The scripture reading comes from the book of Matthew, chapter 12.
Please follow along on the bulletin or your own Bible.
Starting in verse 9, we read,
He went on from there and entered their synagogue,
and a man was there with a withered hand.
And they asked him,
Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath,
so that they might accuse him?
He said to them,
Which one of you who has a sheep,
if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath,
will not take hold of it and lift it out?
Of how many more value is a man than a sheep?
So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
Then he said to the man,
Stretch out your hand.
And the man stretched it out,
and it was restored,
healthy like the other.
But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him.
How to destroy him?
Jesus, aware of this,
withdrew from there.
And many followed him,
and he healed them all,
and ordered them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah.
Behold my servant,
whom I have chosen,
my beloved,
with whom my soul is well policed.
I will put my spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a moldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to the victory.
And in his name,
the Gentiles will hope.
This is the word of God.
Thank you so much, Echo.
Bring this up here.
Great.
So we're continuing in the series
that we have been looking at.
In Matthew,
we had a pause last week
as we stopped to really reflect
on some of what I think God has really been saying to us
as a church,
about slowing down
and really making Christ the center.
And so we're going to come back to Matthew.
But let me just pray for us
as we get into God's word together.
Amen.
Father, I pray that this morning
we would hear you speak to us.
And I pray that you'd help us to respond to you.
Thank you that you're God who loves to speak to us.
And Lord, I pray that you would show us
that you're better than we think you are.
Lord, you'd show us that you are everything we need.
That the things that we chase after,
that the communities we want to be part of,
the things that we think will give us life,
show us that actually life is found in you.
And I pray that this would not just be a head knowledge thing,
but I pray it would be a deep heart knowledge.
And I pray we'd go out of here changed.
I pray that we'd be a community,
which is so different in this city
where there is so much that bruises us
and bruises people.
I pray that we'd come and find you
as a gracious, gentle savior.
Lord, we give you this morning.
Please open our ears to hear your voice.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Great.
I don't know about you,
but when you think about relationships,
one of the key things in relationships
is when someone speaks,
what should happen?
Well, they should listen first,
but then you actually need a response.
Okay?
Because my wife will actually sometimes
say something or ask me something,
and I may be a little bit in my own world,
and then she will say to me,
and I won't say anything,
and she will say to me,
can I get a response, please?
Because relationships require
communication and responses.
And when God speaks in his word,
and when God speaks in the book of Matthew
through this gospel,
or through a sermon,
or through any area of scripture,
he doesn't just say things
so we kind of think about it.
He doesn't just say things
to just kind of inspire us,
like a good TED talk.
He says things because he's looking
for a response from us.
And so the question that the passage
we've just read is actually asking us
is how are we responding to Jesus today?
Because Matthew chapter 11 to 12
is actually a whole section
which is all about how the religious leaders,
the Pharisees,
are responding to Jesus.
And we've looked at this a couple of weeks ago,
but the Pharisees aren't the bad guys
in the first century.
They're the good guys.
They're the guys who want God's kingdom to come.
They're the guys who are praying
that the oppressive Roman invaders
who are occupying them
will get kicked out
and God's kingdom will come.
And they think that if they just obey
and believe the Bible,
God's kingdom will come.
That's not bad, right?
That's a good thing.
And so the Sabbath was the sign,
the greatest sign,
of actually obedience
in this relationship of trust,
of worship,
of rest,
in this relationship
between God and his people.
And so they went to that.
They went,
we need to obey this rule of the Sabbath.
And so they go,
okay,
we mustn't work on the Sabbath.
So what does that mean?
Well, what's work?
And so they then began
to create all these categories
for what work constituted.
And people love to debate this.
And they came up
with this whole system of rules
which were all about
defining what work was
and what it wasn't.
So you couldn't climb a tree
because if you broke a twig,
that might constitute
reaping,
like it's similar to reaping a field
which could be work.
Okay?
You could only carry
a thimble full of ink
because if you carried more than that,
then that would be work.
Okay?
And they had a whole load of stuff
and this heart
that was actually
wanting to obey God
had drifted
into a system of rules
which had become
a system of righteousness
which then became a system
of who is in,
who is out,
who are the righteous,
who are the wicked.
Do you remember that?
