WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 See what kind of love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and so we are. 00:00:07.100 --> 00:00:10.759 The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. 00:00:11.900 --> 00:00:16.300 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared. 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:24.760 But what we know, that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. 00:00:25.420 --> 00:00:30.040 And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure. 00:00:30.980 --> 00:00:35.260 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:37.600 Sin is lawlessness. 00:00:38.640 --> 00:00:42.740 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. 00:00:43.020 --> 00:00:51.140 No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning, and no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him. 00:00:51.140 --> 00:00:54.299 Little children, let no one deceive you. 00:00:54.740 --> 00:00:59.159 Whoever practices righteousness is righteous as he is righteous. 00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:05.700 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:10.439 The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:18.060 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in Him, and He cannot keep sinning, 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:20.659 because He has been born of God. 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:24.280 By this it is evident who are the children of God. 00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:26.200 Who are the children of the devil? 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:32.859 Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:33.960 Let's pray. 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:37.359 Lord, we enter into Your presence. 00:01:39.239 --> 00:01:48.259 Thankful for Your Word, we ask that You might use it to remind us of the great and glorious good news of the gospel. 00:01:48.899 --> 00:01:55.459 We ask that You would quiet our hearts and confirm in us our need of Jesus, 00:01:55.919 --> 00:01:58.959 and that we would see Him as more glorious. 00:01:59.659 --> 00:02:01.939 And we pray these things in Christ's name. 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:02.619 Amen. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:02.780 Amen. 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:09.400 Some might argue that this week is the hardest week of the year, 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:17.099 because people are confronted with the perennial question where there's no end of debate. 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:25.860 And it is, and I won't ask for a show of hands, but how long, or do you still have your Christmas tree up? 00:02:25.920 --> 00:02:27.420 How long is it going to go? 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:31.340 Or what Christmas tree, right? 00:02:31.340 --> 00:02:36.340 You might be grouchy and saying, I don't even care about Christmas trees. 00:02:36.920 --> 00:02:42.599 But, of course, some people might be saying, of course, like, why is this even a question? 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:45.480 I have it up, you know, I might take it down tomorrow. 00:02:45.479 --> 00:02:49.500 I might take it down on Epiphany, you know, somewhere mid-January, February. 00:02:51.780 --> 00:03:01.839 But some of us are ready for the new year with all of its challenges, anticipations, projects, and resolutions. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:05.259 You know, we're filled with hope and a can-do attitude. 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:13.000 And the best way to usher that in is to get that thing out the door with all of its dry needles and burning. 00:03:13.379 --> 00:03:19.480 If you're like me, I can't wait to burn my Christmas tree in January, which apparently is not a good thing. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:32.539 But, or you might be thinking about, I'm going to get that Christmas tree out because it represents all the things that Christmas wasn't. 00:03:33.179 --> 00:03:34.719 And then I wanted it to be. 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:44.060 Fights with family members, failures, difficulties of the last year, dissatisfactions, all those things. 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:47.680 And as we take that Christmas tree out, all those things are going to go with it. 00:03:49.659 --> 00:03:54.819 But this week is more than the question of, should we leave the lights up? 00:03:54.919 --> 00:03:56.400 Should we leave the Christmas tree up? 00:03:56.620 --> 00:03:59.379 Should we take down the decorations and put it in the attic? 00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:05.460 It's also more than anticipation of looking to a new year. 00:04:06.979 --> 00:04:09.599 Anticipation over changing your life. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:15.079 Changing what has gone on. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:17.480 Changing your weight. 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:19.399 Being more thrifty. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:21.600 Even Bible reading. 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:22.920 Those are all good things. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:28.659 But inevitably, whenever a new year turns over or we're savoring this time of Christmas, 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:36.699 it should cause us to reflect on Christmas's past or this year past or even years. 00:04:37.659 --> 00:04:47.339 And it brings up questions of, am I the same person that I was last Christmas or in years past? 00:04:49.480 --> 00:04:50.659 Maybe I'm not. 00:04:50.819 --> 00:04:52.019 And that frustrates me. 00:04:52.339 --> 00:04:57.839 In fact, I find myself right smack in the same place as last year. 00:04:57.839 --> 00:05:02.639 I thought my commitments of 2022 would actually change 2023. 00:05:02.859 --> 00:05:03.659 But they haven't. 00:05:05.459 --> 00:05:07.019 I thought I would be more active. 00:05:07.159 --> 00:05:08.519 I thought I would be more patient. 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:10.439 More connected with family. 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:11.319 More organized. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:14.259 I would have maximized my time. 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:15.339 Read more books. 00:05:16.019 --> 00:05:17.039 Be more disciplined. 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:19.939 I thought I would be more stable. 00:05:21.340 --> 00:05:22.840 I thought I would have more money. 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:27.920 I mean, that's what I was promised when I ate all those collards on New Year's Day last year. 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:32.319 But what about your spiritual life? 00:05:32.379 --> 00:05:34.040 I thought I would love God more. 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:35.319 I thought I would be more holy. 00:05:35.500 --> 00:05:40.580 I thought I wouldn't struggle with that sin anymore. 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:43.420 And here I find myself again. 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:45.500 I thought I would grow. 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:47.580 But here I am. 00:05:47.660 --> 00:05:49.200 I thought I would change. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:54.639 Lord, you've promised me that you would make me more like Christ. 00:05:54.779 --> 00:05:56.180 But here I am. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:06:07.279 Even if the holidays or a new year and all of its resolutions and hope don't cause you to reflect like that or think about those things. 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:08.800 But for most of us, they do. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:15.319 There will be a point this year when you think about that and you reflect back on years past. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:18.399 And we'll need John's words here. 00:06:18.399 --> 00:06:20.719 For those times. 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:32.620 We need John's words to either confront us in our enthusiasm about planning and work ethic and new strategies. 00:06:33.459 --> 00:06:41.579 Or we'll need John's words to comfort us as we struggle because nothing has changed or it doesn't feel like anything has changed. 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:47.560 We'll need John's words to shake us in our complacency. 00:06:48.399 --> 00:06:53.259 But not of finances or honey-do-less or quality time with family or fitness. