WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.960
 Good morning and Merry Christmas.

00:00:04.339 --> 00:00:06.940
 I hope that you all have been enjoying this Advent season.

00:00:08.480 --> 00:00:09.000
!

00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:16.300
 Considering our Savior's Advent, it's an honor to be filling the pulpit here this morning.

00:00:16.300 --> 00:00:19.300
! I got to preach on the Advent theme of love last year.

00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:21.620
 I'm really excited to be at it again.

00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:27.500
 Today, as we consider the love of God in light of Jesus' Advent,

00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:32.259
 we're going to be looking at 1 John 4, 1 John chapter 4.

00:00:33.140 --> 00:00:38.920
 This text is probably the text that most densely uses the words God and love.

00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:44.500
 This chapter uses love or beloved about 27 times.

00:00:45.439 --> 00:00:48.280
 And the text we're going to be looking at, verses 7 through 11,

00:00:48.840 --> 00:00:53.120
 uses love or beloved 13 times and God 9 times.

00:00:53.420 --> 00:00:57.480
 So about 20% of the words here, the actual words in our text, are God or love.

00:00:57.500 --> 00:01:01.340
 John, after all, is the disciple whom Jesus loved.

00:01:01.980 --> 00:01:06.280
 And so it's only fitting he would reiterate his self-given title so many times.

00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:11.120
 So I think this is a good place to observe and to contemplate the love of God.

00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:13.319
 There's a lot to be said on this topic.

00:01:13.760 --> 00:01:16.079
 But from our text this morning, we are going to be considering

00:01:16.079 --> 00:01:23.659
 the contrast between the world's view of love and God's true agape love.

00:01:23.659 --> 00:01:26.519
 And with that, let's read our text.

00:01:26.619 --> 00:01:30.579
 1 John chapter 4, verses 7 through 11.

00:01:33.140 --> 00:01:38.319
 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.

00:01:38.799 --> 00:01:42.840
 And whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

00:01:42.840 --> 00:01:49.380
 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

00:01:49.880 --> 00:01:53.579
 In this, the love of God was made manifest among us,

00:01:53.760 --> 00:01:59.960
 that God sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him.

00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:01.659
 In this is love.

00:02:01.760 --> 00:02:04.840
 Not that we have loved God, but that he loved us

00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:08.920
 and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins.

00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:14.619
 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

00:02:14.979 --> 00:02:15.339
 Let's pray.

00:02:17.139 --> 00:02:20.060
 God, we thank you for your word this morning.

00:02:20.159 --> 00:02:24.060
 We pray by the power of your spirit that you would enlighten us,

00:02:24.179 --> 00:02:30.799
 reveal yourself to us, show us the weight and the glory of your love.

00:02:30.899 --> 00:02:32.199
 And we pray these things in Christ's name.

00:02:33.139 --> 00:02:33.319
 Amen.

00:02:33.319 --> 00:02:37.859
 All right, so for context here, briefly,

00:02:37.979 --> 00:02:44.519
 these verses are in the midst of God giving the audience a test to see

00:02:44.519 --> 00:02:47.699
 if an individual is in Christ or not.

00:02:48.400 --> 00:02:49.859
 And in fact, throughout the whole book,

00:02:50.079 --> 00:02:53.539
 he is contrasting those who are in Christ from the world.

00:02:54.120 --> 00:02:57.780
 In our text, he is doing that in the context of love.

00:02:57.780 --> 00:03:01.219
 What does the believer look like in regard to love?

00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:03.939
 And why is it not so for the world?

00:03:05.319 --> 00:03:10.199
 Verses 7 and 8 come with presumptions that the audience is already aware of.

00:03:10.300 --> 00:03:14.580
 The previous three chapters provide descriptions of who knows God

00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:19.780
 and who is born again in contrast to those who do not truly know God,

00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:23.900
 who have not been born again, and who does not love.

00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:27.659
 So we're going to paint that picture really quickly from the previous chapters.

00:03:28.340 --> 00:03:32.640
 In chapter 2, it says that those who know him keep his commandments.

00:03:33.219 --> 00:03:36.879
 Those who say they know him but don't keep his commandments are liars.

00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:40.580
 Those who confess Jesus is the Christ has the Father also.

00:03:41.259 --> 00:03:44.099
 Those who deny Jesus is the Antichrist.

00:03:44.840 --> 00:03:48.819
 In chapter 3, those who have the love of God are children of God.

00:03:49.120 --> 00:03:52.120
 Those who do not know God are not children.

00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:56.560
 Those who abide in him do not keep on sinning.

00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:59.460
 Those who keep on sinning do not know him.

00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:04.360
 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning.

00:04:04.860 --> 00:04:07.860
 Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God.

00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:11.460
 Those who love have passed from death to life.

00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:16.420
 The one that hates his brother is a murderer, and murders do not have eternal life.

00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:21.379
 Those who confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.

00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:24.279
 Those who do not are the spirit of the Antichrist.

00:04:25.180 --> 00:04:28.500
 So there's some context for those who know and those who are born again.

00:04:28.860 --> 00:04:31.899
 And the contrast is it's a stark dividing line.

00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:38.879
 And when we come to this text, we're not here to determine how mature a believer is or how sanctified they are.

00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:43.399
 It is to distinguish those who are from those who aren't.

00:04:44.139 --> 00:04:48.680
 And so we come to our text in 1 John 4 where we distinguish those who love and those who don't.

00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:58.800
 And back in chapter 2, John tells us that the world does indeed love, but is not the same kind of love addressed in chapter 4.

00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:05.060
 In chapter 2, it says that if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:09.520
 There's something different about the world's love and the believer's love.

00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:18.699
 And a common thread throughout Scripture as we notice God's agape love is that it's wildly different than the world's understanding of love.

00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:24.439
 And the premier indicator of this difference is that the world's love is a selfish love.

00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:32.540
 Always looking to satisfy oneself and not to outwardly serve and care for another.

00:05:33.680 --> 00:05:39.579
 And one of the most iconic influences regarding love that we have in our common day is Romeo and Juliet.

00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:42.959
 O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?

00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:52.699
 Whether or not Shakespeare was a believer or if his work properly reflects some good gospel themes elsewhere is a discussion for another time.

00:05:52.699 --> 00:06:04.019
 But in Romeo and Juliet, these two young lovers are so emphatically smitten with one another that if they can't have one another, what's the point in life itself?

00:06:05.139 --> 00:06:10.099
 They discovered their love for one another only after one night of meeting each other.

00:06:10.719 --> 00:06:13.819
 And then go on to commit suicide within the span of a week from then.

00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:16.680
 Love at first sight.

00:06:17.399 --> 00:06:19.339
 Is that what true love is?

00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:26.299
 Are we so consumed with something or someone that if we don't have this self-satisfying relationship, we might as well kill ourselves?

00:06:28.019 --> 00:06:38.979
 That's more a crazed idolatry of seeking the pleasures and benefits that someone can offer than it is a self-sacrificial pursuit of serving someone else.

00:06:39.539 --> 00:06:44.839
 They were sacrificing themselves for the benefit of themselves, not each other.

00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:50.459
 They wanted to save themselves from the pain of not having their heart's desire.

00:06:51.399 --> 00:06:53.359
 They didn't even truly know each other yet.

00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:57.000
 Not enough, at least, to consider the weight of marriage.

00:06:57.959 --> 00:06:59.879
 And so, what is the world preaching about love?

00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:01.899
 It's sentimentalism.

00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:06.199
 I'm sure you've heard the statement, live and let love.

00:07:06.739 --> 00:07:07.799
 They say love is love.

00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:14.899
 Whatever you find desirable and infatuated with, that is good and that is love because it pleases you.

00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:17.879
 Love is based off how something makes you feel.

00:07:18.479 --> 00:07:20.319
 If you enjoy it, that's love.

00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:22.139
 If you don't, avoid it.

00:07:22.139 --> 00:07:24.779
 1 John 2 says this,

00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:33.740
 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world.

00:07:34.099 --> 00:07:38.779
 The world is passing away and also its lusts.

00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:44.839
 Another word for the way the world views love may be lust.

00:07:45.659 --> 00:07:50.419
 They have an ungodly love, a love for the world and self, self-seeking satisfaction.

00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:52.699
 Love and let love.

00:07:53.280 --> 00:08:01.100
 And if someone tries to disrupt relentless lust, they say you're hating people because you aren't letting them express their true selves.

