1 00:00:00,250 --> 00:00:01,880 Dallas: So, as you can see on the screen, we're continuing 2 00:00:01,880 --> 00:00:04,310 the series, Thank God for. 3 00:00:04,620 --> 00:00:06,930 I was talking to some people earlier, it was like, it sounds like TGI 4 00:00:06,950 --> 00:00:08,189 Fridays, but they're going bankrupt. 5 00:00:08,189 --> 00:00:11,169 So I was like, I don't think I should really mention that, but Thank God 6 00:00:11,169 --> 00:00:12,580 for is a series that we're going in. 7 00:00:12,589 --> 00:00:14,820 We've talked about, thank God for the word. 8 00:00:15,129 --> 00:00:16,580 Thank God for the spirit. 9 00:00:16,939 --> 00:00:19,169 And last week Dan talked about, thank God for the church. 10 00:00:19,590 --> 00:00:22,080 Um, but like I said, it also is Thanksgiving, so I feel like we need 11 00:00:22,080 --> 00:00:23,360 to switch things up a little bit. 12 00:00:23,569 --> 00:00:24,200 There we go. 13 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:25,660 Now we're in the Christmas spirit. 14 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:27,459 We're in the Advent season now. 15 00:00:27,740 --> 00:00:28,709 Now, obviously. 16 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:33,210 Um, I want to actually, not obviously, I don't, I don't, I don't want to 17 00:00:33,230 --> 00:00:37,480 assume things here, but if you did it already, you now have permission 18 00:00:37,480 --> 00:00:38,610 to listen to Christmas music. 19 00:00:38,930 --> 00:00:40,319 Christmas music, it is legal now. 20 00:00:40,820 --> 00:00:42,030 Alright, alright. 21 00:00:42,450 --> 00:00:44,790 Some of y'all were like, on Halloween, like, alright, when's 22 00:00:44,790 --> 00:00:46,499 midnight, November 1st, here we go. 23 00:00:46,769 --> 00:00:49,509 Mariah Carey's humming in the back somewhere, you know, like. 24 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:51,430 But it's okay, you can listen to Christian music now. 25 00:00:51,460 --> 00:00:53,150 It's totally fine, it's legal. 26 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:55,660 I was praying for some of you that would be listening through November. 27 00:00:55,660 --> 00:00:57,820 It's fine, but we're going to keep moving though. 28 00:00:58,109 --> 00:00:59,819 But if you're joining us this morning, like I said, we're in 29 00:00:59,819 --> 00:01:01,640 this series called Thank God For. 30 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:05,388 Just reminding ourselves about the season of gratitude, the season of 31 00:01:05,470 --> 00:01:10,610 Advent, and today we're going to be thanking God for the life of Jesus. 32 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:11,760 Alright. 33 00:01:12,320 --> 00:01:13,780 But before we get into it, let's pray. 34 00:01:14,060 --> 00:01:16,609 We give ourselves center with God and our hearts prepared for today's Word. 35 00:01:16,610 --> 00:01:16,884 Amen. 36 00:01:17,645 --> 00:01:19,335 All right, God, thank you so much for today and just 37 00:01:19,335 --> 00:01:20,294 the time to come before you. 38 00:01:20,294 --> 00:01:25,344 God, I pray that today is a day that you are glorified and all days. 39 00:01:25,344 --> 00:01:28,764 God, I pray that today in this lesson, in the sermon, God, you speak through me. 40 00:01:29,035 --> 00:01:29,944 Use me as the best. 41 00:01:29,944 --> 00:01:32,434 God, let your word carry more than my own words. 42 00:01:32,434 --> 00:01:35,884 God, I pray that today we leave here feeling more, uh, feeling closer to 43 00:01:35,884 --> 00:01:40,134 you, feeling more in depth and intimate with you because we desire to be 44 00:01:40,134 --> 00:01:44,003 thankful and desire to be one with you, God, and what you have done for us. 45 00:01:44,003 --> 00:01:48,804 And I pray that as we reflect and as we, um, As we, excuse me, as we, uh, 46 00:01:48,835 --> 00:01:52,854 continue to gather and, and, and to dig deep into our hearts, God, I pray 47 00:01:52,854 --> 00:01:55,975 that what's revealed is nothing more than just our love for you and your 48 00:01:55,975 --> 00:01:57,715 love for us God, but we love you. 49 00:01:57,715 --> 00:01:59,005 God, thank you so much for this day. 50 00:01:59,035 --> 00:01:59,695 Please be at the lesson. 51 00:01:59,695 --> 00:02:00,085 Bring Jesus. 52 00:02:00,265 --> 00:02:00,744 Amen. 53 00:02:01,735 --> 00:02:03,265 Alright, so I have a quick question though. 54 00:02:03,265 --> 00:02:06,235 What are some things that you're grateful for, for the life of Jesus? 55 00:02:06,235 --> 00:02:08,185 Why are, why do we thank God for life of Jesus? 56 00:02:08,185 --> 00:02:09,715 I'm gonna get some handsome responses here. 57 00:02:10,164 --> 00:02:11,245 Why are we thankful for it? 58 00:02:13,835 --> 00:02:14,105 Yep. 59 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:47,050 Amen. 60 00:02:47,260 --> 00:02:47,520 Awesome. 61 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:48,400 Thank you for sharing that. 62 00:02:48,460 --> 00:02:51,076 Erica, I saw you had your hand up. 63 00:02:51,076 --> 00:02:53,332 Uh, I thank Jesus for his patience. 64 00:02:53,332 --> 00:02:54,621 I for recognizing me. 65 00:02:54,621 --> 00:02:54,944 Yup. 66 00:02:54,944 --> 00:02:55,266 Yup. 67 00:02:55,266 --> 00:02:55,911 Right here. 68 00:02:55,911 --> 00:02:58,812 And on Facebook, please stop me by that name. 69 00:02:58,812 --> 00:02:59,134 Yes. 70 00:02:59,134 --> 00:02:59,456 Absolutely. 71 00:02:59,456 --> 00:02:59,779 Yup. 72 00:02:59,779 --> 00:03:00,423 Right here. 73 00:03:00,423 --> 00:03:02,679 I pray for a person to surrender. 74 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:07,459 Amen. 75 00:03:07,859 --> 00:03:08,040 Yeah. 76 00:03:08,050 --> 00:03:08,730 His surrender. 77 00:03:08,730 --> 00:03:09,010 Chris. 78 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:12,630 Showing us a different way. 79 00:03:12,640 --> 00:03:12,920 Good. 80 00:03:12,920 --> 00:03:13,330 Love that. 81 00:03:13,330 --> 00:03:13,650 One more. 82 00:03:14,010 --> 00:03:14,330 Guinea. 83 00:03:18,454 --> 00:03:19,535 Yeah, you can live differently. 84 00:03:19,535 --> 00:03:20,275 You have a choice, right? 85 00:03:20,275 --> 00:03:22,685 He's showed us how to live differently than the world. 86 00:03:22,925 --> 00:03:24,765 And you know, this is, sorry, we're going to take no more 87 00:03:24,765 --> 00:03:25,635 responses, but I appreciate it. 88 00:03:25,664 --> 00:03:26,165 Go for it, though. 89 00:03:32,385 --> 00:03:33,824 Sure, have more compassion, absolutely. 90 00:03:33,825 --> 00:03:34,625 Thank you for sharing that. 91 00:03:35,125 --> 00:03:38,334 But yeah, there's so many things, right, that we can all talk about that we are 92 00:03:38,404 --> 00:03:40,105 thankful for the life of Jesus, right? 93 00:03:40,480 --> 00:03:42,989 And so I just want to disclaim out here, I'm not here to 94 00:03:42,989 --> 00:03:44,420 cover all that in one sermon. 