WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.259
 Our first proverb here is in chapter 3 and verse 27 and 28, and it's to do with practicing kindness.

00:00:10.919 --> 00:00:12.500
 So let me read that for you.

00:00:12.980 --> 00:00:18.480
 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to act.

00:00:19.080 --> 00:00:25.120
 Do not say to your neighbor, come back later, I'll give it tomorrow when you now have it with you.

00:00:25.120 --> 00:00:34.539
 Okay, so very simple in a sense, very challenging in another sense, but he's basically saying when it's in your power to help someone,

00:00:35.100 --> 00:00:42.960
 when somebody needs help, our responsibility is to do good and to do it now, not later.

00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:46.380
 So this teaches us something about friendship.

00:00:46.620 --> 00:00:49.980
 A wise friend is somebody who is attentive to the needs of others.

00:00:49.979 --> 00:00:56.799
 We're looking around, we're seeing who needs help, and we're willing to help even when it might not be convenient for us.

00:00:57.579 --> 00:00:59.419
 And we'll think about the challenge of that in a moment.

00:01:00.339 --> 00:01:03.640
 He says, do not withhold good from those who deserve it.

00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:04.739
 What is that good?

00:01:04.859 --> 00:01:07.099
 What is that kindness that Solomon is talking about?

00:01:07.699 --> 00:01:08.500
 We don't know.

00:01:08.900 --> 00:01:15.640
 In a sense, he's deliberately left it, not specified, so that we don't put limits on it.

00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:25.480
 So it might be somebody comes to us and they need some equipment, or they need some expertise that we have to offer.

00:01:26.239 --> 00:01:35.359
 It may be that somebody comes to us and it's as simple as they need some food or some financial resources, or maybe they need our time.

00:01:35.819 --> 00:01:42.420
 They have something on their mind, something on their heart, and they need somebody to give them time to chat with them.

00:01:42.420 --> 00:01:48.260
 So it's a simple but a challenging proverb.

00:01:48.460 --> 00:01:54.260
 And I invite you to reflect later on what this might look like in our day-to-day lives.

00:01:54.359 --> 00:02:01.540
 You know, it might look like, boys and girls, it might look as simple as, you'll have heard this in your house once or twice,

00:02:01.599 --> 00:02:06.200
 I'm quite sure, when your mom and dad say, tidy your room.

00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:15.719
 The kind thing to do is to do it now, not later, when it suits you, which is usually never.

00:02:16.360 --> 00:02:20.000
 So sometimes the kind thing is really simple, but it's really hard.

00:02:20.360 --> 00:02:24.199
 It might look like helping your brother or your sister or a friend at school,

00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:28.300
 even when you're in the middle of a game or you're in the middle of watching the telly,

00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:30.699
 and there's something you might rather do.

00:02:30.699 --> 00:02:35.179
 The kind thing is to go and help them.

00:02:36.299 --> 00:02:40.719
 For us all, we probably have a list of good intentions,

00:02:41.479 --> 00:02:44.679
 things that I know need doing in my house or in my flat,

00:02:45.679 --> 00:02:47.639
 that would be a blessing to somebody else.

00:02:48.099 --> 00:02:52.439
 Proverbs is saying, we'll do that thing and do it today, not tomorrow.

00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:58.159
 It might be as simple as slowing down to really ask someone,

00:02:58.159 --> 00:02:59.819
 how are you today?

00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:04.319
 Not just as a, you know, the way that we greet one another in our culture,

00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:10.460
 but to really stop and ask and find out what's on a person's horn.

00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:13.300
 Or it might be much more creative than that.

00:03:13.359 --> 00:03:18.139
 I read an article from a Christian mom this week,

00:03:18.579 --> 00:03:22.979
 talking about what she does in her local community

00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:26.039
 when the message goes out that there's a missing dog.

00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:29.459
 They live apparently in a dog walking area,

00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:30.459
 lots of dogs around,

00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:33.659
 and they have something on social media

00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:36.039
 that allows people to give information

00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:38.139
 if there are missing dogs in the area.

00:03:38.239 --> 00:03:41.079
 So this Christian mom, what she does when she gets this message,

00:03:41.399 --> 00:03:43.659
 she calls whatever kids are in the house together,

00:03:43.859 --> 00:03:45.479
 and they pray for the dog,

00:03:45.519 --> 00:03:47.060
 and they pray for the concerned owners,

00:03:47.299 --> 00:03:48.759
 and then they go out on the streets,

00:03:49.359 --> 00:03:51.359
 looking to find A, the dog,

00:03:51.419 --> 00:03:52.659
 or B, the owner,

00:03:52.739 --> 00:03:54.819
 in order to bring the two together.

00:03:54.819 --> 00:03:57.620
 And she talked about this as being a really important way

00:03:57.620 --> 00:04:00.139
 for her and her kids to be involved in neighborhood mission.

00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:03.139
 That's a really simple way to show kindness

00:04:03.139 --> 00:04:04.900
 and to be a good neighbor.

00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:07.000
 And that's a really nice story.

