WEBVTT 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:08.240 This podcast is brought to you by Grant Parkway Baptist. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:12.480 Helping people to know, enjoy, and glorify God. 00:00:12.960 --> 00:00:18.079 For more information about Grand Parkway, visit GrandProquay.org. 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:28.239 Again, what a miracle it is that I'm talking to the living God of the universe right now. 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:39.759 God, would you magnify your goodness to us in our lives and in this space? 00:00:43.520 --> 00:00:46.079 Lord, I keep having the image of shackles breaking. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:51.920 God, I pray in these next 30 minutes that shackles in people's lives and minds and hearts will be broken. 00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:03.679 Lord, I pray that these scriptures penetrate our hearts. 00:01:06.480 --> 00:01:09.519 We love you and we need you. 00:01:10.319 --> 00:01:12.159 It's in your beautiful name I pray. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:13.040 Amen. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:13.519 Amen. 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:14.959 You may be seated. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:22.079 Good morning, Hara. 00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:22.640 Are we good? 00:01:22.959 --> 00:01:23.760 Good morning. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:24.480 Awesome. 00:01:24.560 --> 00:01:26.079 If you have your Bibles, would you grab those? 00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:28.319 Go to 1 John chapter 2. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:30.799 Okay, 1 John chapter 2. 00:01:30.879 --> 00:01:32.560 If you don't have a Bible, just relax. 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:34.799 The text is going to appear on the screen. 00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:36.159 My name is Leo Almeida. 00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:38.799 I'm one of the teaching pastors here at Grant Parkway. 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:40.239 And I'm going to be leading us this morning. 00:01:40.400 --> 00:01:43.840 I'm going to continue our study in the book of 1 John. 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:49.439 And today we're going to do that in verses 12 through 17 of 1 John chapter 2. 00:01:49.599 --> 00:01:57.359 Now, before we get to it, I have a story for you, a quick story that I think cascades us well into where we're going this morning. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:02:02.560 So there's a pastor in Oklahoma who used to office out of a warehouse. 00:02:02.799 --> 00:02:05.040 His office was in an old warehouse. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:14.719 And behind this warehouse, there was a field where irresponsible high schoolers would come do what irresponsible high schoolers do. 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:19.360 Whatever you just filled in the blank in your mind, that, whatever. 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:24.400 And his desk was right next to the window outlooking the field. 00:02:24.479 --> 00:02:28.159 And one day he turned around and he sees a car just coming in hot. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:30.800 Music blasting a car coming in at full speed. 00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:34.479 He just pumped the brakes and a guy gets out with music blasting. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:37.280 And then moments later, the same thing happens. 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:41.520 And then again, and then again, and then again, and then again. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:53.120 And all of a sudden, before long, you have a group of high schoolers in a circle with their cars in a circle, and there's two boys, two young men that are in the middle, and they're about to duke it out. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:55.280 They're about to sell some differences. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:03:04.560 To which the pastor looks on and he responds by going, fight! And his whole staff gets up and they go to the window and they go watch. 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:07.520 Naturally. 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:31.280 Until finally it dawns on him, I'm an adult. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:35.840 I'm an adult who's a Christian. 00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:39.039 I'm an adult who's a Christian and a pastor. 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:47.680 When those truths dawn on him, he springs into action, he goes downstairs, he goes outside, and he breaks up the fight, and all is well in the world. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:50.159 And this story will live on as a sermon illustration. 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:51.680 But why do I tell you that? 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:56.800 Everything changed when he remembered who he was. 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:00.560 Everything changed when he remembered who he was. 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:04.560 Friends, when you know who you are, you will know what to do. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:08.400 Identity informs your activity. 00:04:08.560 --> 00:04:15.039 Ironically, um, the people in the world that understand this reality the most are kids who are troublemakers. 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:25.680 Because they continually make mistakes and they continually hear authority figures, whether it's mom, dad, coach, principal, teacher, they continually hear who do you think you are? 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:35.199 And that sentence, that that question is telling because it smuggles in the reality that you do what you do because of who you think you are. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:38.639 And that's my point this morning. 00:04:39.120 --> 00:04:46.720 Because of who you are, because of who you are, invest in what will last. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:49.279 That's my sermon in one sentence. 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:52.079 Because of who you are, invest in what will last. 00:04:52.240 --> 00:04:54.160 Look at verses 12 through 14. 00:04:58.639 --> 00:05:05.120 I'm writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:10.560 I'm writing to you, fathers, because you know him who was from the beginning. 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:16.160 I'm writing to you, young men, because you've overcome the evil one. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:21.120 I write to you, children, because you know the father. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:26.879 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. 00:05:27.839 --> 00:05:39.519 I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:41.519 Sword of the Lord. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:48.240 Now, if you remember anything this morning, it's this because of who you are, invest in what will last. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:50.240 And that begs the question: who are you? 00:05:50.480 --> 00:05:56.240 Well, according to this passage, Christian, in Christ you are forgiven. 00:05:57.360 --> 00:05:59.600 In Christ you are forgiven. 00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:01.439 Look at verse 12 one more time. 00:06:02.800 --> 00:06:11.839 I'm writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. 00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:23.600 At a first glance, when you look at these three verses, it almost sounds like John is writing to Little Rascals Bible Church, where Alfalfa is the lead pastor and there's no girls allowed. 00:06:24.399 --> 00:06:24.800 Right? 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:27.120 But this isn't just a church of dudes, okay? 00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:36.560 In fact, um, seven times in the book of 1 John, uh, John references this crowd by calling them little children, but this is this isn't just a church um full of toddlers. 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:42.480 Rather, okay, there's a lot of debate as to why he references these groups the way that he references these groups. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:44.959 Some people believe that these are spiritual stages. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:49.040 Okay, the the children are referring to new believers. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:54.399 Young men are referring to people who are growing in their faith, and finally fathers. 00:06:54.560 --> 00:07:00.079 Now, these are people who are spent decades knowing and loving Jesus. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:11.600 Other people believe these are church roles, the fathers are merely the ministry leaders, and the or the the young men are ministry leaders, and the fathers themselves are the pastors and the elders. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:15.920 No matter where you stand, here's what you need to know. 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:24.879 As we reread this section, I'm going to treat them as stages, but what's true about all these groups is true of every Christian. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:29.600 What we see right here is, Christian, you are forgiven. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:33.439 You are forgiven. 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:38.240 Friends, our God does not shove aside sin. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.759 He does not ignore sin. 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:45.040 He does not scoff at sin. 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:48.720 He does not dangle sin in front of us. 00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:53.040 The God who is there forgives sin. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:08:01.040 Oh, how thankful we should be that our God is not merely fair. 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:05.920 Thank the Lord, He's not merely fair. 00:08:07.120 --> 00:08:08.480 Go to First Colony Mall. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:09.839 They're fair over there. 00:08:10.480 --> 00:08:17.040 If you're browsing around in a store and you break something, the policies, you break it, you buy it. 00:08:18.639 --> 00:08:21.759 Imagine if that was the if he was merely fair. 00:08:23.040 --> 00:08:29.360 But scriptures reveal a God who is just and he is rich in mercy. 00:08:31.120 --> 00:08:32.799 He forgives sin. 00:08:33.679 --> 00:08:35.919 And he does so for his name's sake. 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:37.679 Listen, he doesn't forgive you because you're cute. 00:08:38.000 --> 00:08:40.480 He forgives you on account of Jesus. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:45.919 Earlier in this chapter, Jesus is called two things, an advocate for us, and it's a propitiation. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:53.679 That sounds like Christian needs, but it literally means advocate means he's our defense lawyer who pleas our case on our behalf. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:09:00.720 So you picture in a heavenly courtroom where you are guilty, but you are walking in with our defense lawyer as Jesus. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.840 And furthermore, he's our propitiation. 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:06.559 This is a polytheistic society. 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:14.639 People worship all sorts of gods, and one of the ways you worship gods is you uh you make a little sacrifice to God, these random gods. 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:23.679 Okay, and these sacrifices are called propitiation, but Jesus is our final payment, he's our full payment, he's our propitiation that satisfies God's anger. 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:27.759 Jesus is our advocate and our propitiation. 00:09:28.480 --> 00:09:31.759 Now I say that at the risk of sounding like good cop, bad cop. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:39.840 Like the father is super angry, but the son is really chill and he's gonna cover for us. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:44.960 Friends, Jesus was not on the cross trying to get God to like us. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:54.240 But rather, okay, Jesus is on the cross because God loved us before the foundations of the world. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:57.919 You are forgiven. 00:09:58.480 --> 00:10:03.519 Without this assurance, there cannot be an effective Christian life. 00:10:04.480 --> 00:10:08.320 Without the assurance of your forgiveness, you cannot be effective in your Christian life. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:12.399 In the 1960s, there was a basketball player named Swin Nader. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:20.399 Besides having the coolest name I've ever heard, Swin was an all-American junior college basketball player. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:22.240 And he was just a great, great player. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:25.840 He spent two years, I think, Cyprus Junior College in California. 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:31.519 But after his sophomore year, he decided to transfer to the legendary basketball program at UCLA. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:34.960 And UCLA at the time was legendary. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:39.200 And what made them so legendary was the coach, John Wooden. 00:10:39.519 --> 00:10:46.000 And he's arguably one of the most famous coaches in American soil, just in American sports history. 00:10:46.480 --> 00:10:53.200 And Swen walks in as the underdog, grew up extremely poor, couldn't afford shoes. 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:58.559 Okay, he was an immigrant, he was an orphan, didn't even make the basketball team at his high school. 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:07.600 He walks in as an all uh an underdog in a room full of a bunch of all-Americans, people who are destined for basketball immortality. 00:11:07.919 --> 00:11:15.600 So he walks in that first meeting, ready to either compete or hear about the championship dream at UCLA. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:21.600 And he walks in, he sees Bill Walton, and he sees all these guys that are just destined for basketball immortality. 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:24.080 And then Coach Wooden walks in. 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:29.519 In their first meeting, he didn't get that big championship speech. 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:34.720 John Wooden, the first thing he does is goes, All right, everyone, take off your shoes. 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:39.039 All right, now everyone, take off your socks. 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:45.279 And he spends that first meeting teaching this team how to put on your socks. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:48.559 Okay, here is how to put don't pull it. 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:49.759 Don't pull it. 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:53.360 Okay, you want to rub your heel, make sure there's no wrinkles over there. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:56.240 Rub your pinky toe, make sure there's no wrinkles over there. 00:11:56.879 --> 00:12:00.399 Because if there's wrinkles, you can be blisters. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:04.159 And whenever there's blisters, there's pain. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:09.120 Whenever you feel that nagging pain, you start limping, you start favoring it a little bit. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:12.720 Whenever you start limping, you're a step slow. 00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:14.559 When you're a step slow, you can't play your best. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:17.279 When you can't play your best, we don't win games. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:21.440 Therefore, here's how to put on your socks. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.120 Right? 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:29.919 So, just a reference point, in his last 12 years at UCLA, John wouldn't won 10 championships. 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:34.799 And listen, it's not because they knew how to put on their socks really well, okay? 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:37.200 You gotta know how to ball if you want to do that. 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:42.799 But this shows us that his basics were extremely important. 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:46.559 In our case, you and I are called to grow. 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:50.159 You're not called to stay stagnant in Christ, you're called to grow in your love. 00:12:50.240 --> 00:13:03.759 Um 2 Peter chapter 1, um, supplement your make every effort, try your hardest at make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, with self-control, with knowledge, with love, with uh brotherly affection. 00:13:03.919 --> 00:13:06.000 You are called to grow. 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:15.840 But if you are bored or unaffected by the basic reality of your forgiveness, you are doomed to spiritual blisters. 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:23.440 I wonder how many of us are walking around with blisters, forgetting that you're forgiven. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:28.559 Listen, you are not yet done being sanctified. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.840 That's a process. 00:13:30.080 --> 00:13:40.399 You are not yet perfected, you do you are not yet have your glorified body, you do not yet see the Father, you do not yet hear that, well done, my good and faithful servant. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:42.559 You don't yet have those things. 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:53.200 However, when it comes to your position before God, when it comes to your position before God, you will never be more forgiven than you are right now. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:59.840 When it comes, this is what it means that Jesus imputed his righteousness unto us. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:04.639 When it comes to your position before God, you will never be more forgiven than you are right now. 