WEBVTT

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 Well, friends, would you turn with me to the book of 1 John?

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 1 John, we're looking at chapter 3, verses 10 through 24 today.

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 That's page 960 in the Pew Bible.

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 John chapter 3, verses 10 through 24, page 960.

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 We'll have it on the screen so as I read it the first time,

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 but it'll be good to have it open as we continue to meditate on this passage today.

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 As we come to God's Word, let me pray for us.

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 Our Father in heaven, what a wonderful and needed reminder it is

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 that it is you who has a hold on us long before we ever took hold of you.

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 God, your love is always the first love in our lives.

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 It always precedes any love that we respond and give back to you,

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 and that is a great comfort and a great joy.

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 So, Lord, as we approach your Word this morning,

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 help us to see your Word as just another sign of your first love for us

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 and help us to receive it by your Spirit

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 and help us to live it out in his power.

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 For Jesus' sake, amen.

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 All right, 1 John chapter 3, verses 10 through 24.

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 By this it is evident who are the children of God

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 and who are the children of the devil.

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 Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God,

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 nor is the one who does not love his brother.

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 For this is the message you have heard from the beginning,

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 that we should love one another.

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 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one

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 and murdered his brother.

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 And why did he murder him?

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 Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.

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 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

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 We know that we have passed out of death into life

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 because we love the brothers.

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 Whoever does not love abides in death.

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 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer,

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 and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

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 By this we know love,

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 that he laid down his life for us,

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 and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

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 If anyone has the world's good and sees his brother in need,

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 yet closes his heart against him,

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 how does God's love abide in him?

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 Little children,

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 let us not love in word or talk,

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 but in deed and in truth.

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 By this we shall know that we are of the truth

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 and reassure our heart before him.

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 For whenever our heart condemns us,

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 God is greater than our heart,

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 and he knows everything.

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 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us,

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 we have confidence before God,

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 and whatever we ask,

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 we receive from him

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 because we keep his commandments

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 and do what pleases him.

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 And this is his commandment,

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 that we believe in the name of his son,

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 Jesus Christ,

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 and love one another,

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 just as he has commanded us.

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 Whoever keeps his commandments

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 abides in God and God in him,

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 and by this we know that he abides in us

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 by the Spirit whom he has given us.

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 All right.

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 Well, as we've seen this summer,

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 1 John, as a book,

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 in its own sort of evolving,

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 sort of elliptical way,

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 presents three ways

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 or three kind of signs that are evident,

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 three things that are evident in someone

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 or in a church

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 that has genuine faith in Christ.

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 And those three signs that John describes

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 are doctrine, obedience, and love.

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 In other words, doctrine,

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 believing the truth about Jesus' person and work,

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 that's one sign.

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 Obedience, a willing to follow God's commands,

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 that's the second.

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 And love.

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 Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?

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 Now, it's important to note

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 that those three things that John talks about,

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 they don't make you a Christian.

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 It's not as if doing those things

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 will earn you favor with God.

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 No.

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 It's more like the fruit of a tree.

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 Those things are kind of the evidence.

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 They're the outgrowth.

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 They're the things that show

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 that you've come through the gospel

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 to really receive God's love and favor

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 and be born again in Him.

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 These three things are a bit like a three-legged stool.

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 And if you're missing one of them,

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 what happens?

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 If you have a three-legged stool with two legs,

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 it falls over, right?

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 It doesn't stand.

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 Think about it.

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 Obedience and love

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 without believing that Jesus is the Christ,

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 well, that's not much more

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 than just kind of moralistic deism, right?

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 Or if you have love and belief without obedience,

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 well, that's what we call antinomianism.

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 You just do whatever you want.

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 But belief and obedience without love,

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 you see, that also falls over.

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 Because belief and obedience without love

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 is just a cold and joyless, dry legalism.

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 So in this book,

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 John wants to commend all three

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 as a whole picture

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 of what genuine spirituality looks like.

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 And here in our text today,

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 we're looking at that third leg of the stool.

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 We're looking at love.

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 And John's big idea here,

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 you see it in verse 10 and in verse 11,

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 is that true Christians must love one another.

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 Brotherly love,

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 that is love for one's fellow brothers

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 and sisters in Christ,

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 brotherly love is an essential mark

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 of genuine Christianity.

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 A Christian who doesn't love the brothers

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 is no Christian at all, John says.

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 Now, John's going to unpack this

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 in this passage in four ways.

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 And we're going to look at those four things

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 as we sort of unpack

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 this third critical leg of the stool.

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 First, John talks about the necessity

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 of brotherly love,

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 the necessity of it.

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 And we see this in verses 12 through 15.

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 John brings before us

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 the negative example of Cain.

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 Now, you probably remember

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 the story of Cain and Abel

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 from Genesis 4.

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 You know, if you've ever tried

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 reading through the Bible

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 in the whole year,

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 you know, you probably at least

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 got to Genesis 4

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 before you petered out

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 somewhere in Leviticus, right?

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 You know, so you remember Cain and Abel.

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 Cain and Abel were the very first brothers

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 in the Bible.

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 And what happens?

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 They grow up,

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 and in the course of time,

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 they both offer sacrifices to God,

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 but we're told that God accepts

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 Abel's sacrifice,

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 but he does not accept Cain's.

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 Now, Genesis 4 doesn't seem to tell us

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 why Cain's sacrifice wasn't accepted,

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 but the Apostle John here in our text

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 tells us that Cain's deeds were evil

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 and his brother Abel's righteous.

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 If you go to the book of Hebrews

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 in the New Testament,

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 chapter 11, verse 4,

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 it suggests something similar.

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 We're told there that Abel

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 offered his sacrifice in faith,

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 that is, out of love and trust for God,

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 and presumably Cain did not.

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 So it would seem then,

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 as we put these pieces together,

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 that God doesn't accept Cain's sacrifice then,

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 because in this instance,

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 Cain's outward religious actions,

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 his sacrifice, as it were,

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 that outward religious action,

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 wasn't matched by an inward heart

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 of love and obedience towards God.

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 Rather, Cain's life was marked

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 by unrighteousness

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 and a lack of inward trust in God.

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 So God doesn't accept his sacrifice.

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 It reminds us of what God will say

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 through the prophet Isaiah many years later,

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 seeing the same problem

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 in the people of Israel

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 at the time of Isaiah.

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 He says,

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 this people honors me with their lips,

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 but their hearts are far from me.

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 So Cain, it seems,

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 was honoring God with his lips,

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 with an outward sacrifice,

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 but his heart was far from God.

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 And how did Cain respond to all this?

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 Well, in Genesis 4,

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 we see that God pleads with Cain.

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 God comes to him

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 and calls him to repentance.

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 He warns him.

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 He says,

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 Cain, this is not the path.

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 This is a path that leads to death.

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 But instead of responding to God

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 in repentance and in faith,

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 Cain grows angry

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 and jealous and bitter.

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 And he calls his younger brother Abel

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 out into the field

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 and he strikes him down.

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 He murders him.

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 Now, coming back to 1 John,

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 we might think this example of Cain

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 is pretty extreme, right?

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 I mean,

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 not many of us here

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 have probably murdered someone.

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 But John,

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 you see,

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 the Apostle John,

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 he wants us to look at the heart.

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 Look at the end of verses 14

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 and verse 15 in this paragraph.

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 Whoever does not love

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 abides in death.

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 And whoever hates his brother

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 is a murderer.

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 And you know that no murderer

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 has eternal life abiding in him.

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 John wants us to look

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 at the heart here.

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 And he also wants us to realize

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 that, you know,

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 there's no neutral ground

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 in the spiritual life.

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 Well, you know,

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 we like to think,

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 we like to think

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 that there's kind of plenty

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 of neutral ground

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 in the spiritual life.

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 You know,

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 on the one hand,

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 there are these really awful,

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 murderous people over there

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 like Cain.

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 And then there are these

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 really amazing,

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 loving people over there

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 like Mother Teresa

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 or whoever.

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 And then the rest of us

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 are just kind of neutral.

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 We're in the middle.

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 We're neither all that good

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 or all that bad.

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 But you know,

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 that's not how the Bible

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 depicts the spiritual life.

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 The Bible doesn't say

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 there's any neutral ground.

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 You either abide

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 in the house of love

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 and life

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 or you abide

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 in the house of hatred

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 and death.

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 And without love,

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 John says,

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 you're not living

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 in neutrality.

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 You're living

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 in the house of death,

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 of hatred,

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 and yes,

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 even murder.

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 Remember what the Apostle Paul

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 says to the Corinthian church

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 in 1 Corinthians 13,

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 1 through 3.

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 He says,

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 if I speak in the tongues

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 of men and of angels

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 but have not love,

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 I'm a noisy gong

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 or a clanging cymbal.

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 And if I have prophetic powers

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 and understand all mysteries

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 and all knowledge,

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 and if I have all faith

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 so as to remove mountains

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 but have not love,

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 I'm nothing.

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 If I give away all I have

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 and if I deliver up my body

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 to be burned

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 but have not love,

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 I gain nothing.

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 Now we're familiar

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 with that passage, right?

00:10:17.519 --> 00:10:18.440
 1 Corinthians 13.

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 We've heard it read

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 at weddings

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 and things like that.

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 I remember a friend of mine

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 in Australia,

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 Australia,

00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:25.540
 not a very Christianized place,

00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:25.759
 right?

00:10:25.800 --> 00:10:26.340
 He had a friend

00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:27.340
 who was asked to read

00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:28.600
 1 Corinthians 13

00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:29.060
 at a wedding

00:10:29.060 --> 00:10:29.560
 but he read

00:10:29.560 --> 00:10:31.560
 1 Chronicles 13 instead.

