WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480
 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.640
 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.

00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:15.759
 In extraordinary supernatural ways.

00:00:16.879 --> 00:00:22.120
 And these instructions are extraordinary because they're given to us by Paul the Apostle.

00:00:23.039 --> 00:00:28.940
 To be an apostle meant that you saw the resurrected Messiah, you were taught by him, you were sent by him.

00:00:28.940 --> 00:00:31.240
 To be an apostle with a capital A.

00:00:31.800 --> 00:00:37.359
 Where all apostles with lowercase a's were sent out if we believe in Christ to spread his message.

00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:45.740
 Well the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead is the same power that's at work inside everybody who says they believe in Jesus Christ.

00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:48.380
 And that power is the Holy Spirit.

00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:58.359
 By the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, we're able to not only listen to what God says, but we're able to actually live differently.

00:00:58.939 --> 00:01:06.179
 And when we live that way, he tells us we experience the love of Christ in a deeper way.

00:01:06.739 --> 00:01:14.120
 And we join him in his work of bringing life to this decaying and dying world.

00:01:14.539 --> 00:01:19.019
 And we join him as he's making all things new, as Revelation says.

00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:22.319
 Until Jesus returns and renews all of creation.

00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:27.599
 So let's listen to what God is saying to us today through his word.

00:01:27.979 --> 00:01:29.639
 His inspired word, scripture.

00:01:29.859 --> 00:01:33.819
 Now kids, today when you listen, I added a little thing on your sermon challenge.

00:01:33.919 --> 00:01:37.919
 It's called, it says, you can say amen when you hear three of those phrases.

00:01:38.119 --> 00:01:42.639
 So you can listen and catch the words, but if you want to say amen, go ahead, let's practice.

00:01:42.819 --> 00:01:43.500
 One, two, three.

00:01:44.299 --> 00:01:44.939
 Okay, one more time.

00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:45.659
 One, two, three.

00:01:46.060 --> 00:01:46.379
 Amen.

00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:50.659
 And parents, we're all really children of God, so you can say it too if you want.

00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:54.359
 So what's being said to us through this passage?

00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:55.239
 Let's read.

00:01:55.340 --> 00:01:57.060
 This is on, whoa.

00:01:58.359 --> 00:02:02.119
 This is on page 975 of your Pew Bible.

00:02:02.500 --> 00:02:03.819
 It's Galatians 6.2.

00:02:04.859 --> 00:02:07.359
 It's pretty basic, pretty short.

00:02:07.459 --> 00:02:08.000
 Here's what it says.

00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:12.960
 Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:19.620
 Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:21.180
 So bear one another's burdens.

00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:21.900
 Let's start there.

00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:27.920
 So in this passage, it's Paul writing, and he's writing specifically to the church in Galatia.

00:02:28.060 --> 00:02:29.960
 If you live there, you are called a Galatian.

00:02:30.680 --> 00:02:34.680
 So those who have put their faith in the resurrected Jesus is who he's writing to.

00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:42.260
 And he's writing specifically about how they are to live and to love one another after having been disciplined.

00:02:43.360 --> 00:02:45.659
 And at the heart of his writing is restoration.

00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:52.600
 How to lock arms towards restoration after having walked through serious struggles with a particular sin.

00:02:53.420 --> 00:02:57.180
 And after having felt the consequence of the sinful actions.

00:02:57.740 --> 00:02:59.280
 So that's specifically what he's writing about.

00:02:59.360 --> 00:03:02.740
 But today we're going to discuss this passage in even broader applications

00:03:02.740 --> 00:03:09.520
 because it actually applies to all believers who desire to live as Christians in this world of broken relationships.

00:03:10.600 --> 00:03:14.740
 So what does it mean first when he says bear one another's burdens?

00:03:15.520 --> 00:03:17.920
 Well, this phrase is written in the present tense.

00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:22.100
 And that's important because it means it's to be an ongoing behavior.

00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:28.879
 Christians are expected and called to continually bear one another's burdens.

00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:35.340
 Christians are called to carry with endurance one another's heavy loads.

00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:41.879
 The parts of our lives that are the most difficult to lift and to carry on our own.

00:03:41.979 --> 00:03:43.460
 We all have these heavy loads.

00:03:44.079 --> 00:03:46.539
 And none of us are designed to carry them alone.

00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:50.819
 As the song says, sometimes in our lives we all have pain.

00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:52.120
 We all have sorrow.

00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:58.039
 If there's a load you have to bear that you can't carry, I'm right up the road.

00:03:58.599 --> 00:04:01.939
 I'll share your load if you just call me.

00:04:03.340 --> 00:04:05.340
 But we don't call each other, do we?

00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:07.140
 That's the hard part.

00:04:07.400 --> 00:04:08.379
 Call me.

00:04:08.780 --> 00:04:10.520
 I'm not going to call you.

00:04:11.080 --> 00:04:11.379
 No?

00:04:12.040 --> 00:04:13.719
 Because you might think bad of me.

00:04:14.099 --> 00:04:15.120
 He doesn't say that song, right?

00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:17.540
 Let's talk about our hearts for a minute.

00:04:17.540 --> 00:04:29.180
 But in order to live the way that we're called to live as Christians, we first have to admit that we actually can't carry all the burdens this life gives us on our own.

00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:44.340
 Whether it's sickness or loneliness or addiction or financial struggles, disabilities, divorce, anger, depression, bullying, feeling like you don't fit in or simply thinking that you just don't matter.

00:04:44.339 --> 00:04:48.560
 God has not designed you to carry that load alone.

00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:56.879
 In fact, he's given you first himself and second, the church, people who confess Christ as king to help you.

00:04:56.959 --> 00:05:02.179
 But one of our greatest obstacles to accepting this help is our sinful pride.

00:05:03.739 --> 00:05:09.099
 We don't call each other because we think that our burdens show our weaknesses, and they do.

00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:12.399
 So we live like we don't have them sometimes.

00:05:12.399 --> 00:05:19.639
 We never ask for help from God a lot of times for the things that we really need to ask him for help on or others.

00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:21.259
 That's pride.

00:05:23.139 --> 00:05:28.799
 It's the I think I'm better than you, so I'm not going to tell you what I'm dealing with sort of mentality.

00:05:28.919 --> 00:05:33.560
 Or I'm too scared of what you'll think of me, so I'm just not going to talk about it at all.

00:05:34.099 --> 00:05:35.439
 This, I do this.

00:05:36.299 --> 00:05:37.359
 I'm the same as you.

00:05:38.299 --> 00:05:40.239
 But I just happen to be standing up here today.

00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:42.759
 But I did this.

00:05:42.819 --> 00:05:49.340
 One time my family was coming in town into Birmingham, and I had to impress them.

00:05:49.660 --> 00:05:56.879
 So instead of calling someone to fix the sink, I chose to do it because I know nothing about plumbing or anything.

00:05:57.280 --> 00:06:03.280
 So there I am screwing the top off of this faucet handle because it had just been dripping.

00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:05.159
 And so I was like, well, let me just unscrew this.

00:06:06.539 --> 00:06:07.759
 And it was hot water.

00:06:08.239 --> 00:06:09.639
 And it was a 1950s house.

00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:10.739
 So I was in there.

00:06:10.799 --> 00:06:11.739
 My wife, she could tell you.

00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:15.679
 She came in shooting, gushing, steam hot water in my face.

00:06:15.739 --> 00:06:16.979
 I have a towel doing this.

00:06:17.159 --> 00:06:20.979
 And I'm trying to turn off the hot water valve underneath, which also won't turn off.

00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:21.799
 And I look.

00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:23.500
 At one point, I just submitted to it.

00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:25.439
 Let the water fall on my face.