95 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:44,799 Okay? 96 00:03:45,010 --> 00:03:48,799 This is an ocean of content and I have two glasses in my hand I'm 97 00:03:48,809 --> 00:03:50,299 trying to scoop up content with. 98 00:03:50,299 --> 00:03:50,640 Okay? 99 00:03:50,859 --> 00:03:55,839 So I won't cover everything, but I will, I do want to share though, how much 100 00:03:55,949 --> 00:03:59,510 Jesus, I want to thank Jesus, uh, thank God for the life of Jesus in my life. 101 00:03:59,869 --> 00:04:00,950 And that's his humility. 102 00:04:01,570 --> 00:04:03,219 I think like you said, the surrender, right? 103 00:04:03,219 --> 00:04:06,349 And I love that because that's exactly what we're going to talk about today. 104 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:09,179 Um, cause Jesus came to this earth to show us. 105 00:04:09,530 --> 00:04:12,360 To how to live in alignment with God's will. 106 00:04:12,540 --> 00:04:15,100 In other words, he showed us how to live a godly life. 107 00:04:15,420 --> 00:04:17,950 Not a life for ourselves, but a life for God. 108 00:04:17,970 --> 00:04:18,380 Amen. 109 00:04:18,889 --> 00:04:21,220 So let's turn our Bibles over to John chapter 15. 110 00:04:22,469 --> 00:04:24,300 We're going to be in John chapter 15. 111 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:28,560 And this is a time, this is, uh, written, this is in the gospel of John. 112 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:30,550 Written by one of Jesus closest friends. 113 00:04:30,750 --> 00:04:33,400 One of his most, uh, uh, in his inner circle basically. 114 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:34,120 A close friend of him. 115 00:04:34,500 --> 00:04:37,060 Um, as this is written during the Last Supper, so basically this is 116 00:04:37,080 --> 00:04:41,800 Jesus final hours before he's going to be arrested and taken to be, um, 117 00:04:41,810 --> 00:04:46,510 accused, um, beaten, flogged, and then eventually crucified and died. 118 00:04:46,890 --> 00:04:52,409 Um, so, at this point in the story, he is giving insight and direction 119 00:04:52,409 --> 00:04:55,280 to his disciples, telling them, you know, that he's predicting 120 00:04:55,280 --> 00:04:57,240 a betrayal amongst one of them. 121 00:04:57,630 --> 00:05:00,780 That Peter is going to deny him three times. 122 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:04,939 That he is the way, the truth, and the life. 123 00:05:05,289 --> 00:05:09,139 And that the Holy Spirit, the advocate, will come and replace him. 124 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:13,199 And so if you think about it, if you're a disciple during this time and the man that 125 00:05:13,199 --> 00:05:17,489 you've spent three years with, the Son of God, is telling you all these things. 126 00:05:17,929 --> 00:05:21,710 Man, I would be feeling personally confused, fearful, 127 00:05:21,710 --> 00:05:22,920 discouraged, sad, dejected. 128 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:27,819 Like I just, I would feel so many things, even though he's trying to 129 00:05:27,819 --> 00:05:29,919 give us these words of encouragement. 130 00:05:30,380 --> 00:05:33,560 So as we read this, I just want to kind of give you and put you in the story 131 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:36,790 a little bit more and put ourselves there because I want us to be able 132 00:05:36,790 --> 00:05:38,680 to feel the weight of these words. 133 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:39,060 Amen? 134 00:05:40,110 --> 00:05:42,960 Alright, let's jump into the text right here. 135 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:46,820 John chapter 15 verse 1 says, I am the true vine, this is Jesus talking, 136 00:05:47,199 --> 00:05:48,770 and my father is the gardener. 137 00:05:48,879 --> 00:05:51,920 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit. 138 00:05:52,220 --> 00:05:55,730 While every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will become 139 00:05:55,750 --> 00:05:57,859 even, it will even be more fruitful. 140 00:05:57,860 --> 00:06:02,435 I You are already clean because of the word I've spoken to you remain 141 00:06:02,435 --> 00:06:07,455 in me as I also remain in you No branch can bear fruit by itself. 142 00:06:07,734 --> 00:06:12,855 It must remain in the vine Neither can you bear fruit? 143 00:06:13,195 --> 00:06:20,535 Unless you remain in me You know the Christian life begins with abiding 144 00:06:20,565 --> 00:06:25,905 in Jesus To abide means to stay connected, to draw strength, to draw 145 00:06:25,905 --> 00:06:28,065 guidance, to draw nourishment from him. 146 00:06:28,625 --> 00:06:28,835 Right? 147 00:06:28,835 --> 00:06:32,765 Without this connection, we cannot do anything of eternal value. 148 00:06:33,675 --> 00:06:36,235 You know, I find this reference to what Jesus is saying in his words, because 149 00:06:36,355 --> 00:06:37,744 he's talking about being clean, right? 150 00:06:38,084 --> 00:06:41,525 Earlier in chapter 12, he says, For I did not speak on my own, but 151 00:06:41,525 --> 00:06:45,284 the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. 152 00:06:45,854 --> 00:06:47,795 I know that his command leads to eternal life. 153 00:06:47,795 --> 00:06:51,534 So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. 154 00:06:52,104 --> 00:06:55,945 Now here he indicates that his words are a means of clean, of cleansing for us. 155 00:06:56,025 --> 00:06:57,205 Cleansing for us. 156 00:06:57,445 --> 00:07:00,245 Now, Jesus himself doesn't need to be cleansed of God's Word 157 00:07:00,245 --> 00:07:02,004 because he is the Word of God. 158 00:07:02,274 --> 00:07:04,585 In the flesh, as it says in John chapter 1 verse 1. 159 00:07:05,635 --> 00:07:08,945 But the word clean in the passage prior, in the passage prior here, 160 00:07:09,835 --> 00:07:11,305 is translated into the word pure. 161 00:07:11,305 --> 00:07:11,474 Thank you. 162 00:07:12,205 --> 00:07:15,235 And in the word pure from an ethical standpoint, it's talking about free 163 00:07:15,255 --> 00:07:18,125 from the corrupt desire, sin, and guilt. 164 00:07:18,575 --> 00:07:22,365 And you know, when I think about that definition of pure, about being free 165 00:07:22,365 --> 00:07:25,555 from the corrupt desire of sin and guilt, I think of the example that 166 00:07:25,565 --> 00:07:28,125 Jesus had when he was in the wilderness. 167 00:07:28,755 --> 00:07:33,615 You know, in Matthew chapter four, um, he was able, he was led, it says in some 168 00:07:33,615 --> 00:07:36,485 of the, in some translations it says that he was full of the Holy Spirit, was 169 00:07:36,485 --> 00:07:40,765 led into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights for fasting and for prayer. 170 00:07:41,130 --> 00:07:43,869 But while he was there, he was also tempted by the devil. 171 00:07:44,719 --> 00:07:47,429 Satan would come out and tempt him, asking him certain things like, 172 00:07:48,020 --> 00:07:49,899 Well, turn these stones to bread. 173 00:07:51,169 --> 00:07:53,529 But Jesus responds with God's word, says, Man shall not live 174 00:07:53,530 --> 00:07:56,750 on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. 175 00:07:56,799 --> 00:07:59,049 That's from Deuteronomy 8, 3. 176 00:07:59,049 --> 00:08:02,619 Satan also tempts him and says, Well, you know, throw yourself down and be saved. 