WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.500 Let's pray before we get into the word. 00:00:08.500 --> 00:00:12.339 Lord, we come before you and humble ourselves before you. 00:00:13.120 --> 00:00:15.179 ! We are ready to receive your word. 00:00:15.179 --> 00:00:19.219 ! We thank you for it, that you chose to make yourself known, 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:23.280 that the God which no one has ever seen has made himself known 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:26.960 through Jesus Christ and to us when we love one another. 00:00:26.960 --> 00:00:32.399 Lord, we pray that your spirit would show us more of your beauty 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:37.340 to receive your love for us and for this to transform us 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:41.100 and for us to love you even more and praise you even more for it. 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:45.900 Lord, may everything I say be your words and not my own. 00:00:47.120 --> 00:00:49.560 Speak through me, Lord. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:52.760 All right, good morning, church. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:56.540 So in the last few months, we've been going through 1 John. 00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:04.700 And we've seen in this letter that John encourages us to know God and to love him. 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:08.140 And to love him even more deeply. 00:01:08.900 --> 00:01:12.859 And he says, we saw this last week, that there is only one way to God, 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:14.079 and that is through Jesus. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:17.780 That was the focus last week, that we're not all blind men 00:01:17.780 --> 00:01:20.439 touching different parts of the same elephant, 00:01:20.939 --> 00:01:23.040 but there really is only one way to God. 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:27.160 At the same time, knowing God and loving God 00:01:27.160 --> 00:01:32.980 is inseparable from following his commandments and loving others. 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:36.480 John says that God is light and God is love. 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:38.800 And there's no darkness in God. 00:01:39.380 --> 00:01:42.520 So if we're walking in darkness and continuing in sin, 00:01:43.040 --> 00:01:46.320 then we really need to question whether we know God 00:01:46.320 --> 00:01:48.360 and abide in him who is light. 00:01:48.359 --> 00:01:52.180 That's what we saw previous weeks in 1 John. 00:01:52.980 --> 00:01:55.459 And now recently, we've been talking more about love, 00:01:55.980 --> 00:01:57.859 that we must love one another. 00:01:58.459 --> 00:02:02.120 That means, at the bare minimum, that we shouldn't hate one another. 00:02:02.819 --> 00:02:05.159 We shouldn't be like Cain, who murdered his brother. 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:05.939 That's the bare minimum. 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:07.000 You shouldn't murder your brother. 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:09.939 But more than that, we should love. 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:11.639 We should love like Jesus loved, 00:02:11.740 --> 00:02:14.759 who didn't murder, but who laid down his life, 00:02:14.759 --> 00:02:16.879 the righteous for the unrighteous. 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:18.819 And that's the way we ought to love. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:20.959 We should lay down our lives for one another. 00:02:21.819 --> 00:02:23.159 Love has to cost something. 00:02:23.259 --> 00:02:24.699 That's what we heard. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:29.019 We can talk about love, but talk is cheap. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:33.079 John says, let us not love in word or in talk, 00:02:33.239 --> 00:02:34.500 but in deed and in truth. 00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:37.799 So the question is, are we willing to love one another, 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:38.859 even if it costs us? 00:02:38.860 --> 00:02:42.840 And now we're getting to part of the letter in 1 John, 00:02:43.640 --> 00:02:46.740 where John gives us a more extended treatment of love. 00:02:47.580 --> 00:02:48.780 What is love itself? 00:02:49.300 --> 00:02:50.440 Where does love come from? 00:02:51.020 --> 00:02:52.900 And how are we able to love? 00:02:53.020 --> 00:02:54.400 And why should we love one another? 00:02:55.580 --> 00:02:57.960 This is what John talks about in chapter 4 now. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:00.100 So let's read the passage together. 00:03:00.260 --> 00:03:03.780 We'll read John chapter 4, verses 7 to 12. 00:03:04.260 --> 00:03:06.740 Can we all stand as we read the word of God together? 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:09.660 Yeah. 00:03:14.800 --> 00:03:15.360 Thanks. 00:03:18.380 --> 00:03:20.980 1 John chapter 4, verses 7 to 12. 00:03:22.580 --> 00:03:24.560 Beloved, let us love one another, 00:03:24.900 --> 00:03:26.140 for love is from God, 00:03:26.580 --> 00:03:29.840 and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 00:03:30.660 --> 00:03:32.800 Anyone who does not love does not know God, 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:34.040 because God is love. 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:37.620 In this, the love of God was made manifest among us, 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:40.159 that God sent his only son into the world, 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:42.140 so that we might live through him. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:43.800 In this is love, 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:45.659 not that we loved God, 00:03:45.960 --> 00:03:47.319 but that he loved us, 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:51.000 and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:53.879 Beloved, if God so loved us, 00:03:53.980 --> 00:03:55.719 we also ought to love one another. 00:03:56.719 --> 00:03:57.960 No one has ever seen God. 00:03:58.500 --> 00:03:59.500 If we love one another, 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:01.180 God abides in us, 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:03.580 and his love is perfected in us. 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:05.200 This is the word of God. 00:04:07.260 --> 00:04:08.080 You can take a seat. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:15.040 Beloved, let us love. 00:04:15.400 --> 00:04:16.720 That's how verse 7 begins, 00:04:17.259 --> 00:04:19.160 and that will be our focus for today. 00:04:19.280 --> 00:04:20.759 Beloved, people who are loved, 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:22.620 let us love one another. 00:04:23.439 --> 00:04:24.420 Let us love one another, 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:28.620 and first we do this because love is a matter of identity. 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:31.340 That's how John thinks of it. 00:04:31.780 --> 00:04:32.800 We see this in verse 7. 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:33.340 It says, 00:04:34.060 --> 00:04:36.899 Whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 00:04:37.480 --> 00:04:39.720 Whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:43.139 Loved is wrapped up in our identity as being children of God. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:44.560 Whoever loves, 00:04:45.040 --> 00:04:45.439 in other words, 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:48.040 everybody who loves is born of God. 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:51.100 And the way we act and feel in love 00:04:51.100 --> 00:04:52.780 is intertwined with who we are, 00:04:53.040 --> 00:04:55.060 our identity as children of God. 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:58.500 There's an interesting implication of verse 7. 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:01.139 And we see this. 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:01.800 Take, for example, 00:05:02.759 --> 00:05:04.620 people here have a Hong Kong ID card. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:05.220 Right? 00:05:05.379 --> 00:05:06.259 You could say that 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:10.000 if you have a permanent Hong Kong ID card, 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:11.980 then you're a permanent resident. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:14.279 This is evidence of this. 00:05:14.980 --> 00:05:15.100 Right? 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:16.560 But logically, 00:05:16.699 --> 00:05:18.139 you could also flip around this statement 00:05:18.139 --> 00:05:19.720 and say it the other way. 00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:21.260 It's also true that 00:05:21.260 --> 00:05:22.920 only those who have, 00:05:23.880 --> 00:05:25.760 only those who are permanent residents 00:05:25.760 --> 00:05:27.760 have an ID card, 00:05:27.940 --> 00:05:28.720 a permanent ID card. 00:05:29.160 --> 00:05:29.280 Right? 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:30.940 You can't get this ID card 00:05:30.940 --> 00:05:31.480 if you're not, 00:05:31.780 --> 00:05:32.520 if you don't have PR. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:34.860 And the same thing is true here. 00:05:35.360 --> 00:05:37.800 We can flip around the statement logically 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:40.000 and say that 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:42.600 if everybody who loves is born of God, 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:43.740 then it's also true that 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:46.000 those who are not born of God 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:47.200 do not love. 