WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.839 How dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears, we may be confident and unashamed 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:13.019 before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:20.280 is right has been born of him. How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should 00:00:20.280 --> 00:00:28.000 be called children of God, and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:36.340 does not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and that we will be, has not yet been made 00:00:36.340 --> 00:00:44.519 known, but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone 00:00:44.519 --> 00:00:49.379 who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:06.460 Thanks very much, Jonathan. Well, please keep your Bibles open in 1 John. There's notes being 00:01:06.460 --> 00:01:17.680 passed around and pens, if you'd like to take notes. You will probably notice, maybe you don't notice, 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:26.480 but I'll tell you anyway. In the term programme, we highlight or list the various themes for each 00:01:26.480 --> 00:01:32.719 Sunday morning. Over the last couple of Sundays, we've been out of sync. Hopefully, we'll catch up. 00:01:32.820 --> 00:01:40.120 That's simply because in preparation, I thought we'd do certain sections in certain ways, and then when it 00:01:40.120 --> 00:01:48.100 came to preparing it, I thought, no, there's far too much here. We need to shorten it, so it'll probably 00:01:48.100 --> 00:01:53.120 find its way through eventually. We'll get through to the end of 1 John. Whether it ties in with the term 00:01:53.120 --> 00:02:01.920 programme or not, I'm not sure. But nonetheless, it's good. It's good stuff. We're going to pray, 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:07.880 and we're going to ask our Father in Heaven to help us. Let's pray. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:29.340 Our Father God, we give you thanks for your gifts to us. We thank you for the gift of being able to 00:02:29.340 --> 00:02:41.879 meet like this with one another. We thank you for the gift of having your word, holding it in our very hands, 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:56.580 your spoken word written down for people like us, so that we can know you, so that we can love you 00:02:56.580 --> 00:03:08.460 and enjoy you. We thank you for the freedom that we have to meet like this, without fear of any 00:03:08.460 --> 00:03:20.340 authorities, fear of anyone coming to stop the meeting. Father, thank you for these wonderful gifts, 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:30.420 thanksgiving. And yet we need to ask you of more. We need to ask that you would help us by your Spirit 00:03:30.420 --> 00:03:38.740 to understand your word, that what may be familiar and what may be known to us 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:50.280 would strike into the depths of our lives afresh, so that we come to see you in all your greatness 00:03:50.280 --> 00:04:02.980 and come to enjoy you as Father. Please help us then, we pray. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:04:02.980 --> 00:04:03.120 Amen. 00:04:03.120 --> 00:04:03.160 Amen. 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:09.219 Amen. 00:04:09.219 --> 00:04:15.640 One sports day when I was in primary school, I'm sure you can remember your sports days, 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:23.139 being lined up with all the rest of the children for the running race. And as I ran that race, 00:04:23.280 --> 00:04:27.000 all I could hear was my father cheering from the sidelines, 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:37.400 that's my son, that's my son, go on, keep going. It was awful embarrassing to be running along with your 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:47.299 father shouting so loudly. But as a father, he was just simply encouraging his child to keep on going. 00:04:48.679 --> 00:04:50.120 Look at verse 28. 00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:54.560 Read it there with me. 00:04:55.099 --> 00:05:01.319 And now, dear children, continue in him. 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:09.879 These are the encouraging words, if you like, of the father who's on the sidelines. It's the gentle care of a pastor, 00:05:10.439 --> 00:05:18.620 cheering them on in the faith. Go on, my child. Keep on going. Continue in him. 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:27.620 You remember 1 John, the big theme of 1 John is that we have been invited into fellowship with God, 00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:31.340 and through faith we get to enter into that fellowship. 00:05:32.459 --> 00:05:39.180 But that fellowship, that relationship with our father is always under attack. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:51.639 There are those who are out there who are trying to rob us of the deep, personal, relational joy that we have with the father and with his son. 00:05:53.019 --> 00:06:00.980 So a couple of weeks ago, you remember in verses 15 to 17, we saw that the world was opposed to us. 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:11.580 And then in verses 18 through to 27, it was the antichrists or the false teachers trying to lead the children astray. 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:16.420 And so we are encouraged here, verse 28. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:21.439 And now, dear children, continue in him. 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:26.540 Don't get distracted by what the world has to offer you. 00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:30.460 Don't stop and listen to false teachers. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:33.540 Continue in Jesus Christ. 00:06:33.960 --> 00:06:36.280 Keep on going, my child. 00:06:36.640 --> 00:06:39.740 Look to Jesus and listen to Jesus. 00:06:40.340 --> 00:06:41.439 Keep on going. 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:44.340 Continue in him. 00:06:47.259 --> 00:06:51.800 Now, as we continue in him, 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:55.460 there are two great privileges, 00:06:55.459 --> 00:06:58.199 two great realities. 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:00.560 And if we can grasp them, 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:04.319 they will only increase our joy 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:07.259 and deepen our fellowship with God. 00:07:07.419 --> 00:07:09.620 As we continue with him, 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:12.120 there are two great things 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:14.599 that we come to understand 00:07:14.599 --> 00:07:17.879 and experience in our lives. 00:07:18.379 --> 00:07:19.740 Here's what they are. 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:20.779 Here's the first one. 00:07:20.779 --> 00:07:26.979 We have great confidence before our God. 00:07:27.059 --> 00:07:29.639 We have great confidence before our God. 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:30.979 Let's read verse 28. 00:07:31.699 --> 00:07:32.879 And now, dear children, 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:34.500 continue in him. 00:07:34.879 --> 00:07:36.699 And here's the reason we're to continue. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:40.019 So that when he appears, 00:07:40.339 --> 00:07:41.819 we may be confident 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:44.179 and unashamed before him 00:07:44.179 --> 00:07:46.079 at his coming. 00:07:47.699 --> 00:07:49.059 Do you get what it said? 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:53.319 Jesus is going to appear. 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:55.120 One day, 00:07:55.680 --> 00:07:58.819 Jesus is going to come again. 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:03.840 Now, how do you feel about that? 00:08:04.300 --> 00:08:06.240 The fact that the risen Jesus 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:07.939 is going to come again. 00:08:08.120 --> 00:08:09.680 How do you feel about that? 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:14.699 In school, I used to dread that moment 00:08:14.699 --> 00:08:17.840 when the year head would pull me to one side 00:08:17.840 --> 00:08:18.340 and say, 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:19.160 Jonathan, 00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:22.660 the principal would like to see you in his office. 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:27.439 In fact, I feared the headmaster so much 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:30.220 that I would just walk around outside 00:08:30.220 --> 00:08:32.560 hoping that with the passing of time, 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:34.060 he would forget. 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:38.719 Now, we might feel like that 00:08:38.719 --> 00:08:41.799 with the thought of Jesus coming again. 00:08:42.819 --> 00:08:45.279 Because when Jesus comes again, 00:08:45.719 --> 00:08:48.839 we will face him as our judge. 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:52.519 So how do you feel about that? 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:56.500 Well, look at verse 28. 00:08:57.439 --> 00:09:00.000 It tells us that he will appear. 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:02.860 That means that when he appears, 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:05.279 it means everybody will see him. 00:09:05.779 --> 00:09:07.639 Nobody will be mistaken 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:10.500 by the return of Jesus Christ. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:13.620 Now, just as we will see him coming, 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:17.539 he will also see us. 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:23.379 He will see us intimately and deeper. 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:27.039 Everything that we've ever said, 00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:29.799 everything that we've ever thought or done 00:09:29.799 --> 00:09:32.779 will be seen by him. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:35.759 A record of our whole life 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:38.659 will be put on display before him. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:41.360 And of course, 00:09:41.500 --> 00:09:43.500 all the good things that we've done, 00:09:43.879 --> 00:09:46.759 all the caring words that we've ever said, 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:50.080 all of those things will be on display too. 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:52.319 All our proud moments. 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:56.080 But so will all our faults 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:59.620 and every single one of our failures. 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:03.519 Our deepest shameful secrets. 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:06.299 All the skeletons in the cupboard 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:09.759 will be revealed and unveiled. 00:10:09.759 --> 00:10:13.899 So I ask us all the question, 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:18.779 how confident are we to stand before Jesus 00:10:18.779 --> 00:10:22.340 as the ultimate and fair judge 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:25.879 who sees and knows every single action? 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:30.580 Well, the great privilege 00:10:30.580 --> 00:10:35.019 is that we can have great confidence. 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:38.259 We can have great confidence. 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:39.579 Let's read verse 28. 