177 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:06,000 It's like, he's trying to, he's trying to, now he tries to twist scripture, saying, 178 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,950 Hey, well, God says that he will come and save you, he will come to your aid. 179 00:08:09,695 --> 00:08:12,185 But Jesus responds with also God's word saying, Do not put 180 00:08:12,185 --> 00:08:13,664 the Lord your God to the test. 181 00:08:14,815 --> 00:08:17,394 And finally Satan takes him to the highest place and shows him everything. 182 00:08:17,394 --> 00:08:21,784 He says, If you just bow down and worship me, I will give you all this. 183 00:08:22,644 --> 00:08:23,835 But Jesus replies, What does he say? 184 00:08:23,844 --> 00:08:27,395 He says, Worship the Lord your God and serve him only. 185 00:08:27,945 --> 00:08:29,724 Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 13. 186 00:08:30,674 --> 00:08:33,855 You know, Jesus shows us how to be cleansed. 187 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:39,220 He shows us that as we are being pruned and clean, that we as, as we 188 00:08:39,220 --> 00:08:42,730 are being, as we are being tempted, as we walk through this life, what are 189 00:08:42,730 --> 00:08:47,410 we, what are we allowing God to cut off and God to prune, to clean, right? 190 00:08:47,680 --> 00:08:53,050 I think what's important I think for me is do we desire to abide with the gardener? 191 00:08:53,650 --> 00:08:56,110 Do we desire to abide with God's word? 192 00:08:56,440 --> 00:08:59,260 'cause I think if we wanna be the freed from corrupt desires, I think for me 193 00:08:59,260 --> 00:09:03,250 personally, you know, sometimes when I'm not doing the best spiritually. 194 00:09:03,630 --> 00:09:06,360 I tend to be very prideful and not admit when I'm wrong. 195 00:09:07,050 --> 00:09:10,150 I tend to be very selfish and not want to give to other people. 196 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,929 Or I tend to be very reluctant in who I forgive and how I 197 00:09:13,929 --> 00:09:15,379 forgive and when I do it. 198 00:09:16,469 --> 00:09:18,789 You know, but the question I have to ask myself that I say, that I've been 199 00:09:18,809 --> 00:09:23,050 asking right here is, How much have I been abiding in the Word of God? 200 00:09:23,060 --> 00:09:26,220 How much have I remained connected to God? 201 00:09:27,505 --> 00:09:28,865 Cause pruning is a process, right? 202 00:09:28,865 --> 00:09:31,795 And I don't know if anyone gardens here, but, I don't personally, but I had to look 203 00:09:31,895 --> 00:09:36,165 this up, but pruning is important because it helps cut off unnecessary parts. 204 00:09:36,165 --> 00:09:40,314 Parts that are dead, parts that are diseased, or that are not bearing fruit. 205 00:09:41,105 --> 00:09:44,394 You know, when I'm able to abide and be pruned and cleaned by God, my 206 00:09:44,394 --> 00:09:47,564 pride is cleansed by Proverbs 29, 23. 207 00:09:47,795 --> 00:09:51,185 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. 208 00:09:52,235 --> 00:09:56,975 My selfishness is pruned by Philippians 2 chapter 2 verses 3 through 4 says 209 00:09:56,975 --> 00:10:00,585 do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit rather in humility 210 00:10:00,625 --> 00:10:04,585 value others above yourselves not looking to your own interests but to 211 00:10:04,615 --> 00:10:06,455 each of you the interests of others. 212 00:10:07,994 --> 00:10:12,395 You know my lack of forgiveness is pruned it's cleaned by Colossians 3 13. 213 00:10:12,925 --> 00:10:17,135 Bear with each other and forgive one another if you have any grievances against 214 00:10:17,135 --> 00:10:20,355 someone forgive as the Lord forgave you. 215 00:10:21,734 --> 00:10:24,175 You know, I share these and it's not a flex to say, Oh, look, Dallas has 216 00:10:24,185 --> 00:10:25,584 scriptures on standby, ready to go. 217 00:10:25,724 --> 00:10:30,094 No, but it just shows you how much I desire to be cleaned and pruned by God. 218 00:10:30,685 --> 00:10:35,024 And I hope in the same way as we look at Jesus, as he is, um, being tempted 219 00:10:35,024 --> 00:10:40,805 by Satan to really give in and to, um, and this, and be, um, and, um, and be 220 00:10:40,805 --> 00:10:43,694 dissuaded, um, away from the God's will. 221 00:10:44,135 --> 00:10:46,165 He was designed to be pruned and cleaned by God. 222 00:10:46,165 --> 00:10:47,365 He says this is not going to bear fruit. 223 00:10:47,375 --> 00:10:48,515 This is going to corrupt me. 224 00:10:48,685 --> 00:10:49,765 This is going to draw me away. 225 00:10:49,765 --> 00:10:50,854 This is going to make me impure. 226 00:10:50,964 --> 00:10:52,275 I need to cut it off. 227 00:10:52,344 --> 00:10:54,395 But what, but what, by what means? 228 00:10:54,485 --> 00:10:55,474 By the Word of God. 229 00:10:56,014 --> 00:10:58,665 Being remained in, remaining in the Word of God. 230 00:10:58,665 --> 00:11:02,645 And I think more importantly as we continue here, says, I'm 231 00:11:02,645 --> 00:11:03,615 the vine, you're the branches. 232 00:11:03,615 --> 00:11:07,594 In verse 5, If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. 233 00:11:07,895 --> 00:11:10,265 Apart from me you can do nothing. 234 00:11:10,265 --> 00:11:10,324 Amen. 235 00:11:11,035 --> 00:11:15,695 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers. 236 00:11:15,795 --> 00:11:19,875 Such branches are picked up and thrown into the fire and burn. 237 00:11:20,185 --> 00:11:22,284 Now, I do have an example here I want to show. 238 00:11:24,045 --> 00:11:24,835 Alright. 239 00:11:25,515 --> 00:11:27,054 I feel like Marcel with all my props here. 240 00:11:30,004 --> 00:11:32,055 This is a pretty good, this is an iPhone, right? 241 00:11:32,395 --> 00:11:35,185 We all, I'm not saying we all have one, but we all have a smartphone, right? 242 00:11:35,285 --> 00:11:35,875 Okay. 243 00:11:36,385 --> 00:11:37,362 This is, this is a very useful tool. 244 00:11:37,362 --> 00:11:38,335 This is a very useful tool. 245 00:11:38,480 --> 00:11:43,920 We have navigation, we have entertainment, we have music, we have photos, we can send 246 00:11:43,930 --> 00:11:45,840 text messages, we can make calls, right? 247 00:11:46,700 --> 00:11:49,930 But how useful is it if we don't have this? 248 00:11:53,389 --> 00:11:54,230 Paperweight right? 249 00:11:54,330 --> 00:11:56,120 Just a brick in our pocket basically, right? 250 00:11:56,259 --> 00:11:58,730 Some of you say I'm saying you got a brick in your pocket, no I'm kidding, no. 251 00:11:59,590 --> 00:12:04,730 But the idea is though, the idea is though, this is useless 252 00:12:05,610 --> 00:12:07,940 without a connection, right? 253 00:12:07,940 --> 00:12:08,224 Right? 254 00:12:08,875 --> 00:12:13,715 We can't claim for this useful and very prestigious and very 255 00:12:13,745 --> 00:12:17,395 advanced technology to be useful to us if it doesn't get charged up. 256 00:12:18,295 --> 00:12:23,554 If we are the vine, if Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, 257 00:12:24,154 --> 00:12:26,735 it says we are useless if we don't have the connection to the vine. 258 00:12:27,385 --> 00:12:27,995 You see that? 259 00:12:29,315 --> 00:12:34,085 So as we continue, just as a smartphone needs its charger to stay powered and 260 00:12:34,085 --> 00:12:37,044 to fulfill its purpose, a branch, us. 261 00:12:37,715 --> 00:12:39,755 Must remain in the vine to bear fruit. 