2020-06-07-Live Oaks - Sunday Sermon

There we go. All right for the next while and I I'm just not even going to try to predict where in the book of 1st John. Are we going to get the second and third John? I don't know Jesus might return before then. I would be happy if that takes place but next few weeks in 1st John.

John has a way of distilling truths and themes and ideas down very clearly first things first John. I thought that was clever. It's pinned by John. The son of Zebedee is also the author of the fourth gospel the Gospel of John and also the apostle that received the revelation of Jesus Christ what we call the Book of Revelation John describes himself in the Gospel of John as the disciple whom Jesus loved that's not a that's not a brag on John's part that that is simply to place him where he knew he was a a man loved by Jesus. He would rather say that he was a disciple loved by Jesus than use his own name. He finds more truth in his identity in Jesus love for him then a name that he was given at Birth. He is just a man loved by Jesus. The letter first John the Epistle of John his first epistle just fancy word for letter was written in a very tumultuous time have only heard that expression a lot lately a tree Mulcher was time all here at the time of the writing of First John. It was most likely very soon after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, which happened in 67 ad that was the center of Jerusalem. That was the very epicenter that is where the the route of the Gospel first took root is root. Take root the double root action there. That's where the route first grew. In the gospel, that's where the church. Blossomed and that Temple was destroyed in Christians and Jews Like were scattered. John rice at a time when many Christians had left the faith certainly they can be found in Jesus's parable of the sower. They sprang up but didn't survive the sun-scorched dimmer birds ate the seed but many had left the faith. There was some kind of split some kind of division in the church. And like all of first-century writings the first century letters and in Gospels, it was a time of constant persecution of the church. It was also the very beginning at John's writing which we could think you're only we'd only figure 20 25 30 your window where John I must have written this but it was at the time of the size of this thing called gnosticism and according to this view Redemption comes to affirming the Divine Light already in the human soul. And we thought that was a new idea. There's nothing new Under the Sun gnosticism affirming the Divine Light already in the human soul, not through repentance of sin and faith in Christ death to bring about spiritual rebirth gnosticism was a heresy that keeps like a mole popping up that has to be whacked but this letter that John pins is not reactionary. It's not a it's not a oh, yeah, we'll take this kind of word from John John John is not trying to put out a specific fires or a rebuke near specific movements of people John has A much more centered in much more steady and confident message for the church. John is simply keeping first things first. Johnstown allowing the the the the struggle and the hot-button topics of the day to eat to bring the church off at Center. He is lovingly powerfully bringing the message of the church into clear Focus. He's keeping scuse me first things first. He's raising your hands will be silly if you think maybe I would be one cuz it bothered me that the pulpit wasn't in the exact Centre it may. I'm going to pull up a tape measure I will Do you like the lists? Are you someone that likes lists if I'm in my in-laws, I won the in Lottery as I call it. I have two beautiful E8 type in laws that help keep our ship afloat. I made one a few weeks ago. We've been working in the other side of the building a little little project that we had going on. I'm here to that does look like a list that you would make

