The Letters of John: Seeing The Invisible

Blessed are [music and singing] those Blessed are [music and singing] those who run them, who place their hope in who run them, who place their hope in who run them, who place their hope in confidence [singing] in [music] Jesus. confidence [singing] in [music] Jesus. confidence [singing] in [music] Jesus. He won't forsake them. [music] He won't forsake them. [music] He won't forsake them. [music] And blessed [singing] those who seek his And blessed [singing] those who seek his And blessed [singing] those who seek his face, [music] who bend a knee and face face, [music] who bend a knee and face face, [music] who bend a knee and face the gaze on [singing] Jesus, the gaze on [singing] Jesus, the gaze on [singing] Jesus, they [music] won't be shen. they [music] won't be shen. they [music] won't be shen. Come on [singing] and praise Come on [singing] and praise Come on [singing] and praise the the the Lord [music] Lord [music] Lord [music] with me with me with me and sing if you love his and sing if you love his and sing if you love his [music and singing] name. [music and singing] name. [music and singing] name. Come on and lift [music] your Come on and lift [music] your Come on and lift [music] your voice with me. He's worthy voice with me. He's worthy voice with me. He's worthy [music and singing] of all our praise. [music and singing] of all our praise. [music and singing] of all our praise. [singing] [singing] [singing] Yeah. Blessed are those who walk [music] with Blessed are those who walk [music] with him, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage him, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage him, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage [singing] [singing] [singing] with Jesus.

with Jesus. with Jesus. They'll see [music] his glory. Blessed are those [music and singing] Blessed are those [music and singing] who do live, whose joy it is to give it who do live, whose joy it is to give it who do live, whose joy it is to give it all [singing] for Jesus. all [singing] for Jesus. all [singing] for Jesus. And for [music] Come on, let's tell him And for [music] Come on, let's tell him And for [music] Come on, let's tell him [singing] this today. Only Jesus. Oh [singing] this today. Only Jesus. Oh [singing] this today. Only Jesus. Oh Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, all [music and singing] for your glory. all [music and singing] for your glory. all [music and singing] for your glory. Come on and praise Come on and praise Come on and praise the the the Lord [music and singing] Lord [music and singing] Lord [music and singing] with me with me with me and sing if you love his [music] name. and sing if you love his [music] name. and sing if you love his [music] name. Come on and lift Come on and lift Come on and lift your [singing] your [singing] your [singing] voice with me. [music] voice with me. [music] voice with me. [music] He's worthy [singing] He's worthy [singing] He's worthy [singing] of all our praise. He's worthy, isn't of all our praise. He's worthy, isn't of all our praise. He's worthy, isn't he? [music] Come on and praise he? [music] Come on and praise he? [music] Come on and praise your your your offering. offering. offering. Won't [music] you sing if you've known Won't [music] you sing if you've known Won't [music] you sing if you've known [singing] [singing] [singing] his grace?

his grace? his grace? Come on and [music and singing] lift Come on and [music and singing] lift Come on and [music and singing] lift up your holy [music and singing] hands. up your holy [music and singing] hands. up your holy [music and singing] hands. He's worthy of all our praise. Bless God in the sanctuary. Bless God in the sanctuary. Bless God in the [music] fields of Bless God in the [music] fields of Bless God in the [music] fields of plenty. Bless God in the darkest valley. plenty. Bless God in the darkest valley. plenty. Bless God in the darkest valley. [music] [music] [music] Every chance I get, I bless your name. Every chance I get, I bless your name. Every chance I get, I bless your name. Bless God [music] on my hands [singing] Bless God [music] on my hands [singing] Bless God [music] on my hands [singing] are empty. Bless God with the praise it are empty. Bless God with the praise it are empty. Bless God with the praise it [music] cost me. Bless God when nobody's [music] cost me. Bless God when nobody's [music] cost me. Bless God when nobody's watching. Every chance I get, I bless watching. Every chance I get, I bless watching. Every chance I get, I bless your name. [music] Bless God with the your name. [music] Bless God with the your name. [music] Bless God with the weapons for me. Bless God when the walls weapons for me. Bless God when the walls weapons for me. Bless God when the walls [singing] are falling. Bless God cuz he [singing] are falling. Bless God cuz he [singing] are falling. Bless God cuz he goes [music] before me. Every chance I goes [music] before me. Every chance I goes [music] before me. Every chance I get, I bless your name. Bless God for he get, I bless your name. Bless God for he get, I bless your name. Bless God for he holds the victory. [music] Bless God for holds the victory. [music] Bless God for holds the victory. [music] Bless God for always with me. Bless God's. [music] always with me. Bless God's. [music] always with me. Bless God's. [music] Come on, tell it. Every chance I get, I Come on, tell it. Every chance I get, I Come on, tell it. Every chance I get, I bless you.

bless you. bless you. Yes, we bless you. Oh, every chance I Yes, we bless you. Oh, every chance I Yes, we bless you. Oh, every chance I get, [music] I bless your name. Every [music] chance I get, come on and Every [music] chance I get, come on and praise praise praise the the the Lord with me. [music] Lord with me. [music] Lord with me. [music] Singing you love his [music] name. Singing you love his [music] name. Singing you love his [music] name. Come on and lift Come on and lift Come on and lift your your your voice [music and singing] voice [music and singing] voice [music and singing] with me. He's worthy of all our [music] with me. He's worthy of all our [music] with me. He's worthy of all our [music] praise. praise. praise. Come on and bring [music] your Come on and bring [music] your Come on and bring [music] your offering. [music] Sing it [music] Sing it is great. Amazing grace. Come on in is great. Amazing grace. Come on in is great. Amazing grace. Come on in [music] your holy [music] hands. He's worthy your holy [music] hands. He's worthy [singing] of all our praise.

[singing] of all our praise. [singing] of all our praise. Yes, [music] he's worthy of all our Yes, [music] he's worthy of all our Yes, [music] he's worthy of all our praise. praise. praise. [music] [music] [music] He's worthy of all our praise. [music] [music] Can we agree today that the Lord is Can we agree today that the Lord is Can we agree today that the Lord is worthy to be praised? Amen. Lord, we remember what you've done for Lord, we remember what you've done for us. All [music and singing] sufficient All [music and singing] sufficient merit merit merit shining [music] shining [music] shining [music] like the sun. like the sun. like the sun. Fortune I [music] inherit Fortune I [music] inherit Fortune I [music] inherit by no work I [music] have done. by no work I [music] have done. by no work I [music] have done. My [singing] rightousness My [singing] rightousness My [singing] rightousness I forfeit I forfeit I forfeit at my [music and singing] savior's at my [music and singing] savior's at my [music and singing] savior's cross.

cross. cross. They're all selfish and They're all selfish and They're all selfish and [singing and music] [singing and music] [singing and music] bearing bearing bearing did what I could not in love [music and singing] in love [music and singing] descended descended descended eternal now in time. eternal now in time. eternal now in time. A life without a blish. A life without a blish. A life without a blish. [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] Our maker made to die. Our maker made to die. Our maker made to die. The law [singing] The law [singing] The law [singing] could [music] never save us. Our could [music] never save us. Our could [music] never save us. Our [singing] lawlessness [singing] lawlessness [singing] lawlessness at one at one at one [music] until the [singing] pure and [music] until the [singing] pure and [music] until the [singing] pure and spotless spotless spotless lamb [music and singing] had finally lamb [music and singing] had finally lamb [music and singing] had finally gone. All right. Come on, Christians. gone. All right. Come on, Christians. gone. All right. Come on, Christians. Sing this out today. Sing this out today. Sing this out today. It [music and singing] is time. It [music and singing] is time. It [music and singing] is time. It is facing It is facing It is facing [singing and music] for for all salvation all salvation all salvation bearing [music] bearing [music] bearing [music] them [singing] my own.

So I [singing] lay down my garments So I [singing] lay down my garments in the [music and singing] in the [music and singing] in the [music and singing] empty post. empty post. empty post. Good works [music] now all corrupted Good works [music] now all corrupted Good works [music] now all corrupted by the [music and singing] by the [music and singing] by the [music and singing] sinful. Here's the truth today that I'm sinful. Here's the truth today that I'm sinful. Here's the truth today that I'm dressed in my [singing] Lord Jesus. dressed in my [singing] Lord Jesus. dressed in my [singing] Lord Jesus. [music] [music] [music] A crimson rom made white. A crimson rom made white. A crimson rom made white. There's no [music] more fear [singing] There's no [music] more fear [singing] There's no [music] more fear [singing] of judgement. of judgement. of judgement. His righteousness His righteousness His righteousness is [music] mine. is [music] mine. is [music] mine. It is done. It is done. It is done. It is faith. [music] No more dial No more dial pain [music and singing] for pain [music and singing] for pain [music and singing] for all suff. bearing down my own. bearing down my own. It [music] is It [music] is It [music] is it [singing] is it [singing] is it [singing] is no [music] more death I own.

no [music] more death I own. no [music] more death I own. [singing] for salvation. for salvation. Mary [music] Mary [music] Mary [music] now my own. Oh, Oh, [music] [music] [music] all sufficient all sufficient all sufficient merit, merit, merit, firm in life and death. firm in life and death. firm in life and death. The joy [singing] of my salvation The joy [singing] of my salvation The joy [singing] of my salvation shall be [music and singing] my final shall be [music and singing] my final shall be [music and singing] my final breath. breath. breath. And [music and singing] when I stand And [music and singing] when I stand And [music and singing] when I stand accepted accepted accepted [music] before the throne of God, we'll [music] before the throne of God, we'll [music] before the throne of God, we'll see him. I'll [music] gaze upon see him. I'll [music] gaze upon see him. I'll [music] gaze upon [singing] [singing] [singing] my Jesus my Jesus my Jesus and thank him [music and singing] for and thank him [music and singing] for and thank him [music and singing] for the cross.

the cross. the cross. Yes, I'll thank [music] him for the Yes, I'll thank [music] him for the Yes, I'll thank [music] him for the cross. [singing] [music] It is high. [music] It is high. It is [singing] faithful. faithful. All [music and singing] salvation my own. my own. It [music] is done. It [music] is done. It [music] is done. It is It is It is no more. waiting [music] for waiting [music] for all [singing] salvation now [singing] my own. now [singing] my own. Oh, [music] you're Oh, [music] you're Oh, [music] you're now [singing] my own. now [singing] my own. now [singing] my own. Yes, you're [music] Yes, you're [music] Yes, you're [music] now my own. now my own. now my own. [music] Can we thank him today for that? [music] Can we thank him today for that? [music] Can we thank him today for that? Thank you, Lord. Thank you.

Yeah, Lord. Thank you today that uh we Yeah, Lord. Thank you today that uh we have a gospel to believe in. Jesus, thank you for coming and putting Jesus, thank you for coming and putting on flesh and doing what we could not do. on flesh and doing what we could not do. on flesh and doing what we could not do. Living a perfect life, dying a death Living a perfect life, dying a death Living a perfect life, dying a death that should have been ours, giving us a future in heaven that's giving us a future in heaven that's secure. secure. secure. Jesus, today, would you draw us into Jesus, today, would you draw us into Jesus, today, would you draw us into deeper fellowship with you? That's what deeper fellowship with you? That's what deeper fellowship with you? That's what we want. That's what we're here for. we want. That's what we're here for. we want. That's what we're here for. You have the words of life and so we are You have the words of life and so we are You have the words of life and so we are here to listen. here to listen. here to listen. Would you speak to us now through your Would you speak to us now through your Would you speak to us now through your word, God? We're listening. We're word, God? We're listening. We're word, God? We're listening. We're looking to you. Would you speak and move looking to you. Would you speak and move looking to you. Would you speak and move in power in this time we pray in in power in this time we pray in in power in this time we pray in Christ's [music] name? And everyone said Christ's [music] name? And everyone said Christ's [music] name? And everyone said together. Amen. You guys can have a together. Amen. You guys can have a together. Amen. You guys can have a seat. All righty. Good morning, Austin Stone. All righty. Good morning, Austin Stone. My name is Ross Lester. I'm one of the My name is Ross Lester. I'm one of the My name is Ross Lester. I'm one of the pastors here at the church and it's just pastors here at the church and it's just pastors here at the church and it's just my joy and immense privilege to get to my joy and immense privilege to get to my joy and immense privilege to get to share God's word with you this morning.

share God's word with you this morning. share God's word with you this morning. Welcome to week one of our 16-week study Welcome to week one of our 16-week study Welcome to week one of our 16-week study in John's epistles or the letters of in John's epistles or the letters of in John's epistles or the letters of John as they can be referred to. You John as they can be referred to. You John as they can be referred to. You will find those three letters if you've will find those three letters if you've will find those three letters if you've got a copy of the scriptures with you or got a copy of the scriptures with you or got a copy of the scriptures with you or you want to go look them up later when you want to go look them up later when you want to go look them up later when you get home. You'll find those three you get home. You'll find those three you get home. You'll find those three letters right towards the end of your letters right towards the end of your letters right towards the end of your New Testament. And as always, I would New Testament. And as always, I would New Testament. And as always, I would say to you though with our book studies, say to you though with our book studies, say to you though with our book studies, I believe you'll get the most out of it I believe you'll get the most out of it I believe you'll get the most out of it um if you work through the available um if you work through the available um if you work through the available sermon guide and do that um with some sermon guide and do that um with some sermon guide and do that um with some other people. And so you'll see in the other people. And so you'll see in the other people. And so you'll see in the foyer in your congregations on the way foyer in your congregations on the way foyer in your congregations on the way out um we have a 16-part sermon guide out um we have a 16-part sermon guide out um we have a 16-part sermon guide that goes with the sermon series. Um and that goes with the sermon series. Um and that goes with the sermon series. Um and the writing team has done such a great the writing team has done such a great the writing team has done such a great job of putting that together. And so job of putting that together. And so job of putting that together. And so it's an opportunity to you for you to it's an opportunity to you for you to it's an opportunity to you for you to study ahead so you can grade the study ahead so you can grade the study ahead so you can grade the preacher, right? And so you can read a preacher, right? And so you can read a preacher, right? And so you can read a week ahead and go like, I don't think week ahead and go like, I don't think week ahead and go like, I don't think so. That's incorrect. Um, and that kind so. That's incorrect. Um, and that kind so. That's incorrect. Um, and that kind of smug self-righteousness I enjoy a lot of smug self-righteousness I enjoy a lot of smug self-righteousness I enjoy a lot um, myself and so I know you will too. um, myself and so I know you will too. um, myself and so I know you will too. Um, but more importantly, it's an Um, but more importantly, it's an Um, but more importantly, it's an opportunity to learn from the sermon and opportunity to learn from the sermon and opportunity to learn from the sermon and then share what you have learned um, in then share what you have learned um, in then share what you have learned um, in community and with other people. And so community and with other people. And so community and with other people. And so I'd really encourage if you don't have I'd really encourage if you don't have I'd really encourage if you don't have one of those uh, sermon guides yet, make one of those uh, sermon guides yet, make one of those uh, sermon guides yet, make sure they sell out today, grab one of sure they sell out today, grab one of sure they sell out today, grab one of those um, on your way out. All right, 1 those um, on your way out. All right, 1 those um, on your way out. All right, 1 John chapter 1 is where we're going to John chapter 1 is where we're going to John chapter 1 is where we're going to jump in. And we've got a bit of leg work jump in. And we've got a bit of leg work jump in. And we've got a bit of leg work to do this morning. We've got some to do this morning. We've got some to do this morning. We've got some context work that you might go like I'm context work that you might go like I'm context work that you might go like I'm not super interested in that. I think not super interested in that. I think not super interested in that. I think it'll set us up for 16 weeks of success.

