WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:12.620 --> 00:00:17.780 Last week we started talking about abiding in Christ. 00:00:18.580 --> 00:00:26.859 As we heard that gracious command from Jesus to His followers, to abide in me. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:31.259 To be at home in Jesus. 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:34.259 He is the true vine, remember? 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:36.539 We are the branches. 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:42.859 Life and fruitfulness are always and only in Him. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:49.840 And this weekend we've had plenty of chances to see branches all over the ground, all over town. 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:53.359 Be reminders to us of how much we need Jesus. 00:00:53.519 --> 00:00:55.739 That's what you've all been thinking as you've driven around, right? 00:00:56.859 --> 00:00:59.100 That we need to stay connected to Him. 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:00.359 We must. 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:06.379 I've received several helpful comments and questions since last week. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:10.400 I want to respond to one now and one at the end. 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:16.739 Perhaps the most repeated question that I got this week was, 00:01:17.319 --> 00:01:17.599 Really? 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:22.519 I mean, abiding all the time? 00:01:23.719 --> 00:01:29.159 And actually I really, really appreciate whatever version of this question you have asked because 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:32.819 it means you're taking Jesus' words seriously. 00:01:33.339 --> 00:01:37.099 Abiding, staying, being at home with. 00:01:37.219 --> 00:01:39.539 That can't be occasional, right? 00:01:39.659 --> 00:01:43.199 It's not a come and go type of relationship. 00:01:43.200 --> 00:01:50.859 But do you want your surgeon daydreaming about Jesus mid-surgery, pastor? 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:52.299 That's what someone asked me. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:57.240 I mean, I can't always be talking to Jesus, right? 00:01:57.320 --> 00:02:01.960 I have kids to care for, problems to solve, rockets to launch. 00:02:03.719 --> 00:02:04.260 That's right. 00:02:04.260 --> 00:02:12.840 Being at home in Jesus doesn't mean that you do no other activity ever, okay? 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:18.840 Jesus sends us out, but He never leaves us. 00:02:18.920 --> 00:02:25.840 It's that moment-by-moment walking with Him that we talked about this summer if you were here. 00:02:25.840 --> 00:02:34.340 His word, prayer, worshiping together, relationships, all helping us walk with Him, abide in Him, 00:02:34.659 --> 00:02:39.020 even while we do other things, lots of other things. 00:02:39.980 --> 00:02:48.620 For example, I don't get to be, much as I might like, with my wife 24-7, right? 00:02:48.620 --> 00:02:51.740 But we spend time together. 00:02:51.860 --> 00:02:53.379 That's really important. 00:02:53.580 --> 00:03:01.080 It does take time, time together, so that when we're not together, when I am doing something else, 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:05.360 I still haven't left that primary relationship. 00:03:06.200 --> 00:03:10.780 Sometimes I just find myself doing things that I know she will love, 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:13.620 even though she's not right there telling me that in the moment, 00:03:13.620 --> 00:03:18.680 like cleaning up the kitchen or getting her coffee or getting my hair cut. 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:25.840 Sometimes I just want to call and share a struggle with her in the middle of the day 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:30.020 and not be alone in it and remember that she loves me. 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:31.259 I just need that. 00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:38.020 Sometimes it is simply too busy in the middle of the day to share what we're facing, 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:42.620 but I know that she's there and that she'll be at home at the end of that day, right? 00:03:43.620 --> 00:03:49.400 And listen, as wonderful as that is, it's even better in our relationship with God 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.300 because he always keeps us, doesn't he? 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:54.379 He never sleeps. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:03:57.599 He actually goes with us by his spirit, 00:03:57.759 --> 00:04:05.780 whether our minds or emotions are tied up with something else because we're so limited, right? 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:10.040 He is holding us. 00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:12.659 And abiding means this. 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:16.959 Abiding means knowing that he's got me, 00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:22.039 even in those moments when I am too weak, too human, 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:24.959 to be consciously aware of it. 00:04:25.620 --> 00:04:26.819 That's what abiding is. 00:04:28.659 --> 00:04:33.959 Have you spent enough time with him to trust him for all the time? 00:04:33.959 --> 00:04:38.439 That's Jesus' invitation to abide, okay? 00:04:38.479 --> 00:04:40.079 That's what he's inviting you into. 00:04:40.519 --> 00:04:47.099 And he wants to unpack the image of branches abiding in the vine a little bit more today, 00:04:47.359 --> 00:04:51.159 which is so helpful because this is meant to be practical, not just theoretical. 00:04:51.479 --> 00:04:52.539 How does it happen? 00:04:52.879 --> 00:04:55.539 This is the essence of life in relationship with God. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:56.599 It's the way he made us. 00:04:56.959 --> 00:04:58.620 How do we live like this? 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:04.500 Let's continue listening to Jesus at verse 9 of John chapter 15. 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:05.439 God's word. 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:07.180 Jesus says, 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:12.139 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:15.040 Abide in my love. 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:18.800 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:23.840 just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:32.019 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full. 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:36.899 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:41.899 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. 00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:45.719 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 00:05:46.279 --> 00:05:50.879 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing. 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:57.279 But I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 00:05:57.979 --> 00:06:02.560 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:06.819 that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, 00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:10.240 so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 00:06:11.220 --> 00:06:16.160 These things I command you, so that you will love one another. 00:06:16.720 --> 00:06:17.459 Pray with me. 00:06:17.459 --> 00:06:22.579 Jesus, we hear your words. 00:06:25.139 --> 00:06:28.899 Would we by your Spirit now hear you speaking to our hearts, 00:06:29.959 --> 00:06:33.060 shaping us, changing us, making us more like you, 00:06:34.060 --> 00:06:35.560 growing our love for you. 00:06:36.060 --> 00:06:38.579 Do that work we ask in your name. 00:06:39.519 --> 00:06:39.819 Amen. 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:39.959 Amen. 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:50.279 Thanksgiving weekend every year, my family has a special tradition of getting our Christmas tree. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:52.519 There's a lot of traditions around it. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:55.419 It happens at halftime of the Iron Bowl, 00:06:55.659 --> 00:06:58.639 when the rest of town is busy with something inside. 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:01.639 And we bundle up, 00:07:02.779 --> 00:07:08.039 pack all of us into the van with all of the necessary tools, 00:07:08.040 --> 00:07:14.600 and go to pick out our Christmas tree from the gorgeous neighborhood Lowe's lot. 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:19.200 We bring it home. 00:07:20.080 --> 00:07:23.140 We wrestle it into the tree stand, 00:07:23.140 --> 00:07:27.040 while apple cider and hot chocolate are warming, 00:07:27.280 --> 00:07:29.200 and sometimes that takes longer than others. 00:07:29.660 --> 00:07:35.200 We debate very patiently whether the tree is straight or not every year. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:42.019 And then, to be honest, we downright argue over white lights or different colors. 00:07:42.719 --> 00:07:43.879 That is a tradition. 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:45.420 It's important. 00:07:46.159 --> 00:07:52.339 If, if fewer than half of us are crying or angry by this point in the evening, 00:07:52.519 --> 00:07:53.599 which is a pretty big if, 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:56.279 we decorate the tree. 00:07:56.279 --> 00:08:00.319 And it is always really fun, honestly, 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:02.199 to get out old ornaments, 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:05.219 to tell stories together, 00:08:05.539 --> 00:08:07.719 to kick off the Christmas season. 00:08:07.919 --> 00:08:11.059 And that night, that Saturday in November, 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:14.779 the tree looks fantastic. 