Obedience Over Convenience | John 12

>> Hey, glad you're here. My name's Caleb. >> Hey, glad you're here. My name's Caleb. >> I'm Mish. >> I'm Mish. >> I'm Mish. >> I'm Sierra. [music] >> I'm Sierra. [music] >> I'm Sierra. [music] >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> I'm Alex. >> We're looking at John chapter 12 today. >> We're looking at John chapter 12 today. >> We're looking at John chapter 12 today. This is our uh kind of our last section This is our uh kind of our last section This is our uh kind of our last section of scripture talking about light, of scripture talking about light, of scripture talking about light, specifically about how God how Jesus is specifically about how God how Jesus is specifically about how God how Jesus is light. Now, if you thought Jesus was light. Now, if you thought Jesus was light. Now, if you thought Jesus was like just a squishy stuffed animal, he's like just a squishy stuffed animal, he's like just a squishy stuffed animal, he's going to drop the gauntlet on us today, going to drop the gauntlet on us today, going to drop the gauntlet on us today, right? He's not just all squishy and right? He's not just all squishy and right? He's not just all squishy and nice and uh you can do whatever you can nice and uh you can do whatever you can nice and uh you can do whatever you can walk all over him. No, no, no. Right? walk all over him. No, no, no. Right? walk all over him. No, no, no. Right? Verse 35, Jesus says, talking about Verse 35, Jesus says, talking about Verse 35, Jesus says, talking about himself, "The light will only be with himself, "The light will only be with himself, "The light will only be with you a little while longer. Walk while you a little while longer. Walk while you a little while longer. Walk while you have the light." you have the light." you have the light." >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Right? It's like a challenge, like with >> Right? It's like a challenge, like with >> Right? It's like a challenge, like with some urgency. some urgency. some urgency. It makes me think of, if I can tell you It makes me think of, if I can tell you It makes me think of, if I can tell you a story real quick. Right after college, a story real quick. Right after college, a story real quick. Right after college, I decided to do something difficult. I decided to do something difficult. I decided to do something difficult. So, me and a friend uh set out to hike So, me and a friend uh set out to hike So, me and a friend uh set out to hike like a 160-mile um hike through like a 160-mile um hike through like a 160-mile um hike through >> Why would you do that? >> Why would you do that? >> Why would you do that? Crazy. [laughter] Crazy. [laughter] Crazy. [laughter] >> With all our stuff on our back. I've had >> With all our stuff on our back. I've had >> With all our stuff on our back. I've had like no experience doing overnight like no experience doing overnight like no experience doing overnight backpacking. It was a tragedy, backpacking. It was a tragedy, backpacking. It was a tragedy, basically. Um we did finish the second basically. Um we did finish the second basically. Um we did finish the second year. We had to quit the first year, but year. We had to quit the first year, but year. We had to quit the first year, but I will tell you you should hike while I will tell you you should hike while I will tell you you should hike while there is light. Okay?

there is light. Okay? there is light. Okay? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We tried [laughter] to hike through the >> We tried [laughter] to hike through the >> We tried [laughter] to hike through the forest in the darkness because you want forest in the darkness because you want forest in the darkness because you want to make more mileage, you feel like to make more mileage, you feel like to make more mileage, you feel like you're behind, you're trying to get to a you're behind, you're trying to get to a you're behind, you're trying to get to a city so you can take a shower. You will city so you can take a shower. You will city so you can take a shower. You will get lost. I promise you get lost. I promise you get lost. I promise you >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> you will get lost. And uh super >> you will get lost. And uh super >> you will get lost. And uh super disorienting to be in the forest with no disorienting to be in the forest with no disorienting to be in the forest with no light, you know, in the middle of the light, you know, in the middle of the light, you know, in the middle of the night. night. night. So, I feel what Jesus is saying. He is So, I feel what Jesus is saying. He is So, I feel what Jesus is saying. He is right. right. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> We should walk >> We should walk >> We should walk We should walk while there is light. Um We should walk while there is light. Um We should walk while there is light. Um How does that strike you guys? I How does that strike you guys? I How does that strike you guys? I want to start high-level, like what does want to start high-level, like what does want to start high-level, like what does that make you think of? Are there things that make you think of? Are there things that make you think of? Are there things in your life, things in the world that in your life, things in the world that in your life, things in the world that that kind of springs your mind to? Walk that kind of springs your mind to? Walk that kind of springs your mind to? Walk while you have light so you don't walk while you have light so you don't walk while you have light so you don't walk in darkness. in darkness. in darkness. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. I think for me light never feels like I think for me light never feels like I think for me light never feels like it's like a lightning bolt and like one it's like a lightning bolt and like one it's like a lightning bolt and like one moment it's like, okay, boom, that's moment it's like, okay, boom, that's moment it's like, okay, boom, that's what you're supposed to do. I I like what you're supposed to do. I I like what you're supposed to do. I I like it's this ongoing it's this ongoing it's this ongoing um like little small tea candle lights um like little small tea candle lights um like little small tea candle lights that are like, "No, this is the right that are like, "No, this is the right that are like, "No, this is the right decision to make." Like I think it's decision to make." Like I think it's decision to make." Like I think it's continuously a choice of like obedience continuously a choice of like obedience continuously a choice of like obedience over convenience. over convenience. over convenience. And I think that feels like light And I think that feels like light And I think that feels like light because it's a because it's a because it's a it's a pattern. Like I think it's a it's a pattern. Like I think it's a it's a pattern. Like I think it's a choice to pursue that.