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:56.359 But something that's eminently more important. 00:06:57.120 --> 00:06:58.079 And that's our faith. 00:06:58.479 --> 00:06:59.719 Our growth in Christ. 00:07:00.159 --> 00:07:04.179 John, you see, is writing to Christians that were struggling with challenges. 00:07:04.180 --> 00:07:06.519 Both in the world around them. 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:11.980 But the situations that had arisen are also causing them questions in their hearts and minds. 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:17.519 And they're saying, if what they're saying is true, then surely I cannot be a Christian. 00:07:18.900 --> 00:07:21.319 He wants them to have confidence. 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:24.439 Not in themselves, but confidence in Christ. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:30.699 And those situations are causing them to question that. 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:35.040 To think, is he really good? 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:37.399 Is what he said really true? 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:39.220 Is it true in me? 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:43.339 And those are all questions that can resonate with us. 00:07:43.339 --> 00:07:47.579 But he's calling them to trust in Christ above all else. 00:07:48.519 --> 00:07:51.579 So John, 1 John is this kind of like letter, right? 00:07:51.779 --> 00:07:53.679 That has one central theme. 00:07:53.759 --> 00:07:55.500 And he's going to return to it again and again. 00:07:55.699 --> 00:07:56.399 And it's this. 00:07:56.459 --> 00:07:57.939 It comes later on in chapter 5. 00:07:58.019 --> 00:07:58.319 He says, 00:07:58.620 --> 00:08:02.079 I write these things to you who believe in the name of Son of God. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:05.819 That you may know that you have eternal life. 00:08:06.539 --> 00:08:08.579 So this morning, we're going to examine that idea. 00:08:08.739 --> 00:08:10.819 Confidence in Christ in a couple parts. 00:08:10.819 --> 00:08:11.819 Confidence in a couple parts. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:13.180 Abiding in Christ. 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:16.180 Adoption, which we saw in our confession. 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:17.740 And assurance. 00:08:18.339 --> 00:08:19.339 So abiding in Christ. 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:21.259 Adoption and assurance. 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:24.240 That first part. 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:26.199 Abiding in Christ. 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:27.879 Look with me back at verse 28. 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:30.039 He starts like this. 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:32.319 And now little children, abide in him. 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:40.259 So that when he appears, we may have confidence and not shrink back from him in shame at his coming. 00:08:40.820 --> 00:08:48.800 If John was a preacher, and he is, to both them and us, he has one great and glorious point. 00:08:48.920 --> 00:08:50.020 But we'll get to that in a minute. 00:08:50.400 --> 00:08:52.800 But the application, he front loads. 00:08:53.140 --> 00:08:57.180 He says, I want you to do this, and then I'm going to explain to you why. 00:08:58.260 --> 00:09:00.560 Normally, you explain, and then you apply. 00:09:00.800 --> 00:09:04.200 But he's saying, do this because of what I'm about to tell you. 00:09:04.200 --> 00:09:06.680 And he's saying, do this. 00:09:06.900 --> 00:09:08.280 Abide in Christ. 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:23.100 Some have called 1 John and even John himself as a one-point sermon with so many overlapping and underlying subpoints and sections that he returns again to this one point. 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:26.540 And that one point is being confident in Christ. 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:31.579 And applying that is living in him and abiding in him. 00:09:32.099 --> 00:09:36.059 And it's not because John is crazy or he forgets. 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:39.079 It's because that one point is so important. 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:43.860 And the application of that point is to abide in him. 00:09:44.719 --> 00:09:52.339 See, underlying this question of confidence in Christ is this kind of like subpoint of how do we deal with sin? 00:09:52.340 --> 00:09:56.040 Does sin shake our confidence in Christ? 00:09:56.460 --> 00:09:59.139 Because it should shake our confidence in ourselves. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:02.620 But how do we work through that when we're called to be righteous? 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:04.480 That's what we're talking about this morning. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:09.600 John is writing to a group of people that had two problems going on. 00:10:09.740 --> 00:10:11.980 One is saying sin doesn't matter at all. 00:10:12.680 --> 00:10:14.540 In fact, it's not even important anymore. 00:10:15.160 --> 00:10:21.740 And then the other issue is some people were saying if you're a Christian, you don't sin any longer anymore. 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:24.899 Yeah, that's pretty funny. 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:27.720 Because John, he thought that was funny. 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:30.580 And in the first chapter, he goes straight at it. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:36.500 And he says this, that if you think you're a perfect Christian and you don't struggle with sin anymore, 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:39.519 in fact, you might not be a Christian at all. 00:10:40.580 --> 00:10:42.899 So he's setting the stage for what we see here. 00:10:43.060 --> 00:10:45.779 That you do still struggle with sin. 00:10:45.779 --> 00:10:51.799 In fact, you're not a super perfect Christian at some level that no longer struggle. 00:10:52.439 --> 00:10:53.559 We see the issue with that. 00:10:54.519 --> 00:10:56.959 Or that sin isn't a big deal anymore. 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:58.419 In fact, it never was. 00:10:58.559 --> 00:10:59.620 We see the issue with that. 00:11:00.699 --> 00:11:04.179 John's answer to both of those problems is one. 00:11:04.339 --> 00:11:06.000 And it's abiding in Christ. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:13.139 Remaining in Christ is the answer to bad theology and bad living, bad ethics. 00:11:13.679 --> 00:11:17.460 Because both of those undermine the message of the gospel. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:23.940 Because they attack the thing that's most important in the gospel. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:26.379 The role that Christ has played. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:32.919 That Christ and his death on the cross is central to the message of the gospel. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:35.840 And it's central to the life of the Christian. 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:44.659 And when we remove him from the equation, it makes it about us. 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:50.559 Whether we're morphing the gospel and, hey, I can just try harder and root out all my sin. 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:52.340 There's effort involved. 00:11:52.740 --> 00:11:54.240 But it's not effort on your own. 00:11:54.240 --> 00:12:04.000 Or when we simply disregard sin, then that makes Christ's sacrifice unimportant, boring, uninteresting. 00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:12.659 But if we keep the cross of Christ as central to that continuing struggle, we're abiding in him. 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.720 Now, abiding does two things. 00:12:14.820 --> 00:12:17.940 And we're going to spend a lot more time this morning on the first two sections. 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:19.899 And a little bit less time on the third. 00:12:20.419 --> 00:12:21.320 It does two things. 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.659 First, it produces confidence. 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:25.279 We see that in the text. 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:30.519 We trust or have confidence because of Christ. 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:32.299 Because I can't trust in myself. 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:34.439 I can trust in the one who's sure. 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:38.219 Who he is and what he has done. 