WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.720 name. Amen. Now, we're going to read in our Bibles together from 1 Samuel chapter 20. 00:00:14.700 --> 00:00:22.879 This is a part and the story of the life of David when he has been anointed to be the next king. 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:30.099 King Saul has been rejected as God's choice of king, but Saul is not happy. Rather, he is angry 00:00:30.099 --> 00:00:36.479 with David. He's wanting to kill David. David is on the run. But in chapter 20, we are reminded of this 00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:42.460 wonderful friendship between David and Jonathan, who is the son of King Saul. And we see Jonathan 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:49.739 acting in an honorable and a wonderful way in this friendship. So, we're going to read 1 Samuel 20, 00:00:49.740 --> 00:00:55.440 verses 1 to 8, and then 24 to 34. So, let's hear God's word together. 00:00:56.219 --> 00:01:01.719 Then David fled from Nioth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, what have I done? What is my 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:07.379 crime? How have I wronged your father that he's trying to kill me? Never. Jonathan replied, you're 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:12.460 not going to die. Look, my father doesn't do anything great or small without letting me know. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:18.240 Why should he hide this from me? It isn't so. But David took an oath and said, your father knows very 00:01:18.239 --> 00:01:23.199 well that I have found favor in your eyes. And he has said to himself, Jonathan must not know this or 00:01:23.199 --> 00:01:30.280 he will be grieved. Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:36.719 death. Jonathan said to David, whatever you want me to do, I will do for you. So, David said, look, 00:01:36.799 --> 00:01:41.500 tomorrow is the new moon feast and I am supposed to dine with the king. But let me go and hide in the 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:46.899 field until the evening of the day after tomorrow. If your father misses me at all, tell him, David 00:01:46.900 --> 00:01:52.380 earnestly asked my permission to hurry to Bethlehem, his hometown, because an annual sacrifice is being 00:01:52.380 --> 00:01:57.860 made there for his whole clan. If he says very well, then your servant is safe. But if he loses his 00:01:57.860 --> 00:02:04.380 temper, you can be sure that he is determined to harm me. As for you, show kindness to your servant, 00:02:05.080 --> 00:02:09.439 for you have brought him into a covenant with you before the Lord. If I am guilty, then kill me 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:19.340 yourself. Why hand me over to your father? And then from verse number 24. So, David hid in the field 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:26.280 and when the new moon feast came, the king sat down to eat. He sat in his customary place by the wall 00:02:26.280 --> 00:02:32.240 opposite Jonathan and Abner sat next to Saul, but David's place was empty. Saul said nothing that day, 00:02:32.259 --> 00:02:37.180 for he thought something must have happened to David to make him ceremonially unclean. Surely he's 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:42.680 unclean. But the next day, the second day of the month, David's place was empty again. Then Saul 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:48.080 said to his son Jonathan, why hasn't the son of Jesse come to the meal either yesterday or today? 00:02:49.000 --> 00:02:53.879 Jonathan answered, David earnestly asked me for permission to go to Bethlehem. He said, 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:59.520 let me go because our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there. 00:03:00.360 --> 00:03:05.819 Have I found favor in your eyes? Let me go to see my brothers. That is why he has not come to the 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:11.319 king's table. Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, you son of a perverse and 00:03:11.319 --> 00:03:16.019 rebellious woman. Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the 00:03:16.019 --> 00:03:22.299 shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor 00:03:22.299 --> 00:03:28.099 your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me for he must die. Why should he be 00:03:28.099 --> 00:03:34.099 put to death? What has he done? Jonathan asked his father. But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. 00:03:34.099 --> 00:03:40.539 And Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David. Jonathan got up from the table in fierce 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:48.099 anger. On that second day of the feast, he did not eat because he was grieved at his father's shameful 00:03:48.099 --> 00:03:56.120 treatment of David. So we'll leave our reading there and we'll reflect on it as we think about 1 Corinthians 00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:03.379 13. Now we're going to hear another psalm sung, which of course at home you can sing. We will reflect on 00:04:03.379 --> 00:04:07.759 Psalm 119 and the section from 65 to 72. 00:04:07.759 --> 00:04:37.740 Psalm 119 and the section from 66 to 73. 00:04:37.759 --> 00:05:07.740 Psalm 119 and the section from 66 to 73. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:23.659 Although the proud spear me with lies, I keep your decrees from the heart. 00:05:23.659 --> 00:05:34.659 Their hearts are unfeeling and heart. I love what your precepts impart. 00:05:34.660 --> 00:05:47.960 It was good that I suffered distress, so that I might learn your commands. 00:05:47.960 --> 00:06:00.560 Your law is more precious to me than silver or gold in my hands. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:10.300 Now, in just a moment, we're going to pray again. 00:06:10.860 --> 00:06:13.620 Two things that we are going to focus on in particular. 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:19.160 Again, we're going to pray for the Reannos as we look forward to hearing from them on Wednesday. 00:06:19.900 --> 00:06:22.140 We'll pray about their situation in Columbia. 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:28.120 But we've also been able to ask to pray for the Free Church Youth Camp Connect program this year. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:31.480 They can't have physical camps, but they're doing stuff online. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:33.000 So we'll pray about that. 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:33.780 So will you join me? 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:37.319 Stand and we can pray together. 00:06:37.459 --> 00:06:39.819 Let's stand and call on God's name in prayer. 00:06:43.920 --> 00:06:48.879 Lord, our God, we want to say thank you to you for your precious word. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:59.939 Along with the psalmist, we pray that you would help us to live by your commands. 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:06.879 That we would regard your word as more precious than silver or gold. 00:07:07.459 --> 00:07:14.180 That in your word we would discover that you are good and that you do what is good. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:20.620 And that that would help us to know how we are to live for you. 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:30.560 Thank you that we see your goodness and your love in the sending of your son Jesus to be our savior. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:35.680 We thank you for his perfect life of love and obedience. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:40.519 We thank you that he has lived that life that we never could live. 00:07:40.519 --> 00:07:50.000 And he's died in our place so that right at the center of the good news of the Bible stands your seeking and saving love. 00:07:50.359 --> 00:07:53.539 Lord, may we never forget how precious that is. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:08:00.180 May we recognize it as life-giving so that we would want others to know your word. 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:05.259 That you would give us a hunger and a thirst for your word. 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:08.500 Lord, may we recognize it as life-giving so that we don't live by bread alone, 00:08:08.599 --> 00:08:11.219 but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:20.319 And that what we would want for the people that we care about most would be that they too would come to know you in your word. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:34.360 Lord, we recognize how much as a country and how much the nations of the world need to know our creator as our redeemer and savior. 00:08:34.360 --> 00:08:38.700 To be able to call you our father in heaven. 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:43.139 To not have to live with a fear of death and judgment, 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:50.480 but to know assurance of your welcome and your forgiveness in and through the Lord Jesus. 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:57.600 And so we pray that you would be at work in this country and in the nations of the world. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:04.139 That wherever today the good news of the Lord Jesus is read and proclaimed. 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:08.340 That it would strengthen the faith of your people. 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:12.600 That it would draw us to greater worship and love. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:19.980 And that it would draw men and women and boys and girls to put their trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior today. 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:26.879 Lord, we think of the Free Church Youth Camps program. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:33.759 We thank you for decades of teaching your word to children and young people. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:37.580 Of lives that were changed through coming to faith in Jesus. 