:30.680 Now Jesus. 00:28:31.040 --> 00:28:33.360 Paul rather here is talking about the growth. 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:35.580 Of God's people together. 00:28:36.340 --> 00:28:37.400 And how they are to grow. 00:28:37.400 --> 00:28:40.000 Until they find it reached the maturity. 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:42.019 That God has designed them for. 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.680 And how that is. 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:46.140 So that especially they'll be. 00:28:46.280 --> 00:28:48.240 No longer tossed to and fro. 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:50.820 By the deceit of people. 00:28:50.820 --> 00:28:52.640 Who are trying to present them. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:54.280 With other than the truth. 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:56.540 But speaking he says. 00:28:56.860 --> 00:28:58.759 Rather speaking the truth in love. 00:28:59.380 --> 00:29:01.019 We have to grow up in every way. 00:29:01.140 --> 00:29:01.620 Unto him. 00:29:02.100 --> 00:29:03.759 Who is the head unto Christ. 00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:05.920 From whom the whole body joined. 00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:07.340 And held together. 00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:09.140 By every joint. 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.340 With which it is equipped. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.320 When each part. 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.640 Is working properly. 00:29:14.580 --> 00:29:16.539 Makes the body grow. 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:19.920 So that it builds itself up. 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.279 In love. 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.500 There's no way we could. 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:26.840 Really deal with that sufficiently. 00:29:27.060 --> 00:29:27.920 In two or three minutes. 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.320 Because it's got a huge amount. 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.200 To teach us. 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:32.460 What the growth of the church is. 00:29:32.660 --> 00:29:33.960 What the growth of God's people. 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.120 Together is about. 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.400 But the point. 00:29:36.579 --> 00:29:37.420 We're emphasizing. 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.759 In line with what we have. 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.700 In John 13. 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.579 Is the emphasis in the passage. 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:42.240 On love. 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:44.360 We are to grow up. 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.660 We are to grow spiritually. 00:29:46.100 --> 00:29:47.059 We are to mature. 00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:48.340 Keep on maturing. 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:49.000 In the faith. 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:50.500 Not individually only. 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.279 But together. 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:53.200 As a fellowship of God's people. 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.920 How are we to do it? 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:57.100 Speaking the truth. 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.200 In love. 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.319 Love. 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.600 And we are to grow up to him. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.039 Unto him. 00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:04.740 Towards him. 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:07.319 And when each part of the body. 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.080 Each one. 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:10.319 Such as we are here this evening. 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:11.759 When each of us together. 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:13.279 United together. 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.840 When each part is working. 00:30:15.200 --> 00:30:16.539 Efficiently or effectively. 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:18.220 Then together. 00:30:18.360 --> 00:30:19.539 That makes the body grow. 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:21.960 So that it builds itself up. 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.259 In love. 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:25.339 You see. 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.000 So tonight. 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:27.900 The question for myself. 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:29.400 Of course. 00:30:29.440 --> 00:30:30.680 That's not just mere talk. 00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.200 A lot saying. 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.480 Speaking the truth. 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:32.920 In love. 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:34.180 It's not just about speaking. 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.940 It's not just in conversation. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:38.200 And it's just one side of it. 00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:39.220 First John again. 00:30:39.900 --> 00:30:40.700 Chapter 3. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.299 Verse 18. 00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.299 Emphasizes. 00:30:42.740 --> 00:30:44.339 Let's not love. 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:46.240 In speech only. 00:30:47.220 --> 00:30:47.720 In word. 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.279 Or in tongue. 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.720 But indeed. 00:30:49.859 --> 00:30:50.480 In action. 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.839 And in truth. 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.240 There are two sides to it. 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.279 Speaking the truth. 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:54.759 In love. 00:30:55.339 --> 00:30:56.339 Acting in love. 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:58.119 But it's always together. 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.420 What he's saying. 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.559 There is that. 00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.519 From that. 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.299 We grow. 00:31:02.420 --> 00:31:03.460 Or the body grows. 00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.879 Or edifies itself. 