WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.160 We are going to pick things up this morning in verse 21 of Matthew 5. If you can have that open, that would be great. 00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:14.359 ! I asked Paul to read the whole chapter, though, so that we could be reminded that we're landing into a sermon. 00:00:14.700 --> 00:00:22.080 This is a sermon that Jesus has preached, and we're jumping in, as it were, and we'll do the same with the next section this evening. 00:00:22.080 --> 00:00:29.920 Do come back for that if you can, but it gives us context and it helps us to remember that we're not just having this 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:37.039 sort of separate sermon on a topic. Well, I think you'll agree, life is noisy. 00:00:39.060 --> 00:00:45.939 There's traffic all around us. We put earphones in a lot of the time. There's background music in shops, 00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:52.960 in lifts, wherever you go there's always noise, and many of us have busy homes that are noisy. 00:00:52.960 --> 00:01:03.219 And we're surrounded by distractions wherever we turn. Advertising boards, I noticed in the warm-up games for the Rugby World Cup. 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:10.420 It may have been happening before, but I only noticed it yesterday that not only do they now have advertising hoardings around the edge, 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:18.960 but they move while the game is going on. And there's distractions even if you're trying to play an international rugby match. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:24.959 Television, lots of us, we walk into the living room and the first thing we do is put the TV on, 00:01:25.019 --> 00:01:29.439 regardless of what is on. It's on in the background. It's there. It's distracting all the time. 00:01:29.939 --> 00:01:32.939 We've got, of course, then, our phones. 00:01:35.259 --> 00:01:39.799 It seems like we can't put them down. Do you ever think, I say this maybe particularly, well, this is true for all of us, 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:49.599 but teenagers, why is it when we're sitting with our family or we're travelling on a bus or we have any down time at all, 00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:53.359 we lift our phone. We check, we check, we check all the time. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:56.420 I'll tell you why, because they're designed to make us do that. 00:01:57.039 --> 00:02:02.099 The little hit that you get when you hear the ping in your head, that little hit of dopamine, 00:02:02.359 --> 00:02:04.459 that's addictive, and that's why you do it. 00:02:04.459 --> 00:02:07.719 We're distracted. Life is distracting. 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:11.400 So, being present is difficult. 00:02:12.699 --> 00:02:17.099 So many of us, so much of the time, are trying to do many different things at once. 00:02:17.180 --> 00:02:18.599 We're on our phone. We're talking to people. 00:02:18.799 --> 00:02:22.840 Who among us isn't when we're on a phone, put it on speaker, respond to emails? 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:24.299 You know you do it. 00:02:26.199 --> 00:02:27.419 And so on and so on. 00:02:27.419 --> 00:02:37.779 If being present is difficult, taking time to have a good, hard look at ourselves is almost impossible. 00:02:38.779 --> 00:02:46.179 Do you, I wonder, ever take time to examine why you think and act the way you do? 00:02:47.779 --> 00:02:50.139 Why you want the stuff that you want? 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:52.079 Where those desires come from? 00:02:52.080 --> 00:02:57.680 Why those activities, those actions are a pattern in your life? 00:02:58.860 --> 00:03:04.040 Do you stop to consider what kind of person you actually really are? 00:03:04.740 --> 00:03:08.580 I'm not talking about the self-obsession that our culture wants us to have. 00:03:08.720 --> 00:03:13.720 I'm talking about what the 16th century French novelist, Michel de Montaigne, 00:03:14.120 --> 00:03:17.840 cut short a successful career in order to devote himself to. 00:03:17.840 --> 00:03:23.960 That is, he felt that his struggle for internal depth and personal mastery, 00:03:24.400 --> 00:03:30.039 that is, becoming a substantial person and being in control of his appetites and desires, 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:35.180 he gave up his lucrative career in order to devote himself to that, 00:03:35.860 --> 00:03:39.520 put everything else aside in order to give himself to that pursuit. 00:03:39.620 --> 00:03:40.140 He said this, 00:03:40.219 --> 00:03:43.680 Everyone can play his part in the farce. 00:03:44.080 --> 00:03:46.060 The farce was what he described life as. 00:03:46.060 --> 00:03:51.640 Everyone can play his part in the farce and act an honest role on the stage. 00:03:52.199 --> 00:03:56.360 But to be disciplined within, in one's own breast, 00:03:56.580 --> 00:04:00.360 where all is permissible and all is concealed. 00:04:00.759 --> 00:04:02.240 Isn't that an interesting way to put it? 00:04:02.580 --> 00:04:06.539 In our hearts, it's as if everything is possible, but it's hidden. 00:04:07.599 --> 00:04:09.719 We can put on a front on the outside. 00:04:09.920 --> 00:04:11.840 We can play our part in the farce. 00:04:11.840 --> 00:04:17.000 And what we really think in there, well, we can think whatever we like, but it's hidden. 00:04:18.180 --> 00:04:19.540 He said that's the point. 00:04:19.720 --> 00:04:23.220 Montaigne knew that the inner self was the true self. 00:04:23.360 --> 00:04:26.620 That is, the real you on the inside. 00:04:26.759 --> 00:04:31.500 Not the person that you put on a front to show outside, the outside world, 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:33.379 but the inner self is the true self. 00:04:33.379 --> 00:04:37.159 And so it was that person that he wanted to discipline and to change. 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:42.439 And to do that, he had to face up to things that were uncomfortable to admit. 00:04:42.600 --> 00:04:43.240 He said this, 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:46.860 If others examine themselves attentively, as I do, 00:04:47.540 --> 00:04:53.240 they would find themselves, as I do, so full of inanity and nonsense. 00:04:54.819 --> 00:04:57.579 Boys and girls, inanity is just daftness. 00:04:58.420 --> 00:04:59.779 Daftness and nonsense. 00:04:59.779 --> 00:05:05.099 When we think about the inner life, we think daft things, don't we? 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:09.000 We feel nonsensical things. 00:05:09.399 --> 00:05:10.479 That's true for all of us. 00:05:10.539 --> 00:05:12.099 Boys and girls, that's true for you. 00:05:12.159 --> 00:05:13.059 It's true for grownups. 00:05:13.419 --> 00:05:14.679 Inanity and nonsense. 00:05:15.119 --> 00:05:17.719 Well, as we come back to the Sermon on the Mount this morning, 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:20.199 Jesus is forcing us to look inside, 00:05:20.939 --> 00:05:22.959 to consider our inner person. 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:27.019 And in doing this, he is making us face up to things that are going to make us uncomfortable. 00:05:27.019 --> 00:05:33.139 We heard him say last time, very plainly, that the life of blessing, 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:36.959 the life of flourishing that he has come to bring in his kingdom, 00:05:37.339 --> 00:05:39.759 doesn't rest on him abolishing the law and the prophets. 00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:43.299 He has not come to abolish the Old Testament, but to fulfill it. 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:46.879 And in these examples from the Torah and from the life of Israel, 00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:48.459 you have heard it said. 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:52.459 He's talking about what they've been told in the context of the life of Israel. 00:05:52.459 --> 00:05:55.439 He explains what this actually means, 00:05:55.519 --> 00:06:01.099 what it means to live out the law in the context of the Christian life. 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:03.019 He's not contradicting the law. 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:06.419 It's not a case that the law said this, but I tell you this. 00:06:06.560 --> 00:06:09.259 You heard it said this in the law, but I tell you something different. 00:06:09.459 --> 00:06:09.740 No. 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:12.339 It's like he's reaching back into the law 00:06:12.339 --> 00:06:15.319 and drawing out the deepest significance of what is there. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:20.799 Well, it's also challenging how the religious leaders of the day had misrepresented it. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:24.620 You have heard it said by this group of religious leaders. 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:26.000 They missed the point. 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:29.639 I'm going to take you to the heart of the issue, but I tell you. 00:06:31.199 --> 00:06:32.379 And this searches our hearts. 00:06:33.139 --> 00:06:36.379 Indeed, God's law has always functioned in that way. 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:41.199 The point of the Ten Commandments was never just do these things outwardly. 00:06:41.300 --> 00:06:42.939 Don't worry about your heart. 