WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.140 Start us by praying, and then we'll look at God's Word together. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:14.339 Father, as we've already been reflecting on this morning, I pray that we would be captivated 00:00:14.339 --> 00:00:22.179 by this picture of your mercy and kindness and compassion that we see in your Word this 00:00:22.179 --> 00:00:22.480 morning. 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:29.359 Lord, let our hearts be filled with genuine wonder and thankfulness at what we see. 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:36.020 And let it lead us to be merciful as you are merciful. 00:00:36.980 --> 00:00:39.200 It's in Christ's name we ask all this. 00:00:39.480 --> 00:00:39.719 Amen. 00:00:41.460 --> 00:00:48.400 Well, we have been following the story of Jacob's family over the past few months, and now the 00:00:48.400 --> 00:00:51.280 family of the promise is hanging in the balance. 00:00:52.299 --> 00:00:57.460 God had promised that all the nations will be blessed through them, and ultimately through 00:00:57.460 --> 00:01:03.120 this promised seed, the one who would deal with sin and death once and for all. 00:01:03.120 --> 00:01:09.879 But instead of being a blessing to the world, we find a family on the brink of extinction, 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:20.680 desperately in need of God's mercy, his gift of undeserved kindness and compassion. 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:23.800 Read from verse 1 with me again. 00:01:23.800 --> 00:01:28.100 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, 00:01:28.600 --> 00:01:31.380 Why do you just keep looking at each other? 00:01:32.200 --> 00:01:35.380 He continued, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. 00:01:35.720 --> 00:01:41.219 Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die. 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:46.760 So then, ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:54.340 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm 00:01:54.340 --> 00:01:55.760 might come to him. 00:01:56.120 --> 00:02:00.000 See, on the one hand, this family is about to die of starvation. 00:02:01.159 --> 00:02:05.799 And on the other hand, they're about to fall apart from dysfunction. 00:02:05.799 --> 00:02:08.520 Let's take Jacob first. 00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:12.800 I mean, over the last 20 years of grief following Joseph's sudden disappearance, 00:02:13.439 --> 00:02:16.800 he's had a lot of time to reflect on what happened. 00:02:17.460 --> 00:02:22.780 And we know that he knows that the brothers' story isn't quite adding up. 00:02:24.419 --> 00:02:29.539 And that there's something that they know about Joseph's disappearance that they just aren't saying. 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:32.960 I mean, why doesn't he send Benjamin with them? 00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:36.020 He simply doesn't trust them, does he? 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:43.640 In fact, at the end of the chapter, as we read, he has this furious outburst in which he shouts at the brothers, 00:02:44.000 --> 00:02:46.860 you have deprived me of my children. 00:02:48.740 --> 00:02:51.600 The tension in this family is rising. 00:02:53.379 --> 00:02:55.840 And this family is hanging in the balance. 00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:01.780 And as for the brothers, well, what a bunch of scoundrels they are. 00:03:01.780 --> 00:03:09.640 I mean, for 20 years now, they've maintained this grand lie about Joseph, covering their tracks completely. 00:03:10.860 --> 00:03:15.879 Jacob's name means deceiver, but now he's the one who's being deceived by his sons. 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:20.560 To date, there's been no hint of remorse on their part. 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:25.539 They don't care that their father has been suffering these last 20 years, let alone Joseph. 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:29.219 And now these rogues are desperate. 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:31.879 Their family's about to fall apart. 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:36.439 They're all about to die if they don't get to food. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:40.819 They are in desperate need of mercy. 00:03:41.780 --> 00:03:46.399 But the problem is, they don't deserve one bit of it. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:51.420 But mercy is what they get. 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:54.000 In spades. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:57.200 Totally undeserved. 00:03:58.219 --> 00:03:59.420 And totally free. 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:11.699 And as we walk with the brothers all the way down to Egypt and back again, we're going to learn three things about what mercy is and is not. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:14.099 Now, you're not going to see them on the screen, I think. 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:16.539 You've got to remember them in your head. 00:04:17.279 --> 00:04:20.740 Number one, mercy is for the undeserving, not the deserving. 00:04:22.019 --> 00:04:27.120 Mercy is for those who know they need it, not for the self-righteous. 00:04:27.120 --> 00:04:31.680 And mercy, thirdly, is for the humble, not the proud. 00:04:32.899 --> 00:04:39.000 So first of all, mercy is for the undeserving, not the deserving. 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:42.160 Now, in verse 5, the brothers set off for Egypt. 00:04:42.480 --> 00:04:53.480 And we watch on as in God's amazing providence, they walk straight into the court of Joseph, now governor of Egypt. 00:04:53.480 --> 00:04:57.560 And even more incredible, Joseph is the man in charge of all the grain supplies. 00:04:59.000 --> 00:05:10.180 The only person in the world with the power to help these brothers is the very person that they sold into slavery 20 years ago. 00:05:10.259 --> 00:05:11.120 Isn't that incredible? 00:05:11.960 --> 00:05:14.800 I mean, you couldn't even dream that up. 00:05:15.340 --> 00:05:17.840 Although, funnily enough, Joseph did. 00:05:17.839 --> 00:05:23.000 You remember those dreams he had 20 years ago about his brothers bowing down to him? 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:24.879 God gave him those dreams. 00:05:25.759 --> 00:05:28.060 And now, it has just happened. 00:05:29.119 --> 00:05:30.919 Because God's word never fails. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:37.939 Even if you have to wait 20 years or more for it to come to pass, it will. 00:05:38.279 --> 00:05:41.199 Because he cannot go against his word to us. 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:49.319 Now, let's not presume that this was all joy for Joseph to see his brothers bowing down in front of him in the court. 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:56.240 Let's keep in mind that when it came to naming his firstborn son, this was just at the end of the last chapter, 00:05:57.300 --> 00:06:02.019 Joseph called him Forget, or Manasseh in Hebrew. 00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:11.000 And he called him Forget because, he said, it's because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's households. 00:06:13.560 --> 00:06:17.079 See, Joseph was moving on with his life. 00:06:17.479 --> 00:06:18.899 He put all that in the past. 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:23.439 But in a split second, that all changed. 00:06:24.120 --> 00:06:29.339 Everything that these wicked brothers did to him dragged right back up to the surface. 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:30.979 And what is he going to do now? 00:06:32.019 --> 00:06:36.439 Joseph now has the power of life and death over his brothers. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:39.219 The tables have turned completely. 00:06:40.599 --> 00:06:42.539 Their lives are all in his hands. 00:06:43.979 --> 00:06:46.759 They've come for food to save them from dying. 00:06:47.599 --> 00:06:50.219 But all they deserve is punishment. 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:52.500 What will Joseph do? 00:06:54.299 --> 00:06:55.079 Well, verse 7. 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:59.620 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them. 