262 00:12:41,314 --> 00:12:44,064 It, it, it emphasizes, because I think, wait, how often do we charge this? 263 00:12:44,535 --> 00:12:45,855 Apple users, I would say. 264 00:12:45,905 --> 00:12:47,835 Samsung users, you guys got better batteries, I'll give you that. 265 00:12:48,295 --> 00:12:50,444 Yeah, there you go, there you go, there you go, you got one up there. 266 00:12:53,125 --> 00:12:55,875 iPhone users, we charge this every day, right? 267 00:12:56,125 --> 00:12:57,805 Probably every hour, right? 268 00:12:58,165 --> 00:12:59,605 How quickly these things die out. 269 00:12:59,835 --> 00:13:03,974 But it's the emphasis, right, of how much we need to be connected. 270 00:13:05,175 --> 00:13:07,175 Because without this, we are nothing. 271 00:13:07,335 --> 00:13:09,575 Apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. 272 00:13:11,245 --> 00:13:13,885 We have to be remaining in the vine. 273 00:13:15,445 --> 00:13:17,954 We have to remain connected. 274 00:13:19,645 --> 00:13:21,634 Because thank God for the life of Jesus. 275 00:13:22,354 --> 00:13:22,914 Why? 276 00:13:23,145 --> 00:13:24,555 Because it's an example. 277 00:13:25,545 --> 00:13:27,415 Here's the, here's an analogy. 278 00:13:27,765 --> 00:13:28,775 To remain connected. 279 00:13:30,205 --> 00:13:31,005 That's point number one. 280 00:13:31,005 --> 00:13:32,375 Remain connected. 281 00:13:32,900 --> 00:13:33,020 You can do nothing. 282 00:13:33,020 --> 00:13:34,530 Apart from him, you can do nothing. 283 00:13:34,569 --> 00:13:35,260 Let's continue reading. 284 00:13:35,260 --> 00:13:35,930 You guys still with me? 285 00:13:36,710 --> 00:13:37,330 Alright, come on. 286 00:13:37,870 --> 00:13:41,720 So, in John chapter 15 verse 7, now, it says, If ye remain in me, and my words 287 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:46,300 remain in you, still Jesus, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 288 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:49,719 This is to my father's glory, that you bear much fruit. 289 00:13:50,540 --> 00:13:53,710 Showing yourselves to be my disciples. 290 00:13:54,420 --> 00:13:58,340 A healthy branch naturally bears fruit when it is connected to the vine. 291 00:13:58,350 --> 00:14:02,665 you The natural result of abiding in Christ is fruitfulness. 292 00:14:03,815 --> 00:14:06,975 Fruit that includes spiritual growth between you and God. 293 00:14:07,885 --> 00:14:11,574 Good works that you do to each other and to others outside of this building. 294 00:14:12,484 --> 00:14:15,365 And even leading others outside this building to Christ. 295 00:14:16,725 --> 00:14:17,355 And you know what? 296 00:14:17,364 --> 00:14:19,285 Bearing fruit is not optional. 297 00:14:20,555 --> 00:14:22,485 It's a sign of genuine discipleship. 298 00:14:24,795 --> 00:14:31,435 The fruit that we bear For shows ourselves to be his disciples, or doesn't. 299 00:14:32,505 --> 00:14:34,324 That's what we're, that's what we're, that's the, that's the 300 00:14:34,324 --> 00:14:35,594 decision that we can make. 301 00:14:36,045 --> 00:14:37,964 What kind of fruit are we going to bear? 302 00:14:38,985 --> 00:14:41,714 You know, I feel like Jesus demonstrated this with the Samaritan woman. 303 00:14:42,334 --> 00:14:43,804 Now follow me on this, you're probably thinking like, huh, 304 00:14:43,814 --> 00:14:44,635 what are you thinking about that? 305 00:14:44,994 --> 00:14:50,774 Well, when Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman, he breaks three amazing barriers. 306 00:14:51,844 --> 00:14:54,544 Cultural, gender, and moral barriers. 307 00:14:54,545 --> 00:14:54,599 That's right. 308 00:14:55,650 --> 00:14:56,400 Here, let's talk about this. 309 00:14:56,700 --> 00:15:01,140 You know, Samaritans were considered ethnically and religiously impure 310 00:15:01,140 --> 00:15:03,120 by Jews, and Jesus was a Jew. 311 00:15:03,750 --> 00:15:06,570 And normally Jews would avoid Samaria. 312 00:15:06,570 --> 00:15:09,240 They would, they would, they would take the long way around just so that they 313 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:10,830 wouldn't have to interact with them. 314 00:15:11,610 --> 00:15:14,505 So culturally, from a standpoint, he's already like, he's already 315 00:15:14,505 --> 00:15:15,385 cutting through the land. 316 00:15:15,415 --> 00:15:17,905 He's already meeting with those Samaritan, women in Samaria. 317 00:15:18,455 --> 00:15:18,745 Okay. 318 00:15:20,040 --> 00:15:20,720 The gender role. 319 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:25,720 Now, most of the time, culturally, most men will not speak to a woman one on one. 320 00:15:26,140 --> 00:15:29,469 Especially, Jesus being a rabbi, he would not speak to a woman, 321 00:15:29,470 --> 00:15:31,029 especially since she wasn't related. 322 00:15:31,250 --> 00:15:33,050 Okay, boom, that's barrier number two. 323 00:15:33,819 --> 00:15:37,749 Barrier number three is now the woman was an adulterous woman. 324 00:15:38,939 --> 00:15:41,000 She had five husbands, as we later find out in the story. 325 00:15:41,030 --> 00:15:43,420 If you go back and read the story, I encourage you, it's in 326 00:15:43,420 --> 00:15:44,790 John 4, it's an amazing story. 327 00:15:45,475 --> 00:15:49,395 But, ultimately, she, we come to find out this woman has on her fifth husband, 328 00:15:50,025 --> 00:15:52,585 she's been, you know, she's known for it, and she comes out in the middle of 329 00:15:52,585 --> 00:15:54,765 the day, she just meets her at noon. 330 00:15:54,944 --> 00:15:58,904 And normally, during that time, you want to get, she meets him at 331 00:15:58,904 --> 00:16:02,275 a well, and normally you'd want to meet, go to the well to get water 332 00:16:02,295 --> 00:16:04,905 either in the morning when it's cool or the evening when it's cool. 333 00:16:05,255 --> 00:16:08,285 But she comes at noon, in the middle of the day when she knows no one's 334 00:16:08,285 --> 00:16:12,395 going to be there, so that way she is not shamed for who she is. 335 00:16:13,185 --> 00:16:14,195 She's outcasted. 336 00:16:15,310 --> 00:16:19,070 She's separated, she's isolated from the rest of their community because of what 337 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:21,210 her reputation and what her background is. 338 00:16:22,590 --> 00:16:27,800 But despite her background, despite her past, Jesus approaches her with 339 00:16:28,350 --> 00:16:32,279 compassion and offers her what's called the living water, or eternal life, 340 00:16:32,329 --> 00:16:33,750 as some of us know the story to be. 341 00:16:34,420 --> 00:16:37,700 And he engages with her in this deep spiritual conversation. 342 00:16:38,770 --> 00:16:39,260 And you know. 343 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:44,530 This is an opportunity for him to bear fruit to show her God's heart. 