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:40.980 And now, dear children, 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:41.899 continue in him 00:10:41.899 --> 00:10:44.199 so that when Jesus appears, 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:46.980 we may be confident. 00:10:47.699 --> 00:10:49.480 We can have confidence 00:10:49.480 --> 00:10:51.039 before the judge 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:54.139 because of what Jesus 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:56.659 has already done for us. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:59.000 Go back to chapter 2, verse 1. 00:10:59.000 --> 00:11:01.620 Here's the two great things 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:03.679 that Jesus has done for us 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:05.299 so that we can be confident. 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:07.399 Chapter 2, verse 1. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:09.559 My dear children, 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:12.059 so is this father loving care. 00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:13.259 My dear children, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.620 I write this to you 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:16.500 so that you will not sin. 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:17.700 It's his desire 00:11:17.700 --> 00:11:19.039 that we don't fall away. 00:11:19.320 --> 00:11:20.480 But he's a realist. 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:21.960 He knows what we're like. 00:11:22.320 --> 00:11:24.539 If anybody does sin, 00:11:25.299 --> 00:11:26.259 and we all do, 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:28.720 we have one who speaks 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:29.580 to the Father 00:11:29.580 --> 00:11:31.279 in our defence, 00:11:31.740 --> 00:11:32.720 Jesus Christ, 00:11:33.100 --> 00:11:33.939 the Righteous One. 00:11:34.159 --> 00:11:35.319 So here's the picture 00:11:35.319 --> 00:11:36.200 of Jesus 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:38.460 standing before the Father 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:39.759 as our defence. 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.860 He's there, 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:41.519 as it were, 00:11:41.620 --> 00:11:42.939 reminding the Father, 00:11:43.319 --> 00:11:44.500 assuring the Father 00:11:44.500 --> 00:11:45.720 that his sin 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:47.100 has been dealt with. 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:49.080 There are no more charges 00:11:49.080 --> 00:11:50.519 against this person. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.860 They are accepted 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:53.220 and forgiven. 00:11:54.299 --> 00:11:55.580 Now, how can Jesus 00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:56.980 stand before the Father 00:11:56.980 --> 00:11:57.680 and say that 00:11:57.680 --> 00:11:59.259 about people like you and me 00:11:59.259 --> 00:12:00.920 who mess up all the time? 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:03.720 Well, here's the second reason, 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:04.420 verse 2. 00:12:04.900 --> 00:12:07.040 He is the atoning sacrifice 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:08.800 for our sins, 00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:10.280 but not only for ours, 00:12:10.420 --> 00:12:11.800 also for the sins 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:13.160 of the whole world. 00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:14.860 Yes, he's our defence, 00:12:15.420 --> 00:12:17.580 but he is also our sacrifice. 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:18.920 He's the one 00:12:18.920 --> 00:12:20.600 who has already paid the penalty 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.860 for all of our sin. 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:23.240 The past ones, 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:24.200 the present ones, 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:25.580 the future ones. 00:12:25.780 --> 00:12:27.620 There is nothing left to pay. 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.379 Wonderfully, 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:34.680 Jesus Christ has taken 00:12:34.680 --> 00:12:37.440 our very worst days 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:40.620 and has dealt with them all 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:42.259 and in its place 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.820 he has given us 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:45.780 his perfect days 00:12:45.780 --> 00:12:48.020 so that we can stand 00:12:48.020 --> 00:12:49.000 before God. 00:12:49.000 --> 00:12:50.840 He has taken 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:52.240 our worst days 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:54.659 and in its place 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:55.519 he has given us 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.919 his best days 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:59.820 so that we can stand 00:12:59.820 --> 00:13:01.159 before God. 00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:03.220 We can have confidence. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:05.059 Look at chapter 4, 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:06.320 verse 17. 00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:09.580 Chapter 4, verse 17. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.379 Here he's been speaking again 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:12.519 about the great theme 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:13.519 of God's love 00:13:13.519 --> 00:13:14.840 and when that love 00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:16.440 is poured into our lives 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:17.639 he can say this, 00:13:17.639 --> 00:13:19.519 chapter 4, verse 17. 00:13:20.019 --> 00:13:20.919 In this way 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:22.480 love is made 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:24.600 complete among us 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.860 so that 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:28.460 we will have confidence 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:30.819 on the day 00:13:30.819 --> 00:13:31.740 of judgment. 00:13:34.019 --> 00:13:34.919 You see, 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.139 if we can be confident 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:36.879 then, 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:39.199 if we can be confident 00:13:39.199 --> 00:13:40.299 when we stand 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:41.340 before God, 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.580 then that means 00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:44.319 we can enjoy him 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:44.639 today. 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.159 today. 00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:47.220 We can enjoy him 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:47.699 today. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.539 But it's not just 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.399 confidence. 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.379 We can also 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:54.840 come before Jesus 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.159 unashamed. 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:58.500 Go back to verse 28. 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:00.860 He says, 00:14:00.919 --> 00:14:01.539 when he appears 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.679 we can be confident 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:05.539 and unashamed 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:06.860 before him 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.860 at his coming. 00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:12.960 You may relate 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:13.460 to this 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.139 in your own 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:14.759 relationships 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:16.700 but I know 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:17.720 that I have said 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:18.419 and I have done 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:19.519 things towards 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:21.139 my wife 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.360 that I'm very ashamed 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:22.840 of. 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:25.000 Although I've 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.539 repented, 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:27.560 although I've 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:28.340 been forgiven, 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:30.180 when I think 00:14:30.180 --> 00:14:30.919 about some of 00:14:30.919 --> 00:14:31.500 those things 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.460 I am 00:14:32.460 --> 00:14:33.420 ashamed. 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:33.679 ashamed. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:35.679 And I would 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.360 be deeply 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.120 embarrassed 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.919 if you ever 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:39.539 heard about 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:40.139 some of those 00:14:40.139 --> 00:14:40.620 things. 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.819 How do you 00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:44.360 think it will 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.000 be then 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.019 to stand 00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:47.120 before Jesus 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:48.500 who sees 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.199 everything we've 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:49.740 ever done, 00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:51.779 who's heard 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:53.279 every word 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:54.759 and knows 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.419 our every 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:56.039 thought? 00:14:57.439 --> 00:14:58.379 We would 00:14:58.379 --> 00:14:59.279 be deeply 00:14:59.279 --> 00:14:59.879 ashamed. 00:15:00.959 --> 00:15:01.259 An 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:02.079 overwhelming 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.020 sense of 00:15:03.020 --> 00:15:03.500 guilt 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.240 as our 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:04.860 life is 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.560 flashed 00:15:05.560 --> 00:15:06.300 before us. 00:15:06.540 --> 00:15:06.980 We would 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:07.420 just want 00:15:07.420 --> 00:15:07.780 to run 00:15:07.780 --> 00:15:08.240 away and 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.220 hide and 00:15:09.220 --> 00:15:09.620 cover 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:10.240 ourselves. 