WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:17.420 Today we continue our series in the seven deadly sins. 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:23.679 If this is your first time with us or your first time in a while, 00:00:24.339 --> 00:00:28.339 this is the fifth of our sermon series during the season of Lent 00:00:28.339 --> 00:00:30.120 on the seven deadly sins. 00:00:30.800 --> 00:00:32.519 So welcome, we're really glad you're here. 00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:36.780 For those who have been here for a few weeks, 00:00:37.200 --> 00:00:42.159 I don't know if you've made any observations about these seven deadly sins in general. 00:00:44.480 --> 00:00:51.840 One observation you could make is these seven sins actually sound kind of fun. 00:00:52.980 --> 00:00:56.200 And we've talked about pride, it's fun being puffed out, 00:00:56.200 --> 00:00:58.760 we've talked about gluttony, lots of fun. 00:00:59.300 --> 00:01:00.660 I had a lot of fun with that this weekend. 00:01:01.800 --> 00:01:04.960 We talked about confession, I guess. 00:01:05.159 --> 00:01:09.540 We talked about anger and how it's pleasurable to release that 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:11.620 and take it out onto somebody, right? 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:16.000 And we talked about lust, yes, that's pleasurable. 00:01:16.379 --> 00:01:17.939 Today is a little different. 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:19.800 The writer Joseph Epstein wrote, 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:25.700 Of the seven deadly sins, only envy is no fun at all. 00:01:25.899 --> 00:01:27.200 And I would know this personally. 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:29.399 I struggle with envy a lot. 00:01:29.519 --> 00:01:32.000 I'm kind of wired to struggle with envy. 00:01:32.579 --> 00:01:35.319 I don't know if you've heard of what's called the Enneagram. 00:01:35.579 --> 00:01:38.340 It's like this ancient kind of personality assessment. 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:39.819 I'm a number four. 00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:43.640 And number four struggle with envy, apparently. 00:01:44.579 --> 00:01:45.420 I can testify. 00:01:45.420 --> 00:01:49.359 I'm also a musician. 00:01:50.060 --> 00:01:52.980 Musicians struggle a lot with envy. 00:01:54.740 --> 00:01:56.640 I don't know if you've seen the movie Amadeus. 00:01:57.280 --> 00:01:59.620 That's like the tale of every musician is Salieri. 00:02:00.320 --> 00:02:03.760 There's always somebody who's just much better than you, 00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:06.099 and it just kills you. 00:02:07.219 --> 00:02:10.659 That should be a homework assignment, by the way, after today. 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:16.659 Anytime you read or hear a Christian talk or a write about envy, 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:18.659 he's going to refer to Amadeus. 00:02:19.539 --> 00:02:22.840 So if you want to understand envy, watch that film. 00:02:23.079 --> 00:02:23.639 Great film. 00:02:24.359 --> 00:02:26.859 I'm also a pastor. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:34.039 It might surprise you that pastors deal with envy, but it's true. 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:39.620 This past weekend, our clergy and staff and some others from our church 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:45.819 gathered for a regional retreat with other clergy from our diocese. 00:02:46.159 --> 00:02:52.060 And it was a lot of fun going around the room and hearing all that is going on in these other churches. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:55.099 And there's conflicting emotions. 00:02:55.300 --> 00:03:00.960 Like, man, it is great that God is doing these things in Charleston, West Virginia, 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:04.479 and other parts of D.C., in Charlottesville. 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:08.920 Man, I kind of wish that stuff was going on in my church, too. 00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:11.860 I mean, I know our church is really healthy and great, 00:03:11.980 --> 00:03:15.140 but man, it would be great to have that program and to be doing that and this. 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:18.280 And that's just in our circle. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:23.640 I mean, there's all kinds of things to envy with other pastors and other churches. 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:25.680 Pastors deal with it a lot. 00:03:25.780 --> 00:03:28.219 It's a source of displeasure. 00:03:28.340 --> 00:03:28.979 It's no fun. 00:03:29.580 --> 00:03:30.840 No fun being envious. 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:39.159 The other thing you may have noticed about the seven deadly sins is they're not all that deadly, right? 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:43.340 I mean, I don't know if any wars have been started over gluttony. 00:03:43.340 --> 00:03:51.939 They're kind of, they feel a little, like, petty, small. 00:03:52.480 --> 00:04:00.180 Maybe the seven deadly sins should be revised for our current age to include things that are actually deadly, 00:04:00.599 --> 00:04:04.319 like racism and sexism. 00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:09.340 Genocide is a lot deadlier than gluttony. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:10.719 So why not that list? 00:04:10.800 --> 00:04:13.060 Why this list that we have? 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:17.519 Well, remember, you may have remembered this from a couple sermons ago. 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:21.660 A better title for the seven deadly sins are what's called the capital vices. 00:04:22.079 --> 00:04:23.680 Capital meaning head. 00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:33.740 Like, these are the sources, like the sources for all kinds of other sins and vices 00:04:33.740 --> 00:04:38.439 and other things that are deadly and harmful. 00:04:40.840 --> 00:04:42.860 We're going to see that today with envy. 00:04:43.060 --> 00:04:43.560 For sure. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:47.019 We're going to look at the definition of envy. 00:04:47.660 --> 00:04:50.180 We're going to see the deadly end of envy. 00:04:50.660 --> 00:04:53.879 And then we're going to go back and see where envy begins. 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:57.139 So the definition, its end and its beginning. 00:04:58.139 --> 00:04:59.420 First, let me pray. 00:04:59.420 --> 00:05:08.259 Father, we're grateful to be with your people. 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:20.980 And we would ask that you would be more than enough for us this morning. 00:05:20.980 --> 00:05:26.080 In you we find more than enough. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:30.319 Would you be all we need, all we desire. 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:41.560 For our good and for our joy and for your glory and for the peace of our community and for the flourishing of our city. 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:46.280 Help us to defeat envy. 00:05:46.280 --> 00:05:49.780 That sin that crouches at our door seeks to devour us. 00:05:49.779 --> 00:05:50.779 Amen. 