00:08:15.319 --> 00:08:17.539 The branches are strong. 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:21.159 They're holding up beautiful lights and ornaments, 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:22.960 just where we put them. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:27.480 A few festive weeks of this tree we're going to experience, 00:08:27.800 --> 00:08:29.200 and then every year, 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:32.000 it will go to the side of the road. 00:08:33.320 --> 00:08:36.460 Branches drooping and brittle, 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:38.620 already turning brown. 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:41.620 Not very festive anymore. 00:08:41.620 --> 00:08:44.899 Why do we know that? 00:08:44.980 --> 00:08:47.039 Even that first special night, 00:08:47.340 --> 00:08:51.759 why do we know that those days are numbered for that tree? 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:58.740 Well, it's because it's been disconnected from its source of life, right? 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:02.960 You may be able to decorate it for a few weeks 00:09:02.960 --> 00:09:05.000 and make it look fruitful, 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:12.139 but there will be no lasting life and fruit for this tree anymore. 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:18.120 And Jesus is making a similar point about us here. 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:22.980 Because we all long to live beautiful, full lives, don't we? 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:24.659 We want to grow. 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:26.720 We want to change over time. 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:28.139 We want to have an impact. 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:29.960 We want to bear fruit. 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:31.000 All of us do. 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:34.279 But you can't have lasting change. 00:09:35.079 --> 00:09:41.299 Real fruit by just hanging some on the exterior of your life. 00:09:42.819 --> 00:09:44.159 Doesn't work that way. 00:09:44.879 --> 00:09:47.620 Apart from Jesus, he told us last week, 00:09:47.740 --> 00:09:50.839 we can do nothing. 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:56.819 Real change, he says, comes from abiding in Christ. 00:09:57.059 --> 00:09:58.620 From the inside out. 00:09:58.620 --> 00:10:02.379 It's from the root all the way through the fruit. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:03.620 That is his point. 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:08.480 About the branch having to stay at home in the vine. 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:14.659 His point is there's great hope for anxious people to become peaceful and courageous. 00:10:15.459 --> 00:10:19.220 There's great hope for selfish people to be those who bless others. 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:25.220 There's great hope for us to grow into permanently life-giving trees bearing much fruit 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:32.519 if and only if we stay with Jesus. 00:10:32.920 --> 00:10:33.360 Right? 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:37.980 Now that's counterintuitive to most of us. 00:10:38.340 --> 00:10:41.920 It's not up to us and our own efforts to get better. 00:10:42.060 --> 00:10:43.700 I've been told I can improve myself. 00:10:44.600 --> 00:10:46.620 It's certainly countercultural. 00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:49.279 It's not dig deep. 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.320 You've got it in you. 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:51.820 It's not the message. 00:10:53.100 --> 00:10:55.500 Let's see how Jesus says it actually works. 00:10:55.600 --> 00:11:01.139 He gets a bit more tangible for how we abide in him. 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:02.899 Same overall idea. 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.279 Just a couple more specifics. 00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:07.639 If you're like me, we need that help. 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:10.459 Thankful for these specific instructions. 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:16.299 First, that abiding in Jesus means abiding in his love. 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:21.740 Which will bear the fruit of sacrificial love in our lives. 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:28.460 Verse 9, as the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:32.680 Abide in my love. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:36.480 Can we just slow down there with me for a second? 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:40.759 This short little verse is mind-blowing. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:50.139 The Father has loved Jesus with full knowledge, 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:53.840 with eternal perfection, 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:59.120 with the complete sharing of all good things, 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:05.699 this Trinitarian love within the God who is love. 00:12:06.439 --> 00:12:09.399 He says, just in that way, 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:15.080 Jesus has loved you. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:18.960 He knows you completely. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:21.759 And he loves you completely. 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:23.820 So much so that Paul says, 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:27.180 this is a love that surpasses knowledge. 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:31.120 And yet he also prays that we will know 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:34.139 how wide and how long and how high 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:37.320 and how deep is this measureless love 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:40.900 because we are told to abide in it. 00:12:41.420 --> 00:12:43.759 To be at home there. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:47.240 To have this reality that is beyond our full comprehension. 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:50.220 Be the one that shapes our entire lives. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.000 I mean, we sing, 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.560 Jesus loves me. 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:55.419 Some of you have been singing that for decades. 00:12:56.860 --> 00:12:58.720 Do you marvel at that? 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:02.399 Jesus loves me. 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:07.039 We could sing a million songs about it 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:09.899 and barely scratch the surface 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:15.220 because we have been shown the greatest love. 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:15.519 Right? 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:17.059 Verse 13 says that. 00:13:17.439 --> 00:13:22.740 Nothing could be done beyond laying down your life for someone. 00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:25.039 You couldn't love them any more than that. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:29.439 The God who set the galaxies in motion 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:35.060 would descend to give his life for me. 00:13:35.800 --> 00:13:39.300 Is that story, that love, 00:13:39.520 --> 00:13:41.940 is that home for you? 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:47.420 That, Jesus says, is what will empower you. 00:13:47.420 --> 00:13:48.980 It will transform you 00:13:48.980 --> 00:13:51.680 and it will give you the power to love one another 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:54.959 as I have loved you. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:58.579 As you abide in my love, 00:13:58.659 --> 00:13:59.199 Jesus says, 00:13:59.239 --> 00:14:00.419 the more it becomes home, 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:01.779 you will love others 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:04.679 who are undeserving and need grace. 00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:07.719 Who are lonely and they need welcome. 00:14:07.719 --> 00:14:10.819 Who are broken and need care. 00:14:13.219 --> 00:14:14.139 Several years ago, 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:17.279 the football team at Grapevine Faith High School, 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:19.000 it's a Christian school in Texas, 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:22.379 they were in the middle of a very successful season 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:24.840 and had a game coming up the next weekend 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:26.919 against a winless opponent. 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:29.779 Seemed like a week to relax. 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:34.399 Gainesville State was coming to their stadium. 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:37.279 A team of kids 00:14:37.279 --> 00:14:41.360 from a maximum security correctional facility 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:42.759 who hadn't won a game. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:47.220 And Grapevine Faith's coach had an idea. 00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:49.940 He gathered some parents 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:53.700 and started talking about what it could look like 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:56.019 to show the love of Jesus 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:59.519 to young men that most people had given up on 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:01.060 and stopped cheering for. 