WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.799 Father and with the Son Jesus Christ and we are writing these things so that our 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:14.519 joy may be complete and so on down to the rest of this chapter. C.S. Lewis wrote a 00:00:14.519 --> 00:00:22.440 book a great book called Surprised by Joy and I guess a sequel to that book 00:00:22.440 --> 00:00:30.480 could quite easily be surprised by how soon joy is lost and if we're honest with 00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:37.799 ourselves this evening I'm sure we would all share the sense of why do I have so 00:00:37.799 --> 00:00:43.920 little joy in the Lord and why have I lost the rejoicing that I found in our 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:50.820 God and we look at the way in which there is a focus in these verses in verse 4 we 00:00:50.820 --> 00:00:59.520 see that John is writing so that joy may be complete. It's a wonderful desire that 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:06.180 he is writing to them in the midst of the crisis that they are facing with regard 00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:10.620 to the doctrine and the teaching around them with regard to the way in which 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:15.579 people are living their lives in the world regarding the way in which people 00:01:15.579 --> 00:01:19.819 aren't loving them one another the way that they should write into that crisis 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:24.500 as well as saying to them in chapter 5 that he's writing to them that they may 00:01:24.500 --> 00:01:30.079 know they are the children of God really important that we have that assurance but 00:01:30.079 --> 00:01:38.780 here writing for the purpose that they will have joy. The first question in the 00:01:38.780 --> 00:01:43.519 shorted catechism is very simple as all is familiar to us all what is the chief end of 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:52.819 man man man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. When you read that 00:01:52.819 --> 00:02:00.319 catechism along with what the Bible says we understand that God does want us to have 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:10.280 joy and that's God's purpose for us we want to think tonight about why is it that we have lost the joy and 00:02:10.280 --> 00:02:18.560 what is it that we can do in order to restore that joy into our lives and in 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:24.620 looking at this passage you want to to think especially of Christian joy and 00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:32.420 communion with God. The first thing that we do see or want to see in the passages 00:02:32.419 --> 00:02:42.739 that there is a purpose and the purpose is to have that very communion. That which we 00:02:42.739 --> 00:02:48.439 have seen and heard and we proclaim also to you so that you too may have fellowship 00:02:48.439 --> 00:02:58.879 with us. John wants them to share it's something that he himself is sharing in and to 00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:08.259 correct myself he is wanting them to share an oppression with whom he has a close 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:14.780 relationship. It's not it's not fellowship in a thing that he's talking about it's 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:24.079 fellowship with oppression and he wants them to to join with him in that joy 00:03:24.080 --> 00:03:30.980 reminding us that the very joy that John himself has found in the revelation of 00:03:30.980 --> 00:03:37.320 Jesus and the the gospel that he was privileged to receive from Christ and know to 00:03:37.320 --> 00:03:43.580 write about that in in that very gospel what he has received he wants it to pass it on to 00:03:43.580 --> 00:03:53.060 them so that they will participate with him. In other words he wants them to have the 00:03:53.060 --> 00:04:00.979 fellowship the communion that belongs to the Christian church and this evening as we as 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:08.960 we think of our own Christian joy we see that John's purpose and God's purpose is 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:15.680 that all of the people of God will share and all that the message of the gospel 00:04:15.680 --> 00:04:23.439 brings and discover the joy that the people of God have in their hearts because God wants them to 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:32.160 to have that and to have that sense of of sharing and of belonging and of participating in that sense of 00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:44.060 communion and therefore in that sense of joy. And we want to to think tonight of ourselves becoming part of 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:50.379 of being restored to the enjoyment of of that very joy which comes from that 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:59.019 communion that John is referring to. And he is referring to communion in a particular way. 00:05:00.139 --> 00:05:08.379 He is not in the first place referring to the communion that you and I can have with each other the fellowship that we can have with each other in the gospel. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:14.699 He is rather referring to an experience of a relationship with God. 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:26.699 He wants them to come to the very near center of their relationship with God as their Savior. 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:34.379 What is the kind of fellowship that he is wanting them to enjoy to to participate in and to rediscover their joy? 00:05:34.379 --> 00:05:42.620 What is the kind of fellowship that John has discovered their joy? It is a fellowship with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:05:44.540 --> 00:05:50.699 And there is a great depth and a great breadth in that whole expression that John uses here. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:58.540 But we can simplify and summarize the focus that John has here by thinking first of all of the fellowship with the Father 00:05:58.540 --> 00:06:05.819 as the God who is the God of love that John describes in chapter 4 himself. 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:12.460 We think of love and we think of the fact that God is love and that love is from God. 00:06:12.459 --> 00:06:23.899 And he wants them to participate in such a relationship with God that they will share constantly in the great love of God, 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:31.339 which God's Spirit pours out into their hearts, and to live in that sense of the wonder of the love of God. 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:36.219 And in chapter 3, at the beginning, John speaks about the wonder. 00:06:36.220 --> 00:06:40.460 What kind of love is this with which God has loved us? 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:45.500 He wants them to live and to participate in that love. 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:51.020 He wants them to be filled with the wonder of seeing more and more of that love. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:57.820 And he wants them to feel a sense of that love in their own hearts. 