WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Thank you. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.000 And then we'll start reading God's word together. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:11.620 1 John 2, verses 1-6. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:41.600 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:43.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:43.620 --> 00:01:45.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:45.620 --> 00:01:46.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:46.620 --> 00:01:48.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:48.620 --> 00:01:50.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:52.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:52.620 --> 00:01:54.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:01:58.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:00.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:02.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:04.620 1 John 3, verses 2-6. 00:02:04.620 --> 00:02:06.620 1 John 3, verses 1-6. 00:02:06.620 --> 00:02:08.620 1 John 3, verses 2-6. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:10.620 1 John 3, verses 1-7. 00:02:10.620 --> 00:02:12.620 1 John 3, verses 1-7. 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:20.200 Amen. This week, we kind of had a big week as a family. We welcomed a new baby into our family. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:26.539 And yeah, yeah. And as we did, yep, not clapping for me. I did nothing. 00:02:28.759 --> 00:02:34.900 I did drive to the hospital. So that was a big achievement, driving to the hospital. 00:02:36.240 --> 00:02:41.620 But as I was welcoming this new baby into our family, I was reflecting on what I've done well 00:02:41.620 --> 00:02:47.900 as a parent and what I've done poorly as a parent. And I'll let you choose which column this falls in. 00:02:48.539 --> 00:02:54.840 I was reflecting on the fact that I taught my youngest or my oldest to drive before he was three. 00:02:55.300 --> 00:03:01.240 Now, before anyone gets really nervous, I taught him to drive in Alabama, where the road in front 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:08.560 of our house wasn't paved, had very little traffic. And as I was teaching him to drive, sitting on my 00:03:08.560 --> 00:03:15.500 lap, I told him two things. Just keep it out of the ditches. Don't fall into the ditch on the right. 00:03:15.699 --> 00:03:20.099 Don't fall into the ditch on the left. You might have heard something very similar when you learned 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:26.960 how to drive, whether that was at two or 12 or 16. Keep it in between the lines is another famous phrase. 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:32.280 But as I was teaching him how to drive, I wanted him to focus on what was ahead 00:03:32.280 --> 00:03:36.199 and not worry about what was on the left and what was on the right. 00:03:37.460 --> 00:03:40.939 First John has that same singular focus. 00:03:41.920 --> 00:03:46.960 But when you enter into the conversation, what do you do with this thing that is sin? 00:03:47.740 --> 00:03:53.039 Oftentimes, Christians can deviate and fall and slide into the ditch on the right 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:55.580 or slide in the ditch on the left. 00:03:55.580 --> 00:04:02.340 And John knows this. And he's saying to these Christians, hey, sin is a big deal. 00:04:03.040 --> 00:04:07.240 But don't think that you have no sin. He talked about that in 1 John. 00:04:07.880 --> 00:04:14.680 And don't think that as you slide into the ditch on the right, that sin doesn't matter at all. 00:04:15.260 --> 00:04:18.840 So as a Christian, that message is still pertinent to us today. 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:21.240 We need to be concerned about sin. 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:24.860 But we can't slide into either of those ditches. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:29.840 And as we look at the Christian life this morning, let's be mindful of those two ditches. 00:04:30.259 --> 00:04:34.519 And as we do, John's going to tell us a couple things. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:36.860 The first one is what Jesus does. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:39.680 And the other is what we do. 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:43.019 That's not to make them equitable or even. 00:04:43.980 --> 00:04:45.960 But we do something. 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:47.800 But Jesus does something. 00:04:47.800 --> 00:04:51.520 So first, we're going to look at what Jesus does in this passage. 00:04:52.020 --> 00:04:54.259 Let's look back at verse 1. 00:04:55.040 --> 00:04:57.180 He starts out with this phrase, my little children. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:01.819 Now, I'm sure nobody remembers this past summer, the last time you looked at 1 John. 00:05:02.620 --> 00:05:07.699 But John has a very different tone to start out for the first chapter of 1 John. 00:05:07.980 --> 00:05:09.920 He's kind of railing against them. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:11.340 He's giving them the business. 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:14.500 And then he comes back and he says, my little children. 00:05:15.239 --> 00:05:18.019 Imagine going from yelling to speaking tenderly. 00:05:18.179 --> 00:05:20.379 Or whisper yelling is probably more accurate. 00:05:20.799 --> 00:05:23.679 To speaking very tenderly and calling them my little children. 00:05:24.599 --> 00:05:26.899 It represents a shift in his tone. 00:05:27.879 --> 00:05:32.239 Because he's addressing, if you remember, all these bad ideas that are in the church, 00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:34.159 are floating around in the day, 00:05:35.059 --> 00:05:39.779 or even had invaded some of the hearts of some of the people he's writing to. 00:05:39.779 --> 00:05:42.559 And it was this idea that sin doesn't matter. 00:05:43.059 --> 00:05:46.059 If you're a Christian, you don't have any sin at all. 00:05:47.399 --> 00:05:48.679 Now, let that sink in. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:50.899 If you're a Christian, you don't have any sin at all. 00:05:51.239 --> 00:05:52.479 And John says, no. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:55.279 That's not the case at all. 00:05:56.399 --> 00:05:59.739 I mean, can you imagine if we said that if you're a Christian, 00:05:59.859 --> 00:06:01.699 you don't have sin anymore at all? 00:06:02.419 --> 00:06:05.059 The wheels in your mind might start turning and saying, 00:06:05.219 --> 00:06:06.259 uh-oh, I'm in trouble. 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:10.019 Because I realize, even though if I put my faith in Jesus, 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:12.459 I'm still struggling with sin myself. 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:13.779 So what do I do? 00:06:14.399 --> 00:06:17.459 If they're saying I shouldn't have sin anymore at all, 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:18.719 what do I do? 00:06:20.279 --> 00:06:23.379 And then the next step is, oh yeah, man. 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:26.920 If that's the case, I'm just so discouraged I'm going to give up. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:30.039 John's saying something different. 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:38.480 He's saying this, that Jesus is not only an advocate before the Father because you do sin, 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:42.760 but Jesus has paid the penalty for your sin, 00:06:43.120 --> 00:06:46.040 for the sin of anybody that's going to believe in him. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:48.180 So we're going to look at that in kind of two headings. 00:06:48.340 --> 00:06:52.140 Jesus as an advocate and Jesus as the atonement. 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:57.079 That second part of verse one, right after my little children, 00:06:57.219 --> 00:07:00.959 he says, I'm writing these things to you so that you may not sin. 00:07:01.419 --> 00:07:03.560 Now that's even more confusing if we're saying, 00:07:03.979 --> 00:07:06.819 hey, if you're a Christian, you should flee from sin, 00:07:06.919 --> 00:07:08.219 but you're still going to have it. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:13.319 John's saying very clearly that Jesus is this advocate before the Father. 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:17.479 He says that, but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father, 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:19.519 Jesus Christ, the righteous. 00:07:19.519 --> 00:07:23.399 Jesus Christ, I think we all have a good idea of what an advocate is, 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:25.699 but let's just review that for a second. 00:07:25.859 --> 00:07:29.839 It's a little bit more than being really, really interested in something. 