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:11.800 But look 00:15:11.800 --> 00:15:12.240 what verse 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:13.259 28 says. 00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:14.720 That's not 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.480 how it's 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:15.940 going to 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:16.220 be. 00:15:17.060 --> 00:15:17.759 It's not 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.259 how it's 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.660 going to 00:15:18.660 --> 00:15:18.840 be. 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:19.580 We will 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:19.800 be, 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:20.580 verse 28, 00:15:21.060 --> 00:15:22.320 unashamed 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:23.120 before him 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:23.460 at his 00:15:23.460 --> 00:15:23.820 coming. 00:15:25.520 --> 00:15:26.360 Rather than 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:26.840 run and 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.240 hide, 00:15:27.660 --> 00:15:28.160 we will 00:15:28.160 --> 00:15:28.840 run into 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:29.420 the arms 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:30.020 of Jesus 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:31.020 without guilt, 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:32.199 without shame 00:15:32.199 --> 00:15:32.980 because we 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:34.139 stand before 00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.159 him covered 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:35.679 in his 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.240 purity. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.059 There is 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:37.799 nothing to 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.279 fear, 00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:39.360 nothing to 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:39.879 hide. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:40.919 In fact, 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:41.799 our shame 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.899 will all be 00:15:42.899 --> 00:15:44.259 replaced with 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.319 full and 00:15:45.319 --> 00:15:46.740 complete joy. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.480 You see, 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.259 if we can be 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.480 unashamed then, 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.500 if we can be 00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:53.480 unashamed when 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.539 we stand before 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.379 Jesus when he 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:56.000 comes again, 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:57.340 that means 00:15:57.340 --> 00:16:00.360 we can enjoy 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.779 him today. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:04.059 We can enjoy 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:04.720 him today. 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.299 Now, the 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.159 question I have 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.899 for us all in 00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:09.500 this is, 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.879 do you have 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.700 this confidence? 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.179 Do you have 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:16.000 this confidence 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.000 to stand 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.340 before God 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:19.399 unashamed? 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.039 And how can I 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.779 be sure that 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.500 this is true 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:23.980 of me? 00:16:25.779 --> 00:16:26.259 Well, 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:28.080 we need to 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.480 look at the 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.059 evidence. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.580 Let's read 00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:32.419 verse 29. 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.879 If you know 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.500 that he, 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.039 that is, 00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:36.679 God, 00:16:37.019 --> 00:16:37.879 is righteous, 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.700 that's in 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:40.559 his perfection, 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:41.899 you know 00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:42.940 that everyone 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.120 who does 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.580 what is 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:46.179 right has 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:46.659 been born 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:47.139 of him. 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.120 Sometimes 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.820 people will 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.399 say to me 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.000 something like 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:52.240 this, 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.720 that's just 00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:54.240 what your 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.139 father would 00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:55.500 do, 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.459 or you 00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:57.319 just sound 00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:57.919 like your 00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:58.399 father. 00:16:59.179 --> 00:16:59.620 In other 00:16:59.620 --> 00:16:59.860 words, 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:00.379 children 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:01.579 naturally bear 00:17:01.579 --> 00:17:02.419 the resemblance 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:02.779 of their 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.419 parents. 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.559 Because they 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.079 share the 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:05.980 same DNA, 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.740 they sound 00:17:07.740 --> 00:17:08.299 like them, 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.579 or they behave 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:09.940 like them, 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.440 they have the 00:17:10.440 --> 00:17:11.000 same kind 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.980 of mannerisms, 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:12.480 you just 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:13.400 inherited it 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.440 just the 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:15.220 way it is. 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.539 Now, 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.180 those who 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:17.879 have true 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.759 fellowship with 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.299 God, 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:20.579 those who 00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:21.379 claim to 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:21.700 be in 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.259 relationship 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:22.919 with God 00:17:22.919 --> 00:17:24.359 will also 00:17:24.359 --> 00:17:25.460 reflect the 00:17:25.460 --> 00:17:26.500 behaviour of 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.339 their father 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.000 in heaven. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.359 Look at the 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:29.819 end of verse 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.299 29, 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:30.819 it says, 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.399 everyone who 00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.059 does what 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.879 is right, 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.039 just as 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.539 God is 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:36.940 right, 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.119 will or 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:38.720 has been 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.839 born of 00:17:39.839 --> 00:17:40.240 him. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.859 Because we've 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.440 been born 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:43.059 of God, 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.159 because God 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:44.799 has brought 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.339 us into 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:45.940 fellowship 00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.859 with the 00:17:46.859 --> 00:17:47.159 father, 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.820 because we 00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:48.940 enjoy that 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.540 relationship 00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:50.220 with him, 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.320 as his 00:17:51.320 --> 00:17:51.920 children, 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:53.320 we naturally 00:17:53.320 --> 00:17:54.120 begin to 00:17:54.120 --> 00:17:54.620 bear the 00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:55.259 resemblance 00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:55.640 of the 00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.060 father. 