WEBVTT

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 For my name is Alan. For those of you who don't know, I serve here. I oversee the youth ministry here at Watermark.

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 Kong He Fa Choy. Happy Chinese New Year. Did I say that right? Kong He Fa Choy?

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 Yeah, I think one thing I've learned in primary school is I asked the wrong person, not I asked Nils.

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 Did I say that right? What? Okay, anyway.

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 Okay, so for the past three weeks, as the year began, we've been looking into, we've been going through this series called Abide in Christ.

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 We usually, when we think about a new year, we usually go into a year making plans.

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 Okay, how am I going to do better this year? How am I going to improve myself?

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 But the reality is that we don't have much control of what's going to happen down the line or down the year.

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 I mean, life is going to throw us things we least expect. Life is going to throw us terrible heartaches.

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 Life is going to throw us amazing good stuff, beautiful stuff, broken stuff, sadness, and a whole lot of things.

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 So how do we approach it? We try to take control of it or we just become a little optimistic, hoping that a year would be better.

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 But this year, we have been talking about another way that we could approach it, and that is by actually abiding in Christ.

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 Yes, life will throw us incredible sadness, but it's actually abiding in Christ that secures us, that keeps us hopeful, that keeps us secure and in Christ's love.

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 I mean, life is going to throw us amazing good things, promotions, maybe new relationships, and it's abiding in Christ that keeps us from being prideful

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 and being focused on Jesus Christ who, in the words of Paul said,

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 Hey, everything is nothing compared to the surpassing knowledge, the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

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 So for the past two weeks, we've been looking to abiding in Christ.

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 Last week, we looked into abiding in His Word.

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 And where we talked about, Hey, how do we get into God's Word?

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 How do we drench our lives in God's Word?

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 How do we speak God's Word, not only in our church, families, into every part of our lives?

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 It's not about having different branches in our lives, like church, family, churches, or whatever.

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 But actually, having all of our branches of our lives drenched in God's Word.

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 And so finally, today, we have come to the last week of Abiding in Christ, the series,

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 and we'll be looking into abiding in His love.

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 So let me call Soda, who will read today's scripture.

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 And let's read from John 15.

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 Yes? Good.

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 Thanks for the great introduction.

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 And let us all listen to God's Word and let every single Word of God speak power in your life

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 for whatever that He wants to tell you.

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 Today's scripture is in John 15.

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 You can follow along on the screen or your own Bible.

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 Starting in verse 1, we read,

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 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser.

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 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He takes away.

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 And every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

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 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

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 Abide in me and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself,

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 unless it abides in the vine.

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 Neither can you, unless you abide in me.

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 I am the vine, you are the branches.

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 Whoever abides in me and I in him,

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 he is that bears much fruit.

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 For apart from me, you can do nothing.

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 If anyone does not abide in me,

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 he is thrown away like a branch and withers.

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 And the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

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 If you abide in me and my words abide in you,

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 ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.

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 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit,

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 and so proved to be my disciples.

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 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.

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 Abide in my love.

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 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,

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 just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love.

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 These things I have spoken to you,

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 that my joy may be in you,

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 and that your joy may be full.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Thank you, Soda.

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 Hey, can I pray for us before we start?

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 Father, we come before you to talk about something that is so majestic,

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 that is so vast, that is so great,

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 that truly, God, I feel so feeble and so small

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 to stand and talk about your love.

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 Love that surpasses knowledge,

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 love that goes beyond anything that we can ever come to imagine, God.

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 So, Father, we pray this morning,

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 would you come, would your Spirit come and speak to our hearts?

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 Unless you don't, you come.

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 Father, this is just going to be another talk.

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 So, Father, we pray earnestly, desperately,

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 that you would come this morning,

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 and that you would speak and reveal your love to us this morning.

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 Father, would you come, and would you be glorified?

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 Would you increase, and we would decrease?

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 Would you speak to the idols of our hearts?

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 Would you speak to our insecurities?

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 Would you speak to our fears and our plans,

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 our need to control our life?

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 And, Father, we pray that you would come and speak.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 So, have you come across a quotation or a saying

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 that is so profound, so deep, so amazing,

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 that you had to stop in your tracks,

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 stop for a while, and just let it process for a while.

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 You know a saying or something?

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 So, when I was in high school,

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 this was one quotation that stopped me on my path.

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 I was just a teenager.

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 I was a very romantic quote.

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 So, here was this quote.

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 If I had to choose between breathing and loving you,

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 I would use my last breath to tell you I love you.

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 It's cringy.

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 So, hey, I was a teenager.

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 I saw this quotation.

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 I was like, oh, I know I'm single,

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 but, oh, man, I would love this girl,

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 whoever this girl is, like this.

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 And I would write it on my notebooks.

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 I would write it on my books.

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 I would carve it on my desk.

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 Don't ask me why I have a knife in high school.

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 But I would carve it on my desk

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 and do all sorts of things with this quotation.

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 And I'm sure we all have come across a quotation

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 like this in our lives,

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 when we are reading books

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 or when we are just walking down the streets.

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 And today, we'll be looking closely at verses 9 and 11.

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 And I'm not sure if these verses

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 have ever stopped us in our tracks in the same way.

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 Maybe for some of us, it has stopped us in this track.

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 Maybe for some of us, it has not stopped us

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 and we have just brushed over these few verses.

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 And I believe that it's because this verses,

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 verses 9 to 11,

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 is sandwiched between such amazing verses

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 that are talking about divine, abiding in Christ,

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 that we kind of, it's so easy to miss verse 9 to 11

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 and not ponder over these three amazing verses.

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 So, let's take a closer look at verse 9

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 where there's like a sudden change of words.

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 In the beginning, we've been looking,

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 Jesus talks about, okay, you've got to abide in me.

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 And later on, the words changes.

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 It becomes, you've got to abide in my word.

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 Let my words abide in you.

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 And here's the third change,

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 which is abide in my love.

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 So, let's look at verse 9.

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 And it says,

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 As the Father has loved me,

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 so have I loved you.

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 Abide in my love.

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 Okay, let me read that again.

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 As the Father has loved me,

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 so have I loved you.

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 And that's the end of the sermon.

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 Think about it.

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 As the Father has loved me,

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 Jesus says,

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 so have I loved you.

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 What can be said of the mystery

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 and the profound of this one line?

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 This love the Father has for her son,

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 Jesus Christ,

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 is something unlike any of us

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 have fully experienced.

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 And I use the word fully experienced

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 in a very greedy and miserly way.

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 I mean,

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 it's not like the love

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 a mother has for her baby.

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 I mean,

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 we saw the really cute babies

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 of Enrica and others.

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 And it's not like that kind of love.

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 It's not the love

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 a teenage boy has for this girl,

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 the most beautiful girl

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 he has ever laid his eyes on.

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 It's not like the love

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 a husband or a wife has

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 for each other

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 that has grown deep

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 over years and years of marriage.

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 I mean,

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 all of this love

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 do come close

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 to the love of the Father,

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 the love the Father has for his son.

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 But I say it comes close

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 in the sense that

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 if God's,

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 if Father's love

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 was like an iceberg,

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 it's just the tip

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 of the tip of an iceberg.

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 It's just so close

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 in comparison to Father's love.

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 Now what we are talking about here

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 is a love that is

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 completely unimaginable.

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 Now you can see my difficulty

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 in talking about this.

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 It's a love

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 that is so unimaginable.

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 When we talk about God loving,

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 we are not merely talking

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 about an emotion

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 that a father has for his son

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 or the father feels towards another.

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 We are not merely talking

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 about the many works

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 the Father does,

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 the many things,

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 the activities of God the Father.

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 I mean,

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 what we are talking about

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 according to 1 John 4

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 is that love for Father God

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 is who he is.

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 1 John 4 tells us

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 that God is love

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 because for God,

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 love is not one of the many things

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 that he does,

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 but for God,

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 love is who he is

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 in his being.

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 For God,

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 it is the very essence of God.

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 It is the indispensable thing

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 about God.

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 It is the very core

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 of who God is.

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 So to talk about,

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 to talk about love for God

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 and to take love out of God

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 is like going to a restaurant

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 and ordering an eggless omelet.

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 It just does not make sense.

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 You cannot have an eggless omelet.

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 In the same way,

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 you cannot have love

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 without God.

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 For God,

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 love is who he is.

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 I mean,

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 in our lives,

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 sometimes we come across

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 a love that is so amazing,

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 right?

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 A love that is so profound

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 that can leave us scarred,

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 that can leave us traumatized,

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 that can leave us transformed.

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 It can be a love

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 between a man and a woman.

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 It can be a love

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 between a parent and a child.

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 It can be a love

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 between a man and a dog.

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 A love that is so profound.

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 I know I saw this movie,

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 a Korean movie,

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 in high school.

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 I mean,

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 today is all about Korean.

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 It was called The Classic.

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 I don't know how many of you

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 have watched the Korean movie

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 called The Classic.

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 And even to this day,

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 when I listen to the soundtrack

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 of this song,

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 I still feel the pain in my chest.

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 I mean,

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 I would encourage you

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 to go and watch it.

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 The Classic.

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 I mean,

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 if I listen to the music,

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 and I fear like,

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 if I listen to it too long,

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 I'll break down and cry.

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 It was just so

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 heartbreaking and beautiful.

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 And I actually don't watch it anymore

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 because I feel like,

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 if I watch it,

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 I'll spoil the beauty

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 that I had felt before.

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 So it's,

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 you know,

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 we do come across

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 love that is so profound.

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 And can you imagine

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 us human beings,

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 sinful,

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 selfish,

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 broken,

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 humans are capable

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 of creating

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 such beautiful love,

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 imagining such amazing

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 and beautiful love.

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 How about a God

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 who's beautiful,

00:12:09.439 --> 00:12:09.899
 holy,

00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:10.679
 pure,

00:12:11.299 --> 00:12:12.579
 who himself is love,

00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:14.079
 who is the creator of love,

00:12:14.779 --> 00:12:15.579
 who is himself,

00:12:15.659 --> 00:12:16.959
 is the very being love.

00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.639
 In what way

00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.599
 does he love

00:12:19.599 --> 00:12:20.459
 his son?

00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:23.200
 I mean,

00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:23.800
 I don't even know

00:12:23.800 --> 00:12:24.360
 where to begin

00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:25.639
 to describe that.

00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:29.200
 And just to scratch

00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:29.720
 the surface,

00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:30.940
 we do see glimpses

00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:31.580
 of this love

00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:32.379
 the father has

00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:33.019
 for his son.

00:12:33.160 --> 00:12:33.620
 For example,

00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.860
 John 17, 24

00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:35.680
 tells us that

00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:36.480
 the love

00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.560
 of the father

00:12:37.560 --> 00:12:38.080
 over his son

00:12:38.080 --> 00:12:38.759
 had existed

00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:40.000
 way before creation.