00:31:05.640 --> 00:31:06.319 In love. 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.259 We're not just made. 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:09.819 To love one another. 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.460 Friends. 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:12.619 We're made to grow. 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.099 In love. 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.779 For one another. 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:16.160 We're made to grow. 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:16.799 Together. 00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:18.039 As we speak the truth. 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:18.640 In love. 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.019 To each other. 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:23.400 And that's the kind of growth. 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:25.059 That Paul has in mind there. 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.059 In Ephesians. 00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.299 Chapter 4. 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:29.119 So that. 00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:30.460 Each part. 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:31.579 Does. 00:31:32.160 --> 00:31:33.139 Its own bit. 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:35.099 The body grows. 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:36.460 In love. 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.079 In other words. 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:40.440 I'm not just to ask myself. 00:31:40.440 --> 00:31:40.879 Tonight. 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:43.099 Am I growing in love? 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:45.819 Am I growing as a Christian? 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:48.139 And am I growing in love? 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:50.240 How difficult that may be. 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.179 To quantify. 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:52.419 Or define. 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:53.259 It's something I need. 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.019 From time to time. 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.579 Regularly. 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:55.439 To ask myself. 00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.460 And you do too. 00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:58.319 But it's not just that. 00:31:58.980 --> 00:31:59.799 It's not just. 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:01.359 Am I growing in love? 00:32:01.399 --> 00:32:02.200 Or how can I see. 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:03.220 That I'm growing in love? 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:05.019 What I have to ask myself too. 00:32:05.099 --> 00:32:05.159 Is. 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.879 Am I contributing. 00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:08.759 To the body of Christ. 00:32:08.859 --> 00:32:09.799 Growing in love. 00:32:11.439 --> 00:32:13.259 Am I doing my part. 00:32:13.259 --> 00:32:15.700 As one. 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.460 Member of that body. 00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:19.839 To contribute. 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:21.279 To the overall growth. 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:23.299 Of the body. 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.819 In other words. 00:32:24.400 --> 00:32:25.420 Am I concerned. 00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.000 Tonight. 00:32:26.579 --> 00:32:27.500 For the growth. 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:28.759 Of God's people. 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.299 Together. 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:31.359 Of which I form a part. 00:32:31.900 --> 00:32:33.039 Am I as concerned. 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.839 For that. 00:32:34.379 --> 00:32:35.259 As I am. 00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:36.779 For my own personal growth. 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:37.559 I should be. 00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:40.099 Because God has firmly. 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.220 Firmly. 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.519 Positioned me. 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.339 And placed me. 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.940 In the body of Christ. 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:48.160 And I have a responsibility. 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:49.259 To that body. 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.980 As I have to myself. 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.700 Individually. 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:54.039 To grow in love. 00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:55.980 To contribute in love. 00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:57.420 To love. 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:59.259 Others of the body. 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:01.200 As I have been loved. 00:33:02.119 --> 00:33:03.240 By my Savior. 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:08.880 In one of his books. 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:11.280 In the collection. 00:33:11.280 --> 00:33:11.300 In the collection. 00:33:11.300 --> 00:33:13.200 Of John Owen's works. 00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.500 That great Puritan. 00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.260 Theologian. 00:33:15.960 --> 00:33:16.980 He says something. 00:33:17.080 --> 00:33:17.840 About scripture. 00:33:18.340 --> 00:33:19.060 Do you think we can. 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:19.920 Very easily. 00:33:20.540 --> 00:33:21.920 Apply to this particular. 00:33:22.100 --> 00:33:22.860 Topic itself. 00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:24.780 Of growing in love. 00:33:24.840 --> 00:33:25.360 Or loving. 00:33:25.560 --> 00:33:26.040 One another. 00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:28.020 And this is how he put it. 00:33:28.620 --> 00:33:30.080 We look on the scripture. 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:31.060 We might say. 00:33:31.300 --> 00:33:31.760 We look on. 00:33:32.260 --> 00:33:32.480 Love. 00:33:32.560 --> 00:33:33.740 And we've looked at tonight. 00:33:33.900 --> 00:33:33.980 We. 00:33:34.280 --> 00:33:34.860 This is how he put it. 00:33:34.860 --> 00:33:35.800 We look on the scripture. 00:33:35.799 --> 00:33:37.180 And receive it. 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:38.639 Not as the word of men. 