WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Thank you. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.000 Thank you. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:09.000 What an honor. 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:10.560 What an honor. 00:01:11.420 --> 00:01:12.159 Good to see you guys. 00:01:12.159 --> 00:01:25.979 Sometimes when preparing a sermon, you can feel like a piece of meat getting tenderized 00:01:25.979 --> 00:01:29.340 by God's holy meat mallet. 00:01:29.340 --> 00:01:33.880 Well, this week was a convicting week. 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:38.659 We're looking at a passage this morning on stealing. 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:42.659 And you know what? 00:01:42.799 --> 00:01:47.560 When a preacher is studying and preparing, not only are they seeking to understand a passage, 00:01:47.719 --> 00:01:49.560 they're seeking to come under the passage. 00:01:49.560 --> 00:01:56.780 And it's good and right for a preacher to be convicted in order to deal faithfully with 00:01:56.780 --> 00:01:59.400 his own sin before he proclaims it to others. 00:01:59.400 --> 00:02:03.260 So this past Friday, I called my mom. 00:02:05.440 --> 00:02:10.379 And I confessed to her that when I was in high school, I would steal money from her purse. 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:16.479 I would say, hey mom, can I have a couple bucks to go out with my friends? 00:02:17.139 --> 00:02:17.919 She said, sure. 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:19.259 Take 10 bucks. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:22.419 When I was in her purse, I'd take 12 or 13. 00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:25.759 It wasn't my money to take. 00:02:27.500 --> 00:02:28.919 I wronged my mom. 00:02:29.019 --> 00:02:32.079 And looking back, I was just adding it up to this week. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:36.199 I think I was like breaking five of the Ten Commandments every time I would do that. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:40.939 Well, my mom graciously forgave me. 00:02:42.019 --> 00:02:43.459 But I could tell there was some sting. 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:45.939 She graciously forgave me. 00:02:46.019 --> 00:02:47.259 Now, I'm so grateful for my mom. 00:02:47.259 --> 00:02:53.719 This morning, we're going to be concentrating on just one verse from our Bibles. 00:02:54.560 --> 00:02:56.659 Ephesians chapter 4, verse 28. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:03:04.299 And before we get there, let me just remind you a little bit of the immediate context leading 00:03:04.299 --> 00:03:05.459 up to this verse. 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:13.199 Chapter 4 starts in talking about the church, the body of Christ, all those who put their 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:18.799 faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and the promise of eternal life. 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:26.379 And for those of us in the room who are believers in Jesus, we're the church, the body of Jesus. 00:03:27.179 --> 00:03:34.519 And in chapter 4, verse 17, Paul turns a corner and he reminds us that we are to no longer live 00:03:34.519 --> 00:03:36.159 like we used to be. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:39.139 That was the former manner of our lives. 00:03:39.139 --> 00:03:43.199 That was our old way of living before we became Christians. 00:03:43.459 --> 00:03:46.899 And now, we live as followers of Jesus. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:48.539 Those made new. 00:03:48.839 --> 00:03:56.119 And so, in Ephesians 4, 17 through 24, Paul helps us to remember to put off the old self 00:03:56.119 --> 00:03:57.060 in all of its ways. 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:01.199 To renew our minds of who we are in Christ. 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:05.159 And then to put on Christ likeness. 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:11.379 That which is righteous and holy in God's image. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:18.699 So, Paul, after 17 through 24, he then turns to specific issues. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:25.159 He takes this kind of principle of put off, renew, put on, and then applies it to particular 00:04:25.159 --> 00:04:25.719 issues. 00:04:25.720 --> 00:04:31.300 And so, verse 25, he says, put away falsehood and put on speaking the truth to our neighbor. 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:41.080 26 and 27, he says, put off sinful anger, be slow to anger, and when you get angry, make 00:04:41.080 --> 00:04:43.780 sure you're getting angry at the right things in the right way. 00:04:45.180 --> 00:04:51.040 And then in verse 28, Paul turns his attention to talking about stealing. 00:04:52.320 --> 00:04:53.820 So, let me read for you. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:57.480 Let the thief no longer steal. 00:04:58.939 --> 00:05:10.120 But rather, let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:13.860 to share with anyone in need. 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:19.819 Because of who we are in Christ, we are new creations in Jesus. 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:28.620 We are to no longer be greedy takers, using our hands to steal things. 00:05:29.099 --> 00:05:35.379 Rather, we are to be hardworking, honest helpers. 00:05:35.779 --> 00:05:38.920 People who give things with their hands. 00:05:39.600 --> 00:05:40.560 We no longer take. 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:42.240 We give. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:44.659 Jesus has changed us. 00:05:44.660 --> 00:05:51.840 I've been trying to tell you for the last few weeks, who you are determines how you live. 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:57.800 If you're a Christian, it changes the way how you live, because you're a different person 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:00.160 now, because of what God and Christ has done in you. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:05.860 And this morning, what we're going to be looking at is, who you are determines how you work, 00:06:05.860 --> 00:06:09.199 how you use your hands. 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:13.580 And so, from verse 28, I'm going to draw four things out for you. 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:15.220 First is this. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:17.300 We need an ID check. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:21.560 Second, the command to stop stealing. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:26.879 Third, the command to do honest work, to go legit. 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:33.920 And then fourth, to start sharing, to use our hands to help others. 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:38.000 Now, we're all doing this. 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:41.300 We're looking at this because God has changed us. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:43.159 We're new creatures in Christ. 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:47.019 And now, we use our hands not to take, but to give. 00:06:48.259 --> 00:06:51.399 So, let's first look at this ID check. 00:06:51.399 --> 00:07:00.539 Now, theoretically speaking, if you were pulled over by a police officer, theoretically speaking, 00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:03.060 they would probably say something like this. 