WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.900 Remembrance Day. 00:00:03.680 --> 00:00:07.860 When I clocked that I'd put myself in for preaching today, 00:00:09.099 --> 00:00:11.919 I realized that that was a bad idea 00:00:11.919 --> 00:00:14.960 because it's such a difficult day. 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:17.719 As Clive mentioned at the start, 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:21.120 it's so difficult. 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:24.539 When you're someone like me, 00:00:24.920 --> 00:00:28.500 I've had stuff happen in life which has been difficult. 00:00:28.679 --> 00:00:29.879 I've had difficulty with kids. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.160 I've had difficulty with family. 00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:32.759 I've got estranged brothers. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:39.600 We all have stuff that affects our life. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:41.600 One of my responses is to be positive 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:43.840 and to try and be a bit fun 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:46.079 and take life in all its fullness. 00:00:46.079 --> 00:00:48.480 Sometimes people think that I'm carefree. 00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:49.840 I'm not. 00:00:50.579 --> 00:00:53.960 I care enough to push past that. 00:00:55.140 --> 00:00:57.640 When I'm speaking to you today, 00:00:58.640 --> 00:00:59.840 it's positive stuff. 00:01:00.219 --> 00:01:01.520 It's challenging stuff 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:03.560 that I've been thinking through all week. 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:07.200 Please don't think I'm trying to cheapen 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:09.079 or belittle what today is about 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:12.500 because I'm fully aware that for some of us, 00:01:13.019 --> 00:01:16.000 you're remembering people who were actually in the war. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:18.939 Maybe it's World War II. 00:01:19.180 --> 00:01:21.700 Maybe it's one of the less known ones. 00:01:22.140 --> 00:01:25.120 My wife's great-granddad was in the Forgotten Army 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:29.960 and she's got these amazing letters from Burma. 00:01:30.620 --> 00:01:32.000 If you don't know what that is. 00:01:32.659 --> 00:01:35.280 They're just out and nobody really knows about them 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:37.400 unless you knew people who were in it. 00:01:37.400 --> 00:01:41.740 Maybe for you today is a really potent reminder 00:01:41.740 --> 00:01:45.000 of people you know who have died 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:48.180 or have been messed up by war. 00:01:48.560 --> 00:01:50.719 Maybe it's loved ones 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:53.360 or loved ones' loved ones that have been lost. 00:01:53.600 --> 00:01:56.060 Maybe you're remembering actually the hurt 00:01:56.060 --> 00:01:59.000 and the pain caused by loss, caused by war. 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:01.980 Maybe you are remembering with pride 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:03.340 the bravery of those people 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:05.400 who put their lives on the line. 00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:08.580 In the pursuit of peace. 00:02:10.480 --> 00:02:12.840 Or maybe your remembering is not so positive. 00:02:13.860 --> 00:02:15.500 Maybe you really struggle with war. 00:02:16.400 --> 00:02:20.740 Maybe even though you know how fundamentally unavoidable it was, 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:22.379 which is the truth, 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:25.020 maybe you still wrestle with, 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:26.259 really, is that what we're about? 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:30.520 And our passage today is, 00:02:30.960 --> 00:02:33.040 I want us to kind of think of John's writings 00:02:33.040 --> 00:02:34.280 a little bit differently today. 00:02:34.280 --> 00:02:37.439 Not as just literature or theological discourse, 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:40.099 you know, well-written stuff 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:42.060 by clever people sat in front of a desk 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:44.280 wanting to put a point across. 00:02:45.240 --> 00:02:49.039 But as the memories of a man who knew Jesus. 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:52.920 The memories of a man who wanted to pass on 00:02:52.920 --> 00:02:54.259 what he saw in Jesus 00:02:54.259 --> 00:02:56.060 and what Jesus said. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:03:00.780 memories deep-rooted that when he thinks back 00:03:00.780 --> 00:03:02.120 cause his heart 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:04.599 heart to beat faster, 00:03:05.099 --> 00:03:07.840 cause his hands to grip in frustration 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:10.280 because of what Jesus had to do. 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:13.480 His friend had to do 00:03:13.480 --> 00:03:16.780 for the world. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:20.039 And when he wrote those words, 00:03:20.159 --> 00:03:21.819 the Spirit inspired them. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:22.740 Through those words, 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:23.659 we know the word 00:03:23.659 --> 00:03:26.560 of the God 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:28.259 who loves his people. 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:30.439 The God who would attribute 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:31.740 the name love 00:03:31.740 --> 00:03:32.800 to himself. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:37.060 And I want you to think about 00:03:37.060 --> 00:03:38.060 our passage, 00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:39.640 those words, 00:03:39.980 --> 00:03:40.719 those commands. 00:03:40.960 --> 00:03:42.160 I wonder if they could be checked 00:03:42.160 --> 00:03:42.860 on the screen. 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:46.439 The context of this passage 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:48.620 of chapter 14 is, 00:03:49.920 --> 00:03:51.560 just scroll through it slowly 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:53.820 and then people can just pick up lines. 00:03:54.580 --> 00:03:56.060 John is remembering 00:03:56.060 --> 00:03:57.900 the Passover meal. 00:03:57.900 --> 00:03:59.939 This was the final discourse, 00:04:00.480 --> 00:04:01.580 the final words of Jesus 00:04:01.580 --> 00:04:02.480 to the disciples 00:04:02.480 --> 00:04:04.020 when he sat with them 00:04:04.020 --> 00:04:05.280 and he washed their feet. 00:04:06.300 --> 00:04:06.939 This is the time 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:08.219 when Jesus washed their feet. 00:04:08.800 --> 00:04:10.000 When they shared bread and wine 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:10.920 and Jesus revealed 00:04:10.920 --> 00:04:12.060 that this is how they were 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:12.800 to remember him 00:04:12.800 --> 00:04:13.620 from evermore. 00:04:14.580 --> 00:04:15.939 That in the bread and the wine 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:17.079 they would remember his body 00:04:17.079 --> 00:04:18.500 and his blood broken for them 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:19.699 and for the sins of the world. 