00:06:57.819 --> 00:07:05.079 And that brings us to think of the experience of the child of God. 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:16.219 And to think of the way in which our journey of faith should take our experience into the depths of the love of God himself. 00:07:16.220 --> 00:07:27.100 And instead of moving along slowly on the very surface of the ocean of the redeeming love of God, 00:07:28.220 --> 00:07:32.160 that through communion with them, through sharing in this love, 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:38.220 our experience of God and of God's love deepens and is enriched. 00:07:38.220 --> 00:07:43.580 And the more it is, the more our joy is inspired. 00:07:44.360 --> 00:07:54.340 And that depth of experience gives to us the fountainhead of our joy that enables us to live as the children of God. 00:07:55.180 --> 00:07:58.500 And there is the fellowship with the Son, Jesus Christ. 00:07:59.240 --> 00:08:06.840 And Paul in 2 Corinthians 13, and in his benediction, he speaks of that God would bless the people of God. 00:08:06.839 --> 00:08:12.099 And he speaks of the love of God, the Father, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:08:13.619 --> 00:08:20.519 And to summarize and to capture that, Paul says in that same letter in chapter number 8, 00:08:21.039 --> 00:08:23.359 We know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:27.779 that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, 00:08:28.419 --> 00:08:31.319 that we through his poverty might become rich. 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:39.860 Communion in the grace of Christ that we see in the Christ who is full of grace and truth. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:45.460 The grace that brought him to Calvary's cross where he died in our place. 00:08:46.580 --> 00:08:51.340 And where we see the love of God who gave his Son coming to its greatest revelation, 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:56.680 as Jesus laid down his life for his friends. 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:02.160 Fellowship in his Son, Jesus Christ. 00:09:04.440 --> 00:09:07.080 That's where we ought to live. 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:10.180 That's the environment that belongs to us. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:19.039 As the children of God to live in that place where the love of God comes through the passion of Jesus 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:24.659 to the full enjoyment of the grace of Christ in our hearts day by day. 00:09:24.859 --> 00:09:27.459 The joy of peace with God. 00:09:27.599 --> 00:09:29.659 The joy of forgiveness of sin. 00:09:29.859 --> 00:09:31.539 The joy of being the children of God. 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:33.939 God participating in that. 00:09:35.459 --> 00:09:40.860 Descending into the riches of the grace of God as it is in Christ Jesus. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:46.480 And although John does not include the Holy Spirit, 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:53.299 we cannot exclude communion of the Holy Spirit himself. 00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:58.860 Sent out by Christ into our hearts to minister to our needs, 00:09:58.860 --> 00:10:02.159 to shine a light on the passion of Jesus. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:08.379 And to have that kind of communion with the Holy Spirit through which that light is always shining. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:11.940 Through which that connection is never broken. 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:14.639 Through which that channel is never blocked. 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:20.519 But that we may have that communion with the Holy Spirit. 00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:23.180 That binds everything together. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:28.579 And that gives us to live a life of joy. 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:30.199 In the peace of God. 00:10:30.399 --> 00:10:32.159 In the blessing of the love of God. 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:34.979 And in the grace of Jesus Christ. 00:10:36.399 --> 00:10:42.120 And is that not where we want to be as the children of God tonight? 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:45.699 Taken from wherever we are. 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:49.699 And taken in to where God has purpose that we should be. 00:10:49.700 --> 00:10:53.300 And in that moment. 00:10:54.800 --> 00:10:58.220 The experience of the love of God. 00:10:58.680 --> 00:11:02.720 The grace of Christ will be what will energize us. 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:04.020 And what will inspire us. 00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:06.200 And what will give us to know. 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:07.879 The power. 00:11:08.040 --> 00:11:08.960 The love of God. 00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:11.040 And the readiness. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:15.100 To be the kind of people that God wants us to be. 00:11:15.680 --> 00:11:16.379 The purpose. 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:19.120 God wants us to have joy. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:21.720 And the only way to have joy. 00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:24.860 Is to have that close living relationship. 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.700 With God the Father. 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:27.879 God the Son. 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:30.399 And God the Holy Spirit. 00:11:32.679 --> 00:11:34.820 But how are they now going to achieve that? 00:11:35.299 --> 00:11:37.600 What is required of you and of me. 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:40.120 In order for us to have that joy. 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:42.539 In order to live that life. 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:45.500 And to be immersed in all that God is. 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:49.199 That brings me to the second point. 00:11:49.339 --> 00:11:51.500 Which is the pattern. 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:54.599 That John gives to them. 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:56.039 And gives to us here. 00:11:56.919 --> 00:11:58.980 And we have the pattern. 00:11:59.319 --> 00:12:01.039 By focusing first of all. 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:03.099 On the part of the person. 00:12:03.199 --> 00:12:05.439 With whom we are going to have communion. 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:07.799 In verse number five. 00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:09.799 God is light. 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:13.819 And in him is no darkness at all. 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:17.219 It's that great image of God. 00:12:17.639 --> 00:12:20.120 The Old Testament never says that God is light. 00:12:21.599 --> 00:12:23.299 The Old Testament speaks about. 00:12:23.979 --> 00:12:26.339 God being the light of our salvation. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:28.679 And it's connecting very much. 