it'll set us up for 16 weeks of success. it'll set us up for 16 weeks of success. And so just bear with me a little bit And so just bear with me a little bit And so just bear with me a little bit this morning, but we're going to jump this morning, but we're going to jump this morning, but we're going to jump right in. I'm going to read the first right in. I'm going to read the first right in. I'm going to read the first four verses for you and that will shape four verses for you and that will shape four verses for you and that will shape our time together over the next 30 our time together over the next 30 our time together over the next 30 minutes or so. John says that which was minutes or so. John says that which was minutes or so. John says that which was from the beginning, right? Which which from the beginning, right? Which which from the beginning, right? Which which reminds us of what it reminds us of the reminds us of what it reminds us of the reminds us of what it reminds us of the Genesis account, right? In the beginning Genesis account, right? In the beginning Genesis account, right? In the beginning was God. There's something that predates was God. There's something that predates was God. There's something that predates the earth, that predates humanity. the earth, that predates humanity. the earth, that predates humanity. There's someone who predates it all. And There's someone who predates it all. And There's someone who predates it all. And John's going to say in the mystery of John's going to say in the mystery of John's going to say in the mystery of the Trinity, Jesus predates us all. He's the Trinity, Jesus predates us all. He's the Trinity, Jesus predates us all. He's always existed, right? That which was always existed, right? That which was always existed, right? That which was from the beginning. He does the the the from the beginning. He does the the the from the beginning. He does the the the same thing in the first few words of his same thing in the first few words of his same thing in the first few words of his own gospel, right? that which was from own gospel, right? that which was from own gospel, right? that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, the beginning, which we have heard, the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes. Now, which we have seen with our eyes. Now, which we have seen with our eyes. Now, that's a collision straight away. You that's a collision straight away. You that's a collision straight away. You should go, wait a second. He's eternal. should go, wait a second. He's eternal. should go, wait a second. He's eternal. He's from the beginning, but he's also He's from the beginning, but he's also He's from the beginning, but he's also bound in time, time, and space in a way bound in time, time, and space in a way bound in time, time, and space in a way that you can hear him and see him.

that you can hear him and see him. that you can hear him and see him. Exactly. Welcome to the mystery of Jesus Exactly. Welcome to the mystery of Jesus Exactly. Welcome to the mystery of Jesus and his incarnation. And it's the exact and his incarnation. And it's the exact and his incarnation. And it's the exact point that John is making, right? which point that John is making, right? which point that John is making, right? which we have seen with our eyes, which we we have seen with our eyes, which we we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our looked upon and have touched with our looked upon and have touched with our hands concerning the word of life, the hands concerning the word of life, the hands concerning the word of life, the pre-existent knowledge of the entire pre-existent knowledge of the entire pre-existent knowledge of the entire universe which was contained in a person universe which was contained in a person universe which was contained in a person that we could touch. Right now, the ESV that we could touch. Right now, the ESV that we could touch. Right now, the ESV is going to use an M dash, not because is going to use an M dash, not because is going to use an M dash, not because it was AI before it was cool, right? But it was AI before it was cool, right? But it was AI before it was cool, right? But because it's one of the ways that you because it's one of the ways that you because it's one of the ways that you denote parenthesis. The NIV puts a new denote parenthesis. The NIV puts a new denote parenthesis. The NIV puts a new sentence in here. And just for sentence in here. And just for sentence in here. And just for punctuation reader flow, I'd encourage punctuation reader flow, I'd encourage punctuation reader flow, I'd encourage you to read it in the NIV because this you to read it in the NIV because this you to read it in the NIV because this parenthesis gets a bit clunky and gets parenthesis gets a bit clunky and gets parenthesis gets a bit clunky and gets us really off track. But this is a us really off track. But this is a us really off track. But this is a parenthesis. He's going to go on a parenthesis. He's going to go on a parenthesis. He's going to go on a little sojour now and then he'll come little sojour now and then he'll come little sojour now and then he'll come back to his point, right? The life was back to his point, right? The life was back to his point, right? The life was made manifest and we have seen it and made manifest and we have seen it and made manifest and we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the testify to it and proclaim to you the testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life. John says good witness of eternal life. John says good witness of eternal life. John says good witness of an encounter with Jesus does two things.

an encounter with Jesus does two things. an encounter with Jesus does two things. It testifies within relationship, right? It testifies within relationship, right? It testifies within relationship, right? And it proclaims that's in preaching. It And it proclaims that's in preaching. It And it proclaims that's in preaching. It doesn't just do one. It doesn't just doesn't just do one. It doesn't just doesn't just do one. It doesn't just bash strangers over the head with this bash strangers over the head with this bash strangers over the head with this reality. It also testifies through reality. It also testifies through reality. It also testifies through witness, through storytelling, um witness, through storytelling, um witness, through storytelling, um through sharing of our faith in through sharing of our faith in through sharing of our faith in interpersonal relationship. We proclaim interpersonal relationship. We proclaim interpersonal relationship. We proclaim to you the eternal life which was with to you the eternal life which was with to you the eternal life which was with the father and was made manifest to us. the father and was made manifest to us. the father and was made manifest to us. You see the dual realities he's trying You see the dual realities he's trying You see the dual realities he's trying to get to us from the beginning. With to get to us from the beginning. With to get to us from the beginning. With the father in eternity past, made the father in eternity past, made the father in eternity past, made manifest to us in flesh, in time and manifest to us in flesh, in time and manifest to us in flesh, in time and space. End of parenthesis. That which we space. End of parenthesis. That which we space. End of parenthesis. That which we have seen and heard, we proclaim also to have seen and heard, we proclaim also to have seen and heard, we proclaim also to you. We can't keep this message to you. We can't keep this message to you. We can't keep this message to ourselves. I want to share it with other ourselves. I want to share it with other ourselves. I want to share it with other people. So that to what end? So that you people. So that to what end? So that you people. So that to what end? So that you too may have fellowship with us. We too may have fellowship with us. We too may have fellowship with us. We might be in a real relationship and might be in a real relationship and might be in a real relationship and communion because we believe the same communion because we believe the same communion because we believe the same thing. And then even more astonishing thing. And then even more astonishing thing. And then even more astonishing and indeed our fellowship is with the and indeed our fellowship is with the and indeed our fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ.

father and with his son Jesus Christ. father and with his son Jesus Christ. John's saying I'm sharing this with you John's saying I'm sharing this with you John's saying I'm sharing this with you so that you would know you can be in a so that you would know you can be in a so that you would know you can be in a relationship with God through his son relationship with God through his son relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ and as a result we can be Jesus Christ and as a result we can be Jesus Christ and as a result we can be in a new kind of relationship with each in a new kind of relationship with each in a new kind of relationship with each other. It's his big messaging. It's other. It's his big messaging. It's other. It's his big messaging. It's really simple but it gets kind of really simple but it gets kind of really simple but it gets kind of complex in his language. His big complex in his language. His big complex in his language. His big messaging is going to be love the Lord messaging is going to be love the Lord messaging is going to be love the Lord your God with your heart, soul, mind, your God with your heart, soul, mind, your God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as and strength, and love your neighbor as and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. That's that's going to be the yourself. That's that's going to be the yourself. That's that's going to be the fundamental message that he's going to fundamental message that he's going to fundamental message that he's going to be saying. You've got to know God be saying. You've got to know God be saying. You've got to know God rightly, love him rightly, and then you rightly, love him rightly, and then you rightly, love him rightly, and then you can know others rightly, and love them can know others rightly, and love them can know others rightly, and love them rightly. Verse four, and we are writing rightly. Verse four, and we are writing rightly. Verse four, and we are writing these things these things these things so that our joy may be complete. All so that our joy may be complete. All so that our joy may be complete. All right, just stop with me for a second right, just stop with me for a second right, just stop with me for a second this morning. I've just got three this morning. I've just got three this morning. I've just got three observations. First, I want to I want to observations. First, I want to I want to observations. First, I want to I want to lay some contextual groundwork. lay some contextual groundwork. lay some contextual groundwork. It's crazy to think about what we've It's crazy to think about what we've It's crazy to think about what we've actually just read together this actually just read together this actually just read together this morning, right? I don't know if you guys morning, right? I don't know if you guys morning, right? I don't know if you guys think about this. Sometimes we're so think about this. Sometimes we're so think about this. Sometimes we're so flippant with the sacred scriptures, flippant with the sacred scriptures, flippant with the sacred scriptures, right? And we forget what we're actually right? And we forget what we're actually right? And we forget what we're actually holding. Um I in my middle to late life holding. Um I in my middle to late life holding. Um I in my middle to late life um have become a a bit of a history um have become a a bit of a history um have become a a bit of a history nerd, right? Um, maybe it's because you nerd, right? Um, maybe it's because you nerd, right? Um, maybe it's because you start to realize there's more behind you start to realize there's more behind you start to realize there's more behind you than there is ahead of you. And so you than there is ahead of you. And so you than there is ahead of you. And so you start looking back. I don't know what it start looking back. I don't know what it start looking back. I don't know what it is, but I've become a bit of a history is, but I've become a bit of a history is, but I've become a bit of a history nerd. Um, in fact, if I could do college nerd. Um, in fact, if I could do college nerd. Um, in fact, if I could do college again, um, that's what I would study.

again, um, that's what I would study. again, um, that's what I would study. And what I've realized in that pursuit And what I've realized in that pursuit And what I've realized in that pursuit of history is just how hazy most of of history is just how hazy most of of history is just how hazy most of history is. We take a lot of facts of history is. We take a lot of facts of history is. We take a lot of facts of ancient characters for granted, but it's ancient characters for granted, but it's ancient characters for granted, but it's really hazy how those stories get to us, really hazy how those stories get to us, really hazy how those stories get to us, right? you're usually dealing with right? you're usually dealing with right? you're usually dealing with secondary or tertiary sources that are secondary or tertiary sources that are secondary or tertiary sources that are far removed from the actual events. And far removed from the actual events. And far removed from the actual events. And so we have to piece together accounts so we have to piece together accounts so we have to piece together accounts from those sources. You have to figure from those sources. You have to figure from those sources. You have to figure out their reliability, their motive, out their reliability, their motive, out their reliability, their motive, their agenda. And what it makes you is their agenda. And what it makes you is their agenda. And what it makes you is you're like, well, I'm less sure now you're like, well, I'm less sure now you're like, well, I'm less sure now often with ancient figures of history often with ancient figures of history often with ancient figures of history about them than I was before because about them than I was before because about them than I was before because what I just took for granted, I now what I just took for granted, I now what I just took for granted, I now realize I have to find through sources. realize I have to find through sources. realize I have to find through sources. And some of those sources are quite far And some of those sources are quite far And some of those sources are quite far disconnected from the people they're disconnected from the people they're disconnected from the people they're talking about. Right? As we dive into talking about. Right? As we dive into talking about. Right? As we dive into the text this morning, it's helpful to the text this morning, it's helpful to the text this morning, it's helpful to know what this actually is and what the know what this actually is and what the know what this actually is and what the church has said about these letters for church has said about these letters for church has said about these letters for a long time. These aren't far removed a long time. These aren't far removed a long time. These aren't far removed from their source. It's actually from their source. It's actually from their source. It's actually astonishing. First, second, and third astonishing. First, second, and third astonishing. First, second, and third John are three letters reliably dated to John are three letters reliably dated to John are three letters reliably dated to the first century.

the first century. the first century. And believers since Irenaeus in the And believers since Irenaeus in the And believers since Irenaeus in the early part of the second century and early part of the second century and early part of the second century and Polycarp in the generation before him Polycarp in the generation before him Polycarp in the generation before him who was a disciple himself of the who was a disciple himself of the who was a disciple himself of the apostle John, they have believed that apostle John, they have believed that apostle John, they have believed that John the Apostle, the disciple that John the Apostle, the disciple that John the Apostle, the disciple that Jesus enjoyed especially and invited Jesus enjoyed especially and invited Jesus enjoyed especially and invited into his closest circle of friends and into his closest circle of friends and into his closest circle of friends and confidants was the one who penned these confidants was the one who penned these confidants was the one who penned these letters. The writing style of these letters. The writing style of these letters. The writing style of these letters certainly seems to connect um letters certainly seems to connect um letters certainly seems to connect um with the John who wrote John's gospel with the John who wrote John's gospel with the John who wrote John's gospel and and who recorded Revelation for us. and and who recorded Revelation for us. and and who recorded Revelation for us. This blows my mind. It's so humbling for This blows my mind. It's so humbling for This blows my mind. It's so humbling for us to think about as we read and it will us to think about as we read and it will us to think about as we read and it will have a profound impact on what is said have a profound impact on what is said have a profound impact on what is said and claimed in the text and how we and claimed in the text and how we and claimed in the text and how we experience it um together. And you'll experience it um together. And you'll experience it um together. And you'll see that in just a second. But just see that in just a second. But just see that in just a second. But just consider this for a minute with me. consider this for a minute with me. consider this for a minute with me. Don't glibly enter into the study. What Don't glibly enter into the study. What Don't glibly enter into the study. What we will read came from the words of the we will read came from the words of the we will read came from the words of the apostle John who's probably elderly when apostle John who's probably elderly when apostle John who's probably elderly when he writes it in the latter part of the he writes it in the latter part of the he writes it in the latter part of the first century. He has seen most of his first century. He has seen most of his first century. He has seen most of his friends die, many directly because of friends die, many directly because of friends die, many directly because of their claims of Jesus as Lord and King.

their claims of Jesus as Lord and King. their claims of Jesus as Lord and King. And he now sees some dangerous beliefs And he now sees some dangerous beliefs And he now sees some dangerous beliefs about his friend Jesus creeping into a about his friend Jesus creeping into a about his friend Jesus creeping into a precious congregation and community um precious congregation and community um precious congregation and community um that he knows and loves. Over and over that he knows and loves. Over and over that he knows and loves. Over and over again, John will call them his little again, John will call them his little again, John will call them his little children. The picture that I've had when children. The picture that I've had when children. The picture that I've had when studying this text is is of an elderly studying this text is is of an elderly studying this text is is of an elderly gentleman, a grandfather kind of figure, gentleman, a grandfather kind of figure, gentleman, a grandfather kind of figure, right? Grabbing a kid by the face and right? Grabbing a kid by the face and right? Grabbing a kid by the face and going, "Now listen, little kids, I was going, "Now listen, little kids, I was going, "Now listen, little kids, I was there. Let me tell you what it was like. there. Let me tell you what it was like. there. Let me tell you what it was like. That is what he is doing um with this That is what he is doing um with this That is what he is doing um with this church." A as you read the at times, to church." A as you read the at times, to church." A as you read the at times, to be fair, complex arguments, right, that be fair, complex arguments, right, that be fair, complex arguments, right, that John's going to make, it's good to John's going to make, it's good to John's going to make, it's good to remember this is John. remember this is John. remember this is John. He walked with Jesus. He walked with Jesus. He walked with Jesus. He ate with him. He traveled with him. He ate with him. He traveled with him. He ate with him. He traveled with him. He saw him when he was hungry and cranky He saw him when he was hungry and cranky He saw him when he was hungry and cranky and tired. He was present when he and tired. He was present when he and tired. He was present when he preached the sermon on the mount.