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:03.280 But he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. 00:07:04.840 --> 00:07:06.040 Where do you come from? 00:07:06.420 --> 00:07:06.920 He asked. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:11.060 From the land of Canaan, they replied, to buy food. 00:07:12.340 --> 00:07:15.639 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 00:07:16.500 --> 00:07:18.759 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:20.620 You are spies. 00:07:21.240 --> 00:07:24.120 You have come to see where our land is unprotected. 00:07:24.120 --> 00:07:26.300 Now, pause a second. 00:07:26.420 --> 00:07:28.560 What is Joseph doing here? 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:34.399 Well, I don't know what you think, but it seems to me like he's given them a little taste of their own medicine, isn't he? 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:37.300 I mean, he knows that they aren't spies. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:40.199 But he accuses them of it anyway. 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:45.120 And now they begin to feel the sting of injustice for themselves. 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:47.019 Carry on in verse 10. 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:50.359 No, my lord, the brothers answered. 00:07:50.599 --> 00:07:52.579 Your servants have come to buy food. 00:07:53.039 --> 00:07:54.859 We are all the sons of one man. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:57.979 Your servants are honest men. 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:01.180 Not spies. 00:08:02.319 --> 00:08:03.039 Honest men? 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:06.599 Well, that's pretty rich now, isn't it? 00:08:06.620 --> 00:08:08.199 Coming from them. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:11.399 And they can't fool Joseph either, can they? 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:14.620 I mean, Joseph knows their history. 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:21.840 Now, I grew up in a home with a brother who was nine years older, wiser, and smarter than I am. 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:28.160 And I just clearly remember many times he would sit back on the sofa, arms folded, and look at me and say, 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.980 I can read you like a book. 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:37.639 And that was to say that I know what you're saying, but I know what you're actually thinking. 00:08:38.240 --> 00:08:40.279 I know what's really going on inside you. 00:08:40.740 --> 00:08:44.060 That's because my brother knew me so well, and I still couldn't figure out, how did you know that? 00:08:44.620 --> 00:08:46.039 I couldn't hide. 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:47.659 I couldn't pretend with him. 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:49.779 He knew me so well. 00:08:51.060 --> 00:08:53.039 And nor could Joseph's brothers. 00:08:53.139 --> 00:08:55.220 They couldn't hide or pretend in front of him. 00:08:56.899 --> 00:09:02.060 Well, Joseph continues to make them sweat in the next few verses, insisting that they are spies, 00:09:02.720 --> 00:09:05.860 and throwing them all into prison for three days. 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:12.720 And once the three days are up, only one of the brothers will be released to go back to the family. 00:09:13.419 --> 00:09:17.000 For the only reason, to bring back Benjamin. 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:19.759 Everyone else will stay in prison. 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:22.200 No grain. 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:25.820 It's a harsh sentence. 00:09:27.680 --> 00:09:33.259 And as the brothers sit on the cold floor of that prison, they have officially hit rock bottom. 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:38.160 All the while, the food is running out for their starving families at home. 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:40.520 If they were desperate before, they're hopeless now. 00:09:41.800 --> 00:09:44.680 Their lives are completely at the mercy of this Egyptian governor, 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:49.859 who they don't even realize is the very brother they betrayed. 00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:56.699 These brothers need mercy, but they only deserve punishment. 00:09:56.700 --> 00:10:01.280 And Joseph has three days to dream up his payback. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:03.379 And we're watching on, and we're thinking, here it is, Joseph. 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:04.900 You have them now. 00:10:06.280 --> 00:10:12.200 Make them pay for every ounce of pain that they inflicted on you. 00:10:12.780 --> 00:10:13.840 Who would blame him? 00:10:16.420 --> 00:10:21.180 But Joseph's response is not as we expect, is it? 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:30.059 Because in verses 18 to 20, Joseph shows mercy to his undeserving brothers and their starving families. 00:10:31.159 --> 00:10:34.439 In fact, instead of keeping nine in jail, like he said he was going to do, 00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:38.879 he lets nine go free to take grain back home, 00:10:39.339 --> 00:10:42.620 keeping only one back as a guarantee to see Benjamin again. 00:10:43.579 --> 00:10:50.120 And then he stacks kindness on top of kindness as he sends them home with provisions for the journey. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:51.659 Now, he didn't have to do that, did he? 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:56.200 And after they have paid for the grain, 00:10:57.240 --> 00:10:59.799 he secretly takes the money and puts it back in their sacks, 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:02.399 refusing to take any payment. 00:11:03.179 --> 00:11:06.539 This is staggering mercy, 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:11.700 shown to those who are utterly undeserving. 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:18.879 And I think that we can all see ourselves in the brother's portrait. 00:11:20.400 --> 00:11:26.540 Because we have all grievously sinned against our father in heaven 00:11:26.540 --> 00:11:29.560 and betrayed him in his love. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:34.280 Despite knowing that God is our creator, sustainer, and joy giver, 00:11:34.279 --> 00:11:37.139 day by day, by the way we live, 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:38.480 we say, 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:40.279 I am king. 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:42.620 I know what's best. 00:11:43.039 --> 00:11:43.720 I don't need you. 00:11:45.779 --> 00:11:48.720 And just like the brother's sins were laid bare before Joseph, 00:11:49.179 --> 00:11:53.120 so the full extent of our rebellion is laid bare before God. 00:11:53.199 --> 00:11:55.620 I mean, we can't hide or pretend. 00:11:55.620 --> 00:11:59.019 We are guilty. 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:01.980 And friends, 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:05.519 that leaves us in grave danger. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:09.879 Something ultimately worse than starvation or a prison sentence. 00:12:11.600 --> 00:12:15.539 God's word tells us that we deserve judgment for our sin. 00:12:16.560 --> 00:12:18.759 Separation from God for eternity. 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:25.939 And no amount of good that we could ever do would make up for it. 00:12:26.439 --> 00:12:27.360 Or make it right. 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:35.919 See, the bottom line for us is that we don't deserve mercy from God. 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:40.659 But the astonishing reality of the gospel 00:12:40.659 --> 00:12:45.639 is that God doesn't treat us as our sins deserve. 00:12:45.639 --> 00:12:49.120 If Joseph showed undeserved kindness to his brothers, 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:54.960 how much more has God shown extravagant mercy to us, 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.840 undeserving sinners? 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:04.039 He sent Jesus to take the punishment we were due. 