00:07:30.339 --> 00:07:32.919 I can be really, really interested in astronomy. 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:35.560 If I get out my telescope and look at the night sky, 00:07:36.099 --> 00:07:38.599 I can be really, really interested at baseball. 00:07:38.599 --> 00:07:40.919 If I follow all the baseball games in the playoffs, 00:07:41.459 --> 00:07:47.959 I can be really, really interested in dogs or Legos or Pokemon or whatever. 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:52.419 But an advocate is somebody who has a big interest 00:07:52.419 --> 00:07:55.839 and then takes action on behalf of that interest. 00:07:56.500 --> 00:08:00.060 So Jesus is not just interested in us as people, 00:08:00.159 --> 00:08:03.079 as an academic exercise or even compassion. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:06.719 He takes steps for our good 00:08:06.719 --> 00:08:10.740 because he's not just simply interested in our outcome. 00:08:10.740 --> 00:08:14.240 That's why John calls him an advocate. 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:19.100 An advocate, not just generally, but before the Father. 00:08:20.600 --> 00:08:25.280 That's not the only picture that we have of Jesus as an advocate before the Father. 00:08:25.960 --> 00:08:26.759 Listen to this. 00:08:27.860 --> 00:08:32.820 Paul describes Jesus as an advocate interceding for us in Romans 8. 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:33.580 He says this, 00:08:33.580 --> 00:08:36.520 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? 00:08:36.980 --> 00:08:39.620 God is the one who justifies and asks again, 00:08:39.740 --> 00:08:41.120 Who shall condemn the Christian? 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:42.700 It is Christ Jesus. 00:08:42.920 --> 00:08:45.259 It is he who died, yes, rather raised, 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:47.720 who is at the right hand of God the Father, 00:08:47.900 --> 00:08:49.920 who also intercedes for us. 00:08:50.259 --> 00:08:52.460 So here we have this picture of a courtroom, 00:08:52.920 --> 00:08:57.420 interceding on behalf of the person that's the defendant. 00:08:58.060 --> 00:09:00.140 The charge is coming against that person, 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:03.480 and he's interceding before someone who's an authority. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:07.779 That's not the only picture we have of Jesus as an advocate. 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:09.699 Think of Hebrews. 00:09:10.019 --> 00:09:11.899 It's Jesus who's interceding, 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:16.039 bringing the cares and concerns of his people before the Father. 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:19.240 That's who Jesus is, 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:21.799 and that's what he does on our behalf. 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:25.600 He's an advocate interceding for us. 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:27.500 But why does he do that? 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:32.580 How does he have standing to intercede before the Father for us? 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:35.120 It's because he is the atonement. 00:09:35.279 --> 00:09:38.279 He is the one who's doing the atoning work on our behalf. 00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:40.580 Now that's just a really fancy word, 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:43.879 and John uses an even fancier word, propitiation, 00:09:44.759 --> 00:09:47.159 for canceling the debt of our sin. 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:49.600 Look in verse 2 with me. 00:09:50.279 --> 00:09:52.279 He is the propitiation for our sins, 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:53.820 and not for ours only, 00:09:54.299 --> 00:09:56.940 but also for the sins of the world. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:10:00.100 He has canceled the debt for our sin. 00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:02.520 He has paid it with his own blood 00:10:02.520 --> 00:10:04.060 by giving up his life, 00:10:04.640 --> 00:10:07.320 the righteous for us, the unrighteous. 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:11.360 And so that charge stands no more. 00:10:11.900 --> 00:10:13.840 That's how Jesus can intercede. 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:17.880 That's how he can advocate before the Father for us. 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:21.320 There's a French theologian who described it this way. 00:10:21.320 --> 00:10:23.700 It's kind of wordy, but he says this. 00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:26.900 There's great force in this word, propitiation. 00:10:27.520 --> 00:10:29.840 For in a manner which cannot be expressed, 00:10:30.540 --> 00:10:33.580 God at the very time when he loved us 00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:36.060 was hostile to us 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:39.480 until we were reconciled in Christ. 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:43.480 Now that word is so interconnected in all of the Bible, 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:44.360 atonement. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:46.480 When we hear it, 00:10:46.680 --> 00:10:48.519 it might not jog our memories. 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:51.519 It might not cause us to have flashbacks. 00:10:51.519 --> 00:10:53.419 But for an audience like this, 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:55.259 for people that heard this, 00:10:55.539 --> 00:10:56.200 read this, 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:56.800 it did. 00:10:57.180 --> 00:10:58.500 And this is what it looked like. 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:01.300 It's kind of like in those Marvel movies 00:11:01.300 --> 00:11:02.980 where you see those flashbacks, 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:06.460 and you see the whole timeline come to fruition. 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:08.539 And that timeline looks like this. 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:09.899 It looks like the temple. 00:11:10.259 --> 00:11:11.740 It looks like sacrifices. 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:14.319 All of those things 00:11:14.319 --> 00:11:16.959 are jogging the memories of these readers. 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:20.240 It's things that were once dirty, 00:11:20.339 --> 00:11:21.000 made clean, 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:22.439 made right before God. 00:11:22.740 --> 00:11:24.759 It's pictures of Abraham, 00:11:24.959 --> 00:11:26.019 and at the last second, 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:27.799 not his son being sacrificed, 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.319 but a lamb. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:32.779 It's sheep being led to the slaughter. 00:11:33.579 --> 00:11:35.139 Not because the sheep are guilty, 00:11:35.599 --> 00:11:36.639 but because of another. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:39.799 All the way to Christ, 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:41.399 the one who is righteous, 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:43.179 dying for the unrighteous. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.919 When we hear that word, 00:11:45.019 --> 00:11:46.259 that's what we should think of, 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:48.840 because that's what the readers thought of. 00:11:49.199 --> 00:11:50.659 It's a word with baggage. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:53.860 It's coming in with all these other meanings, 00:11:54.199 --> 00:11:55.659 but finding their fulfillment 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.360 in what Jesus has done. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:11:59.740 That's what atonement means. 00:12:00.319 --> 00:12:01.799 That's what the sacrifice, 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:04.480 or John uses the shorthand version, 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:05.560 of the blood, 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:07.100 to mean all of that. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:09.000 Jesus. 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:12.480 Jesus' blood means all of that. 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:14.980 All right. 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:17.820 There's an interesting phrase in here, though, 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:20.519 that probably a lot of our minds 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:22.180 go straight to in verse two. 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:26.379 But also for the sins of the whole world. 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:27.620 Okay. 00:12:27.759 --> 00:12:28.620 Let's buckle up. 