00:09:37.820 --> 00:09:42.379 Through those camps of friendships that were established. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:49.080 That continue of being strengthened in faith and understanding of your word. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:52.759 And Lord, as we think about that rich legacy in the past, 00:09:52.860 --> 00:09:59.180 we pray that this year, while it's so very different, would still serve a vital purpose. 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:05.580 And we do pray for wisdom and creativity for those who are developing the online program. 00:10:06.680 --> 00:10:09.340 That you would, as they pray and as they think, 00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:12.820 that you would give them wisdom to know how best to communicate truth. 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:18.840 How best to organize themselves to make sure people have a really great week. 00:10:19.280 --> 00:10:25.920 Lord, we pray for folks who'll tune in to those different sessions for the different age groups. 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:31.680 That it would be a place where they might be able to meet new people. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:34.520 To enjoy different fun activities. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:38.280 But also a chance where they can hear your word being taught. 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:44.079 And where you might draw them to faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:48.959 Lord, we also pray for our friends Manuel and Patty in Colombia. 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:56.019 We think of the nation of Colombia struggling with the pandemic and struggling to cope. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:11:02.600 We think of Manuel and Patty as they look to love and serve so many hurting and suffering people. 00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:05.360 So many who have been bereaved. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:10.740 We think of their counseling ministry to pastors and their wives. 00:11:11.240 --> 00:11:20.720 As they look to care for churches that are straining with all the sadness and the pressures that they have faced. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:23.779 Lord, as they bear the burdens of others. 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:29.220 May they know you coming alongside of them to bear them up. 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:33.039 May they hear that invitation from Jesus. 00:11:33.039 --> 00:11:37.279 Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. 00:11:37.719 --> 00:11:42.159 Lord, may they come to know your grace that is sufficient for them. 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:45.860 Your strength being made perfect in their weakness. 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:51.219 Lord, we thank you that we can partner with them in their work. 00:11:51.339 --> 00:11:54.719 Thank you that we can share that call on Wednesday night with them. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:12:11.240 Lord, we pray that you would help us to persevere in our prayers. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:31.159 Lord, we pray that we pray that as we want that for nations, that we would want that for our own lives. 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:40.579 Lord, as we shortly come to sit under your words, we pray that the spirit who inspired your word to be written would be at work in all of our hearts. 00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:42.759 Helping us to hear from you. 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:44.959 Helping us to see more of Jesus. 00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:50.740 So that our lives would be changed as we spend time together in your presence. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.699 We ask in Jesus name. 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:53.600 Amen. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:53.740 Amen. 00:12:53.740 --> 00:12:53.820 Amen. 00:12:58.460 --> 00:13:11.139 Now, before we turn to 1 Corinthians 13, where we will be this morning, I want us to read together from another letter that Paul wrote, 2 Timothy chapter 3. 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:18.500 It's a letter written shortly before Paul would die for his faith in the Lord Jesus. 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:24.059 And he writes to Timothy, his friend, and he says this in chapter 3. 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:25.179 But mark this. 00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:28.779 There will be terrible times in the last days. 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:37.919 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:48.139 ungrateful, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:57.699 not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:04.599 having a form of godliness but denying its power, have nothing to do with such people. 00:14:04.959 --> 00:14:07.000 Speaking there of false teachers within churches. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.220 Verse 10. 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:19.639 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings. 00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:28.159 What kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the persecutions I endured, yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:34.379 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 00:14:34.699 --> 00:14:41.600 while evildoers and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:50.080 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:58.180 and how from infancy you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 00:14:58.179 --> 00:15:06.799 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 00:15:07.399 --> 00:15:14.059 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:20.559 And so we'll reflect on those words as we come to 1 Corinthians chapter 13. 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:22.079 We've been here for the last few weeks. 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:26.859 Today we are in verse 6, where we read, 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:34.479 Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:45.240 So here we are again, thinking about the most excellent way of love that Paul is encouraging this church in Corinth to stick with and to return to. 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:52.639 And we've been really in the nitty-gritty, the specifics of what love looks like over the last few weeks. 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:57.480 And this time we're going to sort of, in a sense, pan back a little, and we're going to invite ourselves to reflect, 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:02.620 to ask the question, am I making progress in my love? 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:11.960 Are we making progress as a church in our love, particularly in view of Christian love, love for God, love for others? 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:15.720 It's important that we measure progress. 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:22.379 I imagine, like many families, we have a height chart in our house, 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:29.080 and the boys enjoy charting their height every so often to see if they are growing up. 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:32.720 And it's interesting that whenever they get one of those updates, 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:39.080 usually a couple of days later they'll go back to the chart to see if they have grown since the last time. 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:44.460 And we have to keep reminding them, often you don't see progress over days, sometimes not even over weeks. 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:50.259 You have to go back months or years to see growth and development. 00:16:51.020 --> 00:16:54.560 But measures of growth and progress and success are important, aren't they? 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:57.559 They're important in our workplace and in our studies. 00:16:58.299 --> 00:16:59.659 What does success look like? 00:16:59.739 --> 00:17:00.559 Am I developing? 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:03.979 We think about it, too, in our skills and our hobbies. 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.879 Am I becoming more competent? 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:10.480 How am I doing better than this time last year? 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:15.940 There's value in reflecting on that so that we can, if necessary, make changes. 00:17:15.940 --> 00:17:21.279 But what about the question, am I making progress in love? 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:24.059 In some ways, that's harder to assess, isn't it? 00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:27.759 Love for God, love for others. 00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:35.360 Paul, in 1 Corinthians, has been giving, as I was saying, a list of specific measures in verses 4 and 5. 00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:40.039 Here are ways that we can see how we are doing in terms of love. 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.700 Love is patient. 00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:43.200 Love is kind. 00:17:44.039 --> 00:17:44.880 Love does not envy. 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:45.680 It does not boast. 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.600 It is not proud. 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:49.100 It does not dishonor others. 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.160 It's not self-seeking. 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.500 It's not easily angered. 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.920 It keeps no record of wrongs. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:54.600 We can see how we are doing. 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:59.100 But here in verse 6, we're zooming out, in a sense, to look at the big picture. 00:17:59.100 --> 00:18:01.220 What's the general pattern? 00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:06.000 What's the general direction of your life and my life? 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:14.680 Are we making progress so that we're not delighting in evil but rejoicing with the truth? 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:19.779 Am I making progress in my love? 00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:30.000 Am I more like Jesus in certain aspects of my character perhaps than I was five months ago, five years ago? 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:35.319 To help us to reflect, a couple of questions. 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:36.420 One about direction. 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:39.660 What direction does my love follow? 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:42.059 And a question about delight. 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:44.640 What is it that I delight in? 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:47.220 What do I rejoice in? 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:50.259 So let's begin with this question. 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:54.779 Which direction does my love typically follow? 00:18:55.920 --> 00:19:02.380 Maybe you saw a story in the news this week coming out of an auction house in Glasgow. 00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:08.980 There was a young couple from the north of England who wanted to start a new life in Scotland. 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:14.100 And so they decided what they would do is they'd come to an auction house in Glasgow to bid on a property. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:17.419 They wanted a small flat in Glasgow. 00:19:17.699 --> 00:19:25.439 But as the bidding began and the speed picked up and the tension picked up and the accent was not one they were familiar with. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:32.119 They were looking for a flat in Glasgow, but they accidentally bid on a wrecked house in Danone. 00:19:33.219 --> 00:19:41.480 And what they discovered is that a misdirected bid can not buy you a dream property, can buy you a wreck. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:45.380 But far more important is the point that Paul is making. 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:52.940 Misdirected love can wreck a life and can wreck a church. 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:58.380 Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. 00:19:58.440 --> 00:20:00.660 Do we see there there's a fork in the road? 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.860 There are two directions we can follow. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:09.420 We can love the way of evil as defined by the Bible, or we can love the way of truth. 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:14.019 And bear in mind that the truth in the Bible isn't just what we know in our heads. 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:17.779 It also has an impact on how we live. 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:20.960 So truth and goodness go together. 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:25.620 Now, if you've been around in the last few weeks, you'll know that the church in Corinth, 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:30.160 they had problems in that their love was becoming misdirected. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:32.820 They were loving to make much of themselves. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.460 Their spiritual gifts. 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:41.380 They were wanting to take others to law courts to claim what they felt was theirs. 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:49.440 And so Paul wants to correct them to redirect their love, to focus their attention on God. 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.940 What about for us? 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.480 How do we stay on course? 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:57.079 If we want to follow the way of love and truth, how do we make progress? 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.900 Well, let's begin with some pointers. 00:20:59.900 --> 00:21:05.380 The first one from this verse, Christian love delights in God's truth. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:11.660 Or to put it another way, Christian love stands opposed to everything in life and practice, 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:13.280 which is evil. 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:18.100 And so we are delighting in what is good and true. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:21.220 That's why we read from 2 Timothy 3. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:25.040 Hopefully, as you read it, you would have seen Paul's concern. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:31.500 He is concerned that Timothy, living in the culture that he lives in, would come under pressure 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:34.460 to misdirect his love. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:40.779 So it talked about not being a lover of self or being a lover of money, choosing to love 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:45.139 what is not good, choosing to love pleasure rather than to love God. 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:52.220 And Paul's heart for Timothy, Paul who's about to die for the sake of Jesus, he wants Timothy 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:59.720 to stand out, to stand up for God's love and God's truth in a culture that was seen to be 00:21:59.720 --> 00:22:00.500 self-centered. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:05.819 And that love and that truth was found in God's Word. 00:22:06.299 --> 00:22:12.620 That's why he directed him at the end of 2 Timothy 3, to remember God who breathed his 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:13.880 Word out. 00:22:14.600 --> 00:22:21.200 So that was Paul's heart for Timothy, because Christian love delights in God's truth, God's 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:21.600 love. 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:27.699 A second pointer, and it's related, is that Christians love to walk in God's truth. 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:34.480 That's our general tendency, because when we turn to trust in Jesus, we're given a new 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:36.699 heart and we're given new desires. 00:22:37.899 --> 00:22:43.339 There's a lovely little letter that the Apostle John writes, 3 John, and in verse 4 of 3 John, 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:43.719 he says, 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:49.140 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:54.120 As he thinks of those who have come to faith in the Lord Jesus under his teaching and in 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:55.740 his churches, his love. 00:22:55.740 --> 00:23:00.660 What gives him greatest happiness is to see them continue in the way of truth. 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:03.380 And do you know that's the joy of our Father in heaven too? 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:10.220 He has joy to see his children, his church, walking in the truth, the truth that is shown 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:11.299 in love. 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:18.859 Crucial to the gospel, one of the most beautiful images that we find in the Bible of our salvation 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:23.299 is that God in love adopts us into his family. 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:28.419 That God the Father in love sends his son Jesus into the world. 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:34.200 And Jesus the Son gladly dies to become the firstborn among many brothers to share the 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:39.240 joy of heaven with his brothers and sisters, those who put their faith in him as Savior, 00:23:39.639 --> 00:23:42.339 who then call God our Father in heaven. 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:48.200 And God gives the spirit to come and live in our hearts, the spirit of adoption. 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:53.720 And all of that means that we now have a new desire as Christians to please our Father in 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.039 heaven. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.440 That's not natural to ourselves. 00:23:57.580 --> 00:24:02.600 That's a gift of God when we want to please our Father in heaven. 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:05.080 So Christians love to walk in God's truth. 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:12.900 And it's also important to recognize that God's truth shapes our head, our hearts, and our 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.500 hands. 00:24:14.580 --> 00:24:17.740 When God's truth and God's love comes to us, it totally changes everything. 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:24.680 We know, don't we, that there's a world of difference between knowing about someone and 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:26.140 knowing someone personally. 00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:33.860 We can go to the Wikipedia entry or pick up the biography of one of our heroes, and that 00:24:33.860 --> 00:24:39.000 will give us much by way of information, but it will not give us access to their friendship. 