preached the sermon on the mount. preached the sermon on the mount. He was there when he wept at Lazarus's He was there when he wept at Lazarus's He was there when he wept at Lazarus's tomb. He was there when he raised tomb. He was there when he raised tomb. He was there when he raised Lazarus from the dead. He was there when Lazarus from the dead. He was there when Lazarus from the dead. He was there when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain. Jesus was transfigured on the mountain. Jesus was transfigured on the mountain. He was there when Jesus was rejected by He was there when Jesus was rejected by He was there when Jesus was rejected by many when he was betrayed by those many when he was betrayed by those many when he was betrayed by those closest to him. John saw [snorts] him be closest to him. John saw [snorts] him be closest to him. John saw [snorts] him be taken off to be crucified and flogged taken off to be crucified and flogged taken off to be crucified and flogged and beaten and falsely accused. and beaten and falsely accused. and beaten and falsely accused. This is the one who Jesus asked to take This is the one who Jesus asked to take This is the one who Jesus asked to take care of his mother and who did that from care of his mother and who did that from care of his mother and who did that from that day forward. This is John who ran that day forward. This is John who ran that day forward. This is John who ran to the empty tomb and let the record to the empty tomb and let the record to the empty tomb and let the record reflect won that foot race and who later reflect won that foot race and who later reflect won that foot race and who later saw his Lord and friend resurrected and saw his Lord and friend resurrected and saw his Lord and friend resurrected and alive even though he knew that before alive even though he knew that before alive even though he knew that before that he was very much dead. This is John that he was very much dead. This is John that he was very much dead. This is John who heard the great commission with his who heard the great commission with his who heard the great commission with his own ears and saw Jesus ascend into own ears and saw Jesus ascend into own ears and saw Jesus ascend into heaven with his own eyes. This is the heaven with his own eyes. This is the heaven with his own eyes. This is the one who rested on Jesus's chest after a one who rested on Jesus's chest after a one who rested on Jesus's chest after a meal and then endured torture and meal and then endured torture and meal and then endured torture and attempted executions because of his attempted executions because of his attempted executions because of his belief in his friend. This is John who belief in his friend. This is John who belief in his friend. This is John who heard of all of his friends being heard of all of his friends being heard of all of his friends being executed one by one executed one by one executed one by one because they saw the same things he had because they saw the same things he had because they saw the same things he had and they wouldn't recent of their and they wouldn't recent of their and they wouldn't recent of their claims. That's who we're reading. It claims. That's who we're reading. It claims. That's who we're reading. It changes our posture a little bit, right?

changes our posture a little bit, right? changes our posture a little bit, right? him empowered by the Holy Spirit. Okay. him empowered by the Holy Spirit. Okay. him empowered by the Holy Spirit. Okay. But who's he writing to? Well, the three But who's he writing to? Well, the three But who's he writing to? Well, the three letters are to slightly different letters are to slightly different letters are to slightly different recipients. The first is to a small recipients. The first is to a small recipients. The first is to a small group of local churches, probably those group of local churches, probably those group of local churches, probably those who had been overseen by John in the who had been overseen by John in the who had been overseen by John in the Ephesus area, right? Modernday Turkey. Ephesus area, right? Modernday Turkey. Ephesus area, right? Modernday Turkey. And and it's striking to us that this And and it's striking to us that this And and it's striking to us that this was the center point of Christianity in was the center point of Christianity in was the center point of Christianity in that day, right? It had shifted from that day, right? It had shifted from that day, right? It had shifted from Jerusalem to this hub of activity in Jerusalem to this hub of activity in Jerusalem to this hub of activity in what we now know as Turkey in and what we now know as Turkey in and what we now know as Turkey in and amongst what would now be considered an amongst what would now be considered an amongst what would now be considered an unreached people group. Don't take the unreached people group. Don't take the unreached people group. Don't take the gospel for granted, friends. Don't take gospel for granted, friends. Don't take gospel for granted, friends. Don't take the presence of gospel- centered soaked the presence of gospel- centered soaked the presence of gospel- centered soaked churches and communities for granted. churches and communities for granted. churches and communities for granted. Let's steward it well so that many Let's steward it well so that many Let's steward it well so that many generations ahead might be able to generations ahead might be able to generations ahead might be able to receive the same blessing. Right? The receive the same blessing. Right? The receive the same blessing. Right? The second letter isn't to that group of second letter isn't to that group of second letter isn't to that group of churches. It's to one specific churches. It's to one specific churches. It's to one specific congregation. And the third letter is to congregation. And the third letter is to congregation. And the third letter is to an individual named gas who seems to be an individual named gas who seems to be an individual named gas who seems to be a member of the church in that region. I a member of the church in that region. I a member of the church in that region. I love that God saw fit to preserve these love that God saw fit to preserve these love that God saw fit to preserve these three different types of correspondence three different types of correspondence three different types of correspondence probably written at the same time. God probably written at the same time. God probably written at the same time. God isn't listen just about the big splashes isn't listen just about the big splashes isn't listen just about the big splashes and the major platforms. [snorts] He and the major platforms. [snorts] He and the major platforms. [snorts] He also cares about the life of small also cares about the life of small also cares about the life of small congregations congregations congregations and the complex individuals in those and the complex individuals in those and the complex individuals in those congregations. Okay. Why is that group congregations. Okay. Why is that group congregations. Okay. Why is that group of churches and that church and that of churches and that church and that of churches and that church and that individual receiving letters from this individual receiving letters from this individual receiving letters from this John? Because let me tell you in first John? Because let me tell you in first John? Because let me tell you in first century, right, when you receive a century, right, when you receive a century, right, when you receive a letter from an apostle, it often isn't a

letter from an apostle, it often isn't a letter from an apostle, it often isn't a good sign, right? And so a messenger good sign, right? And so a messenger good sign, right? And so a messenger would arrive, I've got a letter. And would arrive, I've got a letter. And would arrive, I've got a letter. And they're like, who from? And they're they're like, who from? And they're they're like, who from? And they're like, John, John, John. Like, oh my like, John, John, John. Like, oh my like, John, John, John. Like, oh my goodness, one of the big three. We've goodness, one of the big three. We've goodness, one of the big three. We've we've done something wrong. We we messed we've done something wrong. We we messed we've done something wrong. We we messed up. We done bad, right? Um it's better up. We done bad, right? Um it's better up. We done bad, right? Um it's better than getting one from Paul probably. Um than getting one from Paul probably. Um than getting one from Paul probably. Um because then you're going to get because then you're going to get because then you're going to get corrected in a big way most of the time corrected in a big way most of the time corrected in a big way most of the time except the Philippians. They're like, "I except the Philippians. They're like, "I except the Philippians. They're like, "I don't know what you're talking about." don't know what you're talking about." don't know what you're talking about." Right? But the rest of them are like, Right? But the rest of them are like, Right? But the rest of them are like, "Yeah, been there." But this church goes "Yeah, been there." But this church goes "Yeah, been there." But this church goes like, "Okay, this is serious." John like, "Okay, this is serious." John like, "Okay, this is serious." John spent time with them. He loves them. He spent time with them. He loves them. He spent time with them. He loves them. He knows them. And he takes the time to knows them. And he takes the time to knows them. And he takes the time to write a letter. Why does he do it? Well, write a letter. Why does he do it? Well, write a letter. Why does he do it? Well, he actually gives us some helpful he actually gives us some helpful he actually gives us some helpful purpose statements in the letters purpose statements in the letters purpose statements in the letters themselves. So, let's let the text speak themselves. So, let's let the text speak themselves. So, let's let the text speak for itself. He does this a few times. for itself. He does this a few times. for itself. He does this a few times. Let me just pick out three, right? 1 Let me just pick out three, right? 1 Let me just pick out three, right? 1 John 2:1. He says, "My little children, John 2:1. He says, "My little children, John 2:1. He says, "My little children, I'm writing these things that you may I'm writing these things that you may I'm writing these things that you may not sin." He's like, "That would be not sin." He's like, "That would be not sin." He's like, "That would be great." That's helpful, right? What's he great." That's helpful, right? What's he great." That's helpful, right? What's he saying? I actually want you to live a saying? I actually want you to live a saying? I actually want you to live a holy life. And so, I'm teaching you some holy life. And so, I'm teaching you some holy life. And so, I'm teaching you some stuff because I want you to be changed. stuff because I want you to be changed. stuff because I want you to be changed. I don't want you to keep living the same I don't want you to keep living the same I don't want you to keep living the same way. Right? Look, look at First John way. Right? Look, look at First John way. Right? Look, look at First John 5:13. He says, "I write these things to 5:13. He says, "I write these things to 5:13. He says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son you who believe in the name of the Son you who believe in the name of the Son of God." Why? That you may know that you of God." Why? That you may know that you of God." Why? That you may know that you have eternal life. I I don't want you to have eternal life. I I don't want you to have eternal life. I I don't want you to second guess that. He says, "I want you second guess that. He says, "I want you second guess that. He says, "I want you to be sure and certain you have eternal to be sure and certain you have eternal to be sure and certain you have eternal life through Christ." And then from our life through Christ." And then from our life through Christ." And then from our text this morning, he says, "And we are text this morning, he says, "And we are text this morning, he says, "And we are writing these things so that our joy and writing these things so that our joy and writing these things so that our joy and your joy, right, all-encompassing may be your joy, right, all-encompassing may be your joy, right, all-encompassing may be complete." John Sto, such a helpful complete." John Sto, such a helpful complete." John Sto, such a helpful scholar on uh on John's letters, he says scholar on uh on John's letters, he says scholar on uh on John's letters, he says that three things, joy, holiness, and

that three things, joy, holiness, and that three things, joy, holiness, and assurance assurance assurance are what John hopes will come to the are what John hopes will come to the are what John hopes will come to the churches that he loves. Now listen, churches that he loves. Now listen, churches that he loves. Now listen, that's still our hope collectively that's still our hope collectively that's still our hope collectively today. And these are still some of the today. And these are still some of the today. And these are still some of the greatest needs and drives that we have. greatest needs and drives that we have. greatest needs and drives that we have. Joy, holiness, and assurance. Work with Joy, holiness, and assurance. Work with Joy, holiness, and assurance. Work with me a little bit. We want a life of joy, me a little bit. We want a life of joy, me a little bit. We want a life of joy, right? We want the good life. We want to right? We want the good life. We want to right? We want the good life. We want to know and experience what the good life know and experience what the good life know and experience what the good life is. And most of the things we have been is. And most of the things we have been is. And most of the things we have been promised as enablers of that good life promised as enablers of that good life promised as enablers of that good life have proved to be unsatisfactory and have proved to be unsatisfactory and have proved to be unsatisfactory and fulfilling. And our joy pursuit fulfilling. And our joy pursuit fulfilling. And our joy pursuit continues. And so when John writes, continues. And so when John writes, continues. And so when John writes, "Hey, I want our joy to be complete." "Hey, I want our joy to be complete." "Hey, I want our joy to be complete." You're like, "Me, too." He's pressing You're like, "Me, too." He's pressing You're like, "Me, too." He's pressing into a deep need in us. Secondly, we into a deep need in us. Secondly, we into a deep need in us. Secondly, we want to know the right way to live. Sto want to know the right way to live. Sto want to know the right way to live. Sto says this is holiness. Now, not all of says this is holiness. Now, not all of says this is holiness. Now, not all of us would have categories of sin and us would have categories of sin and us would have categories of sin and holiness for that. But nearly all are holiness for that. But nearly all are holiness for that. But nearly all are pursuing a moral code that will make pursuing a moral code that will make pursuing a moral code that will make them just and virtuous. You get some who them just and virtuous. You get some who them just and virtuous. You get some who deliberately want to live outside of deliberately want to live outside of deliberately want to live outside of that kind of moral code. But most people that kind of moral code. But most people that kind of moral code. But most people are saying like, I want to have a full are saying like, I want to have a full are saying like, I want to have a full life, a good life, right? And I want to life, a good life, right? And I want to life, a good life, right? And I want to have a life that's considered good by have a life that's considered good by have a life that's considered good by others. I want it to be virtuous. I want others. I want it to be virtuous. I want others. I want it to be virtuous. I want it to count for something, right? and it to count for something, right? and it to count for something, right? and the codes we keep coming up with don't the codes we keep coming up with don't the codes we keep coming up with don't seem to meet that need. Lastly, we want seem to meet that need. Lastly, we want seem to meet that need. Lastly, we want assurance to calm our anxiety for a assurance to calm our anxiety for a assurance to calm our anxiety for a second. We want assurance that we are second. We want assurance that we are second. We want assurance that we are loved, that our lives won't be a waste, loved, that our lives won't be a waste, loved, that our lives won't be a waste, that we matter in the grand scheme of that we matter in the grand scheme of that we matter in the grand scheme of things. We want to ease our anxious things. We want to ease our anxious things. We want to ease our anxious minds and souls with some sense that minds and souls with some sense that minds and souls with some sense that we're on the right path and that it will we're on the right path and that it will we're on the right path and that it will get to where we hope it will. Like the

get to where we hope it will. Like the get to where we hope it will. Like the first readers, we want joy. We want first readers, we want joy. We want first readers, we want joy. We want holiness and virtue. And we want holiness and virtue. And we want holiness and virtue. And we want assurance to quiet our disqued hearts. assurance to quiet our disqued hearts. assurance to quiet our disqued hearts. What John wanted for that small What John wanted for that small What John wanted for that small community in the first century, we still community in the first century, we still community in the first century, we still want for us today. want for us today. want for us today. But why was theirs at risk? Just work But why was theirs at risk? Just work But why was theirs at risk? Just work with me a little more context here and with me a little more context here and with me a little more context here and then we get really practical, right? Why then we get really practical, right? Why then we get really practical, right? Why was there joy and holiness and assurance was there joy and holiness and assurance was there joy and holiness and assurance at risk to the extent that John has to at risk to the extent that John has to at risk to the extent that John has to write a letter? Because I mean surely write a letter? Because I mean surely write a letter? Because I mean surely churches in the first century had it all churches in the first century had it all churches in the first century had it all together, right? I mean, Jesus had just together, right? I mean, Jesus had just together, right? I mean, Jesus had just left. Like, it was in living memory. left. Like, it was in living memory. left. Like, it was in living memory. They They didn't have denominations, They They didn't have denominations, They They didn't have denominations, those big baddies. They didn't have those big baddies. They didn't have those big baddies. They didn't have church schisms. They didn't have church schisms. They didn't have church schisms. They didn't have celebrity pastors yet um who were going celebrity pastors yet um who were going celebrity pastors yet um who were going to sin and lead people astray, did they? to sin and lead people astray, did they? to sin and lead people astray, did they? I'm sorry to tell you, they did. And I'm sorry to tell you, they did. And I'm sorry to tell you, they did. And it's actually why most of our New it's actually why most of our New it's actually why most of our New Testament exists, to correct all of this Testament exists, to correct all of this Testament exists, to correct all of this garbage. Why? Because where people are, garbage. Why? Because where people are, garbage. Why? Because where people are, wherever people are, bad thinking wherever people are, bad thinking wherever people are, bad thinking emerges. And wherever people are, bad emerges. And wherever people are, bad emerges. And wherever people are, bad actors gain prominence. And wherever actors gain prominence. And wherever actors gain prominence. And wherever people are, division and disagreement people are, division and disagreement people are, division and disagreement occurs. Friends, we mustn't romanticize occurs. Friends, we mustn't romanticize occurs. Friends, we mustn't romanticize community.