00:12:40.160 --> 00:12:40.600
 Jesus says,

00:12:41.060 --> 00:12:41.220
 God,

00:12:41.280 --> 00:12:41.720
 you loved me

00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:42.780
 before the foundation

00:12:42.780 --> 00:12:43.460
 of this earth.

00:12:44.660 --> 00:12:45.240
 I mean,

00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:46.580
 before time began,

00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.600
 before the creation

00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.740
 was even thought of

00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.539
 or even created,

00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.200
 love was there.

00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:52.500
 It is a love

00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.159
 that existed

00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.980
 way before creation

00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:56.399
 that has been existing

00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.240
 for eternity,

00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.139
 which is a love

00:12:58.139 --> 00:12:58.820
 that is eternal,

00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:00.560
 that goes on and on

00:13:00.560 --> 00:13:02.039
 for all eternity.

00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.919
 It does not stop.

00:13:04.039 --> 00:13:04.899
 It does not falter.

00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:05.899
 It does not change

00:13:05.899 --> 00:13:07.100
 or wane in any way.

00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:08.220
 I mean,

00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:09.139
 it's a love

00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:09.919
 that never changes.

00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:10.259
 I mean,

00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.200
 our love changes.

00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:12.460
 Our love falters.

00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:13.620
 There are points

00:13:13.620 --> 00:13:14.060
 in our life

00:13:14.060 --> 00:13:15.560
 when we question our love,

00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:16.340
 but for God,

00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:17.980
 it's a love

00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:18.720
 that is eternal.

00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.740
 Because for him,

00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:22.100
 it's a love

00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:23.139
 that overflows

00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:24.759
 from who he is again,

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.080
 right?

00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.100
 It's a love

00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:27.100
 that comes out

00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:28.740
 like a roaring water,

00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:29.519
 like a water

00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.519
 that's gushing out

00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.379
 from who he is.

00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.759
 It's like a love,

00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:33.899
 like a mighty river.

00:13:34.399 --> 00:13:34.799
 I don't know

00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:35.159
 if you guys

00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:35.720
 have ever been

00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:36.779
 to a mighty river.

00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:37.460
 I used to live

00:13:37.460 --> 00:13:39.480
 just above this river

00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.000
 in India,

00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:41.180
 and you can listen

00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:41.740
 to this river

00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:42.779
 all night.

00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:45.740
 It's like a majestic sound.

00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.060
 I'm like,

00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.120
 ch-ch-ch-ch-ch.

00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:49.120
 And God's love,

00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:50.340
 I'm sorry for that sound effect,

00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.820
 but it's God's love

00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:53.779
 is like a mighty,

00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.740
 gushing river

00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.639
 that's pouring out.

00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:55.860
 You know,

00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.759
 sometimes we imagine

00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.360
 God's love

00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:58.159
 to be calm

00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:58.720
 and peaceful.

00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.019
 I mean,

00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:00.840
 at times it is.

00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:04.060
 But if you look

00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:04.759
 into Scripture,

00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:06.280
 if you look at his passion

00:14:06.280 --> 00:14:07.240
 in the Old Testament,

00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.780
 if you look at the way

00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:10.160
 he pursues his people,

00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:11.560
 if you look at the way

00:14:11.560 --> 00:14:12.840
 he pursues justice,

00:14:13.220 --> 00:14:14.060
 if you look at the way

00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:15.840
 he's angry over the injustice,

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.840
 over the sinfulness,

00:14:17.300 --> 00:14:18.660
 and all of this motivated

00:14:18.660 --> 00:14:20.060
 by his amazing love,

00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:22.180
 powerful and passionate love,

00:14:22.560 --> 00:14:23.700
 you'll see that his love

00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:25.620
 is something that is gushing out

00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:27.759
 with such force,

00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.939
 with such strength

00:14:28.939 --> 00:14:30.740
 that is just majestic

00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.439
 and mighty.

00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:34.919
 This is the love

00:14:34.919 --> 00:14:35.740
 that is motivated.

00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:36.899
 This is the love

00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:38.019
 of the Father

00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:39.559
 and it's so majestic.

00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:41.100
 Luke 3.22,

00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.259
 in the baptism of Jesus

00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:42.759
 and the transfiguration

00:14:43.319 --> 00:14:45.159
 in Matthew 17,

00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:46.779
 it talks about God

00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.860
 just breaking in

00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:50.179
 and as Jesus is being baptized,

00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:51.159
 as Jesus is right there,

00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.159
 God breaks in

00:14:52.159 --> 00:14:52.700
 and he says,

00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:54.620
 this is my beloved son

00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:56.879
 and with you I'm well pleased

00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.900
 and even though

00:14:57.900 --> 00:14:58.660
 this was fulfilling

00:14:58.660 --> 00:14:59.360
 the Old Testament,

00:14:59.920 --> 00:15:00.940
 I mean there is a sense

00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:02.340
 of God breaking in

00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.280
 and saying,

00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.440
 this is my son,

00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:06.860
 this is my son,

00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.660
 my beloved son

00:15:08.660 --> 00:15:11.620
 and with you I'm well pleased

00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:13.320
 and although my son

00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:15.080
 has done nothing till now,

00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.560
 he's about 30 years old,

00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:17.759
 he's been a carpenter

00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.340
 all his life,

00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:18.879
 all he's done

00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:19.840
 is build some tables

00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:20.360
 and chairs

00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:22.139
 and I know he has done

00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:23.460
 nothing worthy of worth

00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:25.440
 but this is the son

00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:26.860
 with whom I'm well pleased.

00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.440
 I mean I wonder

00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:30.259
 how many of us

00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.419
 has gone through life

00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.860
 ever hearing that.

00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:34.940
 Son, daughter,

00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:36.000
 I'm pleased with you

00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.820
 not because of your

00:15:37.820 --> 00:15:39.139
 academic achievement

00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.500
 or your career achievement

00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:42.800
 but I'm pleased with you

00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:44.259
 because you are my son

00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:44.879
 and daughter.

00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.180
 I wonder how many of us

00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:49.180
 have ever heard that

00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:49.879
 in our lives.

00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:54.600
 This is,

00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.139
 you see,

00:15:55.500 --> 00:15:56.460
 because for God

00:15:56.460 --> 00:15:57.519
 to love his son

00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.340
 Jesus Christ

00:15:58.340 --> 00:15:59.440
 was not based

00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.720
 on what Jesus has done,

00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:01.960
 was not based

00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.800
 on what was in the heart

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:03.300
 of Jesus

00:16:03.300 --> 00:16:05.240
 but for God to love

00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:05.860
 was based

00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.419
 on what was in his heart

00:16:07.419 --> 00:16:09.000
 and it was a heart

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.100
 that was full of love

00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.960
 for his son

00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:12.019
 and it was a love

00:16:12.019 --> 00:16:13.240
 that was just being poured out

00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.320
 from who he was.

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.240
 It was his being,

00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.200
 it was who he was.

00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.840
 John 3, 35,

00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.420
 Jesus says,

00:16:18.419 --> 00:16:19.659
 the father loves the son

00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:21.219
 and has given all things

00:16:21.219 --> 00:16:21.879
 into his hand.

00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.459
 You see,

00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.659
 the father out of his love

00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:25.360
 for his son

00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:27.079
 has given all things

00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:27.620
 to the son

00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.199
 sharing,

00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:29.439
 creating for his son

00:16:29.439 --> 00:16:31.199
 and to flood his son

00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:31.899
 with his love.

00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:33.919
 I mean,

00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:35.059
 we could go on and on

00:16:35.059 --> 00:16:36.439
 to describe the father's love.

00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:36.919
 I mean,

00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.500
 but if I may,

00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:41.240
 in my insufficient words,

00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.659
 in my feeble attempt

00:16:42.659 --> 00:16:44.600
 to describe God's love

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.459
 in one sentence,

00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:48.279
 it's a love that is eternal,

00:16:49.220 --> 00:16:50.759
 never waning or changing,

00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.659
 that delights over

00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:54.819
 and powerfully pours out over

00:16:54.820 --> 00:16:56.379
 out of the abundance

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.540
 of his heart

00:16:57.540 --> 00:16:58.180
 and being

00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:59.800
 that gives everything

00:16:59.800 --> 00:17:00.860
 out of love.

00:17:01.920 --> 00:17:02.400
 I mean,

00:17:02.440 --> 00:17:03.800
 that's a very long sentence,

00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:05.200
 but let me say that again.

00:17:05.820 --> 00:17:07.279
 It's a love that is eternal,

00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.460
 that goes from beginning

00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.120
 to the end,

00:17:09.320 --> 00:17:10.019
 never changing,

00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:10.820
 never waning,

00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:12.680
 that delights over,

00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.880
 that powerfully pours over

00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:16.120
 out of the abundance

00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:16.940
 of his heart

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.720
 and being

00:17:17.720 --> 00:17:19.580
 and that gives everything

00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:20.779
 out of love

00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:22.360
 to the son.

00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:24.699
 And this is the love

00:17:24.699 --> 00:17:25.679
 the father has

00:17:25.679 --> 00:17:26.279
 for his son,

00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.079
 Jesus Christ.

00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:29.740
 And we cannot even begin

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.379
 to imagine

00:17:30.379 --> 00:17:32.219
 how powerful,

00:17:32.459 --> 00:17:33.079
 how beautiful,

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.019
 how majestic,

00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:35.740
 how incredible

00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:37.059
 and all the words

00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:39.179
 that I can have

00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:40.379
 in my little dictionary

00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:42.439
 is God's love

00:17:42.439 --> 00:17:43.240
 for his son.

00:17:44.699 --> 00:17:46.079
 Then Jesus turns around

00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:48.559
 and he looks at each one of us

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.159
 and he says,

00:17:49.959 --> 00:17:51.279
 as the father has loved me,

00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:53.879
 so have I loved you.

00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.740
 Let that sink in.

00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:00.000
 As the father

00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.899
 has loved me eternally,

00:18:03.359 --> 00:18:04.139
 has loved me

00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:05.079
 with never waning,

00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:06.139
 never changing,

00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:07.940
 that delights over me,

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:10.279
 that powerfully pours out

00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.099
 out of the abundance

00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:11.839
 of his heart

00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.779
 and who he is,

00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:15.240
 that gives everything

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.839
 and in the same way,

00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:17.920
 I love you.

00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:20.680
 And if you think about it,

00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.500
 Jesus did give everything,

00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:23.060
 did he not?

00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.460
 He gave his life

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.140
 on the cross.

00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.720
 He took up our sins.

00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:28.440
 He made them his very own.

