WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.060 Morning, everybody. As you take your seats, please do have your Bibles out or get them back out if you've closed them because it is God's Word. 00:00:08.540 --> 00:00:14.480 And it is important and it's good to have our heads in the Bible as we come to His Word this morning. 00:00:15.240 --> 00:00:18.600 As we do, let me just pray for us once more. 00:00:18.780 --> 00:00:26.179 God and Father, just pray that you'll give each one of us ears to listen, to hear what you have to say to us. 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:31.780 Open hearts to receive your Word and so help us by your Spirit. 00:00:32.519 --> 00:00:35.259 In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. 00:00:37.740 --> 00:00:39.079 Well, it's great to be with you. 00:00:40.100 --> 00:00:44.780 It's great to be able to speak this morning from Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:45.299 --> 00:00:47.120 And it's been a great series so far. 00:00:47.200 --> 00:00:49.140 We've been in Matthew. We did it at the start of the year. 00:00:49.600 --> 00:00:53.000 We had a break over Easter time and we're back into it now. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.299 And this is the third one since we've got back into Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:57.420 --> 00:00:58.380 We're in verse 21. 00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:01.079 But, you know, it's good to remind ourselves. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:03.399 I always enjoy it because I always forget. 00:01:03.600 --> 00:01:04.439 So where have we been? 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:12.900 Well, Matthew is the first gospel, the first book, the story of Jesus's life written by Matthew. 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:20.300 And his gospel, his story, it's all about the fact that the Messiah, the promised King, he has come. 00:01:20.719 --> 00:01:24.880 He has arrived. Emmanuel, God with us. 00:01:25.660 --> 00:01:28.960 And so Jesus is setting up his kingdom. 00:01:29.360 --> 00:01:36.400 He is setting up and showing his disciples what kingdom citizenship looks like on earth. 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:41.000 The sermon on the mountain that we've got to here in chapter 5. 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:47.320 Jesus, he has been tempted by the devil, but he did not sin. 00:01:47.400 --> 00:01:48.280 He did not give in. 00:01:49.020 --> 00:01:51.240 He then goes, he picks his first disciples. 00:01:52.360 --> 00:01:57.480 And then he starts to teach them as well as do miracles, heal people. 00:01:57.480 --> 00:02:02.740 And this is why there's such a great crowd of people following him, wanting to learn more. 00:02:03.640 --> 00:02:07.040 So he takes them up this mountain and he starts this sermon. 00:02:08.060 --> 00:02:10.740 That's why it's called the Sermon on the Mount. 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:12.480 So that's where we're at. 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:14.480 He's setting out his vision. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:15.620 And it's important. 00:02:15.920 --> 00:02:20.280 And Craig's already mentioned it, but it's not rules in order to be righteous. 00:02:21.240 --> 00:02:24.080 But it's how to live once we have been made righteous. 00:02:24.080 --> 00:02:27.180 And that is a subtle difference. 00:02:27.300 --> 00:02:28.860 And we'll go into that a little bit as well. 00:02:29.500 --> 00:02:30.580 We've had the Beatitudes. 00:02:30.800 --> 00:02:31.880 We've had salt and light. 00:02:32.520 --> 00:02:38.439 We've had the fact that Jesus' followers, they need to live in obedience to how he wants them to live. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:43.340 And last week, Graham took us through that Jesus, he came to fulfill the law. 00:02:44.100 --> 00:02:44.500 Why? 00:02:44.620 --> 00:02:46.360 Because no one is good enough to keep it. 00:02:47.760 --> 00:02:49.800 You know, the law is just a set of rules. 00:02:49.800 --> 00:02:54.520 If you think about it, you have a big red button in front of you. 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:55.600 What does that button say? 00:02:56.040 --> 00:02:56.840 Do not press. 00:02:57.580 --> 00:03:01.700 That's the number one way to get someone to press it. 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:03.880 You put a set of rules in front of someone. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:07.200 I say to my daughters, right, you cannot do X, Y, and Z. 00:03:07.939 --> 00:03:10.480 Well, that is the first things they're going to want to do. 00:03:11.320 --> 00:03:13.060 You know, the law, that's a silly example. 00:03:13.240 --> 00:03:16.780 But the law, it just, it points to the fact that we can't keep it. 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:18.439 We're not good enough. 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:25.979 We are not, you know, in the last bit it said that even the scribes and the Pharisees weren't good enough. 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:30.479 I think this is slightly Jesus saying, of course they aren't good enough. 00:03:30.579 --> 00:03:31.560 They are just people. 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:36.699 But to these Jewish disciples listening to this, the scribes and the Pharisees, they were up here. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:39.000 They certainly thought they were up here. 00:03:39.560 --> 00:03:43.939 But even they were not good enough by just following rules. 00:03:44.900 --> 00:03:46.520 Why am I telling you all this? 00:03:46.520 --> 00:03:54.280 Well, our passage this morning, Jesus is starting six case studies from the Torah, the Old Testament. 00:03:54.820 --> 00:03:58.320 He's going to take us through six laws, six rules. 00:03:58.820 --> 00:04:05.660 And he's going to show the wisdom of these laws in his new kingdom, which he has set up. 00:04:05.659 --> 00:04:13.259 The idea here is to consistently love God and to do right to our neighbor. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:19.139 Jesus is transforming the hearts of his disciples to love. 00:04:20.659 --> 00:04:22.579 And so we're going to see the law. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:24.920 We're going to see the wisdom of it. 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:30.000 And we're going to see two practical lessons that Jesus takes us through. 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:33.860 So let's get stuck in to the law. 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:38.560 So as I've said, this is the first of six case studies. 00:04:39.240 --> 00:04:41.240 Jesus quotes a command from the Torah. 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:43.839 And then he explains how it reveals. 00:04:44.220 --> 00:04:47.579 He reveals God's wisdom in the law. 00:04:48.420 --> 00:04:50.560 If you have your Bible there, if you follow down with me, 00:04:50.560 --> 00:04:54.579 you have the different phrases that shows the starts of these case studies. 00:04:54.720 --> 00:05:00.139 Your Bible might helpfully have headings, which people have put in to help us. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:02.139 But you'll see them in verse 21. 00:05:02.860 --> 00:05:08.199 Verse 27, 31, 33, 38 and 43. 