00:04:21.780 --> 00:04:23.840 John recalls in his discourse, 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:25.519 he recalls Judas leaving, 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:28.879 going off to betray him 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:31.599 and Peter's promise 00:04:31.599 --> 00:04:33.639 of unshakable loyalty. 00:04:34.919 --> 00:04:36.639 I will die with you, Jesus. 00:04:36.879 --> 00:04:38.159 And Jesus having to say to him 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:39.060 and all the disciples, 00:04:39.699 --> 00:04:40.339 no you won't. 00:04:40.819 --> 00:04:41.680 Not yet anyway. 00:04:42.099 --> 00:04:43.019 You're going to run away. 00:04:43.579 --> 00:04:44.299 You're going to flee. 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:45.879 The very person who wrote this 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:46.639 ran off naked. 00:04:51.299 --> 00:04:52.899 What a hard time for Jesus 00:04:52.899 --> 00:04:53.759 to know the cost 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:54.639 of what he's got to do 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:55.639 and the people around him 00:04:55.639 --> 00:04:56.599 not even realising 00:04:56.599 --> 00:04:57.699 what that meant. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:01.379 And John's remembering 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:02.180 these words. 00:05:03.399 --> 00:05:04.560 Jesus was saying it 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:06.199 before he was just about 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:07.019 to go and die 00:05:07.019 --> 00:05:07.779 for all the people 00:05:07.779 --> 00:05:08.519 in that room. 00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:10.060 For all people. 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:10.979 For all time. 00:05:14.099 --> 00:05:15.339 And John at that time 00:05:15.339 --> 00:05:16.060 had no idea 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:16.639 what that meant. 00:05:20.039 --> 00:05:21.180 And of course we 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:21.939 and John 00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:22.719 when he wrote this 00:05:22.719 --> 00:05:23.620 knew the outcome. 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:25.560 He knew that Jesus 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:26.740 would not stay dead. 00:05:27.659 --> 00:05:28.519 That in his death 00:05:28.519 --> 00:05:29.800 death which still 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:30.439 clings to us 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:31.860 will take a fundamental hit 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:33.180 and will never fully recover. 00:05:35.979 --> 00:05:37.079 Though Jesus' death 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:37.779 and resurrection 00:05:37.779 --> 00:05:40.399 was horrible 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:41.839 it began the countdown 00:05:41.839 --> 00:05:43.139 of the end of death. 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:46.000 And when death's weapons 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:47.319 sickness, poverty, 00:05:47.560 --> 00:05:48.959 injustice and war 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:51.759 will finally be no more. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:55.259 And yet we like 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:56.039 those disciples 00:05:56.039 --> 00:05:57.740 though we know 00:05:57.740 --> 00:05:58.620 that's the outcome 00:05:58.620 --> 00:05:59.719 that we're waiting for 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:00.560 we're still stuck 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:01.300 in the story. 00:06:02.139 --> 00:06:03.379 Still seeing the power 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:03.879 of death 00:06:03.879 --> 00:06:04.699 clinging on. 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:07.339 Still feeling the pain 00:06:07.339 --> 00:06:08.099 that it causes. 00:06:10.779 --> 00:06:11.500 And yes 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:12.240 some of that pain 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:13.279 we're remembering today. 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:16.620 That death 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:17.519 and one of its weapons 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:18.740 war still claims 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:19.699 a heavy toll 00:06:19.699 --> 00:06:21.459 less we forget. 00:06:24.039 --> 00:06:25.019 Because those 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:26.139 who forget history 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:27.680 are doomed 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:28.879 to repeat it. 00:06:31.519 --> 00:06:32.719 When I was preparing 00:06:32.719 --> 00:06:33.539 this passage 00:06:33.539 --> 00:06:36.579 I really wanted 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:37.219 to ground it 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:37.800 in a story 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:39.139 and I asked my parents 00:06:39.139 --> 00:06:40.579 for some clarity 00:06:40.579 --> 00:06:41.500 on stories 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:42.800 about my grandparents 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:43.419 who fought 00:06:43.419 --> 00:06:44.060 in the war 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:46.300 and they only 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:47.040 remember the funny 00:06:47.040 --> 00:06:47.519 stories 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:48.759 which was a bit 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:49.300 of a shame. 00:06:50.459 --> 00:06:50.800 And I was 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:52.240 I felt 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.220 no today wasn't 00:06:53.220 --> 00:06:53.780 the day for the 00:06:53.780 --> 00:06:54.459 funny stories. 00:06:55.480 --> 00:06:55.959 You can watch 00:06:55.959 --> 00:06:56.480 Dad's Army 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:57.060 and basically 00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:57.620 they were all 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:58.579 stories like that. 00:06:58.579 --> 00:07:02.479 But there was 00:07:02.479 --> 00:07:03.539 an amazing guy 00:07:03.539 --> 00:07:04.899 called Harry Billinge 00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:05.399 I don't know 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:05.839 if anyone's 00:07:05.839 --> 00:07:06.439 heard the name 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:07.519 but he's one 00:07:07.519 --> 00:07:08.060 of the few 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:09.199 survivors of 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:09.979 Normandy 00:07:09.979 --> 00:07:10.759 that's still alive 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:11.819 and he was 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:12.500 on the BBC 00:07:12.500 --> 00:07:14.339 and he was 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:14.759 asked 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:16.959 the presenter 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:17.620 was basically 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:19.439 talking to him 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:19.799 and saying 00:07:19.799 --> 00:07:20.439 you're a hero 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:20.919 and he said 00:07:20.919 --> 00:07:21.659 I'm the hero. 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:22.399 He said 00:07:22.399 --> 00:07:23.539 the hero's died. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:26.279 He said 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:26.819 I'm one of the 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:27.539 lucky ones. 