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.139 With God's relationship with his people. 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:32.719 It speaks about that covenant relationship. 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:33.779 But here. 00:12:33.979 --> 00:12:35.479 John focuses on the fact that. 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:37.259 God is light. 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:40.740 And we think of the light of God. 00:12:41.720 --> 00:12:42.879 At Mount Sinai. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.799 When God came down. 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:47.340 We think of the light of God. 00:12:48.019 --> 00:12:49.860 Shining in Isaiah chapter six. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:50.539 Which we read. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:54.159 And we think of the light of the glory of God. 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:58.379 Which is the radiance of the holiness of his character. 00:12:58.379 --> 00:13:03.439 And that immediately alerts us to the fact. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.580 That this is no ordinary oppression. 00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:07.159 That we are going to walk with. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:08.279 And have communion with. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.939 Here is the holy God. 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:14.059 Who shines in the brightness of his glory. 00:13:15.320 --> 00:13:18.240 And whose brightness is blinding. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:21.720 And that blinding brightness. 00:13:21.720 --> 00:13:23.220 Which saw. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:27.080 Isaiah himself in that moment. 00:13:27.539 --> 00:13:28.680 Coming face to face. 00:13:29.580 --> 00:13:31.139 With his own sinfulness. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.379 With his own lostness. 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:36.539 And with a sense of the fact that he could not live. 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:39.419 Within the context. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:40.719 And the environment. 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:44.039 Of the light of the glory of God. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:46.759 And. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:48.799 Sometimes. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:52.099 We are guilty of. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:54.860 Bringing God down to our own level. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:57.259 And. 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:58.259 And seeking to. 00:13:58.639 --> 00:13:59.740 To personalize. 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:00.279 And to. 00:14:00.560 --> 00:14:01.879 To give that sense of. 00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:03.539 Our personal relationship with him. 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:03.759 That. 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.919 That he becomes like somebody else. 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:08.620 And he becomes a friend. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.539 In the wrong way. 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:10.879 And he. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:11.940 Becomes a friend. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.200 By. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.759 Leaving behind. 00:14:14.460 --> 00:14:15.300 The very truths. 00:14:15.300 --> 00:14:16.820 That define his character. 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:20.860 And when we think of the pattern this evening. 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.639 We remind ourselves. 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:23.920 Of. 00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:25.179 Who God is. 00:14:26.099 --> 00:14:27.659 And the kind of God. 00:14:28.099 --> 00:14:28.939 That he is. 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:30.339 Here is. 00:14:30.579 --> 00:14:31.459 A loving God. 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:33.620 He is the holy God. 00:14:34.139 --> 00:14:35.099 Who shines in. 00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:36.519 All the radiance. 00:14:37.059 --> 00:14:38.059 Of his holiness. 00:14:38.519 --> 00:14:39.399 And of his beauty. 00:14:40.179 --> 00:14:40.719 And we. 00:14:40.939 --> 00:14:42.479 We know as we come into the New Testament. 00:14:42.479 --> 00:14:42.759 That. 00:14:43.099 --> 00:14:43.579 That. 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:45.059 Jesus is. 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:45.299 Is. 00:14:45.479 --> 00:14:47.439 The brightness of the glory of God. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:49.039 The revelation of Jesus. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.719 Gives to us. 00:14:49.839 --> 00:14:51.000 A revelation of God. 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:53.500 And John speaks in chapter one. 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:55.019 Of seeing the glory of God. 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:56.259 And. 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:58.419 John speaks later on. 00:14:58.460 --> 00:14:59.019 Chapter 12. 00:14:59.240 --> 00:14:59.279 Of. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:14:59.879 Of. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.460 Isaiah. 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.019 Seeing. 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:02.320 His own glory. 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:03.220 The glory of Jesus. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.240 In the temple. 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:07.340 That's the partner. 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:09.460 With whom. 00:15:09.700 --> 00:15:10.340 You and I. 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:12.360 Are going to have communion. 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:14.700 And for that. 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.180 To take place. 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:19.240 There is a condition. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.360 And the condition is simple. 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:25.680 It's a condition that speaks about. 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.500 Your life and mine. 00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.360 It's about. 00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.120 It's about lifestyle. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.500 It's about. 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.179 Behavior. 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:33.799 It's about. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:35.019 The things that we do. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.679 And the things that we. 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:37.620 Don't do. 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.539 He goes on to say. 