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:45.880 And the wonderful thing about Jesus is Jesus is God revealing his truth to us. 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:53.279 Jesus is God revealing his love to us and inviting us to know him and his love and his truth personally. 00:24:54.539 --> 00:25:03.140 So the starting point for our lives following the right direction is that we must know Jesus 00:25:03.140 --> 00:25:08.680 personally as our Lord, as our Savior, as our friend. 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:14.840 To have him take our sin, to recognize that when he dies on the cross, he's dying for my sin. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:20.800 To trust him as the Lord and Savior and King, and to enjoy his friendship. 00:25:20.799 --> 00:25:29.059 We come to know Jesus in God's Word, and what we read and what we learn, that shapes our faith, 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:34.240 it shapes what we believe, but then by God's Spirit, we also know that our hearts change. 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:37.259 So our love changes. 00:25:37.379 --> 00:25:42.519 So all of a sudden we have love towards God, and that then influences our love towards others. 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:51.259 We find ourselves worshipping the right things rather than living for ourselves or for idols. 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:58.900 And as we come to know Jesus, that also shapes and transforms our actions. 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:03.839 So that as we know more of his love and truth, it leads us towards serving others, 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:08.639 and loving others, and forgiving others, and honoring others in the nitty-gritty of life. 00:26:08.640 --> 00:26:13.340 So let's apply those principles to our lives for just a moment. 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:19.020 Let's think about the big picture, the general direction that our life is taking. 00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:28.320 Do we love to delight in evil, or do we love to rejoice in and with God's truth? 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.700 What is a Christian? 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:35.860 A Christian is someone who has received God's love expressed to us in the sending of Jesus Christ. 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:42.819 It's enjoying that gift of adoption, knowing the love of God as our Father in heaven. 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:46.479 And as we know that, we then love what God loves. 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:48.419 We love his truth and his goodness. 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:54.519 And if that describes you today, then you should praise God for the gift of adoption. 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:59.099 We should never grow tired or grow cold towards the reality 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:02.740 that in Jesus we are sons and daughters of the living God. 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:07.900 And if it doesn't describe you, then you should ask him for that gift, 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:11.420 that you would know God as your Father in heaven personally, 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:16.559 that you would trust in Jesus and have your sin forgiven to enjoy life with him. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.819 But then let's move from the big picture. 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:25.259 Let's zoom in to think about the choices that we make in particular moments in our lives. 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:29.120 Let's move from Sunday morning to Monday morning. 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.819 Typical Monday morning, perhaps. 00:27:31.819 --> 00:27:35.619 Perhaps we find, well, it's different, but there's still break rooms. 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:37.899 And in break rooms, we still find gossip, don't we? 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:41.099 We still find schools, universities, workplaces, 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:44.039 where people want to share the weekend scandal. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.919 We move from Sunday, we move to Monday. 00:27:47.079 --> 00:27:49.460 We're living among different people. 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:53.599 Perhaps we're speaking with non-Christian family with very different values to our own. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:57.859 Perhaps we're, as parents, dealing with children who don't want to go to school. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.259 There's all kinds of tensions there. 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:03.119 Perhaps we're engaging with someone in an issue over social media, 00:28:03.180 --> 00:28:05.039 and it's precious to us, and it's important to them. 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:06.640 And how do we speak? 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:09.579 And that's crunch time as Christians, 00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:11.680 to think about in that moment, 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:14.539 what direction is my life going to take? 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:17.200 Am I going to love what is evil, 00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.559 what is false? 00:28:18.559 --> 00:28:23.099 Or am I going to love what is true and what is good? 00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:29.379 If we are to make progress in the right direction, 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:34.639 we need to remind ourselves daily of God's love to us. 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.619 We need to be humbled, 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.960 to have that sense of wonder 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:42.559 at the extent of God's love for us. 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:46.039 Because as soon as we forget that, 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:48.659 it's like we're closing off the power source 00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:51.839 that then fuels our love towards others. 00:28:53.179 --> 00:28:56.519 And we also need to remind ourselves regularly 00:28:56.519 --> 00:29:00.079 of how God measures love. 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:04.379 That we need to be patient, 00:29:04.879 --> 00:29:06.139 and we need to be kind, 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.819 and we need to be humble, 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:10.240 and we can't keep a record of wrongs 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:12.939 because that's not what love looks like. 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:17.000 Just like in Paul's day, 00:29:17.199 --> 00:29:19.699 where he was very aware of the challenge facing Timothy, 00:29:20.799 --> 00:29:23.259 our culture is following a different direction 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.859 to Jesus Christ. 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.619 Not always, but sometimes. 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:30.319 And so then there will be a necessity for us as Christians 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:33.459 to stand up for what is true. 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:37.079 We don't have to dig too deep, do we, 00:29:37.139 --> 00:29:38.939 to see that as a society, 00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:42.019 we are losing the virtue of forgiveness. 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:47.359 That in the realm of social media in particular, 00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:48.500 but not exclusively, 00:29:49.479 --> 00:29:51.179 there is that tendency to act as judge, 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:53.339 jury, and executioner of another. 00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:55.299 Very quick to condemn, 00:29:55.299 --> 00:29:57.500 very slow towards grace. 00:29:58.419 --> 00:30:00.659 We live in a day when in so many areas of life, 00:30:00.740 --> 00:30:02.879 right and wrong are being redefined, 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:05.019 and those voices and that pressure is real, 00:30:05.099 --> 00:30:07.259 and it's easy for us to go with the flow 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:10.899 unless we remind ourselves regularly 00:30:10.899 --> 00:30:12.339 of God's love and God's truth. 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.859 There is the very real danger 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:18.500 that our love might be misdirected 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.859 towards what is evil 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:22.180 as it becomes socially acceptable. 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:23.980 And we need to recognize 00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:26.840 that what God says is evil 00:30:26.840 --> 00:30:29.019 has the capacity to wreck a life, 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.400 to wreck a relationship, 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:32.039 to wreck a church. 00:30:32.840 --> 00:30:35.000 And so we need to pay close attention, 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:37.320 choosing to love God, 00:30:37.640 --> 00:30:38.940 choosing to love God's truth 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:40.779 as the general pattern of our life, 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:42.360 and in those moments 00:30:42.360 --> 00:30:44.360 where we are tempted otherwise. 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:47.559 So that's the first question, 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:49.679 which direction does my love follow? 