WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:05.100 --> 00:00:11.820 Our Bible reading this morning is from Matthew 5, verses 33 to 48. 00:00:15.500 --> 00:00:21.359 We're going to be picking up Jesus' Sermon on the Mount partway through, starting from 00:00:21.359 --> 00:00:22.219 verse 33. 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:28.359 Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, 00:00:28.359 --> 00:00:33.759 you shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn. 00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:42.219 But I say to you, do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:50.299 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:50.739 king. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:57.480 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:02.140 Let what you say be simply yes or no. 00:01:03.179 --> 00:01:05.700 Anything more than this comes from evil. 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:12.500 You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:17.879 But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:23.260 But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 00:01:24.359 --> 00:01:29.400 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:35.400 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 00:01:35.400 --> 00:01:42.300 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 00:01:44.219 --> 00:01:49.219 You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. 00:01:50.219 --> 00:01:55.780 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 00:01:55.780 --> 00:01:59.620 so that you may be sons of your father who is in heaven. 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:07.740 For he makes his son rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 00:02:08.599 --> 00:02:12.659 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? 00:02:13.420 --> 00:02:15.599 Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 00:02:15.599 --> 00:02:21.639 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? 00:02:22.359 --> 00:02:24.400 Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:31.500 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect. 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:43.120 Heavenly father, you have given us so many good examples through your son of what it is to live as people of your kingdom, 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:46.960 as imitators of who you are and what you want for us. 00:02:48.200 --> 00:02:53.300 I pray that as I go through the word today, that you will open our hearts and guide my words, 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:58.180 that my words can be your words and speak into our hearts for what you want for us. 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:00.060 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:03:03.540 --> 00:03:12.620 Well, why is it that we are constantly measuring ourselves against the people around us? 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:18.719 How we define ourselves creates a lens that we use to define our worth. 00:03:19.680 --> 00:03:27.680 If I define myself by my work, I constantly have to check how good I am at my job by measuring against other people doing the same thing. 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:35.340 If I define myself by my sporting ability, I need to know who I am beating to know just how good I am. 00:03:37.040 --> 00:03:39.060 Now, we're in the midst of the Olympic Games. 00:03:39.900 --> 00:03:43.599 Athletes have been training for years, decades even, to get to this point. 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:52.060 And for some of them, all that hard work, all those dreams are smashed in an instant. 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:57.039 Imagine you're an Australian swimmer on the Olympic team. 00:03:57.659 --> 00:04:00.500 You've worked your butt off for most of your life. 00:04:01.740 --> 00:04:05.920 4am starts, six days a week, from your early teenage years. 00:04:05.919 --> 00:04:10.959 Perhaps moving your family halfway across the country to have a better coach. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:15.599 You have made it to the Olympics. 00:04:16.599 --> 00:04:17.800 You have qualified. 00:04:17.800 --> 00:04:23.860 Now, by this definition, you're one of the top two athletes in this country for your event. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:26.000 Top two. 00:04:27.259 --> 00:04:28.400 It's a pretty high standard. 00:04:29.960 --> 00:04:32.939 Now, you get to the Olympics and you swim in your heat. 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:36.399 But you don't qualify for the semifinal. 00:04:37.420 --> 00:04:38.000 That's it. 00:04:38.959 --> 00:04:41.980 All that time and effort you have invested, done. 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:45.060 In only a matter of seconds, your dream is finished. 00:04:46.439 --> 00:04:48.000 But it doesn't just end there. 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:52.879 As an Australian swimmer, the standard of qualifying has been upgraded to winning. 00:04:54.120 --> 00:04:56.720 You know that you've not met the standard that you set for yourself. 00:04:57.319 --> 00:05:02.480 No matter what standard you achieve, the world will always have a higher standard. 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:07.120 You are one of the top two athletes in your country for your event. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:09.079 You're an Olympian. 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:11.500 But that is no longer enough. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:20.180 So if we need to constantly meet a standard in order for our sense of who we are and our worth to be recognised, 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:23.759 then failing would be personally devastating. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:29.659 But as people, we're not that bad, are we? 00:05:29.660 --> 00:05:33.439 I mean, we're not able to compete in an Olympic event. 00:05:34.080 --> 00:05:36.000 That's a very small portion of the population. 00:05:36.960 --> 00:05:41.220 But that doesn't mean that the world has not set a standard for us. 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:45.860 Now, the world is divided into two general categories. 00:05:46.460 --> 00:05:48.080 Good and bad. 00:05:49.760 --> 00:05:54.760 Now, while these seem like absolute terms, we can find that they're actually a sliding scale. 00:05:56.680 --> 00:06:01.420 When we try to understand what the right thing to be doing in any situation is, 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:03.560 where do we look for reference? 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:11.120 We gauge what the accepted behaviour is by seeing what the majority of the people around us are doing. 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:13.680 Do we speed down the highway? 00:06:14.379 --> 00:06:15.879 Do we use our phones while driving? 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:20.779 We look to the world to define what acceptable behaviour is 00:06:20.779 --> 00:06:24.620 and what level of performance defines a good person. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:31.079 Now, to the world, the laws that Jesus talks about here in verses 33 to 48 00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:33.540 are not usually considered bad. 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:36.199 Lying? Who doesn't lie? 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:39.540 Justice? Justice should be done. 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:41.480 Make them pay for what they've done. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:46.199 And no one will think less of you for wishing ill on your enemy. 00:06:47.980 --> 00:06:49.939 We're not murderers. We're not thieves. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:52.240 We're not bad by the world's standards. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:54.439 In fact, we're quite good. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:56.160 We give to charity. 00:06:56.560 --> 00:06:58.259 We look after people who need help. 00:06:58.980 --> 00:07:02.220 We only slightly resent those who need something from us 00:07:02.220 --> 00:07:04.079 when we're just not quite ready to give. 00:07:05.439 --> 00:07:06.660 We pay our taxes. 00:07:07.500 --> 00:07:09.300 We obey the road rules, mostly, 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:11.040 except there's no one around and no one's going to get hurt. 00:07:12.740 --> 00:07:14.540 We work hard all week 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:18.259 and then give up the rest that we deserve to come to church 00:07:18.259 --> 00:07:20.240 because we are good people. 00:07:20.240 --> 00:07:24.980 As Jerry Bridges states in his book, Respectable Sins, 00:07:25.980 --> 00:07:28.920 we who are believers tend to evaluate our character 00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:34.400 and conduct relative to the moral culture in which we live. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:39.720 Since we usually live at a higher moral standard than society at large, 00:07:39.720 --> 00:07:42.720 it is easy for us to feel good about ourselves 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:45.480 and to assume that God feels that way also. 00:07:45.480 --> 00:07:49.939 Now, to Jesus' audience here in Matthew, 00:07:50.200 --> 00:07:53.220 the Pharisees and scribes were the good standard of their time. 00:07:54.220 --> 00:07:56.000 No one was closer to God than them. 00:07:57.060 --> 00:07:59.060 They were the best of the best 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:01.720 when it came to being good people. 