WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:03.660 Well, what a privilege it is to be together, hey? 00:00:04.520 --> 00:00:11.040 I don't lose sight that this truly is a privilege to be able to join together, 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:14.939 to have people we love in the same room, getting to know each other, 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:19.039 growing in our relationship with God, and growing in our relationship with each other. 00:00:21.640 --> 00:00:23.400 We can't do this everywhere around the world. 00:00:25.640 --> 00:00:29.960 And so I don't want it to be lost on us that this truly is a privilege to be together. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.320 However squished we are, it truly is a privilege. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:39.899 And so today, well, let me just give a bit of a recap. 00:00:40.259 --> 00:00:44.899 If you're joining us for the first time today, over the last month, we've been in the book of 1 John. 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:50.079 And so we've been walking through 1 John, and we'll continue to do that in the weeks ahead. 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:56.480 But as we look at 1 John, he's really giving us an idea of what relationship is. 00:00:56.480 --> 00:00:59.439 He's talking about our relationship with God, with the Heavenly Father. 00:00:59.439 --> 00:01:05.280 And then he's also talking about what relationship is for us with each other and with the world. 00:01:05.659 --> 00:01:11.719 And so the series started out with really looking at the foundation of what a relationship with God is. 00:01:12.000 --> 00:01:14.500 And so first, John dives into that. 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:20.620 And as he talks about what a relationship with God is, he then goes on, as we know, 00:01:20.759 --> 00:01:25.079 if we go back, way back to Genesis, our relationship with God was broken with Adam and Eve. 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:29.759 And so John goes into talking about how do we fix that relationship with God? 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:33.539 And it really comes down to just confessing our sins. 00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:34.799 Confess our sins. 00:01:34.900 --> 00:01:35.900 He's faithful and just. 00:01:36.039 --> 00:01:37.239 He forgives us our sins. 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:39.359 And then walking in the light. 00:01:40.299 --> 00:01:44.939 And really, that is only made possible with and through Jesus. 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:48.780 Jesus is the one who makes the relationship with God possible for us. 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:50.460 And so he dives into that. 00:01:51.099 --> 00:01:57.680 And then as he sort of finishes talking about this and our relationship with God and how we can be in a relationship with him, 00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:01.040 he goes into talking about a new command that was given. 00:02:01.500 --> 00:02:06.180 And the new command that was given was love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:10.639 And then love your neighbor as yourself. 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:15.759 And we dove into that and really how difficult it is to love your neighbor as yourself. 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:19.139 Because a lot of us, if you're anything like me, you really love yourself. 00:02:20.619 --> 00:02:22.139 You really love yourself. 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:25.299 And I think kids help to highlight that. 00:02:25.779 --> 00:02:28.799 Like, I really love my time and doing what I like to do. 00:02:29.439 --> 00:02:34.339 And so learning to love your neighbor, not only your neighbor, but loving your enemy as yourself, 00:02:34.739 --> 00:02:38.319 really is a stretch if we challenge ourselves with that. 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:42.280 And so that's what we've walked through over the last few weeks. 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:46.840 And so today we're diving into 1 John 2, verse 15 to 17. 00:02:47.099 --> 00:02:52.780 And I sort of joked with James because I was like, wow, of course you would give me this verse. 00:02:52.900 --> 00:02:57.259 You would disappear on this week and you'd give me this verse in probably, well, for me, 00:02:57.979 --> 00:03:02.459 if I'm honest, the most materialistic city I've ever lived in in the world. 00:03:02.819 --> 00:03:05.019 And I'm like, of course you'd leave and give me this. 00:03:05.020 --> 00:03:11.660 But as I read it over and over and over again, it's such a common verse. 00:03:11.980 --> 00:03:19.840 As I read it so many times this week, again, convicted and convicted and convicted of how am I living my life and serving Jesus? 00:03:20.820 --> 00:03:23.620 And so this is the verse that we're looking at today. 00:03:23.740 --> 00:03:27.900 And so really the purpose in 1 John is talking about let's grow our relationship with God 00:03:27.900 --> 00:03:30.920 and let's grow our relationship with others. 00:03:31.659 --> 00:03:35.680 Now, every week we start our service with looking through the mission statements 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:39.200 and we talk about the me, the we, and the they. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:41.960 Sort of how is my relationship with God? 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:46.580 Because my relationship with God will impact my relationship with others. 00:03:46.580 --> 00:03:53.120 But how are we also growing in our relationship with God in the midst of community and with each other? 00:03:53.860 --> 00:03:58.180 Believing that as we grow together in our relationships with God, 00:03:58.660 --> 00:04:05.520 it leads to overflow and impact, impacting the city and those around us and God calling us to that. 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:13.600 And so with that heart, if we're looking at the we today, we're going to do things a little bit differently. 00:04:15.200 --> 00:04:18.840 The gathering, if you haven't noticed, we do things a little bit differently as it is. 00:04:18.900 --> 00:04:23.280 And so we like to push people out of their comfort zone sometimes. 