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:44.079 Now, misplaced confidence in ourselves might seem like it's an issue of our day. 00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:46.339 Where we minimize sin and do all those things. 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:50.660 But that's not an issue just for our day. 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:52.660 It was an issue in John's day as well. 00:12:52.660 --> 00:13:00.580 When we look to ourselves, we should be struck in realizing, I have no reason to put confidence in myself. 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:04.600 I must put my confidence in Christ. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:10.399 And yet, we still struggle with sin. 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.639 And it's still there. 00:13:12.639 --> 00:13:17.439 But I know my dependence is upon him and not myself. 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:25.280 And that confidence might seem kind of foolish, especially on the heels of Christmas. 00:13:25.900 --> 00:13:28.720 Confidence in something that looks so fragile. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:33.600 God was revealed, unveiled in a baby. 00:13:34.340 --> 00:13:36.160 Confidence in that seems kind of silly. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:44.379 But it's confidence as we see the gospel unfolding throughout Revelation. 00:13:44.959 --> 00:13:46.839 From the beginning to the end. 00:13:47.279 --> 00:13:50.579 We see confidence in something that looks really silly. 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:54.219 Like God coming in human form as a baby. 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:59.480 And that confidence causes us not to shrink back. 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:01.779 Because we know he's acted in the past. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.799 And we've seen it unfold. 00:14:03.799 --> 00:14:07.839 And we know that he will work in the future. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.500 We will have hope. 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:15.679 Not if Christ will return. 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.059 But when. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.939 We'll have confidence. 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:20.779 Even if we're unsure of when. 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:25.199 Confidence that he will return and make things right. 00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:31.679 And that view of the future changes how they're, and we, are confident now. 00:14:31.679 --> 00:14:35.219 That we won't shrink back on that final day. 00:14:35.859 --> 00:14:39.139 But we'll boldly approach the throne. 00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:42.239 Charles Wesley writes this in his hymn, Abide With Me. 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:52.819 He describes the confidence as, even though I approach the eternal throne, I will claim the crown through Christ my own. 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:56.280 That's bold confidence in claiming a crown. 00:14:56.280 --> 00:14:58.520 But not based on who we are. 00:14:58.660 --> 00:15:01.300 But based on who Christ is. 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:05.140 That's the confidence that abiding produces. 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:09.760 But what, okay, so if that's the effect of abiding, what is abiding? 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:11.640 It's kind of squishy. 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.700 It's a nebulous term. 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:14.360 I don't, I don't really like that. 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.060 I like math. 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.480 And I like logic and progression. 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:21.480 But abiding doesn't really neatly fit in that category. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:26.980 Abiding is having confidence in Christ and remaining in him. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.379 It also looks like this. 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:37.220 In my family, at Christmastime, we love the drink glu vine or mulled wine. 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:42.159 It's wine that's combined with sugar and cloves and cinnamon and citrus. 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:44.639 And it's got a lot of sugar in there. 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:46.279 And it's mixed all together. 00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:57.139 And the wine becomes indistinguishable from the sugar or the orange or the cloves or the cinnamon. 00:15:57.459 --> 00:15:59.500 It's all combined into one. 00:15:59.740 --> 00:16:01.259 And it cooks all day. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:05.199 And the ingredients cease to become their individual things. 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:06.919 And they're all fused together. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:12.039 They're so identified with each other. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:14.679 They've been transformed into this new thing. 00:16:14.959 --> 00:16:18.579 Just like a Christian who's united to Christ. 00:16:19.219 --> 00:16:23.879 By his Holy Spirit, we are identified with him. 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:26.860 We remain in him and abide in him. 00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:31.459 So all that was ceases to be. 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:34.639 And we are now seen as Christians. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:37.500 There's no separation of who we are in our faith. 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:39.240 It's one together. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:43.179 And that we're made into something new that's inseparable. 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:47.019 That can't but delight in the good news. 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:50.819 That's how abiding gives us confidence. 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:52.379 That's what it looks like. 00:16:53.439 --> 00:16:56.960 But also, abiding looks like this. 00:16:58.580 --> 00:17:00.539 It looks like righteousness. 00:17:00.539 --> 00:17:04.779 How do we know, though, if it's true of us? 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:06.799 If I can't see it, I can't feel it? 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:10.659 John says, examine yourselves. 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:12.240 Look at verse 29. 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.680 If you know that he is righteous, 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:18.899 you may be sure that everyone who practice righteousness 00:17:18.899 --> 00:17:21.639 has been born of him. 00:17:22.159 --> 00:17:25.759 The second outworking of abiding in Christ is righteousness. 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:29.420 His people will be marked by righteousness 00:17:29.420 --> 00:17:31.700 because Christ is righteous. 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:34.700 What's righteousness? 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.799 Simply doing what is right. 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.359 We have a couple models, right? 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:41.559 We have God's law, his moral law in the Ten Commandments. 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.579 The idea of loving God and loving your neighbor 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:47.319 that we see repeated throughout Scripture. 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:49.460 We have even the fruits of the Spirit. 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:55.720 Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:59.019 faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:01.819 Honoring Christ is holy living. 00:18:02.579 --> 00:18:09.180 And living holy is evidence of having confidence in Christ. 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.559 And we have confidence now 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:14.799 because of what will happen in the future. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:19.119 Your life should be changed is what he's saying. 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.799 You should reflect different priorities 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:23.859 than people that don't have faith in Christ. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.819 Do you do it perfectly? 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:25.460 No. 00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:26.639 We'll talk about that in a minute. 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:31.500 But it should look like being generous with our time, 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.220 compassionate, 00:18:33.059 --> 00:18:34.799 willing to make a meal for a neighbor 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:37.799 or offer them to borrow the snowblower 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:41.200 or the tool or whatever for the hundredth time, 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:43.539 even though you know you might not get it back 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:44.279 until you ask. 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:48.339 Willing to invite people into our home 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:50.519 and being gracious with them, 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:52.940 being concerned for those things 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:55.759 that the world sees as unlovable, 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:59.480 but God's Word says are really important. 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:02.680 It's having a different set of priorities or concerns. 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:06.680 It's ruthless for the truth. 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:10.419 It's speech that's marked by temperance. 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:14.880 It's not going along with the crowd or in class. 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:19.660 Not getting concerned who the line leader is 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:22.800 for the day when you come back from Christmas break. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:28.200 It's comfort for those who need help. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:31.039 It's mirroring the conduct of God 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:34.379 in yourself, in your life. 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:38.720 That's what righteousness looks like. 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:42.460 Abiding in Christ is marked by confidence 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:44.280 and righteousness. 00:19:45.300 --> 00:19:49.340 But why is John calling them to abide in Christ? 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:54.360 It's living out of this thing that's called adoption. 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:57.740 When we talk about righteousness or holy living, 00:19:57.799 --> 00:19:58.919 it can be a tricky thing, right? 00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:04.719 Abiding in Christ is what he's called us to. 00:20:05.459 --> 00:20:07.799 John's not saying this right living, though, 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:09.139 is the source of confidence. 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:12.500 It's simply an outworking of abiding. 00:20:13.220 --> 00:20:15.980 It's an outworking of what appears 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:18.339 in chapter three, verse one. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.480 Read with me. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:23.480 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, 00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:25.859 that we should be called children of God, 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.720 and so we are. 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:29.000 The reason why the world does not know us 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.279 is that it does not know him. 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:33.099 Beloved, we are God's children now, 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:35.579 and what we will be has not yet appeared. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.920 But we know that when he appears, 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:39.140 we shall be like him, 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:41.980 and because we shall see him as he is. 00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:45.000 And everyone who thus hopes in him 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:47.960 purifies himself as he is pure. 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:50.019 This idea of adoption, 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.579 of being made sons and daughters, 00:20:53.039 --> 00:20:54.440 brought into God's family, 00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:56.400 comes not from righteous living, 00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.819 but comes from what? 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:59.920 The text tells us from love. 00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:02.299 All these former things, 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:04.839 abiding, confidence, righteous living, 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.620 flow from being, 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:10.319 well, becoming children of God. 00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:12.700 And we're made children by God's love, 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:14.679 not by our righteous living. 00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:18.819 God's love has been given to the Christian. 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:23.599 It flows and forms us and transforms us. 00:21:24.679 --> 00:21:27.099 And our identity as sons and daughters, 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.220 as children of God, 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.879 comes from God's love. 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.740 Sports, whether you're like them or not, 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:35.419 are used by schools all over the country, 00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:36.220 all over the world. 00:21:37.880 --> 00:21:38.700 And oftentimes, 00:21:39.320 --> 00:21:41.460 they're programs that are instilled 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:43.660 at a university or even a high school 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:45.640 to form a sense of identity. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:47.080 This is us, 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:48.320 and we can delight in this, 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:50.420 whether we're participating or cheering them on, 00:21:50.560 --> 00:21:51.519 and that is them. 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.580 We do that way, 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:57.380 we do that in a number of ways in our society. 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.920 Think about the military. 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:02.420 Transforms people to a sense of identity, 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:03.460 a sense of belonging, 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:05.820 by common training, 00:22:06.340 --> 00:22:09.320 a common experience. 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:12.039 Same is true of fraternities or clubs. 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:15.560 This common experience unites people together 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:17.620 and gives them an identity. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:21.200 So whether it's the military or fraternities 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.440 or civic organizations, 00:22:23.060 --> 00:22:24.340 identity is important. 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:26.759 And the identity of Christians 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.560 is not one of sinners, 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:31.759 but their identity is as children of God. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:35.399 And love makes them children. 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:38.299 J.I. Packer calls this 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:40.839 the crowning blessing of the Christian life, 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.519 adoption into God's family, 00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:45.399 where you receive all those things, 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.099 inheritance, 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.200 benefits, blessings. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:52.139 And all of this is made 00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:54.059 to happen 00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:56.019 because of the work of the Holy Spirit 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.139 regenerating you, 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.020 making you new, 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.320 being born again. 00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:02.060 We see Jesus talking to Nicodemus like that. 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:05.360 He can't be who he was before, 00:23:05.540 --> 00:23:06.980 but he is this new person. 00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:09.220 And that whole process 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:11.040 of being included in God's family 00:23:11.040 --> 00:23:11.840 because of love 00:23:11.840 --> 00:23:12.960 is called adoption. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.200 Now that's a simple fact. 00:23:15.280 --> 00:23:17.160 We all know this from modern life, 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.980 but we often overlook it. 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.860 That our righteousness 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:23.060 or our attempts at it 00:23:23.060 --> 00:23:26.820 don't make us lovely in God's sight. 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:28.039 God's love 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.819 is the thing that makes us children. 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:32.279 That's what makes us acceptable. 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:35.019 And that's the basis 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:36.659 of our transformation. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.939 Just as we've confessed this morning, 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:41.319 love has brought us into the fold 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:43.139 and given us all those privileges, 00:23:43.659 --> 00:23:44.200 inheritance, 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.079 a name, 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:47.960 confidence, 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:49.200 an identity, 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.700 a people, 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.559 and hope, 00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:56.599 all because of God's marvelous love. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.679 It's this grand theology 00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:01.779 that's summed up 00:24:01.779 --> 00:24:03.559 in this simple song. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.619 Jesus loves me. 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:08.119 This I know. 00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.679 That is the basis 00:24:10.679 --> 00:24:12.079 for our standing as Christians 00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:14.759 is God's love towards us. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:17.779 But what happens in this verse? 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:19.240 Is it all sunshine 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.319 and rainbows 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:21.299 and unicorns 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:22.160 now that we're loved 00:24:22.160 --> 00:24:24.680 and accepted as children of God? 00:24:24.859 --> 00:24:25.240 No. 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.619 In fact, 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.980 the first thing that happens, 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.660 even in verse one, 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.460 the world 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:35.000 does not know us 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:37.559 and then it did not know Him. 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:40.039 There's challenges immediately. 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:42.299 The promises of trouble 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.659 and toil, 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:46.480 the world will give you trouble 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:48.579 because you are loved, 00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:49.940 because of that love. 00:24:51.399 --> 00:24:52.359 That doesn't mean 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:54.259 the Father loves us any less. 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.680 But trial, 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.539 scorn, 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.299 pain, 00:24:59.139 --> 00:25:00.079 it doesn't mean 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.220 that the follower of Christ 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.480 is cut off from God. 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.559 In fact, 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.859 John says, 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.440 it mirrors the life 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.379 of Jesus Himself. 00:25:07.579 --> 00:25:08.500 Jesus promised that 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.240 in the Gospels. 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.819 These are His words. 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.779 If the world hates you, 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.899 know that it has hated me 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:16.019 before it hated you. 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.579 If you were of the world, 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.799 the world would love you 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.740 as one of its own. 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:21.839 Because you are not of the world, 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:24.559 but I chose you out of the world, 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:26.339 therefore the world hates you. 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.639 Because you are hated by the world 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:31.440 is not an indication 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:33.379 that God doesn't love you. 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.039 In fact, 00:25:34.119 --> 00:25:34.700 John says, 00:25:35.359 --> 00:25:36.700 it's a distinguishing mark 00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:38.399 of being a follower of Christ. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:41.079 Hard times 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.859 does not mean 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.980 God hates you. 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.500 So adoption 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:47.639 gives us persecution, 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:50.119 but it also gives us 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:50.980 future hope. 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:53.379 Their status as children 00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:55.279 has benefits now 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:57.399 to their current situation. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:26:00.559 It promises persecution, 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:02.940 but it also gives us confidence. 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.639 He reminds us of that 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.159 in verse 2. 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:06.860 Beloved, 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:08.160 we are God's children now, 00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:09.900 and what we will be 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:11.279 has not yet appeared. 00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:12.700 But we know 00:26:12.700 --> 00:26:13.640 that when He appears, 00:26:13.800 --> 00:26:14.920 we shall be like Him 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:16.720 because we shall see Him 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.000 as He is. 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:21.080 That is a great hope 00:26:21.080 --> 00:26:22.759 for the future. 