No, this is the doctrinal statement of gnosticism the list. There it is Cape. I found this is very handy and I sharpen my pocket. No, actually that makes me sound entirely to organize I searched around for a few minutes found a Sharpie oil Prime the entry ceiling Sam Sam in the back there. He helped me do 6 coats of paint on the ceiling. It was a it was a tale of Woe that I can share later to ceiling intra trac light in Nursery paint paint paint green. What is blue to ceiling lights in the entry for civilize ruler baseboard installed ramp 3 install case the baseboard Casey upstairs Thor's spot paint the up ceiling what will replace outlets and switch plates in and I mean for you to list Acres, what's the best part of this that I'm holding up right now all the lines through it? Oh man lines to it. Right? What what I wanted for the natural list acres do you first right at the top make list and then when you're done scratch that off immediately, is that is that what you list Acres? I should go to a seminar or something or again the affirmations returning of Jesus might be a better it's more likely than me becoming instantly organized but a a list it's a very cool thing because what what can you do when you scratch it off the list? Don't move on you're done with it. Right and that's what's so satisfying. All right, well Shawn long with the other writers of scripture big big help us to keep first things first, but not in a list making sense as though once we Master this one thing we can scratch it off the list and move on. John specifically in 1st John he doesn't just keep first things first. He keeps Central things Central. We would rather be a people that keeps the center in the center than you know surrender to Jesus scratch move on. Surrendering to Jesus is an ongoing never-ending everyday process much like your marriage vows. You don't say it once and then you're good every day. You were living out those found right? So when it comes to Human Relationships, my marriage is Central at the central relationship of my life. I don't go, you know was I not terrible today to my wife scratch patch, right? It is Central to me. John wants us to make sure that we are keeping. What is Central Central? So John is not writing a like a knee-jerk reaction every letter to the to the hot topics of the day. He is keeping Central thing Central in a way that we know. This is John continues to revisit the same idea the same theme Time After Time throughout first second third John hears hears from my ESV Study Bible. This is what the the commentator say about 1st John. The rhetoric of First John is challenging John rarely sustains a clear line of argument for more than a few lines are versus he wanders from subject to subject unencumbered by any discernible outline yet. If he has no plan, he does follow a pattern after leaving the subject he often returns to it. His style of thought has been termed circular rather than linear. It has also been turned symphonic and that he States themes moves away from them. And then and then revisit them with variations C chart a chart now, I'm not going to show you the chart news going to hold you in suspense. Go pick up an ESV Study Bible. You can see this chart of which I speak. The I am on board with this like I'm this description of loan. I am like John you're my boy. I am I Am with You amen. Let's go in circles buddy. Let's just do it. Right. Let's say something move on go back to it'll be great. We can just be under our way through this thing. It is fantastic.

How do you how do you how do you know how do you know what is centralized John know? What would he should Circle back around to here's what I'm saying? He can't help it. It it's not it's not so intentional. It's not like he you know, he wrote down. Okay. So what's a central theme? All right, so I need to make sure I go back to this central theme. What is happening is John can't help but go back to that scene because that is what is that kiss core? What is in the middle of them can't help but come out of them. Like I don't know sweat out of the armpits of a Preacher right just can't help but come out. This is what I'm this is what I'm hoping for. I want to step to the side cuz this is so you know is it's just this is for free this print that we have ridiculous fashion trends that sweep our land do we not I mean ripped jeans and what not. Why not buy clothes shirts specifically better prefit Staind. Right off the shelf.

Boom your fashionable not sway, okay. What is in the middle of John has to come out of him speaking of have you ever tried to clean a paint roller? I've given up on it, you know, you know what Universe take my $5, I'll go buy another paint roller cuz you are rinsing and rinsing and printing squeegee and rinsing. My favorite part is we if you have it on like a polecat and you got the garden hose you can spray the garden hose in as I like all the stuff is coming out in your cupboard and then the wall is covered in you have to rinse that off to a beautiful beautiful mess in there and it keeps coming out or orgeat. You ring out a cloth right? You were ringing out you keep a ring it out. You keep bringing it out and it just you know, whatever you're ringing out just keeps coming. John and the church the followers of Jesus are being wrung out. They were living in a quote-unquote tumultuous time. Pressure was being laid bare on the church. The church was being pressed and squeezed Christians were being pressed and squeezed and what was coming out of them? Well, what was in them? Tip John through his pain is just writing what's in him and it's coming out. God doesn't give us the luxury of just a simple checklist that we can go. All right, did that check get that check get that check, right? That's not life as much as we'd like it to be that's not life. life Spencer's life rings

I pray that the Holy Spirit comes out of us. That the spirit comes out of me.

The most important things will never be crossed off the list the most important things will always be front-and-center. And that is the key. We keep first things Central and learn how we Spin and Tumble Christ's days at our very center.

the first Epistle of John five chapters of what should be placed most Central in the heart of a disciple beloved of God. Turn the first John chapter 1. I'm going to read verses 1 through 4. 1st John 1 1 through 4

that which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we looked upon and have touched with our hands concerning the word of life. The life was made manifest and we have seen it and testify to it and Proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the father and was made manifest to us that which we have seen and heard we Proclaim also to you so that you two may have fellowship with us and indeed our fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. Do you notice anything particular about this letter or put you'll you're particularly peculiar about this letter?