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.779 In version number. 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:46.480 Seven. 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:46.560 Seven. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:50.100 But if we walk in the light. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.539 As he is in the light. 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:52.920 We have fellowship. 00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:53.580 With one another. 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.100 And the blood of Jesus. 00:15:55.259 --> 00:15:55.560 Son. 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.340 Cleanses us. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.259 From all sin. 00:15:58.060 --> 00:15:58.960 If we walk. 00:15:59.300 --> 00:15:59.460 In. 00:16:00.300 --> 00:16:00.820 The light. 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:04.139 If we're going to. 00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.500 Have this joy. 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:08.440 We're going to walk. 00:16:08.440 --> 00:16:08.980 With God. 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:10.840 We read in Amos. 00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:11.399 Chapter three. 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:12.379 Can any. 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.159 Can any two. 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:13.860 Walk together. 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:15.220 Unless they are agreed. 00:16:15.700 --> 00:16:16.560 It's not going to happen. 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.680 We follow it. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.300 With people. 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.060 And we can't follow it. 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.440 With people. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:22.340 We go our separate ways. 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:22.740 That's. 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.940 The end of a relationship. 00:16:24.060 --> 00:16:24.840 We can no longer. 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:25.620 Walk together. 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.500 They cease to be a friend. 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.980 That's something. 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:30.580 Of what Amos. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.300 Is referring to. 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.419 With regard to the people. 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:32.879 Of God. 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:34.560 They have turned their backs. 00:16:34.560 --> 00:16:35.139 Upon him. 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:37.039 And he is no longer. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.379 With them. 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.879 Can two walk together. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.759 Unless they agree. 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:40.620 No. 00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.700 It is impossible. 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:44.300 We think back. 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:45.140 To the book of Genesis. 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:45.759 And we. 00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:46.900 Read about Enoch. 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:47.160 Who. 00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:48.900 Walked with God. 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.780 And. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:51.900 Was not. 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:53.680 Because God. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.800 Took him. 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.520 Here are the two. 00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.200 Options. 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:00.860 We have. 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:02.020 The children of Israel. 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:03.480 Not walking with God. 00:17:03.660 --> 00:17:05.220 Because they have disagreed with God. 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:06.480 And God has turned his back. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.039 Upon them. 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:08.299 We have Enoch. 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.319 Walking with God. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.859 He is the friend of God. 00:17:10.899 --> 00:17:11.779 As Abraham was. 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:13.059 And because of that. 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.439 He walks on his way. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:15.639 To be with God forever. 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.599 Walking. 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.679 In the light. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.200 As he is. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:20.740 In. 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:22.439 The light. 00:17:24.460 --> 00:17:25.299 Not such. 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:25.980 A challenge. 00:17:27.679 --> 00:17:28.960 Jesus speaks about. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:32.599 If you abide in my word. 00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:35.200 If you abide in my love. 00:17:35.200 --> 00:17:37.920 If you abide in the truth. 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:41.120 If you make it your living. 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:44.180 And if you make it your home. 00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:47.420 To abide in my love. 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.279 And in my truth. 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.160 And in my commands. 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:52.160 Then you will be my people. 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:56.460 It's all about consistency of life. 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:57.299 And of lifestyle. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:01.360 A life that is consistent with the word of God. 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:04.039 A life that is filled. 00:18:04.459 --> 00:18:05.459 With a sense of. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:07.759 Arriving upon God. 00:18:09.159 --> 00:18:10.959 And a sense of. 00:18:12.459 --> 00:18:12.979 Recognizing. 00:18:13.939 --> 00:18:15.219 Our great need of God. 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.500 It's a. 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.579 Relationship. 00:18:17.699 --> 00:18:18.379 Walking within. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.139 With him. 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:19.559 Where we. 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:21.599 Discover all that it means. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:23.139 To be the children of God. 00:18:23.979 --> 00:18:24.699 And as we. 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:25.899 Think of. 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.359 All that it means. 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.740 And it means so much. 00:18:29.439 --> 00:18:30.899 There are two things in particular. 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:32.819 That I want to think about. 00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:34.179 And that is. 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:34.899 First of all. 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.199 What we have here. 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.799 The blood of Jesus. 00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.000 And cleanses. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:40.259 From all sin. 00:18:41.719 --> 00:18:43.699 And there is no greater joy. 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:46.359 Than to know that my sins are forgiven. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:49.399 And as I walk with God. 00:18:50.379 --> 00:18:51.919 And discover my sin. 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.819 Which is always with me. 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:55.219 As I say I discovered. 00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:57.719 And to discover the forgiveness of God. 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.159 Then. 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.619 There is my joy. 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:03.339 And no matter what else is true. 00:19:03.419 --> 00:19:04.819 What else is happening around me. 00:19:05.359 --> 00:19:07.819 If I have the joy of my sins being forgiven. 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:12.539 I'm surprised by joy every day. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.799 And I'm filled with a sense. 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:16.619 The great love of God. 00:19:16.699 --> 00:19:18.019 And of the grace of God. 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.099 There is. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:22.339 That joy that comes. 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.119 From knowing. 00:19:24.699 --> 00:19:25.179 Ongoing. 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.099 Forgiveness. 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.099 Ongoing. 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:28.099 Ongoing. 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:28.679 And along with that. 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.519 There is. 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:34.919 The joy that fuels my desire to serve. 00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:38.079 That's what happened to Isaiah. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:41.059 Whom shall I send? 00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:42.279 He says to Isaiah. 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.619 Who will go for us? 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.359 The instant response. 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:48.159 Here am I. 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:49.960 Send me. 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.000 Send me. 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.600 And we see that. 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:52.960 Therefore. 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.240 What. 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.200 Communion with God. 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:58.640 In its living lively sense. 00:19:59.640 --> 00:20:01.440 In the depths of our everyday experience. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.000 Can do for us. 00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:05.400 Can transform our. 00:20:05.800 --> 00:20:06.940 Personal experience. 00:20:07.800 --> 00:20:08.800 Can fill us with. 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:09.400 With. 00:20:09.920 --> 00:20:11.440 Ongoing joy in the Lord. 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:13.320 And can. 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.620 Fuel us. 00:20:15.059 --> 00:20:16.120 With a real desire. 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:18.360 To serve God. 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:21.580 And how much that would. 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:23.539 Transform our own lives. 00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.920 We all want. 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.180 Joy. 00:20:27.720 --> 00:20:28.140 In the Lord. 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:30.680 We all want. 00:20:30.860 --> 00:20:32.340 To serve the Lord. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:36.600 When we want to serve the Lord. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.039 We find so many. 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.220 Excuses. 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.240 As to why we cannot. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.940 But when we have. 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:43.980 Communion with God. 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.660 And know the joy of. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.660 Forgiveness with God. 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.660 And peace with God. 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:49.460 The excuses vanish. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.539 And. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.320 The call to serve the Lord. 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.980 Becomes something. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:55.640 That's. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.320 Not only. 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.440 Persuasive. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.920 It's. 00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.080 Irresistible. 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.220 And I can't do nothing else. 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.519 And if tonight. 00:21:04.600 --> 00:21:05.620 For all of us. 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.680 If we. 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.820 Came into. 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:08.720 This. 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.519 Arena. 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.200 Environment. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.660 Of. 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.700 Walking with God. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.240 In this way. 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.060 How much. 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.360 It would. 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.279 Transform us. 00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:15.980 Individually. 