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:51.779 Amen. 00:05:51.779 --> 00:05:52.779 Amen. 00:05:52.779 --> 00:05:53.379 Amen. 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:54.839 We pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:55.059 Amen. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:55.139 Amen. 00:05:57.280 --> 00:06:03.439 So for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Bible, today's account was the first reading that was read. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:06.100 This comes from the book of Genesis. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:09.019 It's the account of Cain and Abel. 00:06:09.379 --> 00:06:11.160 Genesis is the first book of the Bible. 00:06:11.699 --> 00:06:15.660 And Genesis begins with the origins of the universe and of humanity. 00:06:15.660 --> 00:06:22.880 It is meant to be contrasted with the origin myths of the culture surrounding the one in which it was written. 00:06:23.640 --> 00:06:29.280 Now those accounts that come from Mesopotamia, they tell of the origins of the world. 00:06:30.080 --> 00:06:32.920 And they say that the world was created out of chaos. 00:06:33.320 --> 00:06:40.000 And that the creation of humankind is more or less an afterthought of the gods. 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:46.600 And then after the origins, the accounts are fairly optimistic about humankind. 00:06:47.779 --> 00:06:49.879 They cluster into cities. 00:06:50.500 --> 00:06:55.339 Culture is created and developed, etc. 00:06:56.600 --> 00:06:58.860 Now Genesis, on the other hand, is the opposite. 00:06:59.500 --> 00:07:02.199 Genesis explains that the world was created good. 00:07:02.699 --> 00:07:04.779 And that God loved what he made. 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:07.899 Especially the jewel of his creation. 00:07:07.899 --> 00:07:09.899 Humankind. 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:15.120 Humanity was to rule the creation and to bear God's image. 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:21.979 They were to experience a deep tapestry of peace called Shalom. 00:07:22.259 --> 00:07:28.019 It's a peace characterized by intimate relationship with God and with one another. 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:30.879 Well, that's chapters 1 and 2. 00:07:31.419 --> 00:07:36.319 The 3rd through 11th chapters of Genesis paint a dire picture of humanity. 00:07:36.319 --> 00:07:39.819 Humankind turned its back on its creator. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:45.379 Our first parents, Adam and Eve, aspired to be gods themselves. 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:47.719 And at that point, everything broke. 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:50.439 Our relationship with God. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:52.800 Our relationship with ourselves. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:55.240 Our relationship with our environment. 00:07:57.240 --> 00:08:00.159 And our relationships with one another. 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:18.700 Mankind's plight is hopeless without the gracious intervention of God and his promises and his fulfilling those promises. 00:08:19.340 --> 00:08:24.280 And then we see how bad things get in the very first generation of offspring. 00:08:24.279 --> 00:08:28.859 We see the dissolution of Shalom in humanity's very first family. 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:32.779 Let's start in verse 3 of chapter 4 of Genesis, please. 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:43.399 In the course of time, Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. 00:08:43.839 --> 00:08:48.839 And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. 00:08:50.179 --> 00:08:54.539 And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. 00:08:55.059 --> 00:08:57.299 So Cain was very angry and his face fell. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:09:02.659 The Lord said to Cain, why are you angry and why has your face fallen? 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:06.719 If you do well, will you not be accepted? 00:09:07.979 --> 00:09:12.159 More literally, it's that will there not be a lifting up? 00:09:12.479 --> 00:09:15.899 That is, your face is fallen, but I can lift it up. 00:09:15.979 --> 00:09:16.799 I can lift your head. 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:19.500 There can be forgiveness and restoration. 00:09:20.979 --> 00:09:25.899 And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:29.699 It's desire is contrary to you. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:34.799 That is, sin is a crouching beast that wants to devour you. 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:37.279 But you must rule over it. 00:09:39.459 --> 00:09:41.779 So this is a good moment to define envy. 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:50.539 It's easy to confuse envy with some of its cousins, which feel very similar and sound the same. 00:09:50.539 --> 00:09:51.639 There's envy. 00:09:51.799 --> 00:09:53.719 There's also covetousness. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.000 There's greed. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.439 There's jealousy. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:10:01.860 Now, envy and covetousness differ from greed in this way. 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:04.459 Greed wants a thing. 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:10.740 Envy and covetousness want that thing. 00:10:11.579 --> 00:10:11.699 Okay? 00:10:11.700 --> 00:10:17.040 So a greedy person sees a person in a BMW and thinks, man, I want a BMW. 00:10:17.400 --> 00:10:18.580 I want a really nice car. 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:22.320 Envy and covetousness. 00:10:23.660 --> 00:10:25.800 I'm going to be able to say that word by the end of this sermon. 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:31.900 Envy and covetousness say, I want that BMW. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:34.560 I want that specific one. 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:44.259 Greed and covetousness are focused on things or thing-based, material possessions. 00:10:45.479 --> 00:10:58.319 But envy is focused on something more abstract, like status or prestige or reputation or worth. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:13.360 So the envious person says, I want that person's BMW, not because I want a BMW per se, but I want the status and prestige and privilege of a person who can afford a BMW. 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:19.100 Having that BMW will make me feel this way or that way. 00:11:20.140 --> 00:11:20.300 Okay? 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:25.100 So here we can see Cain envious of Abel. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:32.800 And we see specifically the approval that Abel's offering receives from God. 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:35.080 That's what Cain is envious of. 00:11:36.580 --> 00:11:40.019 And why did God approve of Abel's offering? 00:11:40.360 --> 00:11:44.159 In the book of Genesis, we see God preferring the younger. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:48.259 We see him preferring the weaker, the less lovely. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:55.759 Later on in the book of Genesis, God placed his favor on Isaac, the younger of Abraham's two sons. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:12:00.279 He placed his favor on Jacob, the younger brother of Esau. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:03.500 He placed his favor on Leah instead of Rachel. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:05.639 Jacob had two wives. 00:12:06.080 --> 00:12:09.159 Jacob preferred the lovelier one, Rachel. 00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:17.019 She appeared prettier and lovelier, but God had compassion on Leah and favored her. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:20.839 And it's not a capricious move on God's part. 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:29.939 The firstborn, the lovely, would feel entitled to God's favor. 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:42.740 Whereas the younger and less lovely are more likely to understand their need for God, more likely to go to him for intimacy. 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:48.960 Which I think is why Abel made the kind of offering we described here. 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:54.880 It says that Abel brought the firstborn of his flock. 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:57.120 This is verse 4. 00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:00.899 Abel brought the firstborn of his flock. 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.860 He brought the choicest portions. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:05.039 He brought his very best. 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:11.799 If a person understands they are nothing without God, as would the unlovely believe, 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:15.159 then God's love and favor would be enough for them. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:22.299 They would feel free to make a true sacrifice, a costly sacrifice, to withhold nothing from God. 00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:27.659 However, Cain's offering is merely described as an offering of the fruit of the ground. 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:30.500 Nothing special about it. 00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:34.240 And why should he offer to God anything special? 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.299 God owes him. 00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:36.500 He's the firstborn. 00:13:38.319 --> 00:13:40.559 So we would call this tokenism. 00:13:40.919 --> 00:13:43.219 The kind of offering that Cain brought to God. 00:13:43.220 --> 00:13:47.620 It's an empty act of worship and tribute. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.980 And scripture has a lot to say about empty ritual. 00:13:50.420 --> 00:13:52.399 In Psalm 51, King David wrote, 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:56.480 God, you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it. 00:13:56.540 --> 00:13:58.700 You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 00:13:59.320 --> 00:14:02.440 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit. 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:07.580 A broken and contrite heart, you God, will not despise. 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:12.860 And God chastises the nation of Judah later in the book of Isaiah. 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:14.100 He says, 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:17.259 The multitude of your sacrifices, what are they to me? 00:14:17.660 --> 00:14:19.379 I have more than enough of burnt offerings. 00:14:19.900 --> 00:14:23.460 Of rams and the fat of fattened animals, I have no pleasure. 00:14:24.180 --> 00:14:26.259 And the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:31.440 When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:34.060 Stop bringing meaningless offerings. 00:14:34.900 --> 00:14:37.160 Your incense is detestable to me. 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:42.700 Judah's offerings were meaningless because it was tokenism. 00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:48.259 If they really loved the God they were making sacrifices to, 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:51.639 they would have loved the things that he loved. 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:55.160 They would have been defending the oppressed, 00:14:55.900 --> 00:14:57.980 taking up the cause of the fatherless, 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:00.080 pleading the case of the widow. 00:15:00.180 --> 00:15:02.040 They weren't doing those things. 00:15:02.180 --> 00:15:04.900 And so these acts of offering and worship were empty. 00:15:05.020 --> 00:15:05.800 They were tokenism. 00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:09.079 And Cain's offering too was meaningless. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.859 That's why God did not accept it. 00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.899 And it was probably detestable. 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:18.859 But he was still offering forgiveness and restoration. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:20.539 But Cain spurned it. 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:25.199 He was mastered and devoured by his own envy. 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:30.680 He didn't care about the reasons why God accepted Abel's sacrifice. 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:35.240 He resented Abel, who received what Cain felt he deserved by right. 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:40.640 And this is where envy so often takes a deadly turn, as we see in verse 8. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:44.799 Cain spoke to Abel, his brother. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:46.299 It doesn't say what he said. 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:53.799 It's as if we're to zoom out the camera and we're to see the isolation of Cain and Abel. 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:55.559 Not hearing, just seeing. 00:15:55.559 --> 00:16:02.219 And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:14.699 I mentioned that the envious person envies the position or status of the person driving that BMW. 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:22.780 He also represents, he also resents the person who has the BMW. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:28.000 It's not enough to want his status, but he resents this person for having it. 00:16:29.660 --> 00:16:35.000 So not only would I like an elevated status, but I'd like that person to be knocked down a peg or two. 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:40.720 And so schadenfreude is the other side of this same coin of envy. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.680 It's a German word. 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:45.359 It's only like 13 letters, which is a very short German word. 00:16:46.239 --> 00:16:47.179 There's two words really. 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:48.979 Schade, which is damage. 00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.759 Freude, which is joy. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:54.399 Schadenfreude is the pleasure one feels. 00:16:54.500 --> 00:16:56.379 It's seeing harm come to somebody else. 00:16:57.959 --> 00:17:05.440 We get pleasure as an envious person from slandering our perceived rival 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:10.399 or sabotaging them, belittling them, gossiping, 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:14.660 organizing a collective antagonism from the person, 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:22.259 teasing or bullying, highlighting their failures, or worse. 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:27.880 Now one curious thing about envy is that it usually doesn't operate from afar. 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:32.380 One tends to envy the person who is close, 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:41.120 either in proximity or relationship or in similar rank or wealth. 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:50.279 In 1994, Bill Gates was a year away from becoming the world's richest man. 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:53.439 He had already been a billionaire for several years before that, 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:55.519 when there were very few billionaires back then. 00:17:56.659 --> 00:18:00.419 But that same year, I was a junior at East Carolina University, 00:18:00.859 --> 00:18:02.619 majoring in trombone performance, 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:08.859 a field that doesn't promise quite the same level of wealth as Bill Gates' chosen profession. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:12.339 But I didn't envy Bill Gates. 00:18:12.479 --> 00:18:13.559 He wasn't even on my radar. 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:18.319 I envied the trombonist sitting next to me in jazz ensemble. 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:20.599 He was so good. 00:18:20.939 --> 00:18:25.439 He came down from New York to study with the director of our jazz studies program. 00:18:26.679 --> 00:18:28.339 This guy had already released an album. 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:33.639 This cat would play blazing solos on a trombone, right? 00:18:33.640 --> 00:18:37.960 You don't think of a trombone as an instrument where you can have agility and quickness, 00:18:38.060 --> 00:18:38.900 but he did. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:43.520 It would just leave me in awe every time. 00:18:45.060 --> 00:18:47.040 After that year, he went back to New York, 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:50.460 and he got a job playing his horn in a pit. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:54.560 It's a job that any of us in Greenville, North Carolina, would have wanted. 00:18:56.620 --> 00:18:58.020 Meanwhile, I'm still in Greenville, 00:18:58.019 --> 00:19:02.519 still not able to solo my way out of a paper bag. 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.839 And everyone knows it. 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:08.220 But what I did figure out is I figured out these, 00:19:08.420 --> 00:19:09.680 what are called licks, 00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:12.319 that this guy would play. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:14.180 They're shortcuts. 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:20.400 Things to get in from one part of his solo to the next. 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:26.119 Most jazz musicians have these licks in their pocket 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:29.599 to piece together their solos. 00:19:31.719 --> 00:19:33.459 So I figured those out. 00:19:33.959 --> 00:19:37.500 And so for the year, my senior year, after he was gone, 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:41.500 I would play them in my solos. 00:19:41.939 --> 00:19:43.899 And I'd play them fast, play them slow, 00:19:44.319 --> 00:19:46.099 play them backwards, forwards. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.959 And people would laugh. 00:19:50.239 --> 00:19:51.939 They started doing it, too. 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:54.799 And it was clear what I was communicating. 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.700 He wasn't that good of a soloist. 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:59.720 He just relied on these licks, these tricks. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:05.299 That was absurdly false, of course. 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.720 He was amazing. 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:10.299 But to distract from my own inferiority, 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:13.620 I sought to diminish his star. 00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:15.640 And he wasn't there to defend himself. 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:20.620 It sounds petty, right? 00:20:22.060 --> 00:20:23.259 It's not petty. 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.640 It's a lot worse. 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:30.420 Jesus would have said that I was guilty of murder. 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:35.380 You heard the gospel read earlier when Jesus said, 00:20:35.580 --> 00:20:38.520 it's not what goes into a person that makes him unclean, 00:20:38.780 --> 00:20:41.580 but what comes out from a person, from one's heart, 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:44.000 the place in a person where the will resides. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:47.500 When God gave the commandment not to murder, 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:51.900 he forbade more than just killing other humans. 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:56.119 He requires us never to get anywhere near the path 00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:57.660 that would lead us to a place 00:20:57.660 --> 00:21:01.079 where we'd want another human being to die. 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:04.519 Whenever we are envious towards another person, 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:06.900 or angry, or resentful, 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:12.079 we become something less than fully human. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:16.059 And the rich tapestry of peace 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:20.099 that we were meant to experience with one another 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:21.339 becomes riven. 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:28.359 It's not enough just to stop short of murder. 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:31.699 Jesus said in the book of Matthew, 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:35.279 you have heard that it was said to those of old, 00:21:35.419 --> 00:21:36.199 you shall not murder, 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:38.059 and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:41.639 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.919 will be liable to judgment. 00:21:43.459 --> 00:21:45.959 Whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council, 00:21:46.219 --> 00:21:48.139 and whoever says, you fool, 00:21:48.479 --> 00:21:50.199 will be liable to the hell of fire. 