00:04:07.699 --> 00:04:09.799
 But back to the challenge of this.

00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:12.079
 Do not say to your neighbor,

00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:14.939
 come back later, I'll give it tomorrow.

00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:17.860
 There's the challenge for us to do the good thing today

00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:20.060
 and not tomorrow.

00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:22.360
 To do it now rather than later.

00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:25.280
 Because most of us, I imagine,

00:04:25.699 --> 00:04:29.139
 feel ourselves to be time poor.

00:04:30.139 --> 00:04:32.000
 We have schedules.

00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:36.720
 We have to-do lists that drive our days.

00:04:37.520 --> 00:04:41.139
 And so often we don't have much in the way of margins.

00:04:41.520 --> 00:04:45.020
 We're moving from this activity to this meeting,

00:04:45.139 --> 00:04:47.560
 to this deadline, to this pickup,

00:04:47.560 --> 00:04:50.199
 and it seems like there's very little margin.

00:04:50.720 --> 00:04:55.100
 So then we have very little space and time, perhaps,

00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:58.339
 to stop and to help.

00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:02.340
 And so maybe that's one of the challenges for us,

00:05:02.360 --> 00:05:04.860
 is to think about how can we build in margins.

00:05:04.980 --> 00:05:06.959
 I remember reading about a missionary

00:05:06.959 --> 00:05:10.939
 who knew his work from his house to the shops

00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:13.259
 to the school would take, let's say, 40 minutes.

00:05:13.259 --> 00:05:16.639
 So he decided to add an extra 10 minutes time

00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:19.360
 so then he'd be able to stop and have a conversation.

00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:20.920
 He'd be able to stop and help someone.

00:05:21.060 --> 00:05:24.599
 Maybe that's something that we might usefully think about.

00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:26.879
 So the challenge sometimes is that we feel time poor.

00:05:27.039 --> 00:05:31.420
 Sometimes it's just that we feel lazy or we feel selfish.

00:05:31.779 --> 00:05:33.920
 We'd actually rather not do it today

00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:35.819
 because we'd rather not do it at all.

00:05:36.279 --> 00:05:38.159
 We might feel that we have had a busy day.

00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:40.040
 We've got demands that need to be met

00:05:40.040 --> 00:05:43.540
 rather than trying to help somebody else.

00:05:44.520 --> 00:05:49.560
 Now, as we think about the challenge of this proverb,

00:05:49.820 --> 00:05:51.940
 how can Jesus help?

00:05:53.560 --> 00:05:56.240
 Let's think for a moment about the example of Jesus.

00:05:56.960 --> 00:05:58.600
 On a Wednesday lunchtime,

00:05:58.660 --> 00:06:02.400
 we have a Bible study through in the hall.

00:06:02.700 --> 00:06:04.440
 And on Wednesday, we were thinking

00:06:04.440 --> 00:06:06.160
 about the feeding of the 5,000,

00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:09.320
 a miracle that maybe many of us have heard about.

00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:11.520
 Now, the situation behind that

00:06:11.520 --> 00:06:16.100
 is Jesus is taking his disciples away to find rest.

00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:18.240
 They've been so busy, they don't even have time to eat.

00:06:18.300 --> 00:06:19.660
 So there's Jesus and his disciples.

00:06:19.820 --> 00:06:21.780
 They're tired, they're hungry, they're super busy.

00:06:22.340 --> 00:06:25.000
 They go away to be on their own.

00:06:25.520 --> 00:06:27.360
 But as they move to that quiet place,

00:06:27.560 --> 00:06:29.440
 this huge crowd comes to them.

00:06:30.340 --> 00:06:32.640
 And what happens is Jesus has compassion on them.

00:06:33.280 --> 00:06:35.040
 He looks at them as sheep without a shepherd.

00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:39.180
 And so he teaches them and brings them the word of God.

00:06:39.300 --> 00:06:41.360
 And then he feeds them.

00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:46.340
 Jesus is somebody who made time for others.

00:06:46.480 --> 00:06:49.260
 You read the gospels, you will see him stopping

00:06:49.260 --> 00:06:53.420
 to pay attention to the needs of people.

00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:55.960
 And it's there in his teaching,

00:06:56.020 --> 00:06:59.660
 it's why we read the story of the Good Samaritan.

00:07:00.740 --> 00:07:04.400
 Jesus is teaching what does it look like to be a neighbor?

00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:06.459
 It looks like helping.

00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:09.019
 It looks like showing mercy to those in need

00:07:09.019 --> 00:07:12.099
 when we find people in need, whoever they are,

00:07:12.239 --> 00:07:15.219
 whether they're friend or enemy or who knows who they are.

00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:20.479
 And of course, that brings us to the gospel ultimately.

00:07:21.339 --> 00:07:26.019
 The way that we are able to practice true kindness as a friend

00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:30.399
 is to have first received the kindness of God

00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:34.479
 from Jesus who came to be the great Samaritan.

00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:38.219
 Jesus who came to us in our need,

00:07:38.779 --> 00:07:42.000
 in our misery because of our sin and our unbelief

00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:44.459
 and our inability to know God,

00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:47.000
 to enjoy God, which is what we're made for.

