WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.919 Amen. Amen. You may be seated. Children, we are ready for Children's Church at this time. 00:00:06.019 --> 00:00:08.679 You may make your way back there to see Miss Savannah. 00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:13.759 We are excited that you're here to worship with us today. 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:22.119 This week during our Wednesday night life groups, the topic that we were discussing was becoming a welcoming church 00:00:22.119 --> 00:00:26.119 and making sure that we're intentional about being a welcoming church. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:32.079 It was part of the series, the Love Your Church series that all of our life groups on Wednesday nights are going through. 00:00:32.079 --> 00:00:36.239 And actually some of our Sunday school classes on Sunday morning are going through as well. 00:00:36.339 --> 00:00:43.619 But it was a really interesting topic, a great week of discussion as we think through what it means to be a welcoming church. 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:53.119 And in that session, during that chapter, the main passage that was used was James chapter 2 verses 1 through 13. 00:00:53.700 --> 00:00:59.420 Well, guess what? Today, our main passage is James chapter 2 verses 1 through 13. 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:06.320 Now, I wish that I could say six months ago we planned this out and, you know, we just had it in mind all along. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:07.939 That's not the case. 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:16.000 But I am really thankful that it worked out this way because it does, it's very helpful for us this week in thinking through this passage. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:19.920 In thinking through what it means to be a welcoming church. 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:27.740 Now, there's a couple of areas that we need to be aware of when we think about becoming welcoming or being a welcoming church. 00:01:27.739 --> 00:01:31.359 A few pitfalls that I think are easy to fall into. 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:34.659 And one of those is one that you would typically go to. 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:36.519 I think that everybody would recognize. 00:01:36.640 --> 00:01:44.159 And we sometimes find ourselves becoming unwelcoming because we feel that we are being inconvenienced. 00:01:44.259 --> 00:01:47.979 Our preferences or our comfortability is being challenged. 00:01:48.199 --> 00:01:54.280 And we can find ourselves showing preferences in an unbiblical way. 00:01:54.280 --> 00:02:02.079 We can find ourselves not becoming welcoming because all of a sudden these new people, it changes the dynamics. 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:03.519 It changes different things. 00:02:03.740 --> 00:02:08.379 And I think we all recognize that we must push back against that. 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:13.159 We must not let that become what is important to us. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:15.539 That we must be on guard against this. 00:02:15.620 --> 00:02:19.759 But there's another way that we need to be on guard as well. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:23.899 And sometimes we like the idea of being welcoming. 00:02:24.179 --> 00:02:28.139 But as long as it is someone else who's doing the welcoming, right? 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:31.579 We like the idea of being a welcoming church. 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:35.379 Nobody wants their church to be known for not being welcoming. 00:02:35.879 --> 00:02:37.280 Nobody wants that. 00:02:37.659 --> 00:02:43.259 But at the same time, we don't want to actually be the ones who are making people feel comfortable. 00:02:43.519 --> 00:02:48.060 We don't want to actually be the ones who are putting ourselves out there. 00:02:48.060 --> 00:02:51.740 And when I think about this, I'm reminded of a church that I was serving in at one time. 00:02:51.920 --> 00:02:53.979 Not here, but it was a church that I was serving in. 00:02:54.259 --> 00:02:58.539 And there was this group of teens that was playing basketball in the parking lot. 00:02:58.920 --> 00:03:00.080 And somebody comes in. 00:03:00.140 --> 00:03:04.659 They says, somebody really needs to go out there and invite these teens in. 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:06.360 They need to invite them to church. 00:03:06.379 --> 00:03:12.439 Because it was obvious by their actions, by the language that they were sharing with one another, 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:15.680 that they weren't typically people who go to church. 00:03:15.680 --> 00:03:18.360 And so we had someone come in and he comes right up to me. 00:03:18.719 --> 00:03:23.099 And I guess because I was on staff there, say, somebody needs to go invite them to church. 00:03:23.420 --> 00:03:25.060 And so I go out there and invite them to church. 00:03:25.140 --> 00:03:27.640 But then I began thinking about, you're right, somebody does. 00:03:27.700 --> 00:03:31.340 But that's something that we all need to take responsibility for. 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:34.360 That's something that we all need to be a part of. 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:41.319 This is a command that we must all take responsibility for and actively participate in. 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:47.739 And so our passage today addresses the issue of showing partiality and favoritism. 00:03:48.239 --> 00:03:54.659 James, a leader in the early church, wants to make sure we know that in the kingdom of God, 00:03:54.799 --> 00:03:56.919 there's no place for partiality. 00:03:57.239 --> 00:03:59.099 There's no place for favoritism. 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:05.139 And so if you have a copy of God's Word, I want to invite you to open with me to James chapter 2. 00:04:05.299 --> 00:04:07.780 And we're going to read the first 13 verses. 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:13.280 So James chapter 2 verses 1 through 13, this is what the Word of the Lord says. 00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:14.140 It says this, 00:04:14.140 --> 00:04:24.680 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 00:04:25.339 --> 00:04:29.699 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:33.540 and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 00:04:33.720 --> 00:04:37.399 and you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing, 00:04:37.399 --> 00:04:40.399 and you say, you sit here in a good place, 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:46.060 while you say to the poor man, you stand over there, or sit down at my feet, 00:04:46.779 --> 00:04:52.659 have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:55.139 Listen, my beloved brothers, 00:04:55.639 --> 00:05:01.679 has God not chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, 00:05:02.019 --> 00:05:05.120 which He has promised to those who love Him? 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:07.879 But you have dishonored the poor man, 00:05:08.340 --> 00:05:11.399 and are not the rich ones the ones who oppress you, 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:13.800 and not the ones who drag you into court? 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:18.360 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called? 00:05:18.920 --> 00:05:22.800 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:25.199 you shall love your neighbor as yourself, 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:27.180 you are doing well. 00:05:27.180 --> 00:05:29.759 But if you show partiality, 00:05:30.400 --> 00:05:34.939 you are committing sin and are convicted by the law of transgressors. 00:05:35.139 --> 00:05:42.139 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails at one point has become guilty of it all. 00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:44.460 For he who said, 00:05:44.620 --> 00:05:45.819 do not commit adultery, 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:46.840 also said, 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:47.720 do not murder. 00:05:48.519 --> 00:05:49.840 If you do not commit adultery, 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:50.680 but you do murder, 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:52.860 you have become a transgressor of the law. 00:05:52.860 --> 00:05:58.819 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 00:05:59.520 --> 00:06:04.120 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. 00:06:04.780 --> 00:06:07.960 Mercy triumphs over judgment. 00:06:08.520 --> 00:06:13.040 Now there are so many things that we would love to take the time to cover this morning, 00:06:13.040 --> 00:06:16.360 and we're not going to be able to hit on every single thing. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:20.340 But there are a few questions that I want us to ask ourselves 00:06:20.340 --> 00:06:24.040 as we think through the problem that James addresses here, 00:06:24.100 --> 00:06:26.580 this problem of partiality. 00:06:26.840 --> 00:06:29.480 And the first question that I want us to look at today, 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:30.720 this morning, 00:06:30.960 --> 00:06:31.660 is this. 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:34.560 What are you captivated by? 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:36.540 What are you captivated by? 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:38.600 What are we captivated by? 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:41.540 And we see this from James 2, 1 through 7 here, 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:45.020 but I want us to pay particular attention to James 2, 1. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:45.519 It says, 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:46.879 My brothers, 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:52.399 show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:54.919 the Lord of glory. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:56.819 Much of this section, 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:58.199 verses 1 through 13, 00:06:58.399 --> 00:07:01.319 can be summed up with this one verse. 00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:05.079 Don't show favoritism or partiality to anyone 00:07:05.079 --> 00:07:08.060 because Jesus is the Lord of glory, 00:07:08.539 --> 00:07:11.399 the only one who is worthy of glory. 00:07:11.399 --> 00:07:12.000 You see, 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:16.159 when we ascribe glory to people based on their financial status, 00:07:16.679 --> 00:07:19.839 we are being captivated by the things of this world 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:22.699 and not the one who created this world. 00:07:23.219 --> 00:07:26.399 If we start showing and ascribing glory to people 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:30.399 and giving preference to those who have means, 00:07:30.500 --> 00:07:34.199 then what we're doing is we're putting more glory on the things of this world 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:36.599 than the one who created the world. 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:37.800 And in our passage, 00:07:37.960 --> 00:07:41.040 James goes on to give an example of what this would look like. 00:07:41.379 --> 00:07:41.700 He says, 00:07:41.820 --> 00:07:44.240 Imagine that two people come into your assembly. 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:47.360 One of these people that comes into your assembly 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:49.780 is dressed in really fine clothing. 00:07:50.260 --> 00:07:50.740 And in fact, 00:07:50.820 --> 00:07:52.400 he's got rings on all of his, 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:54.020 gold rings on all of his fingers. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:57.960 And we know from history that this was a status symbol 00:07:57.960 --> 00:07:59.080 where everybody would look to, 00:07:59.160 --> 00:07:59.320 Oh, 00:07:59.400 --> 00:08:01.660 that person's a person of means. 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:02.680 And in fact, 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:04.680 there's rumors that are told that, 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:06.640 that there were places where you could go 00:08:06.640 --> 00:08:08.900 and rent gold rings to wear 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:11.400 if you were going somewhere to try to impress somebody. 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:13.540 I guess much like people use enterprise 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:15.640 or in a sports car to go to their high school reunion. 00:08:16.140 --> 00:08:16.440 And so, 00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:18.300 and so you would rent these things 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:18.800 and you would, 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:20.780 you would go and you would show off and say, 00:08:20.860 --> 00:08:21.500 look at me. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:22.460 Look how rich, 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:23.660 look how wealthy I am. 00:08:23.700 --> 00:08:25.780 Look at all the things that I have done. 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:26.120 Look at, 00:08:26.320 --> 00:08:27.020 look at me. 00:08:27.019 --> 00:08:28.419 And so this person, 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:29.959 imagine this person coming in 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:32.299 and everybody wants to welcome him. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:34.379 They roll out the red carpet for him. 00:08:34.439 --> 00:08:35.980 He gets to sit with everyone. 00:08:36.319 --> 00:08:39.360 He's invited to every Sunday school class we offer. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:41.419 He's given his own parking place 00:08:41.419 --> 00:08:43.159 and make sure that he gets a guest back. 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:45.819 Everyone wants to invite them to lunch, 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:46.639 to go with them. 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:49.620 Then there's another person that walks in 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:53.519 and this person is dressed in shabby clothes, 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.279 that it says. 00:08:54.279 --> 00:08:57.720 This person doesn't look as impressive on the outside 00:08:57.720 --> 00:08:58.659 as someone who, 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:00.600 who maybe can contribute to life. 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:02.339 This is not a person of means. 00:09:02.459 --> 00:09:06.939 It's never going to be a large contributor of finances to the church. 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:09.939 And instead of rolling out the red carpet, 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:13.819 you ask the person to stand over there in the corner. 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:14.519 Why don't you, 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:15.500 if you need to, 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:16.919 you can sit down here at my feet. 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:20.839 But you don't welcome them in. 00:09:21.339 --> 00:09:23.860 You have one person who feels incredibly welcomed 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:25.139 and glad that they are there. 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:26.580 And somebody else who, 00:09:26.680 --> 00:09:28.720 who really probably will never come back 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:31.300 because they don't feel like they belong. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:33.539 They don't feel like they are welcomed there. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:34.919 And so as soon, 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.100 and then you have this take place 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:40.060 and soon the worship service begins. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.759 Or does it? 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:44.379 And I say this because 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:47.480 what are we really worshiping at this point? 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:50.139 What are we really worshiping 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:52.360 if we're trying to make these distinctions between, 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:55.159 what are we elevating in our services 00:09:55.159 --> 00:09:57.639 if we begin to make these distinctions? 00:09:58.159 --> 00:10:00.340 Because it's not Christ that's being elevated. 00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:03.460 I believe that God is far more concerned 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:06.039 with our heart as we come to our worship service 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:09.000 than he would ever be about how we are dressed. 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:10.700 Now you may object and say, 00:10:10.800 --> 00:10:12.360 well, Brad, this is not a true story. 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:13.259 James is just, 00:10:13.519 --> 00:10:14.919 he's speaking in hyperbole here. 00:10:15.000 --> 00:10:16.879 No one calls themselves a Christian 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:18.860 would actually act this way. 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:22.080 There's no way that this would actually take place 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:24.680 if only that were true. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:28.360 It's been a few years since I was in Greek, 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:31.200 but I'm not sure that I would have even picked up on this 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:33.580 because what I had was just the very basics of it. 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:36.100 But numerous commentators this week 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:38.800 noticed the language of verses two and three, 00:10:39.060 --> 00:10:41.519 as well as the context that is given here, 00:10:41.840 --> 00:10:45.879 indicates an actual happening in the early church. 00:10:45.879 --> 00:10:49.980 James probably witnessed this tragic event himself. 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:52.340 And again, I'm not a Greek scholar, 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:57.039 but sadly, I don't find this hard to believe. 00:10:57.980 --> 00:11:01.320 There's a real danger that if we are not intentional, 00:11:01.799 --> 00:11:04.879 then we can fall prey to showing partiality. 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:09.059 Tony Morita, he notes that this word for partiality 00:11:09.059 --> 00:11:11.720 is actually a plural term that is meaning 00:11:11.720 --> 00:11:13.759 that it can be used in a number of forms, 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:16.639 saying that the Christian must not show 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:19.720 any act of favoritism regarding clothing, 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:21.879 wealth, skin color, background, 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:24.879 or external aspects of a person. 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:28.179 Now, hopefully not, but some of you may think, 00:11:28.299 --> 00:11:30.000 is this really a big deal? 00:11:30.139 --> 00:11:32.039 Is this really an issue that we need to spend 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:33.600 a whole week talking about? 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:35.439 And yes, it is. 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:36.559 Why? 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:39.679 Because it is far from being like Christ, 00:11:39.679 --> 00:11:42.219 the example that we have, 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:44.179 the example that he's set for us. 00:11:44.739 --> 00:11:45.979 Martin Lloyd-Jones, he says, 00:11:46.339 --> 00:11:49.359 the Christian is meant to be like God. 00:11:49.459 --> 00:11:52.519 He is meant to manifest in his daily life, 00:11:52.599 --> 00:11:53.759 in this cruel world, 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:57.479 something of the characteristics of God himself. 00:11:58.179 --> 00:12:01.679 He is meant to live as the Lord Jesus Christ lived, 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:05.519 to follow the pattern and to imitate that example. 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:08.539 You see, when we set our eyes on Jesus, 00:12:08.899 --> 00:12:11.519 when we see him as our greatest treasure, 00:12:11.819 --> 00:12:12.799 then all of a sudden, 00:12:12.879 --> 00:12:13.799 the things of this world, 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:15.639 they don't seem to be as big of a deal. 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:18.480 When we set our eyes on Jesus, 00:12:18.939 --> 00:12:21.120 and we see him as our greatest treasure, 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:24.340 then all the things that the world says are important, 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:27.179 all of a sudden start paling in comparison 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:29.279 to who Jesus is. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:32.000 We must be more captivated 00:12:32.000 --> 00:12:34.879 by Christ and his glory 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.840 than anything else in this world. 00:12:37.299 --> 00:12:39.259 If you want to put partiality, 00:12:39.419 --> 00:12:40.620 if you want to put favoritism, 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:41.559 if you want to put prejudice, 00:12:41.700 --> 00:12:42.559 if you want to put discrimination, 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:45.200 or whatever you want to call it to death here, 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:48.919 then keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:51.419 Ed Welch rightly said, 00:12:51.460 --> 00:12:51.720 he says, 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:54.100 when we see people as bigger, 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:56.379 that is more powerful and more significant 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:57.539 than God, 00:12:57.899 --> 00:13:00.700 then we give other people the power and right 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:02.320 to tell us what to feel, 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.300 what to think, 00:13:03.340 --> 00:13:04.280 and what to do. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:07.620 Once our eyes are fixed on him, 00:13:08.180 --> 00:13:10.120 then how we view this world 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:11.860 is brought into the right perspective. 00:13:12.660 --> 00:13:15.140 Once we fix our eyes on Jesus, 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:16.980 then all of these other things 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:19.180 are put in their proper place. 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:21.620 But where do we go from here? 00:13:22.020 --> 00:13:24.240 What's the next step that we find ourselves? 00:13:24.320 --> 00:13:26.800 And the next question I want us to answer is this, 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:29.520 what do we do with our partiality? 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:31.620 What do we do with our partiality? 