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:10.879 It's a phrase, something along the lines of, 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:12.899 you have heard that it was said. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:16.180 Where have they heard that this was said? 00:05:16.819 --> 00:05:18.279 Well, these were the Jewish disciples. 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:20.739 They would have heard this many times, these laws. 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:22.959 This was common knowledge to them. 00:05:23.899 --> 00:05:26.519 Of course they have heard these laws before. 00:05:26.739 --> 00:05:31.179 They would have spent many hours sitting in the synagogue listening to these things. 00:05:32.099 --> 00:05:33.579 But the verse carries on. 00:05:34.559 --> 00:05:38.219 You shall not murder in verse 21. 00:05:39.339 --> 00:05:43.439 And anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:48.420 This particular law, this one that we're going to study today, 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:51.719 this is from Exodus chapter 20 and verse 13. 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:55.759 You might recognize it as one of the Ten Commandments. 00:05:56.100 --> 00:05:58.600 It is in fact the sixth of the Ten Commandments. 00:06:00.819 --> 00:06:04.800 This particular commandment, it covered murder in the traditional sense. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:08.360 But it would also have covered carelessness or negligence. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:10.319 So what we might call manslaughter. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:13.779 The punishment was severe. 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:18.339 It was a serious, of course it was a serious law to follow. 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:22.980 And you know, Moses, he makes a point of repeating it in Deuteronomy 5, 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:26.439 where he gives his impassioned speech to the people of Israel 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:30.899 before they enter the promised land that they were about to go into. 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:36.000 You know, in a sense, this is an obvious one. 00:06:37.019 --> 00:06:38.019 Murder is wrong. 00:06:38.019 --> 00:06:39.419 Well, we know that. 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:43.519 You know, most people wouldn't argue against you on that one. 00:06:44.799 --> 00:06:46.879 But you know, it's so important, this one. 00:06:47.039 --> 00:06:47.919 Because why? 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:50.279 Because life is precious. 00:06:51.719 --> 00:06:52.919 Life is precious. 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:57.439 And you know, perhaps we trivialize murder a little bit in our society. 00:06:58.259 --> 00:06:59.939 We were in a bookshop last weekend. 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:02.899 We were away last weekend at a wedding in St. Andrews. 00:07:02.959 --> 00:07:04.560 And there was an amazing bookshop there. 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:06.539 I'd recommend going to it if you're ever there. 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:10.100 But the amount of books in that place was unbelievable. 00:07:10.760 --> 00:07:14.300 But we went to the crime section, the thriller section, 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:19.980 and book after book after book about murders and murder mysteries and all that kind of thing. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:24.259 It's the same if you go onto your Netflix account or whatever it is, 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:26.939 other streaming services are available. 00:07:26.939 --> 00:07:35.899 But you know, it's because it's entertaining. 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:38.259 We find it interesting, don't we? 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:45.120 You know, perhaps we maybe get a wee bit dull to the seriousness of these things. 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:49.860 But you know, life is God-given. 00:07:50.780 --> 00:07:52.899 That is why these things are so serious. 00:07:54.540 --> 00:07:58.680 Genesis 1 verse 27 says this, 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:16.759 Likewise, in chapter 2 of Genesis verse 7, the creation account again, it says, 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:24.199 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. 00:08:25.779 --> 00:08:28.699 And the man became a living creature. 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:34.379 Life is precious because life is God-given. 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:37.120 God gave us life in the first place. 00:08:37.179 --> 00:08:39.120 He breathed life into man's nostrils. 00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:43.860 But God also sustains us and keeps us alive. 00:08:45.419 --> 00:08:51.860 And when we think about it in that way, imagine taking that from someone in the act of murder. 00:08:53.919 --> 00:09:00.340 You know, despite the seriousness and just the amazingness that God gave us life, 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:06.200 you know, it only took to the second generation of people for us to get that wrong. 00:09:07.300 --> 00:09:11.360 The second generation of humans, Adam and Eve's children, Cain and Abel. 00:09:12.820 --> 00:09:15.080 Cain murders Abel, his brother. 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:16.500 Why? 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:17.800 Because of anger. 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:20.040 He was angry. 00:09:20.800 --> 00:09:29.300 He was angry and he was jealous because his offering wasn't seen in such high regard by God as Abel's was. 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:31.379 And he was banished. 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:34.699 You know, we can think of many other examples. 00:09:34.859 --> 00:09:35.639 There's lots to look at. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:36.319 There's Moses. 00:09:36.599 --> 00:09:37.819 He kills the Egyptian. 00:09:39.099 --> 00:09:39.959 There's David. 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:43.039 He gets Uriah killed for his own purposes. 00:09:43.620 --> 00:09:44.379 There's Jezebel. 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:48.899 There's many different examples you could look up and see. 00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:52.819 So we can see examples of this. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:56.439 You know, the other one that comes to mind when we think of this commandment, 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:58.859 you shall not murder, came to mind for me in a way. 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:01.919 Is in Matthew 19 and verse 18. 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:05.360 Jesus quotes this to the rich young ruler. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:10.180 If you don't know the story, the rich young ruler, he comes to Jesus and he says, 00:10:11.139 --> 00:10:13.180 What must I do to have eternal life? 00:10:13.300 --> 00:10:14.659 What good must I do? 