WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120 addressing the elephant in the room, so let me do as well. Yes, I injured myself during 00:00:06.120 --> 00:00:12.800 the week, which is why I'm sitting down. Thankfully, God's word can stand on its own two feet. 00:00:13.820 --> 00:00:20.059 It's just a bit of an injury joke there for you. Start off. It's fine for me to make those 00:00:20.059 --> 00:00:25.859 jokes as I'm the injured party, but I won't stand for anyone else making them. There's 00:00:25.859 --> 00:00:34.939 another one. So as John said, it's 1 John chapter 2. We're going to read the first six verses. 00:00:36.980 --> 00:00:38.879 So page 1225. 00:00:43.260 --> 00:00:49.739 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:54.960 we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous one. He is the atoning 00:00:54.960 --> 00:01:00.259 sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world. 00:01:01.759 --> 00:01:07.859 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, I know him, 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:13.900 but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone 00:01:13.900 --> 00:01:21.760 obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever 00:01:21.760 --> 00:01:27.240 claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 00:01:27.239 --> 00:01:53.379 Up. It'll be all right. Yeah, I think they're on it, yeah. Eric's fine. Don't worry about it. 00:01:53.379 --> 00:01:59.859 Okay, so let me just pray first and as we start. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:08.680 Father God, thank you for your word. Thank you for the truth that is in it. And thank you for 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:16.259 the assurance that we can gain from it. I pray this morning that we can focus here on your word 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:25.599 and not on anything else. So if I say anything that is not from you, please help us to forget that and 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:34.199 remember just the truth of your word this morning. In Jesus' name, amen. Well, let me begin with a 00:02:34.199 --> 00:02:43.340 shocking statement. I am not perfect. Now, hold on, hold on. Let me explain myself before you all walk out. 00:02:43.340 --> 00:02:51.520 Time and time again, I let my wife Sarah down. It started when we were dating and has continued 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:59.300 into marriage. You can ask her if you don't believe me. She'll gladly tell you. I regularly don't prove 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:05.699 my love to her by my actions. In fact, at times to anyone looking on, they may think the exact opposite, 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:13.539 that I don't love her. Sarah has had to forgive me on many an occasion. But she doesn't just say, 00:03:13.959 --> 00:03:20.739 I forgive you. She acts on those words. She softens towards me. She talks and jokes with me. 00:03:21.239 --> 00:03:27.259 She continues to show her love for me in many ways. If she had just said the words and then continued to 00:03:27.259 --> 00:03:35.919 punish me, how would I know that I had been forgiven? It's because of what she has done and continues to 00:03:35.919 --> 00:03:44.959 do that gives me assurance of her love. I, in turn, then prove my love to her by how I act, putting her 00:03:44.959 --> 00:03:52.799 first, serving her when I can. As well as assuring Sarah of my love, my actions also assure me more 00:03:52.800 --> 00:04:00.560 of our mutual love. She has already forgiven me. So these actions are out of love, not trying to earn 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:06.860 her forgiveness. Well, similarly today, from this passage that we've just read, we're going to see 00:04:06.860 --> 00:04:15.780 that we can gain assurance of God's love through three things. What Jesus has done, what Jesus is doing, 00:04:15.780 --> 00:04:23.459 and through what we ourselves do, our own actions, namely keeping the commands of God's word. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:33.720 Well, chapter two that we're looking at, it comes after chapter one. Surprising, I know, but that's 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:40.620 how books work. Well, at the very start of this book of 1 John, we see that John goes to great lengths 00:04:40.620 --> 00:04:48.060 to help the believers that he's writing to see that there is great evidence for their faith. He reminds 00:04:48.060 --> 00:04:55.019 them that he and many others were eyewitnesses of Jesus and all that he did. He reminds them of the 00:04:55.019 --> 00:05:01.500 fellowship they experience with the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. He's trying to instill in them an 00:05:01.500 --> 00:05:08.899 assurance that they have heard the truth because there are lies all around them. At this time, many had 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:15.039 left the church and were following their own ideas about who Jesus was. The church needed to be reminded 00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:21.899 of the basics of their faith and the truth behind what they believed. They needed this to get back to the 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:29.560 certainty that they once experienced. He's continuing this encouragement in chapter two. He moves on from the 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:37.279 fact that there are eyewitnesses to now reminding them of what Jesus has done for them. Take a look at verse two. 00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:39.899 In our passage. 00:05:39.899 --> 00:05:49.379 In our passage. He, that's speaking of Jesus, is the atoning sacrifice for our sins. And not only for ours, but also for the 00:05:49.379 --> 00:05:59.679 sins of the whole world. The words atoning sacrifice are translated as propitiation in other versions. They both speak of 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:06.819 the idea of covering up sin. But the word propitiation also includes the reason for the cover-up, namely to 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:15.340 appease God's anger. We know that God is angry at sin. And without Jesus' sacrifice, he would have to remain 00:06:15.340 --> 00:06:23.600 angry. Without Jesus' sacrifice, God's righteous wrath and anger would have to fall on us. God is righteous. 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:33.040 God is justice. And so he cannot let sin slide. So when the verse says that Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, we're 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:43.680 met with the truth of God's justice and his anger needing to be satisfied. Jesus took all that wrath on himself on the 00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:53.420 cross. Jesus' work on the cross was enough for the sins of the whole world, verse two tells us. Jesus being the propitiation, 00:06:53.600 --> 00:07:01.240 speaks of God taking it on himself to appease his own wrath, to make things right, which humans put wrong. 