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:33.720 And we see this is in verses 8 through 11, 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:36.100 but specifically 8 and 9 right here says, 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:38.819 if you really fulfill the royal law, 00:13:38.879 --> 00:13:39.960 according to the scripture, 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:42.379 you shall love your neighbor as yourself, 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.699 you are doing well. 00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:47.139 But if you show partiality, 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:49.259 you are committing sin 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:52.519 and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:54.480 So to give a quick answer 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:56.039 to what do we do with our partiality? 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:58.099 We put it to death. 00:13:58.599 --> 00:14:00.419 We do what we do with all of our sin. 00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:02.620 We put it to death and we repent. 00:14:03.059 --> 00:14:05.659 Now, if there's any doubt in our minds at this point, 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:06.620 is this a sin or not? 00:14:06.719 --> 00:14:08.439 James removes all that doubt by saying, 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.699 but if you show partiality, 00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:11.439 you are committing sin. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:13.699 He tells us that this is a sin 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:15.699 that we must repent from. 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:20.240 Now, repentance is a really interesting thing 00:14:20.240 --> 00:14:22.379 because repentance doesn't just mean 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:23.799 stop doing something. 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:25.599 It means turning from it, right? 00:14:25.939 --> 00:14:28.120 It's not just that we stop doing something, 00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:28.979 but it's we turn 00:14:28.979 --> 00:14:30.799 and we start doing something else. 00:14:30.859 --> 00:14:33.719 And so it's a stop and it's a start. 00:14:33.959 --> 00:14:36.899 It's a turn and going in the opposite direction. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:39.799 Ephesians 4 gives us one of the clearest examples 00:14:40.339 --> 00:14:42.979 of how this plays out in the life of a believer 00:14:42.979 --> 00:14:45.159 when it says this in Ephesians 4. 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:46.319 It says, 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:49.100 It's assuming that you have heard about him 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:52.160 and were taught to him as the truth is in Jesus, 00:14:52.340 --> 00:14:54.420 to put off your old self, 00:14:54.580 --> 00:14:56.360 to stop doing these things, 00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:58.860 which belongs to the former manner of life 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:01.340 and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:04.700 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:08.140 and to put on the new self, 00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:10.420 created after the likeness of God 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:12.380 and true righteousness and holiness. 00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:14.240 And so in this passage, Paul's saying 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:16.259 that repentance is twofold. 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:18.779 It's to put off your old self 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:21.399 and to put on the new self. 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:24.399 Put to death all those things 00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:26.179 that the world says are important 00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:29.320 and to put on what it is that God values. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.159 And then he gives us a beautiful example 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.700 of how this plays out 00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:35.200 when he goes on to say this. 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:35.540 He says, 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:38.520 Let the thief no longer steal, 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:41.120 but rather let him labor 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:43.340 doing honest work with his own hands 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:45.780 so that he may have something to share 00:15:45.780 --> 00:15:47.960 with anyone in need. 00:15:48.160 --> 00:15:50.680 This shows not just a changed behavior, 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.520 but it shows a new affection. 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.940 It's not just a changed behavior 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.800 that God is after. 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:57.700 He's after a new affection. 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:59.220 And so the thief, 00:15:59.560 --> 00:16:01.700 you know, if you were discipling this man, 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:02.180 this thief, 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:03.400 if you were discipling him 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:05.179 and trying to help him grow 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:06.319 in his relationship with God, 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:08.259 I think if we started that process, 00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:10.179 we would all be thrilled to death 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:12.579 if this thief just stopped stealing. 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.500 We'd be like, 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:15.759 Wow, you have made incredible progress. 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:17.179 You've stopped stealing. 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:18.679 That's fantastic. 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:22.039 But Paul says that there's more to it 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:24.159 because it's not just the action 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:25.919 that we're after to be changed. 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:28.039 It's after a new heart, 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:29.699 a new kind of obedience 00:16:29.699 --> 00:16:31.740 that desires to follow God. 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.100 And so here he's saying, 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.379 let the thief no longer steal. 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.740 But what should he do? 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.720 He should do honest work 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:38.580 with his own hands 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.820 so that he can have something 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:41.120 that he can do what? 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:43.480 That he can give to others. 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.600 And so what you see here 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:47.080 in the example of the thief 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:48.180 is a changed heart. 00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:49.500 He's gone from a heart 00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:50.259 that is greedy 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.460 where he's trying to take 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:52.960 and take and take. 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.519 And now he's given a heart 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.540 that is generous 00:16:55.540 --> 00:16:57.100 so that he can give. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.440 So that he can give 00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:59.200 to those in need. 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.519 And so what we see in repentance 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:02.139 is stop doing something, 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.519 but it's also a move 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.940 in the opposite direction. 00:17:05.379 --> 00:17:07.339 It's a turning from this. 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:09.119 We must not only show, 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:11.519 not stop showing partiality 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.460 and favoritism, 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:16.059 but we must be actively opposed to it. 00:17:16.579 --> 00:17:18.279 Actively opposed to these things. 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:20.220 You see, evidence of revival 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.200 in the movement of God 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.539 is always characterized 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:24.579 by repentance of sin. 00:17:25.399 --> 00:17:26.179 One of the things 00:17:26.179 --> 00:17:27.379 that we know 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.559 from church history 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.759 and the different revivals 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.759 that have taken place 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:33.139 is one key characteristic 00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:33.980 that is evident 00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:35.079 in all of these. 00:17:35.379 --> 00:17:36.059 And I would say 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.879 is probably the main characteristic 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:38.740 of evidence 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.740 that revival 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.599 and a movement of God 00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.859 is taking place. 00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.399 And it is that 00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:45.539 the effect of the revival 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:47.339 is this repentance from sin. 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:49.519 One pastor I was reading 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.220 said it like this. 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:50.539 He says, 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:52.379 some so-called revivals 00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:53.779 have been characterized 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:55.980 by exotic experiences 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:57.619 without much emphasis 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:58.539 on repentance. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.859 People go like tourists 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:01.819 to such places 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:03.200 to see what is happening. 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.879 I wonder whether 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:06.379 we could call that revival, 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.099 he says. 00:18:07.639 --> 00:18:08.720 After the revival 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.039 of Asbury College and Seminary 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:11.160 in 1971, 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:13.079 many students 00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.279 came to the bookstore 00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:15.539 to return things 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:16.920 that they had taken 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.859 without paying. 