00:04:23.279 --> 00:04:27.879 And so as talking and preparing and working through this with James, 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:31.779 we thought what a great opportunity to encourage the we, 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:36.359 to grow in our relationships with God with each other. 00:04:36.839 --> 00:04:41.699 Because if we're completely honest, we don't want to make the gathering about James' preaching. 00:04:42.059 --> 00:04:45.779 He's a good speaker, but that is not why we come to Sunday mornings. 00:04:46.199 --> 00:04:47.979 We don't come to hear James speak. 00:04:48.419 --> 00:04:52.399 We come to hear from God and then to grow with each other. 00:04:53.279 --> 00:04:56.239 And so today we're going to grow with each other. 00:04:56.779 --> 00:05:01.339 And so let me introduce or sort of brief you on what it's going to look like this morning. 00:05:01.459 --> 00:05:02.519 We're all sitting together. 00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:06.239 So you're going to find a group of two or three people that are right around you. 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:08.359 And we're going to read this verse. 00:05:08.459 --> 00:05:12.059 And I have questions we're going to work through in our small groups together. 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:17.000 If you've ever heard of a thing called Discovery Bible Study, it's essentially this. 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:21.939 It's saying, hey, as a group, yeah, maybe we haven't studied this verse for weeks or months, 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:28.719 but as a group, we believe that the Bible is alive, that it speaks to us. 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:35.480 And so if the Bible is alive, it doesn't only speak to me or to James or the person speaking on Sunday morning. 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:37.920 It speaks to each and every one of us. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:40.279 And so that's what we're going to do. 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:41.600 We're going to look at it. 00:05:41.680 --> 00:05:42.420 We're going to read it. 00:05:42.420 --> 00:05:45.279 And then we're going to share with each other what we think it's speaking to us. 00:05:45.980 --> 00:05:46.540 Don't worry. 00:05:46.540 --> 00:05:49.319 We're not going to call everyone up to share with everyone. 00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:52.580 So you'll talk in your groups and say what God is speaking to you. 00:05:52.939 --> 00:05:54.040 But we're going to practice. 00:05:55.360 --> 00:05:58.960 Practice that in the hopes of using this, you can say, wow, you know what? 00:05:58.980 --> 00:06:00.900 That actually wasn't that difficult. 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:04.800 And this is something I could actually use with my friends. 00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:07.040 I could use it in my midweek. 00:06:07.100 --> 00:06:09.480 I could use it with my friends who are asking about faith. 00:06:10.020 --> 00:06:13.680 And so equipping you to then go out to the day. 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:16.379 And so that's the hope and goal of what we're going to do today. 00:06:16.660 --> 00:06:19.879 But let's stand for the reading of the word together, okay? 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:32.120 Do not love the world or the things in the world. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:36.560 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:43.560 For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life, 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:47.280 is not from the Father, but is from the world. 00:06:48.420 --> 00:06:51.600 And the world is passing away along with its desires. 00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:57.060 But whoever does the will of God abides forever. 00:06:58.340 --> 00:06:59.639 This is the word of the Lord. 00:07:01.460 --> 00:07:05.759 So, Father, we pray as we look at your word today. 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:08.819 We know that you are alive and you are active. 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:10.560 I pray that you would speak to us. 00:07:11.319 --> 00:07:12.860 Speak to us through each other. 00:07:15.120 --> 00:07:16.420 Encourage us through each other. 00:07:16.519 --> 00:07:19.100 Open our eyes to different ways of seeing things. 00:07:20.399 --> 00:07:22.759 And we pray that in the midst of conversation, 00:07:23.139 --> 00:07:26.240 that our relationship with you would be grown. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:28.519 Our understanding of you would be deepened. 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:31.740 And that we would fall further in love with you. 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:34.199 In your name we pray. 00:07:34.819 --> 00:07:35.180 Amen. 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:38.400 Feel free to take a seat. 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.780 Okay, so this is what we'll do. 00:07:44.980 --> 00:07:46.600 We're going to start with one question. 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:48.680 We'll break it down one question at a time. 00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:50.280 We'll put one question up there. 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:53.040 And then we'll give you about five minutes. 00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:54.019 It's not a long time. 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:55.379 Five minutes. 00:07:55.740 --> 00:07:56.500 Talk it through. 00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:57.579 What does God say? 00:07:57.720 --> 00:08:00.740 So for the first question, what does this passage teach us about God? 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:03.420 So as you read it, what is it teaching you about God? 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:04.840 Share that with one another. 