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.040 It's like 00:17:58.040 --> 00:17:58.540 we share 00:17:58.540 --> 00:17:59.120 the same 00:17:59.120 --> 00:17:59.759 DNA, 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.820 we begin 00:18:00.820 --> 00:18:01.620 to reflect 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:02.080 who he 00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:02.500 is. 00:18:03.540 --> 00:18:04.400 So as we 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:04.980 look at our 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.560 lives and 00:18:05.560 --> 00:18:05.940 as other 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:06.580 people look 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:06.880 at our 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.580 lives and 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.120 they see 00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:08.560 the way 00:18:08.560 --> 00:18:08.960 that we 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.680 behave, 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:10.460 then it's 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:11.000 giving us 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.759 evidence, 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.460 it's giving 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.340 us proof, 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:14.759 it's reassuring 00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.480 us and giving 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:15.980 us the 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.580 confidence 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.399 that we 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:18.079 can be 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:18.819 unashamed 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.699 before him 00:18:19.699 --> 00:18:20.460 when he 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.099 comes. 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.639 Look at 00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.319 the evidence 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:23.679 of your 00:18:23.679 --> 00:18:24.139 life. 00:18:25.919 --> 00:18:26.439 Are we 00:18:26.439 --> 00:18:27.199 reflecting 00:18:27.199 --> 00:18:28.500 the behaviour 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.480 of our 00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:30.079 father? 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.559 So the 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.199 great privilege 00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:37.119 is that we 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:37.720 have great 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:38.679 confidence 00:18:38.679 --> 00:18:40.720 before our 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.220 God. 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.819 The second 00:18:42.819 --> 00:18:44.319 great privilege 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:45.240 is this, 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.240 God's 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.079 children. 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.279 If we 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:48.059 continue in 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.380 him, 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.420 we have 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:51.359 great 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.200 assurance 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.720 as God's 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.140 children. 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:56.279 Let's read 00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:56.920 chapter 3 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.579 verse 1. 00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.839 How great 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:01.059 is the 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.240 love the 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.460 father has 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.339 lavished on 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.140 us that 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:05.880 we should 00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.740 be called 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.240 children of 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:08.640 God. 00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:10.620 Now just 00:19:10.620 --> 00:19:11.779 stop for a 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:13.259 minute or 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.599 wake up if 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:15.199 you're sleeping 00:19:15.199 --> 00:19:17.779 and gaze 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.659 at the 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.599 love of 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.219 the father 00:19:20.219 --> 00:19:21.539 for us. 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:23.859 Look how 00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.259 it is 00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.119 expressed. 00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:27.159 See what 00:19:27.159 --> 00:19:27.639 has been 00:19:27.639 --> 00:19:28.459 achieved for 00:19:28.459 --> 00:19:29.099 people like 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:29.519 you and 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:29.719 me. 00:19:30.199 --> 00:19:30.659 Look at 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:31.240 who we 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.259 are today 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.199 because of 00:19:33.199 --> 00:19:33.939 the father's 00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:34.219 love. 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:34.939 We are 00:19:34.939 --> 00:19:35.619 called 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:37.679 children of 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.140 God. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:42.340 The father 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:44.420 has enacted 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.860 his love 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:46.860 in our 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.600 lives. 00:19:48.320 --> 00:19:49.160 His seed 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.740 of love 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.299 if you like 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:50.660 has been 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:51.560 put into 00:19:51.560 --> 00:19:52.460 our lives 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.660 and it 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.259 has brought 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.200 about something 00:19:55.200 --> 00:19:56.080 amazing. 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:59.139 A great 00:19:59.139 --> 00:20:00.460 explanation or 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:02.019 commentary on 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:02.679 this very 00:20:02.679 --> 00:20:04.659 idea comes 00:20:04.659 --> 00:20:05.559 from John's 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:05.939 Gospel. 00:20:06.679 --> 00:20:07.259 So keep 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:07.740 your finger 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.819 in 1 John 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.439 and go to 00:20:09.439 --> 00:20:09.980 John's 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.379 Gospel. 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.159 It's the 00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:13.879 same author. 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.159 John's 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:22.439 Gospel 00:20:22.439 --> 00:20:23.220 chapter 1 00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.139 verses 12 00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:25.359 to 13. 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.980 And here 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.319 we have 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:28.679 like a 00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:28.859 little 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:29.579 commentary 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:32.000 on the 00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.559 father's 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.000 love for 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:34.079 us that 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.439 we should 00:20:34.439 --> 00:20:34.919 be children 00:20:34.919 --> 00:20:35.519 of God. 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:39.039 So verse 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:40.139 12 chapter 00:20:40.139 --> 00:20:40.559 1. 00:20:41.679 --> 00:20:42.119 So he's 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.740 speaking to 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.799 those who 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.419 are believers 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:46.779 or to 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.179 those who 00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:47.819 will believe. 00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:48.859 Verse 12 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.339 Yet to 00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.019 all who 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.699 received 00:20:50.699 --> 00:20:51.119 him, 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:51.960 that's 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.319 Jesus, 00:20:53.159 --> 00:20:53.939 to those 00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:54.859 who believed 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.579 in his 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.000 name, 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:57.319 he gave 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:57.879 the right 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.559 to become 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.259 children of 00:20:59.259 --> 00:20:59.639 God. 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:01.699 How do 00:21:01.699 --> 00:21:02.139 they become 00:21:02.139 --> 00:21:02.599 children? 00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:04.259 Read on. 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:05.639 Children 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.639 born not 00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.460 of natural 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.159 descent, 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.019 nor of 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:10.519 human 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.159 decision, 00:21:12.159 --> 00:21:13.240 or of a 00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.839 husband's 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:14.139 will, 00:21:15.419 --> 00:21:16.519 but born 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.319 of God. 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:17.359 God. 00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:20.159 You see, 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.399 it's 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:20.859 saying to 00:21:20.859 --> 00:21:21.299 us there, 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:22.559 just as 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.019 you and 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.019 I had 00:21:24.019 --> 00:21:24.879 no say 00:21:24.879 --> 00:21:25.639 or no 00:21:25.639 --> 00:21:26.740 choice in 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.599 being physically 00:21:27.599 --> 00:21:28.299 born into 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.879 this world, 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.720 none of us 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.779 decided I'm 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.279 going to be 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.619 born. 00:21:32.919 --> 00:21:33.740 That was our 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.480 parents' 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.059 decision. 