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:18.399 He says, 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:19.839 that is a powerful sign 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:20.519 that they have become 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.220 right with God. 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:22.379 Can you imagine 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:23.180 being in the bookstore 00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:23.759 and all of a sudden 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.579 all of these students 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.180 start coming in, 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.559 yeah, I took this from you 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.160 but I want to give it 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:28.000 back to you now. 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.099 You know, I want to pay 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:29.539 for this. 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:31.259 I took this, used it, 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.940 now I want to pay for it. 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:34.839 It is my hope and prayer 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:35.839 that as a church 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:37.619 we want to see God 00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:39.279 move in a mighty way. 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.000 That we want to see 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.900 revival take place. 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.079 That we want to see God 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:44.220 move throughout 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.160 our community. 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.259 But one of the ways 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:47.819 that that must, 00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.980 that one of the things 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.160 that must be in place 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.079 for that to happen 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:52.259 is this repentance. 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:54.379 Is this turning from sin 00:18:54.379 --> 00:18:56.279 and following God. 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:58.079 One thing that is clear 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:58.619 is that, 00:18:58.699 --> 00:19:00.339 that is clear evidence 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:01.639 to God working 00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.859 is repentance. 00:19:03.439 --> 00:19:04.319 And so as a church 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:05.579 we must see others 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:07.460 in light of the royal law 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.319 that is talked about 00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:09.059 in this passage. 00:19:09.299 --> 00:19:10.579 To love your neighbor 00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.559 as yourself. 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:12.899 We must be a church 00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:14.299 that welcomes others. 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.599 If you had a chance 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.960 to read chapter 2 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:17.819 this past week 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:18.819 of Love Your Church, 00:19:18.819 --> 00:19:20.659 there is a quote in here 00:19:20.659 --> 00:19:22.319 from Pastor Ray Ortlund 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:24.419 that just really spoke volumes 00:19:24.419 --> 00:19:25.099 and I think it was 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:26.339 one of the favorite places 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:27.919 at least for our men's group 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:28.659 that we landed 00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.619 and was as we thought 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.439 about this chapter. 00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:32.299 And this is what Ray Ortlund, 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.439 he is a pastor in Nashville, 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.039 he gave the following welcome 00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:36.299 to his church 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.179 one Sunday morning. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:38.119 He said this. 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:39.339 He says, 00:19:39.480 --> 00:19:40.559 Welcome to church. 00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:43.099 Now here is the one thing 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.659 I invite you to understand. 00:19:45.339 --> 00:19:46.439 You may have noticed 00:19:46.439 --> 00:19:47.439 when you walked in 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.620 that the doors out there 00:19:49.620 --> 00:19:50.740 are painted red. 00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:53.279 That is an old church tradition, 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.240 Christian tradition, 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:56.380 because we enter into the church 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:58.299 through the blood of Christ. 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.140 Out in the world 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.080 where we live 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:02.120 the rest of the week, 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.740 we never measure up. 00:20:04.299 --> 00:20:05.860 Our lives are never complete. 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.340 We never fully belong. 00:20:07.700 --> 00:20:09.500 And then we come into the church 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:11.059 through the finished work 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.440 of Christ on the cross. 00:20:12.440 --> 00:20:14.880 And what makes the difference here? 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:17.120 The reason why we belong 00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:18.560 is that we're walking 00:20:18.560 --> 00:20:19.920 into completeness 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:21.460 already prepared. 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.740 Therefore, we can be weak. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.960 We can be honest with ourselves, 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.980 with one another, 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:28.300 and with the Lord. 00:20:28.740 --> 00:20:29.740 And he says, 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:30.960 We belong. 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:31.880 Welcome. 00:20:32.760 --> 00:20:34.560 So to all who are weary 00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:35.860 and need rest, 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:37.960 to all who mourn 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.760 and long for comfort, 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.080 to all who fail 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:42.080 and desire strength, 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.199 to all who sin 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:44.759 and need a Savior, 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.980 the church opens wide 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:48.019 her red doors 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.500 in the name of Jesus, 00:20:49.939 --> 00:20:51.359 the friend of sinners. 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.240 Welcome. 00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:54.279 I'm glad you're here. 00:20:55.059 --> 00:20:55.879 I'm going to be honest with you. 00:20:56.179 --> 00:20:57.859 It really makes me think 00:20:57.859 --> 00:20:58.259 about painting 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.419 our church doors red. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.399 I mean, 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:02.199 this is just an incredible opportunity, 00:21:02.319 --> 00:21:03.399 incredible witness 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:03.879 of saying, 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.879 what is most important? 00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:07.740 This should be our heart, 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:09.099 that we do away 00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:10.660 with all partiality 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:11.720 and open wide 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.579 our doors 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:12.960 and say, 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.200 because of Jesus, 00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.400 we're glad 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:17.019 that you are here. 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.759 But we must understand 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:20.200 what causes this change 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:21.339 and it's this repentance, 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:23.140 this new affection, 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:24.960 and it is the gospel 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.079 that does this. 00:21:26.660 --> 00:21:27.640 It's the gospel 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.539 that changes us. 00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.779 So the final question 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:31.599 that I want us to answer 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.900 this morning is this. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:34.420 How does 00:21:34.420 --> 00:21:35.519 the gospel 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:36.539 change us? 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:38.599 How does it change us? 00:21:38.879 --> 00:21:39.559 How does the gospel 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.579 change us in our lives? 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:42.240 Verses 12 and 13 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.119 says this, 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:44.059 So speak 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.240 and so act 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.779 as those 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.839 who are to be judged 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.680 under the law 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.460 of liberty. 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:49.940 For judgment 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:51.460 is without mercy 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:52.579 to one 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.680 who has shown 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.859 no mercy. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.039 Mercy 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.240 triumphs 00:21:57.240 --> 00:21:58.240 over judgment. 