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:04.500 Now, this is just theory. 00:07:04.659 --> 00:07:11.979 I'm not saying I personally have witnessed this myself, but I've seen it on TV, and it must 00:07:11.979 --> 00:07:12.479 be true. 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:21.039 They come up to your window and say, sir, may I see your license and registration, please? 00:07:22.359 --> 00:07:26.539 Well, of course, a registration has to do with your car, whether or not it's legitimate, 00:07:26.899 --> 00:07:27.759 should be on the road. 00:07:28.299 --> 00:07:34.599 The license, your driver's license, is the police officer asking to see your identity, 00:07:35.599 --> 00:07:36.699 to say, who are you? 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:39.060 It's to see if you're legit. 00:07:40.219 --> 00:07:43.539 And so, on your driver's license, there's some really important information. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.479 There's your picture, right? 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:47.200 And then there's your name. 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:48.939 And then there's your height. 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:50.400 And then your weight. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:51.800 And then your eye color. 00:07:51.900 --> 00:07:52.780 And your hair color. 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:53.600 Your birth date. 00:07:53.700 --> 00:07:54.860 Your social security number. 00:07:55.259 --> 00:07:55.860 Your address. 00:07:56.700 --> 00:07:57.600 These are vitals. 00:07:57.800 --> 00:07:59.540 These are really important information. 00:08:00.020 --> 00:08:04.620 It's not all of who you are on the little card, but it's kind of like really important stuff 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:06.560 of who you are on the little card. 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:09.160 It's essentially an ID card. 00:08:09.160 --> 00:08:12.120 It says who you are. 00:08:13.080 --> 00:08:14.360 Now, here's the deal. 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:19.460 As Christians, we tend to forget who we are. 00:08:20.380 --> 00:08:27.040 We tend to forget that the triune God of the universe, in an amazing act of grace, made 00:08:27.040 --> 00:08:29.800 us alive with Christ. 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:31.840 We tend to forget that. 00:08:31.940 --> 00:08:34.580 We were dead, and now we are alive. 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:36.820 We are under God's wrath. 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:38.639 Now we are His workmanship. 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:42.120 We were once damned, and now we are God's delight. 00:08:42.280 --> 00:08:43.780 We tend to forget that. 00:08:46.520 --> 00:08:52.259 One of the things that, if you haven't figured this out yet, part of walking with Jesus, following 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:54.440 Jesus, is remembering who you are. 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.600 That's where a lot of it starts. 00:08:57.259 --> 00:09:01.700 Renewing your mind on the truth of what God's Word says to be true of you. 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:04.940 That you are blood-bought by Jesus. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:07.180 That you belong to God. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:09.440 You is mine. 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:11.240 You is alive. 00:09:12.160 --> 00:09:13.040 And you is holy. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:15.740 So here's what I'd like to help you to do. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:17.320 Because we tend to forget our ID. 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:20.740 We need to pull out our Gospel ID card. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.220 Can I help you with this? 00:09:23.040 --> 00:09:27.879 It's just a little card filled with very important words about who you are. 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:30.040 These are biblical words. 00:09:30.039 --> 00:09:34.579 And so first is your name, Mike Salvati, child of God. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:36.459 Your name, child of God. 00:09:37.419 --> 00:09:40.339 And then next you see this thing called the Trinity plan. 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:41.639 What do you say is that? 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:44.959 Well, Ephesians 1, 3-14 says this. 00:09:45.599 --> 00:09:47.879 Before the foundation of the world, God chose you. 00:09:47.959 --> 00:09:48.980 The Father chose you. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:52.259 He predestined you to be adopted as His son or His daughter. 00:09:52.939 --> 00:09:53.879 That's who you are. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:10:01.039 And then it goes on to say in verse 7, you've been redeemed by the blood of Jesus in the present. 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:06.580 And then it goes on to say that you've been sealed by the Spirit of God Himself for eternity future. 00:10:07.100 --> 00:10:10.179 And so according to the Trinity plan, you're signed, sealed, and delivered. 00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:16.259 From eternity past to eternity future, God has sought you and called you to Himself. 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:18.139 You belong to Him. 00:10:19.259 --> 00:10:20.799 So that's the Trinity plan. 00:10:21.139 --> 00:10:24.439 And then there's this thing called the NCD. 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:27.840 The new creation date. 00:10:28.580 --> 00:10:32.460 The moment in time you became a new creation. 00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:34.460 When you were born again. 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:36.059 When you were made alive. 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:48.799 And for some of the people in this room, you know not only the year, but the month, the day, the hour, the minute, the very second you became a Christian. 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:50.959 It stands out like that. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:56.519 You're like, oh yeah, I know where I was standing the moment I became a Christian. 00:10:57.219 --> 00:11:00.299 For others of us, it's not as focused. 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:03.219 Like me, I think it's kind of like a two-year window, to be honest with you. 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:06.620 Like, alright, before 1980, I was kind of a jerk. 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:10.060 And then at 1982, I actually started to sing to God. 00:11:10.180 --> 00:11:11.680 Something happened in there. 00:11:12.060 --> 00:11:13.200 I was made alive. 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:16.740 I love my Savior on this side. 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:18.500 I didn't before that. 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:21.139 Your new creation date. 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.680 When did you become a Christian? 00:11:25.220 --> 00:11:28.759 Do you remember when you were dead, but then made alive? 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:30.660 Do you remember that? 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:32.399 It's who you are. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:37.060 And then there's this other thing called the BP. 00:11:38.779 --> 00:11:39.560 Body part. 