WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.640 Keep your Bibles open there at Matthew 18. 00:00:03.200 --> 00:00:03.680 I'll pray. 00:00:04.679 --> 00:00:08.540 Gracious Father, a couple of days before Christmas, 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:13.099 as you remember the great event of the Lord Jesus coming into this world, 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:18.219 to live that obedient life, to die that substitutionary death, 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:22.699 to be raised in a very powerful way, 00:00:23.699 --> 00:00:27.719 Lord, we pray that we would see the implications of your grace to us 00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:32.240 and the implications in terms of our grace to one another 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:33.579 as we look at this passage. 00:00:33.719 --> 00:00:38.019 So we need your help to do the thing that we cannot do, 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:43.320 to not just see the facts of this story, 00:00:44.200 --> 00:00:46.019 but to see the glory of it. 00:00:46.739 --> 00:00:51.700 And so, Lord, we pray that we would not just understand your grace, 00:00:51.960 --> 00:00:53.599 but that we would rejoice in it, 00:00:53.820 --> 00:00:57.120 that we would see the beauty and the glory of it this morning from your word 00:00:57.119 --> 00:00:59.579 so come and help us, we pray in Jesus' name. 00:01:00.159 --> 00:01:00.500 Amen. 00:01:03.320 --> 00:01:07.939 A former American footballer with the Miami Dolphins was interviewed by Newsweek 00:01:07.939 --> 00:01:10.560 and he was asked the question, 00:01:10.719 --> 00:01:12.719 what motivated him to go to university? 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:15.239 And his reply was, 00:01:15.560 --> 00:01:19.019 my father and uncle were human cannonballs in the carnivals. 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:22.039 He said, one day my father came to me and said, 00:01:22.040 --> 00:01:25.680 son, go to university or become a human cannonball. 00:01:27.740 --> 00:01:30.500 And he said, one day while I was contemplating my future, 00:01:30.900 --> 00:01:34.060 he said, my uncle came out of the cannon and hit the ferris wheel 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:36.480 and that's when I decided to go to university. 00:01:38.880 --> 00:01:42.260 Motive is a strange thing to work out sometimes 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:44.460 and especially as Christians. 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:49.019 What motivates us to be here this morning? 00:01:49.739 --> 00:01:52.659 What motivates us to pursue spiritual disciplines? 00:01:53.159 --> 00:01:56.039 What motivates us to give generously? 00:01:56.339 --> 00:01:58.000 What motivates us to serve? 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:00.000 What motivates us to do what we were doing 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:02.060 even in the last week down at the mall? 00:02:03.419 --> 00:02:08.039 Often, it is true that our motives are mixed in the pursuit of right things, 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:13.679 but it's also possible to have wrong motives in pursuing right things. 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:20.079 This is the last sermon in our short series on the grace of God. 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:22.899 We started off being amazed by grace. 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:25.219 It was right there at the very beginning. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:30.299 I said that the grace of God is God's love freely shown towards guilty sinners, 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:34.120 contrary to their merit and in fact in defiance of their demerit. 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:41.180 That is, neither all the good things we do nor the bad things we do actually count. 00:02:41.640 --> 00:02:46.819 God isn't drawn to us because that somehow we're better than other people 00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:51.860 and he isn't repulsed by us because our sin is so bad. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:58.400 Grace is about God's free, unconditional, sovereign, electing love. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:00.180 In the end, it's not about us. 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:02.520 It is about God and his character. 00:03:02.520 --> 00:03:09.439 Last week, we saw how this grace can scandalise us 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:16.480 because our normal moral position is to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:20.360 That is, we tend to play down our massive vices 00:03:20.360 --> 00:03:25.219 and we assume that the small occasional virtues 00:03:25.219 --> 00:03:28.120 will somehow cover up the massive vices. 00:03:28.120 --> 00:03:32.939 It's like a bank robber before a judge 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:36.240 and he's about to get convicted for armed robbery in a bank 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:39.000 and he said, well, hang on a bit, judge, before you get too carried away here, 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:43.840 just remember in your assessment of me that I didn't rob the bank on that corner 00:03:43.840 --> 00:03:46.980 and on that corner and that corner, I only just did this one here 00:03:46.980 --> 00:03:49.159 and the judge goes, oh, okay then. 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:50.620 I never considered that. 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:53.520 So you're not such a bad bloke after all. 00:03:54.579 --> 00:03:55.099 Innocent. 00:03:57.359 --> 00:04:02.120 And now it's time for us to look at grace 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:06.060 as grace being the motivation for us 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:08.319 to live a life of grace 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:09.599 and this is crucial. 00:04:09.599 --> 00:04:12.759 It's crucial because it's unfortunate 00:04:12.759 --> 00:04:15.699 that we often only get it half right 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:18.019 when we look at the doctrine of grace. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:21.199 When we become a Christian, 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:24.000 we understand that we are saved by grace 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:27.639 but we get confused about what sort of comes after that. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:31.339 We often are not clear about what it means to live by grace 00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:34.040 and there are two classic historical mistakes 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:36.560 in response to being saved by grace. 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:40.319 One, the first mistake is that I'm saved by grace 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:44.579 but I stay saved through doing good things. 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:48.519 It can be sort of like joining a sports team. 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:52.300 You get into the team because the coach was gracious to you, 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:54.199 he needed some spot field 00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:56.720 or because you signed the rego forms 00:04:56.720 --> 00:04:59.759 but you need to keep your spot in the team 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:01.360 by earning your place 00:05:01.360 --> 00:05:04.560 by working hard and performing well to be part of the team. 00:05:04.560 --> 00:05:07.639 Another name for it is legalism 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:10.720 and it is a great danger for us. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:15.639 Even good relational things like spiritual disciplines, 00:05:16.079 --> 00:05:18.319 things like evangelism and prayer and barberating 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.240 and church and giving 00:05:19.240 --> 00:05:23.379 can easily become performance measures 00:05:23.379 --> 00:05:26.560 by which we gauge how things are going 00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:27.939 in our relationship with God. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:30.199 Now don't get me wrong here, 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:32.899 I want to actively promote disciplines 00:05:32.899 --> 00:05:35.039 like those things amongst Christians. 00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:39.399 They are absolutely necessary for growth as Christians 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:41.099 but they are benefits. 00:05:41.920 --> 00:05:43.099 They are not duties. 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:45.000 They are a privilege. 00:05:46.159 --> 00:05:48.279 Legalism is very, very dangerous 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:51.779 because the legalist is often deluded 00:05:51.779 --> 00:05:54.939 by their own self-righteousness 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:59.500 and pride becomes a massive problem 00:05:59.500 --> 00:06:01.519 and remember what I said last week 00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:02.939 and Deb's reminded us this morning, 00:06:03.399 --> 00:06:05.159 pride is the thick hide 00:06:05.159 --> 00:06:07.159 that grace cannot penetrate. 00:06:09.579 --> 00:06:11.779 Legalism isn't how grace works. 00:06:12.739 --> 00:06:14.919 Salvation is all God's work 00:06:14.919 --> 00:06:16.599 from beginning to the end. 00:06:16.600 --> 00:06:19.160 from the moment you begin the Christian life 00:06:19.160 --> 00:06:20.980 until you enter heaven 00:06:20.980 --> 00:06:22.500 and I would even say that 00:06:22.500 --> 00:06:24.060 for all of eternity in heaven, 00:06:24.640 --> 00:06:26.820 it is all by the grace of God. 00:06:28.080 --> 00:06:29.480 All by the grace of God. 00:06:30.320 --> 00:06:31.820 Take for instance Romans 8. 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.060 If you're really quick with your Bible, 00:06:33.580 --> 00:06:34.740 flick to Romans 8, 00:06:35.379 --> 00:06:37.620 verse 28 to verse 30. 00:06:39.080 --> 00:06:41.439 And we know that in all things 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:43.900 God works for the good of those who love Him, 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:46.520 who have been called according to His purpose. 00:06:46.600 --> 00:06:48.500 For those God foreknew, 00:06:48.860 --> 00:06:50.720 He also predestined to be conformed 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:51.900 to the likeness of His Son 00:06:51.900 --> 00:06:53.860 that He might be the firstborn 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:55.000 among many brothers. 00:06:55.580 --> 00:06:56.420 And here it is. 00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:58.960 And those He predestined, 00:06:59.120 --> 00:06:59.939 He called, 00:07:00.200 --> 00:07:01.160 and those He called, 00:07:01.420 --> 00:07:02.100 He justified, 00:07:02.360 --> 00:07:03.320 and those He justified, 00:07:03.700 --> 00:07:05.000 He also glorified. 00:07:05.300 --> 00:07:07.020 It is all of God's work 00:07:07.020 --> 00:07:09.800 from beginning right through to the end, 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:12.360 from eternity past to eternity future. 