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.519 And personally. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.080 And how much. 00:21:19.140 --> 00:21:19.400 It would. 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.759 Impact upon. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.680 The work of the gospel. 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.860 In our desire to serve. 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.779 And how much. 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.800 It would impact upon. 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:27.920 The community. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.700 Around us. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:29.640 And sensing. 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.380 That here. 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.100 Are a people. 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:34.140 Who walk with God. 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.519 Who have come. 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.619 From that walk. 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.420 And to go. 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:40.460 And to serve. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.180 And to shine. 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.279 As lights. 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.660 For him. 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:49.740 John Piper. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.740 Has written a book. 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.700 About 21. 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.339 People. 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:53.740 Who. 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.039 Had joy. 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.660 In their lives. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.400 And he follows. 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.160 The story. 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:57.960 Of different people. 00:21:58.100 --> 00:21:59.460 And he comes. 00:21:59.580 --> 00:21:59.900 To the. 00:22:00.720 --> 00:22:02.080 Story of John Owen. 00:22:03.100 --> 00:22:03.960 And he speaks. 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.500 About the way. 00:22:04.560 --> 00:22:04.880 In which. 00:22:05.540 --> 00:22:06.759 He had great joy. 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.440 In the Lord. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:09.220 And this is what he says. 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.920 About John Owen. 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.759 John Owen. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:13.140 Was very intentional. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.340 About his. 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:15.259 Commune with God. 00:22:16.360 --> 00:22:16.759 He said. 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.960 Friendship is most. 00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:18.540 Maintained. 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:19.500 And kept. 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.220 By visits. 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.600 And these. 00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.420 The more free. 00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.600 And less occasioned. 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.220 By urgent business. 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.559 In other words. 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:27.779 In the midst. 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:28.839 Of all this. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.360 Academic. 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.240 Political. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.480 And ecclesiastical. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.759 Labour. 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:33.559 He made many visits. 00:22:33.559 --> 00:22:34.640 To his friend. 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.579 Jesus Christ. 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:37.319 And when he went. 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.019 He didn't just go. 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:39.819 With petitions. 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.620 For things. 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:42.519 Or even for deliverance. 00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.740 In his many hardships. 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:45.460 He went to see. 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.559 His glorious friend. 00:22:47.299 --> 00:22:48.740 And to contemplate. 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:49.720 His greatness. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:53.259 There are so many. 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:54.059 Letters to be learned. 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:54.420 From that. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.120 As we close. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.740 And one of them. 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.860 Is to ask the question. 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.319 How much. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.220 Do we see Jesus. 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.740 As a real friend. 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.500 To see. 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.259 The kind of friend. 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:07.500 That. 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.779 We can live without. 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.620 And make contact. 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.360 With him occasionally. 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:10.680 To. 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.819 To kind of loosely. 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.960 Maintain that friendship. 00:23:14.299 --> 00:23:15.640 Or is he a friend. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.400 That we must. 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.600 See and hear. 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.440 And speak with. 00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.519 Every day. 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:21.900 It's a simple. 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:22.820 Practical thing. 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.480 In our everyday lives. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:25.900 We have. 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.700 Variety. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.759 A variety of friends. 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:28.640 And. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:29.880 Some closer than others. 00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.519 And because. 