00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:33.580
 That must have been

00:10:33.580 --> 00:10:34.120
 a great wedding.

00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:35.220
 But anyway,

00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:36.360
 1 Corinthians 13.

00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:37.399
 It's not just this sort

00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:38.680
 of fluffy passage, right?

00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:40.500
 There's actually an edge to it.

00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:42.379
 Without love,

00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:44.580
 we're nothing.

00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:48.220
 Like Cain,

00:10:48.279 --> 00:10:49.240
 we can offer up

00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:50.679
 religious externals

00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:52.360
 and these externals

00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:53.259
 might look wonderful

00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:53.940
 or powerful

00:10:53.940 --> 00:10:54.980
 or even significant

00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:56.899
 but without love,

00:10:57.059 --> 00:10:58.259
 we gain nothing.

00:10:58.360 --> 00:10:59.179
 We are nothing.

00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:00.820
 And you know what was happening

00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:01.899
 at the church in Corinth

00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:03.240
 that didn't have love?

00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:05.960
 Jealousy, bitterness,

00:11:06.539 --> 00:11:07.899
 animosity, hatred.

00:11:08.139 --> 00:11:09.039
 These things were growing

00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:10.100
 like wildfire.

00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.500
 And as a result,

00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:12.860
 the church was dying.

00:11:15.419 --> 00:11:15.980
 Why?

00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:16.820
 Because jealously,

00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:17.279
 bitterness,

00:11:17.600 --> 00:11:18.480
 animosity, hatred,

00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.639
 you know, externally,

00:11:19.980 --> 00:11:21.940
 those things might sort of look

00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:23.639
 or actually be a mile away

00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:24.639
 from murder.

00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.580
 But internally,

00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:27.519
 in the heart,

00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.279
 they're one and the same.

00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:33.080
 Isn't this what Jesus himself

00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:34.279
 taught in the Sermon on the Mount?

00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:35.200
 Matthew 5.

00:11:35.759 --> 00:11:36.299
 Jesus says,

00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:37.460
 You've heard that it was said of old,

00:11:37.559 --> 00:11:38.379
 you shall not murder

00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.340
 and whoever murders

00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:40.379
 will be liable to judgment.

00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.480
 But I say to you

00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:44.080
 that everyone who is angry

00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:44.840
 with his brother

00:11:44.840 --> 00:11:46.240
 will be liable to judgment.

00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:48.500
 Whoever insults his brother

00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:49.780
 will be liable to the council.

00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:51.139
 And whoever says,

00:11:51.340 --> 00:11:51.860
 You fool,

00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.019
 that is despising them

00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.560
 in your heart,

00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:54.680
 will be liable

00:11:54.680 --> 00:11:55.800
 to the hell of fire.

00:11:57.560 --> 00:11:58.740
 So for our Lord Jesus,

00:11:59.019 --> 00:11:59.399
 hatred,

00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.259
 animosity,

00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:00.940
 contempt,

00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:03.139
 these things were all tantamount

00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:05.059
 to murder in the heart.

00:12:06.439 --> 00:12:07.620
 Without love,

00:12:07.960 --> 00:12:09.939
 we abide in death.

00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:14.960
 Love is the necessary mark

00:12:14.960 --> 00:12:17.279
 of real Christianity.

00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:20.620
 It has to be there.

00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.179
 Now, there are two ways

00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:24.340
 we can apply this point

00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:26.139
 about the necessity of love

00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.259
 as John presents it here.

00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:29.299
 And I think the first way

00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:30.139
 we need to apply it

00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:31.399
 is through self-examination.

00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:33.360
 Friends,

00:12:33.519 --> 00:12:34.340
 outward show

00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:35.779
 is no evidence

00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:37.240
 of inward transformation.

00:12:38.899 --> 00:12:39.259
 Cain and Abel

00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.240
 offered very similar

00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.399
 sacrifices externally.

00:12:41.939 --> 00:12:42.799
 One brought livestock,

00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:44.259
 the other brought produce

00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:44.980
 from the field,

00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:46.399
 but that's not what made

00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:47.039
 one acceptable

00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:48.159
 and the other unacceptable.

00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.120
 Because you know,

00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.019
 in the rest of the Old Testament,

00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:51.360
 God commands both animals

00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:51.980
 and produce

00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:53.079
 to be brought as sacrifices.

00:12:54.199 --> 00:12:55.480
 So both Cain and Abel

00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.659
 looked externally

00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:57.159
 religious,

00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:57.860
 spiritual,

00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:58.740
 worshipful.

00:12:58.919 --> 00:12:59.579
 Both of them

00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.600
 came to the house

00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.639
 of the Lord as it were,

00:13:02.520 --> 00:13:03.560
 but only one

00:13:03.560 --> 00:13:04.379
 of those two brothers

00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:06.560
 was living or abiding

00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:07.120
 in the house

00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:07.960
 of eternal life.

00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:09.800
 The other one

00:13:09.800 --> 00:13:10.400
 was abiding

00:13:10.400 --> 00:13:10.980
 and living

00:13:10.980 --> 00:13:11.560
 in the house

00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.500
 of death.

00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:14.560
 Both in the house

00:13:14.560 --> 00:13:15.060
 of the Lord,

00:13:15.900 --> 00:13:16.580
 but both living

00:13:16.580 --> 00:13:17.600
 in very different houses

00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.120
 spiritually.

00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.300
 How about you, friend?

00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:23.700
 You've come

00:13:23.700 --> 00:13:24.080
 to the house

00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:24.720
 of the Lord today.

00:13:25.780 --> 00:13:27.000
 You've sung songs.

00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:28.360
 You've prayed prayers.

00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:30.060
 You've heard the Bible read.

00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.440
 You're now hearing

00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:32.740
 God's Word preached.

00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.740
 But these external actions

00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:36.440
 on your part

00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:38.340
 do not necessarily mean

00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:39.700
 that you have eternal life

00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:40.360
 living in you.

00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.899
 These external actions

00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:44.039
 are certainly important,

00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:46.139
 even wonderful things to do.

00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.379
 They're not to be

00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.700
 despised or neglected,

00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.159
 but they are not

00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:51.220
 certain evidence

00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.639
 that you are

00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.759
 in a saving relationship

00:13:53.759 --> 00:13:54.399
 with Christ.

00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:54.480
 Christ.

00:13:56.639 --> 00:13:57.620
 In Matthew 7,

00:13:57.720 --> 00:13:58.759
 Jesus even says this.

00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.120
 He says,

00:13:59.179 --> 00:13:59.740
 On that day,

00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.600
 many will say to me,

00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.059
 Lord, Lord,

00:14:01.199 --> 00:14:02.459
 did we not prophesy

00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:02.959
 in your name

00:14:02.959 --> 00:14:03.879
 and cast out demons

00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.419
 in your name

00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:05.819
 and do many mighty works

00:14:05.819 --> 00:14:06.439
 in your name?

00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:08.079
 Then Jesus says,

00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.279
 I will declare to them,

00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:10.980
 I never knew you.

00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:12.819
 Depart from me,

00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:13.539
 you workers

00:14:13.539 --> 00:14:14.559
 of lawlessness.

00:14:17.179 --> 00:14:18.059
 You see what the Lord

00:14:18.059 --> 00:14:18.480
 is saying?

00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.139
 The external

00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.299
 religious acts,

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.519
 even seemingly

00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:22.879
 miraculous deeds

00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:25.199
 are not certain evidence

00:14:25.199 --> 00:14:26.199
 of saving faith.

00:14:26.699 --> 00:14:28.340
 There must be

00:14:28.340 --> 00:14:30.059
 brotherly love.

00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.519
 Love for one another

00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:33.600
 in the family of God.

00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:35.779
 That's the necessary sign.

00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:38.139
 That's the necessary evidence.

00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:41.879
 Friend, do you have that?

00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.659
 If not,

00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:46.480
 then plead to God for mercy.

00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:49.559
 Ask God for Christ's sake

00:14:49.559 --> 00:14:50.679
 to forgive your sins.

00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.379
 And to forgive your attempts

00:14:53.379 --> 00:14:54.299
 at making yourself

00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:55.319
 look good on the outside.

00:14:56.539 --> 00:14:57.240
 Ask God

00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.079
 to make you new

00:14:58.079 --> 00:14:59.279
 from the inside out.

00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.659
 Jesus says,

00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.419
 anyone who comes to me,

00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:04.840
 I won't cast them out.

00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.240
 Come to him

00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:07.259
 and ask him

00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:08.319
 to forgive your sins

00:15:08.319 --> 00:15:10.259
 and receive him.

00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:13.740
 Now there's another way

00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.899
 that John applies

00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.759
 this first point

00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.740
 about the necessity

00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.500
 of brotherly love

00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.019
 and we see it

00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:18.759
 in verse 13.

00:15:18.899 --> 00:15:19.240
 He writes,

00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:20.879
 don't be surprised,

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.259
 brothers,

00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.579
 that the world hates you.

00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:24.360
 Now just as Abel

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.139
 was the target

00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.939
 of Cain's hatred,

00:15:26.079 --> 00:15:26.240
 bitterness,

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:26.899
 and jealousy,

00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:28.720
 John's saying,

00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:29.279
 so Christians

00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.079
 shouldn't be surprised

00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:30.779
 if we encounter

00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.919
 the same sort of treatment

00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:33.559
 today from those

00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:34.379
 outside the faith.

