WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.040 All right. 00:00:03.379 --> 00:00:08.040 Last time I was up here, I was talking about Samson and Delilah 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:11.960 and interracial relationships, and that was a lot of fun. 00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:15.919 Jason remembers. 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:18.800 My name is Jeremy. 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:21.820 It's a pleasure to speak with you guys this morning. 00:00:21.820 --> 00:00:24.920 And as I've been preparing and thinking about discipleship, 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:27.140 it's just been a reminder for me, too, 00:00:27.140 --> 00:00:32.299 because it's not so much me teaching you and talking at you, 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:35.679 but, wow, it's been a reflection time for me to think about, 00:00:35.799 --> 00:00:38.079 what is God teaching me? 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:39.780 Because I don't want to be a hypocrite. 00:00:39.980 --> 00:00:43.219 I don't think anyone here wants to be a hypocrite. 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:46.320 And even thinking about, God, what are you teaching me 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:53.439 as I look at this amazing passage about being a disciple and abiding in you? 00:00:53.439 --> 00:00:58.920 So we're continuing a series, if you've been around the last couple weeks, 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:03.780 a series on a healthy church and what does that actually look like. 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:07.859 And Eric spoke about membership and community a couple weeks ago. 00:01:07.959 --> 00:01:10.659 Last week, Chris spoke about prayer. 00:01:11.620 --> 00:01:14.459 And today we're going to look at discipleship and growth, 00:01:14.579 --> 00:01:18.500 which is really something central to the family of God. 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:23.739 Because if you are a Christian here today, you're also a disciple. 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:26.859 If you're not a Christian today, well, 00:01:27.980 --> 00:01:32.640 Jesus is actually calling you to follow him and also be a disciple. 00:01:32.780 --> 00:01:36.480 So this is a central aspect of what it means to be a church. 00:01:36.599 --> 00:01:39.519 And when I say the word discipleship, 00:01:39.620 --> 00:01:43.180 I think each of you may have different thoughts about what it means. 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:44.840 If you're not a Christian, 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:48.079 I don't know how often you actually think about that word disciple. 00:01:48.439 --> 00:01:52.400 I don't think we think about that too often in the workplace and outside. 00:01:52.640 --> 00:01:55.640 And if you're raised in a church like me, 00:01:56.600 --> 00:02:01.640 the first thing that came to my mind was some kind of discipleship course 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:04.060 that you take, you learn about the Bible 00:02:04.060 --> 00:02:06.400 and what it means to live as a Christian. 00:02:07.540 --> 00:02:12.039 Now, a class about the subject of discipleship can be a really good thing. 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:13.300 It can obviously be useful, 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:16.460 but I want to stress from the very beginning today 00:02:16.460 --> 00:02:20.560 that when we look at what Jesus said in that passage we read together, 00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:24.960 it's clear that it has something to do with abiding in him. 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:29.980 It's something to do about bearing fruit for God. 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:33.480 So while there must be some aspect of knowledge, 00:02:33.580 --> 00:02:35.900 obviously, in this process of discipleship, 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:40.159 I think it's really clear from this abiding and this bearing fruit 00:02:40.159 --> 00:02:44.400 that it's so much more than just going through a discipleship course 00:02:44.400 --> 00:02:48.740 that you can just sit through in a few lectures or something like that. 00:02:49.960 --> 00:02:51.439 So we start with the basics. 00:02:51.900 --> 00:02:54.520 And I think discipleship is simply this process, 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:57.740 this journey that we talk about in Watermark all the time 00:02:57.740 --> 00:02:59.939 of being a disciple. 00:02:59.939 --> 00:03:05.219 And I think by definition, a disciple is relational. 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:10.500 You can't be a disciple kind of just on your own in a room by yourself. 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:15.000 Because a disciple, what, he always has a teacher. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:20.620 A disciple has a teacher, and there's a relational concept there. 00:03:20.620 --> 00:03:23.599 In Luke 6, Jesus says this, 00:03:23.700 --> 00:03:26.680 A disciple is not above his teacher, 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:31.060 but everyone, when he is fully trained, 00:03:31.480 --> 00:03:33.000 will be like his teacher. 00:03:34.140 --> 00:03:36.759 So in a nutshell, we can see that discipleship 00:03:36.759 --> 00:03:39.719 is the process in which a disciple 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:43.460 becomes like the one who is teaching him. 00:03:45.520 --> 00:03:49.599 When I was a kid, maybe around grade one, 00:03:49.599 --> 00:03:51.219 primary school, elementary school, 00:03:51.299 --> 00:03:53.739 depending on where you're from, or year one, 00:03:53.859 --> 00:03:54.759 we lived in the U.S. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:57.479 And my dad became the interim pastor 00:03:57.479 --> 00:04:00.000 of the church that we were a part of. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:03.159 And being a little more of a, I guess, 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:05.159 more of a traditional conservative culture, 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:07.459 he had to wear a suit when he preached, 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:08.659 and he went up to the pulpit, 00:04:08.799 --> 00:04:11.299 and obviously as a little kid I saw him do that. 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:15.379 And I guess for the story, if I remember correctly, 00:04:15.459 --> 00:04:17.560 the details are like one day I think I just decided 00:04:17.560 --> 00:04:20.600 I wanted to put on this little suit that I had 00:04:20.600 --> 00:04:21.420 for whatever reason. 00:04:22.180 --> 00:04:24.740 And I presume at grade one I asked my mom 00:04:24.740 --> 00:04:25.560 if I could wear it. 00:04:26.060 --> 00:04:27.879 And obviously I dressed up in this little suit 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:28.839 and I went to service. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:32.220 And after the service had ended and my dad had preached, 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:34.139 I remember I ran up to the pulpit, 00:04:35.079 --> 00:04:36.800 and it was a proper pulpit, 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:38.040 not just like a music stand here. 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:39.240 And I think being in that culture, 00:04:39.340 --> 00:04:41.160 it was a little more of a big deal 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:44.519 because what is this kid doing running up to the stage? 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:47.439 And I think at that age I was probably more like this. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:49.919 So people were asking me, 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:50.339 what are you doing? 00:04:50.379 --> 00:04:52.019 And I think I really quite calmly said, 00:04:52.839 --> 00:04:53.399 like chill. 00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:54.919 Well, maybe not literally chill, 00:04:55.019 --> 00:04:59.399 but like I just want to see what it's like to be my dad 00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:01.339 at this pulpit, 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:04.039 talking and kind of looking out. 00:05:05.219 --> 00:05:06.740 And that story came to mind 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:09.579 because I think when I was a child, 00:05:09.699 --> 00:05:11.019 my dad was my teacher. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:12.799 I saw him that way. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:13.960 He was my role model. 00:05:14.540 --> 00:05:15.480 I followed him. 00:05:15.540 --> 00:05:16.439 I looked up to him. 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:20.000 I wanted to be like him, even. 00:05:21.340 --> 00:05:23.340 And so what does a disciple look like? 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:27.480 Inevitably, the disciple looks like the teacher 00:05:27.480 --> 00:05:29.900 that he or she is following. 00:05:31.400 --> 00:05:34.500 I think this is where it gets really interesting 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:36.379 because I guarantee you, 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:39.639 guarantee you that every single one of us here 00:05:39.639 --> 00:05:40.300 is a disciple. 00:05:41.300 --> 00:05:42.439 Every single one of us. 00:05:43.120 --> 00:05:44.579 And why do I know that? 00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:47.720 Well, you may not consider yourself as a disciple. 00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:52.560 You may not kind of describe or style yourself as a disciple. 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:55.480 But your thoughts and your actions 00:05:55.480 --> 00:05:57.560 will always speak more clearly 00:05:57.560 --> 00:06:00.100 than the titles you give yourself. 00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:01.879 And I think the reality is this. 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:05.420 I don't think a person can live in society 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:07.519 and live in a place 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:11.560 without being a disciple of someone or something. 00:06:13.399 --> 00:06:15.040 Think about this for a second. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:16.300 Think about the people, 00:06:17.100 --> 00:06:17.819 the trends, 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:21.040 the ideas that have shaped your worldview, 00:06:21.240 --> 00:06:22.579 that have shaped your values, 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:24.420 that have shaped your goals, 00:06:24.420 --> 00:06:26.240 whether it's throughout your upbringing 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:28.540 or today. 00:06:29.340 --> 00:06:30.680 As a disciple, 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:32.540 your teacher may be your parents, 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:36.300 like I alluded to in that story with my dad, 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:38.200 or it could be your professors and your teachers 00:06:38.780 --> 00:06:39.759 if you're in school. 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:43.219 It could be your colleagues, 00:06:44.000 --> 00:06:44.740 your friends, 00:06:45.699 --> 00:06:46.420 BuzzFeed, 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:48.079 if you're an internet junkie, 00:06:48.219 --> 00:06:48.379 you know, 00:06:48.439 --> 00:06:49.459 you're always on that, 00:06:49.539 --> 00:06:50.680 looking at those lists, 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:53.199 and it's kind of discipling you. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:54.819 The people you follow on Twitter, 00:06:55.599 --> 00:06:56.099 Instagram, 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:58.539 if you're social media savvy. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:00.219 Celebrities. 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:02.079 Who doesn't love a good celebrity? 00:07:02.079 --> 00:07:06.620 Who is a celebrity that they follow? 