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:52.439 Does that sound extreme? 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:56.120 Does it sound like the words of a religious zealot? 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:59.500 Jesus understood the human heart. 00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:03.059 He understood the brain, too. 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:08.039 There was an episode of The Hidden Brain. 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.820 It's a podcast. 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.580 It was just a few weeks ago, 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:13.380 your other homework assignment. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.580 It's really good. 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:19.839 And they were looking at, 00:22:19.919 --> 00:22:21.000 about two-thirds of the episode, 00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:24.339 they talk about a study that they were doing about envy, 00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:27.000 and they were looking at sports fans. 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:31.199 Sports fans, I think it was Yankees and Red Sox fans, 00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:34.079 enmeshed in this really tense rivalry. 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:39.359 So those fans that reported the most pleasure 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:41.759 in watching their rival fail 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:45.319 were also the people who had the most activation 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.740 in the small part of the brain 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.259 called the ventral striatum. 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.180 Those same people reported 00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:54.940 they were more likely to engage in activities 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:58.140 like heckling, threatening, and hitting of other fans. 00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.059 In other words, 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:01.839 the amount of pleasure you take in a rival's failure 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:04.039 is a potent predictor 00:23:04.039 --> 00:23:08.220 of how far you might take matters into your own hands. 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:12.519 If one's envy is particularly malicious, 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:15.019 taking matters into one's hands 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:18.600 could mean eliminating the source of envy. 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:22.600 This isn't from Jesus from 2,000 years ago 00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:24.480 saying that envy leads to murder, 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:26.839 that envy can be equated with murder. 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.620 This is a modern study. 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.640 To take it further, 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:36.980 University of Kentucky social psychologist Richard Smith 00:23:36.980 --> 00:23:39.400 believes that envy and schadenfreude 00:23:39.400 --> 00:23:41.279 may have been one of the underlying triggers 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.920 of the Holocaust. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:45.000 In the 75 years leading up to the Nazis 00:23:45.000 --> 00:23:46.180 taking power in Germany, 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:50.160 Jews enjoyed a staggering increase 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:53.299 in wealth, influence, and prominence, 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:55.680 leading many Germans 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.339 who were struggling financially 00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:58.680 to resent their success, 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:01.740 especially in the difficult years 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.880 after World War I. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:07.580 If you have enough experiences of feeling good 00:24:07.580 --> 00:24:08.880 when someone suffers 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:10.340 or some group suffers, 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:12.540 then the next step, in a sense, 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:14.760 is to actually, literally, 00:24:15.600 --> 00:24:17.880 engineer it fully. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:20.180 And that's what happens. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:24.980 This is why racism and sexism 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:27.100 aren't in the list of seven deadly sins, 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:30.839 because envy is the root of those things. 00:24:39.019 --> 00:24:40.539 So how do we overcome envy? 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.139 We've defined it. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:48.079 We've looked at its outcome. 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:53.199 How do we overcome envy? 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:54.779 Let's start with something simple. 00:24:54.959 --> 00:24:56.279 Get off Facebook and Instagram. 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:56.899 Just do it. 00:24:57.899 --> 00:24:58.500 Just get off. 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:01.299 That might sound prudish 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.160 or maybe simplistic, 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.480 but people who use Facebook 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.920 are generally less happy 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.839 than those who don't. 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:08.519 There's a constant comparison going on. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.839 We look on Facebook 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.139 and envy those who are going on 00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:12.200 amazing vacations. 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:14.059 You know, the people who are going 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.119 on amazing vacations, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.099 they look at Facebook 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:18.359 and see the ordinary events 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:19.859 going on back in their own community, 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:22.359 and they envy those people. 00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.700 As Francis Bacon put it, 00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:26.519 envy is ever joined 00:25:26.519 --> 00:25:28.940 to the comparing of a man's self. 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.700 And where there is no comparison, 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:32.120 there is no envy. 