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:07.179 The punishment we deserved for our betrayal. 00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:10.240 Defeating our death. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:13.120 Giving us eternal life with him. 00:13:13.120 --> 00:13:14.960 That is mercy. 00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:18.139 And his mercy doesn't stop there. 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:22.019 He pours out his kindness on us every single day. 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:23.519 Giving us life and breath. 00:13:24.139 --> 00:13:25.120 Food and shelter. 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.679 Love and laughter. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.960 As Lamentations 3 says, 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:32.240 His mercies never come to an end. 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:36.059 They are new every morning. 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:38.080 Brothers and sisters, 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:38.759 remember, 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:41.539 God shows his mercy 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:43.539 to the undeserving, 00:13:43.539 --> 00:13:45.500 not the deserving. 00:13:45.500 --> 00:13:48.199 Are you thankful for this? 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:52.019 Or if you have yet to receive it, 00:13:52.099 --> 00:13:53.099 why do you wait? 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:57.159 Receive his mercy offered in Christ. 00:13:57.279 --> 00:13:58.579 Not because you deserve it, 00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:03.259 but because God's mercy is for the undeserving. 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:07.299 As we continue in the story, 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:09.939 we're also going to learn that secondly, 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:13.279 mercy is for those who know they need it, 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:14.799 not for the self-righteous. 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:16.720 I mean, 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:19.379 you can't ultimately receive God's mercy 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:22.179 if you don't think you need it, 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:26.639 if you don't realize that you have a sin problem. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:28.699 And in verse 21, 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:31.199 the brothers finally realize 00:14:31.199 --> 00:14:33.340 that they have a sin problem. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:34.340 And obviously, 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:36.559 they're still feeling the sting 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:38.580 of having to leave Simeon behind in jail. 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:41.059 And that is leading them to reflect 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:43.319 on their own past actions. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.740 We're going to read from verse 21. 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:49.080 They said to one another, 00:14:50.039 --> 00:14:51.919 surely we are being punished 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.759 because of our brother. 00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:55.759 We saw how distressed he was 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:57.720 when he pleaded with us for his life, 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.820 but we wouldn't listen. 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:01.799 That's why this distress has come on us. 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:03.740 Reuben replied, 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:06.659 didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.460 But you wouldn't listen. 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:12.600 Now we must give an accounting for his blood. 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:15.100 They didn't realize 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.740 that Joseph could understand them 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:18.980 since he was using an interpreter. 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:22.259 So for the first time that we know of 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.980 in 20 years, 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:27.740 the brothers acknowledge their guilt and their sin. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:30.560 Or they knew the right thing to do, all right, 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:32.840 but they did what was evil. 00:15:34.019 --> 00:15:35.879 And they don't have any complaints, do they? 00:15:37.220 --> 00:15:40.100 Now they face the judgment they are due. 00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:41.980 They see this as being from God. 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:45.120 And in all our lives, 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:47.779 we must come to the very same point 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:49.060 as these brothers did 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:52.080 if we are ever to receive God's mercy 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.019 and Noah's forgiveness. 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:55.080 But you see, 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:57.200 our problem is that we often deny 00:15:57.200 --> 00:15:58.680 that we have a real sin problem. 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.519 We say things like this, 00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:04.300 oh, I make a few mistakes here and there. 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:07.100 But, I mean, 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:08.720 essentially I'm a good person. 00:16:08.720 --> 00:16:09.519 You know, 00:16:09.680 --> 00:16:11.040 I do good things. 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:15.220 And this is what the religious leaders 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.340 in Jesus' time thought. 00:16:16.960 --> 00:16:18.240 And in Luke chapter 5, 00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:20.440 they rebuked Jesus. 00:16:21.420 --> 00:16:22.840 Because what was Jesus doing? 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:24.600 Well, he was eating with thieves 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:26.460 and prostitutes. 00:16:26.920 --> 00:16:28.100 And they were like, 00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:29.860 Jesus, hold on. 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:31.220 Why are you eating 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:33.100 with those bad people over there? 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:33.879 You should be eating with 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.300 good people like us. 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:37.539 And Jesus, 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.199 he knows that they've got it all wrong. 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.240 And this is what he says to them 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:42.139 in Luke chapter 5. 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.299 He says, 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.939 it's not the healthy who need a doctor, 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:46.439 but the sick. 00:16:47.579 --> 00:16:49.459 I have not come to call those 00:16:49.459 --> 00:16:51.399 who are right with God 00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:52.639 in their own eyes, 00:16:53.199 --> 00:16:56.199 but sinners to repentance. 00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:56.779 Now, 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.120 think about it. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:01.740 Would you ever go to the doctor 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:03.879 without first admitting 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:05.380 that you were sick? 