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:44.480 Quite the opposite. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:47.480 We could say when he talks about the law and the prophets, 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:49.699 that phrase that encapsulates the whole Old Testament, 00:06:49.699 --> 00:06:52.719 we could say that the law was always about the heart, 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:57.240 but also when the prophets came and proclaimed to the people of God, 00:06:57.339 --> 00:06:58.959 calling them back to obedience, 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:01.000 the obedience that he was calling them back to, 00:07:01.099 --> 00:07:03.500 that they were calling them back to, the people back to, 00:07:03.779 --> 00:07:05.659 was a heart obedience. 00:07:06.019 --> 00:07:10.480 Not a merely external religious performative thing, 00:07:10.899 --> 00:07:12.659 but a wholehearted devotion to the Lord. 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:17.880 God has always cared about the inner person. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:21.939 It is the truest expression of who you are. 00:07:23.160 --> 00:07:26.580 And as Jesus takes this up in this next section of the sermon, 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:30.160 the first thing that he addresses as we shift uncomfortably in our seats, 00:07:30.300 --> 00:07:33.260 we don't like having to go and focus on these things, 00:07:33.640 --> 00:07:34.260 is anger. 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:35.240 Verse 21. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:39.199 You have heard that it was said to those of old, 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:40.340 you shall not murder, 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:43.180 and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:47.100 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother 00:07:47.100 --> 00:07:48.639 will be liable to judgment. 00:07:49.180 --> 00:07:51.540 Whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council, 00:07:51.860 --> 00:07:52.740 and whoever says, 00:07:53.040 --> 00:07:53.620 you fool, 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:56.480 will be liable to the hell of fire. 00:07:57.780 --> 00:07:58.560 Strong words. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:07:59.540 Here's our first point. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:02.220 Anger is a capital crime. 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:05.680 Anger is a capital crime. 00:08:05.780 --> 00:08:08.480 Everyone would have agreed that God's law clearly prohibits murder, 00:08:09.340 --> 00:08:11.360 and that there was a penalty for doing it. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:16.620 But Jesus explains that it isn't enough simply to not physically murder someone, 00:08:17.200 --> 00:08:22.020 but the anger that expresses itself in insults and vindictive name-calling, 00:08:22.140 --> 00:08:22.800 verse 22, 00:08:23.420 --> 00:08:26.280 are part and parcel of that same spiritual sickness. 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:31.800 There is more than one way to murder someone. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:37.279 Now, clearly, Jesus doesn't mean that there's absolutely no difference 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:40.259 between insulting someone and stabbing them. 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:42.660 Obviously, there's a big difference. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:46.019 Not all sins are equally serious in one sense. 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:52.200 He simply means that angry insults share the same DNA as murder, 00:08:52.560 --> 00:08:57.000 because both activities are rooted in the same hatred of other people. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:09:02.200 And we need to talk about anger. 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:05.460 Whether it's social media, 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:06.500 ranting, 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:07.980 or road rage, 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:10.480 or people going on the rampage with guns, 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:13.299 or just the general, 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:16.399 under the surface, 00:09:16.600 --> 00:09:19.539 bubbling away that we have in our culture. 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:22.539 There is a lot of anger upon. 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:24.879 Now, sometimes it can be amusing 00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:27.919 when you see Basil Fawlty losing it 00:09:27.919 --> 00:09:30.120 and whacking his car with the branch of a tree. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:33.360 That clip on YouTube hasn't been watched millions of times 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:34.279 because it isn't funny. 00:09:34.399 --> 00:09:34.839 It is. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:35.740 It's very funny. 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:36.599 Some comedians, 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:40.039 their whole shtick is angry ranting. 00:09:40.179 --> 00:09:41.579 The Welsh comedian Rod Gilbert, 00:09:41.779 --> 00:09:42.419 he's hilarious. 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:43.459 And it's all, 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:46.500 the way he does his thing is he starts a story 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:48.319 and he gets more and more angry as he goes through. 00:09:48.439 --> 00:09:48.919 And at the end, 00:09:49.000 --> 00:09:51.299 there's saliva flying out of his mouth as he rants. 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:52.639 And it is very funny. 00:09:53.360 --> 00:09:56.199 But it's important that we don't think that that's okay 00:09:56.199 --> 00:09:59.620 when it's placed into the context of everyday life. 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:01.839 What are we prone to do with anger? 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:05.019 Well, lots of cases we play it down. 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:08.099 So there's an outburst of some kind, 00:10:08.219 --> 00:10:08.939 maybe at home. 00:10:09.920 --> 00:10:12.540 Perhaps we've yelled or we've thrown something 00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:14.700 or we've had a fight with somebody 00:10:14.700 --> 00:10:16.480 and that's got all of the, 00:10:18.400 --> 00:10:19.940 it's kind of blown it out of our system. 00:10:20.880 --> 00:10:24.080 And we look around at the people that are cowering, 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:26.820 whether it's our siblings or our spouse, 00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:29.140 and we say, 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:30.360 what's wrong with you? 00:10:31.640 --> 00:10:32.560 Wasn't that bad? 00:10:33.780 --> 00:10:34.740 Very sensitive. 00:10:36.780 --> 00:10:37.760 We play it down. 00:10:38.160 --> 00:10:38.840 Wasn't that bad? 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:41.380 Well, we try and justify it. 00:10:41.980 --> 00:10:42.800 We're good at that. 00:10:43.600 --> 00:10:44.820 Often we feel sheepish 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:46.100 because of something we've said or done. 00:10:46.180 --> 00:10:47.800 We realize that in that explosion, 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:48.820 we did the wrong thing. 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:49.260 And we say, 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:51.020 listen, I only reacted like that 00:10:51.020 --> 00:10:52.540 because you dot, dot, dot. 00:10:54.560 --> 00:10:55.620 We justify it. 00:10:57.500 --> 00:10:59.580 We also just deny it outright, don't we? 00:11:00.260 --> 00:11:02.900 Someone says something cheeky or smart, 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:04.539 and you're just not in the mood, 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:06.340 and you just think, 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:07.179 I am. 00:11:08.779 --> 00:11:10.779 Or your expectation goes unmet. 00:11:10.840 --> 00:11:11.899 That's where it normally happens. 00:11:11.959 --> 00:11:12.480 You're tired. 00:11:12.579 --> 00:11:13.579 You want some peace. 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:16.079 And someone cuts across that expectation 00:11:16.079 --> 00:11:17.620 of peace and relaxation, 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:19.840 and you don't show it outwardly. 00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:22.800 You don't do this with your mouth, maybe? 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:24.800 But inwardly, 00:11:24.840 --> 00:11:26.040 you're simmering with resentment. 00:11:27.759 --> 00:11:28.980 Are you cross? 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:29.639 No. 00:11:31.220 --> 00:11:32.160 Everything's fine. 00:11:32.960 --> 00:11:33.540 I'm all right. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.340 Everything's okay. 00:11:36.680 --> 00:11:37.720 We just deny it. 00:11:39.280 --> 00:11:41.000 Sometimes it comes out of nowhere. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:42.740 The Romans, 00:11:42.899 --> 00:11:43.580 the ancient Romans, 00:11:43.660 --> 00:11:45.160 had a saying that described anger 00:11:45.159 --> 00:11:46.860 as a brief madness. 