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:29.300 And in this 00:07:29.300 --> 00:07:29.939 conversation 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:30.660 he said 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:32.319 and the lady 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:32.819 said to 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:34.960 said to Harry 00:07:34.960 --> 00:07:35.319 he said 00:07:35.319 --> 00:07:36.240 what do you 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:36.800 want to pass 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:37.460 on to young 00:07:37.460 --> 00:07:37.860 people 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:38.420 to the next 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:38.980 generation? 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:41.000 I was so 00:07:41.000 --> 00:07:42.000 so pleased 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:42.900 with his answer 00:07:42.900 --> 00:07:43.740 he said 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:45.240 love each 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:45.580 other 00:07:45.580 --> 00:07:47.780 there's a lot 00:07:47.780 --> 00:07:48.140 of hate 00:07:48.140 --> 00:07:48.720 in the world 00:07:48.720 --> 00:07:49.600 and a lot 00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:50.100 of greed 00:07:50.100 --> 00:07:52.580 love is the 00:07:52.580 --> 00:07:52.900 strongest 00:07:52.900 --> 00:07:53.420 thing on 00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:53.740 earth. 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:57.379 Harry 00:07:57.379 --> 00:07:57.920 experienced 00:07:57.920 --> 00:07:58.300 something 00:07:58.300 --> 00:07:59.180 that most 00:07:59.180 --> 00:07:59.740 of us 00:07:59.740 --> 00:08:01.120 have never 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:01.759 and hopefully 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:02.240 will never 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:02.620 have to 00:08:02.620 --> 00:08:03.420 experience 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:05.500 and yet 00:08:05.500 --> 00:08:06.019 knowing the 00:08:06.019 --> 00:08:06.340 darkness 00:08:06.340 --> 00:08:07.040 seeing death 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:07.740 so close 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:08.620 holding friends 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:09.480 dead in his 00:08:09.480 --> 00:08:09.860 arms 00:08:09.860 --> 00:08:11.660 is able to 00:08:11.660 --> 00:08:12.360 speak of 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:13.259 love as the 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:14.019 right response. 00:08:14.019 --> 00:08:15.019 love. 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:19.859 And John 00:08:19.859 --> 00:08:21.099 when he wrote 00:08:21.099 --> 00:08:21.479 down these 00:08:21.479 --> 00:08:22.139 memories and 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:22.399 would have 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:22.819 remembered 00:08:22.819 --> 00:08:23.439 seeing Jesus 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:23.879 on the 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:24.159 cross 00:08:24.159 --> 00:08:24.560 he was 00:08:24.560 --> 00:08:24.879 there 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:27.180 he was 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:27.579 there at 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:28.079 the cross 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:29.359 knowing 00:08:29.359 --> 00:08:29.899 darkness 00:08:29.899 --> 00:08:30.379 and death 00:08:30.379 --> 00:08:30.979 so close 00:08:30.979 --> 00:08:31.279 and yet 00:08:31.279 --> 00:08:31.979 too he 00:08:31.979 --> 00:08:32.480 writes 00:08:32.480 --> 00:08:33.659 of this 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:34.159 challenge 00:08:34.159 --> 00:08:34.860 to love 00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:37.899 because as 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:38.639 Harry knows 00:08:38.639 --> 00:08:39.360 and as 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:40.019 John knew 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:42.980 that's the 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:43.419 way to a 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:44.060 better world. 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:48.419 And John 00:08:48.419 --> 00:08:48.960 writes 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:50.180 Jesus said 00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:51.820 if you 00:08:51.820 --> 00:08:52.320 love me 00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:54.419 keep my 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:54.980 commandments 00:08:54.980 --> 00:08:56.259 keep my 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:56.800 commands 00:08:56.800 --> 00:08:58.180 well what are 00:08:58.180 --> 00:08:58.759 those commands? 00:08:59.200 --> 00:08:59.860 We know it 00:08:59.860 --> 00:09:00.960 it's love 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:02.720 Matthew puts 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:03.300 it like this 00:09:03.300 --> 00:09:03.779 love the 00:09:03.779 --> 00:09:04.159 Lord your 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:04.600 God with 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:05.059 all your 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:05.419 heart 00:09:05.419 --> 00:09:05.860 with all 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:06.319 your soul 00:09:06.319 --> 00:09:06.699 and with 00:09:06.699 --> 00:09:07.039 all your 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:07.399 mind. 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.199 And the 00:09:09.199 --> 00:09:09.719 second is 00:09:09.719 --> 00:09:10.279 like it 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:11.439 love your 00:09:11.439 --> 00:09:12.039 neighbour as 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:12.559 yourself. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:15.199 Early on 00:09:15.199 --> 00:09:15.500 in this 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.719 chapter 13 00:09:16.719 --> 00:09:18.019 Jesus tells 00:09:18.019 --> 00:09:18.679 that he 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:19.419 loves us 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:21.179 that God 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:21.839 first loved 00:09:21.839 --> 00:09:22.299 us 00:09:22.299 --> 00:09:25.319 and then in 00:09:25.319 --> 00:09:26.039 chapter 13 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:26.439 towards the 00:09:26.439 --> 00:09:26.639 end he 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:27.299 reminds the 00:09:27.299 --> 00:09:27.899 disciples that 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:28.480 they are to 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:28.899 love one 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:29.279 another 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:33.600 because the 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:33.959 world will 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:34.100 know 00:09:34.100 --> 00:09:34.440 that they're 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:34.659 his 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:35.159 disciples 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:36.540 by the 00:09:36.540 --> 00:09:36.820 way they 00:09:36.820 --> 00:09:37.240 do that. 00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:38.399 Love defines 00:09:38.399 --> 00:09:38.800 us. 