I don't know how
dark the night was.
00:00:03.52\00:00:06.41
As he made his way
out of the Old City gate
00:00:06.44\00:00:09.09
down the hill and
into the Kidron valley.
00:00:09.12\00:00:12.43
You see, Nicodemus had
a problem on his hands.
00:00:12.46\00:00:16.20
There was this new
teacher and his teachings,
00:00:16.23\00:00:18.82
his doctrines
weren't at all matching up
00:00:18.85\00:00:21.38
with what he was teaching.
00:00:21.41\00:00:23.57
Nicodemus was
not the only person
00:00:23.60\00:00:25.43
aware of that
teacher from Nazareth.
00:00:25.46\00:00:27.75
The whole Sanhedrin was
troubled by this new Rabbi.
00:00:27.78\00:00:31.61
I guess if he had to put a
label on this Jesus fellow.
00:00:31.64\00:00:35.16
He'd have to just
call him up a liberal.
00:00:35.19\00:00:38.49
Jesus was certainly
disturbing the status quo.
00:00:38.52\00:00:41.60
He was the type who
would forgive a prostitute.
00:00:41.63\00:00:44.80
Jesus, who was known to
sit down and eat with sinners,
00:00:44.83\00:00:48.08
this Jesus even
embraced publicans,
00:00:48.11\00:00:50.24
tax collectors and had
made one of them His disciple.
00:00:50.27\00:00:54.73
Now, the
Sanhedrin did not like it.
00:00:54.76\00:00:57.85
And Nicodemus might
have just written Jesus off
00:00:57.88\00:01:00.48
as another
radical trouble maker.
00:01:00.51\00:01:02.92
Except for one
thing or make that two.
00:01:02.95\00:01:06.76
First of, Daniel's time
prophecy was absolutely clear.
00:01:07.99\00:01:12.38
This was the very time
Messiah should show up.
00:01:12.41\00:01:15.82
And there really
weren't any good alternatives
00:01:15.85\00:01:17.97
other than Jesus that
fit the time prophecy.
00:01:18.00\00:01:21.59
The second thing that troubled
Nicodemus was the miracles.
00:01:21.62\00:01:25.64
If he was going to
be honest with himself,
00:01:25.67\00:01:28.25
he just couldn't
get around the miracles.
00:01:28.28\00:01:31.55
Jesus actually
made blind people see
00:01:31.58\00:01:34.85
and the lame people walk.
00:01:34.88\00:01:37.03
Others had seen him touch
a leper restoring his skin
00:01:37.06\00:01:41.00
to perfect health and
reports were still coming in,
00:01:41.03\00:01:44.59
that He had actually
raised the dead to life.
00:01:44.62\00:01:48.78
A fake and a fraud
couldn't do real miracles.
00:01:48.81\00:01:52.27
And surely, the God of creation,
00:01:52.30\00:01:54.65
the God of the Jews wouldn't
answer the prayer of a sinner.
00:01:54.68\00:01:58.81
He greatly desired
an interview with Jesus
00:01:58.84\00:02:02.36
but shrank from
seeking Him openly.
00:02:02.39\00:02:04.97
It would be too humiliating
for a ruler of the Jews
00:02:05.00\00:02:07.63
to acknowledge
himself in sympathy
00:02:07.66\00:02:09.53
with his new teacher.
00:02:09.56\00:02:11.19
So to avoid the
scorn and denunciation
00:02:11.22\00:02:13.74
from his fellow
members on the Sanhedrin,
00:02:13.77\00:02:15.99
he resolved upon
a secret interview.
00:02:16.02\00:02:19.00
He made some special
inquires and discovered
00:02:19.03\00:02:21.77
that Jesus often retired at
night to the Mount of Olives.
00:02:21.80\00:02:25.89
He waited until the
city was hushed in slumber
00:02:25.92\00:02:28.79
before setting out
on his secret errand.
00:02:28.82\00:02:33.22
Nicodemus was about to
learn something that would shake
00:02:33.25\00:02:36.24
the entire world
with a clap of truth
00:02:36.27\00:02:39.37
that would make the
largest thunderstorm
00:02:39.40\00:02:41.61
seem like a whisper.
00:02:41.64\00:02:43.98
Nicodemus was about to
learn that love is a "P" word.
00:02:44.01\00:02:48.23
Love is a "P" word.
00:03:40.86\00:03:42.42
Clever attention you get I
know but, it really is true.
00:03:42.45\00:03:46.30
Let me see if I
can set the stage here.
00:03:46.33\00:03:48.96
If I told you, I
just bought a new car
00:03:48.99\00:03:50.97
and I took you
out beside my house
00:03:51.00\00:03:53.18
and there in the carport were
four tyres and a windshield,
00:03:53.21\00:03:57.45
would you agree with me
00:03:57.48\00:03:58.85
that I had just
bought a new car?
00:03:58.88\00:04:00.76
I definitely wouldn't.
00:04:00.79\00:04:03.68
I hope so.
00:04:03.71\00:04:05.56
You see a car by
definition is something
00:04:05.59\00:04:07.73
that takes you
from point A to point B.
00:04:07.76\00:04:10.47
A car is transportation.