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:48.540 Said another way, 00:05:48.540 --> 00:05:49.540 verse 7 means that 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:52.580 only those who are born of God 00:05:52.580 --> 00:05:53.879 in fact love. 00:05:55.460 --> 00:05:57.180 That's the logical implication of it. 00:05:57.319 --> 00:05:58.620 And that's a pretty bold statement. 00:05:58.860 --> 00:05:59.740 And that, I think, 00:05:59.800 --> 00:06:01.520 should make us raise the bar 00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:02.840 on what love even is. 00:06:03.400 --> 00:06:04.640 Because John here is making 00:06:04.640 --> 00:06:06.460 an exclusive claim on love. 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:07.820 Not just on truth, 00:06:08.220 --> 00:06:09.120 but on love itself. 00:06:09.580 --> 00:06:11.300 At least on a particular kind of love. 00:06:11.780 --> 00:06:13.180 That there is a love 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:14.540 that only belongs to those 00:06:14.540 --> 00:06:15.540 who know God. 00:06:16.480 --> 00:06:17.840 And that's a bit puzzling to me 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:19.479 because when I look around, 00:06:20.239 --> 00:06:21.859 people outside of the church 00:06:21.859 --> 00:06:23.419 that do not know Christ 00:06:23.419 --> 00:06:24.479 do love, 00:06:24.679 --> 00:06:25.599 as far as I can tell, 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:28.439 and sometimes even appear to love 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:31.000 more than those in the church. 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:33.239 See, I can see parents 00:06:33.239 --> 00:06:34.799 who truly love their children. 00:06:35.299 --> 00:06:37.699 I see people who give very generously, 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:40.019 philanthropically, 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:41.179 effective altruism. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:43.180 Or I hear of soldiers in wars 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:44.660 who sacrifice themselves 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:45.300 for their brothers. 00:06:45.959 --> 00:06:46.819 That is love. 00:06:47.600 --> 00:06:49.000 Or Tony Stark, 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:50.199 he takes one for the whole world 00:06:50.199 --> 00:06:51.680 at the end of Avengers. 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:52.579 Right? 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:55.740 So we've been talking about love 00:06:55.740 --> 00:06:56.319 the last weeks 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:57.620 and challenging each other 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:59.060 to show love to one another. 00:06:59.699 --> 00:07:00.300 For example, 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:02.480 inviting people over for a meal 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:03.920 or being more loving 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:04.740 to our families. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:06.139 And that's great. 00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:07.160 That really is great. 00:07:07.220 --> 00:07:08.360 And we should continue doing that. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:10.300 We should continue loving one another. 00:07:11.139 --> 00:07:11.639 But also, 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:13.379 if we square up those things alone 00:07:13.379 --> 00:07:14.400 with verse 7 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:14.960 that says, 00:07:15.280 --> 00:07:15.960 everyone who loves 00:07:15.960 --> 00:07:17.420 has been born of God, 00:07:18.300 --> 00:07:19.699 I don't think that's quite enough. 00:07:20.560 --> 00:07:22.180 There must be something more 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:23.040 to love 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:24.220 that John's talking about. 00:07:24.280 --> 00:07:24.860 Something deeper. 00:07:26.480 --> 00:07:27.340 Something that is shown 00:07:27.340 --> 00:07:28.000 in those things 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:28.740 that we're talking about. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:30.660 But there's something more 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:31.120 to this love. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:32.340 Because those who are not 00:07:32.340 --> 00:07:33.180 born of God, 00:07:33.300 --> 00:07:33.840 John says, 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:36.280 some of the things 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:36.860 we're talking about, 00:07:36.920 --> 00:07:38.259 those who are not born of God, 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:39.360 can love in those ways. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:40.460 So, 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:41.439 what is this love 00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:42.759 that John is talking about? 00:07:44.840 --> 00:07:46.020 Because love to John 00:07:46.020 --> 00:07:46.840 is more than just 00:07:46.840 --> 00:07:47.600 goodwill 00:07:47.600 --> 00:07:48.460 or good vibes 00:07:48.460 --> 00:07:49.500 and good feelings. 00:07:50.560 --> 00:07:51.660 John is talking about 00:07:51.660 --> 00:07:52.120 a love 00:07:52.120 --> 00:07:53.620 that is perfected. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:55.560 A perfect sort of love. 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:57.240 Verse 12 says, 00:07:57.860 --> 00:07:59.000 if we love one another, 00:07:59.600 --> 00:08:00.819 God abides in us 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:01.660 and his love 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:03.620 is perfected in us. 00:08:04.280 --> 00:08:04.960 Or verse 18 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:06.040 later in the chapter says, 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:07.220 perfect love 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:08.320 cast out fear. 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:10.140 This perfect love 00:08:10.140 --> 00:08:10.560 is the goal. 00:08:10.640 --> 00:08:11.460 That perfect love 00:08:11.460 --> 00:08:12.780 is what John's talking about. 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:14.940 It's true that the world loves, 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:16.620 but such love 00:08:16.620 --> 00:08:18.060 is always tainted by sin 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:19.060 and is limited. 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:21.560 It's easy to say 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:23.160 that we love one another, 00:08:23.320 --> 00:08:24.200 but who can say 00:08:24.200 --> 00:08:25.100 that they really 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:26.580 love perfectly? 00:08:26.579 --> 00:08:27.579 naturally. 00:08:28.859 --> 00:08:29.300 Naturally, 00:08:29.419 --> 00:08:30.240 it's easy to love 00:08:30.240 --> 00:08:31.639 when love fulfills 00:08:31.639 --> 00:08:32.840 sexual desires 00:08:32.840 --> 00:08:33.899 or when people 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:35.340 recognize our generosity 00:08:35.340 --> 00:08:36.500 and philanthropy 00:08:36.500 --> 00:08:37.840 or when this love 00:08:37.840 --> 00:08:38.559 is reciprocated 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:39.399 and makes us feel good. 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:41.179 It's harder to love, 00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:41.399 though, 00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:42.399 when our friends 00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:43.179 show up for dinner 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:43.799 an hour late 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:44.620 or just cancel on us 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:45.120 last minute. 00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:46.860 Or it's easy to love 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:47.340 your boyfriend, 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:48.000 girlfriend, 00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:48.460 fiance, 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:50.079 unless they're slow 00:08:50.079 --> 00:08:51.240 to respond to your messages 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:52.620 or too busy 00:08:52.620 --> 00:08:53.159 for a date. 00:08:53.159 --> 00:08:55.659 It's difficult enough 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:56.639 sometimes to love 00:08:56.639 --> 00:08:58.159 those who are dear to us, 00:08:58.679 --> 00:08:59.839 but God calls us 00:08:59.839 --> 00:09:00.439 even higher, 00:09:00.980 --> 00:09:01.679 not just to love 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:02.679 those who love us, 00:09:02.939 --> 00:09:03.799 but to love even 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:04.399 our enemies. 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:06.699 Jesus says in his 00:09:06.699 --> 00:09:07.339 Sermon on the Mount, 00:09:08.000 --> 00:09:08.679 love your enemies 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:09.740 and pray for those 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:11.159 who persecute you 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:12.199 so that, again, 00:09:12.319 --> 00:09:13.620 identity is what's in view, 00:09:14.179 --> 00:09:15.539 so that you may be 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:16.819 sons of your Father 00:09:16.819 --> 00:09:17.779 who is in heaven. 