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:40.240 First thing 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:40.720 to remember 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:41.540 love defines 00:09:41.540 --> 00:09:41.980 the people 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:42.399 of God. 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:43.639 That's our 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:44.320 role. 00:09:44.560 --> 00:09:44.899 That's our 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:45.420 identity. 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:46.000 Love. 00:09:48.220 --> 00:09:48.759 And in our 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:49.340 passage in 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:50.100 verse 15 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:50.899 verse 21 00:09:50.899 --> 00:09:51.820 verse 23 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:52.740 verse 24 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:53.240 you get the 00:09:53.240 --> 00:09:53.480 point? 00:09:55.259 --> 00:09:56.100 Jesus put 00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:56.820 some grit 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:57.360 on that 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:57.960 commandment. 00:09:59.259 --> 00:09:59.700 It's not 00:09:59.700 --> 00:10:00.700 just love 00:10:00.700 --> 00:10:01.580 God and 00:10:01.580 --> 00:10:03.120 love God 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:04.120 love God 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:05.240 and love 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:06.259 each other 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:09.420 is to love 00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:10.900 the other. 00:10:13.560 --> 00:10:14.480 Yes we are 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:15.960 loved and 00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:16.540 yes we must 00:10:16.540 --> 00:10:16.960 love each 00:10:16.960 --> 00:10:18.360 other but if 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:18.980 you love him 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:19.940 you will obey 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:20.680 the commandments. 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:22.620 If you love 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:22.900 him, 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:23.980 commandment 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:24.259 one, 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:25.900 commandment 00:10:25.900 --> 00:10:26.220 two, 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:27.360 love your 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:29.120 neighbor as 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:29.659 yourself. 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:33.500 Sometimes the 00:10:33.500 --> 00:10:34.480 simplest truth 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.340 is the 00:10:35.340 --> 00:10:35.840 hardest one 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:36.279 to follow. 00:10:37.820 --> 00:10:38.539 If we are 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:39.080 serious about 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:39.539 Jesus, 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:42.379 we need to 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:42.759 be serious 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:43.320 about love. 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:47.899 We know 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:48.480 full well what 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.100 happens when we 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:49.679 don't love our 00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:49.940 neighbor, 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.299 when we don't 00:10:51.299 --> 00:10:51.639 love the 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:51.860 other. 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:53.220 We remember 00:10:53.220 --> 00:10:53.700 it today 00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:56.980 and people 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:57.560 are remembering 00:10:57.560 --> 00:10:58.940 it from that 00:10:58.940 --> 00:10:59.220 day, 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:00.660 throughout our 00:11:00.660 --> 00:11:01.060 history, 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.280 again and 00:11:02.280 --> 00:11:02.660 again, 00:11:03.100 --> 00:11:03.460 when we 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:04.360 desensitize 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:04.980 ourselves from 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:05.380 the other, 00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:06.520 when we see 00:11:06.520 --> 00:11:07.060 them as the 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:07.400 enemy, 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:08.520 when we see 00:11:08.520 --> 00:11:09.140 them as the 00:11:09.140 --> 00:11:09.820 person who 00:11:09.820 --> 00:11:10.820 is not good 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:11.180 enough, 00:11:11.600 --> 00:11:12.440 who deserves 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:16.160 our fight, 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:18.500 we forget 00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.420 that that is 00:11:19.420 --> 00:11:20.000 the reason it 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:20.740 keeps happening. 00:11:23.240 --> 00:11:24.040 Once war 00:11:24.040 --> 00:11:24.600 happens, 00:11:24.780 --> 00:11:25.180 C.S. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:26.340 Lewis wrote 00:11:26.340 --> 00:11:26.780 an amazing 00:11:26.780 --> 00:11:27.180 book called 00:11:27.180 --> 00:11:27.360 Mere 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:27.800 Christianity 00:11:27.799 --> 00:11:28.299 and I'm 00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:28.959 sure a lot 00:11:28.959 --> 00:11:29.259 of people 00:11:29.259 --> 00:11:29.620 here have 00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:30.019 read it. 00:11:31.719 --> 00:11:32.319 It's a 00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:33.019 really powerful 00:11:33.019 --> 00:11:33.659 book because 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:34.079 it was written 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:34.939 just after the 00:11:34.939 --> 00:11:35.379 Second World 00:11:35.379 --> 00:11:36.219 War and it 00:11:36.219 --> 00:11:36.799 was written to 00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:37.500 a nation of 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:37.919 soldiers, 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:38.779 survivors and 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:39.240 people that 00:11:39.240 --> 00:11:39.699 were asking 00:11:39.699 --> 00:11:40.339 the question, 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:41.279 what just 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:41.659 happened? 00:11:43.459 --> 00:11:43.819 And there 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:44.419 were people as 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:45.039 soldiers who 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:45.559 were carrying 00:11:45.559 --> 00:11:46.159 the fact that 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:46.740 they'd killed, 00:11:47.359 --> 00:11:47.859 that they'd seen 00:11:47.859 --> 00:11:49.240 people killed and 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:49.579 that they were 00:11:49.579 --> 00:11:50.139 not sure what 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:50.559 it was all 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:50.879 about. 