00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:30.639
 And I look over, and all of the water was neatly and nicely draining down the vent.

00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:31.920
 Just shh.

00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:37.060
 And that was because I didn't want to call anybody for help.

00:06:37.180 --> 00:06:39.019
 Sometimes it's the little things, right?

00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:40.980
 Sometimes it's big things.

00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:43.180
 Serious.

00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:48.939
 We got the call many years ago that my brother-in-law, my wife's brother, had taken his own life.

00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:50.439
 He never talked about it.

00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:53.500
 We had no idea out of nowhere.

00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:56.340
 And it changes you forever.

00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:59.460
 You know, even if you think about a teapot, right?

00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:03.060
 If it didn't scream, everybody would get burned.

00:07:04.139 --> 00:07:05.300
 And that's how we are.

00:07:05.840 --> 00:07:07.579
 And we're not meant to hold that stuff in.

00:07:07.920 --> 00:07:12.040
 As this song said, please swallow your pride if I have things you need to borrow.

00:07:12.040 --> 00:07:17.460
 For no one can fill those of your needs that you won't let show.

00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:19.620
 So here's the challenge.

00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:23.560
 I want to encourage you to do two things.

00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:30.040
 I want you to go to God this week or today or whenever.

00:07:30.140 --> 00:07:35.439
 And I want you to ask him to show you the burdens of your life that you're holding on to and not bringing to him.

00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:42.259
 And I want you then to ask him who you should share that with.

00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:45.920
 That's a challenge.

00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:51.839
 Because bearing one another's burdens means that we must be willing to be uncomfortable,

00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:56.560
 to let people in, and to let others know that we don't have it all together.

00:07:56.560 --> 00:08:00.420
 That starts by us helping ourselves first.

00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:04.579
 We can't help others if we've got ourselves in the way.

00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:05.680
 So we have to get out of the way.

00:08:05.740 --> 00:08:06.500
 And how do we do that?

00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:09.079
 We do that by casting our own burdens on Christ.

00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:10.819
 Kids, here you go.

00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:15.779
 Bearing one another's burdens begins by casting our own burdens upon Christ.

00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:18.100
 Okay, how it'll work.

00:08:18.100 --> 00:08:21.939
 Let's look at what scripture says about this.

00:08:22.320 --> 00:08:24.400
 1 Peter 5, 6, and 7 says,

00:08:24.520 --> 00:08:29.379
 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:33.540
 casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you.

00:08:34.300 --> 00:08:35.379
 Psalm 522,

00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:41.399
 Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you.

00:08:42.580 --> 00:08:45.139
 You see, God is our ultimate source of strength.

00:08:45.139 --> 00:08:48.360
 It's not in our own strength that we do this,

00:08:48.699 --> 00:08:53.639
 but we call upon the power of his Holy Spirit to enable us and to sustain us.

00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:56.419
 And we do this through prayer.

00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:59.439
 Will, can I get you to come up here and help me?

00:08:59.620 --> 00:09:02.759
 And Sarah Pittered, would you mind just coming up here?

00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:05.600
 Okay, so y'all come stand up here with me.

00:09:08.500 --> 00:09:11.679
 And in these backpacks are bricks.

00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:14.000
 Oh wait, this is yours, isn't it?

00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:15.639
 And this is yours.

00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:19.720
 Now imagine we're all friends, which we're not.

00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:20.620
 We all hate each other.

00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:23.580
 But we're going to act like we're friends today.

00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:27.179
 And these guys are my friends.

00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:29.899
 They're over here in the world marching around, carrying their heavy burdens.

00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:31.340
 Y'all stay here doing that.

00:09:32.139 --> 00:09:34.120
 When I say carry our burdens to Christ,

00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:36.740
 what I mean is going to Christ,

00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:38.799
 going to the cross through prayer,

00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:41.039
 kneeling if you kneel,

00:09:41.859 --> 00:09:43.000
 and saying,

00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:46.319
 Jesus, show me what I'm carrying on my own.

00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:50.039
 What happens inevitably

00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:52.539
 is when I leave there,

00:09:53.079 --> 00:09:54.439
 I go back into the world,

00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:55.900
 I see my friends.

00:09:55.900 --> 00:09:56.320
 Sarah,

00:09:57.180 --> 00:09:59.360
 I didn't know that you were dealing with that too.

00:09:59.400 --> 00:10:01.120
 I was just taking this stuff to Jesus.

00:10:01.240 --> 00:10:02.180
 You deal with this too?

00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:03.380
 Not just me?

00:10:04.180 --> 00:10:04.580
 Wow.

00:10:05.280 --> 00:10:06.220
 Well, here,

00:10:06.640 --> 00:10:07.700
 let me help you out there.

00:10:07.880 --> 00:10:10.460
 I would love to pray for you.

00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:12.040
 I really would.

00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:12.620
 It would be awesome.

00:10:13.380 --> 00:10:14.260
 And Will,

00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:16.920
 you got problems?

00:10:17.680 --> 00:10:18.720
 99 problems?

00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:19.120
 Wow.

00:10:20.660 --> 00:10:20.940
 Okay.

00:10:24.300 --> 00:10:25.220
 Let me see here.

00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:26.860
 I know something about that.

00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:28.080
 I heard the same thing,

00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:29.940
 and I prayed to the Lord.

00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:31.279
 You know what?

00:10:31.300 --> 00:10:31.700
 It helped me.

00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:32.980
 Can I pray for you?

00:10:33.040 --> 00:10:34.519
 Could we actually just go pray together?

00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:35.080
 Come on.

00:10:35.160 --> 00:10:35.480
 Let's go.

00:10:35.960 --> 00:10:37.759
 Let's go to Christ together right now.

00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:42.899
 And let's just let him know together.

00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.460
 Just tell,

00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:45.960
 Lord,

00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:46.620
 show us.

00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:48.279
 Show us what we need to do.

00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:50.759
 Show us where we're holding our own burdens.

00:10:51.300 --> 00:10:53.940
 Take them out and cast them before the Lord.

00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:57.600
 Amen.

00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:59.519
 And then inevitably what happens?

00:10:59.920 --> 00:11:01.240
 We go back out into that world,

00:11:01.920 --> 00:11:07.379
 and we've got more room to meet more people to share more burdens.

00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:08.500
 Thank you all.

00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:09.300
 These are lovely.

00:11:10.120 --> 00:11:10.620
 Lovely.

00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:14.120
 So,

00:11:14.519 --> 00:11:16.960
 that's what those verses are saying.

00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:19.720
 In a illustration,

00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.139
 right?

00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:24.360
 Bearing one another's burdens begins by casting our own burdens upon Christ.

00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:24.759
 Amen.

00:11:25.420 --> 00:11:26.340
 When we do this,

00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:28.259
 you need to realize that most of the time,

00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:31.240
 God's going to answer your prayer by sending a person.

00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:33.700
 God wraps his gifts in people,

00:11:34.540 --> 00:11:37.759
 and those people are going to help you bear your burden.

00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:39.280
 It's usually going to be his church.

00:11:39.780 --> 00:11:40.560
 It doesn't have to be,

00:11:40.559 --> 00:11:41.759
 but many times it is.

00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:43.739
 Paul did this.

00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:46.059
 Let's read where Paul did this.

00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:49.219
 For even when we came into Macedonia,

00:11:49.299 --> 00:11:50.539
 our bodies had no rest,

00:11:50.599 --> 00:11:52.139
 but we were afflicted at every turn,

00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.679
 fighting without and fear within.

00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:54.739
 But God,

00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:56.519
 who comforts the downcast,

00:11:57.179 --> 00:11:58.099
 comforted us

00:11:58.099 --> 00:12:00.019
 by the coming of Titus.