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.259 Here was the idea. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:05.779 What would it look like 00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:11.279 to love them the way Jesus loves us? 00:15:11.720 --> 00:15:12.759 That's what they talked about. 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.300 Here's what happened. 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:15.539 Before the game, 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:17.979 over 200 faith fans 00:15:17.979 --> 00:15:20.939 made a tunnel for the Tornadoes. 00:15:21.319 --> 00:15:22.259 That's the other team 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:24.399 to run through into the stadium. 00:15:25.579 --> 00:15:26.699 Then they went and sat 00:15:26.699 --> 00:15:28.159 in their stands 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.539 on their side of the field. 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.159 They learned the names 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:33.139 of the players from the other team 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:35.240 and cheered for them by name. 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:37.579 You can read about it on ESPN.com. 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.579 That means it really happened. 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:41.439 Coach Hogan's message 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:43.740 that he wanted the opposing players 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.920 to receive. 00:15:45.120 --> 00:15:45.360 Quote, 00:15:45.980 --> 00:15:48.200 You are just as valuable 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:50.280 as any other person 00:15:50.280 --> 00:15:51.640 on planet Earth. 00:15:53.160 --> 00:15:55.120 Sounds like a message from Jesus, 00:15:55.640 --> 00:15:56.120 doesn't it? 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:59.580 One Gainesville player said 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:01.900 that people were usually afraid of them 00:16:01.900 --> 00:16:03.680 and looked at them as criminals 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:05.520 when they came into the game. 00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:06.720 But he said, 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:08.199 These people were yelling for us 00:16:08.199 --> 00:16:09.399 by our names, 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.120 cheering for us 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.720 to tackle their kids. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.340 Grapevine Faith won the game. 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.860 Then they gathered at midfield 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:19.480 to pray 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:21.699 when Isaiah, 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:24.139 the quarterback of Gainesville, 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.419 asked if he could lead. 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.500 And he prayed, 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:28.879 Lord, 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:31.220 I don't know how this happened, 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:33.840 so I don't know how to say thank you. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:36.639 But I never would have known 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:37.940 there was so many people 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.580 in the world 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:40.280 that cared about us. 00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:43.820 Surprised, wasn't he? 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:44.840 Surprising. 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:48.320 Self-sacrificing love 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:51.220 like God's love. 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:54.720 I don't know what the fruit of love 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.960 will look like exactly 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:57.220 in your life. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:59.320 Maybe your grace group 00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.600 reaches out to a widow. 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:03.180 Maybe your friend group 00:17:03.180 --> 00:17:04.380 welcomes a kid 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:06.140 who doesn't fit 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.620 with anybody else 00:17:07.620 --> 00:17:09.720 to go to homecoming with you. 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.519 Maybe your family 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.819 adds a foster child, 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.960 adopts a college student, 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:16.440 helps a neighbor, 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.259 I don't know. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:20.420 But the more you find yourself 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.380 at home 00:17:21.380 --> 00:17:23.920 in the undeserved, 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:24.900 unconditional, 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:27.599 unending love of Jesus, 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:30.579 the more you will love others. 00:17:31.179 --> 00:17:32.219 That's why we say 00:17:32.219 --> 00:17:33.599 experience grace. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.459 Breathe it in 00:17:35.459 --> 00:17:37.859 and then express grace. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:39.219 Breathe it out. 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:41.139 It's not complicated, 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:44.839 but it's not natural either. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.599 It is divine fruit 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:49.899 grown only God's way 00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:52.419 by abiding inside out. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.879 Don't try to change 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.800 any other way. 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.220 His power 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:58.080 is so much stronger 00:17:58.080 --> 00:18:00.220 than our willpower 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.180 to just do it. 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:03.260 He changes us 00:18:03.260 --> 00:18:04.680 and bears this fruit 00:18:04.680 --> 00:18:05.780 in us. 00:18:07.260 --> 00:18:09.000 Abiding in Jesus' love 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:11.060 is really the headline 00:18:11.060 --> 00:18:12.700 here in this passage. 00:18:13.040 --> 00:18:13.720 In some ways, 00:18:13.780 --> 00:18:14.720 these other two points 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.660 are subsets of that, 00:18:16.760 --> 00:18:17.540 but they do stand 00:18:17.540 --> 00:18:18.340 on their own too. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.780 So let's ask, 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.400 where else 00:18:20.400 --> 00:18:21.840 can we be at home? 00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:23.240 Can we rest our minds? 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.740 Can we find our lives 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.920 shaped to other 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:27.339 things you can do? 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.559 Abiding 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:30.740 in Christ's word 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:32.160 produces 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.720 beautiful obedience. 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:38.400 Jesus already told us this 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:39.740 in John chapter 8 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:42.140 that true disciples 00:18:42.140 --> 00:18:43.279 abide 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.859 in his word. 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.079 They stay 00:18:46.079 --> 00:18:47.859 in his teachings. 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:48.240 They meditate 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:51.140 on his instructions. 00:18:51.140 --> 00:18:52.980 And now here 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:54.220 in these final instructions, 00:18:54.820 --> 00:18:55.540 he highlights 00:18:55.540 --> 00:18:57.780 the mutual abiding. 00:18:58.320 --> 00:19:00.160 Abiding in me, 00:19:00.520 --> 00:19:01.660 verse 7, 00:19:02.540 --> 00:19:04.220 involves my words, 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:06.180 abiding in you 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:09.180 so that you do them. 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.120 Verse 10 says, 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.640 that is part 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:14.380 of abiding in my love 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:16.060 just like Jesus 00:19:16.060 --> 00:19:17.880 abides in his father's love 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:19.060 and obeys his father, 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:20.279 everything his father 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:21.460 sent him to do. 