All right. He doesn't include check this out a pistol Larry salutation how many times to use that today already? Epistolary Salvage. I need to spell it out a pistol Larry salutation.

He doesn't say who he is. He just jumps right into it. John doesn't open the letter about himself. Not me. No offense to Paul. Paul always opens his letter, you know, but if you really look at his greens Paul, he's just going out of his way to say I am nothing God's grace is everything please don't read this because I'm Paul read this because he is Jesus.

Not throwing shade is that with the youngsters say, okay?

John doesn't open this letter about himself quite to the contrary look back at John 1:1. He opens that which was from the beginning which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we looked upon and have touch with our hands concerning the word of life. That which was from the beginning. What is that which was from the beginning? What is John saying? Will in the Gospel of John chapter 1 verses 1 through 2 says this John says this in the beginning was the word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. It's Jesus that which was from the beginning is Jesus his greeting his opening his hook his main point. His foundation is Jesus is like John saying Jesus. Alright, I'm alright Jesus. Okay, right. Okay Jesus. That's what he saying. So there's no confusion Jesus. which we have heard which we have seen with her eyes with John is saying is that I my brothers and my sisters we have heard Jesus. We have seen Jesus with our eyes. There's a couple examples in the in the book of Acts Chapter 4 verses 1 through 3 healing have taken place in the Pharisees religious folk were banished shape. It's stuck in their crawl. Ask for starting in verse 1 and as they were speaking to the people that the priest in the captain of the temple and the Sadducees Kim van them greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people in proclaiming in Jesus is the resurrection from the dead and they arrested them Peter and John they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day for it was already even skip Down 2 Verse 18, so they call them Peter and John and charge them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God you must judge for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. Peter and John heal a clutch you have to deal with this right you figure it out for you. But what we are saying is we cannot help but tell you what we saw and what we heard. We saw it. We heard it you're going to have to deal with it. What can we do but speak of what we have seen and heard. So John in his letter is just echoing the same. John Gospel of John chapter 19 starting verse 31, it was a day of preparation. And so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a high today the Jews as pilot that their legs might be broken and that that might be taking or taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who have been crucified with him with Jesus, but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead. They did not break his legs, but one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and it wants there came out blood and water. First 35 he who saw it has borne witness. His testimony is true. And he knows that he is telling the truth that you also May believe. Who is Heath hussar. John yet again. He's reluctant to put his own name in the story. He's just saying the witness to that. It's telling you the truth Johnny sang. I was there. I saw it. I cannot unsee it that that's a humorous line in movies TV shows you say see it. So John is saying I can't unsee what I saw. I can't unsee it. Which we look to pond. Which we looked upon from John 1:14 and the word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory. the Jonas thing I only saw the person the man Jesus of Nazareth, you know with the with the Carpenter dad and mother Mary and you know, we did some stuff set some stuff walked around. You can only saw the man Jesus. I saw the glory. That was Jesus. We have seen his glory glory as of the only son from the father full of grace and truth. And fall leaves no room for what? anything else He sang. I saw Jesus full of grace and truth. Or from 1st Peter 1:16 where John is speaking as a Wii in Peter's one of the Wii first Peter 1/16 for we did not follow cleverly devised miss when we made known to use the power in coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. We didn't like seeing thing and then make a movement about the thing and embellish the thing and make the thing something that it wasn't this is what the thing was. And it was glorious. We saw it. Charleston and we have touched with our hands. We only saw it. We we we we took it in. We soaked it in we we we reveled in it. We were witnesses to it. We also touched it. We touched him from the Gospel of John chapter 20 verse 27, then he said to Thomas Jesus put your finger here and see my hands put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve but believe we always give Thomas I think a bum rap about about seeing that the scars and seeing the the the holes in in Jesus placing Thomas's handed in his Jesus. If you read the gospel carefully Jesus had already done that with the other disciples. Thomas this is what wasn't there for that party. Jesus graciously getting Thomas up to speed but John is saying I placed my hands. On the resurrected Jesus. I didn't put my hands on a tomb or or in a tomb or on a corpse. I had my hands on Jesus. When he was living when he was speeding when he was killing when he was preaching I stood at his feet when he was bleeding and dying. I beheld his mother.