00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.720
 And the truth is,

00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.559
 we have to admit

00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:38.799
 that while we do

00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:39.779
 at times experience

00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.519
 that sort of thing

00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.019
 in the world,

00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:41.579
 whether it be

00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:42.159
 from coworkers

00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:43.639
 or non-Christian family members

00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.439
 or whatever it is,

00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.360
 I think we also have to admit

00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.779
 that there's a whole lot

00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.639
 of the world

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:51.000
 inside the visible church too,

00:15:51.200 --> 00:15:51.500
 right?

00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:53.860
 Tragically,

00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:54.519
 people who claim

00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.100
 to be Christians

00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:55.980
 can also be full

00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.419
 of bitterness

00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:57.480
 and jealousy

00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.200
 and hatred.

00:15:59.300 --> 00:16:00.440
 But brothers and sisters,

00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:02.039
 don't be surprised.

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:04.180
 Don't be caught off guard.

00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.539
 This is the landscape

00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.860
 of our fallen world.

00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.779
 And John writes

00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.200
 these words

00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.000
 to comfort us

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:12.200
 and to prepare us

00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:13.379
 when we experience

00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:13.940
 these things.

00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:15.240
 because he knows

00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.080
 if we're not careful,

00:16:16.180 --> 00:16:17.560
 if we are taken by surprise,

00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.480
 then we too

00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.060
 will be tempted

00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:20.160
 to fall into bitterness

00:16:20.160 --> 00:16:21.280
 and hatred ourselves.

00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.720
 So don't be surprised.

00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:25.180
 Be prepared.

00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:27.720
 Well,

00:16:27.760 --> 00:16:28.340
 after telling us

00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:29.160
 about the necessity

00:16:29.160 --> 00:16:30.240
 of brotherly love,

00:16:31.020 --> 00:16:32.020
 John goes on to show us

00:16:32.020 --> 00:16:33.140
 the nature of brotherly love.

00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.360
 What does this sort of love

00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:34.840
 look like?

00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.660
 If it's essential

00:16:35.660 --> 00:16:36.680
 that we have it,

00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:38.100
 how do we recognize it

00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.780
 in our lives?

00:16:39.400 --> 00:16:40.600
 So this is John's second point,

00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.920
 the nature of brotherly love,

00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.340
 the nature.

00:16:42.660 --> 00:16:43.920
 We see this in verses 16

00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.699
 through 18.

00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.159
 Verse 16,

00:16:46.219 --> 00:16:47.439
 by this we know love,

00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.099
 that he,

00:16:48.219 --> 00:16:48.860
 that is Jesus,

00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.539
 laid down his life for us

00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:52.120
 and we ought to lay down

00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:52.979
 our lives

00:16:52.979 --> 00:16:54.019
 for the brothers.

00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.939
 So after the negative

00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:56.939
 example of Cain,

00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:58.799
 John now points us

00:16:58.799 --> 00:16:59.839
 to the positive example

00:16:59.839 --> 00:17:00.419
 of Christ.

00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:01.860
 Cain was sort of

00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:03.939
 the worst older brother

00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:04.839
 in the entire Bible,

00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:05.379
 right?

00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.899
 And yet now he points us

00:17:06.899 --> 00:17:07.359
 to Jesus,

00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.039
 the true older brother.

00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:11.159
 Christ who laid down

00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:11.700
 his life

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:13.259
 shows us

00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.779
 the nature of real,

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.380
 genuine love.

00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.660
 This is love

00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:19.100
 that we lay down

00:17:19.100 --> 00:17:19.700
 our lives

00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.960
 for our fellow Christians.

00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:22.400
 Now, of course,

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.220
 the love of Christ

00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:24.140
 compels us

00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:24.920
 to do good

00:17:24.920 --> 00:17:25.799
 to everyone,

00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:26.840
 like the good Samaritan

00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:27.819
 on the road to Jericho

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:29.380
 who shows love

00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:29.900
 to someone

00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.799
 who culturally

00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.220
 would have been

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.160
 considered his enemy,

00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.240
 right?

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.900
 Just like that good Samaritan,

00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.980
 so we show love

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.720
 to everyone.

00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:38.380
 Even those culturally,

00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.900
 we might think

00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.520
 they're our enemies

00:17:40.520 --> 00:17:41.220
 or other people

00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:41.660
 might think

00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:42.300
 that we're enemies.

00:17:42.640 --> 00:17:43.360
 We show love

00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:44.060
 to everyone,

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:46.740
 but we do have

00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.860
 a special regard

00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:49.360
 and a special obligation

00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:50.600
 and a special love

00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:52.220
 for fellow believers.

00:17:54.020 --> 00:17:54.720
 The Apostle Paul

00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:55.660
 captures this balance

00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:56.300
 so well

00:17:56.300 --> 00:17:57.720
 in Galatians 6.10.

00:17:57.860 --> 00:17:58.280
 He writes,

00:17:58.860 --> 00:17:59.240
 So then,

00:17:59.320 --> 00:18:00.300
 as we have opportunity,

00:18:00.760 --> 00:18:01.360
 let us do good

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.000
 to everyone

00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.760
 and especially

00:18:03.760 --> 00:18:04.640
 to those

00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.480
 who are of

00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:05.940
 the household

00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.540
 of faith.

00:18:06.539 --> 00:18:09.119
 So what does

00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.200
 this self-giving love

00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.240
 look like?

00:18:11.339 --> 00:18:12.379
 How is it expressed

00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.159
 in everyday

00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:14.019
 Christian living?

00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.779
 And you know,

00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.279
 here John

00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:17.539
 is very down to earth.

00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.299
 He doesn't want us

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:19.720
 to think

00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.480
 that laying down

00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:21.079
 our lives

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.559
 is something

00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.659
 that only happens

00:18:22.659 --> 00:18:23.680
 in extraordinary

00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:26.019
 once-in-a-lifetime moments.

00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:27.299
 No,

00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.379
 look at how

00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.619
 this should play out

00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:31.240
 practically for us.

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.859
 Look at what John says

00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:34.299
 in verses 17 and 18.

00:18:34.980 --> 00:18:35.619
 If anyone has

00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.379
 the world's goods

00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:37.200
 and sees his brother

00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:37.600
 in need,

00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.460
 yet closes his heart

00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.000
 against him,

00:18:39.340 --> 00:18:40.080
 how does God's love

00:18:40.080 --> 00:18:40.640
 abide in him?

00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.260
 Little children,

00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.580
 let us not love

00:18:42.580 --> 00:18:43.360
 in word or talk,

00:18:43.520 --> 00:18:44.080
 but in deed

00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:44.640
 and in truth.

00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.600
 So here's the question

00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.180
 John's answering,

00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:49.020
 or here's the question

00:18:49.020 --> 00:18:49.660
 John's asking.

00:18:49.920 --> 00:18:50.500
 This is what

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.460
 self-giving love

00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.020
 looks like.

00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.620
 Do you share

00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:55.600
 what you have

00:18:55.600 --> 00:18:56.840
 with brothers

00:18:56.840 --> 00:18:57.880
 and sisters in need?

00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.940
 Do you share

00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.680
 what you have

00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.500
 with brothers

00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.540
 and sisters in need?

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:05.180
 I remember

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.960
 getting a phone call

00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.599
 at the church office

00:19:06.599 --> 00:19:07.379
 not too long ago

00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:08.119
 from a church member

00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:09.859
 and they were calling

00:19:09.859 --> 00:19:11.659
 because they had

00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.599
 a bunch of extra food

00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.440
 in their pantry.

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.180
 They were kind of

00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:14.720
 cleaning it out

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.399
 and making some room

00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.500
 and they gave

00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:16.940
 the church office

00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.339
 a call

00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.339
 because they wanted

00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:18.680
 to know

00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.279
 who in the church

00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.019
 might be in need,

00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:20.700
 that they might

00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.240
 give it to them.

00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.279
 Now,

00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.379
 on the surface

00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.399
 that sounds really simple,

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.720
 right?

00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:27.220
 Maybe even simplistic

00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.139
 or too easy,

00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:28.579
 right?

00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.720
 Such a simple thing.

00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:32.180
 But according to John,

00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:34.279
 that's an example

00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.400
 of real love.

00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:37.539
 When we take

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.279
 the world's goods

00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.039
 that we have,

00:19:39.100 --> 00:19:39.819
 whether it's money

00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:41.079
 or resources

00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:42.299
 or influence,

00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:44.079
 and when we see

00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:45.220
 the real needs

00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.819
 of our Christian

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.740
 brother or sister,

00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.380
 and when we open

00:19:48.380 --> 00:19:48.779
 our heart

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.920
 to meet that need

00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.920
 with what we have.

00:19:53.160 --> 00:19:53.680
 Now,

00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.059
 I wonder,

00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.079
 did you want

00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:56.600
 the apostle

00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:57.259
 to give

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.480
 a more flashy

00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.500
 explanation

00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.819
 or application

00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.819
 of self-giving love?

00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.660
 Something more dramatic,

00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.160
 more attention-getting,

00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:05.480
 right?

00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:08.319
 But that's just it.

00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.500
 This kind of love,

00:20:10.599 --> 00:20:11.220
 it's not about

00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:11.960
 being flashy

00:20:11.960 --> 00:20:12.859
 or dramatic

00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.859
 or extravagant

00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.980
 or attention-grabbing.

00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.819
 If that's what you're after,

00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:20.039
 we're really just

00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.980
 doing it for ourselves.

00:20:22.579 --> 00:20:23.900
 If we want something

00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.920
 flashy or dramatic

00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:25.680
 or extravagant

00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.920
 or attention-grabbing,

00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.420
 then aren't we

00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.259
 just doing those things

00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.920
 to look good

00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:29.740
 or to feel good?