00:11:52.079 --> 00:11:52.479 And C.S. 00:11:52.539 --> 00:11:52.879 Lewis was 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:53.299 amazing. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:54.279 He wrote so 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:55.000 well and so 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:55.639 gently and 00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.179 said actually 00:11:56.179 --> 00:11:58.100 we're not here 00:11:58.100 --> 00:11:58.600 to tell you 00:11:58.600 --> 00:11:59.039 that you were 00:11:59.039 --> 00:11:59.700 wrong for 00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:00.340 going to war, 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:01.039 we're not here 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:01.720 essentially to 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:02.480 make you feel 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.100 bad for what 00:12:03.100 --> 00:12:03.500 happened. 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.659 There was no 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:05.120 choice. 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:07.379 The opportunity 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:08.259 to prevent the 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:09.139 war was 00:12:09.139 --> 00:12:09.639 passed. 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:11.980 And you 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.279 should be 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:13.019 proud that 00:12:13.019 --> 00:12:13.519 you chose 00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.019 to fight, 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:14.460 that you 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:16.080 chose to 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:17.220 be there for 00:12:17.220 --> 00:12:17.840 your nation, 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:18.500 for people, 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:19.179 for freedom. 00:12:20.059 --> 00:12:20.659 I find that 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:21.859 so potent. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.539 When I'm 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:24.299 talking I'm 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:24.819 not here 00:12:24.819 --> 00:12:26.179 saying yeah 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:26.719 well it 00:12:26.719 --> 00:12:27.019 shouldn't have 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:27.639 happened really 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:28.120 or we should 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:28.459 feel really 00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:28.919 bad that we 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:29.539 went to war. 00:12:30.219 --> 00:12:30.699 The war 00:12:30.699 --> 00:12:31.620 happened and 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.079 there was no 00:12:32.079 --> 00:12:33.899 way to 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:34.439 stop it. 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:35.959 Once the 00:12:35.959 --> 00:12:36.539 motions were 00:12:36.539 --> 00:12:36.979 done we 00:12:36.979 --> 00:12:37.539 missed the 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:37.799 point. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:40.019 Our predecessors, 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:40.939 our politicians, 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:42.379 all those people 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.120 that could have 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:43.819 maybe prevented 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:44.639 it, that's 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:44.959 not our 00:12:44.959 --> 00:12:45.399 reality. 00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:46.819 We live with 00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:47.419 the fact that 00:12:47.419 --> 00:12:48.539 war happens and 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:48.779 that it 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:49.179 happened. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.819 So we're not 00:12:52.819 --> 00:12:53.360 here talking 00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.559 about criticising 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:55.980 the war and 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.879 saying oh we 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:57.220 should feel 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.519 really like bad 00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.000 about it. 00:12:59.500 --> 00:12:59.839 No. 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:01.519 We should feel 00:13:01.519 --> 00:13:02.539 sad and miss 00:13:02.539 --> 00:13:03.720 people and 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:04.899 love those who 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:05.459 hurt and 00:13:05.459 --> 00:13:06.240 survived and 00:13:06.240 --> 00:13:07.039 remember those 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:08.339 who loved and 00:13:08.339 --> 00:13:08.720 lost. 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.839 But there is a 00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:14.899 challenge to us 00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:16.480 in that 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:17.339 commandment to 00:13:17.339 --> 00:13:18.679 love the 00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.399 other, to 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:19.759 love our 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:20.059 neighbour. 00:13:23.639 --> 00:13:24.419 God doesn't 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:24.919 tell us to 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.359 do it because 00:13:25.359 --> 00:13:26.059 we need it. 00:13:28.219 --> 00:13:29.099 God tells us 00:13:29.099 --> 00:13:29.319 to do it 00:13:29.319 --> 00:13:30.199 because without 00:13:30.199 --> 00:13:31.459 it we've got 00:13:31.459 --> 00:13:32.299 no chance. 00:13:32.979 --> 00:13:34.099 It's not even a 00:13:34.099 --> 00:13:34.919 necessity, it's a 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:35.759 no chance. 00:13:36.479 --> 00:13:37.199 Without love 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:39.339 we've got no 00:13:39.339 --> 00:13:39.939 chance. 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:41.679 Like Harry 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:42.379 said, love is 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:43.459 the most powerful 00:13:43.459 --> 00:13:44.179 thing on earth. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:46.559 love is our 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:47.419 ultimate weapon. 00:13:48.399 --> 00:13:49.000 Not lovey 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:49.639 dovey love. 00:13:50.939 --> 00:13:51.620 Not a 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:51.959 cuddle. 00:13:52.959 --> 00:13:53.719 Not a 00:13:53.719 --> 00:13:54.299 Valentine's 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:54.639 card. 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:56.339 Not a bit of 00:13:56.339 --> 00:13:57.179 carnal desire. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.099 Agape love. 00:14:00.679 --> 00:14:01.299 Unconditional 00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:01.579 love. 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.079 I love that 00:14:02.079 --> 00:14:03.019 western philosophers 00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.919 like Jacques 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:04.719 Derrida call 00:14:04.719 --> 00:14:05.599 impossible. 