00:08:02.080 --> 00:08:04.240
 That is a contradiction, by the way.

00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:12.240
 The world commands the Christian to stop expressing ourselves because true love allows the expression of oneself.

00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:13.759
 It's a little fallacious.

00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:17.900
 So why don't we get that same offer of love?

00:08:17.899 --> 00:08:25.319
 Sometimes the world, they are not actively hating someone and wishing ill upon another, but they also aren't purely seeking their good.

00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:30.699
 There's a common grace where we may see the world sacrificing themselves for another.

00:08:30.899 --> 00:08:34.699
 I think deep down there's still some sort of selfish motivation.

00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:39.300
 As the text says, all that is in the world is not from the Father.

00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:43.180
 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:46.800
 They may be in it for their own glory of their sacrifice.

00:08:46.920 --> 00:08:51.200
 It may be for some future benefit they seek in response from their sacrifice.

00:08:51.200 --> 00:09:00.379
 But I don't believe it can be the same unique agape love that the Bible speaks of later in our text because chapter 4, verse 7 says,

00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:07.180
 Love is from God, not the unregenerate world where Satan and sin abound.

00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:14.479
 So because love emanates from God, God himself has to be the source of love.

00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:18.439
 Verse 8 says it clearly, God is love.

00:09:19.199 --> 00:09:23.099
 God is not just loving, but he indeed is love.

00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:27.159
 And that is not all that he is, but it certainly is not less.

00:09:27.299 --> 00:09:31.219
 That is why those who don't know God also don't love.

00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:37.759
 Any love that we might impart to someone else isn't truly from us, at least not our natural selves.

00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:41.600
 It flows from the Spirit of God at work in us.

00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:46.960
 So God is the fountainhead of true agape love, and his love never ceases.

00:09:47.920 --> 00:09:51.360
 This is not a temporary condition of his character.

00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:56.620
 Instead, it is an incessant condition of who he is.

00:09:56.700 --> 00:09:59.940
 He is not just the light that shines from the sun.

00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:02.020
 He is the sun.

00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:06.180
 He embodies love all the time in every action.

00:10:07.540 --> 00:10:12.080
 And some might say, what about God's justice or his discipline?

00:10:12.940 --> 00:10:14.240
 Are they always loving?

00:10:14.780 --> 00:10:18.820
 If he is sovereign, is it loving that he allows bad things to happen?

00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.320
 Yes, to all of it.

00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:26.360
 He disciplines his children to reveal himself to us.

00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:30.300
 Knowing God is the sweetest gift we could ever fathom.

00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:35.720
 It comes with trials, but it draws us deeper into the pleasures of God.

00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:41.740
 Isn't it good that sin hurts and that rest in Christ is sweet?

00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:44.180
 Godly discipline is loving.

00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:46.779
 What about his justice?

00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:49.220
 Psalm 11.5 says,

00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:56.480
 The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:57.579
 He's a just God.

00:10:58.299 --> 00:11:01.220
 And we don't want an unjust God, do we?

00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:04.620
 Sin is lawlessness.

00:11:05.399 --> 00:11:12.740
 There would only be immediate, unruly disaster without a just God who has revealed his law to his creation.

00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:18.899
 Many people are hypocrites when it comes to condemning God of being just.

00:11:18.899 --> 00:11:23.139
 And by the way, this is another worldly contradiction.

00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:29.340
 We all, at times, advocate for justice.

00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:33.039
 And the world will sometimes condemn God's justice.

00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:38.120
 We all watch the movie of the bad guy, and we can't wait to see justice paid.

00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:43.819
 We watch the court trials of various criminals and eagerly await to hear how bad the sentencing is.

00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:50.120
 We all, at times, even unleash our own wrath against our neighbor when we've been offended.

00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:54.500
 But God sends the rain and sun on both the just and the unjust.

00:11:54.680 --> 00:11:58.560
 While he hates wickedness, he still shows love to all that he has made.

00:11:58.920 --> 00:12:01.000
 The wicked curse God, and yet God is benevolent.

00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:03.080
 He prays for his persecutors.

00:12:03.780 --> 00:12:08.240
 He is patient with them, but will ultimately serve them their due justice.

00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:12.960
 God's love is actually magnified by the reality that he is just.

00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:18.300
 Because we rightly deserve condemnation, and it has to be paid.

00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:21.140
 And Christ paid it on the believer's behalf.

00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.660
 Well, what about the bad things that happen in the world?

00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:28.860
 These are a consequence of sin in the world.

00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:31.120
 People are depraved.

00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:34.620
 And we may intend to do things for evil,

00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:39.420
 but God is so loving that he can use even the vilest things the world has to offer

00:12:39.420 --> 00:12:42.040
 for his glory and the good of his people.

00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:46.039
 The ground is cursed and natural disasters happen.

00:12:46.039 --> 00:12:51.159
 And if it feels unfair that God would allow this to happen to us,

00:12:51.219 --> 00:12:55.399
 remember that mankind sent Christ to the tree.

00:12:55.399 --> 00:13:02.459
 Who are we to think that we deserve him to preserve us from any of the bad consequences of sin?

00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:05.639
 And do we praise him by his grace when he does preserve us?

00:13:06.299 --> 00:13:08.639
 So yes, God is love, and that never ceases.

00:13:09.319 --> 00:13:13.759
 Even if we don't fully understand all that he is doing through discipline and serving justice,

00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:15.439
 we're allowing bad things to conspire.

00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:18.019
 God is love.

00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:24.500
 So we've talked a lot about love so far, but what is agape love?

00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:29.100
 In verses 7 through 8, we see who actually has love, where it comes from,

00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:32.019
 but it doesn't quite tell us what love is.

00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:35.919
 The modern world seems to think that love equals lust,

00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:40.559
 so we're not going to find out what agape love is from the world or even ourselves.

00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:49.019
 In order to understand love, we first need to understand more about God himself and the world he has created.

00:13:50.119 --> 00:13:54.059
 As verse 7 says, whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:57.079
 We need to know God to know love.

00:13:57.659 --> 00:14:01.899
 And this text gives us the implicit details to answer these questions,

00:14:01.979 --> 00:14:04.119
 and it is more explicit the more we read our Bibles.

00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:10.279
 So here are two big distinctives about God's love that we see in our text.

00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:13.500
 Number one, it is both inward and outward.

00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.639
 It's both inward and outward.

00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:19.980
 And number two, it is vast beyond measure.

00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:27.720
 So to start, I think there are two main elements of true, godly, agape love.

00:14:28.440 --> 00:14:31.820
 There is the inward and outward reality to it.

00:14:31.820 --> 00:14:37.680
 So first with the inward, we could call it affection or compassion.

00:14:38.520 --> 00:14:43.440
 It's a benevolent sentiment or empathy that God has for people.

00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:47.680
 At the beginning of verse 10 here, we have a definition being posed.

00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:50.120
 In this is love.

00:14:50.260 --> 00:14:50.840
 Well, what is it?

00:14:51.420 --> 00:14:55.480
 Not that we have loved God, but that he loved us.

00:14:56.380 --> 00:14:58.980
 Love's affections are a one-way ticket in heart.

00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:06.139
 You don't have love for someone with anticipation or on the agreement that they will return some benefit to you.

00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:11.019
 It is an inward compassion and affection for another just because.

00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:17.840
 We obviously had nothing to give in return to him if he came to propitiate for our sins.

00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:23.360
 So God has this love harbored inside of himself, not on the basis of what we can do for him.

00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:26.300
 It's because he loves and he himself is love.

00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:29.479
 I'm going to take us through a couple of passages throughout scripture.

00:15:29.599 --> 00:15:35.979
 You can stay in 1 John to kind of capture God embodying this inward compassion.

00:15:36.859 --> 00:15:41.919
 In Matthew 9, 36, when Jesus was going about healing people and proclaiming the gospel,

00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.120
 it says,

00:15:43.120 --> 00:16:01.019
 Then what?

00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:02.840
 Then Jesus wept.

00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.759
 And so the Jews were saying,

00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:06.720
 See how he loved him.

00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:10.840
 They recognized Jesus' love through his compassion.

00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.500
 To God's covenant people in Isaiah 43,

00:16:13.699 --> 00:16:14.259
 God declares,

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:17.319
 Because you are precious in my eyes,

00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:20.220
 and honor rules in exchange for your life.

00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.759
 Psalm 145,

00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:23.480
 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,

00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:25.299
 slow to anger and rich in love.