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:08.240 You can just throw out a name. 00:07:08.699 --> 00:07:09.459 No one will judge you. 00:07:12.359 --> 00:07:13.159 Come on. 00:07:14.659 --> 00:07:15.659 Just one person. 00:07:17.479 --> 00:07:18.279 Tom Cruise. 00:07:18.479 --> 00:07:18.959 Excellence. 00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:20.919 Bastion of Scientology. 00:07:25.079 --> 00:07:26.039 Actually, I'll be honest, 00:07:26.120 --> 00:07:26.699 the first person, 00:07:26.799 --> 00:07:27.419 I don't know why, 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:27.939 don't judge me, 00:07:27.979 --> 00:07:28.919 the first person I thought about 00:07:28.919 --> 00:07:29.860 was Miley Cyrus. 00:07:30.459 --> 00:07:31.419 And I don't know why, 00:07:31.420 --> 00:07:32.960 because I think I just kind of saw her 00:07:32.960 --> 00:07:33.800 growing up in like, 00:07:33.819 --> 00:07:34.780 I think it's the Disney Club 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:35.660 or whatever it is, 00:07:35.699 --> 00:07:36.939 and then she kind of 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:38.900 went off the rails or whatnot. 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:41.800 And there's also, 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:43.000 okay, going back to this, 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:43.600 this endless, 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:44.879 I think this will really hit home. 00:07:44.960 --> 00:07:47.000 There's an endless list of experts 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:48.980 in Hong Kong and the world 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:51.439 that are always vying for our attention. 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:53.920 You have experts from, 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:55.120 I don't know, 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:59.180 astrology and aerobics 00:07:59.180 --> 00:07:59.960 to parenting 00:07:59.960 --> 00:08:01.280 all the way to zoology. 00:08:02.400 --> 00:08:03.340 And these experts, 00:08:03.460 --> 00:08:04.199 we look to them 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:06.240 and we look to their advice 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:06.920 and their wisdom. 00:08:07.379 --> 00:08:08.100 Now, let me be clear, 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:09.040 I'm not saying 00:08:09.040 --> 00:08:11.160 that we should disregard these people. 00:08:11.340 --> 00:08:11.759 We're not saying 00:08:11.759 --> 00:08:13.379 we can't learn from these sources, 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:14.939 but these things, 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:16.879 these things can be very practical 00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:17.960 and very beneficial. 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:19.139 So don't get me wrong there. 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:20.420 I think we can really learn 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:21.340 from these people. 00:08:23.080 --> 00:08:23.480 Absolutely. 00:08:23.700 --> 00:08:25.220 Well, I don't know about Miley Cyrus. 00:08:25.439 --> 00:08:26.379 I don't know what I can learn 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:28.000 from her. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.180 Actually, I think we can, 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:29.680 honestly, 00:08:29.779 --> 00:08:30.300 even her. 00:08:31.000 --> 00:08:32.240 And here's an aside. 00:08:32.759 --> 00:08:34.159 If you're following a celebrity, 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:35.360 I was just thinking about this 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:35.799 the other day, 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:36.799 do you, 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:39.279 do you actually think about 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.179 their personal life, 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:41.019 like Tom Cruise 00:08:41.019 --> 00:08:42.299 or Miley Cyrus or whoever? 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.079 Like when I'm listening 00:08:44.079 --> 00:08:44.699 to that music, 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:46.100 when I'm enjoying that movie, 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:47.819 am I also praying 00:08:47.819 --> 00:08:48.879 for this person 00:08:48.879 --> 00:08:49.679 that I'm following, 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:50.919 that I'm following, 00:08:51.159 --> 00:08:52.620 that I'm appreciating? 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:54.079 Or are they just 00:08:54.079 --> 00:08:55.039 some kind of commodity? 00:08:55.179 --> 00:08:55.759 So that was just, 00:08:55.819 --> 00:08:56.740 that was just an aside, 00:08:56.899 --> 00:08:58.360 but think about that. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:08:59.620 And I think even Miley Cyrus, 00:08:59.720 --> 00:09:01.100 we can learn from her 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:03.000 and we can pray for her. 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:04.720 So all these things 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:05.559 are good things. 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:07.100 We can learn from them, 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:08.659 we can appreciate them, 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:09.919 we can get wisdom from them, 00:09:09.960 --> 00:09:11.620 but if we're disciples 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:12.820 of these things, 00:09:13.320 --> 00:09:14.139 of these people, 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:15.720 we're actually modeling 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:17.340 our lives after them. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:18.759 We're actually 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:20.940 kind of developing 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:22.080 these identities 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:24.299 to become more like them. 00:09:25.240 --> 00:09:26.419 And I think if we're honest 00:09:26.419 --> 00:09:27.120 with ourselves, 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:28.620 every single one of us 00:09:28.620 --> 00:09:30.000 here is yearning 00:09:30.000 --> 00:09:31.139 and searching 00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:32.480 for a teacher 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.340 to show us how to live 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:34.820 in the way 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:35.779 that we're meant to live. 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:37.340 And guys, 00:09:37.419 --> 00:09:38.419 the scary thing for me 00:09:38.419 --> 00:09:39.340 is I've realized 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:40.139 over the years 00:09:40.139 --> 00:09:42.399 that I think subconsciously 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:45.019 I've been a disciple 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:46.159 of many different things, 00:09:46.320 --> 00:09:47.340 many different trends 00:09:47.340 --> 00:09:48.419 and people, 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:51.200 people that I thought 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:51.980 would teach me, 00:09:52.159 --> 00:09:52.879 things that I thought 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:53.639 would teach me 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:55.159 the right way to live. 00:09:56.700 --> 00:09:57.659 But Jesus comes 00:09:57.659 --> 00:09:58.639 into the picture here 00:09:58.639 --> 00:09:59.740 and he says now, 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:00.720 he says, 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:02.419 I am the way, 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.340 I am the truth, 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:05.399 and I am the life. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:07.240 No one comes 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:07.980 to the Father 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:09.740 but through me. 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:12.480 And I think 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.620 for the first time 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:15.159 and maybe the only time 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:15.720 in history, 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:18.480 the teacher isn't 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:19.539 just offering you 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.600 a set of principles 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:21.600 to live by 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:23.740 or a nice product 00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:24.460 that you put on 00:10:24.460 --> 00:10:25.379 before you go to bed 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:27.500 or 20 minutes 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:28.120 of activity 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:29.100 that you need to do 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:29.720 to get right. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:32.779 The teacher 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:34.700 is offering himself, 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:37.500 his own life 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:39.040 as a substitute 00:10:39.040 --> 00:10:40.639 for mine and yours. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.440 We don't need 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:44.320 a better way to live. 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.720 We're actually helpless. 00:10:47.060 --> 00:10:47.620 We need, 00:10:47.860 --> 00:10:51.159 we need this relationship. 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:52.480 We need this Savior, 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:53.040 Jesus, 00:10:53.180 --> 00:10:54.379 who can bring us back 00:10:54.379 --> 00:10:55.800 into a relationship 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:56.859 with our Creator. 00:10:58.419 --> 00:10:59.579 We were created 00:10:59.579 --> 00:11:00.579 to love God 00:11:00.579 --> 00:11:01.979 and to glorify Him 00:11:01.979 --> 00:11:02.620 and Jesus 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:04.819 is the only teacher 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:06.299 who can empower us 00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:06.939 to do that. 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:08.159 He's actually 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:09.079 the only teacher 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:11.299 worth being a disciple of. 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:13.419 Friends, 00:11:13.579 --> 00:11:14.659 that's the gospel, 00:11:15.379 --> 00:11:15.819 basically. 00:11:16.299 --> 00:11:17.339 That's the good news 00:11:17.339 --> 00:11:18.439 that allows us 00:11:18.439 --> 00:11:19.539 to be disciples 00:11:19.539 --> 00:11:20.299 of Jesus. 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:20.479 Jesus. 00:11:22.479 --> 00:11:23.199 And so a disciple 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:23.959 of Jesus, 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.120 a disciple of Jesus, 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:26.199 not just any disciple, 00:11:26.359 --> 00:11:27.359 a disciple of Jesus 00:11:27.359 --> 00:11:28.319 is actually 00:11:28.319 --> 00:11:29.879 someone whose 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:31.199 entire life, 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:32.579 every detail, 00:11:32.859 --> 00:11:33.819 every minutia, 00:11:34.479 --> 00:11:35.379 every aspect 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:36.319 of your life 00:11:36.319 --> 00:11:37.019 is being 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:38.719 radically transformed 00:11:38.719 --> 00:11:39.859 by the gospel. 