WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:23.059 Good morning. 00:00:24.060 --> 00:00:28.240 As you can hopefully see, 1 John chapter 2. 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:35.739 If you are using the Red Church Bibles, it's on page 1225. 00:00:41.239 --> 00:00:47.099 So just before I read the passage, recently I was at my brother-in-law's wedding. 00:00:48.500 --> 00:00:56.879 Well, during the ceremony, an extremely wise and well-spoken man spoke about love. 00:00:56.880 --> 00:01:00.320 And in particular, the couple's love for each other. 00:01:01.480 --> 00:01:09.760 Well, this amazingly literate and handsome individual, he pointed out a number of things that the couple have done throughout the years, 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:12.060 which show that they love each other. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:20.900 I hope that anyone that's married here today can think of ways that they and their spouse have shown that they love each other. 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:26.719 If you aren't acting on those promises you made on your wedding day, what's the point? 00:01:26.960 --> 00:01:27.980 What does love even mean? 00:01:28.760 --> 00:01:33.540 The only way to know if you love someone or something is by your actions. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:37.219 How you live reflects what's true in your heart. 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:46.640 Well, today we're going to be looking at how we can be sure of knowing God and loving God through how we live, through our actions. 00:01:47.340 --> 00:01:54.239 Our assurance of knowing God and experiencing eternal life comes from our obedient living. 00:01:55.799 --> 00:01:57.060 Let's dive right in. 00:01:57.060 --> 00:02:02.200 Just as we begin looking at our passage, let's start with some background to how we got here. 00:02:02.900 --> 00:02:10.560 The church that are receiving this letter have suffered a drop in numbers because there's false teachers milling around and leading members astray. 00:02:11.159 --> 00:02:14.640 The church are finding it tough to stand by what they know to be true. 00:02:15.259 --> 00:02:20.840 So John writes this letter then to encourage them to stand strong in the faith. 00:02:20.840 --> 00:02:27.379 Upon reading this letter, the believers would have felt assured of them gaining eternal life. 00:02:27.920 --> 00:02:31.900 They would have received the confidence boost they needed that they were on the right path. 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:40.960 And that the Jesus they learned about and came to trust on day one is the same Jesus that's ensuring they reach the goal of eternity. 00:02:40.960 --> 00:02:51.060 The first few verses of chapter 2 then are promising that those that know Jesus will be identified by keeping his commands and by not sinning. 00:02:51.580 --> 00:02:55.800 So where we begin our passage here in verse 7 is continuing on from there. 00:02:56.080 --> 00:03:01.140 It's trying to show exactly what keeping God's commands and not sinning looks like. 00:03:02.060 --> 00:03:06.620 So 1 John chapter 2 verses 7 to 17. 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:15.120 Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one which you have had since the beginning. 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:18.219 The old command is the message you have heard. 00:03:18.819 --> 00:03:20.560 Yet I am writing you a new command. 00:03:20.960 --> 00:03:27.540 Its truth is seen in him and in you because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 00:03:28.599 --> 00:03:33.280 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:40.300 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:45.860 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:50.280 They do not know where they are going because the darkness has blinded them. 00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:56.819 I am writing to you dear children because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 00:03:57.420 --> 00:04:01.180 I am writing to you fathers because you know him who is from the beginning. 00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:05.439 I am writing to you young men because you have overcome the evil one. 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:08.819 I write to you dear children because you know the father. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.740 I write to you fathers because you know him who is from the beginning. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:20.840 I write to you young men because you are strong and the word of God lives in you and you have overcome the evil one. 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:24.519 Do not love the world or anything in the world. 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:28.560 If anyone loves the world, love for the father is not in them. 00:04:28.560 --> 00:04:37.740 For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life comes not from the father but from the world. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:44.420 The world and its desires pass away but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:50.060 Let's pray. 00:04:53.960 --> 00:04:56.939 Father God, thank you for bringing us all here today. 00:04:57.140 --> 00:04:58.759 Thank you that you are here with us. 00:04:59.420 --> 00:05:03.700 And we pray for your message to get across today. 00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:06.600 Thank you for your Bible, for the teachings that it brings. 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:15.820 And we pray that you are working in everyone's heart to take it in on a Sunday but to practice it then during the week. 00:05:16.180 --> 00:05:17.660 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:05:17.660 --> 00:05:26.920 So this passage that we are looking at today is laid out with one contrast and two battles. 00:05:27.480 --> 00:05:31.180 The contrast is the new command versus the old command. 00:05:31.820 --> 00:05:38.540 And then the battles that we look at a little later are light versus darkness and the world versus the will of God. 00:05:39.080 --> 00:05:42.660 But the contrast comes first in verses 7 and 8. 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:47.560 John begins by saying he is not writing a new command but an old one. 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:50.780 Then in verse 8 he says he is writing a new command. 00:05:51.580 --> 00:05:53.800 Well, he is not attempting to confuse people here. 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:56.160 He didn't just get his words mixed up. 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:58.020 Listen to verse 8. 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:00.800 I am writing you a new command. 00:06:02.200 --> 00:06:04.760 Its truth is seen in him and you. 00:06:05.200 --> 00:06:09.420 Because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. 00:06:09.700 --> 00:06:12.480 Its truth is seen in him. 00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:14.340 It's speaking about Jesus. 00:06:14.700 --> 00:06:16.600 The true light is already shining. 00:06:16.880 --> 00:06:18.540 It's speaking about Jesus. 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:21.520 John is helping us understand that. 00:06:21.780 --> 00:06:26.580 The reason this old command is now seen as a new command is because of Jesus. 