00:09:18.720 --> 00:09:19.379 For if you love 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:20.179 those who love you, 00:09:20.439 --> 00:09:21.740 what reward do you have? 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:22.959 Do not even the 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:23.720 tax collectors 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:24.759 or sinners 00:09:24.759 --> 00:09:25.860 do the same. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:27.259 And if you greet 00:09:27.259 --> 00:09:28.080 only your brothers, 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:30.560 what more are you 00:09:30.560 --> 00:09:31.240 doing than others? 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:32.580 Do not even the Gentiles, 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:33.580 in other words, 00:09:33.660 --> 00:09:34.680 those outside the church, 00:09:35.300 --> 00:09:35.820 do the same? 00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:37.540 They can also love 00:09:37.540 --> 00:09:38.120 in these ways. 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:40.360 But Jesus goes on, 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.139 you therefore 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:42.080 must be perfect 00:09:42.080 --> 00:09:43.680 as your heavenly Father 00:09:43.680 --> 00:09:44.720 is perfect. 00:09:46.100 --> 00:09:46.340 See, 00:09:46.420 --> 00:09:47.560 we are called to love 00:09:47.560 --> 00:09:48.660 to be perfect 00:09:48.660 --> 00:09:49.840 and to love perfectly. 00:09:50.400 --> 00:09:51.680 This is unconditional love 00:09:51.679 --> 00:09:52.620 that extends 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:53.739 even to our enemies. 00:09:54.479 --> 00:09:55.279 And that's what John 00:09:55.279 --> 00:09:56.459 means when he says here, 00:09:56.739 --> 00:09:57.439 let us love. 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:58.879 That's the kind of love 00:09:58.879 --> 00:09:59.419 that's found 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:00.500 in the children of God 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.839 and that marks 00:10:01.839 --> 00:10:03.439 who are the children of God. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:05.319 Now, 00:10:05.359 --> 00:10:06.279 that's a pretty high standard. 00:10:06.439 --> 00:10:06.599 So, 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:08.059 how can we do this? 00:10:08.319 --> 00:10:09.139 How can we love 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:09.599 in this way? 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:10.359 Where does this love 00:10:10.359 --> 00:10:10.799 come from? 00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:12.039 Well, 00:10:12.239 --> 00:10:12.839 notice how 00:10:12.839 --> 00:10:14.039 verse 7 starts. 00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:14.539 It says, 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:15.079 beloved, 00:10:15.679 --> 00:10:16.459 let us love. 00:10:16.959 --> 00:10:17.399 Beloved, 00:10:17.479 --> 00:10:18.099 loved ones, 00:10:18.359 --> 00:10:18.939 let us love 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:19.480 one another. 00:10:20.760 --> 00:10:21.440 We can love 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:21.900 in this way 00:10:21.900 --> 00:10:22.640 because love 00:10:22.640 --> 00:10:23.340 is from God 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:24.420 and God is love. 00:10:24.800 --> 00:10:25.420 We can love 00:10:25.420 --> 00:10:26.500 because we are loved 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:27.740 by the one 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:28.740 who is love 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:29.700 itself. 00:10:31.180 --> 00:10:32.300 Love is our identity 00:10:32.300 --> 00:10:33.300 because likewise, 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.480 love is part of 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.540 God's essential nature. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:36.440 God is love. 00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:37.860 You can't take away, 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:38.920 if you look at the sun, 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:39.700 you can't take away 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:40.420 heat and light 00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:40.940 from the sun. 00:10:41.540 --> 00:10:42.360 And in the same way, 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:43.320 you can't remove 00:10:43.320 --> 00:10:44.040 love from God. 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:45.200 He just radiates 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:46.580 white hot love. 00:10:47.060 --> 00:10:48.000 He shines with love. 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:48.820 He is light. 00:10:49.780 --> 00:10:50.240 God's love 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:51.440 existed from eternity 00:10:51.440 --> 00:10:52.100 in the trinity, 00:10:52.420 --> 00:10:53.200 the father loving 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:53.620 the son 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:54.860 and the son loving 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:55.340 the father 00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:56.400 in perfect unity 00:10:56.400 --> 00:10:57.520 along with the spirit. 00:10:58.640 --> 00:10:59.240 Each person 00:10:59.240 --> 00:10:59.760 of the trinity 00:10:59.760 --> 00:11:00.940 delighting in one another 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:02.320 and glorifying one another, 00:11:02.440 --> 00:11:03.240 loving each other 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:03.780 perfectly. 00:11:04.640 --> 00:11:05.260 And out of this 00:11:05.260 --> 00:11:05.920 passionate love, 00:11:06.160 --> 00:11:07.160 God created the world 00:11:07.160 --> 00:11:08.520 to share his goodness, 00:11:08.800 --> 00:11:09.960 to share this love 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:10.420 with us. 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:11.700 He created us 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:12.280 so that we would 00:11:12.280 --> 00:11:12.840 know him 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:14.160 and love him 00:11:14.160 --> 00:11:15.740 and enjoy his love. 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:17.780 But all of us 00:11:17.780 --> 00:11:18.480 turn from God 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:19.860 and we rejected 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:20.440 his love 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:21.500 and chose to worship 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.560 other things. 00:11:23.060 --> 00:11:23.700 That is sin. 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.360 Sin fundamentally 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:26.240 is a rejection 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:27.360 of God. 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:29.200 When Adam and Eve 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:30.080 ate of the fruit 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:30.860 in the garden, 00:11:31.399 --> 00:11:32.060 they believed 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:33.139 that sin 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:33.840 is better 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:35.279 than what God 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:35.920 promised them. 00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:37.700 God promised them life 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:38.360 and said, 00:11:38.740 --> 00:11:39.360 you will prosper, 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:41.259 but they believed 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:42.759 that God was hiding 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.240 a good thing 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:43.620 from them. 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:45.940 when our hearts 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:46.860 chase after money, 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:47.440 it's because 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:48.519 we don't believe 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:49.620 that God provides 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:49.940 for us. 00:11:50.019 --> 00:11:50.560 When we sin, 00:11:50.679 --> 00:11:51.940 it's fundamentally 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.000 because we don't believe 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:54.179 that God provides 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:54.560 for us 00:11:54.560 --> 00:11:55.799 and he's the one, 00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:57.399 he's the only one 00:11:57.399 --> 00:11:58.379 who can satisfy 00:11:58.379 --> 00:11:59.259 the cravings 00:11:59.259 --> 00:11:59.759 of our hearts. 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:01.899 Sexual sin 00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:03.360 or making our desires 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:04.139 our identity 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:05.779 shows that we crave 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.240 fulfillment 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.139 in following 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:08.120 our own way 00:12:08.120 --> 00:12:09.700 rather than delighting 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:10.279 in God's 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:11.340 perfect love for us. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:13.720 or pride 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:15.220 or desire for power 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:16.660 is because we want 00:12:16.660 --> 00:12:17.700 to exalt ourselves, 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:18.639 we want to raise up 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.080 ourselves 00:12:19.080 --> 00:12:20.500 more than 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:22.120 we want to worship God 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.040 and recognize 00:12:23.040 --> 00:12:23.840 his love for us. 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:26.440 We sort of spit 00:12:26.440 --> 00:12:27.139 in God's face 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:27.820 when we ignore 00:12:27.820 --> 00:12:29.019 his passionate love, 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:30.060 all that he is, 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.280 his white hot love 00:12:31.280 --> 00:12:31.680 for us, 00:12:32.040 --> 00:12:33.060 and instead use 00:12:33.060 --> 00:12:34.220 this life and breath 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:34.960 that he gave us 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:35.900 that was designed 00:12:35.900 --> 00:12:37.180 for relationship 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:37.680 with him. 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.259 But instead of that, 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:40.019 we use that 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.360 merely to worship 00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:42.100 and enjoy 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:42.899 the things that he made. 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:44.480 That's what sin is 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:44.960 fundamentally. 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:47.319 We rejected God, 00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:48.379 we wanted nothing 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.120 to do with him. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:50.939 Yet, 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:51.960 God showed 00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:52.879 his love for us 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:53.460 in that while 00:12:53.460 --> 00:12:54.340 we were still sinners, 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:55.819 Christ died for us. 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:58.120 Jesus dying for us 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.899 is the greatest 00:12:58.899 --> 00:12:59.519 revelation 00:12:59.519 --> 00:13:00.419 of God's love 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:02.100 and of love 00:13:02.100 --> 00:13:02.500 generally. 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:03.779 That's what 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.539 verse 9 says. 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:05.500 It says, 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:06.179 in this, 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:07.360 the love of God 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:08.360 was made manifest 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:09.200 among us, 00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:10.399 that God sent 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.279 his only son 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:11.840 into the world 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:12.960 so that we might 00:13:12.960 --> 00:13:13.600 live through him. 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.039 The consequence 00:13:16.039 --> 00:13:16.800 and punishment 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:17.340 of our sin 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:17.740 is death, 00:13:18.100 --> 00:13:18.680 but God sent 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:19.060 his son, 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:19.759 Jesus, 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:20.740 into the world 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:21.340 to save us. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.620 We were God's enemies, 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:23.960 yet he still 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:24.720 loved us. 00:13:26.220 --> 00:13:27.080 Verse 10 says, 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:28.539 God loved us 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.519 and sent his son 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.980 to be the propitiation 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:32.220 for our sins. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:33.980 His son, 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:34.539 God's son, 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:34.920 Jesus, 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.000 came in the flesh. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.259 That's what we 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:37.940 heard last week. 00:13:38.980 --> 00:13:40.220 God came in the flesh 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:40.639 for us 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.879 and Jesus lived 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.700 a perfect life 00:13:42.700 --> 00:13:44.320 and died on the cross 00:13:44.320 --> 00:13:45.500 as a propitiation. 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:46.720 In other words, 00:13:46.820 --> 00:13:47.799 an atoning sacrifice, 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:48.659 a sacrifice 00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.960 for our sins. 00:13:50.340 --> 00:13:51.940 We needed a propitiation, 00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.399 we needed an atoning sacrifice 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:54.639 because our sin 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.320 deserved death 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:56.860 and Jesus took 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.399 the punishment 00:13:57.399 --> 00:13:58.139 that we deserved 00:13:58.139 --> 00:13:58.779 on the cross 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.799 for our sins 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:00.879 and died in our place 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.100 so that we might 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:02.799 live through him. 00:14:02.940 --> 00:14:03.659 That's what verse 10 00:14:03.659 --> 00:14:04.019 is saying. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:06.439 And Jesus didn't just die 00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:07.419 but he rose from the dead 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.079 on the third day 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:09.279 and just as Jesus 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.139 rose from the dead, 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:11.559 we also have new life 00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:13.199 and access to God 00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:14.059 if we believe in him. 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:15.159 Jesus died and rose 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:16.519 so that we might 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:17.120 live through him. 00:14:18.939 --> 00:14:19.939 And that is 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:20.899 perfect love. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:22.000 This is the love of God 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.480 that is manifested to us. 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.659 Jesus dying on the cross 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:25.039 for us. 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:26.980 That is the main way 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:28.799 where God reveals 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.539 that he is loved 00:14:29.539 --> 00:14:30.779 and that he loves us. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:33.039 Verse 10 says, 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:34.079 in this is love, 00:14:34.599 --> 00:14:35.980 not that we love God, 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:37.419 not that we love God 00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:39.099 because we didn't love God, 00:14:39.159 --> 00:14:40.139 we didn't love him at all. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:41.980 Very much the opposite. 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.079 We could have been 00:14:44.079 --> 00:14:44.559 the ones 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.899 who were chanting, 00:14:46.219 --> 00:14:46.740 protesting, 00:14:47.599 --> 00:14:48.059 a mob, 00:14:48.799 --> 00:14:49.299 crying out 00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:49.779 for Jesus 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:50.579 to be crucified. 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:52.139 We could have been 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:53.199 those mocking Jesus 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:54.259 as he went to the cross. 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:56.219 But Jesus didn't 00:14:56.219 --> 00:14:57.379 get angry at them, 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.240 he didn't snap back 00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:58.539 at them. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.059 He loved them. 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:00.879 And in fact, 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:01.459 their mocking, 00:15:01.599 --> 00:15:02.079 their rejection 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:02.920 was exactly 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:04.160 the reason why 00:15:04.160 --> 00:15:04.639 he was there 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:05.400 in the first place. 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.879 Because in this is love, 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:08.180 not that we love God, 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.960 but that he loved us 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:10.820 and sent his son 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:12.340 as the propitiation 00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:13.960 to die on the cross 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:14.560 for our sins. 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.680 As Jesus was being mocked 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.360 and rejected, 00:15:18.060 --> 00:15:18.340 Jesus, 00:15:18.480 --> 00:15:19.020 what did he do? 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:20.060 He just continued 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:21.420 bleeding out on the cross 00:15:21.420 --> 00:15:22.879 for those who were 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:23.560 rejecting him 00:15:23.560 --> 00:15:24.960 and prayed even 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.340 that God would accept 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.180 his propitiation, 00:15:27.300 --> 00:15:28.220 his atoning sacrifice. 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:29.259 He prayed for God, 00:15:30.140 --> 00:15:30.640 forgive them 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:31.399 for they do not know 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:31.939 what they're doing. 00:15:33.100 --> 00:15:34.740 While we were his enemies, 00:15:34.899 --> 00:15:35.720 Jesus died for us. 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.939 That's God's perfect love 00:15:37.939 --> 00:15:38.460 on display 00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.779 and that's the love 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.580 that we're called to, 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.899 to love perfectly, 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.019 sacrificially, 00:15:43.439 --> 00:15:44.080 without limit, 00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.460 even loving those 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.299 who hate us, 00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:47.480 who reject us, 00:15:47.519 --> 00:15:48.139 who mock us, 00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:49.699 who annoy us, 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.379 who bother us. 00:15:51.319 --> 00:15:52.259 In this is love, 00:15:52.720 --> 00:15:54.019 not that we loved God, 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:55.639 but that Jesus died 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.259 on the cross 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:56.960 for our sins. 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:59.440 And now, 00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.280 what does that mean to us? 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:01.080 How do we respond? 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:02.920 Well, verse 11 says, 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:03.920 Beloved, 00:16:04.400 --> 00:16:05.700 if God so loved us, 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.440 if he loved us 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:07.000 in this way, 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:08.600 we ought also 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.940 to love one another. 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.000 Okay, great. 00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:12.960 So let's do that this week. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.600 Let's go love. 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.740 Let's love one another. 00:16:15.820 --> 00:16:17.060 We discussed this practically 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:18.100 before asking, 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:19.040 how can we love? 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.680 In what ways can we love? 00:16:20.759 --> 00:16:21.580 We talked about this 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.480 in our midweek groups. 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:23.639 Right? 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.980 Inviting people over 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.540 for dinner, 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:27.299 loving your coworkers, 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.639 being less annoyed 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.539 with those who bother you. 00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:30.879 Let's go and do those things. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.139 Keep doing those things. 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:34.059 Let's love one another. 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.339 We also ought to one another. 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:37.839 But in addition to 00:16:37.839 --> 00:16:38.339 what, 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:38.980 the what, 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.719 in what ways can we love? 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:42.139 I'd also like us to 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.199 see a bit 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:44.559 why and how 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.459 we ought to love. 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:47.259 Verse 11 says, 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:49.079 If God so loved us, 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:50.179 we also 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:51.620 ought to love one another. 00:16:52.719 --> 00:16:53.759 And my question then is, 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:55.159 how does God's love 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:57.240 Jesus dying on the cross, 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.339 how does God's love 00:16:58.339 --> 00:16:59.379 make us 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.759 also ought to love? 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:02.539 Why does God's love 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:03.219 mean that we 00:17:03.219 --> 00:17:04.319 also ought to love? 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.059 Now there's two ways, 00:17:06.519 --> 00:17:07.359 there's at least two ways 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.779 we can interpret this. 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.399 Right? 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.019 When John says 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.700 we ought to love, 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.899 you could interpret that 00:17:13.899 --> 00:17:14.279 to mean 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.519 we ought to love 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.519 because we're under 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.279 an obligation, 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.639 because we owe it. 00:17:19.159 --> 00:17:19.279 Right? 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.220 Because we were in 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.440 such a great debt to God 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:21.960 in our sin, 00:17:22.159 --> 00:17:22.759 a huge debt 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.819 that we can never pay back. 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:26.319 There's nothing 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:26.839 we could do, 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:27.439 but God, 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:28.879 he was merciful to us, 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.119 he was gracious to us. 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.799 We talked about that previously. 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.659 God cancelled 00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:33.419 our debt. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.899 He forgave us in Christ. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.559 And if God 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.480 so loved us 00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:38.599 with such a great love, 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.159 mercy, 00:17:40.519 --> 00:17:43.039 if he loved us 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.639 in this way, 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.220 then you could think 00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.220 we owe it to God 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.799 to love others also. 00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:48.439 Right? 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.460 If Jesus died 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.079 for us, 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.220 then don't we owe 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:52.299 our entire lives 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:52.879 to him. 