choice to pursue that. choice to pursue that. >> Totally. >> Totally. >> Totally. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Obedience over convenience. That should >> Obedience over convenience. That should >> Obedience over convenience. That should >> Yeah, bumper sticker. >> Yeah, bumper sticker. >> Yeah, bumper sticker. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Good. >> Good. >> Good. >> It is good. >> It is good. >> It is good. >> Yeah, it makes me think of this thing I >> Yeah, it makes me think of this thing I >> Yeah, it makes me think of this thing I heard once like just do the next right heard once like just do the next right heard once like just do the next right thing. thing. thing. >> Mhm, yeah. >> Mhm, yeah. >> Mhm, yeah. >> Right? I want the lightning bolt. I want >> Right? I want the lightning bolt. I want >> Right? I want the lightning bolt. I want the like [laughter] burning bush, right? the like [laughter] burning bush, right? the like [laughter] burning bush, right? Like God say, "Go do this." And I will Like God say, "Go do this." And I will Like God say, "Go do this." And I will go do it. But it's more like a sunrise, go do it. But it's more like a sunrise, go do it. But it's more like a sunrise, right? Where it's just like it's a right? Where it's just like it's a right? Where it's just like it's a little bit more light. little bit more light. little bit more light. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> bit more light. Just do the right next >> bit more light. Just do the right next >> bit more light. Just do the right next thing. It's a little bit more light. And thing. It's a little bit more light. And thing. It's a little bit more light. And then it become Oh, this is kind of then it become Oh, this is kind of then it become Oh, this is kind of obvious. I should have been doing this. obvious. I should have been doing this. obvious. I should have been doing this. But it was But it was But it was seven steps ago that I started taking seven steps ago that I started taking seven steps ago that I started taking steps toward it. steps toward it. steps toward it. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Frozen 2 song, just do the next right >> Frozen 2 song, just do the next right >> Frozen 2 song, just do the next right thing. Have you seen that? Frozen 2? thing. Have you seen that? Frozen 2? thing. Have you seen that? Frozen 2? >> know, but if you could sing it, that >> know, but if you could sing it, that >> know, but if you could sing it, that would be great. would be great. would be great. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> The next right thing. You guys know. I'm >> The next right thing. You guys know. I'm >> The next right thing. You guys know. I'm just all in I'm just here for the just all in I'm just here for the just all in I'm just here for the musical moments. musical moments. musical moments. Um yeah, I I just recently started this. Um yeah, I I just recently started this. Um yeah, I I just recently started this. It made me think about I feel like when It made me think about I feel like when It made me think about I feel like when it comes to doing things for God, it it comes to doing things for God, it it comes to doing things for God, it feels like it needs to be this big grand feels like it needs to be this big grand feels like it needs to be this big grand life-changing thing sometimes. But life-changing thing sometimes. But life-changing thing sometimes. But sometimes the thing that God is asking sometimes the thing that God is asking sometimes the thing that God is asking you to do is the small thing. Um and so you to do is the small thing. Um and so you to do is the small thing. Um and so I just very recently because I read it I just very recently because I read it I just very recently because I read it in a book um started just asking God in in a book um started just asking God in in a book um started just asking God in the morning just in a quick prayer cuz the morning just in a quick prayer cuz the morning just in a quick prayer cuz sometimes that's all I feel like I have sometimes that's all I feel like I have sometimes that's all I feel like I have time for with two young kids at home.