00:04:10.50\00:04:12.95
If it isn't mobile,
00:04:12.98\00:04:14.35
if it doesn't take
you where you want to go,
00:04:14.38\00:04:16.85
we don't call it a
car. We call it junk.
00:04:16.88\00:04:20.01
Let's keep our
definition straight.
00:04:20.04\00:04:22.82
Love is constantly
being talked about,
00:04:22.85\00:04:25.38
sung about, written about.
00:04:25.41\00:04:27.05
And though most
everyone has experienced
00:04:27.08\00:04:29.07
true love at
one time or another,
00:04:29.10\00:04:31.25
very few people
have come to embrace
00:04:31.28\00:04:33.57
the truth about
what love really is.
00:04:33.60\00:04:36.30
That love is a "P" word.
00:04:36.33\00:04:39.11
Let's join Levi
who's standing by
00:04:39.14\00:04:41.52
on the Mount of Olives
just outside Jerusalem.
00:04:41.55\00:04:45.03
Levi! Thanks Charles.
00:04:45.06\00:04:48.28
I'm here on the
side of the very mount
00:04:48.31\00:04:50.07
where Jesus
shared with Nicodemus
00:04:50.10\00:04:51.88
perhaps one of the most famous
scriptures in the entire Bible.
00:04:51.91\00:04:55.65
It's found in the book of John
00:04:55.68\00:04:57.11
in the verse 16
of the 3rd chapter.
00:04:57.14\00:05:00.01
In fact, if any
one has ever heard
00:05:00.04\00:05:01.85
or memorized any
verse in the Bible,
00:05:01.88\00:05:04.09
it was probably John 3:16.
00:05:04.12\00:05:06.89
"For God so loved the world that
He gave His only begotten Son,
00:05:06.92\00:05:11.27
that whoever believes
in Him should not perish
00:05:11.30\00:05:14.17
but have everlasting life."
00:05:14.20\00:05:16.49
And most of us are probably
so sure that we already know
00:05:16.52\00:05:19.38
what this verse
teaches and means
00:05:19.41\00:05:21.29
that we just came over it.
00:05:21.32\00:05:23.38
But perhaps like Nicodemus,
00:05:23.41\00:05:25.35
we need to
humble our proud hearts
00:05:25.38\00:05:26.81
and listen very
carefully to the words
00:05:26.84\00:05:28.80
of the simple
teacher from Nazareth.
00:05:28.83\00:05:30.85
And because this verse
opens to our minds the core,
00:05:30.88\00:05:33.82
the nucleus of Jesus' teachings
and ministry, His entire life.
00:05:33.85\00:05:38.46
And the best way to
understand scripture
00:05:38.49\00:05:40.16
is to let it interpret itself.
00:05:40.19\00:05:43.53
So the first thing you
need to look for is the key word
00:05:43.56\00:05:46.56
or words in a
passage of scripture.
00:05:46.59\00:05:48.65
In John 3:16,
what is the key word?
00:05:48.68\00:05:52.54
Everything in
this verse revolves
00:05:52.57\00:05:54.88
around the four
letter word l-o-v-e.
00:05:54.91\00:05:59.49
For God so loved the world
00:05:59.52\00:06:01.14
that's why He gave
His only begotten Son.
00:06:01.17\00:06:04.49
Now, here's an
important question
00:06:04.52\00:06:05.89
that you need ask yourself
00:06:05.92\00:06:07.29
whenever you're
studying the Bible.
00:06:07.32\00:06:08.99
If this was the only text
00:06:09.02\00:06:10.39
I had in the whole
Bible regarding love,
00:06:10.42\00:06:12.72
what would I know about love?
00:06:12.75\00:06:15.16
Now, just look at
that verse for a moment.
00:06:15.19\00:06:17.74
Don't add another
layer of understanding,
00:06:17.77\00:06:19.36
let the truth
come out of the verse.
00:06:19.39\00:06:22.08
For God so loved
the world, that he what?
00:06:22.11\00:06:27.40
He gave. Loving is giving.
00:06:27.43\00:06:31.71
God so loved that He gave.
00:06:31.74\00:06:34.25
But not just giving
anything or something.
00:06:34.28\00:06:37.08
Now that could be a counterfeit.
00:06:37.11\00:06:39.68
If I give a drug addict a $1000,
00:06:39.71\00:06:41.77
that wouldn't be love.
00:06:41.80\00:06:43.44
Let's unpack the
rest of that verse.
00:06:43.47\00:06:46.67
God loved this
world, you and me so much
00:06:46.70\00:06:50.87
that He gave us
something in particular.
00:06:50.90\00:06:53.70
What was it? His
Son. His own Son.
00:06:53.73\00:06:58.18
But, why did He give us His Son?
00:06:58.21\00:07:00.19
Now, the verse
goes on to explain
00:07:00.22\00:07:01.79
that whosoever
believes in Him will not perish
00:07:01.82\00:07:05.83
but have everlasting
life. Everlasting life.
00:07:05.86\00:07:11.22
Is there anything more
important than eternal life?
00:07:11.25\00:07:15.05
Would you give up
eternal life for new car
00:07:15.08\00:07:18.13
or new job or a flat screen TV
00:07:18.16\00:07:21.76
or weekend of party
life or a new relationship?