00:20:31.700 --> 00:20:32.140
 No,

00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.560
 real self-giving love

00:20:33.560 --> 00:20:34.200
 lays down

00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.380
 even that desire

00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.060
 to be seen

00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:36.660
 and admired

00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.539
 for doing a great

00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.360
 act of love.

00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:39.800
 Real self-giving love

00:20:39.800 --> 00:20:40.920
 is self-forgetful.

00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.460
 It's more tuned in

00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:43.360
 to the real needs

00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:44.220
 of the brother or sister

00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:45.300
 right before me

00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:46.560
 and how

00:20:46.560 --> 00:20:47.900
 what God has given me

00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.640
 might be used

00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:49.680
 to meet that need.

00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:53.060
 Well,

00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.820
 if this is the nature

00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.700
 of brotherly love,

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:54.880
 well,

00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.420
 how do we go about

00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.640
 putting it into practice then?

00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:58.180
 Well,

00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:58.540
 first,

00:20:58.600 --> 00:20:59.720
 notice that John says

00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.780
 we must be able

00:21:00.780 --> 00:21:01.660
 to see

00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:03.380
 our brother or sister

00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:03.940
 in need.

00:21:04.540 --> 00:21:05.540
 We see them.

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.500
 In other words,

00:21:07.560 --> 00:21:08.560
 we need to be in enough

00:21:08.560 --> 00:21:09.660
 regular contact

00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.420
 and relationship

00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:11.440
 with fellow believers

00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:13.340
 that we can actually identify,

00:21:13.640 --> 00:21:14.580
 actually see

00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:15.820
 what the needs are

00:21:15.820 --> 00:21:16.580
 when they arise.

00:21:19.540 --> 00:21:20.060
 Practically,

00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.280
 if you're able to

00:21:21.280 --> 00:21:21.960
 and you don't

00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:23.060
 regularly come to church

00:21:23.060 --> 00:21:23.640
 on Sundays,

00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:25.860
 if you're able to

00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.360
 and you don't

00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.300
 regularly fellowship

00:21:27.300 --> 00:21:28.200
 with a small group

00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:29.960
 or another smaller fellowship

00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.740
 of church members,

00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:32.680
 then it's going to be

00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.620
 very difficult

00:21:33.620 --> 00:21:34.820
 for you to love

00:21:34.820 --> 00:21:35.660
 in the way

00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.920
 John describes here.

00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.680
 Imagine I never

00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:40.240
 sat down

00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.920
 with my family

00:21:40.920 --> 00:21:41.660
 at the dinner table

00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.280
 to eat with them.

00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:43.240
 Every night,

00:21:43.320 --> 00:21:44.440
 I would stay in the office

00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:44.940
 to work

00:21:44.940 --> 00:21:45.620
 or watch TV

00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.740
 or go for a walk,

00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.100
 you know.

00:21:47.300 --> 00:21:47.840
 I was just never

00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.600
 present with them.

00:21:49.780 --> 00:21:50.900
 Could I really say

00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:52.020
 that I love them

00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:53.799
 if I never sit down

00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.539
 to be with them?

00:21:56.160 --> 00:21:57.220
 And can I know

00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.559
 what's going in that…

00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.339
 Can I really know

00:21:59.339 --> 00:21:59.940
 what's going on

00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.460
 in their lives

00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.039
 enough

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.559
 to really serve

00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.180
 and love them?

00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.680
 No.

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:07.619
 We have to be present

00:22:07.619 --> 00:22:08.299
 to one another.

00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:10.119
 Faithful church attendance

00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:10.559
 matters.

00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.000
 Faithful small group

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.799
 attendance matters.

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.099
 As an aside,

00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.879
 this is one of the many

00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:16.720
 reasons we practice

00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.799
 formal church membership

00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:19.160
 so we can actually know

00:22:19.160 --> 00:22:20.180
 and identify

00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:20.980
 with one another

00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.960
 as brothers and sisters

00:22:21.960 --> 00:22:23.299
 in the same spiritual family.

00:22:23.860 --> 00:22:24.480
 In membership,

00:22:24.660 --> 00:22:25.099
 we're saying,

00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.599
 I'm not just an attender.

00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:28.039
 I'm not just a consumer.

00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.940
 I'm a member

00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.839
 of this family

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:31.319
 ready to serve

00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:32.160
 and be served

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.079
 by my fellow brothers

00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:33.660
 and sisters.

00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.360
 So first,

00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.200
 in order to practice

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.000
 brotherly love,

00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.039
 we need to be present

00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.559
 with each other

00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.180
 so we can actually

00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:41.039
 see each other's needs.

00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.380
 Second,

00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.700
 we need to view

00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:44.059
 our worldly goods

00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.839
 as a means

00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.759
 of blessing others.

00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.380
 We need to look

00:22:47.380 --> 00:22:48.079
 at our finances,

00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:48.680
 for example,

00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:49.180
 and ask,

00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:51.120
 how much can I give

00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:52.360
 to others in need?

00:22:53.600 --> 00:22:54.600
 The world wants us

00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:55.360
 to push

00:22:55.360 --> 00:22:56.279
 to the limits

00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.220
 of our spending,

00:22:57.340 --> 00:22:57.519
 right,

00:22:57.600 --> 00:22:58.279
 so that we can have

00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:59.400
 a certain lifestyle

00:22:59.400 --> 00:23:00.900
 and that lifestyle

00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.860
 is supposed to bring us

00:23:01.860 --> 00:23:02.460
 joy, happiness,

00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:02.920
 peace,

00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.080
 and like nirvana

00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:04.539
 on earth,

00:23:04.640 --> 00:23:04.860
 you know.

00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.660
 But as Christians,

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.640
 we need to ask,

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.500
 what if I actually

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:12.000
 live a simpler lifestyle

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:14.060
 so that I can free up

00:23:14.060 --> 00:23:14.960
 more of the resources

00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.820
 God has entrusted

00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:16.180
 to me

00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.019
 to help my brothers

00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:17.500
 and sisters

00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:17.980
 in need?

00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:19.779
 Now,

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.420
 we need to be careful

00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.379
 not to judge one another

00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:21.960
 in this matter,

00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:22.339
 right?

00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.900
 But this is a question

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.160
 we all need to be asking

00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:25.759
 of ourselves.

00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.500
 How can I be viewing

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.859
 my worldly goods

00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:30.759
 not as things

00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.559
 that I possess

00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.720
 to use for my own ends,

00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.660
 but as gifts

00:23:33.660 --> 00:23:34.799
 to bless others?

00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.460
 As a church,

00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.279
 we set aside money

00:23:38.279 --> 00:23:39.180
 in our annual budget

00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:40.200
 for this very reason.

00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.019
 We have what's called

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:43.160
 the Deacon's Benevolence Fund,

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:44.480
 and that is money

00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.480
 that we've set aside

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.420
 as a church family

00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.880
 to give practically

00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:49.420
 to those church members

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.480
 and church regular attenders

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.160
 and those who are

00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.000
 in our midst

00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.160
 to give to them

00:23:53.160 --> 00:23:55.000
 to help meet practical,

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.940
 tangible needs

00:23:55.940 --> 00:23:56.720
 as they arise.

00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.599
 And I know that many of you

00:23:58.599 --> 00:23:59.500
 give generously

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:01.420
 to the Deacon's Benevolence Fund

00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:02.960
 so that we can do that work

00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.940
 more and more,

00:24:04.039 --> 00:24:04.660
 and many people,

00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.960
 probably more than you know,

00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.720
 have been blessed very deeply

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.059
 through that generosity.

00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.299
 But you know,

00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:12.360
 this doesn't just happen

00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:13.700
 formally as a church family

00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:15.039
 through the Deacon's Benevolence Fund.

00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:17.399
 It can happen informally

00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:18.519
 through all of us.

00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:20.519
 As we hear about needs

00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.359
 in our small group,

00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.879
 as we learn about needs

00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:24.259
 in our everyday relationships

00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.420
 in the family of God,

00:24:25.899 --> 00:24:28.000
 we can express the kind of love

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:29.420
 that John is describing here

00:24:29.420 --> 00:24:31.480
 when we view

00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.759
 whatever worldly goods we have

00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.379
 not as something

00:24:33.379 --> 00:24:34.379
 for our disposal,

00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.379
 but as something God

00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.460
 has entrusted to us

00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.960
 that we might bless others.

00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.539
 And of course,

00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:42.420
 this dynamic of identifying needs

00:24:42.420 --> 00:24:43.259
 and giving generously,

00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:44.039
 it doesn't just stay

00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.740
 within the bounds

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:46.079
 of our local church, right?

00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:47.700
 It extends globally.

00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.379
 Just think of the missionaries

00:24:49.379 --> 00:24:50.519
 that we support as a church.

00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:52.599
 The Tidwells in South Asia

00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:54.420
 serving in hospital work

00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.259
 and healthcare there,

00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:57.000
 meeting very practical needs.

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:59.339
 Our missionaries in Central Asia

00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.099
 who were just visited

00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:00.940
 a couple weeks ago,

00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.779
 caring for persecuted believers

00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.839
 in that part of the world.

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.240
 Very real needs

00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.279
 that they are seeking to meet.

00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:08.859
 Even Greg and Kim King

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.480
 in Austria,

00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.680
 who are doing work

00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.820
 among Turkish immigrants

00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:12.279
 in Vienna

00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.680
 who recently were in need

00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.240
 of housing,

00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:15.519
 you know,

00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:16.019
 as they continue

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.980
 their work of outreach.

00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:18.539
 That was a very real need

00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.120
 and we as a church

00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:20.539
 were able to give to that need.