00:07:12.840 --> 00:07:14.300 It is His work in choosing, 00:07:14.660 --> 00:07:15.660 His work in saving, 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:17.200 His work in changing, 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:20.340 it is all His gracious action. 00:07:22.660 --> 00:07:26.480 So legalism is dangerous. 00:07:28.040 --> 00:07:31.120 The second mistake is that we are saved by grace, 00:07:31.680 --> 00:07:32.700 all of God's work, 00:07:32.820 --> 00:07:33.360 His doing, 00:07:33.440 --> 00:07:34.320 I contribute nothing, 00:07:34.700 --> 00:07:36.820 and so I can live however I like. 00:07:38.560 --> 00:07:39.600 Augustine of Hippo 00:07:39.600 --> 00:07:42.400 summarized the Christian life with the saying, 00:07:42.399 --> 00:07:44.359 love God and do as you please. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:47.779 So there's legalism on one hand, 00:07:47.899 --> 00:07:48.699 on the other hand, 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:50.079 there is license. 00:07:51.159 --> 00:07:52.179 The German pastor, 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:53.079 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:54.219 called it cheap grace. 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:57.519 The Bible says this about license, 00:07:57.699 --> 00:07:58.379 a couple of chapters, 00:07:58.500 --> 00:07:59.719 if you are in Romans chapter 8, 00:07:59.919 --> 00:08:01.159 go back to chapter 6, 00:08:01.160 --> 00:08:03.200 verse 15, 00:08:03.200 --> 00:08:04.720 what then? 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:06.840 Shall we sin 00:08:06.840 --> 00:08:08.920 because we are not under law 00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:09.820 but under grace? 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:11.620 By no means. 00:08:12.340 --> 00:08:13.040 Don't you know 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:14.200 that when you offer yourselves 00:08:14.200 --> 00:08:16.160 to someone to obey him as slaves, 00:08:16.380 --> 00:08:18.440 you are slaves to the one whom you obey, 00:08:18.780 --> 00:08:20.080 whether you are slaves to sin, 00:08:20.160 --> 00:08:20.980 which leads to death, 00:08:21.300 --> 00:08:22.360 or to obedience, 00:08:22.760 --> 00:08:23.820 which leads to righteousness. 00:08:23.819 --> 00:08:25.899 But thanks be to God 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:28.420 that though you used to be slaves to sin, 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:30.959 you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching 00:08:30.959 --> 00:08:32.120 to which you were entrusted, 00:08:32.519 --> 00:08:34.539 you have been set free from sin, 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.799 and have become slaves to righteousness. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:40.899 Now what Paul's doing here in Romans chapter 6 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:44.639 is he's actually quoting someone, 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:47.360 and he's trying to help this poor fellow 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:50.480 to understand the Christian life 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:52.259 and the essence of the Christian life. 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:53.340 And this fellow, 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:55.100 he listens to Paul's teaching 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:57.659 about the gospel of justification 00:08:57.659 --> 00:09:00.120 by grace through faith apart from works, 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:01.439 and he says, 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:05.159 well if I have a right standing before God 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:07.019 by trusting in his gracious actions 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:08.840 towards me in the Lord Jesus, 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:11.519 and if all of my past and present 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:13.879 and future sins are all forgiven 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:15.299 and dealt with by Jesus, 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:18.139 well that's great, 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:18.980 I'll have that, 00:09:19.460 --> 00:09:21.840 and I might as well go on living a life of sin 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:23.080 because I can have that too. 00:09:24.800 --> 00:09:27.720 I can enjoy all the desires of sin as well. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:33.620 And what's Paul's response to that? 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:36.740 Paul's response is, 00:09:37.180 --> 00:09:40.240 that's the way a person talks about Christianity 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:44.639 if it is just simply a group of ideas 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:48.840 and not an experience of the preciousness 00:09:48.840 --> 00:09:50.519 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:53.580 It's a person whose Christianity 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:55.240 is all truth and no treasure, 00:09:55.639 --> 00:09:57.360 all choices and no cherishing, 00:09:57.879 --> 00:09:59.200 all logic about Christ 00:09:59.200 --> 00:10:00.200 and no love for Christ, 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:02.279 all decision and no delight. 00:10:02.279 --> 00:10:05.039 That is, 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:06.379 they know Jesus, 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:09.319 but they don't treasure Jesus. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:14.600 We are being set free from slavery to sin. 00:10:16.220 --> 00:10:17.899 Why would you want to go back there? 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.679 Is what Paul says. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:22.600 If I cherish the love of God towards me, 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:23.319 the Lord Jesus, 00:10:23.819 --> 00:10:25.620 what is it that will please me? 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:30.679 What pleases me is what pleases Him. 00:10:32.039 --> 00:10:33.039 And I live accordingly. 00:10:33.799 --> 00:10:34.779 Not because I have to, 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:36.560 not because of obligation or guilt, 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:38.259 not because I'm forced or manipulated 00:10:38.259 --> 00:10:39.600 or I owe Him, 00:10:40.120 --> 00:10:42.320 but because I've experienced the love 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:44.200 and the grace that God has shown me. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:49.220 And this then brings us to this story of Matthew 18. 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:51.360 So hopefully most of you have got your Bibles open 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:51.940 at that point. 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:53.380 If you haven't, 00:10:53.380 --> 00:10:54.800 flick there really quickly. 00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:56.280 Matthew 18. 00:10:57.760 --> 00:11:00.920 This is a story which helps us to see 00:11:00.920 --> 00:11:02.520 how grace, 00:11:03.220 --> 00:11:04.380 the grace of the Lord Jesus, 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:05.920 should motivate us 00:11:05.920 --> 00:11:08.280 in a life of grace towards one another. 00:11:09.380 --> 00:11:11.100 Jesus has been talking about 00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:11.920 how to handle things 00:11:11.920 --> 00:11:13.280 when someone sins against you. 00:11:13.600 --> 00:11:14.780 And so in verse 15, 00:11:15.280 --> 00:11:16.120 Jesus says this, 00:11:16.180 --> 00:11:17.480 if your brother sins against you, 00:11:17.540 --> 00:11:18.860 go and show him his fault 00:11:18.860 --> 00:11:20.440 just between the two of you. 00:11:20.760 --> 00:11:21.700 If he listens to you, 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.920 you have won your brother over. 00:11:23.540 --> 00:11:24.640 But if he will not listen, 00:11:24.759 --> 00:11:26.080 take one or two others along 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.180 so that every matter 00:11:27.180 --> 00:11:27.900 may be established 00:11:27.900 --> 00:11:28.580 by the testimony 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:29.480 of two or three witnesses. 00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:32.340 If he refuses to listen to them, 00:11:32.940 --> 00:11:33.840 tell it to the church. 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:35.020 And if he refuses to listen 00:11:35.020 --> 00:11:36.080 even to the church, 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:37.440 treat him as you would 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.740 a pagan or a tax collector. 00:11:40.100 --> 00:11:41.920 Those few verses there 00:11:41.920 --> 00:11:44.259 are so essential 00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:47.480 for good relationships 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:48.620 within the church. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:52.080 don't talk to other people 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:54.279 about how you've been wronged. 00:11:55.060 --> 00:11:56.480 Don't hold a grudge 00:11:56.480 --> 00:11:59.039 and write a little payback list. 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:02.000 Go to the person directly 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:03.399 and speak about the issue. 00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.960 Look them in the eye 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:06.240 and seek resolution 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.320 and reconciliation. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:10.400 And then straight after 00:12:10.400 --> 00:12:11.100 these verses, 00:12:11.300 --> 00:12:12.680 Peter's asked the question. 00:12:13.140 --> 00:12:14.520 He's always the first one 00:12:14.520 --> 00:12:15.680 to come in with the question 00:12:15.680 --> 00:12:17.300 or to make a statement. 00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.280 And in verse 21, 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:18.840 he says, 00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:19.560 Lord, 00:12:19.800 --> 00:12:20.879 how many times 00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.100 should I forgive my brother 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.320 when he sins against me? 00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:24.940 Up to seven times? 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.760 You see, 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:28.040 the attitude of the rabbis 00:12:28.040 --> 00:12:29.920 around that time 00:12:29.920 --> 00:12:30.720 was that you would 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.700 forgive your brother 00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:33.060 three times 00:12:33.060 --> 00:12:33.980 and no more. 00:12:34.540 --> 00:12:35.680 And so Peter here, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:36.860 probably thinking 00:12:36.860 --> 00:12:40.040 that he's come up short 00:12:40.040 --> 00:12:41.440 a number of times already. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:43.120 Whenever he's jumped in 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:43.700 with a question 00:12:43.700 --> 00:12:44.600 or made a statement, 00:12:44.740 --> 00:12:45.800 he always says 00:12:45.800 --> 00:12:46.520 the wrong thing. 00:12:47.020 --> 00:12:48.120 And so Peter's thinking, 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:49.480 I'm going to go down 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:50.140 on record here 00:12:50.140 --> 00:12:50.860 for all of history 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:51.380 and I'm going to say 00:12:51.380 --> 00:12:52.160 the right thing 00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:52.900 for a change. 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:55.179 So Jesus, 00:12:55.579 --> 00:12:57.100 knowing it's only three times, 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.500 should I forgive my brother 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.419 seven times? 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.199 Jesus comes in, 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:02.980 verse 22, 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.279 not seven times, 00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:06.019 but 77 times. 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:06.679 And Peter goes, 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:07.299 oh my goodness, 00:13:07.360 --> 00:13:07.759 not again. 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:10.579 Now some say here 00:13:10.579 --> 00:13:13.299 that Jesus doesn't actually 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:14.899 mean 77 times. 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:16.199 What he means is 00:13:16.199 --> 00:13:17.480 seven times, 00:13:17.579 --> 00:13:18.199 70 times, 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:20.059 he means 490 times. 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:22.439 The reality is though, 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:23.460 either alternative 00:13:23.460 --> 00:13:25.180 is simply to miss the point 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.380 of what Jesus is saying here. 00:13:28.540 --> 00:13:29.900 Either it would be 77 00:13:29.900 --> 00:13:31.080 or 490, 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:32.180 it is to return 00:13:32.180 --> 00:13:34.280 to the pedantic calculation 00:13:34.280 --> 00:13:35.660 of forgiveness 00:13:35.660 --> 00:13:37.220 that Jesus rejects. 00:13:37.780 --> 00:13:38.780 And how do I know 00:13:38.780 --> 00:13:39.540 he rejects it? 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.380 Because he says it 00:13:41.380 --> 00:13:42.040 in the parable. 00:13:42.920 --> 00:13:43.480 Next point. 00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:45.740 You see, 00:13:45.820 --> 00:13:47.880 forgiveness is unlimited. 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:47.980 unlimited. 00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.600 That's what God's grace 00:13:50.600 --> 00:13:51.500 is towards us. 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.539 It is unlimited. 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.700 And this next story 00:13:54.700 --> 00:13:56.500 makes this point clear. 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:57.659 It gives us 00:13:57.659 --> 00:13:59.220 a brilliant insight 00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:00.779 into the enormity 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:01.720 of the grace of God 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.879 towards us. 00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:04.379 There is a man 00:14:04.379 --> 00:14:05.480 who owes a king 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.939 10,000 talents. 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:07.899 It was a debt, 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:09.179 according to verse 25, 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:10.860 that he was not able 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.500 to pay. 00:14:12.279 --> 00:14:13.100 And that is 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.220 an understatement. 00:14:15.080 --> 00:14:15.779 The talent 00:14:15.779 --> 00:14:17.399 was the highest 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:19.480 unit of currency 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:21.379 and 10,000 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.440 was the highest 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.759 Greek numeral. 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:26.300 In other words, 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:27.639 you put them both together 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:28.779 and it meant to convey 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:30.440 the largest sum 00:14:30.440 --> 00:14:31.600 imaginable. 00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:32.800 And so when 00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:34.420 one of my children 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:35.220 says to me, 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:35.800 wow, 00:14:35.920 --> 00:14:36.899 how much does that cost? 00:14:36.960 --> 00:14:37.399 I say, 00:14:37.540 --> 00:14:38.600 squillions of dollars. 00:14:40.080 --> 00:14:40.620 Wow. 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:43.419 The debt 00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.700 is incalculable. 00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.460 In fact, 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:46.620 the debt 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.960 was more 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:48.879 than a thousand 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.820 times 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:51.060 the annual 00:14:51.060 --> 00:14:51.600 revenue 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.940 of Galilee, 00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:54.000 Judea, 00:14:54.440 --> 00:14:55.019 Samaria 00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:55.960 and 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:56.700 Edomia 00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.500 combined. 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:00.919 It's like 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:01.980 taking all 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:03.179 foreign 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:04.120 debt 00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.879 of every 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.460 country 00:15:06.460 --> 00:15:07.560 and lumping 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:08.299 on top of 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:09.060 one single 00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:09.840 human being 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:10.340 and say, 00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:11.460 pay that 00:15:11.460 --> 00:15:11.740 back. 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:14.899 It's 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:15.680 totally 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:16.720 incomprehensible. 00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:20.860 And yet, 00:15:21.759 --> 00:15:23.280 even though 00:15:23.280 --> 00:15:23.980 this man 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:24.320 who has 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:24.720 lumbered 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.340 with such 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:26.080 an enormity 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:26.759 of debt, 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:29.420 he's bankrupt 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:30.759 so many 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:31.259 times 00:15:31.259 --> 00:15:31.840 over, 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.680 he still 00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:34.400 has a sense 00:15:34.400 --> 00:15:35.180 of pride. 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:36.680 He hasn't 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:37.120 grasped 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.680 the enormity 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.139 of his debt. 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:38.519 Have a look 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:38.759 at there 00:15:38.759 --> 00:15:39.040 in verse 00:15:39.040 --> 00:15:39.560 26. 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:40.320 The servant 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:40.800 fell on his 00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:41.360 knees before 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:41.519 him, 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:41.759 that is 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:42.160 before the 00:15:42.160 --> 00:15:42.420 king, 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:42.879 and he 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.019 says, 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.680 be patient 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:44.300 with me, 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.480 he begged, 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.160 and I 00:15:46.160 --> 00:15:46.720 will pay 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.480 you back 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.540 everything. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.180 He's got 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:52.100 no capability 00:15:52.100 --> 00:15:52.680 of paying 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.160 it back. 00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:56.280 No amount 00:15:56.280 --> 00:15:56.759 of time, 00:15:56.899 --> 00:15:57.399 no amount 00:15:57.399 --> 00:15:58.019 of patience 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:58.500 would do it. 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:58.860 He is 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.320 utterly 00:15:59.320 --> 00:15:59.780 bankrupt. 00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:00.540 He is 00:16:00.540 --> 00:16:01.040 powerless 00:16:01.040 --> 00:16:01.740 and helpless, 00:16:02.280 --> 00:16:03.000 no ability 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.600 to trade 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:04.100 out of this 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.680 situation 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.480 at all. 