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:08.259 And then after the five minutes I'll come up, 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:12.180 I'll share a few thoughts in terms of what I think it's teaching us about God. 00:08:12.340 --> 00:08:14.060 And then we'll move to the next question. 00:08:14.300 --> 00:08:15.840 We just have three questions, okay? 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.939 But that's what it's going to look like today. 00:08:18.020 --> 00:08:18.680 Any questions? 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:21.560 What does the passage teach us about God? 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:23.700 What does the passage teach us about God? 00:08:26.439 --> 00:08:28.800 Besides this question, anything else? 00:08:28.800 --> 00:08:29.439 Perfect. 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:31.620 So get to know someone new. 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:33.980 If you don't know the person beside you, introduce yourselves. 00:08:34.259 --> 00:08:37.659 And then open your Bible or look up here. 00:08:37.759 --> 00:08:39.180 And what does this teach you about God? 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:42.100 Go for it. 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:48.980 Okay. 00:08:48.980 --> 00:08:51.980 As we round out question one. 00:08:56.420 --> 00:08:56.940 Okay. 00:08:57.180 --> 00:09:02.259 Let's come back for just a couple minutes as we round out question one. 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:07.860 In your conversations, as you talked with each other, anyone who is like, 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:11.460 whoa, that's a good point, or anything that you're like, wow, 00:09:11.539 --> 00:09:15.320 I never thought of that before, as you think about what this teaches you about God. 00:09:15.920 --> 00:09:17.399 Anyone want to share anything? 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:17.539 Anything? 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:24.480 No pressure, but I'm just curious. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:25.740 No? 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:30.800 Kelly, I saw you whispering something. 00:09:31.060 --> 00:09:33.000 So you were whispering something. 00:09:33.420 --> 00:09:35.159 I take a brave person. 00:09:36.600 --> 00:09:38.420 You are the brave person, then. 00:09:38.879 --> 00:09:44.420 Alan shares a really good point about how God's love is above this world, 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:46.860 and his ways are above this world. 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:49.960 So, yeah, that's a really good point. 00:09:50.259 --> 00:09:51.360 I think it's very soft. 00:09:51.620 --> 00:09:51.980 Yeah. 00:09:52.060 --> 00:09:56.980 God's love is above this world, and his ways are above the ways of the world. 00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:57.779 That's good. 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:00.539 Anyone else? 00:10:00.539 --> 00:10:01.500 Yeah. 00:10:01.500 --> 00:10:10.980 I was talking with Matthew and Ryan here, and Ryan stole my point. 00:10:11.159 --> 00:10:11.819 He said it first. 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:14.379 I hate it when that happens, eh? 00:10:14.379 --> 00:10:15.980 It's like the last verse. 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:18.879 The world is passing away, but whoever does the world, God is there forever. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.460 And whoever is making the point now. 00:10:21.840 --> 00:10:24.580 The things of this world don't last, but God does. 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:26.580 That's what we learned about. 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:27.399 Yeah. 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:30.779 This world will eventually be gone, but God is there forever. 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:31.659 That's good. 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:41.779 So, as I was reading it and sort of reflecting on it, again, I think this is my perspective, 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:45.139 but I'm sure there were a lot of different perspectives around this room. 00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:50.339 But as I was looking at it, it was the reflection of what God's love is, 00:10:50.339 --> 00:10:55.740 because it talks a lot about what the world is and what loving the world does. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:59.620 And so, I think of the opposite of what does God's love mean for us. 00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:04.039 And it really is truly different than anything we can find here, you know? 00:11:04.580 --> 00:11:07.200 It's a spiritual and lasting kind of love. 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:09.279 Like you guys were saying, God is around forever. 00:11:09.460 --> 00:11:11.039 His love is forever. 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.480 God's love is about humility. 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:17.799 It's about putting others first, which goes against this world so much. 00:11:18.379 --> 00:11:20.039 His love is about servanthood, you know? 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:23.399 The first will be last, and the last will be first. 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:27.699 It can be so difficult to put others before ourselves, 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:30.919 especially in, if we want to call it the rat race of life. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.379 We're always pushing it further and further ahead. 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:37.519 And so, putting others before ourselves is so against human nature, 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:40.259 but that's the kind of love that God has for us. 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:43.340 I read a quote that I liked. 00:11:43.439 --> 00:11:43.639 It says, 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:47.379 God's love is wide enough to include every human being, 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:50.019 long enough to last through all eternity, 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:52.840 deep enough to reach the most guilty sinner, 00:11:52.840 --> 00:11:55.480 and high enough to take us to heaven. 