Touched his side and touched his hands. You can't tell me what I saw and didn't see an end took any didn't take in touch didn't touch. I know what I saw. I know what I touch. the glory of God in the person of Jesus

John says concerning the word of life. Concerning the word of life. That is John's name for Jesus. Jesus is logos the Divine utterance in the Greek. Jesus is the Divine utterance.

of God Jesus Is The Word of Life the Spoken Word of Life John 1 1 through 4 in the beginning was the word and the Word was with God the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God all things were made through him. And without him was not anything made that was made in him was life. And the life was the light of men.

From first John chapter 1 now. Let's move on to verse 2.

1st John 1:2 the light was made manifest and we have seen it and testify to it and Proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the father and we was made manifest to us.

John is saying who is Jesus? Jesus is life itself.

Jesus was not just a wise teacher or a kind man or Miracle Worker. He wasn't just a you know, a compassionate poor.

Misunderstood Carpenter that was set upon by the powers-that-be and we have a lot to learn from him. John says Jesus is life.

Talk about Central truth

If we don't have life, does it even matter what's in the center? Eye Center is beater no life. Who is Jesus? John is saying who is Jesus. Jesus is life. You cannot tell me. Otherwise I was there. We were there. We know what we saw we know whom we saw and he is life. in the Gospel of John chapter 11 13 verse 17 now when Jesus came he found that Lazarus had already been in the Tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem about two miles off in many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus she went and met him, but Mary remain seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus Lord. If you had been here, if you had only been here can't you hear her saying that you're the only been here? My brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God. God will give you Jesus said to her your brother will rise again Martha said to him. I I know that he will rise again in the Resurrection on the last day for those of you who have mourned the loss of a loved one and some Pastor or friend or family member has done there. Level best to comfort you and tell you you'll see him again. Don't worry. You'll see him again. I want to see him now. In that what your hearts crying? Can you just hear I want to see him now. I know I'll see you later. I want to see him now. Jesus said I am the resurrection and the life whoever believes in me though. He die yet shall he live and everyone who lives and Believes In Me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said him? Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ the son of God who is coming into the world? And what did Jesus do? Lazarus come forth the call of Jesus Jesus is Calling saying it at the call of Jesus. Lazarus took off his grave clothes left the tune behind.

John 14:6, Jesus said to him I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to me. Come to the father except through me.

So what must John and the other disciples including in the we that he is using here what must John and the other disciples do what must they do now? 1st John 1:3 John says that which we have seen and heard Jesus we Proclaim also to you that they don't just know it they Proclaim it. So that you two may have fellowship with us and indeed. Our fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ. What must they do. They must Proclaim and they are. What have they seen and heard that Jesus is life. Not this not that not together, but Jesus is life. Not the human soul doesn't change our fallen nature doesn't change culture the the toys that culture place with change but culture and sin and people don't. So when John is saying it's not that it's not that it's not that it's Jesus. Jesus is life. I can just as Faithfully say folks right now in 21st century America Financial Freedom. Night, is that a bigger house better house repainted children's ministry bling? I saw a better job. It's not a a different spouse or children. Most of us feel it's not possible. I agree with that.

Life is not found in all of those things chasing this particular brand of pleasure or this particular Indulgence promising this or that or the other know what John is proclaiming is that Jesus is life. That's what they've seen and heard that Jesus is life. And what are they going to do it where they going to do? They're going to Proclaim it they're going to Proclaim an agreement with the Prophet Jeremiah from Jeremiah 20 verse 9 Jeremiah says if I say I will not mention him or speak anymore in his name. There is a there there is in my heart as it were a burning fire. Shut up in my bones. I am weary with holding it in I cannot.

