WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning, Providence Baptist Church.

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 Excited to be with you again this morning.

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Go ahead and take your copy of God's Word and open to the book of 1 John.

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We're going to be finishing out chapter 4 this morning. Chapter 5, verse 13. Before we do that, I want to open with a question. How? How do I

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know I am a Christian.

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 That is a question that every person in here has probably asked at least a few times, if not many times, throughout their life.

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 It's a very common question and a common fear that true Christians do experience.

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 How can I be certain that I will inherit eternal life on the day of judgment?

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 And that I won't be one of the ones who hears, depart from me, I never knew you.

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 And I will submit to you that one way to answer this question, in one word, is love.

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 And love is bound up with a number of assurances for the believer to have here and now.

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 1 John 4, 13-21, continues from where we left off last week.

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 And it's debatable whether or not it begins a new section or not.

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 But regardless, you'll see one way or another, however you want to break the text down, it is deeply connected to the prior week's text.

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 And in that text from last week, we saw that love is from God.

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 God is love, the necessity for us to love one another in the way of Christ, and the results or benefits of abiding in God and in love.

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 And so it's here that our text picks up.

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 And with these things in mind, please read with me.

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 1 John 4, 13-21.

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 John writes,

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 In these things, or excuse me, by these things we know that we abide in him, for he has sent his spirit, or given us his spirit.

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 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son, the Savior of the world.

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 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him and he in God.

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 And we have come to know and we believe the love which God has for us.

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 God is love.

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 And the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

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 Love is perfected in this way with us.

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 So that we may have confidence on the day of judgment.

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 For just as that one is, so also we are in this world.

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 There is no fear in love.

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 But perfect love casts out fear.

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 For love has to do with punishment.

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 But the one who fears has not been perfected in love.

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 We love for he first loved us.

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 If someone says, I love God, but hates his brother, he is a liar.

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 For the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, is not able to love God whom he has not seen.

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 And this command we have from him.

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 The one who loves God must love his brother.

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 As we consider our text today, the first assurance that John offers his readers is the gift of the spirit.

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 If you're taking notes, this is our first heading.

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 Assurance from the gift of his spirit.

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 In verse 13.

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 Read that with me once more.

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 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us.

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 That he has given of his spirit to us.

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 This is the first assurance.

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 The simple fact that God has given of his spirit.

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 The wording is unusual in our text today.

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 I normally think of being given the Holy Spirit or something like that.

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 But it says he has given of his spirit.

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 And it's debatable why this unique wording in the New Testament.

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 But regardless, John seems to be connecting the giving of the spirit to love.

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 And this wouldn't be unique to him.

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 Paul does this explicitly in Romans 5.5.

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 He says God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

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 So as we receive the spirit, we receive love.

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 There's a deep connection between the receiving of the spirit and love.

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 And so verse 13 of 1 John 4 calls back to last week's text.

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 1 John 4, 7 through 8.

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 Where we saw that love is from God and God is love.

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 Love.

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 So thus to have of God's spirit is to have of love.

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 The spirit provides a certain subjective assurance to the believer.

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 While producing the objective assurance of a life marked by love.

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 You'll recall I said love is not merely a mark of the true Christian.

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 But it is ultimately the mark of the true Christian.

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 It is the irrefutable evidence.

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 And so when we love properly and in Christian community.

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 This is a sign of the spirit at work in us.

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 Which means God must therefore necessarily abide in us.

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 And so that is assurance number one.

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 The spirit is our seal and sanctifies us.

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 Resulting in love.

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 In verse 14 we see assurance number two.

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 Which is the apostolic witness.

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 Assurance from the apostolic witness.

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 Heading number two.

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 Read with me again.

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 John writes verse 14.

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 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent the Son.

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 The Savior of the world.

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 John is one of the apostles who walked with Christ during his three year ministry.

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 He saw the many miracles of Christ.

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 He saw Christ crucified.

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 He saw Jesus' tomb empty.

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 He saw Jesus resurrected and walking around.

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 Speaking with people.

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 Holes in his hands.

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 All these things.

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 He saw him ascended into heaven.

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 And he was not alone when he saw these things.

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 The other apostles and some other disciples were with him in each of these instances.

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 This is why John opens his epistle with these famous words.

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 First John 1.

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 One through two.

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 That which was from the beginning.

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 Referring to Jesus.

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 That which was from the beginning.

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 Which we have heard.

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 Which we have seen with our eyes.

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 Which we looked upon and have touched with our hands.

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 Concerning the word of life.

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 The life was made manifest.

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 And we have seen it.

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 And testified to it.

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 And proclaimed to you the eternal life.

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 Which was with the Father.

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 And was made manifest.

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 To us.

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 That is a long, repetitive, very clear way of saying over and over again.

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 I saw what I saw.

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 I know it.

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 And there were people there with me.

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 To back it up.

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 I'm not crazy.

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 He saw this.

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 It's real.

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 And so in our text today.

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 John reminds his readers.

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 What a power play.

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 Right?

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 We have seen.

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 And we testify.

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 I'm a witness.

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 We're all witnesses.

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 That the Father sent the Son.

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 The Savior.

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 Of the world.

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 And so brothers and sisters.

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 You can have confidence.

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 That the Gospels portray accurately.

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 And truthfully.

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 The reality.

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 Of the person and work.

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 Of the God-man.

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 Jesus Christ.

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 Our Savior.

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 These are not.

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 Just merely religious texts.

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 It's history.

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 And true history.

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 Not the stuff you find on.

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 The history channel.

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 Or YouTube.

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 They wrote these stories down.

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 They taught the earliest churches.

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 Which they planted.

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 And they practiced the way of love.

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 Incarnate.

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 Handing down this great deposit.

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 From generation.

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 To generation.

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 All the way.

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 To us.

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 Today.

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 And so we have.

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 An incredible lineup.

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 Of witnesses.

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 Testimony.

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 That should bolster.

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 Our assurance.

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 John offers this.

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 He was there.

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 Assurance number three.

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 Those who confess.

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 Jesus.

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 As the Son of God.

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 Have God.

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 Abiding.

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 In them.

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 Assurance.

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 From confessing.

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 Jesus.

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 Verse 15.

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 John says.

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 Whoever.

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 Confesses.

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 That Jesus.

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 Is the Son of God.

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 God abides in him.

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 And he.

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 And God.

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 Whoever.

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 Doesn't matter.

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 Your sin.

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 Your nationality.

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 Your gender.

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 Your background.

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 What you're known for.

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 Whatever.

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 Whatever.

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 Whoever.

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 Confesses.

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 That Jesus.

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 Is the Son of God.

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 God abides.

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 In that.

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 Person.

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 And so we have.

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 This.

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 Assurance.

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 From the Spirit.

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 A clear mark.

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 Of the Christian.

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 Is one who.

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 Verbally.

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 And publicly.

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 Professes.

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 That Jesus.

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 Is the Son.

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 Of God.

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 You could.

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 Rightly.

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 Label this.

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 As a theological.

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 Or a.

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 Doctrinal test.

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 To know.

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 If you're a Christian.

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 However.

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 I do fear.

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 Those words.

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 Don't sound.

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 Personal.

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 Enough.

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 To some.

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 Ears.

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 But understand.

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 John is making.

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 A very.

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 Personal.

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 Point.

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 If you know.

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 Jesus.

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 The real.

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 True.

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 Jesus.

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 Then you know.

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 He is.

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 The Son.

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 Of God.

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 And if you don't.

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 Know him.

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 You don't.

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 Know.

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 That he's.

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 The Son.

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 Of God.

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 Imagine.

00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:43.860
 If I said.

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 I really love.

00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:46.519
 Nathan Rainer.

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 We enjoy.

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 Watching football.

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 Together.

00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:50.040
 With autumn.

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 Treats.

00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.220
 Well.

00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:54.540
 Clearly.

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 My claim.

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 To know him.

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 Loses.

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 All credibility.

00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:59.440
 Because he's.

00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.120
 A loud mouth.

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 About how much.

00:12:00.800 --> 00:12:01.740
 He hates football.

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 And everything.

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 Good and right.

00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:03.519
 About fall.

00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.320
 Treats.

00:12:04.700 --> 00:12:04.879
 Right.

00:12:05.019 --> 00:12:05.560
 I'm already.

00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:06.060
 Gearing up.

00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:07.320
 For the anti-sugar talk.

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 Here we go.

00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:13.139
 I don't know where he is.

00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:13.960
 But I do love him.

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 I would lose all credibility.

00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.159
 If I said that.

00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.960
 It's so obvious.

00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:21.639
 I do not know Nathan Rainer.

00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.920
 If I say that.

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 And you can't.

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 Chalk that up.

00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:25.860
 To simple.

00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:27.060
 Misunderstanding.

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 He talks about it.

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 All the time.

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 You should know this.

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 Likewise.

00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:31.899
 Likewise.

00:12:33.959 --> 00:12:34.919
 Anyone who claims.

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 To follow Christ.

00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:37.179
 And know him.

00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.759
 But does not recognize him.

00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:40.779
 As the son of God.

00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:41.419
 Is just.

00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:42.939
 Painfully.

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 Sadly.

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 Clearly.

00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:46.679
 Mistaken.

00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:47.919
 They have not.

00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:48.620
 Encountered.

00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:50.439
 The Jesus of the Bible.

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 That's when you and I.

00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.760
 Confess with our mouths.

00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:56.260
 That Jesus.

00:12:56.560 --> 00:12:57.380
 Is the son of God.

00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:58.420
 We can be assured.

00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.840
 That that confession.

00:13:00.840 --> 00:13:02.200
 Is of the spirit.

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 And therefore.

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 We are born.

00:13:04.760 --> 00:13:05.280
 Again.

00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:07.920
 Likewise.

00:13:08.060 --> 00:13:08.680
 Paul speaks.