time for with two young kids at home. time for with two young kids at home. God, like what do you want me to do God, like what do you want me to do God, like what do you want me to do today? And sometimes it's today? And sometimes it's today? And sometimes it's sometimes I don't feel like I hear sometimes I don't feel like I hear sometimes I don't feel like I hear anything like super specific and anything like super specific and anything like super specific and sometimes it is something really small sometimes it is something really small sometimes it is something really small where the thought of a friend that I where the thought of a friend that I where the thought of a friend that I haven't talked to in a really long time haven't talked to in a really long time haven't talked to in a really long time comes to mind. comes to mind. comes to mind. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Or >> Or >> Or um um um a really random thought of a really random thought of a really random thought of so like last week I felt like I should so like last week I felt like I should so like last week I felt like I should stop at Kroger on your way home. Like stop at Kroger on your way home. Like stop at Kroger on your way home. Like that's not something that I would just that's not something that I would just that's not something that I would just be like stop at Kroger on your way you be like stop at Kroger on your way you be like stop at Kroger on your way you know and I feel like I've seen um some know and I feel like I've seen um some know and I feel like I've seen um some like cool just little moments and it's like cool just little moments and it's like cool just little moments and it's just a reminder to me of maybe it's like just a reminder to me of maybe it's like just a reminder to me of maybe it's like the obedience over convenience thing of the obedience over convenience thing of the obedience over convenience thing of sometimes even just the small things are sometimes even just the small things are sometimes even just the small things are the things that God is asking us the things that God is asking us the things that God is asking us >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I get like an image of like us like >> I get like an image of like us like >> I get like an image of like us like being on like a sidewalk that's like being on like a sidewalk that's like being on like a sidewalk that's like illuminated by the century lights. So illuminated by the century lights. So illuminated by the century lights. So like each step you take it's like both like each step you take it's like both like each step you take it's like both sides light up and then as you keep sides light up and then as you keep sides light up and then as you keep stepping the path like the path is stepping the path like the path is stepping the path like the path is illuminated.

illuminated. illuminated. But you have to take the step for it to But you have to take the step for it to But you have to take the step for it to even light up. even light up. even light up. >> Have you been to Kroger? When you do >> Have you been to Kroger? When you do >> Have you been to Kroger? When you do that you have to run down that aisle. that you have to run down that aisle. that you have to run down that aisle. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Oh like in the like frozen foods aisle. >> Oh like in the like frozen foods aisle. >> Oh like in the like frozen foods aisle. >> aisle. I've never done that. >> aisle. I've never done that. >> aisle. I've never done that. >> That sounds fun. >> That sounds fun. >> That sounds fun. >> Yes or any grocery store probably >> Yes or any grocery store probably >> Yes or any grocery store probably doesn't have a Kroger but um doesn't have a Kroger but um doesn't have a Kroger but um like find a like find a like find a aisle that is dark. I mean the light aisle that is dark. I mean the light aisle that is dark. I mean the light like the on the in the frozen food like the on the in the frozen food like the on the in the frozen food section. section. section. >> lights come on. >> lights come on. >> lights come on. >> just run. >> just run. >> just run. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Sounds delightful. >> Sounds delightful. >> Sounds delightful. >> Do it with your kids. >> Do it with your kids. >> Do it with your kids. >> No it's true though I mean like people >> No it's true though I mean like people >> No it's true though I mean like people say right I don't know I'm not I've say right I don't know I'm not I've say right I don't know I'm not I've never sailed a ship before but that it's never sailed a ship before but that it's never sailed a ship before but that it's it's easier to turn a ship that's like it's easier to turn a ship that's like it's easier to turn a ship that's like already moving right or it's easier to already moving right or it's easier to already moving right or it's easier to turn a car or anything it is is easier turn a car or anything it is is easier turn a car or anything it is is easier to make adjustments if you just start to make adjustments if you just start to make adjustments if you just start moving. moving. moving. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> You wait for the perfect opportunity the >> You wait for the perfect opportunity the >> You wait for the perfect opportunity the perfect heading perfect heading perfect heading you're just going to keep waiting. you're just going to keep waiting. you're just going to keep waiting. >> So earlier this week we talked about >> So earlier this week we talked about >> So earlier this week we talked about what what some of our fears were and what what some of our fears were and what what some of our fears were and actually I don't think I answered actually I don't think I answered actually I don't think I answered perfectly but I think I can answer perfectly but I think I can answer perfectly but I think I can answer better now. I think I have a fear of better now. I think I have a fear of better now. I think I have a fear of missing the moment Missing whatever missing the moment Missing whatever missing the moment Missing whatever moment it is and I think I'm learning moment it is and I think I'm learning moment it is and I think I'm learning God is trying to teach me that like that God is trying to teach me that like that God is trying to teach me that like that moment is not just like the single moment is not just like the single moment is not just like the single instant. Like we get the fortune that instant. Like we get the fortune that instant. Like we get the fortune that God works outside of time and outside of God works outside of time and outside of God works outside of time and outside of like the physics that we have to operate like the physics that we have to operate like the physics that we have to operate in. Um and so I like connecting it to in. Um and so I like connecting it to in. Um and so I like connecting it to the scripture, I think what Jesus is the scripture, I think what Jesus is the scripture, I think what Jesus is talking about is that today when you talking about is that today when you talking about is that today when you wake up wake up wake up and when you take that first step, what and when you take that first step, what and when you take that first step, what are you going to do today?