00:11:40.479 --> 00:11:41.240 The disciple's 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:41.959 relationship 00:11:41.959 --> 00:11:42.779 with God 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:43.979 and this 00:11:43.979 --> 00:11:45.319 unconditional love 00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:45.959 that this 00:11:45.959 --> 00:11:46.919 Heavenly Father gives, 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:48.399 that is what shapes 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:49.419 the entire 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:50.339 disciple's life. 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:52.759 Of course, 00:11:52.819 --> 00:11:53.299 the natural 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:54.179 follow-up question 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:54.699 you might have 00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:54.939 to this, 00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:55.120 well, 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:56.199 then what does it 00:11:56.199 --> 00:11:57.919 actually look like 00:11:57.919 --> 00:11:59.620 to be a disciple 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:00.299 of Christ? 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:01.839 What are these marks 00:12:01.839 --> 00:12:02.579 or the mark 00:12:02.579 --> 00:12:03.299 of being 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:04.319 a disciple? 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:07.399 That's what Jesus 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.299 is talking about 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:09.199 in verse 5 00:12:09.199 --> 00:12:10.899 when He says, 00:12:10.899 --> 00:12:12.620 I am the vine, 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:14.459 you are the branches. 00:12:15.199 --> 00:12:16.340 He who abides 00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:16.860 in me 00:12:16.860 --> 00:12:18.139 and I in him, 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:19.879 he bears much fruit 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:21.559 for apart from me 00:12:21.559 --> 00:12:22.340 you can do nothing. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.220 And in verse 8, 00:12:23.840 --> 00:12:25.360 my Father is glorified 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:25.860 by this 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:26.480 that you bear 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.079 much fruit 00:12:27.079 --> 00:12:28.000 and so prove 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.360 to be my disciples. 00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:31.559 There it is. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.759 The evidence 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.459 of being 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:35.199 a disciple 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:35.779 of Jesus 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:36.779 is to bear 00:12:36.779 --> 00:12:37.480 fruit 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.699 for God's glory. 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:40.700 And I've been 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.340 studying this 00:12:41.340 --> 00:12:42.259 and as I've been 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:42.960 looking at this 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:43.920 imagery of fruit, 00:12:44.040 --> 00:12:45.420 it's really helped me 00:12:45.420 --> 00:12:47.379 to honestly 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:48.700 appreciate fruit more 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.080 because I mean, 00:12:49.180 --> 00:12:51.220 I enjoy fruit generally. 00:12:51.420 --> 00:12:52.200 It's generally sweet 00:12:52.200 --> 00:12:53.360 and juicy 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:53.980 and stuff 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:55.180 but I'm really more 00:12:55.180 --> 00:12:56.120 of like a meat guy 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:58.320 and beef, 00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:59.060 chicken, 00:12:59.460 --> 00:12:59.900 pork, 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:00.800 lamb, 00:13:01.660 --> 00:13:01.780 yeah, 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:02.400 those are all meat 00:13:02.400 --> 00:13:03.440 so whatever kind 00:13:03.440 --> 00:13:04.100 of meat you want 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.320 and pasta, 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:05.960 noodles, 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:06.780 carbs, 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:07.360 you know, 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:07.759 good, 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.639 good Asian there, 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:10.539 I love my rice. 00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.639 And fruit's okay. 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:14.419 I like it 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:15.759 but it's kind of 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.319 almost more 00:13:16.319 --> 00:13:17.600 on the vegetable category. 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:18.679 It's more just like, 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:18.919 okay, 00:13:18.980 --> 00:13:19.480 I'll eat it 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:20.019 because I know 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.580 it's healthy 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:22.679 unless it's mixed 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:24.059 into like frozen yogurt 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:24.879 or ice cream 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.980 and that's wonderful 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.100 but as I've been looking 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:28.019 at this fruit analogy 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.460 a bit more, 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.679 I think we can actually 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:30.919 see that it really 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:31.879 teaches us 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:33.259 a lot of things 00:13:33.259 --> 00:13:33.899 and I don't think 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.559 it's a mistake 00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.299 that God used 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:35.879 fruitfulness 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:37.319 as this image. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:39.039 Have you ever thought 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:39.779 about the fact 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:41.059 that bearing fruit, 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:42.419 if you're a branch, 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.139 you bear fruit, 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:43.740 it's actually 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:44.639 exclusively 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:46.799 to feed other people? 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.419 Because if you're 00:13:48.419 --> 00:13:49.259 a branch right here, 00:13:49.340 --> 00:13:49.980 you don't eat 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:50.639 your own fruit, 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:51.700 right? 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.379 You don't bear fruit 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.879 because you just 00:13:54.879 --> 00:13:57.019 want to look nice 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:57.379 or whatever. 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.259 The fruit's for eating. 00:13:58.960 --> 00:13:59.620 Ask a farmer. 00:14:00.319 --> 00:14:00.700 Ask someone 00:14:00.700 --> 00:14:01.340 who loves fruit. 00:14:01.860 --> 00:14:02.319 Not me, 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:02.919 but ask someone 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:03.539 who loves fruit. 00:14:03.539 --> 00:14:03.620 fruit. 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:05.399 And then, 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.099 have you ever thought 00:14:06.099 --> 00:14:06.719 about the fact 00:14:06.719 --> 00:14:07.839 that fruit is also 00:14:07.839 --> 00:14:08.860 inherently about 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.459 reproduction 00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:11.740 in a botanical sense? 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:15.399 Inside every fruit 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:16.719 or connected to every fruit 00:14:16.719 --> 00:14:17.719 is a seed 00:14:17.719 --> 00:14:18.360 or seeds. 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:20.819 So in that fruit itself 00:14:20.819 --> 00:14:22.379 is the beginning 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:23.459 of new life, 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.339 new disciples 00:14:25.339 --> 00:14:26.639 and that is how 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:27.879 we're also called 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.259 to make new disciples 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:29.740 of Christ. 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:30.539 It's always 00:14:30.539 --> 00:14:31.759 outward focused. 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.899 The fruit's not 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.700 about the branch. 00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:35.679 The fruit doesn't need 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:37.919 to be eaten 00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.700 by the branch. 00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.840 The branch just bears it 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.539 for others. 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:41.559 It's outward focused. 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:42.939 And if we survey 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.700 the New Testament, 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:45.000 you'll actually come across 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.379 all these different examples 00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.200 of spiritual fruit. 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.480 So I hope this gives you 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:48.939 a little bit 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:50.759 of a practical look 00:14:50.759 --> 00:14:52.080 at what we see 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:52.519 in Scripture. 00:14:52.700 --> 00:14:53.419 Romans 1, 00:14:53.539 --> 00:14:54.360 we bear fruit 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:55.379 when we win others 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.000 to Christ. 00:14:56.340 --> 00:14:56.840 When we share 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:57.840 the gospel with them 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:59.700 and God brings them 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.819 into the family of God. 00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.980 John 4, 00:15:02.140 --> 00:15:03.220 there's this idea 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:03.960 that we are all 00:15:03.960 --> 00:15:04.500 as Christians 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.660 part of this harvest. 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.400 The entire church 00:15:07.400 --> 00:15:08.300 is part of this harvest. 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.200 We are actually 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:10.379 living fruit. 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.400 Romans 15, 00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:13.860 Paul actually considers 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:15.080 financial giving. 