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.899 But the second reflective question 00:30:51.899 --> 00:30:53.859 we could draw from our verse here 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:56.000 is what do I delight in? 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:59.619 We are nearing holiday time. 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.879 As many of us as families 00:31:01.879 --> 00:31:03.399 looking forward to getting a break, 00:31:04.139 --> 00:31:05.919 hopefully we'll all get to have 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:07.699 some kind of rest and refreshment. 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.799 But as we near holiday time, 00:31:09.859 --> 00:31:11.659 sometimes we have those questions 00:31:11.660 --> 00:31:12.300 and conversations. 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.779 What is it you're looking forward to 00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.680 about the holidays? 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:16.380 And what becomes apparent 00:31:16.380 --> 00:31:17.700 is that because we're all different 00:31:17.700 --> 00:31:18.360 as people, 00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:21.019 we're all looking for different things 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:22.320 because we enjoy different things. 00:31:22.360 --> 00:31:24.019 So we'll choose different destinations. 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:26.759 We'll pursue different activities. 00:31:27.920 --> 00:31:30.580 Our idea of what's a real treat 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.660 and a luxury on a holiday 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:34.120 might not match up to another. 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.900 But that will influence the decisions 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.500 that we take 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.779 for something like a holiday. 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:39.559 Because as people, 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:42.480 we are wired to pursue happiness. 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.819 And we are making decisions 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:49.480 based on what is it in this moment 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.899 do I think will give me 00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:52.519 the most joy and happiness? 00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.740 That will determine, 00:31:55.399 --> 00:31:56.079 in large measure, 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:58.879 the direction our life takes. 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.639 Now that becomes very relevant 00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:01.399 to this question, 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.940 am I making progress 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:04.759 in my love as a Christian? 00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:08.619 Because we need to think about 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:10.140 what is it that I delight in? 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:12.299 What is it that I rejoice in 00:32:12.299 --> 00:32:13.980 in the day-to-day of life? 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.660 So I want to think about 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:17.400 two very practical aspects of life. 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:19.859 I want to think about conversation, 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:24.000 the conversations that we engage in, 00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:25.099 either face-to-face 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:27.920 or over the internet. 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:29.339 And I want to think about 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:30.779 character and conduct 00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:32.240 by which we'll think about 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:34.859 how do I assess and consider 00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:36.420 and speak of 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:38.839 the character of someone else, 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:40.559 particularly in our case, 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:42.180 another Christian. 00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:44.960 So when it comes to conversation, 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:48.519 do I delight in the truth 00:32:48.519 --> 00:32:52.620 or do I delight in evil? 00:32:52.619 --> 00:32:56.339 I heard it said this week 00:32:56.339 --> 00:32:59.539 that we are part of a suspicious society. 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.179 And that makes sense. 00:33:01.739 --> 00:33:03.779 We see suspicion towards our politicians, 00:33:04.119 --> 00:33:05.619 towards the police, 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:07.179 towards almost anybody 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:08.339 in a position of leadership 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.019 and authority, 00:33:09.159 --> 00:33:10.099 and that makes its way 00:33:10.099 --> 00:33:11.399 into a church as well. 00:33:12.219 --> 00:33:13.079 And along with that, 00:33:13.159 --> 00:33:14.459 suspicion can come a delight 00:33:14.459 --> 00:33:15.559 in cynicism 00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:18.599 and a delight in speaking badly 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:20.679 of dishonoring 00:33:20.679 --> 00:33:22.279 those who are 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:24.199 in positions of authority. 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.279 Alongside that, 00:33:27.379 --> 00:33:27.719 there is, 00:33:27.879 --> 00:33:28.879 in the minds of some, 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.259 the idea that there are 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.719 conspiracies to be found, 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.539 that there are deeper 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.819 and darker truths 00:33:33.819 --> 00:33:34.679 that are being hidden, 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.759 and that's all leading 00:33:35.759 --> 00:33:37.279 to mistrust and bitterness, 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:38.379 and that often can come out 00:33:38.379 --> 00:33:39.119 in conversation. 00:33:40.240 --> 00:33:41.240 So there's suspicion 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:42.299 that we need to reckon with, 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.379 but there's also, 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:45.480 within the sinful human heart, 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:48.319 the enjoyment of scandal. 00:33:49.860 --> 00:33:51.259 We think about what makes 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:53.220 the pages of our newspaper, 00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:55.019 what draws the attention 00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:56.360 in social media, 00:33:56.940 --> 00:33:58.799 often in our friendship circles, 00:33:58.880 --> 00:34:00.120 it can often revolve 00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:01.500 around the darker side of life. 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.620 When leaders fail, 00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:05.660 when celebrities are being exposed, 00:34:05.660 --> 00:34:07.880 or simply what the person 00:34:07.880 --> 00:34:08.519 down the street 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.920 has been engaged in 00:34:09.920 --> 00:34:11.099 and found out. 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:16.380 And there's a poison in that. 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.819 And the Bible would say, 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.679 what's the antidote 00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:20.480 to that poison? 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:22.539 It's to delight in Christ, 00:34:23.539 --> 00:34:24.880 to delight in His love, 00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:26.659 and to delight in God's truth. 00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:28.779 To borrow from another 00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:29.739 of Paul's letters, 00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:31.119 Philippians chapter 4, 00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:32.559 he calls the church 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.259 to think about, 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.480 to talk about, 00:34:34.759 --> 00:34:35.920 what is true, 00:34:36.839 --> 00:34:37.659 and what is noble, 00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.440 and what is right, 00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:41.260 and what is pure, 00:34:42.000 --> 00:34:42.940 and what is lovely, 00:34:43.740 --> 00:34:44.860 and what is admirable. 00:34:47.700 --> 00:34:49.280 What does progress look like 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:50.000 when it comes to 00:34:50.000 --> 00:34:51.240 our conversations, 00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:53.119 so that we're delighting 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:54.059 in what is true? 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:56.059 Perhaps for some of us, 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:57.139 it will be determining 00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:58.639 to stop gossip and lies 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.300 from spreading, 00:35:00.720 --> 00:35:01.840 to be truth tellers. 