are you going to do today? are you going to do today? >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Um I hope it's not I'm going to leave >> Um I hope it's not I'm going to leave >> Um I hope it's not I'm going to leave you forever one day. I don't think you forever one day. I don't think you forever one day. I don't think that's what he was saying to the that's what he was saying to the that's what he was saying to the disciples is like unless you act right disciples is like unless you act right disciples is like unless you act right now, you're never going to have a now, you're never going to have a now, you're never going to have a relationship with God. I think he's relationship with God. I think he's relationship with God. I think he's saying the opposite of that. I think is saying the opposite of that. I think is saying the opposite of that. I think is I'm with you right now, walk with me I'm with you right now, walk with me I'm with you right now, walk with me right now. right now. right now. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Let's do something right now instead of >> Let's do something right now instead of >> Let's do something right now instead of waiting. Yeah. waiting. Yeah. waiting. Yeah. It's amazing too, I think of um all that It's amazing too, I think of um all that It's amazing too, I think of um all that Jesus can do with just like the little Jesus can do with just like the little Jesus can do with just like the little bit that we bring to him. bit that we bring to him. bit that we bring to him. I wasn't thinking about this before we I wasn't thinking about this before we I wasn't thinking about this before we guys started talking, but you know, the guys started talking, but you know, the guys started talking, but you know, the little kid there's a there's a story in little kid there's a there's a story in little kid there's a there's a story in the gospels. A little kid brings the gospels. A little kid brings the gospels. A little kid brings two pieces of fish and five pieces of two pieces of fish and five pieces of two pieces of fish and five pieces of bread or something to Jesus. bread or something to Jesus. bread or something to Jesus. I mean it's like a minuscule amount of I mean it's like a minuscule amount of I mean it's like a minuscule amount of food and Jesus feeds thousands with it. food and Jesus feeds thousands with it. food and Jesus feeds thousands with it. And so when we give him just the the And so when we give him just the the And so when we give him just the the smallest piece of obedience, right? The smallest piece of obedience, right? The smallest piece of obedience, right? The smallest yes or the smallest risk or I smallest yes or the smallest risk or I smallest yes or the smallest risk or I guess I'll stop at Kroger on the way guess I'll stop at Kroger on the way guess I'll stop at Kroger on the way home or whatever like he can just blow home or whatever like he can just blow home or whatever like he can just blow it out into things that we had no idea it out into things that we had no idea it out into things that we had no idea were coming down the pipe. were coming down the pipe. were coming down the pipe. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Mhm.