00:18:28.820 --> 00:18:29.740
 He went to the cross

00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.920
 bearing the price

00:18:30.920 --> 00:18:32.380
 that we had to pay

00:18:32.380 --> 00:18:33.660
 and gave his life.

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.580
 And if you think about it,

00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:38.539
 it grips my heart

00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.900
 when you think about

00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:40.680
 the way the father

00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.460
 loved the son

00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.860
 and then yet

00:18:42.860 --> 00:18:43.700
 he was still willing

00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.980
 to give his son for us.

00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:47.299
 And I mean,

00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.440
 it's not only Jesus

00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.059
 who loves us,

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.099
 it's also the father

00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:50.920
 who loves us

00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:52.400
 in the same fashion.

00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.200
 I mean,

00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.140
 remember the famous

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.160
 John 3, 16?

00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:57.740
 For God so loved the world

00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:59.460
 that he gave his one

00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.880
 and only begotten son,

00:19:01.460 --> 00:19:02.519
 that he gave his son

00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:04.059
 that he loved so much

00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:05.299
 for us.

00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:07.099
 He gave up everything.

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.259
 I mean,

00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.120
 now there's so much

00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:10.460
 that can still be said,

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.759
 but in the words

00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:14.019
 of an old hymn

00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:14.960
 by Frederick,

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.099
 let me read it out.

00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:18.460
 He said in this hymn,

00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:20.119
 could we with ink

00:19:20.119 --> 00:19:21.039
 the ocean fill

00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:22.700
 and wear the skies

00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:23.700
 of parchment made,

00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.339
 wear every stalk

00:19:25.339 --> 00:19:26.259
 on earth a quill

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.960
 and every man

00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:27.879
 a scribe by trade

00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:29.379
 to write the love

00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:30.079
 of God above

00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:30.759
 who drained

00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.640
 the ocean dry,

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.259
 nor could the scroll

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.240
 contain the whole

00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:35.099
 though stretched

00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:36.119
 from sky to sky.

00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.599
 I mean,

00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.319
 we could go on

00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.019
 and on and on

00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:41.539
 and then

00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.980
 it would still be infinite,

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:44.359
 it would still be eternal,

00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.980
 it would still go on

00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.259
 and on.

00:19:46.339 --> 00:19:47.240
 Now you can imagine

00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:48.160
 in Revelation

00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:49.180
 why the elders

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:50.420
 and the people

00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:51.940
 and they bow down

00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.839
 and they go on

00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:53.720
 and on for eternity

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.180
 saying,

00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:54.619
 holy,

00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:55.160
 holy,

00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.139
 holy are you God

00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:58.240
 because his love

00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.960
 is eternal.

00:19:59.119 --> 00:20:00.160
 His love goes on

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.779
 and on and on

00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:02.119
 way beyond

00:20:02.119 --> 00:20:03.059
 we can ever imagine.

00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:06.359
 And as the Father

00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:07.019
 has loved me,

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.000
 so I have I loved you.

00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:09.160
 And Jesus says,

00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.619
 abide in my love.

00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.920
 And if you remember,

00:20:14.019 --> 00:20:15.640
 abide means to remain.

00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:17.519
 Abide means to abode,

00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.380
 to make this

00:20:18.380 --> 00:20:19.460
 your resting place,

00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:21.500
 to live in this thing,

00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.819
 to live in his love,

00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:23.839
 to cling on,

00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.940
 to continuously remain

00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.519
 in his love.

00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:27.700
 And Jesus says,

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:30.200
 abide in my unimaginable love.

00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.059
 Church,

00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:33.200
 how many days,

00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.740
 how many of us

00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.599
 go through days

00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:37.279
 without even experiencing

00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.959
 God's love,

00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:38.679
 amazing love?

00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.399
 When was the last time

00:20:41.399 --> 00:20:43.019
 you sat beneath

00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:44.539
 this amazing,

00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:46.480
 unimaginable love of God

00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:48.459
 and just rested

00:20:48.459 --> 00:20:49.559
 and remained

00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.919
 and abode

00:20:50.919 --> 00:20:52.159
 and lived there

00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:54.419
 and continuously lived there?

00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:55.159
 When was the last time

00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:55.719
 we did that?

00:20:58.359 --> 00:20:59.959
 And if we are being honest,

00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:01.480
 we don't always do it,

00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:01.759
 do we?

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:03.579
 There are days

00:21:03.579 --> 00:21:04.599
 we just go through

00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:06.099
 through the motion

00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:07.180
 and suddenly

00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:07.960
 it's already bedtime.

00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:08.799
 There are days

00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.920
 we feel everything,

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.420
 we experience everything

00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:13.099
 except God's love for us.

00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.099
 I mean,

00:21:14.379 --> 00:21:15.980
 we sometimes feel like

00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:17.539
 God tolerates us,

00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:17.900
 don't we?

00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.660
 Do you know what I mean

00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.119
 by tolerate?

00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:21.000
 I mean,

00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.359
 yes,

00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.079
 he loves me,

00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:24.379
 but everything I do,

00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:25.680
 when he looks at my lifestyle,

00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.440
 he's just there

00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.259
 frowning at me.

00:21:27.359 --> 00:21:27.500
 He's like,

00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:27.779
 oh,

00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.220
 this guy.

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:29.879
 Or sometimes we feel like,

00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:30.119
 yes,

00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:30.859
 God loves me,

00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:33.019
 but my every action

00:21:33.019 --> 00:21:34.259
 is making him go,

00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.379
 this guy.

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.439
 Oh man,

00:21:36.479 --> 00:21:36.779
 again.

00:21:37.639 --> 00:21:37.959
 Alan,

00:21:38.439 --> 00:21:38.759
 again.

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.759
 We feel like God tolerates us

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:44.000
 and what that leads us to is,

00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:44.500
 is that,

00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:47.739
 is that we try to start doing

00:21:47.739 --> 00:21:48.919
 a certain stuff

00:21:48.919 --> 00:21:50.539
 to actually make God love us.

00:21:51.479 --> 00:21:51.919
 I mean,

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.879
 it becomes so easy

00:21:52.879 --> 00:21:53.479
 to do something

00:21:53.479 --> 00:21:54.439
 that would make him love us,

00:21:54.459 --> 00:21:54.619
 right?

00:21:54.899 --> 00:21:56.299
 So we pray a little more,

00:21:56.459 --> 00:21:57.359
 maybe add in a little bit

00:21:57.359 --> 00:21:58.579
 of fasting and tithing,

00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.839
 maybe go to church,

00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.720
 join some CGs,

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.659
 lead some stuff,

00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.859
 just so that we feel like

00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:05.279
 God does not tolerate us,

00:22:05.939 --> 00:22:07.419
 but that he would actually love us.

00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.240
 I mean,

00:22:09.459 --> 00:22:10.939
 imagine the frustration

00:22:10.939 --> 00:22:11.839
 of God over that.

00:22:12.179 --> 00:22:13.439
 Imagine God being frustrated

00:22:13.439 --> 00:22:15.240
 over us trying

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:16.019
 to earn his love.

00:22:16.599 --> 00:22:16.839
 I mean,

00:22:16.919 --> 00:22:18.000
 Dan Audlin in his book,

00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.519
 Deeper,

00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:19.399
 right there,

00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.159
 book Deeper,

00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:22.299
 he shares his frustration

00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.119
 over his kids.

00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.220
 This is what he writes

00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.720
 in his book.

00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.139
 He says,

00:22:25.459 --> 00:22:26.859
 when I tell my five young kids

00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:27.559
 that I love them,

00:22:27.919 --> 00:22:28.839
 they shrug and they say,

00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:29.839
 I know that,

00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:31.379
 but they don't.

00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.779
 They believe it,

00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:34.179
 but they hardly know it.

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:36.079
 I cannot hug them tight enough.

00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.779
 I can't say it loudly enough.

00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:40.019
 I can't express it often enough.

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:42.899
 I have a blessed frustration

00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:44.839
 at being unable

00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.980
 to communicate to them

00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.959
 how precious they are to me.

00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:51.740
 I mean,

00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:54.000
 for us to earn God's love

00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:55.539
 and not really realizing

00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:57.519
 that God's love is eternal.

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.539
 It does not change.

00:22:59.879 --> 00:23:00.639
 And do you know that

00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:02.519
 that is how God views us?

00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.740
 His frustration over us

00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:05.599
 to let us know

00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:07.000
 that he loves us with a love

00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:09.339
 that is completely inseparable,

00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.879
 that never changes.

00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.539
 I mean,

00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.440
 let's take a break

00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.200
 from John 15

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.139
 and let's go to John,

00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:15.720
 sorry,

00:23:15.899 --> 00:23:16.759
 Romans 8 for a bit

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.299
 to see this.

00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.099
 I mean,

00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:18.960
 if you have a bulletin

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.579
 on your hands,

00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.799
 the Romans 8

00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.000
 is on the next page.

00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:22.859
 I mean,

00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.400
 if you have a Bible,

00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.519
 let's turn to Romans 8

00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:25.140
 and let's see that.

00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:27.240
 Let's look at verses 31 to 39.

00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.259
 I mean,

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.200
 Romans 8

00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:37.019
 is a massive chapter.

00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:38.140
 I feel like I'm saying

00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:39.319
 a lot of massive stuff.

00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.400
 I mean,

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:41.799
 we'll definitely

00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:43.240
 not go into details here.

00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:43.900
 I mean,

00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.359
 this is considered to be

00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.660
 the Mount Everest

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.940
 of Romans 8,

00:23:48.119 --> 00:23:49.200
 of the letter to Romans.

00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.279
 I mean,

00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:51.539
 it was the peak of Romans.

00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:51.899
 It's the,

00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.460
 I mean,

00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.299
 you cannot go any higher

00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.019
 than Romans 8.

00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:55.680
 I mean,

00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.799
 Niels told me that like,

00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:57.059
 hey,

00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.279
 with these verses

00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.159
 are so profound,

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.379
 so beautiful

00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.639
 that it is just better

00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:04.920
 to repeat it 20 times

00:24:04.920 --> 00:24:06.259
 and finish the sermon

00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.180
 and that's it.

00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.460
 That's,

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.940
 I cannot say anything

00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.639
 much more beautiful

00:24:09.639 --> 00:24:10.980
 than what's already been said.

00:24:12.159 --> 00:24:12.740
 And me,

00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.799
 obeying my pastor,

00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:14.920
 I'm going to do just that.

00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:16.680
 I'm going to say it 20 times.

00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.099
 I'm just kidding.

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.899
 I'm not going to do that.

00:24:18.879 --> 00:24:19.240
 Okay,

00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:20.279
 so let's look at this.