00:14:07.859 --> 00:14:08.500 Impossible. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:08.639 Impossible. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:12.740 And yet that 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.080 is the 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:14.580 command that 00:14:14.580 --> 00:14:15.000 we are to 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.399 do it. 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.360 We are to 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.379 love in the 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.340 impossible way. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:21.779 Because 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.360 unconditional 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:24.159 love refuses 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:24.939 to let death 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:25.580 have the final 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:25.919 say. 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.399 Refuses to 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:28.879 let us build 00:14:28.879 --> 00:14:29.460 up factions 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:30.199 and divisions 00:14:30.199 --> 00:14:31.000 and reject the 00:14:31.000 --> 00:14:31.220 other. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:33.299 Love stands in 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:33.980 the face of 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.679 death and says 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:35.319 you do not 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:35.740 get the 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:36.440 last word. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:41.940 But it's 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:43.200 impossible for 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:43.580 us. 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:44.920 That's what 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:45.860 history proves. 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.120 But John 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.560 remembers 00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:50.180 something else 00:14:50.180 --> 00:14:50.600 that Jesus 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.020 said. 00:14:52.300 --> 00:14:53.560 Verse 16. 00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:54.680 He will 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.340 give you 00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:56.620 another advocate 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.879 to help you 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.800 and be with 00:14:58.800 --> 00:14:59.580 you forever. 00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:00.600 The spirit 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:01.300 of truth. 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:05.979 Impossible 00:15:05.979 --> 00:15:06.759 love is 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.199 impossible 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:07.719 love. 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:09.559 And God 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:10.139 knows that. 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:11.839 And so the 00:15:11.839 --> 00:15:12.979 only way for 00:15:12.979 --> 00:15:13.759 impossible love 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.519 to be possible 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.219 is for God 00:15:15.219 --> 00:15:15.699 to do it 00:15:15.699 --> 00:15:16.319 through us. 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:17.199 And this is 00:15:17.199 --> 00:15:17.539 the thing. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:17.979 If we are 00:15:17.979 --> 00:15:18.740 serious about 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:20.159 Jesus and 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:20.740 we are serious 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.359 about choosing 00:15:21.359 --> 00:15:22.599 love, Jesus 00:15:22.599 --> 00:15:23.819 gives us the 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:24.219 method. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.099 Jesus gives 00:15:25.099 --> 00:15:25.959 us himself. 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.659 He places 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.299 his spirit 00:15:28.299 --> 00:15:29.179 within us. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:31.399 some 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:31.979 translations 00:15:31.979 --> 00:15:33.279 in your 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:33.819 Bible, some 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:34.179 of them will 00:15:34.179 --> 00:15:34.439 say the 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:35.019 word helper. 00:15:35.979 --> 00:15:36.419 It's not a 00:15:36.419 --> 00:15:36.879 very helpful 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.379 word. 00:15:37.479 --> 00:15:37.739 When you 00:15:37.739 --> 00:15:38.120 think of a 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.359 helper, you 00:15:39.359 --> 00:15:39.699 think of 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:40.159 someone, you 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.659 know, oh I 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.099 can't quite 00:15:41.099 --> 00:15:41.679 bend down and 00:15:41.679 --> 00:15:42.179 get that, can 00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:42.559 you pick that 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.099 up for me? 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:44.979 Or can you 00:15:44.979 --> 00:15:45.579 help me carry 00:15:45.579 --> 00:15:46.039 this thing 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:46.259 in? 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.599 Nice, that's 00:15:48.599 --> 00:15:50.079 not quite 00:15:50.079 --> 00:15:50.500 what that 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.979 word's about. 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:52.659 It's about 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.639 an advocate. 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:54.799 What's an 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.379 advocate do? 00:15:55.439 --> 00:15:55.879 They speak 00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.699 for us. 00:15:57.939 --> 00:15:58.479 They speak 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.360 through us. 00:16:01.180 --> 00:16:02.060 We need the 00:16:02.060 --> 00:16:02.740 advocate, we 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.100 need the 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:03.500 spirit. 00:16:04.180 --> 00:16:04.820 Because loving 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:05.340 our neighbour 00:16:05.340 --> 00:16:06.019 quite often 00:16:06.019 --> 00:16:06.860 feels impossible. 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.159 Let's just 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.720 think, we 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.060 live in 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:10.700 quite, we're 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.779 in Clevedon, 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.379 I'm coming 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:12.899 from Bristol, 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:14.019 we're in a 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.680 mess right now 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:15.399 generally in 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.840 the world, but 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:18.620 we're still in a 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.940 very good place 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.779 in contrast to 00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:21.800 a lot of 00:16:21.800 --> 00:16:22.360 other places 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.000 in the world. 