WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning, church.

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 It's good to be with you all this morning.

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 Let me invite you to turn to our sermon text,

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 which is in the book of 1 John, chapter 5, verses 1 through 5.

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 That's page 961 in the Pew Bible, if you want to follow along there.

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 I encourage you to have it open while we look at this text this morning.

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 1 John 5, verses 1 through 5.

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 All right, let me pray, and then I'll read for us.

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 Father, as we pause for just a moment this morning

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 on the cusp of attending to your word,

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 we acknowledge that without your Holy Spirit

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 and without your presence,

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 Lord, we can do nothing.

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 That's of lasting spiritual value.

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 That's of lasting good in your kingdom.

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 And yet we also rejoice

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 that you, our ascended Lord Jesus,

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 have poured out your Holy Spirit without measure,

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 and you delight to work and fulfill all your good promises

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 to the praise of your name.

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 So we ask for you, God,

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 to come and make good on your promises,

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 to speak through your word,

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 to sanctify your people,

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 to grow your church

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 as we listen to your word this morning.

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 And we ask this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 All right.

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 1 John chapter 5.

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 Apostle John writes this.

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 He says,

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 For this is the love of God,

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 that we keep His commandments.

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 And His commandments are not burdensome,

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 for everyone who has been born of God

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 overcomes the world.

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 And this is the victory that has overcome the world,

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 our faith.

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 Who is it that overcomes the world

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 except the one who believes that Jesus

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 is the Son of God?

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 Well, if you've been following our sermon series this summer,

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 you'll notice that this paragraph of 1 John

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 covers a lot of familiar territory, doesn't it?

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 We find again here in these short couple of verses

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 that John highlights yet again

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 these three marks of genuine Christianity

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 that he's been just weaving throughout this book.

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 The three marks of belief in Jesus,

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 that He is the Christ, the Son of God,

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 come in the flesh.

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 The other mark, the second mark,

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 of love for the people of God.

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 And then the third mark of obedience

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 to God's commands.

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 John has been weaving throughout this book

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 the message that it takes all three of these

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 woven together to really be a sign

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 of genuine faith in Christ.

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 Take any of these three away

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 and you don't have real faith.

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 Now, up to this point in the book,

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 John has been especially warning

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 against a lack of love

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 for one's fellow Christians.

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 For almost a chapter and a half,

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 maybe more,

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 John has been saying that it's possible

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 to believe all the right things,

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 even keep many of God's commands,

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 but without love,

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 it's not genuine faith at all.

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 A loveless Christianity

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 is no Christianity at all.

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 And John restates that important truth

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 in our text in verse 1.

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 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ

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 has been born of God,

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 and everyone who loves the Father

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 loves whoever has been born of him.

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 In fact, the way,

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 if you have an older version,

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 it might translate that verse

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 a little more literally

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 to say,

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 everyone who loves the begetter

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 loves those who have been begotten of him.

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 But in the rest of this paragraph,

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 John wants us to see

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 that the opposite is also true.

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 He wants us to see

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 not just that loveless Christianity

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 is no Christianity at all,

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 that we need to love

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 and keep the commandments.

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 He wants us also to see

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 that loving without keeping God's commandments

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 isn't really love.

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 If we say that we love someone,

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 but we don't keep God's commandments,

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 it isn't really love.

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 Look at verse 2.

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 By this we know that we love

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 the children of God.

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 How?

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 How do we know if we really love them?

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 When we love God

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 and obey his commandments.

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 So John's going to show us two things

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 in this short paragraph of the letter.

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 First, he's going to show us

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 that obedience is the mark of real love.

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 Obedience is the mark of real love.

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 But he doesn't just leave it there.

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 He goes on then to show us, second,

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 that faith is the power of joyful obedience.

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 So that's what we're going to cover this morning.

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 Obedience is the mark of real love,

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 and faith in Christ

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 is the power of joyful obedience.

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 Let's spend a little time

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 considering that first point.

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 Obedience is the mark of real love.

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 We have to admit that verse 2,

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 it hits us as a bit of a surprise,

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 doesn't it?

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 I mean, how would you fill in that blank?

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 By this we know that we love the children of God.

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 How do we know?

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 What is it that demonstrates

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 or exemplifies our love

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 for our fellow Christians?

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 How would you fill in that blank?

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 Now the world, of course,

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 can make us think

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 that real love

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 is nothing more and nothing less

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 than just total affirmation, right?

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 Whatever you want or desire,

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 that's what you should have,

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 and if someone loves you,

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 they won't stand in your way.

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 The worldly understanding of love

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 sometimes just

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 falls into utter permissiveness.

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 But of course,

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 it doesn't take long to realize

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 that this path of complete permissiveness

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 eventually leads to heartache

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 and ruin, doesn't it?

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 I mean, there are real limits

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 that we have to embrace.

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 As much as I would like to,

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 I cannot eat a diet

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 of nothing but cheesecake

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 and Diet Coke.

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 I mean, I could probably go

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 for a few days, trust me,

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 especially if it's Japanese cheesecake.

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 Have you ever had this stuff?

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 It's delicious.

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 But eventually, you know,

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 it's just not going to work.

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 And my family would simply

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 be participating in my foolishness

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 to pretend that I could ignore

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 those limits

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 and genuinely flourish.

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 So loving someone inevitably

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 at times will involve

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 saying no.

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 Real love isn't mere affirmation.

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 Sometimes real love means disagreement

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 or correction,

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 even rebuke.

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 So what is the mark

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 of genuine love?

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 If we disagree

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 with the world's definition,

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 what do we typically put

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 in its place?

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 Well, perhaps our minds

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 go back to chapter 3

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 of 1 John.

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 Remember there,

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 in that part of the letter,

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 John defines the nature of love

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 as sacrificial service.

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 Do you remember that?

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 We identify needs

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 and we meet those needs

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 with the resources

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 that God has given us.

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 1 John 3, 16 through 18,

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 he says,

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 By this we know love,

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 that he laid down his life for us

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 and we ought to lay down

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 our lives for the brothers.