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:06.819 No, you wouldn't, 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.220 would you? 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.259 In fact, 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.619 sometimes that's the hardest thing 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.099 to admit, 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:13.519 that we are sick. 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:14.500 Because we want, 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.059 actually, 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.220 to be self-sufficient. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.839 I know I find that hard. 00:17:17.900 --> 00:17:18.480 When I start to feel 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.079 a little bit off, 00:17:19.140 --> 00:17:19.400 I'm like, 00:17:19.859 --> 00:17:20.220 no, 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.880 I'm fine. 00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:23.839 I'm perfectly fine. 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.779 I'm just going to power on 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.400 with my day, 00:17:25.559 --> 00:17:26.880 and then 10 minutes later, 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.940 I'm, you know, 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.059 throwing up or something. 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.299 But my problem is, 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:31.579 actually, 00:17:31.719 --> 00:17:33.119 I'm just denying it 00:17:33.119 --> 00:17:34.459 until I can't deny it anymore. 00:17:36.679 --> 00:17:37.559 And you know what? 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.159 Jesus says, 00:17:38.219 --> 00:17:39.119 this is kind of a picture 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:39.819 of our hearts, 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:41.159 because in the same way, 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:43.259 we don't want to admit 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:45.919 our sickness of sin 00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:47.779 in our hearts 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:49.879 and our need for mercy. 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:53.059 We'd much rather say, 00:17:53.719 --> 00:17:54.559 thanks, Jesus, 00:17:54.679 --> 00:17:55.679 for your offer of mercy, 00:17:55.879 --> 00:17:57.559 but I'm pretty good by myself. 00:17:57.979 --> 00:17:58.399 Thank you. 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:01.279 But these brothers, 00:18:01.959 --> 00:18:05.139 their eyes were finally opened 00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:07.019 to see the extent 00:18:07.019 --> 00:18:08.779 of their sin. 00:18:10.219 --> 00:18:11.319 And for us, 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:13.759 when we first understand 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.859 our sickness of sin, 00:18:16.379 --> 00:18:18.500 we instantly realize 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:21.279 we only deserve judgment 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.459 from God. 00:18:22.679 --> 00:18:23.319 Thanks, Ralph. 00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:26.159 But then we see Jesus, 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.759 who steps in 00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:28.579 to take that judgment 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.359 for us, 00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:32.359 which leads us 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:33.139 to confess 00:18:33.139 --> 00:18:35.500 our ultimate need 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.220 of him 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:38.059 and what he's done 00:18:38.059 --> 00:18:39.099 for us. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.159 And that is the moment 00:18:41.159 --> 00:18:41.939 that we receive 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:42.740 God's mercy 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:44.460 and are forgiven, 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.679 welcomed as children 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.259 of God. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.220 Remember, 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:50.400 God's mercy 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.160 is for those 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:51.779 who know 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:52.460 they need it, 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:55.180 not for those 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:56.860 who falsely think 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.600 that they don't, 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.720 those who are 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.180 righteous 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.420 in their own eyes. 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:02.559 So I have to ask you 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.059 the question, 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.000 which description 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.319 best fits you? 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.759 If you don't really 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:09.519 see your sickness 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.019 of sin 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:11.240 or think that you're 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.779 that bad, 00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.539 I encourage you, 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:14.019 read God's word 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.680 and ask him 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:16.980 to open your eyes 00:19:16.980 --> 00:19:18.139 to see it 00:19:18.139 --> 00:19:18.720 and he will. 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.220 So as the chapter 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:23.339 comes to a close, 00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.059 these brothers 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.879 are going to discover 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.960 that Joseph's kindness 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:28.200 was even greater 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.079 than they had realized 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.480 before. 00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.759 And we will learn, 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:32.599 thirdly, 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:34.180 that this mercy 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.359 that God offers 00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:38.740 can only be received 00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.480 by the humble, 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.639 not the proud. 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:44.000 Look at verse 25. 00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:48.079 Joseph gave orders 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:49.039 to fill their bags 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.480 with grain, 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.859 to put each man's 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.859 silver back in his sack 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:53.079 and to give them 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:54.440 provisions for their journey. 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.859 After this was done 00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.240 for them, 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.579 they loaded their grain 00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.220 on their donkeys 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.579 and left. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.559 And at the place 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.079 where they stopped 00:20:01.079 --> 00:20:01.519 for the night, 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.180 one of them opened 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:02.619 his sack 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.180 to get feed 00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.759 for his donkey 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.940 and he saw his silver 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.000 in the mouth of his sack. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:08.660 My silver has been returned, 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:10.099 he said to his brothers. 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.639 Here it is in my sack. 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:14.680 Their hearts sank. 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.640 And they turned 00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.100 to each other, 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.759 trembling, 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.300 and said, 00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:19.740 what is this 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.560 that God has done 00:20:20.560 --> 00:20:21.120 to us? 00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:23.940 So they arrived 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.700 back to their father, 00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:26.100 they relayed the whole saga, 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:27.380 and then look down 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.120 at verse 35. 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:30.159 As they were emptying 00:20:30.159 --> 00:20:31.159 their sacks, 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:33.239 there in each man's sack 00:20:33.239 --> 00:20:35.079 was his pouch of silver. 00:20:36.479 --> 00:20:37.659 When they and their father 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:39.259 saw the money pouches, 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:42.879 they were frightened. 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.459 Doesn't that strike you 00:20:45.459 --> 00:20:46.139 as strange? 00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.799 At the moment, 00:20:49.919 --> 00:20:51.299 they realize the extent 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:52.399 of Joseph's mercy. 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:55.619 They tremble in fear. 00:20:55.619 --> 00:21:00.000 That might be the thing 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.539 we'd least expect them to do. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.439 And we don't know 00:21:04.439 --> 00:21:05.239 exactly why, 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:05.919 but here are three 00:21:05.919 --> 00:21:06.879 plausible reasons 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:08.119 why they may have 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:09.979 trembled before his mercy. 00:21:10.179 --> 00:21:10.419 A, 00:21:10.879 --> 00:21:11.679 judging on their 00:21:11.679 --> 00:21:12.839 colorful past, 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.439 these rogues don't seem 00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:15.219 to be the kind 00:21:15.219 --> 00:21:16.319 and merciful type. 00:21:16.399 --> 00:21:16.959 I think you'd agree. 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.379 And maybe Joseph's 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.119 mercy and kindness 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:21.379 frightened them so much 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.919 because mercy like that 00:21:22.919 --> 00:21:23.979 demands a life change, 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.379 doesn't it? 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:27.240 You can't just continue 00:21:27.240 --> 00:21:28.080 on as you were 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.640 after experiencing 00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:31.100 mercy like that 00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:31.700 and they weren't 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.700 prepared to change. 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.020 Or B, 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.960 maybe they were 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:38.000 frightened of his mercy 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.500 because they just 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.460 thought it was too good 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.000 to be true. 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:42.620 I mean, 00:21:43.020 --> 00:21:43.940 surely the ruler 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.960 of all of Egypt 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:46.840 would not be as kind 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:48.640 and merciful as this. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.100 There must have been 00:21:50.100 --> 00:21:50.820 some mistake 00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:51.920 and they would have 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.940 to pay him back. 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:55.000 In fact, 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.640 in the next chapter 00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.240 we read, 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.259 they would go back 00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.480 with double the amount. 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:04.860 And Jacob, 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:06.539 Jacob is fearful 00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.220 of the governor's 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:08.059 kindness also 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:09.539 because in the last 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.519 few verses of the chapter 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:11.559 he refuses 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.820 to allow his sons 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:14.140 go back to Egypt 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:16.220 despite all the kindness 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.640 that they were shown there. 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:19.600 for Jacob, 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.480 it was also 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:22.520 too good 00:22:22.520 --> 00:22:23.340 to be true. 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.440 Or maybe 00:22:27.440 --> 00:22:28.180 they realized 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:29.220 this was a gift 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.660 of mercy 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.300 and kindness 00:22:30.300 --> 00:22:32.480 but they were just 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:32.900 too proud 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:33.580 to receive it. 00:22:35.540 --> 00:22:36.360 Maybe they just 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:37.240 wanted to earn 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.920 it themselves 00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:40.940 though they could 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:42.060 never earn 00:22:42.060 --> 00:22:43.020 Joseph's mercy 00:22:43.020 --> 00:22:43.980 after all 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.800 they did to him 00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:46.519 nor ever compensate 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:46.940 him 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:48.680 for all the suffering 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.500 they caused. 