We looked at that
a couple of weeks ago.
And we saw how Jesus comes along
and he starts challenging
their whole system.
Do you know if somebody
actually challenges
your most deeply held beliefs,
how do you normally respond?
Do you like it?
No.
The Pharisees didn't either.
And so the Pharisees,
like prosecutors
in a law court,
have their notebooks out
trying to find
any evidence
to accuse
and condemn Jesus
so they can get rid of him.
In fact,
the word accuse,
which is here
in verse 10,
is actually the word
categorize
in Greek.
In other words,
they want to put Jesus
in the category
of junk box
so that they can
just delete him
and they can carry on
just as they are.
And then any evidence
they find
to see Jesus
supporting work
on the Sabbath,
they're going to use
to delete him.
That's the idea.
And so Jesus,
in this passage,
comes right into
the religious
and social center
of the Pharisees.
He's on their territory.
It's their synagogue,
it says,
on a Sabbath
to do some teaching.
And people are
mingling around
everywhere
and the Pharisees
plant this man,
we'll call him Will,
okay,
for the sake of it,
with a withered hand
on the front row
visible for everyone
to see.
And they sit back
and watch
and wait to see
what's going to happen.
And they,
do you remember
in the previous story,
we had the disciples
picking grain
on the Sabbath.
And actually,
that issue
was a debatable issue
for rabbis
about whether you could,
that was work or not.
But the issue
about healing
on the Sabbath,
there was complete consensus
amongst rabbis
about this.
So,
you could only heal
on the Sabbath
if it was a life
or death situation,
okay,
only if it's life or death,
that's fine.
You know,
they're not unreasonable,
okay.
But this man
has got a withered hand.
And withered
is actually
the word dried up,
which actually implies
it's not a genetic issue,
it's actually
he may have had an accident
or something's happened
to him
to affect his arm.
So,
and Luke actually tells us
it's his right hand,
which would have been
his working hand.
So,
this actually
has seriously
impaired his life.
But it's not an emergency.
And so,
Jesus could kind of
heal him tomorrow
if he wanted to.
And so,
this works perfectly.
The trap is laid.
Is Jesus
totally dismissive
of God's law
about the Sabbath
by healing this guy
who it's not even
an emergency?
Do you see the idea
of what's going on?
And so,
the Pharisees
then go,
with Will
on the front row.
They say,
Jesus,
we've just got a question
we'd like to ask
very innocently.
Is it lawful
to heal on the Sabbath?
And they stop
and they wait
to see what Jesus
will do.
I want you to see
two things here.
And during this talk
we're going to look at
two big things.
One is a self-righteous
community.
And the other
is a Christ-centered
community.
And what Christ
is like
versus this.
And so,
in this self-righteous
community,
here are two things
for you to see.
Self-righteous people
are blind
to their own hypocrisy.
Let's have a look
at this.
when he comes
into the Sabbath,
sorry,
I've just lost
my notes.
Okay.
So,
he comes in
and they're concerned
about obedience,
the Pharisees,
their own and others.
And Jesus then,
he doesn't just directly
answer their question,
he asks the question back.
Jesus always likes
doing that.
And he says,
which of you,
excuse me,
which of you
who has a sheep,
if it falls into a pit
on the Sabbath,
will not take hold of it
and lift it out?
Of how much more value
is a man
than a sheep?
And then he actually
answers the question,
Jesus doesn't do this
very often,
but he says,
it is lawful
to do good
on the Sabbath.
What's he saying?
He's saying,
you guys are so worried
about the Sabbath,
yet you only keep
the rules
when it's convenient
for you.
He says,
when it's something
that you really care about,
like your property,
a sheep,
then you're quite happy
to break the rules.
But when there is someone
that you don't really
care about,
like this man
with a withered hand
who's hurting
and vulnerable,
you're going to be
really strict
on the rules.
And he says,
well,
that actually shows you
the second thing
about what self-righteous
people are like.
They don't see
their own hypocrisy,
but also they're blind
to the value
of other people.
Do you notice something?
In the passage,
the Pharisees
completely ignore Will.
They don't actually
address him at all.
But they've planted him there.
And in fact,
they're using him.
He's a prop.
He's a pawn
in their own agenda
for what they're trying
to do.