00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:03.740 Perhaps it will look like 00:35:03.740 --> 00:35:04.900 being ready to walk away 00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:05.880 from those negative, 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:07.079 harmful conversations, 00:35:07.200 --> 00:35:09.139 or to call out those jokes 00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:10.659 that are inappropriate, 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:12.500 offensive. 00:35:14.460 --> 00:35:15.500 Maybe it's pursuing 00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:17.079 conversations that encourage 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:18.339 thankfulness, 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:20.039 rather than grumbling. 00:35:21.799 --> 00:35:23.259 They encourage the praise 00:35:23.259 --> 00:35:24.619 of God among God's people, 00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:25.519 rather than a spirit 00:35:25.519 --> 00:35:26.000 of bitterness. 00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:29.839 In general terms, 00:35:29.920 --> 00:35:30.480 that it would be 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:32.279 speaking well of others. 00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:34.679 As I read someone say 00:35:34.679 --> 00:35:35.219 this week, 00:35:35.219 --> 00:35:37.019 if Christians are to err, 00:35:37.779 --> 00:35:39.439 let us err on the side 00:35:39.439 --> 00:35:40.079 of love. 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:41.599 Let's be ready 00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:42.779 to show grace 00:35:42.779 --> 00:35:44.779 in our conversations. 00:35:47.259 --> 00:35:48.480 What about character? 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:50.419 When we think about character, 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.119 especially looking 00:35:51.119 --> 00:35:51.839 at someone else, 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:53.199 what do we delight in? 00:35:53.819 --> 00:35:55.959 Do we delight in failures 00:35:55.959 --> 00:35:57.139 that we see, 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.519 or do we delight 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.659 in the faith 00:35:59.659 --> 00:36:01.079 that we see? 00:36:02.079 --> 00:36:02.840 It's one of the things 00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:04.739 I love about Jonathan's example 00:36:04.739 --> 00:36:05.639 in the Old Testament. 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:07.219 The pressure he was under 00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:07.980 from his father, 00:36:08.079 --> 00:36:08.539 the king, 00:36:08.960 --> 00:36:10.719 the lies he was being sold, 00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:13.039 the pressure to establish 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.880 his own kingdom 00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.639 at the expense 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.699 of his friend David. 00:36:15.759 --> 00:36:16.819 But what Jonathan does 00:36:16.819 --> 00:36:18.599 is he chooses relentlessly 00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:20.679 to honor David, 00:36:21.739 --> 00:36:23.920 to choose the way of truth, 00:36:24.360 --> 00:36:27.519 to defend his friend's character. 00:36:27.719 --> 00:36:29.259 And that was profoundly costly to him, 00:36:29.260 --> 00:36:30.420 as we saw in our reading. 00:36:32.640 --> 00:36:33.680 We think about Paul 00:36:33.680 --> 00:36:34.460 and Paul's letter 00:36:34.460 --> 00:36:35.180 to the Corinthians. 00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:36.460 Now, we've already seen 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:37.640 in the letter, 00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:38.180 and you read it, 00:36:38.220 --> 00:36:38.740 and you see it, 00:36:38.800 --> 00:36:39.800 Corinth is by no means 00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:40.800 a perfect church. 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:42.040 Many, many problems. 00:36:43.660 --> 00:36:45.720 Paul doesn't delight in that. 00:36:47.140 --> 00:36:48.780 What Paul delights in 00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:50.900 is the faith that he sees. 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:52.120 That's what he headlines 00:36:52.120 --> 00:36:53.140 in chapter one. 00:36:53.480 --> 00:36:54.700 He loves them, 00:36:55.140 --> 00:36:56.180 and he's thankful 00:36:56.180 --> 00:36:57.060 for the faith 00:36:57.060 --> 00:36:58.160 that he sees in them, 00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:59.819 for the gifts 00:36:59.819 --> 00:37:01.480 that God has given to them, 00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.879 for the grace, 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:04.639 the evidence of God's grace 00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.379 in their lives. 00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:06.659 Yes, he's going to correct them 00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:07.359 and discipline them, 00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:09.059 but he delights 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:10.119 in their faith. 00:37:11.000 --> 00:37:11.879 And that's what he wants 00:37:11.879 --> 00:37:13.639 to draw attention to. 00:37:13.699 --> 00:37:14.859 That's delighting in the truth. 00:37:15.859 --> 00:37:17.559 To see brothers and sisters 00:37:17.559 --> 00:37:18.440 in Christ 00:37:18.440 --> 00:37:20.480 as the image of God, 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.879 to see Christ 00:37:21.879 --> 00:37:23.799 in our brothers and sisters. 00:37:24.940 --> 00:37:25.739 Now, we know 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:26.579 there is a pressure 00:37:26.579 --> 00:37:27.860 to think another way, 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:29.779 but we are called 00:37:29.779 --> 00:37:30.639 to see Christ 00:37:30.639 --> 00:37:31.719 in our brothers and sisters. 00:37:32.340 --> 00:37:33.639 That when we are hurt 00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.920 and when we are let down, 00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:35.960 we are to use 00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:37.279 our imagination 00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:39.579 to look forward 00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:42.079 to spending eternity 00:37:42.079 --> 00:37:43.039 with that brother 00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:44.299 and sister in Christ 00:37:44.299 --> 00:37:45.420 in a world 00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:46.599 of perfect love, 00:37:46.639 --> 00:37:47.119 when there will be 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:48.139 no sin, 00:37:48.360 --> 00:37:49.480 no misunderstanding 00:37:49.480 --> 00:37:51.079 between us, 00:37:51.079 --> 00:37:52.420 when we will be so glad 00:37:52.420 --> 00:37:53.800 to love that person 00:37:53.800 --> 00:37:54.619 perfectly, 00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:58.099 to spend time with them, 00:37:58.180 --> 00:37:58.920 with Jesus, 00:37:59.099 --> 00:37:59.579 our Savior. 00:37:59.800 --> 00:38:00.700 We are to bring, 00:38:00.780 --> 00:38:01.159 in other words, 00:38:01.200 --> 00:38:02.139 the culture of heaven 00:38:02.139 --> 00:38:03.619 down to earth today 00:38:03.619 --> 00:38:05.840 in our church, 00:38:06.400 --> 00:38:08.079 in our conversation, 00:38:08.820 --> 00:38:09.820 how we look at, 00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.559 think about, 00:38:10.780 --> 00:38:11.900 speak of one another. 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:13.019 So what does progress 00:38:13.019 --> 00:38:13.700 look like? 00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:16.420 Progress will look like 00:38:17.940 --> 00:38:19.000 relentlessly thinking 00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:20.079 the best of others, 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:21.019 our brothers and sisters 00:38:21.019 --> 00:38:21.719 in Christ, 00:38:22.559 --> 00:38:23.679 assuming Christians 00:38:23.679 --> 00:38:25.079 will act like Christians. 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.780 It will look like us 00:38:27.780 --> 00:38:28.960 learning to celebrate 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:29.980 when we see others 00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:30.880 standing firm, 00:38:31.360 --> 00:38:32.280 growing in truth, 00:38:33.139 --> 00:38:34.559 giving evidence of grace, 00:38:35.199 --> 00:38:36.440 not focusing on failures. 00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:39.800 It will look like praying 00:38:39.800 --> 00:38:41.059 for those who hurt us, 00:38:41.699 --> 00:38:43.000 for those who offend us, 00:38:43.559 --> 00:38:44.739 thanking God for the grace 00:38:44.739 --> 00:38:46.039 that we see in their lives. 00:38:48.199 --> 00:38:49.440 So the conversations 00:38:49.440 --> 00:38:50.519 that we enjoy 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:53.280 and that the character 00:38:53.280 --> 00:38:54.559 that we focus on, 00:38:55.840 --> 00:38:56.300 they can prove 00:38:56.300 --> 00:38:57.239 a really helpful measure 00:38:57.239 --> 00:38:57.820 for us 00:38:57.820 --> 00:39:00.480 of how our love is doing. 00:39:01.280 --> 00:39:02.019 Where am I showing 00:39:02.019 --> 00:39:02.840 a lack of love? 00:39:02.900 --> 00:39:04.320 Where have I misdirected 00:39:04.320 --> 00:39:05.019 my love so I actually 00:39:05.019 --> 00:39:05.860 enjoy what's evil 00:39:05.860 --> 00:39:06.619 rather than what's good 00:39:06.619 --> 00:39:07.000 and true? 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:10.000 As we reflect, 00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:10.840 I'm sure you, 00:39:10.980 --> 00:39:11.300 like me, 00:39:11.420 --> 00:39:12.519 will want to ask 00:39:12.519 --> 00:39:13.800 God's forgiveness. 