community. community. It is always in the context of complex It is always in the context of complex It is always in the context of complex humans hopefully trying their best to humans hopefully trying their best to humans hopefully trying their best to get along. It's always been the case. get along. It's always been the case. get along. It's always been the case. Now, in the case of these churches, last Now, in the case of these churches, last Now, in the case of these churches, last bit of complex context. Is everyone bit of complex context. Is everyone bit of complex context. Is everyone okay? Anyone awake? Praise the Lord. No. okay? Anyone awake? Praise the Lord. No. okay? Anyone awake? Praise the Lord. No. Z. Okay. No one. Brilliant. Um, what a Z. Okay. No one. Brilliant. Um, what a Z. Okay. No one. Brilliant. Um, what a great nap I had at church uh this great nap I had at church uh this great nap I had at church uh this morning. morning. morning. In the case of these churches, they seem In the case of these churches, they seem In the case of these churches, they seem to have been exposed to a particularly to have been exposed to a particularly to have been exposed to a particularly noxious combination of two heresies. And noxious combination of two heresies. And noxious combination of two heresies. And I'm going to give you the highle basics I'm going to give you the highle basics I'm going to give you the highle basics today. Now, I know some of you have today. Now, I know some of you have today. Now, I know some of you have studied philosophy. You're going to come studied philosophy. You're going to come studied philosophy. You're going to come back and you go like, "Actually, Rose, back and you go like, "Actually, Rose, back and you go like, "Actually, Rose, it's way more complex than that. I beat it's way more complex than that. I beat it's way more complex than that. I beat you to it. It's way more complex than you to it. It's way more complex than you to it. It's way more complex than this. I'm going to give you the this. I'm going to give you the this. I'm going to give you the highlevel thing." All right. All right. highlevel thing." All right. All right. highlevel thing." All right. All right. Two heresies had infiltrated the Two heresies had infiltrated the Two heresies had infiltrated the thinking and the practice of the church thinking and the practice of the church thinking and the practice of the church even in the first century. Nosticism and even in the first century. Nosticism and even in the first century. Nosticism and something called dosatism. Right. something called dosatism. Right. something called dosatism. Right. Nosticism and dosetism. Gnosticism at Nosticism and dosetism. Gnosticism at Nosticism and dosetism. Gnosticism at its highest level. It It's way more its highest level. It It's way more its highest level. It It's way more complex, I know. Butnosticism at its complex, I know. Butnosticism at its complex, I know. Butnosticism at its highest level seeks to separate the highest level seeks to separate the highest level seeks to separate the physical realm from the spiritual realm, physical realm from the spiritual realm, physical realm from the spiritual realm, elevating the spiritual life up and away elevating the spiritual life up and away elevating the spiritual life up and away from the corrupting forces of the from the corrupting forces of the from the corrupting forces of the physical. The Gnostics saw the physical physical. The Gnostics saw the physical physical. The Gnostics saw the physical as largely irredeemable as largely irredeemable as largely irredeemable and as a result kind of irrelevant to and as a result kind of irrelevant to and as a result kind of irrelevant to the state of your soul. What happened in the state of your soul. What happened in the state of your soul. What happened in the body didn't really matter because

the body didn't really matter because the body didn't really matter because what happened in the body wasn't true what happened in the body wasn't true what happened in the body wasn't true reality only what happened in the soul reality only what happened in the soul reality only what happened in the soul an escape from the body is true reality an escape from the body is true reality an escape from the body is true reality right dosetism came along and applied right dosetism came along and applied right dosetism came along and applied nnosticism to the life of Christ nnosticism to the life of Christ nnosticism to the life of Christ suggesting that the Christ couldn't have suggesting that the Christ couldn't have suggesting that the Christ couldn't have been an actual physical manifestation been an actual physical manifestation been an actual physical manifestation why because the flesh is irredeemable why because the flesh is irredeemable why because the flesh is irredeemable and so they're saying he couldn't have and so they're saying he couldn't have and so they're saying he couldn't have been an actual man he must have been a been an actual man he must have been a been an actual man he must have been a spiritual force and there was divergence spiritual force and there was divergence spiritual force and there was divergence of views of how this manifested and it's of views of how this manifested and it's of views of how this manifested and it's too complex for us to care about this too complex for us to care about this too complex for us to care about this morning but some of them believe that morning but some of them believe that morning but some of them believe that Jesus was not physical at all that Jesus was not physical at all that Jesus was not physical at all that actually he was a spiritual force from actually he was a spiritual force from actually he was a spiritual force from the beginning you see why John starts the beginning you see why John starts the beginning you see why John starts with no I heard him I saw him I touched with no I heard him I saw him I touched with no I heard him I saw him I touched him that's why he's doing it right to him that's why he's doing it right to him that's why he's doing it right to correct this but most dositists right um correct this but most dositists right um correct this but most dositists right um would believe that the spiritual Christ would believe that the spiritual Christ would believe that the spiritual Christ this this eternal force that is the this this eternal force that is the this this eternal force that is the Christ inhabited the human Jesus but Christ inhabited the human Jesus but Christ inhabited the human Jesus but only between his baptism and his only between his baptism and his only between his baptism and his transfiguration.

transfiguration. transfiguration. And so when he comes up out of the water And so when he comes up out of the water And so when he comes up out of the water and the spirit hovers like a dove and and the spirit hovers like a dove and and the spirit hovers like a dove and says this is my son in whom I'm more says this is my son in whom I'm more says this is my son in whom I'm more well pleased. They say that's the moment well pleased. They say that's the moment well pleased. They say that's the moment the Christ figure jumps into his body, the Christ figure jumps into his body, the Christ figure jumps into his body, right? And then at the transfiguration right? And then at the transfiguration right? And then at the transfiguration when they're on the mountain, he's like, when they're on the mountain, he's like, when they're on the mountain, he's like, I know what's coming next. I'm not here I know what's coming next. I'm not here I know what's coming next. I'm not here for it. I'm out. Right? And so the for it. I'm out. Right? And so the for it. I'm out. Right? And so the Christ leaves and what you're left Christ leaves and what you're left Christ leaves and what you're left behind with is the physical Jesus of behind with is the physical Jesus of behind with is the physical Jesus of Nazareth. Why does this matter? Well, it Nazareth. Why does this matter? Well, it Nazareth. Why does this matter? Well, it means that Christ, the Christ, didn't go means that Christ, the Christ, didn't go means that Christ, the Christ, didn't go through the very fleshly experiences of through the very fleshly experiences of through the very fleshly experiences of childhood, childhood, childhood, right? Diapers, adolescence, right? Diapers, adolescence, right? Diapers, adolescence, working adult job certainly didn't working adult job certainly didn't working adult job certainly didn't experience the shame, brutality, and experience the shame, brutality, and experience the shame, brutality, and suffering of betrayal and crucifixion. suffering of betrayal and crucifixion. suffering of betrayal and crucifixion. They couldn't get their head around a They couldn't get their head around a They couldn't get their head around a god who would suffer with his people. god who would suffer with his people. god who would suffer with his people. Why did John care? Why did John care? Why did John care? Why would we care? Why would we care? Why would we care? Well, wrong belief back then, as it Well, wrong belief back then, as it Well, wrong belief back then, as it always does and always will, led to always does and always will, led to always does and always will, led to wrong living. The people in the first wrong living. The people in the first wrong living. The people in the first century couldn't experience full joy and century couldn't experience full joy and century couldn't experience full joy and couldn't pursue proper holiness and couldn't pursue proper holiness and couldn't pursue proper holiness and couldn't uh rest in in in secure couldn't uh rest in in in secure couldn't uh rest in in in secure assurance if they didn't have a Christ assurance if they didn't have a Christ assurance if they didn't have a Christ who suffered like them and had to work a who suffered like them and had to work a who suffered like them and had to work a job like them and and got betrayed and job like them and and got betrayed and job like them and and got betrayed and let down like them and was tempted in let down like them and was tempted in let down like them and was tempted in every way like them.

every way like them. every way like them. And whatn gnostics and dosatists were And whatn gnostics and dosatists were And whatn gnostics and dosatists were known for was the logical conclusion of known for was the logical conclusion of known for was the logical conclusion of their beliefs that because spiritual and their beliefs that because spiritual and their beliefs that because spiritual and physical was separate then how you physical was separate then how you physical was separate then how you behaved in this form didn't really behaved in this form didn't really behaved in this form didn't really matter and how you treated physical matter and how you treated physical matter and how you treated physical people in front of you didn't really people in front of you didn't really people in front of you didn't really matter. Oh, now it starts to resonate. matter. Oh, now it starts to resonate. matter. Oh, now it starts to resonate. Don't we see through history a lot of Don't we see through history a lot of Don't we see through history a lot of people who have made grand spiritual people who have made grand spiritual people who have made grand spiritual claims about the Christ and yet treated claims about the Christ and yet treated claims about the Christ and yet treated other people as subhuman other people as subhuman other people as subhuman and then we go how how did that how did and then we go how how did that how did and then we go how how did that how did they do that like this they do that like this they do that like this like this right don't you often see like this right don't you often see like this right don't you often see someone who seems to have such a vibrant someone who seems to have such a vibrant someone who seems to have such a vibrant spiritual life and then flames out in spiritual life and then flames out in spiritual life and then flames out in secret sin that they've been carrying secret sin that they've been carrying secret sin that they've been carrying for years and years and years and years for years and years and years and years for years and years and years and years how did their mind tolerate this like how did their mind tolerate this like how did their mind tolerate this like this at some point they separated out this at some point they separated out this at some point they separated out the realms of their lives. the realms of their lives. the realms of their lives. And this church, some of them were And this church, some of them were And this church, some of them were tempted to and some of us are tempted to tempted to and some of us are tempted to tempted to and some of us are tempted to to live segmented lives instead of the to live segmented lives instead of the to live segmented lives instead of the integrated life that Christ comes and integrated life that Christ comes and integrated life that Christ comes and that Christ comes and calls us to live.

that Christ comes and calls us to live. that Christ comes and calls us to live. That they believe that what happens That they believe that what happens That they believe that what happens spiritually wasn't having its full spiritually wasn't having its full spiritually wasn't having its full effect on how they ought to live in the effect on how they ought to live in the effect on how they ought to live in the here and now. This is why I'm so excited here and now. This is why I'm so excited here and now. This is why I'm so excited for this study together because not only for this study together because not only for this study together because not only have we seen already in the have we seen already in the have we seen already in the introduction, it's speaking to some of introduction, it's speaking to some of introduction, it's speaking to some of our deepest needs, it's also correcting our deepest needs, it's also correcting our deepest needs, it's also correcting some of our deepest brokenness. some of our deepest brokenness. some of our deepest brokenness. We're distinct from these people, but we We're distinct from these people, but we We're distinct from these people, but we suffer the same things. All right, with suffer the same things. All right, with suffer the same things. All right, with all that in mind and everyone still all that in mind and everyone still all that in mind and everyone still largely conscious and with me, let's go largely conscious and with me, let's go largely conscious and with me, let's go through those first four verses again through those first four verses again through those first four verses again and just make three observations very and just make three observations very and just make three observations very briefly for us this morning. Right? briefly for us this morning. Right? briefly for us this morning. Right? Verse one, that which was from the Verse one, that which was from the Verse one, that which was from the beginning, beginning, beginning, he is eternal, doesn't cease to be that he is eternal, doesn't cease to be that he is eternal, doesn't cease to be that which we have heard, oh, but he came which we have heard, oh, but he came which we have heard, oh, but he came near, which we've seen with our eyes, near, which we've seen with our eyes, near, which we've seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched which we looked upon and have touched which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of with our hands, concerning the word of with our hands, concerning the word of life. The life was made manifest and we life. The life was made manifest and we life. The life was made manifest and we have seen it and testify to it and have seen it and testify to it and have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life which proclaim to you the eternal life which proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the father and was made was with the father and was made was with the father and was made manifest appeared in reality to us.

manifest appeared in reality to us. manifest appeared in reality to us. Right? [snorts] First thing Right? [snorts] First thing Right? [snorts] First thing Jesus and the Christianity that he Jesus and the Christianity that he Jesus and the Christianity that he births provides a faith that you can births provides a faith that you can births provides a faith that you can touch. touch. touch. Provides a faith that you can touch. a Provides a faith that you can touch. a Provides a faith that you can touch. a faith that can be pressed into every faith that can be pressed into every faith that can be pressed into every area and realm of your life. John cuts area and realm of your life. John cuts area and realm of your life. John cuts right to the chase, right? He lists what right to the chase, right? He lists what right to the chase, right? He lists what was seen as the primary senses of the was seen as the primary senses of the was seen as the primary senses of the physical world. This is him uncutting physical world. This is him uncutting physical world. This is him uncutting this argument, undercutting this this argument, undercutting this this argument, undercutting this argument from the beginning, hearing, argument from the beginning, hearing, argument from the beginning, hearing, sight, touch. He's doing what he does in sight, touch. He's doing what he does in sight, touch. He's doing what he does in the first chapter of his gospel. He's the first chapter of his gospel. He's the first chapter of his gospel. He's colliding the eternal with the fleshly. colliding the eternal with the fleshly. colliding the eternal with the fleshly. He won't allow us to have Jesus as a He won't allow us to have Jesus as a He won't allow us to have Jesus as a spiritual distraction that we tap into spiritual distraction that we tap into spiritual distraction that we tap into every now and then. He says, "No, no, every now and then. He says, "No, no, every now and then. He says, "No, no, you take him as a reality into every you take him as a reality into every you take him as a reality into every area of your life." Why? The word became area of your life." Why? The word became area of your life." Why? The word became flesh and dwelt among us. He's saying flesh and dwelt among us. He's saying flesh and dwelt among us. He's saying there's not two Jesuses. He's the one there's not two Jesuses. He's the one there's not two Jesuses. He's the one who is from the beginning. But also, I who is from the beginning. But also, I who is from the beginning. But also, I heard him speak and I saw him with my heard him speak and I saw him with my heard him speak and I saw him with my own eyes and I could tell you what he own eyes and I could tell you what he own eyes and I could tell you what he looked like.

looked like. looked like. I can remember what he smelled like. I I can remember what he smelled like. I I can remember what he smelled like. I touched him with my own hands. He was touched him with my own hands. He was touched him with my own hands. He was flesh and bone like the rest of us. And flesh and bone like the rest of us. And flesh and bone like the rest of us. And yet, he was the eternal one. This is the yet, he was the eternal one. This is the yet, he was the eternal one. This is the tremendous mystery and tremendous hope tremendous mystery and tremendous hope tremendous mystery and tremendous hope of the Christian story and is part of of the Christian story and is part of of the Christian story and is part of what sets it apart as a world view and a what sets it apart as a world view and a what sets it apart as a world view and a and as a scaffolding of faith. Christian and as a scaffolding of faith. Christian and as a scaffolding of faith. Christian faith is grounded in historical faith is grounded in historical faith is grounded in historical embodied reality. And listen, is lived embodied reality. And listen, is lived embodied reality. And listen, is lived out in embodied [clears throat] reality. out in embodied [clears throat] reality. out in embodied [clears throat] reality. Jesus Christ really lived, really died, Jesus Christ really lived, really died, Jesus Christ really lived, really died, really rose from the dead, and is really really rose from the dead, and is really really rose from the dead, and is really coming back for his people. That is both coming back for his people. That is both coming back for his people. That is both the starting point and the anchor point the starting point and the anchor point the starting point and the anchor point for your faith this morning. Listen, for for your faith this morning. Listen, for for your faith this morning. Listen, for some of you this morning, it might be some of you this morning, it might be some of you this morning, it might be all you have. all you have. all you have. You don't know about all of the French You don't know about all of the French You don't know about all of the French things, but did Jesus really live? I things, but did Jesus really live? I things, but did Jesus really live? I think so. Yes, he did. Yes, he did. Did think so. Yes, he did. Yes, he did. Did think so. Yes, he did. Yes, he did. Did he really say the things that the book he really say the things that the book he really say the things that the book says he said? He really did. Did he says he said? He really did. Did he says he said? He really did. Did he really die? He really did. Did he really really die? He really did. Did he really really die? He really did. Did he really rise from the dead? Well, that's the rise from the dead? Well, that's the rise from the dead? Well, that's the tough one. But yes, he really did. Well, tough one. But yes, he really did. Well, tough one. But yes, he really did. Well, then the rest of it holds.