They don't see him
at all.
In fact,
when Jesus heals
the man later on,
instead of rejoicing,
Will,
you can get your career
back again.
What are they doing?
They're not rejoicing.
They're fuming.
Because they don't care
about him at all.
They don't see him.
All they see
is their own agenda
and what they think
is right
and what they think
is wrong.
Now,
I think we actually
all know
what this is like.
We see this outside
in the world around.
You know,
there's the boss
who starts promoting
strongly like,
we've got to value people,
equal opportunities,
diversity.
They promote it.
You've got to be
on board with it
in this company.
And then,
if profit is at stake,
they'll mercilessly
fire people,
trample over people
without a second thought
because people
were actually props
for their own agenda.
Don't we know that?
That's actually
self-righteousness
and hypocrisy.
But before we get
all kind of,
yeah,
those guys are like
that out there,
isn't,
can't we be like that too?
You know,
here's a scriptural command
that is very precious
to me.
Let your yes be yes
and your no be no.
Okay?
CG leaders,
you can thank me
for this later.
But,
if,
if you say
that you are coming
to an event
or to your CG,
don't,
that means
back out
at the last minute
just because
you feel a little tired
or you've got
a better offer
somewhere else.
Let your yes be yes
and no be no.
That's a scriptural command
and don't wait
to the last minute
to commit either.
Okay?
Love people,
love your leaders.
but,
and by the way,
some of us
do need to hear that.
But can I make
a confession?
I'm not sure
whether I should say this,
but,
when someone
is constantly flaky,
always backing out
at the last minute,
in my heart,
I can categorize people
in the junk box,
just kind of dismissing,
oh,
they're just like that.
And instead of thinking
how to love them,
maybe by having
a conversation,
just gently actually
pointing stuff out,
inside,
your heart can just
end up withdrawing
from them
and judging them.
Anyone else like me?
Three people,
great.
Okay.
Let's just get together
afterwards.
But the really
interesting thing is,
when it comes to
people in my
extended family
that actually
I'm not so keen
on meeting up with,
I can quite easily
luck die,
very easily.
I can break a commitment
really easily
because I don't care
about it as much.
And so,
here,
a good command,
that's a good
scriptural command,
yes be yes,
yes be no,
it's important,
can become a rule
which can blind us
to ourselves
and can blind us
to other people.
And we become
accidental Pharisees.
And you know,
the church of Jesus
can actually end up
looking exactly
like the world
even though
its moral rules
can be even better
than the world
because
we have not let
Jesus walk
into the synagogue
of our system
and our rules
and our righteousness.
To confront it.
And so actually
over the last couple of weeks
I think Jesus
has been doing that
with us.
I think he's been trying
to come into us
as a church
where we're distracted
and busy
and he's trying to say
let's not miss Jesus
because we're
justifying ourselves.
But when Jesus
walks into your synagogue
two things will happen.
One,
either
you'll seek
to junk box him
from your life
like the Pharisees
and we can do that
subtly or obviously
either by
absenting him
and his word
from your life
from your schedule
from your timing
from your decisions
about your kids
about everything else
because you're too busy
for that.
That's actually
junk boxing Jesus.
because actually
if you bring Jesus
into that
he may disturb you
you know
and we don't want
to be disturbed
that much.
And either we stay
like that
and we'll stay
self-righteous
or we'll respond
to him
in faith
and like
will does
and he will receive
healing
and restoration
and that's what
God is wanting
for each one of us
this morning.
And that's whether
you're a Christian
or whether you're a seeker
or whether somebody
just dragged you along
this morning.
You see
God is calling us
to respond to him
and no response
is a response.
That's the self-righteous
community
that God is calling us
not to be like.
But I want to move on
to look at Christ
and what a Christ-centered
community looks like
by looking at
who Jesus really is.
Okay?
So let's have a look
at the next part
of the passage
because what you see
excuse me
is
sorry let me step back
and just say
I'm going to show you
three things
that I think you're going
to see about Jesus here.
The first thing
I want you to see
about Jesus
is that Jesus
dies to himself
for the sake of others
whereas the Pharisees
are blind to themselves
and blind to others
Jesus dies to himself
for the sake of others.
you know
if you look here
in the passage
what you see is
the Pharisees
know that Jesus
has the power to heal.