00:12:00.779 --> 00:12:02.259
 And not only by his coming,

00:12:02.339 --> 00:12:03.799
 but also by the comfort with which

00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:05.199
 he was comforted by you,

00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:07.060
 as he told us of your longing,

00:12:07.200 --> 00:12:07.600
 your mourning,

00:12:07.740 --> 00:12:08.460
 your zeal for me,

00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:10.379
 so that I rejoiced still more.

00:12:11.040 --> 00:12:11.400
 You see,

00:12:11.500 --> 00:12:11.920
 he prayed,

00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:12.940
 he cast those burdens,

00:12:13.080 --> 00:12:14.860
 God sent him a Sarah and a Will,

00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:16.540
 and they took them together,

00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.900
 and they told him of all the things

00:12:17.900 --> 00:12:18.860
 that other people had done

00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.759
 to take their burdens.

00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:21.720
 This is the body of Christ.

00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:23.540
 Because bearing one another's burdens

00:12:23.540 --> 00:12:26.020
 begins by casting our burdens upon Christ.

00:12:26.660 --> 00:12:27.460
 So here's a challenge.

00:12:28.280 --> 00:12:29.500
 Do you have time

00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:31.259
 in your schedule

00:12:31.259 --> 00:12:33.000
 that's necessary for you

00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:34.980
 to be able to cast your burdens upon Christ?

00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:36.200
 That's a question

00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:37.400
 I want you to ask yourself.

00:12:38.920 --> 00:12:41.620
 Because bearing one another's burdens

00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:44.759
 is impossible without relationships.

00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:48.220
 And relationships take time.

00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:51.340
 But time is something

00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:53.960
 that we really struggle with today.

00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:55.800
 We live in the consumer world,

00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:57.540
 and at any given moment,

00:12:57.960 --> 00:13:00.120
 there are so many competing options

00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:01.000
 for our time.

00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:04.720
 I was reading something

00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:06.060
 about Netflix the other day.

00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:06.600
 Boom!

00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:08.340
 That's supposed to be the Netflix sound.

00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:10.060
 According to Automated Insights,

00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.700
 there are around 34,000 hours

00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.860
 of material on Netflix.

00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:16.960
 That means that if I watch Netflix

00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:18.460
 three hours a day,

00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:20.300
 it would take me 31 years

00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:21.420
 to watch everything on there.

00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:24.680
 It would take me 31 years.

00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:26.799
 Now, if I watch Netflix 24-7,

00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.479
 no bathroom breaks,

00:13:28.599 --> 00:13:29.179
 no food,

00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:30.579
 no coffee breaks,

00:13:30.739 --> 00:13:32.620
 it would take me around four years

00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:33.939
 to consume all of the material

00:13:33.939 --> 00:13:34.719
 on there right now.

00:13:35.959 --> 00:13:37.039
 That's not even mentioned

00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:37.919
 in social media.

00:13:39.019 --> 00:13:41.099
 We're all so busy, aren't we?

00:13:41.839 --> 00:13:43.699
 We're all moving so fast, too,

00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.819
 in the middle of the busyness.

00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:46.039
 I was driving,

00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:46.899
 getting on,

00:13:46.979 --> 00:13:47.799
 I live over the mountains,

00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:49.579
 so I was getting on 431 one day,

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:51.180
 and there was this long line

00:13:51.180 --> 00:13:51.759
 at five o'clock

00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:53.060
 and this Ferrari pulls up.

00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.240
 The guy in the Ferrari

00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.120
 tops down,

00:13:55.540 --> 00:13:56.500
 everything you could imagine,

00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:57.160
 hair blowing,

00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:58.460
 sunglasses,

00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:00.160
 music going,

00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:00.780
 and then, of course,

00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:01.040
 he goes,

00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.960
 pulls right up to the front

00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:03.900
 and cuts in front of everybody.

00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.340
 Then we both turn on to 431

00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:07.360
 and guess what happens?

00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.980
 Traffic jam.

00:14:09.900 --> 00:14:10.680
 Then guess what happened?

00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:12.360
 Rainstorm.

00:14:15.180 --> 00:14:16.220
 Guess who was laughing?

00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.360
 This guy.

00:14:18.520 --> 00:14:19.440
 That's what you get.

00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.540
 Mr. Ferrari man.

00:14:22.780 --> 00:14:24.480
 But we're all like that Ferrari,

00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:24.960
 aren't we?

00:14:25.180 --> 00:14:26.080
 We're in a hurry

00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:27.760
 to go somewhere really fast

00:14:27.760 --> 00:14:28.420
 and we want to look

00:14:28.420 --> 00:14:29.440
 the best we can

00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.240
 when we're going there,

00:14:30.680 --> 00:14:31.700
 but God reminds us

00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.840
 that we're going to be stopped

00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:33.640
 by things that are

00:14:33.640 --> 00:14:34.940
 completely out of our control,

00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:36.900
 loads that are too heavy

00:14:36.900 --> 00:14:37.720
 for us to carry,

00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:38.700
 and rainstorms

00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.960
 that we don't plan for.

00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.440
 And we need relationships

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.440
 to sustain us,

00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:45.660
 but relationships take time.

00:14:46.140 --> 00:14:47.380
 We have to slow down for them.

00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:49.180
 That's why God took time

00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:51.019
 to incarnate with us,

00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:52.019
 to come to earth,

00:14:52.739 --> 00:14:53.659
 to pay the penalty

00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:55.479
 for our sins on the cross

00:14:55.479 --> 00:14:56.799
 so that we may,

00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.379
 through him,

00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:59.779
 have an eternal relationship

00:14:59.779 --> 00:15:02.219
 and thereby have relationships

00:15:02.219 --> 00:15:03.679
 based on that foundation

00:15:03.679 --> 00:15:04.459
 with one another.

00:15:04.460 --> 00:15:06.300
 So when we take the time

00:15:06.300 --> 00:15:06.960
 to slow down

00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.900
 and we cast our burdens

00:15:07.900 --> 00:15:08.540
 on Christ,

00:15:08.660 --> 00:15:10.080
 we stop and we listen to him

00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.680
 through scripture,

00:15:11.180 --> 00:15:11.879
 through prayer,

00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:13.780
 in the ordinary things,

00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:15.639
 our spiritual eyes

00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:17.200
 are actually more focused

00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:18.800
 to see God's

00:15:18.800 --> 00:15:19.960
 extraordinary work

00:15:19.960 --> 00:15:21.980
 in new ways

00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:23.600
 and experience the care

00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:25.100
 that he provides for us

00:15:25.100 --> 00:15:26.379
 through his people,

00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.480
 the church.

00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.360
 Bearing one another's burdens

00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.800
 is impossible without relationships.

00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:31.759
 So here's another challenge.

00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:33.980
 I want to encourage each of you

00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.600
 this week

00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:36.480
 to ask Google

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.879
 how much time

00:15:37.879 --> 00:15:38.919
 you've got for God.

00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:41.919
 I want you to take out

00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.659
 your calendars.

00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:44.179
 I want you to look at

00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:44.740
 all the stuff

00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.460
 that you've got on there.

00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.500
 I want you to analyze it

00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.019
 as families,

00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.600
 as couples,

00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:48.279
 as individuals,

00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:48.779
 and ask,

00:15:49.220 --> 00:15:50.679
 do I have any time

00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:51.519
 carved out here

00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:53.159
 to cast my burdens

00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:54.259
 on Jesus Christ,

00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.100
 to develop a relationship

00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.639
 with him?

00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:58.500
 Do I have time

00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.500
 to develop a relationship

00:15:59.500 --> 00:16:00.179
 with others

00:16:00.179 --> 00:16:00.899
 in his name

00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:03.220
 and even bear

00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.879
 their burdens?