00:07:21.79\00:07:26.15
Is there anything that you
need more than eternal life?
00:07:26.18\00:07:31.16
So God didn't give us a
car, a plane or a computer,
00:07:31.19\00:07:35.36
objects, items they can
wear out and become old,
00:07:35.39\00:07:38.39
they can be broken and lost.
00:07:38.42\00:07:41.49
God gave us something
that can never be taken away.
00:07:41.52\00:07:45.25
Eternal life in a perfect world.
00:07:45.28\00:07:49.26
In the gift of Jesus,
00:07:49.29\00:07:50.72
God didn't simply
give us something,
00:07:50.75\00:07:53.39
He gave us what we needed most.
00:07:53.42\00:07:58.16
In Matthew 22:36,
an expert in the law
00:07:58.19\00:08:01.11
asked Jesus this question.
00:08:01.14\00:08:03.52
"Master, which is the
great commandment in the law?"
00:08:03.55\00:08:06.96
Many times in the
Bible Jesus is known
00:08:06.99\00:08:08.79
to answer a
question with a question.
00:08:08.82\00:08:11.56
But in this case, He
reaches back into the Holy Bible
00:08:11.59\00:08:14.49
and pulls out of
the book of Deuteronomy,
00:08:14.52\00:08:16.64
the one passage of scripture
00:08:16.67\00:08:18.29
that He deems to be the
great commandment in the law.
00:08:18.32\00:08:21.95
The one
foundational truth on which
00:08:21.98\00:08:24.19
we can build our entire lives.
00:08:24.22\00:08:26.87
"And thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thine heart,
00:08:26.90\00:08:31.68
and with all thy soul,
and with all thy might."
00:08:31.71\00:08:35.63
Here, Jesus informed the
lawyer and here He informs us
00:08:35.66\00:08:39.64
that the most
important commandment,
00:08:39.67\00:08:41.57
the most important law in
the scriptures is love God.
00:08:41.60\00:08:46.95
This is the first
and great commandment.
00:08:46.98\00:08:49.86
And the second is like unto it.
00:08:49.89\00:08:52.12
"Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself."
00:08:52.15\00:08:55.85
This second commandment is
taken from Leviticus 19:18.
00:08:55.88\00:08:59.71
Every person then who
claims to be a Christian,
00:08:59.74\00:09:02.93
a follower of Christ
00:09:02.96\00:09:04.62
must take these two Old
Testament laws seriously,
00:09:04.65\00:09:08.28
making them the
foundation of their life.
00:09:08.31\00:09:11.89
Because Jesus said,
00:09:11.92\00:09:13.29
"On these two commandments hang
all the law and the prophets."
00:09:13.32\00:09:17.58
Now, don't miss
what Jesus says here.
00:09:17.61\00:09:20.21
The entire
history of the human race
00:09:20.24\00:09:22.80
from Adam to the time of Christ
is like a giant tapestry mural.
00:09:22.83\00:09:27.64
There is one giant
nail in the wall of eternity
00:09:27.67\00:09:30.40
that holds up
this great portrait.
00:09:30.43\00:09:33.65
That single nail,
that great element is love.
00:09:33.68\00:09:38.08
Every commandment of God,
00:09:38.11\00:09:39.76
every righteous law of
government is based on love.
00:09:39.79\00:09:44.79
Everything the
prophets foretold,
00:09:44.82\00:09:46.87
every story, every doctrine,
every truth is built upon,
00:09:46.90\00:09:51.49
is supported by, is
held together by love.
00:09:51.52\00:09:56.18
Let me highlight this
point here for just a moment.
00:09:56.21\00:09:58.83
In Genesis 1:26, God said,
00:09:58.86\00:10:02.17
"Let us make man in our image".
00:10:02.20\00:10:06.19
We were created in God's image.
00:10:06.22\00:10:09.55
The intention of the
Almighty was to create beings
00:10:09.58\00:10:12.54
that were similar to Himself.
00:10:12.57\00:10:15.19
And I would like to
show you the chief attribute,
00:10:15.22\00:10:17.76
the premiere
quality that makes God, God.
00:10:17.79\00:10:22.79
In both 1 John 4:8 and
verse 16 are these three words,
00:10:22.82\00:10:27.87
"God is love." Love is
not just something God does.
00:10:27.90\00:10:34.14
It's not merely an activity
00:10:34.17\00:10:35.81
He participates
in from time to time.
00:10:35.84\00:10:38.43
Love is what God is.
00:10:38.46\00:10:41.21
Love is at the heart
00:10:41.24\00:10:42.61
and center of everything
God touches or is involved in.
00:10:42.64\00:10:46.66
And where did
John get this idea?
00:10:46.69\00:10:49.35
From Jesus himself.
00:10:49.38\00:10:51.46
"That which was
from the beginning,
00:10:51.49\00:10:53.88
which we have heard,
00:10:53.91\00:10:55.45
which we have
seen with our eyes,
00:10:55.48\00:10:57.97
which we have looked upon,
00:10:58.00\00:10:59.58
and our hands have
handled, of the word of life."
00:10:59.61\00:11:04.03
John was there as Jesus
preached the multitudes.