00:07:02.320 --> 00:07:08.980 God loves us so much that he sent his only son to suffer and die for the punishment required of sin. 00:07:10.640 --> 00:07:17.040 People outside the church at the time of writing were belittling what Jesus had done. They were saying he was 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:22.220 not God in the flesh, which would mean he couldn't possibly be the propitiation for their sins. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:29.760 People in the church were hearing this from friends and neighbors and were beginning to doubt Christ's work on the cross. 00:07:31.020 --> 00:07:36.300 John reminds them of the good news of Jesus and that he, along with the rest of the apostles, 00:07:36.300 --> 00:07:42.460 were eyewitnesses to Jesus' work on the cross. And so they know what really happened. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:52.620 Jesus' death and resurrection was enough. He has satisfied God's wrath fully. God's righteous justice 00:07:52.620 --> 00:08:00.419 has been met through his very own son. The church can rest in the assurance that this death has been paid. 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:07.399 There's nothing else to pay. We don't have to earn God's forgiveness. We don't have to earn God's love. 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:11.639 He has paid the price already. We just need to accept it. 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:22.699 So we gain assurance of God's love through what Jesus has done. We also can gain assurance through what Jesus is doing. 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:27.639 The second part of verse 1, it says, 00:08:27.639 --> 00:08:40.199 The first thing to notice in this verse is what John says about Jesus. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:46.259 We've just seen from the very next verse that he refers to Jesus as the propitiation. 00:08:47.059 --> 00:08:55.220 He's calling Jesus the righteous one and then immediately makes reference to Jesus satisfying God's righteous anger. 00:08:55.220 --> 00:09:01.100 This is a slap in the face to anyone that was trying to deny Jesus' divinity. 00:09:01.680 --> 00:09:08.360 To any of the false teachers that were trying to lead this church astray that Jesus' work on the cross was not sufficient. 00:09:09.160 --> 00:09:14.139 Jesus is God himself and so has satisfied the righteous wrath. 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:18.940 The next thing to notice is what John says Jesus is doing. 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:23.519 He is an advocate to the Father on our behalf. 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:26.220 I googled the word advocate. 00:09:26.819 --> 00:09:30.480 I have no idea how people wrote sermons in the dark ages before Google. 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.819 Maybe we can ask Johnny after the sermon. 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:40.639 But the Google definition is to publicly defend or state a case for someone. 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:43.620 This word is designed to bring to mind a courtroom. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:47.379 Jesus is at our bench defending our case. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:52.559 Not only that, Jesus is sitting in the accused seat also. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:10:01.480 God, the perfect righteous judge sits above the proceedings and looks on Jesus' life instead of our own. 00:10:02.740 --> 00:10:09.439 Jesus speaks about what he has done to honor the Father and to appease his righteous anger. 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:16.280 The Father accepts that Jesus has made the necessary sacrifice and we get to walk free. 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:22.520 The Father recognizes Jesus' perfect life instead of our own. 00:10:22.880 --> 00:10:28.380 And we get to walk close to the judge, almost as equals, certainly as friends. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:37.340 We sit alongside the righteous judge in command of his courtroom because he sees only perfection when he looks at us. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.080 Wow! 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.460 Thank you, God. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.159 Thank you, Jesus. 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:50.639 All praise and glory to you, our Savior, my Savior, your Savior. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:57.379 The amazing truth is we can't be tried for a case that is no longer on the docket. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:11:01.379 Jesus has already taken the punishment. 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:06.360 We just need to thank him and live in gratitude every day. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:12.199 Well, if that wasn't enough, Jesus is doing even more for us. 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:15.759 Jesus is revealing God the Father to us. 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:18.740 Flick forward, please, to chapter 4. 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:24.620 Same book, chapter 4 and verses 7 to 9. 00:11:28.419 --> 00:11:32.940 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:37.120 Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 00:11:37.659 --> 00:11:41.419 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:45.860 This is how God showed his love among us. 00:11:45.860 --> 00:11:51.960 He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:56.100 Jesus reveals God to us. 00:11:56.840 --> 00:12:04.419 God has provided his word, the Bible, to tell the story of Jesus, to tell the story of his love. 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:12.699 Every time we pick up the Bible and read from its pages, every time we think on and meditate on the words we have read, 00:12:13.319 --> 00:12:16.139 every time we sing songs based off the words of Scripture, 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:20.740 every time we make the decision to come to church instead of the beach, 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:24.079 God is revealing himself to us. 00:12:24.679 --> 00:12:26.860 God is revealing his love to us. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.860 God is revealing his love to us. 00:12:27.860 --> 00:12:32.300 We can so easily, just like the believers that John was writing to, 00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:35.600 we can so easily lose our assurance. 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:37.480 We can lose our confidence. 00:12:38.440 --> 00:12:44.419 We can only seize back this assurance if we're regularly spending time in God's word. 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:47.259 Not just listening to the sermon on a Sunday. 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:50.600 Not just a scan before bed when we're tired. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.180 Read it. 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:54.620 Devour it. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:13:00.719 Take the words and ideas in and let it penetrate right to your very soul. 00:13:01.199 --> 00:13:02.620 If you want that assurance, 00:13:03.319 --> 00:13:08.000 if you want to be able to say with confidence the same thing that Paul says in Romans 8, 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:12.839 for I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, 00:13:13.199 --> 00:13:15.279 nor things present, nor things to come, 00:13:15.599 --> 00:13:17.459 nor powers, nor height, nor depth, 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:20.000 nor anything else in all creation, 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:26.019 will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:13:26.660 --> 00:13:28.580 If you want that assurance, 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:32.420 you need to fill your mind with God's word. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:37.040 The false teachers of the world will make us doubt if we let it. 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:40.220 Friends, don't let it. 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:42.040 Don't let it. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:46.400 Be doing everything in your power to pursue this assurance. 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:50.299 There's a great song by Keith Green, 00:13:50.439 --> 00:13:52.620 and one of the verses says, 00:13:52.860 --> 00:13:55.379 To obey is better than sacrifice. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:58.759 I want more than Sunday and Wednesday nights. 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:01.100 Because if you can't come to me every day, 00:14:01.779 --> 00:14:03.939 then don't bother coming at all. 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:07.500 Very, very strong words. 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:10.399 But what this song is trying to get across is, 00:14:10.399 --> 00:14:14.399 we need to be doing everything in our power 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:16.919 to gain this assurance back. 00:14:18.459 --> 00:14:21.720 How everything will be put into its proper perspective 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:25.379 if we have this confidence in what we believe. 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:30.759 So we've seen that Jesus has died on the cross 00:14:30.759 --> 00:14:32.620 to satisfy God's wrath. 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:35.779 We've seen that we're clothed in Jesus' righteousness 00:14:35.779 --> 00:14:37.439 instead of our failure. 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.779 We've seen that Jesus is an advocate 00:14:39.779 --> 00:14:41.759 to the Father on our behalf. 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:45.000 And we've seen that Jesus is revealing the Father to us 00:14:45.000 --> 00:14:46.100 through the Bible. 00:14:46.600 --> 00:14:48.919 All of this should fill us with confidence 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:53.019 that we can and will meet the Father face to face. 00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:56.819 However, there's more that we ourselves can do 00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:58.539 to gain this assurance. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:02.079 Jesus has done and is doing so much for us. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.299 Now it's our turn. 00:15:04.179 --> 00:15:05.879 Let's take a look at what we can do 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:08.579 to gain this assurance of God's love for us. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:11.899 Our first responsibility, 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:15.159 or the first thing that we can do to bolster assurance, 00:15:15.579 --> 00:15:19.159 is to recognize the seriousness of sin. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:21.980 John is writing to a church 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:25.580 where false teachers are minimizing the seriousness of sin. 00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:27.440 If God is forgiving God, 00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:28.779 you can do what you like. 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:32.139 We see throughout the Old and New Testaments 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:34.259 that sin has consequences. 00:15:35.300 --> 00:15:37.899 The main consequence of which we've spoken already, 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.659 God's wrath and justice, 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.180 have to be appeased. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:45.500 The primary consequence of sin is death. 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:49.759 And so Jesus died for our sin. 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:53.100 Sin is serious business. 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.799 The fantastic hymn that we sang already, 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.399 How Deep the Father's Love for Us, 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.059 says, 00:15:58.240 --> 00:16:00.519 It was my sin that held him there 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:02.720 until it was accomplished. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:05.940 Speaking about Jesus' time on the cross. 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:07.639 Our disobedience, 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.480 our lies, 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:11.039 is the reason Jesus had to die. 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:13.099 The lies we tell 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:15.179 got an innocent man killed. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:18.439 When we disobey God's commands, 00:16:18.719 --> 00:16:21.480 we've sentenced our best friend to death. 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:23.959 Sin is serious 00:16:23.959 --> 00:16:27.480 and cannot and should not be taken lightly. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:29.899 Look at one of the main reasons 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:31.419 John gives for writing this letter 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:33.599 back in verse 1 of chapter 2. 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:36.779 I write this to you 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:38.899 so that you will not sin. 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:42.180 Sin is serious. 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.379 But thankfully, 00:16:44.800 --> 00:16:45.740 there is good news 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.840 because I sin. 00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:48.360 Every day I sin. 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:49.840 And I have news for you. 00:16:49.920 --> 00:16:51.060 Every day you sin. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.460 Crikey, there better be a bit of good news. 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:56.019 Well, let's see how verse 1 continues. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:17:00.139 But if anybody does sin, 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:03.160 John's just told us that he's writing 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.099 so we won't sin, 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.180 then he says, 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.559 but if anyone does sin, 00:17:07.079 --> 00:17:07.720 it's not a, 00:17:07.899 --> 00:17:09.259 oh, maybe you will sin, 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.220 maybe you won't sin. 00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:12.259 He knows you will sin. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.180 And when we sin, 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:17.299 we have Jesus defending us to the Father, 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:20.099 clothing us in His righteousness 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.899 instead of our own failures. 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:23.960 We try not to sin, 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:26.700 but it's a guarantee that we will sin. 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:30.500 Where the assurance of God's love comes from 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:33.759 is in our recognition of our failings. 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:35.440 We need to understand that, 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.640 yes, we do sin, 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.160 and that sin is serious. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:41.599 We need to recognize our need for Jesus 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:43.859 and strive every day 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:46.220 to live in a way that's pleasing to Him. 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:50.660 In chapter 1, verse 8, 00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:52.539 John uses the word claim. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.339 He says, 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:56.039 if we claim to be without sin, 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.639 we deceive ourselves 00:17:57.639 --> 00:17:59.740 and the truth is not in us. 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:02.059 And then in chapter 2 that we're looking at, 00:18:02.119 --> 00:18:02.740 in verse 6, 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:04.379 he uses the same word again. 00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:07.480 Whoever claims to live in Him 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:10.240 must live as Jesus did. 00:18:11.059 --> 00:18:14.539 As long as we don't claim to be perfect, 00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:18.439 as long as we recognize our sin and weakness, 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:21.140 then we can live in God 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:23.600 and live as Jesus did. 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:28.299 So now that we have accepted that we sin, 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.600 that sin is serious, 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:32.100 and that Jesus is in our corner, 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:34.519 now we can obey God's commands 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:37.160 in confidence that God loves us 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.160 no matter what. 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.539 Verse 3, 00:18:40.539 --> 00:18:44.420 We know that we have come to know Him 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:46.519 if we keep His commands. 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:50.519 We know that we have come to know God. 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:53.700 We are assured that God loves us 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:55.579 if we obey His commands. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:59.200 This is the sign of a true follower of Jesus. 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:02.639 Do you fight to do what's right? 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:06.200 Do you struggle to obey God's commands? 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:07.579 And it will be a struggle. 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:10.559 In this world, it's tough to obey God. 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:13.119 This world tells us 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.939 that we can all have our own truth, 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:17.319 that we can all do whatever makes us happy. 00:19:18.359 --> 00:19:20.299 Well, if you're doing what makes God 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.539 and others happy, 00:19:21.899 --> 00:19:24.799 you can be assured of God's love. 00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.199 Verse 5, 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:30.399 But if anyone obeys His word, 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:33.679 love for God is truly made complete in them. 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:36.859 This is how we know we are in Him. 00:19:37.579 --> 00:19:39.619 We are in God. 00:19:39.960 --> 00:19:41.079 He loves us 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:43.179 if we obey His commands. 00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.899 How do we know His commands? 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:48.740 Read His word. 00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.839 It's not a mystery. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:53.379 He hasn't left us in the cold to guess. 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.359 Read the Bible. 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:58.379 The answers on how to obey God are in there. 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:01.379 An easy way to start obeying God 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.659 is seen in verse 4. 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:05.420 Whoever says, 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.259 I know Him, 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:08.100 but does not do what He commands 00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:08.820 is a liar, 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:11.960 and the truth is not in that person. 00:20:13.040 --> 00:20:15.140 The easiest way to start obeying God 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.620 and proving your love to Him 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:19.759 is to get the truth into you. 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:23.200 Set aside time every single day 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.779 to hear God's commands. 00:20:25.580 --> 00:20:27.080 Read His word of life. 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:29.079 Don't leave it for a Sunday. 00:20:29.659 --> 00:20:31.699 Don't leave it for when you have more free time. 