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 But if anyone has the world's good

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 and sees his brother in need

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 yet closes his heart against him,

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 how does God's love abide in him?

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 Little children,

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 let us not love in word or talk,

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 but in deed and in truth.

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 Now there are probably few

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 other paragraphs

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 in the New Testament

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 that give us

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 as concise a picture

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 of genuine Christian love

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 as that one.

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 But we do need to be careful.

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 We need to be careful

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 because it's very easy for us

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 to really be operating

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 with the world's understanding of love,

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 but then just kind of baptize it

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 with a Christian veneer.

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 We think we're exercising Christian love,

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 we think we're genuinely loving

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 our brothers and sisters,

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 but in reality,

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 we're just operating in the mode

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 of mere affirmation

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 or mere permissiveness.

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 We may be sacrificially

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 meeting their needs,

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 but in reality,

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 we're just doing it

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 out of that same kind

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 of operating system

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 of permissiveness.

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 How do we know

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 if we are loving

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 in deed and in truth?

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 Well, this is where

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 John chapter 5 helps us

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 when he says,

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 by this we know

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 that we love the children of God,

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 when we love God

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 and obey His commandments.

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 You see,

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 the commandments of God

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 are like the pathways of love.

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 If we live in those commands

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 and if we encourage others

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 to do the same,

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 then we are on the sure road

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 of loving each other

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 in deed and in truth.

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 after all,

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 God's commandments

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 are God's commandments,

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 right?

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 And John has just told us

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 in chapter 4, verse 8,

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 that God is love.

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 And if God is love,

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 then His commandments

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 must be utterly loving.

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 They are the sure pathways

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 of love.

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 Now let's apply this

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 in two ways then.

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 First,

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 if obedience to God's commands

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 is the mark of love,

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 then it's never loving

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 to encourage someone

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 or affirm someone

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 in disobeying them.

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 You know,

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 if you saw your best friend

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 about to pour vegetable oil

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 in the gas tank

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 of their car,

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 you know,

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 what would you do?

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 I mean,

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 you'd probably say,

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 hey, you know,

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 that's probably not a good idea.

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 I don't think your engine

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 is going to run on that,

00:10:38.099 --> 00:10:38.339
 right?

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 But then if your friend

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 turned to you and said,

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 but you know,

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 it just feels so right

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 to just pour it in there.

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 I think it's going to work.

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 I read some articles

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 on the internet.

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 All my friends are doing it.

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 You know,

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 you're really the one

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 who's out of step here,

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 right?

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 Well, you know,

00:10:58.320 --> 00:10:58.860
 even if your friend

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 responded that way,

00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.560
 you'd probably still say

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 if you're a good friend,

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 look,

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 I know that's what

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 a lot of people are saying

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 and I know you saw it

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 on TikTok,

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 but trust me,

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 the engine's not going to work

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 on vegetable oil.

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 You see,

00:11:12.920 --> 00:11:14.000
 the commands of God,

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 they're like the blueprint

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 of love.

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 They tell us exactly

00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:20.539
 how the human heart

00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:22.340
 is created to work best.

00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:25.080
 So it's never loving

00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:26.220
 to just go along

00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.559
 when a fellow Christian

00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:28.940
 is disobeying God's commands.

00:11:30.899 --> 00:11:31.720
 Now, of course,

00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.879
 there are helpful

00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.259
 and unhelpful ways

00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:35.100
 to approach

00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:36.220
 a fellow church member

00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:37.860
 who is stepping outside

00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:38.840
 of God's commands,

00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:39.419
 right?

00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:41.259
 Listen to how

00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.559
 the Apostle Paul

00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:44.179
 describes the right approach

00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:46.059
 in Galatians chapter 6.

00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:47.859
 In Galatians 6,

00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:48.119
 1,

00:11:48.199 --> 00:11:48.559
 Paul says,

00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.299
 brothers and sisters,

00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:51.119
 if anyone is caught

00:11:51.119 --> 00:11:52.319
 in any transgression,

00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.139
 and caught there

00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.279
 means like stuck

00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:55.159
 or trapped.

00:11:55.939 --> 00:11:56.959
 So if you come across

00:11:56.959 --> 00:11:57.559
 someone who seems

00:11:57.559 --> 00:11:58.239
 to be stuck

00:11:58.239 --> 00:11:58.959
 or trapped

00:11:58.959 --> 00:12:00.379
 in disobeying God's commands

00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.059
 and transgression,

00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:02.079
 he says,

00:12:02.199 --> 00:12:03.299
 you who are spiritual,

00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:03.799
 that is,

00:12:03.879 --> 00:12:05.259
 filled with the Holy Spirit,

00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.339
 should restore him

00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:07.979
 in a spirit

00:12:07.979 --> 00:12:08.559
 of gentleness.

00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:09.039
 Gentleness.

00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.019
 And then he says,

00:12:11.099 --> 00:12:12.199
 keep watch on yourself

00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:13.500
 lest you too be tempted.

00:12:14.819 --> 00:12:16.059
 Bear one another's burdens

00:12:16.059 --> 00:12:17.699
 and so fulfill

00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:18.679
 the law of Christ.

00:12:19.719 --> 00:12:20.439
 So notice

00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:22.179
 what the right approach is.

00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:23.459
 The right approach

00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.779
 is marked by gentleness,

00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:25.139
 right?

00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:26.279
 We want to restore

00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:27.339
 our brother or sister,

00:12:27.439 --> 00:12:28.219
 not condemn them.

00:12:28.839 --> 00:12:29.419
 And it's marked

00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:30.119
 by humility.

00:12:30.319 --> 00:12:30.899
 We recognize

00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.779
 that we too

00:12:31.779 --> 00:12:32.479
 are tempted.

00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:34.799
 We're not above

00:12:34.799 --> 00:12:35.839
 this battle,

00:12:35.959 --> 00:12:36.439
 this struggle.