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:49.879 Doesn't it feel like that sometimes? 00:11:51.579 --> 00:11:52.620 We think to ourselves, 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:54.199 I don't know what came over me. 00:11:55.299 --> 00:11:57.939 When the red mist has gone 00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:58.839 and we've settled down, 00:11:58.899 --> 00:11:59.519 we think to ourselves, 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:00.399 where did that come from? 00:12:00.579 --> 00:12:02.539 I came into the room 00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.860 in a perfectly good mood. 00:12:04.319 --> 00:12:05.240 Where did that come from? 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:06.539 It was a brief madness. 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:10.980 The truth is, 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:12.259 we probably know people, 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.779 we might be those people ourselves 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:15.419 for whom this madness 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:17.279 actually isn't that brief. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:19.579 Their lives always seem 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:21.500 to find the way to conflict. 00:12:23.919 --> 00:12:25.419 So, whether we're laughing at it, 00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:26.879 playing it down, 00:12:26.980 --> 00:12:27.639 justifying it, 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.500 or suppressing it, 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.579 the truth is that we know 00:12:29.579 --> 00:12:30.519 that anger is a problem. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:33.899 Because we know, 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:35.279 when we're honest with ourselves, 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.839 as David Powlison says, 00:12:36.839 --> 00:12:37.199 quote, 00:12:37.299 --> 00:12:38.139 in real life, 00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:40.019 anger is the reaction 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.839 that incinerates marriages 00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:43.899 and disintegrates families. 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:45.860 It energizes gossip 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:47.379 and guns down classmates. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:48.600 It divides churches. 00:12:48.800 --> 00:12:50.160 It turns friendship to enmity 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:52.780 and erupts in rude rage. 00:12:53.160 --> 00:12:54.740 It is the stuff of every form 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:55.980 of grievance and bitterness. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.940 And then on top of all that, 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:01.720 Jesus tells us, 00:13:01.780 --> 00:13:02.340 verse 22, 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.280 that unchecked, 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:05.060 it will incur the same judgment 00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:05.600 as murder. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:10.320 Anger is way more serious 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.400 than most of us assume. 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:14.300 So, we must allow Jesus 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:16.360 to get under our skin here 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:17.740 and to confront us 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:19.420 on this matter. 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:21.420 Now, I'm sure 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:23.660 that part of this, 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:25.080 part of the problem, 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:27.460 is living in an angry city. 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.440 Car horns, 00:13:29.900 --> 00:13:30.920 angry hand-waving, 00:13:31.260 --> 00:13:31.800 and signals, 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:32.680 shouting, 00:13:33.020 --> 00:13:33.280 yelling, 00:13:33.280 --> 00:13:34.460 those things are going on 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:35.240 around us in a city 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.280 like London all the time. 00:13:36.279 --> 00:13:37.120 The busyness 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:37.860 and the intensity 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.959 of a place like London 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:40.379 draws impatience 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.000 out of people. 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:42.019 It draws anger 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.059 to the surface. 00:13:43.959 --> 00:13:44.620 And what that means 00:13:44.620 --> 00:13:45.399 is that for us, 00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:46.199 we're existing 00:13:46.199 --> 00:13:47.000 in this context 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.699 all the time, 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:48.819 and it means then 00:13:48.819 --> 00:13:49.659 that it's more normal. 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.399 We just think 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:52.459 that's how things are. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.500 And when you think 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.579 that's just how things are, 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.620 you become immune to them. 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:55.899 You go, 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:57.039 ah, that's just how it is. 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.179 It also means, 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.620 it's not just that it's normal 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:01.779 and we tolerate it, 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:02.839 but it also means 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:04.180 that there are plenty 00:14:04.180 --> 00:14:05.019 of worse examples 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:06.639 for us to compare ourselves to. 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.340 So we say, 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:09.720 well, I might have exploded there. 00:14:09.780 --> 00:14:10.800 I might have just blown up 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:11.860 about that situation, 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.800 but at least I'm not like that. 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:16.800 I haven't ventured 00:14:16.800 --> 00:14:17.980 into knife crime yet. 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:21.600 So, 00:14:21.780 --> 00:14:23.700 we're in a particularly 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:24.720 difficult context 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.720 to address this issue. 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:27.080 We need to work hard 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.720 to look within. 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.740 We need to call 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.920 what we see in there 00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:30.800 what it is. 00:14:31.900 --> 00:14:32.780 So our first instinct 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:33.480 is always to try 00:14:33.480 --> 00:14:34.259 and explain it away, 00:14:34.339 --> 00:14:34.980 to do those things, 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:35.600 to play it down, 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.299 to deny it, 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.500 to blame shift, 00:14:37.579 --> 00:14:38.459 whatever it might be. 00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:40.019 But Jesus says here, 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:41.879 nothing about fault. 00:14:42.079 --> 00:14:42.799 Did you notice that? 00:14:43.079 --> 00:14:44.500 He is interested in the heart. 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.579 So let's admit our anger 00:14:48.579 --> 00:14:49.399 when we see it 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.559 and let's root it out 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.179 in repentance. 00:14:54.559 --> 00:14:57.019 And because of what we've said 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:59.639 about it being normal 00:14:59.639 --> 00:15:01.720 and because we've other examples 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.779 that we can pass away 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.899 and kind of justify 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.440 our anger with, 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:07.200 and because we are 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.940 so easily self-deceived, 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.660 it's true, isn't it, 00:15:10.680 --> 00:15:12.420 that we can see 00:15:12.420 --> 00:15:13.279 other people's sins 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:14.040 much more clearly 00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:15.160 than we can see our own. 