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:33.400 So get off Facebook. 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.779 If you haven't given up 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:36.039 something for Lent yet, 00:25:36.100 --> 00:25:36.779 it's not too late. 00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:38.200 You can give up Facebook. 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:40.180 Another way to overcome envy 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.640 is to name it. 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.580 Explore it. 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:45.000 Bring it into the light. 00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.600 Tell God and other people 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:48.799 you're envious. 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:51.080 Ask God why it is so 00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:51.840 that you are envious. 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:53.559 When we name our envy, 00:25:53.679 --> 00:25:55.740 we strike at its source, 00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:58.599 and at the source of envy, 00:25:58.919 --> 00:26:00.119 at its root, 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.259 at the root of envy, 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.220 is lack. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:04.779 There's something missing in me 00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:07.459 when I envy something or someone. 00:26:08.939 --> 00:26:10.459 In Shakespeare's Othello, 00:26:10.919 --> 00:26:12.619 Iago says of Cassius, 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:15.639 he hath a daily beauty in his life 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:17.279 that makes me ugly. 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:20.680 He hath a daily beauty in his life 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:22.200 that makes me ugly. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:28.259 It's so easy to envy in D.C. 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:32.019 We can easily believe 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:34.819 that he has a daily intelligence 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:36.200 that makes me stupid. 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:39.279 She has an easy eloquence 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:41.059 that makes me unarticulate. 00:26:41.399 --> 00:26:44.059 He has wealth that makes me poor. 00:26:44.160 --> 00:26:45.639 She has a daily success 00:26:45.639 --> 00:26:46.980 that makes me a failure. 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.079 He has a desire. 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:51.079 He has a charisma 00:26:51.079 --> 00:26:53.160 that makes me repugnant. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.819 She has a spouse 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:58.059 which makes me alone. 00:26:59.839 --> 00:27:00.980 He has an easy virtuosity 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:03.059 that makes me an imposter. 00:27:04.599 --> 00:27:05.819 She has a godliness 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:07.120 that defiles me. 00:27:10.620 --> 00:27:11.700 Naming our envy 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.779 exposes the ways 00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:13.620 in which we feel 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.920 that we are not enough. 00:27:14.920 --> 00:27:18.519 And that opens us up 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.360 to deeper issues. 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.539 We see that our lives 00:27:21.539 --> 00:27:22.380 become framed 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.320 around the questions, 00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:24.740 where in my life 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.580 am I not enough? 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:27.160 And how do I overcome 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.920 not being enough? 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:28.820 Do you, 00:27:28.820 --> 00:27:29.200 do you, 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.800 probably don't think about those, 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.820 but when I think about it, 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:32.560 yes. 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.080 That is almost how like 00:27:34.080 --> 00:27:35.420 my daily life is organized. 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:36.880 Where in my life 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.580 am I not enough? 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:39.759 And how do I overcome 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:40.579 not being enough? 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:44.460 So sometimes it leads to envy, 00:27:45.119 --> 00:27:46.799 but ways in which we overcome 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.500 not being enough 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.579 also include resentment, 00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:50.960 judgmentalism, 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:52.980 addiction, 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.960 workaholicism, 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:58.360 busyness, 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.640 order. 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:05.079 Once we've named our envy, 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:07.100 once we've asked God 00:28:07.100 --> 00:28:08.019 to show us the ways 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:10.000 we feel we're not enough, 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.640 then the ultimate thing to do 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:13.059 is to believe the gospel. 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.059 Believe the gospel. 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.579 Believe the good news. 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.539 There's good news 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.279 for the envious. 00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:19.460 And that is this, 00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.860 the root of my envy, 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.980 my lack, 00:28:22.140 --> 00:28:23.259 points me to the truth 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.059 about myself, 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:25.339 that I am nothing 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:25.980 without him. 00:28:27.659 --> 00:28:28.480 Jesus said, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.559 I am the vine, 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.960 you are the branches, 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.359 whoever abides in me 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:33.139 and I in him, 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:34.859 he it is that bears much fruit, 00:28:35.039 --> 00:28:36.179 for apart from me 00:28:36.179 --> 00:28:37.539 you can do nothing. 