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:31.480 John is taking this train of thought from Jesus himself. 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:38.240 We read in the Gospel of John, written by the same author, in chapter 13 and verse 34, 00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:39.800 Jesus says, 00:06:39.800 --> 00:06:43.400 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:48.280 Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:51.879 Well, loving one another is not a new command. 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:53.600 We see that from the very beginning. 00:06:53.600 --> 00:06:57.060 But Jesus defines it as a new command by saying, 00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:00.680 Just as I have loved you. 00:07:01.820 --> 00:07:08.780 Jesus has now lived on this earth and shown us firsthand exactly how humans are supposed to love each other. 00:07:08.779 --> 00:07:17.059 A couple of weeks ago in Sunday school, we were learning how Jesus is fully God and fully man. 00:07:17.239 --> 00:07:19.139 And so he has the authority to say, 00:07:19.239 --> 00:07:22.959 You love one another by copying me. 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:26.120 Well, we obviously need to ask ourselves then, 00:07:26.379 --> 00:07:29.159 How did Jesus love that's so revolutionary? 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:34.579 What did he do differently to this command of love your neighbor that we see in the Old Testament? 00:07:35.299 --> 00:07:37.699 Well, I think the answer is twofold. 00:07:40.179 --> 00:07:44.299 How he loved and who he loved. 00:07:45.919 --> 00:07:50.539 So if you're a believer and someone asks you for an example of how Jesus loved, 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:54.400 naturally, I would guess most people would go first to the cross. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:08:00.040 Jesus sacrificed his own life because he loves us so much. 00:08:00.960 --> 00:08:04.000 This is what we're called to do in 1 John. 00:08:04.220 --> 00:08:06.939 To love to the point of sacrifice. 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:09.900 Not just to love when it's convenient. 00:08:10.900 --> 00:08:13.640 To those that are in school or college or the workplace, 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:20.919 do you love your classmates and co-workers by telling them about the most important love in the world? 00:08:21.659 --> 00:08:23.379 The love that can save their souls. 00:08:24.439 --> 00:08:27.979 To those that are married, do you pray for and with your spouse, 00:08:28.579 --> 00:08:31.379 even when maybe you think they're not living up to their end of the deal? 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:36.919 To those that are parents, do you read the Bible and pray with your kids every day, 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:41.120 even when you're tired or have a million jobs to do around the house? 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:44.820 True love takes sacrifice. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:49.799 Well, taking a step further in how Jesus loved, 00:08:50.060 --> 00:08:52.879 we see throughout the Gospels that Jesus was a servant. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:59.580 When I was in college, every year we used to organize hoodies with a Bible verse on the back. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:04.399 Well, this particular year that I'm thinking of, the Bible verse was Mark 10 45. 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:09.159 I brought my friend along to an outreach event and he spotted all our hoodies. 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:13.759 I'll always remember the reference of this famous verse because of him. 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:14.639 He said, 00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:16.980 So tell me, who is this Mark guy? 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:19.100 And what did he say at quarter to eleven? 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:25.059 So when I hear about servanthood, I always think of Mark 10 45, 00:09:25.879 --> 00:09:26.459 which says, 00:09:26.460 --> 00:09:31.100 For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, 00:09:31.680 --> 00:09:34.200 and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:37.800 Jesus came with a servant heart. 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:40.500 He put others before himself. 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:45.160 Even when he was tired from a full day of preaching and loving people, 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:48.519 when they needed him, he preached and loved some more. 00:09:49.259 --> 00:09:51.560 If we're going to obey this new command, 00:09:51.879 --> 00:09:54.500 we need to be servants to one another. 00:09:54.500 --> 00:09:59.720 The last thing then about the Old Testament command to love your neighbor 00:09:59.720 --> 00:10:02.179 that Jesus defined more specifically is, 00:10:02.679 --> 00:10:03.620 Who is my neighbor? 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:08.240 Most of us are probably familiar with the famous verse in Matthew 5 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:11.600 where Jesus tells his disciples to love their enemies. 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:14.960 Well, this was a groundbreaking idea at the time 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:16.840 because under the Old Covenant, 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:20.940 God would have judged Israel's enemies by a number of different ways, 00:10:20.940 --> 00:10:25.900 but some included using his own people to bring about that justice. 00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:29.580 Now Jesus is saying under the New Covenant 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:32.540 that it's our job to love our enemies 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:34.780 and to leave the judgment to God. 00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:38.500 Obviously, we still seek justice in this life, 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:40.760 but ultimately, if we're wronged, 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:42.940 we're called to love, forgive, 00:10:43.780 --> 00:10:46.360 and to leave the rest in God's hands. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:51.500 One day in the staff room in school, 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:53.360 another teacher snapped at me, 00:10:53.820 --> 00:10:55.240 and there were some of my colleagues around. 00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:57.440 I spent the next couple of hours 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:59.940 until the day was done thinking about 00:10:59.940 --> 00:11:01.740 how I was going to approach him 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:04.419 and how forcefully I was going to let him know 00:11:04.419 --> 00:11:05.919 that he was being a prat. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:08.100 Well, thankfully, 00:11:08.379 --> 00:11:10.639 we didn't cross paths the remainder of the day, 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:13.080 and I began thinking on the drive home. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:15.179 A Christian song came on, 00:11:15.639 --> 00:11:17.100 on my Spotify playlist, 00:11:17.699 --> 00:11:19.799 and I realized I should include God 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:22.519 in my decision on how to handle the situation. 00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:24.720 When I got home, 00:11:25.179 --> 00:11:27.340 I text him asking if he was all right 00:11:27.340 --> 00:11:31.139 and apologized if I had unintentionally offended him. 00:11:32.500 --> 00:11:34.439 He texts back and assured me 00:11:34.439 --> 00:11:35.539 there were no issues, 00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:36.519 he was just on edge. 00:11:36.939 --> 00:11:38.500 But by choosing to forgive 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:42.200 instead of justifiably maybe retaliating, 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.899 I'm certain I saved myself a lot of strife 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.659 and dwelling on the situation. 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.879 I handed it over to God 00:11:48.879 --> 00:11:52.379 and felt a genuine peace about the whole thing. 00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:54.740 Whereas if I didn't forgive 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:57.679 and let the injustice fester, 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:59.899 I would have a strained work environment 00:11:59.899 --> 00:12:01.600 probably to this day. 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:04.139 I've heard since from other colleagues 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:05.679 that this particular individual 00:12:05.679 --> 00:12:08.120 knows well how to hold a grudge. 00:12:09.299 --> 00:12:10.860 But when people wrong us, 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:12.080 friend or enemy, 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:14.960 we're called to love and forgive 00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:17.559 and trust God for the rest. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:24.360 The first battle we see in this passage 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:26.820 is between light and dark. 00:12:27.919 --> 00:12:30.179 The darkness of this world is passing 00:12:30.179 --> 00:12:32.799 and the true light is already shining. 00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:35.700 Jesus has already lived on this earth. 00:12:35.700 --> 00:12:38.340 He has already overcome the evil one 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:40.580 by defeating sin and death 00:12:40.580 --> 00:12:42.759 when he died on the cross and rose again. 00:12:43.420 --> 00:12:44.879 And so we live in an age 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.320 when the light is shining 00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:49.480 and we're capable of living in this light. 00:12:50.300 --> 00:12:51.140 How do we do it? 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.540 Verse 10, 00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:55.860 by loving our brothers and sisters. 00:12:57.140 --> 00:12:58.780 This is talking specifically 00:12:58.780 --> 00:13:00.460 about those in the Christian community. 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:04.240 The mark of a Christian should be love. 00:13:05.280 --> 00:13:08.400 When people see Christians of any denomination 00:13:08.400 --> 00:13:10.019 interacting with each other, 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:13.040 they should be overcome by the love shown. 00:13:14.100 --> 00:13:16.120 That's why I hate seeing all these debates 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:17.320 of theology online. 00:13:17.900 --> 00:13:19.720 Some of the debates I've seen on Facebook 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.600 get very heated 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:23.920 and it seems to me to be a serious lack of love. 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:25.979 I completely understand 00:13:25.979 --> 00:13:28.319 how people get worked up about certain things 00:13:28.319 --> 00:13:30.839 and what they feel to be mistakes 00:13:30.839 --> 00:13:32.879 in people's beliefs or theology, 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:35.839 but a social public outlet 00:13:35.839 --> 00:13:38.039 is not the place for these arguments. 00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:41.620 There's great gain to discussing these things 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:43.879 and to challenging one another's beliefs and actions, 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:46.879 but not on a platform that's open to anyone, 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.339 not on a platform that could be anonymous, 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:51.220 and not on a platform 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:54.980 where people's tone can so easily be misconstrued 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:56.540 or misinterpreted. 00:13:57.940 --> 00:14:01.139 But I've spoken to many visitors to this church 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:03.139 and regularly I hear the feedback 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:06.620 of how loving and welcoming it is. 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:08.920 I hope they're not just saying that 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:09.940 because they know I'm a member, 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:13.960 but I trust that this is an extremely loving 00:14:13.960 --> 00:14:15.700 and welcoming church. 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:17.660 Let's keep it that way. 00:14:17.659 --> 00:14:21.500 The mark of a true Christian is his love, 00:14:22.079 --> 00:14:23.399 so be encouraged. 00:14:24.439 --> 00:14:26.419 Your love is on show every week 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:28.179 and is being taken notice of 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:31.539 by people who maybe have not experienced 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:32.860 the love of Christ yet. 00:14:33.719 --> 00:14:35.079 The love that you show, 00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:36.259 not only here, 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:38.759 but throughout the week to your families and friends, 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:41.839 is proof that you know God. 00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:46.600 If you've been in any way unsure of your salvation, 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:49.040 let me assure you of it. 00:14:49.420 --> 00:14:52.659 I see the love you have for your brothers and sisters in Christ 00:14:52.659 --> 00:14:54.519 and others have seen it too. 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:58.600 This is a sure sign that you're walking in the light. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:02.040 As I regularly say at my parent-teacher meetings, 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:03.759 keep up the good work. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:08.220 The second battle we meet 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:13.559 is the world versus the will of God. 00:15:14.819 --> 00:15:16.360 John has spent these last few verses 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:19.720 telling us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.439 Now he begins verse 15, 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:26.120 do not love the world or anything in the world. 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:31.100 Anything in the world is not talking about people. 00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:32.960 John has made that very clear 00:15:32.960 --> 00:15:35.279 that we're to love everyone in the world, 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:36.480 even our enemies, 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:40.399 and especially other Christians that know God as well. 00:15:41.040 --> 00:15:42.759 To make abundantly clear 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:44.519 that we know what he's talking about, 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:46.580 in verse 16, 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:49.960 he clarifies what loving the world looks like. 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.899 It's giving in to the temptations 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:54.560 of the lust of the flesh, 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:56.279 the lust of the eyes, 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:58.220 and the pride of life. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:16:00.920 Well, the lust of the flesh 00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:03.600 is that which we desire in this life. 00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:06.740 Primarily, I think he's talking about sexual desires, 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.519 but also gluttony, 00:16:08.740 --> 00:16:10.399 having more food and drink than we need, 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.740 and laziness. 00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:14.639 How often do you choose to watch TV 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:16.639 instead of helping to clean the house? 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:19.740 How often do you allow your kids to go to bed 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:21.660 with no Bible or prayer time 00:16:21.660 --> 00:16:23.540 because you've had a hard day at work? 00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:26.799 The lust of the eyes, then, 00:16:26.839 --> 00:16:28.480 is talking about envying that 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.959 that's not yours. 00:16:30.719 --> 00:16:32.099 Do you look at a friend's car 00:16:32.099 --> 00:16:33.740 and decide you need it? 00:16:34.599 --> 00:16:36.419 Or an old flame on Facebook 00:16:36.419 --> 00:16:38.219 and wonder, what if? 00:16:39.839 --> 00:16:41.839 And finally, then, the pride of life. 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:44.219 In the ESV, it's translated as 00:16:44.219 --> 00:16:45.599 pride in possessions. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:48.559 So the pride of life is talking about 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.339 our possessions, 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.399 things we own. 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:53.600 Do you always boast about how good your job is 00:16:53.600 --> 00:16:54.939 or how big your house is? 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:57.399 Well, these are the things that happen 00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:59.439 when we love the world. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:02.980 God is telling us in these few passages 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:05.700 to look at the contrast of loving your neighbor 00:17:05.700 --> 00:17:07.680 and loving the world. 00:17:08.619 --> 00:17:12.859 Your actions reflect what and who you love. 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:17.859 Only yesterday, Sarah abandoned us 00:17:17.859 --> 00:17:18.639 for the whole day. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:21.120 I was left at home with the children 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:22.060 on my own. 00:17:23.300 --> 00:17:26.460 If anyone saw my middle daughter, Emma, 00:17:26.560 --> 00:17:27.180 this morning, 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:30.600 you may have noticed a burn on her face. 00:17:32.020 --> 00:17:32.960 I say again, 00:17:33.020 --> 00:17:34.900 I was left alone with the children. 00:17:36.540 --> 00:17:37.420 Well, this morning, 00:17:37.540 --> 00:17:38.660 I was joking with her 00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.980 and I was saying, 00:17:40.060 --> 00:17:40.640 oh my goodness, 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.500 what are we going to do? 00:17:41.580 --> 00:17:43.060 I'm going to be in so much trouble 00:17:43.060 --> 00:17:44.660 when mommy wakes up 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.960 and sees what's after happening 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.360 on her day off. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:50.679 Well, Emma showed her love for me 00:17:50.679 --> 00:17:51.679 when she was like, 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:53.699 daddy, it's not your fault. 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.019 It was the wind's fault. 00:17:55.659 --> 00:17:56.819 We were having a barbecue. 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.679 The ash flew into her face. 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:01.219 So she proved her love 00:18:01.219 --> 00:18:02.519 by her actions. 00:18:03.219 --> 00:18:04.779 And that's what we're called to do 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:06.559 in this passage. 00:18:06.559 --> 00:18:09.779 If you're putting others first, 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:12.740 it's a sure sign that you know God 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:15.720 and will experience eternity with him. 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:18.200 However, if you're putting yourself 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:20.679 and the desires of this life first, 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:23.179 then it's a sure sign of verse 15. 00:18:23.879 --> 00:18:26.879 Love for the father is not in you. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:30.419 Everyone struggles with these temptations 00:18:30.419 --> 00:18:31.879 and no one is without sin. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:34.599 Everyone has given into these temptations. 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:36.719 What John is trying to get across is 00:18:36.719 --> 00:18:38.579 if you are struggling 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:40.579 with these temptations, 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:42.139 then you can be confident 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:43.599 that you know God. 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.059 You can be confident 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.699 that you will live forever with God. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.719 It's when you're not struggling 00:18:48.719 --> 00:18:50.579 that the problem arises. 