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:54.480 He died for me 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:55.960 so the least I could do, 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:56.899 you could think, 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.519 is smile more to others 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.319 or stack the chairs 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.039 after service. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:01.919 I ought to. 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.399 Is this what 00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:04.119 this means? 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:05.599 I don't think so. 00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:06.579 Right? 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.419 This is not 00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:08.279 how we're meant to love 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.680 because if it is, 00:18:09.919 --> 00:18:10.720 then we're in 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.299 huge trouble. 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:13.180 It would be bad news 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:14.180 if this is how 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.039 we ought to love. 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.899 Because if we 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.639 ought to love 00:18:17.639 --> 00:18:18.659 because we owe God 00:18:18.659 --> 00:18:19.059 something, 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.240 because we're in, 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.779 yeah, 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:22.120 if we ought to love 00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:22.960 because we owe God 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.279 something, 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.620 then that means 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:25.460 that we're still 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:25.900 in debt. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.420 If we owe God 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:27.740 something, 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.620 that means that 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.480 our debt hasn't 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:29.920 been paid 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:31.500 and our sins 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:32.039 aren't forgiven. 00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.660 So this is not 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.859 how we ought to love, 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:35.980 not out of a debt, 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.920 not because we owe 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:37.319 something. 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:38.779 Right? 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:39.920 Because Jesus is 00:18:39.920 --> 00:18:40.660 the propitiation 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.480 for our sins. 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:42.380 It is finished. 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.059 And we don't honor God 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:45.099 by trying to pay him 00:18:45.099 --> 00:18:45.420 back, 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.400 by trying to pay back 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.220 this debt that we owed. 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.500 And we can't. 00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:50.460 Right? 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:50.980 If you were 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.500 $50 million in debt 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:54.500 and God paid it all 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:54.680 for you, 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.480 Jesus paid it all 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:55.799 for you, 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:56.980 you can't pay him 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:58.120 back by giving him 00:18:58.120 --> 00:18:59.859 a crumpled up $20 bill 00:18:59.859 --> 00:19:00.759 out of your back pocket. 00:19:01.640 --> 00:19:02.819 How silly would that be? 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.940 But I think we do 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.900 try to do this sometimes. 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:07.220 We do try to earn, 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.740 pay back God's love 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:09.160 for us. 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:10.960 You might think, 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.160 okay, 00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.079 maybe not $20, 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.000 that's too little. 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:14.079 But I'll do better. 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:15.099 I'll love more this week. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:16.539 I'll be nicer to that guy. 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:17.640 I ought to. 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.960 I'll give God back 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.539 maybe $50, 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.140 $100, 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:23.140 do we find ourselves 00:19:23.140 --> 00:19:23.960 doing that sometimes? 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.460 But we can't earn 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.079 God's approval. 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:28.759 We can't. 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.960 That's fundamentally 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.740 the wrong attitude. 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.240 And we, 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.599 if we try to love 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:33.380 in this way, 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.720 at some point, 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:36.880 our tanks will run empty. 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:38.220 That's not how 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.819 we're meant to love. 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.740 If we're trying to love 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.180 in this way, 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.099 we will fall short. 00:19:42.720 --> 00:19:43.680 That's not how 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.740 we ought to love. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.500 John is using the word 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:49.180 ought in an encouraging way. 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.700 Remember that love 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.560 is tied with 00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:52.440 our identity. 00:19:53.080 --> 00:19:53.840 We love because 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:55.080 love is from God. 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:57.039 And we are his children. 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.100 God is love. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.960 It's his nature. 00:19:59.120 --> 00:19:59.920 Love is his nature. 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.980 Love freely, 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:03.740 freely radiates from him. 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.340 And that also 00:20:05.340 --> 00:20:07.060 is true of his children. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.279 Just like how 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.440 MJ didn't have hair. 00:20:09.560 --> 00:20:10.080 That's because 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:11.259 James also didn't have hair. 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:13.160 So in the same way, 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:15.099 we are his children. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.160 We are like him. 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.339 The apple doesn't fall 00:20:17.339 --> 00:20:18.039 far from the tree. 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:21.779 Right? 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.720 So when John says 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:24.539 that we ought to love, 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.859 he means it in the same way 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:27.660 that fish ought to swim 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:29.240 or that birds ought to fly 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.779 or that flowers ought to bloom 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:32.119 or stars ought to shine 00:20:32.119 --> 00:20:34.299 or how Bonnie ought to laugh. 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.160 And that's 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:37.740 because it's in our nature. 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.960 That's just what we do. 