00:07:47.479 --> 00:07:49.259
 Jesus comes to us.

00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:52.360
 And by his death on the cross,

00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:54.819
 he washes us, he cleans us,

00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:56.319
 he transforms us,

00:07:56.339 --> 00:07:58.659
 he gives us new life

00:07:58.659 --> 00:08:02.240
 and gives us peace with God.

00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:06.740
 And so as we receive that kind of love,

00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:07.879
 that kind of kindness,

00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:10.139
 as we reflect on that in our own lives,

00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.360
 then let's let that generous love

00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:16.080
 then inform our practice

00:08:16.080 --> 00:08:19.580
 of this kind of kindness.

00:08:21.180 --> 00:08:22.400
 So Solomon says,

00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:23.379
 practice kindness.

00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:25.340
 Our next proverb is,

00:08:25.340 --> 00:08:26.240
 forward a few pages,

00:08:26.400 --> 00:08:27.420
 chapter 13.

00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:30.580
 This is page 647.

00:08:34.180 --> 00:08:36.539
 This isn't so much about something to practice

00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:38.240
 as some people to pursue.

00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:39.480
 Page 647,

00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:41.399
 Proverbs chapter 13,

00:08:41.519 --> 00:08:42.379
 verse 20.

00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:47.100
 Pursue wise friends.

00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:52.919
 He who walks with the wise grows wise,

00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:57.680
 but a companion of fools suffers harm.

00:08:58.180 --> 00:09:01.500
 So the Bible has a lot to say about wisdom and folly,

00:09:01.639 --> 00:09:02.940
 to be wise and to be foolish.

00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:04.460
 And we need to understand

00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:06.379
 that that's not an intellectual thing.

00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:09.100
 It's not saying find yourself some friends

00:09:09.100 --> 00:09:10.000
 who are super smart.

00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:13.300
 Wisdom and folly is all about

00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:14.519
 how does a person live

00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:16.859
 in reference to God and his values?

00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:20.299
 Is a person looking to love and serve

00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:21.139
 and obey God

00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:24.379
 or are they deliberately trying to ignore God

00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.899
 in the world that he made?

00:09:25.979 --> 00:09:26.859
 That's what differentiates,

00:09:27.659 --> 00:09:29.979
 separates wisdom from folly.

00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:33.539
 And so Solomon gives this advice

00:09:33.539 --> 00:09:34.879
 to his son

00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:37.179
 because he knows that for better or for worse,

00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:39.839
 we become more and more like the people

00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:41.060
 who we spend time with.

00:09:41.660 --> 00:09:43.860
 The people that we admire,

00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:46.759
 we tend to become more like them.

00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:49.519
 We discover that the closer our friendship,

00:09:49.720 --> 00:09:53.259
 the more those friendships shape our character.

00:09:54.540 --> 00:09:57.080
 Whether it's by a friend's example

00:09:57.080 --> 00:09:58.820
 or whether it's their advice

00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:00.680
 or whether it's the direction of their life,

00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:02.220
 for better or for worse,

00:10:02.280 --> 00:10:04.019
 the people that we are close to,

00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:07.420
 that they have an influence on us.

00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:10.099
 We can sometimes see that at a really surface level.

00:10:11.000 --> 00:10:12.819
 Spend time with somebody.

00:10:13.439 --> 00:10:16.000
 You might begin to take up some of their mannerisms.

00:10:16.479 --> 00:10:18.599
 Some of their phrases become your phrases.

00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:20.620
 But at a deeper level,

00:10:21.579 --> 00:10:23.899
 we can adopt a person's cynical

00:10:23.899 --> 00:10:26.319
 or judgmental attitude negatively

00:10:26.319 --> 00:10:27.319
 or positively,

00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:29.819
 become more generous and more gracious

00:10:29.819 --> 00:10:31.759
 as we spend time with that kind of a person.

00:10:31.759 --> 00:10:35.319
 So Solomon is reminding his son

00:10:35.319 --> 00:10:36.439
 that ultimately,

00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:38.159
 he says this throughout the Proverbs,

00:10:38.659 --> 00:10:42.179
 the goal of life and wisdom

00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:44.419
 is all about knowing God.

00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:46.580
 Knowing and enjoying friendship with God

00:10:46.580 --> 00:10:47.879
 is what it means to be wise.

00:10:48.100 --> 00:10:48.539
 Therefore,

00:10:49.679 --> 00:10:50.840
 choose friends

00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:52.779
 and choose role models

00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:56.059
 who help you to get closer to Jesus.

00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:58.159
 Pursue those friendships

00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:02.039
 that help you to walk with God.

00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:06.179
 What does that look like in our lives?

00:11:07.019 --> 00:11:09.419
 Well, maybe the children's game,

00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:10.339
 Simon Says,

00:11:10.439 --> 00:11:10.939
 is helpful.

00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.039
 Boys and girls,

00:11:12.100 --> 00:11:13.379
 I'm sure you know the game,

00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:14.159
 Simon Says.