00:11:56.800 --> 00:11:59.360 And so, that's the kind of love we think of. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:01.460 It is not the kind of love that the world has. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:03.200 It is a love that is so much greater, 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:06.320 so much bigger, so much wider than we could ever imagine. 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:08.800 And that's what we're being invited into 00:12:08.800 --> 00:12:10.720 as believers and followers of Christ. 00:12:12.180 --> 00:12:14.840 And so, that's what I took from it, 00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:18.040 is God's love and what it means for us. 00:12:18.959 --> 00:12:22.179 We're going to move into the second question. 00:12:23.059 --> 00:12:25.939 This one might be a little bit easier to answer 00:12:25.939 --> 00:12:27.860 because I think there's some pretty clear points in there 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:28.519 for us to look at, 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:31.879 but what does this passage teach us about humanity? 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:36.659 So, really, what does this passage teach us about ourselves? 00:12:37.139 --> 00:12:38.199 So, as you read it, 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:40.240 how does that hit home for you? 00:12:40.339 --> 00:12:42.399 Okay, so take another four to five minutes, 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:43.219 talk through this, 00:12:43.220 --> 00:12:46.120 and then we'll come back and brief on it. 00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:58.519 Okay, let's hear a few thoughts here. 00:13:01.560 --> 00:13:04.340 As we look at this verse, 00:13:04.420 --> 00:13:06.000 what does it teach us about humanity? 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:08.540 Or what does it teach us about our world? 00:13:08.660 --> 00:13:09.279 Any thoughts? 00:13:09.279 --> 00:13:11.120 I think it's bad. 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:11.980 Bad. 00:13:13.879 --> 00:13:14.279 Expand. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.039 Tell me more. 00:13:15.199 --> 00:13:15.839 What do you mean? 00:13:18.199 --> 00:13:21.519 Humanity seeks the desire of the world, 00:13:22.319 --> 00:13:24.759 but then we're supposed to go in the opposite way. 00:13:26.500 --> 00:13:28.679 So, we're supposed to live opposite 00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:30.659 of how the world is living. 00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:31.319 Yes. 00:13:31.500 --> 00:13:31.679 Yeah. 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:33.659 Rebecca? 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:33.720 Rebecca? 00:13:34.199 --> 00:13:35.279 That humanity, 00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:38.500 when they're not in relationship with God, 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:41.079 that they're passing away with their desires. 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:47.039 So, when humans pass away, 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:48.659 not in relationship with God, 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:50.699 they still have their desires there 00:13:50.699 --> 00:13:52.539 because they're not passing away with Him. 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.299 You're with Him. 00:13:54.699 --> 00:13:55.299 Is that peace? 00:13:55.579 --> 00:13:56.059 Mm-hmm. 00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:57.899 Your desires have been met. 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:00.559 Good. 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.240 Anyone else? 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:07.419 I think there's a few key points 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:09.940 that we could hit on here. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.560 Like you guys have said, 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.500 John is really telling us 00:14:13.500 --> 00:14:14.419 or warning us 00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:15.580 of what it looks like 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:16.680 when we live our lives 00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:17.519 in opposition 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:20.120 of the way God has called us to live. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:23.259 So, he uses a few concrete examples. 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:23.960 You know, he says, 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.659 cravings of sinful man, 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.820 the lust of his eyes, 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:28.779 and the boasting of what he has done. 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:31.539 And so, these things can so easily 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:33.839 become the focus of our lives. 00:14:34.039 --> 00:14:35.559 Now, as we talk about these things, 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:38.039 it's not that they are inherently bad 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:39.439 or evil in themselves. 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:42.199 If we talk about the cravings of sinful man, 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.220 we all need food, 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.220 we all need drink, 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.240 we all need this stuff. 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:46.419 It's not bad, 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:49.740 but it's when it becomes the only focus. 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.500 It becomes our God or our idol, 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:53.519 and we're doing everything for that. 00:14:54.439 --> 00:14:55.279 Lust of the eyes. 