00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:06.580
 God is not an energy drink

00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.500
 that we drink

00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:08.179
 once a week

00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:10.919
 to boost our spiritual energy

00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.480
 on Sunday

00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:12.320
 to go back out.

00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:13.940
 He's our very existence.

00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.100
 He has every moment,

00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:15.860
 every breath,

00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.580
 every tick of the clock

00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:17.960
 is his.

00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.220
 Imagine if we just brushed

00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:20.440
 our teeth on Sundays.

00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.240
 Man,

00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:22.139
 our breath would stink

00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.659
 all week.

00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:24.840
 Nobody would be our friends.

00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:26.799
 It's not much different

00:16:26.799 --> 00:16:27.480
 with our faith.

00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:29.320
 Does your faith stink

00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:29.759
 right now?

00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.940
 Do you have time

00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:33.440
 for God?

00:16:33.560 --> 00:16:34.659
 Do you have the time

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.580
 necessary to go

00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:36.500
 cast your burdens

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.980
 on Christ

00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.800
 and to develop

00:16:38.800 --> 00:16:40.019
 relationships with him

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:41.259
 and others?

00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.800
 Bearing one another's

00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.200
 burdens

00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:47.039
 and so fulfill

00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.779
 the law of Christ.

00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:47.960
 Sorry,

00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:48.620
 the verse isn't there.

00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.220
 But as the verse

00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.639
 goes on,

00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.500
 bear one another's burdens

00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.320
 and so fulfill

00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:53.139
 the law of Christ.

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.200
 Bearing one another's

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.680
 burdens

00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:57.200
 fulfills

00:16:57.200 --> 00:16:58.020
 the law

00:16:58.020 --> 00:16:58.740
 of Christ.

00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.100
 That sounds

00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.860
 pretty important.

00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:03.020
 Fulfilling the law

00:17:03.020 --> 00:17:03.520
 of Christ.

00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.700
 It's right to say

00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.019
 the negative of that

00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.740
 that if Christians

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.539
 do not bear

00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.440
 one another's burdens,

00:17:09.080 --> 00:17:09.940
 they are not

00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.680
 fulfilling the law

00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.180
 of Christ.

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.340
 What does Paul

00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:13.840
 mean there?

00:17:14.600 --> 00:17:15.500
 What is the law

00:17:15.500 --> 00:17:16.380
 of Christ?

00:17:16.580 --> 00:17:17.779
 Let's read John 13

00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.460
 to help us out.

00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:20.980
 A new commandment

00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.620
 I give to you

00:17:21.620 --> 00:17:22.259
 that you love

00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.779
 one another

00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:24.200
 just as I have

00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.779
 loved you.

00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:26.139
 You also are

00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:27.059
 to love one another.

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.079
 By this

00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.660
 all people

00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.079
 will know

00:17:29.079 --> 00:17:29.399
 that you

00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.180
 are my disciples

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.519
 if you have

00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.839
 love for one

00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.180
 another.

00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:35.720
 The law of Christ

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.599
 is love.

00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.519
 And what is love?

00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:39.859
 Let's see what

00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.579
 scripture says.

00:17:41.139 --> 00:17:41.859
 Love is patient

00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.379
 and kind.

00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:43.960
 Love does not

00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.700
 envy or boast.

00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.399
 It's not arrogant

00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:45.879
 or rude.

00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.759
 It doesn't insist

00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.720
 on its own way.

00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.639
 It's not irritable

00:17:48.639 --> 00:17:49.379
 or resentful.

00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:50.680
 It does not rejoice

00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.359
 at wrongdoing

00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:52.079
 but rejoices

00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.859
 with the truth.

00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.479
 Love bears all things

00:17:54.479 --> 00:17:55.419
 believes all things

00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:56.299
 hopes all things

00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:57.279
 endures all things

00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:59.719
 love never ends.

00:18:01.459 --> 00:18:02.379
 Are any of us

00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:02.959
 all these things

00:18:02.959 --> 00:18:03.539
 on our own?

00:18:04.419 --> 00:18:04.859
 No.

00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:07.500
 And that's the point.

00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:09.199
 This is a description

00:18:09.199 --> 00:18:10.079
 of Jesus Christ

00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:10.699
 through us

00:18:10.699 --> 00:18:11.979
 and his Holy Spirit.

00:18:12.179 --> 00:18:13.319
 Christ at work in us

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.979
 his body

00:18:13.979 --> 00:18:15.339
 allows us to love

00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:15.799
 this way

00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.339
 and we're not going

00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.119
 to do it perfectly.

00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:18.939
 This isn't a list

00:18:18.939 --> 00:18:20.240
 of morality check boxes

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.679
 but it's a description

00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.220
 of Jesus

00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:23.220
 the attributes

00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.680
 of God himself

00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.940
 and we the church

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:27.320
 are the body

00:18:27.320 --> 00:18:28.080
 of Christ

00:18:28.080 --> 00:18:29.640
 who is our head

00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:31.560
 and in his power

00:18:31.560 --> 00:18:32.140
 we're called

00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:33.420
 to bear one another's burdens

00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:34.299
 and live this way

00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:35.180
 as we love one another

00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:36.140
 and in so doing

00:18:36.140 --> 00:18:37.519
 in his strength

00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.900
 we embody

00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:40.160
 his law of love

00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:41.240
 and the world

00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.080
 takes notice.

00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:44.519
 Not only that

00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:46.340
 it's through this love

00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:47.759
 his spirit's power

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.860
 at work in us

00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:50.479
 that he draws

00:18:50.479 --> 00:18:51.099
 his sheep

00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.559
 into his loving arms.

00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.399
 How you love

00:18:54.399 --> 00:18:54.959
 each other

00:18:54.959 --> 00:18:56.779
 preaches the gospel.

00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:58.000
 How you don't

00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.699
 love each other

00:18:58.699 --> 00:19:00.019
 does not preach

00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.479
 the gospel.

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.079
 Me too.

00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.059
 When I say you

00:19:03.059 --> 00:19:03.879
 I mean me.

00:19:04.679 --> 00:19:05.679
 But God calls us

00:19:05.679 --> 00:19:06.339
 the church

00:19:06.339 --> 00:19:08.559
 to shine his light

00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:09.699
 to the world.

00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.240
 To live according

00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.919
 to his commandments.

00:19:12.639 --> 00:19:13.059
 And the more

00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:13.719
 they get together

00:19:13.719 --> 00:19:15.379
 the brighter

00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:15.959
 that light.

00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:17.519
 And when we do that

00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.500
 he calls us salt.

00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.960
 Salt and light.

00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.359
 Salt as additives

00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.019
 of seasoning

00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.579
 and life

00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.940
 to this dying world.

00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:25.059
 Preservatives

00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.740
 of the goodness

00:19:25.740 --> 00:19:26.480
 of God

00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:28.420
 in a decaying

00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.339
 world of darkness.

00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:31.460
 When we carry

00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.079
 our burdens

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:32.859
 to Christ

00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:35.559
 Christ frees us up

00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:37.000
 to bear the burdens

00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.519
 of others.

00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.720
 When we put away

00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.519
 our shame

00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.639
 when we take off

00:19:41.639 --> 00:19:42.740
 our masks

00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.839
 it's a scary thing

00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:44.359
 and we live

00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:44.859
 in the light

00:19:44.859 --> 00:19:45.879
 of the gospel.

00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.240
 Gospel centered

00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:47.700
 community

00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.120
 is what you

00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:48.500
 hear around

00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:48.940
 here a lot.

00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.660
 It doesn't have

00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.539
 a reason to hide.

00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.099
 It's at the heart

00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:53.680
 of everything

00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.740
 we want to be

00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.700
 here at Southwood.