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:42.160 Some of us are feet. 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:44.320 Some of us are shins. 00:11:44.720 --> 00:11:47.220 Some of us are shoulders, pinkies, and thumbs. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:51.300 God has knit us together as a body. 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:53.580 The body of Christ. 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.840 It's part of who you are. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:57.820 You belong to something bigger than yourself. 00:11:57.820 --> 00:12:01.660 You're part of Christ's body. 00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.460 This is who you are. 00:12:02.540 --> 00:12:05.840 This is on the gospel ID card, and it's printed in Bible. 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:06.780 Do you get what I'm saying? 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:11.879 And so what you want to do is you want to tuck that gospel ID card into your heart, 00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:14.120 and then you want to pull it out every once in a while. 00:12:15.159 --> 00:12:17.179 You got to remind yourself of who you are. 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:22.620 This past week, I was up in the middle of the night, freaking out, and I had finally got to a point where it's like, 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:23.959 wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. 00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:25.959 I'm a new creation. 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:30.000 I don't need to be stressed out about this. 00:12:30.600 --> 00:12:31.720 God has changed me. 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:32.639 I'm his. 00:12:34.160 --> 00:12:35.240 Here was a sweet moment. 00:12:36.540 --> 00:12:39.940 What I'm trying to tell you here is you have a new identity in Christ. 00:12:41.660 --> 00:12:43.780 You've got to remember who you are. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:46.940 You've got to renew your minds with God's word. 00:12:47.560 --> 00:12:49.800 What does God say about you, brother? 00:12:50.120 --> 00:12:52.280 What does God say about you, sister? 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:59.779 And so now what we do is now we drill down into Ephesians 4.28. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:07.159 Having reminded us of who we are in Christ, we're new creations, now let's look at the command. 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:13.519 Because we don't obey the command to become new creations, we're new creations who can now obey the command. 00:13:14.339 --> 00:13:15.299 That's what God has done. 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:19.360 So we've looked at the ID check. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:21.379 Now let's look at the command. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.899 And stop stealing. 00:13:24.179 --> 00:13:27.559 Let the thief no longer steal. 00:13:28.500 --> 00:13:33.200 Let the thief no longer steal. 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:35.179 What is stealing? 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:39.480 Stealing is taking something that belongs to someone else. 00:13:40.960 --> 00:13:45.019 Stealing is taking something that doesn't belong to you and you're taking it for yourself. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:48.220 That's what stealing is. 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:51.000 Taking something that doesn't belong to you. 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:56.399 And we all know that there's a variety of ways to steal. 00:13:56.399 --> 00:14:02.299 And so I've tried in my limited imagination to write some down. 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:07.419 To help us think in terms of what does it mean to steal? 00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:09.799 What is God calling us to stop? 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:14.399 Stealing is when you take something that belongs to someone else. 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:21.559 If you take pens from your employer without their permission, you are stealing. 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:25.139 Now you might respond by saying something like this. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:27.879 Well, the pen's only 75 cents, cell body. 00:14:28.819 --> 00:14:31.000 It doesn't matter how much it is. 00:14:31.739 --> 00:14:33.579 The issue isn't value. 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:36.639 The issue is property. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:39.600 Who it belongs to. 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:45.080 And so if it's a 75 cent pen or a 75 dollar pen. 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:49.240 If it belongs to your employer, it belongs to your employer. 00:14:50.699 --> 00:14:54.779 The issue is who does this belong to? 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:59.879 And so if we take something that's not ours, we're stealing it. 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:03.259 So what happens if you have someone, your employer's pen, just bring it back. 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:19.899 If you take grapes while at Woodman's and you clip off a little whatever it's called and you're eating them as you're shopping, you are stealing. 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:23.179 Those grapes don't belong to you. 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:26.379 Now you might be saying, well, they're just like a cent each. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.059 Come on. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:31.439 It doesn't matter how much value they are. 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:33.520 It's who they belong to. 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:37.100 And if you have not purchased them yet, they do not belong to you. 00:15:38.580 --> 00:15:45.200 And unless something is labeled clearly sample, you got to pay for it. 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:48.380 We can't be stealing grapes. 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:57.480 Now, if you acquire music, videos, software, and you haven't paid for it, you may have stolen it. 00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:59.360 You may have stolen it. 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:06.680 The people that own the rights to these things, whether music or video or software, 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:13.080 they are the ones that determine whether or not something is free or something can be charged. 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:15.280 We don't determine that. 00:16:16.080 --> 00:16:20.740 Those people who have the right of possession, they determine that. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:26.440 And so we've got to be asking the question when we're looking at music or videos or software, 00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.399 who owns this? 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:34.560 And have they given the right for me to take this to myself for free? 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:36.820 Or do I need to make a purchase? 00:16:36.820 --> 00:16:42.820 So the issue here isn't whether something is really easy to acquire. 00:16:43.540 --> 00:16:44.720 That's not the issue. 00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:48.480 The issue is, who does it belong to? 