00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:26.460
 The Lord is good to all.

00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:28.860
 He is compassion on all that he has made.

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:30.840
 In Deuteronomy 7,

00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:33.180
 and again in 1 Peter 2, 9,

00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:36.240
 God says that his covenant people are a treasured possession.

00:16:37.560 --> 00:16:39.340
 And then further in Deuteronomy 7,

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:39.720
 it says,

00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:42.560
 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.

00:16:42.860 --> 00:16:47.639
 The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession.

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.800
 Out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth,

00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:53.659
 it was not because you were more in number than any other person

00:16:53.659 --> 00:16:56.600
 that the Lord set his love on you and chose you.

00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:58.639
 For you were the fewest of all peoples.

00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:02.600
 But it is because the Lord loves you.

00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:06.120
 Even when being put to death,

00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:08.819
 Jesus prayed for his persecutors that they may be forgiven,

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:11.240
 for they know not what they do.

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.500
 Psalm 103,

00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:15.819
 As a father shows compassion to his children,

00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:18.319
 so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:20.140
 For he knows our frame.

00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.860
 He remembers that we are of dust.

00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:27.819
 And these are just a few places that we see the Lord having the inward sentiment

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:30.419
 that is benevolent towards someone outward.

00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.839
 But it's all throughout Scripture.

00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:35.079
 And then there's this second component.

00:17:35.679 --> 00:17:38.059
 It's this outward manifestation.

00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:41.559
 An outward display of the love inside.

00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:44.919
 Beginning of our text, verse 9, it says,

00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:49.100
 In this, the love of God, the inward love of God,

00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:51.080
 was made manifest outward,

00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:53.680
 was made manifest among us,

00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:56.640
 that God sent his only Son into the world.

00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:59.400
 God's love is never passive.

00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:02.000
 It never stands by the wayside.

00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:05.140
 And if we don't necessarily perceive God acting,

00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:08.980
 he is actively withholding an outward sign in love.

00:18:09.560 --> 00:18:11.539
 We are to blame if we read the Bible

00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:13.779
 and fail to see this outward love.

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.319
 For starters, he created mankind.

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:20.159
 He gives mankind an opportunity to know his majestic glory.

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:23.359
 And when mankind turned its back on God

00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:25.759
 and everyone was doing only evil continually,

00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:28.359
 God preserved Noah and his family

00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:30.639
 and thereby preserving all of us,

00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.799
 everyone beyond Noah's day,

00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:35.200
 that we could have an opportunity to know the majestic glory of God.

00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.920
 When the Israelites were enslaved,

00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:38.599
 he miraculously fed them

00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:40.920
 and freed them from bondage in Egypt.

00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:42.580
 And he kept them alive

00:18:42.580 --> 00:18:45.180
 until they reached a land flowing with milk and honey.

00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:47.580
 And then when they got to that land,

00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:50.460
 God offered them rest on all of their borders from their enemies.

00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:52.580
 When David was being hunted down,

00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:53.779
 God preserved his life.

00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:56.400
 God acquired a big fish

00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:58.759
 to bring a reluctant preacher to the Ninevites.

00:18:59.820 --> 00:19:01.220
 And in Jesus' ministry,

00:19:01.820 --> 00:19:02.759
 Christ heals the sick,

00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.840
 he raises the dead,

00:19:04.060 --> 00:19:04.920
 he feeds the hungry,

00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:06.080
 he casts out the demons.

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.700
 And in 1 John 4,

00:19:07.700 --> 00:19:08.840
 his love was made manifest

00:19:08.840 --> 00:19:11.000
 by sending his son into the world

00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:13.340
 to be the propitiation for our sins.

00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:16.660
 God shows his love for us

00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:18.600
 that while we were still sinners,

00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:21.180
 Christ died for us.

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:22.120
 He shows it.

00:19:22.580 --> 00:19:23.779
 God's love is never passive.

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.759
 He does not just say he loves,

00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.940
 he shows it.

00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.319
 Agape love is always active.

00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.259
 So in the world,

00:19:29.360 --> 00:19:33.620
 you may only see one of these two components at work.

00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:36.379
 It could be that inward compassion

00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:39.659
 or it could be an outward action.

00:19:40.219 --> 00:19:42.979
 You can have a warm affection on the inside for someone

00:19:42.979 --> 00:19:45.319
 but not have agape love

00:19:45.319 --> 00:19:47.079
 if it is never actually manifested.

00:19:48.239 --> 00:19:48.799
 Conversely,

00:19:48.959 --> 00:19:51.119
 you can do a lot of things to serve other people

00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.819
 and not be in it

00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:54.839
 to sincerely serve those people.

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.579
 In the first case,

00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.939
 in the first case,

00:19:58.039 --> 00:20:00.099
 affection without manifestation,

00:20:00.099 --> 00:20:01.579
 you have that person

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:04.339
 who wants to admire someone

00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:05.779
 and delight themselves

00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:08.679
 in the beauty of another person.

00:20:09.139 --> 00:20:10.539
 You might think they're really talented

00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.539
 or beautiful

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:13.679
 or they just have a way with words

00:20:13.679 --> 00:20:14.599
 that stirs you.

00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:16.379
 You consume all that they are

00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:18.319
 to feed your own interested,

00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.939
 fleshly appetite

00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:22.240
 and never actually commit

00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.939
 to outwardly serving that person

00:20:23.939 --> 00:20:25.899
 with intentional loving actions.

00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:29.000
 That's a selfish consumption

00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.259
 of someone else's character.

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.280
 I might say,

00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.140
 I love my co-worker.

00:20:33.280 --> 00:20:34.000
 He's a hard worker,

00:20:34.080 --> 00:20:34.700
 doesn't complain,

00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:36.340
 makes the stress of work less daunting

00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:38.400
 but am I willing to wake up early

00:20:38.400 --> 00:20:39.400
 on a Saturday morning

00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:41.100
 to help him move into his new house?

00:20:42.280 --> 00:20:43.140
 Do I have affection

00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:44.660
 but not manifestation?

00:20:47.080 --> 00:20:48.100
 JR, you're welcome.

00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:50.259
 I work with JR

00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:52.040
 and I just committed to helping him move.

00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:54.960
 In the second case,

00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.960
 manifestation without affection

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:58.960
 might look like legalistic,

00:20:59.100 --> 00:21:00.440
 mechanical box checking.

00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:02.640
 The Boy Scout helps the elderly

00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:04.120
 cross the street to get a badge.

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.160
 You know,

00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.680
 give me the checklist of stuff to do

00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.680
 so I can just knock it out

00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.559
 and show you I love you.

00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:11.120
 Acts of service can be heartless

00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:13.200
 and just simply like systematic

00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:15.880
 out of requirement or obligation,

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:18.660
 personal gain or even fear.

00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:21.840
 So true love not only serves

00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:23.839
 but it's paired with a true desire

00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:26.720
 to care for the one you are serving,

00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.279
 not just to get your brownie points.

00:21:28.959 --> 00:21:31.319
 If the Boy Scout truly had loved

00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:32.199
 that elderly lady,

00:21:32.579 --> 00:21:33.299
 he would have done it

00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:35.939
 without the incentive of personal gain.

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.980
 As 1 Corinthians says,

00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:39.179
 and we even read that this morning,

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:40.939
 if I give all my possessions,

00:21:41.439 --> 00:21:42.539
 if I do all this stuff,

00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:43.639
 if I give all my possessions

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.599
 to feed the poor

00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:46.279
 and I surrender my body

00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.339
 to be burned,

00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.839
 if I do all this outward stuff

00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:51.799
 and do not have love,

00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:54.059
 it profits me nothing.

00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.559
 So furthermore,

00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:58.719
 manifested agape love

00:21:58.719 --> 00:22:00.500
 also seeks to fill

00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:03.639
 tangible, practical needs

00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.439
 someone has.

00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:06.539
 You can turn with me really quickly

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.379
 to 1 John 3.

00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.839
 It's just one chapter back.

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:13.139
 1 John 3, 16-18.

00:22:13.559 --> 00:22:15.839
 By this we know love

00:22:15.839 --> 00:22:18.899
 that he laid down his life for us

00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:20.500
 and we ought to lay down our lives

00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.519
 for the brothers.

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:24.240
 But if anyone has the world's goods

00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.779
 and sees his brother in need

00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:27.459
 yet closes his heart against him,

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.899
 how does God's love abide in him?