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:40.240 Right? 00:20:40.360 --> 00:20:41.360 In the same way, 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.340 God's children 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.840 also ought to love. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.920 It's part of our nature 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.539 and design. 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.299 And in doing so, 00:20:48.660 --> 00:20:49.680 that's how we find 00:20:49.680 --> 00:20:50.680 life and fulfillment 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.279 and purpose. 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.539 God's love 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.539 changes us. 00:20:56.340 --> 00:20:57.299 Jesus didn't just die 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:58.319 to forgive our sins. 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.500 His love 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.579 changed us completely. 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.059 In 2 Corinthians, 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:02.980 Paul writes, 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.400 Therefore, 00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:04.880 if anyone is in Christ, 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:06.620 he is a new creation. 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.500 The old has passed away. 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.259 Behold, 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:10.240 the new has come. 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:11.680 See, 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.940 God's love is so intense 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.480 that when he loves us, 00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:16.319 he completely transforms us. 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.440 We are made new. 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:18.920 God is love. 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.779 And if he himself, 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.779 love himself, 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.460 his spirit is dwelling within us, 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.859 that means also 00:21:24.859 --> 00:21:26.559 that love must dwell within us. 00:21:26.700 --> 00:21:28.160 God cannot dwell within us 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:30.880 if love doesn't dwell in us, 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.059 if God is love. 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:32.920 Right? 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.259 It's like how a fire 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.339 can't abide 00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.440 in a can of gasoline 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:38.319 without an explosion happening. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.019 So also, 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:41.299 God can't abide in us 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:43.059 also without love 00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:44.460 abiding in us 00:21:44.460 --> 00:21:46.259 because God is love. 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.420 That's what verse 12 says. 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:50.000 No one has ever seen God. 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:50.839 No one has seen God. 00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.779 But if we love one another, 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.779 God abides in us 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.599 and his love 00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.819 is perfected in us. 00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:57.880 His perfect love. 00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.960 We have this through Jesus 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.920 when we love one another. 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:03.279 That is the way 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.160 in which we ought to love. 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:05.259 Not out of obligation, 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.080 but freely 00:22:06.080 --> 00:22:07.240 because he changed us. 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:09.560 Because if God so loved us, 00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:12.120 we are changed 00:22:12.120 --> 00:22:12.880 and when we love, 00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:14.820 his love is perfected in us. 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:16.640 That's why Jesus says that 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:18.519 his yoke is easy 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:20.080 and his burden is light. 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:22.259 We ought to love freely, 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.640 not out of obligation 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.920 as a weight on our shoulders. 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.180 But instead, 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:27.259 he broke our chains. 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.860 He freed us 00:22:28.860 --> 00:22:29.840 so that loving 00:22:29.840 --> 00:22:31.440 becomes easy and light 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.660 the more and more we do it. 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:33.259 The more and more 00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:34.720 his spirit refines us 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.460 and perfects us. 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:37.620 God's command to love 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.980 is not an obligation, 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.279 a weight on our shoulders, 00:22:40.800 --> 00:22:41.880 but just a command 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.640 to take hold 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.320 of what Jesus 00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:44.380 has done for us. 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.880 Love and become 00:22:45.880 --> 00:22:46.940 the children of God 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.860 that you are, 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.259 that Jesus' blood 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.759 made you. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:52.559 And so this week 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.319 as we love, 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:55.039 let's try to remember 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:56.660 God loved me 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:58.720 and so I'm free to love. 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.700 It's not that I have to love 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:02.720 because Jesus loved me 00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:04.559 and I also ought to do it. 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:06.039 But no, 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:07.119 Jesus loved me 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:09.000 and I am his child. 00:23:09.879 --> 00:23:10.799 And God's children 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:11.680 freely, 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:12.759 generously, 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:13.940 radiate love 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.220 because God is love. 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.400 He changed me. 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.119 I can love 00:23:18.119 --> 00:23:18.940 as he loves now, 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.480 perfectly, 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.059 his blood bought 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.599 that for me. 00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:23.900 And maybe not perfectly now 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.259 because we are still 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.940 stained by sin. 00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:28.339 But one day 00:23:28.339 --> 00:23:29.140 when he returns, 00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:30.859 I know 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:32.680 I'll love perfectly. 00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.680 There'll be no more sin, 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.599 no more tears. 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.359 We'll be in the presence 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:36.859 of God. 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.099 We will see him, 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.819 know him as he fully is, 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.279 just as we're fully known. 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.539 And in the meantime, 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.559 let's press forward 00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.319 day by day 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:47.980 to love ever more perfectly, 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.539 to be the child of God 00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.859 that he called us to be 00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.619 and made us to be. 