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.180 And it 00:16:06.180 --> 00:16:06.700 is again 00:16:06.700 --> 00:16:07.220 the picture 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:07.519 of our 00:16:07.519 --> 00:16:08.039 situation 00:16:08.039 --> 00:16:08.759 before God 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.379 as we 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:09.940 saw back 00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:10.480 in Ephesians 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:11.200 chapter 2 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.840 where it 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:13.580 describes us 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.000 there as 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:14.840 being dead 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.360 in our 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:16.060 transgressions 00:16:16.060 --> 00:16:16.620 and sins. 00:16:17.080 --> 00:16:17.860 Dead people 00:16:17.860 --> 00:16:18.800 don't cut 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.240 deals. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.320 They don't 00:16:20.320 --> 00:16:20.879 pay back 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.320 loans. 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.440 They are 00:16:22.440 --> 00:16:23.060 powerless. 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.120 They cannot 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:25.060 even walk. 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:27.600 Of course, 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.100 the king 00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.840 understood the 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:29.360 plight of his 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:29.659 servant. 00:16:29.659 --> 00:16:38.139 You see, 00:16:38.219 --> 00:16:38.819 this story 00:16:38.819 --> 00:16:39.819 ultimately is 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:40.379 about God 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:40.759 and the way 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.120 he has 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:41.659 graciously 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:42.519 treated us. 00:16:42.959 --> 00:16:43.279 We who 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:43.879 were bankrupt 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.120 before God 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:45.559 with a debt 00:16:45.559 --> 00:16:45.919 of sin 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:46.159 that we 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:46.519 could never 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.000 repay 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.679 have been 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.079 forgiven 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:48.459 through the 00:16:48.459 --> 00:16:49.019 Lord Jesus. 00:16:49.379 --> 00:16:49.719 Our debt 00:16:49.719 --> 00:16:50.399 against God 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:50.980 has been 00:16:50.980 --> 00:16:51.740 piling up 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.539 minute after 00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:52.860 minute, 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:53.500 hour after 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:53.839 hour, 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:54.379 day after 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:54.639 day, 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:55.259 month after 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:55.620 month, 00:16:55.959 --> 00:16:56.459 year after 00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:56.879 year. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.579 But God 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:57.879 in his 00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.259 gracious 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:58.759 action 00:16:58.759 --> 00:16:59.139 towards 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.519 the Lord 00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:01.299 Jesus 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.360 has wiped 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:02.899 it clean. 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:05.819 He's 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.299 forgiven us 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:06.579 a debt 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:06.819 that we 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.180 could never 00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:07.599 repay. 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.339 You see, 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:09.799 the words, 00:17:09.900 --> 00:17:10.119 he'd be 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:10.680 patient with 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:10.920 me and 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.279 I'll pay 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:11.660 you back 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.180 everything, 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:12.660 Jesus. 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:13.839 I'll go 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:14.279 to church 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.559 and I'll 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:14.920 pull my 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.400 socks up 00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:15.639 and I'll 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:15.960 read my 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.400 Bible and 00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:16.799 I'll pray 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.079 and I'll 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:17.279 give you 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.660 some money. 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.839 It is 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:20.059 so pitifully 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.680 untrue. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.720 No amount 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.119 of good 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:23.980 Christian activity, 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:25.139 no amount 00:17:25.139 --> 00:17:25.660 of pulling up 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.039 the socks 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.460 and rolling 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:26.819 up your 00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.279 sleeves and 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.720 trying a 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:28.299 little harder 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.139 morally, 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:30.520 our debt 00:17:30.520 --> 00:17:31.320 against God 00:17:31.320 --> 00:17:32.340 is phenomenal. 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:33.900 We are 00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:34.480 bankrupt. 00:17:35.320 --> 00:17:36.620 We don't 00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:36.980 have the 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:37.580 power or the 00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:38.060 ability to 00:17:38.060 --> 00:17:38.680 trade out of 00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:39.140 it and God 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:39.800 comes along in 00:17:39.800 --> 00:17:40.460 the Lord Jesus 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.580 and says, 00:17:41.800 --> 00:17:42.740 I release you 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.759 from the debt. 00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.040 Now, 00:17:47.100 --> 00:17:47.259 of course, 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:47.900 the twist in the 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.500 story comes 00:17:48.500 --> 00:17:48.980 when this 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:50.200 servant who 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:50.720 has been 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.740 forgiven an 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.640 incalculable 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:53.140 debt 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:57.440 walks out 00:17:57.440 --> 00:17:58.840 onto the 00:17:58.840 --> 00:17:59.180 deck 00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.220 and starts 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.620 choking 00:18:00.620 --> 00:18:01.220 someone 00:18:01.220 --> 00:18:02.780 who owes 00:18:02.780 --> 00:18:03.140 him 00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:05.560 a trifling 00:18:05.560 --> 00:18:05.840 amount 00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:06.500 in comparison. 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:10.700 He makes 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.040 sure that 00:18:11.040 --> 00:18:11.380 this other 00:18:11.380 --> 00:18:11.940 servant who 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.460 owes him 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:12.900 a few 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:13.420 dollars 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:14.340 pays him 00:18:14.340 --> 00:18:14.900 back right 00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:15.320 down to 00:18:15.320 --> 00:18:15.740 the last 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.160 cent. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:18.160 Verse 28, 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:19.100 But when 00:18:19.100 --> 00:18:19.560 that servant 00:18:19.560 --> 00:18:19.920 went out, 00:18:20.000 --> 00:18:20.340 he found 00:18:20.340 --> 00:18:20.779 one of his 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:21.540 fellow servants 00:18:21.540 --> 00:18:21.940 who owed him 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.240 a hundred 00:18:22.240 --> 00:18:22.880 denarii. 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.519 He grabbed 00:18:24.519 --> 00:18:24.920 him and began 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.740 to choke him. 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.340 Pay back what 00:18:27.340 --> 00:18:28.060 you owe me, 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:28.800 he demanded. 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.040 And his 00:18:30.040 --> 00:18:30.620 fellow servant 00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:31.120 fell on his 00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:31.540 knees and 00:18:31.540 --> 00:18:31.880 begged him, 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.360 be patient 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:32.660 with me and 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:33.180 I will pay 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:33.700 you back. 00:18:34.540 --> 00:18:34.900 But he 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:35.540 refused. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:36.480 Instead, 00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:37.060 he went off 00:18:37.060 --> 00:18:37.420 and had the 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:37.880 man thrown 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:38.480 into prison 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:38.900 until he 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:39.300 could pay 00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:39.700 back the 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:39.940 debt. 00:18:39.940 --> 00:18:41.480 You see, 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:41.880 the fact 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:42.240 that the 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.240 second servant's 00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:44.259 debt is 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.440 one six 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.059 hundred 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:47.700 thousandth of 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.160 the first 00:18:48.160 --> 00:18:48.559 debt, 00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:51.000 emphasizes the 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:51.820 ludicrous 00:18:51.820 --> 00:18:54.580 nature of 00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:55.480 this servant's 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.180 behavior. 00:18:58.320 --> 00:18:59.519 Any limitation 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.559 of grace and 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.200 forgiveness that 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:02.620 he shows to 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:03.220 his fellow 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.019 servant is 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.539 just 00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.779 inconceivable. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:09.700 the second 00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.559 servant pleaded 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.079 for mercy, 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.819 be patient 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:12.299 and I will 00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:12.700 pay you 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.059 back. 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.660 And he 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:14.139 could have 00:19:14.139 --> 00:19:14.559 paid it 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:15.440 back with 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:15.980 time. 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:16.799 It's a few 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.299 bucks. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:18.920 He could have 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.299 paid it 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:19.579 back. 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.200 But what does 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:20.619 the first 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.160 servant do? 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.119 He grabs 00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:22.359 him, 00:19:22.639 --> 00:19:23.039 hands him 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.539 over to 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.180 the jailers, 00:19:24.339 --> 00:19:24.859 he has him 00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.539 thrown into 00:19:25.539 --> 00:19:27.359 prison until 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:28.039 he can pay 00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.420 the debt 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:28.819 back. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:29.879 And what 00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:30.339 happens when 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:30.619 he's in 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:30.920 prison? 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.980 He can't 00:19:32.980 --> 00:19:33.259 earn the 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:33.619 money to 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:34.099 pay the debt 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:34.480 back. 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.500 And so the 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.119 first servant 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:36.680 will hold 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.099 that debt 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:37.660 against him 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.019 forever. 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.799 We know 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.380 right at the 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:48.019 very end of 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.880 this parable 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:49.519 and also at 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:49.700 the very 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.220 beginning of 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:51.180 this parable 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.759 because it's 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.420 just flown out 00:19:52.420 --> 00:19:53.059 of Peter's 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:54.039 question to 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.539 Jesus, how 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.000 many times 00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:55.259 should I 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.660 forgive my 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.000 brother, 00:19:56.440 --> 00:19:57.000 that ultimately 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.660 this parable 00:19:57.660 --> 00:19:58.039 is about 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.680 forgiveness. 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:03.839 And it's a 00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:04.440 shocking picture, 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:04.880 isn't it? 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:05.760 the first 00:20:05.760 --> 00:20:06.600 servant throws 00:20:06.600 --> 00:20:07.060 the second 00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:07.600 servant into 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:08.680 prison and 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.240 holds the 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:09.720 debt against 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.000 him. 00:20:11.040 --> 00:20:11.640 My friends, 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:12.480 resentment, 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.280 the unwillingness 00:20:15.280 --> 00:20:15.820 to forgive, 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.480 is a deadly 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:19.340 disease and it 00:20:19.340 --> 00:20:20.280 is very common. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.500 It can have 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.620 quite negative 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.360 physical 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:25.080 consequences, 00:20:25.760 --> 00:20:26.620 but it 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.380 certainly has 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.220 very negative 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:28.780 spiritual 00:20:28.780 --> 00:20:29.520 consequences. 00:20:29.820 --> 00:20:30.580 Verse 32, 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.619 then the 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.399 master called 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:32.879 the servant 00:20:32.879 --> 00:20:34.240 in, you 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.460 wicked 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:35.980 servant. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:37.659 He said, 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.299 I cancelled 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.899 all the 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:39.259 debt that 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.659 was yours 00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:40.179 because you 00:20:40.179 --> 00:20:40.599 begged me 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:40.859 to. 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.819 Shouldn't 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.119 you have 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.699 had mercy 00:20:42.699 --> 00:20:43.019 on your 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:43.720 fellow servant 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.339 just as I 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.960 had on you? 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:46.699 And in 00:20:46.699 --> 00:20:47.319 anger, his 00:20:47.319 --> 00:20:48.019 master turned 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.519 him over to 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:49.220 the jailers to 00:20:49.220 --> 00:20:49.839 be tortured 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:51.439 until he 00:20:51.439 --> 00:20:51.960 should pay 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.539 back all 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:52.980 that he 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.439 owed. 00:20:55.199 --> 00:20:55.939 This is how 00:20:55.939 --> 00:20:56.379 my heavenly 00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.039 father will 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.619 treat each 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.740 of you unless 00:20:58.740 --> 00:20:59.240 you forgive 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.660 your brother 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.079 from your 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.359 heart. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.019 You see, 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:02.640 the spiritual 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:03.400 consequences 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:05.039 here are 00:21:05.039 --> 00:21:05.539 severe. 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.160 Our 00:21:07.160 --> 00:21:07.640 relationship 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.460 with God 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:10.259 is strangled 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:12.359 by resentment. 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.339 Resentment 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:15.279 is most 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:15.839 often the 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:16.599 reason behind 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.200 spiritual 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.900 dryness and 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:18.400 decline. 