00:39:15.659 --> 00:39:16.659 We'll want to ask 00:39:16.659 --> 00:39:17.239 for help, 00:39:17.880 --> 00:39:18.639 that we would be 00:39:18.639 --> 00:39:19.460 the kind of people 00:39:19.460 --> 00:39:20.360 and the kind of church 00:39:20.360 --> 00:39:21.019 that would delight 00:39:21.019 --> 00:39:22.199 in the way of God's love 00:39:22.199 --> 00:39:24.119 and love God's truth. 00:39:27.000 --> 00:39:28.159 We need to learn 00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:29.380 to measure 00:39:29.380 --> 00:39:31.800 what love looks like. 00:39:32.699 --> 00:39:33.420 Both our boys 00:39:33.420 --> 00:39:34.780 just now in their school, 00:39:34.900 --> 00:39:35.900 they're learning 00:39:35.900 --> 00:39:37.019 about measuring 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:39.220 volume and length 00:39:39.220 --> 00:39:39.920 and such things. 00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:40.539 It's really important 00:39:40.539 --> 00:39:41.099 when we learn 00:39:41.099 --> 00:39:41.780 how to measure 00:39:41.780 --> 00:39:42.460 to think what's 00:39:42.460 --> 00:39:43.460 the appropriate unit 00:39:43.460 --> 00:39:44.199 to use 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:45.960 in this context. 00:39:45.960 --> 00:39:47.360 and they're also 00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:47.920 at the same time 00:39:47.920 --> 00:39:48.800 learning to measure 00:39:48.800 --> 00:39:49.960 by comparison, 00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:51.300 which is bigger, 00:39:51.400 --> 00:39:51.960 which is smaller. 00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:52.539 We know with kids 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:53.059 that's always really 00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:53.800 important to find out 00:39:53.800 --> 00:39:54.880 who's biggest 00:39:54.880 --> 00:39:56.000 and tallest in the class. 00:39:56.059 --> 00:39:56.820 It was always a big deal. 00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:57.920 But when it comes to love, 00:39:58.679 --> 00:39:59.900 what unit do you 00:39:59.900 --> 00:40:00.860 and I use 00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:03.500 to measure love? 00:40:05.199 --> 00:40:06.300 Could be a slippery word, 00:40:06.380 --> 00:40:06.740 can't it? 00:40:06.920 --> 00:40:07.619 Defined in lots 00:40:07.619 --> 00:40:08.159 of different ways. 00:40:08.260 --> 00:40:10.000 But Christian love 00:40:10.000 --> 00:40:11.699 is defined by the Bible. 00:40:11.699 --> 00:40:13.099 It's set by the God 00:40:13.099 --> 00:40:14.439 who is love. 00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.919 Love is defined 00:40:16.919 --> 00:40:17.899 by what we see 00:40:17.899 --> 00:40:19.359 in Jesus. 00:40:19.819 --> 00:40:20.619 He shows us 00:40:20.619 --> 00:40:21.500 what perfect love 00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:22.139 looks like. 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:24.899 We know what love is 00:40:24.899 --> 00:40:26.839 in the gift of Jesus. 00:40:27.939 --> 00:40:28.659 Remember Jesus said, 00:40:28.759 --> 00:40:29.139 I am the way, 00:40:29.199 --> 00:40:29.539 the truth, 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:29.899 and the life. 00:40:29.980 --> 00:40:30.919 No one comes to the Father 00:40:30.919 --> 00:40:31.679 except through me. 00:40:32.019 --> 00:40:32.639 Jesus has come 00:40:32.639 --> 00:40:33.939 to bring that truth 00:40:33.939 --> 00:40:34.519 that through him 00:40:34.519 --> 00:40:35.359 we can be adopted 00:40:35.359 --> 00:40:36.460 to enter into 00:40:36.460 --> 00:40:38.059 this experience 00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:39.799 of God's perfect love. 00:40:40.159 --> 00:40:40.639 So again, 00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:41.339 to help us 00:40:41.340 --> 00:40:42.400 if we want to make 00:40:42.400 --> 00:40:44.079 progress in our love, 00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:45.680 in the first place 00:40:45.680 --> 00:40:46.880 we must receive 00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:49.079 God's love for us 00:40:49.079 --> 00:40:50.160 in the Lord Jesus. 00:40:51.320 --> 00:40:51.900 That love 00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:52.700 that deals 00:40:52.700 --> 00:40:53.519 with our sin, 00:40:53.600 --> 00:40:54.039 that deals 00:40:54.039 --> 00:40:55.019 with what separates, 00:40:55.120 --> 00:40:55.820 that brings us 00:40:55.820 --> 00:40:56.480 to him. 00:40:57.180 --> 00:40:58.380 And we must delight 00:40:58.380 --> 00:40:59.059 in that love. 00:40:59.800 --> 00:41:00.700 And we must allow it 00:41:00.700 --> 00:41:01.880 to set our direction. 00:41:03.100 --> 00:41:04.019 Who is Jesus? 00:41:04.579 --> 00:41:06.360 Jesus is the Son of God 00:41:06.360 --> 00:41:07.760 who's come to reveal 00:41:07.760 --> 00:41:08.700 the truth of God 00:41:08.700 --> 00:41:09.180 and goodness 00:41:09.180 --> 00:41:09.760 and love 00:41:09.760 --> 00:41:10.680 to the world. 00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:11.619 And what did Jesus 00:41:11.619 --> 00:41:12.399 do? 00:41:12.739 --> 00:41:14.079 He died on the cross. 00:41:15.199 --> 00:41:16.059 Having lived 00:41:16.059 --> 00:41:17.159 a life of perfect 00:41:17.159 --> 00:41:17.779 obedience 00:41:17.779 --> 00:41:18.259 and love 00:41:18.259 --> 00:41:19.059 towards God 00:41:19.059 --> 00:41:19.960 and towards others, 00:41:20.139 --> 00:41:21.219 he then died 00:41:21.219 --> 00:41:23.000 as our substitute, 00:41:23.319 --> 00:41:24.219 died as that 00:41:24.219 --> 00:41:25.019 sacrifice 00:41:25.019 --> 00:41:25.859 that we need 00:41:25.859 --> 00:41:27.940 for our misdirected love, 00:41:28.179 --> 00:41:29.239 for our lack 00:41:29.239 --> 00:41:29.839 of love 00:41:29.839 --> 00:41:31.799 before rising again 00:41:31.799 --> 00:41:32.279 in victory 00:41:32.279 --> 00:41:33.199 on the third day. 00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:35.299 And why did 00:41:35.299 --> 00:41:36.379 Jesus die? 00:41:36.380 --> 00:41:38.860 He died to show us 00:41:38.860 --> 00:41:40.099 what perfect love 00:41:40.099 --> 00:41:41.440 looks like, 00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:43.099 love that is self-giving, 00:41:43.740 --> 00:41:45.880 love that is sacrificial, 00:41:46.640 --> 00:41:47.960 love that makes us 00:41:47.960 --> 00:41:49.140 children of God. 00:41:49.880 --> 00:41:51.280 Let me read for us 00:41:51.280 --> 00:41:52.559 1 John 4, 00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:54.680 verses 9 and 10. 00:41:54.679 --> 00:41:57.099 This is how God 00:41:57.099 --> 00:41:58.339 showed his love 00:41:58.339 --> 00:41:59.159 among us. 00:41:59.859 --> 00:42:01.019 He sent his one 00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:01.839 and only Son 00:42:01.839 --> 00:42:02.940 into the world 00:42:02.940 --> 00:42:04.659 that we might live 00:42:04.659 --> 00:42:05.539 through him. 00:42:06.359 --> 00:42:07.839 This is love. 00:42:08.480 --> 00:42:09.919 Not that we loved God, 00:42:10.579 --> 00:42:12.159 but that he loved us 00:42:12.159 --> 00:42:13.980 and sent his Son 00:42:13.980 --> 00:42:16.339 as an atoning sacrifice 00:42:16.339 --> 00:42:17.980 for our sins. 00:42:18.980 --> 00:42:20.340 What do we receive 00:42:20.340 --> 00:42:21.619 from Jesus, 00:42:21.780 --> 00:42:22.760 the one who is love? 00:42:22.820 --> 00:42:23.740 We receive everything. 00:42:25.039 --> 00:42:26.659 We enjoy the love of God, 00:42:26.800 --> 00:42:27.980 Father, Son, and Spirit. 00:42:28.119 --> 00:42:30.240 We enjoy peace with God, 00:42:30.300 --> 00:42:31.039 knowing our sins 00:42:31.039 --> 00:42:31.699 are forgiven. 00:42:32.039 --> 00:42:33.159 We enjoy the hope 00:42:33.159 --> 00:42:34.179 of eternal life, 00:42:34.500 --> 00:42:35.280 knowing God now 00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:35.639 with the hope 00:42:35.639 --> 00:42:37.159 of enjoying him forever. 00:42:37.800 --> 00:42:38.780 Knowing the love 00:42:38.780 --> 00:42:39.460 of Jesus 00:42:39.460 --> 00:42:42.199 changes everything. 00:42:43.420 --> 00:42:44.940 So the measure of love 00:42:44.940 --> 00:42:46.420 truly is the Lord 00:42:46.420 --> 00:42:47.679 Jesus himself. 00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:50.099 And we are all invited 00:42:50.099 --> 00:42:51.800 to receive that love 00:42:51.800 --> 00:42:53.519 and to enjoy it 00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:54.179 for ourselves 00:42:54.179 --> 00:42:55.760 and to keep moving 00:42:55.760 --> 00:42:56.840 towards him, 00:42:57.179 --> 00:42:58.340 the one who is love, 00:42:58.800 --> 00:43:00.880 the one who is truth. 00:43:02.440 --> 00:43:04.219 I was conscious this week 00:43:04.219 --> 00:43:07.059 that when you're in a section 00:43:07.059 --> 00:43:08.440 like 1 Corinthians 13, 00:43:08.440 --> 00:43:09.940 it's really easy to feel 00:43:09.940 --> 00:43:11.980 bad about ourselves. 00:43:12.619 --> 00:43:13.599 Because when we're honest, 00:43:13.679 --> 00:43:14.780 we come to a section like this, 00:43:14.780 --> 00:43:16.940 we know how far short 00:43:16.940 --> 00:43:17.860 we often fall 00:43:17.860 --> 00:43:20.519 when it comes to our love. 00:43:21.599 --> 00:43:22.300 Even today, 00:43:22.380 --> 00:43:23.140 we recognize, 00:43:23.260 --> 00:43:24.000 probably as we begin 00:43:24.000 --> 00:43:24.420 to reflect, 00:43:24.519 --> 00:43:25.059 that there are times 00:43:25.059 --> 00:43:25.680 where we choose 00:43:25.680 --> 00:43:26.340 the wrong path. 00:43:26.420 --> 00:43:27.840 We do delight in what's evil 00:43:27.840 --> 00:43:29.120 rather than what's good and true. 00:43:30.120 --> 00:43:31.160 That's what we need, 00:43:31.220 --> 00:43:31.820 and this is how we're going 00:43:31.820 --> 00:43:32.099 to close. 00:43:32.140 --> 00:43:33.280 We need to remind ourselves 00:43:33.280 --> 00:43:34.039 of the gospel, 00:43:34.720 --> 00:43:36.160 to take our eyes off ourselves, 00:43:36.240 --> 00:43:37.740 to fix our eyes on Jesus again. 00:43:37.780 --> 00:43:38.599 Because the gospel, 00:43:39.019 --> 00:43:40.760 it speaks of three things. 00:43:40.840 --> 00:43:42.840 It speaks of grace. 