00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:38.860
 And according to Paul,

00:12:38.900 --> 00:12:39.420
 it's also marked

00:12:39.420 --> 00:12:40.220
 by compassion.

00:12:40.960 --> 00:12:41.740
 We're willing to bear

00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.640
 one another's burdens.

00:12:43.300 --> 00:12:44.120
 We're willing to do

00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:44.660
 what it takes

00:12:44.660 --> 00:12:45.540
 to come alongside

00:12:45.540 --> 00:12:46.840
 our brother or sister

00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:48.720
 and help them get out

00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.860
 of whatever mess

00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:50.640
 they're stuck in,

00:12:50.660 --> 00:12:51.420
 even if it takes

00:12:51.420 --> 00:12:52.560
 some sacrifice

00:12:52.560 --> 00:12:53.280
 on our part.

00:12:56.160 --> 00:12:57.380
 So this is one application

00:12:57.380 --> 00:12:58.420
 of what John's saying here.

00:12:58.660 --> 00:12:59.200
 If obedience

00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:00.020
 to God's commands

00:13:00.020 --> 00:13:01.020
 is the mark of love,

00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.720
 then we need to be willing

00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:03.940
 to do this gentle work

00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:04.540
 of correction

00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:05.980
 and not merely be affirming

00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.960
 when a brother or sister

00:13:06.960 --> 00:13:08.580
 strays from God's commands.

00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.180
 But there's another application.

00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.860
 If obedience

00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:14.759
 to God's commands

00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:15.920
 is a mark of love,

00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.259
 then the pursuit

00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:20.240
 of personal holiness

00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:24.000
 is a critical component

00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:26.779
 to loving your fellow Christians well.

00:13:27.920 --> 00:13:28.779
 In other words,

00:13:28.820 --> 00:13:30.779
 if you want to love well,

00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:33.259
 then pursue holiness,

00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.500
 Christ-likeness,

00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:36.039
 pursue obedience

00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:37.340
 in your own life.

00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:41.539
 The 19th century

00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:42.480
 Scottish pastor

00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:43.700
 Robert Murray McShane

00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:44.539
 famously said,

00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.360
 the greatest need

00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:48.419
 of my people

00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:51.039
 is my personal holiness.

00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:52.940
 Speaking about his role

00:13:52.940 --> 00:13:53.600
 as a pastor,

00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:56.080
 the greatest need

00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:56.759
 of my people

00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:59.399
 isn't his great preaching,

00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:00.820
 isn't his wonderful

00:14:00.820 --> 00:14:01.600
 pastoral care.

00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.419
 Those are great.

00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:04.379
 but his personal holiness.

00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:07.759
 Now,

00:14:08.199 --> 00:14:10.759
 this 19th century pastor

00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:12.219
 wasn't being conceited

00:14:12.219 --> 00:14:13.199
 when he said that.

00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:15.839
 He knew

00:14:15.839 --> 00:14:17.299
 that the greatest gift

00:14:17.299 --> 00:14:18.639
 that we can give

00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.259
 to each other

00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.579
 in the family of God

00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:23.759
 is our sanctified lives.

00:14:25.339 --> 00:14:26.459
 For when we are

00:14:26.459 --> 00:14:27.740
 pursuing holiness,

00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.059
 it is then

00:14:29.059 --> 00:14:29.699
 that we speak

00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.680
 the truth in love.

00:14:31.320 --> 00:14:31.840
 It is then

00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:33.020
 that we give generously.

00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:34.320
 It is then

00:14:34.320 --> 00:14:35.160
 that we're patient

00:14:35.160 --> 00:14:36.060
 and kind

00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.080
 and humble

00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:38.000
 and steadfast

00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:38.600
 and faithful

00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:39.220
 and gentle.

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.800
 But more than that,

00:14:42.860 --> 00:14:43.580
 when we pursue

00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.960
 personal righteousness,

00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:45.780
 personal holiness,

00:14:45.900 --> 00:14:46.240
 when we seek

00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.580
 to obey God's commands,

00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:49.800
 then our lives

00:14:49.800 --> 00:14:50.540
 begin to

00:14:50.540 --> 00:14:52.280
 begin to become

00:14:52.280 --> 00:14:54.120
 like reflections

00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.400
 of the love of God.

00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:57.659
 our lives

00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:59.100
 begin to shine forth

00:14:59.100 --> 00:14:59.980
 with the character

00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:00.699
 of God.

00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.559
 Remember,

00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.199
 the commandments

00:15:04.199 --> 00:15:04.879
 of God

00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:06.299
 are God's commandments.

00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:07.159
 They're the pathways

00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:07.799
 of love.

00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:10.459
 And as we live

00:15:10.459 --> 00:15:11.000
 in line

00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.959
 with his commands,

00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.399
 we begin to radiate

00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.159
 more and more

00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:14.819
 of the character

00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:15.419
 of God.

00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:16.579
 And then the aroma

00:15:16.579 --> 00:15:17.399
 of Christ,

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.159
 the great lover

00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:18.899
 of our souls,

00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:20.100
 begins to fill

00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:21.120
 our life together.

00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:25.440
 And that,

00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:25.740
 friends,

00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.240
 is an end

00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:26.899
 in itself.

00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:29.440
 To enjoy

00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.200
 the glorious

00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:31.820
 display of Christ

00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:33.820
 in each other.

00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.480
 Like the sunlight

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.519
 that shines

00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.419
 through the stained

00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.279
 glass windows

00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:41.000
 that kind of shines

00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:41.519
 with a hundred

00:15:41.519 --> 00:15:42.220
 different colors.

00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.720
 This is the church

00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.899
 that's pursuing

00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:47.500
 righteousness

00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:48.200
 and holiness.

00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:49.940
 It shines

00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.580
 with the glory

00:15:50.580 --> 00:15:51.240
 of Christ.

00:15:54.100 --> 00:15:54.940
 And that means

00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.980
 as we pursue

00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.440
 holiness,

00:15:56.560 --> 00:15:57.120
 we become more

00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.379
 than just examples

00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.360
 or encouragements

00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.960
 to one another.