00:26:24.300 --> 00:26:26.080 That when all these things, 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.259 all these sadnesses 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:27.840 of Christmas 00:26:27.840 --> 00:26:30.140 will be undone, 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:34.100 that when we will see 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:35.880 what no eye has seen 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.940 nor ear has heard 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.680 nor heart 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:39.340 of man imagined, 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:41.200 God has prepared that 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:42.080 for us. 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.540 But in the midst 00:26:43.540 --> 00:26:44.300 of that hope, 00:26:44.780 --> 00:26:45.759 that future hope, 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:47.220 we are also purified. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:49.600 We're made pure by Christ 00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:51.040 by our faith in Him. 00:26:52.080 --> 00:26:53.180 And that confidence 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:55.680 might be shaken, 00:26:56.120 --> 00:26:57.240 but it's not undone. 00:26:57.240 --> 00:26:59.420 We might return again 00:26:59.420 --> 00:27:00.059 to sin, 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:02.160 even though we're called 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.700 righteous, 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.819 even when we're called 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:07.279 to live in righteousness. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.120 But one day, 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.500 it will be perfect. 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.319 That's the story 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.240 of the Christian life, 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.819 is that what we experience 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.460 right now 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.920 and what we see right now 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:18.120 is hard, 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.599 and it's not perfect. 00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:22.180 And we want it to be 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.359 something that it's not. 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.180 But one day, 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.120 it will be perfect. 00:27:26.119 --> 00:27:26.239 perfect. 00:27:27.219 --> 00:27:28.779 We should have a sense 00:27:28.779 --> 00:27:30.679 of a holy wrestling. 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.879 We should feel a sense 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:34.299 that it's incomplete. 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.679 And that we should long 00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:38.619 for something more. 00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:40.079 We should long for heaven. 00:27:41.739 --> 00:27:42.579 Until then, 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.879 and in that day, 00:27:45.239 --> 00:27:46.299 we must be reminded 00:27:46.299 --> 00:27:47.479 that we are made pure 00:27:47.479 --> 00:27:48.739 by God's love 00:27:48.739 --> 00:27:51.159 through faith in Christ. 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.459 Love has made us a child 00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:55.380 that we're no longer slaves, 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.220 but children 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:58.579 adopted into God's family. 00:27:59.819 --> 00:28:00.880 It's a good reminder 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:02.519 of the work of adoption 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.799 in the Christian church today. 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.380 Whether you're adopted, 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.620 there's difficulty 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:09.680 in things in all of that. 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.700 Whether you're moving 00:28:10.700 --> 00:28:11.460 through the process 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.140 of adoption, 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:14.200 we're reminded 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.340 in that picture 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:16.700 that that child 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:18.180 brings nothing to the table, 00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:19.700 but receives 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:22.560 status. 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.960 Receives a name even. 00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:29.160 Even though they might not 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.880 look like them, 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.660 even though they might not 00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:32.440 have the privileges, 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.759 they might not have wealth 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.380 to buy 00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:36.660 or skills to perform, 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:38.240 anything that brings 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:40.900 glory to that family. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.620 But love 00:28:42.620 --> 00:28:43.560 is the thing 00:28:43.560 --> 00:28:44.360 that makes them 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:44.920 a child. 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.720 Love is the thing 00:28:46.720 --> 00:28:48.259 that makes a Christian 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:49.680 a child of God. 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.440 Abiding is what we do 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:54.140 because we are loved 00:28:54.140 --> 00:28:54.680 and adopted 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.620 in God's family. 00:28:57.120 --> 00:28:58.120 But there's this 00:28:58.120 --> 00:28:59.000 lingering question. 00:28:59.519 --> 00:29:00.880 How do I know? 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:03.620 How do I have assurance? 00:29:05.340 --> 00:29:06.720 Assurance is kind of synonymous 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.720 of what we talked about. 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:09.100 Hope, confidence. 00:29:09.099 --> 00:29:09.339 confidence. 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.799 Something for the present 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.879 because of what will be 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:13.519 in the future. 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.459 John's focus 00:29:15.459 --> 00:29:16.059 has been on 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.699 holy living 00:29:16.699 --> 00:29:17.459 and righteousness 00:29:17.459 --> 00:29:18.619 as a means 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.859 for this change 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.559 in status 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:23.240 of a Christian's faith. 00:29:23.459 --> 00:29:24.019 And he's done this 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.699 a couple times. 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.359 He said, 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:27.279 hey, if you're righteous, 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:29.379 it means that you have faith 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:30.299 in the righteous one. 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.839 He's tied those two together. 00:29:33.240 --> 00:29:35.079 Or he'll state here 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:35.819 at the end 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.719 in the negative. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.719 If you practice lawlessness, 00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:40.399 you're probably 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.139 not a Christian. 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.939 It's not because 00:29:43.939 --> 00:29:44.639 of your faith 00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.219 be righteous. 