00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:14.959
 Simon Says,

00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:15.719
 touch your head.

00:11:16.079 --> 00:11:16.819
 You touch your head.

00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:18.539
 If you just say to someone,

00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:19.139
 touch your head,

00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:20.000
 and Simon hasn't said it,

00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.039
 you're not supposed to copy.

00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:24.699
 We have to be really careful,

00:11:25.459 --> 00:11:26.899
 whatever age we are,

00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:30.179
 about the friendships that we have

00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:32.480
 to see whether they're being a positive

00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:35.039
 or a negative influence on us.

00:11:35.639 --> 00:11:37.939
 Sometimes the role models that we choose

00:11:37.939 --> 00:11:38.639
 are really good,

00:11:38.719 --> 00:11:41.559
 but sometimes they're really not.

00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.259
 And ultimately,

00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:45.139
 we're all called,

00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:47.259
 if we want to be truly wise,

00:11:47.819 --> 00:11:50.620
 to choose Jesus as our role model.

00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.299
 To make him the one

00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:55.240
 that we want to live according to.

00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:57.139
 But for all of us,

00:11:57.240 --> 00:11:58.599
 it's good wisdom

00:11:58.599 --> 00:11:59.799
 to watch and learn

00:11:59.799 --> 00:12:01.079
 from godly examples.

00:12:02.339 --> 00:12:04.839
 It's often wisdom and guidance

00:12:04.839 --> 00:12:05.399
 given out

00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:07.219
 when people are about to get married.

00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:08.980
 Find a marriage

00:12:08.980 --> 00:12:11.279
 of a mature couple that you admire

00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:12.659
 and get close to them.

00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:13.679
 Watch them.

00:12:13.899 --> 00:12:15.099
 Learn from them

00:12:15.099 --> 00:12:17.360
 so that you might seek

00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:18.939
 to put that into practice.

00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:20.960
 In your field of expertise

00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:21.780
 or interest,

00:12:22.200 --> 00:12:23.820
 find another Christian

00:12:23.820 --> 00:12:26.680
 who has walked that path before you

00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:27.900
 and ask them questions.

00:12:28.020 --> 00:12:29.660
 How can I be faithful

00:12:29.660 --> 00:12:32.060
 in this field of industry?

00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.940
 How can I be faithful

00:12:33.940 --> 00:12:35.380
 on the sports field?

00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.580
 We need to ask ourselves the question,

00:12:38.780 --> 00:12:40.860
 which friends most shape

00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:42.900
 the way we look at the world?

00:12:43.900 --> 00:12:45.700
 Who has the big influence on us?

00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:46.980
 Our friendships are not neutral.

00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:50.080
 And one of the things

00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:52.080
 about the gift of the church

00:12:52.080 --> 00:12:53.120
 to the people of God

00:12:53.120 --> 00:12:54.360
 is that we have an opportunity

00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.420
 within church

00:12:55.420 --> 00:12:57.200
 to pursue friendships

00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:59.159
 that help us together

00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:01.379
 to follow after God.

00:13:03.060 --> 00:13:03.820
 And again,

00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:04.960
 when we think about Jesus,

00:13:05.120 --> 00:13:06.019
 Jesus taught

00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:08.460
 quite clearly on this.

00:13:08.620 --> 00:13:08.800
 You know,

00:13:08.800 --> 00:13:09.960
 he would say on the one hand,

00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:11.620
 I am the way

00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:12.639
 and the truth and the life.

00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.960
 No one comes to the Father

00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.800
 except through me.

00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:16.399
 So he calls people

00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:18.699
 to listen to him,

00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.979
 to understand that he is

00:13:20.979 --> 00:13:22.899
 the one who brings wisdom

00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:24.159
 for how to know God.

00:13:24.339 --> 00:13:25.179
 But he'd also say,

00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:26.919
 watch out for those blind guides,

00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:28.159
 those false teachers

00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:31.839
 who can easily lead you astray.

00:13:32.839 --> 00:13:34.879
 At the end of the Sermon on the Mount,

00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:37.219
 he told the parable of the wise

00:13:37.219 --> 00:13:38.139
 and the foolish builder.

00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:41.219
 He said that to listen

00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:42.379
 and to practice,

00:13:42.580 --> 00:13:43.420
 to put into his,

00:13:43.660 --> 00:13:45.000
 into practice his words

00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.519
 is to be wise,

00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.399
 is to build your house

00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.759
 on a rock that stands.

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.360
 Building a life

00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.800
 on friendship with Jesus

00:13:51.800 --> 00:13:53.399
 is a solid foundation.

00:13:54.660 --> 00:13:56.000
 Whereas if we ignore

00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.580
 Jesus and his words,

00:13:57.779 --> 00:14:00.379
 it's like a house built on sand.

00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.620
 So we are called

00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:04.580
 to pursue wise friends.

00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:06.920
 We're called to pursue Jesus.

00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:07.820
 Jesus,

00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:08.519
 the one who came

00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:10.220
 to bring us back to God.