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.419 Start now. 00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:36.299 Get God's truth into you 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:38.619 and prepare to gain this assurance 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:40.359 of eternal life. 00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:42.019 Don't pay attention 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:43.699 to the false teachers of the world. 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:47.000 Fill your mind with God's truth. 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:51.579 The consequence of doing this 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:54.339 will be seen in your love for others. 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:56.359 Flick forward a page again with me please 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:57.399 to chapter 3 00:20:57.399 --> 00:20:59.659 and verse 23. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:05.000 And this is His command 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:07.220 to believe in the name of His Son, 00:21:07.379 --> 00:21:08.179 Jesus Christ, 00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:10.699 and to love one another 00:21:10.699 --> 00:21:13.139 as He commanded us. 00:21:14.319 --> 00:21:16.299 This is God's command 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.879 that we need to obey. 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:20.139 Love one another. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:23.119 Put others' needs before your own. 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:25.000 The world tells you 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:26.139 to not stretch yourself. 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:27.419 The world tells you 00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:28.799 to put yourself first. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.500 If you fall out of love, 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:31.439 divorce. 00:21:32.119 --> 00:21:33.539 If you're struggling financially, 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:35.299 lie on your tax form. 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:36.519 Keep some back for yourself. 00:21:37.179 --> 00:21:38.979 If you're not being satisfied sexually, 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.259 look at porn. 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.539 If you don't enjoy your job, 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:44.119 don't put in your best effort. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.359 Take extended breaks. 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.839 Leave early on a Friday. 00:21:47.719 --> 00:21:48.979 The world tells us 00:21:48.979 --> 00:21:50.339 to put ourselves first. 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:52.579 But we see here 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.379 that the key 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:54.539 to gaining assurance 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:56.159 of eternal life 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:56.959 and consequently 00:21:56.959 --> 00:21:58.240 a happy life 00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:00.240 is to love others. 00:22:01.240 --> 00:22:02.139 Give to others 00:22:02.139 --> 00:22:03.579 of your time and resources 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:05.959 and watch God work miracles. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:08.399 John mentioned it earlier. 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.439 Get involved 00:22:09.439 --> 00:22:10.899 in the children's ministry 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.480 in church 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.839 even though it means 00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:14.339 giving up your Friday evenings. 00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:16.519 Go on the setup rota 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.379 even if it means 00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:18.079 coming to church 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.839 an hour earlier. 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.619 Support a child 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.919 in need through compassion 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:23.319 even if it means 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.199 you can't eat out 00:22:24.199 --> 00:22:25.099 every week. 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:27.359 Put others first 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:29.720 and watch your assurance grow. 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:31.819 Watch how you'll be convinced 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:33.119 of the truth 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:34.139 of God's commands. 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.559 Wait and see 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:36.279 how all doubt 00:22:36.279 --> 00:22:36.960 of God's love 00:22:36.960 --> 00:22:37.699 will vanish 00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:39.359 and your love for Him 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.960 will continue to grow. 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.679 Going back to what 00:22:43.679 --> 00:22:44.679 I was saying at the start, 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:46.640 I made a conscious decision 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:48.519 to put Sarah's needs 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.480 before my own. 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:51.220 It's tough at times 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:52.860 but it has reaped 00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.539 its reward. 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:55.560 Sarah knows 00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:56.580 I love her 00:22:56.580 --> 00:22:57.560 where before 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.299 there were doubts. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:23:00.500 We started fighting less 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:02.240 which makes me very happy. 00:23:03.080 --> 00:23:04.220 Sarah's well able to fight. 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:07.140 Put others first 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:09.080 and wait and see 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:10.940 how God enriches your life. 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.519 Wait and see 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.879 how you will be filled 00:23:13.879 --> 00:23:14.759 with assurance 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.759 that He is there, 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.339 that He is in your corner 00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:18.480 fighting your battles 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:20.259 and that with Him 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:22.299 who can stand against you. 