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.659 You know, we like to say, 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:59.100 whether, I don't know if this is the most common right now, 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.419 but the Instagrammable life 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:03.019 or this picture of everything is so great 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:05.139 and what we are attaining for. 00:15:05.579 --> 00:15:07.360 We want the perfect life 00:15:07.360 --> 00:15:09.839 that everyone is jealous of us 00:15:09.839 --> 00:15:10.839 or we are jealous of them 00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:11.699 because everything, 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:13.179 they have it all together. 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:15.100 And that becomes our sole focus. 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:17.059 That is our driving motive 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:18.500 of why we do everything. 00:15:19.339 --> 00:15:20.240 Or arrogance, 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.639 boasting of what we have done. 00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:24.740 Whether it's building our CVs 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:26.759 or, oh, I have this, I have this, I have this, 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:29.620 it's so easy to boast about who we are 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:31.259 and what we have done personally 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:34.700 that it becomes all about ourselves. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:38.700 And this is what John is warning against. 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:42.100 Again, he's not saying these things are bad. 00:15:42.200 --> 00:15:44.180 Nowhere in here does it say it's bad. 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:47.180 It's when these things are the focus of our love, 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:48.019 of our desire, 00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:50.480 and it's not God being the focus 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:52.940 of our love and our desire. 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:54.560 In Matthew it says, 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.980 no one can serve two masters 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:57.760 for either he will hate the one 00:15:57.760 --> 00:15:58.580 and love the other 00:15:58.580 --> 00:16:00.560 or he will be devoted to the one 00:16:00.560 --> 00:16:02.360 and despise the other. 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.480 You cannot serve God and money 00:16:04.480 --> 00:16:05.520 or God and food 00:16:05.520 --> 00:16:07.520 or whatever it is. 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:10.260 And so there is a desire within 00:16:10.260 --> 00:16:12.200 each and every one of us. 00:16:12.260 --> 00:16:14.140 That's how God has created us. 00:16:14.520 --> 00:16:15.760 And our world has just said, 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.820 oh, you can fill it with this 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:18.320 and this and this and this and this. 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:22.260 But all of us realize in the end 00:16:22.260 --> 00:16:24.340 that doesn't satisfy us. 00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:26.220 It leaves us looking for more. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.379 And that's where only God 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.320 and the love of God 00:16:29.320 --> 00:16:30.620 can fill that desire. 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:32.400 I was trying to think of an analogy 00:16:32.400 --> 00:16:33.660 to try and, I don't know, 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:35.980 sometimes it can be difficult to understand. 00:16:36.140 --> 00:16:37.320 So I was trying to think of something 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.260 that could maybe help. 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.340 Maybe this will help you. 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:42.379 I like to eat French fries. 00:16:43.320 --> 00:16:44.240 In Canada, 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:48.300 there's a number of restaurants now in Canada 00:16:48.300 --> 00:16:51.019 that offer like bottomless French fries. 00:16:52.340 --> 00:16:53.379 And so when you go, 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:56.000 you know that when you order your meal, 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:59.440 you obviously will not leave hungry, 00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:03.240 but you can get as many French fries as you want. 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.980 Like they just keep coming and coming and coming 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.660 if you want them. 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:09.900 Going to a restaurant like that, 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:12.420 I'm like, okay, I am taken care of. 00:17:13.060 --> 00:17:13.920 I'm not worried. 00:17:14.580 --> 00:17:15.980 Going to a restaurant now 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:18.900 where you only have a limited portion of French fries, 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.560 you're like, oh, 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.940 like you're slightly worried 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:23.660 because is it going to be enough? 00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.300 Is it going to satisfy me? 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:28.680 Now I am comparing God's love to French fries. 00:17:28.820 --> 00:17:31.220 I don't know if that's theologically sound or not. 00:17:31.880 --> 00:17:34.120 But when we think of the love of God, 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:36.439 when we walk into his love, 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:39.039 his love is like those unending French fries. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:39.539 You know, 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:40.819 walking in and sitting down 00:17:40.819 --> 00:17:42.259 and being in relationship with him, 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:44.559 he will take care of you. 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:48.119 The desires of your heart will be filled 00:17:48.119 --> 00:17:50.500 over and over, 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.859 over too much. 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.459 That the prayer is, 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:57.859 it's so full that it then goes out to others. 00:17:57.859 --> 00:18:01.119 That is the God that we serve. 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:04.159 That it just keeps coming and coming and coming, 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.379 even when we're full. 00:18:07.179 --> 00:18:08.539 As opposed to the world, 00:18:08.639 --> 00:18:08.979 which is, 00:18:09.139 --> 00:18:09.399 ah, 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:11.359 this will satisfy me for a little bit. 00:18:11.899 --> 00:18:12.979 Maybe it will. 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.019 Probably not. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.899 And then, 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.240 oh, 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.019 that wasn't good. 00:18:18.419 --> 00:18:19.199 That wasn't great. 00:18:19.399 --> 00:18:21.059 And then we look for more and more and more. 00:18:22.439 --> 00:18:23.019 And so the God, 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.500 or the love of God is, 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:26.039 don't quote me on this, 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:27.220 but the love of God is like 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:29.259 the unending basket of French fries. 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:31.779 It just keeps coming and coming and coming. 00:18:34.059 --> 00:18:35.079 And it's so good. 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:35.980 So good. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:41.859 And so John is telling us what, 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:44.539 how we don't want to live our lives. 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:44.940 Okay. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.759 He's warning us against, 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.539 uh, 00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.400 the world. 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:48.880 And again, 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:52.200 it's not inherently evil having stuff or doing well or, 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:55.060 or exceed or doing really well in our jobs. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.680 None of this is inherently evil. 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:59.820 It's when it becomes the God of our life and the focus of our life. 00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:02.240 The last question. 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:05.620 We want to reflect on his application. 00:19:06.020 --> 00:19:07.860 And so I want you to talk with your group. 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:10.260 If we believe this passage is from God, 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:12.940 how must we change? 00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:17.420 I think this is where it hits a little bit more home and maybe it's like, 00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:17.600 Oh, 00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:20.420 it's easy to talk about these things, 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:26.000 but what does this actually mean for me in my everyday life? 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:28.380 And so talk with your group, 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.480 ask each other, 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:32.340 what does this mean for you in your life? 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:33.740 Based on what we've learned today. 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:35.400 So take about five minutes. 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.400 Okay. 00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:45.920 Okay. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:49.800 Let's finish up here with this last question. 00:19:52.800 --> 00:19:55.560 So as you reflect on this, 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:59.600 as you ask yourself, 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:03.960 if we believe this passage is from God, 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:07.940 how must we change anything that came up for you? 00:20:09.620 --> 00:20:12.340 I think this is probably different for individuals, 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:13.240 different personally, 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:15.180 anything anyone wants to share? 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.100 No pressure. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.079 Oh, 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:21.340 Paul. 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:21.620 Yeah. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.500 I think personally, 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:25.319 just like being self-aware, 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:31.279 like being self-aware of actually where you choose the world. 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.519 Yeah. 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:50.819 Asking ourselves, 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:55.099 being self-aware of where we do focus on the world and then accountability. 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:56.220 That's good. 