00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:12.220
 The one who prayed

00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:13.319
 shortly before the cross,

00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.600
 this is eternal life,

00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.740
 that they know you,

00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:17.259
 the only true God

00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.259
 and Jesus Christ,

00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.340
 whom you sent.

00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:20.419
 To know Jesus

00:14:20.419 --> 00:14:21.879
 is to know eternal life,

00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:23.299
 which is to know God,

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:25.539
 Father, Son, and Spirit.

00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:27.779
 It's to know eternal love

00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:29.539
 and eternal joy.

00:14:29.980 --> 00:14:32.220
 Jesus invites us into that.

00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.980
 Therefore, we are invited

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:36.419
 to pursue him.

00:14:36.419 --> 00:14:39.759
 And then the last proverb

00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.899
 from King Solomon,

00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.959
 from chapter 17,

00:14:44.459 --> 00:14:45.500
 and verse 9.

00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:48.539
 So this time we're on page 652.

00:14:54.099 --> 00:14:56.579
 Solomon's wisdom to his son,

00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:59.759
 and by extension his wisdom to us,

00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:03.199
 is to practice forgiveness.

00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:06.860
 chapter 17 and verse 9.

00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:09.720
 He who covers over an offense

00:15:09.720 --> 00:15:11.660
 promotes love,

00:15:12.340 --> 00:15:14.740
 but whoever repeats the matter

00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:18.080
 separates close friends.

00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:23.080
 So this proverb is giving the wisdom

00:15:23.080 --> 00:15:24.360
 that love covers,

00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:27.060
 love forgives,

00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:30.379
 a multitude of sins and failures.

00:15:30.540 --> 00:15:34.180
 That often wisdom in friendship

00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:36.020
 is being silent

00:15:36.020 --> 00:15:38.700
 rather than sharing the faults

00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.220
 of a friend,

00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:41.200
 especially if we're tempted

00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.300
 to share those faults

00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:43.460
 with others,

00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:45.340
 rather than gently talking

00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:46.060
 to the person

00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:48.000
 who's been guilty of wrong.

00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.519
 It was Martin Luther King,

00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.859
 the civil rights leader,

00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:52.879
 who said that love

00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:54.699
 is the only force

00:15:54.699 --> 00:15:56.819
 capable of transforming

00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.959
 an enemy

00:15:57.959 --> 00:16:00.299
 into a friend.

00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:01.919
 And when we think about

00:16:01.919 --> 00:16:02.879
 that saying,

00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.519
 when we think about

00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.979
 this wisdom of Solomon,

00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.739
 we understand

00:16:06.739 --> 00:16:09.519
 that to forgive

00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:11.719
 is a gift of love

00:16:11.719 --> 00:16:13.219
 that can reconcile

00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:15.399
 rather than drive away.

00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:17.300
 They're not constantly

00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:19.440
 going on about past failures.

00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.160
 It is a way

00:16:21.160 --> 00:16:22.580
 to remove that barrier

00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:23.800
 to allow friendship

00:16:23.800 --> 00:16:24.899
 and love

00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:26.200
 to develop.

00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:28.580
 And this is the heart

00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:29.360
 of the gospel,

00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:32.720
 that God in his grace

00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:34.200
 has chosen

00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:36.360
 through the blood of Jesus

00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.620
 to cover over

00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:39.220
 our offense,

00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.040
 to remember it

00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:42.060
 no more.

00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:43.839
 Solomon is saying

00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:44.759
 love that offers

00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.439
 forgiveness

00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:47.479
 and that offers

00:16:47.479 --> 00:16:48.279
 the discretion

00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.139
 that doesn't talk

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:49.799
 and gossip

00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:51.679
 fosters friendship

00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.419
 and love.

00:16:53.239 --> 00:16:53.939
 When we think about

00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.539
 the opposite,

00:16:55.359 --> 00:16:56.099
 it's about being quick

00:16:56.099 --> 00:16:56.779
 to be offended,

00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.039
 it's being quick

00:16:58.039 --> 00:16:58.919
 to retaliate,

00:16:59.319 --> 00:17:00.319
 quick to lash out.

00:17:01.719 --> 00:17:02.500
 We're reminded

00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:03.679
 that love chooses

00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.919
 to think the best

00:17:04.919 --> 00:17:05.500
 of others,

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.139
 to see the best

00:17:07.139 --> 00:17:07.619
 in others.

00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:10.719
 So we're called

00:17:10.719 --> 00:17:11.479
 to be quick

00:17:11.479 --> 00:17:14.079
 to reconcile.

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:16.159
 We are called

00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:17.299
 to avoid

00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:19.779
 passing on

00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.339
 the faults

00:17:20.339 --> 00:17:21.079
 of others

00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:22.779
 even when we

00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.739
 sometimes dress

00:17:23.739 --> 00:17:24.219
 that up

00:17:24.219 --> 00:17:25.619
 as a prayer

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.099
 request.