00:13:08.920 --> 00:13:09.740
 In first Corinthians.

00:13:09.900 --> 00:13:10.260
 Twelve.

00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:10.840
 Verse three.

00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:11.200
 He says.

00:13:11.300 --> 00:13:11.940
 Therefore.

00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.960
 I want you to understand.

00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.980
 That no one.

00:13:15.160 --> 00:13:15.620
 Speaking.

00:13:15.900 --> 00:13:16.960
 In the spirit of God.

00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:18.220
 Ever says.

00:13:18.400 --> 00:13:18.720
 Jesus.

00:13:19.040 --> 00:13:19.760
 Is accursed.

00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:19.879
 First.

00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.259
 And he goes on.

00:13:22.319 --> 00:13:23.019
 And no one.

00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:23.759
 Can say.

00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.439
 Jesus.

00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:26.379
 Is Lord.

00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.159
 Except.

00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:28.200
 In the Holy.

00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:29.679
 Spirit.

00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:32.620
 And so.

00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:34.000
 It is of utmost importance.

00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:34.939
 Therefore.

00:13:36.220 --> 00:13:37.460
 That we publicly.

00:13:37.819 --> 00:13:38.220
 Profess.

00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.319
 As a church.

00:13:39.819 --> 00:13:40.139
 Together.

00:13:40.319 --> 00:13:40.939
 With one another.

00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:41.740
 And to the world.

00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.100
 That.

00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:42.700
 Jesus.

00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:44.000
 Is the son of God.

00:13:44.080 --> 00:13:45.419
 For evangelism's sake.

00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.039
 Yes.

00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:47.799
 But also.

00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:49.000
 And I think we so often.

00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.519
 Forget this.

00:13:49.519 --> 00:13:50.319
 Also.

00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:52.679
 For the sake of building.

00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:53.699
 One another's faith.

00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:54.539
 In love.

00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:55.840
 And growing.

00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:56.919
 In personal.

00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:58.960
 Assurance.

00:14:02.039 --> 00:14:02.980
 Confessing Jesus.

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.620
 To one another.

00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.220
 In the world.

00:14:04.460 --> 00:14:05.659
 Strengthens our faith.

00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.439
 In our assurance.

00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.199
 And yet.

00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:07.579
 We have.

00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:09.059
 Even greater assurance.

00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:09.860
 Still.

00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.319
 In knowing.

00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.220
 And believing.

00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:13.419
 In God's.

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.220
 Love.

00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:14.679
 That is.

00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.839
 Where John goes.

00:14:15.839 --> 00:14:17.039
 After reflecting on.

00:14:17.579 --> 00:14:18.819
 All these things.

00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:20.279
 And that is assurance.

00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:20.699
 Number.

00:14:21.399 --> 00:14:21.779
 Four.

00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.120
 From our text.

00:14:23.339 --> 00:14:23.739
 Assurance.

00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:24.599
 From knowing.

00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:25.599
 And believing.

00:14:25.959 --> 00:14:26.799
 In God's.

00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.000
 Love.

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.039
 Love.

00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:29.159
 This is the first half.

00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:30.200
 Of verse 16.

00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.179
 John writes.

00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.820
 And we have come.

00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:34.519
 To know.

00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:35.940
 And to believe.

00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:36.580
 The love.

00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.460
 Which God.

00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:38.279
 Has.

00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.200
 For.

00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:40.720
 Us.

00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.080
 Incredible.

00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:44.440
 John's wording here.

00:14:44.440 --> 00:14:45.040
 Rightly.

00:14:45.400 --> 00:14:45.520
 We.

00:14:45.520 --> 00:14:46.620
 So often.

00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.260
 Think about.

00:14:47.440 --> 00:14:47.740
 Knowing.

00:14:47.920 --> 00:14:48.520
 And believing.

00:14:48.520 --> 00:14:49.300
 In God.

00:14:49.400 --> 00:14:49.900
 Or Jesus.

00:14:50.160 --> 00:14:50.900
 Or the gospel.

00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.420
 But John.

00:14:52.480 --> 00:14:53.080
 Calls attention.

00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:53.760
 Specifically.

00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:54.580
 To God's.

00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:55.560
 Love.

00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:56.520
 To believe.

00:14:56.640 --> 00:14:57.540
 In the love.

00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.580
 Of God.

00:14:58.660 --> 00:14:58.900
 And so.

00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.580
 Every Christian.

00:14:59.580 --> 00:14:59.880
 Here.

00:14:59.960 --> 00:15:00.460
 Must ask.

00:15:00.520 --> 00:15:01.080
 Themselves.

00:15:01.560 --> 00:15:02.700
 Do I believe.

00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:03.120
 God.

00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:04.100
 Loves me.

00:15:06.260 --> 00:15:06.860
 Because.

00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.280
 John.

00:15:07.680 --> 00:15:08.040
 Certainly.

00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:08.760
 Does.

00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:09.440
 As do.

00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:09.880
 His.

00:15:11.160 --> 00:15:11.680
 Associates.

00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.120
 And.

00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.120
 He is not.

00:15:14.120 --> 00:15:14.759
 Describing.

00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.259
 Some.

00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.340
 Passing.

00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.139
 Momentary.

00:15:17.299 --> 00:15:17.679
 Warm.

00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:18.299
 Hallmark.

00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:18.659
 Card.

00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.179
 Feeling.

00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.000
 While writing.

00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:20.440
 This letter.

00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:21.320
 He's describing.

00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:21.720
 A.

00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:23.019
 A resolved.

00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:23.720
 Knowledge.

00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:23.940
 A.

00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.919
 A settled.

00:15:25.080 --> 00:15:25.639
 Belief.

00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.320
 Or trust.

00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:27.060
 That doesn't go.

00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:27.860
 Up or down.

00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:28.120
 With.

00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:28.720
 The good.

00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:29.360
 And the bad.

00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:29.960
 Of life.

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.060
 It is a fixed.

00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:32.060
 Singular.

00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:32.679
 Hope.

00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:33.740
 Trust.

00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.720
 We have.

00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.600
 Come to know.

00:15:36.720 --> 00:15:37.360
 And believe.

00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.159
 We did this.

00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:38.779
 In the past.

00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.860
 With continuing.

00:15:40.200 --> 00:15:40.600
 Present.

00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:41.600
 And ongoing.

00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:42.519
 Results.

00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.259
 We have.

00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.439
 Come to know.

00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:45.679
 And to believe.

00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:46.879
 The love.

00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:48.179
 Which God.

00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.860
 Has for us.

00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.939
 What is this love?

00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.419
 Well John.

00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:52.740
 Defined this for us.

00:15:53.579 --> 00:15:54.439
 Last week.

00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.559
 He showed us.

00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:56.960
 In first.

00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.259
 John.

00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:57.600
 Four.

00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:58.000
 Nine.

00:15:58.720 --> 00:15:59.539
 That God.

00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.340
 Showed his love.

00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:00.779
 For us.

00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.620
 In the sending.

00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.720
 Of his only.

00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:03.659
 Begotten.

00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:04.679
 Son.

00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.179
 Verse 10.

00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:07.019
 God showed his love.

00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:07.259
 For us.

00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:07.939
 By loving us.

00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:09.740
 Before we loved him.

00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:12.200
 And God showed his love.

00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:12.700
 For us.

00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.220
 Verse 10.

00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:13.700
 As well.

00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:15.860
 By sending his son.

00:16:16.039 --> 00:16:17.419
 As a propitiation.

00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:19.039
 For our.

00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:19.899
 Sins.

00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.720
 It is this.

00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:21.580
 Defined.

00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:22.720
 And articulated.

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.000
 Expression.

00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:25.519
 This love of God.

00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:26.120
 Embodied.

00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.240
 In the person.

00:16:27.399 --> 00:16:28.019
 And work.

00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.820
 Of Jesus Christ.

00:16:29.919 --> 00:16:30.240
 To which.

00:16:30.440 --> 00:16:30.919
 John.

00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:32.480
 Has a resolved.

00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.600
 Knowledge.

00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:34.159
 And a.

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.039
 Sure.

00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:36.340
 Trust.

00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:36.460
 Trust.

00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.220
 And therefore.

00:16:41.220 --> 00:16:41.740
 Friends.

00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:43.160
 If we want to be sure.

00:16:43.160 --> 00:16:44.120
 Of God's love.

00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.759
 For us.

00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.960
 Then we need to be.

00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:47.600
 Very.

00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.420
 Familiar.

00:16:49.420 --> 00:16:50.700
 With the person.

00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.320
 And work.

00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:51.899
 Of Jesus.

00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.500
 As shown.

00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.160
 In the fourfold.

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.180
 Gospel accounts.

00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:57.120
 As prefigured.

00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:58.340
 And anticipated.

00:16:58.780 --> 00:16:59.560
 In the Old Testament.

00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.120
 And further.

00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.019
 Explained.

00:17:02.160 --> 00:17:03.139
 And extrapolated.

00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.019
 In the epistles.

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.819
 And awaited.

00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:07.460
 In Revelation.

00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.679
 Show me a Christian.

00:17:09.679 --> 00:17:10.919
 Who can't remember.

00:17:11.439 --> 00:17:12.519
 Simple details.

00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:14.039
 From the gospel accounts.

00:17:14.659 --> 00:17:15.659
 And I'll show you.

00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.220
 A Christian.

00:17:16.220 --> 00:17:17.119
 Who lacks.

00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.079
 Assurance.

00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.000
 A Christian.

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.859
 Who questions.

00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.799
 God's love.

00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:22.079
 For them.

00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:22.799
 Because they've not.

00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:23.619
 Spent.

00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:24.579
 The needed.

00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.599
 And constant.

00:17:25.919 --> 00:17:26.399
 Time.

00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:27.619
 Reflecting.

00:17:27.779 --> 00:17:28.779
 On God's love.