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.420 He calls that as fruit 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:18.240 when he's being supported 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.840 by these Christians 00:15:19.840 --> 00:15:20.540 who are dedicated 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:22.120 to Christ. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.680 And obviously we know 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:24.580 Galatians 5, 00:15:24.700 --> 00:15:26.080 the fruit of the Spirit. 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:28.880 It's this kind of 00:15:28.880 --> 00:15:29.920 Christian character 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:31.939 that reflects God's glory 00:15:31.939 --> 00:15:32.899 and makes Christ 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:34.099 real to others. 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:35.059 Colossians 1, 00:15:35.579 --> 00:15:36.699 even our good works 00:15:36.699 --> 00:15:37.459 are considered 00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:39.360 to be fruit 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.279 that grows out 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:40.839 of our life. 00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:42.919 And lastly, 00:15:43.079 --> 00:15:44.000 Hebrews 13, 00:15:44.479 --> 00:15:45.879 the praise that comes 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.919 from your lips, 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:47.819 the songs that we 00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:48.439 were just singing, 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.139 the Scripture, 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.279 the prayers, 00:15:50.479 --> 00:15:51.319 the praise that come 00:15:51.319 --> 00:15:51.939 from our lips, 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.159 the Scripture says 00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:54.279 that that is fruit 00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:56.480 for God's glory. 00:15:58.219 --> 00:15:58.879 So let's summarize. 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.700 We see that actually 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:02.740 Jesus comes into our life 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:04.460 to restore our relationship 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:05.759 with our Heavenly Father. 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.460 And as we follow Him, 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:09.600 the mark of a disciple 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:11.320 is to bear fruit 00:16:11.320 --> 00:16:12.860 for God's glory. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:14.259 And we see these examples 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.100 in Scripture. 00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:17.580 But today, 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.960 I'm not too concerned 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:21.299 about kind of really 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:22.139 unpacking those 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.220 specific examples. 00:16:24.059 --> 00:16:24.220 I mean, 00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:24.860 those are important, 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.100 and if you want to talk 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:26.720 about it more, 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.920 I would love to. 00:16:28.800 --> 00:16:29.420 But I think there's 00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:31.580 a deeper issue here 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.899 than those examples 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:33.379 of fruit, 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:34.200 because the more 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.360 foundational issue 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.920 is this. 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:37.659 On the one hand, 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.620 we're brought into 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.779 this loving relationship 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.420 with God. 00:16:41.700 --> 00:16:42.840 On the other hand, 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:44.259 we have this purpose, 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:45.300 this calling, 00:16:45.460 --> 00:16:45.980 this command 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.139 to bear fruit. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.120 So how do we get 00:16:48.120 --> 00:16:50.340 from one to another, 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.960 from A to B? 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:53.280 How do we actually 00:16:53.280 --> 00:16:54.940 bear that fruit? 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:55.160 You know, 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.879 does the branch 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.980 simply say to itself, 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:58.120 grow, you know? 00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:58.840 Apples, 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.120 grow from my branch. 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.639 Durian, 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:02.700 grow from my, 00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:04.240 if you like durian, 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:05.360 grow from my branch. 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.259 No. 00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:06.880 Why? 00:17:06.980 --> 00:17:07.980 Because in the passage, 00:17:08.120 --> 00:17:09.000 what does Jesus say? 00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:11.019 The branch is lifeless 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:12.779 without the vine. 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:15.120 Verse 5, 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.380 we need to abide 00:17:16.380 --> 00:17:17.200 in Jesus, 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.759 who is the true vine. 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:21.879 So abide 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:23.319 is that key word, 00:17:23.420 --> 00:17:24.200 and it's not a word 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:24.900 we commonly use. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:25.240 I don't know 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.019 when's the last time 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.519 you said, 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:28.039 hey, let's abide here. 00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:29.240 I mean, 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.279 if you're kind of like 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.680 in law or something, 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.180 you might think, 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.720 oh, I'm abiding 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.519 by these terms 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.400 and rules or whatever, 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.059 but this is not 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:36.339 abiding by something. 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.740 This word, 00:17:37.839 --> 00:17:38.220 abide, 00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:38.960 actually means, 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.000 it's a little more archaic. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.240 It means to remain, 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:42.599 to stay, 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:43.859 to wait, 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:45.200 to wait for, 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.119 to continue 00:17:46.119 --> 00:17:47.359 in a state 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.640 that you've already been. 00:17:49.420 --> 00:17:49.920 As some of you 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:50.460 may be thinking, 00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:50.680 well, 00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.700 that doesn't seem 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:52.779 very hard to remain. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:54.420 You know, 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:55.379 if we all sat here 00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.640 for the next five hours 00:17:56.640 --> 00:17:58.000 and just kind of 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:59.240 went limp, 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.299 that would very much 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:00.920 be abiding 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.119 in these chairs, 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:02.720 right? 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.359 But then, 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:07.039 after a few hours, 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:08.099 the cyber port staff 00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:09.140 might start coming in, 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.379 and they'll be like, 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:10.599 hey, 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:11.319 we want to pack up 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:11.799 these chairs. 00:18:13.220 --> 00:18:13.900 And then, 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:14.579 some of you might 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.480 start getting bored 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.339 and hungry. 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.059 Some of your kids 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.680 might be wondering, 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.579 where the heck are you? 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:21.099 And they'll be calling you. 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.220 Maybe a more 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.339 realistic example. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:26.980 A lot of you 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.180 have come here 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:29.660 to Hong Kong 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.400 from overseas, 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.279 or you've traveled. 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.579 I'm sure there's many 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:34.279 compelling and interesting 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:35.559 reasons 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:37.400 why God has moved you 00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:39.000 from place to place. 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:41.200 I'm not trying to say 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:42.379 that sitting in this room 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:43.400 is the same 00:18:43.400 --> 00:18:44.259 as being a disciple 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.200 or moving around 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:45.700 is bad, 00:18:46.140 --> 00:18:47.140 but I want to say 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:49.440 that it's actually 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:50.700 not that easy, 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.500 if you think about it, 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.359 to really abide. 