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:05.240 They were known for their obedience to the law. 00:08:05.880 --> 00:08:07.040 They gave to the need. 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:09.420 And they usually made sure that everyone knew 00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:10.720 just how godly they were. 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:13.400 Jesus gives us some examples in Matthew chapter 6. 00:08:14.860 --> 00:08:16.580 They were such a high standard 00:08:16.580 --> 00:08:18.220 that in verse 20, 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:20.560 Jesus uses them as the example 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:23.780 that must be surpassed to enter heaven. 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:28.640 Now, to compare that to the analogy of swimming, 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:31.659 Jesus has just said the equivalent of 00:08:31.659 --> 00:08:34.539 you must be a better swimmer than Ian Thorpe 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:36.240 or Ariana Titmuss 00:08:36.240 --> 00:08:38.100 or Susie O'Neill 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:39.159 or Dawn Fraser 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:40.360 or Kieran Perkins 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:41.319 or Murray Rose. 00:08:42.199 --> 00:08:43.779 Now, I'm pretty sure that I've given a good swimmer 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:45.580 from every generation we've got here at church. 00:08:47.439 --> 00:08:49.100 To beat these people 00:08:49.100 --> 00:08:51.879 who are defined as the best swimmers of their time 00:08:51.879 --> 00:08:53.720 would make us good at swimming. 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:55.980 But we don't sit here 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:58.200 and think that being a better swimmer than these people 00:08:58.200 --> 00:08:59.440 is an easy task. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:02.920 Now, can anyone honestly say 00:09:02.920 --> 00:09:05.280 that we can be more righteous 00:09:05.280 --> 00:09:06.620 than the scribes and Pharisees? 00:09:07.320 --> 00:09:08.960 Can we meet that standard? 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:12.620 But that's what Jesus is asking us to do 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:14.640 so that we can enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:16.879 So to the world, 00:09:17.140 --> 00:09:18.460 we're not bad people. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:20.640 But how good are we? 00:09:22.520 --> 00:09:25.180 Well, that depends on whether we're defined by God, 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:26.559 not others and ourselves. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:31.620 So measuring ourselves 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:33.199 against the example of the laws 00:09:33.199 --> 00:09:34.979 that Jesus leads us through in Matthew 5 00:09:34.979 --> 00:09:37.379 shows us how good we really are. 00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:42.259 Look with me at verses 33 to 37 on oaths. 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:45.559 Now, we can summarize these verses by 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:47.299 do not take an oath and all. 00:09:48.299 --> 00:09:50.860 Let what you say simply yes or no. 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:55.620 Now, have you ever made a promise backed up with, 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:56.939 you better believe I will, 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:59.100 or even cross my heart and hope to die? 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:02.580 Now, to Jesus' listeners, 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:05.060 the only time they had to be believed 00:10:05.060 --> 00:10:07.320 was when they were making such a promise. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.960 When our truthfulness is questioned, 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:13.519 we fall short of God's standard. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:16.940 Do we speak truthfully? 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:19.420 Do we live with integrity? 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.840 If we live our lives 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:26.120 so that our yes and no are believed, 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:28.720 what fine examples we would be 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.759 of the kingdom of heaven? 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:33.480 If we are to proclaim the gospel 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.600 to the people we meet, 00:10:35.679 --> 00:10:37.399 do we steal something from the words 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.480 if we have a reputation for lying? 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:44.419 If we are known for honesty and truthfulness, 00:10:45.019 --> 00:10:46.700 there can be no doubt 00:10:46.700 --> 00:10:48.399 that the gospel is truth 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:49.519 when we speak it. 00:10:52.039 --> 00:10:54.060 Moving on to verses 38 to 42, 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:56.899 these confront us with a different perspective 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:59.439 on our sense of justice, of fairness. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:04.079 Now, we extend through to chapter 7, verse 12, 00:11:04.459 --> 00:11:05.839 the command of do to others 00:11:05.839 --> 00:11:07.079 as you would have them do to you. 00:11:08.199 --> 00:11:09.439 Do we take that command 00:11:09.439 --> 00:11:11.439 as the opportunity to treat other people 00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:12.959 the way they treated us 00:11:12.959 --> 00:11:14.939 instead of turning the other cheek 00:11:14.939 --> 00:11:15.919 and ending the issue? 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:18.619 Instead of treating the people, 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:20.299 instead of treating people 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.719 the way we want to be treated, 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:23.899 we demand something back. 00:11:25.820 --> 00:11:27.399 Now, this makes me think about my driving. 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:31.580 I consider myself to be a good driver 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:32.519 for the most part. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:35.480 I bring my focus and my attention to the road 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:36.440 and the other people 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:37.460 who share the road with us. 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:39.560 Now, I have had accidents, 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:42.139 but I can justify riding off two cars 00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:43.620 because they weren't my fault. 00:11:43.779 --> 00:11:45.240 There was a mechanical failure on one 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:46.720 and the road was wet 00:11:46.720 --> 00:11:48.600 and I was not even in second gear in another. 00:11:51.340 --> 00:11:52.580 But there are times, 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:54.080 and here I take a page 00:11:54.080 --> 00:11:55.080 from Rob Patterson's sermons, 00:11:55.660 --> 00:11:57.139 where my driving stresses out 00:11:57.139 --> 00:11:58.080 my beautiful wife. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:00.879 There are times 00:12:00.879 --> 00:12:02.279 when another road user 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:03.960 does not treat me 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:06.340 the way that I wish to be treated on the road 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:08.860 and the way that I feel 00:12:08.860 --> 00:12:09.980 that I am treating them. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:12.980 Instead of continuing on, 00:12:12.980 --> 00:12:14.440 I find myself thinking, 00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:17.320 if that's how you want it to be, 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:18.600 so be it. 00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.800 I no longer treat them 00:12:21.800 --> 00:12:23.220 the way I wish to be treated, 00:12:24.180 --> 00:12:25.480 but treat them the way 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:26.519 they've just treated me. 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:29.379 Someone swings into my lane 00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:30.039 and a little bit 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:31.700 and I drive right to the edge 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:32.620 to make sure that they know 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.740 that this is my space. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.480 Someone doesn't indicate 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.700 that they're turning in front of me 00:12:37.700 --> 00:12:38.680 and I just keep going 00:12:38.680 --> 00:12:39.360 as if they're not, 00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.700 getting closer and closer. 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:42.379 All the while, 00:12:43.160 --> 00:12:44.160 Jess is sitting next to me 00:12:44.160 --> 00:12:45.680 wondering if this is the moment we crash. 