00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.779
 Christ incarnate.

00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.039
 His life.

00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:32.740
 His works.

00:17:34.159 --> 00:17:34.879
 God's love.

00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:35.280
 Is made.

00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:36.480
 Clear.

00:17:37.260 --> 00:17:37.900
 In Jesus.

00:17:38.100 --> 00:17:38.580
 And John's.

00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:39.420
 Confidence.

00:17:39.580 --> 00:17:40.440
 Comes from walking.

00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:41.040
 With him.

00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:41.840
 From knowing him.

00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.500
 From meditating.

00:17:42.580 --> 00:17:42.980
 On his word.

00:17:43.140 --> 00:17:43.760
 From writing.

00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:44.720
 Some of his word.

00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:45.520
 Right.

00:17:45.660 --> 00:17:46.100
 John.

00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.120
 Knows these.

00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.460
 Things.

00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.620
 Immerse yourself.

00:17:50.800 --> 00:17:51.480
 In his life.

00:17:51.520 --> 00:17:52.060
 His works.

00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.760
 His teaching.

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.380
 Do not.

00:17:53.580 --> 00:17:54.600
 Let these things.

00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:55.580
 Become distant.

00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:56.460
 Memories.

00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:59.000
 Due to lack.

00:17:59.080 --> 00:17:59.580
 Of study.

00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.700
 Meditation.

00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.380
 And discipline.

00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.680
 Fixate.

00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.460
 Your eye.

00:18:05.660 --> 00:18:07.000
 On Christ.

00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.799
 John continues.

00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.660
 As we store up truths.

00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.840
 And understanding.

00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:15.720
 Of the person.

00:18:15.920 --> 00:18:16.299
 And work.

00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:16.860
 Of Christ.

00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.140
 We.

00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.259
 Grow.

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:18.980
 In assurance.

00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.900
 Of God's love.

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.019
 For us.

00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:22.900
 But this love.

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.200
 Then.

00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.440
 Branches out.

00:18:25.080 --> 00:18:25.840
 And this.

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.680
 Leads to John's.

00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:27.019
 Fifth.

00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.740
 Assurance.

00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:28.819
 Offered.

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:30.519
 Assurance.

00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.980
 From God's.

00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:32.740
 Abiding.

00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.119
 And perfected.

00:18:34.879 --> 00:18:35.559
 Love.

00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:37.679
 Second half.

00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.519
 Of verse 16.

00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:39.359
 John says.

00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:41.359
 God.

00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:41.939
 Is.

00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:42.839
 Love.

00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.359
 The one.

00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:45.059
 Who abides.

00:18:45.139 --> 00:18:45.599
 In love.

00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.099
 Abides.

00:18:46.179 --> 00:18:46.539
 In God.

00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:46.879
 And God.

00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:47.480
 Abides.

00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.099
 In him.

00:18:49.419 --> 00:18:50.319
 In this.

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:50.779
 Love.

00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.659
 Is perfected.

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.259
 With us.

00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:52.779
 So that.

00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.500
 We may have.

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:54.460
 Confidence.

00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.099
 On the day.

00:18:55.159 --> 00:18:55.639
 Of judgment.

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.240
 For just.

00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.019
 As that.

00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.359
 One.

00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.119
 Is.

00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:00.960
 So also.

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.799
 We are.

00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:02.660
 In this.

00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.339
 World.

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.740
 There is.

00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:06.079
 No.

00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:06.639
 Fear.

00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.660
 In love.

00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.379
 But perfect.

00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:09.740
 Love.

00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:10.700
 Casts out.

00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:11.400
 Fear.

00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.379
 For fear.

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.000
 Has to do.

00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.859
 With punishment.

00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.079
 But the one.

00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:15.619
 Who fears.

00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.299
 Has not.

00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.379
 Been perfected.

00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.139
 In love.

00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:22.980
 So John.

00:19:23.559 --> 00:19:24.039
 Repeats.

00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.500
 Himself.

00:19:24.660 --> 00:19:25.299
 From last.

00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:25.940
 Week's.

00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.359
 Text.

00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:26.799
 He says.

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:27.379
 God.

00:19:27.379 --> 00:19:28.199
 Is.

00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:29.659
 Love.

00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.459
 He then.

00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:32.759
 Uses.

00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.139
 The word.

00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:33.919
 Abide.

00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:34.939
 Three times.

00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:35.759
 In verse 16.

00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:36.379
 Alone.

00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.879
 To describe.

00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.199
 The.

00:19:38.519 --> 00:19:39.500
 The tightness.

00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.539
 Of the presence.

00:19:41.419 --> 00:19:42.179
 Between a person.

00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.899
 Who loves.

00:19:43.959 --> 00:19:44.779
 And love.

00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.479
 And God.

00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.379
 Because God.

00:19:46.719 --> 00:19:47.059
 Is.

00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:47.899
 Love.

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.219
 John.

00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.679
 Is being.

00:19:49.219 --> 00:19:49.799
 Overly.

00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:50.500
 Emphatic.

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:53.240
 But now.

00:19:53.319 --> 00:19:53.720
 He adds.

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.200
 This line.

00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.779
 Of thinking.

00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.480
 In a similar fashion.

00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.339
 From last week.

00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:57.779
 In verse.

00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:58.740
 17.

00:19:58.859 --> 00:19:59.200
 He says.

00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.000
 By this.

00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:00.359
 Love.

00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:00.619
 Is.

00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.680
 Perfected.

00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:02.380
 Or you could say.

00:20:02.380 --> 00:20:03.380
 Made complete.

00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:04.259
 Or made whole.

00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:06.099
 With us.

00:20:07.339 --> 00:20:07.839
 So.

00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:09.119
 God's abiding.

00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:09.880
 In us.

00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.559
 And our abiding.

00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.799
 In him.

00:20:12.359 --> 00:20:12.880
 Progressively.

00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:13.799
 Completes.

00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.500
 His love.

00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.359
 In the church.

00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:15.640
 The.

00:20:15.779 --> 00:20:16.859
 The with us.

00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.880
 Of verse 17.

00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:19.300
 Again.

00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:19.940
 That is not.

00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.620
 To say.

00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.180
 That God's.

00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:22.580
 Love.

00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.300
 Is somehow.

00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:24.360
 Deficient.

00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.840
 As if God.

00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:26.460
 Is growing.

00:20:26.580 --> 00:20:27.100
 Or changing.

00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.440
 No.

00:20:27.540 --> 00:20:28.360
 Absolutely not.

00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:28.860
 That would be.

00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.400
 Heresy.

00:20:30.840 --> 00:20:31.400
 Rather.

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.040
 As I said.

00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:32.980
 Last week.

00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:34.380
 This word.

00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:34.960
 Perfect.

00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:35.620
 Or make.

00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.080
 Complete.

00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.640
 Or whole.

00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.600
 In this.

00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.280
 Context.

00:20:38.320 --> 00:20:38.920
 I said.

00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.580
 God's expression.

00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:41.280
 Of love.

00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:41.460
 For.

00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.080
 Thank you.

00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.800
 God's expression.

00:20:43.800 --> 00:20:44.440
 Of love.

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.000
 For us.

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.100
 Is not.

00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.660
 Complete.

00:20:46.840 --> 00:20:47.580
 Or whole.

00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.619
 Apart.

00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.419
 From the church.

00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:50.379
 Being faithful.

00:20:51.179 --> 00:20:51.919
 To love.

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.359
 One another.

00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:53.899
 God's love.

00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:54.500
 Does not.

00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:54.960
 Return.

00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.399
 To him.

00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:55.720
 Void.

00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:57.019
 It accomplishes.

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:57.859
 Something.

00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.259
 And so.

00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.980
 In that sense.

00:20:58.980 --> 00:20:59.399
 It's made.

00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:00.179
 Complete.

00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.500
 As it accomplishes.

00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:02.579
 His will.

00:21:02.699 --> 00:21:03.399
 Making us.

00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.119
 As loving.

00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:05.399
 As he.

00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:06.279
 Loves.

00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.720
 As he.

00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.159
 Is.

00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:07.939
 Love.

00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.059
 Now.

00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:11.359
 We saw.

00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.259
 How God's love.

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:12.899
 Results.

00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.279
 In.

00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:14.439
 Communal.

00:21:14.519 --> 00:21:14.859
 Love.

00:21:14.919 --> 00:21:15.299
 Among.

00:21:15.419 --> 00:21:16.119
 The saints.

00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:16.199
 Peace.

00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.339
 But now.

00:21:17.419 --> 00:21:17.619
 John.

00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:18.279
 Makes clear.

00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:18.919
 It also.

00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.519
 Results.

00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.599
 In confidence.

00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.779
 On the day.

00:21:21.899 --> 00:21:22.259
 Of.

00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.039
 Judgment.

00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:25.859
 Sadly.

00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:26.599
 The world's.

00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:26.959
 Character.

00:21:26.959 --> 00:21:27.859
 Of an angry.

00:21:27.959 --> 00:21:28.279
 God.

00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:28.799
 Who's just.

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:29.379
 He's just.

00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.019
 Got to thump.

00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:30.559
 Somebody.

00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.419
 He's so mad.

00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.099
 Has infected.

00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.679
 The church.

00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:34.299
 To the point.

00:21:34.419 --> 00:21:34.679
 That.

00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:35.919
 We fear him.

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:36.319
 In a.

00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:36.979
 Faithless.

00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.359
 Way.

00:21:38.659 --> 00:21:39.479
 I'm not.

00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:41.239
 Talking about.

00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.119
 Proverbs.

00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.219
 And that kind of.

00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.519
 Fear.

00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:43.739
 Right.

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.220
 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:45.420
 Note.

00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.599
 That is a good fear.

00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.880
 We should have that fear.

00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.319
 Is a.

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:52.200
 A fear of respect and understanding of creator versus creature.