00:21:59.440 --> 00:21:59.639 Now, 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.559 at first glance 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.200 right here, 00:22:01.339 --> 00:22:01.920 it appears 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:02.879 that James is saying 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:04.059 show mercy 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:04.839 so that you can 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.720 receive mercy. 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.420 After all, 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.060 he says, 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.000 for judgment 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:09.279 is without mercy 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.759 to one 00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.440 who has shown 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.680 no mercy. 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.259 However, 00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:14.820 James is saying 00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:15.800 the exact opposite 00:22:15.800 --> 00:22:16.380 of this. 00:22:16.820 --> 00:22:17.759 He's not saying 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.580 that you have to 00:22:18.580 --> 00:22:19.519 show mercy 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.600 in order to receive 00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:21.000 mercy, 00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:21.680 but rather, 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.940 if you have 00:22:22.940 --> 00:22:24.120 received mercy, 00:22:24.120 --> 00:22:25.320 then you're going 00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:26.640 to show mercy. 00:22:27.560 --> 00:22:28.340 Sam Alberry, 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.160 he notes that 00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.300 by showing mercy, 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.620 we will expose 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:33.080 the kinds of lives 00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:34.080 we have led 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.639 and whether 00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:35.399 or not 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.419 we have been 00:22:36.419 --> 00:22:37.139 impacted 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:37.939 and shaped 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:38.839 by a real 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:40.720 faith in Christ. 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.259 Obedience 00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:43.000 to Christ, 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.359 Christ's ways, 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.559 is the sign 00:22:45.559 --> 00:22:46.019 that we have 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.720 been saved 00:22:46.720 --> 00:22:47.579 by him. 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.939 That his death 00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.579 and resurrection 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.879 have truly gripped us. 00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:51.579 That we have truly 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:53.179 come to a saving 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:54.000 knowledge of who 00:22:54.000 --> 00:22:54.720 Jesus is. 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:55.919 It will be evident 00:22:55.919 --> 00:22:56.579 in the way 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:57.699 that we act. 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:58.539 James is about 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.079 to show us 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:00.099 in this next section 00:23:00.099 --> 00:23:01.279 that we'll look 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.339 at next week 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:04.219 that true faith 00:23:04.219 --> 00:23:05.279 changes us. 00:23:05.719 --> 00:23:06.539 He's not saying 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.099 that you must 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:08.519 do acts of righteousness 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.859 in order to gain 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:10.439 righteousness. 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.359 He's saying 00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.419 the exact opposite. 00:23:13.699 --> 00:23:14.240 He's saying 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.939 the exact opposite 00:23:14.939 --> 00:23:15.319 of this 00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:16.759 because that is 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.419 the exact opposite 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:17.819 of the gospel. 00:23:17.939 --> 00:23:18.819 What he is saying 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:20.000 is that once you 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.879 have received 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.740 God's grace, 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:23.259 once you've received 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:24.199 his mercy, 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.399 then you will 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:26.500 show mercy. 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.659 And this goes 00:23:27.659 --> 00:23:28.319 right along 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:28.879 with the theme 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.380 of James 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:29.800 that we have 00:23:29.800 --> 00:23:30.760 been saying 00:23:30.760 --> 00:23:31.860 over and over 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:33.160 again thus far. 00:23:33.600 --> 00:23:34.960 Faith in Christ 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:37.020 produces faithfulness 00:23:37.020 --> 00:23:38.020 to Christ. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.020 Faith in Christ 00:23:40.020 --> 00:23:40.680 is going to 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.920 produce in us 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.920 faithfulness 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:44.260 to Christ. 00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:45.740 This idea 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.380 is not unique 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:46.780 to James. 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.100 In fact, 00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:47.780 we find it all 00:23:47.780 --> 00:23:48.480 throughout Scripture. 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.720 We find it all 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.460 throughout the Bible 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.360 that once we truly 00:23:51.360 --> 00:23:52.660 understand who God is, 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.520 then it changes 00:23:53.520 --> 00:23:54.500 our actions. 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.880 You can't enter 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:57.100 into a life-changing 00:23:57.100 --> 00:23:58.360 experience with 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:58.939 Christ 00:23:58.939 --> 00:24:00.000 and it not 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.199 change your life. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.759 But this is also 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.240 one of the most 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.979 notable places 00:24:03.979 --> 00:24:04.759 that we see it 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.439 is in the teaching 00:24:05.439 --> 00:24:06.039 of Jesus. 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:08.659 Jesus in Matthew 18 00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:10.019 told the parable 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:11.179 of an unforgiving 00:24:11.179 --> 00:24:11.699 servant. 00:24:11.939 --> 00:24:12.819 Now in this parable, 00:24:12.959 --> 00:24:14.219 Jesus begins 00:24:14.219 --> 00:24:14.919 by sharing 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:16.059 a pretty bleak 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:16.779 scenario 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.759 in Matthew 18 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:19.919 starting in verse 23 00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:20.899 where he says this. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.319 He says, 00:24:21.699 --> 00:24:21.719 Therefore, 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.659 the kingdom of heaven 00:24:23.659 --> 00:24:24.500 may be compared 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.379 to a king 00:24:25.379 --> 00:24:26.240 who wished 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.240 to settle accounts 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.180 with his servant. 00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:30.000 When he began 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.559 to settle, 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.339 one was brought 00:24:31.339 --> 00:24:31.960 to him 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:33.299 who owed him 00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:35.680 10,000 talents. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:36.559 Now, 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.059 I realize 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:39.079 10,000 talents 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:39.740 may not mean 00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.380 very much 00:24:40.380 --> 00:24:41.140 to us today. 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:41.839 We have no 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.799 frame of reference 00:24:42.799 --> 00:24:43.740 for what a talent 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:44.220 is, 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.400 but a talent 00:24:45.400 --> 00:24:46.420 was actually 00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.120 an incredibly 00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:48.259 large amount 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:48.900 of money. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.079 One talent 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.920 would be equivalent 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.279 to 20 years 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:52.839 of work 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.599 for an average 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.400 laborer. 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:54.900 And so, 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.300 if somebody 00:24:55.300 --> 00:24:56.560 worked 20 years 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:57.740 and they never 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.880 spent a dime 00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.660 of the money 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.920 that they earned, 00:25:01.280 --> 00:25:02.500 then in 20 years 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:02.940 they would have 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.820 saved up 00:25:03.820 --> 00:25:04.720 a talent. 