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:22.619 This is repeated 00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.579 throughout the scripture, 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:25.079 that the word of Christ 00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:26.419 should dwell in us 00:19:26.419 --> 00:19:27.319 richly 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:28.740 so that our life 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.200 together 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.720 as God's people 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:31.379 is shaped 00:19:31.379 --> 00:19:32.779 by his word. 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:33.940 That we're to hide 00:19:33.940 --> 00:19:34.659 God's word 00:19:34.659 --> 00:19:35.379 in our hearts. 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:35.700 Why? 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:37.319 So that we might not 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.839 sin against him 00:19:38.839 --> 00:19:40.259 because his word 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.039 is a lamp 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.659 to our feet 00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.359 and a light 00:19:42.359 --> 00:19:43.779 to our path. 00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.500 So abiding 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.179 in his word 00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:47.079 means reading it, 00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:47.460 yes? 00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:50.180 It means meditating 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:51.779 on its direction 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.079 for my life, 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.840 memorizing it 00:19:54.840 --> 00:19:56.259 so that I hear it 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.079 through my head 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:58.019 throughout the day 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.140 even when my hands 00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.920 don't have a Bible 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.460 in them 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.519 in that moment. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:03.180 It's okay to put it down 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:05.000 but you can still hear it, 00:20:05.039 --> 00:20:05.220 right? 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.259 Young people, 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.860 memorize God's word 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:10.100 now while it 00:20:10.100 --> 00:20:11.360 sticks with you 00:20:11.360 --> 00:20:13.519 for your entire life. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.600 There's nothing else 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:17.079 that will bear such fruit 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.779 in your life 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.019 as you grow up 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.219 but older people 00:20:20.219 --> 00:20:21.339 you can memorize too. 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:22.939 It's not too late. 00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:25.299 Just remember 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.599 that Jesus isn't talking 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.519 about some 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:29.819 robotic relationship. 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.299 Automatic, 00:20:31.559 --> 00:20:32.639 cold obedience. 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:34.059 Every time we know 00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.279 what we're supposed to do, 00:20:35.379 --> 00:20:35.879 we do it. 00:20:35.899 --> 00:20:36.819 Is that your experience? 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.500 Not usually. 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.259 No, this is 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.740 in the context 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.679 of love. 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:42.759 love. 00:20:43.340 --> 00:20:44.860 A loving relationship 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.360 with him 00:20:45.360 --> 00:20:46.400 where we are eager 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.720 to follow his words. 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:48.200 In fact, 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.299 verse 15, 00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.700 I told you, 00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:51.420 my friends, 00:20:51.560 --> 00:20:53.360 everything that God 00:20:53.360 --> 00:20:53.980 wanted. 00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.640 You've got all my words. 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.660 We're friends. 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.180 And I chose you 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:02.400 to bear lasting fruit 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:03.779 so that when you ask 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.440 for anything 00:21:04.440 --> 00:21:05.840 like to change you, 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:06.019 God, 00:21:06.100 --> 00:21:07.100 make me new, 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.980 make me different, 00:21:08.340 --> 00:21:09.580 help me obey, 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.640 then in time 00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.900 I will do that. 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:13.840 It's lasting fruit. 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.960 Isn't that great encouragement? 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:16.640 The fruit will abide too. 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.259 It'll have a lasting impact. 00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:19.920 It's not the kind 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.519 that looks good 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.300 for a few weeks 00:21:21.300 --> 00:21:22.680 but is really dead inside. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.960 You can put that kind 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.380 on your life 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:24.840 and pretend 00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.519 for a little while. 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.540 Now this is the kind 00:21:27.540 --> 00:21:28.019 of obedience 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.080 that is beautiful, 00:21:29.780 --> 00:21:30.720 that adorns 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.420 the gospel, 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:33.420 that inspires others, 00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:35.019 not shames them 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:36.120 because it grows 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:36.860 inside out 00:21:36.860 --> 00:21:38.200 from a love for Jesus 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.240 and his design 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.759 for my life. 00:21:39.820 --> 00:21:40.380 What does he want me 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:40.759 to do? 00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:43.259 So imagine, 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:43.860 for example, 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:45.300 you sit with God's word 00:21:45.300 --> 00:21:47.740 and you hear Jesus saying, 00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.560 do not worry 00:21:49.560 --> 00:21:52.140 about what you will eat 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:53.100 or drink 00:21:53.100 --> 00:21:54.300 or wear. 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:57.140 And for many of us, 00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:58.060 if we're honest, 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.460 our first thought is, 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:00.300 you know, 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:00.700 you know, 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:00.920 Jesus, 00:22:01.060 --> 00:22:02.340 as great as it sounds 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:03.420 not to be worried, 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:05.280 as much as I would like 00:22:05.280 --> 00:22:07.140 not to battle anxiety 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:08.540 about my appearance 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.220 every day. 00:22:11.119 --> 00:22:11.940 Come on, 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.319 Jesus. 00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:14.220 If I don't, 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:15.559 if I don't worry 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.359 at all 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:18.159 about my clothes, 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.899 about what I'm going 00:22:19.899 --> 00:22:21.039 to look like, 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.119 about the things 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:23.180 that I will wear, 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:25.359 no one will like me. 00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.980 I'll be worthless, 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.940 left out. 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:32.019 Can I just handle 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:32.440 this one, 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:32.700 Jesus? 