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:38.319 So just as 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.059 that's true 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:40.000 in a physical 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.559 sense, 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.460 so the 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.440 Father in 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.379 heaven has 00:21:43.379 --> 00:21:44.000 chosen 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.879 us 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:47.319 to become 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:47.960 his very 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.740 own 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.519 children. 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.720 And that's 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.480 what gives us 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.179 the assurance 00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:55.259 that we are 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.039 God's 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.500 children. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:57.980 Our security 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:59.200 that I am a 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.099 child of God 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:01.220 rests in the 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:02.079 fact not 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.059 that I love 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.759 the Father, 00:22:04.679 --> 00:22:05.339 but that the 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:06.039 Father loves 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.500 me. 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:08.599 If it 00:22:08.599 --> 00:22:09.440 depended on 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.039 my love 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.440 for the 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:10.900 Father, 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:13.059 if it all 00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.819 depended on 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.380 how much 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:15.000 I love 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.400 him and 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.000 what I do 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.460 for him, 00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.380 I've got 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:18.519 no assurance. 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.640 Because my 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:21.200 love for the 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:22.059 Father fails 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:22.640 far too 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:23.000 often. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:23.680 There are 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.200 days I 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:24.740 don't love 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.059 when I 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.660 should love. 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.319 There are 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.200 seasons when 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:27.960 I ignore 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.380 him. 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.339 But because 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.240 he lavished 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.819 his love 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.720 on me, 00:22:33.700 --> 00:22:34.839 because he 00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.920 chose me, 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:36.940 I have 00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:38.660 unshakable 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.740 assurance. 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:41.519 That's where 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.380 my security 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.180 rests. 00:22:44.160 --> 00:22:45.320 Be amazed 00:22:45.320 --> 00:22:46.279 that we 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:46.800 have been 00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:48.160 loved by 00:22:48.160 --> 00:22:49.140 the Father 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:50.140 and are 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.680 called 00:22:50.680 --> 00:22:51.660 children of 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.060 God. 00:22:55.000 --> 00:22:55.800 But what 00:22:55.800 --> 00:22:56.120 does it 00:22:56.120 --> 00:22:56.620 mean to 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.779 be a 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.340 child of 00:22:58.340 --> 00:22:58.660 God? 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:01.259 Well, 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:01.820 think of 00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.039 a, 00:23:03.360 --> 00:23:03.720 we've 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.039 done that, 00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.660 the Father's 00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:04.980 love, 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.980 children of 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.180 God. 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:06.860 Think of 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:08.599 a child 00:23:08.599 --> 00:23:09.059 parent 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.759 relationship. 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.240 There's 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.660 like two 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.339 parts to 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:13.579 it. 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.559 If you 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:14.740 have 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.140 children, 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:15.599 you may 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.339 relate to 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:16.480 it. 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:16.759 There's 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.700 a legal 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:19.079 side and 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.400 there's a 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:19.900 relational 00:23:19.900 --> 00:23:20.500 side. 00:23:21.440 --> 00:23:22.140 So when 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.640 a child 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.299 is born 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.839 and the 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.539 birth cert 00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:26.519 is signed, 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.019 the child 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:28.720 then, as it 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.380 were, is 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:31.000 legally a 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.660 son or 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.440 daughter of 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.059 the parent. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:34.000 That is a 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.140 legal document 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:35.940 that makes 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.880 them a 00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:38.480 child of 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.299 the parents. 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:41.120 But it's 00:23:41.120 --> 00:23:41.900 so much 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.400 more than 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.840 just a 00:23:42.840 --> 00:23:43.500 legal issue, 00:23:43.580 --> 00:23:44.059 isn't it? 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.320 It's not 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:46.820 till the 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.580 child gets 00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:48.779 home that 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.420 they get to 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:51.000 experience the 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.120 privilege of 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.019 being a 00:23:53.019 --> 00:23:53.559 son. 00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:54.960 It's only in 00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.620 the deep, 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.720 personal and 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.820 intimate relationship 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:59.039 of living with 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.700 the mother and 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.519 father that they 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:02.000 realise, I'm a 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.019 daughter and I'm 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.079 cared for and 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.680 loved. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.259 So it's not a 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.640 cold, legal 00:24:07.640 --> 00:24:08.559 thing. 00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.380 It is a 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:10.579 relational and 00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.559 loving thing. 00:24:13.200 --> 00:24:13.839 Verse 1, 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:15.019 how great is 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:15.559 the love the 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.119 father has 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:16.960 lavished on us 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.880 that we should 00:24:17.880 --> 00:24:18.579 be called 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.619 children of 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.019 God. 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.559 It's as if we 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.380 have to pinch 00:24:22.380 --> 00:24:23.240 ourselves to 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.000 believe it. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:25.960 And because 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.000 we are God's 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.160 children, we've 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.079 been accepted 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:30.019 by the father, 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.400 we have access 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.259 to the father, 00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.460 we become, 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.380 people like you 00:24:34.380 --> 00:24:34.920 and me, 00:24:35.280 --> 00:24:36.240 become brothers 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:37.660 and sisters with 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.680 Jesus Christ. 