00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.519
 So this dynamic

00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:24.180
 of seeing brothers and sisters

00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:24.660
 in need,

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:26.360
 whether they're persecuted believers

00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.259
 in Central Asia

00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.960
 or missionaries in Vienna,

00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.440
 seeking to use

00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:33.240
 our worldly goods

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.320
 to meet that need,

00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:34.680
 this dynamic

00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.279
 that John's describing,

00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.700
 it extends out

00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.519
 from us globally.

00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:42.100
 So practically then,

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:42.759
 first,

00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:44.279
 we need to be present enough

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.940
 to see the needs

00:25:45.940 --> 00:25:46.920
 of our brothers and sisters

00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:48.039
 and second,

00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:48.700
 we need to view

00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.460
 our worldly goods

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.019
 as a means

00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.799
 to bless others.

00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:53.160
 But there's a third thing,

00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.720
 practically.

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:56.460
 Look again at verse 17.

00:25:57.860 --> 00:25:58.360
 John writes,

00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.700
 if anyone has

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.480
 the world's goods

00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:01.960
 and sees his brother

00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:02.500
 in need,

00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:05.299
 yet closes his heart

00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:06.279
 against him,

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:08.299
 how does God's love

00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.960
 abide in him?

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.379
 The third thing

00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.599
 we need practically then

00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:14.559
 is an open heart,

00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:17.680
 a heart that doesn't close,

00:26:18.720 --> 00:26:19.779
 a heart that doesn't close

00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.700
 whether out of fear

00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:21.500
 or busyness

00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.119
 or a critical,

00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.200
 judgmental spirit.

00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.960
 We need hearts

00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:26.099
 that are open,

00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.779
 open to give,

00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:30.000
 open to sacrifice.

00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:32.339
 But what is it

00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:33.799
 that opens our hearts

00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.460
 in this way?

00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:35.920
 How do we get

00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:37.220
 this opened heart?

00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:40.079
 Well, John tells us here,

00:26:40.120 --> 00:26:40.480
 doesn't he?

00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:42.600
 It's the love of God

00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.140
 for us.

00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.380
 If God's love

00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.220
 abides in us,

00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.600
 then our hearts

00:26:47.600 --> 00:26:49.019
 will open

00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.940
 towards others.

00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.180
 And this brings us

00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.759
 to the third

00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:54.100
 big idea,

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.759
 main point of our passage.

00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.059
 John showed us

00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.620
 the necessity

00:26:57.620 --> 00:26:58.240
 and the nature

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.039
 of brotherly love,

00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:01.019
 but he also points us

00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.819
 to the source

00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.640
 of brotherly love,

00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.300
 the source.

00:27:03.520 --> 00:27:04.480
 And we see it right here

00:27:04.480 --> 00:27:05.240
 in the same paragraph

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:06.120
 we've been considering,

00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:07.320
 verses 16 through 18,

00:27:07.520 --> 00:27:08.240
 but especially

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.120
 in verse 16.

00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:11.180
 By this we know love,

00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.820
 that he laid down

00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:13.520
 his life

00:27:13.520 --> 00:27:15.340
 for us.

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.100
 You see,

00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:18.340
 friends,

00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.600
 Jesus Christ

00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.720
 isn't just

00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.220
 a moral example

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.380
 for us to follow.

00:27:23.380 --> 00:27:25.820
 If your understanding

00:27:25.820 --> 00:27:26.220
 of Jesus

00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.200
 stops there,

00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.280
 then you don't

00:27:29.280 --> 00:27:30.080
 really understand

00:27:30.080 --> 00:27:31.140
 who Jesus is

00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.080
 or what he himself

00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:33.000
 understood his mission

00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:33.520
 to be.

00:27:34.360 --> 00:27:35.580
 If you only understand

00:27:35.580 --> 00:27:36.980
 Jesus as a moral example,

00:27:37.280 --> 00:27:38.320
 then you also

00:27:38.320 --> 00:27:39.420
 don't really understand

00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.200
 the love of God

00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:40.760
 for you.

00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.200
 Because Jesus

00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.140
 didn't just come

00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.560
 to show us

00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:44.980
 how to live

00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.760
 a loving life.

00:27:46.260 --> 00:27:47.260
 He didn't lay down

00:27:47.260 --> 00:27:48.000
 his life merely

00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.860
 as an example.

00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.180
 No,

00:27:49.540 --> 00:27:50.220
 John says Jesus

00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:51.120
 laid down his life

00:27:51.119 --> 00:27:52.279
 for us.

00:27:53.739 --> 00:27:54.859
 When Jesus died,

00:27:54.939 --> 00:27:55.659
 he accomplished

00:27:55.659 --> 00:27:57.459
 something for us

00:27:57.459 --> 00:27:58.659
 in our place

00:27:58.659 --> 00:27:59.759
 that we could not

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.219
 accomplish.

00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.919
 Jesus himself

00:28:02.919 --> 00:28:03.500
 put it this way

00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.239
 in Mark 10,

00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.139
 verse 45.

00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.559
 He said,

00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.619
 for the Son of Man

00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:08.039
 came not to be served

00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.879
 but to serve

00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:11.039
 and to give his life

00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:12.319
 as a ransom

00:28:12.319 --> 00:28:13.500
 for many.

00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.859
 Did you catch that?

00:28:17.939 --> 00:28:18.739
 Jesus says

00:28:18.739 --> 00:28:19.479
 he didn't come

00:28:19.479 --> 00:28:20.839
 to just give his life

00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.639
 as an example

00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.500
 for many

00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:24.439
 but as a ransom

00:28:24.439 --> 00:28:25.019
 for many.

00:28:26.699 --> 00:28:27.119
 Now,

00:28:27.179 --> 00:28:27.720
 what's a ransom?

00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.220
 Well,

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.579
 a ransom is a payment,

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.119
 right,

00:28:31.679 --> 00:28:32.779
 that sets you free.

00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.599
 You see,

00:28:35.659 --> 00:28:35.799
 friends,

00:28:35.859 --> 00:28:36.699
 all of us,

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:38.099
 apart from Christ,

00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:39.339
 we're enslaved

00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.179
 in sin

00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:42.679
 and in spiritual poverty.

00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.879
 We owe God

00:28:44.879 --> 00:28:45.339
 a debt

00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.039
 that we can't

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:47.119
 possibly pay

00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.659
 and we stand

00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.459
 condemned.

00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:51.880
 but Christ

00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:53.319
 came to pay

00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:54.600
 our ransom,

00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.720
 to make the payment

00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:57.019
 to set us free.

00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.539
 The Apostle Paul

00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.200
 put it this way

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:01.220
 in 2 Corinthians 8,

00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.500
 9.

00:29:01.620 --> 00:29:01.880
 He said,

00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:03.019
 for you know

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.819
 the grace

00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:05.200
 of our Lord Jesus Christ

00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.299
 that though

00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.340
 he was rich,

00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:09.039
 yet for your sake

00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:10.279
 he became poor

00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.539
 so that you

00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.840
 by his poverty

00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:14.600
 might become rich.

00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:17.059
 the king of heaven,

00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.839
 the only son

00:29:18.839 --> 00:29:19.659
 of the Father

00:29:19.659 --> 00:29:21.859
 in the splendor

00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:23.359
 of eternity

00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:25.419
 came to this earth

00:29:25.419 --> 00:29:26.459
 in poverty.

00:29:27.679 --> 00:29:28.679
 He was born

00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:29.599
 in a manger,

00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.019
 right?

00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.139
 I mean,

00:29:31.599 --> 00:29:32.199
 mangers aren't like

00:29:32.199 --> 00:29:32.819
 the cute things

00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.859
 you see in nativity scenes,

00:29:33.919 --> 00:29:34.079
 right?

00:29:34.119 --> 00:29:35.259
 Like animals eat

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.000
 out of mangers,

00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.699
 that's what they're for

00:29:36.699 --> 00:29:37.639
 and that's where

00:29:37.639 --> 00:29:38.879
 the king of the universe

00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:39.899
 was born

00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:41.219
 when he took on

00:29:41.219 --> 00:29:42.019
 flesh for us.

00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:44.440
 Jesus came to this earth

00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.240
 in poverty

00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:47.440
 and then he died

00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:49.660
 a criminal's death

00:29:49.660 --> 00:29:50.559
 on a cross

00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:52.339
 in your place.

00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.139
 Why?

00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.379
 So that we,

00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.259
 through his poverty,

00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.440
 might become

00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:01.160
 spiritually rich.

00:30:02.119 --> 00:30:02.980
 What are those

00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:03.779
 spiritual riches

00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.559
 that we gain

00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.559
 through Christ's poverty?

00:30:06.220 --> 00:30:07.160
 The spiritual riches

00:30:07.160 --> 00:30:08.039
 of having all

00:30:08.039 --> 00:30:08.980
 of our sins forgiven,

00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.359
 having a perfectly

00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:11.779
 clean and clear

00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:13.079
 conscience before God.

00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.720
 The spiritual riches

00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.579
 of being adopted

00:30:15.579 --> 00:30:16.599
 into God's family

00:30:16.599 --> 00:30:17.700
 to be beloved

00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:18.420
 as a daughter,

00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.339
 as a son,

00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:20.379
 to be assured

00:30:20.379 --> 00:30:21.639
 of the fatherly's favor,

00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.519
 father's favor over us

00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.079
 and for us

00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:24.859
 all of our life.