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.259 I know how 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.160 to handle clothes. 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.400 How does abiding 00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.279 in God's word 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:41.319 change that worried, 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.259 anxious heart 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.460 over time? 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:44.759 Well, 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:45.519 we hear Jesus 00:22:45.519 --> 00:22:46.460 reminding us, 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:48.400 your heavenly Father 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:50.860 knows what you need. 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.000 Oh, 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.240 listen, 00:22:52.340 --> 00:22:53.360 I grieve 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.360 when you are cast 00:22:54.360 --> 00:22:55.660 aside by others 00:22:55.660 --> 00:22:56.740 because you are 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:58.180 so precious. 00:22:58.180 --> 00:22:59.900 so you need 00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.560 to know 00:23:00.560 --> 00:23:01.539 that even if 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.460 everyone else 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.560 discards you, 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.920 even if your own 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:06.779 mother forgets you, 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:08.560 yet I will not 00:23:08.560 --> 00:23:09.440 forget you. 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.080 In fact, 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:11.380 I have engraved you 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.500 on the palms 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.900 of my hand. 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:15.320 And you hear Jesus 00:23:15.320 --> 00:23:15.840 say that, 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:17.039 and when that reality 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.340 of being beloved 00:23:18.340 --> 00:23:19.340 like that 00:23:19.340 --> 00:23:20.539 becomes home 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:21.160 for you, 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.620 in other words, 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.560 when that takes 00:23:23.560 --> 00:23:24.900 hold of your life, 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:26.420 it is beautiful. 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:26.600 beautiful. 00:23:27.560 --> 00:23:28.060 You know it, 00:23:28.080 --> 00:23:28.779 you've seen it 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:29.640 in people. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.740 You've seen a peaceful, 00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:33.900 kind, 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.860 humble presence 00:23:35.860 --> 00:23:37.200 in the friend group, 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:37.620 right? 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:39.940 Not an anxious, 00:23:40.340 --> 00:23:40.840 envious, 00:23:41.320 --> 00:23:42.279 desperate friend 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.400 fighting for attention 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.100 all the time, 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.259 knocking everybody 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.960 else down. 00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:46.259 No. 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:50.200 What do I do 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.120 to be abiding 00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.060 in Christ? 00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:54.340 Soak in his words 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:55.459 so that seed 00:23:55.459 --> 00:23:56.740 sinks deep. 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.919 Ask him 00:23:57.919 --> 00:23:59.240 to shape your life 00:23:59.240 --> 00:23:59.579 by it. 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.559 Pray that he will 00:24:00.559 --> 00:24:01.220 make your life 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:02.779 beautiful in a world 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:03.740 that is often full 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:05.079 of ugly fruit. 00:24:06.619 --> 00:24:07.199 This fruit, 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.819 this obedience, 00:24:07.939 --> 00:24:08.919 it doesn't graft you 00:24:08.919 --> 00:24:09.599 into the vine, 00:24:09.699 --> 00:24:09.919 right? 00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:11.119 But it does show 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:12.639 that you are 00:24:12.639 --> 00:24:13.500 crafted in, 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.039 that you have 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:16.000 the life of the vine 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:17.579 coursing through you. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:20.740 One more way 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.279 to abide in Christ. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:26.339 Abide in his joy. 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.419 And the fruit 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:30.539 will be full joy. 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.740 What I think Jesus 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.779 means by that word 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.480 full 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:36.000 is not 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:37.119 pretend 00:24:37.119 --> 00:24:39.960 superficial happiness 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.679 like lights 00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:43.119 on a dead Christmas tree 00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.000 for a few weeks, 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.079 but deep, 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:45.940 lasting, 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.319 full joy 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:48.599 perhaps beyond 00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:49.539 what we imagine 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.220 it could be like. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.859 Listen to this 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.660 mutual abiding again. 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.579 It's amazing. 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.299 Verse 11. 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:57.900 These things 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:59.019 I have spoken to you 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.880 that my joy 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:02.799 may be in you 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:05.359 and that your joy 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:07.160 may be full. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.460 This is, 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.880 this is wild. 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.819 But listen to how 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:12.240 serious Jesus is 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.619 about our abiding. 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:15.379 vine and branches 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:17.139 so closely connected 00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:18.399 that we listen 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:19.379 to his word. 00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:20.159 That we, 00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:20.979 we revel 00:25:20.979 --> 00:25:22.239 in his love 00:25:22.239 --> 00:25:23.699 and we find 00:25:23.699 --> 00:25:25.899 that his joy 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:28.019 is inside of us. 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:29.500 I'm not sure 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.779 I can fully describe 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:32.000 this joy 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.839 of Jesus 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:34.319 to you, 00:25:34.479 --> 00:25:34.979 but it, 00:25:34.979 --> 00:25:36.119 it has to do 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.459 with the mysterious 00:25:37.459 --> 00:25:38.439 relationship 00:25:38.439 --> 00:25:39.579 between father 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.759 and son 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:42.179 and spirit 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:43.240 into which 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.299 we are being 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.000 invited. 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:46.680 See, 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.380 we know 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.400 that Jesus' 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.820 joy is not 00:25:49.820 --> 00:25:50.640 based on 00:25:50.640 --> 00:25:52.759 happy circumstances 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.460 and everything 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.320 going well 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:55.560 because it was 00:25:55.560 --> 00:25:56.920 for the joy 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:58.500 set before him 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.380 that he did what? 