00:11:04.06\00:11:07.84
He listened as Jesus
shared with the eager crowds
00:11:07.87\00:11:11.02
the truth about a Father
we could--we could talk to.
00:11:11.05\00:11:15.61
One who loves us.
00:11:15.64\00:11:17.86
Perhaps that is
why when Nicodemus
00:11:17.89\00:11:19.38
shared with the Apostle John,
00:11:19.41\00:11:20.78
the story of his
nighttime visit with Jesus.
00:11:20.81\00:11:23.27
It made a vast
impression on his heart.
00:11:23.30\00:11:25.78
For God so loved the world.
00:11:25.81\00:11:27.61
You and me, that He gave us
what we needed most. Savior.
00:11:27.64\00:11:32.75
When you see this word love
through the lens of scriptures,
00:11:32.78\00:11:35.30
through the life of Jesus,
00:11:35.33\00:11:37.05
love ceases to be some
sappy sentimental emotion.
00:11:37.08\00:11:40.58
The love that Christ
revealed is not a fitful feeling
00:11:40.61\00:11:43.33
but a principle of life.
00:11:43.36\00:11:44.95
It is His
intention that this love
00:11:44.98\00:11:46.64
become a living principle
00:11:46.67\00:11:48.06
and an abiding
power in our heart.
00:11:48.09\00:11:50.39
That the character
and deportment of Jesus
00:11:50.42\00:11:52.16
is an example of the truth
00:11:52.19\00:11:53.56
He advocates and His
followers will be strikingly
00:11:53.59\00:11:56.32
different than the world.
00:11:56.35\00:11:57.83
That's why Paul told
the Christians in Ephesus,
00:11:57.86\00:12:00.41
"Walk in love, as
Christ also has loved us,
00:12:00.44\00:12:04.96
and has given
himself for us an offering
00:12:04.99\00:12:06.95
and a sacrifice to God
for a sweet smelling savor."
00:12:06.98\00:12:11.52
One of the abiding principle
of love is our motivator.
00:12:11.55\00:12:14.72
When love is the
radar and key of our lives,
00:12:14.75\00:12:16.98
we live like Christ lived.
00:12:17.01\00:12:19.08
And it kind of gets personal
if you check out verse 25.
00:12:19.11\00:12:22.09
"Husbands, love
your wives he told them,
00:12:22.12\00:12:25.39
even as Christ
also loved the church
00:12:25.42\00:12:27.31
and gave himself for it."
00:12:27.34\00:12:29.26
And how did
Christ love the church?
00:12:29.29\00:12:31.73
It was the church
leaders who harassed Jesus.
00:12:31.76\00:12:34.49
It was the ruling council
00:12:34.52\00:12:35.89
that arranged for
Jesus to be arrested,
00:12:35.92\00:12:37.60
tried and turned over to
the Romans for crucifixion.
00:12:37.63\00:12:40.51
It was the church.
00:12:40.54\00:12:42.17
It was His church
that killed Jesus.
00:12:42.20\00:12:45.31
Two things are
worthy of notice here.
00:12:45.34\00:12:47.38
First, Jesus knew everything
00:12:47.41\00:12:48.91
that was gonna happen
before it even happened.
00:12:48.94\00:12:51.26
At least ten different
times in the four gospels,
00:12:51.29\00:12:53.34
Jesus revealed that He knew
00:12:53.37\00:12:55.20
how He would be mistreated,
abused and finally killed.
00:12:55.23\00:12:58.62
He knew in advance,
who would betray Him.
00:12:58.65\00:13:01.03
But, He didn't
avoid this mistreatment
00:13:01.06\00:13:02.71
by running to Tarshish.
00:13:02.74\00:13:04.87
The second thing
we notice is that,
00:13:04.90\00:13:06.69
even in the face of
abuse and mistreatment,
00:13:06.72\00:13:09.24
even though
betrayed, scourged, mocked
00:13:09.27\00:13:11.17
and finally nailed to the cross,
00:13:11.20\00:13:13.65
Jesus never became
angry, loud, rude or bitter.
00:13:13.68\00:13:17.24
He didn't hurl
recriminations at His abusers
00:13:17.27\00:13:19.96
nor did He threaten
them with vengeance.
00:13:19.99\00:13:22.81
And this profound love
is not only revealed in
00:13:22.84\00:13:25.84
what Jesus didn't do.
00:13:25.87\00:13:27.78
While hanging in
agony on the cross,
00:13:27.81\00:13:30.20
He prayed for us. Yes, us.
00:13:30.23\00:13:34.38
It was our sins that
took Him to the cross.
00:13:34.41\00:13:36.97
And yet He prayed for us.
00:13:37.00\00:13:39.93
And that's why Paul wrote,
00:13:39.96\00:13:41.80
"Husbands, love your wives,
00:13:41.83\00:13:44.29
even as Christ
also loved the church,
00:13:44.32\00:13:46.68
and gave himself for it."
00:13:46.71\00:13:48.97
When husbands are
willing to love like this,
00:13:49.00\00:13:51.28
the world will be
compelled to take note
00:13:51.31\00:13:53.05
that there is a living God,
00:13:53.08\00:13:54.56
who abides in the
hearts of all men.
00:13:54.59\00:13:57.79
You see, love is not a feeling.