You know
in a time
where there are
no antibiotics
there's no surgery
you see
in verse 15
many people
Jesus can pull a crowd
of people
desperate for healing.
You notice that?
And yet
if you look back
further
in the passage
you see
how Jesus
responds
in this
and I love this
about Jesus
because if you know
that you're walking
into a trap
okay
where your life
and your ministry
could be on the line
you'd probably
want to play it
politically
kind of cool
wouldn't you?
Like
is it
lawful
to heal
on the Sabbath?
You go
well guys
that's a complex question.
I prefer to talk
about the need
for harmony
in our synagogue.
That would be
much better.
You know
Jesus could save
his own skin
get on with
his ministry
for far more years.
He could have
a far bigger impact
on cost benefit
analysis
it doesn't make
sense for Jesus
to actually go
and heal
Will
at that moment.
But Jesus
isn't like us.
Look at what
Jesus does.
While everyone
else had ignored
Will
he ignores
the others
and he focuses
on Will.
He looks him
right in the eye
and he says
to the man
stretch out
your hand
and the man
stretched it out
and it was
restored
healthy
like the other.
You see
what happens?
Will
gets
the blessing
because he
responds to
Jesus
takes
the consequences
and he has
to run
for his life.
Do you see that?
Because the Pharisees
then start
plotting
how to
destroy him
and this is a
pivotal part
in the gospel
of Matthew.
Now I want us
to see this
because as Christians
I think we often
forget this.
Jesus
lays down
his life
for us
as sinners
on the cross
doesn't he?
He takes the hit
so that we go free.
We know that
if you're a Christian
but I think
what we often
fail to see
is that wasn't
just the cross
that was the pattern
of the entire life
and ministry
of Jesus.
This was his
very heart
this was the way
that he operated
all the time.
This is who
he is.
You see
his heart
is the very
nature of love
and his heart
is still that
same heart
for you
this morning.
You see
self-righteous
people are
fair weather
lovers.
That means
they will love
people
until it bites
them back
and then they go
why should I
keep loving them?
I don't deserve
what I'm getting
back
but Jesus
isn't like that
and neither
is his followers
because if you
think about it
we've bitten
Jesus plenty
by our coldness
by our distraction
by just
forgetting about him
and just focusing
on so many other
things
our sinfulness
but you know
Jesus hasn't
moved on from you.
Jesus isn't
too busy for you.
He hasn't
written you off.
He's not going
hey there's so many
other people in the
universe that I
could deal with
I don't want to
bother with them.
He's not like that
and so this morning
as he looks at you
in the eye
he says
stretch out your
hand to me
because I want
to restore you
I want to heal you
stop going
everywhere else
because I am
willing to take
the consequences
so that you can
get the blessing.
Jesus dies to
himself for the
sake of others.
secondly
under this point
Jesus is also
strong in
weakness.
Do you know
Jesus
he withdraws
and tells those
he's healed
don't tell
anybody about
this.
That's not
great PR
if you're trying
to kind of
build a kingdom
but actually
we see this
in the gospel
of Mark
he only says
this to Jews
because they
have an image
of who they
think the
Messiah
the king
should be
and he doesn't
want them
to project
their ideas
onto him
he wants to
show you
who he really
is.
And so
what you see
is self-righteous
people
like the Pharisees
they like
what is strong
they wanted
someone to
beat the Romans
self-righteous
people like
getting their own
way
we like power
and we're okay
with putting
others down
because it
makes us feel
better about
ourselves.