00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.379
 Of course,

00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.560
 we are that.

00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.600
 But more than that,

00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.360
 we're not just

00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:06.280
 a moral example

00:16:06.280 --> 00:16:07.300
 for others to follow,

00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.440
 but we become

00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:09.259
 a foretaste

00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.900
 of the glory

00:16:09.900 --> 00:16:11.040
 of Christ together.

00:16:13.980 --> 00:16:14.879
 A foretaste

00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:15.400
 of the glory

00:16:15.400 --> 00:16:15.920
 of Christ

00:16:15.920 --> 00:16:16.600
 that will one day

00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.280
 be revealed

00:16:17.280 --> 00:16:18.080
 in full

00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.420
 when he returns.

00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.740
 Remember the beginning

00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.840
 of John chapter 3?

00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:24.700
 John says,

00:16:24.800 --> 00:16:25.100
 Beloved,

00:16:25.180 --> 00:16:26.000
 we are God's children

00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.460
 now,

00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:28.020
 and what we will be

00:16:28.020 --> 00:16:28.940
 has not yet appeared,

00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:29.740
 but we know

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.820
 that when he appears,

00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:33.540
 we shall be like him

00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:35.560
 because we shall see him

00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:36.259
 as he is.

00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:37.879
 And then John adds this,

00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.559
 and everyone

00:16:38.559 --> 00:16:39.860
 who thus hopes

00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:40.439
 in him

00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:42.439
 purifies himself

00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:43.779
 even as he is pure.

00:16:44.620 --> 00:16:45.500
 Looking forward

00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:46.679
 to that great day

00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.700
 when Christ is revealed

00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.240
 in glory

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.399
 and we participate

00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:49.919
 in it,

00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:51.200
 we long

00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:53.840
 to start now.

00:16:57.559 --> 00:16:58.360
 So obedience

00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.019
 is the mark

00:16:59.019 --> 00:16:59.820
 of real love

00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.500
 for one another.

00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:02.659
 Not just love

00:17:02.659 --> 00:17:03.179
 for God,

00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:04.019
 but love for each other

00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:04.480
 as well.

00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:07.799
 But that leads

00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.339
 to a question,

00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:08.680
 doesn't it?

00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.380
 A question of

00:17:09.380 --> 00:17:11.259
 where we get the power

00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.740
 to actually live out

00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.380
 God's commands.

00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.759
 Where do we get the power?

00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:17.660
 Where do we get the energy

00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:20.240
 to not just begrudgingly

00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:20.880
 go along

00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.660
 with God's commands,

00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:22.779
 but to joyfully

00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.640
 obey them?

00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.880
 Because we have to admit

00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.720
 that at times,

00:17:27.960 --> 00:17:29.400
 at times,

00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:30.140
 God's commandments

00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:31.220
 don't feel

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.240
 like the pathways

00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.880
 of love,

00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.319
 do they?

00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:35.660
 At times,

00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.380
 God's commands

00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:38.279
 feel burdensome.

00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:43.200
 But John is reminding us

00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:45.039
 that it doesn't have

00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.859
 to be that way.

00:17:47.180 --> 00:17:47.880
 Let's pick up

00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.319
 our passage

00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:49.079
 in verse 3.

00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.519
 John writes,

00:17:51.559 --> 00:17:52.160
 for this is the love

00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.519
 of God

00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:52.940
 that we keep

00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.579
 his commandments,

00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.359
 and his commandments

00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:57.299
 are not burdensome.

00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.759
 For everyone

00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.599
 who has been born

00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:01.259
 of God

00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:03.240
 overcomes the world.

00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:05.439
 And this is the victory

00:18:05.439 --> 00:18:06.119
 that has overcome

00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:06.679
 the world,

00:18:07.179 --> 00:18:08.000
 our faith.

00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.399
 Who is it

00:18:09.399 --> 00:18:09.980
 that overcomes

00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.500
 the world

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.359
 except the one

00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.159
 who believes

00:18:12.159 --> 00:18:13.059
 that Jesus

00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:14.339
 is the Son of God?

00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:18.099
 Faith in Jesus Christ,

00:18:18.199 --> 00:18:18.759
 John says,

00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:20.039
 is the power

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.719
 of joyful obedience

00:18:21.719 --> 00:18:23.219
 because through faith

00:18:23.219 --> 00:18:24.000
 in Christ,

00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:25.240
 we overcome

00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.119
 the world.

00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.219
 Now, what exactly

00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.079
 does that mean?

00:18:30.360 --> 00:18:31.160
 We overcome

00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:31.900
 the world.

00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:33.620
 Well, earlier

00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.180
 in the letter,

00:18:34.259 --> 00:18:34.740
 you'll remember

00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:36.160
 that the Apostle John

00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:37.480
 described the world

00:18:37.480 --> 00:18:38.660
 like this.

00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:39.720
 He said,

00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.819
 all that is in the world,

00:18:41.180 --> 00:18:41.779
 the desires

00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.700
 of the flesh

00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:44.000
 and the desires

00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.980
 of the eyes

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.079
 and the pride

00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:46.779
 of life,

00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:48.700
 it's not from the Father

00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:49.559
 but from the world,

00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.200
 and the world

00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.660
 is passing away

00:18:51.660 --> 00:18:52.960
 along with its desires,

00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:54.180
 but whoever does

00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:54.980
 the will of God

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.680
 abides forever.

00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:58.720
 Okay, so when John

00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.880
 talks about the world

00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.560
 in this book,

00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:02.200
 he's talking about

00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.880
 human life lived

00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:06.220
 according to our

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.600
 merely self-centered

00:19:07.600 --> 00:19:09.779
 or human-centered desires.

00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.779
 That's the world.

00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.440
 Human life lived,

00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:16.560
 human society arranged

00:19:16.560 --> 00:19:17.980
 according to our

00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:20.960
 merely human-centered desires.