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:01.000 Endured 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:03.120 the cross. 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:05.100 His joy, 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:06.100 I think we certainly 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:07.320 understand here, 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.759 involves obedience 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:10.099 to his father. 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.200 And it must have 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.220 involved their 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:15.220 rescuing us 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.579 and bringing us 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.720 into that 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.759 relationship, 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.680 the joy 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:21.259 set before him. 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.660 He delights 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.619 in you, 00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.000 in you sharing 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.319 in that relationship. 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:26.960 See, 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.759 it's a joy 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.480 that knows 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:29.559 no matter what 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:30.039 happens, 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.339 even death 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:32.420 on a cross, 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.900 good is coming 00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:35.099 from his loving 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.740 father. 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:37.180 It's a joy 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:38.000 that feels 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.700 a certainty 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.920 that satisfaction 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.819 in God's 00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:41.299 provision 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.140 is more 00:26:42.140 --> 00:26:42.759 fulfilling 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.740 than anything 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.160 the world 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:44.539 offers. 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.200 It's a joy 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.180 that trusts 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.779 God's 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.579 eternal 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.240 inheritance 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.980 with the 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.859 Holy Spirit 00:26:50.859 --> 00:26:52.200 as down payment. 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.259 That relationship 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.680 with him 00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:54.319 and his presence 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:54.700 forever 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.359 is more 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.019 lasting 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.680 than any 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.539 other relationship. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.660 That joy 00:26:59.660 --> 00:27:00.579 has got 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.200 to get 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.940 deep 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:02.660 inside 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.319 us. 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:06.639 how? 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.359 When you 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:10.960 wake up 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.980 and sit 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.339 in my 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.000 presence, 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.159 Jesus says, 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:16.240 when you 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.899 come with 00:27:16.899 --> 00:27:18.279 honest tears 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.919 and heartache 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.500 and you 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.139 open my 00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:21.679 word 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:22.279 and you 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:22.839 open your 00:27:22.839 --> 00:27:23.720 heart to 00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:23.980 me, 00:27:24.279 --> 00:27:24.799 Jesus says, 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.119 here's how 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.480 it happens, 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.659 I will 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.480 pour 00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:28.819 my joy 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:29.659 into 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:30.460 you. 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.559 A joy 00:27:31.559 --> 00:27:32.139 that comes 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.819 from knowing 00:27:32.819 --> 00:27:33.299 you are the 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.279 apple of my 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:34.599 eye, 00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:35.539 the delight 00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.259 of my 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.539 heart, 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.299 the ones 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:37.680 for whom 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:38.319 I came 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.960 to give 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.639 my life 00:27:39.639 --> 00:27:40.220 so that you 00:27:40.220 --> 00:27:40.940 could share 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.899 in the greatest 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.440 thing ever, 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.519 this relationship 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.740 of life 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.619 with me 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.180 and my 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.819 Father. 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.079 I've given 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.539 you that 00:27:48.539 --> 00:27:49.319 great love 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:50.519 so that my 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.759 joy can 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.399 start to 00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:53.159 fill your 00:27:53.159 --> 00:27:54.059 heart so 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:54.680 that your 00:27:54.680 --> 00:27:55.319 joy will 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.619 be full 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:58.059 because nothing 00:27:58.059 --> 00:27:58.720 else can fill 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.299 you up like 00:27:59.299 --> 00:27:59.519 that. 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.299 There's no 00:28:00.299 --> 00:28:00.940 other way 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:01.500 that you'll 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.039 get full 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.619 joy. 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:06.119 So when 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:06.720 your kid 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.759 wanders 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.159 away, 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.879 when your 00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:11.579 house burns 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:12.039 down, 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.720 when your 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.460 co-workers 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.779 mock you, 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.700 you hurt 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:20.579 and you 00:28:20.579 --> 00:28:21.680 grieve, 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:24.700 but you 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.559 rejoice 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:27.619 in every 00:28:27.619 --> 00:28:28.460 season, 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:30.639 every reason, 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:30.980 right, 00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:32.020 to praise 00:28:32.020 --> 00:28:33.040 the Lord, 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.320 to trust 00:28:34.320 --> 00:28:35.440 his faithfulness, 00:28:35.540 --> 00:28:36.800 to experience 00:28:36.800 --> 00:28:37.820 the fullness 