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:16.899 And there's a bit of back and forth. 00:10:17.060 --> 00:10:19.639 But essentially, Jesus says to him, keep the commands. 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:20.639 Keep the commandments. 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:25.460 And the young man, he goes, well, which ones? 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:29.340 You know, the first one Jesus quotes is this one. 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:30.840 You shall not murder. 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:37.480 And with the other ones that he quotes, the young man, he claims, he says, I have kept these. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.060 I have done that. 00:10:41.040 --> 00:10:42.860 The guy was probably thinking, oh, great. 00:10:43.460 --> 00:10:44.240 That was an easy one. 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:44.899 I kept it. 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:45.659 Go me. 00:10:46.800 --> 00:10:47.820 But you know, has he? 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:49.240 And that is the point. 00:10:49.300 --> 00:10:50.779 And that is where we are going here. 00:10:51.500 --> 00:10:56.820 Jesus goes on to explain that it is the heart of these things that matters. 00:10:56.820 --> 00:11:01.400 It is the heart, the wisdom behind the law. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:05.160 So let's get into that, the wisdom. 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:11.860 Likewise, we'll see in these case studies that there is a change in the text. 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:17.120 And in this one, in verse 22, we have, but I tell you. 00:11:18.020 --> 00:11:21.680 This phrase shows that the development of the teaching is taking place. 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:24.780 You can imagine the disciples, they are sitting there. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.760 They're listening to Jesus. 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:29.759 They're starting to hear about some of the Ten Commandments. 00:11:30.279 --> 00:11:32.200 And they're sitting there and they're getting comfortable. 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:34.700 And they're probably starting to snooze off a bit. 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:36.899 Oh, I've heard the Ten Commandments loads of times. 00:11:37.379 --> 00:11:38.439 I know, I know this one. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.080 That's fine. 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:43.279 And Jesus says, but I tell you. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:48.100 And they sit up and they think, I've not heard this one before. 00:11:49.039 --> 00:11:51.679 This was groundbreaking what we're about to go and see. 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:53.519 This was radical teaching. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:57.500 This was something they hadn't heard before. 00:11:58.899 --> 00:12:05.159 Jesus is beginning to show that there is real wisdom to be found in these ancient laws when they are studied. 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:09.399 They are to learn the way of righteousness. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:12.120 This is why Jesus was called the new Moses. 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:16.740 He is taking the law and expounding on them. 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:25.559 The outward behavior of the law is compared to the inner attitude of the heart that God desires. 00:12:25.959 --> 00:12:27.699 It is all about the heart. 00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:30.160 So Jesus says, verse 22, 00:12:30.680 --> 00:12:36.920 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:43.700 What Jesus is doing here is putting anger on a par with murder. 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.800 All is sin. 00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:55.139 You know, the disciples, they would be thinking about the scribes and Pharisees that had just been mentioned. 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:58.219 They were thinking about the laws they had been taught from their youth. 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:01.519 This was radical teaching. 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:06.879 So I suppose that makes us ask the question, well, what is anger? 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:13.720 If we went and asked people on the street, we'd probably get many different examples of what people think is anger. 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:17.920 You might even get questions about whether anger is right or wrong. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:19.680 It may depend on the context. 00:13:19.800 --> 00:13:21.279 It may depend on what is happening. 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:25.980 This here is the Disney character. 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:27.939 I think his name is just anger. 00:13:29.079 --> 00:13:32.100 And as you can see, he blows up at any situation. 00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:38.759 His character is just that no matter what, he is angry about the situation. 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:45.059 And some of the other characters, they try and calm him down and negate his anger. 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:55.719 But you know, Jesus, he takes us through, in verse 22, three forms of unrighteous anger that he's going to go through. 00:13:56.679 --> 00:13:58.000 I produce this table. 00:13:59.079 --> 00:14:00.479 This is how my brain works. 00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:03.979 If this is not helpful for you, then I apologize. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.859 You can just listen. 00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:10.959 So Jesus takes us through three forms of unrighteous anger. 00:14:11.119 --> 00:14:12.919 We're going to briefly go through them. 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:17.779 First of all, we have anger without cause. 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.639 Anger without cause. 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:22.860 That is unrighteous anger. 00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:25.379 Now the cause, the cause of righteous anger. 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.299 We see Jesus getting angry. 00:14:27.699 --> 00:14:30.139 So therefore, anger in itself cannot be wrong. 00:14:30.879 --> 00:14:37.839 But what this example is here, saying that I tell anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:43.100 The cause of righteous anger could be when God's honor is at stake. 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:47.180 It could be when we see injustice in the world. 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:50.180 We are rightly to be angry about that. 00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:54.200 God is angry at injustice in the world. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:56.840 It could be when we see that someone is wronged. 