we want
strong leaders
to make up
for our own
sense of
weakness
but Matthew
quotes Isaiah
42
which is an
incredible
prophecy
about what
God's servant
will be like
and here's
what he says
behold
this is
God's king
behold
my servant
whom I have
chosen
my beloved
with whom
my soul
is well
pleased
so he's
saying
this is
the one
who literally
delights
the soul
of God
this is
what makes
the father's
face light
up
when he
sees his
name
on his
news feed
what's he
like
he says
I'll put
my spirit
on him
he'll
proclaim
justice
to the
gentiles
that means
he is
a spirit
empowered
judge
who will
bring
justice
to bear
both
judgment
and
restoration
he's
the one
who calls
the shots
he has
power
you know
like if you
see a
crocodile
with these
huge teeth
a crocodile
can just
one snap
of his teeth
he can just
tear people
apart
have you seen
that
and so
what the
pharisees
are wanting
they're wanting
Jesus to be
a crocodile
who's going to
come to the
gentiles
and gentiles
are romans
and to just
snap him
and eat him
up
that's what
he wants
because Jesus
can delete
who he likes
but here's
the surprising
part
what does
Jesus
actually
like to do
what delights
the father
he says
he will not
quarrel
or cry aloud
nor will
anyone hear
his voice
in the streets
huh
that's weird
he's saying
with his
sovereign power
he's not
pushy
he's not
insisting
on his own
way
he's not
big on
self-promotion
in fact
all the other
shouters
and hawkers
on the streets
who are
peddling
their own
voices
seem to
drown out
his voice
sometimes
and people
might want
miracles
from him
but they
don't want
to listen
to him
I don't know
if you've
ever felt
ignored
you know
there's the
cool kids
that everyone
loves in the
school
and listens
to them
but they
don't listen
to you
you know
adults
we have
that as
well
right
and
Jesus
knows
exactly
what that's
like
but he's
not flustered
by it
he's not
trying to
be strong
and kind
of dress
cool
and kind
of get
great photos
on Instagram
to get likes
from people
he's not
like that
because he
knows that
his victory
is brought
through weakness
so though he
will bring
justice
he doesn't
need to
trample on
people
he doesn't
need to
push his
own way
to get
past people
or be
in the
in crowd
why
because he's
utterly secure
he knows
that he's
pleasing to
his father
and that's
more important
to him
than being
in the
cool crowd
I wonder
whether that's
more important
for you
than being
in the
cool crowd
because he's
so secure
in his
father's
delight
for him
his power
can be
seen
in hiddenness
and weakness
Jesus is
willing to
die
to himself
for the
sake of
others
he's
willing to
be strong
but actually
in weakness
and here's
the third
thing
Jesus is
tender
to the
weak
and I
love this
part
because you
see
self-righteous
people like
the Pharisees
when they
see weak
people
they
junk box
them
they use
them
they walk
over them
but Jesus
isn't like
that
he says
a bruised
reed
he will
not break
and a
smoldering
wick he
will not
quench
until he
brings
justice
to victory
and in
his name
the
gentiles
will
hope
I
went to
the
flower
market
and all
I could
find
I didn't
want to
buy
anything
so I
just
went to
the
scraps
on the
side
this
is a
bruised
reed
it's a
common
grass
well I
mean just
use your
imagination
it's a
common
grass
on the
side
of
river
banks
something
knocks
into
it
and
just
breaks
it
do
you
know
what
they
used
to
use
it
for
making
pens
and
flutes
and
even
tape
measures
things
like
that
but
once
it's
like
this
it's
so
common
you
just
throw
it
away
it's
not
worth
anything
you
can
get
another
one
quite
easily
a
smoldering
wick
what is
that
it's
when the
candle
is
dying
and
you
know
you
start
getting
that
smoke
just
when
it's
kind
of
leaving
and
you
just
put
it
out
and
just
oh
that's
better
that's
what
self
righteous
communities
do
and
do
you
know
what
our
society
is
full
of
bruised
reeds
joy
shared
beautifully
about
what
the
experience
of
a
bruised
reed
is
like