00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:26.500
 The spiritual riches

00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.619
 of being given

00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:28.339
 a new heart,

00:30:28.420 --> 00:30:29.119
 a new nature

00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:30.019
 by the Holy Spirit

00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.339
 to have new desires

00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.420
 planted in us

00:30:32.420 --> 00:30:33.660
 for life and joy

00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.220
 and holiness.

00:30:35.899 --> 00:30:37.019
 The spiritual riches

00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.559
 of being given

00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:39.279
 the indestructible promise

00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:40.779
 of eternal life.

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:43.500
 Friend, ask anyone

00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:45.099
 on their deathbed

00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:46.519
 if they would give

00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:48.019
 all of their money

00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:49.740
 and all of their wealth

00:30:49.740 --> 00:30:51.399
 and all of their fame

00:30:51.399 --> 00:30:51.819
 away

00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:53.779
 to not face

00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.660
 the abyss of death

00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.579
 and what would they say?

00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:57.019
 In a heartbeat.

00:30:59.399 --> 00:31:00.079
 And yet,

00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:01.279
 what has Christ given us?

00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:04.019
 The spiritual riches

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:05.899
 of eternal life.

00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:08.619
 Through his poverty,

00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:10.439
 you've become rich.

00:31:12.699 --> 00:31:13.799
 And do you see now

00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.939
 how much God loves you?

00:31:16.219 --> 00:31:17.039
 He didn't just send

00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:18.299
 his son as your example,

00:31:18.719 --> 00:31:19.819
 but as your savior.

00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.579
 He paid the debt

00:31:21.579 --> 00:31:22.359
 that you owed.

00:31:22.479 --> 00:31:24.500
 He lavished his heavenly riches

00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.019
 upon you

00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:26.099
 when you didn't deserve it.

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.279
 He rose from the grave

00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:28.019
 on the third day

00:31:28.019 --> 00:31:29.339
 to prove that your debt

00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.359
 of sin had been erased.

00:31:31.439 --> 00:31:31.879
 Done!

00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.500
 And that the glories

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.319
 of heaven now belong

00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:34.899
 to you

00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:36.420
 and to everyone

00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.940
 who will simply repent

00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:39.120
 and believe in him.

00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.480
 Friends,

00:31:41.660 --> 00:31:41.940
 that,

00:31:42.040 --> 00:31:43.580
 that is the source

00:31:43.580 --> 00:31:45.320
 of brotherly love.

00:31:45.560 --> 00:31:46.480
 That is the thing

00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:48.420
 that opens up our hearts

00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:50.460
 when we see

00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.420
 that his poverty

00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:53.200
 has made us rich.

00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:56.200
 When we see

00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:57.100
 that we don't earn

00:31:57.100 --> 00:31:57.740
 God's favor

00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:59.660
 through showing brotherly love

00:31:59.660 --> 00:32:00.800
 because we never could,

00:32:02.300 --> 00:32:02.580
 right?

00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:04.220
 But that God has freely

00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.519
 given us his favor.

00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.599
 You see,

00:32:08.659 --> 00:32:09.159
 brotherly love

00:32:09.159 --> 00:32:09.939
 is not what makes us

00:32:09.939 --> 00:32:10.299
 a Christian.

00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:11.279
 It's the other way around.

00:32:11.799 --> 00:32:12.000
 No,

00:32:12.079 --> 00:32:13.519
 we show brotherly love

00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:14.399
 because we've been given

00:32:14.399 --> 00:32:15.379
 God's favor freely

00:32:15.379 --> 00:32:16.019
 by grace.

00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:18.220
 Brotherly love

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:19.220
 is not the cause

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:20.059
 of God loving us.

00:32:20.099 --> 00:32:20.859
 It's the result

00:32:20.859 --> 00:32:21.939
 of God's loving us.

00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:24.899
 Brotherly love

00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.899
 is the evidence

00:32:25.899 --> 00:32:27.039
 that God's first love

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:27.799
 has taken hold

00:32:27.799 --> 00:32:28.480
 of our hearts.

00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.500
 It's the evidence

00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.879
 that the self-giving love

00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:32.640
 of Jesus Christ

00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.940
 has captivated us

00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:35.460
 and transformed us

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.760
 and that we've given

00:32:36.760 --> 00:32:37.500
 our life to him

00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.080
 and his love.

00:32:39.580 --> 00:32:40.380
 This source

00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:41.040
 of brotherly love

00:32:41.040 --> 00:32:42.080
 doesn't come from ourselves.

00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:43.080
 It comes from God

00:32:43.080 --> 00:32:44.200
 and it comes from

00:32:44.200 --> 00:32:45.880
 seeing with fresh eyes

00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.680
 what Jesus has done

00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:47.400
 for us,

00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.240
 that he laid down

00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.280
 his life for us.

00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:50.160
 And the more you

00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:51.060
 behold him

00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:53.220
 in his self-giving glory,

00:32:53.440 --> 00:32:54.440
 the more you behold him

00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.420
 doing that for you,

00:32:55.600 --> 00:32:56.360
 that's what opens

00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:56.900
 your hearts.

00:32:57.700 --> 00:32:58.180
 That's what's going

00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:58.980
 to open our hearts

00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.940
 even when we're afraid

00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.860
 or distracted

00:33:00.860 --> 00:33:01.900
 or selfish

00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.920
 because when we see

00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.759
 how much Christ

00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.559
 has loved us,

00:33:05.720 --> 00:33:06.200
 well then friends,

00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.320
 what do we have to fear?

00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:10.000
 Why do I have to cling

00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:12.000
 to this world's goods

00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:13.620
 when I know

00:33:13.620 --> 00:33:14.519
 what Christ has done

00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:14.940
 for me?

00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:17.480
 If he gave himself

00:33:17.480 --> 00:33:18.059
 for me,

00:33:18.840 --> 00:33:20.980
 if he gave his own self

00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:21.519
 for me,

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.279
 will he not continue

00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.440
 to take care of me?

00:33:26.580 --> 00:33:27.480
 And so our hearts

00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.340
 continue to open

00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:30.259
 and then we are able

00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.220
 to love just like

00:33:31.220 --> 00:33:32.539
 he loved us.

00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:36.439
 So John tells us

00:33:36.439 --> 00:33:36.980
 the necessity

00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.859
 and the nature

00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:38.559
 and the source

00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.279
 of brotherly love.

00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:39.859
 But lastly,

00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:41.459
 he wants to tell us

00:33:41.459 --> 00:33:42.619
 about the assurance

00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.619
 of brotherly love,

00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:44.220
 the assurance.

00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.399
 And this is the last paragraph

00:33:45.399 --> 00:33:46.179
 of our passage,

00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:47.819
 verses 19 through 24.

00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:48.459
 You know,

00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.519
 what sort of result

00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.579
 in our lives

00:33:50.579 --> 00:33:51.599
 comes about

00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:52.779
 when we love

00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.319
 in this way,

00:33:53.379 --> 00:33:54.119
 when we're living

00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:56.059
 in this kind of love

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.720
 in response

00:33:56.720 --> 00:33:57.819
 to the gospel,

00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.839
 what then is the dynamic

00:33:59.839 --> 00:34:00.799
 in our lives?

00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.319
 Remember,

00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:03.200
 John is writing this letter

00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:03.640
 to a church

00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.720
 that's troubled and doubting,

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:04.920
 right?

00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:05.420
 They're wondering

00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:06.140
 whether or not

00:34:06.140 --> 00:34:07.120
 they have the real thing

00:34:07.120 --> 00:34:07.579
 spiritually.

00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:08.539
 And those troubles

00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.300
 and doubts arose

00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:10.019
 because a group

00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:11.059
 had kind of broken off

00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.720
 from their midst

00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:12.860
 and began teaching

00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.960
 that Jesus hadn't really

00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.619
 come in the flesh

00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.519
 and that the key

00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.079
 to spirituality

00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:17.500
 was secret knowledge

00:34:17.500 --> 00:34:18.579
 that only they could give,

00:34:18.619 --> 00:34:18.840
 right?

00:34:19.820 --> 00:34:20.440
 But John wants

00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:21.360
 to come to this church

00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.500
 and reassure them.

00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:23.400
 He doesn't want them

00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.820
 to believe those lies

00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:25.700
 and to live in fear

00:34:25.700 --> 00:34:26.160
 and doubt

00:34:26.160 --> 00:34:26.940
 that they've missed

00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.480
 the real thing.

00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:27.620
 No,

00:34:27.660 --> 00:34:28.080
 he wants them

00:34:28.080 --> 00:34:29.400
 to live in joy

00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:30.140
 and freedom

00:34:30.140 --> 00:34:31.039
 and love

00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:32.039
 and confidence

00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:33.360
 that they do know

00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.120
 God in Christ.

00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:34.720
 So he writes

00:34:34.720 --> 00:34:36.120
 this final paragraph here

00:34:36.120 --> 00:34:38.100
 so that we might enjoy

00:34:38.100 --> 00:34:39.539
 our relationship with God.

00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.180
 Look at verse 19.

00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:42.059
 By this,

00:34:42.140 --> 00:34:42.480
 that is,

00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:43.720
 by seeing the fruit

00:34:43.720 --> 00:34:44.500
 of brotherly love

00:34:44.500 --> 00:34:45.180
 in our hearts,

00:34:45.740 --> 00:34:46.519
 we shall know

00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.420
 we are of the truth

00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.440
 and reassure

00:34:48.440 --> 00:34:49.400
 our heart before Him.

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:51.559
 And we see this evidence

00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:52.320
 in our lives,

00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:53.440
 as we see this evidence

00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:54.019
 in our lives,

00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:55.400
 it brings assurance.