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:22.240
 Let's look at this Mount Everest

00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.059
 from a distance

00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:24.599
 and let's look at it

00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.440
 from very far

00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:27.160
 and one thing you'll see is

00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:28.579
 at the end of all,

00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.619
 in verse 39,

00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.899
 Paul cries out

00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:32.599
 that there is nothing

00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.819
 that will be able

00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.740
 to separate us

00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:36.099
 from the love of God

00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.000
 in Christ Jesus,

00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:38.539
 that his love for us

00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.480
 is inseparable.

00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:40.680
 I mean,

00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.139
 well,

00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.579
 you got to read

00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:42.379
 the whole of Romans

00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:44.319
 to see how he comes

00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:45.039
 to that conclusion,

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.200
 but let's just look

00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.720
 from verse 31 onwards

00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.599
 and you'll see that

00:24:48.599 --> 00:24:50.559
 he asks a few questions

00:24:50.559 --> 00:24:51.480
 and he answers them

00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.180
 at the same time.

00:24:52.559 --> 00:24:52.799
 Now,

00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:53.819
 let's look at verse 31.

00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.339
 He says,

00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:56.079
 if God is for us,

00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.740
 who can be against us?

00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.000
 Now,

00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.559
 he's saying that,

00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:00.220
 do you know

00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.500
 that God is for you?

00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.799
 Do you know

00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.220
 that God is on your side?

00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.440
 I mean,

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.059
 in the world

00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.980
 that we live in,

00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:08.139
 it's so unpredictable.

00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:09.820
 I mean,

00:25:09.840 --> 00:25:10.540
 after having gone

00:25:10.540 --> 00:25:12.500
 through lockdowns,

00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.300
 looking at the news,

00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.080
 looking at the war,

00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.060
 I mean,

00:25:16.120 --> 00:25:16.759
 for some of us,

00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:17.720
 jobs going terrible

00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:19.160
 and all sorts of things

00:25:19.160 --> 00:25:19.820
 going terrible.

00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:20.900
 I mean,

00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.560
 sometimes it can feel like

00:25:22.560 --> 00:25:23.940
 God is everywhere

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:25.720
 except with us.

00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.740
 I mean,

00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:28.820
 sometimes it is even

00:25:28.820 --> 00:25:29.660
 our own sins

00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.460
 and our choices

00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:32.920
 that messes us up

00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.780
 and it feels like

00:25:33.780 --> 00:25:34.940
 God is not on our side,

00:25:35.060 --> 00:25:35.680
 but in fact,

00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.520
 God feels like

00:25:36.520 --> 00:25:37.980
 he's opposite of us.

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.820
 Looking at us,

00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:39.660
 frowning at us.

00:25:40.780 --> 00:25:41.160
 I mean,

00:25:41.800 --> 00:25:43.460
 but what we see here

00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:43.900
 is that

00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:45.560
 God is for us.

00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.080
 I mean,

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:47.000
 even if you think about

00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.680
 our choices

00:25:47.680 --> 00:25:48.860
 and our habitual sins,

00:25:49.600 --> 00:25:50.420
 it does feel like

00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.680
 God is opposite of us.

00:25:53.560 --> 00:25:54.280
 But actually,

00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:54.740
 this says,

00:25:54.860 --> 00:25:55.300
 no, no, no, no.

00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:57.100
 God is not opposite of you.

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:58.140
 God is not against you,

00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.440
 but God is for you.

00:25:59.840 --> 00:26:01.120
 He's actually for you

00:26:01.120 --> 00:26:02.420
 and he's strengthening you

00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:03.160
 in your struggles.

00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:04.120
 Do you remember

00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.200
 Philippians 4, 13?

00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:05.740
 It says,

00:26:05.840 --> 00:26:06.240
 Paul says,

00:26:06.300 --> 00:26:07.200
 I can do all things

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.340
 through him

00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:09.880
 who strengthens me.

00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.380
 It's not me

00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:12.380
 doing all things,

00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:12.960
 but it's God

00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:13.640
 who is in me

00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.500
 strengthening me,

00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.680
 that he's for me.

00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.279
 But how do you know

00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.980
 that he's for you

00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.920
 and that he's giving you

00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.880
 all his amazing promises?

00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:21.140
 Well, look at verse 32.

00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:21.640
 He says,

00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.620
 Paul says,

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.779
 he who did not spare

00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:24.700
 his own son

00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.539
 but gave him up

00:26:25.539 --> 00:26:26.420
 for us all,

00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.680
 how will he not also

00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.580
 with him graciously

00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:29.980
 give us all things?

00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.200
 The son,

00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.920
 we just talked about,

00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.180
 that he loves eternally

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.900
 without change,

00:26:34.980 --> 00:26:35.900
 that delights over,

00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.779
 that he gave his son

00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.380
 for us,

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.840
 if he can't do that

00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:40.380
 for us,

00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.759
 will he not fulfill

00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.860
 his promise for us

00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:44.840
 and not just for eternity,

00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.420
 but even for this life,

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.660
 for his presence

00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:48.160
 in our life,

00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.460
 for his presence

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.100
 and his strength

00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:50.640
 in our life,

00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.400
 for our sanctification,

00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.660
 for us to overcome

00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.779
 what we go through

00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.460
 in this life.

00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.860
 That God is for us,

00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:59.320
 that he's not against us.

00:26:59.320 --> 00:27:00.120
 He's on your side.

00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:02.879
 Verse 33, 34.

00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.259
 Who is it that is going

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.079
 to bring charges

00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.819
 against us?

00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.000
 No one.

00:27:07.399 --> 00:27:08.359
 Because we have been

00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.399
 justified by God.

00:27:09.479 --> 00:27:10.939
 It's God who justifies us.

00:27:11.239 --> 00:27:12.039
 Who is it that will

00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:13.179
 condemn us for our sins

00:27:13.179 --> 00:27:13.779
 and rebellion?

00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.139
 No one.

00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.619
 Because even though

00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:17.339
 it was us

00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:18.139
 that was supposed

00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:18.759
 to be condemned,

00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:20.139
 even though it was us

00:27:20.139 --> 00:27:20.699
 that was supposed

00:27:20.699 --> 00:27:21.639
 to pay the price,

00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.719
 it was Jesus

00:27:22.719 --> 00:27:23.419
 who was condemned.

00:27:24.179 --> 00:27:24.839
 It was Jesus

00:27:24.839 --> 00:27:25.679
 who took our death

00:27:25.679 --> 00:27:26.579
 and shame

00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.479
 and he gave his life

00:27:27.479 --> 00:27:27.919
 for us

00:27:27.919 --> 00:27:28.779
 so that now

00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.019
 we can stand justified

00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:31.019
 putting on

00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.079
 Jesus' righteousness

00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:33.900
 and we can all stand

00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.980
 as if we have

00:27:34.980 --> 00:27:35.700
 never sinned

00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.400
 in our lives.

00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.759
 That now we are

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.940
 standing justified

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:40.799
 because of Jesus

00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:42.799
 who has justified us,

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.200
 who has paid the price.

00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.619
 And finally,

00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.319
 what is it

00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.759
 that will separate us

00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.779
 from the love of Christ?

00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:49.940
 Nothing.

00:27:50.900 --> 00:27:52.400
 Verse 38 and 39.

00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:54.440
 For I am sure,

00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.059
 he starts off,

00:27:56.139 --> 00:27:56.779
 Paul starts off

00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.480
 with that words.

00:27:57.639 --> 00:27:58.720
 For I am sure.

00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.920
 Why is he sure?

00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.400
 Because of all the things

00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:02.099
 he talked about,

00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:04.279
 that Jesus paid the price,

00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.720
 that God gave

00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.680
 his one and only son

00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.460
 whom he loved

00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:08.359
 so dearly,

00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.819
 so eternally,

00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.900
 that he gave his son

00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.440
 for us,

00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.740
 that now we stand

00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.799
 without fall,

00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.539
 covered in his righteousness.

00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.759
 And because of all

00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.779
 this gospel truth,

00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:19.139
 the gospel of the good news

00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:19.960
 of Jesus Christ,

00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:21.139
 because of that,

00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:22.279
 I am sure

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.920
 that neither death,

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.839
 nor life,

00:28:24.940 --> 00:28:25.519
 nor angels,

00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:26.220
 nor rulers,

00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.599
 nor things present,

00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.539
 nor things to come,

00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.399
 nor powers,

00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.339
 nor height,

00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:30.799
 nor depth,

00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:31.899
 nor anything else

00:28:31.899 --> 00:28:33.559
 in all creation,

00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.460
 nor the troubles

00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.200
 in your life,

00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:37.399
 nor the sins

00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.539
 that you have put up

00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.559
 before God,

00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.720
 nor anything

00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.460
 that we have

00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:42.059
 in our lives

00:28:42.059 --> 00:28:43.200
 or in this creation,

00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:44.960
 spiritual or physical,

00:28:45.359 --> 00:28:46.159
 or anything

00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:48.279
 can separate us

00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.180
 from the love of God

00:28:49.180 --> 00:28:51.099
 in Christ Jesus,

00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:52.159
 our Lord.

00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:54.500
 man,

00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.540
 isn't that just amazing?

00:28:57.320 --> 00:28:57.600
 I mean,

00:28:57.620 --> 00:28:58.220
 it is so true.

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.460
 I could have just read that

00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.880
 and finished it with that.

00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.820
 There's nothing,

00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:05.240
 nothing that can separate us

00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:06.460
 from the love of God

00:29:06.460 --> 00:29:07.500
 in Christ Jesus.

00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.860
 And if I may,

00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:12.500
 if I can squeeze out

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:13.920
 one word from all of that,

00:29:14.920 --> 00:29:15.940
 it is security.

00:29:17.540 --> 00:29:19.100
 These verses are reminding us

00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:21.019
 that God's love for us

00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.879
 is so deep,

00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:23.259
 so unshakable,

00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:25.480
 that we are so secure

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:27.059
 in the love of God

00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:28.659
 found in Christ Jesus.

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.719
 And if you think about it,

00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.659
 in real life,

00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.319
 in our day-to-day life,

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.899
 things will happen

00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:36.799
 that will take us,

00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.079
 that will leave us

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.719
 out of control,

00:29:39.519 --> 00:29:40.599
 that will make us

00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.319
 feel insecure.

00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.399
 I mean,

00:29:42.439 --> 00:29:42.959
 even in the beginning

00:29:42.959 --> 00:29:43.639
 of this series,

00:29:43.699 --> 00:29:44.679
 we were talking about it,

00:29:44.699 --> 00:29:44.879
 right?

00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:46.400
 That as we go into the year,

00:29:46.960 --> 00:29:48.340
 95% of the things

00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:49.480
 will be out of our control.

00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.340
 95% of the things

00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:52.700
 will be things

00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.800
 we are not expecting.

00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.900
 And when that happens,

00:29:56.580 --> 00:29:57.900
 we feel insecure.