344 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,330 And not only does he bear fruit to her in order to show her who God's heart is, 345 00:16:48,330 --> 00:16:50,080 but what happens afterwards is amazing. 346 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:54,240 It says, Then leaving the jar, uh, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to 347 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:58,979 town and said to the people, Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. 348 00:16:59,489 --> 00:17:01,090 Could this be the Messiah? 349 00:17:03,730 --> 00:17:06,339 She's already going and sharing the fruit that Jesus has bared 350 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:07,810 has now gone and multiplied. 351 00:17:07,825 --> 00:17:10,244 To wow, to wear, to hear. 352 00:17:10,484 --> 00:17:12,535 In verse 39, it says many of the Samaritans of that, from 353 00:17:12,535 --> 00:17:13,974 that town believed in him. 354 00:17:14,565 --> 00:17:18,054 Verse 41, and because of his words many more became believers. 355 00:17:18,055 --> 00:17:22,565 In verse 42, we no longer believe just because of what you have said. 356 00:17:22,815 --> 00:17:26,555 Now we have heard for ourselves what we know that the man, that this man 357 00:17:26,565 --> 00:17:29,235 really is the savior of the world. 358 00:17:30,875 --> 00:17:33,509 This encounter, this encounter glorified God. 359 00:17:34,330 --> 00:17:38,520 By spreading the message of salvation to an entire town from one 360 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:40,939 woman, a woman that was outcasted. 361 00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:45,780 I just think of myself sometimes, what if Jesus didn't reach out to this woman? 362 00:17:45,780 --> 00:17:46,840 Where would that town be? 363 00:17:47,169 --> 00:17:48,120 I don't know. 364 00:17:50,520 --> 00:17:54,010 But ultimately we need to bear God glorifying fruit. 365 00:17:55,230 --> 00:17:56,000 What do I mean by that? 366 00:17:56,010 --> 00:17:59,530 Well, when I was a student at Cal State Fullerton, uh, cause I'm currently in the 367 00:17:59,530 --> 00:18:01,139 campus ministry at that school right now. 368 00:18:01,139 --> 00:18:03,420 Um, I graduated in 2022, but I was a student. 369 00:18:04,125 --> 00:18:08,675 I found it very easy for myself and to, when I was sharing my faith and 370 00:18:08,675 --> 00:18:11,555 to, and to invite people to church, to invite, to invite the people that 371 00:18:11,555 --> 00:18:13,225 I felt was the most convenient for me. 372 00:18:13,975 --> 00:18:16,325 People that were sitting down, not doing anything. 373 00:18:16,895 --> 00:18:19,835 People that had a sports jersey of a team that I supported. 374 00:18:20,125 --> 00:18:21,594 People that had a cross necklace. 375 00:18:22,485 --> 00:18:23,235 It was easy for me. 376 00:18:23,235 --> 00:18:23,895 I was comfortable. 377 00:18:23,895 --> 00:18:25,485 I was like, oh yeah, this is, this is easy. 378 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:28,455 I, I would like looking, look, I can, I can go up to this person and be like, 379 00:18:28,575 --> 00:18:29,745 Hey, you know, strike up a competition. 380 00:18:29,745 --> 00:18:29,805 Yeah. 381 00:18:29,805 --> 00:18:30,315 I like Dodgers. 382 00:18:30,315 --> 00:18:30,915 You like Dodgers too? 383 00:18:30,945 --> 00:18:31,335 Okay, great. 384 00:18:31,335 --> 00:18:32,024 You should come out to church. 385 00:18:32,024 --> 00:18:33,645 You know, like, it was very convenient. 386 00:18:33,645 --> 00:18:37,935 It's very easy for me to be able to do stuff like that, but I, what I realized 387 00:18:37,935 --> 00:18:42,825 is that when I look at this story with Jesus and the Samaritan woman, it broke 388 00:18:42,825 --> 00:18:47,774 all kinds of barriers and the barriers and the restrictions that I put up for myself. 389 00:18:47,774 --> 00:18:50,625 When I was a student, I realized I was limiting. 390 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:52,330 God's glorifying fruit. 391 00:18:53,170 --> 00:18:56,610 Trying to think of what God could possibly do through people on my campus. 392 00:18:57,640 --> 00:19:01,299 You know, and I think when I learned about this story and I, and I, and I continue 393 00:19:01,299 --> 00:19:05,190 to dive deeper into it, it helped me not only realize how much fruit I can bear 394 00:19:05,190 --> 00:19:11,030 in just my evangelism, but in just my love and my devotion to God and His will. 395 00:19:11,030 --> 00:19:15,340 Because in turn, that helps me grow in my love and compassion for the world. 396 00:19:15,730 --> 00:19:19,020 And helping them come to know Christ, helping them come to know Jesus, because 397 00:19:19,020 --> 00:19:23,510 I think sometimes we can come up with questions like, well, you know, maybe, 398 00:19:23,590 --> 00:19:25,560 maybe, maybe this person's too busy. 399 00:19:25,820 --> 00:19:27,340 I don't want to inconvenience them. 400 00:19:28,390 --> 00:19:31,020 Or maybe I'm too busy, so I just don't have time to do it. 401 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:34,969 Or this generation is so worldly. 402 00:19:35,819 --> 00:19:37,419 How can they ever want to know Christ? 403 00:19:39,329 --> 00:19:41,439 They drink, they smoke, they get high. 404 00:19:41,889 --> 00:19:43,400 They hook up on the weekends. 405 00:19:45,130 --> 00:19:46,750 Look at what they wear. 406 00:19:48,130 --> 00:19:50,660 Do they look like people that want to come to know Christ? 407 00:19:52,130 --> 00:19:53,320 They don't even believe in God. 408 00:19:53,330 --> 00:19:54,620 They're from another religion. 409 00:19:55,520 --> 00:19:56,740 Look at who they voted for. 410 00:19:56,740 --> 00:19:57,240 I'm kidding. 411 00:19:57,240 --> 00:19:57,620 Stop. 412 00:19:57,629 --> 00:19:58,029 Stop. 413 00:19:59,659 --> 00:20:01,419 But we get these thoughts though, right? 414 00:20:02,950 --> 00:20:06,780 I know it's funny, but we can come up with these rationalities, right? 415 00:20:08,105 --> 00:20:12,135 It's easy for us to put a limit on God's glorifying fruit when we are 416 00:20:12,135 --> 00:20:15,245 the ones defining the barriers and the boundaries of who we share with, 417 00:20:15,285 --> 00:20:16,815 when we share with, and why we share. 418 00:20:18,915 --> 00:20:22,745 When we bear God a glorifying fruit, we break all the boundaries that we 419 00:20:22,745 --> 00:20:26,024 set on ourselves as human beings and we allow God to set the standard. 420 00:20:27,524 --> 00:20:30,524 God glorifying fruit has no boundaries. 421 00:20:31,165 --> 00:20:32,465 It has no limits. 422 00:20:32,465 --> 00:20:36,665 You know, when we stay connected. 423 00:20:37,775 --> 00:20:40,305 We can have so many more encounters like the Samaritan woman. 424 00:20:40,305 --> 00:20:44,345 People that are even outcasted, that feel unapproachable, that feel that 425 00:20:44,345 --> 00:20:45,665 you feel like are unconvertible. 426 00:20:46,765 --> 00:20:49,935 There are more stories like that in store for us if we desire 427 00:20:49,935 --> 00:20:51,755 to have God glorifying fruit. 