00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:54.640
 Of sinner versus holy God.

00:21:54.759 --> 00:21:55.960
 That is a good fear.

00:21:57.039 --> 00:22:02.299
 What I'm talking about is a skeptical or unbelieving fear.

00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:05.420
 From a professing Christian.

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.220
 In which you question.

00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:07.819
 Is God.

00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.579
 Going to surprise me somehow.

00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.920
 Is this all just some game.

00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:12.920
 Am I going to get bamboozled in the end.

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.120
 Right.

00:22:13.140 --> 00:22:14.600
 Am I just finished no matter what.

00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.560
 Is he actually.

00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.080
 Merciful.

00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:19.759
 Or will I be condemned.

00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:21.180
 On the day of judgment.

00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:25.680
 That is the kind of fear that John.

00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:27.000
 Is addressing this.

00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:29.019
 This doubting of God's.

00:22:29.360 --> 00:22:30.900
 Character and promises.

00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.120
 As revealed.

00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:33.360
 In scriptures.

00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:34.340
 God really.

00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.600
 Who he says.

00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:36.900
 He is.

00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.900
 That kind of fear.

00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:44.200
 But when we understand the love.

00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.539
 Of God.

00:22:46.300 --> 00:22:48.220
 When we understand the love he has.

00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:49.039
 For us.

00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:50.400
 As shown in his son.

00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.759
 And then abide in that love.

00:22:51.800 --> 00:22:52.460
 And God abides.

00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.420
 In us.

00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:54.120
 And we in him.

00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.640
 Then love is made complete.

00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:58.740
 To the point of demolishing.

00:22:59.200 --> 00:23:00.519
 Such fear.

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.500
 The doubts.

00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.500
 The questions.

00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:04.960
 The.

00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.340
 The.

00:23:06.340 --> 00:23:06.960
 Introspective.

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:09.700
 Loop of misery.

00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:12.600
 It goes away.

00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.600
 And so this kind of love.

00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.400
 As John makes.

00:23:18.700 --> 00:23:19.120
 Excuse me.

00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:20.080
 This kind of fear.

00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:21.440
 As John makes clear.

00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.660
 In verse 18.

00:23:23.460 --> 00:23:24.200
 Has nothing.

00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:25.180
 To do.

00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:27.000
 With perfect.

00:23:27.580 --> 00:23:27.860
 Love.

00:23:27.859 --> 00:23:28.059
 Love.

00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.399
 And so.

00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:30.879
 The.

00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.740
 Assessment.

00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:33.379
 Self-assessment.

00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:35.479
 That you have to give yourself.

00:23:35.979 --> 00:23:36.899
 In light of this text.

00:23:36.959 --> 00:23:37.459
 Is this.

00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:40.259
 Am I more afraid.

00:23:40.679 --> 00:23:41.839
 Of condemnation.

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.119
 On the day of judgment.

00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:45.539
 Or am I more confident.

00:23:45.959 --> 00:23:47.299
 Of God's love for me.

00:23:48.679 --> 00:23:48.879
 Right.

00:23:48.959 --> 00:23:49.759
 Which side.

00:23:49.959 --> 00:23:50.859
 Do you fall on.

00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.279
 Because.

00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.779
 It's the latter.

00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:53.979
 Mark.

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:56.339
 That sets out.

00:23:56.519 --> 00:23:57.079
 A mature.

00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.460
 Christian.

00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.980
 This confidence.

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.339
 That is maturity.

00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:01.940
 That is.

00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:03.079
 A strong.

00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:04.360
 Faith.

00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.000
 Now.

00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.440
 A quick word.

00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.059
 Of clarification.

00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.839
 On that.

00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.160
 Right.

00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:11.680
 Do not.

00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.559
 Be discouraged.

00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:14.259
 About your salvation.

00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.599
 Or faith.

00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.059
 If you still.

00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.779
 Experience.

00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.819
 This kind of fear.

00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.500
 From time.

00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.559
 To time.

00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:22.659
 It's common.

00:24:23.679 --> 00:24:24.839
 And if that is you.

00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.740
 I would encourage you.

00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.500
 To share that.

00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.319
 With a brother.

00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.139
 Or sister.

00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:28.919
 In the church.

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.240
 Who can walk through that.

00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:31.879
 With you.

00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:33.899
 But again.

00:24:33.919 --> 00:24:34.519
 I'll just tell you.

00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.259
 From experience.

00:24:35.399 --> 00:24:35.879
 Not.

00:24:36.919 --> 00:24:37.319
 Uncommon.

00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:37.859
 It's one of the most.

00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.940
 Common questions.

00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.299
 Pastors get.

00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:40.879
 I've heard that.

00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.500
 From so many.

00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.200
 Of my.

00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.139
 Pastor friends.

00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.980
 Or just even the.

00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:44.940
 The big name guys.

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:45.500
 You can YouTube.

00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:46.319
 And whatever.

00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.220
 This is such.

00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.159
 A common.

00:24:48.919 --> 00:24:49.240
 Thing.

00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.599
 For Christians.

00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:53.160
 Nothing strange.

00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.720
 Is overcoming you.

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.400
 Myself.

00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:57.380
 I have dealt with this.

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.160
 Many times.

00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.180
 For several years.

00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.680
 Especially.

00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:00.480
 As an early.

00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.579
 Christian.

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.180
 Struggled with such.

00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:03.819
 Fears.

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.539
 And doubts.

00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:08.720
 But in light of our text.

00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.559
 The more you fixate.

00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.299
 Your mind.

00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.779
 On Jesus Christ.

00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.660
 All that he is.

00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.539
 All that he's done.

00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.920
 All that he is doing.

00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:18.680
 Truly.

00:25:18.800 --> 00:25:19.700
 The more silly.

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.560
 You will feel.

00:25:20.560 --> 00:25:21.680
 For doubting him.

00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.900
 And I don't say silly.

00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:25.100
 To disparage you.

00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.080
 I say that from my own.

00:25:26.080 --> 00:25:27.100
 Personal experience.

00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:28.200
 The more I really.

00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.120
 Began to see this.

00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:31.080
 To understand it.

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.920
 To trust it.

00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.720
 I just felt.

00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.500
 Ridiculous.

00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:34.940
 Why?

00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.460
 Why?

00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.180
 Did I doubt?

00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.140
 God.

00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:37.600
 His son.

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:39.060
 Died for you.

00:25:41.060 --> 00:25:42.120
 And so friends.

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.600
 Look.

00:25:43.560 --> 00:25:44.160
 To Christ.

00:25:44.300 --> 00:25:44.759
 He is your.

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.420
 Ultimate assurance.

00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.839
 Of God's love.

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.480
 For you.

00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.720
 That is an assurance.

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.519
 By the way.

00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.799
 That your own spouse.

00:25:54.000 --> 00:25:54.819
 Your own children.

00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.480
 Your own parents.

00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.500
 Your own friends.

00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.379
 Whoever you think.

00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:58.920
 Loves you.

00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.799
 However much.

00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:01.099
 They may truly love you.

00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.920
 They have never.

00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.839
 And could never.

00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:04.640
 Offer you.

00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.240
 Such an assurance.

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.440
 Of their love.

00:26:08.160 --> 00:26:08.440
 Friends.

00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.319
 This is a.

00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.240
 Sure.

00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.579
 Love.

00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:11.799
 Love.

00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:15.980
 And this is why.

00:26:16.059 --> 00:26:16.759
 John repeats.

00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.460
 His words.

00:26:17.619 --> 00:26:18.980
 From last week's text.

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.680
 In verse.

00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.399
 Nineteen.

00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:23.799
 He says.

00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:24.440
 We love.

00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.500
 Because he first.

00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.039
 Loved.

00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:26.839
 Us.

00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.680
 He is both.

00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.079
 Encouraging.

00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.539
 The reader.

00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.180
 That they can be.

00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:30.839
 Confident.

00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.599
 Of God's love.

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:31.940
 For them.

00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.940
 Because it originates.

00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.720
 With God.

00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.859
 Despite us.

00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:37.339
 While also.

00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.359
 Transitioning.

00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:38.980
 To a.

00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.240
 Familiar.

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.160
 Hypothetical.

00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:44.660
 And this is our final.

00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:45.500
 Heading.

00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.240
 A familiar.

00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:48.339
 Hypothetical.

00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.160
 Verse 19.

00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:49.980
 Read with me.

00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.579
 We love.

00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.720
 Because he first.

00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.299
 Loved.

00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.099
 Us.

00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:56.960
 If anyone.

00:26:57.160 --> 00:26:57.559
 Says.

00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:58.920
 I love God.

00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:01.299
 But he hates his brother.

00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:02.339
 He is a liar.

00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:05.079
 For the one who does not love his brother.

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:06.200
 Whom he has seen.

00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.460
 Is not.

00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.019
 Able.

00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.759
 To love God.

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:10.140
 Whom he has not seen.

00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:12.259
 In this commandment.

00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.819
 We have.

00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.620
 From him.

00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.000
 Whoever loves God.

00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:16.779
 Must.

00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:17.599
 Love.

00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.640
 His brother.

00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:26.279
 Because love.

00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:27.200
 Is from God.

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.440
 God.

00:27:28.539 --> 00:27:29.160
 Is love.

00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.579
 And God.

00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:30.019
 First.

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.240
 Loved us.

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.299
 Anyone who claims.

00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:33.460
 To love God.

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.539
 But hates his brother.

00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.359
 Is a.

00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.180
 Liar.

00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:37.359
 John makes this point.

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.019
 Clear.

00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.579
 Over.

00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:38.579


00:27:38.579 --> 00:27:38.660
 Over.

00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.200
 And over.

00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:40.799
 Again.

00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:43.180
 And this time.

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:43.900
 He wraps a.

00:27:44.099 --> 00:27:44.960
 A nice bow.

00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:45.559
 Around it.