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:23.980
 and that becomes

00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.980
 like a vortex

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:27.380
 that leads ultimately

00:19:27.380 --> 00:19:28.200
 to a place,

00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:28.940
 John says,

00:19:29.840 --> 00:19:30.720
 of wanting

00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:32.259
 what you don't have,

00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.779
 that's the desire

00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.980
 of the eyes,

00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:36.980
 and boasting

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.019
 in what you do,

00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:40.000
 the pride of life.

00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:43.100
 And it becomes

00:19:43.100 --> 00:19:44.779
 like this never-ending

00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:44.960
 pendulum

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.860
 back and forth

00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:48.819
 at the one end

00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:50.319
 suffering from

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:50.980
 a feeling of

00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.740
 radical insignificance,

00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.859
 always wanting,

00:19:54.179 --> 00:19:55.200
 always wanting

00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:55.819
 because there's

00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.899
 always someone

00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:57.839
 who's richer

00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:58.579
 or smarter

00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.179
 or prettier

00:19:59.179 --> 00:20:00.240
 or more talented

00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:02.200
 and feeling like

00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:02.859
 you need it

00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.740
 or you want it

00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.319
 and you're so

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:05.500
 radically insignificant.

00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:06.399
 But then,

00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:07.139
 because you can't

00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:07.819
 live there for long,

00:20:07.879 --> 00:20:09.299
 you swing the other way

00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.200
 to a feeling

00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.460
 of radical superiority,

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.119
 the pride of life

00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.059
 because surely

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.559
 you're at least

00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.439
 better than that person

00:20:15.439 --> 00:20:16.059
 or that person

00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:16.659
 or that person

00:20:16.659 --> 00:20:17.359
 or that person

00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:19.019
 and back and forth

00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:19.639
 you go.

00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:23.159
 the desires

00:20:23.159 --> 00:20:23.839
 of the eyes,

00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:25.179
 the pride of life,

00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:29.899
 from radical insecurity

00:20:29.899 --> 00:20:31.659
 to radical superiority.

00:20:34.659 --> 00:20:35.859
 Back and forth

00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.399
 you go.

00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.740
 But how do you

00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.379
 overcome it?

00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:43.659
 How do you get free

00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:45.539
 from the constant need

00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:47.460
 to build your identity

00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:49.420
 on what you own

00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:51.059
 or what you've accomplished?

00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.180
 How do you overcome

00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.980
 what John calls

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.220
 the world

00:20:57.220 --> 00:21:00.539
 and all the world's desires

00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:02.920
 that run counter to God

00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:05.519
 and make God's commands

00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:07.700
 seem so burdensome?

00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:10.200
 I mean,

00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:10.580
 after all,

00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.100
 think about it.

00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:12.299
 If the world says,

00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.819
 build your identity

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:15.000
 on what you possess

00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:16.480
 or what you accomplish,

00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.920
 that's your drive

00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:18.500
 in life.

00:21:19.779 --> 00:21:20.740
 Then the commands

00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.480
 of God come

00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.380
 and they do feel

00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.080
 like a burden.

00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.039
 They feel like

00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.799
 an intruder.

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.240
 They're playing

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.900
 a totally different tune

00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:30.740
 than the world

00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.340
 is playing.

00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:35.980
 But what if you could

00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.279
 overcome those desires

00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:37.839
 of the world?

00:21:38.939 --> 00:21:39.599
 What if you could

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.679
 break free from them?

00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:42.980
 What if you could

00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.659
 get off the pendulum swing

00:21:44.659 --> 00:21:45.759
 and no longer

00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.759
 be their slave?

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.319
 What if your life

00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.879
 wasn't ruled

00:21:49.879 --> 00:21:51.359
 by a gnawing insecurity

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:52.679
 or insignificance anymore?

00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.720
 What if your life

00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.919
 wasn't justified

00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:55.939
 by how accomplished

00:21:55.939 --> 00:21:57.139
 or successful you were?

00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.240
 What if you had been

00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.459
 set free from all that?

00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:04.619
 John says,

00:22:04.699 --> 00:22:05.879
 it's not just possible

00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:07.919
 to be liberated

00:22:07.919 --> 00:22:08.639
 from the world.

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.459
 It's not just possible

00:22:10.459 --> 00:22:11.659
 to overcome it.

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.039
 He says,

00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:14.959
 it's already happened.

00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:18.639
 The one who believes

00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:20.699
 that Jesus is the Son of God

00:22:20.699 --> 00:22:22.379
 has already overcome

00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.000
 the world.

00:22:24.099 --> 00:22:25.240
 This is the victory

00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.259
 that overcomes the world.

00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:27.139
 Our faith,

00:22:27.819 --> 00:22:29.079
 not just faith in general,

00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:30.959
 but faith in Jesus Christ,

00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.559
 the risen Son of God.

00:22:34.759 --> 00:22:36.120
 But how is that so?

00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.860
 In what way does faith

00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:39.079
 in Christ mean

00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:40.120
 our victory

00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:41.259
 over the world?

00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:44.240
 Well, let's pause

00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.400
 and meditate for a moment.

00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.039
 Consider first

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:49.620
 what faith in Christ means

00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:51.579
 about your past.

00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:55.340
 The world, friends,

00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:55.980
 wants you to live

00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:57.019
 in constant guilt

00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:57.700
 and shame

00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:59.259
 because the more

00:22:59.259 --> 00:22:59.920
 you live in guilt

00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.380
 and shame

00:23:00.380 --> 00:23:00.880
 and regret,

00:23:01.100 --> 00:23:02.660
 the more you will buy things

00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:03.680
 to fill the hole

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.220
 in your soul.

00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.680
 So it's very convenient

00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.480
 for the world

00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.539
 to keep you guilty

00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.400
 and regretful

00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.019
 and ashamed

00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:11.559
 so that you continue

00:23:11.559 --> 00:23:12.880
 to churn the wheel

00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:14.400
 of consumerism.