then the rest of it holds. then the rest of it holds. The rest of it holds. That can be The rest of it holds. That can be The rest of it holds. That can be enough. Now, listen. Your soul and your enough. Now, listen. Your soul and your enough. Now, listen. Your soul and your heart might not feel vibrant and alive heart might not feel vibrant and alive heart might not feel vibrant and alive with faith this morning. I want that to with faith this morning. I want that to with faith this morning. I want that to change. I want your soul and your heart change. I want your soul and your heart change. I want your soul and your heart to feel vibrant and alive this morning. to feel vibrant and alive this morning. to feel vibrant and alive this morning. But what you can anchor yourself is uh But what you can anchor yourself is uh But what you can anchor yourself is uh yourself in is is is in Jesus and the yourself in is is is in Jesus and the yourself in is is is in Jesus and the fact that he really is who he says he fact that he really is who he says he fact that he really is who he says he is. is. is. Some days in your faith, that's all you Some days in your faith, that's all you Some days in your faith, that's all you got. got. got. I love John six, right? Big crowds I love John six, right? Big crowds I love John six, right? Big crowds following Jesus, right? Super celeb following Jesus, right? Super celeb following Jesus, right? Super celeb pastor of the day. Thousands. They call pastor of the day. Thousands. They call pastor of the day. Thousands. They call them disciples following him going like, them disciples following him going like, them disciples following him going like, I think this is the guy, right? And then I think this is the guy, right? And then I think this is the guy, right? And then he starts to make some hard statements. he starts to make some hard statements. he starts to make some hard statements. Unless you eat my flesh and drink my Unless you eat my flesh and drink my Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you can have no part in me. And blood, you can have no part in me. And blood, you can have no part in me. And some of them are like that. Cannibalism some of them are like that. Cannibalism some of them are like that. Cannibalism is a hard line for me. Always has been. is a hard line for me. Always has been. is a hard line for me. Always has been. I've always said that, haven't I always I've always said that, haven't I always I've always said that, haven't I always said that? People like, you've always said that? People like, you've always said that? People like, you've always said cannibalism is the the one line you said cannibalism is the the one line you said cannibalism is the the one line you wouldn't cross, right? And so they wouldn't cross, right? And so they wouldn't cross, right? And so they didn't fully understand what he was didn't fully understand what he was didn't fully understand what he was talking about with participation there, talking about with participation there, talking about with participation there, but they were like, "That's me. I'm out.

but they were like, "That's me. I'm out. but they were like, "That's me. I'm out. Right? And so a lot of them leave. And Right? And so a lot of them leave. And Right? And so a lot of them leave. And Jesus looks at the kind of trembling Jesus looks at the kind of trembling Jesus looks at the kind of trembling disciples left behind, just a handful of disciples left behind, just a handful of disciples left behind, just a handful of them. And you, do you want to leave them. And you, do you want to leave them. And you, do you want to leave also? What does Peter say? To whom else also? What does Peter say? To whom else also? What does Peter say? To whom else would I go? would I go? would I go? You alone have the words of truth. You alone have the words of truth. You alone have the words of truth. What's Peter saying? I don't know What's Peter saying? I don't know What's Peter saying? I don't know everything. I don't even know what you everything. I don't even know what you everything. I don't even know what you just said cuz it's super weird, right? just said cuz it's super weird, right? just said cuz it's super weird, right? And and it's weirding me out. And and it's weirding me out. And and it's weirding me out. But you hold the words of truth and But you hold the words of truth and But you hold the words of truth and that's enough. that's enough. that's enough. And that's enough. and I'll anchor my And that's enough. and I'll anchor my And that's enough. and I'll anchor my heart on that and I'll figure the rest heart on that and I'll figure the rest heart on that and I'll figure the rest out as we go. Right? Who else would I out as we go. Right? Who else would I out as we go. Right? Who else would I go? No one's better than Jesus. What are go? No one's better than Jesus. What are go? No one's better than Jesus. What are your alternatives? No one's better than your alternatives? No one's better than your alternatives? No one's better than him. Friends, him. Friends, him. Friends, I want you to grow in your faith today. I want you to grow in your faith today. I want you to grow in your faith today. Some of you are growing towards faith. Some of you are growing towards faith. Some of you are growing towards faith. Here, here's what I I want for you. I Here, here's what I I want for you. I Here, here's what I I want for you. I want you to grow further towards that want you to grow further towards that want you to grow further towards that faith, but I want you to not be faith, but I want you to not be faith, but I want you to not be distracted by the sideshow of distracted by the sideshow of distracted by the sideshow of evangelicalism and complexities. I want evangelicalism and complexities. I want evangelicalism and complexities. I want you to grow in your faith towards Jesus you to grow in your faith towards Jesus you to grow in your faith towards Jesus Christ. Christ. Christ. anchor your faith there. He really anchor your faith there. He really anchor your faith there. He really lived, really died for your sins, really lived, really died for your sins, really lived, really died for your sins, really rose from the dead, is really seated at rose from the dead, is really seated at rose from the dead, is really seated at the right hand of the father, and is the right hand of the father, and is the right hand of the father, and is really coming back, right, to judge the really coming back, right, to judge the really coming back, right, to judge the living and the dead. And you want to be living and the dead. And you want to be living and the dead. And you want to be in the right number on that day. That's in the right number on that day. That's in the right number on that day. That's reality. I want you to anchor your faith reality. I want you to anchor your faith reality. I want you to anchor your faith in that reality. Scrutinize that, in that reality. Scrutinize that, in that reality. Scrutinize that, investigate that, move towards that. The investigate that, move towards that. The investigate that, move towards that. The rest can figure itself out.

rest can figure itself out. rest can figure itself out. Some of you are drifting away from faith Some of you are drifting away from faith Some of you are drifting away from faith today. And I don't want you to drift today. And I don't want you to drift today. And I don't want you to drift further, but ask yourself the honest further, but ask yourself the honest further, but ask yourself the honest question. Are you drifting away from question. Are you drifting away from question. Are you drifting away from that? Are you drifting away from a lot that? Are you drifting away from a lot that? Are you drifting away from a lot of the zeitgeist, of the zeitgeist, of the zeitgeist, from the difficulties of church from the difficulties of church from the difficulties of church divisions and failures and doctrines you divisions and failures and doctrines you divisions and failures and doctrines you aren't sure of that seem clear in some aren't sure of that seem clear in some aren't sure of that seem clear in some circles, but what about Jesus? circles, but what about Jesus? circles, but what about Jesus? What about him? Let that anchor your What about him? Let that anchor your What about him? Let that anchor your faith. Don't unhitch your faith from faith. Don't unhitch your faith from faith. Don't unhitch your faith from something that was never supposed to be something that was never supposed to be something that was never supposed to be an anchor point in the first place. an anchor point in the first place. an anchor point in the first place. Keep it rooted in him. All right. Keep it rooted in him. All right. Keep it rooted in him. All right. Christian faith is grounded in this Christian faith is grounded in this Christian faith is grounded in this historical um Jesus who who presses into historical um Jesus who who presses into historical um Jesus who who presses into everything in him. You have a faith you everything in him. You have a faith you everything in him. You have a faith you can touch. When you doubt, can touch. When you doubt, can touch. When you doubt, when you drift, when you're deceived, when you drift, when you're deceived, when you drift, when you're deceived, when you're desperate, he remains. All when you're desperate, he remains. All when you're desperate, he remains. All right, let's move on. Verse three. That right, let's move on. Verse three. That right, let's move on. Verse three. That which we have seen and heard, we which we have seen and heard, we which we have seen and heard, we proclaim also to you so that you too may proclaim also to you so that you too may proclaim also to you so that you too may have fellowship with us. And indeed our have fellowship with us. And indeed our have fellowship with us. And indeed our fellowship is with the father and with fellowship is with the father and with fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ. Second thing, his son Jesus Christ. Second thing, his son Jesus Christ. Second thing, Jesus offers a fellowship where you can Jesus offers a fellowship where you can Jesus offers a fellowship where you can belong. He gives you a faith you can belong. He gives you a faith you can belong. He gives you a faith you can touch and then he offers you a new touch and then he offers you a new touch and then he offers you a new family. A fellowship where you can family. A fellowship where you can family. A fellowship where you can belong. See the goal of the revelation belong. See the goal of the revelation belong. See the goal of the revelation of Jesus is not just information. It's of Jesus is not just information. It's of Jesus is not just information. It's communion. And this is the key to John's communion. And this is the key to John's communion. And this is the key to John's letters, right? He revels in the mystery letters, right? He revels in the mystery letters, right? He revels in the mystery that we can have communion with God that we can have communion with God that we can have communion with God through Jesus. What a thought. You're in through Jesus. What a thought. You're in through Jesus. What a thought. You're in God's family. He loves you as a child

God's family. He loves you as a child God's family. He loves you as a child through the work of his son Jesus through the work of his son Jesus through the work of his son Jesus Christ. You can be in relationship with Christ. You can be in relationship with Christ. You can be in relationship with the God of the universe. What a thought. the God of the universe. What a thought. the God of the universe. What a thought. And and because we're not gnostics, And and because we're not gnostics, And and because we're not gnostics, because we don't want to segment then because we don't want to segment then because we don't want to segment then off our physical lives from that, this off our physical lives from that, this off our physical lives from that, this union with Christ and fellowship with union with Christ and fellowship with union with Christ and fellowship with the father is what enables true the father is what enables true the father is what enables true fellowship with other people who are not fellowship with other people who are not fellowship with other people who are not like you. like you. like you. So many of us So many of us So many of us are desperately lonely. are desperately lonely. are desperately lonely. I don't need to cite the data. We know I don't need to cite the data. We know I don't need to cite the data. We know it in our hearts. it in our hearts. it in our hearts. Our screens have connected us to Our screens have connected us to Our screens have connected us to everyone on the planet everyone on the planet everyone on the planet and at the same time they have separated and at the same time they have separated and at the same time they have separated us from others in the actual room. us from others in the actual room. us from others in the actual room. Right? And we have believed, listen, Right? And we have believed, listen, Right? And we have believed, listen, this is a noxious lie. We have believed this is a noxious lie. We have believed this is a noxious lie. We have believed the lie that says that fellowship, true the lie that says that fellowship, true the lie that says that fellowship, true fellowship can only be fostered and can fellowship can only be fostered and can fellowship can only be fostered and can only be kept through either total only be kept through either total only be kept through either total alignment on affinity or total agreement alignment on affinity or total agreement alignment on affinity or total agreement on word view uh worldview. You feel that on word view uh worldview. You feel that on word view uh worldview. You feel that community is established around we do community is established around we do community is established around we do the same things or we think the same the same things or we think the same the same things or we think the same things and say the same things very things and say the same things very things and say the same things very importantly right what we say is if I'm importantly right what we say is if I'm importantly right what we say is if I'm going to be seen and safe and secure going to be seen and safe and secure going to be seen and safe and secure then I need to be with people who are then I need to be with people who are then I need to be with people who are like me doesn't create any friction with like me doesn't create any friction with like me doesn't create any friction with my worldview and they like the same my worldview and they like the same my worldview and they like the same things and more importantly they hate things and more importantly they hate things and more importantly they hate the same things and they say all the the same things and they say all the the same things and they say all the right things and they hate all the same

right things and they hate all the same right things and they hate all the same wrong things. You know how that sounds wrong things. You know how that sounds wrong things. You know how that sounds to me? Really unsafe, to me? Really unsafe, to me? Really unsafe, really insecure, really not able to be really insecure, really not able to be really insecure, really not able to be seen for who I am when who I am runs the seen for who I am when who I am runs the seen for who I am when who I am runs the risk of rejection at the first sign of risk of rejection at the first sign of risk of rejection at the first sign of divergence from the herd that I've divergence from the herd that I've divergence from the herd that I've included myself in. This is not how included myself in. This is not how included myself in. This is not how Christian community ought to be formed. Christian community ought to be formed. Christian community ought to be formed. Christian community from the first day Christian community from the first day Christian community from the first day are a family of natural enemies are a family of natural enemies are a family of natural enemies who have a shared allegiance to Jesus who have a shared allegiance to Jesus who have a shared allegiance to Jesus Christ and a shared fellowship with God Christ and a shared fellowship with God Christ and a shared fellowship with God through Christ. That's it. And that's through Christ. That's it. And that's through Christ. That's it. And that's enough to hold us together. It has to be enough to hold us together. It has to be enough to hold us together. It has to be because there's no greater affinity and because there's no greater affinity and because there's no greater affinity and there's no greater form of fellowship. there's no greater form of fellowship. there's no greater form of fellowship. But listen friends, we have to put to But listen friends, we have to put to But listen friends, we have to put to death our ideal of what community will death our ideal of what community will death our ideal of what community will be if you actually want to experience be if you actually want to experience be if you actually want to experience genuine fellowship. I don't have time genuine fellowship. I don't have time genuine fellowship. I don't have time today. I had like half of uh Bonhoffer's today. I had like half of uh Bonhoffer's today. I had like half of uh Bonhoffer's greatest hits lined up for us this greatest hits lined up for us this greatest hits lined up for us this morning, but I'm just going to give you morning, but I'm just going to give you morning, but I'm just going to give you one. Right? It was a long list. I looked one. Right? It was a long list. I looked one. Right? It was a long list. I looked at my notes this morning. I was like, at my notes this morning. I was like, at my notes this morning. I was like, ain't nobody got time for that. Right?

ain't nobody got time for that. Right? ain't nobody got time for that. Right? But just go read life together. There we But just go read life together. There we But just go read life together. There we go. Um that was the sermon I should have go. Um that was the sermon I should have go. Um that was the sermon I should have preached. But Bonhaofer said, "Those who preached. But Bonhaofer said, "Those who preached. But Bonhaofer said, "Those who love their dream of a Christian love their dream of a Christian love their dream of a Christian community more than they love the community more than they love the community more than they love the Christian community itself Christian community itself Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian become destroyers of that Christian become destroyers of that Christian community even though their personal community even though their personal community even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest, intentions may be ever so honest, intentions may be ever so honest, earnest, earnest, earnest, and sacrificial. and sacrificial. and sacrificial. See this all the time. Really lonely. Oh See this all the time. Really lonely. Oh See this all the time. Really lonely. Oh man, I hate that." Right? Have Have we man, I hate that." Right? Have Have we man, I hate that." Right? Have Have we connected with anyone? We've tried. What connected with anyone? We've tried. What connected with anyone? We've tried. What happened? I didn't like them. happened? I didn't like them. happened? I didn't like them. Well, they didn't like me. I'm like, Well, they didn't like me. I'm like, Well, they didn't like me. I'm like, that's the point. that's the point. that's the point. You both liked Jesus You both liked Jesus You both liked Jesus and that's enough. and that's enough. and that's enough. That's enough. That's enough. That's enough. Are you lonely today? I get it. My Are you lonely today? I get it. My Are you lonely today? I get it. My goodness. goodness. goodness. Here's my ask. Here's my ask. Here's my ask. Let's lean into fellowship together, Let's lean into fellowship together, Let's lean into fellowship together, emboldened by the fact that we're in emboldened by the fact that we're in emboldened by the fact that we're in fellowship with the God of the universe fellowship with the God of the universe fellowship with the God of the universe who already declares us enough.