00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.019
 With the.

00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.019
 Idea.

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.460
 Of.

00:27:47.879 --> 00:27:48.759
 Seeing God.

00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.559
 As we discussed.

00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.220
 Last week.

00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.559
 You'll.

00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.619
 Recall.

00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.039
 That I said.

00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.400
 Of first.

00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:53.819
 John.

00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:54.579
 Four.

00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:54.859
 Verse.

00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.339
 Twelve.

00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.319
 That.

00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.299
 There is a.

00:27:57.559 --> 00:27:58.059
 Sense.

00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.259
 In which we.

00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.099
 See God.

00:28:00.160 --> 00:28:01.000
 Even now.

00:28:01.160 --> 00:28:02.079
 In this community.

00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:02.819
 As we love.

00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:03.240
 One another.

00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:03.759
 As he.

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.379
 As Christ.

00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:04.940
 Has loved.

00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.820
 Us.

00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:06.299
 We get.

00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.380
 A glimpse.

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:07.960
 Of God.

00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:08.960
 So to speak.

00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:10.120
 Insofar.

00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.559
 As we are.

00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.240
 Faithful.

00:28:11.620 --> 00:28:12.059
 To love.

00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:12.860
 Because God.

00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.400
 Is.

00:28:14.340 --> 00:28:14.700
 Love.

00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.019
 Well.

00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.820
 This time.

00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:16.720
 John spells out.

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.000
 Further.

00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.519
 The logic.

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.480
 Of that idea.

00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:19.940
 He says.

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.680
 In verse 20.

00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.039
 That.

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:23.019
 Anyone who does not.

00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.779
 Love his brother.

00:28:24.340 --> 00:28:25.100
 Is not able.

00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:25.940
 To love God.

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.320
 Why?

00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:26.840
 Because.

00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:27.799
 You can see.

00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:28.340
 Your brother.

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.299
 I'm looking at.

00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:29.900
 All of you right now.

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.779
 I can see you.

00:28:30.860 --> 00:28:32.019
 You can see me.

00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:35.200
 But none of us.

00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.960
 Can see God.

00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:38.279
 And so this is a lesser.

00:28:38.460 --> 00:28:38.859
 To greater.

00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.400
 Argument.

00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.019
 Why?

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:40.660
 Do you think you're.

00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:41.900
 Self-capable.

00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:44.119
 A loving God.

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.059
 Whom you can't see.

00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.539
 When the brother.

00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.759
 Right in front of you.

00:28:48.839 --> 00:28:49.940
 Who you're looking at.

00:28:50.139 --> 00:28:50.960
 You hate.

00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:53.559
 That is what John.

00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.900
 Is showing us.

00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:58.460
 And by the way.

00:28:58.559 --> 00:29:00.160
 Connecting this to last week.

00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:01.960
 Part of this problem.

00:29:01.960 --> 00:29:03.220
 For the unloving one.

00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:05.100
 Is that by not loving.

00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:05.759
 His brother.

00:29:05.759 --> 00:29:06.240
 He is.

00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:08.000
 Blinded to even that.

00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.080
 Glimpse of God.

00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:09.900
 So to speak.

00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:11.740
 And so he is just.

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.320
 Blind.

00:29:12.540 --> 00:29:12.900
 Blind.

00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:13.660
 Blind.

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.620
 He's missing it.

00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.540
 He does not.

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:16.900
 Love.

00:29:19.300 --> 00:29:20.200
 Verse 21.

00:29:20.400 --> 00:29:21.680
 John reminds his readers.

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.880
 Of the old.

00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.480
 Yet new.

00:29:23.720 --> 00:29:24.120
 Command.

00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.700
 To love one another.

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.480
 As Christ.

00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.420
 Has loved us.

00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.160
 We discussed this.

00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:29.840
 Old yet new.

00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.240
 Command.

00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.259
 Two weeks ago.

00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:31.599
 In first.

00:29:31.679 --> 00:29:32.139
 John 2.

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:32.639
 Seven.

00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:34.539
 And following.

00:29:35.679 --> 00:29:36.379
 But recall.

00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.220
 The newness.

00:29:37.359 --> 00:29:38.059
 Of this new.

00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:38.359
 Covenant.

00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:38.879
 Command.

00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.279
 It is.

00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.299
 The degree.

00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:40.919
 Of love.

00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.019
 To which we are now.

00:29:42.419 --> 00:29:42.859
 Called.

00:29:44.199 --> 00:29:45.079
 In the old.

00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:45.500
 Testament.

00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:46.939
 God's people.

00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.379
 Were called.

00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.459
 To love their neighbors.

00:29:48.459 --> 00:29:49.480
 As themselves.

00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.240
 Because no.

00:29:50.359 --> 00:29:51.139
 But you don't love.

00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:51.819
 Anything.

00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.339
 Or anyone.

00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.699
 More than yourself.

00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.339
 So that was.

00:29:54.919 --> 00:29:55.559
 The standard.

00:29:55.679 --> 00:29:56.039
 Leviticus.

00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:56.619
 Nineteen.

00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.339
 Eighteen.

00:29:57.339 --> 00:29:57.939
 One.

00:29:57.939 --> 00:30:00.059
 But in the new covenant.

00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.059
 Jesus makes.

00:30:01.059 --> 00:30:01.619
 Plain.

00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.480
 That we now.

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.399
 Are commanded.

00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:04.619
 To love one another.

00:30:05.179 --> 00:30:06.879
 As Christ has loved us.

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.799
 John 13.

00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.839
 34.

00:30:08.959 --> 00:30:09.359
 35.

00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.459
 That is a massive.

00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.859
 Change.

00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:14.019
 Is so heightening.

00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:15.139
 And elevating.

00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.279
 The degree.

00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.240
 To which we are now.

00:30:17.379 --> 00:30:17.779
 Called.

00:30:18.459 --> 00:30:19.240
 To love.

00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:19.319
 Love.

00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:22.640
 And so let me say.

00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.279
 In addition.

00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.120
 To your own.

00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:25.240
 Personal interest.

00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.460
 In removing fear.

00:30:26.640 --> 00:30:27.500
 And gaining assurance.

00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.620
 That if you want.

00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:30.579
 To love fully.

00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.680
 And rightly.

00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.039
 If.

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:33.180
 If I can say it this way.

00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.740
 If you want to have.

00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:35.339
 True love for others.

00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:35.599
 Right.

00:30:35.620 --> 00:30:36.099
 I don't mean that.

00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:37.120
 In any kind of Disney way.

00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.240
 You know how I feel about Disney.

00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:38.519
 But.

00:30:38.960 --> 00:30:39.440
 If you want to have.

00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.759
 True love for others.

00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.319
 Right.

00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.880
 Look to Christ.

00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.759
 If you are to keep.

00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.839
 This commandment.

00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.720
 There is no.

00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.879
 Other way.

00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:51.379
 To do it.

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.359
 He himself.

00:30:53.199 --> 00:30:53.619
 Is.

00:30:53.959 --> 00:30:54.839
 The plumb line.

00:30:56.679 --> 00:30:57.819
 And so this is not merely.

00:30:57.819 --> 00:30:58.839
 A comment on.

00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.000
 Hermeneutics.

00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.500
 Or what the Bible is all about.

00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:01.699
 Right.

00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:03.000
 It is also a common.

00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:04.199
 A much more important comment.

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.559
 Describing a way.

00:31:06.699 --> 00:31:07.459
 Of life.

00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:10.220
 And that way.

00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:11.179
 Is love.

00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.539
 It is the way.

00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.159
 Of Christ.

00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:15.699
 So friends.

00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.839
 Let's do this together.

00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:18.579
 As we have been.

00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.079
 And I pray.

00:31:19.159 --> 00:31:20.319
 Continue to do more.

00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.319
 Of.

00:31:22.399 --> 00:31:23.119
 Let us know.

00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:23.799
 The joy.

00:31:23.939 --> 00:31:24.599
 Of this life.

00:31:25.679 --> 00:31:26.119
 Forever.

00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.679
 By loving one another.

00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.839
 As Christ.

00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:29.879
 Has loved us.

00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.579
 And he will be.

00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.959
 All the more magnified.

00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:34.079
 And glorified.

00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.879
 And we will be.

00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.439
 All the more.

00:31:37.679 --> 00:31:38.059
 Blessed.

00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.579
 Praise God.

00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.019
 God.

00:31:42.639 --> 00:31:43.599
 So in closing.

00:31:43.699 --> 00:31:44.379
 I just want to offer.

00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:46.000
 Some additional.

00:31:46.720 --> 00:31:47.199
 Application.

00:31:47.899 --> 00:31:48.779
 And reflection.

00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.579
 And light.

00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:51.199
 Of our text.

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.859
 This morning.

00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.419
 Additional.

00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:54.240
 Application.

00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.819
 Number one.

00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.039
 Think of.

00:32:00.179 --> 00:32:01.019
 Core groups.

00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.839
 Or your.

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.659
 Discipleship.

00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:03.379
 Relationship.

00:32:03.419 --> 00:32:04.059
 Whatever that is.

00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.899
 Whatever you call it.

00:32:04.899 --> 00:32:05.139
 You know.

00:32:05.139 --> 00:32:05.960
 DNA group.

00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.279
 Or.

00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.019
 You know.

00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.939
 Whatever the new name is.

00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.400
 I don't know.

00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:09.920
 Think of.

00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:10.920
 Core groups.

00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:12.640
 Less.

00:32:12.820 --> 00:32:13.580
 As accountability.

00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.620
 Groups.

00:32:15.340 --> 00:32:16.080
 In more.

00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:16.740
 As.

00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.660
 Encouragement.

00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.340
 Or.

00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.180
 Assurance.

00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.299
 Groups.

00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:22.900
 Last week.

00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:24.019
 I encouraged you all.

00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.240
 To practice.