and
by
the
way
I'm
not
talking
about
modern
culture's
victimhood
mentality
okay
you know
where
suddenly
bruised
reed
becomes
a badge
of
honour
and
like
everyone's
suffering
from
burnout
even
though
you've
been
for
like
three
holidays
in
the
last
six
weeks
or
you know
your boss
says to
you
hey
your
work
hasn't
been
up to
standard
recently
and
you go
I'm
being
oppressed
at
work
that's
not
what
we're
talking
about
that's
not
a
bruised
reed
that's
a
reed
that needs
to get
over
itself
but
bruised
reeds
are those
who've
been
knocked
by
life
with
all
those
expectations
on
you
maybe
by
others
maybe
even
by
your
own
sinfulness
and
your
doubts
and
your
struggles
bruised
reeds
are those
who
others
just
treat
and go
yeah
you can
throw it
away
maybe
like
you
think
of
the way
sometimes
our
society
treats
domestic
helpers
or the
person
that I
spoke
to
recently
says
whenever
I do
anything
I hear
my dad's
voice
at the
back
of my
man
saying
why
can't
you
do
anything
right
bruised
reeds
just as
joy
shared
keep
bruising
themselves
you know
bruised
reeds
we're
often
hard
on
ourselves
going
oh
why
am I
so
stupid
oh
why
did
I
do
that
again
why
am I
not
as
successful
as
them
why
am I
not
as
disciplined
as
them
why
am
I
not
as
them
and
that
self
righteous
community
leaves
behind
a trail
of
bruised
reeds
and
you
know
what
we
often
try
and
do
we
often
try
and
compensate
because
actually
each
one
of
us
knows
deep
down
that
we
are
bruised
in
some
way
and
those
of
us
who
don't
God
will
bruise
you
but
often
what
we
try
and
do
is
we
try
and
go
hey
I'm
not
a
bruised
reed
I'm
a
really
cool
reed
and
we
want
to
get
sucked
into
the
system
of
the
people
around
us
so
that
we
all
look
and
when
we
start
filtering
we
go
oh
no
I'm
fine
and
we
try
and
put
up
these
images
and
try
and
be
successful
like
everybody
else
try
and
compare
ourselves
to
everyone
else
so
that
we
don't
actually
end
up
being
seen
or
feeling
like
a
bruised
reed
because
who
wants
to
feel
like
that
you
know
I
spoke
to
a
youth
who
said
to
me
I
know
getting
good
grades
lots
of
money
dressing
cool
and
had
everyone
like
you
isn't
ultimately
satisfying
but
I
just
want
to
know
what
it
feels
like
anyone
like
that
do
you
know
what
he's
saying
is
I'll
do
what
I
know
is
not
good
because
I'm
driven
by
the
desire
to
feel
even
for
a
second
not
like
a
bruised
reed
but
the
amazing
thing
about
Jesus
is
this
the
world
outside
will
try
and
crush
you
or
try
and
pretend
to
be
better
than
we
are
but
Jesus
is
in
some
ways
like
a
crocodile
oh
he
has
huge
teeth
he
can
snap
and
break
his
enemies
like
that
but
have
you
seen
a
crocodile
with
its
newborn
eggs
which
it
carries
in
its
teeth
with
the
most
tender
gentleness
that
you
could
ever
imagine
you
see
some
of
us
think
that
Jesus
is
actually
going
to
snap
you
and
tear
you
apart
when
he
gets
to
you
but
this
says
here
he
says
he
doesn't
break
a
bruised
reed
he
doesn't
snuff
out
he's
the
only
one
who
doesn't
snuff
out
of
a
smoldering
wick
when
he
walks
into
your
synagogue
he
will
break
and
bruise
your
self
righteousness
but
he
will
be
so
tender
with
your
fragility
when
you
come
to
him
you
don't
get
why
did
you
only
read
your
bible
once
last
week
you
don't
get
why
is
your
kid
the
only
one
in
stream
class
who
can't
sit
still
but
opens
all the
cupboards
and
distracts
every
other
kid
that's
my
kid
you
can
have
words
with
him
later
you
get
the
one
with
all
authority
who
looks
us
in
the
eye
and
says
I
know
you're
not
as
faithful
as
you
should
be
I
know
you
don't
read
your
bible
as
much
as
you
should
I
know
you
aren't
all
that
you
wish
you
were
but
listen
I
love
you
I
see
you
I
know
you
and
I
want
to
give
you
a
different
kind
of
righteousness
than
the
one
that
do
you
know
the
word
for
righteousness
in
the
original
word
from
Mesopotamium
actually
means
a
straight
river
reed
I
don't
know
if you
knew
that
I
went
to
the
flower
market
this
is
all
I
could
get
but
I
want
you
to
imagine
this
is