00:28:39.859 --> 00:28:41.059 So when I experience envy, 00:28:41.139 --> 00:28:41.799 when I know, 00:28:41.899 --> 00:28:43.339 when I think I'm not enough, 00:28:43.679 --> 00:28:44.579 let that point me 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:45.339 to the idea, 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.220 the truth, 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.139 the reality, 00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:47.819 that really, 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.980 I am nothing 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:50.279 without him. 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.460 When we see that 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:53.899 we are nothing 00:28:53.900 --> 00:28:54.540 without God, 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:55.820 then he becomes enough. 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.100 Then he becomes enough. 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.240 His approval, 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:00.740 his favor, 00:29:01.320 --> 00:29:02.140 his delight. 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.740 You may not have seen it, 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.519 but the gospel is found 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.820 in Genesis chapter 4. 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.680 When we see the Bible 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.640 in its entirety, 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.240 when we understand 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.820 that God is in the business 00:29:16.820 --> 00:29:18.220 of redeeming this world 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:19.080 that has been broken, 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.600 then we see that Jesus 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:23.779 Jesus takes both Cain's place 00:29:23.779 --> 00:29:26.039 and Abel's place 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:28.079 and he reconciles them to God. 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:33.539 Cain said to God, 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.319 after God asked him, 00:29:35.379 --> 00:29:35.919 where's your brother? 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.919 Cain said, 00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:40.240 am I my brother's keeper? 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:43.919 Am I the shepherd's shepherd? 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.560 Well, 00:29:44.560 --> 00:29:48.259 Jesus says, 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:48.740 yes, 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:51.460 I am my brother's keeper. 00:29:52.620 --> 00:29:53.420 Do you know 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:54.220 the parable 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.420 of the prodigal son 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:57.060 that Jesus told 00:29:57.060 --> 00:29:58.680 about the two sons 00:29:58.680 --> 00:29:59.900 of the wealthy father? 00:30:00.560 --> 00:30:01.560 The young one went away 00:30:01.560 --> 00:30:03.320 after having asked 00:30:03.320 --> 00:30:04.019 for his share 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:04.800 of his inheritance, 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.779 squandered all his wealth 00:30:06.779 --> 00:30:08.320 and was lost. 00:30:09.320 --> 00:30:09.700 Eventually, 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:10.560 he came back. 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.360 The father was waiting for him, 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.299 and ran out to greet him, 00:30:13.679 --> 00:30:14.299 and embraced him. 00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.279 The older brother 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.859 was resentful. 00:30:19.479 --> 00:30:19.659 You know, 00:30:19.859 --> 00:30:22.519 the older brother's 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.379 chief sin? 00:30:24.139 --> 00:30:24.559 Yeah, 00:30:24.679 --> 00:30:25.639 I probably shouldn't say chief. 00:30:26.299 --> 00:30:27.359 One of his biggest sins 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.599 is that it was his job 00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:29.179 to go after 00:30:29.179 --> 00:30:29.939 the younger brother. 00:30:30.439 --> 00:30:32.179 That was the older brother's job. 00:30:33.639 --> 00:30:34.619 He was to be 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.559 his brother's keeper. 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.619 And Jesus does 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.319 go after us. 00:30:38.379 --> 00:30:39.139 He is 00:30:39.139 --> 00:30:40.399 his brother's keeper, 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.779 his sister's keeper. 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.599 He pursues us. 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.460 He leaves the 99 00:30:43.460 --> 00:30:45.019 and goes for the one 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:46.440 at the very cost 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.220 of his own life. 00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:49.660 He offered up 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.879 the very best offering 00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:52.160 to his father. 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:54.220 And he offered himself 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.859 on the cross, 00:30:56.460 --> 00:30:56.940 crucified, 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.519 absorbing the punishment 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.660 that our sins 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.359 deserved, 00:31:02.879 --> 00:31:03.960 and imparting to us 00:31:03.960 --> 00:31:06.039 his status, 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:07.200 which is 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:09.339 the status of firstborn. 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:10.500 And now we are 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.299 God's favorites. 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.299 You are 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:14.139 God's favorite child. 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.439 Because you have 00:31:15.439 --> 00:31:15.919 inherited 00:31:15.919 --> 00:31:17.339 Jesus' status. 00:31:21.559 --> 00:31:22.519 It says at the end 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.459 of Genesis chapter 4 00:31:23.459 --> 00:31:24.240 that Cain was 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:26.579 banished. 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.259 That he was given 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.839 a mark. 00:31:31.939 --> 00:31:32.779 That banishment 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.359 was intended 00:31:33.359 --> 00:31:34.779 for murderers. 