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:55.000 Because in this world, 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.000 in this society, 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.079 there's always 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.160 forces 00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:59.819 and influences 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:01.859 that are trying 00:19:01.859 --> 00:19:03.019 to shape your attention, 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.119 that are trying 00:19:04.119 --> 00:19:04.980 to draw you 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:06.059 and pull you 00:19:06.059 --> 00:19:07.480 from one place 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.420 to another. 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.500 They might be good things, 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.360 but they're still 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:11.380 drawing you 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.519 and pulling you. 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:14.300 It's not actually 00:19:14.300 --> 00:19:15.019 that easy 00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:16.480 to stand firm 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:18.200 in this society 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.880 today. 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:20.840 All those teachers 00:19:20.840 --> 00:19:21.960 that we discussed before, 00:19:22.060 --> 00:19:22.740 those experts 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.220 or whatever, 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:23.860 celebrities, 00:19:25.460 --> 00:19:25.940 the people, 00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:26.440 the things 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.220 that you might be 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.100 disciples of, 00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:30.039 they're always there. 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.140 They're always calling, 00:19:31.320 --> 00:19:32.160 always beckoning, 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.019 whether consciously 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:33.420 or subconsciously, 00:19:34.259 --> 00:19:35.300 with promises 00:19:35.300 --> 00:19:36.180 of happiness 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.560 and contentment. 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:40.220 And if you think about it, 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:41.160 abiding in Christ 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.180 isn't just like a chair 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.380 that you plop into 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:44.320 and you just like, 00:19:45.200 --> 00:19:46.000 it's not just like a, 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:47.400 it's not a place per se, 00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.039 it's actually 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.160 a relationship 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:50.300 we have with Jesus 00:19:50.300 --> 00:19:51.840 and our Heavenly Father. 00:19:53.060 --> 00:19:54.400 And as a teacher, 00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:55.380 Jesus actually 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:56.360 has something to say 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.400 about what it means 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.240 to abide 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.300 in this relationship. 00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.860 Verse 10, 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.460 he says, 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:04.240 if you keep 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.100 my commandments, 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:05.960 you will abide 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:06.519 in my love 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.420 just as I have kept 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:08.559 my Father's commandments 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:10.480 and abide in his love. 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.100 I just want to be 00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:13.759 really clear 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.660 with this verse here. 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.799 Jesus is saying that, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.759 he's not saying 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.940 that we earn his love 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:19.100 by keeping his commandments. 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.299 Actually, 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.240 in chapter 14, 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:21.980 the previous chapter, 00:20:22.100 --> 00:20:23.000 Jesus actually says 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.579 that if we love him, 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:26.140 we will obey his commandments. 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.200 That's just very natural. 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.240 When you love somebody, 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.700 you want to obey them. 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.500 God's love for us 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:33.019 is what inspires us 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:34.400 to move back to him, 00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.500 to be moved 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:37.579 to obey him. 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.059 The obedience 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:40.299 is simply a result 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:41.059 of that love 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:41.980 and as we keep 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.619 his commandments, 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:43.960 that obedience 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:45.099 will very naturally 00:20:45.099 --> 00:20:46.339 express itself 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:47.420 and it will help us 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:47.960 to remain 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.960 in his love. 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.779 So what kind of commandments 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:52.099 are we talking about here? 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.599 Let's go to verse 12. 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:55.759 Jesus says, 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:57.839 this is my commandment 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:59.200 that you love one another 00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:01.460 just as I have loved you. 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.839 And there are so many 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.879 fruits of the spirit 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:06.940 and different examples 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.460 of the fruit 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.180 that we've looked at 00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:09.379 but I think it really 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:10.920 boils down to this. 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:14.779 When you look at your life, 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.500 is it marked 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.819 by a supernatural, 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:20.019 unconditional love 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:22.160 for the people around you, 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.980 for the other people? 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:25.180 I'm not talking about 00:21:25.180 --> 00:21:25.940 the people that you 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:27.319 naturally get along with 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:28.299 or people that you're 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.160 going to benefit from. 00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:30.519 I think you don't need 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:32.559 Jesus to tell you 00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.099 that everyone 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:34.640 will naturally love people 00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:35.599 that love them 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.299 and are lovable. 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.440 I'm talking about people 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:41.440 that you don't 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.720 really get along with 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:44.059 that aren't like you at all. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:45.299 I'm talking about people 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:46.440 whose personalities 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:48.240 rub you in the wrong way, 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:50.259 who are different from you. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:52.660 I'm talking about strangers 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:54.059 and maybe even people 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.099 who dislike you. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.240 People that are just 00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:00.339 inherently different from you. 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.640 When you look at the people 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:02.640 in your community groups, 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.960 when you look at the people 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.940 in your church, 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.579 in Watermark Church, 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:08.819 do you see all the people 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:11.140 whom God has called you to love 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:13.299 just like Jesus loves you? 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:17.159 I think sometimes 00:22:17.159 --> 00:22:18.039 we get caught up 00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:19.539 in trying to be good Christians 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:21.039 by thinking 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.339 and saying the right things. 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.000 I know I do. 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:25.019 Having the right doctrines, 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.839 trying to navigate our work 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.700 in a godly manner, 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.319 and I'm saying 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:29.440 all those things 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:30.980 are really good things, 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.759 but if we look at this passage, 00:22:32.919 --> 00:22:34.819 what ultimately defines us 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:36.559 as disciples of Jesus 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.879 is love. 00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:40.599 An obedient love for God 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.399 and others 00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:43.619 so that all of our life decisions 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:45.480 are actually shaped 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.339 by that love. 00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:47.000 Your time, 00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:47.939 your money, 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:49.719 the jobs and careers 00:22:49.719 --> 00:22:50.559 you choose, 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:52.059 the places you move, 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.079 they are actually 00:22:53.079 --> 00:22:54.599 fundamentally grounded 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.319 and shaped 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:57.099 by this love you have 00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:58.359 for God and others. 