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.740 And I wonder 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:25.420 if you find it 00:16:25.420 --> 00:16:26.159 easy to talk to 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:26.740 your neighbour, 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.840 neighbour, 00:16:29.159 --> 00:16:30.860 literally to talk 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.560 to your neighbour. 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:31.860 That feels like 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:32.500 impossibility, 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.259 especially for my 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:33.820 generation. 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.320 Some of you guys 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:35.759 are probably like, 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.480 yeah, we're best 00:16:36.480 --> 00:16:36.960 friends with our 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:37.500 neighbours and we 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.299 have dinner parties 00:16:38.299 --> 00:16:38.820 all the time. 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:40.560 I've been in our 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.200 house for two and a 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:42.000 half years and I've 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.460 had my first 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.220 conversation with 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:43.940 one of my neighbours 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:45.200 and it went, 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:45.700 can you please 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:46.460 stop parking over 00:16:46.460 --> 00:16:47.080 my drive? 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:50.620 Your car's going 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.340 to get scratched. 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:55.040 That's the reality 00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:55.860 of my generation. 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:56.920 It's like almost, 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.320 the hardest thing 00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:59.100 to do is just to 00:16:59.100 --> 00:16:59.940 talk to the other 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:00.820 and there's no 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:02.840 real animosity, 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.279 there's no real 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.039 enemy there, 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.100 it's just, 00:17:07.059 --> 00:17:08.620 I'm a product of 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:09.259 the millennial 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.460 generation where we 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.440 think that the 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.019 world revolves 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.140 around me and 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:14.279 I'm always fighting 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.000 that, you know. 00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:16.700 And yeah, 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:19.860 this is the call 00:17:19.860 --> 00:17:20.799 to love our 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.059 neighbour, 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:21.960 love the other. 00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:23.299 Man, if I can't 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:24.100 even talk to my 00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:24.240 neighbour, 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.019 if I can't even, 00:17:26.100 --> 00:17:27.319 yeah, just knock 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:27.860 on the door and 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.660 ask for some sugar 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.440 because I'm of 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:30.019 pride, 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:33.059 if I can't even 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:33.360 do that, 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:33.840 how am I supposed 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.400 to love the one 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:35.080 that really annoys 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:35.319 me? 00:17:37.340 --> 00:17:38.059 We need the 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:40.299 advocate because 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.960 loving our neighbour 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.980 actually sounds like 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:42.380 madness. 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.759 It makes no 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.220 sense. 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.400 We need the 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:48.779 advocate. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.680 Today we 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.380 remember that the 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.840 true enemy is the 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.940 prince of this 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.940 world, not my 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:57.620 neighbour, not 00:17:57.620 --> 00:17:58.019 the ever. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:01.000 It's the prince of 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:02.299 this world who 00:18:02.299 --> 00:18:03.140 brings division, 00:18:03.360 --> 00:18:04.279 hate, hurt and 00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:04.960 roams the earth 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.880 seeking to destroy 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.940 those little moments 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:07.480 of light. 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.660 But we know he 00:18:10.660 --> 00:18:11.980 cannot distinguish 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.600 the light. 00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.120 Light has come 00:18:14.120 --> 00:18:14.900 into the world and 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:16.340 the darkness has 00:18:16.339 --> 00:18:17.639 not, will not, 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.720 cannot overcome 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.019 it. 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.679 He will not 00:18:23.679 --> 00:18:23.959 win. 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:28.859 But it isn't 00:18:28.859 --> 00:18:29.240 easy. 00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:31.459 We are living in 00:18:31.459 --> 00:18:32.000 the in-between. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:34.079 Sometimes we think 00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:35.159 that light has 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:35.539 gone out. 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.819 Sometimes life 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.500 feels like that. 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.139 Wars remind us 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:39.480 of that. 00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:43.500 it feels like the 00:18:43.500 --> 00:18:43.960 light has gone 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.220 out. 00:18:44.880 --> 00:18:45.640 And yet, that 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.339 video at the start 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:46.860 was great. 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:48.559 In the darkness 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:51.339 of war, people 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.259 choose light. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:53.960 Wow. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.019 love. 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:56.680 So we have a 00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.019 choice. 00:18:58.100 --> 00:18:58.720 We have a role 00:18:58.720 --> 00:18:59.160 to play. 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.380 Jesus does not 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.079 command us to 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:02.799 love because it's 00:19:02.799 --> 00:19:03.259 nice. 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.720 For the disciples 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.779 loving their 00:19:06.779 --> 00:19:07.960 neighbour, loving 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:09.160 their Abba, Abba, 00:19:09.460 --> 00:19:12.319 Uber, other, took 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.240 them to the cross, 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:13.880 took them to 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.759 execution, took 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:16.019 them to exile, took 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.940 them to persecution. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.380 And in the face of 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.039 those things, they 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:19.759 chose to love. 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.680 Only because of the 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.060 advocate. 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.799 But it is a 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:30.420 command for one 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:31.120 reason alone. 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:32.940 And Harry knew 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:33.299 this. 00:19:34.340 --> 00:19:35.120 Love is the most 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:35.960 powerful thing. 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:37.660 Love is the only 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.000 way. 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.240 Because when we 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:43.500 face our enemies, 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.900 when we face the 00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:48.519 darkness, if we 00:19:48.519 --> 00:19:49.440 love in the face 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:51.500 of hate, it 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:52.440 breaks down walls. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.420 If we love in the 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:55.240 face of hurt, it 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.060 softens hardened 00:19:56.060 --> 00:19:56.700 hearts. 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:03.000 And right now, I 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.740 bet you can think 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.660 of places where you 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.100 need that. 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.799 I bet you can think 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.259 of hurt. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.299 You can think of 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.000 hardened hearts. 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:10.700 You can think of 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.039 hate. 00:20:12.120 --> 00:20:12.820 What in you? 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.259 You want a 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:13.700 faction? 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.580 You want to pick 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:15.039 a side? 00:20:15.660 --> 00:20:16.160 You want to be 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:16.880 them and us? 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.160 Well, Jesus has 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.940 got a challenge for 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:19.140 you. 00:20:20.060 --> 00:20:20.480 He's got a 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:21.140 challenge for me. 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:23.500 If you love me, 00:20:24.520 --> 00:20:25.520 obey my command. 00:20:26.880 --> 00:20:27.500 Love God. 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.280 And love your 00:20:30.280 --> 00:20:30.560 neighbour. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:35.519 So today, we 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.220 remember those who 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:37.859 have loved and 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.200 lost. 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.359 We remember those 00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:40.980 who have given up 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.919 everything for the 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:43.259 possibility of peace. 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.319 love. 00:20:44.900 --> 00:20:45.859 But what are you going 00:20:45.859 --> 00:20:46.400 to do with that 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:46.759 memory? 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:52.240 What did and 00:20:52.240 --> 00:20:53.519 does Jesus ask of 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.859 us in response to 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.539 evil when it 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.059 manifests? 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:59.460 In response to 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.099 the God whose 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:01.379 weapon was a 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:01.839 cross? 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.279 Whose weapon 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:07.920 was and is and 00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.920 will always be 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:10.820 agape love? 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:14.980 As 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.640 disciples, 00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:20.019 may we 00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:20.680 pursue this 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.220 greater love? 00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:23.960 Amen.