00:14:56.840 --> 00:15:01.920 That can provoke righteous anger within us. 00:15:02.560 --> 00:15:05.080 But here it is talking about unrighteous anger. 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:09.700 Anger that we are not controlling when we should. 00:15:11.340 --> 00:15:13.180 And it is attacking a person. 00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:17.080 We see that there in someone who is angry towards a brother or sister. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:22.460 Each one here has something that is attacking. 00:15:22.920 --> 00:15:25.139 It has a worldly consequence that is mentioned. 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:28.840 And there is a relation to the original murder. 00:15:29.800 --> 00:15:32.160 So the first one, anger without cause. 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:35.780 It is attacking the person, the brother or sister, as it says. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.720 The worldly consequence was judgment. 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:41.740 I know it is the seed of murder. 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:45.280 Anger is the seed of murder. 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.360 Anger. 00:15:46.079 --> 00:15:47.299 The second one it mentions. 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:49.939 Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 00:15:50.159 --> 00:15:53.120 raka, is answerable to the court. 00:15:54.299 --> 00:15:56.179 This word raka, we don't know it. 00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:58.039 It is not a word that we use. 00:15:58.480 --> 00:16:00.259 But it is an Aramaic abuse term. 00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:02.159 And it is meaning empty one. 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:04.579 It is attacking someone's character. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:08.439 It is attacking who they are and what they are all about. 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:13.259 And the consequence in this time was that they would be taken to court. 00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:17.059 They would be taken to the Sanhedrin, the highest court of the land. 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:19.620 And they would be brought to justice. 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:22.659 You know, insulting someone's character. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:25.759 Well, that is the spirit of murder. 00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:28.700 And the final one Jesus mentions, he says, 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:34.159 And anyone who says you fool will be in danger of the fire of hell. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:39.840 You know, you fool, we maybe use fool in more flippant terms nowadays, I would presume. 00:16:40.580 --> 00:16:42.299 Or even see it as maybe being funny. 00:16:42.419 --> 00:16:44.240 You're kind of Laurel and Hardy type fool. 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:48.980 But here it was meaning it's the same word that we have for moron. 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.879 It's moros. 00:16:50.200 --> 00:16:51.360 It's a serious word. 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:54.019 It's something that you wouldn't say to someone lightly. 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:57.200 It is attacking someone's identity. 00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:00.080 It is attacking who someone is. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:04.240 And you know, cursing is a desire to murder. 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:06.220 It is wishing that someone was dead. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:09.000 Or saying you may as well be because of who you are. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:15.380 And the consequence was Gehenna or the hell of fire, the burning dump outside of Jerusalem, 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:21.880 where things were burnt, but also criminals' bodies once they had been killed for their crimes. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:26.299 We might be thinking here, you know, is this not all just a bit extreme? 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.099 These are just words. 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:30.240 These are just our emotions. 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:33.099 Sticks and stones and all that, right? 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:36.700 Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:42.319 But we all know that that is nowhere near the truth. 00:17:43.600 --> 00:17:46.539 Our words are extremely powerful. 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:50.500 Our words can be extremely hurtful. 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:53.640 Our words can be life-changing to people. 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:59.080 Yes, potentially in good ways, but so often in bad ways. 00:17:59.079 --> 00:18:07.259 Our words that we say to people, they betray the thoughts that we have inside. 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:11.839 They betray the motivations of our hearts. 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:16.879 Our words betray what we're really thinking. 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:19.740 We cannot keep it bottled inside. 00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:25.200 The wisdom of the law here that Jesus is getting at with these examples, 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:27.359 where he is going with this, 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:31.579 is that it is about how much we value other people. 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:34.140 That is where he is going with this. 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:38.779 Murdering, it doesn't value the life that is given by God. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:40.740 It is taking that away from someone. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:46.259 And in the same sense, these outpourings of anger towards people, 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:50.779 it shows the heart issues that we have of not valuing others. 00:18:51.279 --> 00:18:53.980 Not valuing others as we do ourselves. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:19:00.220 Never mind not valuing others as much as God values each and every person. 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:03.860 We read it at the beginning in Genesis, 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:08.759 that all are created in the image of God. 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:12.799 Every single person that we bump into, 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:17.140 the person that cuts us off when we're driving and we get annoyed at, 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:20.380 those in our family, those in our friends, 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:21.579 those that we get along with, 00:19:21.660 --> 00:19:23.140 those who we don't get along with, 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:29.519 each and every one is created in the image of God. 