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:30.120 Let's put our big boy pants on 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:32.659 as we kind of like try to figure out 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.539 what's going on here. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:35.379 Because some people can come to this text 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:35.779 and say, 00:12:36.279 --> 00:12:38.860 surely that means everyone at all time 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:41.139 forever is forgiven. 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:43.399 And it could mean that. 00:12:44.060 --> 00:12:45.960 But if you look at the context 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:47.120 most specifically, 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:49.799 and then more broadly what John does, 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.740 we're going to try to see if that's right. 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:54.539 Now, some have come to that text 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:54.940 and said, 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:56.100 hey, based on that, 00:12:56.240 --> 00:12:57.320 everyone is saved. 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:58.519 It doesn't matter. 00:12:58.519 --> 00:13:00.919 It doesn't matter whether you have faith in Christ. 00:13:01.419 --> 00:13:03.960 It doesn't matter whether you believe the gospel. 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:08.120 That Christ has died for that. 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:10.340 And that is applied to you 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:12.000 whether you believe it or not. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.899 Whether you trust in it or not. 00:13:14.819 --> 00:13:17.159 If you look at the context of what John is saying, 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:20.120 remember, he's calling them his children. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:23.299 He's talking to those who have faith in Christ. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:28.120 He says something a little bit different than that. 00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:30.019 He's saying, 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.639 even if you think, 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:33.139 you skip down a couple chapters 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.480 or even a couple verses, 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:36.720 he's really concerned with what? 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:38.139 Walking in holiness 00:13:38.139 --> 00:13:40.279 and believing the gospel. 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:43.100 If he's so concerned with those things, 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:45.240 it surely cannot mean that. 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.419 John will even say later 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:51.399 that some will not have eternal life 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:53.259 because they do not have the Father 00:13:53.259 --> 00:13:54.879 because they deny the Son. 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:58.740 Think about that immediate context. 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:00.939 That if we keep his word, 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.319 we walk in him, 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:03.600 we abide in him, 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.720 that wouldn't matter 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:08.100 if we took the former. 00:14:08.679 --> 00:14:09.980 So what is John saying? 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.240 John is saying this, 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:16.220 that it matters if you have faith in Jesus, 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:18.759 but it doesn't matter what you look like, 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:21.440 where you come from. 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:23.920 It doesn't matter if you're a Jew or Gentile, 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:26.480 male, female, or a child. 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:30.300 All types of people can come to him. 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:31.960 All types of people. 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:35.379 Jew or Greek. 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:39.439 The blood of Christ is for you. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:43.439 The blood of Christ is for Rahab and Abraham. 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.460 It's for the judges, 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:46.980 even the really bad judges. 00:14:47.460 --> 00:14:49.080 The blood of Christ is for them. 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.580 There's power in the blood 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:53.539 for the mighty kings and peasant girls, 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:54.620 for fishermen, 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:58.080 for those that would walk with Jesus 00:14:58.080 --> 00:15:00.259 and those of us that come after him. 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:04.120 The blood is there for all of them. 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:07.460 It means the whole world, 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:11.899 all kinds of people during all times 00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:13.340 can come to Christ. 00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:15.539 The gospel is not just for them 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:17.039 and it's not just for us. 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:19.059 It's for all kinds of people. 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:21.019 That's what he means. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:23.080 That's a good reminder for us 00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:25.259 that the gospel is not just for us 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.000 at Shine Mountain. 00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:28.700 It's not for us just in the springs. 00:15:29.080 --> 00:15:30.879 It's not just for those of us 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.519 that are Americans. 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:34.100 It's not even for those of us 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.860 who have good theology 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:37.680 and think all the right things. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:40.940 The gospel is for all people. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:46.620 The power is not in our right thinking, 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:48.019 in our right living. 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:51.000 The power is in what Christ has done 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:53.100 and it applies to all of us 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.600 at all times. 00:15:55.300 --> 00:15:57.120 That's a good reminder to us, 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.100 especially as Presbyterians, 00:15:58.100 --> 00:16:00.759 because we can sometimes think, 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:02.519 if I think this way, 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.800 even if it is biblical, 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:05.080 even if it is right, 00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:06.720 that's what saves me. 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:07.440 No. 00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:09.580 Christ is what saves you 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:11.740 because you don't bring anything 00:16:11.740 --> 00:16:12.480 to the table 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:14.340 except your own sin. 00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:18.100 That's what John is talking about. 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.100 We are pardoned 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:23.300 by blood that does not discriminate. 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:26.579 We are pardoned 00:16:26.579 --> 00:16:27.759 by blood 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.019 that is bought. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.279 We are bought 00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:31.259 by Christ. 