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:47.920 You see, 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:49.140 when we demand justice 00:12:49.140 --> 00:12:49.960 or fairness, 00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:52.300 what is it that we really want? 00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:55.220 Is it according to the law 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.040 that someone is punished 00:12:56.040 --> 00:12:57.080 to the exact measure 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:58.259 of their hurt that they've caused? 00:12:58.400 --> 00:12:58.680 Literally, 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.700 an eye for an eye? 00:13:01.240 --> 00:13:02.740 Or is it that we want the world 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:03.480 to recognise 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.740 and acknowledge that 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.120 I was somehow wrong? 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.400 Our retaliation, 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:11.179 our demand for justice 00:13:11.179 --> 00:13:13.179 appears to be a righteous act. 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:15.220 The wrongdoer should be made 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.279 to pay for what they've done. 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:19.500 But the root of that demand 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.919 is our own recognition, 00:13:21.679 --> 00:13:22.240 elevation, 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:24.199 being the focus of events. 00:13:25.679 --> 00:13:27.759 We crave the glory for ourselves. 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.620 We want to be in the place 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:32.720 that God has set aside for himself. 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.600 We want to be in the place 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:33.720 of God. 00:13:33.720 --> 00:13:34.720 We want to be in the place 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:35.720 of God. 00:13:35.720 --> 00:13:37.160 We want to be in the place 00:13:37.160 --> 00:13:37.560 of God. 00:13:37.560 --> 00:13:37.920 Moving on, 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:39.820 verse 44 calls us 00:13:39.820 --> 00:13:40.840 to pray for those 00:13:40.840 --> 00:13:41.879 who persecute you. 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:43.800 Now, 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:44.600 can we honestly say 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:46.180 that we pray for our enemies? 00:13:47.639 --> 00:13:49.139 Even preparing this sermon, 00:13:49.480 --> 00:13:50.840 I'm typing out automatically 00:13:50.840 --> 00:13:52.120 P-R-E-Y, 00:13:52.360 --> 00:13:53.700 not P-R-A-Y. 00:13:54.940 --> 00:13:55.379 Now, 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:56.720 praying on our enemies 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.300 seems like a natural thing to do. 00:13:59.040 --> 00:13:59.960 We don't know 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:00.580 what they're up to. 00:14:00.660 --> 00:14:01.600 They'll get the jump on us 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.300 and they'll hurt us 00:14:02.300 --> 00:14:02.960 and defeat us. 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.220 We end up 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.879 with the inevitable 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:08.259 pre-emptive strike. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:10.700 So we retaliate so well 00:14:10.700 --> 00:14:12.420 that we get in there 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:13.779 before they can do us harm. 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:17.879 But praying for our enemies, 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:20.080 not for their destruction, 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.120 but for their good, 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.860 can we take this huge leap forward? 00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.879 It is easy to let our friends 00:14:27.879 --> 00:14:29.040 get away with an injustice, 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:31.740 maybe even a family member, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.679 although it seems that 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:35.259 friends can get away 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:36.179 with a lot more than family, 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:36.659 doesn't it? 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:40.019 But someone who's actively 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.139 seeking my pain, 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:42.659 my downfall, 00:14:43.819 --> 00:14:45.120 Jesus wants me to do what? 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:49.779 Jesus shows us 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:51.980 that the world's definition of good 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:54.259 is vastly different to God's 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:56.019 and that our hearts 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:56.759 are not in line 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.439 with God's heart. 00:14:58.299 --> 00:14:59.639 We cannot live up 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:00.319 to his standard. 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.340 We need 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:04.259 a totally new heart. 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:09.399 Adam and Israel 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:11.439 were unfaithful sons of God. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.200 They were not able 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:13.860 to be obedient, 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.939 not achieving the example 00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:17.539 God has made them to be. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:20.600 Now, Adam had one simple rule. 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.360 Don't eat from that tree 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:24.019 and he couldn't obey it. 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:26.519 When Israel had 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.879 all the rules, 00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:30.120 the physical signs, 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.720 the explicit instructions 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.659 on how to live 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.899 as obedient sons of God, 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:37.039 they had the living God 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:37.960 bringing them up 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:39.060 out of slavery in Egypt, 00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.460 going before them 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.800 in a pillar of smoke and fire. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.460 Exodus 19 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:45.620 gives us the scene 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.620 at Mount Sinai 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.180 where God 00:15:48.180 --> 00:15:49.360 is sitting on the top 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:49.820 of the mountain 00:15:49.820 --> 00:15:51.060 in a cloud of fire 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:51.779 in front of them. 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.800 Israel's response? 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.700 Build us a statue 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.720 of our God 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.379 so that we know 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.259 who our God is. 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.240 Even with God 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.480 right in front of them, 00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.560 they are unable 00:16:02.560 --> 00:16:03.500 to be the obedient 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.720 sons they are called to be. 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:08.759 And like Adam and Israel, 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:10.899 we are unable 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.080 to be the obedient children 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:13.300 that we are called to be. 00:16:13.299 --> 00:16:17.459 but we have an example 00:16:17.459 --> 00:16:18.379 of someone who is. 00:16:19.579 --> 00:16:20.639 We don't need to look 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:22.000 any further than Jesus 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.319 for the example 00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:23.759 of living 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:24.740 as a kingdom son. 00:16:27.319 --> 00:16:28.519 Jesus did not need 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.579 oaths to back up 00:16:29.579 --> 00:16:30.439 his statements of truth. 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:33.759 In Matthew chapter 27, 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.899 when Jesus is questioned 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.500 by Pilate, 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:36.699 he did not respond 00:16:36.699 --> 00:16:37.859 with many words 00:16:37.859 --> 00:16:38.839 and grand statements 00:16:38.840 --> 00:16:39.800 to convince people 00:16:39.800 --> 00:16:40.460 of his answers. 