00:13:57.82\00:14:00.60
It's a principle.
00:14:00.63\00:14:02.54
Mothers don't just get up
in the middle of the night
00:14:02.57\00:14:04.66
to take care of a colicky
baby because they feel like it.
00:14:04.69\00:14:08.04
They get up because of love.
00:14:08.07\00:14:10.73
Love is the principle of
giving what is needed most.
00:14:10.76\00:14:15.30
To have a car,
you don't need much.
00:14:15.33\00:14:18.22
An engine, some wheels
and tyres, a drivetrain
00:14:18.25\00:14:21.30
and some kind of frame
to hold it all together.
00:14:21.33\00:14:24.12
Henry Ford's, first
car was pretty basic.
00:14:24.15\00:14:27.42
But it was an automobile.
00:14:27.45\00:14:29.73
This car teaches us
00:14:29.76\00:14:31.13
that there are
certain minimum requirements,
00:14:31.16\00:14:33.88
certain items that you must
have or you don't have a car.
00:14:33.91\00:14:36.90
In the same way,
00:14:36.93\00:14:39.34
love can have feelings just
like a car can have a radio.
00:14:39.37\00:14:43.37
But a radio is not a car.
00:14:43.40\00:14:45.79
You're gonna have a
car with a windshield,
00:14:45.82\00:14:48.46
but a windshield
is not a car either.
00:14:48.49\00:14:50.99
You can have a car
with lovely leather seats
00:14:51.02\00:14:53.92
but leather seats are not a car.
00:14:53.95\00:14:57.15
Love can have feelings,
but love is not a feeling.
00:14:57.18\00:15:02.08
At its heart,
love is a principle.
00:15:02.11\00:15:06.60
It does the right thing just
because that's what love does.
00:15:06.63\00:15:10.98
Love is its own motivation.
00:15:11.01\00:15:13.66
And the only reason we love
is because, He first loved us.
00:15:13.69\00:15:19.82
Do you think Jesus came to earth
00:15:19.85\00:15:21.83
and humbled Himself
to become a human being
00:15:21.86\00:15:24.82
because it felt good?
00:15:24.85\00:15:27.32
Do you think the Father
felt happy to let His Son
00:15:27.35\00:15:30.62
leave the safety and
sanctity of heaven to come down
00:15:30.65\00:15:33.85
to planet earth to be
abused and mistreated?
00:15:33.88\00:15:38.36
It was not easy.
00:15:38.39\00:15:40.07
But, God so loved
each and every one of us,
00:15:40.10\00:15:43.57
that He chose to
put His feelings aside
00:15:43.60\00:15:46.25
and act on the
great principle of love
00:15:46.28\00:15:48.87
and give us what we needed most.
00:15:48.90\00:15:52.21
You see, love is a "P" word.
00:15:52.24\00:15:56.02
Love is the principle of
giving what is needed most.
00:15:56.05\00:16:02.01
But, how do we know,
00:16:02.04\00:16:03.41
what is needed
most? Who gets to decide?
00:16:03.44\00:16:06.95
The husband or
the wife? The child?
00:16:06.98\00:16:11.71
Or would God be best
suited to make that decision?
00:16:11.74\00:16:16.00
Well, that's a great question.
00:16:17.04\00:16:18.68
In life there are standards.
00:16:18.71\00:16:21.05
Parameters that we
operate within for our safety.
00:16:21.08\00:16:25.01
When your tyre is
a little low on air,
00:16:25.04\00:16:27.04
it says right
here with a safe PSIs.
00:16:27.07\00:16:29.96
And then this handy
little gadget that tells you
00:16:29.99\00:16:33.03
if you've got enough
air pressure in your tyres.
00:16:33.06\00:16:35.36
Along the
winding mountain roads,
00:16:35.39\00:16:37.29
signs are posted
with speed limits
00:16:37.32\00:16:38.73
that direct us
within the margin of safety.
00:16:38.76\00:16:41.02
But what are the
guidelines for love?
00:16:41.05\00:16:43.22
The answer to that is simple
00:16:43.25\00:16:44.62
when you let the
Bible interpret itself.
00:16:44.65\00:16:46.61
What is needed most is
defined by God's moral love.
00:16:46.64\00:16:50.15
Jesus made that very clear
00:16:50.18\00:16:51.55
when He said "If you love
me, keep my commandments."
00:16:51.58\00:16:55.32
Commandments like the one Jesus
quoted from in Deuteronomy 6:5,
00:16:55.35\00:16:59.03
"To love God
with all our hearts."
00:16:59.06\00:17:01.55
Verse 24 in that
same chapter tells us
00:17:01.58\00:17:03.49
why Jesus directs us
to keep the commandments.
00:17:03.52\00:17:06.24
Those commandments of God
are actually there for our good.
00:17:06.27\00:17:09.85
"The Lord commanded us
to do all these statues,
00:17:09.88\00:17:12.30
to fear the Lord our
God, for our good always,
00:17:12.33\00:17:15.97
that he might preserve us
alive, as it is at this day."
00:17:16.00\00:17:20.54
Paul highlights this
same truth told by Jesus
00:17:20.57\00:17:22.61
in the epistle to the Romans.