00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:26.340
 Affirmation.

00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:27.180
 In the life.

00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:27.680
 Of the body.

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.640
 And you can think of.

00:32:29.559 --> 00:32:30.000
 Today's.

00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.600
 Application.

00:32:30.820 --> 00:32:31.320
 This one.

00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:31.799
 As.

00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.720
 An expansion.

00:32:32.920 --> 00:32:33.200
 On that.

00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.960
 A very specific.

00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.480
 Way.

00:32:34.640 --> 00:32:35.220
 Of doing this.

00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.140
 That I think would be good.

00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:37.440
 And right.

00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:40.100
 I first heard this from.

00:32:40.320 --> 00:32:41.279
 Michael Lawrence.

00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:42.360
 He's a pastor out in.

00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:43.559
 Oregon.

00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:46.420
 And he said this at a most.

00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:47.660
 At the most recent.

00:32:47.779 --> 00:32:48.580
 Feed my sheep.

00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:49.940
 Conference.

00:32:50.120 --> 00:32:51.759
 And as I've reflected on this.

00:32:51.840 --> 00:32:52.660
 In light of scripture.

00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.700
 Since February.

00:32:54.600 --> 00:32:56.160
 I just think it is so.

00:32:56.559 --> 00:32:57.039
 True.

00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:58.860
 So.

00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:00.220
 It's true that yes.

00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:01.860
 We need to confess sins.

00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.440
 To one another.

00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.320
 That's James 5.

00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:03.960
 16.

00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:06.200
 We need to share one another's burdens.

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:06.840
 Galatians.

00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:06.920
 Galatians.

00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:07.720
 6.

00:33:07.860 --> 00:33:08.059
 2.

00:33:08.180 --> 00:33:08.860
 And we need to.

00:33:09.279 --> 00:33:10.960
 Do this kind of hard work.

00:33:10.960 --> 00:33:11.680
 Of accountability.

00:33:12.019 --> 00:33:12.279
 Yes.

00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:12.900
 I'm not saying.

00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:13.600
 Don't do that.

00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.220
 I'm just saying.

00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:14.660
 Maybe.

00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.400
 Perhaps.

00:33:15.759 --> 00:33:16.700
 Less of that.

00:33:17.460 --> 00:33:18.840
 In more of this encouragement.

00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.400
 Because.

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.180
 It.

00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:21.460
 It.

00:33:21.580 --> 00:33:22.140
 Seems.

00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:22.519
 That.

00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:22.840
 The.

00:33:22.840 --> 00:33:23.799
 The trap.

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.759
 So often.

00:33:24.880 --> 00:33:25.519
 The temptation.

00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:28.220
 In a core group type environment.

00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:32.600
 Is to treat it as a problem solving time.

00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:33.559
 Right.

00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:33.779
 Hey.

00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:35.359
 I've got an issue with X.

00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:36.879
 Will you meet up with me about it?

00:33:36.899 --> 00:33:39.259
 That's often why we form four groups.

00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:41.740
 I'm trying to get over some sin habit.

00:33:41.940 --> 00:33:42.039
 Or.

00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.019
 Whatever.

00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:44.879
 And again.

00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:45.759
 Please don't mishear me.

00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:47.139
 That is a good and wonderful thing.

00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:48.220
 Don't stop that.

00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:48.639
 Right.

00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.079
 If anything.

00:33:49.159 --> 00:33:49.740
 Do more.

00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.059
 Of that.

00:33:51.159 --> 00:33:52.000
 But my concern.

00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:52.639
 However.

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:54.480
 And I think Michael Lawrence's.

00:33:56.159 --> 00:33:57.819
 Is that we do this so much.

00:33:57.899 --> 00:34:00.079
 That it becomes the singular focus.

00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:04.039
 And we lose sight of the constant.

00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:05.939
 New Testament thrust.

00:34:05.939 --> 00:34:07.299
 Of encouragement.

00:34:07.639 --> 00:34:08.179
 Assurance.

00:34:08.659 --> 00:34:09.179
 Affirmation.

00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:11.779
 That is just littered in Paul's letters.

00:34:12.299 --> 00:34:12.860
 Alone.

00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:16.440
 That we see between brothers and sisters.

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.380
 In Christ.

00:34:18.500 --> 00:34:18.960
 It's so.

00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:21.259
 Easy to come to core groups.

00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:22.739
 In discipleship environments.

00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.920
 Whatever those look like.

00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:24.199
 However.

00:34:24.340 --> 00:34:24.900
 One on one.

00:34:25.019 --> 00:34:25.119
 Or.

00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:26.099
 Fifteen people.

00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:26.799
 Whatever it is.

00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:29.440
 It's so easy to come to that.

00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:30.659
 Assuming.

00:34:30.800 --> 00:34:32.539
 Everybody is steeped in the gospel.

00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.519
 Knows it well.

00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.820
 It's treasured by them.

00:34:34.860 --> 00:34:35.599
 In that moment.

00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:37.900
 And that things are just kind of going well.

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.880
 In that regard.

00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:40.920
 And so.

00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.960
 What we need to do.

00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:42.420
 Is just.

00:34:42.559 --> 00:34:43.760
 Offer them solutions.

00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:45.539
 To whatever present problem.

00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.659
 They're facing.

00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:47.800
 And we think of that.

00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:49.139
 As if it's divorced.

00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:50.800
 Or separate.

00:34:51.720 --> 00:34:53.420
 From these gospel truths.

00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:55.280
 When they are just not.

00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.500
 Notice John.

00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.719
 Though writing to people.

00:34:59.719 --> 00:35:01.320
 He clearly identifies.

00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:03.059
 As Christians.

00:35:03.239 --> 00:35:04.500
 He never stops.

00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:05.320
 Talking.

00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:06.639
 About.

00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:08.460
 Basic facts.

00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:09.260
 If you will.

00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.079
 Of Jesus.

00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:12.019
 And how those.

00:35:12.599 --> 00:35:13.659
 Basic facts.

00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.679
 Give shape.

00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.480
 And meaning.

00:35:15.679 --> 00:35:16.400
 And encouragement.

00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:18.880
 To Christians.

00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:19.719
 With the ultimate aim.

00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.739
 To glorify God.

00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.380
 And assure.

00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.360
 His beloved.

00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:26.280
 I can tell you.

00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:27.740
 From personal experience.

00:35:27.740 --> 00:35:28.740
 I have been.

00:35:28.740 --> 00:35:29.880
 In a core group.

00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:30.240
 Type.

00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.680
 Set up.

00:35:31.800 --> 00:35:32.940
 With Alex Kohler.

00:35:33.140 --> 00:35:33.320
 For.

00:35:34.039 --> 00:35:34.660
 Ten years.

00:35:34.660 --> 00:35:35.240
 Or so.

00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:35.620
 And.

00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:37.120
 For me.

00:35:37.160 --> 00:35:37.539
 Personally.

00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:37.840
 I haven't.

00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:38.579
 Talked with him.

00:35:38.640 --> 00:35:39.059
 About this.

00:35:39.120 --> 00:35:39.519
 Be interesting.

00:35:39.620 --> 00:35:39.880
 To know.

00:35:40.620 --> 00:35:40.920
 I.

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.900
 I can just say.

00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:43.240
 That.

00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:44.480
 The most memorable.

00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.180
 Conversations.

00:35:46.180 --> 00:35:46.920
 We've had.

00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:48.539
 Are you nervous?

00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:52.840
 The most memorable.

00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.639
 Ones.

00:35:54.099 --> 00:35:54.840
 By far.

00:35:56.259 --> 00:35:56.860
 Have been.

00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:57.279
 The ones.

00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:57.619
 In which.

00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:57.900
 We're.

00:35:58.179 --> 00:35:59.079
 Reminding each other.

00:35:59.159 --> 00:35:59.579
 Of these.

00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:00.340
 Basic truths.

00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:00.820
 Of Christ.

00:36:00.920 --> 00:36:01.679
 And what they mean.

00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.119
 For him.

00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:02.500
 And I.

00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:03.019
 In this.

00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:03.779
 Very moment.

00:36:04.820 --> 00:36:05.699
 We don't do it.

00:36:05.719 --> 00:36:06.199
 Every week.

00:36:06.239 --> 00:36:06.960
 We don't even do it.

00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.779
 Majority of the time.

00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:08.079
 Sorry.

00:36:08.139 --> 00:36:08.980
 If I'm exposing you.

00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.800
 But every time.

00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:11.279
 We have.

00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:11.699
 It's been.

00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:12.539
 So great.

00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:15.039
 I can recall.

00:36:15.179 --> 00:36:15.860
 Even as I say.

00:36:15.860 --> 00:36:16.440
 This now.

00:36:16.739 --> 00:36:17.500
 From last.

00:36:17.679 --> 00:36:18.039
 Fall.

00:36:18.539 --> 00:36:19.860
 I was in Atlanta.

00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:20.340
 At the time.

00:36:20.440 --> 00:36:21.179
 So we're having to do.

00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:22.579
 Our core group time.

00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:23.259
 Over zoom.

00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:23.860
 We never really.

00:36:24.579 --> 00:36:25.199
 Stopped meeting.

00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:26.199
 But I can recall.

00:36:27.139 --> 00:36:28.139
 Being in tears.

00:36:28.259 --> 00:36:28.940
 And you guys know me.

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.559
 Not a crier.

00:36:29.679 --> 00:36:30.239
 Unless I'm preaching.

00:36:30.380 --> 00:36:30.679
 Apparently.

00:36:30.880 --> 00:36:31.099
 But.

00:36:31.420 --> 00:36:32.539
 Normally not a crier.

00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:34.480
 And I'm in tears.

00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:35.259
 Talking with him.

00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:35.559
 About.

00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:36.539
 Just the reality.

00:36:36.539 --> 00:36:37.440
 That our names.

