WEBVTT 00:00:00.479 --> 00:00:03.200 Good morning, Redeemer, family and friends. 00:00:03.600 --> 00:00:07.759 Scotty Smith here, one of your pastors at large. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:18.480 Have the joy of walking with Russ and a mentoring, friendship, mutual encouragement and relationship now for several years. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:24.079 Russ has asked me to think with you guys about this upcoming season, the transition. 00:00:24.719 --> 00:00:28.719 Pretty soon we will enjoy meeting together again. 00:00:28.879 --> 00:00:30.719 So, what's that gonna look like? 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:43.920 How can we listen to the gospel together to get a good understanding about what faith expressing itself in love will mean for us in these next several weeks, even months? 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:58.159 So, to get us started, I want to read from the book of Galatians a couple of relevant passages, and you might think of this conversation, brief as it may be, simply as neighbor love in the summer of 2020. 00:00:58.399 --> 00:01:02.880 Listen to the way the Apostle Paul writes in the book of Galatians, chapter 5. 00:01:03.280 --> 00:01:05.359 Galatians 5, verse 6. 00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:10.799 The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love. 00:01:11.040 --> 00:01:16.400 And then a little bit later in the chapter, same chapter, verse 13, 14. 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:25.599 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free, but do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:33.840 Rather, serve one another in love, for the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:37.280 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:01:37.680 --> 00:01:41.599 I think these scriptures are so relevant as we think about this next season. 00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:45.280 So the question before us today is simply this. 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:48.959 So, what will faith expressing itself in love? 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:50.799 What will neighbor love? 00:01:50.959 --> 00:02:02.000 What will the gospel look like as we prepare to resume meeting together and further walking into the season of pandemic? 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:04.560 Here are seven brief thoughts. 00:02:04.719 --> 00:02:10.159 I'll send you my outline so you can marinate in these things and add to the list. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:22.000 But here are seven considerations, seven things that I want to join with you in practicing as we look at these next several weeks and move forward. 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:30.000 Number one, during the season of transition, let's practice the stewardship of freedom. 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:33.439 Opening up must not mean dumbing down. 00:02:33.599 --> 00:02:37.599 Now, in the scripture we just read, Paul talked about freedom. 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:42.240 And he said that as followers of Jesus, we have incredible freedom. 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:46.879 Freedom from the law, freedom from condemnation, freedom from performances. 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:59.039 But freedom is difficult to steward, and I think it's an important lesson for us as we move forward into this summer as a church, as families, etc. 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:09.039 We've already seen on the West Coast that when California began to open up their beaches, freedom was not stewarded very well. 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:18.159 And they had to shut down their beaches because we unfortunately want what we want when we want it. 00:03:18.400 --> 00:03:25.199 And oftentimes that's more with a horizon of our own joy in view and not those around us. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:31.360 So I would say to us as a church family, just beginning this next season, we have remarkable freedom. 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:33.759 We are seeking to open up. 00:03:33.919 --> 00:03:41.360 We are looking forward to getting out of a lot of the things that have had us in a lockdown posture. 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:48.479 As a church family, as families and friends, let's learn lessons on stewarding our freedom. 00:03:48.800 --> 00:03:58.719 Not just limited to this pandemic, but certainly as we are on the cusp of doing some important heart work and community work together. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:04.400 Number two, as we resume meeting together as a church, let's go. 00:04:04.639 --> 00:04:07.680 Slow exercising, great care. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:13.840 Social distancing, masks, and cough care are going to be with us for quite a while. 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:19.360 Peel off communion cups and limiting singing are only temporary. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:21.680 But loving well is forever. 00:04:21.839 --> 00:04:29.199 I think that's part of my encouragement to you guys and to us here in the Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee area. 00:04:29.759 --> 00:04:33.120 We want to be together and yet we have appropriate concerns. 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:34.879 So let's go slow. 00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:40.160 Listen to the guidelines your church leaders have set out before you. 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:48.240 What's it going to mean to move towards one another and really go by the guidelines and learn as we go. 00:04:48.399 --> 00:04:51.759 I think a good plan has been put in place for Redeemer. 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:54.240 Let's handle it with care. 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:58.720 Let's not be in a big hurry except to love well. 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:02.560 Some of these irregularities won't necessarily be fun. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:06.480 I hate these little peel off-top communion cups. 00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:11.759 We're going to use them in Nashville just as you guys are because we want to be sensitive to touch. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:17.680 We want to be aware of the fact that every cough and sneeze we hear is likely to trigger us. 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:33.360 So let's know that faith expressing itself in love as a church family means let's move towards regathering because that's a part of our calling as the people of God to be together, not just to be isolated in our own homes, but let's do it well. 00:05:33.519 --> 00:05:49.920 Let's go slow, let's be deliberate, let's be very careful to use some of the protocols that are delineated by our government, but stewarded well, there's that word again, by our church leaders. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:51.600 Number three of seven. 00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:56.399 Let's practice mutual respect for each other as we move forward. 00:05:56.639 --> 00:06:04.639 We're not going to agree on everything deemed pandemic protocol, especially in an election year. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:09.680 Now, maybe you've already experienced this among friends and extended family. 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:25.439 I find it highly annoying that this pandemic is landing in an election year because it seems like everybody is wanting to seize the narrative for what it means, and even a mask itself has become a political entity. 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:45.120 I pray that in Redeemer you will learn to respect one another, not just with regard to how you interpret the pandemic, but also as we consider the fact that a lot of us emotionally are gonna hang back for a while. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:47.279 And let's respect one another. 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:53.519 Some of us are in the world of Winnie the Pooh Tiggers, and we cannot wait to be together. 00:06:53.680 --> 00:06:56.480 Well, Winnie the Pooh is a big family. 00:06:56.639 --> 00:07:01.519 Let's honor all the representatives in this church family called Redeemer. 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:03.920 So let's learn respect for one another. 00:07:04.160 --> 00:07:06.639 Let's listen more than we speak. 00:07:06.800 --> 00:07:08.879 God gave us two ears and one mouth. 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:16.319 May there be something clearly demonstrated about faith expressing itself in love as we respect one another. 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:21.439 There will be several lanes for life and Redeemer in the upcoming weeks and months. 00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:23.600 And let's just do it together. 00:07:23.759 --> 00:07:25.199 Let's honor each other. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:27.360 Let's honor each other's families. 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:31.279 Some of you have already been to the beach together. 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:34.879 Others of us, like my wife and I, are hanging back. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:39.759 Well, mutual respect is always an aspect of gospel life. 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:41.439 Let's do it well together. 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:56.000 Number four, let's remember those who remain most vulnerable to the virus, the elderly health care workers and those who are being dramatically impacted economically by this virus. 00:07:56.720 --> 00:08:09.920 I'm 70, my wife is not as old as me, but we are told, even by the government, perhaps to not even begin worshiping with fellow brothers and sisters in shared space for a while. 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:12.079 Let's remember those in Redeemer. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:26.879 I know you're a young congregation, but let's remain sensitive to caring for those who are part of this church family who are in compromised health, for those who are older, but also for those who have lost jobs. 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:39.600 I hope we understand this is a vital part of the story that as a church family, we want to be generous, we want to be merciful, we want to know that perhaps many in our midst are being dramatically impacted. 00:08:39.679 --> 00:08:45.200 I mean by decisions that will impact livelihood, housing, etc. 00:08:45.679 --> 00:08:57.679 So the gospel always calls us to be aware, to be aware of what presents we bring in every situation, including this one, but also let's look around. 00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:01.440 How can we care for those who would love to be with us? 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:03.759 But wisdom would say hang back. 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:13.519 How can we care for those who perhaps out of shame have been impacted by this incredible season of pandemic that we want to love well? 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:18.879 Number five, let's be paceetters and wisdom and kindness to our community. 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:28.559 These next several months are going to say a lot to Marietta and the surrounding neighborhoods about the gospel that we believe and celebrate in Redeemer. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:46.720 Know that as the people of God, we're not to be codependent upon our community's opinion about us, but we have a chance collectively, as families, as friends, as a church family, to be aware of the fact that we're being watched by our community. 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:49.120 And let's steward that. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:50.080 Again, that word. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:51.600 Let's be good stewards. 00:09:51.759 --> 00:10:01.919 Let's uh seize the moment to model for our community wisdom, care, good science, uh, and our faith that we cherish. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:03.360 Let's be aware of that. 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.080 Not a slave to it, but let's love well. 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:08.080 Number six of seven. 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:15.200 May we grow a greater awareness and connection with the suffering church as a result of this pandemic. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:19.200 I've got a lot of friends that serve in many countries around the world. 00:10:19.440 --> 00:10:24.960 And this pandemic has impacted them so differently than the way it's impacted us. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:28.960 For some of them, it's just one more pandemic. 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:36.639 Many in the Church of Jesus Christ around the world have to gather at harm's risk. 00:10:36.960 --> 00:10:47.679 The underground church, the suffering church, uh, good missionary friends that live in parts of Africa are always dealing with malaria, Ebola, and now this virus. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:11:03.039 And I pray that our disruption, the things that have created a new norm for us, will be used by God's Spirit to help Redeemer, to help our church family go deeper and deeper into God's larger story. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:13.519 God is a father of mercy and God of all comfort who comforts us that we might comfort others with the mercy and grace and kindness we receive. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:15.519 May we be sensitized. 00:11:15.759 --> 00:11:27.679 May we turn away from Redeemer being a privatized story of a nice little grace-filled church that's living irrespective of how much of our family of God is suffering. 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:30.000 Let's not waste our suffering. 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:31.440 Let's not waste this moment. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:41.039 May one of the outcomes of this pandemic and Redeemer be a greater commitment to live and to love to God's glory globally. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:52.320 A global pandemic, uh, it will not outlast God's global, every place in the world story of redeeming love. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:54.639 Lastly, number seven. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:59.519 Let's take note of new habits we formed during sheltering in place. 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:04.000 Habits that should be continued and cherished. 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:09.120 Now, maybe some of you are like me, you've welcomed a part of this sheltering in place. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:12.639 I have uh discovered a quieter heart. 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:28.559 I've actually engaged more with people as an introvert through calls, through being aware of the fact that my normal routines have me moving around, spending a lot more time in the car, going and coming, flying, etc. 00:12:28.879 --> 00:12:31.600 But slowing down has been so good. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:34.399 My wife and I found a new connection. 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:36.399 We've started watercoloring together. 00:12:36.559 --> 00:12:38.080 I want that to continue. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:43.600 But but also the pace, living at the pace of grace. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:50.159 What do you not want to walk away from that you've learned during this pandemic? 00:12:50.240 --> 00:13:14.080 And what are some of the stories we can share with each other about how our families have enjoyed tying together, maybe a little less screen time, a little more actual face time, communing with the Lord, getting quiet, reading, centering, uh, re-examining the difference between a driven life and a called life. 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:29.279 I hope there will be some really good conversations in Redeemer for habits, patterns that you have cultivated, and that you will be sad that they might go away as we start regathering. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:38.879 So, brothers and sisters, just a few thoughts, important thoughts, but all under this larger rubric, what does faith expressing itself in love look like? 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.559 Let's move toward together. 00:13:40.720 --> 00:13:44.799 Like I said, it is to God's glory that we want to be together. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:46.399 Let's do it wisely. 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:49.440 Let's do it in love with mutual respect. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:52.960 Let's exercise our freedom with great care. 00:13:53.120 --> 00:14:08.960 And let's love the city where God has placed us to live out the only love that is better than life, the only love that will never let go of us, the only love sufficient not just to get us into heaven, but to get more of heaven into us. 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.799 Let's pray as we conclude. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:22.240 Father, thank you for the privilege we have in these next several weeks and months to be wise, to be loving, to ask the question, what does faith expressing itself in love look like? 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.600 Give us encouragement. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:28.080 Thank you for Russ as elders, thank you for the church family called Redeemer. 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:40.320 We do pray, Lord, that we will respect each other, that we, even as we see some things differently, even as some families exercise certain freedoms that other families will see differently. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:46.399 Oh Lord, may it be a grand demonstration of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:46.559 --> 00:14:49.519 Together we pray in his name and for his glory. 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:50.480 Amen. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.679 Thank you all. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:56.080 I cannot wait to be back down and Marietta to be with you. 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:56.720 Love you. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.840 Keep praying for me as well. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:58.879 I appreciate it very much. 00:14:59.200 --> 00:14:59.919 Scotty here. 00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.720 Goodbye.