00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:27.500
 Pray this

00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:28.479
 for my friend

00:17:28.479 --> 00:17:29.459
 because he has

00:17:29.459 --> 00:17:30.319
 been so

00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.619
 and then comes

00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.279
 the big list

00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.959
 that's ultimately

00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:34.279
 not the other

00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.259
 person's business

00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.340
 and sometimes

00:17:36.340 --> 00:17:37.140
 we can dress

00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:37.700
 up gossip

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.480
 really nicely.

00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:41.620
 It looks like

00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:43.220
 making the first

00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.880
 move

00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:45.700
 to reconcile

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.900
 with someone else

00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.940
 because we

00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.740
 understand

00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:50.039
 that God

00:17:50.039 --> 00:17:50.500
 has made

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.360
 the first move

00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:52.340
 towards us

00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.400
 so that we

00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:53.819
 might be

00:17:53.819 --> 00:17:54.799
 reconciled

00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.839
 to him.

00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:01.759
 It's challenging.

00:18:02.919 --> 00:18:03.759
 Our instinct

00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:05.379
 is perhaps

00:18:05.379 --> 00:18:05.720
 to say

00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.079
 but they did

00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:08.539
 that thing

00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:08.819
 to me

00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:09.119
 and that was

00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:09.980
 awful.

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.359
 Our temptation

00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.399
 perhaps is to

00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:14.359
 lash out.

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.359
 Our instinct

00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:15.839
 is perhaps

00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.539
 to lash out

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:16.919
 and it

00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:18.000
 maybe feels

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.899
 good in the

00:18:18.899 --> 00:18:19.419
 moment we

00:18:19.419 --> 00:18:20.039
 lose sight

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:21.059
 of the

00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.039
 consequences.

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.680
 It can be

00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:25.140
 extremely hard

00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:26.620
 to cover

00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.100
 over an

00:18:27.100 --> 00:18:27.660
 offense

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.620
 to seek

00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.259
 to forgive

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.620
 and to

00:18:30.620 --> 00:18:31.400
 not repeat

00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:31.900
 a matter.

00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:32.759
 How again

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.480
 can Jesus

00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.880
 help us

00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.960
 in this?

00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.220
 Perhaps

00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.720
 you are

00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.560
 familiar with

00:18:40.560 --> 00:18:41.160
 the parable

00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:41.640
 called the

00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:42.340
 parable of

00:18:42.340 --> 00:18:43.600
 the unmerciful

00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.299
 servant.

00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.480
 Jesus told

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.299
 this story

00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.759
 about a

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.120
 king

00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:49.200
 who

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.440
 wanted to

00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.900
 call in

00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:53.279
 the debts

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:53.720
 of those

00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.220
 who had

00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.139
 amassed

00:18:55.139 --> 00:18:55.639
 debt

00:18:55.639 --> 00:18:56.420
 with him

00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.319
 and he

00:18:57.319 --> 00:18:57.819
 brings in

00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.359
 one servant

00:18:58.359 --> 00:18:58.740
 who has a

00:18:58.740 --> 00:18:59.519
 huge debt.

00:18:59.619 --> 00:18:59.879
 We take

00:18:59.879 --> 00:19:00.500
 hundreds of

00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:00.899
 years to

00:19:00.899 --> 00:19:01.240
 pay off

00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.539
 the debt

00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.240
 and the

00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.619
 servant

00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:03.299
 falls at

00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:03.720
 the king's

00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:04.099
 feet and

00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:05.480
 begs for

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.759
 mercy and

00:19:06.759 --> 00:19:07.200
 the king

00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.119
 shows mercy

00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:09.519
 and cancels

00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.240
 the debt

00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:11.019
 in an act

00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.559
 of great

00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.279
 grace and

00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.619
 forgiveness.

00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.099
 Well that

00:19:13.099 --> 00:19:13.940
 servant then

00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:15.139
 goes out

00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:16.220
 and just a

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.599
 little while

00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:17.099
 later he

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.619
 sees a

00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:18.319
 fellow servant

00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:18.799
 who owes

00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.740
 him just a

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.539
 very small

00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.079
 amount of

00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:22.619
 money but

00:19:22.619 --> 00:19:23.059
 there is no

00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.599
 mercy and

00:19:23.599 --> 00:19:24.059
 forgiveness.

00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:24.859
 He grabs

00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.159
 him, he

00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:25.679
 shakes him,

00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.220
 he throws

00:19:26.220 --> 00:19:26.619
 him in

00:19:26.619 --> 00:19:27.899
 prison until

00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:28.439
 the last

00:19:28.439 --> 00:19:29.500
 penny can

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.960
 be paid

00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.259
 back.

00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:30.619
 Well the

00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.919
 king is

00:19:31.919 --> 00:19:32.639
 furious.

00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:33.859
 He is

00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.619
 furious that

00:19:34.619 --> 00:19:35.659
 he has shown

00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.379
 mercy to

00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:36.980
 that servant

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.439
 but that

00:19:37.439 --> 00:19:38.199
 servant has

00:19:38.199 --> 00:19:39.419
 not passed

00:19:39.419 --> 00:19:40.839
 it forward

00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:42.339
 and Jesus

00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:43.139
 used that

00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:43.939
 story to

00:19:43.939 --> 00:19:44.679
 teach his

00:19:44.679 --> 00:19:46.119
 followers that

00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:46.839
 just as we

00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.460
 have received

00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:48.619
 huge mercy

00:19:48.619 --> 00:19:49.399
 from God.