00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:38.179
 Are written.

00:36:38.380 --> 00:36:38.960
 In heaven.

00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:41.860
 That our sins.

00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:42.579
 Were nailed.

00:36:43.179 --> 00:36:44.259
 To a cross.

00:36:46.900 --> 00:36:47.639
 And I'll just.

00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:48.320
 I'll never.

00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:49.180
 Forget that.

00:36:49.660 --> 00:36:50.039
 Never.

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.519
 And it's precisely.

00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:53.960
 Because.

00:36:54.760 --> 00:36:55.440
 Of such.

00:36:56.160 --> 00:36:56.640
 Conversations.

00:36:57.039 --> 00:36:57.559
 And brotherhood.

00:36:57.620 --> 00:36:58.320
 The encouragement.

00:36:58.519 --> 00:36:58.760
 Happening.

00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:00.200
 The basic facts.

00:37:00.200 --> 00:37:00.820
 Being shared.

00:37:00.900 --> 00:37:01.620
 And I don't mean that.

00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:02.480
 To belittle it.

00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:02.940
 I just know.

00:37:03.019 --> 00:37:03.840
 We so often do.

00:37:03.900 --> 00:37:04.800
 We think we've outgrown it.

00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:04.980
 But.

00:37:05.360 --> 00:37:06.300
 We haven't.

00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.400
 I'll just.

00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:09.559
 I'll never forget that.

00:37:09.600 --> 00:37:10.280
 I'm so.

00:37:10.640 --> 00:37:11.059
 Thankful.

00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.700
 So friends.

00:37:12.580 --> 00:37:13.480
 Don't miss out.

00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:14.960
 Right.

00:37:14.960 --> 00:37:16.300
 Don't squander.

00:37:16.300 --> 00:37:17.559
 The opportunities.

00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:18.420
 You have.

00:37:19.599 --> 00:37:20.320
 In your.

00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:21.199
 Discipleship.

00:37:21.199 --> 00:37:21.800
 Times.

00:37:22.519 --> 00:37:23.059
 To simply.

00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:23.880
 Consider.

00:37:23.880 --> 00:37:24.380
 Christ.

00:37:24.460 --> 00:37:24.780
 Together.

00:37:24.900 --> 00:37:25.539
 To revel.

00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:27.119
 At his person.

00:37:27.240 --> 00:37:27.980
 His work.

00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:30.380
 And ironically.

00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:32.400
 That is actually.

00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:32.960
 The very.

00:37:33.220 --> 00:37:33.619
 Root.

00:37:34.220 --> 00:37:34.800
 From which.

00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:35.200
 You will begin.

00:37:35.260 --> 00:37:36.000
 To truly solve.

00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:36.780
 Whatever problems.

00:37:36.840 --> 00:37:37.660
 You're trying to solve.

00:37:38.780 --> 00:37:39.559
 So these things.

00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.260
 Are not divorced.

00:37:40.380 --> 00:37:40.920
 They're together.

00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:42.740
 It is.

00:37:43.140 --> 00:37:44.079
 From the gospel.

00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:45.200
 That we are saved.

00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:46.340
 That is the.

00:37:46.700 --> 00:37:46.980
 The.

00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:47.420
 The.

00:37:47.720 --> 00:37:48.660
 The good news.

00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:49.640
 The message.

00:37:49.700 --> 00:37:50.280
 Of salvation.

00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:51.559
 But it's also the gospel.

00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:53.400
 That sanctifies.

00:37:53.660 --> 00:37:54.119
 Don't.

00:37:54.260 --> 00:37:54.760
 Forget.

00:37:55.760 --> 00:37:56.599
 The gospel.

00:37:56.599 --> 00:38:00.159
 Second application.

00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:02.360
 And relatedly.

00:38:03.400 --> 00:38:03.960
 Lead.

00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:05.860
 The gospels.

00:38:06.679 --> 00:38:07.279
 Lead.

00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.299
 The gospels.

00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:08.880
 In other words.

00:38:10.159 --> 00:38:10.719
 Know.

00:38:10.799 --> 00:38:11.920
 The gospel accounts.

00:38:12.199 --> 00:38:12.480
 Really.

00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:12.860
 Well.

00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:13.779
 Matthew.

00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.099
 Mark.

00:38:14.219 --> 00:38:14.460
 Luke.

00:38:14.639 --> 00:38:15.259
 And John.

00:38:16.539 --> 00:38:17.059
 Right.

00:38:17.059 --> 00:38:17.699
 I don't mean.

00:38:17.699 --> 00:38:18.319
 To imply.

00:38:18.559 --> 00:38:19.079
 In saying this.

00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:20.179
 That the old testament.

00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:21.119
 Or the epistles.

00:38:21.119 --> 00:38:21.639
 Are.

00:38:22.299 --> 00:38:22.819
 Unimportant.

00:38:23.019 --> 00:38:23.960
 Or less important.

00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:24.179
 Or.

00:38:24.319 --> 00:38:24.819
 Or anything.

00:38:24.820 --> 00:38:25.620
 Like that.

00:38:26.140 --> 00:38:27.200
 All of God's word.

00:38:27.340 --> 00:38:27.960
 Is profitable.

00:38:28.160 --> 00:38:28.400
 Yes.

00:38:28.460 --> 00:38:28.820
 And amen.

00:38:31.140 --> 00:38:31.660
 Yet.

00:38:32.920 --> 00:38:34.059
 The gospels.

00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:34.559
 As.

00:38:34.559 --> 00:38:35.080
 Dr.

00:38:35.200 --> 00:38:35.580
 Jonathan.

00:38:35.580 --> 00:38:36.240
 Pennington.

00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:36.600
 I think.

00:38:36.660 --> 00:38:37.160
 Has helpfully.

00:38:37.360 --> 00:38:37.760
 Said.

00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:39.100
 They.

00:38:39.260 --> 00:38:39.740
 They really.

00:38:39.860 --> 00:38:39.980
 Do.

00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:40.000
 Do.

00:38:40.000 --> 00:38:40.280
 Just.

00:38:40.480 --> 00:38:41.039
 Function.

00:38:41.320 --> 00:38:41.500
 In the.

00:38:41.519 --> 00:38:41.720
 Canon.

00:38:41.780 --> 00:38:41.900
 Of.

00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:42.240
 Scripture.

00:38:43.000 --> 00:38:43.620
 As a.

00:38:43.620 --> 00:38:43.840
 Sort.

00:38:43.840 --> 00:38:43.980
 Of.

00:38:44.220 --> 00:38:44.780
 Archway.

00:38:46.039 --> 00:38:46.280
 Okay.

00:38:46.360 --> 00:38:46.720
 Everything.

00:38:46.980 --> 00:38:47.420
 Flows.

00:38:47.780 --> 00:38:48.300
 To them.

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:48.600
 And.

00:38:48.840 --> 00:38:49.180
 Out of.

00:38:49.200 --> 00:38:49.440
 Them.

00:38:49.880 --> 00:38:50.100
 Because.

00:38:50.220 --> 00:38:50.660
 Everything.

00:38:51.059 --> 00:38:51.160
 In.

00:38:51.240 --> 00:38:51.539
 Scripture.

00:38:51.720 --> 00:38:52.080
 Points.

00:38:52.640 --> 00:38:53.000
 Forward.

00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:53.840
 To Christ.

00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:54.160
 Or.

00:38:54.320 --> 00:38:54.800
 Backward.

00:38:54.820 --> 00:38:55.840
 To Christ.

00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:56.580
 And the gospels.

00:38:56.580 --> 00:38:56.900
 Are.

00:38:56.900 --> 00:38:57.400
 Of course.

00:38:57.680 --> 00:38:58.840
 Four biographies.

00:38:59.059 --> 00:38:59.360
 Of.

00:39:00.380 --> 00:39:00.900
 Christ.

00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:02.700
 And so.

00:39:02.740 --> 00:39:02.980
 Therefore.

00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:04.019
 Everything.

00:39:04.260 --> 00:39:04.680
 You read.

00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:05.160
 In the Bible.

00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:05.960
 From Genesis.

00:39:06.180 --> 00:39:06.860
 To Revelation.

00:39:07.960 --> 00:39:08.200
 Is.

00:39:08.320 --> 00:39:08.620
 Either.

00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:09.780
 Anticipatory.

00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:10.940
 Explanatory.

00:39:11.160 --> 00:39:11.260
 Or.

00:39:11.340 --> 00:39:11.680
 Some kind.

00:39:11.680 --> 00:39:11.780
 Of.

00:39:12.440 --> 00:39:12.840
 Extrapolation.

00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.039
 From.

00:39:14.120 --> 00:39:14.700
 The content.

00:39:15.120 --> 00:39:15.240
 Of.

00:39:15.320 --> 00:39:15.980
 The fourfold.

00:39:16.740 --> 00:39:17.260
 Gospels.

00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:17.660
 Christ.

00:39:17.760 --> 00:39:17.940
 Has.

00:39:18.059 --> 00:39:18.400
 Come.

00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:19.140
 The veil.

00:39:19.260 --> 00:39:19.340
 Has.

00:39:19.380 --> 00:39:19.480
 Been.

00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:19.960
 Removed.

00:39:20.059 --> 00:39:20.400
 We see.

00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:20.680
 Ever.

00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:20.960
 More.

00:39:21.100 --> 00:39:21.440
 Clearly.

00:39:22.000 --> 00:39:22.360
 And that.

00:39:22.440 --> 00:39:22.760
 Forever.

00:39:23.100 --> 00:39:23.519
 Changes.

00:39:23.680 --> 00:39:23.880
 How.

00:39:23.880 --> 00:39:24.220
 We read.

00:39:24.220 --> 00:39:24.700
 The old.

00:39:27.400 --> 00:39:27.940
 And so.

00:39:28.019 --> 00:39:28.820
 If these things are true.