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.099 Verse 5 again. 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:29.279 But if anyone obeys His word, 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.980 love for God 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:32.139 is truly made 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:34.420 complete in them. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.639 This love will be perfected 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:39.440 on the final day of judgment 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:41.000 when we stand before 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.799 our advocate, 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.160 our friend, 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.859 and thank Him 00:23:44.859 --> 00:23:45.880 for taking the punishment 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.640 we deserve. 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:49.440 We can know now 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.900 that we will get there. 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:52.539 We can know for certain 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:54.119 through what Jesus 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:55.539 has done on the cross, 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.220 through what Jesus 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:58.299 is doing, 00:23:58.779 --> 00:24:00.099 interceding on our behalf, 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.339 and through what we do 00:24:02.339 --> 00:24:03.700 by reading 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:05.039 and obeying His commands 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:06.819 and by loving others. 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:09.039 Let me just pray 00:24:09.039 --> 00:24:10.740 as we finish. 00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:25.720 Father God, 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:28.379 thank you for your word. 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.139 Thank you that you haven't 00:24:30.139 --> 00:24:30.720 left us 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.859 to guess. 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.680 Thank you that we live 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.259 in a country 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:36.180 where it is so freely available. 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:38.019 It's in every single bookshop. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.180 It's even online. 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.180 Help us, 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.900 just because it's so 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:45.200 easy to access, 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.600 help us not to take it 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.160 for granted. 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:49.259 Help us to always remember 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:51.779 the life-giving words 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:53.100 that are written down 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:54.259 in this book before us. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.840 We pray for everyone here 00:24:57.840 --> 00:25:00.420 that we would understand, 00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:02.299 remember the importance 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:04.259 of getting your truth 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.539 into us 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:08.119 and watching 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:09.079 how we flourish. 00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:13.680 Help us to try 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:14.480 in the week ahead 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:15.359 to put others' 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.299 needs before our own. 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.539 Help us to try 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.319 and love others 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.519 with the same 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.700 sacrificial love 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.720 that Jesus 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.599 had for us. 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.539 Thank you so much 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:29.700 for the sacrifice 00:25:29.700 --> 00:25:31.440 that Jesus made. 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.339 And thank you so much 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:36.079 that you are there 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:37.619 fighting on our behalf. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.579 Fill us all 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.440 with confidence 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.839 to know that 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:44.559 if you are for us, 00:25:44.659 --> 00:25:45.920 who can stand against us? 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.000 You're in our corner. 00:25:48.139 --> 00:25:48.859 Help us always 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.599 to remember that 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.519 no matter what life 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.319 throws at us. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:53.279 And help us 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.079 to do our part. 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.839 In Jesus' name. 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.000 Amen. 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:59.539 Amen. 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:04.420 Amen. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.039 Amen. 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:26.940 Amen. 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.480 Amen. 00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:36.579 thanks for that connor and as we respond to that word from the bible i can encourage us all to stand 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:42.980 and sing this song yet not i but through christ and me we can even read through the first verse 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:48.960 there what gift of grace is jesus my redeemer there is no more for heaven now to give 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:55.940 we have as connor said we see his love in what he has done for us we see his love and what he 00:26:55.940 --> 00:27:01.940 continues to do for us let's live in response to that love let's stand together as we sing 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:19.940 what gift of grace