00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:59.280
 Maybe God is not with us.

00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:00.400
 Maybe God is not for us.

00:30:00.520 --> 00:30:01.240
 Maybe God is not

00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.060
 in my life right now.

00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:02.880
 Where are you, God?

00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:05.380
 How long, oh God?

00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.960
 Where are you, God?

00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.460
 I mean,

00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.040
 even the things

00:30:09.040 --> 00:30:09.720
 that we suffer

00:30:09.720 --> 00:30:11.000
 can leave us

00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.880
 in such a mess.

00:30:12.800 --> 00:30:13.060
 I mean,

00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.859
 even the sins

00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:14.779
 that other people

00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:16.779
 commit against us.

00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.200
 It can be small,

00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:19.200
 like your boss

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:20.119
 scolding you.

00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.159
 Or it can be big,

00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.359
 like an abuse

00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.039
 by someone.

00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.619
 And all these things

00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:25.319
 can leave us

00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.220
 in such a mess.

00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:28.419
 And all these things

00:30:28.419 --> 00:30:29.339
 can shape us

00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.539
 and leave us

00:30:30.539 --> 00:30:31.399
 in such a mess.

00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:33.000
 But actually,

00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.779
 what this is saying

00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:35.339
 is that your life

00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:37.220
 is not what proves

00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.139
 God's love for you.

00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.139
 It's Christ's love

00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.980
 on the cross

00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:42.359
 that is what proves

00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:42.919
 God's love.

00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:43.419
 For you.

00:30:44.679 --> 00:30:45.859
 It's not who you are

00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.700
 or the mess

00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.639
 or the chaos

00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.299
 or the suffering

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.019
 that you go through.

00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.859
 It is the chaos

00:30:50.859 --> 00:30:51.500
 and the mess

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:52.240
 and the suffering

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.460
 that Jesus went through

00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:55.039
 that proves God's love

00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.480
 for you.

00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:59.039
 Isn't that amazing

00:30:59.039 --> 00:31:00.940
 that there is nothing,

00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:02.639
 nothing that can separate us

00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:03.399
 from the love of God

00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:05.139
 in Christ Jesus.

00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:05.599
 I mean,

00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:06.579
 it's like what Kevin

00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:07.480
 was sharing last week

00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.379
 about what his dad

00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:08.960
 used to tell him.

00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.240
 That he used to tell

00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.119
 his sons that

00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:14.179
 son or a kid,

00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.799
 whatever you do

00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.319
 in your life,

00:31:16.399 --> 00:31:17.099
 whatever you say,

00:31:17.219 --> 00:31:18.000
 whatever you do,

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.319
 whatever you decide,

00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:21.079
 nothing can separate you,

00:31:21.159 --> 00:31:22.099
 nothing can take away

00:31:22.099 --> 00:31:22.919
 my love for you.

00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:27.039
 But here's one thing

00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:28.000
 that we need to remember.

00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:29.940
 Here's one thing

00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.480
 we need to remember.

00:31:30.560 --> 00:31:31.380
 If you look closely

00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.240
 in verse 39,

00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.019
 you'll see that

00:31:33.019 --> 00:31:34.000
 this amazing love,

00:31:34.820 --> 00:31:35.640
 this love that is being

00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.039
 poured out

00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.060
 from the Father to the Son,

00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:38.820
 from the Father to us,

00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.660
 from the Son to us,

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.860
 the love that is inseparable,

00:31:41.440 --> 00:31:42.920
 this love that is unimaginable,

00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:44.460
 this love that is

00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:46.039
 so profound

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.880
 and so majestic,

00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:49.120
 this love of God

00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:50.180
 is actually found

00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:51.960
 in Christ Jesus.

00:31:55.280 --> 00:31:55.760
 So,

00:31:56.040 --> 00:31:56.960
 if you're here

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.680
 for the first time

00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:59.880
 or if you have never

00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.620
 made a decision

00:32:00.620 --> 00:32:01.880
 to follow Christ yet

00:32:01.880 --> 00:32:03.960
 or if you're still

00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:05.280
 debating on it,

00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:08.400
 this can be the day

00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:09.140
 for you to come

00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:11.940
 and receive this amazing

00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:13.720
 and profound love of God

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:15.340
 that can only be found

00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.859
 in Christ Jesus.

00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.959
 Love that satisfies

00:32:18.959 --> 00:32:20.240
 our deepest longings.

00:32:20.879 --> 00:32:21.919
 Love that cannot be found

00:32:21.919 --> 00:32:23.220
 anywhere else on this earth.

00:32:23.819 --> 00:32:24.659
 A love that is based

00:32:24.659 --> 00:32:25.819
 not on how you perform

00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:27.759
 but on who God is

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.539
 and a love that will

00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:29.279
 make you whole.

00:32:30.119 --> 00:32:31.159
 Will you come and taste

00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:33.220
 this amazing love of God

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:34.720
 and that the Lord is good?

00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.019
 I mean,

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.639
 if that is something

00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.480
 you want to talk about,

00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.159
 if that's something

00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:39.159
 anyone wants to talk about,

00:32:39.659 --> 00:32:39.899
 I mean,

00:32:39.959 --> 00:32:40.480
 you can reach out

00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.480
 to any one of us,

00:32:42.099 --> 00:32:42.699
 Neil,

00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.159
 Oscar,

00:32:43.319 --> 00:32:44.119
 or any one of us

00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:45.439
 at the end of the service.

00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.859
 But for those of us

00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:49.239
 who have been a Christian

00:32:49.239 --> 00:32:49.919
 for some time

00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:50.739
 or if you're new

00:32:50.739 --> 00:32:52.039
 or if you're a follower

00:32:52.039 --> 00:32:52.659
 of Christ,

00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.839
 I want us to know

00:32:53.839 --> 00:32:55.219
 that abiding in His love

00:32:55.219 --> 00:32:56.659
 is not something

00:32:56.659 --> 00:32:57.659
 that we experience

00:32:57.659 --> 00:32:58.500
 deep in our hearts.

00:32:58.579 --> 00:32:59.059
 It's not something

00:32:59.059 --> 00:32:59.779
 that is passive.

00:33:00.659 --> 00:33:01.179
 It's not something

00:33:01.179 --> 00:33:02.279
 we feel internally

00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:04.019
 but actually it is something

00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.939
 that is the reality

00:33:04.939 --> 00:33:05.719
 of our lives.

00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.619
 Abiding in His love

00:33:06.619 --> 00:33:08.379
 means that our whole life

00:33:08.379 --> 00:33:10.159
 is being shaped by it

00:33:10.159 --> 00:33:11.259
 and it's more than that.

00:33:11.879 --> 00:33:12.679
 Abiding in His love

00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:13.640
 means that our source

00:33:13.640 --> 00:33:14.420
 of our joy

00:33:14.420 --> 00:33:16.440
 is His love.

00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:17.340
 I mean,

00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:17.840
 let's go back

00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:18.820
 to John 15 again.

00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:19.220
 I mean,

00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.360
 we're going back and forth.

00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.120
 Let's go back

00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:21.860
 to John 15

00:33:21.860 --> 00:33:22.740
 and let's look at

00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.680
 verse 10 and 11.

00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.759
 And it says here,

00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:27.100
 if you keep my commandments,

00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.980
 you will abide in my love

00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:30.960
 just as I have kept

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.960
 my Father's commandments

00:33:31.960 --> 00:33:33.580
 and abide in His love.

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.519
 Now,

00:33:34.560 --> 00:33:35.460
 if you read that properly,

00:33:35.600 --> 00:33:37.160
 that sounds a lot like,

00:33:38.039 --> 00:33:38.480
 hey,

00:33:38.560 --> 00:33:39.759
 the way to abide in His love

00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:41.240
 is to obey His commandments.

00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:42.079
 Okay,

00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:42.940
 if you want God's love,

00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.120
 you better have obedience

00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:44.720
 in your life.

00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:45.519
 I mean,

00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:46.539
 it's sounding a lot like that,

00:33:46.599 --> 00:33:46.740
 right?

00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.420
 But actually,

00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.680
 if you stop and think about it,

00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:51.099
 not really.

00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.759
 Because you see,

00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:53.599
 it's quite easy

00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:54.620
 to fall back into

00:33:54.620 --> 00:33:56.299
 trying to earn God's love,

00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.000
 right?

00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:58.579
 And being very insecure

00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.359
 in God's love.

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.299
 But yet,

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.440
 there's something about

00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:02.740
 abiding in God's love

00:34:02.740 --> 00:34:04.380
 and obedience

00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.700
 that fits in

00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.599
 one sentence.

00:34:06.599 --> 00:34:09.119
 I mean,

00:34:10.319 --> 00:34:11.880
 one thing we should

00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:12.639
 think about is,

00:34:12.819 --> 00:34:13.119
 you see,

00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:14.279
 His love for us

00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:16.179
 never changes.

00:34:16.839 --> 00:34:17.319
 That's something

00:34:17.319 --> 00:34:17.920
 we talked about,

00:34:17.980 --> 00:34:18.119
 right?

00:34:18.179 --> 00:34:19.099
 His love is eternal.

00:34:19.339 --> 00:34:20.039
 It's never waning,

00:34:20.259 --> 00:34:20.839
 never changes,

00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:21.480
 never goes down,

00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:22.079
 never goes up

00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:22.980
 because that's the highest

00:34:22.980 --> 00:34:23.480
 He can get.

00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:24.960
 So,

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.599
 His love for us

00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.299
 never changes,

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.139
 but yet,

00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:30.279
 whether we choose

00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:31.539
 to abide in it or not,

00:34:32.599 --> 00:34:33.219
 now that can make

00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:33.699
 a difference.

00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.319
 You see,

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.339
 abiding in His love,

00:34:36.319 --> 00:34:37.359
 His love never changes,

00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:38.419
 but we can choose

00:34:38.419 --> 00:34:39.619
 to move away

00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:40.419
 from His love

00:34:40.419 --> 00:34:41.699
 and one of the ways

00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.199
 we can choose

00:34:42.199 --> 00:34:42.819
 to move away

00:34:42.819 --> 00:34:43.539
 from His love

00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:45.139
 is disobedience.

00:34:46.539 --> 00:34:46.899
 I mean,

00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.960
 let me give an example.

00:34:48.099 --> 00:34:48.980
 Imagine a husband

00:34:48.980 --> 00:34:50.739
 sitting on his sofa

00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:51.379
 all day,

00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.079
 doing nothing

00:34:52.079 --> 00:34:54.460
 and the wife's request

00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:55.839
 to help out in the home

00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:56.759
 falls on deaf ears.