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.959 We must be reminded of that. 00:16:35.179 --> 00:16:36.500 I've spent a lot of time 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.419 over the last couple months 00:16:37.419 --> 00:16:38.319 in courtrooms, 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:40.620 which is an interesting comparison 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:42.399 because I'm not a lawyer. 00:16:42.639 --> 00:16:43.479 I don't know if you are, 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.799 but I've seen 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:46.759 some TV shows about lawyers. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:49.179 And the thing 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:51.340 that makes lawyers powerful 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:53.259 is not what they look like, 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:54.819 although that can be a factor, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.580 but I've spent a lot of time 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.879 with some people 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.480 that I work with 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.179 in courtrooms. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:00.419 And as I have, 00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:01.220 I've gotten to watch 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.019 different lawyers 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.220 and their different tactics. 00:17:03.559 --> 00:17:04.240 What happens 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:05.259 at different kind of hearing? 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.200 I'm not even going to act 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:06.940 like I know everything 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:07.460 that happens, 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:09.460 but it's fascinating nonetheless, 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:11.400 especially when you come 00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.519 to this idea in Scripture 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:14.940 that Jesus is interceding 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:16.519 before a judge. 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.819 on our behalf. 00:17:18.619 --> 00:17:20.279 And the most interesting one 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.680 was when a man 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:23.579 who was in an orange jumpsuit, 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.980 so clearly not a lawyer, 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:27.379 interceded on his own behalf. 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.579 And he was powerful, 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:31.579 not because he was wearing 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.500 the orange Crocs 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.500 and orange jumpsuit, 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.519 and not because he was wearing 00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.379 a fine suit. 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:38.519 He was powerful 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:40.019 because of his argument. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.859 It's the same thing 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.859 with Jesus here. 00:17:43.160 --> 00:17:44.960 The argument that Jesus makes 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:45.779 is powerful 00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:46.859 before the Father 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:48.240 because of what Jesus 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.799 has done on our behalf. 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:52.720 And we should rest in that. 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:56.579 Because all of us 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.539 face this question 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.480 of what to do 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:59.279 with our sin. 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.759 If we believe 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.960 the ideas 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.200 that are swirling around 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:05.079 in John's time 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:05.599 that says, 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:07.299 we don't sin at all, 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.599 we err. 00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.680 If we believe 00:18:10.680 --> 00:18:11.539 some of the lies 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:12.200 that we hear 00:18:12.200 --> 00:18:13.059 in our modern day 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:13.599 that say, 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:15.159 yeah, it's okay. 00:18:15.679 --> 00:18:16.799 It's okay if you sin. 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.879 We err in another way. 00:18:19.859 --> 00:18:21.240 We all have to deal 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:22.079 with our own sin, 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.899 but the gospel 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:24.299 gives us good 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:26.200 and gracious news. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.819 It gives us confidence 00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:29.059 because we have 00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:29.779 an advocate 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.960 before the Father 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:32.119 who pleads 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:33.079 on our behalf 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:34.279 because of what 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.859 he has done. 00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:36.139 That's what John 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:36.940 is telling us. 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.500 So what do we do 00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.480 in response to that? 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:40.220 One, 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.360 we should worship him. 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:44.279 We should be thankful 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.640 for what Christ has done. 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.819 We should go to him 00:18:47.819 --> 00:18:48.819 again and again 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.559 with our cares 00:18:49.559 --> 00:18:50.779 because our temptation 00:18:50.779 --> 00:18:51.799 is to shrink back 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.160 and say, 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.360 Jesus surely 00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:54.339 can't understand 00:18:54.339 --> 00:18:55.120 what I'm thinking 00:18:55.120 --> 00:18:56.319 or going through. 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.180 But the irony in that 00:18:58.180 --> 00:19:00.120 is Christ has 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:01.779 and he's come out 00:19:01.779 --> 00:19:02.799 the other side perfect, 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:05.000 but he's still 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:06.680 compassionate towards us. 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:09.380 So we must worship him 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.580 and go to him 00:19:10.580 --> 00:19:12.260 so that he can intercede 00:19:12.260 --> 00:19:12.920 and advocate 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:13.820 before the Father 00:19:13.820 --> 00:19:14.720 on our behalf. 00:19:15.760 --> 00:19:16.600 What else? 00:19:18.260 --> 00:19:19.560 We should be prompted 00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:21.200 to tell others about this. 00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:23.160 If there is truly goodness 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.940 in what has happened, 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:25.940 what has been done 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.700 on our behalf, 00:19:26.900 --> 00:19:28.100 we should be prompted 00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:28.920 to tell others, 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:30.580 the people that we work with, 00:19:31.020 --> 00:19:32.280 the people in our homes, 00:19:32.540 --> 00:19:33.440 even small children, 00:19:34.520 --> 00:19:35.300 those awkward 00:19:35.300 --> 00:19:36.520 family relationships 00:19:36.520 --> 00:19:38.020 where there's a cost 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:39.859 to be lost. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:42.460 Something that's surely 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.539 not going to be gained 00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:45.440 by me telling others 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.299 about Christ. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:48.519 I have to use my words. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.139 I have to point to him 00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:50.539 and say, 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:52.680 my life is better 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:54.440 because of Christ. 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.720 Not simply that, 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:57.519 my life has been changed 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.180 that I have confidence 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:01.240 as I walk 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.819 because of what Christ has done. 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:05.819 That should be our response 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:07.359 to Jesus 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:10.039 and what he has done 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.939 in our lives. 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:13.480 But what do we do? 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:14.299 We talked about 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.359 what Jesus does, 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.960 but what do we do? 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:18.980 Look with me at the text. 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.299 Look at verse 3. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:23.319 And by this, 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.720 we know that we have 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.680 come to know him 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:28.220 if we keep his commandments. 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:30.220 Knowing him 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:31.740 is not some secret formula 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:33.259 or secret handshake 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:36.799 or a secret knowledge, 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.819 but it's a relationship 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.839 with Christ. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:40.960 A relationship, 00:20:41.419 --> 00:20:42.279 and John talked about 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.919 this earlier, 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:44.019 that if we have fellowship 00:20:44.019 --> 00:20:44.759 with him, 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.799 if we have fellowship 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.399 with God, 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:48.180 we know that if we have fellowship, 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.720 and he kind of circles back 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.460 to this idea. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.400 Thankfully, 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.620 we've had some time off 00:20:52.620 --> 00:20:53.759 from 1 John 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:55.120 because 1 John 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:56.279 has a couple themes, 00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.259 and all he does 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.259 is just repeat them 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.180 over and over, 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:01.039 which kind of seems boring 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:02.019 if you think about it. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.720 But then, 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.539 if you realize 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.360 that as humans, 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.519 how many times, 00:21:05.680 --> 00:21:07.079 even in the Gospel of Mark, 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.620 have we seen the same thing 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:10.039 over and over again, 00:21:10.339 --> 00:21:11.880 just packaged in a different way 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:13.140 with different people? 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.860 And one of those themes 00:21:14.860 --> 00:21:16.220 is having fellowship 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.880 with God. 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.279 And John returns 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:19.879 to it again. 00:21:20.139 --> 00:21:20.599 He says, 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.660 if we have fellowship 00:21:21.660 --> 00:21:22.139 with God, 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.480 we can know that. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:24.660 How? 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:25.839 If we know 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.460 that we keep 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.160 his commandments. 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:30.000 It's important 00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:31.059 that we remind ourselves 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:32.319 when we talk about this 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:34.420 that it's not prescriptive, 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:36.299 but it's instead descriptive. 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:38.559 I don't know God 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.700 because I keep 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.319 his commandments. 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.759 I know God 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.700 and in response, 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.980 I keep his commandments. 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.359 Those might seem 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:46.139 very similar, 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.779 but they're very different. 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:50.000 And as we approach 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:51.059 Reformation Day, 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:51.779 that's something 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.500 that Luther reminds us of. 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.819 John's not saying 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.799 keep the commandments 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.700 and you'll have 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:00.019 a relationship with God. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.799 He's saying, 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.779 if you have a heart 00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.500 that's changed 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.660 by what God has done, 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.160 what Christ has done 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:05.940 on your behalf, 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.139 then we will live 00:22:07.139 --> 00:22:07.680 out of that. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:09.220 And joyful obedience 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:10.759 will keep his commandments. 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.819 Jesus says this 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.399 another way, 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.580 that a tree 00:22:14.580 --> 00:22:15.100 is known 00:22:15.100 --> 00:22:15.940 by its fruit 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:17.640 or even another. 