00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:17.800
 But friends,

00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.560
 Christ has forgiven

00:23:19.560 --> 00:23:20.259
 your sins

00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:22.300
 through His death

00:23:22.300 --> 00:23:22.980
 on the cross,

00:23:23.080 --> 00:23:24.280
 through His blood

00:23:24.280 --> 00:23:25.300
 shed for you.

00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:27.019
 He's taken your past

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.460
 and wiped it clean.

00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.320
 You don't need to pay

00:23:30.320 --> 00:23:30.980
 for your sins

00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:31.620
 and mistakes.

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.840
 You don't need to keep

00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:34.140
 trying to live them down.

00:23:35.820 --> 00:23:37.220
 You've been released

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.280
 through His death

00:23:38.280 --> 00:23:38.840
 and resurrection

00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.940
 on your behalf.

00:23:39.940 --> 00:23:42.720
 and your status

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.920
 is now secure.

00:23:44.820 --> 00:23:45.380
 The verdict

00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:46.320
 has been cast

00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:47.120
 over your life

00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:48.580
 before the only court

00:23:48.580 --> 00:23:49.240
 that matters.

00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:52.019
 In the eyes

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.820
 of God,

00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.620
 the Creator

00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:55.259
 and the Redeemer,

00:23:55.779 --> 00:23:56.900
 you are forgiven

00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:58.120
 and loved.

00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:00.279
 The only gavel

00:24:00.279 --> 00:24:00.980
 that matters

00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.759
 in the cosmos

00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.000
 has come down

00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.299
 and it is said

00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:05.299
 you're forgiven

00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:07.340
 and you're loved

00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:08.580
 and you're accepted

00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:10.159
 because my Son

00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:10.839
 paid the price

00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.299
 for you.

00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:15.460
 Your slate is clean.

00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:19.759
 And if that's

00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.359
 what's true

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.259
 when you're united

00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.759
 to Christ,

00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.599
 if that's what's true

00:24:22.599 --> 00:24:23.339
 of your past,

00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.740
 then the commands

00:24:25.740 --> 00:24:26.159
 of God

00:24:26.159 --> 00:24:26.960
 are no longer

00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:28.240
 burdensome rules.

00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.000
 They're no longer

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.899
 burdensome rules

00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:31.699
 whereby we try

00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:33.119
 to earn heavenly favor

00:24:33.119 --> 00:24:34.259
 or get back

00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.599
 into God's good graces.

00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.299
 No!

00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.740
 God has already

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.779
 justified us

00:24:38.779 --> 00:24:39.359
 in Christ.

00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.160
 The commands

00:24:41.160 --> 00:24:41.839
 aren't there

00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.500
 so that we can

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.500
 earn God's favor.

00:24:43.839 --> 00:24:44.319
 They're there

00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:44.940
 so that we can

00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:46.099
 run in the pathway

00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.960
 of His love.

00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.420
 So that we can

00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.299
 live a life

00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.740
 of love

00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.359
 to the God

00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:53.599
 who gave His only Son

00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:55.380
 to make us His children

00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:56.380
 and welcome us home.

00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.539
 Consider what

00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.140
 faith in Christ

00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:02.720
 means not just

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.460
 about your past

00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:04.319
 but about your future.

00:25:04.319 --> 00:25:04.419
 fear.

00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:07.240
 The world wants you

00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.159
 to live in constant

00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:09.839
 anxiety and fear.

00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:11.819
 Fear that you'll

00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:12.519
 miss out.

00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:14.419
 Anxiety that you've

00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.119
 got to live your

00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.059
 best life now

00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:17.279
 and not miss out

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.579
 on a single opportunity.

00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:19.700
 You've got to leave

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.839
 all your options open

00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:22.039
 for as long as possible

00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:22.639
 because you never

00:25:22.639 --> 00:25:23.500
 want to close the door

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.439
 because you might

00:25:24.439 --> 00:25:25.119
 miss something.

00:25:28.179 --> 00:25:28.879
 Isn't this the,

00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:30.599
 isn't this the tale

00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:31.679
 that the world tells?

00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:34.740
 But friends,

00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.400
 the resurrection

00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.380
 of Jesus Christ

00:25:36.380 --> 00:25:37.660
 shatters

00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:39.580
 that limited perspective.

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:42.100
 When Jesus Christ

00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:43.600
 rose from the grave,

00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:45.460
 He inaugurated,

00:25:45.580 --> 00:25:46.420
 He began

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:48.279
 the new creation.

00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:50.440
 It was the first fruits.

00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.539
 It was the swinging

00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:53.420
 open of the door

00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.700
 of a healed

00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:56.580
 and restored creation.

00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:58.080
 A creation without death.

00:25:58.759 --> 00:26:00.180
 A creation without decay.

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:02.320
 A creation without loss.

00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.600
 A creation that isn't

00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.900
 winding down

00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:08.420
 under its own steam,

00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.660
 but a creation

00:26:09.660 --> 00:26:11.000
 that's being remade

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.060
 and made new.

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.420
 And so for those

00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.560
 in Christ,

00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:19.019
 the future is not

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:20.640
 a clock that's running out.

00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:23.360
 So we better get

00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:24.860
 as much as we can.

00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.820
 We better get as much

00:26:25.820 --> 00:26:27.200
 pleasure before it's too late.

00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.799
 No!

00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:31.360
 For those in Christ,

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.259
 it's not a clock

00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.360
 that's winding down.

00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.519
 The future is an

00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:38.059
 ever-expanding horizon.

00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.799
 The future for the believer

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.640
 in Christ

00:26:43.640 --> 00:26:46.160
 is the dawn of a day

00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:47.400
 that will not end.

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:51.620
 where the beauties

00:26:51.620 --> 00:26:52.600
 of this life

00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:54.300
 are seen to be

00:26:54.300 --> 00:26:55.420
 just a foretaste

00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:56.380
 of even greater

00:26:56.380 --> 00:26:58.300
 glories to come.