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.720 That's the question we've got to be asking. 00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:52.340 Who does it belong to? 00:16:54.260 --> 00:16:54.780 Taxes. 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:59.659 Now, you may be thinking, yes, finally. 00:17:00.299 --> 00:17:01.500 Salvati, bring the heat. 00:17:02.579 --> 00:17:04.039 Our government's stealing our money. 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:05.180 Bring it, baby. 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:05.960 Come on. 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.879 Well, not so fast. 00:17:07.879 --> 00:17:16.000 Do you remember when Jesus was asked a particular question in Mark 12? 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:20.579 Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 00:17:20.859 --> 00:17:21.380 Do you remember that? 00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:24.839 Jesus is just so brilliant. 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:26.519 I would have loved to have been there. 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:29.160 I love my Bible, but I would have loved to have been there too. 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:33.319 Well, Jesus says, someone hold up a denarius. 00:17:33.539 --> 00:17:35.640 And a denarius was a nice coin. 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.920 And on that denarius was an inscription. 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:41.680 And Jesus says, whose picture is on the denarius? 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:44.740 And everybody said, Caesar's. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:52.420 And then Jesus said, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's. 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:55.200 And to God the things that are God's. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.380 You know what Jesus is saying? 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.480 Pay your taxes. 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:00.700 That's what Jesus is saying. 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.740 Pay your taxes. 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:04.799 Romans 13. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:13.859 Paul is teaching these Christians in Rome that the government has been given for the common good of people. 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:16.659 It's God's ministering agents. 00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:19.479 Some really interesting language in Romans 13. 00:18:20.199 --> 00:18:25.919 And Paul is telling them this because he wants to help them to see why they are to pay their taxes. 00:18:26.899 --> 00:18:30.159 And so in verses 6 and 7 we read, Paul says, 00:18:30.719 --> 00:18:33.299 Pay to all what is owed them. 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:36.479 Taxes to whom taxes are owed. 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:40.099 Revenue to whom revenue is owed. 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:46.019 Now if you're not paying your taxes, if you're avoiding paying your taxes, 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:49.619 what that means is you're actually stealing from the government. 00:18:51.199 --> 00:18:52.259 It's theirs. 00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:56.799 We are to pay that as citizens. 00:18:56.799 --> 00:19:01.960 Now if you don't like the tax rate, 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:07.099 we use the political system in the legislature in order to change these things. 00:19:08.180 --> 00:19:10.440 We don't make those decisions on our own. 00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:14.859 So we can't steal from the government. 00:19:15.399 --> 00:19:16.639 Now if you are a student, 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:22.780 and you're sneaking peeks at your classmates' quizzes and tests 00:19:22.780 --> 00:19:25.200 in order to get the right answers, 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:26.920 in order to get good grades, 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:29.220 you're actually stealing. 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:31.780 You're probably being deceitful too. 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.840 But you're stealing. 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:36.980 Those answers do not belong to you. 00:19:37.720 --> 00:19:39.140 They belong to your classmates. 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:42.960 You're claiming something that's not yours. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:47.400 Now even if your classmate was a willing partner, 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:50.299 like sure, here, have my answers. 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.400 It's still stealing. 00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:55.900 Because unless your teacher has said otherwise, 00:19:56.519 --> 00:20:02.279 you are personally responsible for your own work that you do in your classroom. 00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:05.640 You can't steal somebody else's work. 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:08.279 Do you know what plagiarism is? 00:20:08.380 --> 00:20:09.720 Has anybody heard that word before? 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:15.700 Or plagiarism is stealing the academic work of someone else. 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:17.680 We're not to do that. 00:20:18.400 --> 00:20:19.700 It's not who we are. 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:24.259 Now, I've left the kind of big one for last. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:28.240 Is it possible to steal from God? 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.980 The answer is yes. 00:20:33.360 --> 00:20:35.400 It's not like God needs money. 00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.819 He's loaded. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:37.700 He's got everything. 00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:39.240 All of it's His anyways. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:46.500 But in Malachi 3, God rebukes His people for greedily keeping back the tithe. 00:20:47.140 --> 00:20:50.240 They weren't giving the 10% that God called them to. 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:53.559 And so in Malachi 3.8, we read this. 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:55.480 God says this to His people. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:58.440 You are robbing me. 00:20:59.079 --> 00:21:00.759 How would you like to hear that from God? 00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:04.519 You are robbing me. 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:13.700 Now, in the New Testament, the emphasis moves from an amount to an attitude when it comes to giving. 00:21:13.700 --> 00:21:19.299 In 2 Corinthians 9, we read that God delights in a cheerful giver. 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:22.500 And that as Christians, we're to give proportionally. 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:23.640 We're to give willingly. 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:26.120 Not because we have to. 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:28.000 But because we want to. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:30.559 And we are to give generously. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:34.079 And Paul grounds that in Jesus Himself. 00:21:35.439 --> 00:21:36.359 He was rich. 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:38.639 And for our sake became poor. 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:41.700 And through His poverty, we became rich. 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.380 Not with jingle. 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.660 With salvation. 00:21:46.540 --> 00:21:47.600 We've been blessed. 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:49.759 He's lavished us with His grace. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:55.180 And so what we see in the New Testament is a principle that goes like this. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:59.480 He who sows sparingly, reaps sparingly. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:04.740 And he who sows bountifully, reaps bountifully. 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:07.579 God is very concerned about our attitudes. 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:10.160 And yes, we can still rob God now. 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:14.299 But here's what God says back in Malachi 3.10. 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:17.220 God says this to His people. 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:20.339 So, put me to the test. 00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:22.500 Try me. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.160 Be generous. 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.620 I'll take care of you. 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.799 I'll take care of you. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.039 I love it. 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:36.440 These are just examples of ways we can steal. 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:40.120 Steal is taking something that belongs to someone else. 00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:42.120 And the command is clear here. 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:44.579 We are to stop that. 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:47.319 We are not to do that. 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:50.339 Because it's not who we are. 00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:53.079 Christ has changed us. 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:55.699 We're no longer thieves. 00:22:56.960 --> 00:23:00.699 Furthermore, it's not loving your neighbor as yourself. 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:06.160 Now, the question is, what if you've stolen something? 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.400 What do you do? 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.680 You fess up. 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:12.640 Let me give you an example from my own life. 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:17.299 A couple years ago, I was making my way through the Ten Commandments. 00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:21.139 And I saw do not steal coming. 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:25.899 And my mind went immediately to my sock drawer. 00:23:25.900 --> 00:23:32.700 Because in my sock drawer was a pair of socks that were 15 years old. 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:37.160 I had taken them from a relative when I was driving through town. 00:23:37.800 --> 00:23:41.200 I didn't ask this relative if I could have his socks. 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:43.480 I just took them. 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:45.100 Because I needed them. 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.740 But I didn't tell him. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:52.559 And so for 15 years, these socks stayed in my sock drawer. 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:55.240 And I would look at them every time and say, 00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:57.059 You're a thief, Salvati. 00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.660 You're a thief. 00:23:59.160 --> 00:24:00.100 And you know what I finally did? 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.240 I finally called them. 00:24:03.120 --> 00:24:06.240 I'm like, 15 years ago, I was driving through and I took these socks from your drawer. 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:07.220 I am so sorry. 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:09.819 And he laughed. 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.860 He thought it was hilarious. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:21.519 And so the next day, I mailed him two new pairs of the finest, nicest socks I could possibly find. 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.559 And sent them to him. 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:25.200 Eventually, we got a pretty good laugh out of it. 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:27.799 But you know what else I got out of it? 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.940 A clear conscience. 00:24:32.860 --> 00:24:34.059 It's very valuable. 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:38.179 So if you've been stealing, confess it. 00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.819 Get right with it. 00:24:41.139 --> 00:24:43.119 Don't spin it. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.819 Be real about it. 00:24:46.879 --> 00:24:49.019 Speak the truth about it. 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:53.819 Stealing is simply not who we are anymore. 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:56.879 It's not our color, so to speak. 00:24:57.740 --> 00:25:00.159 We're no longer to be greedy takers. 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:03.640 But we're to be honest givers. 00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:07.000 And so now we turn to the third point. 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:09.500 We're to do honest work. 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.740 We're to do honest work. 00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.759 We're to go legit. 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.880 Listen from Ephesians 4.28. 00:25:16.040 --> 00:25:23.019 But rather, let him labor doing honest work with his own hands. 00:25:23.860 --> 00:25:25.540 What does our work look like now? 00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:28.800 Well, we are to be hard workers. 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.379 We're to work hard. 00:25:30.940 --> 00:25:33.359 Those little words, let him labor. 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:38.680 They actually carry the sense that we're to wear ourselves out with our work. 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:41.440 We're to get tired working. 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.619 Which means this. 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.819 Hard work is a good thing. 00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:48.759 Getting tired is a good thing. 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:53.159 It's okay to go home tired from the long days of work. 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.259 It's good. 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:56.139 In fact, if we're reading this right, 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:57.899 it's actually godly. 00:25:57.900 --> 00:26:00.340 To be a hard worker. 00:26:01.360 --> 00:26:03.060 Jesus knew hard work himself. 