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.960 John says that 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:22.019 obedience 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.540 or somebody 00:22:23.540 --> 00:22:24.500 writing about, 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.640 paraphrasing what 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.160 John has said, 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:26.980 he said, 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:28.320 obedience contributes 00:22:28.320 --> 00:22:29.300 to our assurance 00:22:29.300 --> 00:22:30.360 that we know 00:22:30.360 --> 00:22:31.380 that we are in Christ 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.720 because my heart 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.440 is changed 00:22:33.440 --> 00:22:34.200 and I want to 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.220 follow after him. 00:22:35.400 --> 00:22:36.280 I want to do 00:22:36.280 --> 00:22:37.100 what he loves 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:38.000 and I want to do 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.280 what he's told me 00:22:39.280 --> 00:22:39.700 to do. 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:42.059 I don't know 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.460 about you 00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:43.779 but when I hear that, 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.799 when I see this 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:45.480 in this text, 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:45.840 I go, 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.259 uh oh. 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.500 What about me? 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.539 Because I don't 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.480 obey perfectly. 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.799 What am I to do now 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.799 when I see 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.539 that I don't 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.460 keep his commandments? 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.539 Not even 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.640 for a nanosecond. 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.620 Does that mean 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.880 I'm truly a Christian? 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.519 Let's revisit 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.100 something that 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.860 John's told us 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.680 in chapter one. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.519 He said, 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.420 if you say 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:08.600 that you have no sin, 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:09.680 you deceive yourself. 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.440 Okay, 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:12.000 I got that part. 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.620 I got sin. 00:23:13.080 --> 00:23:13.500 So, 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.940 how do I know 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.680 that I'm a Christian? 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.700 There's evidence 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.380 of knowing 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:19.759 and loving God 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.059 and desiring 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.720 and having 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:23.039 some success 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.940 year after year, 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.299 week after week, 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.039 maybe even 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.920 day after day 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.000 in growing 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.360 of my ability 00:23:30.360 --> 00:23:31.460 to keep the commandments, 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.740 of my joyful obedience 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.700 to his word. 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:35.860 Yes, 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.539 there will be mountains 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.539 and valleys in that. 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.259 Yes, 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.400 there will be times 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:40.220 when I fail 00:23:40.220 --> 00:23:41.120 and fail big. 00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:43.040 But, 00:23:43.420 --> 00:23:44.400 year after year, 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:45.560 that's what it looks like. 00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.360 Remember, 00:23:47.560 --> 00:23:48.340 John is writing 00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:49.000 to this group 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.580 of Christians 00:23:49.580 --> 00:23:50.840 that's interacting 00:23:50.840 --> 00:23:51.640 with these ideas 00:23:51.640 --> 00:23:51.960 that say, 00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.960 there is no sin 00:23:52.960 --> 00:23:54.540 or sin doesn't matter. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.900 And those keep coming up. 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.420 They're kind of lies 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:58.500 from the first chapter. 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.700 And John 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.980 re-kind of packages 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:01.880 one of those lies 00:24:01.880 --> 00:24:02.800 here in verse four. 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:04.759 He says, 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:05.599 whoever says, 00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.539 I know him 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.519 but does not 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.259 keep his commandments 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.960 is a liar 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:10.460 and the truth 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.480 is not in him. 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.539 He says, 00:24:13.599 --> 00:24:14.659 if you have no care 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:15.460 for bringing honor 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.079 to Christ, 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.299 you need to question 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.079 if you actually 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.139 have faith in Christ. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.299 He goes 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:23.019 on to correct 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:23.799 this way of thinking 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.559 in verse five. 00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:24.940 He says, 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.919 but whoever keeps 00:24:25.919 --> 00:24:26.519 his word 00:24:26.519 --> 00:24:27.440 in him, 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.059 truly, 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.299 the love of God 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.559 is perfected. 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.200 And by this, 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.859 we may know 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:34.079 that we are in him. 00:24:34.639 --> 00:24:35.700 He's reframing 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.559 what we've already heard 00:24:36.559 --> 00:24:37.299 in verse three. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.460 He says, 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:40.019 what does a Christian do? 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.279 It looks like this. 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:43.220 He keeps his commandments 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.680 and in doing so 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:46.299 demonstrates the love 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.879 that we have for Christ. 00:24:48.419 --> 00:24:49.779 The love that we have 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.419 for the gospel 00:24:50.419 --> 00:24:51.440 and that God 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.720 is working in our hearts. 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.399 That he is at work 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:55.159 in our lives. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.960 Jesus says this 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:57.559 another way. 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:59.379 What does he say 00:24:59.379 --> 00:25:00.019 to his disciples? 