00:18:51.379 --> 00:18:52.480 It's when you give in 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:53.439 to these temptations 00:18:53.439 --> 00:18:54.639 time and time again 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:56.480 and find yourself not caring. 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:58.359 That's when the love of God 00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:59.819 is not in us. 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:03.639 There's a song by Florida Georgia line 00:19:03.639 --> 00:19:05.539 and a line goes, 00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:08.740 we cuss on them Mondays 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:10.839 and pray on them Sundays. 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.960 Or bad grammar aside, 00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.319 if that's you, 00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:16.379 if you go to church on Sundays 00:19:16.379 --> 00:19:17.899 and by the time Monday comes, 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:19.960 you go back to the same old routine 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:21.779 of not reading the Bible, 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:22.839 not praying, 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:24.339 not including God 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:25.559 in any situation 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:26.659 or any of your decisions, 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.980 then you need to, 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.539 as another famous song says, 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:30.599 check yourself 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:32.420 before you wreck yourself. 00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:35.139 That's when a reality check 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:37.079 is needed and fast. 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.619 That's when we need 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:42.319 to hit the ground running. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.920 If that's you, 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.559 then get back to reading 00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.619 your Bible daily. 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:49.359 Get back to praying 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:51.000 and asking for God's help 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:52.859 in identifying these temptations 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:55.079 and standing strong against them. 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:57.579 Get back to putting others' needs 00:19:57.579 --> 00:19:58.420 above your own 00:19:58.420 --> 00:20:00.560 and get back to serving others 00:20:00.560 --> 00:20:03.100 and sacrificing yourself for them. 00:20:03.600 --> 00:20:05.519 Hit the ground running. 00:20:06.340 --> 00:20:07.900 You don't need to ease yourself 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.660 back into it. 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.800 You don't need to try 00:20:09.800 --> 00:20:10.380 to make yourself 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.580 just a little bit holier 00:20:11.580 --> 00:20:13.200 before you turn to God 00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:14.700 and ask for His forgiveness. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.539 You need to start afresh 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:18.019 right now 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.900 and get back to doing 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:21.019 all those things 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.799 that you know 00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.660 you should be doing. 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.759 Jesus sacrificed 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:27.160 everything in heaven 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:29.039 to come down to this world, 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.759 to live life as a human 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.779 and to die 00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.940 at the hands of humans 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:35.120 just so you have a chance 00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:36.880 at a relationship with Him. 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:39.160 Jesus loves you 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.799 and has proven it 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.960 by His actions. 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:44.059 Jesus loves you 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:45.079 and wants you 00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:46.440 to love Him back. 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:51.519 But He's not going to force you. 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:53.519 You need to choose. 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:55.140 You need to make the decision 00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:56.579 to reject the world 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:58.059 and love Him. 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:00.259 You need to decide 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.299 whether you will live 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.019 in the dark 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.400 or in the light. 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:04.819 Whether you will choose 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.980 the side of the world 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:08.000 or the will of God. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:10.400 Only one of those things 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.099 lasts forever 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.859 and has infinite value. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.619 Verse 17 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:17.759 The world and its desires 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.660 pass away 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:20.440 but whoever does 00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:21.779 the will of God 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:23.480 lives forever. 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.579 When you start putting 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:28.299 the will and word of God 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.359 first in your life 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:31.099 then you will experience 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.099 the assurance 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:33.720 of knowing God. 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:35.779 When you start loving others 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.759 and putting their needs 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.480 ahead of your own 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:39.240 then you will experience 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.160 the assurance 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.799 of living forever. 