00:17:22.64\00:17:24.42
"Love works no ill or
does no harm to his neighbor,
00:17:24.45\00:17:28.15
therefore love is the
fulfilling of the law."
00:17:28.18\00:17:31.60
It is often
reported that Paul said
00:17:31.63\00:17:33.34
the law was done away with.
00:17:33.37\00:17:34.74
Well, that clearly can't be
true unless he also believed
00:17:34.77\00:17:37.04
that you can get rid of love.
00:17:37.07\00:17:38.62
And anyone who
reads 1 Corinthians 13,
00:17:38.65\00:17:40.64
knows that Paul was
a big believer in love.
00:17:40.67\00:17:42.92
If Paul believed that
the law was done away with
00:17:42.95\00:17:45.81
then why did he
say the law is holy
00:17:45.84\00:17:47.59
and the commandment
holy and just, and good?
00:17:47.62\00:17:50.53
Why would you get rid of or make
void something that is good?
00:17:50.56\00:17:53.88
The question is so obvious,
00:17:53.91\00:17:55.28
that Paul himself
asked the question.
00:17:55.31\00:17:56.79
"Do we then make void
the law through faith?
00:17:56.82\00:18:00.03
God forbid: yea,
we establish the law."
00:18:00.06\00:18:02.87
It seems a little
contradictory to establish
00:18:02.90\00:18:04.69
something you're getting rid of.
00:18:04.72\00:18:06.09
A careful reading of
Paul makes it absolutely clear
00:18:06.12\00:18:08.76
that he never
thought that God's moral law
00:18:08.79\00:18:10.79
was in anyway
diminished after the cross.
00:18:10.82\00:18:13.62
The only law that
was done away with
00:18:13.65\00:18:15.34
or nailed to the cross
was that law which was a type
00:18:15.37\00:18:19.04
or a law that pointed
forward to Jesus as the Messiah.
00:18:19.07\00:18:23.08
The anointed
one, the Lamb of God
00:18:23.11\00:18:25.26
who would take away
the sins of the world.
00:18:25.29\00:18:28.54
That's true, Steven.
00:18:28.57\00:18:30.12
And Paul talks
about the ceremonial law
00:18:30.15\00:18:31.99
in Colossians Chapter 2.
00:18:32.02\00:18:33.81
And Colossians 2:14 says,
00:18:33.84\00:18:36.15
"Blotting out the
handwriting of ordinances
00:18:36.18\00:18:38.38
that was against us,
which was contrary to us,
00:18:38.41\00:18:41.57
took it out of the way,
nailing it to the cross."
00:18:41.60\00:18:45.24
And now remember,
00:18:45.27\00:18:46.64
the Bible has to
interpret itself.
00:18:46.67\00:18:48.62
When we look at the
context of verse 16 and 17,
00:18:48.65\00:18:52.27
Paul is clearly talking
about the ceremonial law.
00:18:52.30\00:18:55.27
Meat offerings,
drink offerings, holy days,
00:18:55.30\00:18:57.76
festivals and
ceremonial Sabbaths.
00:18:57.79\00:19:00.63
"Let no man therefore judge you
00:19:00.66\00:19:02.61
in meat offerings,
or in drink offerings,
00:19:02.64\00:19:07.15
or in respect of
an holyday or days,
00:19:07.18\00:19:09.85
or of the new moon festivals,
00:19:09.88\00:19:12.24
or of the ceremonial Sabbaths"
like the feat of trumpets
00:19:12.27\00:19:15.97
and in the Passover etcetera.
00:19:16.00\00:19:17.37
And then in verse 17,
00:19:17.40\00:19:19.11
Paul makes it clear
which law was done away with
00:19:19.14\00:19:21.53
or nailed to the cross.
00:19:21.56\00:19:23.24
"The laws which are
shadow of things to come."
00:19:23.27\00:19:27.08
These were fulfilled
in Christ at the cross.
00:19:27.11\00:19:29.05
But Jesus didn't come to
get rid of the moral law,
00:19:29.08\00:19:32.32
for He said, "Till
haven and earth pass,
00:19:32.35\00:19:35.79
one jot or one
tittle shall in no wise pass
00:19:35.82\00:19:39.76
from the law till
all be fulfilled."
00:19:39.79\00:19:42.51
Now this word jot comes
from the Greek word iota,
00:19:42.54\00:19:45.91
which was the 10th and smallest
letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
00:19:45.94\00:19:49.57
The word tittle comes
from the Greek word keraia,
00:19:49.60\00:19:52.84
which is the least
stroke you can make
00:19:52.87\00:19:55.10
in writing like an accent mark.
00:19:55.13\00:19:57.97
Again from Matthew 5:18,
"For verily I say unto you,
00:19:58.00\00:20:01.94
till heaven and earth pass,
00:20:01.97\00:20:03.82
one jot or one tittle shall
in no wise pass from the law,
00:20:03.85\00:20:08.16
till all be fulfilled."
00:20:08.19\00:20:10.28
While heaven and
earth are still here
00:20:12.11\00:20:14.34
and every iota of the moral law,
00:20:14.37\00:20:16.29
every tittle of
the Ten Commandments
00:20:16.32\00:20:17.69
are still valid and
binding on our lives today.