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.539 If you love me, 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.799 keep my commandments. 00:25:04.119 --> 00:25:06.359 John's re-addressing 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:07.720 some of these challenges 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.500 that this church 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.000 was facing 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.019 in a number of churches. 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:13.619 Instead of knowing God, 00:25:14.099 --> 00:25:14.679 they were saying 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.919 they abided with him, 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.359 that they lived in him, 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:19.079 but they had no concern 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.940 for what God 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.200 has concern for. 00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:24.700 Instead, 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:26.279 one who is a follower 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.319 of Christ 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:29.019 has a relationship 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.619 with him, 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:31.019 lives with him, 00:25:31.419 --> 00:25:32.779 loves what he loves. 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.039 Today, 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.299 if you love 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.679 the good news of Jesus, 00:25:38.179 --> 00:25:38.980 our lives 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:40.019 should look 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:41.159 like what God 00:25:41.159 --> 00:25:41.899 has called us to. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.399 A concern for his commandments, 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.759 a love for his word, 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.919 a love for what is holy. 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.539 Why? 00:25:48.679 --> 00:25:49.759 Because it brings honor 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.299 to God 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:51.819 and it shows 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.319 that there's a transforming 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.980 power at work. 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:57.380 the only reason 00:25:57.380 --> 00:25:58.279 that we would love 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:58.920 those things 00:25:58.920 --> 00:26:00.299 that are lovely to him 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.620 is because we see 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.440 with new eyes 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.920 because of our faith 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.660 in Christ. 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.559 That that message 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:07.960 has changed our heart 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:09.079 from the inside out. 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:11.740 It's not a rote obedience, 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.059 but instead, 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.819 a love for God 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:16.339 that begins internally. 00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.120 That's really hard 00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:20.519 to see the difference 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.039 sometimes. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.720 It might look 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.700 a little different. 00:26:24.180 --> 00:26:24.920 My obedience 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.019 to God's word 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:28.359 because of a transformed life 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.819 might look the same 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.339 as somebody 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:31.779 who just follows 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:33.379 this list of rules. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.200 In Colorado Springs, 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.000 every September, 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:38.059 we have this event, 00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.399 the hot air balloon launch. 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.539 It's pretty magical. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:43.460 I hate to use that word, 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.700 but it's really cool. 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.379 And when you see 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.799 all those balloons lift off, 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.879 especially at nighttime, 00:26:48.880 --> 00:26:51.280 what makes that hot air balloon 00:26:51.280 --> 00:26:52.120 different though 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:54.380 than if I put a turkey fryer 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:56.340 underneath a plastic bag. 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.720 It has heat, 00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.340 has a little bit of fire 00:26:59.340 --> 00:26:59.920 sometimes, 00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:01.700 and it has something 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.940 that can provide 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.080 some amount of lift. 00:27:04.520 --> 00:27:05.640 Now that seems ridiculous, 00:27:05.880 --> 00:27:06.100 right? 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.880 When we approach God's word, 00:27:09.020 --> 00:27:10.160 when we approach his call 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:11.760 to obey his commandments, 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:13.580 it can seem 00:27:13.580 --> 00:27:14.720 like those 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.060 are the same thing. 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:16.800 But in fact, 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:17.860 the world's apart. 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:19.859 A transformed heart 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:21.219 that lives in obedience 00:27:21.219 --> 00:27:23.039 to the commandments 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:24.819 because of the gospel 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:26.759 looks fundamentally different. 00:27:26.959 --> 00:27:28.759 It feels fundamentally different 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.719 internally 00:27:30.719 --> 00:27:33.000 than one that says, 00:27:33.459 --> 00:27:34.619 I'm doing these things 00:27:34.619 --> 00:27:35.879 because I'm earning 00:27:35.879 --> 00:27:36.819 the Lord's favor. 00:27:37.799 --> 00:27:39.619 We have to stay away. 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.779 We have to be on guard 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.500 against that. 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:43.599 But Christ, 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.159 but the Lord, 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.640 nonetheless, 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:46.820 has called us 00:27:46.820 --> 00:27:48.140 to love him 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:49.360 and obey his commandments. 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.320 And that's the challenge 00:27:51.320 --> 00:27:52.360 for us as Christians. 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.360 So we are called 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:56.120 to examine our own hearts 00:27:56.120 --> 00:27:56.759 and to see 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.560 if we're following 00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:58.519 after Christ 00:27:58.519 --> 00:28:01.940 because of a transformed life? 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:04.120 Or do I think 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:05.580 in the deep recesses 00:28:05.580 --> 00:28:06.560 of my mind 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.300 and heart 00:28:07.300 --> 00:28:08.519 that in fact, 00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:09.980 I am making myself 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.940 more lovely 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.840 to Christ 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:14.539 because brothers and sisters, 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:17.259 that can never happen. 