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:43.320 He speaks a simple sentence. 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.259 You have said 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.240 that it is so. 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:49.240 Even at the point 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.379 where he is about to die, 00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:52.100 when we would think 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:52.820 that there is nothing 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:53.580 left to lose, 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:56.000 Jesus' simple statement 00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.680 of the truth 00:16:56.680 --> 00:16:59.260 greatly amazed Pilate. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.320 Earlier in that night, 00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.660 Jesus shows his disciples 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.500 that retaliation 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.340 is not the answer. 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.620 In chapter 26, 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.279 when Judas betrays Jesus 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.500 in the Garden of Gethsemane, 00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.240 one of the disciples 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.039 defends Jesus 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.700 with the sword, 00:17:15.100 --> 00:17:15.920 cutting off the ear 00:17:15.920 --> 00:17:16.799 of the temple servant. 00:17:18.100 --> 00:17:19.400 Jesus rebukes his disciples, 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:20.960 tells him to put away 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.360 his weapon, 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:23.240 heals the temple servant 00:17:23.240 --> 00:17:24.979 and provides calm 00:17:24.979 --> 00:17:25.539 in the midst 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.179 of two groups 00:17:26.179 --> 00:17:26.779 of armed men 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:27.819 ready to go to war. 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:31.119 Jesus leaves calm 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:32.879 and turns the other chair. 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.639 And who can provide us 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.539 with a better example 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:38.740 of loving and praying 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.459 for our enemies? 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.979 The obvious act 00:17:41.979 --> 00:17:42.939 of a sinless man 00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:44.459 dying for sinful creation. 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.639 While hanging on the cross, 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.319 listening to the criminals 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.000 in the crowds, 00:17:50.219 --> 00:17:51.339 mocking and demanding 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:52.679 that he proved his power, 00:17:53.399 --> 00:17:54.159 Jesus prays, 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.119 Father, 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:56.539 forgive them. 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.779 In the midst 00:17:58.779 --> 00:17:59.859 of his greatest suffering, 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:01.159 Christ prays not 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:02.159 for his own relief, 00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.619 but for forgiveness 00:18:03.619 --> 00:18:04.419 for those 00:18:04.419 --> 00:18:05.459 who are caught up 00:18:05.459 --> 00:18:06.339 in this act. 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.699 Now, 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.079 to me, 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:12.039 the clearest example 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.919 of Jesus' obedience 00:18:12.919 --> 00:18:15.459 is in the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:18.799 Matthew 26, 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:19.660 verse 39, 00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:20.920 Jesus prays, 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.059 My Father, 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:24.640 if it be possible, 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.980 let this cup pass from me, 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.539 but nevertheless, 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.600 not as I will, 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:30.900 but as you will. 00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:34.360 in full knowledge 00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:35.200 of what was about 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.640 to occur 00:18:35.640 --> 00:18:37.160 and all the pain 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.220 that was associated 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:38.860 with what was coming, 00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.660 Jesus begs 00:18:40.660 --> 00:18:41.140 for there to be 00:18:41.140 --> 00:18:41.740 another way, 00:18:42.380 --> 00:18:43.880 yet concludes 00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:45.519 God's way is best. 00:18:47.780 --> 00:18:47.980 You see, 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.019 Jesus is the only 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.800 faithful son, 00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:51.860 the only one 00:18:51.860 --> 00:18:52.880 who can live up 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.660 to the command 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:54.560 of verse 48, 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.019 you therefore 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.259 must be perfect 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.540 as your heavenly 00:18:58.540 --> 00:18:59.420 Father is perfect. 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:02.360 In this command, 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.440 Jesus commands 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.080 his followers, 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.000 us, 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:06.500 to be perfect, 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.960 to reorient 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:08.600 our hearts 00:19:08.600 --> 00:19:09.840 from the world's 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:10.200 standards, 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:11.100 to be in line 00:19:11.100 --> 00:19:11.880 with God's standards. 00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:13.960 But how do we 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.700 take part in that? 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.360 How does Christ's 00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:16.759 perfection 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:18.060 become ours? 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:21.920 Because our Father 00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:22.720 calls us 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.940 to share 00:19:23.940 --> 00:19:24.779 in his Son's heart. 00:19:27.660 --> 00:19:28.340 God loves 00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:29.080 all of his 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.539 creation 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:31.579 and that love 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.299 is concentrated 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.139 in his Son. 00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:34.980 And through 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.579 his Son, 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.299 we too 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:37.319 can call God 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.099 our Heavenly 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:38.579 Father. 00:19:40.159 --> 00:19:41.079 Romans chapter 8 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:42.259 verses 14 to 17 00:19:42.259 --> 00:19:43.019 tells us that 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.619 we are given 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.659 the spirit 00:19:44.659 --> 00:19:45.359 of adoption 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.720 by whom 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.439 we cry 00:19:47.439 --> 00:19:48.199 Father. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.199 Now, 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.000 as Beth alluded to, 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:53.019 consider the enormity 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.139 of having a direct 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:55.099 personal 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:56.559 family relationship 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:57.099 relationship with God, 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:57.980 the creator 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:58.559 of everything. 