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:34.620 I truly believe that if we kept that at the forefront of our mind 00:19:34.620 --> 00:19:35.799 in our daily lives, 00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:37.860 then we would live differently. 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:40.940 That is what Jesus was saying to his disciples, 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:43.079 that if you want to live differently, 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:45.799 you need to view people differently. 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:53.500 And he carries on by taking us through a couple of practical lessons to finish, 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.900 making his point. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.519 Potentially there's a bit of a strange section in this. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:02.420 We might read it and think they're very specific examples. 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:05.779 They're specific things that we may just think, 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:07.440 it's a bit random thrown in there. 00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:11.579 But you know, there's two lessons to learn as we look at them. 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.900 Read verse 23 with me. 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:17.500 Therefore, if you're offering your gift at the altar, 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:21.200 and they remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:24.640 then leave your gift there in front of the altar. 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:27.740 First go and be reconciled to them, 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:31.240 then come and offer your gift. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:36.240 The lesson here is that God receives no worship 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:39.340 from one who is not on speaking terms with a brother. 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:44.699 Someone is trying to offer a gift to God, 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:46.359 but they have wronged someone. 00:20:48.699 --> 00:20:50.740 And in order not to be hypocritical, 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:52.959 they are called to be right before others, 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:55.799 not just try and be right before God. 00:20:56.939 --> 00:21:00.220 How can we try and be right before God, 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:02.679 and do his will, and do what he wants us to do, 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:05.539 if we are neglecting our brothers and sisters in Christ? 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:08.420 If we are not right with them, 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.480 if we have wronged them, 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:11.680 and have not gone back to make things right. 00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:14.839 There's a real lesson here 00:21:14.839 --> 00:21:17.779 that we see again in 1 Corinthians 11. 00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:19.559 It talks about taking communion, 00:21:19.940 --> 00:21:20.879 or the Lord's Supper. 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:24.039 And it talks about examining yourself 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:26.039 before bringing your worship to God. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:29.899 We need to be right before God 00:21:29.899 --> 00:21:31.200 before we can bring our worship. 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:33.819 And I'm not talking about being made right 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:36.039 in terms of becoming a Christian, being saved. 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:37.099 Of course we need that. 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:40.439 But in terms of just humbling ourselves before God, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.359 admitting our weaknesses 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:44.619 before we walk into a church on a Sunday morning, 00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.639 just bringing him our failings 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:51.299 so that we can bring him our worship. 00:21:53.179 --> 00:21:55.819 Only when reconciliation has taken place 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:58.720 can God be approached properly. 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:01.460 We are not demanded perfection. 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:03.140 We cannot keep the rules. 00:22:03.259 --> 00:22:04.500 We cannot keep the laws. 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:07.579 But what we are called to do is admission. 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:12.680 Unity and harmony in the church is so important. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:14.460 There's passages and passages 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:17.720 talking about unity in the church. 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:22.279 Well, it's the result of valuing others above ourselves. 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:25.380 Humbling ourselves to be able to go 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:28.600 and make things right with someone. 00:22:28.599 --> 00:22:32.619 In verse 25 and 26, 00:22:32.740 --> 00:22:35.879 it continues with a different but similar example. 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.019 It says, 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:39.339 Settle matters quickly with your adversary 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:41.599 who is taking you to court. 00:22:42.459 --> 00:22:45.000 Do it while you are still together on the way, 00:22:45.399 --> 00:22:47.740 or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.859 and the judge may hand you over to the officer, 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:52.179 and you may be thrown into prison. 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:54.240 Truly I tell you, 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:58.539 you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:03.940 The lesson here is that we should be quick to admit guilt 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:06.380 and make things right. 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.940 It says, doesn't it, 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.519 that the law will take its course. 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:13.519 I've recently been called up for jury duty. 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.460 Never done it before. 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:16.339 Can't say I particularly want to, 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.980 but then we get into the whole argument 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:21.640 of citizenship responsibilities and roles. 