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.920 He was a carpenter. 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:07.460 And then the three years of itinerant ministry he did, 00:26:07.820 --> 00:26:10.140 that would have been extremely difficult work. 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.960 It would have been hard on his body. 00:26:13.340 --> 00:26:14.240 He was a hard worker. 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:17.060 Not only are we to be hard worker, 00:26:17.220 --> 00:26:20.160 but we're to work with our own hands. 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:24.500 We're to take responsibility for the work entrusted to us. 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:27.299 We're not to shirk it off of somebody else. 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:30.039 We're to say, I'm responsible for this. 00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.799 I'll take the heat. 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:33.640 This is my work. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.079 I'm responsible. 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:39.700 But Paul is also talking about something here that's a little bit bigger scale 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:42.860 when he talks about working with our own hands. 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:46.360 He's saying take personal responsibility for your life. 00:26:47.620 --> 00:26:49.539 We're to provide for ourselves. 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.559 As we are able, 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:58.720 we are to keep ourselves from becoming an unnecessary burden to others. 00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:01.120 Now, Paul modeled this himself. 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.339 I'm not sure if you guys knew this, 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:04.259 but Paul had a little side business. 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:07.380 Tents by Paul. 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.339 He was a tent maker. 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.500 And so different seasons, 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:15.380 he would make tents 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:18.960 so that he wouldn't be an unnecessary burden on the churches. 00:27:20.440 --> 00:27:22.799 Paul wanted to take responsibility with his own hands 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:25.279 to provide for himself when it was right. 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:28.859 If you're taking notes, 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:30.059 I want you to write something down. 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:32.859 It's 2 Thessalonians 3, 00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:34.879 verses 6-12. 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:39.500 It is a very strong warning from the Apostle Paul 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:41.259 to those who are idle, 00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.759 to those who aren't working. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.019 It's very strong. 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:48.579 We've got to heed it. 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.460 As Christians, 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:55.620 God wants us to work in a way to provide for ourselves, 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:58.039 to take personal responsibility for ourselves, 00:27:58.240 --> 00:28:01.980 to use our hands in a way that is marked by responsibility, 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:04.039 not irresponsibility. 00:28:05.120 --> 00:28:06.840 The last thing I want you to see 00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:10.840 is that this work is to be honest work. 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.700 Honest work. 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:16.000 Literally, good work. 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:22.019 We were created in Christ Jesus for good works. 00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:24.380 And what he's talking about here is, 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:26.740 yes, the nature of our work. 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:29.400 It matters to God what we do. 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:33.380 We're not to be involved in illegitimate business practices. 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:35.480 It's not us. 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:39.759 We're to be doing things that are legitimate, 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:43.160 honest, good, right. 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:46.160 We're to be working with our hands 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:49.259 at things that are beneficial to others. 00:28:51.200 --> 00:28:53.620 To be doing work in this city, 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.740 not for the bad of this city, 00:28:55.820 --> 00:28:57.019 but for the good of this city. 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:59.440 We're not to delight in evil. 00:28:59.580 --> 00:29:00.820 We're to delight in doing good. 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:04.380 That's the kind of work we should be doing. 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:07.160 And this work that we are to do 00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:11.320 is to have a certain kind of quality to it. 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:14.200 Not only is it good and right and beneficial, 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:17.159 we're to do our work well. 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:19.059 To do it well. 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:23.259 We are to do good to others by doing good work. 00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:26.439 So if you are watching children, 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:28.519 do it with all your heart. 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.779 If you are a student, 00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:32.059 with all your heart. 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:34.439 Teachers, with everything you've got. 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:36.179 If you're driving a truck, 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:38.059 do it with everything you've got, 00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:39.159 but mind the speed limit. 00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:42.240 If you are managing projects, 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:44.900 with all your heart unto Jesus. 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:46.960 If you're writing sermons, 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.640 give it everything you've got. 00:29:49.040 --> 00:29:50.500 If you're serving tables, 00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:52.800 in manufacturing service, IT, 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.400 whatever you put your hand to, 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:57.300 as unto the Lord. 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.980 It's going to show up 00:29:58.980 --> 00:30:01.279 in the quality of our work. 