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.840 You are altogether lovely 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:21.960 because of what Christ has done, 00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:23.660 not because 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:26.019 of anything that you do 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:27.380 or fail to do. 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:30.160 We are lovely 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:31.280 because Christ 00:28:31.280 --> 00:28:32.640 has seen us as lovely 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:34.040 because Christ 00:28:34.040 --> 00:28:34.940 has given 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:36.020 of his own life. 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.840 So we are called 00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:39.040 to look inwardly, 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.480 look in our own hearts 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.420 and see 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.280 if that has happened. 00:28:43.060 --> 00:28:44.360 To see if we live 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.080 out of that 00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:46.680 or do we live 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.480 out of just 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.480 a mere obedience 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:50.060 because we view 00:28:50.060 --> 00:28:50.780 the Lord 00:28:50.780 --> 00:28:52.180 as a taskmaster 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.280 instead of 00:28:53.280 --> 00:28:54.540 a joyful father 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:57.220 who looks on us 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:58.839 as we are clothed 00:28:58.839 --> 00:28:59.920 with Christ. 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:02.839 Look today 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:04.759 at your own heart. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.879 Do I follow 00:29:07.879 --> 00:29:08.859 after Christ? 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:10.539 Do I love him? 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:13.279 And do I love him 00:29:13.279 --> 00:29:14.440 and do I share 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:15.599 that love with others? 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:17.240 Is my heart 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.220 overflowing 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.099 because of what 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:19.779 he has done? 00:29:21.559 --> 00:29:22.759 Am I seeking 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.559 out opportunities 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.319 to advance 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.859 his kingdom? 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.039 Whether that's 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.819 in my own home, 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:27.779 my own neighborhood, 00:29:28.119 --> 00:29:29.119 or where I work? 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:32.460 Sadly, 00:29:33.039 --> 00:29:33.940 too often, 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:35.279 the answer is no. 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:37.200 But today, 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:40.039 look to Christ. 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:40.839 Look 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.879 to share 00:29:41.879 --> 00:29:42.419 that love 00:29:42.419 --> 00:29:42.980 with others 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.740 because of what 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.200 he has done 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:44.859 for you 00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:46.919 and those around you. 00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.819 No matter 00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:49.259 what your life 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.879 looks like, 00:29:50.740 --> 00:29:51.240 no matter 00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:52.039 where you've 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.759 come from 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.379 or where you're 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:53.740 going, 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.680 Christ calls 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.500 you to himself 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.639 and calls 00:29:57.639 --> 00:29:59.240 others to himself. 00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.519 Let's pray. 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:03.799 Lord, 00:30:03.879 --> 00:30:04.339 we're thankful 00:30:04.339 --> 00:30:04.980 this day 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:05.839 of the good news 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.460 of Christ. 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.480 We're thankful 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:09.039 that if we walk 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.859 in the way 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:10.700 that you have 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.399 called us, 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.680 we pray 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:13.159 that you might 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:13.779 fit us 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.639 for the task 00:30:14.639 --> 00:30:15.420 because without 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.159 your spirit, 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.480 without your 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:19.700 transforming power, 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.519 it's impossible. 00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:22.940 We pray 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.440 that you would 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.000 allow us 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.580 to look 00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:25.720 in our hearts 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:27.279 and confirm 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:27.960 that it's true. 00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:28.960 And Father, 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.640 that we would 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.779 be assured 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.740 of your work 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.559 in our lives, 00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.420 that we'd be 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:34.180 encouraged 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:36.059 by what Christ 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.559 has done. 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.360 And Father, 00:30:37.420 --> 00:30:37.920 that we would 00:30:37.920 --> 00:30:39.039 be prompted 00:30:39.039 --> 00:30:40.319 to go out 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:41.080 and share that 00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.620 with others. 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.240 Father, 00:30:43.319 --> 00:30:43.759 we pray 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.840 that as we 00:30:44.840 --> 00:30:45.720 follow Christ, 00:30:45.840 --> 00:30:46.380 that we would 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:47.720 flee from sin 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:49.579 and that 00:30:49.579 --> 00:30:50.720 we would 00:30:50.720 --> 00:30:51.279 be reminded 00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:52.319 that our sin 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.140 is remembered 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:54.200 no more. 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:56.000 We pray 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:56.819 this in Jesus' 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.200 name. 00:30:57.600 --> 00:30:57.819 Amen. 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.480 Let's stand 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.000 as we sing 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:03.880 our closing hymn 00:31:03.880 --> 00:31:04.339 this morning.