428 00:20:53,625 --> 00:20:57,625 Matthew chapter 7 verse 20 it reads, you know, that Jesus is talking in the 429 00:20:57,625 --> 00:21:02,105 sermon of the mouth and he says, by their fruit you will recognize them. 430 00:21:02,845 --> 00:21:05,025 And he's talking about true and false society. 431 00:21:07,675 --> 00:21:11,145 Can people recognize God's glory by your fruit? 432 00:21:13,985 --> 00:21:15,385 Or do they see your own glory? 433 00:21:17,575 --> 00:21:18,684 Why am I doing this? 434 00:21:19,655 --> 00:21:20,285 Sometimes we ask. 435 00:21:20,525 --> 00:21:21,464 Is it for my glory? 436 00:21:21,464 --> 00:21:22,645 Is it for the glory of God? 437 00:21:23,455 --> 00:21:24,484 Who benefits from this? 438 00:21:24,494 --> 00:21:26,305 Is it God and others? 439 00:21:27,255 --> 00:21:28,325 Or is it just myself? 440 00:21:29,835 --> 00:21:30,895 What's in it for me? 441 00:21:31,725 --> 00:21:33,955 Will I get the praise, the recognition I deserve? 442 00:21:34,725 --> 00:21:36,345 Or do I not care and I leave it for God? 443 00:21:38,250 --> 00:21:42,070 I thank God for the life of Jews because it's an example of how 444 00:21:42,070 --> 00:21:43,810 to bear God glorifying fruit. 445 00:21:44,780 --> 00:21:46,829 How to love with no boundaries. 446 00:21:47,690 --> 00:21:50,359 How to give compassion with no restrictions. 447 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:54,619 Because like I said, God glorifying fruit breaks barriers 448 00:21:54,619 --> 00:21:56,690 within ourselves and for others. 449 00:21:58,020 --> 00:21:59,290 Let's go back to the main text here. 450 00:21:59,300 --> 00:21:59,360 Thank you. 451 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:01,340 Uh, we're gonna be in verse 9. 452 00:22:01,350 --> 00:22:04,060 Now I can't finish the entire chapter or the first, this kind of entire 453 00:22:04,060 --> 00:22:07,080 section of the vine and the branches, but I encourage you to go and read it. 454 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:09,909 I'm gonna read up to about verse 13, but I encourage you to read the rest of it 455 00:22:09,909 --> 00:22:13,079 on your own if you have time this week, because it's an amazing, amazing passage. 456 00:22:13,400 --> 00:22:14,690 But let's go back in the text real quick. 457 00:22:15,239 --> 00:22:18,580 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. 458 00:22:19,060 --> 00:22:20,680 Now remain in my love. 459 00:22:21,550 --> 00:22:24,780 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my 460 00:22:24,780 --> 00:22:26,399 Father's commands and remain in His love. 461 00:22:27,220 --> 00:22:32,090 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 462 00:22:33,120 --> 00:22:36,690 My command is this, love each other as I have loved you. 463 00:22:37,470 --> 00:22:42,680 Greater love has no one than this to lay down one's life for one's friends. 464 00:22:43,450 --> 00:22:47,690 You know, in, in, in John chapter 15, Jesus, the love, the word 465 00:22:47,700 --> 00:22:49,460 love is mentioned so many times. 466 00:22:49,850 --> 00:22:52,090 And I know that today in our day and age, we can throw the 467 00:22:52,090 --> 00:22:53,020 word love around and everything. 468 00:22:53,020 --> 00:22:53,489 So I love. 469 00:22:53,740 --> 00:22:54,870 I love, uh, pizza. 470 00:22:54,879 --> 00:22:56,750 I love, uh, my family. 471 00:22:56,750 --> 00:22:57,679 I love my job. 472 00:22:57,679 --> 00:22:57,889 Right? 473 00:22:58,020 --> 00:22:59,510 Those are all different levels of love. 474 00:22:59,510 --> 00:22:59,889 Right? 475 00:23:00,230 --> 00:23:02,239 But the love that Jesus is talking about is translated into what's 476 00:23:02,239 --> 00:23:06,909 called agape, which is this selfless and unconditional love. 477 00:23:07,600 --> 00:23:10,649 The highest form of love is what it's, it's perceived as in the Christian faith. 478 00:23:12,439 --> 00:23:16,669 And so Jesus is speaking also literally and figuratively in this text. 479 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:21,989 You know, he says that he's going to lay down his life. 480 00:23:22,389 --> 00:23:27,540 And obviously, as we know, Jesus would go on to die for our sins on the 481 00:23:27,540 --> 00:23:29,340 cross and lay down his life for us. 482 00:23:29,850 --> 00:23:33,010 But I think he also references, figuratively, of something that 483 00:23:33,010 --> 00:23:36,919 he did prior, in John chapter 13, when he washes his disciples feet. 484 00:23:39,330 --> 00:23:42,730 You know, in reference to that, you know, in John chapter 13, if you want 485 00:23:42,730 --> 00:23:45,159 to read it, it says, Jesus washes his feet, and after washing the feet, Jesus 486 00:23:45,159 --> 00:23:49,110 tells his disciples, Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, 487 00:23:49,709 --> 00:23:52,090 you also should wash one another's feet. 488 00:23:53,130 --> 00:23:56,980 I've set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 489 00:23:57,460 --> 00:24:00,840 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, 490 00:24:01,490 --> 00:24:04,440 nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 491 00:24:06,260 --> 00:24:10,270 You know, I'm going to pop up my thing real quick. 492 00:24:14,750 --> 00:24:17,880 When I was in high school, um, my, I played soccer. 493 00:24:18,020 --> 00:24:22,680 Um, I had a varsity coach, um, who was very adamant about 494 00:24:22,720 --> 00:24:23,890 everyone being a team player. 495 00:24:24,764 --> 00:24:28,345 And every time we step in the locker room, um, we had a sign on the door. 496 00:24:28,885 --> 00:24:31,455 I'm sure some of you have heard of this, but it's leave your ego at the door. 497 00:24:32,624 --> 00:24:33,054 Right? 498 00:24:33,584 --> 00:24:37,675 This idea that you play for the name on the front, not the back. 499 00:24:39,364 --> 00:24:45,394 The idea that just because you may be the all CIF, all accoladed player of the 500 00:24:45,394 --> 00:24:51,454 week, whatever, stud on campus, whatever, when you put that jersey on, you are 501 00:24:51,454 --> 00:24:53,439 no greater than the person next to you. 502 00:24:53,440 --> 00:24:58,510 That we all contribute to building something great. 503 00:24:59,060 --> 00:24:59,990 And that was a winning team. 504 00:25:01,650 --> 00:25:05,430 You know, in the same way, I think when Jesus was talking 505 00:25:05,430 --> 00:25:08,460 about washing his disciples feet, I think of this analogy here. 506 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:13,029 Make sure I don't hit this mic. 507 00:25:14,469 --> 00:25:16,489 But, here I have an apron. 508 00:25:17,999 --> 00:25:20,859 And when you guys think of an apron, what do you guys normally think of? 509 00:25:21,605 --> 00:25:23,005 Cooking, right? 510 00:25:23,215 --> 00:25:24,045 Yeah, I always think that. 511 00:25:24,055 --> 00:25:25,235 So let's, let's pivot a little bit more. 512 00:25:25,915 --> 00:25:27,125 Let's go, let's go my way a little bit. 513 00:25:27,425 --> 00:25:28,935 When I think apron, I think of serving. 514 00:25:29,765 --> 00:25:32,175 When you're cooking, you're preparing something to give to someone else. 515 00:25:32,175 --> 00:25:32,754 Or for yourself. 516 00:25:32,935 --> 00:25:33,355 Up to you. 517 00:25:33,775 --> 00:25:35,645 I know some of you guys like to cook a lot of food for yourself. 