00:39:28.820 --> 00:39:29.280
 How.

00:39:29.599 --> 00:39:30.220
 Difficult.

00:39:30.220 --> 00:39:31.320
 Will it be.

00:39:31.960 --> 00:39:33.539
 As a new covenant believer.

00:39:34.260 --> 00:39:35.800
 To grasp the meaning of.

00:39:35.980 --> 00:39:37.680
 Of any part of scripture.

00:39:37.680 --> 00:39:39.119
 Apart from a firm.

00:39:39.840 --> 00:39:40.559
 Understanding.

00:39:40.559 --> 00:39:41.900
 Of the archway.

00:39:42.900 --> 00:39:44.559
 To which all has come.

00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.720
 Or gone.

00:39:45.719 --> 00:39:46.119
 One.

00:39:47.319 --> 00:39:48.179
 So again.

00:39:48.279 --> 00:39:49.480
 Do not make the mistake.

00:39:50.039 --> 00:39:51.679
 Of thinking you've outgrown.

00:39:52.439 --> 00:39:53.599
 The gospels.

00:39:54.719 --> 00:39:55.839
 And the gospel.

00:39:57.819 --> 00:39:59.619
 Just to think of core group alone.

00:39:59.779 --> 00:40:00.059
 Let a.

00:40:00.399 --> 00:40:02.399
 Of course we could talk about all kinds of relationships.

00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:03.079
 Your marriage.

00:40:03.179 --> 00:40:04.179
 Your relationship with your kids.

00:40:04.239 --> 00:40:04.839
 And so forth.

00:40:05.779 --> 00:40:06.759
 Just core group alone.

00:40:06.939 --> 00:40:07.679
 What good.

00:40:08.419 --> 00:40:10.159
 Is iron sharpening iron.

00:40:10.319 --> 00:40:11.619
 When one piece is rusted.

00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:13.380
 Due to neglect.

00:40:14.159 --> 00:40:15.339
 And lack of discipline.

00:40:15.519 --> 00:40:16.079
 To study.

00:40:16.239 --> 00:40:16.699
 And meditate.

00:40:17.639 --> 00:40:18.940
 Upon the stories of Christ.

00:40:19.679 --> 00:40:19.839
 Right.

00:40:19.880 --> 00:40:21.119
 The good piece of iron.

00:40:21.219 --> 00:40:21.960
 While being sharp.

00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:23.319
 In these good truths.

00:40:23.779 --> 00:40:24.739
 And storing them up.

00:40:24.960 --> 00:40:25.960
 Will actually break.

00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:27.779
 The rusted piece.

00:40:28.719 --> 00:40:29.119
 And meanwhile.

00:40:29.380 --> 00:40:30.259
 The rusted piece.

00:40:30.559 --> 00:40:30.960
 Will offer nothing.

00:40:31.960 --> 00:40:32.839
 In return.

00:40:33.219 --> 00:40:34.099
 To the good piece.

00:40:34.099 --> 00:40:37.000
 How good it is.

00:40:37.039 --> 00:40:38.460
 When neither piece is rusted.

00:40:40.239 --> 00:40:41.139
 The fruit.

00:40:41.139 --> 00:40:41.900
 That is born.

00:40:42.099 --> 00:40:42.599
 Of such.

00:40:43.779 --> 00:40:44.380
 Relationships.

00:40:46.139 --> 00:40:47.420
 And it's precisely.

00:40:47.839 --> 00:40:48.299
 Because.

00:40:48.500 --> 00:40:49.059
 Of John's.

00:40:49.360 --> 00:40:49.759
 Depth.

00:40:49.839 --> 00:40:50.779
 In the gospels.

00:40:50.839 --> 00:40:51.659
 He has the advantage.

00:40:51.659 --> 00:40:52.539
 Of having been there.

00:40:52.599 --> 00:40:53.179
 And written one.

00:40:53.279 --> 00:40:53.619
 Yes.

00:40:54.199 --> 00:40:54.639
 Granted.

00:40:55.579 --> 00:40:56.440
 But nonetheless.

00:40:57.239 --> 00:40:58.319
 Because of John's.

00:40:58.400 --> 00:40:58.819
 Depth.

00:40:58.940 --> 00:40:59.900
 In the gospels.

00:41:00.880 --> 00:41:01.719
 That he is so.

00:41:02.339 --> 00:41:02.860
 Skillfully.

00:41:02.860 --> 00:41:03.960
 Able to apply.

00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:04.720
 The stories.

00:41:04.980 --> 00:41:05.579
 And the teachings.

00:41:05.780 --> 00:41:06.380
 Of Jesus.

00:41:07.220 --> 00:41:08.019
 Into a very.

00:41:08.120 --> 00:41:08.960
 Complicated church.

00:41:09.079 --> 00:41:09.559
 Situation.

00:41:09.559 --> 00:41:10.599
 Where false teachers.

00:41:10.599 --> 00:41:11.240
 Have gone out.

00:41:11.320 --> 00:41:12.079
 And divided the body.

00:41:12.160 --> 00:41:12.599
 And caused people.

00:41:12.680 --> 00:41:13.360
 Not to believe.

00:41:13.579 --> 00:41:14.000
 Whether or not.

00:41:14.059 --> 00:41:14.620
 They're Christians.

00:41:15.140 --> 00:41:15.680
 It's because.

00:41:15.900 --> 00:41:16.420
 John knows.

00:41:16.420 --> 00:41:17.400
 These truths.

00:41:17.740 --> 00:41:18.099
 Well.

00:41:18.240 --> 00:41:19.140
 These basic truths.

00:41:19.220 --> 00:41:20.000
 If I might add.

00:41:20.800 --> 00:41:21.400
 That he is able.

00:41:21.460 --> 00:41:22.240
 To skillfully.

00:41:22.640 --> 00:41:23.120
 Encourage.

00:41:23.680 --> 00:41:24.840
 An entire community.

00:41:24.840 --> 00:41:25.800
 Of hurting.

00:41:26.460 --> 00:41:26.900
 Doubting.

00:41:27.640 --> 00:41:28.120
 Saints.

00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:31.420
 So if you want.

00:41:31.440 --> 00:41:31.740
 To be.

00:41:31.739 --> 00:41:32.279
 A better.

00:41:32.539 --> 00:41:33.059
 Encourager.

00:41:34.059 --> 00:41:34.819
 A gift.

00:41:34.819 --> 00:41:35.299
 That seems.

00:41:35.299 --> 00:41:35.639
 To be.

00:41:35.639 --> 00:41:36.519
 So lacking.

00:41:36.519 --> 00:41:37.059
 In our.

00:41:37.279 --> 00:41:37.659
 Digital.

00:41:38.219 --> 00:41:38.839
 Social media.

00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:40.079
 Cultural age.

00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:41.819
 Then know.

00:41:41.899 --> 00:41:42.379
 We're better.

00:41:43.079 --> 00:41:44.099
 And remind.

00:41:44.099 --> 00:41:44.579
 Yourself.

00:41:44.879 --> 00:41:45.479
 Regularly.

00:41:46.399 --> 00:41:47.299
 Of the Jesus.

00:41:47.299 --> 00:41:47.939
 Of scripture.

00:41:48.739 --> 00:41:49.619
 And obey him.

00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:51.599
 Is this not.

00:41:51.679 --> 00:41:52.119
 What it means.

00:41:52.219 --> 00:41:53.219
 To abide in him.

00:41:53.279 --> 00:41:53.699
 Is this not.

00:41:54.159 --> 00:41:55.079
 Part of us.

00:41:56.079 --> 00:41:56.719
 And so.

00:41:56.799 --> 00:41:57.099
 I offer.

00:41:57.159 --> 00:41:57.799
 This principle.

00:41:57.800 --> 00:42:05.480
 The proportion to which you know and meditate upon the person and work of Christ.

00:42:07.080 --> 00:42:13.019
 Is proportionate to the potential you have to encourage your brothers and sisters.

00:42:13.019 --> 00:42:17.780
 the proportion to which you know and meditate upon the person and work of christ

00:42:17.780 --> 00:42:26.139
 is proportionate to the potential you have to encourage your brothers and sisters

00:42:26.139 --> 00:42:30.800
 application number three

00:42:30.800 --> 00:42:40.679
 and it is a simple and remember found thing know and remember

00:42:40.679 --> 00:42:48.819
 that god is love i do not take that for granted

00:42:48.819 --> 00:42:56.480
 god is love it's so easy to forget this especially if you're like me and you grew up in church hearing

00:42:56.480 --> 00:43:06.139
 this your whole life but god is love not all religions claim that about their gods this is

00:43:06.139 --> 00:43:15.779
 amazing god is love in preparation for this sermon this week i read from the bnh academic

00:43:15.779 --> 00:43:17.900
 exegetical guide to the greek new testament

00:43:17.900 --> 00:43:27.119
 which is not typically a very applicational or doxological resource it's exegetical as the title

00:43:27.119 --> 00:43:35.420
 suggests and believe it or not it's even more nerdy than it sounds but even more in that book

00:43:35.420 --> 00:43:43.079
 dr rob plumber and dr roderick ellidge the the authors they wisely stated these words without

00:43:43.079 --> 00:43:50.360
 comment reflecting on this phrase god is love they just stopped and this i just it stands out because

00:43:50.360 --> 00:43:59.380
 i'm telling you i know this series well they never do this they said pause ponder and praise

00:43:59.380 --> 00:44:07.220
 so i invite you to do that at some point today on your own with your family with your friends

00:44:07.220 --> 00:44:14.039
pause ponder that God is love and praise Him

00:44:14.039 --> 00:44:18.140
 let's do that now in prayer together

00:44:18.139 --> 00:44:25.799


00:44:25.799 --> 00:44:26.799


00:44:26.799 --> 00:44:26.799


00:44:26.799 --> 00:44:26.799