00:20:17.72\00:20:20.38
That is, if we want
to be safe and happy.
00:20:20.41\00:20:23.46
"Till heaven and
earth pass, one jot
00:20:23.49\00:20:26.68
or one tittle shall in
no wise pass from the law,
00:20:26.71\00:20:29.64
till all be fulfilled."
00:20:29.67\00:20:31.73
And where is the
moral law to be fulfill?
00:20:31.76\00:20:34.77
According to
Paul, in us. Romans 8:4,
00:20:34.80\00:20:39.40
"That the
righteousness of the law
00:20:39.43\00:20:40.80
might be fulfilled in us."
00:20:40.83\00:20:43.06
According to the Apostle Paul,
00:20:43.09\00:20:45.01
Jesus didn't come
to get rid of the law,
00:20:45.04\00:20:47.28
He came to get rid of the curse.
00:20:47.31\00:20:49.54
At least, that's what
Paul told the folks in Galatia.
00:20:49.57\00:20:52.96
"Christ has redeemed us
from the curse of the law."
00:20:52.99\00:20:56.57
Paul's real concern
wasn't the law itself
00:20:56.60\00:20:59.25
but the way that it was misused
by the over zealous Jews.
00:20:59.28\00:21:03.02
The law is not a problem
00:21:03.05\00:21:04.73
if we use the law
for what it was intended.
00:21:04.76\00:21:08.33
"What shall we say then?
00:21:08.36\00:21:09.73
He asked. Is the law sin?
00:21:09.76\00:21:12.20
Certain not! On the contrary,
00:21:12.23\00:21:14.19
I would not have known
sin except through the law.
00:21:14.22\00:21:17.16
For I would not
have known covetousness
00:21:17.19\00:21:18.92
unless the law had
said, "You shall not covet.'''
00:21:18.95\00:21:22.26
Paul's quoting here from
00:21:22.29\00:21:23.66
the moral law of
the Ten Commandments.
00:21:23.69\00:21:26.72
Paul believed
that the law was good.
00:21:26.75\00:21:29.79
"But we know
that the law is good"
00:21:29.82\00:21:32.27
He wrote to Timothy.
"If a man use it lawfully."
00:21:32.30\00:21:37.56
When Jesus was here on earth
00:21:37.59\00:21:39.17
one of His purposes was
to reveal our heavenly Father
00:21:39.20\00:21:42.57
and His wonderful
love. Thus John 3:16.
00:21:42.60\00:21:47.13
That love was revealed in
His obedience to His Father.
00:21:47.16\00:21:51.28
Jesus said that is also
how we reveal our love to God.
00:21:51.31\00:21:56.56
"If ye keep my commandments,
ye shall abide in my love,
00:21:56.59\00:22:00.75
even as I have kept
my Father's commandments,
00:22:00.78\00:22:03.27
and abide in his love."
00:22:03.30\00:22:05.87
If Jesus had failed to keep
00:22:05.90\00:22:07.29
just one of the commandments
of our heavenly Father,
00:22:07.32\00:22:10.78
He could not have been
the savior of the world,
00:22:10.81\00:22:13.55
the spotless Lamb of God.
00:22:13.58\00:22:15.89
Then He would have
been a sinner just like us.
00:22:15.92\00:22:19.92
One of the most
radical teachings of His love
00:22:19.95\00:22:22.58
is found in Matthew 5:44,
00:22:22.61\00:22:25.32
"Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you,
00:22:25.35\00:22:28.04
do good to them that
hate you and pray for them
00:22:28.07\00:22:31.04
which despitefully
use and persecute you."
00:22:31.07\00:22:34.99
Notice here that
Jesus isn't talking
00:22:35.02\00:22:36.88
about how we feel
about our enemies.
00:22:36.91\00:22:39.95
He's talking about our choice,
00:22:39.98\00:22:42.15
the choice of loving or
giving what is needed most.
00:22:42.18\00:22:46.37
Look at the verse again it says,
00:22:46.40\00:22:48.40
"Love your enemies
even of your own household,
00:22:48.43\00:22:52.25
if they curse you bless them,
00:22:52.28\00:22:55.20
with deeds of
kindness and mercy,
00:22:55.23\00:22:58.35
when others hate you do
something good to them."
00:22:58.38\00:23:02.37
Paul says that's how we heap
coals of fire on their head.
00:23:02.40\00:23:06.65
And finally Jesus
said that when people
00:23:06.68\00:23:09.06
with malaise of
forethought despitefully use you
00:23:09.09\00:23:12.48
and even persecute
you, pray for them,
00:23:12.51\00:23:16.03
bless them, do good to them,
00:23:16.06\00:23:20.85
pray for them no
matter how you feel.
00:23:20.88\00:23:26.11
We're not
talking about feelings,
00:23:26.14\00:23:27.94
we're talking about
the principle of giving
00:23:27.97\00:23:30.53
what is needed most.
00:23:30.56\00:23:33.08
And what is the
result of this choice
00:23:33.11\00:23:35.36
to cooperate with Jesus
and His kingdom of love?
00:23:35.39\00:23:39.85
This is good, look at this.
00:23:39.88\00:23:41.96
Matthew 5:45,
00:23:41.99\00:23:44.29
"That ye may be the children
00:23:44.32\00:23:46.23
of your Father
which is in heaven."