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.619
 Little children,

00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:34.079
 let us not love in word or talk

00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:37.019
 but in deed and in truth.

00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:40.500
 So, love manifested

00:22:40.500 --> 00:22:42.599
 fills real, practical needs.

00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.740
 And this brings us

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.900
 to our second distinctive

00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:45.839
 about God's love

00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:48.920
 is that it is vast beyond measure.

00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:52.160
 He doesn't just provide food

00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:53.160
 when we are hungry.

00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:55.460
 He also fills

00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:57.980
 an eternally greater need than that.

00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:59.119
 And what is our greatest need?

00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:01.660
 We need to be reconciled to God.

00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.680
 And the barrier here

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:05.220
 is that in order to be reconciled,

00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:08.500
 we need to have our transgressions pardoned.

00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:11.079
 There needs to be a propitiation

00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:12.759
 for our sins.

00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.759
 And that's exact,

00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:15.279
 but that he loved us

00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.420
 and sent his son

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.839
 to be the propitiation

00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:19.960
 for our sins.

00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:22.079
 It's a big word.

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.940
 A propitiation

00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:26.460
 is like a sacrificial offering

00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:28.759
 to pardon iniquity,

00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:32.140
 to pardon sin and transgression,

00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.279
 to make things right

00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.420
 and reconciled.

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:36.139
 For example,

00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:38.879
 once upon a time

00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:40.599
 in a town

00:23:40.599 --> 00:23:41.599
 named Whoville,

00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:44.420
 there was a Who

00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:45.899
 that committed a serious crime.

00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.299
 The Grinch,

00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:49.779
 after recognizing his wrongdoing,

00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:50.920
 wanted to make things right.

00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:52.680
 He wanted to propitiate

00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.779
 for his transgressions.

00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.460
 There's only one problem.

00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.899
 He could only offer

00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:58.039
 what he had stolen.

00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.819
 And like the Grinch,

00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:00.680
 we don't have anything

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:02.279
 that we can offer to God

00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:03.820
 to propitiate for ourselves.

00:24:04.120 --> 00:24:05.560
 And we certainly can't provide

00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:07.720
 the kind of propitiation required

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.840
 that would exonerate us

00:24:09.840 --> 00:24:11.259
 from transgressing

00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:13.259
 the all-powerful creator

00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.539
 of the universe.

00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.560
 What do we have

00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.200
 that he doesn't?

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.519
 How can we,

00:24:18.880 --> 00:24:19.519
 the creature,

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.380
 appease the creator

00:24:21.380 --> 00:24:22.779
 who gave us all things,

00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.759
 who has given a gift to God

00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:26.000
 that he might be repaid?

00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:28.120
 He is a holy God,

00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.239
 and transgressing him

00:24:29.239 --> 00:24:30.500
 comes with a holy consequence.

00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.139
 We did not love God,

00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:32.959
 but he loved us

00:24:32.959 --> 00:24:34.459
 by providing for us

00:24:34.459 --> 00:24:35.500
 this propitiation.

00:24:36.239 --> 00:24:37.879
 He sent his only son to die

00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:39.959
 and suffer the wrath of God

00:24:39.959 --> 00:24:41.599
 so that we might live

00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:43.799
 and be reconciled to him,

00:24:44.639 --> 00:24:46.679
 adopted into his holy family.

00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:49.179
 That gift of grace is profound.

00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.479
 So let's consider

00:24:50.479 --> 00:24:51.359
 a little more deeply

00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:53.239
 just how sacrificial that is.

00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:57.720
 A little rule about agape love

00:24:57.720 --> 00:25:00.019
 is that it is magnified

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:03.420
 by the greatness of the sacrifice

00:25:03.420 --> 00:25:07.240
 in proportion to the obligation

00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:09.019
 to make that sacrifice.

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:12.019
 It's magnified by the greatness

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:13.420
 of the sacrifice

00:25:13.420 --> 00:25:15.220
 in proportion to the obligation

00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.440
 to make that sacrifice.

00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.839
 It would be shallow

00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:19.460
 or less loving

00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.579
 to give a cheap,

00:25:20.579 --> 00:25:22.759
 last-minute Amazon delivery

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.799
 as a Christmas gift.

00:25:24.339 --> 00:25:25.919
 For most, that is,

00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:27.460
 it's not much of a sacrifice.

00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:28.699
 In addition,

00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.299
 it's easy to give a Christmas gift

00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:31.259
 to a loved one.

00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:33.480
 Even the tax collectors do this.

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:35.759
 Well, how much more is the love

00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:37.079
 that would give an excellent,

00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:38.759
 practical, needed gift

00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:40.000
 that you had to spend

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.899
 a lot of time

00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:42.019
 and resources

00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.079
 and energy on

00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:45.139
 to someone who hated you?

00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.119
 You don't do that

00:25:47.119 --> 00:25:48.139
 because you're selfish.

00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.580
 You would only do that

00:25:49.580 --> 00:25:51.240
 because you have been shown

00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.720
 an immense amount of love

00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.480
 and it is that love

00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.500
 that abides in you.

00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.180
 And God sent

00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:57.800
 his only son

00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:59.060
 to die

00:25:59.060 --> 00:26:00.600
 for you and me

00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:02.020
 when all we brought to him

00:26:02.020 --> 00:26:03.100
 was rebellion.

00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:04.580
 We hated God

00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:05.580
 and we loved ourselves.

00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:07.280
 We were his enemies,

00:26:07.520 --> 00:26:09.180
 yet he sent his son

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.860
 into the world

00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:11.460
 that we might live through him.

00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:14.200
 How great was that sacrifice?

00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.740
 It's incomprehensible.

00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:19.000
 When we see children

00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.960
 dying at moments in Scripture,

00:26:21.579 --> 00:26:23.319
 how does a parent respond?

00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:25.700
 We've got three examples

00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.380
 of this throughout.

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.299
 I'm going to go through

00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.779
 in the New Testament.

00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:33.460
 Feel free to say

00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:33.880
 in 1 John.

00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.759
 I'll read these.

00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:38.799
 In John 4, 46-49,

00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:39.279
 it says,

00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.339
 So he,

00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.299
 this is Jesus,

00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:43.259
 came again to Cana

00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.000
 in Galilee

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.700
 where he had

00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:46.099
 made the water wine

00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:47.960
 and at Capernaum

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.920
 there was an official

00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:50.079
 whose son was ill.

00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.799
 When this man heard

00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.779
 that Jesus had come

00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.639
 from Judea

00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.680
 to Galilee,

00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:56.220
 he went to him.

00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:58.859
 So this official

00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.759
 from Capernaum

00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.720
 went to Galilee

00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.200
 which was

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.960
 somewhere between

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.899
 12 and like

00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:05.059
 24 miles.

00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:06.339
 It depends on the geography

00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.399
 and where it was all going on.

00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.420
 It was a long ways.

00:27:08.519 --> 00:27:09.620
 It was a lot to commit to

00:27:09.620 --> 00:27:10.940
 especially without a car.

00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:13.740
 And so he asked him,

00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.720
 the man,

00:27:14.800 --> 00:27:15.160
 the official,

00:27:15.300 --> 00:27:15.840
 asked Jesus

00:27:15.840 --> 00:27:16.920
 to come down

00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:18.340
 and heal his son

00:27:18.340 --> 00:27:19.400
 for he was

00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.660
 at the point of death.

00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:21.820
 So he traveled

00:27:21.820 --> 00:27:22.700
 this very long way

00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.860
 to ask Jesus for help.

00:27:24.280 --> 00:27:25.080
 And so Jesus said to him,

00:27:25.160 --> 00:27:26.100
 Unless you see signs

00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:26.519
 and wonders,

00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.660
 you will not believe.

00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:29.840
 The official said to him,

00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.360
 Sir,

00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:32.519
 come down

00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:35.140
 before my child dies.

00:27:36.320 --> 00:27:37.220
 In Mark 5,

00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.799
 we have another.

00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:39.460
 It says,

00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.819
 Then came one of the rulers

00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.500
 of the synagogue,

00:27:41.860 --> 00:27:42.720
 Jairus by name,

00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:43.680
 and seeing him,

00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.720
 he fell at his feet

00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:47.160
 and implored him

00:27:47.160 --> 00:27:47.839
 earnestly,

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.240
 saying,

00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.279
 My little daughter

00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:51.200
 is at the point of death.