518 00:25:35,645 --> 00:25:36,294 I know Sung does. 519 00:25:37,575 --> 00:25:42,704 But, the idea is though, that when we put this apron on, it's a 520 00:25:42,704 --> 00:25:44,324 sign that we are willing to serve. 521 00:25:45,174 --> 00:25:46,124 We're willing to work. 522 00:25:48,034 --> 00:25:52,485 You know, the idea that for me as a, um, as a, when I was playing soccer, 523 00:25:52,485 --> 00:25:56,415 this idea, this, this, this apron kind of became true for me in the last year. 524 00:25:57,665 --> 00:26:03,684 You know, when I had this apron on, it's easy for me to pick and choose 525 00:26:04,145 --> 00:26:05,764 when I'm giving and when I serve. 526 00:26:06,574 --> 00:26:08,845 I choose when I want to take it on and when I take it off. 527 00:26:10,625 --> 00:26:13,824 It's easy for me to kind of pick, say, ah, that's, that's, that's, that's beneath me. 528 00:26:13,824 --> 00:26:14,834 I don't, I don't need to do that. 529 00:26:16,149 --> 00:26:17,919 Or, that's, ah, that's not worth my time. 530 00:26:17,969 --> 00:26:18,889 But I'll do this, though. 531 00:26:18,889 --> 00:26:20,509 Oh, here, I'm ready, I'm ready to go. 532 00:26:20,579 --> 00:26:21,249 You need me to preach? 533 00:26:22,029 --> 00:26:22,179 Woo! 534 00:26:22,419 --> 00:26:23,449 Give me the paper and I'm ready to go. 535 00:26:25,239 --> 00:26:28,799 Oh, but you want me to go and serve in kids kingdom? 536 00:26:28,849 --> 00:26:30,229 Oh, sorry, can't do that. 537 00:26:30,269 --> 00:26:30,579 No. 538 00:26:30,969 --> 00:26:36,379 You know, like, we, I, I was, it's easy to pick and choose what we do in the kingdom. 539 00:26:37,659 --> 00:26:41,870 And you know what's crazy is that Jesus disciples went on to do amazing things. 540 00:26:43,120 --> 00:26:45,399 They would spread the gospel, they would go to the ends of 541 00:26:45,399 --> 00:26:46,870 the earth to preach the word. 542 00:26:47,770 --> 00:26:51,609 But Jesus showed the importance of how much of this apron are you going to 543 00:26:51,609 --> 00:26:53,439 keep on when you wash each other's feet. 544 00:26:54,300 --> 00:26:58,219 Understand that there's humility and servitude in being a servant. 545 00:26:59,679 --> 00:27:03,290 You know, without the apron, when we cook and clean, I'm a little 546 00:27:03,300 --> 00:27:05,320 hesitant to get my hands dirty. 547 00:27:06,550 --> 00:27:06,719 Right? 548 00:27:06,719 --> 00:27:09,199 Because I don't want things getting on my clothes, I'm like, ugh, I 549 00:27:09,209 --> 00:27:10,579 can't really fully commit to it. 550 00:27:12,159 --> 00:27:12,979 Right? 551 00:27:13,209 --> 00:27:16,550 And normally when we, when I put this apron on, it helps remind me of a time. 552 00:27:16,850 --> 00:27:17,989 I'll share it vulnerably here. 553 00:27:18,050 --> 00:27:19,269 Can I share a vulnerability with you guys real quick? 554 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:26,680 You know, this time last year, um, I was, uh, I was pretty much on track to 555 00:27:26,690 --> 00:27:29,970 becoming where I'm at right now, where I'm currently a minister right now. 556 00:27:31,050 --> 00:27:36,150 And, um, some things in my character were very much, uh, brought into the 557 00:27:36,150 --> 00:27:38,530 light, um, that showed I was not ready. 558 00:27:39,675 --> 00:27:45,264 And I remember, you know, just, I've been waiting for my shot to 559 00:27:45,284 --> 00:27:48,155 go into the ministry and to serve and to give to God's kingdom. 560 00:27:49,205 --> 00:27:53,394 But there were things that I had, um, I hadn't really dealt with that 561 00:27:53,394 --> 00:27:56,974 were really hindering me from really experiencing, not just a relationship 562 00:27:56,974 --> 00:27:58,714 with God, but intimacy with God. 563 00:28:00,305 --> 00:28:04,405 And so I remember sitting down with Marcel and Eric and Kyle, I don't mean 564 00:28:04,405 --> 00:28:06,704 to call them out, but I appreciate them because they were real with me 565 00:28:06,705 --> 00:28:08,494 and honest with me and saying like, we don't think you're ready yet. 566 00:28:09,705 --> 00:28:11,085 We don't think this is the time for you. 567 00:28:11,445 --> 00:28:14,495 There's things that you need to work on and to really wrestle with in 568 00:28:14,495 --> 00:28:18,755 your relationship with God that's going to require you to not really, 569 00:28:18,895 --> 00:28:20,345 not to not be a minister just yet. 570 00:28:20,504 --> 00:28:23,304 And I was like, man, okay. 571 00:28:23,705 --> 00:28:24,364 That checked me. 572 00:28:25,364 --> 00:28:31,245 And so I felt God handing me this apron saying, here, put the apron on. 573 00:28:31,795 --> 00:28:32,395 Let's go to work. 574 00:28:33,115 --> 00:28:33,925 And I hated the apron. 575 00:28:33,925 --> 00:28:34,915 I hated having this on. 576 00:28:35,185 --> 00:28:35,805 I'll be honest. 577 00:28:36,685 --> 00:28:38,235 It was hard because I was like, man. 578 00:28:38,705 --> 00:28:41,295 I'm trying to, I'm, I got, I'm willing to give everything for you. 579 00:28:41,754 --> 00:28:43,935 I'm willing to do great things for you. 580 00:28:44,805 --> 00:28:48,485 But when I really got to sit down and really wrestle myself and look 581 00:28:48,485 --> 00:28:53,585 at my heart, I understood that it was for my glory that I wanted this. 582 00:28:54,764 --> 00:28:57,805 I realized that my humility to serve was just so that way people 583 00:28:57,805 --> 00:29:01,145 can give me the pat on the back, the applause in the crowd, the, 584 00:29:01,165 --> 00:29:02,695 yeah, bro, you did a great job. 585 00:29:03,600 --> 00:29:06,250 And it wasn't because I wanted to bring God glory and what he 586 00:29:06,250 --> 00:29:09,060 wanted from me through my gifts and my talents that he's given me. 587 00:29:10,730 --> 00:29:12,870 And so I, I, I hated this thing for a long time. 588 00:29:12,870 --> 00:29:16,530 I had to, I had to be open, I had to be honest, I had to be vulnerable about my 589 00:29:16,530 --> 00:29:21,749 intentions, about everything because so much of it had been skewed to myself, 590 00:29:22,369 --> 00:29:24,380 skewed to how I wanted things to go about. 591 00:29:26,180 --> 00:29:29,910 You know, I, it was, it was hard because I had to learn. 592 00:29:30,785 --> 00:29:35,655 How to give and to serve and to be humble without the title. 593 00:29:37,285 --> 00:29:42,935 And I, and I stand here today showing you this apron to 594 00:29:42,935 --> 00:29:44,844 signify that it's still on me. 595 00:29:47,145 --> 00:29:50,515 The idea, the desire to be humble and to serve God 596 00:29:50,515 --> 00:29:52,665 wholeheartedly is still within me. 597 00:29:53,865 --> 00:29:56,654 It doesn't go away once I got the title, just because I got the call 598 00:29:56,654 --> 00:30:01,150 and the, affirmation from Marcel and From, and from Eric and Kyle that was 599 00:30:01,150 --> 00:30:05,280 ready, this stays on for all of us. 600 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:08,950 I don't know for what you're at, at some point in your walk with God, but at some 601 00:30:08,960 --> 00:30:10,950 of us, we may have taken this apron off. 602 00:30:12,129 --> 00:30:15,570 We may have taken the desire to be humble and to serve regardless 603 00:30:15,570 --> 00:30:19,340 of whether we get credit or not, regardless of anyone sees it or not. 604 00:30:20,570 --> 00:30:25,589 And I know for me, it's hard because sometimes at the day, we have the 605 00:30:25,589 --> 00:30:31,205 best intentions How can we, to wanna really bring God glory, but Jesus 606 00:30:31,285 --> 00:30:34,205 always, always, always after the heart. 