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:02.720 Do you know who the best worker 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.580 should be in Kenosha? 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:07.159 Those who call Jesus their Lord. 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:09.139 We work for Him. 00:30:12.399 --> 00:30:14.279 I hope you see what's going on here 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.639 in Ephesians 4.28. 00:30:17.359 --> 00:30:19.480 It's a little snapshot of transformation. 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:23.359 Someone who's being dramatically changed 00:30:23.359 --> 00:30:24.960 from being a thief who takes 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:27.220 to being a worker who gives. 00:30:27.939 --> 00:30:29.199 Their heart's changed. 00:30:29.919 --> 00:30:30.919 They're no longer greedy. 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:32.660 They're lovers of people. 00:30:32.980 --> 00:30:33.940 They want to help. 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:36.860 Which brings us to my last point. 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.759 We are to share. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:42.960 We're to share with others in need 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:45.580 from the fruit of our labor. 00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:48.740 But rather, let Him labor 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:50.759 doing honest work with His own hands 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:52.600 so that He may have something 00:30:52.600 --> 00:30:54.920 to share with anyone in need. 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:56.920 that He may have something 00:30:56.920 --> 00:30:59.700 to share with anyone in need. 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:02.180 We once used our hands 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:03.220 for personal gain 00:31:03.220 --> 00:31:05.220 through illegitimate means. 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:08.820 Now, because Jesus has changed our hearts, 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.820 we use our hands 00:31:10.820 --> 00:31:12.360 to do legitimate work 00:31:12.360 --> 00:31:14.080 in order to share 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:15.460 with others in need. 00:31:15.519 --> 00:31:17.759 The gospel has changed us. 00:31:19.060 --> 00:31:20.580 Notice the reason why 00:31:20.580 --> 00:31:22.340 Paul tells us to work hard. 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:25.779 At the core of it is 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:27.220 we're different people now. 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:28.759 But he gives another reason here. 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:29.980 To help. 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.339 Help those in need. 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.159 And what's implied there is 00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:35.039 we can see those in need. 00:31:35.199 --> 00:31:37.059 We're aware of those in need. 00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.980 We're positioned to help 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:40.599 those people in need. 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.559 Now, when it comes to 00:31:43.559 --> 00:31:44.559 helping people in need, 00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:45.259 I think there can be 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.959 a lot of confusion. 00:31:47.159 --> 00:31:49.079 There can be a lot of concerns 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:50.699 kind of holding back. 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.619 I don't know what to do. 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.899 I don't want to hurt people 00:31:52.899 --> 00:31:53.719 with my helping them. 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:55.199 I want to really help people 00:31:55.199 --> 00:31:56.079 with my helping them. 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:57.639 So let me just show you 00:31:57.639 --> 00:31:58.559 one thing from the text 00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.799 meant to help. 00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:01.319 And then I want to kind of 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:02.659 flesh some of this stuff out. 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:05.699 Back in Ephesians 4.28, 00:32:05.839 --> 00:32:07.259 I want you to see the word share. 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:09.699 Let the thief no longer steal, 00:32:09.799 --> 00:32:10.799 but rather let him labor, 00:32:10.919 --> 00:32:12.379 doing honest work with his own hands, 00:32:12.459 --> 00:32:13.699 so that he may have something 00:32:13.699 --> 00:32:17.519 to share with anyone in need. 00:32:18.199 --> 00:32:19.099 That word share 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:20.619 is a very important word. 00:32:20.619 --> 00:32:21.879 Paul is very purposed 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:22.579 in using it. 00:32:23.439 --> 00:32:25.479 Here's what the two mistakes are 00:32:25.479 --> 00:32:26.639 in either side of this word. 00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:28.500 The first mistake is this. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:31.399 We don't help anybody in need. 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:33.319 That's mistake number one. 00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:35.359 We give nothing to those in need. 00:32:35.639 --> 00:32:36.559 That's mistake number one. 00:32:36.899 --> 00:32:38.219 Mistake number two is this. 00:32:38.639 --> 00:32:39.579 We give everything 00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:40.879 to those in need. 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:42.219 That's mistake number two. 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.839 And so what we want to do 00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:45.299 is avoid the extremes. 00:32:46.159 --> 00:32:47.639 We want to avoid giving nothing, 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:49.420 and we want to avoid giving everything. 00:32:49.900 --> 00:32:51.040 What Paul is saying here 00:32:51.040 --> 00:32:52.500 is we're to give some 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:55.220 of the produce of our labor. 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:57.120 We're to give some 00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:59.820 of the fruit of our work. 00:33:00.860 --> 00:33:02.259 Now, this may raise 00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:03.220 another question for you. 00:33:04.820 --> 00:33:06.180 Having defined that, 00:33:06.280 --> 00:33:07.280 okay, we've got to give 00:33:07.280 --> 00:33:08.060 more than nothing 00:33:08.060 --> 00:33:09.200 and less than everything. 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:10.340 So what does that mean? 00:33:10.339 --> 00:33:13.259 How do you decide? 00:33:14.899 --> 00:33:15.599 Well, the way I'm going 00:33:15.599 --> 00:33:16.240 to help you decide 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:17.459 is not tell you what to do. 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.699 I'm going to tell you 00:33:18.699 --> 00:33:19.279 how to think. 00:33:20.419 --> 00:33:21.179 Would you flip over 00:33:21.179 --> 00:33:23.019 to Galatians chapter six? 00:33:24.179 --> 00:33:25.240 It should be like two pages 00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:25.879 to your left. 00:33:28.159 --> 00:33:29.259 Galatians chapter six. 