00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.859
 Gospel centered

00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.519
 community

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.099
 provides a harbor

00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.880
 of safety

00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:01.240
 in a hurricane

00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:01.740
 world.

00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.500
 It's a haven

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.160
 of safety

00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.819
 for people

00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.700
 where they can

00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:06.039
 be known

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:06.940
 for who they are

00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:08.160
 as opposed

00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:08.700
 to what they

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.480
 have to offer.

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:11.019
 And it's this

00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:11.960
 type of community

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:13.880
 that we all need

00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:15.700
 and we all

00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:16.400
 long for

00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.260
 and the church

00:20:17.260 --> 00:20:17.760
 the body

00:20:17.760 --> 00:20:18.340
 of Christ

00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:19.560
 it's this

00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:20.400
 type of community

00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:20.980
 that God's

00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:21.700
 calling us

00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:22.520
 to be.

00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.160
 Where Christ

00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:24.700
 is the goal

00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.460
 of all things

00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.820
 his love

00:20:26.820 --> 00:20:28.000
 his life

00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.320
 his light.

00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.340
 What does

00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:33.360
 Matthew 11 say?

00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.100
 Come to me

00:20:34.100 --> 00:20:35.060
 all who labor

00:20:35.060 --> 00:20:36.040
 and are heavy laden

00:20:36.040 --> 00:20:37.220
 I will give you rest

00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:37.960
 take my yoke

00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.660
 upon you.

00:20:39.420 --> 00:20:40.380
 Jesus' backpack

00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.580
 is not heavy.

00:20:43.060 --> 00:20:43.680
 Learn from me

00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.340
 I'm gentle

00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:45.480
 and lowly in heart

00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.320
 and you will find

00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:47.240
 rest for your souls

00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.220
 for my yoke is easy

00:20:48.220 --> 00:20:49.120
 and my burden is light.

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.779
 You see we've spent

00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.300
 all our time

00:20:50.300 --> 00:20:50.880
 walking around

00:20:50.880 --> 00:20:51.540
 carrying our own

00:20:51.540 --> 00:20:51.860
 burdens

00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.960
 when he took them.

00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:55.140
 In this world

00:20:55.140 --> 00:20:55.640
 of loneliness

00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.019
 y'all

00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.420
 God calls us

00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.540
 his body

00:20:58.540 --> 00:20:59.180
 the church

00:20:59.180 --> 00:20:59.880
 to bear these

00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:00.240
 burdens

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.019
 to carry it

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.820
 first to him

00:21:01.820 --> 00:21:04.000
 so that we can

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.820
 carry one another

00:21:04.820 --> 00:21:05.279
 to him.

00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.019
 Because bearing

00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.660
 one another's

00:21:06.660 --> 00:21:06.980
 burdens

00:21:06.980 --> 00:21:07.800
 fulfills the law

00:21:07.800 --> 00:21:08.220
 of Christ.

00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.799
 That law

00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.299
 is love

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:09.700
 and when we

00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.480
 live this way

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.420
 in gospel

00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:12.259
 centered community