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:16.639 We need each other. 00:15:17.160 --> 00:15:18.120 We need each other 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:19.399 in the context of the church 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.460 to help us. 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.800 Even suppressed anger 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:23.759 is obvious to those 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.460 who know us well. 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:27.740 So we need to welcome 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:29.379 the clear sight of others 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.360 to remind us 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.300 how perilous it is 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:32.700 to harbor bitterness, 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.360 to cultivate animosity, 00:15:34.700 --> 00:15:35.860 to let resentment 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:37.400 grow towards others, 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:40.660 even those who have wronged us. 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:44.139 Because the stakes are too high 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:45.120 to just ignore it. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.680 Everyone, 00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:48.560 Jesus says, 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.879 who is angry with his brother 00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:54.360 will be liable to judgment. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:57.600 Now, 00:15:58.700 --> 00:15:59.960 in the interest of health and safety, 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:03.159 a word on process. 00:16:03.439 --> 00:16:04.539 I am not suggesting 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:05.500 that you try and confront 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.000 the person 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:07.620 when the red mist has fallen. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.039 It doesn't matter 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.899 how right or well-meaning you are. 00:16:11.460 --> 00:16:12.379 When that person 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.220 is all steamed up 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:13.860 in the moment, 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:14.679 it's best probably 00:16:14.679 --> 00:16:15.399 to get out of the way 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:16.179 rather than to open 00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:16.940 Matthew 5 00:16:16.940 --> 00:16:18.940 and point at this passage. 00:16:18.940 --> 00:16:21.540 But do choose 00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:22.320 a suitable time 00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:24.060 and do have a word. 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.740 They need you to. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.280 We need you to. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.260 Because 00:16:30.260 --> 00:16:32.700 unchecked anger 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:34.480 is a capital crime. 00:16:39.380 --> 00:16:40.840 Jesus doesn't just leave it there. 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:42.920 In the verses that follow, 00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:43.880 he moves from the negative 00:16:43.880 --> 00:16:44.580 to the positive. 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:46.100 The two are bound together. 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:46.660 They're linked. 00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:48.560 If we aren't 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.279 to engage 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.919 in physical 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:51.019 or verbal murder, 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.319 we are 00:16:52.319 --> 00:16:53.379 to be committed 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.799 to reconciliation. 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:56.659 That's our second point. 00:16:57.079 --> 00:16:57.579 If murder 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:58.699 is a capital crime, 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.579 point number two, 00:16:59.699 --> 00:17:00.159 reconciliation 00:17:00.159 --> 00:17:01.819 is a Christian characteristic. 00:17:03.019 --> 00:17:03.579 Reconciliation 00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:06.279 is a Christian characteristic. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:06.919 The examples 00:17:06.919 --> 00:17:08.159 that Jesus uses here 00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:08.899 illustrate the point 00:17:08.899 --> 00:17:09.579 in two ways. 00:17:10.179 --> 00:17:11.240 We are to pursue 00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:12.039 reconciliation, 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.159 first of all, 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.619 actively. 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.519 So, 00:17:14.679 --> 00:17:15.279 verse 23, 00:17:15.399 --> 00:17:16.059 if you are offering 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:16.960 your gift at the altar 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.700 and there remember 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.319 that your brother 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:19.559 has something against you, 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.779 leave your gift there 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.460 before the altar 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.940 and go. 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:23.360 First be reconciled 00:17:23.360 --> 00:17:23.740 to your brother 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.480 and then come 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.840 and offer your gift. 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:28.799 Jesus pictures 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:30.600 the man or woman 00:17:30.600 --> 00:17:31.259 in church. 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.140 They're about to take 00:17:32.140 --> 00:17:33.120 their seat for worship 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:35.299 or they're about, 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:36.340 as the church has 00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:37.700 understood this for centuries, 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.500 they're about to come 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.400 to the Lord's table, 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.960 that most profound 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:41.900 expression 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:42.980 and picture 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.740 of our unity. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:45.200 but they know 00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:45.759 that they have not 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.700 been enjoying fellowship 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.279 with their brother 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:47.700 or sister. 00:17:48.120 --> 00:17:48.940 There's animosity 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:49.799 or awkwardness 00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:50.299 between them 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.140 and Jesus says 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.140 that they should stop 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:55.039 and they should seek 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.599 out that brother 00:17:55.599 --> 00:17:56.559 and be reconciled 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:58.079 before returning 00:17:58.079 --> 00:17:58.759 to worship God 00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.660 with a clear conscience 00:17:59.660 --> 00:18:01.039 and an undivided heart. 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:04.660 Now, notice there 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.680 that Jesus expects 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.220 the person 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:07.000 who knows 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.400 that there is 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:08.400 a relational problem 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:09.339 to take the initiative. 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.460 The statement, 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.400 your brother 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.740 has something against you, 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.279 again, 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.720 it doesn't apportion fault. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:16.079 It doesn't say anything 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:16.779 about who's right 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.420 or who's wrong. 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:20.339 That person could have 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.120 something against you 00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:21.960 because you actually 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.599 wronged them 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:23.759 or it could be 00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.440 that they have taken 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:26.059 offense inappropriately. 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.660 The reason for enmity 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.799 isn't actually the point. 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:30.559 It doesn't say, 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:31.960 it doesn't even say, 00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:32.180 look, 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.380 you're the more mature 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:35.799 Christian in this situation, 00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.759 it's down to you 00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.440 to sort it out. 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.380 It doesn't say that. 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.700 It's just very straightforward. 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:42.019 If there is an issue 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.940 between you 00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.819 and someone else 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.319 in the church, 00:18:44.580 --> 00:18:45.220 don't wait. 00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:46.720 Take the initiative. 00:18:46.960 --> 00:18:48.680 You go and pursue reconciliation. 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:53.519 Jesus is highlighting 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.900 the point 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:55.640 that in the context 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.180 of the church, 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.980 we never relate to Him 00:18:57.980 --> 00:18:59.860 as mere individuals. 00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:01.519 We do relate to Him 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:01.960 individually 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.880 in our walk with Him, 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.860 but we don't relate 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:05.279 merely in that way. 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:06.400 We always come to God 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:07.059 as those who are 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.900 related to others. 00:19:08.780 --> 00:19:12.180 When we are called to Christ, 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.400 when we are brought to Christ, 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.300 as it were, 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.400 from all over the world 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.500 in all different contexts, 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.460 we are brought 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:19.560 to the one Christ, 00:19:19.780 --> 00:19:19.900 well, 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.660 we are brought together 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.640 with other people as well. 00:19:21.820 --> 00:19:22.960 When we are united to Christ, 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.000 we are united to others. 00:19:25.400 --> 00:19:25.940 And so, 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:27.540 the way that we relate to God 00:19:27.540 --> 00:19:29.420 is connected to how 00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.320 we relate to others. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:33.039 So, 00:19:33.139 --> 00:19:33.919 if there is enmity 00:19:33.919 --> 00:19:34.639 between us, 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.679 between you 00:19:36.679 --> 00:19:37.220 and a brother 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:37.879 or a sister 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:39.700 in the church, 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.339 how can we come 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.759 into God's presence 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.659 with a pure heart? 00:19:44.359 --> 00:19:45.259 We can't. 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.339 He knows 00:19:48.339 --> 00:19:49.480 when we are being hypocritical. 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.919 He knows 00:19:52.919 --> 00:19:55.059 when there is anger 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:55.619 in our hearts 00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.619 towards those other people, 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.899 or vice versa. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:20:01.259 Put simply, 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.180 being at odds 00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:03.019 with another Christian 00:20:03.019 --> 00:20:03.720 is detrimental 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:05.120 to your relationship 00:20:05.120 --> 00:20:06.120 with God. 00:20:06.340 --> 00:20:07.560 Not just your relationship 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:08.060 with them, 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.740 but with God. 00:20:10.900 --> 00:20:11.940 Right relationships 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.580 with others 00:20:12.580 --> 00:20:13.840 are part of the meaning 00:20:13.840 --> 00:20:14.759 of the commandment 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.820 not to murder. 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:18.000 Paul mentioned that 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.580 earlier on. 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.780 They are a vital element, 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:23.080 a vital element 00:20:23.080 --> 00:20:24.680 of our righteousness 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.680 exceeding that 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.300 of the scribes 00:20:26.300 --> 00:20:26.920 and Pharisees, 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:28.880 the command in verse 20. 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:30.940 Unless your righteousness 00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:32.060 exceeds that 00:20:32.060 --> 00:20:32.620 of the scribes 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.140 and Pharisees, 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.620 you will never 00:20:33.620 --> 00:20:34.160 enter the kingdom 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.560 of heaven. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:36.440 That verse 20 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.560 is the kind of doorway 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:38.560 to what follows. 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.000 He's saying, 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:39.980 you have heard it said. 00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:41.740 There was this kind of thing 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.580 that people adopted 00:20:42.580 --> 00:20:43.460 externally. 00:20:44.040 --> 00:20:45.000 I want your righteousness 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.900 to exceed that 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.440 of the scribes 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:46.980 and Pharisees, 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.500 so I want you 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.360 to do the inner work. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.300 I want this to come 00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:49.980 from the heart. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.500 That is what religion, 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.040 righteousness, 00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.320 that exceeds that 00:20:53.320 --> 00:20:53.840 of the scribes 00:20:53.840 --> 00:20:54.640 and Pharisees means. 00:20:54.780 --> 00:20:55.640 It is that it comes 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.140 from the heart 00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:56.980 and is genuine. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.800 Well, 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:01.740 if the first illustration 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:03.259 is taken from the church community 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:05.300 and it's calling us 00:21:05.300 --> 00:21:07.240 to pursue reconciliation actively, 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.360 the second calls us 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:09.360 to do it urgently. 