00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.980
 Come and lay your hands

00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:53.319
 on her

00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.480
 so that she might be

00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.440
 made well

00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.440
 and live.

00:27:59.079 --> 00:27:59.900
 Luke 9,

00:28:00.860 --> 00:28:01.779
 On the next day,

00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:02.779
 when they had come down

00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.180
 from the mountain,

00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:05.160
 a great crowd met him.

00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:06.120
 And behold,

00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.160
 a man from the crowd

00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:07.820
 cried out,

00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:08.660
 Teacher,

00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.820
 I beg you

00:28:10.820 --> 00:28:11.920
 to look at my son,

00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:14.600
 for he is my only child.

00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.700
 I beg you.

00:28:17.800 --> 00:28:18.300
 And behold,

00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:19.759
 a spirit seizes him

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.380
 and he suddenly cries out.

00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.320
 It convulses him

00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:23.680
 so that he foams at the mouth

00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:25.160
 and shatters him

00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:26.840
 and will hardly leave him.

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:29.120
 And I begged your disciples

00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:29.980
 to cast it out.

00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.700
 But they could not.

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.339
 Which one of us

00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:35.980
 wouldn't have

00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.620
 that same urgency

00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:39.680
 for our children?

00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.900
 I've been in that situation

00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.759
 a couple of times.

00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:44.140
 One with my own daughter,

00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:44.700
 Charlotte,

00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:46.380
 who did die.

00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:48.480
 And second with Waylon,

00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:50.160
 a little man running around

00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.220
 giving out free high fives

00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:51.599
 nowadays.

00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.480
 He had a stroke

00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.480
 when he was two weeks old

00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:56.000
 and he nearly died.

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:58.019
 It is tragic.

00:28:58.019 --> 00:29:01.839
 You would do anything

00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:02.680
 to see your child

00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:04.099
 live the next day.

00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.619
 And I want to encourage

00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:06.420
 you guys now

00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.480
 as we're together

00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:10.079
 to be particularly considerate

00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.079
 of how you might be

00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:12.019
 serving and mourning

00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.720
 and praying

00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:13.879
 with the Truets

00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.639
 as they're going through this.

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:18.879
 It's insufferable.

00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:21.200
 And our sympathetic God

00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:23.000
 knows the pain

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.079
 of child loss.

00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:27.200
 Here's the profound reality

00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:29.240
 of God's only begotten son.

00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.880
 Being rich in mercy

00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:32.400
 with which he loved us,

00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.319
 he willingly

00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:35.539
 sent his only son

00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.160
 to suffer

00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:37.420
 and die

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.580
 for a people

00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:40.680
 that did not deserve it.

00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:42.120
 That actually deserved it

00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:42.580
 at least.

00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.519
 He knew that,

00:29:44.860 --> 00:29:45.319
 he knew

00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.519
 all that was

00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.480
 ahead of him.

00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.980
 He took it on.

00:29:50.080 --> 00:29:50.960
 He was born into

00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.980
 a poor family

00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:52.779
 in a manger,

00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.840
 immediately hunted

00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.619
 by Herod,

00:29:55.279 --> 00:29:56.039
 living a life

00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.939
 of persecution

00:29:56.939 --> 00:29:58.459
 and dying

00:29:58.459 --> 00:29:59.679
 a humiliating death.

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.480
 And more than that,

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.059
 consuming God's

00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.079
 spiritual wrath

00:30:03.079 --> 00:30:06.379
 on himself.

00:30:09.079 --> 00:30:10.359
 He must have done that

00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:10.799
 for someone

00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.699
 who was really worthy

00:30:11.699 --> 00:30:12.839
 and highly exalted.

00:30:12.959 --> 00:30:14.419
 That's a big sacrifice.

00:30:15.459 --> 00:30:15.740
 No.

00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.959
 He did it for people

00:30:16.959 --> 00:30:17.819
 who wished themselves

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.619
 to be God.

00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.619
 He is the creator

00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:21.339
 and keeper

00:30:21.339 --> 00:30:22.339
 of all history.

00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.039
 He knew

00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:24.480
 your unloveliness,

00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:25.439
 my unloveliness,

00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.519
 and he knew

00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.199
 the pain

00:30:27.199 --> 00:30:28.619
 of suffering child loss

00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:30.059
 and suffering death itself,

00:30:30.279 --> 00:30:31.859
 but he did it anyways

00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:33.039
 to save you

00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:33.879
 so that you might

00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:35.000
 live through him.

00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:35.980
 And that

00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:37.059
 is the epitome

00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.959
 of selfless,

00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:38.980
 compassionate,

00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.599
 outward,

00:30:40.439 --> 00:30:41.699
 manifested love

00:30:41.699 --> 00:30:42.980
 that the world

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:44.279
 could never imagine.

00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:45.939
 Remy and Juliet,

00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.419
 they didn't have

00:30:47.419 --> 00:30:48.139
 a tested love

00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:48.699
 for one another

00:30:48.699 --> 00:30:49.619
 because they didn't

00:30:49.619 --> 00:30:50.619
 really truly know

00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.619
 each other's shortcomings.

00:30:52.539 --> 00:30:53.379
 God, however,

00:30:53.479 --> 00:30:54.379
 knows every lie,

00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:55.519
 every bout of anger,

00:30:55.699 --> 00:30:56.799
 every discreet sin

00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:57.439
 in your heart,

00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.879
 every motive you've had,

00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:01.299
 and yet he loved us

00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:02.779
 and chose to be

00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.659
 our propitiation.

00:31:04.679 --> 00:31:05.599
 He didn't have

00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:06.899
 rose-colored glasses.

00:31:07.139 --> 00:31:09.000
 He knows all of you,

00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:10.779
 and yet he paid

00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.719
 to have you.

00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.000
 And that is how vast

00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.679
 beyond measure

00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:15.919
 it is that Christ

00:31:15.919 --> 00:31:16.579
 came to earth

00:31:16.579 --> 00:31:17.119
 as a man,

00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.319
 the creator

00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.539
 and humility,

00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.879
 becoming a creature

00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:22.039
 and becoming obedient

00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.460
 to death,

00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.500
 even death on a cross,

00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.759
 not for his own good,

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.679
 but for others.

00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:28.139
 Sacrificing his son

00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:29.339
 so that we could

00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.720
 become sons

00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.700
 and daughters.

00:31:32.700 --> 00:31:33.700
 See what kind of love

00:31:33.700 --> 00:31:34.879
 the Father has given us

00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:36.039
 that we should be called

00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.779
 children of God,

00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:38.659
 and so we are.

00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:41.580
 Christian,

00:31:42.580 --> 00:31:43.680
 bathe yourselves

00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:46.220
 in this glorious,

00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.880
 mysterious truth

00:31:47.880 --> 00:31:49.200
 that Christ

00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:50.779
 saved a sinner

00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.720
 like you

00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:52.580
 and like me.

00:31:53.620 --> 00:31:54.360
 He loved

00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.840
 and showed his love

00:31:55.840 --> 00:31:56.540
 to a stubborn

00:31:56.540 --> 00:31:58.120
 and rebellious people,

00:31:58.300 --> 00:31:59.340
 and praise God,

00:31:59.420 --> 00:31:59.920
 he did.

00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.560
 Rest

00:32:01.560 --> 00:32:03.279
 in Christ's embrace.

00:32:03.580 --> 00:32:04.420
 He loves you.

00:32:05.540 --> 00:32:06.100
 Rejoice

00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:08.500
 in God's manifested love.

00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.119
 Non-Christian,

00:32:11.459 --> 00:32:11.740
 repent

00:32:11.740 --> 00:32:12.679
 and believe

00:32:12.679 --> 00:32:13.339
 and receive

00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.279
 the free gift

00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.579
 of grace

00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.379
 in Christ Jesus

00:32:16.379 --> 00:32:16.939
 our Lord.

00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.439
 It is the most

00:32:18.439 --> 00:32:19.039
 critical thing

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.679
 you need

00:32:19.679 --> 00:32:20.480
 to be kept

00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.299
 from the torments

00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:21.959
 of hell,

00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:23.740
 but also to be

00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:24.839
 fully satisfied

00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:26.199
 in the love of God.

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.799
 This world

00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.599
 is passing away

00:32:28.599 --> 00:32:30.199
 along with its lusts.

00:32:30.659 --> 00:32:31.399
 Drugs wear off,

00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.459
 money can be lost.