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:40.159 But as it is indeed. 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:41.539 The word of the living God. 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:44.259 In those very fords. 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:46.279 And appearing shallows. 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:47.859 Of this river of God. 00:33:48.039 --> 00:33:49.099 Scripture he's talking about. 00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:51.220 Where the lamb may wade. 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:53.519 The elephant may swim. 00:33:55.240 --> 00:33:56.480 Everything in the scripture. 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.379 Is so plain. 00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:59.579 As that the least believer. 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:01.299 The least able believer. 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.220 May understand. 00:34:02.379 --> 00:34:03.960 All that belongs to his duty. 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:06.200 Yet. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:08.059 Is nothing so plain. 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:10.500 But that the wisest of them all. 00:34:10.599 --> 00:34:12.619 Have reason to adore the depths. 00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:15.179 And stores of divine wisdom in it. 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:15.800 In other words. 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:18.099 Let's just apply that to John's gospel. 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:19.440 And to that passage. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:21.159 That deals with our love for one another. 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:23.440 And for Jesus as well. 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:25.260 Loving as he has loved us. 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:29.380 You can feel as you wade out into. 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.099 This. 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.880 Stretch of water. 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.420 If you like. 00:34:32.519 --> 00:34:33.539 The waters of love. 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:35.539 You can feel. 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:37.159 That they begin to. 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:39.059 Wash around your ankles. 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:42.539 And the youngest saint. 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:44.659 The youngest believer can do that. 00:34:44.820 --> 00:34:45.940 They can go out so far. 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:46.740 They can do. 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:47.840 As Owen says. 00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:48.980 They can paddle in it. 00:34:51.019 --> 00:34:52.780 But then I look out beyond that. 00:34:52.820 --> 00:34:53.240 And I see. 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.760 That the water gets darker. 00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:56.840 And I see that. 00:34:57.340 --> 00:34:58.460 If I do complete. 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:00.460 The initial part. 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:02.119 If I do complete. 00:35:02.119 --> 00:35:03.119 This preliminary part. 00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:03.739 This preliminary part. 00:35:03.739 --> 00:35:04.659 Of growing. 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:06.900 Then I've got plenty yet. 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:08.299 To get used to. 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:10.019 And there are depths. 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.319 That still go beyond me. 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:14.059 That I probably will never see. 00:35:14.139 --> 00:35:14.719 In this life. 00:35:14.819 --> 00:35:16.460 The full extent of it. 00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:17.319 Because it's love. 00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:19.299 It's the love of Christ. 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:19.440 Christ. 00:35:22.760 --> 00:35:24.519 And it doesn't matter who you are tonight. 00:35:24.580 --> 00:35:25.820 Or how long you've been a Christian. 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:29.060 Even if you've just been a Christian for a short time. 00:35:30.820 --> 00:35:32.180 There's so much in here. 00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:33.100 That you can find. 00:35:33.560 --> 00:35:34.580 To paddle in. 00:35:35.160 --> 00:35:36.440 To try to grow in. 00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:38.160 To apply to yourself. 00:35:39.160 --> 00:35:40.080 To love. 00:35:40.080 --> 00:35:41.360 Your fellow Christians. 00:35:42.280 --> 00:35:43.720 As God has loved you. 00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:46.939 And once you've paddled for a while. 00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:49.000 Then you realize that. 00:35:49.819 --> 00:35:51.599 Actually there's a lot more to this. 00:35:52.459 --> 00:35:54.000 There are depths to this. 00:35:55.119 --> 00:35:56.719 Because what we're trying to do really. 00:35:56.819 --> 00:35:57.339 Is to follow. 00:35:58.339 --> 00:36:00.179 The example that Christ has set. 00:36:01.359 --> 00:36:03.179 Of loving as he loved. 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:06.419 And if you can get to the end. 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:08.800 And the furthest dimension. 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:10.360 Of how he has loved us. 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:12.980 And where his love for us ends. 00:36:13.500 --> 00:36:14.360 Then you can say. 00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:16.079 You've reached the point. 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:17.240 Of completion. 00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:19.559 But I guarantee. 00:36:19.760 --> 00:36:20.559 You'll never do it. 00:36:21.380 --> 00:36:22.740 Maybe not even in eternity. 00:36:23.519 --> 00:36:25.340 But certainly not in this life. 00:36:26.380 --> 00:36:27.519 Because the example. 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:29.440 Is Christ's. 00:36:29.960 --> 00:36:30.440 Perfect. 00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:31.880 Love. 00:36:32.559 --> 00:36:33.579 May he bless these words. 00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:34.880 To us. 00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:37.140 We're going to conclude. 00:36:37.140 --> 00:36:39.200 Singing together in Psalm 133. 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:41.039 Well known psalm. 00:36:41.099 --> 00:36:42.460 That talks about the unity. 00:36:43.280 --> 00:36:43.780 Of God's.