00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.600 Urgently. 00:21:10.780 --> 00:21:10.920 Here, 00:21:11.020 --> 00:21:11.680 Jesus takes us 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.640 out of the church context 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:14.060 and into the middle 00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:14.620 of an argument 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.160 on the way 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.080 to the courthouse. 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.320 Verse 25, 00:21:17.319 --> 00:21:19.899 come to terms quickly 00:21:19.899 --> 00:21:20.799 with your accuser 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.559 while you're going 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.559 with him to court, 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.480 lest your accuser 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.220 hand you over 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.879 to the judge 00:21:25.879 --> 00:21:26.379 and the judge 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.000 to the guard 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.619 and you be put 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.359 in prison. 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.059 Truly, 00:21:29.179 --> 00:21:29.679 I say to you, 00:21:29.679 --> 00:21:30.480 you'll never get out 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.339 until you have paid 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.759 the last penny. 00:21:34.159 --> 00:21:35.159 Jesus' point is 00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:35.779 that the two men 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:37.059 should settle the matter now. 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.939 Don't wait to get to court. 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:40.119 Settle the matter now 00:21:40.119 --> 00:21:41.220 before they stand 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.960 before the judge. 00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:43.079 It might be costly 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:43.919 to settle now 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:45.159 and it will likely 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:45.799 be humbling. 00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:47.059 There may be a climbing down 00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.720 that's required 00:21:47.720 --> 00:21:48.779 but you want to do 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.500 whatever you can 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:51.379 to avoid experiencing judgment. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:55.159 Anger and enmity 00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:56.500 are so serious 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.059 he's saying 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:57.980 do whatever you can 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.599 to sort it out 00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.579 and to do it now 00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:00.940 and do not delay. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.639 One author says this, 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:07.059 animosity is a time bomb. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.940 We do not know 00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.799 when it will go off. 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:12.680 We must deal with it quickly 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.960 before the consequences 00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.680 of our bitterness 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.559 get completely 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.799 out of control. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:19.639 Now look, 00:22:19.679 --> 00:22:20.419 we know the wisdom 00:22:20.419 --> 00:22:21.679 of this from our own experience, 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.119 don't we? 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.519 Whether we've been 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.399 part of it ourselves 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:26.139 or we've seen it 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:26.940 up close with others, 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.740 the destruction 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:29.059 of relationships 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:30.599 that could have been preserved 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.839 if one or both 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.619 of those parties 00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:34.460 had sought to reconcile quickly. 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:36.740 If the problem 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:38.379 had been addressed here, 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.940 it would have been small 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:41.000 and resolvable 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.799 as it is. 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.819 It's now over here 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:44.399 and it's just vast. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:48.019 We've seen the cancer 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.720 of bitterness 00:22:48.720 --> 00:22:49.859 consume people. 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.879 We've seen the joy 00:22:51.879 --> 00:22:53.179 in people's lives 00:22:53.179 --> 00:22:54.119 evaporate 00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:55.500 because of simmering anger 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.819 and the effects 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.759 of that played out 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.639 through their families 00:22:58.639 --> 00:23:00.200 and their friendship circles 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:02.279 if only the two parties 00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:03.460 had sought to reconcile 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.659 when the grievance occurred. 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.139 Their lives, 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:06.879 their friendships, 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.500 they would not have suffered 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.420 the way that they did. 00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.600 But we can also see 00:23:13.600 --> 00:23:14.280 the wisdom of it 00:23:14.280 --> 00:23:15.200 in Jesus' words 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:17.080 because of the contrast 00:23:17.080 --> 00:23:18.100 that He draws. 00:23:18.180 --> 00:23:18.620 Do you notice? 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:19.960 He's just shown us 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:21.320 how anger is a capital crime 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:22.380 and then He uses the word 00:23:22.380 --> 00:23:22.780 so. 00:23:23.320 --> 00:23:24.000 Do you see that? 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.120 Verse 23, 00:23:25.300 --> 00:23:26.440 so if you are offering. 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:28.200 He's saying there, 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:29.320 therefore, 00:23:30.020 --> 00:23:30.880 that is in light 00:23:30.880 --> 00:23:31.560 of the fact 00:23:31.560 --> 00:23:31.940 that anger 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:32.720 is a capital crime, 00:23:32.760 --> 00:23:33.940 we just talked about that, 00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:35.620 we must do all we can 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:37.119 to eliminate the outworking 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.799 of that anger 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:39.059 from our relationships. 00:23:39.739 --> 00:23:41.299 Reconciliation should be sought 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:43.259 lest we fall into judgment. 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:46.539 It's a serious warning. 00:23:48.939 --> 00:23:49.739 And yet, 00:23:50.959 --> 00:23:54.719 much as I might want 00:23:54.719 --> 00:23:55.759 to take heed, 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.979 whether to avoid judgment 00:23:57.979 --> 00:23:59.319 or because I really desire 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:00.199 to do the right thing, 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.919 when you're in the midst of it, 00:24:01.979 --> 00:24:04.059 it's far easier said than done, 00:24:04.219 --> 00:24:04.899 is it not? 