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.539
 You won't

00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.359
 always be

00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:34.859
 young

00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:35.679
 and agile

00:32:35.679 --> 00:32:36.339
 and productive.

00:32:37.199 --> 00:32:37.779
 These things

00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.679
 will let you down,

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:40.159
 but Christ

00:32:40.159 --> 00:32:40.759
 is eternal.

00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:42.479
 He is never changing.

00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:43.919
 He is an anchor

00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:44.879
 for the soul.

00:32:46.219 --> 00:32:46.899
 He offers

00:32:46.899 --> 00:32:47.500
 a life

00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.839
 of eternal

00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.740
 joy.

00:32:49.899 --> 00:32:50.759
 All the blessings

00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.500
 of a child,

00:32:52.299 --> 00:32:52.779
 an heir,

00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.179
 and none

00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:55.059
 of the punishments

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:56.059
 of a criminal

00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:58.059
 in God's holy courts.

00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:00.279
 And non-Christian,

00:33:00.379 --> 00:33:01.000
 all of us here

00:33:01.000 --> 00:33:02.339
 were where you are

00:33:02.339 --> 00:33:03.139
 at one time.

00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.960
 We were dead

00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:04.900
 in our trespasses,

00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:06.300
 and we were overwhelmed

00:33:06.300 --> 00:33:07.980
 by the love of God.

00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:09.000
 And none of us

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.640
 who know God

00:33:09.640 --> 00:33:10.240
 and have been born

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.620
 of Him

00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.420
 would trade that in

00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:12.660
 even if we could.

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.160
 So come.

00:33:13.759 --> 00:33:14.820
 Come and let us

00:33:14.820 --> 00:33:15.420
 adore Him.

00:33:16.800 --> 00:33:18.280
 Our text tells us,

00:33:18.360 --> 00:33:19.040
 and really the rest

00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:19.680
 of 1 John,

00:33:19.840 --> 00:33:20.980
 that this kind of love,

00:33:21.060 --> 00:33:21.940
 this kind of sacrificial

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.740
 agape love,

00:33:22.800 --> 00:33:23.600
 is particularly

00:33:23.600 --> 00:33:24.720
 commanded

00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.620
 for those within

00:33:25.620 --> 00:33:26.680
 the body of Christ.

00:33:27.320 --> 00:33:28.360
 And verse 11 reads,

00:33:28.359 --> 00:33:28.979
 Beloved,

00:33:29.319 --> 00:33:30.939
 if God so loved us,

00:33:30.979 --> 00:33:32.000
 we also ought

00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:33.279
 to love one another.

00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:35.159
 In chapter 3,

00:33:35.259 --> 00:33:36.159
 John tells us that

00:33:36.159 --> 00:33:37.500
 we should not

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.500
 be like Cain.

00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:40.439
 He, Cain,

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.599
 in selfish hatred,

00:33:42.439 --> 00:33:43.339
 laid down

00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:45.059
 his brother's life

00:33:45.059 --> 00:33:46.279
 for himself.

00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:47.759
 Conversely,

00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:48.979
 Christ laid down

00:33:48.979 --> 00:33:50.199
 his own life

00:33:50.199 --> 00:33:51.619
 for his brother's.

00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.139
 Beloved,

00:33:53.219 --> 00:33:53.719
 let us love

00:33:53.719 --> 00:33:54.159
 one another

00:33:54.159 --> 00:33:54.799
 like Christ.

00:33:54.799 --> 00:33:57.359
 Do you love

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.759
 being a part

00:33:58.759 --> 00:34:00.559
 of Providence Baptist,

00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:02.180
 but you never

00:34:02.180 --> 00:34:03.019
 actually play

00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:04.259
 your part in it?

00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.759
 Are you exercising

00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:08.679
 the gifts God

00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:09.279
 has given you

00:34:09.279 --> 00:34:10.239
 to bless the church,

00:34:10.279 --> 00:34:10.900
 or are you keeping

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.619
 them to yourself?

00:34:12.800 --> 00:34:14.019
 Do you appreciate

00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.980
 the kind of people

00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.099
 that are here,

00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:17.019
 but never put in

00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:18.099
 the spiritual sweat

00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:19.059
 to love

00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.739
 and serve

00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:20.699
 these people outwardly?

00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:22.559
 Are you the one

00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:22.980
 on Slack

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.880
 always replying

00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.380
 on the prayer channel,

00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.260
 but never on

00:34:26.260 --> 00:34:27.340
 the help channel?

00:34:28.019 --> 00:34:28.780
 Maybe it's the opposite.

00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.440
 Are you praying

00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:31.940
 regularly for one another?

00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:34.539
 Do you have

00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:35.579
 a compassion for them

00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:36.320
 that you rejoice

00:34:36.320 --> 00:34:37.220
 with those who rejoice

00:34:37.220 --> 00:34:37.820
 and weep

00:34:37.820 --> 00:34:38.820
 with those who weep?

00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.320
 Do you bear

00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:41.420
 with the weaker brother?

00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.180
 Are you patient

00:34:43.180 --> 00:34:43.640
 with them?

00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:45.039
 Christ was with you.

00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.920
 Do you give

00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:47.480
 each other

00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:47.960
 the benefit

00:34:47.960 --> 00:34:48.539
 of the doubt?

00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:50.160
 And do you

00:34:50.160 --> 00:34:51.240
 yourself receive

00:34:51.240 --> 00:34:52.099
 admonishment

00:34:52.099 --> 00:34:52.800
 and humility?

00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:55.099
 Do you gather

00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:56.200
 regularly?

00:34:57.559 --> 00:34:58.599
 If you're a member,

00:34:58.760 --> 00:34:59.480
 Hebrews 10 says

00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.320
 that we can stir

00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.180
 one another up

00:35:01.180 --> 00:35:01.840
 to love

00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:03.420
 by not neglecting

00:35:03.420 --> 00:35:04.079
 to meet together.

00:35:04.940 --> 00:35:05.680
 So do you come?

00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:06.180
 Do you come

00:35:06.180 --> 00:35:07.079
 to take the Lord's Supper

00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:08.280
 and remember

00:35:08.280 --> 00:35:09.119
 with your siblings

00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:09.700
 what Christ

00:35:09.700 --> 00:35:10.260
 has accomplished?

00:35:11.200 --> 00:35:11.980
 Do you gather

00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:13.579
 on the Lord's Day

00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.140
 in the mornings

00:35:14.140 --> 00:35:15.420
 to sing to

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.140
 and with

00:35:16.140 --> 00:35:17.019
 one another

00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:18.180
 and then sit underneath

00:35:18.180 --> 00:35:19.240
 the preaching

00:35:19.240 --> 00:35:20.220
 of God's Word together?

00:35:20.940 --> 00:35:21.880
 Do you gather

00:35:21.880 --> 00:35:22.840
 outside of Sundays?

00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:24.200
 Do you

00:35:24.200 --> 00:35:25.579
 lay down your life

00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.420
 for these people?

00:35:28.200 --> 00:35:29.000
 Because our God

00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:29.620
 loved us

00:35:29.620 --> 00:35:31.480
 and we

00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:32.300
 have been born

00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:32.720
 of Him

00:35:32.720 --> 00:35:33.500
 then we will do

00:35:33.500 --> 00:35:34.079
 this for

00:35:34.079 --> 00:35:34.760
 the brothers.

00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:36.700
 And hear me,

00:35:36.760 --> 00:35:37.400
 I face these

00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:38.220
 questions too

00:35:38.220 --> 00:35:39.260
 and I myself

00:35:39.260 --> 00:35:39.900
 need to grill

00:35:39.900 --> 00:35:41.440
 in holiness

00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:42.059
 to love

00:35:42.059 --> 00:35:42.940
 you well.

00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.100
 And I want to

00:35:44.100 --> 00:35:45.140
 personally tell you all

00:35:45.140 --> 00:35:46.000
 that I

00:35:46.000 --> 00:35:47.120
 so often see

00:35:47.120 --> 00:35:47.800
 this love

00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:48.760
 amidst our body

00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:49.420
 and I'm thankful

00:35:49.420 --> 00:35:50.340
 to God for it.

00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.340
 the ways that you

00:35:51.340 --> 00:35:51.860
 have loved me

00:35:51.860 --> 00:35:52.440
 and my family

00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:53.120
 but also the ways

00:35:53.120 --> 00:35:53.500
 you have loved

00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.059
 one another.