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:23.799 But, you know, 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:25.660 that is the law taking its course. 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.860 Of course, I don't know the details, 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.339 but someone has done something 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:31.960 that the law of the land says isn't right, 00:23:32.620 --> 00:23:35.259 and that a jury is called to decide 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.940 whether they have done it or not. 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:39.059 That is the laws of the land. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:41.400 The laws will take their course. 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:44.820 That is the way that society is meant to be. 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:47.000 But the call here 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:49.820 is to admit a wrong before someone 00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:51.180 and seek forgiveness. 00:23:52.300 --> 00:23:55.280 This would have been a slightly different situation 00:23:55.280 --> 00:23:57.080 where it is one person versus another, 00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:59.340 but it is the same concept. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:00.720 But, you know, 00:24:00.780 --> 00:24:02.960 human consequences are serious. 00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:04.720 Of course they are. 00:24:04.780 --> 00:24:05.940 It can affect our freedoms 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:08.100 that we have with one another, 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.440 ourselves. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:11.279 But it also affects 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:13.160 our relationships with one another. 00:24:13.759 --> 00:24:14.840 If we wrong people, 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.820 then we will fall out with people. 00:24:16.980 --> 00:24:18.340 We will lose family. 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.600 We will lose friends 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:21.700 over things that our actions 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:24.059 and our words do. 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:25.799 But, you know, 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:28.080 not being reconciled to God 00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:29.640 is disastrous. 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.500 You know, 00:24:34.559 --> 00:24:35.279 some of the wrong, 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:37.259 some of the secret anger in our heart, 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.680 we'll get away with it. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.620 People will never know. 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.759 I might get angry 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:44.320 about something in particular. 00:24:45.580 --> 00:24:47.140 I might have the secret sin of my heart 00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:48.200 that no one will ever know. 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.180 That's fine. 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.779 No one will know. 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:51.259 I'll keep it buried inside. 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:53.140 But, you know, 00:24:53.340 --> 00:24:53.940 God knows. 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.519 God knows. 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.360 He made us. 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:59.279 So He knows all about us. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:03.599 There is no hiding from Him. 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:03.599 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.039 Adam and Eve, 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.779 the first sin, 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.740 they tried to hide. 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:08.940 They tried to hide from God. 00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.980 We can sometimes read that little story 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.759 and we can laugh. 00:25:11.899 --> 00:25:12.480 How silly. 00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.779 How silly that they thought 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.759 they could hide from God. 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.119 You know, 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.079 we do the same thing. 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.579 Don't we? 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:22.639 If we are not right before God, 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:25.879 if we have not had our sin forgiven, 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:28.099 we need to do that. 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:30.139 That is the start of all of this. 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:33.619 We are naturally not right before God 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.539 because of our sin. 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:38.899 We need that situation fixed. 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:41.240 The law, 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.400 it could never be kept. 00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:43.960 Likewise, 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:45.400 we as individuals 00:25:45.400 --> 00:25:46.500 are not good enough. 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.380 But thankfully, 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.259 Jesus came 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:51.860 and He was good enough. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:55.960 Jesus, 00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.040 He lived perfectly. 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.480 He died sacrificially 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:02.140 and He rose spectacularly 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.400 for us. 00:26:06.820 --> 00:26:08.100 As we finish up, 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:10.159 the final lesson 00:26:10.159 --> 00:26:10.779 and we'll get to 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.719 in a few weeks time 00:26:11.719 --> 00:26:13.659 that Jesus will take 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:14.299 from the Torah 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:15.579 is to love your neighbor. 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.879 Something I'm sure 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:18.519 we've heard many times before. 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:20.399 But the source 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.659 of all right conduct 00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:23.579 comes from the wisdom 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:25.139 behind that law. 