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:08.539 When your blood begins to rise, 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:11.539 you're rarely thinking, 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:12.839 huh, 00:24:13.719 --> 00:24:15.559 reconciliation will be best here, 00:24:16.379 --> 00:24:17.799 especially when the person 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.979 who is the cause 00:24:18.979 --> 00:24:19.759 of your blood rising 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.339 is the person 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:20.839 with whom you need 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.279 to reconcile. 00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:23.619 When your anger comes 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:24.879 from having been wronged, 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.219 legitimately wronged, 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:27.899 it gets even more complicated. 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.259 And then there are harder questions 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.099 to do with forgiveness 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:34.299 in specific difficult cases. 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.339 There are a whole lot 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.519 of potential situations 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.559 where there is more to say 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.599 than these verses say. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.679 That is true. 00:24:40.199 --> 00:24:41.259 But there are steps 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:41.980 that we can take 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:42.619 that will help us 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:43.980 to deal with our anger 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:45.019 towards someone, 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.819 help us to be reconcilers, 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:47.779 help us to be, 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.039 5 verse 9, 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:49.939 peacemakers. 00:24:50.939 --> 00:24:51.859 Do you remember them? 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:51.939 Then, 00:24:52.779 --> 00:24:56.519 blessed are the peacemakers 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:58.399 for they shall be called 00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:59.639 sons of God. 00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:03.340 The first step 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.560 to reconciliation then, 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.420 it must be 00:25:05.420 --> 00:25:06.460 to acknowledge 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:08.180 the person's humanity. 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:11.820 That person 00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:13.780 with whom your blood 00:25:13.780 --> 00:25:14.660 is beginning to rise, 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.280 that person 00:25:15.280 --> 00:25:16.820 that you are angry with, 00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.700 whatever they have done, 00:25:19.780 --> 00:25:20.280 that person 00:25:20.280 --> 00:25:21.700 is a divine image bearer. 00:25:22.500 --> 00:25:23.020 The connection 00:25:23.020 --> 00:25:24.140 between anger and murder 00:25:24.140 --> 00:25:25.360 that Jesus draws here 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:26.860 is often easiest to see 00:25:26.860 --> 00:25:27.259 in the way 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:27.960 that we think about 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:28.660 and speak about 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:29.680 those that we're angry with. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.380 We use words, 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:30.740 don't we, 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.900 that dehumanize them. 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.420 In really bad cases, 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.240 they're monsters 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:37.140 or they're dreadful people, 00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:39.920 horrendous, 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:43.800 and yet their humanity 00:25:43.800 --> 00:25:46.220 carries an inherent dignity. 00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.060 A well-known quote 00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:48.900 from C.S. Lewis 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.740 in The Weight of Glory, 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:51.320 there are no ordinary people. 00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.480 You've never talked 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:53.420 to a mere mortal. 00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.820 It is immortals 00:25:54.820 --> 00:25:55.779 whom we joke with, 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.279 work with, 00:25:56.380 --> 00:25:56.980 marry, snub, 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.580 and exploit. 00:25:58.660 --> 00:26:03.279 When your anger 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:04.240 begins to rise, 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.440 never forget 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.060 that the person 00:26:07.060 --> 00:26:08.340 that you want to destroy, 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:09.580 whether verbally 00:26:09.580 --> 00:26:10.320 or physically, 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.940 is someone 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:12.120 who bears the image 00:26:12.120 --> 00:26:12.680 of God 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:14.080 and their destruction 00:26:14.080 --> 00:26:15.519 is not something 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.480 that you are at liberty 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.120 to pursue. 00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.480 Of course, 00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:23.320 alongside that, 00:26:23.580 --> 00:26:26.019 we must turn again 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.240 to Christ. 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:30.259 In every case, 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:30.980 the one thing 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:32.039 that will ultimately 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:34.859 transform your angry heart 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:36.119 is to see afresh 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:36.799 the Lord Jesus 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:38.859 and in particular 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:40.720 to consider the cross. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:44.960 When we look at the cross, 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.139 we see there 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.960 the Son of God 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.900 wronged more deeply 00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:51.400 than you or I 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:52.680 will ever be. 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:54.940 He was misrepresented. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.820 He was betrayed. 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.340 He was flogged. 00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:59.539 And He was killed 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:01.519 unjustly 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.460 all the way down. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.700 And yet, 00:27:06.060 --> 00:27:08.140 and this is the profound reality 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.960 at the heart 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.860 of the Christian faith, 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:12.539 He endured all of this 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.700 for us. 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:17.319 He endured all of this 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:18.039 injustice, 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.740 all of this being wronged, 00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.940 all of these things 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.140 for which anger 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:23.080 in His heart 00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:24.279 would have been legitimate. 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.340 He did that 00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:29.819 so that you could be forgiven 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.759 and reconciled 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:34.759 to your Father in heaven. 