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.179 Instead, it's 00:29:46.179 --> 00:29:47.379 you're not a Christian 00:29:47.379 --> 00:29:48.339 if you're marked 00:29:48.339 --> 00:29:49.079 by sin. 00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.419 And the model 00:29:51.419 --> 00:29:52.119 for fleeing 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:52.899 from sin, 00:29:53.379 --> 00:29:54.759 from lawlessness, 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:55.819 is Christ. 00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:56.879 That's the person 00:29:56.879 --> 00:29:58.639 that we should emulate. 00:29:59.719 --> 00:30:00.099 Why? 00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:01.259 Because in him 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:02.299 there is no sin. 00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:04.980 Look at that last section, 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:06.199 verses 8 through 10. 00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.180 He kind of turns 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:07.759 that idea 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:09.279 over and over again. 00:30:11.120 --> 00:30:12.100 Now in our day, 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:13.220 just like in John's day, 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.080 we don't like to speak 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:14.740 of sin. 00:30:15.840 --> 00:30:16.940 We don't like it. 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:18.160 We don't want to talk about it. 00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.559 In fact, 00:30:18.600 --> 00:30:19.220 we want to minimize 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.380 or downplay it. 00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:22.620 But this is a real battle. 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.279 John reminds us of that. 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.539 As far as the east 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.480 is from the west, 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:27.900 from dark to light, 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.519 are Christ 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.279 and the devil. 00:30:31.799 --> 00:30:32.380 And often, 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.460 we're comfortable 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.980 talking about our own sins 00:30:34.980 --> 00:30:35.620 or failings, 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.819 but not the devil. 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.799 But this has been 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.559 from the beginning, 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:42.079 from the garden, 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.839 where the devil, 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:45.259 and even Jesus confesses 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.220 this himself 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:46.920 in the gospel, 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:48.059 he's come 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:49.200 to defeat the devil. 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:51.220 The lines are clearly drawn 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.420 and there is no gray. 00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:54.200 They're battle lines. 00:30:54.880 --> 00:30:56.799 And they fall along righteousness. 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:01.640 The Christian's new reality 00:31:01.640 --> 00:31:03.259 as an adopted child 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:08.180 gives us confidence 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.120 in that battle. 00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:12.840 And it should be marked 00:31:12.840 --> 00:31:14.080 by love for one another 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:14.880 and righteousness. 00:31:15.800 --> 00:31:17.020 But here's the struggle. 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:19.560 We know that we still have sin. 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:21.120 So what do we do with that? 00:31:22.980 --> 00:31:24.640 Those words are hard to hear 00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.900 because they introduce 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:27.300 this problem in our mind 00:31:27.300 --> 00:31:28.180 that I am called 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.820 to be righteous, 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:30.160 but I know that I'm not. 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:32.200 Am I on the wrong side 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.840 of this battle? 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:36.019 Am I on the wrong side 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.640 of this war? 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.980 What is John really saying? 00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:40.160 Is John saying 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.180 that a Christian, 00:31:41.340 --> 00:31:42.200 a true Christian, 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:43.820 must be sinlessly perfect? 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.840 Very clearly, no. 00:31:48.440 --> 00:31:48.880 Remember, 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.100 he's writing to a church 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:50.720 that said, 00:31:51.080 --> 00:31:51.320 hey, 00:31:51.560 --> 00:31:54.019 we don't sin anymore at all 00:31:54.019 --> 00:31:55.060 now that we're Christians. 00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:56.200 We know that's not true. 00:31:58.000 --> 00:31:59.640 And sin is not important. 00:32:00.160 --> 00:32:01.360 We know that's not true. 00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:05.120 He said this back in chapter one. 00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.660 If we say we have no sin, 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.759 we deceive ourselves 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:09.320 and the truth is not in us. 00:32:09.720 --> 00:32:11.420 A follower of Christ 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.160 is sinful 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:14.519 and we continue to sin, 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.660 but we're called 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:16.480 to righteousness. 00:32:17.040 --> 00:32:18.080 And that disconnect 00:32:18.080 --> 00:32:19.860 should drive us 00:32:19.860 --> 00:32:20.660 to the advocate, 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:22.360 should drive us 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:23.380 to the throne of grace, 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:24.820 should drive us 00:32:24.820 --> 00:32:26.080 again and again 00:32:26.080 --> 00:32:26.820 to the gospel. 00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:29.639 But John here 00:32:29.639 --> 00:32:30.359 is talking about 00:32:30.359 --> 00:32:31.019 righteousness 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:32.119 as assurance, 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:32.839 as a mark 00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:33.879 of our lives. 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.579 If we're marked 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.939 by unbridled sin, 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.519 if that doesn't bother us, 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.500 that's a problem. 00:32:41.859 --> 00:32:42.720 That's what he's saying. 00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:44.679 If we have no concern 00:32:44.679 --> 00:32:45.500 for God's law, 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.659 no concern for 00:32:46.659 --> 00:32:47.879 our brother, 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:49.059 no love for him, 00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:50.099 that's a concern. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.699 But yet, 00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.519 we're still gonna 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:53.619 struggle with sin. 00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:54.539 We are not 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.539 perfectly righteous 00:32:55.539 --> 00:32:56.799 because we are still 00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.779 marching onward 00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.379 towards heaven. 