who already declares us enough. who already declares us enough. So now we can go fully show up into the So now we can go fully show up into the So now we can go fully show up into the fellowship that's in front of us. Last fellowship that's in front of us. Last fellowship that's in front of us. Last thing verse four, we are writing these thing verse four, we are writing these thing verse four, we are writing these things so that our joy the manuscripts things so that our joy the manuscripts things so that our joy the manuscripts actually differ a bit here. Some say our actually differ a bit here. Some say our actually differ a bit here. Some say our some say your it's a collective idea. some say your it's a collective idea. some say your it's a collective idea. Paul isn't I mean John isn't just saying Paul isn't I mean John isn't just saying Paul isn't I mean John isn't just saying us as the apostles or me and my fellow us as the apostles or me and my fellow us as the apostles or me and my fellow um you know uh compadres in this moment. um you know uh compadres in this moment. um you know uh compadres in this moment. He's saying all of us our collective joy He's saying all of us our collective joy He's saying all of us our collective joy may be what? Complete. He doesn't want may be what? Complete. He doesn't want may be what? Complete. He doesn't want their joy to be diminished. Right? So their joy to be diminished. Right? So their joy to be diminished. Right? So the last thing Jesus brings a joy and the last thing Jesus brings a joy and the last thing Jesus brings a joy and it's a joy that we can share. it's a joy that we can share. it's a joy that we can share. The life that is rooted and anchored in The life that is rooted and anchored in The life that is rooted and anchored in the reality of Christ is a life of the reality of Christ is a life of the reality of Christ is a life of objurate joy. objurate joy. objurate joy. It was modeled and enabled by Jesus It was modeled and enabled by Jesus It was modeled and enabled by Jesus himself who what for the joy set before himself who what for the joy set before himself who what for the joy set before him was able to endure the cross. He was him was able to endure the cross. He was him was able to endure the cross. He was driven by joy and kept by it even in the driven by joy and kept by it even in the driven by joy and kept by it even in the midst of his deepest sorrow and anguish. midst of his deepest sorrow and anguish. midst of his deepest sorrow and anguish. Friends, are you driven by joy?

Friends, are you driven by joy? Friends, are you driven by joy? Are you known for it? Is it objurate? Is Are you known for it? Is it objurate? Is Are you known for it? Is it objurate? Is it resistant to the es and flows of the it resistant to the es and flows of the it resistant to the es and flows of the sufferings and celebrations of your sufferings and celebrations of your sufferings and celebrations of your life? In John's economy, that's what we life? In John's economy, that's what we life? In John's economy, that's what we should be known for. Right? And in order should be known for. Right? And in order should be known for. Right? And in order for it to be made complete, it should be for it to be made complete, it should be for it to be made complete, it should be shared with others in community. It's shared with others in community. It's shared with others in community. It's going to be our great witness. Right? going to be our great witness. Right? going to be our great witness. Right? I loved a a book and and a movie uh made I loved a a book and and a movie uh made I loved a a book and and a movie uh made many years ago called Into the Wild, many years ago called Into the Wild, many years ago called Into the Wild, which features a story of um a young man which features a story of um a young man which features a story of um a young man called Christopher McCandless, who who called Christopher McCandless, who who called Christopher McCandless, who who discovered to his horror on his solo discovered to his horror on his solo discovered to his horror on his solo voyage into Alaska um that that ended up voyage into Alaska um that that ended up voyage into Alaska um that that ended up taking his life, that happiness is only taking his life, that happiness is only taking his life, that happiness is only real when it is shared. real when it is shared. real when it is shared. When they found his body, it's the last When they found his body, it's the last When they found his body, it's the last thing he had written. It's what he thing he had written. It's what he thing he had written. It's what he scratched out in his notes not long scratched out in his notes not long scratched out in his notes not long before he died. He thought getting away before he died. He thought getting away before he died. He thought getting away from other people would be his path to from other people would be his path to from other people would be his path to joy. And as he was taking some of his joy. And as he was taking some of his joy. And as he was taking some of his final breaths, he was like, "Oh, unless final breaths, he was like, "Oh, unless final breaths, he was like, "Oh, unless you share the best things in this world you share the best things in this world you share the best things in this world with other people, it isn't real. with other people, it isn't real. with other people, it isn't real. It isn't complete."

It isn't complete." It isn't complete." As John would say, friends, if we really As John would say, friends, if we really As John would say, friends, if we really center our lives on Christ as he really center our lives on Christ as he really center our lives on Christ as he really is, is, is, why would that lead to joy? Because then why would that lead to joy? Because then why would that lead to joy? Because then we would know right that we are people we would know right that we are people we would know right that we are people with nothing of significance to lose with nothing of significance to lose with nothing of significance to lose and nothing of consequence left to gain. and nothing of consequence left to gain. and nothing of consequence left to gain. We have him We have him We have him which ought to make us the most free and which ought to make us the most free and which ought to make us the most free and joyful people in the world. joyful people in the world. joyful people in the world. Friends, are you despairing today? Friends, are you despairing today? Friends, are you despairing today? Struggling in real suffering and hurt Struggling in real suffering and hurt Struggling in real suffering and hurt and grief. I get it. and grief. I get it. and grief. I get it. There is so much in our broken world There is so much in our broken world There is so much in our broken world that leads to anguish. that leads to anguish. that leads to anguish. And And And there isn't a single reality that we can there isn't a single reality that we can there isn't a single reality that we can endure endure endure that doesn't also lead to deep joy if that doesn't also lead to deep joy if that doesn't also lead to deep joy if we're prepared to view that reality in we're prepared to view that reality in we're prepared to view that reality in light of who Jesus is and what he has light of who Jesus is and what he has light of who Jesus is and what he has done for us. He showed us how and now we done for us. He showed us how and now we done for us. He showed us how and now we just follow him.

just follow him. just follow him. And so friends, the invitation today And so friends, the invitation today And so friends, the invitation today is to faith in Jesus Christ. John's is to faith in Jesus Christ. John's is to faith in Jesus Christ. John's offer is a life of joy and holiness offer is a life of joy and holiness offer is a life of joy and holiness and assurance. and assurance. and assurance. And I want to tell you, you can And I want to tell you, you can And I want to tell you, you can experience all of those in increasing experience all of those in increasing experience all of those in increasing measure, measure, measure, but not with an abstraction of Jesus but not with an abstraction of Jesus but not with an abstraction of Jesus that you can keep in a compartment of that you can keep in a compartment of that you can keep in a compartment of your divided life. your divided life. your divided life. Friends, here's what I want for you. I Friends, here's what I want for you. I Friends, here's what I want for you. I want for you to enjoy the faith that he want for you to enjoy the faith that he want for you to enjoy the faith that he provides for you. One that you can touch provides for you. One that you can touch provides for you. One that you can touch and anchor something real in. I want you and anchor something real in. I want you and anchor something real in. I want you to step into the fellowship that he to step into the fellowship that he to step into the fellowship that he offers. One where you can be loved as offers. One where you can be loved as offers. One where you can be loved as you are. Wouldn't that be amazing? you are. Wouldn't that be amazing? you are. Wouldn't that be amazing? And I long for you to take up the offer And I long for you to take up the offer And I long for you to take up the offer of joy that he brings. A joy that of joy that he brings. A joy that of joy that he brings. A joy that endures whatever life endures whatever life endures whatever life throws at you. Let me finish with this. throws at you. Let me finish with this. throws at you. Let me finish with this. The same John. Oh my goodness. His story The same John. Oh my goodness. His story The same John. Oh my goodness. His story arc is unbelievable, right? That needs arc is unbelievable, right? That needs arc is unbelievable, right? That needs to be Nolan's next um next kind of to be Nolan's next um next kind of to be Nolan's next um next kind of feature, right? It would be feature, right? It would be feature, right? It would be unbelievable.

unbelievable. unbelievable. This same John who saw Jesus in physical This same John who saw Jesus in physical This same John who saw Jesus in physical form form form also had a vision of what Jesus is like also had a vision of what Jesus is like also had a vision of what Jesus is like in reality. Now, this is the Jesus who offers you faith this is the Jesus who offers you faith and fellowship and fellowship and fellowship and joy today. And I don't have time, and joy today. And I don't have time, and joy today. And I don't have time, but in Revelation 1, John hears the but in Revelation 1, John hears the but in Revelation 1, John hears the voice of his friend and he turns and voice of his friend and he turns and voice of his friend and he turns and Jesus looks way different. His eyes are Jesus looks way different. His eyes are Jesus looks way different. His eyes are like fire. There's a sword coming out of like fire. There's a sword coming out of like fire. There's a sword coming out of his mouth. He's like looking at light his mouth. He's like looking at light his mouth. He's like looking at light himself. Right? And look at what John himself. Right? And look at what John himself. Right? And look at what John says. When I saw him, his friend, I fell says. When I saw him, his friend, I fell says. When I saw him, his friend, I fell at his feet as though dead. Right? When at his feet as though dead. Right? When at his feet as though dead. Right? When we get the idea of big Jesus, what is a we get the idea of big Jesus, what is a we get the idea of big Jesus, what is a what is our posture? Worship, right? what is our posture? Worship, right? what is our posture? Worship, right? Adoration. Adoration. Adoration. Isn't this tender though? He laid his Isn't this tender though? He laid his Isn't this tender though? He laid his right hand on me. His hand of authority right hand on me. His hand of authority right hand on me. His hand of authority he lays on John saying, "Fear not." Look he lays on John saying, "Fear not." Look he lays on John saying, "Fear not." Look what he doesn't say. He doesn't say, what he doesn't say. He doesn't say, what he doesn't say. He doesn't say, "Fear not. I'm not that big of a deal."

"Fear not. I'm not that big of a deal." "Fear not. I'm not that big of a deal." He says, "Fear not because I'm a bigger He says, "Fear not because I'm a bigger He says, "Fear not because I'm a bigger deal than you ever imagined. deal than you ever imagined. deal than you ever imagined. Fear not. I am the first and the last. I Fear not. I am the first and the last. I Fear not. I am the first and the last. I am the living one. I died. You were am the living one. I died. You were am the living one. I died. You were there. I died. And behold, here I am, there. I died. And behold, here I am, there. I died. And behold, here I am, alive forever more, and I have the keys alive forever more, and I have the keys alive forever more, and I have the keys of death and Hades. Therefore, John, you of death and Hades. Therefore, John, you of death and Hades. Therefore, John, you have nothing of significance [snorts] to have nothing of significance [snorts] to have nothing of significance [snorts] to lose, and you have nothing left of lose, and you have nothing left of lose, and you have nothing left of substance to gain. You have him, substance to gain. You have him, substance to gain. You have him, [clears throat] [clears throat] [clears throat] and that's enough. Father God, thank you and that's enough. Father God, thank you and that's enough. Father God, thank you so much for your word. so much for your word. so much for your word. I pray that today that by your spirit I pray that today that by your spirit I pray that today that by your spirit you would you would you would remind us of the glory of your son in a remind us of the glory of your son in a remind us of the glory of your son in a fresh way today fresh way today fresh way today and that as we remember him as he really and that as we remember him as he really and that as we remember him as he really is not our kind of watered down is not our kind of watered down is not our kind of watered down spiritualized away version of him but as spiritualized away version of him but as spiritualized away version of him but as he really is the eternal one who came to he really is the eternal one who came to he really is the eternal one who came to the earth and lived as we are who was the earth and lived as we are who was the earth and lived as we are who was tempted in every way and yet without sin tempted in every way and yet without sin tempted in every way and yet without sin and who died for us and who's been and who died for us and who's been and who died for us and who's been raised from the dead as we consider him raised from the dead as we consider him raised from the dead as we consider him like that. And as we think ahead to what like that. And as we think ahead to what like that. And as we think ahead to what it will be like to see him like John it will be like to see him like John it will be like to see him like John did, I pray that it unravels some of our did, I pray that it unravels some of our did, I pray that it unravels some of our lives lives lives that whennosticism has rooted in where that whennosticism has rooted in where that whennosticism has rooted in where we think we can live these kind of we think we can live these kind of we think we can live these kind of divided lives, I pray that you convict divided lives, I pray that you convict divided lives, I pray that you convict us and lead us back to you.

us and lead us back to you. us and lead us back to you. Father, to those moving towards faith Father, to those moving towards faith Father, to those moving towards faith this morning, I want you to draw them this morning, I want you to draw them this morning, I want you to draw them further in. Draw them further into your further in. Draw them further into your further in. Draw them further into your son. May they go, "Oh my goodness, Jesus son. May they go, "Oh my goodness, Jesus son. May they go, "Oh my goodness, Jesus is more significant than I ever thought. is more significant than I ever thought. is more significant than I ever thought. He's not just this great moral teacher. He's not just this great moral teacher. He's not just this great moral teacher. He's the eternal one. May they see that He's the eternal one. May they see that He's the eternal one. May they see that aresh this morning, perhaps even for the aresh this morning, perhaps even for the aresh this morning, perhaps even for the first time. first time. first time. And to those who have weary hearts and a And to those who have weary hearts and a And to those who have weary hearts and a wearied faith wearied faith wearied faith and who are trying to see through the and who are trying to see through the and who are trying to see through the clutter of doctrine and failure and clutter of doctrine and failure and clutter of doctrine and failure and relational disappointment this morning, relational disappointment this morning, relational disappointment this morning, Lord, stop that stuff. Let them see your Lord, stop that stuff. Let them see your Lord, stop that stuff. Let them see your son. son. son. And as a result, may they return to And as a result, may they return to And as a result, may they return to their first love in a fresh way and say, their first love in a fresh way and say, their first love in a fresh way and say, "To whom else would I go?" "To whom else would I go?" "To whom else would I go?" This Jesus has the words of life. To This Jesus has the words of life. To This Jesus has the words of life. To whom else would I go? whom else would I go? whom else would I go? And as they cry that out to you this And as they cry that out to you this And as they cry that out to you this morning, may you meet them morning, may you meet them morning, may you meet them as we take communion in our as we take communion in our as we take communion in our congregations today. Won't you meet us?

congregations today. Won't you meet us? congregations today. Won't you meet us? Won't the scandal of it become new and Won't the scandal of it become new and Won't the scandal of it become new and fresh in us as we eat and as we drink fresh in us as we eat and as we drink fresh in us as we eat and as we drink and as we look around? [music] May we and as we look around? [music] May we and as we look around? [music] May we have a giddy objurate joy? And can you have a giddy objurate joy? And can you have a giddy objurate joy? And can you believe this grace? believe this grace? believe this grace? Can you believe this Jesus? Can you Can you believe this Jesus? Can you Can you believe this Jesus? Can you believe we get in on this together? This believe we get in on this together? This believe we get in on this together? This is the best news ever. is the best news ever. is the best news ever. Then may we remember that. And then may Then may we remember that. And then may Then may we remember that. And then may we order our lives in accordance with we order our lives in accordance with we order our lives in accordance with his lordship and his [music] love and his lordship and his [music] love and his lordship and his [music] love and his majesty and his very soon return. his majesty and his very soon return. his majesty and his very soon return. It's in his name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. And in just a moment, we're Amen. Amen. And in just a moment, we're going to take communion together, going to take communion together, going to take communion together, church, family, that we would come church, family, that we would come church, family, that we would come around the table around the table around the table that this would be a reminder again, a a that this would be a reminder again, a a that this would be a reminder again, a a thing passed down through the thing passed down through the thing passed down through the generations of faithful saints from the generations of faithful saints from the generations of faithful saints from the from the table that Jesus sat at himself from the table that Jesus sat at himself from the table that Jesus sat at himself with his friends, through congregations and families and through congregations and families and communities ever since.