00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:43.640 When you start 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.920 fighting temptation 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.400 and stop giving in 00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:46.940 so easily 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:48.099 to the desires 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.839 of this world 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:50.059 then you will 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.779 experience 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.740 the assurance 00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:53.299 that your salvation 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.240 is won 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.220 already. 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.900 You don't do these things 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:59.500 to gain salvation 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:00.740 but when you do 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.299 these things 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.380 the Holy Spirit 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:03.500 enables you 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.360 to have this 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.400 sure confidence 00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:07.140 in your eternal life. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.319 so that you can 00:22:08.319 --> 00:22:09.259 continue to do 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.940 good things 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:11.240 in this world 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:12.240 that so desperately 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.940 needs us. 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.019 This message 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:17.599 goes out to 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.920 every single person 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:20.440 in this room. 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:22.059 Verses 12 to 14 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.180 repeat that this message 00:22:23.180 --> 00:22:24.620 is for children, 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:25.559 fathers, 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.579 young men. 00:22:27.220 --> 00:22:27.940 This message 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:29.120 is for everyone 00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:30.779 of all ages. 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.620 John is encouraging 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:33.380 everyone 00:22:33.380 --> 00:22:34.880 to resist temptation 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:36.700 and live for Jesus. 00:22:38.040 --> 00:22:39.680 The end of verse 14 00:22:39.680 --> 00:22:41.180 I write to you 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:42.960 because you are strong 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:44.940 and the word of God 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.840 lives in you 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:48.040 and you have overcome 00:22:48.040 --> 00:22:49.340 the evil one. 00:22:52.540 --> 00:22:54.100 The only way to know 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:55.240 if you love someone 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.940 or something 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:57.560 is by your actions. 00:22:58.260 --> 00:22:59.220 How you live 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.380 reflects 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.880 what's true 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.480 in your heart. 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:03.200 If you are chasing 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:04.480 after the lust 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.200 of the flesh, 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.599 the lust of the eyes 00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.839 or after worldly possessions, 00:23:08.299 --> 00:23:09.140 your priorities 00:23:09.140 --> 00:23:10.019 are askew 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.920 and you need 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.839 to act fast. 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.319 However, 00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.720 if you are fighting 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.420 temptation, 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.720 we all give in 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:17.200 occasionally, 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.380 but if you are fighting 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.539 and struggling 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.319 against it, 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:21.980 if you are sacrificing 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.980 yourself to serve 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.380 others, 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:24.640 if you are trying 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.400 desperately 00:23:25.400 --> 00:23:26.819 to know God 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.200 better, 00:23:27.620 --> 00:23:28.579 then you are safe 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.799 and secure. 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.679 Whoever does 00:23:31.679 --> 00:23:32.619 the will of God 00:23:32.619 --> 00:23:34.299 lives forever. 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:36.480 God has forgiven you, 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.899 saved you, 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:39.220 and has granted you 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:40.099 eternal life 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:41.599 and nothing you do 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:42.779 can lose it. 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:45.500 Live in that freedom 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.399 today. 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:48.319 Live in that freedom 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.299 this week. 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:51.179 As you go into work 00:23:51.179 --> 00:23:51.779 or as you care 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.439 for your family 00:23:52.439 --> 00:23:52.960 this week, 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:54.379 love everyone 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.220 to the best 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.939 of your ability 00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:57.059 in the confidence 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:58.059 that if you 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.960 mess something up, 00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:01.140 nothing can separate 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.080 you from the love 00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:02.559 of God 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:04.059 and eternal life. 