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:27.819 If we have the right attitude 00:26:27.819 --> 00:26:29.059 towards everyone, 00:26:29.219 --> 00:26:29.899 then our lives 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.740 will look different. 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.519 We will be worthy 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.519 citizens 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:36.319 of the kingdom of Jesus. 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:40.059 We're warned about this elsewhere. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.819 James chapter 4 says this. 00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.579 It's talking about 00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.599 fights and quarrels 00:26:43.599 --> 00:26:44.799 within the church family 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:46.519 between brothers and sisters 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.079 in Christ. 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:47.480 It says, 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.740 what causes fights 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.980 and quarrels among you? 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.920 Don't they come 00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:52.819 from your desires 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:54.079 that battle within you? 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:55.799 You desire 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.740 but do not have 00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.539 so you kill. 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:59.039 You covet 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:00.059 but you cannot get 00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.720 what you want 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.680 so you quarrel 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.500 and fight. 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.460 You do not have 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:06.019 because you do not ask God. 00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.779 There's real warnings 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.200 in there. 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:11.880 But you know, 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:12.200 Jesus, 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:13.539 He is transforming 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:15.059 hearts to love. 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:17.519 teaching His disciples 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.519 how to live 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.679 in God's kingdom 00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.259 in the way 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.359 that He wants them to. 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.539 And these are not 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.619 just empty words. 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.399 Jesus, 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.480 He will do this sermon 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.639 but then He will go on 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.319 to live it out. 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.419 Jesus didn't 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:31.700 just say 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:33.039 empty words. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.899 He showed 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:35.799 exactly what 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:36.659 He was teaching 00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:37.220 about. 00:27:37.919 --> 00:27:38.639 Jesus would go 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.500 to spend time 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.039 with the least 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.740 of society. 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:43.339 He wouldn't get angry 00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:43.960 with those 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.640 who did Him 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.319 injustice. 00:27:46.319 --> 00:27:47.299 But He would be angry 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.359 at the injustices. 00:27:48.559 --> 00:27:49.160 He would cry 00:27:49.160 --> 00:27:50.099 when His friends 00:27:50.099 --> 00:27:51.079 died. 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.799 Jesus lived this out 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.920 as our ultimate 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.539 example. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.960 But if our hearts 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.400 are right 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:02.220 and that's the challenge 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:02.660 this morning, 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.559 if our hearts 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.019 are right 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.059 then our actions 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.599 will be too. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.079 You know, 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:08.700 our culture 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.440 is one of 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.480 self-centeredness. 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.079 It is one of 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:13.079 thinking all about 00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.559 ourselves, 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:13.980 isn't it? 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.220 And I don't know 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.940 if you leave 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:18.019 church on a Sunday 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.960 morning and your 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.759 thoughts are straight 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.460 away for Monday 00:28:20.460 --> 00:28:20.779 morning. 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.640 What's happening 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.079 next? 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.279 I'm really busy. 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.079 I've got loads 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:24.640 going on. 00:28:24.960 --> 00:28:25.759 And we start just 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.559 thinking again 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:28.180 about ourselves. 