00:35:54.720 --> 00:35:55.300
 It's very,

00:35:55.620 --> 00:35:57.300
 it stirs me.

00:35:57.980 --> 00:35:58.400
 And I want to

00:35:58.400 --> 00:35:59.360
 encourage you all

00:35:59.360 --> 00:36:00.740
 to press into

00:36:00.740 --> 00:36:01.300
 this love

00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:02.120
 for God's glory

00:36:02.120 --> 00:36:03.660
 for the good

00:36:03.660 --> 00:36:04.180
 of others

00:36:04.180 --> 00:36:05.000
 and more

00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.760
 and more

00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.660
 until the day

00:36:06.660 --> 00:36:07.200
 draws near.

00:36:08.200 --> 00:36:09.039
 This is the

00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.860
 inevitable result

00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:10.600
 of being born

00:36:10.600 --> 00:36:11.220
 of God

00:36:11.220 --> 00:36:12.440
 and personally

00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:12.980
 experiencing

00:36:12.980 --> 00:36:13.720
 His love.

00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.740
 My own children

00:36:14.740 --> 00:36:15.559
 have blue eyes

00:36:15.559 --> 00:36:16.240
 and blonde hair

00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:17.480
 because they are

00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.240
 my children.

00:36:18.719 --> 00:36:19.579
 They look like me.

00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.900
 All the whos

00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:22.500
 in Whoville

00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.679
 are the same way.

00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.059
 The siblings

00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:27.039
 are nearly identical

00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:27.760
 to each other

00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.320
 and their parents

00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:28.960
 they've all got

00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.659
 the weird nose

00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:31.500
 and the crazy hair.

00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:34.380
 They're filled

00:36:34.380 --> 00:36:35.019
 with joy

00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.659
 and merriment

00:36:35.659 --> 00:36:36.900
 but did you notice

00:36:36.900 --> 00:36:37.340
 which one

00:36:37.340 --> 00:36:38.440
 did not look like them

00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:40.099
 and was affiliated

00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:40.760
 with anger

00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:42.119
 and selfishness

00:36:42.119 --> 00:36:42.940
 who needed

00:36:42.940 --> 00:36:43.639
 a new heart?

00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:46.719
 The test of love

00:36:46.719 --> 00:36:47.239
 will be true

00:36:47.239 --> 00:36:47.719
 for the children

00:36:47.719 --> 00:36:48.079
 of God.

00:36:48.179 --> 00:36:48.719
 We will look

00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.420
 like God

00:36:49.420 --> 00:36:50.359
 by our love

00:36:50.359 --> 00:36:51.079
 for one another

00:36:51.079 --> 00:36:52.339
 because love

00:36:52.339 --> 00:36:53.639
 is from God.

00:36:54.319 --> 00:36:54.679
 Indeed

00:36:54.679 --> 00:36:56.599
 God is love.

00:36:57.299 --> 00:36:57.859
 Compassionate

00:36:57.859 --> 00:36:59.139
 and active

00:36:59.139 --> 00:36:59.960
 sacrificial

00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:01.679
 and effective

00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:03.619
 in His outward love.

00:37:04.859 --> 00:37:05.199
 Now love

00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:06.179
 is not to be confined

00:37:06.179 --> 00:37:06.960
 to those

00:37:06.960 --> 00:37:07.679
 within the body

00:37:07.679 --> 00:37:08.239
 of Christ.

00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:10.359
 Remember our text

00:37:10.359 --> 00:37:11.099
 we have not

00:37:11.099 --> 00:37:11.679
 loved God

00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:12.699
 but God

00:37:12.699 --> 00:37:13.779
 loved us.

00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.579
 When we were dead

00:37:15.579 --> 00:37:16.519
 in our trespasses

00:37:16.519 --> 00:37:17.859
 outside the family

00:37:17.859 --> 00:37:18.460
 of God

00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:19.759
 He brought us

00:37:19.759 --> 00:37:20.259
 in

00:37:20.259 --> 00:37:21.619
 and adopted us

00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:22.559
 and made us

00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:22.859
 children.

00:37:23.719 --> 00:37:24.059
 Our love

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:24.980
 also ought to extend

00:37:24.980 --> 00:37:25.359
 to those

00:37:25.359 --> 00:37:26.279
 outside the church

00:37:26.279 --> 00:37:27.119
 in hopes

00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:28.119
 to bring them in

00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:29.059
 as brothers

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.879
 and sisters

00:37:29.879 --> 00:37:32.859
 and perhaps

00:37:32.859 --> 00:37:33.579
 by extending

00:37:33.579 --> 00:37:34.119
 this love

00:37:34.119 --> 00:37:34.519
 their heart

00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:34.899
 may grow

00:37:34.899 --> 00:37:35.480
 three sizes.

00:37:37.179 --> 00:37:38.099
 To summarize

00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.460
 those who have

00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:40.699
 been regenerated

00:37:40.699 --> 00:37:41.279
 by the love

00:37:41.279 --> 00:37:41.779
 of God

00:37:41.779 --> 00:37:43.219
 will overflow

00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:45.359
 with the new love

00:37:45.359 --> 00:37:45.899
 that God

00:37:45.899 --> 00:37:46.980
 puts inside them.

00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:48.179
 Those who have

00:37:48.179 --> 00:37:48.879
 not confessed

00:37:48.879 --> 00:37:49.960
 Christ as Lord

00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:50.719
 and have not

00:37:50.719 --> 00:37:51.319
 took hold

00:37:51.319 --> 00:37:52.379
 of the love

00:37:52.379 --> 00:37:52.859
 of God

00:37:52.859 --> 00:37:53.460
 are still

00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:54.199
 in their natural

00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:54.639
 state

00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:55.239
 of loving

00:37:55.239 --> 00:37:55.839
 the things

00:37:55.839 --> 00:37:56.579
 of the world

00:37:56.579 --> 00:37:57.639
 and namely

00:37:57.639 --> 00:37:58.460
 themselves.

00:37:59.559 --> 00:38:00.359
 God's love

00:38:00.359 --> 00:38:01.019
 is unique

00:38:01.019 --> 00:38:02.279
 in its duality

00:38:02.279 --> 00:38:02.859
 of inward

00:38:02.859 --> 00:38:03.919
 and outward

00:38:03.919 --> 00:38:04.679
 compassion.

00:38:05.579 --> 00:38:06.019
 His love

00:38:06.019 --> 00:38:06.699
 is proved,

00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:07.579
 shown,

00:38:07.579 --> 00:38:08.880
 and exemplified

00:38:08.880 --> 00:38:10.059
 by Christ's

00:38:10.059 --> 00:38:10.559
 atoning

00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:12.059
 work for our

00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:12.460
 sins

00:38:12.460 --> 00:38:13.279
 and appeasing

00:38:13.279 --> 00:38:14.559
 a just

00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:15.099
 God

00:38:15.099 --> 00:38:15.799
 so that we

00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:16.679
 might truly

00:38:16.679 --> 00:38:17.699
 live.

00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:18.679
 The record

00:38:18.679 --> 00:38:19.279
 of sin

00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:20.299
 is washed

00:38:20.299 --> 00:38:20.799
 away

00:38:20.799 --> 00:38:21.860
 and the love

00:38:21.860 --> 00:38:22.460
 of God

00:38:22.460 --> 00:38:23.319
 now present

00:38:23.319 --> 00:38:24.420
 all because

00:38:24.420 --> 00:38:25.679
 Christ came

00:38:25.679 --> 00:38:26.259
 to this earth

00:38:26.259 --> 00:38:26.940
 as a baby

00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:28.980
 endured temptation

00:38:28.980 --> 00:38:30.199
 yet without sin

00:38:30.199 --> 00:38:31.400
 he suffered

00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:31.980
 the death

00:38:31.980 --> 00:38:32.639
 that he did

00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:33.239
 not deserve

00:38:33.239 --> 00:38:33.880
 to die

00:38:33.880 --> 00:38:35.259
 and he overcame

00:38:35.260 --> 00:38:35.840
 the grave

00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:36.640
 by the power

00:38:36.640 --> 00:38:37.080
 of the spirit

00:38:37.080 --> 00:38:38.300
 and has secured

00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:39.280
 his children

00:38:39.280 --> 00:38:40.260
 a seat

00:38:40.260 --> 00:38:41.140
 in eternal

00:38:41.140 --> 00:38:41.700
 glory.