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:13.840 Romans chapter 8, verse 1 says this there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:20.799 There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:28.080 Let me tell you, like my parents used to tell me after the 8,000th time of asking to go to Toys R Us. 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:31.120 Listen, no means no. 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:36.399 As you read this sentence, get in your head. 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:40.399 No means no, no condemnation means no condemnation. 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.919 The verdict is not less condemnation. 00:14:44.159 --> 00:14:47.519 We're not, we haven't improved our status in Jesus. 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:50.480 Okay, he hasn't been improved, it's been completely transformed. 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:53.919 We went from standing condemned to no condemnation. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:15:00.080 Friends, this is where the body of Christ metaphor becomes so critical for us. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:02.559 We are the body of Christ. 00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:09.200 Okay, Christ lives in Leo through his spirit, and I am in Christ by faith. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:14.159 So you can't acquit the head and condemn the hand. 00:15:15.440 --> 00:15:19.600 You can't say not guilty to the head and condemn the knee. 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:28.399 In that same way, um, for our students here who are who are younger, if your head is above water, you can't, I can't drown your hand. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:33.759 If your head is above water, I can't drown your foot, or I can't drown your finger. 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:37.679 In that same way, we are joined to him. 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:41.200 We hear the verdict, no condemnation. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:47.840 And as we get on the exit ramp of this point, I want to ask you, does your joy match your status? 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.919 Could we tell by your joy? 00:15:53.840 --> 00:15:58.320 What are your friends and family learning about the forgiveness of God through you? 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:03.679 Like earphones before a big game. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:07.279 What if the forgiveness of God became your soundtrack? 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:09.519 What would you sound like what would your life look like? 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:14.799 In Christ, you are forgiven. 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:18.559 Because of who you are, invest in what will last. 00:16:18.960 --> 00:16:19.600 Who are you? 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:23.440 Well, again, uh Christian, in Christ, you are victorious. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:25.039 Look at verse 13b. 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:36.879 I'm writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:42.080 I'm writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:49.120 Again, um, this is true of all Christians, but I believe John here is talking to the young people of the church. 00:16:49.200 --> 00:16:53.279 So I'm gonna take this opportunity to do the exact same. 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:58.000 Okay, to our young disciples here, okay. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:10.559 Because of your energy, because of your strength, because of your influence in culture, you are currently being hunted. 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:15.759 You are currently being hunted. 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:20.400 And if that sounds ridiculous, you're probably losing. 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:26.079 You have a target on you, and I don't say it to be shocking. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:28.559 Okay, I'm not the type of guy who once found a demon under every rock. 00:17:28.720 --> 00:17:31.359 Oh, I couldn't go feed the poor because somebody tied my shoes together. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.319 The demons did it, right? 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:34.079 I'm not that guy. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:36.960 Okay, but I hear so many deconversion stories. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:45.200 I want to be as sensitive as possible, but oftentimes when I hear these deconversions, I walked away from the church because of this, I walked away from the church because of this. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:49.599 My question sometimes wells up in me is like, did you not know you were a target? 00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:55.200 When I came to know the Lord, I heard so many poems about sand. 00:17:59.839 --> 00:18:03.839 There is one footprint, and then there's two footprints, and then there's one footprint. 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:10.960 Listen, no offense. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:17.920 Or offense, whatever, but listen, to bear the name in Christ is to enlist. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:21.039 You're enlisting. 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:25.519 I want to encourage you in this way. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:29.200 Notice the tense of this sentence. 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:35.920 I am writing to young men because you have overcome. 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:43.440 Not you will overcome, or you may overcome, or you are overcoming, you have overcomed. 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:47.599 You are not just pardoned, you are empowered. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:52.079 Please do not give in to a skinny gospel. 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:55.279 I can't stand, I know a thing or two about being skinny. 