00:28:37.820 --> 00:28:39.300 of his joy 00:28:39.300 --> 00:28:40.220 and that is 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.020 beautiful 00:28:41.020 --> 00:28:42.120 and that is 00:28:42.120 --> 00:28:42.980 unusual 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.160 and that is 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:45.280 curiosity 00:28:45.280 --> 00:28:46.300 producing 00:28:46.300 --> 00:28:47.980 fruit 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:49.660 because the 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.420 very life 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.020 of Jesus 00:28:51.020 --> 00:28:52.580 is coursing 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.060 through your 00:28:53.060 --> 00:28:53.300 veins, 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.300 his love, 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.200 his word, 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.259 his joy 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.560 flowing into 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.200 you and 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.220 overflowing 00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:00.379 from you 00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:01.220 over and 00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.639 over and 00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:01.839 over, 00:29:01.919 --> 00:29:02.319 it pours 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.639 out of 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:02.879 you. 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.899 Leads me to 00:29:06.899 --> 00:29:07.299 think of a 00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:08.399 really thoughtful, 00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:09.440 honest question 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.299 someone sent me 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:10.819 this week, 00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:11.519 I'll close with 00:29:11.519 --> 00:29:11.879 this. 00:29:13.179 --> 00:29:14.279 In my words, 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:14.980 he asked, 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:17.480 what do I do 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.480 if I'm not as 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.879 joyful about 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.500 abiding 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:22.519 as I should 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:22.759 be? 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:24.940 this guy said 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:25.299 he's heard 00:29:25.299 --> 00:29:25.819 his whole 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.539 life about 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.140 the joy 00:29:27.140 --> 00:29:27.859 and value 00:29:27.859 --> 00:29:28.339 of this 00:29:28.339 --> 00:29:29.099 close 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:29.839 relationship 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.660 with Jesus 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.900 but he 00:29:31.900 --> 00:29:32.779 often finds 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:33.559 himself more 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.559 excited by 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.420 other fun 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.359 things. 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.940 First of all, 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:39.519 can we admit 00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.119 that we all 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:40.640 know that 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.259 feeling? 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.579 What really 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.740 seems exciting 00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.779 today when I 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.440 wake up is 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.460 college football. 00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.619 It's making 00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.200 money, 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.160 it's Pinterest, 00:29:52.160 --> 00:29:53.100 it's whatever 00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.980 it is. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:55.660 And y'all, 00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:56.700 our hearts 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.160 have been 00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.800 conditioned 00:29:57.800 --> 00:29:59.480 to delight 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:00.340 in other 00:30:00.340 --> 00:30:00.860 things. 00:30:01.340 --> 00:30:01.759 We are 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.540 bombarded 00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:03.440 with messages, 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.160 ads, 00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:05.640 stories telling 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.560 us that joy 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:07.200 is found in 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:07.860 something else, 00:30:08.080 --> 00:30:08.640 in someone 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:09.140 else. 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.080 It is the 00:30:10.080 --> 00:30:10.820 air that we 00:30:10.820 --> 00:30:11.220 have been 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:12.279 breathing our 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.640 entire lives. 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.840 So we should 00:30:14.840 --> 00:30:16.340 expect that it 00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:17.500 will take time 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.820 for our lungs 00:30:18.820 --> 00:30:19.820 to be cleared 00:30:19.820 --> 00:30:20.320 out, 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:22.159 for our 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.339 hearts to be 00:30:23.339 --> 00:30:23.779 renewed, 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.439 for our 00:30:24.439 --> 00:30:25.980 broken joy 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:27.339 seekers to 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.220 be reset 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.059 to true 00:30:29.059 --> 00:30:29.500 north. 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.919 My advice, 00:30:33.960 --> 00:30:34.819 and I believe 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:35.220 Jesus' 00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.839 direction here, 00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:38.039 is don't 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:38.819 settle for 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:40.099 those lesser 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:40.700 joys, 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.419 but at the 00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:43.159 same time, 00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.460 don't try to 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:46.419 force external 00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:47.159 joy. 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:48.860 pretend 00:30:48.860 --> 00:30:49.660 happiness, 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.340 fake 00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:51.500 satisfaction. 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.259 That's not 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.519 what he's 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:52.920 calling us 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.060 to. 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.640 You're not 00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:54.340 in charge 00:30:54.340 --> 00:30:55.080 of fruit 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:55.740 production. 00:30:56.220 --> 00:30:56.600 You're 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:57.060 invited, 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.400 what? 00:30:58.840 --> 00:30:59.940 To abide. 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:01.680 To abide 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.420 in him. 00:31:02.740 --> 00:31:03.400 And I know 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.100 that can seem 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:05.180 self-defeating. 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:05.660 I mean, 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.180 come on, 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:06.560 pastor, 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.300 that's the 00:31:07.300 --> 00:31:07.960 only thing 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.420 you've told 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:08.960 me to do, 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.460 and I told 00:31:09.460 --> 00:31:09.800 you I'm 00:31:09.800 --> 00:31:10.519 struggling to 00:31:10.519 --> 00:31:10.980 do that, 00:31:11.040 --> 00:31:11.420 so what 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:12.040 else do I 00:31:12.040 --> 00:31:12.340 do? 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.240 Y'all, 00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.779 that is 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.820 surrendering. 