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:51.779 You see, 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.519 here we learn 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:54.339 that God's mercy 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.539 can only be 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:56.579 truly received 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:58.000 by the humble 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.960 not the proud. 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.980 God's mercy 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.619 is for those 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.559 who humbly say 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.480 thank you 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.940 for a gift 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.659 of forgiveness 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:08.519 they never deserved 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.960 nor could 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.599 ever 00:23:10.599 --> 00:23:11.899 pay back. 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:14.240 in a few moments 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.900 we're going to sing 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.640 a song together 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.360 called 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.100 His Mercy 00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:17.640 is More 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.759 and I think 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.300 these words 00:23:19.300 --> 00:23:19.980 say it better 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:20.480 than I could. 00:23:21.820 --> 00:23:22.759 They're on the screen 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:22.980 there. 00:23:24.280 --> 00:23:25.560 What riches 00:23:25.560 --> 00:23:26.320 of kindness 00:23:26.320 --> 00:23:27.600 he lavished 00:23:27.600 --> 00:23:28.480 on us. 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.420 His blood 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.360 was the payment 00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:33.440 his life 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:35.320 was the cost. 00:23:36.340 --> 00:23:37.600 We stood 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.500 neath a debt 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.560 we could never 00:23:39.560 --> 00:23:40.040 afford 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:42.960 our sins 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.759 they are many 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:46.099 his mercy 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.480 is more. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.379 Brothers and sisters 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:52.079 we could never 00:23:52.079 --> 00:23:52.799 repay God 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.740 the debt 00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:54.220 of sin 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:54.980 we owed. 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.559 We could never 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.319 repay Jesus 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:59.339 for the ultimate 00:23:59.339 --> 00:23:59.859 price 00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.779 he paid 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:02.240 with his life 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:04.059 to purchase 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:05.119 our forgiveness. 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.319 forgiveness. 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:08.119 So today 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:08.799 if you are 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.599 trying to 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.539 earn God's 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:10.979 mercy 00:24:10.979 --> 00:24:12.599 you will 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.119 never 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.159 receive it. 00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:15.859 It's not 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:16.679 possible. 00:24:18.379 --> 00:24:19.000 Or if you're 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.539 trying to 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.579 repay God 00:24:20.579 --> 00:24:21.259 for the mercy 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:21.879 he's shown you 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.919 you haven't 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.639 understood it. 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:27.039 Unlike the 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.339 brothers 00:24:27.339 --> 00:24:28.319 in this instance 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.859 we must 00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:30.759 receive God's 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.079 mercy 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.959 as a gift 00:24:31.959 --> 00:24:33.479 in humility. 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:36.099 all we must 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.420 do 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.400 is say 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.900 thank you 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:40.400 and rest 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.779 in his 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.220 mercy. 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.620 Because God's 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.259 mercy is for 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.039 the undeserving 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.480 not the 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:48.900 deserving. 00:24:50.620 --> 00:24:51.480 It's for the 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.200 one who knows 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.839 they need it 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:54.140 not the 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:54.799 self-righteous. 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.240 And it's for 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:56.799 the humble 00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:59.759 not the one 00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.299 who's proud 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.759 who says 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.559 I can earn 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.299 it myself. 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.200 Which 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:06.720 description 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.379 best fits 00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:07.579 you? 00:25:10.899 --> 00:25:11.879 And as we 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:12.279 finish 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:13.619 here's one 00:25:13.619 --> 00:25:14.500 last implication 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.099 of all that 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:15.480 we've heard. 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:18.019 If we really 00:25:18.019 --> 00:25:19.000 have received 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.980 so great a 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.319 mercy 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:22.599 that changes 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.000 how we 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.599 respond to 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.359 other people's 00:25:24.359 --> 00:25:25.119 sin and 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.879 failure also 00:25:25.879 --> 00:25:26.399 doesn't it? 