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:00.740 Instead, 00:33:00.959 --> 00:33:01.859 a Christian's life 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:02.719 looks like this, 00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:03.819 one that's pursuing 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:04.459 what he wrote 00:33:04.459 --> 00:33:05.559 back in chapter one. 00:33:06.639 --> 00:33:07.379 If we confess 00:33:07.379 --> 00:33:08.240 our sins, 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.419 he is faithful 00:33:10.419 --> 00:33:11.119 and just 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.799 to forgive us 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:12.279 our sins 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.480 and to cleanse us 00:33:13.480 --> 00:33:15.419 from all unrighteousness. 00:33:16.119 --> 00:33:17.079 That is what 00:33:17.079 --> 00:33:18.339 John is calling them to. 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.539 And yet, 00:33:19.619 --> 00:33:20.399 we still struggle 00:33:20.399 --> 00:33:20.959 with sin. 00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.720 But we go 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:23.439 to the advocate. 00:33:23.699 --> 00:33:25.359 We go to Christ's throne 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:28.059 because he intercedes 00:33:28.059 --> 00:33:28.919 before the Father. 00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:31.480 A Christian 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.139 is adopted 00:33:32.139 --> 00:33:33.039 in God's family. 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.059 He's abiding. 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:35.579 He's pursuing righteousness. 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:36.759 He is marked 00:33:36.759 --> 00:33:37.659 by some amount 00:33:37.659 --> 00:33:38.319 of righteousness. 00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.519 Not perfectly, 00:33:40.079 --> 00:33:40.839 but pursuing. 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:43.319 He's confessing 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:43.839 his sin 00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:45.319 and returning 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:46.199 again to the 00:33:46.199 --> 00:33:47.099 gospel message 00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:48.500 to know 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.219 that my 00:33:49.219 --> 00:33:49.939 assurance 00:33:49.939 --> 00:33:51.299 is not 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:52.119 in myself, 00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.179 but in what 00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:54.259 Christ has done. 00:33:55.439 --> 00:33:56.219 The question 00:33:56.219 --> 00:33:56.939 is for us, 00:33:57.099 --> 00:33:57.919 is that true 00:33:57.919 --> 00:33:58.419 of us? 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.639 Are we marked 00:33:59.639 --> 00:34:00.719 by those things? 00:34:04.219 --> 00:34:05.599 Or are we 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:08.079 more apt 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.960 to put it at bay, 00:34:09.199 --> 00:34:09.860 to keep it 00:34:09.860 --> 00:34:10.579 in that box 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:12.639 and not 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.659 turn it over 00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:14.400 and examine 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.159 our own lives? 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.599 Christian, 00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:17.159 this morning, 00:34:17.319 --> 00:34:18.539 abide in Christ. 00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:19.840 Savor 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:21.079 the good news. 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.360 Be confident 00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:23.199 in affliction. 00:34:24.079 --> 00:34:24.779 Be hopeful 00:34:24.779 --> 00:34:25.819 that this life 00:34:25.819 --> 00:34:26.400 is not 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:28.000 as it should be, 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.739 but one day 00:34:28.739 --> 00:34:29.599 it will be. 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:30.799 We should long 00:34:30.799 --> 00:34:31.920 for our eternal home. 00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:34.199 Love righteousness. 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.079 Love 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:37.480 God's word. 00:34:38.759 --> 00:34:39.539 Be thankful 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:41.179 of his love 00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:41.860 towards you 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.699 and bringing you 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:43.559 into the fold 00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:45.500 and as we long 00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.259 for glory, 00:34:46.440 --> 00:34:47.360 be assured 00:34:47.360 --> 00:34:50.059 of Christ's love 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:50.819 to you 00:34:50.819 --> 00:34:51.400 in the gospel. 00:34:52.840 --> 00:34:53.819 Not our plans, 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.719 not our programs, 00:34:54.920 --> 00:34:55.699 not our work, 00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:56.679 our schemes, 00:34:56.779 --> 00:34:57.360 our devices 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:58.639 make this new year 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.079 great, 00:34:59.679 --> 00:35:00.960 but resting 00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:01.819 and receiving 00:35:01.819 --> 00:35:03.019 as a child 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.719 of God. 00:35:06.300 --> 00:35:07.360 That transforms 00:35:07.360 --> 00:35:08.139 the wanting 00:35:08.139 --> 00:35:09.039 of this Christmas 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:09.920 or Christmases 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.659 in the past 00:35:10.659 --> 00:35:12.280 and gives us strength 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:13.400 for a new year ahead. 00:35:14.559 --> 00:35:15.300 Let's pray. 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:16.659 Lord, 00:35:16.699 --> 00:35:17.159 we are thankful 00:35:17.159 --> 00:35:17.679 this day 00:35:17.679 --> 00:35:18.920 for what you've given us, 00:35:19.380 --> 00:35:19.960 your word, 00:35:20.719 --> 00:35:21.420 your word 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.280 that shows us 00:35:22.280 --> 00:35:22.940 who Christ 00:35:22.940 --> 00:35:24.659 truly is 00:35:24.659 --> 00:35:26.320 for the good news 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:26.960 of Jesus. 00:35:27.739 --> 00:35:29.079 May we live 00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:30.320 and savor that 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:32.019 at Christmas 00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:34.000 and the days 00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:34.679 throughout the year. 00:35:34.880 --> 00:35:35.440 May we not 00:35:35.440 --> 00:35:36.780 be discouraged 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:39.800 if we find ourselves 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:40.900 in the same place 00:35:40.900 --> 00:35:42.539 with the same sin 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:44.059 and the same struggles, 00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.759 but may we long 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:46.340 for heaven 00:35:46.340 --> 00:35:47.679 as we pursue 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.420 righteousness 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:50.619 and be confident 00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.500 in Christ 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:52.980 and him alone. 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.280 Amen. 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:54.380 Amen. 00:35:54.380 --> 00:35:54.420 Amen. 00:35:54.420 --> 00:35:54.440 Amen. 00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:54.480 Amen. 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:54.500 Amen. 00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:54.519 Amen. 00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:54.539 Amen.