00:19:50.199 --> 00:19:51.039
 So we

00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:51.519
 should be

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.599
 quick to

00:19:52.599 --> 00:19:53.419
 show forgiveness

00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:54.279
 to the

00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:55.259
 relatively small

00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.359
 things that

00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.519
 others do

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.459
 to us.

00:19:59.159 --> 00:19:59.979
 That God's

00:19:59.979 --> 00:20:00.619
 forgiveness,

00:20:00.959 --> 00:20:01.879
 God's mercy

00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:03.259
 should change

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.959
 our heart,

00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.179
 should bring

00:20:05.179 --> 00:20:06.659
 a transforming

00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.779
 work that

00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.859
 then allows us

00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.639
 to pay that

00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:10.919
 forward to

00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:11.679
 practice

00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:12.839
 forgiveness.

00:20:14.699 --> 00:20:15.699
 And this is

00:20:15.699 --> 00:20:16.359
 the gospel.

00:20:16.939 --> 00:20:17.659
 In the book

00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.680
 of Colossians

00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:20.080
 Paul uses

00:20:20.080 --> 00:20:20.779
 the image

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.320
 of the

00:20:21.320 --> 00:20:21.840
 cross.

00:20:22.560 --> 00:20:23.140
 He says

00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:23.700
 that Jesus

00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:24.200
 came and

00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:25.060
 he cancelled

00:20:25.060 --> 00:20:26.240
 the written

00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.900
 code that

00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:27.660
 stood against

00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.000
 us.

00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.200
 So this

00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:29.840
 record of

00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:30.460
 wrongs that

00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.320
 God has

00:20:31.320 --> 00:20:32.519
 because of

00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.140
 our sin

00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.519
 and our

00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:33.840
 guilt,

00:20:34.060 --> 00:20:34.400
 we have

00:20:34.400 --> 00:20:35.019
 this record

00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:35.500
 of debt

00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.360
 before God.

00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:37.600
 Now when

00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.740
 the Roman

00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.720
 Empire was

00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:41.640
 crucifying a

00:20:41.640 --> 00:20:42.000
 victim,

00:20:42.620 --> 00:20:43.100
 they would

00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:43.640
 nail the

00:20:43.640 --> 00:20:44.100
 victim to

00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:44.519
 the cross

00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:44.840
 and then

00:20:44.840 --> 00:20:45.540
 above their

00:20:45.540 --> 00:20:46.580
 head would

00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.859
 be the

00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:48.960
 list of

00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.419
 crimes.

00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.039
 This person

00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.579
 is dying

00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.199
 for such

00:20:51.199 --> 00:20:51.439
 and such.

00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:52.960
 What Paul

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.740
 is giving

00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:54.119
 us this

00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:54.619
 picture of

00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:54.859
 is that

00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.299
 there on

00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.980
 the cross,

00:20:56.899 --> 00:20:57.539
 Jesus is

00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.639
 dying with

00:20:58.639 --> 00:20:59.740
 our list

00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.000
 of crimes

00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.439
 hanging above

00:21:02.439 --> 00:21:03.419
 his head.

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.159
 Jesus comes

00:21:05.159 --> 00:21:06.079
 to be our

00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.099
 substitute.

00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.539
 He takes

00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.599
 our record

00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.240
 of wrong,

00:21:10.899 --> 00:21:11.579
 he takes

00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:12.659
 our guilt,

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.460
 and he

00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.180
 pays the

00:21:14.180 --> 00:21:15.080
 price in

00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:16.700
 full so

00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.140
 that we

00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.340
 might go

00:21:18.340 --> 00:21:19.200
 free.

00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:20.320
 The Bible

00:21:20.320 --> 00:21:20.900
 says that

00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:22.440
 God deliberately

00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.400
 by his grace

00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:23.779
 and love

00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.200
 and mercy

00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:24.800
 doesn't

00:21:24.800 --> 00:21:26.500
 remember our

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.200
 sin when it

00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.820
 is forgiven.

00:21:28.820 --> 00:21:29.600
 It is thrown

00:21:29.600 --> 00:21:30.320
 to the bottom

00:21:30.320 --> 00:21:31.180
 of the ocean

00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.640
 of his

00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:32.380
 forgetfulness.

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.820
 It is as

00:21:33.820 --> 00:21:34.620
 far from him

00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.279
 as the east

00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.540
 is from

00:21:36.540 --> 00:21:37.759
 the west.

00:21:38.840 --> 00:21:39.259
 And so

00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.300
 the good

00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:40.800
 news of

00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.339
 Jesus is

00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:41.740
 that we

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.659
 have received

00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.899
 great

00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:44.440
 forgiveness

00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:46.059
 and great

00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.779
 mercy from

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.180
 God.