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:40.460 We're treated 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.120 and we're 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:42.600 treasured as the 00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.640 father loves his 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:44.340 own son. 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.519 And if you 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.300 don't quite 00:24:47.300 --> 00:24:48.140 believe it, 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.000 look at the 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.600 next little 00:24:49.600 --> 00:24:50.200 phrase, 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.240 and that 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.240 is what 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.040 we are. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:55.880 Do you ever 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:57.640 doubt that 00:24:57.640 --> 00:24:58.340 you're a child 00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:58.939 of God? 00:25:00.879 --> 00:25:01.559 Because you 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.199 don't love 00:25:02.199 --> 00:25:02.779 him enough? 00:25:03.459 --> 00:25:04.019 Well, it's 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.619 because he 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.559 loves you 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.980 and he has 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.839 made you a 00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.720 child and 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.459 if you doubt 00:25:09.459 --> 00:25:10.799 it, that is 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:11.679 what you are. 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:15.799 Look at the 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.639 rest of verse 3, 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:18.139 the reason the 00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:19.119 world does not 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:21.179 know us is 00:25:21.179 --> 00:25:21.720 that it did 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.519 not know him. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.279 You see, the 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.319 world looking in 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.279 may not 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.119 understand that 00:25:27.119 --> 00:25:27.819 you're a child 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.379 of God. 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.799 The world 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.399 might think 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:31.439 you're absolutely 00:25:31.439 --> 00:25:32.659 crazy to make 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:33.659 a claim that 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.379 you have this 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.439 personal, intimate 00:25:35.439 --> 00:25:36.359 relationship with 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.339 God the 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:37.819 Father. 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.339 They'll think 00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:39.399 you're bonkers. 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.859 But because of 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.679 the Father's 00:25:42.679 --> 00:25:44.319 love, that is 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:45.019 what you are. 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:45.960 Don't let 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.779 anybody else 00:25:46.779 --> 00:25:47.319 tell you 00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:47.700 otherwise. 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:50.519 If your 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.480 face is in 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:53.039 Jesus, you 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.799 are a child 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.419 of God. 00:25:54.420 --> 00:25:54.460 God. 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.600 And it 00:25:55.600 --> 00:25:56.539 doesn't stop 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.340 there. 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.340 Look what else 00:25:59.340 --> 00:25:59.880 he has to 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.220 say. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.360 Verse 2, 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.539 Dear friends, 00:26:05.300 --> 00:26:06.340 now we are 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.200 children of 00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:08.660 God and 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.720 what we will 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:10.960 be has not 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.779 yet been made 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.019 known. 00:26:12.100 --> 00:26:12.380 In other 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:12.960 words, nobody 00:26:12.960 --> 00:26:14.100 has seen what 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.660 it's going to 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.400 be like what 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.080 we are going 00:26:16.080 --> 00:26:16.539 to be. 00:26:17.300 --> 00:26:18.320 But we 00:26:18.320 --> 00:26:19.420 know that when 00:26:19.420 --> 00:26:20.259 he appears, 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.000 when Jesus 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.060 comes again, 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.420 we shall be 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.340 like him 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:25.779 for we 00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.259 shall see 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.720 him as 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.240 he is. 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:33.059 As much 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.399 as a 00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.959 parent loves 00:26:34.959 --> 00:26:35.439 their new 00:26:35.439 --> 00:26:36.399 baby son 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:36.980 or daughter, 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.639 they never 00:26:38.639 --> 00:26:39.179 want their 00:26:39.179 --> 00:26:39.839 little baby 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:40.559 to stay 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.159 as they 00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.459 are. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:42.939 They long 00:26:42.939 --> 00:26:43.359 for them 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.199 to grow 00:26:44.199 --> 00:26:45.459 healthy and 00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.139 strong. 00:26:46.679 --> 00:26:47.139 They want 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.679 them to be 00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.559 nurtured and 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.639 cared for so 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.000 that they 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.039 become everything 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.480 they are 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:51.940 meant to 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:52.879 be as a 00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:53.420 mature 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.079 adult. 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:55.279 That is 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.659 what a 00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:55.960 parent 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.579 desires. 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.019 And it's 00:26:58.019 --> 00:26:58.420 the same 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:58.940 way for 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.680 our father. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.740 He desires 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:01.180 for us 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.779 as children 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:02.659 that we 00:27:02.659 --> 00:27:03.759 would grow 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.220 up and 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.039 become all 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.379 that we 00:27:05.379 --> 00:27:05.779 are meant 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.279 to be. 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:06.980 But this 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.379 is not 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:07.899 just an 00:27:07.899 --> 00:27:08.740 aspiration, 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.099 this is a 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.579 guaranteed 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.539 promise. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.480 Look again 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:12.859 at verse 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.240 2, 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:14.099 but we 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:14.819 know that 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.380 when he 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:16.500 appears we 00:27:16.500 --> 00:27:17.539 shall be 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.259 like him 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.640 for we 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.620 shall see 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.279 him as 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.779 he is. 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:22.900 The promise 00:27:22.900 --> 00:27:23.900 is crystal 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.319 clear. 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.059 This is 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.779 something that 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.279 God is 00:27:26.279 --> 00:27:26.740 going to 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.400 do for 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:27.660 us. 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.740 We will 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:32.200 become 00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.440 like 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.339 Jesus. 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:36.259 When 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.880 Jesus 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.759 returns, 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.099 instead of 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:40.500 condemnation, 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.099 it will be 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:43.200 transformation. 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.599 transformation. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.599 Now let 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.519 that filter 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.440 into our 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.200 minds and 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.799 into our 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.240 hearts. 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.620 We will 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.200 be 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.319 transformed 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:54.000 to be 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.779 like Jesus. 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.620 You know 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:56.960 what that 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.400 means? 00:27:58.539 --> 00:27:59.039 No more 00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.519 sin. 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.599 No more 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.380 struggles. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.279 No more 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.160 battles to 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.539 be doing 00:28:05.539 --> 00:28:05.980 the right 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.359 thing. 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:08.859 Just take 00:28:08.859 --> 00:28:09.299 a moment 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.799 to think 00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:10.500 through that. 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.339 What part 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:13.379 of your 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:13.899 sinful 00:28:13.899 --> 00:28:14.439 nature 00:28:14.439 --> 00:28:15.759 do you 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.199 struggle 00:28:16.199 --> 00:28:16.819 with the 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.119 most? 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:17.720 What 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.959 aspect do 00:28:18.959 --> 00:28:19.179 you 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:19.799 really 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.139 not 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:20.579 like? 00:28:23.659 --> 00:28:24.319 Or what 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:24.759 is it 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.299 about sin 00:28:26.299 --> 00:28:26.839 that gets 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.500 you down 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.220 most of 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.480 all? 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:34.160 temptation 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:35.880 do you 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.700 so quickly 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.279 give in 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:37.480 to? 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:38.980 And you 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.759 long for 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.240 the day 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.599 where you 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:41.940 will never 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.720 fall again. 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.819 Well, 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:46.319 one day 00:28:46.319 --> 00:28:48.460 it will 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.019 all be 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.299 gone. 00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.000 You 00:28:51.000 --> 00:28:51.680 will be 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.759 like 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.440 Jesus 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.559 in 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.360 absolute 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:55.960 purity. 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:58.539 that is 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:58.740 the 00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.440 guaranteed 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:01.079 destination 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:02.559 of all 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:03.819 God's 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.259 children. 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.319 Now the 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:08.100 question is, 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:09.700 do you 00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.160 have this 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:10.579 assurance? 00:29:12.900 --> 00:29:13.660 Do you 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.279 know that 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:14.740 is your 00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.259 destiny? 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.720 How can 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.100 I be 00:29:17.100 --> 00:29:18.079 sure this 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.620 is true 00:29:18.620 --> 00:29:19.100 of me? 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.059 Well, 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:23.940 we need 00:29:23.940 --> 00:29:24.380 to look at 00:29:24.380 --> 00:29:25.120 the evidence. 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.799 look at 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.420 verse 3. 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:31.579 Everyone 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:33.960 who has 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.480 this 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.299 hope, 00:29:35.620 --> 00:29:36.180 everyone 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.360 who has 00:29:37.360 --> 00:29:37.700 this 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.539 longing, 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:40.700 everyone 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.259 who has 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.819 this hope 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.500 in him 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:44.000 purifies 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.640 himself 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:46.039 just 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:47.880 as God 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:48.420 is pure. 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.819 Because 00:29:50.819 --> 00:29:51.319 of who 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:51.840 I am, 00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:52.960 I am 00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:53.460 a child 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.019 of God. 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:55.240 because of 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:55.740 what I 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:56.299 will be, 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.039 I will 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.259 be 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:57.759 transformed 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.319 to be 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.619 like 00:29:58.619 --> 00:29:59.019 Jesus. 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.680 Because 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.519 of all 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.019 that God 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.500 has worked 00:30:01.500 --> 00:30:01.920 in me, 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:02.960 I will 00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.680 seek to 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.079 live as 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:04.559 a child 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.079 of God. 00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:05.799 I will 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.559 seek to 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.019 become 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.839 more like 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.339 Jesus. 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:11.000 Now if 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.480 that is 00:30:11.480 --> 00:30:12.299 your desire, 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.779 if your 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.440 longing is 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:14.700 to be 00:30:14.700 --> 00:30:15.259 more like 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.559 him, 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.539 then that 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.240 evidence 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:17.859 is there 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.819 to say 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.799 you have 00:30:19.799 --> 00:30:20.339 assurance 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:20.720 as a 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:20.980 child 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.539 of God. 00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:23.639 you see 00:30:23.639 --> 00:30:24.259 the true 00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:24.779 children 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.460 of God 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.960 long to 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.359 be more 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:27.659 like 00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:28.019 Jesus. 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:30.059 If you 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:30.839 have no 00:30:30.839 --> 00:30:31.599 inclination, 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.180 if you 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.779 have no 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.460 thought, 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.099 if you 00:30:35.099 --> 00:30:35.659 have no 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.359 desire 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.019 to be 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.619 looking at 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:37.960 Jesus 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.500 and saying 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:38.940 I want 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.259 to be 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.779 more like 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:39.980 him, 00:30:40.139 --> 00:30:40.559 if that 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:40.920 never 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.420 crosses 00:30:41.420 --> 00:30:42.139 your mind, 00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:42.799 if it's 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.299 never in 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.839 your prayer 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.299 life, 00:30:45.339 --> 00:30:47.240 then you 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:47.559 have to 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:47.879 ask, 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.220 am I 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:48.619 a child 00:30:48.619 --> 00:30:49.119 of God? 