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:58.279 As I was preparing for this, 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:58.940 I thought, 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.180 you know, 00:20:59.220 --> 00:21:01.779 if I was to ask a good friend or a close friend, 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:02.700 Hey, 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:02.980 do you, 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.900 would you say I love God or I love the world? 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:08.240 And they were to answer honestly. 00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:11.079 If it was honestly, 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:12.160 they would either say, 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:13.720 if it was truly honest, 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:16.920 either you try to love both or you love the world, 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:20.279 because I don't think I'll ever fully only truly love God. 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:22.500 And then if I would say, 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:22.799 okay, 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:26.039 so in what areas of my life does that reflect? 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:30.139 And so if we have those friends that we can have that accountability and ask 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:31.039 those questions with, 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:35.000 I think it actually helps to shine a light on where we are and how we can grow 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.440 in that. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.420 Thanks, 00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:36.660 Paul. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:40.759 But I think a couple of pieces highlighted in here that I would ask you and 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.279 leave questions. 00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.599 How do we spend our time? 00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:45.420 How are we spending our time? 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:47.859 What are our eyes focused on? 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:50.779 Our eyes focused on the things of this world, 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:52.979 or are they focused on what is to come, 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.859 the future, 00:21:54.219 --> 00:21:54.679 where we are, 00:21:54.679 --> 00:21:56.899 where we are living our lives towards? 00:21:57.479 --> 00:21:59.139 What are we spending our money on? 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.559 Charles Spurgeon, 00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:06.799 when talking about this verse and the will of God and how we live, 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.279 he said, 00:22:07.859 --> 00:22:08.699 it's not the, 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:12.519 not the one who does some great things to be seen by men, 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:17.099 not the one who builds a row of poor houses or leaves a great mass of money 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:21.299 to charity when he dies because he could not possibly carry it away with him. 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:25.779 It's not the one who sounds a trumpet before him to let everybody know what a 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:26.719 good man he is. 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:30.379 It's not the one who needs to out distance everybody else, 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:35.019 but it's the one who does the will of God remains forever. 00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:40.959 Obedience to the will of God is the pathway to perpetual honor and everlasting 00:22:40.959 --> 00:22:41.439 joy. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:49.200 So in the midst of where we are with whatever resources or lack of resources or 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:50.779 jobs or lack of jobs, 00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:54.740 wherever God has us in this moment in our life, 00:22:54.740 --> 00:23:03.480 how are we being obedient to the will and the call of God on our lives and using 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:07.600 what he has given us to show that to others, 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:10.519 not making that our focus and our goal, 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:14.759 but making God our focus and God our goal. 00:23:17.219 --> 00:23:19.799 And so that's what I leave you with today. 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:22.279 That's what I challenged you with today. 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:24.480 I hope you had some good discussion with your friends. 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:26.699 I hope you met someone new. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:28.679 I hope you learned a new perspective maybe, 00:23:29.179 --> 00:23:30.799 but it's something like this that, 00:23:30.879 --> 00:23:35.319 that is actually so easy to do with unbelieving friends, 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:37.259 believing friends to just open the word and say, 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:40.799 what can God teach us about himself through this? 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:43.299 And how can we apply it to our lives? 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.220 And so I hope you stretched. 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:48.799 I hope you grew and I hope you learned something new about God today, 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.819 but I think we'll, 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:51.819 we'll finish with one song. 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:54.319 We have the worship team to come up.