communities ever since. communities ever since. Say, God, our hearts can get shaky. We Say, God, our hearts can get shaky. We Say, God, our hearts can get shaky. We can we can get fragile and we need a can we can get fragile and we need a can we can get fragile and we need a reminder. We need anchoring. reminder. We need anchoring. reminder. We need anchoring. And so this morning, we're going to be And so this morning, we're going to be And so this morning, we're going to be able to experience that together. And able to experience that together. And able to experience that together. And remember again, remember aresh remember again, remember aresh remember again, remember aresh just what it's like to have the savior just what it's like to have the savior just what it's like to have the savior that we have. And an usher is going to that we have. And an usher is going to that we have. And an usher is going to come and release you rowby row in just a come and release you rowby row in just a come and release you rowby row in just a moment. And you will take the bread and moment. And you will take the bread and moment. And you will take the bread and and you will receive it as the body of and you will receive it as the body of and you will receive it as the body of Christ broken for you. And you will dip Christ broken for you. And you will dip Christ broken for you. And you will dip that into the juice. And someone will that into the juice. And someone will that into the juice. And someone will say, "This is the blood of Christ shed say, "This is the blood of Christ shed say, "This is the blood of Christ shed for you. for you. for you. you'll take and [music] eat and return you'll take and [music] eat and return you'll take and [music] eat and return to your seats. But what I what I hope to your seats. But what I what I hope to your seats. But what I what I hope you do in those moments you do in those moments you do in those moments is everything that we just talked about is everything that we just talked about is everything that we just talked about that you would take this [music] that you would take this [music] that you would take this [music] experience, the physicality of something experience, the physicality of something experience, the physicality of something to eat and drink and you would remember to eat and drink and you would remember to eat and drink and you would remember that your savior had real flesh and that your savior had real flesh and that your savior had real flesh and blood. blood. blood. That he was like us in every way yet That he was like us in every way yet That he was like us in every way yet without sin. without sin. without sin. that as you take and eat, you would look that as you take and eat, you would look that as you take and eat, you would look around this room and you'd remember this around this room and you'd remember this around this room and you'd remember this is just one tiny sliver of a church that is just one tiny sliver of a church that is just one tiny sliver of a church that spans the world that says, "God, you spans the world that says, "God, you spans the world that says, "God, you brought me into fellowship with you and brought me into fellowship with you and brought me into fellowship with you and with these brothers and sisters.

You were made for a fellowship." And it You were made for a fellowship." And it was the blood and body of Jesus that was the blood and body of Jesus that was the blood and body of Jesus that brought you in. brought you in. brought you in. that as you take and eat, that as you take and eat, that as you take and eat, you'd remember those words of Jesus that you'd remember those words of Jesus that you'd remember those words of Jesus that says, "One day in the new heavens and says, "One day in the new heavens and says, "One day in the new heavens and new earth, when I come back, we're going new earth, when I come back, we're going new earth, when I come back, we're going to share a meal again. to share a meal again. to share a meal again. We're going to eat around that table, We're going to eat around that table, We're going to eat around that table, and we're going to celebrate the joy and we're going to celebrate the joy and we're going to celebrate the joy that is indestructible that is indestructible that is indestructible and your story forever more." and your story forever more." and your story forever more." So on this Sunday morning in Austin, So on this Sunday morning in Austin, So on this Sunday morning in Austin, Texas, Texas, Texas, we take a tiny little meal [music] we take a tiny little meal [music] we take a tiny little meal [music] that reminds us of a much bigger one. that reminds us of a much bigger one. that reminds us of a much bigger one. And if you're here today and you're not And if you're here today and you're not And if you're here today and you're not a Christian, you wouldn't claim faith in a Christian, you wouldn't claim faith in a Christian, you wouldn't claim faith in Jesus. We're so glad that you're here, Jesus. We're so glad that you're here, Jesus. We're so glad that you're here, but would ask that you refrain uh from but would ask that you refrain uh from but would ask that you refrain uh from participating in communion because we participating in communion because we participating in communion because we want that to be a step of faith, want that to be a step of faith, want that to be a step of faith, something done in sincerity to claim, something done in sincerity to claim, something done in sincerity to claim, "Jesus, I believe who you say you are. "Jesus, I believe who you say you are. "Jesus, I believe who you say you are. that I'm a sinner in need of grace, that that I'm a sinner in need of grace, that that I'm a sinner in need of grace, that I was separated from you, but your I was separated from you, but your I was separated from you, but your spilled blood and your broken body have spilled blood and your broken body have spilled blood and your broken body have made a way for me to know you and enjoy made a way for me to know you and enjoy made a way for me to know you and enjoy you forever.

you forever. you forever. But if you're here and you're ready to But if you're here and you're ready to But if you're here and you're ready to make that step, maybe for the first make that step, maybe for the first make that step, maybe for the first time, would you just pray that? time, would you just pray that? time, would you just pray that? And then would you come and see and And then would you come and see and And then would you come and see and taste and enjoy the fellowship that God taste and enjoy the fellowship that God taste and enjoy the fellowship that God brought you into? brought you into? brought you into? Because on the night that he was Because on the night that he was Because on the night that he was betrayed, Jesus sat at that table with betrayed, Jesus sat at that table with betrayed, Jesus sat at that table with his friends and he took this bread and his friends and he took this bread and his friends and he took this bread and he broke it and he gave thanks for it. He said, "Friends, this is my body which He said, "Friends, this is my body which has been broken for you. You don't pay has been broken for you. You don't pay has been broken for you. You don't pay the cost for your salvation. I do. You the cost for your salvation. I do. You the cost for your salvation. I do. You don't have to fall apart into fragments don't have to fall apart into fragments don't have to fall apart into fragments or segments. or segments. or segments. My body was broken so that yours would My body was broken so that yours would My body was broken so that yours would be made whole. be made whole. be made whole. As often as you take and eat of it, do As often as you take and eat of it, do As often as you take and eat of it, do it in remembrance of me. it in remembrance of me. it in remembrance of me. And then he took the cup and he blessed And then he took the cup and he blessed And then he took the cup and he blessed it and he thanked God for it. And he it and he thanked God for it. And he it and he thanked God for it. And he said, "Friends, this is the cup of the said, "Friends, this is the cup of the said, "Friends, this is the cup of the new covenant. new covenant. new covenant. My blood poured out for sins, for the My blood poured out for sins, for the My blood poured out for sins, for the forgiveness of sins, for you and for forgiveness of sins, for you and for forgiveness of sins, for you and for many, many, many, so that again you would remember that so that again you would remember that so that again you would remember that there is no length to which I would not there is no length to which I would not there is no length to which I would not go to draw you to myself.

go to draw you to myself. go to draw you to myself. Let this wipe away whatever the world Let this wipe away whatever the world Let this wipe away whatever the world would tell you, whatever your past would would tell you, whatever your past would would tell you, whatever your past would tell you about what you deserve or who tell you about what you deserve or who tell you about what you deserve or who you get to be with. The blood of the new you get to be with. The blood of the new you get to be with. The blood of the new covenant tells you covenant tells you covenant tells you you're part of God's family now and you're part of God's family now and you're part of God's family now and nothing [music] can take that away. nothing [music] can take that away. nothing [music] can take that away. And so as the ushers come forward And so as the ushers come forward And so as the ushers come forward and we're dismissed row by row, would and we're dismissed row by row, would and we're dismissed row by row, would you take [music] and eat and find joy in you take [music] and eat and find joy in you take [music] and eat and find joy in your savior this morning? Let's take your savior this morning? Let's take your savior this morning? Let's take communion [music] now. So sweet So sweet to trust in Jesus to trust in Jesus to trust in Jesus just to [music and singing] take him at just to [music and singing] take him at just to [music and singing] take him at his word his word his word just [singing] just [singing] just [singing] [music] to rest [music] to rest [music] to rest upon his promise.

upon his promise. upon his promise. Just to know Just to know Just to know the the the [singing] [singing] [singing] Lord. Lord. Lord. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. [music] Jesus. [music] Jesus. [music] How I trust him. How I [singing] proved How I trust him. How I [singing] proved How I trust him. How I [singing] proved him [music] him [music] him [music] or Jesus. Jesus. Jesus, [music] Jesus, [music] Jesus, [music] preious preious preious Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Oh, [singing and music] for grace Oh, [singing and music] for grace Oh, [singing and music] for grace to trust him [singing and music] more. Oh, [singing] Oh, [singing] how sweet [music] how sweet [music] how sweet [music] to trust in Jesus.

to trust in Jesus. to trust in Jesus. Just [music] to [singing] trust his Just [music] to [singing] trust his Just [music] to [singing] trust his cleansing cleansing cleansing blood. blood. blood. Just [music] in [singing] simple Just [music] in [singing] simple Just [music] in [singing] simple faith to plunge me [music] faith to plunge me [music] faith to plunge me [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] the healing the healing the healing cleansing [music] cleansing [music] cleansing [music] [singing] [singing] [singing] blood. blood. blood. Jesus. [music] Jesus. Jesus. [music] Jesus. Jesus. [music] Jesus. How I trust [singing] him. How I proved How I trust [singing] him. How I proved How I trust [singing] him. How I proved [music] him. for and [music] him. for and [music] him. for and oh Jesus [music and singing] oh Jesus [music and singing] oh Jesus [music and singing] Jesus Jesus Jesus preious preious preious Jesus Jesus Jesus oh [singing] for grace to [music] trust oh [singing] for grace to [music] trust oh [singing] for grace to [music] trust him more And I'm [music and singing] And I'm [music and singing] so glad so glad so glad I learned to trust thee, I learned to trust thee, I learned to trust thee, preious preious preious Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Savior, [music and singing] Savior, [music and singing] Savior, [music and singing] friend.

friend. friend. And [singing] I know [music] And [singing] I know [music] And [singing] I know [music] that thou art with me. that thou art with me. that thou art with me. Will [music and singing] be with me to Will [music and singing] be with me to Will [music and singing] be with me to the end. the end. the end. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. [singing] Jesus. [singing] Jesus. [singing] Jesus. [music] [music] [music] How I trust [singing] How I trust [singing] How I trust [singing] him. how I approved him [music] him. how I approved him [music] him. how I approved him [music] or [singing] oh Jesus oh Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus preious [music] preious [music] preious [music] Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Oh [singing] for grace to [music] trust Oh [singing] for grace to [music] trust Oh [singing] for grace to [music] trust him more. him more. him more. Oh, for grace Oh, for grace Oh, for grace to trust [music and singing] to trust [music and singing] to trust [music and singing] him more. him more. him more. Oh, for grace Oh, for grace Oh, for grace to [music] trust [singing] to [music] trust [singing] to [music] trust [singing] him more.

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. How [singing] How [singing] How [singing] I trust him. I trust him. I trust him. How I proved [music and singing] How I proved [music and singing] How I proved [music and singing] him or endure. him or endure. him or endure. Oh Jesus. [music] Oh Jesus. [music] Oh Jesus. [music] Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Preious Preious Preious [music] Jesus. [music] Jesus. [music] Jesus. Oh [singing] for grace to trust [music] Oh [singing] for grace to trust [music] Oh [singing] for grace to trust [music] him [singing] more. him [singing] more. him [singing] more. And would you stand with me as we sing And would you stand with me as we sing And would you stand with me as we sing that one last time? [music] We make that that one last time? [music] We make that that one last time? [music] We make that our prayer that we would trust him more. our prayer that we would trust him more. our prayer that we would trust him more. He's proved himself faithful, He's proved himself faithful, He's proved himself faithful, trustworthy. We sing [music] Jesus. trustworthy. We sing [music] Jesus. trustworthy. We sing [music] Jesus. Oh Jesus. [singing] Oh Jesus. [singing] Oh Jesus. [singing] Jesus, [music] Jesus, [music] Jesus, [music] how I trust [singing] him, how I proved how I trust [singing] him, how I proved how I trust [singing] him, how I proved him or [singing] him or [singing] him or [singing] endure. [music] endure. [music] endure. [music] Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, precious precious precious Jesus.

Jesus. Jesus. [music] Oh [singing] for grace [music] Oh [singing] for grace [music] Oh [singing] for grace to trust him [singing] more. to trust him [singing] more. to trust him [singing] more. Oh for grace Oh for grace Oh for grace to trust him [music] to trust him [music] to trust him [music] more. The invitation today for us y'all is to The invitation today for us y'all is to put our faith in him. [music] put our faith in him. [music] put our faith in him. [music] So let's do that together as we sing. So let's do that together as we sing. So let's do that together as we sing. Christ is my [music] firm foundation, Christ is my [music] firm foundation, Christ is my [music] firm foundation, [singing] I've never been [music and singing] more I've never been [music and singing] more glad that I put my faith in Jesus. glad that I put my faith in Jesus. glad that I put my faith in Jesus. [music] Cuz he's never [singing] Cuz he's never [singing] let me down. [music] He's faithful let me down. [music] He's faithful let me down. [music] He's faithful through generations. [singing] So [music] why would he fail [singing] So [music] why would he fail [singing] now? He won't.

And I've still [music] got joy in chaos. And I've still [music] got joy in chaos. [singing] [singing] [singing] Yes, I've got [music] peace that makes Yes, I've got [music] peace that makes Yes, I've got [music] peace that makes no sense. So I won't be going no sense. So I won't be going no sense. So I won't be going [music and singing] [music and singing] [music and singing] under. under. under. I'm not [music and singing] held by my I'm not [music and singing] held by my I'm not [music and singing] held by my own strength. Cuz I built my life on own strength. Cuz I built my life on own strength. Cuz I built my life on [music] Jesus Christ. [music] Jesus Christ. [music] Jesus Christ. He's never [singing] He's never [singing] He's never [singing] let [music] me down. He's faithful let [music] me down. He's faithful let [music] me down. He's faithful through every season, through every season, through every season, [music and singing] That's right. Come on, let's declare That's right. Come on, let's declare that today. He won't [music] He won't that today. He won't [music] He won't that today. He won't [music] He won't fail us. He won't [singing] fail. fail us. He won't [singing] fail. fail us. He won't [singing] fail. [music] He won't [music] He won't [music] never [singing] never [singing] never [singing] know. He won't.

[music] [music] He won't fail. >> [music] >> [music] >> Don't gone with your sin when everything >> Don't gone with your sin when everything >> Don't gone with your sin when everything around [music] me shen. I've never been more glad that I [music] I've never been more glad that I [music] put my faith in Jesus the solid rock. put my faith in Jesus the solid rock. put my faith in Jesus the solid rock. [music] He's never let me down. He's [music] He's never let me down. He's [music] He's never let me down. He's ready for [music] ready for [music] ready for [music] generations. So why would he [music] feel now you So why would he [music] feel now you [singing] [singing] [singing] [music] Jesus, we put our faith in you today.