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.980 Do everything 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.600 you can 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.960 for the eternal 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.900 kingdom of God, 00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:10.380 not the temporary 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.019 fancies 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:12.360 of this world. 00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:17.799 I write to you 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:19.039 because you are 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.720 strong 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:21.259 and the word 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.820 of God 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:23.140 lives in you 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.960 and you have 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.700 overcome 00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:27.300 the evil one. 00:24:28.280 --> 00:24:29.060 Your salvation 00:24:29.060 --> 00:24:29.720 is secure. 00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.180 You have nothing 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.800 to fear 00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:33.100 in this temporary 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.640 world. 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:34.980 Eternity 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:36.460 is your goal. 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:38.759 Let's pray. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:51.299 Father God, 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.319 thank you for 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:53.640 your word. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.879 Forgive us 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.619 for the times 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.839 where we take 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.440 it for granted. 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.500 We pray 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.180 that you help 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:00.500 us 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:02.200 to use it, 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.359 avail of it 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:04.160 and to do 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:04.819 what it says 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:06.180 in our everyday 00:25:06.180 --> 00:25:06.720 lives. 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:07.700 Help us 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.539 not to leave 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.740 what you've 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.240 been talking 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.839 to us about 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.299 here this 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.639 morning, 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.700 here on Sunday, 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:13.599 but to use 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.480 it in the 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.039 week ahead. 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.180 To love 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:16.559 others 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:17.460 sacrificially, 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:18.759 to serve 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:20.500 them in 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.200 the confidence 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.240 that we're 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.779 not doing 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.299 those things 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.720 to try and 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.059 earn your 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:24.500 favor. 00:25:25.139 --> 00:25:25.500 You have 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.099 already done 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:26.759 everything 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.700 that is 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.359 necessary. 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:29.819 But we do 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.319 those things 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.799 because we 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.519 love you 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.299 and we want 00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:32.779 to please 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.019 you. 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.980 And we ask 00:25:34.980 --> 00:25:35.399 you to 00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:36.619 fill us 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.779 with the 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.519 confidence 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:39.259 through the 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.679 power of 00:25:39.679 --> 00:25:40.139 your Holy 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.599 Spirit 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:42.379 that we 00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.579 are safe 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.719 and secure. 00:25:45.399 --> 00:25:45.839 That what 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.379 you say in 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:46.839 your word 00:25:46.839 --> 00:25:48.000 is 100% 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:48.419 true. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.059 In Jesus' 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.439 name. 00:25:51.159 --> 00:25:51.439 Amen. 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.119 Thanks, 00:25:53.199 --> 00:25:53.399 Alex. 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:59.560 Thank you, 00:25:59.600 --> 00:25:59.800 Connor. 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:00.960 We're going 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.519 to respond 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:04.380 again in 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:04.620 song. 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:05.540 So let's 00:26:05.540 --> 00:26:06.060 stand and 00:26:06.060 --> 00:26:06.860 sing together. 00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:06.920 Thank you. 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:25.060 Thank you.