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.620
 listening

00:21:13.620 --> 00:21:14.460
 and living

00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.279
 the way

00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.880
 he tells us

00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.140
 to

00:21:16.140 --> 00:21:17.339
 not only

00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:17.620
 do we

00:21:17.620 --> 00:21:18.160
 experience

00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.579
 the love

00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.460
 of Jesus

00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.360
 but the world

00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:20.920
 around us

00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:21.900
 sees the love

00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:22.319
 of Jesus

00:21:22.319 --> 00:21:23.559
 and they take

00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:23.880
 note

00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.799
 but to do

00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.200
 this

00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.620
 we first

00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.039
 have to be

00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:27.380
 willing to

00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:27.740
 take off

00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.059
 our own

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.339
 masks

00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:28.819
 our massive

00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.480
 performance

00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:30.819
 security

00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:32.140
 reputation

00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:33.000
 status

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.500
 money

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:35.299
 so that we

00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:35.920
 may be free

00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:36.579
 to help others

00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.120
 take off

00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:37.559
 theirs

00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:39.440
 but there's

00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:39.899
 a problem

00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.379
 getting in

00:21:40.379 --> 00:21:40.700
 our own

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:40.919
 way

00:21:40.919 --> 00:21:41.220
 right

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.240
 our busyness

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.099
 and our

00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:43.819
 sinful pride

00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.919
 I went to

00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.299
 the grocery

00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.779
 store the

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.200
 other day

00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.339
 all I was

00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:47.980
 buying was a

00:21:47.980 --> 00:21:48.779
 small container

00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.539
 of tiny

00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.019
 miniature

00:21:50.019 --> 00:21:50.579
 croissants

00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:52.480
 I get in

00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:52.799
 line

00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.919
 put my croissants

00:21:53.919 --> 00:21:54.319
 on the

00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.119
 conveyor belt

00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:55.559
 thingy

00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:57.119
 and guess

00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.019
 what happens

00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.879
 what the

00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.319
 guy in front

00:21:59.319 --> 00:21:59.500
 of me

00:21:59.500 --> 00:21:59.819
 does

00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:01.480
 he goes

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:03.879
 and he gets

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.699
 that divider

00:22:04.699 --> 00:22:05.659
 and he just

00:22:05.659 --> 00:22:06.159
 slams it

00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:06.460
 down

00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:09.059
 separating my

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.199
 tiny box

00:22:10.199 --> 00:22:10.960
 of croissants

00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:12.099
 from his

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:13.159
 large pile

00:22:13.159 --> 00:22:13.939
 of groceries

00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:16.859
 good for you

00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.119
 sir

00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:19.079
 God forbid

00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.719
 we get a

00:22:20.719 --> 00:22:21.099
 little bit

00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:21.699
 over here

00:22:21.699 --> 00:22:22.459
 right

00:22:22.459 --> 00:22:24.119
 he turns

00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.339
 around

00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:24.599
 and looks

00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:24.839
 at me

00:22:24.839 --> 00:22:25.299
 with that

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:26.379
 fear

00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:26.919
 and he just

00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.359
 picked up

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.959
 that divider

00:22:27.959 --> 00:22:28.899
 and he slammed

00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.339
 it down

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:29.899
 and then turned

00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:30.319
 right back

00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:30.659
 around

00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:32.359
 so many times

00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.319
 that's how we

00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:34.119
 treat each other

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:35.359
 in the church

00:22:35.359 --> 00:22:35.839
 isn't it

00:22:35.839 --> 00:22:37.779
 where we're

00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.479
 willing to stand

00:22:38.479 --> 00:22:39.099
 next to each

00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.739
 other and sing

00:22:39.739 --> 00:22:40.399
 the praises of

00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:40.799
 God

00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.279
 in public

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.199
 rather than

00:22:43.199 --> 00:22:43.779
 publics

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:45.799
 but we

00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.399
 don't want

00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:46.940
 it to cost

00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.720
 us anything

00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.639
 don't put

00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.160
 that on my

00:22:49.160 --> 00:22:49.460
 bill

00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.559
 that's your

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:50.960
 problem

00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:52.079
 right

00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:53.139
 but Christ

00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:53.579
 is calling

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.240
 us to pick

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.660
 up that

00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:55.180
 divider

00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.619
 and share

00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.399
 the cost

00:22:57.399 --> 00:22:58.139
 that's what

00:22:58.139 --> 00:22:58.559
 it means

00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.079
 to bear

00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.839
 a burden

00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.500
 that cost

00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:01.119
 is time

00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:01.940
 that cost

00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.680
 is reputation

00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.839
 that cost

00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.879
 is comfort

00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.879
 you know how

00:23:05.879 --> 00:23:06.339
 I see

00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:07.720
 my own

00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:08.559
 sinful pride

00:23:08.559 --> 00:23:09.539
 and ours

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.099
 work out

00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.639
 here a lot

00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.339
 at Southwood

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:17.319
 half-calf

00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.159
 latte

00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:19.399
 Christianity

00:23:19.399 --> 00:23:22.779
 a Christianity

00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:24.919
 where we

00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:25.599
 give lip

00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.220
 service to

00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:26.839
 gospel-centered

00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:27.339
 community

00:23:27.339 --> 00:23:28.919
 but we

00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.539
 demand that

00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:29.939
 it's on our

00:23:29.939 --> 00:23:30.619
 own terms

00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:32.179
 where we

00:23:32.179 --> 00:23:32.859
 treat ourselves

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.379
 to the best

00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:33.839
 things

00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:35.240
 thinking that

00:23:35.240 --> 00:23:35.779
 we deserve

00:23:35.779 --> 00:23:36.019
 them

00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.500
 though saying

00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.599
 we don't

00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:38.639
 expecting

00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.319
 everyone else

00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:39.859
 around us

00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.439
 to give us

00:23:40.439 --> 00:23:40.879
 that which

00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.540
 we deserve

00:23:41.540 --> 00:23:42.720
 I'm guilty

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.200
 of this

00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:44.040
 with you

00:23:44.040 --> 00:23:45.120
 it goes

00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.500
 like this

00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:45.800
 I can't

00:23:45.800 --> 00:23:46.000
 tell you

00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.280
 how many

00:23:46.280 --> 00:23:46.540
 times

00:23:46.540 --> 00:23:46.900
 I've had

00:23:46.900 --> 00:23:47.520
 conversations

00:23:47.520 --> 00:23:49.140
 like this

00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:51.120
 I'm lonely

00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.520
 can you help

00:23:52.520 --> 00:23:52.880
 me find

00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.320
 community

00:23:53.320 --> 00:23:55.120
 and then

00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.920
 the person

00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.600
 responds to me

00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.040
 sure have you

00:23:57.040 --> 00:23:57.500
 tried this

00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:57.980
 this and this

00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.860
 yeah I have

00:23:58.860 --> 00:23:59.680
 I have

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.780
 but you know

00:24:00.780 --> 00:24:01.360
 it's just

00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:02.240
 those people

00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:03.040
 aren't like me

00:24:03.040 --> 00:24:05.080
 well have you

00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:05.780
 considered this

00:24:05.780 --> 00:24:06.500
 other group

00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.760
 over here

00:24:06.760 --> 00:24:07.500
 yeah I have

00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.580
 but I'd like

00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.200
 that but the

00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.560
 people

00:24:09.559 --> 00:24:10.679
 they make

00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:11.019
 me feel

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.240
 a little

00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.679
 uncomfortable

00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:12.839
 they're kind

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.200
 of weird

00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:14.359
 they're not

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:15.000
 like me

00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.659
 or I'd like

00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.399
 that but only

00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:17.980
 if it meets

00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:19.179
 at this place

00:24:19.179 --> 00:24:20.619
 at this time

00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:21.799
 in this part

00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.220
 of town

00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.460
 with this age

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:23.740
 group

00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:25.559
 or

00:24:25.559 --> 00:24:27.019
 it's just so

00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:27.460
 hard for me

00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:28.059
 to connect

00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:29.220
 with such

00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.599
 and such

00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:30.039
 a group

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.619
 because the

00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:30.940
 people

00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:32.000
 they're different

00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.480
 than me

00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.619
 and you know

00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.480
 my last church

00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.019
 we were more

00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.440
 similar

00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:37.700
 and we were

00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.220
 just similar

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.799
 there Derek

00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:40.680
 I'm the one

00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:41.259
 who does this

00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.500
 though

00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.500
 or I do

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.180
 better around

00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:43.759
 people who

00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.559
 are I mean

00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:44.960
 don't tell

00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.559
 anybody okay

00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:45.960
 I'm praying

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.320
 for them

00:24:46.320 --> 00:24:47.059
 just fill in

00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:47.440
 the blank

00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:49.059
 what's wrong

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.380
 with that

00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:49.740
 person

00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:51.420
 you just

00:24:51.420 --> 00:24:51.799
 ordered a

00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.519
 half-calf latte

00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.779
 I just ordered

00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.580
 a half-calf latte

00:24:54.580 --> 00:24:55.860
 and the church

00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.779
 doesn't serve

00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.840
 half-calf lattes

00:24:57.840 --> 00:24:59.620
 that's not what

00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:00.100
 we're supposed

00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:00.559
 to do

00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:01.539
 that's not what

00:25:01.539 --> 00:25:02.700
 ministry is

00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:03.580
 supposed to be

00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.759
 and everybody

00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.339
 in the world

00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:05.799
 knows it

00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.539
 they sniff out

00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:06.939
 the lack

00:25:06.939 --> 00:25:07.579
 of authenticity

00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.279
 and half-calf

00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.599
 latte

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.079
 Christianity

00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:09.480
 and they

00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.019
 leave

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.579
 some are

00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.279
 addicted to it

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.679
 so they go

00:25:12.679 --> 00:25:13.259
 somewhere else

00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.879
 looking for that

00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.480
 somewhere else

00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:14.919
 and they will

00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:15.419
 get it

00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:16.599
 they will

00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.339
 find that

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.839
 but that's

00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:19.179
 not what

00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:19.839
 Paul's talking

00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.240
 about

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.419
 rather than

00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:22.339
 ordering half-calf

00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:22.859
 lattes

00:25:22.859 --> 00:25:23.439
 with our life

00:25:23.439 --> 00:25:24.419
 God calls us

00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:25.619
 to serve

00:25:25.619 --> 00:25:27.339
 one another

00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:29.159
 each other

00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:30.819
 and those

00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.339
 who never

00:25:31.339 --> 00:25:32.099
 even realize

00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.679
 how thirsty

00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:33.259
 they are

00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.980
 realize

00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.759
 my goodness

00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.980
 I don't need

00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:36.660
 coffee

00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.440
 I need water

00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.680
 that water

00:25:38.680 --> 00:25:39.160
 is the living

00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.900
 spirit of God

00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.500
 welling up

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.279
 within me

00:25:41.279 --> 00:25:42.400
 to eternal life

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.359
 a spirit

00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:43.920
 where I will

00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.879
 never thirst

00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:46.059
 come to me

00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.720
 all you who are

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.740
 weary and heavy laden

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.420
 I will give you

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.599
 rest for your souls

00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:51.359
 we gotta ask

00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.400
 ourselves as a church

00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.500
 I have to ask

00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:55.039
 myself as a pastor

00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:56.359
 and a human being

00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:57.220
 do I care more

00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:57.839
 about the color

00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.359
 of the carpet

00:25:58.359 --> 00:25:58.980
 or the cancer

00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.660
 of the soul

00:25:59.660 --> 00:26:01.279
 do I care more

00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.220
 about the strength

00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.420
 of the coffee

00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.160
 I'm drinking

00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:04.960
 on Sunday morning

00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.680
 or the strength

00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.400
 of the Lord

00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:08.380
 do I give more

00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.100
 time and energy

00:26:09.100 --> 00:26:10.140
 to saving my money

00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.759
 for me

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.980
 and my comforts

00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.980
 and my vacations

00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.900
 guilty

00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:17.920
 or to saving

00:26:17.920 --> 00:26:19.079
 souls

00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:20.920
 one of these

00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.600
 lifestyles

00:26:21.600 --> 00:26:22.600
 is totally different

00:26:22.600 --> 00:26:23.319
 than the other

00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:24.720
 which one

00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.319
 sticks out

00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.880
 to you

00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:27.660
 which one

00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.240
 shines

00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.180
 to you

00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:31.380
 gospel centered

00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:32.000
 community

00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:34.460
 requires thermostats