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:51.339 Because 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:52.039 the true 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.519 children 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.019 of God 00:30:53.019 --> 00:30:53.259 will 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.879 long 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:54.899 to be 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:55.119 more 00:30:55.119 --> 00:30:55.379 like 00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:55.919 Jesus. 00:30:56.919 --> 00:30:57.439 Go 00:30:57.439 --> 00:30:57.839 back to 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.419 chapter 1 00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:59.000 verse 8. 00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.059 Here we 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.539 see the 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:07.099 evidence 00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:07.579 that is 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.079 there for 00:31:08.079 --> 00:31:08.599 those who 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.039 are true 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.559 children. 00:31:09.959 --> 00:31:10.559 Chapter 1 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.000 verse 8, 00:31:11.239 --> 00:31:11.599 if we 00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:13.259 claim to 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.819 be without 00:31:13.819 --> 00:31:14.319 sin, 00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:15.519 we deceive 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:16.199 ourselves and 00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:16.599 the truth 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:16.979 is not 00:31:16.979 --> 00:31:17.559 in us. 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:17.959 So if we 00:31:17.959 --> 00:31:18.519 don't care 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:18.980 about our 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:19.420 lives, 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.220 we don't 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:20.839 care what 00:31:20.839 --> 00:31:21.220 we look 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:21.559 like or 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:21.940 how we 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.799 behave or 00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.240 whether we're 00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:23.859 like Jesus, 00:31:24.859 --> 00:31:25.339 the truth 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.759 isn't in 00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:26.099 us. 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:26.740 But, 00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:27.460 verse 9, 00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:28.680 if we 00:31:28.680 --> 00:31:29.460 confess our 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:29.940 sins, 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:30.660 he is 00:31:30.660 --> 00:31:31.559 faithful and 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.379 just and 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:32.819 he will 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.420 forgive us 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:33.940 our sins 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:36.240 and purify 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:38.359 us from 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:38.900 all 00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:40.180 unrighteousness. 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.139 It's the 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:42.019 same idea 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.619 as chapter 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.359 3 verse 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:43.859 3, 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.900 everyone who 00:31:44.900 --> 00:31:45.359 has this 00:31:45.359 --> 00:31:45.720 hope in 00:31:45.720 --> 00:31:47.160 him purifies 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:47.700 himself. 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.819 It's a 00:31:49.819 --> 00:31:50.259 life of 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:50.819 confession, 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.559 a life of 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.299 ongoing 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:54.000 repentance, 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:55.259 a desire 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.639 and an 00:31:55.639 --> 00:31:56.259 asking of 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:56.819 God for 00:31:56.819 --> 00:31:58.039 real heart 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.019 change. 00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.119 Change me 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:00.579 Father, 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.139 to be 00:32:02.139 --> 00:32:02.759 more like 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.339 your son. 00:32:05.599 --> 00:32:06.079 And if 00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:06.779 that is our 00:32:06.779 --> 00:32:07.240 prayer, 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.339 that is the 00:32:09.339 --> 00:32:10.660 evidence that 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.420 we are God's 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:11.759 children. 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.759 Lord, 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.759 amen. 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.099 Amen. 00:32:16.400 --> 00:32:17.379 Look at 00:32:17.379 --> 00:32:18.119 chapter 2, 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.259 verse 28. 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.980 And now, 00:32:25.019 --> 00:32:25.940 dear children, 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:29.259 continue in 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.559 him. 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.599 Keep on 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.819 going, my 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.240 child. 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:36.119 Keep going 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:36.879 in the 00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:37.279 faith. 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.259 Know the 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:39.200 confidence that 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.059 we can have in 00:32:40.059 --> 00:32:40.819 meeting Jesus. 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.700 know the 00:32:41.700 --> 00:32:42.700 assurance that 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.379 we will one 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:44.539 day be like 00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:44.980 Jesus. 00:32:45.439 --> 00:32:46.399 Continue in 00:32:46.399 --> 00:32:46.700 him. 00:32:47.119 --> 00:32:48.299 Keep on 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.059 going. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:52.099 And it 00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:52.740 will increase 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.439 your joy. 00:32:54.439 --> 00:32:55.259 And it 00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:56.000 will deepen 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:57.279 your fellowship 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.439 with God. 00:32:59.399 --> 00:33:00.299 We have 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:00.819 confidence. 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:02.799 And we 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:03.720 have assurance. 00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:05.939 Keep going, 00:33:06.079 --> 00:33:06.539 my children. 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.279 Keep going. 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.159 Let's pray. 00:33:09.160 --> 00:33:09.900 . 00:33:10.360 --> 00:33:10.720 Oh, 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.900 hmm. 00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:12.660 Hmm. 00:33:12.660 --> 00:33:12.800 Hmm. 00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:14.720 Hmm. 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:26.500 Hmm. 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.000 Hmm. 00:33:27.600 --> 00:33:30.440 Hmm. 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:32.000 Hmm. 00:33:32.100 --> 00:33:32.640 Hmm. 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.540 Hmm. 00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:33.840 Hmm. 00:33:33.840 --> 00:33:34.120 Hmm. 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:35.840 Hmm. 00:33:36.540 --> 00:33:37.360 Hmm. 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:37.940 Hmm. 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:38.120 Hmm. 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:46.359 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:50.779 We thank you for the truth that it reminds us of. 00:33:52.179 --> 00:33:58.059 The deep personal relationship that we can have with Father and Son. 00:33:59.679 --> 00:34:02.659 It's our desire not only to enjoy you, 00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:06.759 but that we also become more like you. 00:34:08.119 --> 00:34:10.619 So gently by your spirit, 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:15.779 show us the things in our lives we need to put right. 00:34:17.039 --> 00:34:20.659 Teach us to come in repentance each day, 00:34:21.319 --> 00:34:24.819 to know the joy of forgiveness afresh, 00:34:25.819 --> 00:34:31.639 and to know that deep relationship that we can have as children of God, 00:34:32.859 --> 00:34:35.019 confident and assured. 00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:40.019 Father, may we all know that in its deepest sense. 00:34:41.400 --> 00:34:46.780 And we pray that we will continue in you until you come again. 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:50.460 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.960 Amen. 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:56.380 We're going to sing together. 00:34:56.380 --> 00:35:02.480 When I was lost, you came and rescued me. 00:35:05.140 --> 00:35:08.260 And there's one of the verses goes like this. 00:35:08.260 --> 00:35:08.900 Amen. 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.380 Women alone. 00:35:09.740 --> 00:35:11.760 Jen, 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.540 it was, we're going to just pass. 00:35:12.580 --> 00:35:13.200 Aren't we lost people with that, 00:35:14.440 --> 00:35:15.240 but as they� onto this something that we can experience? 00:35:15.660 --> 00:35:17.720 When do we dream of Baba Raffo, 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:19.180 and Ken Macprend's going into your life, 00:35:19.560 --> 00:35:20.560 are we going to우면. 00:35:20.600 --> 00:35:21.680 They've never felt like it was going to pass. 00:35:21.720 --> 00:35:25.180 Usually they've never π 00:35:25.180 --> 00:35:26.360 but darkness is the few of us, 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:32.000 but that art is the 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:34.940 of a陳 about Salas.