00:22:59.419 --> 00:23:00.919 It's about continually 00:23:00.919 --> 00:23:02.719 going back to Jesus' love 00:23:02.719 --> 00:23:03.679 and then choosing 00:23:03.679 --> 00:23:05.039 to love others 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.359 even when I don't 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:07.000 feel like it. 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.259 I know it's hard 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.019 to love like that 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:13.019 and I've been thinking 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.920 a lot about 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.720 what hinders me 00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:16.500 from being 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.399 that disciple 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:19.379 that Jesus calls me 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:19.759 to be. 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:22.519 I think I'm relatively 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:24.359 solid in my beliefs 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.200 and my understanding 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.559 of God. 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.659 I think I have a relatively 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:27.460 comfortable 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:30.220 grasp of theology. 00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.019 Some of you might 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.559 beg to differ 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:34.019 and I think I'm 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:35.240 a relatively nice person. 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:36.339 Again, some of you 00:23:36.339 --> 00:23:37.359 may beg to differ 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:39.079 but when I think 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:40.299 about this command, 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.759 not just fluffy, 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.420 I'm nice 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.299 and I like to think 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:44.160 positive thoughts 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.720 about myself, 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.599 when I actually think 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:46.480 about this command 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.940 to love people 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.420 in the way 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.660 that Jesus loves me, 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.720 I am amazed 00:23:50.720 --> 00:23:51.740 at how lukewarm 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.759 my love is. 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.720 Sometimes I don't think 00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.900 I can even call it love 00:23:55.900 --> 00:23:57.200 because I feel like 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:58.019 it kind of cheapens 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.660 that word. 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.160 I struggle with 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.819 loving people 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.240 that are, 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:03.819 honestly, 00:24:03.819 --> 00:24:04.659 I don't find lovable. 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.000 It's so easy 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.519 to love people 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:07.399 that are cute 00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.799 and so easy 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.220 to pick up 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.099 that cute little baby. 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:10.879 You know, 00:24:10.919 --> 00:24:11.720 I'd pick up that baby 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.139 any day 00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:13.319 and give it a big kiss 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:15.419 if Donna lets me. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.179 But what about 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:19.480 the unlovable people? 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.099 What about the people 00:24:21.099 --> 00:24:22.200 that would never make it 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:22.879 onto the cover 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:24.039 of a magazine, 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:25.099 who aren't good looking, 00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:25.960 who aren't charismatic, 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.980 who aren't interesting? 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:31.960 Luke 14. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.880 Jesus has this very 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:35.019 well-known passage, 00:24:35.140 --> 00:24:35.759 I'm sure you've heard 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.140 it before, 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.039 about the cost 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.200 of being a disciple. 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.039 He says, 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:41.460 if anyone comes to me 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.319 and doesn't hate 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.980 his family 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.339 and even his own life, 00:24:44.599 --> 00:24:46.039 he cannot be my disciple. 00:24:46.900 --> 00:24:47.799 Any one of you 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.940 who does not renounce 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.940 all that he has 00:24:49.940 --> 00:24:52.360 cannot be my disciple. 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:52.559 Now, 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.399 is Jesus saying 00:24:54.399 --> 00:24:55.079 that we literally 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:56.319 need to hate our families 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:57.079 to be his disciple? 00:24:57.240 --> 00:24:58.059 Obviously not, 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.779 since that would go 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.740 directly against 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.299 his command to love. 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:03.419 But I think Jesus 00:25:03.419 --> 00:25:05.000 is speaking in hyperbole 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.579 and he's being 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:07.179 so sort of drastic 00:25:07.179 --> 00:25:07.879 and extreme 00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:09.479 because he's saying 00:25:09.479 --> 00:25:11.219 that our love for him 00:25:11.219 --> 00:25:13.500 needs to be so clear 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:15.299 and so absolute 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:16.679 that everything else 00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.959 compared to that, 00:25:18.659 --> 00:25:19.639 it just pales 00:25:19.639 --> 00:25:20.339 in comparison. 00:25:21.459 --> 00:25:22.319 It almost seems like 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:22.700 it's hate 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:24.200 when compared to 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:25.579 our love for Jesus. 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.299 Relationships, 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:29.919 possessions, 00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:30.759 everything, 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.619 it all pales 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.839 in comparison. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.720 And I think he was 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.579 so extreme 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.839 in this teaching 00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:38.059 because he knows, 00:25:38.480 --> 00:25:39.220 Jesus knows 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:39.740 that there are 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:40.859 so many things 00:25:40.859 --> 00:25:41.859 that distract us 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.799 from him. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.200 He knows 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.700 that there are 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.639 so many things 00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:47.720 that stop us 00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.359 from resting 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.220 in his love. 00:25:49.439 --> 00:25:49.899 He knows 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.599 that there are 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.579 so many things 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.740 that we use 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.319 and people 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.980 we use, 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:54.980 things we use 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.720 as excuses 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.240 to not obey 00:25:57.240 --> 00:25:58.339 our Heavenly Father, 00:25:59.299 --> 00:26:01.419 to not trust him. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.960 In this relationship 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.919 with our Heavenly Father, 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.859 we've been called 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:07.460 to keep his commandments. 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.519 Simply stated, 00:26:09.679 --> 00:26:10.759 it's like being obedient 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.419 to your dad. 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:14.300 If you recall 00:26:14.300 --> 00:26:15.759 from last week's sermon, 00:26:16.840 --> 00:26:18.060 Chris talked about 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:18.880 Lord's Prayer, 00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:19.779 and I think it's really 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:21.500 important to continue 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.300 from that, 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:24.100 and it's important 00:26:24.100 --> 00:26:24.800 to kind of build 00:26:24.800 --> 00:26:25.580 on that, 00:26:26.580 --> 00:26:27.360 how we pray 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:28.320 to our Heavenly Father, 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.220 how we see 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:31.340 our Heavenly Father. 