actually
like
this
thick
because
Jesus
says
I
am
the
straight
reed
I
am
your
righteousness
the
one
that
actually
you
really
are
looking
to
be
but
you
can't
be
by
yourself
if
you're
self
righteous
he'll
bruise
you
but
if
you're
bruised
he'll
reach
out
and
heal
you
and
do
you
know
how
he'll
heal
you
know
how
he
brings
justice
to
victory
he
brings
it
through
himself
taking
the
consequences
so
that
you
can
be
blessed
and
what
he
does
he's
not
trying
to
make
you
okay
now
you
can
be
a
straight
independent
read
by
yourself
that's
what
he's
going
to
be
self
righteous
if
you're
like
oh
no
I'm
fine
now
no
what
he
does
he
actually
wants
to
tie
himself
to
us
and
that's
what
he
does
on
the
cross
he
says
I'm
your
righteousness
I'm
your
straightness
he
said
actually
where
you
are
bruised
and
you
are
broken
I
am
strong
so
you
don't
have
to
go
around
comparing
yourself
to
everyone
you
don't
have
to
go
around
trying
to
be
someone
you're
not
you
can
rest
in
my
love
because
I
am
your
straightness
I
am
your
righteousness
and
that's
where
your
healing
and
restoration
is
found
if
you
reach
out
in
faith
to
me
and
stop
relying
on
yourself
don't
junk
box
me
in
favor
of
any
other
system
of
righteousness
out
there
because
it's
going
to
crush
you
I'm
the
only
one
who
can
heal
you
so
come
to
me
let me
just
close
with
this
how
is
Jesus
calling
you
to
respond
to
him
he's
not
calling
you
to
start
trying
to
work
harder
he's
not
saying
to
those
you
just
need
to
be
more
at
church
all
these
other
things
you
need
to
pray
more
occasionally
he's
saying
you
need
Jesus
more
than
you
think
you
do
and
if
you
get
that
you
need
Jesus
more
than
you
can
imagine
to
be
the
one
that
you
cannot
be
then
that
means
you
need
to
center
your
life
around
him
you
need
to
get
into
his
word
just
like
Kevin
talked
about
last
week
about
being
Mary
not
Martha
about
putting
away
your
phone
and
getting
into
his
word
he's
not
telling
you
that
just
to
beat
you
up
he's
inviting
you
to
find
healing
in
him
he
also
is
saying
to
us
are
you
willing
to
empty
your
junk
boxes
and
realize
as
you
come
to
me
that
actually
there
may
be
people
in
your
life
that
actually
I
want
you
to
display
the
love
that
I
have
for
you
to
them
so
don't
walk
out
of
here
just
being
busy
and
ignoring
the
people
that
maybe
have
hurt
you
maybe
have
annoyed
you
maybe
you
just
don't
want
in
your
life
at
all
but
he
says
I
actually
want
to
heal
you
in
those
areas
come
to
me
and
I
will
give
you
rest
and
healing
because
I
am
a
king
like
no
other
king
let's
pray
maybe
as you
just
think
today
of like
your
what's
your
impression
of who
Jesus
really
is
as we
shared
earlier
all of
those
expectations
all of
those
things
that
other
people
have
projected
onto
you
or
you've
actually
projected
onto
Jesus
he
wants
to show
you
he's
not
like
that
what
does
it
mean
for
you
to
respond
to
him
today
do
you
know
that
he's
reaching
out
to
you
today
so
father
I just
want to pray
this morning
I want to pray
for those
who really
feel like
that bruise
reads this morning
father I pray
that they would
come and surrender
their bruisedness
to you
instead of trying
to fix
themselves
or just live
in a despair
of not being
like other
people
lord I pray
that they would
find this
great security
that joy
talked about
in you
I pray
for those
of us
who actually
we struggle
with their
own
self
righteousness
which
actually
is all
of us
but
those
of us
who know
that there
are
people
in our
lives
there
are
areas
of our
hearts
where
we're
actually
pushing
you
to the
side
because
we
want
to
have
our
own
way
we
don't
want
to
love
the
way
you
call
us
to
love
because
we
know
we
can't
by
ourselves
father
I pray
that
we run
to you
with
these
things
Lord
let us
go
hey
this is
really
hard
but
God
I
want
to
please
you
more
than
I
want
to
do
what
I
want
to
do
because
I
know
that
you
are
a
good
and
gracious
king
let
us
see
your
love
I pray
this
morning
and
worship
you
in
Jesus
name
Amen