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:01.639 The relationship 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:02.440 between a parent 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:02.940 and a child 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.619 is particularly 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.000 intimate. 00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.740 The parent 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.659 loves and cares 00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.220 for the child, 00:20:08.159 --> 00:20:08.940 providing all 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.679 that they need 00:20:09.679 --> 00:20:10.779 and more, 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.220 regardless of 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:12.659 the child's 00:20:12.659 --> 00:20:13.019 behavior. 00:20:14.879 --> 00:20:15.799 No matter how 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.379 much a child 00:20:16.379 --> 00:20:17.159 rebels against 00:20:17.159 --> 00:20:17.639 the parent, 00:20:18.179 --> 00:20:18.819 the parent will 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.799 always have a place 00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.399 ready for them. 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:23.079 Think of the story 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:23.639 of the prodigal 00:20:23.639 --> 00:20:23.919 son. 00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:25.740 A man tells 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.159 his father 00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:26.759 that he can't 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.240 wait for him 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.839 to be dead, 00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:29.299 so the father 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:29.919 gives him his 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:30.299 inheritance 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.259 and his blessing. 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:33.099 The son 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:33.659 squanders 00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:34.199 everything 00:20:34.199 --> 00:20:35.399 and at the 00:20:35.399 --> 00:20:35.960 lowest point 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.539 of his life 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.839 remembers the 00:20:37.839 --> 00:20:38.619 love his father 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.319 shows for his 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:39.740 servants. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:41.939 The son 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:42.679 does not expect 00:20:42.679 --> 00:20:43.439 anything more 00:20:43.439 --> 00:20:43.879 than that 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.419 of the hired 00:20:44.419 --> 00:20:44.859 hands, 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.759 but a father's 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:47.839 love overcomes 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.639 all the rebellion 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.119 that has been 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:49.939 thrown his way 00:20:49.939 --> 00:20:50.480 by the son 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.480 to run, 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.620 embrace, 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.460 and welcome 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:53.920 home his 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.279 child. 00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.579 Children are 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.000 completely 00:20:59.000 --> 00:20:59.720 dependent on 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.400 their parents, 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.240 but only for 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:02.799 so long. 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.700 As a child 00:21:04.700 --> 00:21:05.140 grows, 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.620 they become 00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:06.559 less physically 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.019 dependent. 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.559 They can feed 00:21:08.559 --> 00:21:09.099 themselves, 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:10.500 dress themselves, 00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:11.880 and eventually 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.640 even get 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.259 themselves where 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:13.860 they need to 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.299 and want to 00:21:14.299 --> 00:21:14.519 go. 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.660 But as this 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.700 physical dependency 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:18.279 wanes, 00:21:18.819 --> 00:21:19.980 they grow in 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.420 emotional 00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:21.019 dependency. 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.620 Even when we 00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:24.559 become parents, 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.160 we seek the 00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.860 affirmation of 00:21:26.860 --> 00:21:27.519 our parents 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.279 that we're 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:28.839 doing a good 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.259 job. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.880 As children, 00:21:32.039 --> 00:21:32.599 we imitate 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.240 our parents 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.079 to learn about 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.400 the world 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:34.759 from their 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.120 eyes. 00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:36.819 And so 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:37.200 that's what 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:37.819 God wants. 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.700 He wants us 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.319 to imitate 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:40.759 him. 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.400 He wants us 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:43.180 to turn to 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:43.519 him for 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.360 affirmation of 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:44.720 what we're 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.120 doing is 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:45.440 right. 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.079 He wants 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:47.640 to provide 00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.180 for us, 00:21:48.380 --> 00:21:48.900 to look 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.700 after us, 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:51.339 Mark chapter 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:52.140 10 tells 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.420 us that 00:21:52.420 --> 00:21:52.779 he wants 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.279 us to 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.779 be fully 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:54.279 dependent 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.860 on him. 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.779 Doesn't 00:21:57.779 --> 00:21:58.059 that give 00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:58.519 us hope? 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.660 That the 00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.259 unchanging 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:01.960 standard of 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.779 perfection is 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.299 measured against 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.960 our creator 00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:05.200 who wants 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:05.900 to care for 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.200 us, 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.720 who calls 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.299 us to an 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:08.579 intimate 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.940 personal family 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.980 relationship with 00:22:10.980 --> 00:22:11.180 him, 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.380 and who lifts 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:12.819 us up to 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:13.259 that standard 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.579 with his 00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:13.880 call. 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.020 God. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.580 1 Peter 00:22:17.580 --> 00:22:18.200 chapter 1 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.880 reminds us 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.220 that we 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.600 are called 00:22:19.600 --> 00:22:20.140 to be 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:21.560 holy because 00:22:21.560 --> 00:22:22.080 God is 00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:22.400 holy. 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.920 We are 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:25.680 reminded that 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.220 as children 00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.580 of the 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:27.000 kingdom of 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.260 heaven, 00:22:27.840 --> 00:22:28.480 we are 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.100 showing the 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:30.240 world what 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.280 it means to 00:22:31.280 --> 00:22:31.800 be part of 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.260 that kingdom. 00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:34.280 Not the 00:22:34.280 --> 00:22:34.900 good people, 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.220 only the 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:36.500 same. 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:38.800 And Peter 00:22:38.800 --> 00:22:39.320 goes on. 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:40.700 If we 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.179 call him 00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:41.659 father, 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.539 conduct 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.099 yourselves 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:43.799 knowing that 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.339 you were 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:44.960 ransomed from 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.579 the futile 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.000 ways of 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.799 your forefathers 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:47.480 with the 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:47.779 blood of 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.179 Christ. 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.659 Jesus' 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.299 blood shed 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:51.919 for us 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:52.559 is our 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.159 sacrifice. 00:22:54.599 --> 00:22:55.480 The price 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:55.759 that is 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.339 required for 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.799 our sin 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.539 before God 00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.379 has been 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:58.740 paid. 00:23:00.159 --> 00:23:00.879 We can 00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:01.240 now be 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.679 seen as 00:23:01.679 --> 00:23:02.500 without sin 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.279 and can 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:03.759 enter the 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.179 kingdom of 00:23:04.179 --> 00:23:04.419 heaven. 00:23:07.939 --> 00:23:08.519 In 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.839 Jeremiah 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.220 chapter 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:09.880 31, 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:10.579 verses 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.220 31 to 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.759 34, 00:23:12.240 --> 00:23:12.559 God 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.019 promised 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.559 that a 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:13.799 new 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:14.160 covenant 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:14.539 will be 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.059 written in 00:23:15.059 --> 00:23:15.660 our hearts. 00:23:17.500 --> 00:23:18.160 Christ 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.680 came to 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.240 fulfill the 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:20.259 law that 00:23:20.259 --> 00:23:20.740 God might 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.240 write him 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.660 into our 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.059 hearts, 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.299 sealing us 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.740 to him 00:23:23.740 --> 00:23:24.980 and remembering 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.640 our iniquity 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:26.140 no more. 00:23:27.799 --> 00:23:28.839 God deals 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.200 with our 00:23:29.200 --> 00:23:29.559 corrupted 00:23:29.559 --> 00:23:30.799 heart by 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.079 writing 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.880 himself in. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.380 God 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:34.039 changes the 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.440 story. 00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:37.240 In 00:23:37.240 --> 00:23:37.700 Ezekiel 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.240 36, 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.539 God 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.259 promises to 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.779 give us 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.319 a new 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.279 heart and 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.740 a new 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:42.180 spirit. 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.039 With a 00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:45.240 new 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.720 heart, 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.819 we are 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.319 children of 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:47.640 the kingdom 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.099 of heaven. 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:49.920 We are 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:50.700 now aliens 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.299 here on 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:51.640 earth. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:52.720 And as 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:52.900 Matt 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.440 described a 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:53.779 couple of 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:54.319 weeks ago, 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.039 we should 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.680 now live 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.579 as imitators 00:23:56.579 --> 00:23:56.880 of our 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:57.140 king, 00:23:57.559 --> 00:23:58.480 not conforming 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:58.700 to the 00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.059 culture of 00:23:59.059 --> 00:23:59.500 this world. 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.839 God 00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:00.880 will 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:03.039 repent. 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:03.200 When we 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.799 repent, 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.160 and if we 00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:05.539 go back 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.019 right to the 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.440 start of the 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:06.859 sermon on 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.140 the mount, 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.819 Jesus starts 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.180 his call 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:09.220 with repent 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.720 for the 00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:10.119 kingdom of 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.480 heaven is 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:10.920 at hand. 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.700 When we 00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.240 repent, 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.160 it is the 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.700 changing of 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.180 our heart's 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:15.759 orientation. 