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:36.960 Jesus was banished 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.579 for us 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.220 that we might 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.440 be accepted. 00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:43.599 Cain had a mark 00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:45.519 to protect him. 00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:46.599 It was 00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.940 an act of mercy 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:49.319 on God's 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:50.879 behalf 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.819 to Cain 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.660 so that 00:31:52.660 --> 00:31:53.220 if anybody 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:54.299 were to encounter 00:31:54.299 --> 00:31:54.879 Cain, 00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.180 they wouldn't 00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.779 touch him. 00:31:56.779 --> 00:32:00.299 And so 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:01.160 God 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:01.920 saved 00:32:01.920 --> 00:32:02.539 Cain's life 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:02.920 and yet 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.539 every time 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.579 Cain realized 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.220 this mark 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:05.379 that, 00:32:05.460 --> 00:32:05.700 I don't know 00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.099 where the mark 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.359 was, 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.559 but this mark 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:08.019 was also 00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:08.539 at Cain 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.139 a constant 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:09.440 reminder 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:09.839 for the rest 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:10.299 of his life 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:10.799 that he was 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.420 on the outside 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.160 banished 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:13.500 from the family 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:13.920 of God. 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.519 God has given 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.180 you a mark 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.879 if you were 00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.220 baptized. 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.019 He's given 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.819 us a mark 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.899 that will 00:32:21.899 --> 00:32:22.940 constantly remind 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:23.799 us that we 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:25.720 are in God's 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:26.099 family. 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.879 But nothing 00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:28.440 can separate 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:28.839 us from 00:32:28.839 --> 00:32:29.759 the love 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.220 of God. 00:32:30.639 --> 00:32:30.799 Neither 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.359 death nor 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:31.700 life, 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.500 neither angels 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.099 nor demons, 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:33.740 neither the 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.259 present nor 00:32:34.259 --> 00:32:34.720 the future, 00:32:34.859 --> 00:32:35.220 nor any 00:32:35.220 --> 00:32:35.660 powers, 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.539 neither height 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.139 nor depth 00:32:37.139 --> 00:32:37.779 nor anything 00:32:37.779 --> 00:32:38.420 else in all 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.819 creation can 00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.759 separate you 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:41.779 from the love 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.240 of God that 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:42.839 is in Christ 00:32:42.839 --> 00:32:43.879 Jesus our 00:32:43.879 --> 00:32:44.259 Lord. 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.660 That, 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:47.579 that is 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:47.920 enough. 00:32:48.660 --> 00:32:49.139 Let's pray. 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:58.559 Father, 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:58.980 as we 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.200 come to 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:02.700 participate in 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.160 this meal 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:03.619 together, 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.359 to eat the 00:33:04.359 --> 00:33:04.619 bread, 00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:05.359 to drink this 00:33:05.359 --> 00:33:05.680 wine, 00:33:06.399 --> 00:33:07.039 would it be 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.559 enough for 00:33:07.559 --> 00:33:07.839 us? 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:08.720 Would your 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.920 grace be 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:10.359 enough? 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.539 So free 00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:12.940 us, 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.059 liberate us 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.639 from envy, 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:15.819 liberate us 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:16.960 from resenting 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.339 the people 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:18.059 around us. 00:33:19.440 --> 00:33:20.359 Would you be 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.259 always and ever 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.240 enough? 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:23.519 we pray in 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.099 Jesus' name. 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.259 Amen. 00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:26.620 Let's stand 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.259 and behold 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.120 the wondrous 00:33:28.120 --> 00:33:28.779 cross together.