00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.960
 And so the commands

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.700
 of God

00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:05.200
 are not

00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:06.500
 burdensome

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:08.040
 distractions

00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:10.019
 or cosmic

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.000
 killjoys

00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:11.840
 keeping us

00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:13.000
 from having fun

00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:14.380
 while this fleeting

00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:14.960
 life

00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.940
 lasts.

00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:18.059
 No,

00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.900
 the commands

00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.680
 of God

00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:22.059
 are like the blueprint

00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.259
 of the new creation.

00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.519
 They are paths

00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.200
 of joy

00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.600
 on a road

00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:29.000
 that stretches out

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.340
 into eternal life.

00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:31.200
 Do you think

00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.940
 you will miss out

00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.660
 on joy

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.720
 if you follow

00:27:33.720 --> 00:27:34.620
 God's commands?

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.160
 No

00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.759
 is the answer.

00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.100
 No.

00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:45.519
 But last,

00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.240
 consider what faith

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.719
 in Christ

00:27:46.719 --> 00:27:47.399
 means not just

00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:48.079
 about your past

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.579
 or your future

00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:49.219
 but your present.

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.199
 The world

00:27:52.199 --> 00:27:52.879
 wants you to build

00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.659
 your right now

00:27:53.659 --> 00:27:54.199
 identity

00:27:54.199 --> 00:27:55.000
 on consumption

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.799
 and performance.

00:27:56.539 --> 00:27:57.179
 You are what you

00:27:57.179 --> 00:27:57.519
 purchase,

00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.199
 you are what you

00:27:58.199 --> 00:27:58.639
 produce,

00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.319
 you are what you

00:27:59.319 --> 00:27:59.879
 achieve,

00:28:00.659 --> 00:28:01.639
 but faith in Christ

00:28:01.639 --> 00:28:02.399
 means a whole

00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:03.179
 new identity.

00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:04.939
 Everyone who

00:28:04.939 --> 00:28:05.459
 believes that

00:28:05.459 --> 00:28:06.339
 Jesus is the Christ

00:28:06.339 --> 00:28:07.119
 has been born

00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:08.019
 of God.

00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:10.279
 You are right now

00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.460
 a child of God

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.859
 in Christ,

00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.019
 a son,

00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:14.879
 a daughter

00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:15.519
 of the King.

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.240
 Apart from

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.920
 your production,

00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.160
 apart from

00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:20.899
 your possessions,

00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:23.940
 you have the

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:25.139
 most dignified

00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:26.059
 identity

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:28.160
 in the universe

00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:30.059
 and it has

00:28:30.059 --> 00:28:30.980
 nothing to do

00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.440
 with that.

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.599
 So you don't

00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.139
 need to play

00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:35.980
 the world's games

00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:36.480
 anymore.

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:40.180
 Jesus once

00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.360
 said,

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:41.079
 a man's life

00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.559
 does not

00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.900
 consist in

00:28:42.900 --> 00:28:43.420
 the abundance

00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.079
 of his

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.660
 possessions,

00:28:45.599 --> 00:28:47.099
 nor does it

00:28:47.099 --> 00:28:47.700
 consist in

00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.180
 the abundance

00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:48.860
 of worldly

00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:49.660
 approval or

00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.279
 applause.

00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.220
 Friends in

00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:52.519
 Christ,

00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:54.259
 you are part

00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.380
 of a new

00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.299
 kingdom

00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.400
 now,

00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:59.200
 a new

00:28:59.200 --> 00:28:59.960
 reign,

00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.620
 a new

00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.420
 movement,

00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.279
 a new way

00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.700
 of doing

00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.360
 things.

00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:06.139
 And God's

00:29:06.139 --> 00:29:06.839
 commands aren't

00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.639
 burdensome,

00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:08.959
 just the

00:29:08.959 --> 00:29:09.439
 opposite.

00:29:10.179 --> 00:29:10.399
 They are

00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.579
 freedom and

00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.079
 life.

00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.459
 They are the

00:29:13.459 --> 00:29:14.679
 ways of the

00:29:14.679 --> 00:29:16.039
 kingdom for

00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.699
 the sons and

00:29:16.699 --> 00:29:17.139
 daughters of

00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:17.639
 the King

00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.899
 right now.

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:23.299
 So friends,

00:29:23.379 --> 00:29:23.959
 it's faith.

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.659
 It's faith in

00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:27.139
 Jesus that is

00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:27.819
 the victory

00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.939
 that overcomes

00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:29.879
 the world.

00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:31.159
 And it's

00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:32.699
 that that

00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.420
 empowers

00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:34.220
 joyful

00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:34.980
 obedience.

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.640
 And through

00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.580
 joyful obedience,

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.640
 genuine love.

00:29:41.580 --> 00:29:42.259
 Jesus is the

00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.220
 crucified and

00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.160
 risen Son of

00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:44.480
 God.

00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.920
 He is the

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.480
 victor over

00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.279
 sin and

00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:47.880
 death and

00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.640
 condemnation.

00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:49.960
 Jesus'

00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.720
 glory will

00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.640
 not fade or

00:29:51.640 --> 00:29:52.140
 perish.

00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.240
 His kingdom

00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:53.980
 will know no

00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.440
 end.

00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:55.559
 His word will

00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.160
 endure for

00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:56.640
 eternity.

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:57.940
 And in the

00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.600
 new heavens and

00:29:58.600 --> 00:29:59.220
 the new earth,

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.440
 His commands

00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.259
 will be seen

00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:01.799
 as what they

00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:02.600
 truly are,

00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.620
 by everyone.

00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.380
 The expression

00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:07.279
 of perfect

00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:07.660
 love.

00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.880
 The will of

00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.960
 a King whose

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.940
 name is love

00:30:11.940 --> 00:30:13.480
 and whose life

00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:14.200
 cannot be

00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:14.680
 diminished.

00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.940
 So church,

00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:18.360
 let's live

00:30:18.360 --> 00:30:19.380
 these commands

00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:20.160
 now.