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:05.800 And he's saying 00:25:05.800 --> 00:25:06.920 that imagine 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.600 this servant 00:25:07.600 --> 00:25:08.840 has been given 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:10.300 10,000 talents, 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:10.840 now he has to 00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.680 repay this back. 00:25:12.040 --> 00:25:12.280 And so, 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:12.920 in other words, 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.220 this is the equivalent 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:16.519 of 200,000 years 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:17.700 of working 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.300 for someone. 00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:19.920 This is an incredibly 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.920 large amount 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:21.360 of money, 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.259 something that we 00:25:22.259 --> 00:25:23.259 can't even really 00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:25.000 begin to comprehend. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:25.940 Well, 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.720 it came time 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.240 to collect 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.859 on this loan 00:25:27.859 --> 00:25:28.539 and the servant 00:25:28.539 --> 00:25:29.720 didn't have the money. 00:25:30.079 --> 00:25:30.299 And so, 00:25:30.379 --> 00:25:31.180 the king ordered 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.420 him and his wife 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.059 and his kids 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:34.039 to be sold 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.779 into slavery 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.740 until the loan 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.619 could be repaid. 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.259 Now, 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.700 think if you 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:38.319 were this man. 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:40.400 If you owe 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:41.079 this money 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:41.879 and then the king 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:42.879 just tells you 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:43.720 that you, 00:25:44.140 --> 00:25:44.680 your wife, 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:45.339 your kids, 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:46.379 everything you own 00:25:46.379 --> 00:25:47.359 is about to be sold, 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.119 what would you do? 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:50.440 You begin to beg 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:50.980 and plead 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.759 for more time, 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:52.019 right? 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.539 You say, 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:53.279 just give me 00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:53.720 a little bit more. 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.900 Please don't sell 00:25:54.900 --> 00:25:55.619 my whole family 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:55.980 into slavery. 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.160 Please don't put 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.740 me into slavery. 00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.440 Please don't take 00:25:58.440 --> 00:26:00.079 everything that I own 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:01.099 and sell it. 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.879 Give me more time. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:03.940 Give me a little bit 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.500 more time 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.660 to come up 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.339 with this. 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:08.240 And in the moment 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.000 that would have 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.400 astonished everyone 00:26:10.400 --> 00:26:11.139 listening, 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.779 Jesus says this. 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.579 He says, 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.599 and out of pity 00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.259 for him, 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:16.359 the master 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.099 of the servant 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:18.079 released him 00:26:18.079 --> 00:26:19.660 and forgave him 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.519 the debt. 00:26:21.139 --> 00:26:21.619 What? 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:23.799 That's crazy, 00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:24.239 right? 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.839 You mean to tell me 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.619 this king just 00:26:26.619 --> 00:26:27.359 forgave a debt 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.919 that is so large 00:26:28.919 --> 00:26:29.699 that we can't even 00:26:29.699 --> 00:26:31.119 begin to imagine 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:32.419 that kind of money. 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:33.899 Everybody would have 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:35.139 just been confused 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.919 by this. 00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:36.899 Obviously, 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.039 the man would be 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:38.599 relieved, 00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.819 and so he just 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.439 had a debt 00:26:40.439 --> 00:26:41.259 that he had no 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.479 chance of repaying 00:26:42.479 --> 00:26:42.919 forgiven. 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.899 And so he goes out 00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:45.819 and he runs into 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.839 a man that owes him 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.919 100 denarii. 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:48.659 Now, 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.259 that would be 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.879 equivalent to 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.919 100 days 00:26:50.919 --> 00:26:52.819 of labor 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.480 for a worker, 00:26:53.679 --> 00:26:54.819 which is a far 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:56.179 cry from 200,000 00:26:56.179 --> 00:26:56.599 years, 00:26:56.659 --> 00:26:56.939 right? 00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.559 In fact, 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:58.939 if you were 00:26:58.939 --> 00:26:59.299 wondering, 00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.419 I did the math, 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:03.959 it's 0.00014% 00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:04.639 of the loan 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:05.139 that he had just 00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:05.759 been forgiven. 00:27:07.179 --> 00:27:08.319 You would think 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:08.959 that if someone 00:27:08.959 --> 00:27:09.819 had just been 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:12.139 forgiven 10,000 talents, 00:27:12.619 --> 00:27:13.279 he would forgive 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:13.839 100 denarii. 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:15.599 But he doesn't. 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.639 He begins to 00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.519 choke the man 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.599 and demand 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.279 that he be 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.119 repaid. 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:20.559 Now, 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.099 when his fellow 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.039 servants hear this, 00:27:22.119 --> 00:27:22.439 what are they 00:27:22.439 --> 00:27:22.759 going to do? 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.000 Oh, 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.539 they immediately 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.299 run back to the 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:24.480 king. 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.399 They immediately 00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:26.240 run back to the 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:28.220 master and told 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.639 the master, 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.399 and Jesus says, 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.720 then his master 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.859 summoned him 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:32.579 and said to him, 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:34.039 you wicked servant, 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.379 I forgave you 00:27:35.379 --> 00:27:36.339 all that debt 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.459 because you pleaded 00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:38.059 with me, 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.379 and should not you 00:27:39.379 --> 00:27:40.359 have had mercy 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.220 on your fellow 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.339 servant as I 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:43.439 had mercy on 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:43.840 you. 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.100 And in anger, 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:45.960 his master 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.860 delivered him 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.720 to the jailers 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:48.820 until he should 00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:50.580 pay all his debt. 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:51.539 So also, 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.460 my heavenly father 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.140 will do to 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.840 every one of you 00:27:53.840 --> 00:27:54.559 if you do not 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.519 forgive your brother 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:57.460 from your heart. 00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:59.420 Just like the servant 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.360 didn't understand 00:28:00.360 --> 00:28:01.259 mercy of what 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:01.840 had been given 00:28:01.840 --> 00:28:02.420 to him, 00:28:02.820 --> 00:28:03.620 James is telling 00:28:03.620 --> 00:28:04.680 us very plainly, 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:06.039 if we show 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.019 partiality, 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.299 if we judge 00:28:08.299 --> 00:28:09.200 people on their 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:09.740 appearances, 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.080 turn up our noses, 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:12.439 and not show 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:13.539 mercy to them, 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:15.000 then we truly 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.919 don't understand 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:17.099 what has been 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:18.039 done for us. 