00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:17.579 Surrendering 00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:19.359 control to 00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:21.099 an all-powerful, 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:22.779 all-gracious, 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.579 all-good 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:25.759 God. 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:27.279 Jesus says 00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.639 it's not joy 00:31:28.639 --> 00:31:29.379 actually that 00:31:29.379 --> 00:31:29.919 you seek, 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:30.939 it's me, 00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:31.740 and you 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:32.740 actually get 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.200 me. 00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:34.079 I make my 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.960 home in you. 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:35.919 We abide 00:31:35.919 --> 00:31:36.659 mutually. 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.899 I even call 00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:38.559 you my 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.179 friend, 00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.139 and for the 00:31:40.139 --> 00:31:40.819 rest of 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.759 eternity, 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.980 your delight 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:43.839 in me 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.259 grows as 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.900 you see 00:31:45.900 --> 00:31:46.299 me more 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:46.680 clearly. 00:31:46.920 --> 00:31:47.519 It's okay 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:48.200 that you're 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:48.819 not totally 00:31:48.819 --> 00:31:49.559 there today. 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.640 Keep walking 00:31:50.640 --> 00:31:51.440 with me. 00:31:51.859 --> 00:31:52.720 Keep abiding 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.940 in me. 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.480 You allow 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.319 your heart 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.019 to be 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.819 overwhelmed 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.440 by his 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.140 sacrificial 00:31:59.140 --> 00:31:59.960 love for 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.680 someone like 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.200 you who 00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:01.700 is so 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.099 often 00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:02.759 unlovely 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.319 and yet 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:03.799 is so 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.180 often 00:32:04.180 --> 00:32:04.700 loved 00:32:04.700 --> 00:32:05.400 so 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.640 extravagantly. 00:32:06.720 --> 00:32:06.920 That's 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:07.220 what you 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.519 do. 00:32:08.079 --> 00:32:08.400 You 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:09.240 contemplate 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:09.420 his 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:10.160 life-giving 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.640 words 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.500 that don't 00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:12.019 like so 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.500 many others 00:32:12.500 --> 00:32:13.099 heap a 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:13.579 burden on 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:13.859 you to 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:14.799 change and 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:15.559 fix yourself 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.059 and yet 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:16.339 at the 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:16.919 same time 00:32:16.919 --> 00:32:17.700 promise to 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.500 change you 00:32:18.500 --> 00:32:19.440 completely 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:20.159 from the 00:32:20.159 --> 00:32:20.960 inside out 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.599 and to 00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.099 make you 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:22.419 into the 00:32:22.419 --> 00:32:22.859 glorious 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:23.500 creation 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:24.220 that he 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:24.599 made you 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:24.940 to be. 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.480 You 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.519 taste his 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:28.559 overflowing 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:29.579 joy in 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.220 bringing you 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:30.559 to his 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.019 father, 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:32.019 in sustaining 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.419 you through 00:32:32.419 --> 00:32:33.019 the trials 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.519 of life, 00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:34.279 in having 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:34.940 you live 00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.419 with him 00:32:35.419 --> 00:32:36.419 forever in 00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:36.819 the light 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.099 of his 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.940 presence and 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:38.339 that's his 00:32:38.339 --> 00:32:39.000 delight and 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.480 you taste 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:40.180 that and 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.500 I don't 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:40.940 know how 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.440 many years 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.919 from now 00:32:41.919 --> 00:32:42.659 it will be 00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:43.180 when you'll 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:43.819 feel you 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:45.240 really delight 00:32:45.240 --> 00:32:46.119 in abiding 00:32:46.119 --> 00:32:46.859 in Christ 00:32:46.859 --> 00:32:47.480 the way 00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:47.819 that you 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:48.179 should. 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.220 I don't 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:49.500 know. 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.720 But I 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.200 know whenever 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:53.579 it is you'll 00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:53.899 have an 00:32:53.899 --> 00:32:55.419 eternity of 00:32:55.419 --> 00:32:56.500 years ahead 00:32:56.500 --> 00:32:57.799 to keep 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.659 enjoying that 00:32:58.659 --> 00:32:59.019 savior. 00:32:59.579 --> 00:33:00.059 Let's pray. 00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:03.779 Jesus, 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.460 grow our 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:04.980 delight, 00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:07.279 help our 00:33:07.279 --> 00:33:07.799 joy, 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.579 reset our 00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:10.240 hearts. 00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:12.240 love our 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:13.240 hope. 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.380 We won't 00:33:14.380 --> 00:33:17.140 look anywhere 00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:17.720 else. 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:17.740 We come to 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:19.799 you and we 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:21.460 trust you and 00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:22.160 we need your 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:23.779 help because we 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.640 are so prone to 00:33:24.640 --> 00:33:24.980 wander. 00:33:26.120 --> 00:33:27.299 Keep us as 00:33:27.299 --> 00:33:27.980 you've promised. 00:33:28.400 --> 00:33:28.880 Grow us, 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:29.759 change us, 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:30.440 make our 00:33:30.440 --> 00:33:31.400 delight overflow 00:33:31.400 --> 00:33:32.759 to many others. 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.539 We ask in 00:33:33.539 --> 00:33:34.019 your name. 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:35.380 Amen. 00:33:35.380 --> 00:33:38.060 For more 00:33:38.060 --> 00:33:38.600 information, 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.420 visit us 00:33:39.420 --> 00:33:40.120 online at 00:33:40.120 --> 00:33:40.900 southwood.org.