Fire in my bones have to come out or and also they are proclaiming an agreement with Paul from 1st Corinthians. 9:16. Paul says for if I preach the gospel that gives me no ground for boasting for necessity is laid upon me to me if I do not preach the gospel. John must Proclaim him Why must be why must be proclaiming from 1st John 1:3 so that you two may have fellowship with us. John and the other Apostles proclaiming they are not content to allow just themselves to have the joy and have the lights and have two-piece Everlasting and abundantly. They want us. To have it as well. They want us to step foot into the fellowship to have communion. So that you chew may have fellowship with us, but not just fellowship with them.

He goes on to say and indeed. Our fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ not just fellowship with us fellowship with God. There are a lot of organizations. There are a lot of movements weather weather officially organized and sanctioned or not. There are a lot of ways that we can find Fellowship right on the social media and it's just a game of trying to find your tribe in the midst of all the chaos, right? Cuz you're you're wanting Fellowship. Right, you're wanting Community. We are made for relationship. We are made for Fellowship. We are made from Community. There are a lot of Fallen mostly poisonous things that are standing as counterfeit. And Sean is saying I don't want you to have the faults. I want you to have the real we've known it. We seen it with experience it I have to testify that this is life and life come and join us to have Fellowship real Fellowship here in the body.

John is testifying that he has that they have fellowship with God.

He wants they want others to have the same fellowship with him with a with Jesus. I can get a little confusing. It can almost seemed a little circular wall who's the fellowship with you know, like first people and in and then and then Jesus then God the father and then the holy spirit will come and you can do some new stuff. When the Holy Spirit comes I guess. This is just another list is this I know John knows full. Well what he is saying by imploring us to have fellowship with him and they and him and day and us and from the Gospel of John chapter 17. One of my favorite chapters of all the scripture. I feel wanted most important skip chapters of all of scripture. It's known as the high Priestly prayer of Jesus going to be just a few verses from it. John Was there when Jesus prayed these words? John was right there. John made very well have been reclining with Jesus when he prayed this prayer when it when I say John was there John might have been right there. Very well right there and he heard Jesus pray this prayer and he recorded Us chords it for us John 17 starting Verse 18. This is Jesus speaking. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world and for their sake I consecrate myself that they also might be Sanctified in truth. I do not ask for these only but also for those who believe in me through their word, that's us. That they may all be one. What better way to describe a fellowship communion a body and saying that we are one? Jesus wants us to be one day that they all may be one just as you father are in me, and I in you that they may also be in US. You see it. We're in Christ. If you're in Christ means we're in Christ. So we're in Christ. But that also means that Christ is in us so us is in Christ in crisis in us and Jesus is in the father and fathers in the sun because there's no separation between the two.

We're getting really tight, aren't we? It's hard to find any air or light through gaps in that kind of description. And remember Jesus is praying that this would come to pass. Jesus said whatever you pray in my name. This is this is Jesus praying in his own name. This is it. This is the destiny of the Church of Jesus Christ vs Fellowship. This kind of unity. Sometimes we see just a fleeting glimpse of it here on Earth will hear a little sermon. I'm not talkin about we'll see a sermon lived out sometimes kitchen marriage this little sermon about the communion between God and his people sometimes it'll be in a worship service and we'll see a little bit of that communion a little bit of that Fellowship. I saw a little bit of that yesterday. I I mean Miss Pola. She was spreading mulch in the rain.

write a decimal as a sermon right there the sermon right there right now sermon about how important a well mulch Church property is

Jesus says back in John 17. Did they also may be in a so that the world may believe that you have sent me? Our Testimony is broken if we are not the fellowship and communion that Jesus asks us to be his prayed for us to be the world may believe that you have sent me the glory that you have given me I have given to them that they may be one even as we are one eye and them and you and me that the world they may become perfectly one so that the world may know that you sent me and love them even as you love me father. I desire that they also whom you have given me maybe with me where I am to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Stewie see Janice is just praying and in proclaiming an agreement with Jesus Jesus think I want my people to see my glory John saying I've seen his glory.