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.279 See, 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:37.819 whatever way 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:38.799 you've been wronged, 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.319 whatever that person 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.920 has done 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:42.279 to cause the anger 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:43.500 in your soul, 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:45.299 it doesn't get close 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.139 to the offense 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:47.180 that our sin 00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:48.299 caused to God. 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.920 And yet, 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.819 in His great mercy, 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:53.059 He took the initiative 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:55.180 to actively pursue us. 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:58.339 While we were still sinners, 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.839 we weren't giving Him 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.379 so much 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.819 as a second thought. 00:28:02.839 --> 00:28:03.619 He sent His Son. 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:04.960 He was active 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.539 in coming for us. 00:28:07.240 --> 00:28:08.139 He sent His Son, 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.180 this Jesus, 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:10.379 not just to teach us 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:10.899 how to live, 00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:12.160 but to die in our place 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.380 so that we could know 00:28:13.380 --> 00:28:14.279 the gracious gift 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.080 of reconciliation 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:16.600 that His death brings 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.580 for all who put 00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:18.360 their faith in Him. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.460 And the truth of the matter 00:28:22.460 --> 00:28:23.700 is it is as we meditate 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.580 on that reality, 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:26.220 as we spend time 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.960 bringing that reality 00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:29.920 into our inner life, 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:33.560 as those truths 00:28:33.560 --> 00:28:35.160 grip our hearts, 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.740 we are enabled 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:38.200 to show patience 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.140 and mercy 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:40.060 and grace 00:28:40.060 --> 00:28:40.759 to others. 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.859 when there is enmity 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.440 between you 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.059 and someone else, 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:44.279 particularly in the church, 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.740 and you opt to actively 00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:46.339 and urgently 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.480 pursue reconciliation 00:28:47.480 --> 00:28:48.220 with them, 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.359 you are treating 00:28:49.359 --> 00:28:50.019 those people 00:28:50.019 --> 00:28:51.319 the way Jesus treated you. 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.759 That is why I'm saying 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.440 that reconciliation 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:56.079 is a Christian characteristic, 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:58.700 because it embodies 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.660 what you have been shown 00:28:59.660 --> 00:29:00.180 in the gospel 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:01.039 of Jesus Christ. 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:01.079 Christ. 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:05.460 And the truth is, 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:07.700 I'm thinking about this 00:29:07.700 --> 00:29:08.599 and I'm thinking to myself, 00:29:08.839 --> 00:29:09.579 it's all well and good 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.059 saying this, 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:11.019 but this is impossible. 00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:14.599 Well, however impossible 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.839 you might think 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:17.079 reconciliation would be 00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:18.180 in your situation, 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.879 think about what we confessed 00:29:20.879 --> 00:29:22.119 earlier in our confession 00:29:22.119 --> 00:29:22.599 of sin. 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.539 We said this, 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:25.019 our transgressions are many 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:26.099 and often seem 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:27.119 to overwhelm us, 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.700 but you have given us 00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.159 your Son, 00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:29.920 Jesus Christ, 00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:31.140 who is much stronger. 00:29:33.300 --> 00:29:34.080 That's true. 00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:39.240 The power of the Holy Spirit 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.100 is at work in you. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.140 The same power 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:42.160 that raised Christ 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:42.920 from the dead 00:29:42.920 --> 00:29:45.120 can make it happen. 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:47.000 He can make you 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:48.400 someone who actively 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:48.980 and urgently 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.160 pursues reconciliation 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:52.560 and eradicates this anger 00:29:52.560 --> 00:29:53.220 from your soul. 00:29:53.320 --> 00:29:53.519 Why? 00:29:53.620 --> 00:29:54.660 Because he who is in you 00:29:54.660 --> 00:29:55.380 is greater than he 00:29:55.380 --> 00:29:56.060 who is in the world. 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:59.319 I'm saying to you 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:00.559 that anger and enmity 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:02.159 are not inevitable. 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.460 And in the gospel 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.339 of Jesus Christ, 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:05.419 through the Holy Spirit 00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.919 of Christ, 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.740 you have the resources 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.440 that you need 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:08.980 to put off anger 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:10.299 and to embrace 00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:11.000 reconciliation. 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.679 This is the key. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.700 This message, 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.460 this reality 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.079 is the key 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:18.279 to the healthy inner life 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.119 and to our righteousness 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:20.220 exceeds that of the 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.200 scribes and Pharisees. 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:23.319 Opening our hearts 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.659 to the finished work 00:30:24.659 --> 00:30:25.220 of Christ 00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:26.599 again and again 00:30:26.599 --> 00:30:27.339 and again 00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:28.619 so that by his Spirit 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.740 he might change us 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:31.139 and renew us 00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:32.339 and give us 00:30:32.339 --> 00:30:33.099 the strength 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.740 and the grace 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.319 that we need 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.659 to pursue reconciliation 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.819 and put off anger. 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:36.919 Amen. 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:36.919