00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:57.420
 And that joyful assurance,

00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.360
 it does three things,

00:34:58.400 --> 00:34:59.599
 as John outlines here.

00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:00.519
 First,

00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:02.039
 he says it's a bulwark

00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:03.519
 against self-condemnation.

00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:04.219
 Look at verse 20.

00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.239
 Whenever our hearts

00:35:05.239 --> 00:35:06.239
 condemn us,

00:35:06.820 --> 00:35:07.559
 God is greater

00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.059
 than our heart

00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:09.199
 and He knows everything.

00:35:09.320 --> 00:35:09.460
 You know,

00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:10.820
 you might look at your life

00:35:10.820 --> 00:35:11.940
 and not see much

00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.980
 that's spectacular

00:35:12.980 --> 00:35:13.679
 or dramatic.

00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:15.860
 You might not be

00:35:15.860 --> 00:35:16.460
 a great teacher

00:35:16.460 --> 00:35:17.900
 of flashy spiritual gifts.

00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:18.719
 You might struggle

00:35:18.719 --> 00:35:19.500
 to read the Bible.

00:35:19.920 --> 00:35:20.480
 Prayer might not

00:35:20.480 --> 00:35:21.599
 come naturally to you.

00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.420
 And at times,

00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:23.780
 your heart almost rises

00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:24.519
 up against you

00:35:24.519 --> 00:35:25.260
 condemning you.

00:35:25.880 --> 00:35:26.700
 How can you say

00:35:26.700 --> 00:35:27.380
 you're a Christian?

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.280
 But John wants

00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:30.800
 to come alongside of you

00:35:30.800 --> 00:35:32.260
 as a loving pastor

00:35:32.260 --> 00:35:32.600
 and say,

00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.260
 no, no, no.

00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.100
 You're looking

00:35:34.100 --> 00:35:35.160
 in the wrong direction.

00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:37.260
 What does God say

00:35:37.260 --> 00:35:37.860
 is the mark

00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.880
 of a genuine Christian?

00:35:39.660 --> 00:35:40.800
 Flashy spiritual gifts?

00:35:41.120 --> 00:35:41.320
 No.

00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:42.920
 Ability to teach

00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:43.340
 or memorize

00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:44.400
 long passages of Scripture?

00:35:44.600 --> 00:35:44.840
 No.

00:35:45.540 --> 00:35:46.440
 Being able to hold

00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.400
 all-night prayer vigils?

00:35:47.560 --> 00:35:47.800
 No.

00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:49.400
 What does God say?

00:35:50.160 --> 00:35:50.900
 Verse 23,

00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:52.420
 and this is His commandment,

00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:53.940
 that we believe

00:35:53.940 --> 00:35:54.380
 in the name

00:35:54.380 --> 00:35:54.820
 of His Son,

00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:55.579
 Jesus Christ,

00:35:55.579 --> 00:35:57.059
 and love one another

00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:59.160
 just as He has commanded us.

00:36:00.240 --> 00:36:01.760
 Are you trusting in Jesus

00:36:01.760 --> 00:36:02.639
 and not yourself?

00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.940
 Are you loving

00:36:04.940 --> 00:36:05.940
 your brothers and sisters?

00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:08.400
 That's what God says.

00:36:09.059 --> 00:36:10.500
 And God is greater

00:36:10.500 --> 00:36:11.119
 than your heart

00:36:11.119 --> 00:36:12.639
 because God knows everything

00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.800
 and your heart does not.

00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.660
 Last time I checked.

00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:18.119
 So when the self-condemnation comes

00:36:18.119 --> 00:36:19.899
 with standards and criteria

00:36:19.899 --> 00:36:20.899
 that aren't in the Bible

00:36:20.899 --> 00:36:22.079
 wanting to condemn you,

00:36:22.819 --> 00:36:23.599
 look at Jesus.

00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:25.420
 Trust in His love.

00:36:26.079 --> 00:36:27.219
 Then out of that love,

00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.519
 love your brothers and sisters.

00:36:28.899 --> 00:36:29.859
 That's the criteria.

00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:32.019
 No more, no less.

00:36:33.719 --> 00:36:34.759
 But this assurance

00:36:34.759 --> 00:36:35.899
 isn't just a bulwark

00:36:35.899 --> 00:36:37.119
 against self-condemnation.

00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.480
 It also, John says,

00:36:38.539 --> 00:36:40.139
 brings wonderful confidence

00:36:40.139 --> 00:36:40.859
 in prayer.

00:36:41.819 --> 00:36:42.319
 Verse 21,

00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:42.699
 Beloved,

00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:43.960
 if our heart does not condemn us,

00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:45.820
 we have confidence before God.

00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:47.440
 And whatever we ask,

00:36:47.500 --> 00:36:48.360
 we receive from Him

00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.820
 because we keep His commandments

00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:50.720
 and do what pleases Him.

00:36:50.780 --> 00:36:51.940
 And this is His commandment

00:36:51.940 --> 00:36:52.599
 that we believe

00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.460
 in the name of His Son,

00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:54.159
 Jesus Christ,

00:36:54.280 --> 00:36:55.559
 and love one another

00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:57.320
 just as He has commanded us.

00:36:57.639 --> 00:36:59.240
 When you are secure

00:36:59.240 --> 00:37:00.860
 in your relationship with God,

00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:02.699
 when you have the assurance

00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:04.539
 that comes from believing in Christ,

00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:07.159
 something powerful happens.

00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:10.039
 Out of that assurance before God,

00:37:10.079 --> 00:37:11.260
 you start to experience

00:37:11.260 --> 00:37:13.920
 a wonderful freedom in prayer.

00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:16.780
 That's what the word confidence means here.

00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:18.220
 It's sort of freedom

00:37:18.220 --> 00:37:19.320
 to draw near to God

00:37:19.320 --> 00:37:20.119
 and ask Him

00:37:20.119 --> 00:37:21.179
 whatever is on your heart.

00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:23.260
 It's like the clouds part,

00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:24.940
 the sun shines through,

00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:27.159
 your soul begins to open up,

00:37:27.260 --> 00:37:28.119
 and like a flower

00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:29.440
 opening to the skies,

00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:30.420
 you just know

00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:31.380
 that your Heavenly Father

00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:32.059
 loves you

00:37:32.059 --> 00:37:32.960
 and He delights

00:37:32.960 --> 00:37:33.860
 to hear your prayers.

00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.400
 And so you go

00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.240
 and you ask.

00:37:37.500 --> 00:37:38.900
 And the more you ask,

00:37:38.960 --> 00:37:39.820
 the more you find

00:37:39.820 --> 00:37:41.220
 that God is answering your prayers.

00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:42.500
 Why?

00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:44.319
 Not because God is rewarding you

00:37:44.319 --> 00:37:45.019
 for your obedience,

00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:46.179
 but because your prayers

00:37:46.179 --> 00:37:47.379
 start to be more and more

00:37:47.379 --> 00:37:48.480
 in line with His will.

00:37:50.459 --> 00:37:51.659
 And so opening our hearts

00:37:51.659 --> 00:37:52.219
 to the gospel

00:37:52.219 --> 00:37:53.159
 and then letting the gospel

00:37:53.159 --> 00:37:54.199
 open our hearts

00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:55.359
 to love our brothers and sisters

00:37:55.359 --> 00:37:56.239
 comes full circle

00:37:56.239 --> 00:37:57.879
 and sends us back to God

00:37:57.879 --> 00:37:58.839
 with renewed confidence

00:37:58.839 --> 00:38:00.139
 and joy before Him in prayer.

00:38:02.459 --> 00:38:03.339
 So John says this,

00:38:03.399 --> 00:38:04.519
 brotherly love brings assurance.

00:38:04.639 --> 00:38:04.959
 Assurance,

00:38:05.079 --> 00:38:05.799
 that's a bulwark

00:38:05.799 --> 00:38:07.000
 against self-condemnation,

00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:09.099
 and it's increasing confidence

00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:09.639
 in prayer.

00:38:10.920 --> 00:38:11.519
 But lastly,

00:38:11.619 --> 00:38:12.500
 he says this assurance

00:38:12.500 --> 00:38:13.380
 doesn't just bring

00:38:13.380 --> 00:38:14.960
 increasing confidence

00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:15.500
 in prayer,

00:38:15.579 --> 00:38:16.519
 but he says it brings

00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:18.800
 richer communion with God.

00:38:19.760 --> 00:38:20.400
 Look again

00:38:20.400 --> 00:38:21.380
 at the end of our passage.

00:38:22.199 --> 00:38:23.239
 This is His commandment

00:38:23.239 --> 00:38:23.920
 that we believe

00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:24.800
 in the name of His Son,

00:38:24.860 --> 00:38:25.460
 Jesus Christ,

00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:26.300
 and love one another

00:38:26.300 --> 00:38:28.280
 just as He has commanded us.

00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:30.460
 Whoever keeps His commandments

00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.880
 abides in God

00:38:31.880 --> 00:38:33.679
 and God in Him.

00:38:34.800 --> 00:38:35.340
 And by this,

00:38:35.400 --> 00:38:36.460
 we know that He abides in us

00:38:36.460 --> 00:38:37.179
 by the Spirit

00:38:37.179 --> 00:38:37.900
 whom He has given.

00:38:39.980 --> 00:38:41.019
 This kind of assurance

00:38:41.019 --> 00:38:42.380
 that John is talking about

00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:43.720
 brings about

00:38:43.720 --> 00:38:44.960
 a deeper experience

00:38:44.960 --> 00:38:46.559
 of our loving relationship

00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:47.699
 and communion with God

00:38:47.699 --> 00:38:48.740
 that's honestly hard

00:38:48.740 --> 00:38:49.619
 to put into words.