Jesus, we put our faith in you today. What we're about to sing, Lord, make it What we're about to sing, Lord, make it What we're about to sing, Lord, make it true. Rain came when Rain came when my house was [music] built on you. my house was [music] built on you. my house was [music] built on you. I'm safe [singing] I'm safe [singing] I'm safe [singing] with you. I'm going [music] to make it with you. I'm going [music] to make it with you. I'm going [music] to make it through. [singing] Rain came when blue. [singing] My house Rain came when blue. [singing] My house was built [music] on you. was built [music] on you. was built [music] on you. I'm [singing] I'm [singing] I'm [singing] safe with [music] safe with [music] safe with [music] you. I'm going to [singing] make it when you. I'm going to [singing] make it when you. I'm going to [singing] make it when the rain comes. [music] Rain came and the rain comes. [music] Rain came and the rain comes. [music] Rain came and went and blew. [singing] went and blew. [singing] went and blew. [singing] My house was built [music] My house was built [music] My house was built [music] on you. on you. on you. I'm [singing] safe with [music] I'm [singing] safe with [music] I'm [singing] safe with [music] you. I'm going to make it through.

you. I'm going to make it through. you. I'm going to make it through. Yes, I'm going [music and singing] to Yes, I'm going [music and singing] to Yes, I'm going [music and singing] to make it through. make it through. make it through. Cuz I'm standing strong on you. Cuz I'm standing strong on you. Cuz I'm standing strong on you. Oh, I'm going to [music] make it through Oh, I'm going to [music] make it through Oh, I'm going to [music] make it through cuz my house [music] is built on you. cuz my house [music] is built on you. cuz my house [music] is built on you. Christ is my [singing] firm foundation. The rock on [music] which I stand. When The rock on [music] which I stand. When everything around me is shaking, everything around me is shaking, everything around me is shaking, [music] I've never been more glad that I [music] I've never been more glad that I [music] I've never been more glad that I put my faith [music] in Jesus. He's never [music] He's never [music] let me down. Faithful. know I [music] would know I [music] would come on church.

No, you won't. No, you won't. You [music] won't fail us. You won't You [music] won't fail us. You won't You [music] won't fail us. You won't fail. No, he won't. No, he won't. Can we thank him today for that? He Can we thank him today for that? He Can we thank him today for that? He won't fail us. How great [singing and music] the chasm How great [singing and music] the chasm that lay between us. [music] that lay between us. [music] that lay between us. [music] How high the [singing] mountain How high the [singing] mountain How high the [singing] mountain I could not climb. [music] In I could not climb. [music] In I could not climb. [music] In desperation, [singing] I turned to heaven I turned to heaven and spoke your name [music] and spoke your name [music] and spoke your name [music] into [singing] into [singing] into [singing] the night.

the night. the night. And [music] through the [singing] And [music] through the [singing] And [music] through the [singing] darkness, darkness, darkness, your loving kindness [music] your loving kindness [music] your loving kindness [music] tore through [singing] the shadows tore through [singing] the shadows tore through [singing] the shadows of my soul. of my soul. of my soul. >> Your work is finished. >> Your work is finished. >> Your work is finished. >> [singing and music] >> [singing and music] >> [singing and music] >> The end is written. >> The end is written. >> The end is written. Jesus Christ [singing] Jesus Christ [singing] Jesus Christ [singing] [music] our living. [music] [music] >> Who could imagine [singing] so great a mercy? so great a mercy? What heart could [music and singing] What heart could [music and singing] What heart could [music and singing] follow follow follow such boundless grace? such boundless grace? such boundless grace? The God [singing] of aesthet [music] The God [singing] of aesthet [music] The God [singing] of aesthet [music] down from glory down from glory down from glory to wear [singing] my sin and bear my to wear [singing] my sin and bear my to wear [singing] my sin and bear my shame. [music] shame. [music] shame. [music] The cross has spoken. [singing] The cross has spoken. [singing] The cross has spoken. [singing] I [music] am forgi.

I [music] am forgi. I [music] am forgi. The [singing] king of kings calls to be The [singing] king of kings calls to be The [singing] king of kings calls to be his [music] own. his [music] own. his [music] own. Beautiful savior, [singing] Beautiful savior, [singing] Beautiful savior, [singing] I'm [music] yours forever. I'm [music] yours forever. I'm [music] yours forever. Jesus Christ my [music and singing] Jesus Christ my [music and singing] Jesus Christ my [music and singing] living living living hope you hope you hope you hallelujah. hallelujah. hallelujah. [music and singing] Praise the Lord who [music and singing] Praise the Lord who [music and singing] Praise the Lord who set me free. Hallelujah. set me free. Hallelujah. set me free. Hallelujah. [music and singing] Death has lost its [music and singing] Death has lost its [music and singing] Death has lost its grip on me. You have broken [music] grip on me. You have broken [music] grip on me. You have broken [music] every chain. There's salvation in your every chain. There's salvation in your every chain. There's salvation in your name, Jesus Christ. name, Jesus Christ. name, Jesus Christ. My living My living My living [music and singing] praise. [music and singing] praise. [music and singing] praise. Hallelujah. Praise the one who set me free. Praise the one who set me free. Hallelujah. [music] Death has lost its grip on [music] me.

Death has lost its grip on [music] me. You have broken [singing] You have broken [singing] You have broken [singing] every chain. There's salvation in your every chain. There's salvation in your every chain. There's salvation in your name. Jesus Christ, [music] name. Jesus Christ, [music] name. Jesus Christ, [music] my living my living my living hope. [music] [music] Then came the morning [singing] Then came the morning [singing] Then came the morning [singing] that sealed the promise. [music] that sealed the promise. [music] that sealed the promise. [music] Your buried [singing] body Your buried [singing] body Your buried [singing] body began [music] began [music] began [music] to breathe. to breathe. to breathe. Out of the silence, [singing] Out of the silence, [singing] Out of the silence, [singing] the [music] roaring lion the [music] roaring lion the [music] roaring lion declare [singing] the grave has no declare [singing] the grave has no declare [singing] the grave has no [music] claim on. Sing like we believe. [music] claim on. Sing like we believe. [music] claim on. Sing like we believe. Then came the morning. Then came the morning. Then came the morning. I seal [music] the proise. I seal [music] the proise. I seal [music] the proise. Your very body [singing] Your very body [singing] Your very body [singing] begin to break [music] begin to break [music] begin to break [music] out of the [singing] silence. out of the [singing] silence. out of the [singing] silence. The ring lion [music] The ring lion [music] The ring lion [music] declare the clay has no claim [music] on declare the clay has no claim [music] on declare the clay has no claim [music] on me.

me. me. Jesus yours is a victory. [music] Praise the Lord. Set me free. [music] Praise the Lord. Set me free. Hallelujah. Death has [music] lost its grip on me. Death has [music] lost its grip on me. You have broken every chain. There's You have broken every chain. There's You have broken every chain. There's salvation in your name. [music] Jesus salvation in your name. [music] Jesus salvation in your name. [music] Jesus Christ, my living. [music] [music] Hallelujah. Praise the Lord who set me free. Praise the Lord who set me free. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Death has lost its grip on me. You have >> Death has lost its grip on me. You have >> Death has lost its grip on me. You have broken every chain. There's [music] broken every chain. There's [music] broken every chain. There's [music] salvation in your name. Jesus Christ my salvation in your name. Jesus Christ my salvation in your name. Jesus Christ my livinging livinging livinging hope.

hope. hope. Jesus Christ [music] my livinging Jesus Christ [music] my livinging Jesus Christ [music] my livinging hope. hope. hope. Oh God [music] you are a livinging Oh God [music] you are a livinging Oh God [music] you are a livinging hope. >> Amen. Church, you can grab a seat as the >> Amen. Church, you can grab a seat as the offering comes forward. We continue our offering comes forward. We continue our offering comes forward. We continue our worship through our generosity and our worship through our generosity and our worship through our generosity and our giving back what God has blessed us giving back what God has blessed us giving back what God has blessed us with. If you're new or visiting, my name with. If you're new or visiting, my name with. If you're new or visiting, my name is Walt. I serve as one of the pastors is Walt. I serve as one of the pastors is Walt. I serve as one of the pastors here. Uh, and we are so excited to start here. Uh, and we are so excited to start here. Uh, and we are so excited to start this series together. So, we've got a this series together. So, we've got a this series together. So, we've got a couple of things to invite you into as couple of things to invite you into as couple of things to invite you into as we think about what's ahead for our we think about what's ahead for our we think about what's ahead for our church, but also how you can make the church, but also how you can make the church, but also how you can make the most of digging into the letters of John most of digging into the letters of John most of digging into the letters of John with us. And like Ross mentioned, we've with us. And like Ross mentioned, we've with us. And like Ross mentioned, we've got a guide available right out in the got a guide available right out in the got a guide available right out in the foyer for 10 bucks that I think is one foyer for 10 bucks that I think is one foyer for 10 bucks that I think is one of the greatest tools you've got to help of the greatest tools you've got to help of the greatest tools you've got to help your personal study go deeper and to your personal study go deeper and to your personal study go deeper and to take the things that we're talking about take the things that we're talking about take the things that we're talking about Sunday in Sunday out and not let them Sunday in Sunday out and not let them Sunday in Sunday out and not let them just wash over us, but to get them into just wash over us, but to get them into just wash over us, but to get them into your bones, into your life, man, to talk your bones, into your life, man, to talk your bones, into your life, man, to talk about them with a few friends or with about them with a few friends or with about them with a few friends or with your community. So before you head out your community. So before you head out your community. So before you head out today, man, I would really encourage you today, man, I would really encourage you today, man, I would really encourage you to check this out. pick one of these up.

to check this out. pick one of these up. to check this out. pick one of these up. [music] You can talk to our staff out on [music] You can talk to our staff out on [music] You can talk to our staff out on the foyer uh and then read it before the the foyer uh and then read it before the the foyer uh and then read it before the sermon comes up uh and come and be a sermon comes up uh and come and be a sermon comes up uh and come and be a part of this series with us. We're so part of this series with us. We're so part of this series with us. We're so excited for that to happen. Uh next excited for that to happen. Uh next excited for that to happen. Uh next thing that I want to call our attention thing that I want to call our attention thing that I want to call our attention to, if you were here last week, man, we to, if you were here last week, man, we to, if you were here last week, man, we got to hear some stories from goers that got to hear some stories from goers that got to hear some stories from goers that this church has sent and about what God this church has sent and about what God this church has sent and about what God is doing amongst the unreached in the is doing amongst the unreached in the is doing amongst the unreached in the world, how the gospel is going forward. world, how the gospel is going forward. world, how the gospel is going forward. And we just wanted to make the call And we just wanted to make the call And we just wanted to make the call again to say every single one of us has again to say every single one of us has again to say every single one of us has a role to play in helping people a role to play in helping people a role to play in helping people encounter the Jesus that we talked about encounter the Jesus that we talked about encounter the Jesus that we talked about this morning. And so at minimum that this morning. And so at minimum that this morning. And so at minimum that starts with prayer. But I think many of starts with prayer. But I think many of starts with prayer. But I think many of us are called to be part of giving that us are called to be part of giving that us are called to be part of giving that our generosity would help to fuel and our generosity would help to fuel and our generosity would help to fuel and fund missions to the ends of the earth. fund missions to the ends of the earth. fund missions to the ends of the earth. And so I want to invite you if you And so I want to invite you if you And so I want to invite you if you haven't looked at it already, go to haven't looked at it already, go to haven't looked at it already, go to austinstoneone.org/forthenations word austinstoneone.org/forthenations word austinstoneone.org/forthenations word slash for the nations and take a second slash for the nations and take a second slash for the nations and take a second to consider am I being called to help to consider am I being called to help to consider am I being called to help donate money to sustain the work of donate money to sustain the work of donate money to sustain the work of missions on the field. We're looking for missions on the field. We're looking for missions on the field. We're looking for 35 men and women just from downtown. So 35 men and women just from downtown. So 35 men and women just from downtown. So I want you to come and be a part of that I want you to come and be a part of that I want you to come and be a part of that with us. You can find more information with us. You can find more information with us. You can find more information at that website. [music] Next, we are a at that website. [music] Next, we are a at that website. [music] Next, we are a couple of weeks away from a big training couple of weeks away from a big training couple of weeks away from a big training for our disciplehip communities. And so for our disciplehip communities. And so for our disciplehip communities. And so if you are an adult or a college student if you are an adult or a college student if you are an adult or a college student leading one of those decoms, man, in leading one of those decoms, man, in leading one of those decoms, man, in just a few weeks, we're going to be just a few weeks, we're going to be just a few weeks, we're going to be getting together to help train and equip getting together to help train and equip getting together to help train and equip you as this semester starts. Man, what I you as this semester starts. Man, what I you as this semester starts. Man, what I love is thinking about how this time of love is thinking about how this time of love is thinking about how this time of year, so many people are stepping into

year, so many people are stepping into year, so many people are stepping into community, sometimes for the first time, community, sometimes for the first time, community, sometimes for the first time, in such a way that we get to actually in such a way that we get to actually in such a way that we get to actually help shape them. And that everyday help shape them. And that everyday help shape them. And that everyday disciplehip doesn't just happen on disciplehip doesn't just happen on disciplehip doesn't just happen on Sundays. Sundays. Sundays. It happens week in week out in homes. It happens week in week out in homes. It happens week in week out in homes. So, we want to equip you to have So, we want to equip you to have So, we want to equip you to have conversations like that. You got an conversations like that. You got an conversations like that. You got an email from me this past week. Uh so, email from me this past week. Uh so, email from me this past week. Uh so, just let us know that you're coming and just let us know that you're coming and just let us know that you're coming and we're excited to have you there. Last, we're excited to have you there. Last, we're excited to have you there. Last, but certainly not least, uh today we've but certainly not least, uh today we've but certainly not least, uh today we've got a baptism class that we're hosting got a baptism class that we're hosting got a baptism class that we're hosting right after after service lets out. So, right after after service lets out. So, right after after service lets out. So, if you're interested in taking more of a if you're interested in taking more of a if you're interested in taking more of a step or learning what it means to get step or learning what it means to get step or learning what it means to get baptized, man, no registration baptized, man, no registration baptized, man, no registration necessary. Just walk up. It'll take necessary. Just walk up. It'll take necessary. Just walk up. It'll take about 20 minutes. Just turn left as you about 20 minutes. Just turn left as you about 20 minutes. Just turn left as you exit the gym over here. But come be a exit the gym over here. But come be a exit the gym over here. But come be a part of that with us. Come celebrate part of that with us. Come celebrate part of that with us. Come celebrate what God has done in your life. Hey, if what God has done in your life. Hey, if what God has done in your life. Hey, if you would stand and we'll close with our you would stand and we'll close with our you would stand and we'll close with our benediction. >> All right, church. I'm going to send you >> All right, church. I'm going to send you out of here today with this from out of here today with this from out of here today with this from Colossians chapter 2 starting in verse Colossians chapter 2 starting in verse Colossians chapter 2 starting in verse 6. So then, just as you have received 6. So then, just as you have received 6. So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him in him, being rooted and built up in him in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith just as you and established in the faith just as you and established in the faith just as you were taught and overflowing with were taught and overflowing with were taught and overflowing with gratitude. May we do that this week, gratitude. May we do that this week, gratitude. May we do that this week, church. We love you so much and we'll church. We love you so much and we'll church. We love you so much and we'll see you next Sunday. Go in his peace.

are are wait. now.

now. This [music] is what you want. suddenly suddenly rest