You can't tell me what I saw. I know what I saw and so I must Proclaim to what end to what end must John Proclaim. in 1st John 1:4 and we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. John is saying that his Joy is not complete unless we are with him. with Christ Christ with him He sang our joy will not be complete until the fellowship is until communion is.

And we know from Jesus is onwards and I liked it. There's other things that I could share but it but I'm not about Jesus being the good shepherd. He says I got other sheep and I got to go find those sheep or sheep everywhere from every nation from every tribe from every ethnicity. I have sheep. And so Christ Proclaimers go throughout the world. They just proclaim the words of the shepherd the Sheep respond and they come into the fold. We have a little bit more joy.

If you come to price today, you're probably Korean. You're probably Chinese.

You're probably African. And guess what our joy here in Palm Harbor Florida is more complete because of the sheep that we're just now just now just now being brought into the kingdom. Our joy is more complete. John wants joy to be complete in Christ. Now they're in there is debate among the biblical translators whether John intended to say our joy are your joints. Do you say our joint are your joy will some many strips safe? Say your choice voucher your joint? Yes, that's kind of the point. Maybe John wrote one letter our joy, and I know he's not that devious the same thing is the point. Johnny sing there's a difference between our joy in your joy. When what Paul says about the smallest part of the body aches. We all ache. The part of the body celebrates we all celebrate cuz we are one body. So, it's our joy, it's your joy the same thing. 4 in the fellowship to which John aspires the fellowship that he saw expressed and desired by Jesus.

The Fellowship of our joy and your joy John 15 Gospel of John 15 verse 11. This is Jesus speaking these things I have spoken to you these things. I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be full. Jesus wants us to have full Droid. And again I ask you if something's full. What is there room for? He wants us to have the fullness of joy. Jesus himself wants us to have the fullness of joy. So in this Fellowship, there's a separation between the joy of Christ The Joy of John and the joy of Tommy. They should be one in the same.

How often am I content with just my circumstances?

being good enough

a little bit of happiness that I was able to carve out through strategically manipulating circumstances that happiness that that masquerades as Joy how many times am I content and pleased with that little bit and forgotten that one of you or anyone in our body

has less

our joy his Joy. Same thing. We are hearing so many righteous calls for justice. Praise God. We're also hearing mini unrighteous calls for vengeance. God please damn that. For vengeance belongs to our God.

We're hearing calls for justice Vengeance PC quality calls for greatness poster strength calls for tolerance calls for sustainability calls for just about everything. But when was the last time that you heard a call to Joy?

I can't remember the last time I heard that from the church.

a rally Cry For Joy for the fullness of joy

Right now in our country and our culture did it just doesn't look like there's any joy to be found. Wait, wait, wait, we got to be I can we got to be content with a squirrel on water skis right this video with we got it. We need to distract ourselves with a squirrel on water skis in order to not just be overcome overwhelmed with what is happening.

There's no choice being trumpeted.

Why can't we find any joy out in the world? Because there is none to be found in the world. There is joy to be found in Christ.

Joy. John saw joy that John walked with joy that John ate with joy the John prayed with his name is Jesus.

And that Jesus wants us to have the fullness of that Joy.

psalm 16:11 psalmist says you make known to me the path of life in your presence. There is fullness of joy at your right hand are Pleasures forevermore.

John knew that John knows that He knows Choi. His name is Jesus first things first, John. first things first

Joyce found in communion with Christ in and with each other in Christ. And that is what's offered that's was laid out. Harass this morning. Turn off for a true communion. It's an offer of true Joy. It is symbolizes the body and the blood. A Jesus that was given that was shed and broken. for for us for this Fellowship this first communion meal the Last Supper as we call it. When Christ first served his soon-to-be broken body and Spilled blood when he first showed us the common Union that was to manifest in his body the church. John was reclining at the table with Jesus. He heard every word witnessed every deed of Christ that night.

And the Dijon witnessed of Jesus that night. First was the washing of his disciples feet.

John salt

How can you not be changed?

I seen your maker. You're holy righteous savior wash your own feet. The table of Jesus was set by the washing feet.

scripture teaches That before we approach that table we are to examine our hearts and see if they're cleansed. See if there's sin that we have not confessed laid out before he's faithful and just he will forgive us. But just like we learn six weeks and Jonah can't hide from God can't hide from conviction.