>> So thinking about your own life >> So thinking about your own life or thinking about people that you know, or thinking about people that you know, or thinking about people that you know, you think of any examples of that? Where you think of any examples of that? Where you think of any examples of that? Where where have you given Jesus a little bit where have you given Jesus a little bit where have you given Jesus a little bit of something? You've taken a step in the of something? You've taken a step in the of something? You've taken a step in the light and he's done something remarkable light and he's done something remarkable light and he's done something remarkable with it. >> You know, it's hard to sometimes it's >> You know, it's hard to sometimes it's hard to look back on because it's like hard to look back on because it's like hard to look back on because it's like what you said, it's what you said, it's what you said, it's seven steps or 10 steps before that you seven steps or 10 steps before that you seven steps or 10 steps before that you start taking those steps that you now start taking those steps that you now start taking those steps that you now get to where you are right now. So, it's get to where you are right now. So, it's get to where you are right now. So, it's not that immediate turn, but one that I not that immediate turn, but one that I not that immediate turn, but one that I feel like very confident I can look back feel like very confident I can look back feel like very confident I can look back on is my relationship with my wife and on is my relationship with my wife and on is my relationship with my wife and how it started in high school and where how it started in high school and where how it started in high school and where we were in college and just like the we were in college and just like the we were in college and just like the brokenness in it. And um brokenness in it. And um brokenness in it. And um mainly just the brokenness in me and God mainly just the brokenness in me and God mainly just the brokenness in me and God redeeming that and now like seeing we redeeming that and now like seeing we redeeming that and now like seeing we have two amazing kids right now. We have have two amazing kids right now. We have have two amazing kids right now. We have a strong marriage that like continues to a strong marriage that like continues to a strong marriage that like continues to get better and we get to like go on get better and we get to like go on get better and we get to like go on these awesome vacations together that we these awesome vacations together that we these awesome vacations together that we look forward to because we love being look forward to because we love being look forward to because we love being together as a family and um together as a family and um together as a family and um yeah, I think like just my relationship yeah, I think like just my relationship yeah, I think like just my relationship with my wife because like God redeemed with my wife because like God redeemed with my wife because like God redeemed it. Like he opened my eyes to take steps it. Like he opened my eyes to take steps it. Like he opened my eyes to take steps with him alongside him into light into with him alongside him into light into with him alongside him into light into lightness and into the light and lightness and into the light and lightness and into the light and continues to do so.

continues to do so. continues to do so. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Love it. >> Love it. >> Love it. What I think about like I always want to What I think about like I always want to What I think about like I always want to not be blind to the fact that like not be blind to the fact that like not be blind to the fact that like how did I get here? how did I get here? how did I get here? Like like who am like really like what Like like who am like really like what Like like who am like really like what am I doing here, right? Because there am I doing here, right? Because there am I doing here, right? Because there 10 years ago I was a science teacher in 10 years ago I was a science teacher in 10 years ago I was a science teacher in Central Kentucky like just trying to Central Kentucky like just trying to Central Kentucky like just trying to teach sophomores about cell division. teach sophomores about cell division. teach sophomores about cell division. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> I barely cared about cell division, >> I barely cared about cell division, >> I barely cared about cell division, right? Yeah, you know, Yeah, you know, >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> don't even get me into that. >> don't even get me into that. >> don't even get me into that. But just like one small yes and another But just like one small yes and another But just like one small yes and another small yes like one small yes was I yes small yes like one small yes was I yes small yes like one small yes was I yes my then fiance signed me up to chaperone my then fiance signed me up to chaperone my then fiance signed me up to chaperone a student ministry trip with middle a student ministry trip with middle a student ministry trip with middle schoolers and I was like, "Babe, I teach schoolers and I was like, "Babe, I teach schoolers and I was like, "Babe, I teach for a living. My weekend does not want for a living. My weekend does not want for a living. My weekend does not want to be with students." to be with students." to be with students." >> [laughter] >> And and I went. I said yes to that and >> And and I went. I said yes to that and dang it I liked those kids and then I dang it I liked those kids and then I dang it I liked those kids and then I was back on Sunday and then I started was back on Sunday and then I started was back on Sunday and then I started leading this and then I was leading a leading this and then I was leading a leading this and then I was leading a group and then and now I'm in Cincinnati group and then and now I'm in Cincinnati group and then and now I'm in Cincinnati talking to you lovely people. I don't talking to you lovely people. I don't talking to you lovely people. I don't know how I got here except that kept know how I got here except that kept know how I got here except that kept saying yes and walking down the path I'm saying yes and walking down the path I'm saying yes and walking down the path I'm thankful for her Jesus gave me. I mean thankful for her Jesus gave me. I mean thankful for her Jesus gave me. I mean Wives are pretty awesome these Wives are pretty awesome these Wives are pretty awesome these >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> So whatever God is calling you to do >> So whatever God is calling you to do >> So whatever God is calling you to do today, if it seems small, don't write it today, if it seems small, don't write it today, if it seems small, don't write it off. A lot of times it's the small steps off. A lot of times it's the small steps off. A lot of times it's the small steps that bring a little bit of light that that bring a little bit of light that that bring a little bit of light that builds on each other. God may be builds on each other. God may be builds on each other. God may be creating something brand new in you.

creating something brand new in you. creating something brand new in you. Don't miss it. We'll see you next time.