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.180 As Dave 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:19.660 Bott showed 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.119 us a couple 00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.440 of weeks 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:20.740 back, 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.559 we need to 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:21.900 empty 00:24:21.900 --> 00:24:22.720 ourselves of 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.119 the things 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:23.440 of this 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.500 world so 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:24.700 that we 00:24:24.700 --> 00:24:25.000 can be 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.480 filled with 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:25.880 Christ. 00:24:27.120 --> 00:24:27.799 We need 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:28.220 to empty 00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.819 ourselves of 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:29.380 what defines 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:29.680 us by 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.180 this world 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:31.079 and be 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:31.860 filled with 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:32.339 the goodness 00:24:32.339 --> 00:24:33.079 and identity 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.559 that Christ 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.220 offers us. 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.240 When the 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.740 world pushes 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.319 back against 00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:37.759 us because 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.200 we don't 00:24:38.200 --> 00:24:38.880 belong here 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.259 anymore, 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.799 we know 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.680 that it is 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:42.160 because we 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.900 belong in 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.339 our heavenly 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:43.880 father's 00:24:43.880 --> 00:24:44.120 kingdom. 00:24:45.640 --> 00:24:46.339 We are 00:24:46.339 --> 00:24:47.279 made perfect 00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:49.240 because Christ 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:49.839 is perfect. 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.200 But what 00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.440 does that 00:24:53.440 --> 00:24:53.799 mean for 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.039 us? 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.819 We know 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.140 that the 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.500 world's 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:57.980 standards will 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:59.039 always change. 00:24:59.160 --> 00:24:59.339 There's 00:24:59.339 --> 00:24:59.920 always a 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:00.160 higher 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:00.500 standard. 00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.940 But God's 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.620 standard is 00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.460 forever the 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:04.700 same. 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.920 We are 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.640 so willing 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.180 to spend 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:09.980 all our 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.839 energy chasing 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:11.539 after the 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.339 constantly moving 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:12.880 standards of 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:13.339 this world. 00:25:14.220 --> 00:25:15.240 So why do 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:15.779 we stumble 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:16.559 when we are 00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:16.900 called to 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:17.519 live out 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.220 the perfection 00:25:18.220 --> 00:25:18.779 that has 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.620 already been 00:25:19.620 --> 00:25:20.019 given to 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.339 us? 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.660 Now we 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:23.940 know to 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.160 note, 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:24.599 the call 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.240 to perfection 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:27.700 is not 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.120 saying that 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:28.380 we can 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:28.859 earn our 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.279 way into 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.559 heaven. 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.099 Matthew 00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.759 chapter 7 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.240 tells us 00:25:32.240 --> 00:25:32.740 that many 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.420 people are 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.019 working out 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:34.620 their lives 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.180 in Jesus 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.700 name, 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.039 attempting to 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.640 gain entry 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.099 to heaven 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:39.000 through their 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.440 personal 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:39.960 righteousness, 00:25:40.599 --> 00:25:41.299 their attempt 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.740 to achieve 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.160 perfection 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:42.599 under the 00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:42.880 law. 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.579 But Christ's 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:46.539 response to 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.640 them is, 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.319 I never 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:48.579 knew. 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.539 We cannot 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.400 demand access 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:53.059 to God on 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.680 our terms. 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:57.759 this command 00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.120 to Jesus 00:25:58.120 --> 00:25:58.799 followers is 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:00.240 also not 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:01.039 a call to 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:01.759 strive for 00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.060 perfect 00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:02.279 law 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.539 keeping. 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:04.620 In the 00:26:04.620 --> 00:26:05.200 context of 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.580 the verses 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.019 we've just 00:26:06.019 --> 00:26:06.600 gone through, 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:07.880 it should be 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.620 clear that 00:26:08.620 --> 00:26:09.120 this is not 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.560 possible. 00:26:11.519 --> 00:26:12.039 Rather, 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.799 Jesus is 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.480 setting that 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.039 standard for 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.519 his people 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.000 to pursue 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:17.519 and being 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:18.299 the example 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.039 who can 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:19.820 and will 00:26:19.820 --> 00:26:20.400 help his 00:26:20.400 --> 00:26:21.060 people achieve 00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:21.299 it. 00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:24.819 in the 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.419 examples of 00:26:25.419 --> 00:26:26.220 retaliation 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:26.859 and loving 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:27.440 your enemies, 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:28.799 Jesus 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.559 exhorts us 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:29.960 as his 00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.279 people, 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.200 not only 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:31.779 to reject 00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:32.200 the normal 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.740 standards of 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.180 this world, 00:26:33.919 --> 00:26:34.279 but to 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.980 double down, 00:26:35.700 --> 00:26:36.099 turn the 00:26:36.099 --> 00:26:36.819 other cheek, 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:37.639 give your 00:26:37.639 --> 00:26:38.480 cloak also, 00:26:39.579 --> 00:26:40.339 love your 00:26:40.339 --> 00:26:40.839 enemies, 00:26:41.879 --> 00:26:42.460 but go the 00:26:42.460 --> 00:26:43.019 extra mile and 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.680 pray for their 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.359 benefit too. 