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:33.279 We're not talking 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.340 about a sinful, 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:35.300 imperfect 00:26:35.300 --> 00:26:37.000 parent that you might 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.420 have 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:39.519 in your life today. 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.240 We're talking 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.799 about the creator 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.779 of the universe. 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.720 This is God, 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:45.039 your Heavenly Father, 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:46.539 my Heavenly Father 00:26:46.539 --> 00:26:47.740 who loves his children 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.079 unconditionally. 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.680 So when Jesus tells us 00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.599 and commands us 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:53.019 to keep his commandments, 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.559 we have to think 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.759 about it in this context. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.220 Jesus knows 00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.980 that we tend 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.619 to think 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.240 that we've got 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.079 it all figured out. 00:27:02.920 --> 00:27:03.859 Because we're adults 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.400 in here, right? 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:06.740 We've got it figured out. 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:09.440 We put on that facade 00:27:09.440 --> 00:27:10.039 that we know 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:10.579 what we're doing. 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.559 I often say things 00:27:12.559 --> 00:27:13.220 that I've no idea 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.039 what I'm talking about, 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:15.859 but it just sounds eloquent 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:17.839 and makes me look good. 00:27:18.720 --> 00:27:19.500 The truth is, 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.640 if you're looking 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.599 at your Heavenly Father 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.240 and you're trying 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.019 to even imagine 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.839 what he sees 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.680 when he looks at us, 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.000 we're not adults. 00:27:26.680 --> 00:27:27.440 We're children 00:27:27.440 --> 00:27:28.120 in his eyes. 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.720 I was talking 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.180 to a friend 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:32.059 this past week. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:33.980 She works 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.799 as a waitress. 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.659 She's a mother 00:27:35.659 --> 00:27:38.819 of a grown man. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.799 I guess her son's 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:41.559 in his 20s. 00:27:42.319 --> 00:27:42.960 And she was just 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.879 sharing with me 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.559 about some 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.259 of her struggles. 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:48.839 And she knows 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.299 she shouldn't 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:50.379 be doing some things. 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.379 She knows she's 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:52.779 wrestling with some things. 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.460 But she was saying 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:56.659 that she shouldn't 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.940 complain to God. 00:27:59.139 --> 00:27:59.460 She's saying, 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.220 I don't want 00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:01.059 to complain to God 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.139 or be going to Him 00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:02.980 about these things, 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.779 about these struggles. 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.920 Because God 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:06.240 has already done 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.639 so much for her 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:08.960 and for her son. 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.579 And I was listening 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.420 and my heart 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:12.079 was just kind of 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.899 sinking and breaking 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:13.399 a little bit 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.460 because it just 00:28:14.460 --> 00:28:15.279 seemed to me 00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:16.519 like she didn't 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.339 see God 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.539 as her Heavenly Daddy. 00:28:19.819 --> 00:28:20.740 And she didn't 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:21.480 see herself 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:23.220 as His daughter. 00:28:25.559 --> 00:28:26.599 It reminded me 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.500 of our tendencies, 00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.139 I think, 00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.839 as adults. 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.259 And guys, 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:31.759 to be honest, 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:32.539 when it comes 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.480 to discipleship, 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.619 I think all of us 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.319 are actually more 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.799 like kids 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.659 going through puberty. 00:28:38.159 --> 00:28:39.039 Just children 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:40.019 going into that 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.240 awkward adolescence. 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:41.759 You know why? 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.279 Because we are 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.539 experiencing some 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.339 of that freedom 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.559 and that independence. 00:28:47.420 --> 00:28:47.500 You know? 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.059 We've learned 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:48.839 a few things, 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:51.099 but then we think 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:51.700 we actually know 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.059 everything. 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.659 We've learned 00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.599 maybe 1%, 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.279 but somehow 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:56.319 we think that 1% 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:56.920 is everything. 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:58.640 if you have 00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:59.700 preteens or teens 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.019 in here, 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:00.700 you know what 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.440 I'm talking about, 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:01.660 right? 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:03.759 You know that. 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:06.120 We just don't 00:29:06.120 --> 00:29:07.420 really trust our parents. 00:29:08.560 --> 00:29:09.320 That little boy 00:29:09.320 --> 00:29:09.880 who ran up 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.680 into that pulpit 00:29:10.680 --> 00:29:12.200 to be like his dad, 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:13.000 well, he grew up 00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:15.759 and he started 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.460 thinking that he 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:16.900 knew better 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.800 and he had 00:29:17.800 --> 00:29:18.640 gotten past that. 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.600 And in this passage, 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.220 we're not even 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.039 talking about 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.000 an imperfect 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.779 human parent. 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.339 We're talking 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.200 about a relationship 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:26.920 with God, 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:28.279 our Heavenly Father. 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:30.019 So how much more 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.539 can we trust 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:33.019 our Heavenly Father 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:33.920 and his commandments? 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.460 Let's just take 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.299 a moment to reflect 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:40.579 here and just ask 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.299 God to reveal 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:42.519 and be real with him 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.240 because he knows 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.000 anyway. 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:46.319 What's an area 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.399 in your life today 00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:48.180 that you're not 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:48.920 trusting in your 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.539 Heavenly Father? 00:29:51.420 --> 00:29:51.639 You know, 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.660 what's stopping you 00:29:52.660 --> 00:29:53.539 from obeying 00:29:53.539 --> 00:29:55.059 his commandments? 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:58.200 What's hindering you 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:59.960 from truly loving 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.539 the people around you? 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:02.940 Hindering you 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.500 from loving 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:05.059 that unlovable person 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:06.220 in your life? 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:15.619 God wants us 00:30:15.619 --> 00:30:16.599 to see the cross. 