00:34:57.779 --> 00:34:58.419
 And for the husband

00:34:58.419 --> 00:34:58.839
 to say,

00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.879
 I love my wife,

00:35:00.439 --> 00:35:00.739
 I mean,

00:35:00.919 --> 00:35:02.439
 I know my wife loves me,

00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:05.119
 and I love my wife so much,

00:35:05.200 --> 00:35:06.480
 I care for my wife.

00:35:06.760 --> 00:35:08.240
 That's quite unreasonable,

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:08.940
 isn't it?

00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.380
 I mean,

00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:12.240
 how many of us

00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:12.920
 have a husband like that?

00:35:13.079 --> 00:35:13.220
 That's good.

00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:14.039
 I'm not going to ask that.

00:35:15.179 --> 00:35:16.420
 But that's quite unreasonable

00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.260
 for the husband

00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:18.099
 to say,

00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:18.679
 I love you,

00:35:18.760 --> 00:35:19.700
 but at the same time,

00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:20.619
 do nothing,

00:35:21.139 --> 00:35:21.800
 not hear,

00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:22.840
 not listen to his wife

00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:23.240
 at all,

00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:23.820
 is quiet.

00:35:24.200 --> 00:35:25.099
 It just does not fit in

00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:25.639
 in one sentence.

00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:26.320
 You don't believe

00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:26.780
 that the husband

00:35:26.780 --> 00:35:27.619
 loves this wife.

00:35:28.619 --> 00:35:29.019
 Obviously,

00:35:29.260 --> 00:35:31.220
 this analogy falls apart

00:35:31.219 --> 00:35:32.379
 because the wife's love

00:35:32.379 --> 00:35:32.819
 for the husband

00:35:32.819 --> 00:35:33.739
 starts to falter,

00:35:33.839 --> 00:35:34.519
 starts to go down.

00:35:34.939 --> 00:35:36.319
 While God's love for us

00:35:36.319 --> 00:35:37.039
 never changes.

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:39.059
 His love is always steadfast,

00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:39.919
 but it's us

00:35:39.919 --> 00:35:40.359
 who's choosing

00:35:40.359 --> 00:35:41.079
 to walk away,

00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:41.339
 right?

00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:42.739
 Now,

00:35:43.379 --> 00:35:44.339
 but,

00:35:44.480 --> 00:35:46.759
 but it just does not end there.

00:35:46.899 --> 00:35:47.019
 Now,

00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:48.179
 look at verse 11 also.

00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:50.480
 What he ends up with is,

00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.219
 he says that,

00:35:51.679 --> 00:35:52.759
 he has said all these things

00:35:52.759 --> 00:35:53.659
 so that his joy

00:35:53.659 --> 00:35:54.359
 may be in us

00:35:54.360 --> 00:35:55.500
 and our joy

00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.280
 may be full.

00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:57.980
 Now,

00:35:58.059 --> 00:35:58.680
 to the equation

00:35:58.680 --> 00:35:59.840
 of abiding in his God's love,

00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:00.440
 commandments,

00:36:00.680 --> 00:36:01.099
 obedience,

00:36:01.660 --> 00:36:02.880
 Jesus adds one more thing.

00:36:03.200 --> 00:36:04.320
 He adds joy.

00:36:05.260 --> 00:36:05.539
 Now,

00:36:05.700 --> 00:36:06.039
 joy,

00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:07.300
 this is a joy

00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:08.180
 that is not based

00:36:08.180 --> 00:36:09.039
 on circumstances,

00:36:10.120 --> 00:36:11.079
 but on the security

00:36:11.079 --> 00:36:11.820
 of God's love.

00:36:12.260 --> 00:36:13.019
 It's a joy

00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:14.260
 that sits steadily

00:36:14.260 --> 00:36:15.740
 deep in us

00:36:15.740 --> 00:36:16.640
 regardless of

00:36:16.640 --> 00:36:17.740
 our circumstance.

00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.480
 It's a joy

00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:20.260
 that satisfies us

00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.620
 in a way

00:36:20.620 --> 00:36:22.120
 that are beyond comprehension.

00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:23.200
 It's a joy

00:36:23.200 --> 00:36:23.940
 from God's love

00:36:23.940 --> 00:36:24.980
 that is beyond anything

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.960
 this world can offer.

00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:26.760
 I mean,

00:36:26.820 --> 00:36:28.159
 if you remember David's psalm

00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:29.019
 in Psalm 63,

00:36:29.440 --> 00:36:29.820
 he says,

00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.099
 God,

00:36:30.200 --> 00:36:30.820
 your love

00:36:30.820 --> 00:36:32.920
 is better than life itself.

00:36:34.880 --> 00:36:35.720
 Have you ever thought

00:36:35.720 --> 00:36:36.280
 of that psalm?

00:36:36.679 --> 00:36:36.940
 God,

00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:37.440
 your love

00:36:37.440 --> 00:36:38.860
 is better than life itself?

00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:39.800
 I mean,

00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:41.780
 what else do we humans

00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:43.059
 have apart from life?

00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.700
 Life is the only thing

00:36:44.700 --> 00:36:45.240
 that we have.

00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:46.460
 And David comes up

00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:46.940
 and he says,

00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.280
 God,

00:36:47.380 --> 00:36:47.940
 your love

00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:50.240
 is better than life itself.

00:36:51.860 --> 00:36:52.960
 There's some kind

00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:53.700
 of satisfaction

00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:54.439
 in God's love.

00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:55.159
 There's some kind

00:36:55.159 --> 00:36:55.980
 of steadiness,

00:36:56.579 --> 00:36:57.939
 wholeness in God's love

00:36:57.939 --> 00:36:59.519
 that keeps us,

00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:00.579
 that leaves us saying,

00:37:00.859 --> 00:37:01.019
 God,

00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:01.480
 your love

00:37:01.480 --> 00:37:02.460
 is way better

00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:04.159
 than life itself.

00:37:06.299 --> 00:37:07.299
 There's a joy

00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:07.799
 in abiding

00:37:07.799 --> 00:37:08.460
 in God's love

00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:08.919
 and obedience.

00:37:09.859 --> 00:37:10.619
 There's a kind

00:37:10.619 --> 00:37:11.159
 of joy

00:37:11.159 --> 00:37:12.039
 that when we abide

00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.799
 in God's love

00:37:12.799 --> 00:37:14.279
 that leads to obedience,

00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:15.980
 that gives us a joy

00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:16.980
 that's so deep within.

00:37:17.659 --> 00:37:17.879
 I mean,

00:37:17.919 --> 00:37:18.500
 if you remember

00:37:18.500 --> 00:37:19.299
 Hebrews 12,

00:37:19.419 --> 00:37:19.819
 it says,

00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:21.139
 where it says,

00:37:21.139 --> 00:37:21.960
 it was for the joy

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.500
 of Jesus

00:37:22.500 --> 00:37:24.119
 to endure the cross

00:37:24.119 --> 00:37:24.659
 in obedience

00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:25.279
 to the Father.

00:37:25.920 --> 00:37:26.539
 It was a joy

00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:27.519
 for Jesus Christ

00:37:27.519 --> 00:37:28.940
 to obey His Father

00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.799
 and to go on the cross

00:37:30.799 --> 00:37:31.859
 to take our sins.

00:37:32.879 --> 00:37:33.619
 This is a joy

00:37:33.619 --> 00:37:34.279
 that comes from

00:37:34.279 --> 00:37:35.239
 abiding in His love

00:37:35.239 --> 00:37:35.719
 and obedience.

00:37:36.440 --> 00:37:37.539
 And it's not just a joy

00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.639
 that fills our heart,

00:37:38.699 --> 00:37:39.159
 it's a joy

00:37:39.159 --> 00:37:40.500
 that strengthens us.

00:37:41.400 --> 00:37:41.519
 That,

00:37:41.719 --> 00:37:42.420
 if you remember,

00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.339
 the joy of the Lord

00:37:43.339 --> 00:37:44.119
 is my strength.

00:37:44.719 --> 00:37:44.839
 See,

00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:45.319
 this joy

00:37:45.319 --> 00:37:47.039
 is not just an emotion,

00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:48.159
 not just something

00:37:48.159 --> 00:37:49.000
 that's fleeting,

00:37:49.139 --> 00:37:49.559
 it's something

00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:51.539
 that's deep within us.

00:37:51.859 --> 00:37:52.799
 It's almost like a circle,

00:37:52.960 --> 00:37:53.719
 abiding in His love,

00:37:54.179 --> 00:37:54.500
 obedience,

00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.299
 joy.

00:37:55.779 --> 00:37:56.599
 It almost goes

00:37:56.599 --> 00:37:58.440
 at the same time,

00:37:59.139 --> 00:38:00.119
 if that makes sense.

00:38:01.739 --> 00:38:03.019
 So just to bring that in,

00:38:03.779 --> 00:38:04.179
 church,

00:38:04.679 --> 00:38:05.500
 here's the thing

00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:06.099
 to think about.

00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:07.980
 What are we abiding in

00:38:07.980 --> 00:38:09.440
 in our lives?

00:38:10.039 --> 00:38:10.799
 Are we abiding

00:38:10.799 --> 00:38:11.879
 in our performance?

00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:13.500
 Are we trusting

00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.779
 and basing our identity

00:38:14.779 --> 00:38:15.420
 and value

00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:16.819
 in what we do

00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:18.519
 and what we perform?

00:38:18.780 --> 00:38:19.920
 Or is it in His love

00:38:19.920 --> 00:38:21.539
 that we are secure

00:38:21.539 --> 00:38:22.200
 and accepted?

00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:24.920
 Where is the source

00:38:24.920 --> 00:38:25.539
 of our joy?

00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:27.240
 Is it our work?

00:38:27.340 --> 00:38:28.100
 Is it our achievements?

00:38:28.300 --> 00:38:29.100
 Is it our families?

00:38:29.680 --> 00:38:30.860
 Is it what we do

00:38:30.860 --> 00:38:31.760
 and what we receive?

00:38:31.920 --> 00:38:32.580
 Or is it

00:38:32.580 --> 00:38:34.120
 this unshakable,

00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:34.860
 inseparable,

00:38:35.220 --> 00:38:36.300
 unimaginable love

00:38:36.300 --> 00:38:36.760
 of God

00:38:36.760 --> 00:38:38.019
 found in Christ Jesus?

00:38:39.300 --> 00:38:40.539
 Is our Christian life

00:38:40.539 --> 00:38:41.600
 marked with rituals

00:38:41.600 --> 00:38:42.600
 of church attendance

00:38:42.600 --> 00:38:43.680
 or a few minutes

00:38:43.680 --> 00:38:44.340
 of Bible reading

00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:44.880
 in the morning?