607 00:30:36,055 --> 00:30:37,075 And I wanna leave you guys with this. 608 00:30:37,075 --> 00:30:39,275 Like God wants to do amazing things with us. 609 00:30:39,285 --> 00:30:40,165 He really does. 610 00:30:41,135 --> 00:30:44,075 And each and everyone in this person is willing to contribute to that. 611 00:30:44,084 --> 00:30:49,255 However, we have to be humble enough to do the dirty work, 612 00:30:49,695 --> 00:30:50,885 even when no one's watching. 613 00:30:51,485 --> 00:30:55,245 And that's the integrity that Jesus asked all of us to have is 614 00:30:55,275 --> 00:30:56,925 are you willing to do Do the work. 615 00:30:57,650 --> 00:31:00,740 To serve, to be humble when no one is watching. 616 00:31:01,670 --> 00:31:04,050 When no one, no one is giving you the pat on the back. 617 00:31:04,180 --> 00:31:06,950 I know sometimes our AV team can get some flack for not 618 00:31:06,959 --> 00:31:07,820 getting the credit they deserve. 619 00:31:07,839 --> 00:31:08,869 I love our AV team. 620 00:31:09,650 --> 00:31:10,039 They're amazing. 621 00:31:10,039 --> 00:31:11,050 Let's give it up for our AV team. 622 00:31:15,460 --> 00:31:18,700 And I know that for me because it's easy for me to, it's easy for me to be 623 00:31:18,700 --> 00:31:19,920 on stage and for everyone to see me. 624 00:31:19,920 --> 00:31:22,430 But there's a lot of people in this church that do things behind the scenes. 625 00:31:23,500 --> 00:31:25,120 That we don't see, that we don't know. 626 00:31:25,785 --> 00:31:27,465 And they do it humbly, and they do it serenely. 627 00:31:27,465 --> 00:31:30,455 I, I'm so grateful for these people in our church. 628 00:31:30,645 --> 00:31:32,345 That people that, that go unseen. 629 00:31:32,535 --> 00:31:35,265 The people that do things, but because they choose to continue to wear the apron. 630 00:31:35,885 --> 00:31:38,064 They continue, they continue to choose to be humble. 631 00:31:38,725 --> 00:31:42,335 And imagine if we were a church that we all wore the apron. 632 00:31:44,444 --> 00:31:47,895 That we would look across the way, across the rows here. 633 00:31:48,505 --> 00:31:51,875 And we would not put ourselves above or beneath one another. 634 00:31:52,780 --> 00:31:54,460 Well, we can't be able to, we could, we could put ourselves 635 00:31:54,470 --> 00:31:55,780 beneath in a humble way, right? 636 00:31:56,050 --> 00:31:59,120 But in a way that's not saying, well, I'm not as valuable as that person. 637 00:31:59,810 --> 00:32:00,630 I'm not worth it. 638 00:32:00,630 --> 00:32:02,220 I'm not as important as that person. 639 00:32:02,470 --> 00:32:04,810 Or thinking ourselves that we're higher than we ought to, I think 640 00:32:04,840 --> 00:32:05,910 I'm more important than this person. 641 00:32:06,100 --> 00:32:06,980 I have more to offer. 642 00:32:07,010 --> 00:32:08,559 I've been in the kingdom X amount of years. 643 00:32:08,630 --> 00:32:09,270 I've done this. 644 00:32:09,279 --> 00:32:10,310 I've led these things. 645 00:32:10,509 --> 00:32:11,849 I've baptized this many people. 646 00:32:12,159 --> 00:32:12,649 No. 647 00:32:13,219 --> 00:32:17,370 The idea is that we all as a church have to wear the apron regardless 648 00:32:17,370 --> 00:32:19,860 of titles, regardless of status. 649 00:32:20,630 --> 00:32:24,700 We have to be a church that is humble to serve and wash each 650 00:32:24,700 --> 00:32:27,090 other's feet, as Jesus called us all. 651 00:32:30,110 --> 00:32:34,939 Church, as we move forward, and for those that are in the Orange County 652 00:32:34,940 --> 00:32:40,080 congregation, what it's going to take to move our church into a healthier 653 00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:43,960 place is if we all put on the apron. 654 00:32:46,670 --> 00:32:48,500 Leave your ego at the door. 655 00:32:49,390 --> 00:32:50,150 And put on an apron. 656 00:32:50,310 --> 00:32:52,730 I couldn't come up with another clever way to say that, I just had to put it up 657 00:32:52,730 --> 00:32:54,440 there, so there's your point right there. 658 00:32:55,130 --> 00:32:59,180 But leave your ego at the door and put on an apron. 659 00:33:00,269 --> 00:33:01,179 Let's go to work. 660 00:33:01,820 --> 00:33:02,940 Let's get our hands dirty. 661 00:33:03,889 --> 00:33:07,910 Let's rub elbows, rub elbows with one another and get in the nitty 662 00:33:07,910 --> 00:33:10,310 gritty to create a healthy church. 663 00:33:10,310 --> 00:33:11,400 A Jesus's church. 664 00:33:11,410 --> 00:33:14,820 The church that he aspired to want to see. 665 00:33:16,190 --> 00:33:18,800 Because yes, our church is imperfect, full of imperfect people. 666 00:33:19,420 --> 00:33:20,620 People that drive you crazy. 667 00:33:21,040 --> 00:33:23,080 People that get on your nerves, that hurt you. 668 00:33:24,220 --> 00:33:27,480 Say things that, you know, sometimes in the moment they mean, 669 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:28,549 but in the end they really don't. 670 00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:35,200 Guys, we have to be a church that is willing to put on the apron. 671 00:33:35,220 --> 00:33:36,570 Every single one of us. 672 00:33:37,070 --> 00:33:38,330 To see each other as equals. 673 00:33:38,330 --> 00:33:41,930 To be able to be willing to be humble and to serve one another as Jesus called us. 674 00:33:41,950 --> 00:33:42,290 Amen. 675 00:33:44,615 --> 00:33:47,375 So to leave you guys with this, it's just these three points. 676 00:33:48,435 --> 00:33:49,415 Remain connected. 677 00:33:50,365 --> 00:33:51,425 Be in the word of God. 678 00:33:52,385 --> 00:33:55,694 Bear fruit that glorifies God and not yourself. 679 00:33:56,695 --> 00:33:59,565 Leave your ego at the door and put on an apron. 680 00:34:00,214 --> 00:34:00,885 And let's go to work. 681 00:34:01,645 --> 00:34:02,045 Amen. 682 00:34:03,485 --> 00:34:05,335 I want to leave us with this last scripture here. 683 00:34:06,625 --> 00:34:09,174 Second, uh, Philippians chapter 2 verse 5 through 8. 684 00:34:09,175 --> 00:34:10,895 It says in your relationships with one another. 685 00:34:11,545 --> 00:34:17,705 Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, who being in very nature, God did not 686 00:34:17,705 --> 00:34:22,435 consider equality with God, something to be used to his own advantage. 687 00:34:25,485 --> 00:34:29,284 Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant 688 00:34:29,734 --> 00:34:34,094 being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man. 689 00:34:34,094 --> 00:34:41,065 He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. 690 00:34:43,195 --> 00:34:48,795 So church, let us thank God for the life of Jesus because it is a life of humility. 691 00:34:49,385 --> 00:34:51,478 Thank you guys.