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.079 I mean 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:28.559 our wider 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.019 community 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.619 looking in 00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:30.220 on us 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.120 in Cargoline 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:31.920 Baptist Church 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:32.279 they should 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.960 see a 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.319 people 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.319 who show 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.160 mercy and 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.539 kindness 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:36.079 that doesn't 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.740 make sense. 00:25:38.059 --> 00:25:38.779 A kind 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.259 of mercy 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.940 that's given 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.779 even when 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.120 it's not 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.819 reciprocated 00:25:41.819 --> 00:25:43.140 or deserved. 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:44.779 A mercy 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:45.240 given with 00:25:45.240 --> 00:25:45.880 no ulterior 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:46.360 motives 00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:48.240 no self-interest 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:50.100 not looking 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.880 for anything 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:52.200 in return. 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:55.019 what about 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.480 when someone 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:55.799 in your 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.279 family 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.120 snaps 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:57.759 at you 00:25:57.759 --> 00:26:00.440 or is 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:00.799 selfish 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.160 in their 00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:01.500 attitude 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:02.200 towards you? 00:26:03.580 --> 00:26:04.019 Maybe it's 00:26:04.019 --> 00:26:04.480 a sibling 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.799 parent 00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:06.880 a spouse 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:09.680 our natural 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.240 reaction 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:11.160 is to get 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.460 our own 00:26:11.460 --> 00:26:11.759 back 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:12.039 right? 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.460 But what 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:14.660 would it 00:26:14.660 --> 00:26:15.039 look like 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.319 to be 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:15.720 merciful 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.100 in that 00:26:16.100 --> 00:26:16.620 situation 00:26:16.620 --> 00:26:17.039 instead? 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.759 Speaking 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:20.400 a kind 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:20.980 and gentle 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:21.420 word in 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:21.860 response. 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:24.360 Does any 00:26:24.360 --> 00:26:24.960 one of us 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.500 find that 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:25.880 easy? 00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:27.400 Absolutely 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:27.900 not. 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:29.720 But 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.420 we do 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:31.779 have the 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.500 Holy Spirit's 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:32.980 power 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:34.759 to draw 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.360 upon to 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:36.160 live this 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:36.660 new life 00:26:36.660 --> 00:26:37.200 in Christ. 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.160 Life 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:40.519 as a 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:40.900 family 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:41.960 is a 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.319 life of 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:42.720 giving 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.120 and 00:26:43.120 --> 00:26:43.680 receiving 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.279 mercy 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.480 day by 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:45.819 day. 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.340 Or what 00:26:47.340 --> 00:26:47.740 about when 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.160 someone from 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.500 the church 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.120 family hurts 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:49.340 you? 00:26:50.340 --> 00:26:50.660 Maybe 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.160 they passed 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:51.819 a throwaway 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.359 comment 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:54.439 or voiced 00:26:54.439 --> 00:26:55.259 their opinions 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.659 in a way 00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:56.259 that lacked 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:56.980 sensitivity 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.740 and kindness. 00:26:59.359 --> 00:26:59.939 Our 00:26:59.939 --> 00:27:00.279 natural 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:00.899 reaction is 00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:01.539 to withdraw, 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.980 to resent 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:05.579 that person 00:27:05.579 --> 00:27:06.000 or even 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.439 to gossip 00:27:06.439 --> 00:27:07.000 about it. 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:10.399 What would 00:27:10.399 --> 00:27:10.759 it mean 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.399 to show 00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:11.879 mercy 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:12.339 instead? 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:15.299 What would 00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.759 it look like 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.240 to choose 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.779 to love 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:18.419 even if 00:27:18.419 --> 00:27:18.919 that person 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.300 doesn't 00:27:19.300 --> 00:27:19.640 deserve 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:19.880 it in 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.019 that 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:20.340 moment? 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.320 Or what 00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:24.700 about when 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.240 someone in 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.759 work or 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.200 school 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:27.100 goes out 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:27.360 of their 00:27:27.360 --> 00:27:27.800 way 00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:28.460 to 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.380 purposefully 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:30.500 undermine 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:31.100 your name? 