00:21:19.880 --> 00:21:20.220 A good 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:20.759 question to 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.400 ask of one 00:21:21.400 --> 00:21:22.220 another in 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.839 that state 00:21:22.839 --> 00:21:23.980 is, who 00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:24.339 do you need 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.880 to forgive? 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.220 Who do you 00:21:27.220 --> 00:21:27.519 need to 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:27.720 forgive? 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:31.839 When someone 00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:32.279 says, I 00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.960 cannot forgive 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.579 so and so 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:33.980 for what 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.380 they've done 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:34.799 to me, 00:21:35.160 --> 00:21:36.000 the answer 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.940 is, according 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.420 to verse 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.519 35, is 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.380 you must 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:41.740 forgive or 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.240 you will 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:42.819 never be 00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.400 forgiven by 00:21:43.400 --> 00:21:43.720 God. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:47.160 The grace 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:47.680 of God 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.519 is dynamic 00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.200 and it is 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:50.000 life-changing. 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.700 We simply 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.819 cannot go 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:54.400 through heaven's 00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:55.819 narrow door 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:56.759 if our 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.519 lives are 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.319 bulging 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.259 with 00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.779 resentment. 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:02.299 Heaven is 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.119 for penitent 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:03.439 sinners 00:22:03.439 --> 00:22:03.980 only. 00:22:04.599 --> 00:22:04.980 God's 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:05.539 grace, 00:22:06.099 --> 00:22:06.619 compassion, 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.519 love, 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:07.980 mercy, 00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.500 forgiveness 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.399 is meant 00:22:09.399 --> 00:22:10.099 to motivate 00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.799 grace, 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.759 compassion, 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:12.740 love, 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:13.539 mercy, 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.399 forgiveness 00:22:14.399 --> 00:22:15.220 in us. 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.399 Whenever we 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:17.099 are confronted 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.799 with someone 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.299 who has 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.119 wronged us, 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.099 the place 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.019 to dwell 00:22:21.019 --> 00:22:21.859 in our 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.299 thoughts and 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.679 our emotions 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.299 is not 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.060 the gravity 00:22:25.060 --> 00:22:25.860 of their 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.720 sin against 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.200 me, 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.140 but the 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.920 gravity of 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.860 my sin 00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:30.680 against God. 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:37.200 On the 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.820 25th of 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:38.940 July 1993, 00:22:40.120 --> 00:22:40.860 three men 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:42.019 rushed into 00:22:42.019 --> 00:22:43.660 St. James 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:44.560 Anglican Church 00:22:44.560 --> 00:22:45.299 Kenilworth in 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.980 South Africa 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.740 and armed 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.279 with machine 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:47.720 guns and 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.100 grenades. 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:50.120 After the 00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:50.519 slaughter, 00:22:51.340 --> 00:22:52.320 11 parishioners 00:22:52.320 --> 00:22:52.880 lay dead in 00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:53.440 the pews, 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.299 60 of 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.660 them were 00:22:54.660 --> 00:22:55.539 wounded, 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.360 some of 00:22:56.360 --> 00:22:56.680 them were 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.200 permanently 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.799 maimed. 00:22:58.820 --> 00:22:59.220 One of 00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.640 those who 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.320 was killed 00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.360 was the 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:01.980 wife of 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.259 Dowie 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:02.660 Ackerman. 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:03.980 She was 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.360 sitting in 00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:04.680 the back 00:23:04.680 --> 00:23:05.059 pew, 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.580 I think 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:06.140 while Dowie 00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.620 was in 00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:07.259 the foyer 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.920 handing, 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.259 I know he 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.440 might have 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:08.779 been at the 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.059 front of 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.519 the church 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.480 involved in 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:10.920 some sort 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.400 of ministry. 00:23:12.600 --> 00:23:13.140 She was 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:13.500 one of the 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:13.940 first to 00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:14.240 die. 00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:16.140 Dowie 00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:17.100 attended the 00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:17.519 truth and 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.100 reconciliation 00:23:18.100 --> 00:23:18.799 for the 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.740 men who 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.279 gunned down 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.080 his wife. 00:23:21.079 --> 00:23:23.819 during the 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.199 course of 00:23:24.199 --> 00:23:24.819 the hearing, 00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.240 the men 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.859 turned to 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:28.299 Dowie and 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:28.619 said, 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.039 will you 00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:30.000 forgive us 00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.859 for what we 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.299 have done 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:31.740 to you? 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:34.240 This is what 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:34.579 he said. 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:38.379 I forgave 00:23:38.379 --> 00:23:38.759 them 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:40.579 unconditionally 00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:42.359 because they 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:42.960 asked for 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.119 it. 00:23:44.179 --> 00:23:45.079 God has 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:46.039 forgiven us 00:23:46.039 --> 00:23:47.079 and all 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:48.339 we have 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:48.759 to do 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.679 is ask 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.139 for it. 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.159 They've 00:23:51.159 --> 00:23:51.879 asked for 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.259 my 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.759 forgiveness 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:55.679 so I 00:23:55.679 --> 00:23:56.039 must give 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.279 it to 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.480 them. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.539 Tough 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:00.819 call, 00:24:00.939 --> 00:24:01.259 isn't it? 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.019 Forgiveness 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.639 like that. 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.299 But my 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:05.799 friends, 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:07.339 that is 00:24:07.339 --> 00:24:08.119 the way 00:24:08.119 --> 00:24:08.899 of Christian 00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:09.220 living. 