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.279 And as we go 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.779 through the week 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.319 we just start 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:30.960 thinking more and 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:32.059 more about all 00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.599 that we're doing 00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.920 and all that we've 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:34.579 got going on. 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.500 And we're just 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.460 thinking about 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.079 ourselves. 00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.059 It's difficult. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.819 It is difficult. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:42.880 It's not easy. 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.599 But let me just 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.339 encourage you that 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:46.519 God promises to 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.359 help us in these 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:47.740 things. 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.640 God promises to 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.140 help us. 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.940 He left us the 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.620 Holy Spirit, 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.339 the helper, 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.859 to help us in 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.319 these things, 00:28:54.400 --> 00:28:55.259 to live differently 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:55.880 in the world 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:57.140 because it does 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.579 matter. 00:28:58.339 --> 00:28:58.960 It's what we're 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.599 called to do. 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.539 It is our witness 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:02.259 and it is how we 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.059 show others the 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.700 love that Jesus 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.640 has for them. 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:07.220 Let me just pray 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.759 as we finish 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.160 and we're going 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:09.900 to respond with 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.360 a couple of 00:29:10.360 --> 00:29:10.759 hymns. 00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:15.259 And so as the 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.860 band comes up 00:29:15.860 --> 00:29:16.540 let me just 00:29:16.540 --> 00:29:17.540 pray for us. 00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:23.040 God and 00:29:23.040 --> 00:29:23.540 Father we just 00:29:23.540 --> 00:29:24.220 thank you for 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.680 your word. 00:29:24.780 --> 00:29:25.380 We thank you for 00:29:25.380 --> 00:29:26.500 the truth that we 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.240 can find in it. 00:29:27.240 --> 00:29:31.160 we thank you 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:33.579 that despite the 00:29:33.579 --> 00:29:34.420 wrong motivations 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.279 of our hearts at 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.079 times we thank you 00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.799 for the truth of 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.420 the Lord Jesus. 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.420 We thank you for 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:39.759 his work on 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.059 earth. 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:42.680 That despite our 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:44.779 failings but 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:45.359 because of his 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.059 love he was 00:29:46.059 --> 00:29:46.900 willing to go all 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.440 the way to the 00:29:47.440 --> 00:29:48.220 cross for us. 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:50.160 That he was 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.180 lived that perfect 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.599 life. 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.720 He died that 00:29:54.720 --> 00:29:55.799 sacrificial death 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:57.940 and that he 00:29:57.940 --> 00:29:58.599 rose again 00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.559 defeating death 00:29:59.559 --> 00:30:00.299 defeating the 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:00.639 grave. 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.639 And he did so 00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.599 that we can be 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:04.940 forgiven. 00:30:06.180 --> 00:30:06.879 We can be 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.759 welcomed into 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:09.339 his kingdom. 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.399 And we do just 00:30:11.399 --> 00:30:12.159 pray that as we 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:12.960 try to live our 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:14.059 lives faithfully 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:15.779 to how he would 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.480 want us to live 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.879 he will give us 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:18.779 a help to do so. 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.339 And that in doing 00:30:20.339 --> 00:30:21.159 so we will live 00:30:21.159 --> 00:30:21.619 differently. 00:30:22.399 --> 00:30:22.819 We will be 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:23.659 shining lights 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:25.019 in the world 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:27.359 and whatever 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:27.900 we do. 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.539 And so we just 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.259 seek your blessing 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.139 and help as we 00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:32.099 think on these 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.519 things and go 00:30:33.519 --> 00:30:35.299 before us and we 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:35.839 ask in his 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.519 precious name. 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.099 Amen. 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:35.660 00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.519 his precious name. 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.119 Amen.