00:38:42.780 --> 00:38:43.440
 This is the

00:38:43.440 --> 00:38:43.900
 significance

00:38:43.900 --> 00:38:45.280
 of Christ's

00:38:45.280 --> 00:38:45.700
 love

00:38:45.700 --> 00:38:46.760
 in his first

00:38:46.760 --> 00:38:47.180
 advent.

00:38:47.660 --> 00:38:48.200
 Let's praise

00:38:48.200 --> 00:38:48.520
 him

00:38:48.520 --> 00:38:49.580
 continually

00:38:49.580 --> 00:38:50.640
 until his

00:38:50.640 --> 00:38:50.920
 second.

00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:52.780
 I'm going

00:38:52.780 --> 00:38:53.200
 to close

00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:53.620
 with the

00:38:53.620 --> 00:38:54.040
 reading of

00:38:54.040 --> 00:38:55.100
 this hymn

00:38:55.100 --> 00:38:55.800
 that perhaps

00:38:55.800 --> 00:38:56.320
 we'll sing

00:38:56.320 --> 00:38:57.340
 in a couple

00:38:57.340 --> 00:38:57.720
 days.

00:38:59.780 --> 00:39:00.420
 Oh

00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:01.240
 holy night

00:39:01.240 --> 00:39:03.340
 the stars

00:39:03.340 --> 00:39:03.860
 are brightly

00:39:03.860 --> 00:39:04.280
 shining

00:39:04.280 --> 00:39:05.240
 it is the

00:39:05.240 --> 00:39:05.540
 night

00:39:05.540 --> 00:39:05.960
 of the

00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:06.280
 dear

00:39:06.280 --> 00:39:07.060
 Savior's

00:39:07.060 --> 00:39:07.400
 birth

00:39:07.400 --> 00:39:08.380
 long

00:39:08.380 --> 00:39:08.580
 lay

00:39:08.580 --> 00:39:08.800
 the

00:39:08.800 --> 00:39:09.260
 world

00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:09.560
 in

00:39:09.560 --> 00:39:10.100
 sin

00:39:10.100 --> 00:39:10.920
 and

00:39:10.920 --> 00:39:11.500
 error

00:39:11.500 --> 00:39:12.380
 pining

00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:13.700
 till he

00:39:13.700 --> 00:39:14.260
 appeared

00:39:14.260 --> 00:39:15.140
 and the

00:39:15.140 --> 00:39:15.860
 soul felt

00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.460
 its worth

00:39:16.460 --> 00:39:17.560
 a thrill

00:39:17.560 --> 00:39:18.040
 of hope

00:39:18.040 --> 00:39:19.220
 the weary

00:39:19.220 --> 00:39:19.840
 world

00:39:19.840 --> 00:39:20.740
 rejoices

00:39:20.740 --> 00:39:21.780
 for yonder

00:39:21.780 --> 00:39:22.600
 breaks a new

00:39:22.600 --> 00:39:23.200
 and glorious

00:39:23.200 --> 00:39:23.840
 morn

00:39:23.840 --> 00:39:25.140
 fall on your

00:39:25.140 --> 00:39:25.560
 knees

00:39:25.560 --> 00:39:26.480
 oh hear

00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:27.340
 the angel

00:39:27.340 --> 00:39:27.860
 voices

00:39:27.860 --> 00:39:28.480
 oh night

00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:28.980
 divine

00:39:28.980 --> 00:39:30.000
 oh night

00:39:30.000 --> 00:39:30.560
 when Christ

00:39:30.560 --> 00:39:31.180
 was born

00:39:31.180 --> 00:39:32.519
 oh night

00:39:32.519 --> 00:39:33.000
 divine

00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:33.920
 oh night

00:39:33.920 --> 00:39:34.460
 oh night

00:39:34.460 --> 00:39:34.980
 divine

00:39:34.980 --> 00:39:36.380
 led by the

00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:36.820
 light of

00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:37.139
 faith

00:39:37.139 --> 00:39:37.679
 serenely

00:39:37.679 --> 00:39:38.119
 beaming

00:39:38.119 --> 00:39:39.179
 with glowing

00:39:39.179 --> 00:39:39.559
 hearts

00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:39.980
 by his

00:39:39.980 --> 00:39:40.380
 cradle

00:39:40.380 --> 00:39:40.980
 we stand

00:39:40.980 --> 00:39:41.739
 so led

00:39:41.739 --> 00:39:42.340
 by light

00:39:42.340 --> 00:39:42.900
 of a star

00:39:42.900 --> 00:39:43.880
 sweetly gleaming

00:39:43.880 --> 00:39:44.699
 there came

00:39:44.699 --> 00:39:45.179
 the wise

00:39:45.179 --> 00:39:45.699
 men from

00:39:45.699 --> 00:39:46.420
 orient land

00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:47.500
 the king

00:39:47.500 --> 00:39:48.440
 of kings

00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:49.719
 lie thus

00:39:49.719 --> 00:39:50.420
 in a lowly

00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:50.800
 manger

00:39:50.800 --> 00:39:52.059
 in all

00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:52.940
 our trials

00:39:52.940 --> 00:39:54.019
 born to

00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:54.659
 be our

00:39:54.659 --> 00:39:55.139
 friend

00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:56.280
 he knows

00:39:56.280 --> 00:39:56.940
 our need

00:39:56.940 --> 00:39:58.039
 to our

00:39:58.039 --> 00:39:58.440
 weakness

00:39:58.440 --> 00:39:59.239
 he is no

00:39:59.239 --> 00:39:59.679
 stranger

00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:00.360
 behold your

00:40:00.360 --> 00:40:00.760
 king

00:40:00.760 --> 00:40:01.980
 before him

00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:02.520
 lowly

00:40:02.520 --> 00:40:02.900
 bend

00:40:02.900 --> 00:40:04.180
 behold your

00:40:04.180 --> 00:40:04.520
 king

00:40:04.520 --> 00:40:05.380
 before him

00:40:05.380 --> 00:40:06.000
 lowly

00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:06.520
 bend

00:40:06.520 --> 00:40:07.540
 truly

00:40:07.540 --> 00:40:08.360
 he taught

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:08.760
 us

00:40:08.760 --> 00:40:09.720
 to love

00:40:09.720 --> 00:40:10.280
 one another

00:40:10.280 --> 00:40:11.760
 his law

00:40:11.760 --> 00:40:12.300
 is love

00:40:12.300 --> 00:40:12.580
 and his

00:40:12.580 --> 00:40:12.980
 gospel

00:40:12.980 --> 00:40:13.820
 is peace

00:40:13.820 --> 00:40:15.420
 chains

00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.420
 shall he

00:40:16.420 --> 00:40:16.860
 break

00:40:16.860 --> 00:40:17.220
 for the

00:40:17.220 --> 00:40:17.540
 slave

00:40:17.540 --> 00:40:17.820
 is our

00:40:17.820 --> 00:40:18.100
 brother

00:40:18.100 --> 00:40:18.900
 and in

00:40:18.900 --> 00:40:19.480
 his name

00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:20.340
 all oppression

00:40:20.340 --> 00:40:21.380
 shall cease

00:40:21.380 --> 00:40:22.900
 sweet hymns

00:40:22.900 --> 00:40:23.320
 of joy

00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:24.180
 and grateful

00:40:24.180 --> 00:40:24.700
 chorus

00:40:24.700 --> 00:40:25.220
 raise we

00:40:25.220 --> 00:40:26.100
 let all

00:40:26.100 --> 00:40:26.600
 within us

00:40:26.600 --> 00:40:27.360
 praise his

00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:28.040
 holy name

00:40:28.039 --> 00:40:29.779
 christ is

00:40:29.779 --> 00:40:30.599
 the lord

00:40:30.599 --> 00:40:31.980
 oh praise

00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:32.380
 his name

00:40:32.380 --> 00:40:32.800
 forever

00:40:32.800 --> 00:40:33.519
 his power

00:40:33.519 --> 00:40:34.179
 and glory

00:40:34.179 --> 00:40:35.340
 evermore

00:40:35.340 --> 00:40:36.199
 proclaim

00:40:36.199 --> 00:40:37.019
 his power

00:40:37.019 --> 00:40:37.659
 and glory

00:40:37.659 --> 00:40:38.340
 evermore

00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:39.880
 proclaim

00:40:39.880 --> 00:40:40.599
 let's pray

00:40:40.599 --> 00:41:01.900
 as

00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900


00:41:01.900 --> 00:41:01.900