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.699 That is 00:24:11.699 --> 00:24:12.599 the impact, 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.359 the dynamic 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.460 transforming 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:16.519 impact of 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:16.919 the grace 00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:17.439 of God. 00:24:17.919 --> 00:24:18.460 It is 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:19.460 only possible 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.460 when we 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:20.879 see the 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.599 enormity of 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.059 our sin 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.879 against God 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.599 and his 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.139 forgiveness 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.659 and his 00:24:24.659 --> 00:24:25.139 grace to 00:24:25.139 --> 00:24:25.480 us in 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:25.779 the Lord 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.079 Jesus 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.659 Christ. 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.359 The grace 00:24:28.359 --> 00:24:29.179 of God 00:24:29.179 --> 00:24:30.699 towards us 00:24:30.699 --> 00:24:31.059 in the 00:24:31.059 --> 00:24:31.319 Lord 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:31.759 Jesus 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:33.700 is the 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.279 motivation 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:34.980 for us 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.319 to put 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:35.940 on the 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:36.240 garments 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:36.500 of 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:36.900 grace. 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.379 And I 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:39.859 use the 00:24:39.859 --> 00:24:40.140 term 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:40.519 garments 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:40.700 of 00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:40.960 grace 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.180 from 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.759 Colossians 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.160 chapter 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.660 3 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:44.099 verses 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.700 12 to 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.180 14. 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:45.579 Therefore, 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:47.000 as God's 00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:47.939 chosen people, 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.659 holy and 00:24:48.659 --> 00:24:49.359 dearly loved, 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.639 clothe yourselves 00:24:50.639 --> 00:24:51.519 with compassion, 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.419 kindness, 00:24:52.639 --> 00:24:53.079 humility, 00:24:53.359 --> 00:24:53.679 gentleness, 00:24:53.839 --> 00:24:54.439 and patience. 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.439 Bear with 00:24:55.439 --> 00:24:55.919 each other 00:24:55.919 --> 00:24:56.679 and forgive 00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.980 whatever grievances 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.679 you may have 00:24:58.679 --> 00:24:59.279 against one 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.599 another. 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.299 Forgive 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.379 as the 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.179 Lord forgave 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:02.519 you. 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.179 And over 00:25:03.179 --> 00:25:03.919 all of these 00:25:03.919 --> 00:25:04.339 virtues, 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:05.259 put on love, 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.159 which binds 00:25:06.159 --> 00:25:06.759 them all 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.639 together in 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.619 perfect unity. 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.919 You see, 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.379 the main 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:10.979 thrust of 00:25:10.979 --> 00:25:11.259 Paul's 00:25:11.259 --> 00:25:12.079 teaching here 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.819 in this 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:14.159 passage is 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:15.019 that we 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.419 are to be 00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:16.079 clothed 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.779 ourselves 00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:17.279 with 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.299 Christ-like 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:19.139 virtues. 00:25:19.719 --> 00:25:20.219 But he 00:25:20.219 --> 00:25:21.039 grounds his 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:22.359 exaltation 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:23.099 on being 00:25:23.099 --> 00:25:23.919 clothed with 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.719 these virtues 00:25:24.719 --> 00:25:26.279 in the 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:26.719 grace of 00:25:26.719 --> 00:25:27.099 God. 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.000 The fact 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:28.559 that he 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.399 has chosen 00:25:29.399 --> 00:25:29.919 us to be 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:30.379 in him, 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:30.819 that we 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.319 are holy 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:31.639 in his 00:25:31.639 --> 00:25:32.399 sight, 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:32.919 that we 00:25:32.919 --> 00:25:33.619 are dearly 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.059 loved by 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.419 him. 00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:36.779 It is 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.259 difficult. 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.099 Perhaps 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.079 impossible 00:25:40.079 --> 00:25:40.879 for us 00:25:40.879 --> 00:25:41.219 to show 00:25:41.219 --> 00:25:41.879 compassion 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:43.139 or patience 00:25:43.139 --> 00:25:43.799 to someone 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:45.079 else if we 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:45.659 are unsure 00:25:45.659 --> 00:25:46.159 if God 00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:46.699 is patient 00:25:46.699 --> 00:25:47.399 with us. 00:25:47.799 --> 00:25:48.679 Or even 00:25:48.679 --> 00:25:49.199 worse, 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.539 if we 00:25:50.539 --> 00:25:51.099 don't sense 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.799 the need 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.659 for God 00:25:52.659 --> 00:25:53.159 to be 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:53.559 patient 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.539 with us. 00:25:56.699 --> 00:25:57.379 These 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:58.019 garments of 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.439 gracious 00:25:58.439 --> 00:25:58.939 Christian 00:25:58.939 --> 00:25:59.439 character 00:25:59.439 --> 00:26:00.139 can only 00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:00.659 be put 00:26:00.659 --> 00:26:01.719 on by 00:26:01.719 --> 00:26:02.719 those who 00:26:02.719 --> 00:26:03.859 are continually 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:05.479 experiencing 00:26:05.479 --> 00:26:06.159 the grace 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:06.679 of God 00:26:06.679 --> 00:26:07.239 in their 00:26:07.239 --> 00:26:08.039 own lives. 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.659 And it's 00:26:09.659 --> 00:26:10.419 passages like 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:10.719 this, 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.639 Colossians 3 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:12.259 and Matthew 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.379 18, 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:15.099 that undergird 00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:16.239 our core 00:26:16.239 --> 00:26:16.839 value here 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.179 at St. 00:26:17.239 --> 00:26:17.659 Paul's of 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:17.979 humble 00:26:17.979 --> 00:26:18.599 authenticity. 00:26:20.099 --> 00:26:20.779 Let me 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.459 remind you 00:26:21.459 --> 00:26:22.000 of bits 00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.319 of it. 00:26:22.739 --> 00:26:23.379 As a 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:23.719 church, 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.119 we are 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.379 committed 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.000 to serving 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.039 others and 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.559 considering 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.759 them more 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:28.359 important than 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:28.859 ourselves, 00:26:29.419 --> 00:26:30.059 speaking to 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.519 one another 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.659 honestly and 00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:32.239 in private 00:26:32.239 --> 00:26:32.899 when problems 00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.519 arise, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.659 honoring each 00:26:34.659 --> 00:26:35.000 other by 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:35.679 not engaging 00:26:35.679 --> 00:26:36.219 in gossip 00:26:36.219 --> 00:26:36.739 or malicious 00:26:36.739 --> 00:26:37.679 or slanderous 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.080 talk, 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.060 being careful 00:26:39.060 --> 00:26:39.519 how we 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.320 interpret one 00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:40.700 another, 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.420 asking clarifying 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.200 questions before 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:44.200 making judgments 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.660 in disagreements, 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.920 being slow to 00:26:46.920 --> 00:26:47.600 take offense, 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:48.700 being quick to 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.440 confess error 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:50.140 and sin, 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:50.960 to pursue 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:52.220 reconciliation and 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:52.920 work towards 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:53.700 change when we 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.200 have offended, 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:55.539 being rigorously 00:26:55.539 --> 00:26:56.080 honest, 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.700 being vulnerable 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.140 with our 00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.620 imperfections that 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.920 encourages openness 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:01.759 and honesty 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.940 rather than 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:03.660 cover up. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:07.400 our core 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.040 value of 00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:08.460 humble 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.200 authenticity 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.600 is so 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:11.480 essential 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.759 for our 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.220 spiritual 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.840 health, 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.720 but not 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.200 just for 00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.720 ours, 00:27:17.420 --> 00:27:19.140 but for 00:27:19.140 --> 00:27:19.400 other 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.019 people's. 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.660 Their lives 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.300 are at stake. 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:23.840 Why would 00:27:23.840 --> 00:27:24.560 they want to 00:27:24.560 --> 00:27:25.000 know or 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:25.740 experience the 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:26.240 grace of 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:27.320 God if 00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:27.980 they don't 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.720 see it as 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.580 life-changing 00:27:29.580 --> 00:27:30.580 and dynamic 00:27:30.580 --> 00:27:31.640 for the 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.140 people of 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.420 God? 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:35.660 why 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:38.060 would we 00:27:38.060 --> 00:27:38.900 not put 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.700 humble 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.420 authenticity 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.420 into practice 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.460 amongst us? 00:27:44.320 --> 00:27:45.340 Why would 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:45.820 we want to 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:46.300 hold on to 00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:46.720 resentment? 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:48.360 Why would 00:27:48.360 --> 00:27:48.880 we not 00:27:48.880 --> 00:27:49.240 forgive? 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.400 The only 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.340 reason is 00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:53.720 that we 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.180 have not 00:27:54.180 --> 00:27:54.900 admitted our 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.640 own total 00:27:55.640 --> 00:27:56.840 and permanent 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:57.460 spiritual 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.040 bankruptcy. 00:27:58.940 --> 00:27:59.980 Only as 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.420 we see 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.380 ourselves as 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:02.460 basically good 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.200 do we 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.120 expect everyone 00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.840 else around 00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:05.440 us to be 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:06.319 basically good 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:08.220 and especially 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.160 basically good 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:09.640 to me. 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.880 Living by 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.720 grace means 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.900 recognising our 00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:15.900 spiritual bankruptcy. 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.180 It means 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:17.700 seeing the 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.779 vast contrast 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.380 between the 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:21.220 enormity of 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.860 my debt 00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:22.799 against God 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:25.759 and another 00:28:25.759 --> 00:28:26.500 person's 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.500 trifling debt 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.640 against me. 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:29.840 it means 00:28:29.840 --> 00:28:30.259 throwing 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:30.720 yourself 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.380 on God's 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:31.720 mercy 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.180 daily. 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:32.880 It means 00:28:32.880 --> 00:28:33.800 responding to 00:28:33.800 --> 00:28:34.460 the Bible's 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.200 instruction to 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.620 forgive as 00:28:36.620 --> 00:28:37.420 the Lord has 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.259 forgiven me. 00:28:40.560 --> 00:28:40.840 And so 00:28:40.840 --> 00:28:41.500 friends after 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.060 three weeks 00:28:42.060 --> 00:28:42.460 we've come 00:28:42.460 --> 00:28:42.880 back full 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.280 circle. 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.800 We are 00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:45.180 back where 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:45.759 we began 00:28:45.759 --> 00:28:47.060 with our 00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.520 spiritual 00:28:47.520 --> 00:28:48.060 bankruptcy. 00:28:48.059 --> 00:28:50.440 This is 00:28:50.440 --> 00:28:50.779 where we 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.399 must begin 00:28:51.399 --> 00:28:52.899 and it's 00:28:52.899 --> 00:28:53.259 where we 00:28:53.259 --> 00:28:54.220 must end 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:55.779 if we are 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:56.759 to experience 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:57.639 the daily 00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:59.139 joy of 00:28:59.139 --> 00:28:59.779 living by 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.220 God's 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.740 transforming 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.279 grace. 00:29:02.639 --> 00:29:02.960 And so 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.960 I invite you 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.619 again 00:29:04.619 --> 00:29:06.500 to lay 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.519 aside any 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.559 remnant of 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.419 self-goodness 00:29:09.419 --> 00:29:09.940 that you may 00:29:09.940 --> 00:29:10.399 think you 00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.159 still have. 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.299 Admit your 00:29:12.299 --> 00:29:12.839 total 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:13.379 spiritual 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:14.059 bankruptcy 00:29:14.059 --> 00:29:15.179 bankruptcy 00:29:15.179 --> 00:29:16.639 and drink 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.299 deeply 00:29:17.299 --> 00:29:18.359 from the 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:18.980 infinite 00:29:18.980 --> 00:29:19.579 grace of 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:20.019 the Lord 00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.359 Jesus 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:20.960 Christ. 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.419 And then 00:29:23.419 --> 00:29:23.980 in deep 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.399 awareness 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:25.179 of what 00:29:25.179 --> 00:29:25.619 you have 00:29:25.619 --> 00:29:26.279 received 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:27.460 extend 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.299 that same 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.899 spirit of 00:29:28.899 --> 00:29:29.440 grace to 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.000 one another. 00:29:31.759 --> 00:29:32.460 Amazing 00:29:32.460 --> 00:29:33.019 grace 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.299 how sweet 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:34.859 the sound 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.759 that saved 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.419 a wretch 00:29:36.419 --> 00:29:37.720 like me. 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:40.839 But 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:42.279 it is 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.059 his grace 00:29:43.059 --> 00:29:43.539 that has 00:29:43.539 --> 00:29:44.240 brought me 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:44.919 safe thus 00:29:44.919 --> 00:29:45.399 far 00:29:45.399 --> 00:29:46.980 and grace 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.279 will lead 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.839 me home. 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.279 Let's stand 00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.619 and sing.