00:38:45.380 --> 00:38:46.400
 Or is it marked

00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:47.720
 with obedience

00:38:47.720 --> 00:38:48.660
 in every part

00:38:48.660 --> 00:38:49.300
 of our lives

00:38:49.300 --> 00:38:50.400
 that comes out

00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:50.900
 of knowing

00:38:50.900 --> 00:38:52.019
 that we are secure

00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:52.880
 in the love of God

00:38:52.880 --> 00:38:54.260
 and full of joy

00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:55.320
 that is unshakable

00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:56.700
 in every circumstances?

00:38:58.380 --> 00:38:58.820
 Church,

00:38:58.960 --> 00:38:59.720
 Jesus calls us

00:38:59.720 --> 00:39:00.240
 to abide,

00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:01.160
 to remain,

00:39:01.280 --> 00:39:01.840
 to cling,

00:39:02.280 --> 00:39:03.480
 to make this our home,

00:39:04.000 --> 00:39:05.380
 to abide in His love

00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:06.460
 so that everything

00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:07.119
 that we do,

00:39:07.800 --> 00:39:08.920
 everything that we go through

00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:09.780
 in coming days,

00:39:10.099 --> 00:39:11.320
 in this coming 2023,

00:39:11.940 --> 00:39:12.740
 is grounded

00:39:12.740 --> 00:39:13.539
 in the security

00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:14.259
 and joy

00:39:14.259 --> 00:39:15.880
 found in the love

00:39:15.880 --> 00:39:16.219
 of God

00:39:16.219 --> 00:39:17.000
 in Christ Jesus.

00:39:17.699 --> 00:39:18.039
 You see,

00:39:18.119 --> 00:39:18.659
 that our lives

00:39:18.659 --> 00:39:19.239
 are marked,

00:39:20.039 --> 00:39:20.639
 that our lives

00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:21.300
 are marked,

00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.500
 I think this Kevin

00:39:22.500 --> 00:39:23.199
 mentioned this,

00:39:23.739 --> 00:39:24.440
 to be a man

00:39:24.440 --> 00:39:25.219
 full of Christ,

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.300
 full of His word

00:39:26.300 --> 00:39:27.659
 and full of love,

00:39:27.800 --> 00:39:28.659
 to be a people

00:39:28.659 --> 00:39:29.500
 that is marked

00:39:29.500 --> 00:39:30.480
 with obedience

00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:31.219
 and joy

00:39:31.219 --> 00:39:31.719
 that comes

00:39:31.719 --> 00:39:32.279
 from the love

00:39:32.279 --> 00:39:32.639
 of God,

00:39:33.420 --> 00:39:34.880
 that has taken us in,

00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:35.840
 that has called us

00:39:35.840 --> 00:39:36.559
 sons and daughters,

00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.659
 not because of

00:39:37.659 --> 00:39:38.400
 our good works,

00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:39.079
 but because of

00:39:39.079 --> 00:39:39.880
 what Jesus did

00:39:39.880 --> 00:39:40.440
 on the cross,

00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:41.700
 remembering,

00:39:41.880 --> 00:39:42.440
 remembering

00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:44.559
 that He loved us first,

00:39:44.840 --> 00:39:45.380
 not us.

00:39:47.179 --> 00:39:48.460
 To bring it to a close,

00:39:49.099 --> 00:39:49.920
 how do we do it?

00:39:50.460 --> 00:39:50.740
 I mean,

00:39:50.860 --> 00:39:51.920
 Kevin has been finishing

00:39:51.920 --> 00:39:53.579
 with practical application,

00:39:53.940 --> 00:39:55.079
 so it would be a sin

00:39:55.079 --> 00:39:55.559
 if I don't.

00:39:56.920 --> 00:39:57.340
 Here's,

00:39:57.519 --> 00:39:58.220
 I don't have a lot

00:39:58.220 --> 00:39:59.820
 of practical application

00:39:59.820 --> 00:40:00.300
 of, okay,

00:40:00.340 --> 00:40:01.039
 how do we do this?

00:40:01.619 --> 00:40:02.519
 Apart from

00:40:02.519 --> 00:40:03.980
 getting daily

00:40:03.980 --> 00:40:04.659
 into your scripture,

00:40:05.280 --> 00:40:06.139
 praying for God

00:40:06.139 --> 00:40:07.039
 to reveal His love

00:40:07.039 --> 00:40:08.280
 in His word

00:40:08.280 --> 00:40:08.920
 in our lives,

00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:10.099
 here are three

00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:11.839
 practical application

00:40:11.839 --> 00:40:13.039
 that came to my heart

00:40:13.039 --> 00:40:13.819
 as I was preparing

00:40:13.819 --> 00:40:14.299
 this sermon.

00:40:14.440 --> 00:40:14.960
 These are the three

00:40:14.960 --> 00:40:15.880
 that I was reminded of.

00:40:16.480 --> 00:40:16.799
 I mean,

00:40:16.839 --> 00:40:17.400
 it's going to sound

00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:18.880
 a lot like a traffic rules.

00:40:19.219 --> 00:40:20.019
 You'll see what I mean.

00:40:20.219 --> 00:40:21.259
 So first one is stop.

00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:23.279
 Stop.

00:40:26.099 --> 00:40:26.779
 It's so easy

00:40:26.779 --> 00:40:27.360
 to get busy.

00:40:27.719 --> 00:40:28.219
 It's so easy

00:40:28.219 --> 00:40:29.199
 to go with the flow.

00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:29.779
 It's so easy

00:40:29.779 --> 00:40:30.500
 to do family.

00:40:30.839 --> 00:40:31.279
 It's so easy

00:40:31.279 --> 00:40:32.500
 to do work,

00:40:32.900 --> 00:40:33.339
 home,

00:40:34.159 --> 00:40:34.619
 assignments.

00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:36.500
 But when was

00:40:36.500 --> 00:40:36.980
 the last time

00:40:36.980 --> 00:40:37.699
 we stopped?

00:40:38.739 --> 00:40:39.599
 Just stopped.

00:40:40.099 --> 00:40:41.360
 And pondered

00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:42.539
 over this majestic

00:40:42.539 --> 00:40:43.539
 love of Christ

00:40:43.539 --> 00:40:44.199
 over us.

00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:45.259
 Someone gave me

00:40:45.259 --> 00:40:45.839
 an advice

00:40:45.839 --> 00:40:47.000
 years,

00:40:47.119 --> 00:40:47.659
 years back.

00:40:47.739 --> 00:40:48.239
 He told me,

00:40:48.940 --> 00:40:49.839
 go and sit

00:40:49.839 --> 00:40:50.500
 on a big rock.

00:40:51.779 --> 00:40:52.539
 And the reason

00:40:52.539 --> 00:40:53.139
 for that is

00:40:53.139 --> 00:40:53.980
 it's very hard

00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:54.779
 to find a big rock

00:40:54.779 --> 00:40:55.339
 in Hong Kong.

00:40:56.519 --> 00:40:56.960
 Unless,

00:40:57.199 --> 00:40:58.019
 unless you go

00:40:58.019 --> 00:40:58.779
 out of the way,

00:40:59.559 --> 00:41:00.279
 out of the city

00:41:00.279 --> 00:41:01.460
 to find a big rock.

00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:02.679
 So stop

00:41:02.679 --> 00:41:03.960
 and go find a big rock

00:41:03.960 --> 00:41:05.219
 and ponder

00:41:05.219 --> 00:41:06.059
 over the majestic

00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:07.519
 love of God.

00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.259
 I mean,

00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:08.679
 it's the same

00:41:08.679 --> 00:41:09.780
 thing for couples,

00:41:09.880 --> 00:41:10.059
 right?

00:41:10.500 --> 00:41:10.699
 I mean,

00:41:10.739 --> 00:41:11.480
 it's so easy

00:41:11.480 --> 00:41:12.360
 to do family work,

00:41:12.440 --> 00:41:12.860
 feed the kids,

00:41:12.980 --> 00:41:13.699
 sleep on the

00:41:13.699 --> 00:41:14.639
 sand bed,

00:41:14.900 --> 00:41:15.920
 and forget to abide

00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:16.679
 in each other's love.

00:41:16.840 --> 00:41:17.579
 That's why date nights

00:41:17.579 --> 00:41:18.280
 are so important.

00:41:18.619 --> 00:41:19.460
 You go out once a week

00:41:19.460 --> 00:41:20.440
 or how much ever,

00:41:20.579 --> 00:41:21.420
 talk to each other,

00:41:22.039 --> 00:41:22.800
 pour out each other,

00:41:22.920 --> 00:41:23.900
 listen to each other.

00:41:24.699 --> 00:41:25.659
 So take time off,

00:41:25.739 --> 00:41:26.000
 stop,

00:41:26.199 --> 00:41:26.460
 pause,

00:41:26.900 --> 00:41:27.800
 take out a significant

00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:28.619
 time out of your,

00:41:28.980 --> 00:41:29.340
 out of,

00:41:29.719 --> 00:41:30.219
 I would say,

00:41:30.259 --> 00:41:30.659
 every day,

00:41:31.280 --> 00:41:32.219
 and let God

00:41:32.219 --> 00:41:32.860
 wash you

00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:33.500
 with His love.

00:41:33.880 --> 00:41:34.659
 Second is this,

00:41:34.780 --> 00:41:35.079
 talk.

00:41:35.079 --> 00:41:36.880
 in our communities,

00:41:37.779 --> 00:41:38.519
 with the people

00:41:38.519 --> 00:41:39.239
 around us,

00:41:40.319 --> 00:41:40.940
 it's so easy

00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:41.840
 to pray for each other,

00:41:41.920 --> 00:41:42.440
 it's so easy

00:41:42.440 --> 00:41:42.920
 to tell,

00:41:43.099 --> 00:41:43.840
 help each other

00:41:43.840 --> 00:41:45.500
 in our sufferings,

00:41:45.599 --> 00:41:46.799
 in our problems,

00:41:46.960 --> 00:41:47.779
 encouraging each other,

00:41:48.219 --> 00:41:49.219
 but let's also,

00:41:49.819 --> 00:41:51.179
 let's also speak

00:41:51.179 --> 00:41:51.840
 God's love

00:41:51.840 --> 00:41:52.299
 to each other,

00:41:52.400 --> 00:41:52.860
 reminding

00:41:52.860 --> 00:41:54.340
 of God's amazing

00:41:54.340 --> 00:41:56.219
 and unimaginable,

00:41:56.319 --> 00:41:57.219
 unseparable love

00:41:57.219 --> 00:41:58.799
 of God's love

00:41:58.799 --> 00:41:59.759
 found in Christ Jesus

00:41:59.759 --> 00:42:00.279
 to each other.

00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.019
 Let's speak that

00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:01.599
 to each other

00:42:01.599 --> 00:42:02.900
 in our communities

00:42:02.900 --> 00:42:04.099
 and finally walk.