00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.240
 not thermometers

00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:36.020
 and the thing is

00:26:36.020 --> 00:26:36.720
 I'm a perfect

00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.180
 thermometer

00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.840
 so are you

00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.380
 we know

00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.260
 what the temperature

00:26:39.260 --> 00:26:40.000
 of a place is

00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.560
 and we talk

00:26:40.560 --> 00:26:41.340
 about it all the time

00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:41.800
 and we pray

00:26:41.800 --> 00:26:42.460
 for that temperature

00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.060
 to change

00:26:43.060 --> 00:26:43.840
 but God

00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.760
 calls the church

00:26:44.760 --> 00:26:46.120
 to be the thermostat

00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.980
 to change it

00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.720
 we change it

00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.580
 here with each other

00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:49.580
 and we change it

00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.140
 in the world

00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.380
 how are you

00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:51.980
 going to change it

00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.300
 today

00:26:52.300 --> 00:26:53.480
 how are you

00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:53.900
 going to change

00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.340
 it today

00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:55.700
 gospel centered

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.240
 community

00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.259
 the kind

00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:57.800
 that Paul

00:26:57.800 --> 00:26:58.740
 is talking about

00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.800
 that bears

00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:00.480
 one another's

00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:00.759
 burdens

00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:02.060
 that fulfills

00:27:02.060 --> 00:27:03.800
 Christ's law

00:27:03.800 --> 00:27:04.180
 of love

00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:04.720
 that shines

00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.200
 the light

00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:05.740
 of Christ

00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.920
 requires

00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:08.840
 and demands

00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:09.420
 our willingness

00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:10.300
 to be uncomfortable

00:27:10.300 --> 00:27:11.120
 but we are

00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:12.280
 addicted to being

00:27:12.280 --> 00:27:13.019
 comfortable

00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.160
 so maybe that's

00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:15.019
 the first thing

00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.440
 we take

00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.480
 to God

00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.420
 you see

00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:18.840
 the church

00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:19.220
 is supposed

00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:19.720
 to be more

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.540
 like a family

00:27:20.540 --> 00:27:22.740
 and not a club

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:24.319
 but it's easy

00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:24.980
 to get it mixed

00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.680
 up because we

00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:26.359
 live in a world

00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:26.940
 of clubs

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.920
 where we give

00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:28.559
 a certain amount

00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:28.940
 of money

00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.440
 and we get

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.359
 something in return

00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.779
 don't we

00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.579
 a club

00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.160
 is consumer

00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:32.539
 based

00:27:32.539 --> 00:27:33.460
 you pay

00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:34.039
 your dues

00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:35.299
 and in return

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.359
 you get

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.160
 certain benefits

00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.180
 and you get

00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.819
 access to

00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.519
 certain privileges

00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:41.240
 a church

00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.700
 on the other

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.120
 hand is

00:27:42.120 --> 00:27:42.559
 covenant

00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.019
 based

00:27:43.019 --> 00:27:44.680
 so that

00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.240
 changes the

00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:45.880
 entire way

00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:46.460
 that you relate

00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.140
 to the community

00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.779
 or it should

00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:49.039
 when things

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:49.620
 get messy

00:27:49.620 --> 00:27:50.079
 because of

00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:50.500
 differences

00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:51.099
 whether those

00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:51.900
 are arguments

00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.940
 differences

00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.040
 personality wise

00:27:54.040 --> 00:27:54.560
 cultural

00:27:54.560 --> 00:27:55.140
 political

00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:56.259
 whatever it

00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.700
 may be

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.560
 we don't

00:27:57.560 --> 00:27:58.100
 peace out

00:27:58.100 --> 00:27:58.460
 on each

00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:58.720
 other

00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:00.519
 rather we

00:28:00.519 --> 00:28:01.320
 press in

00:28:01.320 --> 00:28:01.660
 and we

00:28:01.660 --> 00:28:02.500
 pursue each

00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:02.800
 other

00:28:02.800 --> 00:28:04.120
 because Jesus

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:05.080
 reconciled us

00:28:05.080 --> 00:28:05.780
 to himself

00:28:05.780 --> 00:28:06.560
 when

00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.280
 while we

00:28:07.280 --> 00:28:07.720
 were still

00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.080
 sinners

00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:08.480
 while we

00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:08.940
 were messed

00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.259
 up

00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.820
 while we

00:28:09.820 --> 00:28:10.280
 smelled

00:28:10.280 --> 00:28:10.740
 bad

00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.420
 while we

00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:11.780
 weren't

00:28:11.780 --> 00:28:12.160
 lovable

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.600
 we were

00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.120
 different

00:28:13.120 --> 00:28:14.280
 he didn't

00:28:14.280 --> 00:28:14.660
 abandon

00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:15.200
 us

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.280
 therefore

00:28:16.280 --> 00:28:16.820
 we really

00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:17.259
 don't have

00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:17.680
 a legitimate

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.360
 reason to

00:28:18.360 --> 00:28:18.740
 abandon

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.440
 other people

00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.000
 just based

00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.320
 on our

00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:20.660
 personal

00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.200
 preferences

00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.660
 I do

00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.100
 realize

00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:22.400
 things

00:28:22.400 --> 00:28:22.880
 change

00:28:22.880 --> 00:28:23.059
 and

00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.700
 things

00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:23.900
 get

00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.279
 different

00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.160
 but a

00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:25.519
 family

00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:25.740
 is

00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.080
 different

00:28:26.080 --> 00:28:26.819
 the

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.160
 ministry

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:27.400
 that

00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.680
 Jesus

00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.059
 calls

00:28:28.059 --> 00:28:28.259
 his

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.620
 church

00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:28.920
 to

00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.759
 is a

00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.100
 ministry

00:28:30.100 --> 00:28:30.319
 of

00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.160
 reconciliation

00:28:31.160 --> 00:28:32.019
 restoration

00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:33.220
 that was at the heart

00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.660
 remember of what Paul is talking about

00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:36.240
 and that's how the world is going to know

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.960
 that we belong to him

00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:40.559
 most of us choose our friends in here

00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.900
 on the basis of

00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:44.100
 shared interests or something that we like

00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:45.480
 that we have in common

00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:47.200
 shared affinities

00:28:47.200 --> 00:28:49.740
 and when the friendships disappoint us

00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:51.900
 a lot of us have a tendency

00:28:51.900 --> 00:28:53.960
 to move to other friends

00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:55.400
 I do this

00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:58.640
 sometimes it's other towns

00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:00.120
 sometimes it's other churches

00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:02.759
 with family it's different

00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:05.039
 we don't get to choose our family

00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:08.600
 we aren't able to discard our family

00:29:08.600 --> 00:29:11.019
 because they're our family

00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:13.840
 and when we speak of the church

00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:16.259
 did you know that the word used is composed

00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.919
 when talking about the body of Christ

00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:21.000
 God has composed the body of Christ this way

00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:23.039
 as Martin Luther writes

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.220
 the word composed

00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:26.879
 signifies a harmonious mixing

00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:30.359
 it's a word sometimes used to describe blending colors

00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.740
 an artist's blending colors

00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.899
 to make a new color

00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:35.559
 God's arrangement of the members in the body

00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.939
 does away

00:29:36.939 --> 00:29:38.240
 with the clashing

00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:40.379
 and it blends all into one harmonious whole

00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:44.740
 and when we bear one another's burdens

00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:46.780
 that way

00:29:46.780 --> 00:29:49.200
 we fulfill Christ's law of love

00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:50.860
 through our differences working together

00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:52.940
 God creates a new color