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.559 We truly don't 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.639 understand what 00:28:20.639 --> 00:28:21.419 has been paid 00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:22.059 for us. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.439 Now, 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:23.139 this doesn't mean 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:23.799 that we'll never 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.419 mess up, 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:26.639 that if we do, 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.559 then maybe it means 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.480 that we're not saved. 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:28.720 No, 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.379 that's not what 00:28:29.379 --> 00:28:29.939 this is saying. 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.579 This is going to be 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.279 something that we 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.839 struggle with. 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.319 In fact, 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.079 Peter, 00:28:33.240 --> 00:28:34.259 one of the early 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:35.519 church leaders, 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:38.159 he struggled 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.759 with this at 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.180 times. 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.160 He began to 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:41.040 show partiality, 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:41.759 and Paul called 00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:42.500 him out on it, 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:43.560 and then shortly 00:28:43.560 --> 00:28:44.400 after Paul called 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:44.860 him out on it, 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.500 we ended up having 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.100 the Jerusalem 00:28:46.100 --> 00:28:46.640 Council, 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:47.519 where everybody 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.240 comes together 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.080 to try to 00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:49.880 discuss this 00:28:49.880 --> 00:28:50.200 matter, 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.279 and James, 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.960 the author of 00:28:51.960 --> 00:28:52.320 this book, 00:28:52.360 --> 00:28:52.720 is the one 00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.700 who's presiding 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.779 over this 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.519 Jerusalem Council. 00:28:55.640 --> 00:28:55.740 So, 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:55.980 no, 00:28:56.080 --> 00:28:56.540 this is a 00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:57.740 struggle that 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.400 many people 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:58.800 have with 00:28:58.800 --> 00:29:00.200 even Peter, 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:01.200 one of the 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.840 leaders of the 00:29:01.840 --> 00:29:02.620 early church, 00:29:02.860 --> 00:29:03.440 struggled with 00:29:03.440 --> 00:29:03.820 this. 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.519 But what 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:05.820 James is making 00:29:05.820 --> 00:29:07.440 very clear to us 00:29:07.440 --> 00:29:08.340 is if you 00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:09.299 have received 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:09.840 mercy, 00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:11.000 if you have 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:12.039 come to faith 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:12.779 in Christ, 00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.000 then there is 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.940 no room 00:29:14.940 --> 00:29:16.400 for partiality. 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:18.100 There's no room 00:29:18.100 --> 00:29:18.900 for favoritism. 00:29:19.019 --> 00:29:19.820 There's no room 00:29:19.820 --> 00:29:20.660 for racism. 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:21.960 It is simply 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:23.420 incompatible 00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:24.460 with a true 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.600 follower of 00:29:25.600 --> 00:29:26.279 Jesus. 00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:27.799 And so, 00:29:27.920 --> 00:29:28.220 as you have 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.259 received mercy, 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.279 you extend 00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.799 mercy. 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:31.720 But the 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.420 opposite of this 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.900 is also true 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.600 and tough for 00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:35.140 us to hear. 00:29:35.860 --> 00:29:36.539 David Platt, 00:29:36.580 --> 00:29:37.140 he put it this 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:37.360 way, 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:37.799 he says, 00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.440 if we do 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.259 not extend 00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:39.840 mercy, 00:29:40.279 --> 00:29:41.019 we demonstrate 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:41.860 that we have 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.920 not received 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:43.440 mercy. 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:44.779 You can't 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.640 earn mercy. 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.620 It's mercy 00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:47.240 because it 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:48.100 can't be 00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:48.700 earned. 00:29:49.080 --> 00:29:49.720 This text 00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.180 is saying 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:51.220 you can 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:52.279 tell who 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.860 has received 00:29:52.860 --> 00:29:53.640 mercy from 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.340 God by the 00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:54.840 way they 00:29:54.840 --> 00:29:55.620 show mercy 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:56.820 to others. 00:29:57.600 --> 00:29:57.940 Now, 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.340 if this is 00:29:58.340 --> 00:29:58.880 a foreign 00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.960 concept to 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:00.160 you, 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.580 then I've 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.440 got wonderful 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:02.180 news. 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.200 You can 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.200 receive God's 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:04.820 grace and 00:30:04.820 --> 00:30:05.340 his mercy 00:30:05.340 --> 00:30:05.980 today by 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.620 placing your 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.119 faith and 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.579 your trust 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:08.019 in him. 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.259 You can 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.779 be forgiven 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.379 of far 00:30:10.379 --> 00:30:10.819 more than 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.379 10,000 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:11.879 talents. 00:30:12.419 --> 00:30:12.699 You can 00:30:12.699 --> 00:30:13.419 be forgiven 00:30:13.419 --> 00:30:14.239 of a debt 00:30:14.239 --> 00:30:14.619 that is 00:30:14.619 --> 00:30:16.479 impossible to 00:30:16.479 --> 00:30:17.139 pay back. 00:30:18.079 --> 00:30:18.559 And one of 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:19.239 the evidences 00:30:19.239 --> 00:30:19.739 of that 00:30:19.739 --> 00:30:20.179 forgiveness 00:30:20.179 --> 00:30:21.299 is the way 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:21.559 that you 00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.079 begin to 00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:22.399 look at 00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:22.759 others. 00:30:23.159 --> 00:30:23.539 The way 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:23.759 that you 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.179 begin to 00:30:24.179 --> 00:30:24.500 treat 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:24.739 others. 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.000 The way 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.239 that you 00:30:25.239 --> 00:30:25.679 begin to 00:30:25.679 --> 00:30:26.319 see them 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.099 in light 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.419 of who 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:27.819 God 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.459 is. 00:30:28.819 --> 00:30:29.279 Church, 00:30:29.359 --> 00:30:29.859 I hope 00:30:29.859 --> 00:30:30.179 that we 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:30.719 can walk 00:30:30.719 --> 00:30:31.240 away from 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.459 this 00:30:31.459 --> 00:30:32.019 passage 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:33.379 with not 00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:33.899 only an 00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:34.779 understanding 00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.219 that we 00:30:35.219 --> 00:30:35.839 are called 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.179 to be a 00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:37.579 welcoming 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:38.439 church, 00:30:38.439 --> 00:30:39.539 but that in 00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.039 order to 00:30:40.039 --> 00:30:40.719 do this, 00:30:40.839 --> 00:30:41.279 we must 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:41.559 take 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.240 responsibility 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.279 and we 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.819 must do 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.119 this 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.759 individually. 