We need to search our hearts and confess our sins before we approach this table and feast.

And I'm speaking of Grace.

Some of you want me to be wondering if I'm really not going to address head-on. What is happening in America right now?

Justice and racism protests in policing and rioting and looting and I really going to step out of this Pulpit without words to that which seems to cover us right now. There's been a lot of words spoken but a lot of words written on the subject. Some of those words Lift us some of those words just divide us even more in disappoint us. Let us down. And also I fear that my words fall very short.

I want to tell you one thing and then and then I want to ask one thing of someone please. Just give me a lot of Grace here.

For a really awesome season in ministry here at Live Oaks every Sunday. Before the service there be a man who would pray over me. He sat in that in the last chair the last row now. Mr. Cornelius at almost 94 years old is still with us in Fellowship. He's not in our Sanctuary. He's worshiping and another But for me weeks, mr. Cornelius not almost 94 years old. giant of a man He was childhood neighbor best friends with Martin Luther King jr. Mr. Cornelius was a pallbearer. at Martin Luther King Jr's dogs funeral Mr. Creedy has prayed over his dog and they buried him in the neighbor like this Man parachuted Behind Enemy Lines. on June 5th D-Day minus one

man walks for rights that we take for granted. everyday Batman Prayed over me. Like he would he would take his hands hold mine and he pray for wisdom and utterance. He pray that the holy spirit will speak through me. I would leave that prayer smelling like Old Spice. It was marvelous. I Splash on Little Old Spice this morning cuz I just wanted to smell that smell again.

It was never lost on me the

the gravity of that That which was that that was she was willing to do. The grace that was extended to me.

What that represented?

I know that words.

Call short. John in his epistle He is following the Heart of Jesus.

In his words in heart in in spirit and tone and example, he's following Jesus and Jesus set the communion table with the washing feet. So I want to follow John has John follows Jesus in it. If you would allow me Miss Miss Diana. Could you come in for Pete's? If you're willing.

I want to leave no doubt.

Where is the heart of this church or the heart of our elders were the heart of this pastor Lies when it comes to the preciousness of this family? brothers and sisters equal in United under the Cross of Christ forgive me Diana if I put you on the spot, please forgive me, but if you could come Ford Lincoln rapid here.

I agonized a bit over this tonight. I don't I don't know. I'm not trying to grandstand or anything, but you could if you would sit here and if I could wash your feet.

please

Lord Jesus we are one in you or we are not.

We are. Brothers and sisters or we are not a family. We are not a fellowship.

Do not allow us.

To speak truth with our words and lie with their actions.

We we humble ourselves before you and we asked you Jesus bring healing.

Bring healing.

Pour out your grace in such abundance that every heart is melted before it. to the praise of Your Great Name For Your Glory And the fullest the fullness of our joy.

If there is one missing.

Talk show is not full.

So until that day comes may we Proclaim with Grace and boldness with our words and RD? That you are Jesus you are life. And we are the fellowship. We are the church. We are the body we are the family.

And how the family is going to eat? Cuz that's what families do. gather around the table and we feast

Thank you, Jesus and your powerful and holy name we pray amen.

Now on we're going to celebrate this communion meal because I don't want you to be taken out of a moment that you might be having with the Holy Spirit. Just trust that the communion was was prepared as safely and carefully as we can there are stacks of communion cup. So when you come up, you're going to grab two cups or stacked together underneath you'll find the bread and then in a cup on the top you'll find the juice and we're going to hold the trays out for you. So please just take from us then go back to your seats and then we'll all take together. Will all pieced together to pray with me again, and then and then that the elders could come forward and help distribute.

Oh God, you are supposed to give us such a bounty. We didn't didn't deserve to be created in once Fallen. We didn't deserve to be resurrected and we certainly don't deserve to be gathered around a banqueting table with you at the head smiling.

clean feet

In a perfectly United Fellowship. That is not what we Have earned its not we deserve. Thank you for not giving us what we deserve but giving us what your grace.