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:55.080
 that the world sees

00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:56.820
 and they marvel at

00:29:56.820 --> 00:29:58.400
 they've never seen that color before

00:29:58.400 --> 00:30:00.780
 and that color

00:30:00.780 --> 00:30:02.120
 is the color of God

00:30:02.120 --> 00:30:03.240
 but it's a spiritual color

00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:04.620
 and that color is love

00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:07.240
 love defined biblically

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:09.640
 Christ laid down his life for us

00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.940
 while we were still sinners

00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:13.020
 he died to redeem us

00:30:13.020 --> 00:30:14.040
 from the curse of the law

00:30:14.040 --> 00:30:15.740
 by becoming the curse for us

00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:17.740
 literally bearing our sin on the cross

00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.820
 our burden

00:30:18.820 --> 00:30:21.220
 to all those who look to him

00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:22.660
 in faith

00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:24.640
 he promises to adopt us

00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.740
 as children

00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.620
 family

00:30:26.620 --> 00:30:29.280
 family doesn't peace out on each other

00:30:29.280 --> 00:30:31.200
 sons and daughters of the most high God

00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:33.520
 and a family that casts our burdens upon Christ

00:30:33.520 --> 00:30:36.340
 we take the time to share those burdens

00:30:36.340 --> 00:30:36.759
 don't we

00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:37.940
 and we listen to each other

00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:40.680
 and as together in community and relationship

00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:43.759
 we carry our burdens to our Savior

00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:45.799
 we shine the light of love

00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:47.539
 and when we do that

00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:49.320
 we fulfill the law of Christ

00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:50.620
 so here are the three challenges

00:30:50.620 --> 00:30:51.920
 I'm not perfect

00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:54.120
 I'm messed up in everything I just said

00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.820
 okay

00:30:54.820 --> 00:30:56.920
 so I'm challenging myself with you

00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:58.380
 we are together church

00:30:58.380 --> 00:30:59.559
 we are Southwood

00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:01.539
 and we're called here to do something with our faith

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:03.860
 to do something that impacts each other

00:31:03.860 --> 00:31:04.860
 and this community

00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:06.360
 and we will not do it in our own strength

00:31:06.359 --> 00:31:07.179
 so here's the challenge

00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:08.899
 this is the best way I know where to say to start

00:31:08.899 --> 00:31:10.939
 and I'm going to trust Jesus with the results

00:31:10.939 --> 00:31:12.479
 because it's not a check box

00:31:12.479 --> 00:31:13.259
 okay

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:16.079
 I'm just trying to call us to do the things that this says

00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:17.439
 and I need you to help me do it too

00:31:17.439 --> 00:31:18.399
 and here's the challenge

00:31:18.399 --> 00:31:19.199
 one

00:31:19.199 --> 00:31:19.899
 go to God

00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:21.839
 and ask him

00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:23.679
 what burdens you're carrying on your own

00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.399
 would you do that

00:31:24.399 --> 00:31:28.099
 would you ask him then to help identify the other burdens

00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.579
 like that

00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:30.179
 if you were here when I did the Easter egg

00:31:30.179 --> 00:31:31.199
 idol sermon

00:31:31.199 --> 00:31:32.159
 when you remove one

00:31:32.159 --> 00:31:33.619
 you see something else is underneath it

00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:34.239
 when you remove that

00:31:34.239 --> 00:31:35.279
 something else is underneath it

00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:36.500
 as we carry our burdens in him

00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.379
 he's going to break idols

00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:39.239
 and we're going to see more and more and more

00:31:39.239 --> 00:31:42.399
 but ask him to help you identify your idols

00:31:42.399 --> 00:31:43.059
 your burdens

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.759
 two

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:45.019
 ask him to show you

00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:46.699
 who you need to share your burdens with

00:31:46.699 --> 00:31:49.059
 in that sense

00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:50.799
 who you can encourage in your life

00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:52.199
 they're going to be probably hard

00:31:52.199 --> 00:31:54.439
 they're probably going to be like a prickly pear

00:31:54.439 --> 00:31:55.119
 or a cactus

00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.759
 trying to hug a cactus

00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:59.179
 it's a lot of times what God calls us to

00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:01.200
 and three

00:32:01.200 --> 00:32:03.039
 look at your calendar

00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:05.000
 and ask if you've got the time

00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:06.440
 carved out enough

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:08.440
 to start that relationship

00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:10.039
 to start that time with the Lord

00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:11.920
 and then time for each other

00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.940
 just start small

00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:14.460
 start somewhere

00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:16.259
 if you aren't spending time with the Lord

00:32:16.259 --> 00:32:17.340
 start with five minutes

00:32:17.340 --> 00:32:21.600
 at least go and further your relationship with him

00:32:21.600 --> 00:32:23.660
 don't brush your spiritual teeth once a week

00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:26.759
 Jesus cleanses you every moment

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.840
 you've got to remember that

00:32:27.839 --> 00:32:30.459
 so those are the three challenges

00:32:30.459 --> 00:32:31.659
 if you don't have that time

00:32:31.659 --> 00:32:32.539
 just carve it out

00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:34.679
 may the Lord be praised

00:32:34.679 --> 00:32:36.500
 as we take our burdens to him

00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:38.539
 as we bear one another's burdens

00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:40.619
 and so fulfill the law of Christ

00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.139
 let me pray

00:32:41.139 --> 00:32:42.179
 Lord Jesus

00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:45.539
 hard words to hear from Paul

00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:45.959
 because

00:32:45.959 --> 00:32:48.639
 I'm guilty of not doing it

00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:50.480
 I don't do this with my neighbor

00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:52.939
 you know the horrible thoughts I have literally

00:32:52.939 --> 00:32:54.939
 about people in my own neighborhood

00:32:54.939 --> 00:32:56.599
 just because they get in the way

00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:58.259
 of my schedule and what I want to do

00:32:58.259 --> 00:33:00.139
 would you please Lord Jesus

00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:01.439
 take that off of me

00:33:01.439 --> 00:33:03.639
 show us in our own hearts Lord

00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:04.259
 where we are

00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:05.519
 and how we can be your light

00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:07.000
 in this world

00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:09.679
 where we can be a solution for loneliness

00:33:09.679 --> 00:33:10.980
 as we take people to you

00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:12.779
 and as we really love one another

00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:15.039
 and help us to know how to start small Lord

00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:15.819
 because you're big

00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:17.219
 and you work through small things

00:33:17.219 --> 00:33:19.279
 may we not get overwhelmed

00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.379
 but may we trust you

00:33:20.379 --> 00:33:21.399
 Lord

00:33:21.399 --> 00:33:22.839
 because your burden is easy

00:33:22.839 --> 00:33:25.139
 and may we fulfill your law of love

00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:26.759
 help us experience that

00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:28.079
 thank you Holy Spirit

00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:29.279
 we can't do it without you

00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.059
 and we beg you

00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:32.619
 and we ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ

00:33:32.619 --> 00:33:33.439
 Yahweh

00:33:33.439 --> 00:33:34.139
 Amen

00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:39.400
 for more information

00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:40.700
 visit us online

00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.980
 at southwood.org

00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:48.060
 thank you

00:33:50.800 --> 00:33:51.980
 for joining us

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:52.320
 for joining us

00:33:52.320 --> 00:33:53.900
 for joining us

00:33:53.900 --> 00:33:54.960
 for joining us

00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.600
 for joining us

00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.520
 for joining us

00:33:56.520 --> 00:33:57.000
 today

00:33:57.000 --> 00:33:57.720
 let's start

00:33:57.720 --> 00:34:01.400
 rosy

00:34:01.400 --> 00:34:02.200
 for joining us

00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:02.920
 for joining us

00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:03.640
 for joining us