00:42:05.440 --> 00:42:06.159
 Traffic rules,

00:42:06.239 --> 00:42:06.360
 right?

00:42:06.440 --> 00:42:06.719
 Stop,

00:42:06.860 --> 00:42:07.039
 talk,

00:42:07.139 --> 00:42:07.380
 walk.

00:42:07.880 --> 00:42:08.279
 Walk

00:42:08.279 --> 00:42:10.219
 as you go to school,

00:42:10.880 --> 00:42:11.840
 as you go to work.

00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:12.840
 I mean,

00:42:12.900 --> 00:42:13.420
 in my life,

00:42:13.500 --> 00:42:14.299
 I found that

00:42:14.299 --> 00:42:15.759
 when I walk

00:42:15.759 --> 00:42:16.420
 from my home

00:42:16.420 --> 00:42:16.920
 to work,

00:42:17.500 --> 00:42:18.119
 that's the time

00:42:18.119 --> 00:42:18.480
 when I,

00:42:18.719 --> 00:42:19.279
 that's the time

00:42:19.279 --> 00:42:19.659
 I get

00:42:19.659 --> 00:42:21.380
 to really pray

00:42:21.380 --> 00:42:22.340
 and let God

00:42:22.340 --> 00:42:23.039
 wash His love

00:42:23.039 --> 00:42:23.480
 over me.

00:42:24.440 --> 00:42:25.139
 So when you go

00:42:25.139 --> 00:42:25.440
 to school,

00:42:25.519 --> 00:42:25.980
 when you work,

00:42:26.059 --> 00:42:26.739
 in those gaps,

00:42:26.900 --> 00:42:28.019
 remember God's love

00:42:28.019 --> 00:42:29.319
 that He gave His one

00:42:29.319 --> 00:42:29.819
 and only Son,

00:42:29.920 --> 00:42:30.539
 Jesus Christ,

00:42:30.599 --> 00:42:31.219
 not because

00:42:31.219 --> 00:42:32.119
 of any good thing

00:42:32.119 --> 00:42:32.480
 I did,

00:42:32.980 --> 00:42:33.779
 but out of purely

00:42:33.779 --> 00:42:34.799
 of grace and love.

00:42:35.739 --> 00:42:36.739
 That now I can come

00:42:36.739 --> 00:42:37.519
 putting on

00:42:37.519 --> 00:42:38.179
 His righteousness

00:42:38.179 --> 00:42:39.099
 that Jesus looks

00:42:39.099 --> 00:42:39.880
 at us and says,

00:42:40.019 --> 00:42:40.599
 as the Father

00:42:40.599 --> 00:42:41.279
 has loved me,

00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:42.400
 so I have

00:42:42.400 --> 00:42:42.940
 I loved you.

00:42:43.759 --> 00:42:45.059
 So in our lives,

00:42:45.500 --> 00:42:46.380
 let's take a pause,

00:42:46.679 --> 00:42:47.219
 let's stop,

00:42:47.739 --> 00:42:48.460
 let's talk,

00:42:48.819 --> 00:42:49.579
 and as we walk

00:42:49.579 --> 00:42:50.139
 in our lives,

00:42:50.239 --> 00:42:50.739
 as we do

00:42:50.739 --> 00:42:51.659
 our daily deeds,

00:42:52.460 --> 00:42:53.139
 let's ponder,

00:42:53.340 --> 00:42:54.159
 let's let God

00:42:54.159 --> 00:42:55.000
 wash His love

00:42:55.000 --> 00:42:55.799
 and let's abide

00:42:55.799 --> 00:42:56.380
 in His love.

00:42:57.219 --> 00:42:58.199
 Let me pray for us.

00:42:58.199 --> 00:43:00.500
 Father,

00:43:00.579 --> 00:43:01.739
 we praise You

00:43:01.739 --> 00:43:02.519
 and we thank You

00:43:02.519 --> 00:43:03.799
 and there's not

00:43:03.799 --> 00:43:04.419
 a lot of words

00:43:04.419 --> 00:43:05.099
 I can say

00:43:05.099 --> 00:43:05.719
 we can say

00:43:05.719 --> 00:43:06.399
 about Your love

00:43:06.399 --> 00:43:08.099
 and even in this

00:43:08.099 --> 00:43:09.619
 feeble attempt

00:43:09.619 --> 00:43:11.399
 of talking about

00:43:11.399 --> 00:43:12.480
 this amazing love,

00:43:12.599 --> 00:43:12.759
 God,

00:43:13.019 --> 00:43:14.339
 I pray that You,

00:43:14.639 --> 00:43:15.079
 Your Spirit,

00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:16.000
 would take these words

00:43:16.000 --> 00:43:17.099
 and put it deep

00:43:17.099 --> 00:43:17.759
 in our hearts.

00:43:18.779 --> 00:43:19.079
 Father,

00:43:19.179 --> 00:43:20.039
 until and unless

00:43:20.039 --> 00:43:20.639
 Your Spirit

00:43:20.639 --> 00:43:21.539
 opens up

00:43:21.539 --> 00:43:22.639
 and reveals

00:43:22.639 --> 00:43:23.399
 Your love to us,

00:43:23.439 --> 00:43:23.619
 God,

00:43:23.679 --> 00:43:24.500
 we are still blind.

00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:25.840
 So,

00:43:25.960 --> 00:43:26.099
 Father,

00:43:26.159 --> 00:43:27.039
 we pray for each

00:43:27.039 --> 00:43:27.559
 one of us

00:43:27.559 --> 00:43:28.239
 in Watermark

00:43:28.239 --> 00:43:29.440
 that we would be

00:43:29.440 --> 00:43:29.900
 a church

00:43:29.900 --> 00:43:30.659
 that abides

00:43:30.659 --> 00:43:31.039
 in You,

00:43:31.179 --> 00:43:31.380
 Jesus,

00:43:31.500 --> 00:43:32.219
 that would abide

00:43:32.219 --> 00:43:33.400
 in Your Word,

00:43:33.480 --> 00:43:34.099
 that would abide

00:43:34.099 --> 00:43:34.760
 in Your love,

00:43:35.260 --> 00:43:35.800
 that we would be

00:43:35.800 --> 00:43:36.340
 a church

00:43:36.340 --> 00:43:37.139
 that is marked,

00:43:37.559 --> 00:43:38.199
 that is recognized

00:43:38.199 --> 00:43:39.260
 by being people,

00:43:39.780 --> 00:43:40.800
 that is deeply

00:43:40.800 --> 00:43:42.239
 sitting secure

00:43:42.239 --> 00:43:43.000
 in Your love,

00:43:43.380 --> 00:43:44.159
 that is full

00:43:44.159 --> 00:43:44.820
 of Your Word,

00:43:45.300 --> 00:43:46.159
 that is deeply

00:43:46.159 --> 00:43:47.260
 full of joy

00:43:47.260 --> 00:43:48.280
 because of what

00:43:48.280 --> 00:43:48.820
 You have done

00:43:48.820 --> 00:43:49.360
 on the cross

00:43:49.360 --> 00:43:50.260
 and not because

00:43:50.260 --> 00:43:51.179
 of our performance

00:43:51.179 --> 00:43:52.159
 and who we are

00:43:52.159 --> 00:43:53.320
 and how amazing

00:43:53.320 --> 00:43:54.360
 we look from the outside.

00:43:55.380 --> 00:43:55.719
 Father,

00:43:55.800 --> 00:43:56.519
 I pray for each

00:43:56.519 --> 00:43:57.059
 one of us

00:43:57.059 --> 00:43:58.079
 that we would be

00:43:58.079 --> 00:43:59.460
 people that are

00:43:59.460 --> 00:44:00.340
 deeply secure

00:44:00.340 --> 00:44:01.539
 in Your Gospel.

00:44:02.420 --> 00:44:03.260
 Help us to speak,

00:44:03.460 --> 00:44:04.239
 help us to encourage

00:44:04.239 --> 00:44:04.760
 each other

00:44:04.760 --> 00:44:06.019
 in Your love,

00:44:06.139 --> 00:44:06.320
 God,

00:44:07.320 --> 00:44:08.059
 that ultimately

00:44:08.059 --> 00:44:09.400
 that we would decrease

00:44:09.400 --> 00:44:10.400
 and You would increase.

00:44:11.079 --> 00:44:11.300
 So,

00:44:11.380 --> 00:44:11.519
 Father,

00:44:11.579 --> 00:44:12.460
 we give You praise.

00:44:12.659 --> 00:44:13.719
 May You be glorified.

00:44:14.320 --> 00:44:15.280
 May You be lifted up.

00:44:15.480 --> 00:44:16.039
 May Your love

00:44:16.039 --> 00:44:17.059
 abide in our hearts

00:44:17.059 --> 00:44:18.659
 and may 2023

00:44:18.659 --> 00:44:19.940
 be a year

00:44:19.940 --> 00:44:21.739
 for us to get deeper

00:44:21.739 --> 00:44:22.519
 into Your love

00:44:22.519 --> 00:44:23.480
 that You would reveal

00:44:23.480 --> 00:44:24.159
 day by day

00:44:24.159 --> 00:44:25.139
 how amazing,

00:44:25.279 --> 00:44:25.819
 how vast,

00:44:25.920 --> 00:44:26.420
 how high,

00:44:27.000 --> 00:44:28.119
 how deep,

00:44:28.379 --> 00:44:29.619
 how wide Your love

00:44:29.619 --> 00:44:30.079
 is

00:44:30.079 --> 00:44:32.119
 that can be found

00:44:32.119 --> 00:44:32.920
 in Christ Jesus.

00:44:34.639 --> 00:44:35.839
 To You we give glory,

00:44:36.000 --> 00:44:36.139
 Lord.

00:44:36.779 --> 00:44:38.059
 In Jesus' name we pray.

00:44:38.960 --> 00:44:39.259
 Amen.

00:44:39.259 --> 00:44:39.359
 Amen.

00:44:39.360 --> 00:44:40.620
 Amen.

00:44:40.620 --> 00:44:41.160
 Amen.

00:44:41.160 --> 00:44:42.519
 Amen.

00:44:42.559 --> 00:44:43.420
 Amen.

00:44:43.420 --> 00:44:45.559
 Amen.

00:44:47.579 --> 00:44:47.880
 Amen.

00:44:50.640 --> 00:44:51.320
 Amen.

00:44:52.200 --> 00:44:52.460
 Amen.

00:44:52.480 --> 00:44:53.079
 Amen.

00:44:53.079 --> 00:44:53.539
 Amen.

00:44:53.539 --> 00:44:54.120
 Amen.

00:44:54.120 --> 00:44:54.579
 Amen.

00:44:54.579 --> 00:44:55.360
 Amen.

00:45:07.480 --> 00:45:07.820
 ...