00:43:43.800 --> 00:43:44.240 You and I, 00:43:44.320 --> 00:43:45.880 we're not children of God 00:43:45.880 --> 00:43:47.420 because we are able 00:43:47.420 --> 00:43:48.440 to love well 00:43:48.440 --> 00:43:49.640 or love perfectly. 00:43:50.000 --> 00:43:51.420 We are children of God 00:43:51.420 --> 00:43:52.900 because of the perfect love 00:43:52.900 --> 00:43:54.000 of God, 00:43:54.280 --> 00:43:56.180 his grace in sending Jesus 00:43:56.180 --> 00:43:58.940 to love us and save us 00:43:58.940 --> 00:44:00.480 when we couldn't save ourselves 00:44:00.480 --> 00:44:02.000 and we couldn't love God. 00:44:02.240 --> 00:44:03.420 So we need to remember 00:44:03.420 --> 00:44:04.539 God's grace. 00:44:06.380 --> 00:44:07.840 The gospel also speaks 00:44:07.840 --> 00:44:10.420 of growing in love. 00:44:10.420 --> 00:44:11.920 One of the wonderful things 00:44:11.920 --> 00:44:13.139 is that when we become a Christian, 00:44:13.220 --> 00:44:14.500 we're not then left to ourselves 00:44:14.500 --> 00:44:15.340 to kind of figure it out 00:44:15.340 --> 00:44:16.599 and to make improvements. 00:44:16.740 --> 00:44:18.960 No, the Spirit comes to live in us 00:44:18.960 --> 00:44:20.320 and we get a new heart 00:44:20.320 --> 00:44:21.800 and we get new desires. 00:44:21.940 --> 00:44:23.119 And so we have this promise 00:44:23.119 --> 00:44:25.360 that as the Spirit is working in us 00:44:25.360 --> 00:44:26.260 and the Spirit wants 00:44:26.260 --> 00:44:27.820 to make us more like Jesus 00:44:27.820 --> 00:44:29.840 and show us more of his glory, 00:44:30.200 --> 00:44:32.059 that we will make progress. 00:44:32.639 --> 00:44:33.980 That as we're walking with the Spirit, 00:44:34.099 --> 00:44:35.280 we will change, 00:44:35.340 --> 00:44:36.579 that he is making us 00:44:36.579 --> 00:44:38.760 more and more like Christ. 00:44:38.760 --> 00:44:40.480 And sometimes we have to look back 00:44:40.480 --> 00:44:41.000 over the years 00:44:41.000 --> 00:44:42.060 and we have to learn to reflect 00:44:42.060 --> 00:44:42.500 to see, 00:44:42.980 --> 00:44:43.860 I can see. 00:44:44.660 --> 00:44:45.560 I know I'm not perfect, 00:44:45.660 --> 00:44:47.500 but I am making progress. 00:44:48.340 --> 00:44:49.720 But we also need to remember 00:44:49.720 --> 00:44:50.720 when it comes to the gospel, 00:44:50.880 --> 00:44:51.680 we need to remember 00:44:51.680 --> 00:44:52.980 the promise of glory. 00:44:53.940 --> 00:44:55.540 That reality that while 00:44:55.540 --> 00:44:57.000 as much as now we feel 00:44:57.000 --> 00:44:58.120 our struggles and our failures, 00:44:58.260 --> 00:44:59.600 there is a day coming 00:44:59.600 --> 00:45:03.780 when we will measure up perfectly. 00:45:04.620 --> 00:45:07.560 When Jesus returns in his glory 00:45:07.559 --> 00:45:09.440 and we are with him, 00:45:09.500 --> 00:45:10.360 we will see him 00:45:10.360 --> 00:45:11.840 and we will be made like him 00:45:11.840 --> 00:45:12.739 and then, 00:45:13.659 --> 00:45:14.980 then we will love perfectly. 00:45:15.579 --> 00:45:17.719 Then we will pursue his truth 00:45:17.719 --> 00:45:20.380 perfectly in heaven, 00:45:20.840 --> 00:45:23.199 a world of love. 00:45:24.199 --> 00:45:25.860 And we need to remember 00:45:25.860 --> 00:45:29.259 that the God who has begun 00:45:29.259 --> 00:45:30.920 a good work in us 00:45:30.920 --> 00:45:33.400 will certainly complete it 00:45:33.400 --> 00:45:36.079 all the way until the day 00:45:36.079 --> 00:45:38.059 of Christ Jesus. 00:45:38.960 --> 00:45:40.099 Let's pray together. 00:45:41.860 --> 00:45:43.579 Lord, our God, 00:45:44.079 --> 00:45:47.059 we recognize so much 00:45:47.059 --> 00:45:49.740 that is contrary 00:45:49.740 --> 00:45:51.200 to what is good and true 00:45:51.200 --> 00:45:51.980 in our lives, 00:45:52.019 --> 00:45:52.920 in our conversation, 00:45:53.480 --> 00:45:54.760 in how we think of others 00:45:54.760 --> 00:45:55.820 or treat others. 00:45:55.820 --> 00:46:00.160 Lord, we want to take a moment 00:46:00.160 --> 00:46:02.500 to confess that. 00:46:02.500 --> 00:46:21.420 Lord, at the same time, 00:46:21.500 --> 00:46:22.559 we are so thankful 00:46:22.559 --> 00:46:23.519 for the gospel, 00:46:24.260 --> 00:46:25.179 for that reminder 00:46:25.179 --> 00:46:27.219 of your perfect love, 00:46:27.800 --> 00:46:30.079 of your transforming love. 00:46:30.079 --> 00:46:32.340 may you cause us 00:46:32.340 --> 00:46:34.039 to rejoice in that, 00:46:34.119 --> 00:46:36.000 to find our hope in that, 00:46:36.039 --> 00:46:37.739 to have our character, 00:46:37.960 --> 00:46:38.920 our conversation, 00:46:39.179 --> 00:46:41.980 our conduct be changed 00:46:41.980 --> 00:46:45.199 as we are directed 00:46:45.199 --> 00:46:46.539 by your truth 00:46:46.539 --> 00:46:47.500 and your love, 00:46:48.579 --> 00:46:49.960 as led by the Spirit, 00:46:51.019 --> 00:46:52.019 and we day by day 00:46:52.019 --> 00:46:52.960 delight in it. 00:46:53.880 --> 00:46:55.059 Lord, please help us 00:46:55.059 --> 00:46:56.779 in this coming week 00:46:56.780 --> 00:46:59.260 to make progress 00:46:59.260 --> 00:47:00.060 in our love, 00:47:01.320 --> 00:47:02.460 to be thinking, 00:47:03.160 --> 00:47:04.800 to be guarding our hearts, 00:47:05.880 --> 00:47:08.200 to be dependent on you 00:47:08.200 --> 00:47:10.700 so that we might live for you. 00:47:11.540 --> 00:47:12.840 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:47:13.340 --> 00:47:13.660 Amen. 00:47:13.660 --> 00:47:13.780 Amen. 00:47:16.860 --> 00:47:18.540 Now, you may have seen 00:47:18.540 --> 00:47:20.780 through social media 00:47:20.780 --> 00:47:22.640 that we're going to sing a hymn. 00:47:22.840 --> 00:47:23.620 Well, we're not going to sing. 00:47:23.700 --> 00:47:24.420 We're going to listen to a hymn. 00:47:24.820 --> 00:47:25.620 A hymn being sung. 00:47:25.619 --> 00:47:26.819 My hymn of praise, 00:47:26.940 --> 00:47:27.819 Forever Jesus. 00:47:27.940 --> 00:47:29.859 A wonderful song 00:47:29.859 --> 00:47:32.299 written a couple of years ago 00:47:32.299 --> 00:47:33.579 that hopefully, 00:47:33.779 --> 00:47:34.900 before too much longer, 00:47:35.039 --> 00:47:36.039 we will get to sing, 00:47:36.119 --> 00:47:36.519 but for now, 00:47:36.579 --> 00:47:37.719 we can reflect on 00:47:37.719 --> 00:47:38.699 its wonderful truth. 00:47:38.699 --> 00:47:38.839 Amen. 00:47:38.840 --> 00:47:53.900 My hymn of praise 00:47:53.900 --> 00:47:56.120 shall be forever, 00:47:56.519 --> 00:47:57.400 Jesus, 00:47:58.340 --> 00:48:01.079 my firm foundation 00:48:01.079 --> 00:48:05.079 in shifting sands, 00:48:05.079 --> 00:48:07.400 my strength and hope. 00:48:07.400 --> 00:48:12.079 Through many fears and failures, 00:48:12.079 --> 00:48:18.739 the disappointments of the past, 00:48:18.739 --> 00:48:26.119 His constant love has held me fast. 00:48:26.119 --> 00:48:27.119 forever, 00:48:27.119 --> 00:48:28.119 forever, 00:48:28.119 --> 00:48:31.119 Jesus. 00:48:31.119 --> 00:48:34.239 So for all my days, 00:48:34.239 --> 00:48:37.659 I will sing my praise 00:48:37.659 --> 00:48:39.279 to the King, 00:48:39.279 --> 00:48:41.440 forever, 00:48:41.440 --> 00:48:43.179 Jesus. 00:48:43.179 --> 00:48:47.759 Though the storms may rage, 00:48:48.159 --> 00:48:51.079 He is strong to save. 00:48:51.079 --> 00:48:52.960 He's the King, 00:48:52.960 --> 00:48:54.000 forever, 00:48:54.000 --> 00:48:54.759 forever, 00:48:54.759 --> 00:48:57.039 Jesus. 00:49:01.400 --> 00:49:04.599 My song of joy 00:49:04.599 --> 00:49:07.039 shall be forever, 00:49:07.279 --> 00:49:08.360 Jesus, 00:49:08.400 --> 00:49:11.920 who bore the suffering, 00:49:11.920 --> 00:49:15.200 who made a way. 00:49:16.320 --> 00:49:18.180 His life a gift, 00:49:18.900 --> 00:49:21.980 His death a precious ransom, 00:49:21.980 --> 00:49:28.280 that wipes the sinner's guilt away, 00:49:28.280 --> 00:49:31.680 and turns our night 00:49:31.680 --> 00:49:36.280 to glorious day. 00:49:36.280 --> 00:49:43.700 So for all my days, 00:49:43.700 --> 00:49:46.740 I will sing my praise 00:49:46.740 --> 00:49:48.420 to the King, 00:49:48.420 --> 00:49:50.340 forever, 00:49:50.340 --> 00:49:52.040 Jesus. 00:49:53.160 --> 00:49:56.620 Though the storms may rage, 00:49:57.000 --> 00:49:59.920 He is strong to save. 00:50:00.260 --> 00:50:01.660 He's the King, 00:50:02.320 --> 00:50:03.519 forever, 00:50:03.519 --> 00:50:04.199 forever, 00:50:04.320 --> 00:50:06.000 Jesus. 00:50:06.000 --> 00:50:08.000 Jesus 00:50:08.000 --> 00:50:35.000 My final breath 00:50:35.000 --> 00:50:38.780 Shall be forever Jesus 00:50:38.780 --> 00:50:43.000 When shadows lengthen 00:50:43.000 --> 00:50:46.219 For my eyes 00:50:46.219 --> 00:50:48.840 My Lord and friend 00:50:48.840 --> 00:50:52.219 Companion through the valley 00:50:52.219 --> 00:50:58.780 When dearest ones are left behind 00:50:58.780 --> 00:51:05.560 His hand will lead me to blindness 00:51:05.560 --> 00:51:13.260 So for all my days 00:51:13.260 --> 00:51:18.200 I will sing my praise to the King 00:51:18.199 --> 00:51:21.659 Forever Jesus 00:51:21.659 --> 00:51:26.059 Though the storms may rage 00:51:26.059 --> 00:51:29.239 He is strong to save 00:51:29.239 --> 00:51:30.819 He's the King 00:51:30.819 --> 00:51:35.019 Forever Jesus 00:51:35.019 --> 00:51:38.800 When I meet His case 00:51:38.800 --> 00:51:42.199 I will sing my praise 00:51:42.199 --> 00:51:43.500 To the King 00:51:43.500 --> 00:51:47.159 Forever Jesus 00:51:47.159 --> 00:51:51.579 All my sorrows past 00:51:51.579 --> 00:51:54.759 I am home at last 00:51:54.759 --> 00:51:56.379 With my King 00:51:56.379 --> 00:52:00.619 Forever Jesus 00:52:00.619 --> 00:52:02.839 With my King 00:52:02.839 --> 00:52:07.039 Forever Jesus 00:52:07.039 --> 00:52:09.480 With my King 00:52:09.480 --> 00:52:14.579 Forever Jesus 00:52:14.579 --> 00:52:25.699 We stand together 00:52:25.699 --> 00:52:26.460 to receive 00:52:26.460 --> 00:52:32.420 Now may the grace 00:52:32.420 --> 00:52:34.239 of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:52:34.239 --> 00:52:36.199 and the love of God 00:52:36.199 --> 00:52:38.599 and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 00:52:38.599 --> 00:52:40.579 be with you all 00:52:40.579 --> 00:52:41.579 Amen 00:52:41.579 --> 00:52:41.739 Amen 00:52:41.739 --> 00:52:45.519 Amen 00:52:45.519 --> 00:52:50.579 Amen 00:52:50.579 --> 00:52:54.319 Amen 00:52:54.319 --> 00:52:55.519 Amen 00:52:55.519 --> 00:52:59.079 Amen 00:52:59.479 --> 00:53:01.519 Amen