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:53.879 So again, 00:23:55.579 --> 00:23:55.960 beloved, 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:57.819 people who are loved by God, 00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:58.700 let us love. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.659 Love is from God 00:24:00.659 --> 00:24:02.579 and he showed his love to us 00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:04.099 by sending his son 00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.659 to die for our sins. 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:07.139 God's love 00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:08.559 gave us freedom to love 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:10.700 and out of that freedom, 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:12.279 we ought to love one another. 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:13.700 Not out of obligation, 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.319 but because his love 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.180 has transformed us. 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:18.240 Can we do that this week? 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.340 Let's pray for that. 00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:31.240 Father, we are so humbled. 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:32.600 We are so in awe. 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.620 What is man 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.640 that you're mindful of him? 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.720 What is the son of man 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.480 that you care for him? 00:24:38.420 --> 00:24:39.620 We are just little specks. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:40.259 More than that, 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.820 little people who, 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:44.399 out of everything 00:24:44.399 --> 00:24:45.099 that you've made, 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:48.720 the wind obeys you, 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:51.059 nature obeys you, 00:24:51.099 --> 00:24:52.259 the sun rises and falls 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:52.899 at your command. 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:55.119 But we chose 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:57.000 to use the life and breath 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.779 that you gave us 00:24:57.779 --> 00:24:59.819 to curse you, 00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.839 dishonor your name, 00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:02.779 to mock you, 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.359 reject you, 00:25:04.139 --> 00:25:04.879 the one who gave us 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.460 life and breath. 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:07.680 But Lord, 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.799 you are love. 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:10.900 We praise you 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.840 that you loved us 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.640 and gave your son 00:25:12.640 --> 00:25:13.360 to die for us. 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:15.480 Lord, may this love, 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.299 may this truth 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.420 sink deeper and deeper 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.079 in our hearts. 00:25:19.860 --> 00:25:20.299 Spirit, 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:21.120 make your love 00:25:21.120 --> 00:25:21.880 abide in us. 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.460 And with that change us, 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.559 help us, God, 00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.920 to love 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:28.799 as you've called us to. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.840 An example of Jesus. 00:25:31.940 --> 00:25:33.200 To lay down our lives, 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.980 not just for those 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.640 who love us, 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:36.380 before our enemies even. 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.380 And God, 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.520 we know we can't do this 00:25:38.520 --> 00:25:38.920 on our own. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.100 I can't even love those 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.660 who I love, 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.940 who love me. 00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:44.920 So Lord, 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.480 we need you. 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:46.820 We can't do this 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.280 on our own. 00:25:47.840 --> 00:25:48.680 We can't pay back 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:49.520 the debt that we owe. 00:25:50.400 --> 00:25:51.480 But Jesus paid it all 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.820 and you've transformed us 00:25:52.820 --> 00:25:54.100 as your children 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:56.259 to love perfectly, 00:25:56.780 --> 00:25:57.400 to be holy 00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:58.100 as you are holy. 00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:59.100 You call us to this 00:25:59.100 --> 00:26:00.259 and you will finish 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:00.840 the good work 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:02.120 that you started in us. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.259 We look forward 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.599 to seeing that day 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:07.359 when we see the end of it. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:09.559 Thank you, Lord, 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.099 for all this. 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:11.000 In Jesus' name. 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:11.819 Amen. 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.259 Amen. 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.259 Amen. 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.259 Amen. 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.259 Amen. 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.259 Amen. 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.259 Amen. 00:29:05.400 --> 00:29:06.259 Amen. 00:29:34.259 --> 00:30:04.240 Thank you. 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:34.240 Thank you. 00:30:34.259 --> 00:31:04.240 Thank you. 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:34.240 Thank you. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:32:04.240 Thank you. 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:34.240 Thank you. 00:32:34.259 --> 00:33:04.240 Thank you. 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:34.240 Thank you. 00:33:34.259 --> 00:34:04.240 Thank you. 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:34.239 Thank you. 00:34:34.260 --> 00:35:04.240 Thank you. 00:35:04.260 --> 00:35:34.240 Thank you. 00:35:34.260 --> 00:36:04.240 Thank you. 00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:34.240 Thank you. 00:36:34.260 --> 00:37:04.240 Thank you. 00:37:04.260 --> 00:37:34.240 Thank you. 00:37:34.260 --> 00:38:04.240 Thank you. 00:38:04.260 --> 00:38:34.240 Thank you. 00:38:34.260 --> 00:39:04.240 Thank you. 00:39:04.260 --> 00:39:34.240 Thank you. 00:39:34.260 --> 00:40:04.240 Thank you. 00:40:04.260 --> 00:40:34.240 Thank you. 00:40:34.260 --> 00:41:04.240 Thank you. 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:34.240 Thank you. 00:41:34.260 --> 00:42:04.240 Thank you. 00:42:04.260 --> 00:42:34.240 Thank you. 00:42:34.260 --> 00:43:04.240 Thank you. 00:43:04.260 --> 00:43:34.240 Thank you. 00:43:34.260 --> 00:44:04.240 Thank you. 00:44:04.260 --> 00:44:34.240 Thank you. 00:44:34.260 --> 00:45:04.240 Thank you. 00:45:04.260 --> 00:45:34.240 Thank you. 00:45:34.260 --> 00:46:04.240 Thank you. 00:46:04.260 --> 00:46:34.240 Thank you. 00:46:34.260 --> 00:47:04.240 Thank you. 00:47:04.260 --> 00:47:34.240 Thank you. 00:47:34.260 --> 00:48:04.240 Thank you. 00:48:04.260 --> 00:48:34.240 Thank you. 00:48:34.260 --> 00:49:04.240 Thank you. 00:49:04.260 --> 00:49:34.240 Thank you. 00:49:34.260 --> 00:50:04.240 Thank you. 00:50:04.260 --> 00:50:34.240 Thank you. 00:50:34.260 --> 00:51:04.240 Thank you. 00:51:04.260 --> 00:51:34.240 Thank you. 00:51:34.260 --> 00:52:04.240 Thank you. 00:52:04.260 --> 00:52:34.240 Thank you. 00:52:34.260 --> 00:53:04.240 Thank you. 00:53:04.260 --> 00:53:34.240 Thank you. 00:53:34.260 --> 00:54:04.240 Thank you. 00:54:04.260 --> 00:54:34.240 Thank you. 00:54:34.260 --> 00:55:04.240 Thank you. 00:55:04.260 --> 00:55:34.240 Thank you. 00:55:34.260 --> 00:56:04.240 Thank you. 00:56:04.260 --> 00:56:34.240 Thank you. 00:56:34.260 --> 00:57:04.240 Thank you. 00:57:04.260 --> 00:57:34.240 Thank you. 00:57:34.260 --> 00:58:04.240 Thank you. 00:58:04.260 --> 00:58:34.240 Thank you. 00:58:34.260 --> 00:59:04.240 Thank you. 00:59:04.260 --> 00:59:34.240 Thank you. 00:59:34.260 --> 01:00:04.240 Thank you. 01:00:04.260 --> 01:00:34.240 Thank you. 01:00:34.260 --> 01:01:04.240 Thank you. 01:01:04.260 --> 01:01:34.240 Thank you. 01:01:34.260 --> 01:02:04.240 Thank you. 01:02:04.260 --> 01:02:06.520 Thank you.