00:23:46.26\00:23:49.26
This is how we become
sons and daughters of God
00:23:49.29\00:23:52.90
by embracing that kind of love.
00:23:52.93\00:23:56.16
"For our Father makes his sun
00:23:56.19\00:23:58.18
to rise on the
evil and on the good,
00:23:58.21\00:24:01.27
and sendeth rain on the
just and on the unjust."
00:24:01.30\00:24:05.69
Our Father in heaven
is good to everybody.
00:24:05.72\00:24:10.47
That's why Jesus said,
"Be ye therefore perfect,
00:24:10.50\00:24:15.41
even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect."
00:24:15.44\00:24:19.50
If that command
seems impossible,
00:24:21.72\00:24:24.80
then you need to let the Bible
once again interpret itself.
00:24:24.83\00:24:28.77
"Peter," Christ's disciple said,
00:24:28.80\00:24:31.83
"His divine power has
given to us all things
00:24:31.86\00:24:35.33
that pertain to
life and godliness,
00:24:35.36\00:24:38.63
through the knowledge of Him
00:24:38.66\00:24:40.03
who called us by
glory and virtue."
00:24:40.06\00:24:43.23
Jesus came to show us
where to park our minds.
00:24:43.26\00:24:46.77
On the Father, on His
remarkable and enduring love.
00:24:46.80\00:24:51.47
Jesus didn't just
come to call us righteous,
00:24:51.50\00:24:54.49
He came to also
make us righteous.
00:24:54.52\00:24:58.03
His divine power the
power that can create galaxies,
00:24:58.06\00:25:02.00
the power that can create life
00:25:02.03\00:25:04.16
can recreate us into new beings.
00:25:04.19\00:25:08.49
God has already written
the Ten Commandments on stone
00:25:08.52\00:25:11.75
to reveal their
enduring character.
00:25:11.78\00:25:14.47
As part of the new
covenant experience
00:25:14.50\00:25:16.54
He also wants to
write them on our hearts.
00:25:16.57\00:25:19.45
"This is the covenant
00:25:19.48\00:25:21.95
that I will make with
them after those days,
00:25:21.98\00:25:23.90
saith the Lord, I will
put my laws into their hearts,
00:25:23.93\00:25:28.13
and in their minds
will I write them."
00:25:28.16\00:25:31.10
It is His divine power
00:25:31.13\00:25:32.93
that makes that change
from the old man to the new man.
00:25:32.96\00:25:37.33
That's why Jesus told Nicodemus
00:25:37.36\00:25:39.10
that to receive
the truths of God
00:25:39.13\00:25:41.64
we must be born again.
00:25:41.67\00:25:43.96
We must allow--we must invite
the Holy Spirit into our heart,
00:25:43.99\00:25:49.05
and mind and life.
00:25:49.08\00:25:51.38
Let me tell you
why this is important,
00:25:51.41\00:25:53.92
one more added
teaching of Jesus here.
00:25:53.95\00:25:56.80
This is important because
it is the purpose of Christ
00:25:56.83\00:26:00.55
for each of us to
be a living testimony
00:26:00.58\00:26:03.66
of His life
changing transforming power.
00:26:03.69\00:26:07.08
We are to be the proof.
00:26:07.11\00:26:10.81
"By this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples,
00:26:10.84\00:26:14.70
if you have
love one to another."
00:26:14.73\00:26:19.20
Our friend Savior
and Lord Jesus said,
00:26:19.23\00:26:22.75
"Let your light
so shine before men,
00:26:22.78\00:26:25.66
that they may
see your good works,
00:26:25.69\00:26:27.94
and glorify your
Father which is in heaven.
00:26:27.97\00:26:31.62
Think not that I am
come to destroy the law,
00:26:31.65\00:26:34.43
or the prophets,
00:26:34.46\00:26:35.83
I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfill."
00:26:35.86\00:26:40.60
That law is to
be fulfilled in us
00:26:40.63\00:26:43.90
as we seek
after the Holy Spirit.
00:26:43.93\00:26:47.51
How much are we to love others.
00:26:47.54\00:26:50.05
Jesus said, "A new
commandment I give unto you,
00:26:50.08\00:26:53.82
That ye love one
another, as I have loved you,
00:26:53.85\00:26:58.02
that ye also love one another."
00:26:58.05\00:27:00.83
Two key words,
Love and commandment.
00:27:00.86\00:27:04.94
Once again they come together,
00:27:04.97\00:27:07.26
but Leviticus 19:18 already
said to love one and another.
00:27:07.29\00:27:11.08
What makes this
a new commandment?
00:27:11.11\00:27:14.50
"A new
commandment I give unto you."
00:27:14.53\00:27:16.62
Jesus said, "That
ye love one another,
00:27:16.65\00:27:19.42
as I have loved you, that
ye also love one another."
00:27:19.45\00:27:25.05
Back in the day we had the
law, now we have the law giver.
00:27:25.08\00:27:30.66
It is no longer just to command,
we've been given an example,
00:27:30.69\00:27:36.15
God is love and God was here.
00:27:36.18\00:27:40.90
Accept that love and let
Him love the world through you.
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