00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.460
 Out of

00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.559
 grateful love

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.200
 for Christ

00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.720
 who saved

00:30:24.720 --> 00:30:25.980
 us, united

00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.660
 to Him by

00:30:26.660 --> 00:30:27.980
 faith, let's

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:28.740
 follow His

00:30:28.740 --> 00:30:29.319
 commands in

00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:31.080
 love, overcoming

00:30:31.079 --> 00:30:32.000
 the world and

00:30:32.000 --> 00:30:32.559
 its lives

00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.119
 through Him

00:30:33.119 --> 00:30:34.439
 and through

00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:35.000
 faith in His

00:30:35.000 --> 00:30:35.259
 name.

00:30:36.659 --> 00:30:37.419
 Let's pray.

00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:47.099
 Father, we

00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:47.659
 take just a

00:30:47.659 --> 00:30:48.720
 moment and we

00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.599
 pause before

00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:49.879
 You.

00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:55.260
 God, we

00:30:55.260 --> 00:30:55.960
 admit, God, that

00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:56.780
 oftentimes we

00:30:56.780 --> 00:30:57.360
 become so

00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:59.740
 confused, it's

00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.560
 so easy for us

00:31:00.560 --> 00:31:01.640
 to slide as

00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:02.340
 Christians back

00:31:02.340 --> 00:31:03.000
 into thinking

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.960
 that it is our

00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:05.740
 obedience that

00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.080
 earns Your

00:31:06.080 --> 00:31:08.120
 favor, and then

00:31:08.120 --> 00:31:08.920
 Your commands do

00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.940
 become burdensome.

00:31:11.840 --> 00:31:12.700
 Father, by Your

00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.900
 Holy Spirit right

00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.940
 now, would You

00:31:14.940 --> 00:31:17.800
 come and remind

00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:19.319
 us again of

00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:20.220
 the gospel of

00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:25.079
 grace, that we

00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.960
 are forgiven and

00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:26.859
 accepted by

00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:30.279
 grace, and we

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:32.079
 are set free to

00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:32.639
 then obey.

00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:37.639
 But Father, we

00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.519
 also acknowledge

00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.460
 this morning that

00:31:39.460 --> 00:31:41.539
 for those apart

00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:43.359
 from Christ, for

00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:44.779
 those outside of

00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:46.220
 Him, for those who

00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:48.360
 have not put

00:31:48.360 --> 00:31:48.980
 their trust in

00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:49.240
 Him.

00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.180
 Lord, the

00:31:53.180 --> 00:31:53.980
 realities of the

00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:56.039
 world are all

00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.539
 that remain.

00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:01.640
 Lord, I pray

00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.640
 that if there are

00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.380
 any here this

00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:05.059
 morning who are

00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:07.240
 not in Christ and

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:09.000
 have not tasted of

00:32:09.000 --> 00:32:09.980
 the joy and

00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:11.220
 freedom that come

00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.079
 through His

00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.000
 forgiving grace,

00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.779
 God, I pray that

00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:15.680
 this morning would

00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.200
 be the day of

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:16.900
 salvation for

00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:19.240
 them, and that

00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.820
 by Your Holy

00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:20.380
 Spirit, You

00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:21.160
 would pour into

00:32:21.160 --> 00:32:22.120
 their hearts this

00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:23.320
 faith that

00:32:23.320 --> 00:32:24.080
 overcomes the

00:32:24.080 --> 00:32:24.640
 world, this

00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:26.120
 faith in Jesus.

00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:27.560
 God, cause them

00:32:27.560 --> 00:32:29.000
 to be born again

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.480
 that they might

00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.039
 believe.

00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:35.060
 And Lord, would

00:32:35.060 --> 00:32:35.820
 they reach out to

00:32:35.820 --> 00:32:37.880
 You, take hold

00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:38.600
 of You, and

00:32:38.600 --> 00:32:40.860
 know that any

00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:41.539
 who come to

00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:44.060
 You, any who

00:32:44.060 --> 00:32:44.900
 come to You, You

00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:45.519
 will in no

00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.660
 wise cast out,

00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:48.420
 because You

00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.240
 are a God of

00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.660
 mercy.

00:32:52.820 --> 00:32:53.860
 Lastly, Jesus, we

00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:56.060
 pray that we

00:32:56.060 --> 00:32:56.960
 would live in

00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:58.620
 this victory, we

00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.220
 would live in

00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.880
 this joy, we

00:33:00.880 --> 00:33:02.460
 would live in

00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:03.320
 this celebration

00:33:03.320 --> 00:33:06.200
 that You have

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:08.120
 overcome, and we

00:33:08.120 --> 00:33:08.820
 have overcome in

00:33:08.820 --> 00:33:09.000
 You.

00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.740
 Be glorified in our

00:33:11.740 --> 00:33:12.340
 lives and our

00:33:12.339 --> 00:33:12.980
 church, Father.

00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:13.459
 We pray.

00:33:13.459 --> 00:33:14.119
 Father, we

00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.139
 pray.

00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:14.379
 Amen.

00:33:14.379 --> 00:33:14.599
 Amen.

00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:14.980
 Amen.

00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.039
 Amen.

00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:17.419
 Amen.

00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:17.579
 Amen.

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:19.500
 Amen.

00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:21.959
 Amen.

00:33:21.959 --> 00:33:22.539
 Amen.

00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.039
 Amen.

00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:25.139
 Amen.

00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:31.619
 Amen.

00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:31.720
 Amen.

00:33:31.720 --> 00:33:32.720
 Amen.

00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:32.759
 Amen.

00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.059
 Amen.

00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.179
 Amen.

00:33:33.179 --> 00:33:33.299
 Amen.

00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.179
 Amen.

00:33:34.179 --> 00:33:38.639
 Amen.

00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.419
 Amen.

00:33:39.419 --> 00:33:39.439
 Amen.

00:33:39.439 --> 00:33:40.199
 Amen.

00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.599
 Amen.

00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:41.759
 Amen.