00:30:18.119 --> 00:30:19.099 He wants us 00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:19.899 to see how much 00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:20.519 he loves him. 00:30:20.519 --> 00:30:21.519 God wants us 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:23.859 to be a disciple 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.299 of Jesus 00:30:24.299 --> 00:30:25.339 is actually 00:30:25.339 --> 00:30:26.940 pretty simple, 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:27.440 I think. 00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:29.619 We need to go back 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.379 to that cross 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:31.079 every day, 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.680 remembering how much 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.579 God loves us. 00:30:35.339 --> 00:30:36.160 Remember that 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.879 he's already 00:30:36.879 --> 00:30:37.879 shown you 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:39.160 and proved 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.000 to you 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:41.799 that he loves us 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.379 by dying 00:30:42.379 --> 00:30:43.139 in our place. 00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:47.139 When I started 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:47.859 thinking about 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.440 this sermon, 00:30:48.440 --> 00:30:50.340 I was imagining 00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:52.860 the Great Commission, 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:53.240 you know, 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.100 making disciples, 00:30:54.600 --> 00:30:55.320 going out 00:30:55.320 --> 00:30:56.240 and doing 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.600 all these 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:57.480 awesome things 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:59.480 and there's 00:30:59.480 --> 00:31:00.160 a place, 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:00.880 there's definitely 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:01.680 a time and place 00:31:01.680 --> 00:31:02.720 to talk about that, 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.080 about making disciples 00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:06.600 and the Great Commission 00:31:06.600 --> 00:31:07.860 and training up people. 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.960 But then I slowly 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.700 realized 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.799 the reality. 00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:13.059 Every single one 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:13.880 of us in this room 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:14.380 right now, 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.740 we're making disciples 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.539 all the time. 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:18.059 you've been making 00:31:18.059 --> 00:31:19.500 disciples this past week, 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.859 this past month, 00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:21.659 even this morning. 00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.859 We've been making 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.500 disciples 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.539 based on our 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.159 obedience 00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:28.819 or lack of obedience 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.960 to God. 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:33.579 The Apostle Paul 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.440 says in Corinthians, 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.740 imitate me 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:38.619 as I imitate Christ. 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:41.679 Who are you 00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:42.519 imitating today? 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:44.619 The things 00:31:44.619 --> 00:31:45.259 you value 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:46.119 and believe, 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.339 they inevitably 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:48.500 come out 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.299 in your words 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:50.659 and your actions. 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.359 Trust me, 00:31:51.919 --> 00:31:52.500 I know it. 00:31:52.839 --> 00:31:53.699 I've seen that 00:31:53.699 --> 00:31:55.039 out of the overflow 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:56.359 of my heart. 00:31:56.719 --> 00:31:57.659 And you're consciously 00:31:57.659 --> 00:31:59.079 and you're subconsciously 00:31:59.079 --> 00:31:59.899 pointing people 00:31:59.899 --> 00:32:00.819 towards the most 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.559 important things 00:32:01.559 --> 00:32:02.139 in your life. 00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.519 Look at your children. 00:32:06.159 --> 00:32:07.379 Look at your students 00:32:07.379 --> 00:32:08.139 if you're a teacher. 00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:10.419 Look at your employees 00:32:10.419 --> 00:32:11.419 and your colleagues. 00:32:12.199 --> 00:32:13.000 Look at your friends. 00:32:13.939 --> 00:32:14.819 Whether you realize 00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.419 it or not, 00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.599 you're making disciples 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.819 of some sort. 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:22.599 So as we remember 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.919 Jesus' love this week 00:32:23.919 --> 00:32:24.879 as a church, 00:32:25.719 --> 00:32:26.919 just think intentionally 00:32:26.919 --> 00:32:28.819 about loving people 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:30.259 with God's love. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.339 faith. 00:32:32.059 --> 00:32:33.079 And it just might be 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:34.099 a really small step 00:32:34.099 --> 00:32:34.480 of faith. 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.619 It probably should be 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:36.440 for most of us, 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:36.819 I think. 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.819 Just take a step 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.299 of faith 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:39.559 and start reaching out 00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.319 to someone new 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.619 that you've never 00:32:41.619 --> 00:32:42.440 really reached out 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.019 to before. 00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:45.519 Or make an effort 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.359 to love someone 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:47.119 who you've been 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:48.460 finding it difficult 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:49.220 to love. 00:32:51.220 --> 00:32:51.940 Whether you're 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.059 a Christian today 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:54.180 or not, 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:54.940 I really, 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.720 I just want you 00:32:55.720 --> 00:32:56.140 to know 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:56.960 and remember. 00:32:57.140 --> 00:32:57.720 I think that's what 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.920 God wants us to remember. 00:33:00.280 --> 00:33:01.160 We were created 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:01.960 to be loved 00:33:01.960 --> 00:33:03.020 by God first. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.560 Starts there. 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:05.860 We were created 00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:07.520 to love him back. 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:09.940 And we were created 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:11.119 to share that love 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:11.879 with others. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:15.039 So what's the next step 00:33:15.039 --> 00:33:16.039 for you right now 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:18.420 in trusting Jesus 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:20.639 and abiding in him? 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.900 What's that next step? 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:25.819 Let's pray. 00:33:32.539 --> 00:33:33.680 God, I just declare 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.619 that you are 00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:36.139 our heavenly father. 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:41.680 God, I pray that 00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.599 we would not forget 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.740 that, not for a minute. 00:33:46.879 --> 00:33:48.059 That we won't think 00:33:48.059 --> 00:33:49.059 subconsciously, 00:33:49.139 --> 00:33:50.220 oh God, we've grown up. 00:33:51.639 --> 00:33:52.859 We're your equals now. 00:33:52.960 --> 00:33:53.480 Now we know 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.079 what we're doing. 00:33:55.960 --> 00:33:56.859 But I pray that 00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:57.339 this morning 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.079 we would come 00:33:58.079 --> 00:33:59.059 running back 00:33:59.059 --> 00:33:59.740 to love us 00:33:59.740 --> 00:34:00.559 and you want 00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.460 the best for us. 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:03.259 And so even when 00:34:03.259 --> 00:34:04.420 obedience doesn't seem 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:05.299 to make sense 00:34:05.299 --> 00:34:06.460 to these adults 00:34:06.460 --> 00:34:07.460 that we think we are, 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:08.759 we are willing 00:34:08.759 --> 00:34:10.440 to step out 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:10.960 in faith 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.940 and trust you. 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.460 God, help us 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.219 to see that. 00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:17.840 Help us to see 00:34:17.840 --> 00:34:18.940 that we are just 00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:19.360 children 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.579 in need of a father. 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.500 Lord, whether we have 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:25.259 put our faith 00:34:25.259 --> 00:34:26.179 in you this morning 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:28.079 already or not, 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:29.039 Lord, I pray that you 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:30.719 would show us 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:31.920 what that next step is. 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:33.880 that you would 00:34:33.880 --> 00:34:35.059 remind us, God, 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:36.220 that you are 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:37.099 pursuing us, 00:34:37.180 --> 00:34:38.059 you are seeking us, 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:38.960 you are loving us. 00:34:40.960 --> 00:34:41.800 In Jesus' name 00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:42.180 I pray. 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:42.720 Amen. 00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:42.840 Amen. 00:34:43.000 --> 00:34:43.019 Amen. 00:34:43.019 --> 00:35:13.000 Thank you.