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:57.440 A skinny gospel. 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:59.359 What is the gospel? 00:18:59.599 --> 00:19:01.440 Jesus died for my sins. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:04.319 And I'm like, right? 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:07.359 So yeah, he's not still dead, okay? 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:11.599 He he rose again and then he ascended to the Father and He sent us a helper. 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:15.119 Matter of fact, and Johnny says, it's better that I leave. 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:17.519 It's better that I'm gonna leave you a helper. 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:18.400 It's better that I leave. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:20.720 I'm gonna give you this helper. 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:22.799 And that helper gives us power over sin. 00:19:22.880 --> 00:19:28.720 So on the cross, Jesus died for the penalty of sin, and that helper gives us power over sin. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:31.920 You are not just pardoned, you are empowered. 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:44.079 So listen, whether you're fighting addiction, whether you're fighting laziness, whether you're fighting Bible confusion, whether you're fighting doubt, whether you're fighting discouragement, you're not just fighting for victory, but you're fighting from victory. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:52.880 Whatever conflict remains is being thrown at you by a baffled and conquered enemy. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.480 Now, what's the source? 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.920 What's the source of your strength? 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:58.960 Okay, you're not hardwired with the strength at birth, okay? 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:00.799 It's been imparted to you. 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:02.319 Look at verse 14b. 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:18.960 I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:25.839 Friends, you get strength as God's word abides in you. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:32.400 Again, that that can sound like um Shakespearean Christianese abides in you. 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:34.480 It literally means make your home in. 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:37.680 Does God's word make its home in you? 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:44.960 Like if I interviewed your family and friends, how many of them say, listen, I can hear I can see God's word moving into her mind. 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:46.720 Look at how she talks now. 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:51.599 I can see God's word making moving in and moving into her heart. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:53.440 Look at her desires. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:59.519 I can see God's word moving into her life, look at her behaviors. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:02.319 That's your source. 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:05.200 Young people, that's your source. 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:08.000 That's our source. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:14.319 So, young person and Christian in Christ, you are victorious. 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:23.119 Okay, so you are forgiven, you are victorious, and lastly, you are connected to the consistent. 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:26.319 You are connected to the transcendent and consistent. 00:21:26.640 --> 00:21:28.000 That is really good news. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:32.240 So many fly by night trends, and you are connected to the consistent. 00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:34.079 Look at verses 13 through 14. 00:21:34.319 --> 00:21:35.759 13 and 14. 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:44.559 I'm writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:49.920 Again, applies to everyone who has Christ. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:58.559 But I believe what John is doing here, he's addressing the fathers, okay, and the people who are the heads of their household or the head of the church. 00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.839 This is fathers, mothers, mothers. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:06.160 Grandma, grandmas, grandpas, uh, elders, pastors, overseers, he's talking to those. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:08.880 These are the people who have decades with God. 00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:11.440 They've walked with Jesus for decades. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:19.839 And these people who, whenever, whenever God comes up, they don't just have Bible knowledge, but they start talking about memories with him. 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:23.759 They don't just start talking about him, they start talking about memories with him. 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:27.759 They don't just know about him, they actually intimately know him. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:30.480 And he says this twice. 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:37.039 I'm writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:42.000 Last week, Brent told us the context of this, this letter. 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:44.880 He's not just writing to them and saying, hey, what's up, guys? 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.920 No, no, no. 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.680 There are heresies. 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:54.559 There are lies about God, lies about Jesus that are forming in the perimeter of the church, and they might be even seeping into the church. 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:58.559 And he's writing to them to warn them about that. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:05.519 And what he's doing here, he's repeating this to the fathers, and he's telling them, listen, the truth you know is durable. 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:11.920 These lies are enticing, these lies maybe sound powerful, but the truth you know is durable. 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:14.720 The truth you know outlasts these lies. 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:18.240 The truth you know was made for this moment. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:23.359 And that's how I want to exhort the heads of households, the heads of this church. 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:26.000 Okay, look at this world. 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:33.279 Look at this, and yet the truth you know was made for this moment. 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:38.319 You have experienced the goodness of Psalm 90, verse 2. 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:42.799 From everlasting to everlasting, you are God. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:47.599 Infinity that way to infinity that way, God is relentlessly Himself. 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:51.279 You've experienced the truth of Hebrews chapter 13, verse 8. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:54.000 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.680 You've experienced that. 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:57.279 I can only quote that. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:59.119 You have experienced that. 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:02.880 You know him who is from the beginning. 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:08.480 You have seen trends come and go in and outside the church. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:14.559 You've watched pop culture change its mind over and over again. 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:18.160 Pants were tight. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.599 Then they were baggy. 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:24.160 What are we doing now? 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:27.200 Like, which by the way, these are slim. 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:28.480 People keep these are slim. 00:24:28.640 --> 00:24:29.519 These are not skinny. 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:34.480 Don't believe these are man, seriously. 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:38.960 Never believe when Neil talks about my wardrobe. 00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.480 Don't believe it, okay? 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:48.640 But all these trends, and yet you have experienced the fact that God is a rock. 00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:56.720 And in Exodus 33 and 32, when uh Moses is praying at the end of his life, what you see there is he starts referring to God as a rock. 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:58.640 Meaning, he's the rock of ages. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:01.119 You've experienced this. 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:07.920 Therefore, I want to say, stay in the game and guide us. 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.960 We need you. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:14.000 Stay in the game and guide us. 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:17.759 Consider these last several decades a good start. 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:22.160 Stay in the game and guide us. 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:25.279 The body of Christ needs your energy. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:29.039 We need your wisdom. 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:32.079 We need your knowledge. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:35.279 We need your encouragement. 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:39.599 A compliment from you or encouragement that goes. 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:46.319 So this time last year, I was um one of the dreams of my life was to plant a church. 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:50.240 And um this time last year, actually, as soon as COVID started, I the rubber hit the road. 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:52.640 I started making documents, I started dreaming. 00:25:52.799 --> 00:26:00.559 And I think last January, I started an assessment process to get vetted out to see if I was gonna go out and church plan. 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:04.640 It was a very long assessment process and there was ended with the boot camp. 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:08.720 And long story short, okay, um, I basically came up short. 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:10.400 Okay, I basically failed. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:14.319 The big things were hey, uh marriage and an seminary. 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:18.240 You gotta, you know, you gotta do something about those two before we we move forward. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:19.599 And it was discouraging. 00:26:19.680 --> 00:26:21.759 I was discouraged this past summer. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:25.039 Uh uh, however, I preached in July. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:29.440 I don't remember what I preached on, but I preached in July, and it was a mediocre. 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:33.519 And that I walk off the stage and I remember Jim Skarzinski. 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:37.200 Um, Jim Skarzinsky, he's a he's he lives over in in Delweb. 00:26:37.359 --> 00:26:39.680 He's one of my just a just a good, good man. 00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:44.720 And I remember after after the sermon, he came up to me. 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:46.960 He didn't know anything that was going on in me. 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:53.920 He put his arm around me and he goes, Boy, does God have a church for you. 00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:59.519 Now, Jim is not a guy who shows much emotion. 