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.159 When anyone 00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.899 can love their 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.299 friends, 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.159 that's why 00:26:49.159 --> 00:26:49.919 they're friends. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:52.240 anyone can 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.640 give to 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:53.240 someone who 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.580 we know 00:26:53.580 --> 00:26:54.019 can pay 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.500 us back, 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:56.600 but we 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:56.940 are called 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:57.279 to be 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:57.779 different, 00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.160 so that 00:26:59.160 --> 00:26:59.640 instead of 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.100 giving in 00:27:00.100 --> 00:27:00.360 to our 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:00.920 nature for 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.560 revenge and 00:27:01.560 --> 00:27:02.180 self-glory, 00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.279 we end 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.880 the violence. 00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.340 And after 00:27:05.340 --> 00:27:05.700 we've ended 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.220 the violence, 00:27:06.320 --> 00:27:07.360 we pray and 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:07.700 give of 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.560 ourselves for 00:27:08.560 --> 00:27:08.860 the other 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.320 person's 00:27:09.320 --> 00:27:09.740 well-being. 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.759 If we 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.420 allow ourselves 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:14.960 to suffer 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:16.000 without seeking 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.620 retribution, 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.320 who are we 00:27:18.320 --> 00:27:18.840 seeking glory 00:27:18.840 --> 00:27:19.180 for? 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.240 Aren't we 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:21.800 showing that 00:27:21.800 --> 00:27:22.440 we no longer 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.120 live by the 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:23.580 standards of 00:27:23.580 --> 00:27:24.039 this world 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:25.400 and live for 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.080 something greater, 00:27:26.560 --> 00:27:26.900 higher? 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.539 Following that, 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.039 we see that 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.759 our language, 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.880 our honesty and 00:27:33.880 --> 00:27:34.420 integrity, 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:36.080 should likewise 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:37.180 signify us 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:38.519 as different to 00:27:38.519 --> 00:27:38.980 this world. 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.940 We should be 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.580 known for our 00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:42.700 honesty, our 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.340 truthfulness, 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.440 our integrity. 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.720 When we answer 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.480 a question, we 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.200 shouldn't have to 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.880 make assurances. 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:50.020 we shouldn't 00:27:50.020 --> 00:27:50.620 have to cross 00:27:50.620 --> 00:27:51.220 our heart and 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.640 hope to die 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.040 that we speak 00:27:52.040 --> 00:27:52.440 the truth. 00:27:53.900 --> 00:27:54.760 The people we 00:27:54.760 --> 00:27:55.440 speak to should 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.160 know that we 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:56.800 speak truth 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:58.620 because that's 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.000 what we're 00:27:59.000 --> 00:27:59.620 known for. 00:28:00.840 --> 00:28:02.020 Truth and 00:28:02.020 --> 00:28:03.500 honesty are 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.140 linked with 00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.800 our character, 00:28:05.800 --> 00:28:07.240 the fibre of 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:07.900 who we are 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:09.540 as citizens of 00:28:09.540 --> 00:28:09.960 the kingdom 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.720 of heaven, 00:28:11.540 --> 00:28:12.360 as sons and 00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:13.420 daughters of 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:14.060 our heavenly 00:28:14.060 --> 00:28:14.740 Father. 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.980 God, 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:20.539 live as 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.079 children of 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.460 the kingdom 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:21.980 of heaven 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:24.000 and be 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:25.440 holy because 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.160 your God and 00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:27.700 king is 00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.079 holy. 00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.660 Pray with me. 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:36.400 gracious 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:36.860 Father, 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.500 help us to 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.220 put aside 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.980 the things 00:28:39.980 --> 00:28:40.300 of this 00:28:40.300 --> 00:28:40.680 world. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.700 Help us 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:43.200 to stop 00:28:43.200 --> 00:28:43.820 seeking 00:28:43.820 --> 00:28:45.940 the world 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:47.360 standard and 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:48.340 work towards 00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:49.120 your standard. 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.440 Help us to 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:52.380 open our hearts 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:53.320 to you and be 00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:53.980 filled with who 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.440 you are, 00:28:54.880 --> 00:28:55.259 that it 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.120 overflows in 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:56.640 this world, 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:57.860 that we can 00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.540 show the world 00:28:58.540 --> 00:28:59.200 your love 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.160 flowing through 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:00.480 us. 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.060 Help us to 00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:04.200 live the way 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:04.660 you want us 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:05.080 to live, 00:29:05.540 --> 00:29:06.380 imitating you 00:29:06.380 --> 00:29:07.180 in all that 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.519 we do. 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.420 In Jesus' 00:29:09.540 --> 00:29:09.740 name, 00:29:10.320 --> 00:29:10.600 Amen.