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:31.900 Of. 00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:32.480 That. 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.480 That variety. 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:35.259 We don't. 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:36.120 Have the same. 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.920 Regular contact. 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:38.039 With all of them. 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.880 Some are more special. 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.279 Than others. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.840 Where is Jesus. 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.759 As a friend. 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.259 Tonight. 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:45.160 How close is he. 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.240 And must we. 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.980 Talk with him. 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:48.980 And listen to him. 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.819 Every day of our lives. 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.240 And the second thing is. 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.099 What is it. 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.900 That sends us. 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:57.460 To Jesus. 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.339 John Piper. 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.539 Makes the distinction. 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:03.099 Between. 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.500 Going to Jesus. 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:05.799 Because he's my friend. 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.559 Or. 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:07.959 Because. 00:24:07.959 --> 00:24:09.000 Going to Jesus. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.339 Because I'm in a crisis. 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:13.459 And I speak to myself. 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.079 And I say. 00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:15.259 I wonder. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:16.980 Is it the case. 00:24:18.119 --> 00:24:19.359 That we go to Jesus. 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:20.519 When we're in a crisis. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:23.279 And we really go to him. 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:23.759 Because. 00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.680 We want to hear. 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.839 And talk with our friend. 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.099 And for sure. 00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:28.759 That the crisis. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.740 Will push us. 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.639 And God. 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.460 Works like that. 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:32.619 To. 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.900 To awaken us. 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.960 And to drive us. 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:36.460 Back to the Lord. 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.480 The crisis. 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.319 Does that. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:38.700 And God. 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:39.279 Sends him. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.220 For a purpose. 00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:43.599 But as we close. 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:46.059 Let's think about that. 00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:47.139 As we journey on. 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:49.019 Seeking communion with God. 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.339 Seeking Christian. 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:50.779 Joy. 00:24:51.419 --> 00:24:51.819 Seeking. 00:24:52.819 --> 00:24:54.000 To serve the Lord. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.279 What is it. 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.279 That sends me to Jesus. 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.119 Is it. 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:00.799 Because. 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.459 He truly is my friend. 00:25:03.639 --> 00:25:05.139 And when I have no sense of need. 00:25:05.699 --> 00:25:07.039 I want to speak to my friend. 00:25:07.699 --> 00:25:08.359 Every day. 00:25:09.059 --> 00:25:10.220 To keep the relationship. 00:25:11.199 --> 00:25:11.599 Warm. 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:12.639 And ongoing. 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.259 And living. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.339 What is it. 00:25:15.599 --> 00:25:16.779 I can live without him. 00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.839 Until the crisis comes. 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:21.679 And in that kind of situation. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.759 There is a drifting. 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:25.720 That. 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:27.019 Can only be. 00:25:27.459 --> 00:25:27.939 Reversed. 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.539 And rescued. 00:25:29.220 --> 00:25:29.459 By. 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.439 Many of the things. 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.539 That John goes on to say. 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:32.339 In this passage. 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.639 Let's ensure that. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:36.720 We don't let our lives drift. 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.959 Let's ensure that we. 00:25:39.419 --> 00:25:40.220 Walk in the light. 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:42.559 Rediscover our joy. 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.680 And keep our joy. 00:25:44.680 --> 00:25:46.079 And let's ensure that. 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:48.140 The kind of friend we have in Jesus. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.180 Is one. 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:51.019 That we cannot live without. 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.319 Every moment. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.600 Of every day. 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:55.700 And every day of our lives. 00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:57.059 May God bless these. 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.380 Thoughts to us. 00:25:59.080 --> 00:26:00.600 We are never going to sing. 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:02.080 In Psalm N climbing 51. 00:26:02.280 --> 00:26:03.240 At version number 7. 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:05.240 you