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:31.519 I want to show you two words 00:33:31.519 --> 00:33:32.899 meant to help you 00:33:32.899 --> 00:33:35.059 know how to help somebody in need. 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.519 How to help you discern. 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:37.699 How to discern. 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.859 Galatians 6.2. 00:33:42.519 --> 00:33:44.619 Bear one another's burdens. 00:33:44.899 --> 00:33:45.919 You see that word burden? 00:33:46.959 --> 00:33:48.359 Now look down at verse four. 00:33:49.939 --> 00:33:51.259 But let each one 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:52.139 test his own work 00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:53.059 and then he has reason 00:33:53.059 --> 00:33:53.939 to boast with himself. 00:33:54.220 --> 00:33:55.119 Sorry, verse five. 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.639 For each will have to bear 00:33:56.639 --> 00:33:58.839 his own load. 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:02.299 Burden, load. 00:34:02.599 --> 00:34:03.859 The word load 00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:07.099 was used of a Roman soldier's 00:34:07.099 --> 00:34:07.519 backpack. 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:10.039 It was fitted for that 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:11.420 one person to carry. 00:34:11.800 --> 00:34:13.039 It was the right weight. 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:14.739 And so as we're looking 00:34:14.739 --> 00:34:15.739 to help people in need, 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:17.079 we don't want to pull off 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.900 their backpacks. 00:34:18.800 --> 00:34:20.340 We want to give people dignity. 00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.420 We want to help them 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.900 carry their own load. 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.940 We want to help them do that. 00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:28.079 So that's one way 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:29.340 we've got to discern these things. 00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:30.059 Here's the other way 00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:31.119 we've got to be aware of. 00:34:31.519 --> 00:34:32.380 The word burden. 00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:34.360 That word means 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:35.619 beyond which someone 00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:37.039 is able to carry on their own. 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:39.199 And so as we are trying 00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:39.980 to help people, 00:34:40.179 --> 00:34:41.159 we simultaneously 00:34:41.159 --> 00:34:42.259 want to be able to say, 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:44.039 hey, what can we help you carry? 00:34:44.420 --> 00:34:45.639 And then discern, 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:47.159 okay, what is beyond 00:34:47.159 --> 00:34:47.679 what you're able 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:48.460 to carry yourself? 00:34:48.579 --> 00:34:50.480 We'll help bear your burden. 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:52.019 And so when we come 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:53.639 to helping people in need, 00:34:54.159 --> 00:34:55.219 we want to be asking 00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:55.639 questions, 00:34:55.799 --> 00:34:56.819 what's theirs to carry? 00:34:57.139 --> 00:34:58.420 And what's the burden? 00:34:58.759 --> 00:35:00.139 And let's help there. 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.659 And so what we'll do 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:03.440 is help with what we're able 00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:05.139 to help at any given time. 00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.679 Is that making sense? 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:09.400 There's a really helpful book. 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:11.599 It's called, what is it? 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:13.420 Helping Without Hurting. 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:15.200 Outstanding book. 00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:16.139 We're going to show 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:17.460 a video series of that 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:18.400 probably sometime 00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:19.480 in early 2015. 00:35:19.679 --> 00:35:20.679 We showed it over the summer. 00:35:21.200 --> 00:35:22.139 Very helpful way 00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:23.079 of thinking to helping 00:35:23.079 --> 00:35:24.619 people in need. 00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:28.440 Now, I just want to be clear. 00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.280 You can't miss 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:30.340 what's going on here. 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:33.960 Jesus changes us. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:36.320 He changes the way 00:35:36.320 --> 00:35:37.980 we use our hands. 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:40.140 We are no longer 00:35:40.140 --> 00:35:41.460 using our hands 00:35:41.460 --> 00:35:42.480 to take things 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.640 for ourselves. 00:35:44.720 --> 00:35:45.480 Jesus has changed 00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.019 our hearts. 00:35:46.120 --> 00:35:47.079 Now we use our hands 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:48.760 to work in order 00:35:48.760 --> 00:35:50.340 to help other people 00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:51.440 in need. 00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:53.440 From greedy hands 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:55.519 to giving hands. 00:35:56.220 --> 00:35:57.440 That's the mark of Jesus. 00:35:58.340 --> 00:35:58.900 Let me pray. 00:35:58.900 --> 00:35:58.940 Let me pray. 00:36:01.200 --> 00:36:01.840 God, 00:36:02.800 --> 00:36:04.200 would you make us 00:36:04.200 --> 00:36:05.440 hard workers, 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:06.660 honest, 00:36:07.120 --> 00:36:07.700 helpful, 00:36:08.380 --> 00:36:09.320 Christ-like, 00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:10.280 holy 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:11.240 in the way 00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:11.920 that we labor. 00:36:12.620 --> 00:36:13.600 May we be 00:36:13.600 --> 00:36:14.860 others focused, 00:36:15.160 --> 00:36:16.320 helping people in need. 00:36:16.660 --> 00:36:16.920 And God, 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:17.519 would you help 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:19.000 make us wise 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:20.079 as we seek 00:36:20.079 --> 00:36:20.900 to help people 00:36:20.900 --> 00:36:21.800 in need. 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.740 In Jesus' name, 00:36:23.220 --> 00:36:23.539 Amen. 00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:23.740 Amen. 00:36:23.740 --> 00:36:23.800 Amen. 00:36:23.800 --> 00:36:23.840 Amen.