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:45.879 We must, 00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.519 it's not, 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:47.059 it's one 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.459 thing to 00:30:47.459 --> 00:30:48.399 desire to 00:30:48.399 --> 00:30:49.079 have a 00:30:49.079 --> 00:30:49.399 welcoming 00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:49.879 church, 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:50.559 it's a 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:50.740 whole 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.199 other thing 00:30:51.199 --> 00:30:51.599 to desire 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.559 to be 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:53.199 a welcoming 00:30:53.199 --> 00:30:53.740 church. 00:30:54.179 --> 00:30:54.819 And that's 00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.519 what I hope 00:30:55.519 --> 00:30:56.259 is our 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:56.779 desire. 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.459 That it's 00:30:57.459 --> 00:30:57.939 not just 00:30:57.940 --> 00:30:58.920 this idea 00:30:58.920 --> 00:30:59.500 that's out 00:30:59.500 --> 00:30:59.820 there, 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.420 but it's 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:00.940 something that 00:31:00.940 --> 00:31:01.460 we take 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:01.980 to heart 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.539 and we 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.080 want to 00:31:03.080 --> 00:31:03.740 be a 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.100 part of 00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:04.460 that. 00:31:04.900 --> 00:31:05.340 Heavenly 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:05.640 Father, 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.059 I thank 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.440 you so 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.080 very much 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:07.880 for the 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.559 many ways 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:08.880 in which 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:09.340 you bless 00:31:09.340 --> 00:31:09.779 us each 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.120 and every 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:10.380 day. 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:10.620 Lord, 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.080 I thank 00:31:11.080 --> 00:31:11.360 you for 00:31:11.360 --> 00:31:11.580 this 00:31:11.580 --> 00:31:12.019 passage 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.400 and as 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:13.140 difficult 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:13.580 as it 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:13.980 is to 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.299 hear 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:14.820 at times, 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.059 Lord, 00:31:15.140 --> 00:31:15.299 it's 00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:15.600 something 00:31:15.600 --> 00:31:15.880 that's 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.420 necessary 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:17.200 for us. 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.059 And Lord, 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.539 I pray 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:18.880 that you 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.380 give us 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:20.039 a desire 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.640 not only 00:31:20.640 --> 00:31:21.500 that we 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.299 have a 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:22.740 welcoming 00:31:22.740 --> 00:31:23.160 church, 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.539 but that 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.259 we are 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.180 a welcoming 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.680 church, 00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:26.720 that we 00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.200 are a 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.539 part of 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:27.680 that, 00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.100 that we 00:31:28.100 --> 00:31:28.779 seek as 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.620 individuals, 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:30.460 followers of 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:30.539 you, 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.680 to be a 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.339 part of 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:33.180 something that 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.559 is far 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.079 greater than 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.440 ourselves. 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:34.759 And so, 00:31:34.940 --> 00:31:35.140 Lord, 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.940 be with us. 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.759 Help us to 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.720 understand this 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.420 in a greater 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:38.700 way. 00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.799 Help us to 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.259 keep our 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.559 eyes fixed 00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.460 on you 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.740 because that's 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.140 what makes 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:44.620 the difference. 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.240 When we see 00:31:45.240 --> 00:31:46.120 you as our 00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:47.019 greatest treasure, 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.140 then the 00:31:48.140 --> 00:31:48.740 things of 00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.299 this world 00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:49.960 get put in 00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.480 their proper 00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.100 place. 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.339 And Lord, 00:31:52.420 --> 00:31:52.900 I pray 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:54.240 that there's 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.940 somebody here 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:56.240 that has 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.400 never experienced 00:31:57.400 --> 00:31:58.140 your grace 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:59.000 and mercy, 00:31:59.140 --> 00:31:59.559 that's never 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.440 experienced that 00:32:00.440 --> 00:32:02.340 life-changing 00:32:02.340 --> 00:32:04.500 relationship with 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.820 you, 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:06.039 then today would 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.519 be the day 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:06.980 that they go 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.420 from death 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.000 to life. 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.180 And so, 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:09.380 Lord, 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:09.980 thank you so 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.559 very much 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:12.279 for the 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.660 book of 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.080 James, 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:13.779 the book 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:14.120 that your 00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:14.940 brother wrote. 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.140 Lord, 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:15.820 I thank you 00:32:15.820 --> 00:32:16.480 for what it 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.380 teaches us 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.480 about how 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.100 we should 00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:19.820 live our 00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:20.320 lives. 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:20.960 And so, 00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:21.200 Lord, 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:21.840 I pray today 00:32:21.840 --> 00:32:22.200 that it 00:32:22.200 --> 00:32:22.759 wouldn't just 00:32:22.759 --> 00:32:23.420 be something 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.240 that we hear, 00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:24.620 that wouldn't 00:32:24.620 --> 00:32:24.960 just be 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.420 knowledge 00:32:25.420 --> 00:32:25.859 that we 00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.299 have, 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:27.180 but it 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:27.440 would be 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:27.819 knowledge 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.200 that gets 00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:28.720 applied, 00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:29.799 that changes 00:32:29.799 --> 00:32:30.380 how we 00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:30.980 view our 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:32.120 actions and 00:32:32.120 --> 00:32:32.460 how we 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:32.960 view those 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:33.660 around us. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:34.500 So, 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:34.680 Lord, 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:35.079 thank you 00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:35.519 so very 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.440 much for 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:36.779 all that 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.059 you do. 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.640 In Jesus' 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.039 name we 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.299 pray. 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.339 Amen. 00:32:40.120 --> 00:32:40.480 I'm going 00:32:40.480 --> 00:32:41.019 to invite you 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.500 to stand. 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:41.779 We're going 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.420 to sing a 00:32:42.420 --> 00:32:43.200 song of 00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:43.680 invitation. 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:44.240 If God 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.779 is speaking 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.140 to you 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:45.559 this morning, 00:32:45.640 --> 00:32:45.940 won't you 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.920 respond as 00:32:46.920 --> 00:32:47.380 we stand 00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.259 together and 00:32:48.259 --> 00:32:48.579 sing?