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:02.079 He's very, very serious guy. 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:03.599 Very, very serious guy. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:07.519 And yet in this moment, he starts tearing up and crying. 00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:11.759 And he hugged me really tight, and then he disappeared. 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:15.119 That stayed with me. 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.960 That's big. 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:19.519 When I get encouragement from my peers, that's important. 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:27.920 But from someone that's witnessed everlasting to everlasting goodness of God and saying, hey, I see potential in you, that's huge. 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.680 That's huge. 00:27:29.839 --> 00:27:32.079 So we need your encouragement. 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:40.799 Again, so many lies are forming in and outside the church, but the truth you know is made for this moment. 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.960 So I want to encourage you to stay in the game. 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:45.440 In as much as you're able, stay in the game. 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:47.359 The church desperately needs you. 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:52.960 Because of who you are, invest in what will last. 00:27:54.160 --> 00:28:01.680 You are forgiven, you are a victor, you're victorious, and you are connected to the consistent. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:05.039 Now in here, um, what will last? 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.240 Right? 00:28:06.400 --> 00:28:07.599 What will actually last? 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:09.920 Look at verses 15 through 17. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:21.519 Do not love the world or the things in the world. 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:25.599 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:36.640 For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh, and the desire of the eye, desire of the eyes, the pride of life, is not from the father, but is from the world. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:40.240 And the world is passing away along with its desires. 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:46.720 But whoever does the will of God abides forever. 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:52.640 Do not love the world or the things of the world. 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:54.799 What is what does that mean? 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:58.240 Okay, God so loved the world, so I can't let actually that mean. 00:28:58.319 --> 00:29:00.000 Well, he here's what John's not saying. 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:02.400 He's not saying, hate earth. 00:29:03.119 --> 00:29:04.559 Okay, that's not it. 00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:09.839 Okay, earth itself, nature and cosmos, the order, it's marred by sin. 00:29:10.400 --> 00:29:14.000 Creation is groaning, but yet it was declared good at creation. 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:22.400 Okay, when you see Genesis 1 and 2, this is a God who has who has pleasure in creating, and he creates and he sees that it is good, it is good, it is good, it is good. 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:24.880 So John is not saying, hey, hey earth. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:27.920 Furthermore, John's not saying, hate people. 00:29:29.039 --> 00:29:34.400 Okay, Jesus did not come to condemn the world's population, but he came to save the world's population. 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:40.079 John 3.16 gets all the publicity, but John 3.17 is just as explosive. 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:44.079 He did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world. 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:46.000 He's not saying hate earth. 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:47.680 He's not saying hate people. 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:54.960 But when he refers to the world, he's talking about this creative order that has set its face against God. 00:29:55.759 --> 00:30:01.680 The rebellious, sinful patterns and mindset and systems of the world. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:04.160 And he's asking us, what will it be in you? 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:08.240 Love of this world or the love of the Father? 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:10.720 What will it be in you? 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:15.200 And he gives us a couple hints to make us to help us make our choice. 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:17.680 He shows us what's at what's at stake. 00:30:18.319 --> 00:30:22.079 Look at verse 15b again. 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:28.880 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:32.240 The love of the Father is not in him. 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:44.240 Actually, what's happening here is John is borrowing capital from Jesus' money sermon or the sermon on the mount, because Jesus says something very, very similar to this same exact concept in Matthew 6.24. 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:48.240 No one can serve two masters. 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:56.880 For either he will hate the one, hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 00:30:57.200 --> 00:31:00.799 You cannot serve God and money. 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:04.319 Later on, Jesus' little brother chimes into this conversation. 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:13.839 James 4, 4 says this, you adulterous people, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity or hostility with God? 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:20.160 Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:26.880