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:35.840 Not hard 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.300 to imagine 00:27:36.300 --> 00:27:36.740 what our 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.740 natural reaction 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:38.080 would be 00:27:38.080 --> 00:27:38.620 right there. 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:41.039 To get 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.500 our own 00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:41.880 back, 00:27:42.620 --> 00:27:43.140 whatever the 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.560 cost. 00:27:43.559 --> 00:27:47.799 mercy means 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.079 that we 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.419 won't 00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:48.779 spread 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.139 gospel 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:49.440 about 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:49.700 them 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.740 or 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.379 return 00:27:51.379 --> 00:27:52.139 ill 00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:52.399 for 00:27:52.399 --> 00:27:52.720 ill. 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:54.740 And I 00:27:54.740 --> 00:27:55.000 don't know 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.759 what situation 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.119 you're 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.700 thinking of 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.019 in which 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:58.259 someone 00:27:58.259 --> 00:27:59.740 doesn't 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.079 deserve 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:00.279 your 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.599 kindness 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:01.359 for the 00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:01.699 way that 00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:02.139 they have 00:28:02.139 --> 00:28:03.099 acted 00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:03.679 towards 00:28:03.679 --> 00:28:04.039 you. 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.519 But the 00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:06.939 point is 00:28:06.939 --> 00:28:07.259 this. 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.159 If we've 00:28:09.159 --> 00:28:09.740 been forgiven 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.179 so great 00:28:11.179 --> 00:28:11.779 a debt, 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.500 one we 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:14.259 could never 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.000 afford to 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.379 repay, 00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:17.659 that 00:28:17.659 --> 00:28:18.480 frees us 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.879 to forgive 00:28:19.879 --> 00:28:20.599 the debts 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:21.939 people owe 00:28:21.939 --> 00:28:22.799 to us. 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:25.079 With God's 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.339 help, 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.839 we can 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.559 be 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:27.959 merciful. 00:28:30.599 --> 00:28:31.339 So remember, 00:28:32.659 --> 00:28:33.740 we are 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.779 more sinful 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:36.199 and undeserving 00:28:36.199 --> 00:28:37.480 than we 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:38.240 ever realized. 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.399 But God's 00:28:40.399 --> 00:28:41.719 mercy is 00:28:41.719 --> 00:28:42.459 greater than 00:28:42.459 --> 00:28:43.279 we have 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.500 ever dreamed. 00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.980 In repentance 00:28:45.980 --> 00:28:47.319 and humility, 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:49.639 we receive 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:49.959 it from 00:28:49.959 --> 00:28:50.139 him. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.259 And we 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.719 pour it 00:28:52.719 --> 00:28:53.399 out on 00:28:53.399 --> 00:28:53.779 others. 00:28:54.919 --> 00:28:55.539 Let's 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:55.740 pray. 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:04.039 thank you, 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:04.279 Lord. 00:29:04.919 --> 00:29:05.439 Thank you 00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:05.819 for your 00:29:05.819 --> 00:29:07.119 extravagant 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:07.699 mercy 00:29:07.699 --> 00:29:09.240 poured out 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.799 on us. 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.379 Help us 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:13.879 to receive 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.599 it in 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:16.119 humility 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:17.619 and in 00:29:17.619 --> 00:29:18.539 thankfulness. 00:29:21.179 --> 00:29:21.779 Lord, 00:29:21.839 --> 00:29:22.659 we confess 00:29:22.659 --> 00:29:23.759 how often 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.559 we respond 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:26.039 in anger 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.419 and revenge 00:29:27.419 --> 00:29:28.980 to others' 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:29.559 sin. 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:32.259 help us 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.519 to be 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.959 merciful 00:29:32.959 --> 00:29:33.759 as you 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:33.980 are 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.439 merciful. 00:29:36.439 --> 00:29:37.019 For 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.359 Jesus' 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:37.779 sake, 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.359 we pray. 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.419 Amen. 00:29:41.099 --> 00:29:41.679 Well, 00:29:41.719 --> 00:29:41.959 we're going 00:29:41.959 --> 00:29:42.259 to sing 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.740 that song 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.000 now, 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:43.679 His 00:29:43.679 --> 00:29:44.079 mercy 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:44.379 is 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:44.559 more. 00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:44.839 Let's 00:29:44.839 --> 00:29:45.240 use this 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.480 as an 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.000 opportunity 00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:48.599 to wonder 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.139 anew 00:29:49.139 --> 00:29:50.779 at God's 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.159 mercy 00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.819 on us 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:57.219 and also 00:29:57.219 --> 00:29:57.699 to put it 00:29:57.699 --> 00:29:58.379 into practice 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:58.899 in our 00:29:58.899 --> 00:29:59.539 own lives. 00:30:00.599 --> 00:30:01.859 Please stand 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:02.139 if you're 00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:02.319 able. 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.179 Thank you.