00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.139
 And therefore,

00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.399
 the more

00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:50.740
 that we

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.359
 know of

00:21:51.359 --> 00:21:51.619
 that,

00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:52.539
 we reflect

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.180
 on that,

00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.419
 that can

00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.680
 fuel our

00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:56.279
 forgiveness

00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:58.440
 towards our

00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:58.980
 friends.

00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.220
 So we

00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:02.619
 come to the

00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.079
 end of our

00:22:03.079 --> 00:22:03.619
 series on

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:04.019
 friendship,

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:04.740
 and we've

00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.240
 seen all

00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:05.740
 the way as

00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.319
 we go that

00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.460
 Jesus is

00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:08.220
 presented in

00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:08.899
 the Bible as

00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.579
 the greatest

00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:11.299
 of friends.

00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:12.939
 Augustine in

00:22:12.939 --> 00:22:13.279
 the fourth

00:22:13.279 --> 00:22:13.980
 century, he

00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.199
 said,

00:22:14.319 --> 00:22:15.599
 friendship with

00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.139
 one another

00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:16.519
 and with

00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.960
 God is the

00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.359
 supreme pleasure

00:22:19.359 --> 00:22:19.839
 of life.

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.199
 Now, if that's

00:22:21.199 --> 00:22:22.480
 true, and I

00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.139
 think it is,

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.639
 how do you

00:22:24.639 --> 00:22:25.839
 and I enjoy

00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.319
 them both?

00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:26.939
 How do we

00:22:26.939 --> 00:22:28.559
 enjoy good

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:30.279
 friendships with

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:30.939
 one another

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:32.439
 and with God?

00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:34.000
 And how do we

00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:35.220
 protect them

00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:35.779
 both?

00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:37.899
 Well, the

00:22:37.899 --> 00:22:38.759
 Bible says it

00:22:38.759 --> 00:22:39.660
 begins by

00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:41.039
 trusting in

00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:41.359
 Jesus.

00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.240
 It begins by

00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.599
 becoming a

00:22:43.599 --> 00:22:44.339
 friend of

00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:44.839
 Jesus, and

00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.379
 the more we

00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:45.879
 know and

00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.660
 enjoy being

00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.200
 with him,

00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.680
 the more we

00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.180
 will know and

00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.639
 enjoy all

00:22:50.639 --> 00:22:51.160
 our

00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.000
 friendships.

00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:54.039
 Maybe think

00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:55.460
 of Beauty

00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:55.879
 and the Beast,

00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:57.299
 a classic

00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.879
 Disney movie,

00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.480
 probably my

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.039
 favorite Disney

00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.440
 movie, I

00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:00.720
 think.

00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:01.759
 When we meet

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.440
 the beast at

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:04.220
 first, he's

00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.960
 very skinny,

00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:07.500
 angry, he's

00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.600
 very antisocial,

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.140
 and because he's

00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:11.259
 been so used to

00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:13.279
 living alone, he's

00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.340
 become all shriveled

00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:15.380
 up and just

00:23:15.380 --> 00:23:15.860
 mean.

00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:18.299
 But once Belle is

00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:19.079
 introduced to his

00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:20.579
 life, once he

00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:21.600
 meets Belle, once he

00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:22.819
 discovers the

00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.960
 kindness and love

00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:24.640
 of Belle, we

00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:26.100
 discover that the

00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:27.120
 beast's character

00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:28.819
 begins to change.

00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:30.319
 He becomes soft

00:23:30.319 --> 00:23:32.180
 and gentle and

00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.620
 lovely.

00:23:33.100 --> 00:23:34.299
 As friendship and

00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:36.259
 love starts to

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:38.220
 melt his hard

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:39.119
 heart.

00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.879
 When we know

00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:43.099
 the friendship of

00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:44.440
 Jesus for

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:46.259
 ourselves, when

00:23:46.259 --> 00:23:46.940
 we come to

00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.799
 experience his

00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:49.500
 kindness, when

00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.139
 we come to

00:23:50.139 --> 00:23:51.039
 appreciate his

00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:52.500
 forgiveness and

00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.799
 his love for us,

00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.500
 then in exactly

00:23:55.500 --> 00:23:56.519
 the same way,

00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:57.759
 our hard

00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.759
 hearts too

00:23:58.759 --> 00:24:00.379
 begin to melt.

00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:02.340
 Jesus begins to

00:24:02.340 --> 00:24:03.220
 work out the

00:24:03.220 --> 00:24:05.260
 rough edges in

00:24:05.260 --> 00:24:06.900
 our lives so

00:24:06.900 --> 00:24:07.500
 that we are

00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:09.080
 able to enjoy

00:24:09.080 --> 00:24:11.100
 the wonder of

00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:11.720
 friendship with

00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:13.240
 God, and we're

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:15.040
 able to be

00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:17.060
 better friends to

00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:17.540
 others.

00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:36.180
 purpose is,

00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.720
 or

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.659
 the

00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.079
 meaning

00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:39.859
 how