00:38:50.760 --> 00:38:51.199
 John says,

00:38:51.300 --> 00:38:52.500
 we abide in God

00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:53.559
 and God in us.

00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:55.780
 Now that's true

00:38:55.780 --> 00:38:56.579
 of every Christian.

00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:58.300
 The mutual indwelling

00:38:58.300 --> 00:38:59.840
 of the believer in God

00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:00.920
 and shockingly,

00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:02.280
 God in the believer.

00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:02.840
 That's true

00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:03.820
 of every Christian.

00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:06.179
 But do you and I

00:39:06.179 --> 00:39:07.339
 really grasp that?

00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:10.899
 Do you get a sense

00:39:10.899 --> 00:39:13.000
 of that awesome communion

00:39:13.000 --> 00:39:13.839
 that you have

00:39:13.839 --> 00:39:14.819
 with God in Christ?

00:39:15.619 --> 00:39:16.419
 Do you have a sense

00:39:16.419 --> 00:39:17.399
 of that in your soul,

00:39:17.500 --> 00:39:18.159
 in your heart?

00:39:20.759 --> 00:39:21.379
 John says,

00:39:21.460 --> 00:39:22.139
 that sense,

00:39:22.719 --> 00:39:23.659
 that deep,

00:39:23.899 --> 00:39:26.440
 awesome reality

00:39:26.440 --> 00:39:28.259
 starts to become real

00:39:28.259 --> 00:39:30.179
 as the Holy Spirit

00:39:30.179 --> 00:39:30.980
 does His work.

00:39:30.980 --> 00:39:32.820
 by the Spirit

00:39:32.820 --> 00:39:33.960
 whom He has given us.

00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:35.619
 We start to know

00:39:35.619 --> 00:39:36.760
 that He abides in us.

00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.880
 And we know it

00:39:37.880 --> 00:39:38.820
 not just intellectually,

00:39:39.139 --> 00:39:40.199
 but in our affections

00:39:40.199 --> 00:39:40.860
 from the heart.

00:39:42.179 --> 00:39:42.800
 The Apostle Paul

00:39:42.800 --> 00:39:43.659
 describes this work

00:39:43.659 --> 00:39:44.119
 of the Spirit

00:39:44.119 --> 00:39:44.860
 in Romans 8.

00:39:44.960 --> 00:39:45.260
 He says,

00:39:45.820 --> 00:39:46.460
 you didn't receive

00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:47.380
 the spirit of slavery

00:39:47.380 --> 00:39:48.579
 to fall back into fear.

00:39:48.920 --> 00:39:49.559
 You've received

00:39:49.559 --> 00:39:50.920
 the spirit of adoption

00:39:50.920 --> 00:39:51.780
 as sons

00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:53.480
 by whom we cry,

00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:54.460
 Abba,

00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.440
 Father.

00:39:56.059 --> 00:39:57.320
 The Spirit Himself

00:39:57.320 --> 00:39:57.920
 bears witness

00:39:57.920 --> 00:39:58.599
 with our spirit

00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.579
 that we are

00:39:59.579 --> 00:40:01.099
 children of God.

00:40:02.940 --> 00:40:04.000
 John was expressing

00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:04.900
 something similar

00:40:04.900 --> 00:40:06.079
 when at the beginning

00:40:06.079 --> 00:40:06.860
 of chapter 3

00:40:06.860 --> 00:40:07.480
 in this book

00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:07.980
 he wrote,

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:08.739
 Behold,

00:40:09.420 --> 00:40:11.239
 what manner of love

00:40:11.239 --> 00:40:12.259
 the Father

00:40:12.259 --> 00:40:13.460
 has given to us

00:40:13.460 --> 00:40:14.880
 that we should be

00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:15.980
 called children of God

00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:18.480
 and so we are.

00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:20.480
 You can almost hear

00:40:20.480 --> 00:40:21.500
 the Apostle John saying,

00:40:21.980 --> 00:40:22.420
 Abba,

00:40:22.819 --> 00:40:23.519
 Father.

00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:25.559
 We are in God

00:40:25.559 --> 00:40:26.860
 and God is in us.

00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:27.940
 Intimate,

00:40:27.940 --> 00:40:29.000
 loving communion

00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:29.880
 between God

00:40:29.880 --> 00:40:31.139
 and His beloved children,

00:40:31.500 --> 00:40:32.039
 you and me

00:40:32.039 --> 00:40:32.860
 in Christ.

00:40:34.039 --> 00:40:35.280
 This is what assurance

00:40:35.280 --> 00:40:35.720
 brings,

00:40:35.800 --> 00:40:37.639
 this deep experience

00:40:37.639 --> 00:40:39.679
 of this reality

00:40:39.679 --> 00:40:40.400
 of our communion

00:40:40.400 --> 00:40:41.039
 with God.

00:40:45.099 --> 00:40:46.240
 So the assurance

00:40:46.240 --> 00:40:47.000
 of brotherly love,

00:40:47.079 --> 00:40:47.760
 it silences

00:40:47.760 --> 00:40:49.380
 self-condemnation,

00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:51.260
 it opens the doors

00:40:51.260 --> 00:40:51.980
 of confidence

00:40:51.980 --> 00:40:52.599
 and prayer,

00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:54.460
 and it deepens

00:40:54.460 --> 00:40:55.300
 our experience

00:40:55.300 --> 00:40:55.960
 of communion

00:40:55.960 --> 00:40:56.579
 with God.

00:40:57.780 --> 00:40:58.159
 Friends,

00:40:58.220 --> 00:40:58.820
 are these not

00:40:58.820 --> 00:41:00.300
 great motivations?

00:41:01.619 --> 00:41:02.400
 Are these not

00:41:02.400 --> 00:41:02.860
 great things

00:41:02.860 --> 00:41:03.480
 to long for

00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:04.599
 and desire more of?

00:41:05.420 --> 00:41:06.220
 Are these not

00:41:06.220 --> 00:41:06.940
 great motivations

00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:07.760
 for us to set

00:41:07.760 --> 00:41:08.599
 our eyes on Jesus,

00:41:09.320 --> 00:41:10.480
 to behold how much

00:41:10.480 --> 00:41:11.360
 He has loved us,

00:41:11.740 --> 00:41:12.840
 and then to turn

00:41:12.840 --> 00:41:14.000
 and to love

00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:14.460
 one another?

00:41:15.599 --> 00:41:16.579
 This is the message

00:41:16.579 --> 00:41:17.019
 we've heard

00:41:17.019 --> 00:41:17.659
 from the beginning,

00:41:18.320 --> 00:41:19.220
 that we should love

00:41:19.220 --> 00:41:19.659
 one another.

00:41:20.539 --> 00:41:21.059
 Let's pray.

00:41:21.059 --> 00:41:25.259
 Holy Spirit,

00:41:25.299 --> 00:41:25.799
 would you come?

00:41:27.659 --> 00:41:28.579
 Shine the spotlight

00:41:28.579 --> 00:41:29.500
 on the work of Jesus,

00:41:30.759 --> 00:41:31.960
 transform our hearts,

00:41:32.679 --> 00:41:35.139
 and let us taste

00:41:35.139 --> 00:41:36.039
 this rich assurance

00:41:36.039 --> 00:41:36.679
 that comes

00:41:36.679 --> 00:41:38.000
 from knowing Christ

00:41:38.000 --> 00:41:39.039
 and loving one another.

00:41:40.179 --> 00:41:40.539
 Lord,

00:41:40.579 --> 00:41:41.059
 for those

00:41:41.059 --> 00:41:42.239
 who have been

00:41:42.239 --> 00:41:43.380
 troubled by this passage

00:41:43.380 --> 00:41:44.480
 because they don't see

00:41:44.480 --> 00:41:45.219
 the love of Christ

00:41:45.219 --> 00:41:45.960
 in their hearts,

00:41:47.299 --> 00:41:47.559
 Lord,

00:41:47.619 --> 00:41:48.759
 would that not lead them

00:41:48.760 --> 00:41:50.120
 to turn away from you,

00:41:50.580 --> 00:41:52.200
 but to run toward you.

00:41:53.780 --> 00:41:54.220
 Jesus,

00:41:54.360 --> 00:41:55.360
 you say you stand

00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:55.820
 at the door

00:41:55.820 --> 00:41:56.600
 and you knock,

00:41:57.120 --> 00:41:57.900
 and if we open,

00:41:58.020 --> 00:41:58.920
 you will come in

00:41:58.920 --> 00:42:00.760
 and eat with us,

00:42:01.060 --> 00:42:01.920
 feast with us.

00:42:02.420 --> 00:42:02.940
 So God,

00:42:03.000 --> 00:42:03.480
 I pray

00:42:03.480 --> 00:42:06.280
 that the opening

00:42:06.280 --> 00:42:06.920
 of that door

00:42:06.920 --> 00:42:07.640
 would be happening,

00:42:09.040 --> 00:42:10.280
 that you would grant

00:42:10.280 --> 00:42:11.060
 saving faith

00:42:11.060 --> 00:42:11.620
 to those

00:42:11.620 --> 00:42:12.520
 who are uncertain

00:42:12.520 --> 00:42:13.420
 of where they stand

00:42:13.420 --> 00:42:13.880
 with you,

00:42:14.640 --> 00:42:15.380
 and let them leave

00:42:15.380 --> 00:42:16.220
 today confident

00:42:16.220 --> 00:42:18.120
 of your love

00:42:18.119 --> 00:42:18.839
 for them in Jesus.

00:42:19.940 --> 00:42:20.239
 Amen.