WEBVTT 00:00:00.140 --> 00:00:10.519 Heavenly Father, as we affirm these words week in and week out, it can almost be easy for us to take them for granted. 00:00:11.400 --> 00:00:19.920 But may the miracle, the magnificent miracle of what we just read, the fact that it's true, that Jesus really did, 00:00:20.660 --> 00:00:28.100 that he really did die in real time and real space, and he really did rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and is alive today. 00:00:28.100 --> 00:00:33.500 May that fill us with awe and wonder and worship afresh. 00:00:34.480 --> 00:00:38.100 Lord, as we dig into your word now, would you speak to us deeply? 00:00:39.020 --> 00:00:43.859 Lord, cut through our self-flatteries where we excuse ourselves from its application. 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:50.700 God, would you convict us of the sin in our lives and help us to receive your forgiveness afresh? 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:54.680 May we hear you, your voice, the word of truth. 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:58.740 Would you set us free from the father of lies? In Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:59.100 --> 00:00:59.299 Amen. 00:00:59.340 --> 00:01:00.100 And please be seated. 00:01:01.340 --> 00:01:06.920 This morning I was on the phone with a leader in the city, and unlike me, he has kids. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:09.280 He has adorable kids, and so I thought, you know what? 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:14.200 Can you give me some cute story that I can start today's sermon with? 00:01:14.700 --> 00:01:19.799 And so he shared a couple of things that were kind of relevant, perhaps, but none of them really fit too well. 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:25.200 And so I asked him for a couple more stories, and then he said, you know what, Daniel, let's be honest. 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:32.099 You can just make up whatever story you want with my kids in it, and just make up the story and just throw their names on it. 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:40.840 And I was like, okay, well, and he said, Daniel, you know that probably 30, 40, I don't know, 60% of those cute sermon illustrations are just made up anyways, right? 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:45.859 I said, well, actually, this morning I'm speaking on do not bear false witness. 00:01:46.240 --> 00:01:48.620 So I'm not going to do that. 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:51.740 It's a good thing, too, because I probably would have been tempted. 00:01:52.200 --> 00:02:01.840 So the text we're looking at today in Deuteronomy 5, as we're going through the Ten Commandments, this is the second to last one, the ninth, is simply put, verse 20, 00:02:02.280 --> 00:02:04.960 and you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:16.159 Now, as that morning conversation showed, as we go through the Ten Commandments, it's really fascinating that although we all would say that we take the Ten Commandments seriously, 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:25.359 that they're equal with one another, that there are certain commandments that the weight of them, you need no one to explain. 00:02:25.959 --> 00:02:27.340 You shall not murder. 00:02:27.900 --> 00:02:29.159 Jonathan Cammary preached on that. 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:33.379 Just two weeks ago, I was preaching on you shall not commit adultery. 00:02:33.379 --> 00:02:38.259 And these don't need someone to really try to explain to you the weight of it. 00:02:38.439 --> 00:02:47.060 Perhaps you and I are struggling with adultery or murder, but whether or not we're trying to justify to ourselves that we know that these are heavy, heavy things. 00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:53.319 As a pastor here at Church of the Messiah, first as an intern, then as a pastor, so for the past four years, 00:02:53.659 --> 00:03:00.099 I've had the privilege of meeting up with people, a lot of university students, various people in the city as a pastor, 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:06.979 sitting down with them week in and week out, helping them deal with their effort to get free from pornography and other lust issues. 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:11.359 In all my time, I've never had someone come forward to me. 00:03:11.459 --> 00:03:14.519 I don't know that George has ever had someone, at least in the time that I've been with him, 00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:20.079 someone come to him and ask to regularly meet up to become free of lying. 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:24.520 But as we read through the Bible, on what the Bible has to say about lies, 00:03:24.760 --> 00:03:28.520 you'll see that it has so much to say about this subject. 00:03:29.160 --> 00:03:37.040 That the words it says about lies, in some context, will actually mirror or sometimes be even more intense 00:03:37.040 --> 00:03:39.600 than the words it says about adultery. 00:03:41.160 --> 00:03:44.240 Recently, I was going through Proverbs, and it really hit me. 00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:50.280 I was guest preaching in another church on Proverbs 7 that speaks to adultery, 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:55.100 which is what I also preached here from the Seventh Commandment. 00:03:55.740 --> 00:03:58.960 And the words that it has on adultery are really, really serious. 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:05.260 In Proverbs 7, it graphically goes through this passage where it describes this young man 00:04:05.260 --> 00:04:09.560 who's walking down the pathway of the prostitute, and she comes up, the adulterous woman, 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:11.120 and she comes up and grabs a hold of him. 00:04:11.120 --> 00:04:17.280 And it's this graphic passage, and it ends with this very sobering call to stay away from her 00:04:17.280 --> 00:04:20.920 because the way of lust is the way that leads to Sheol, to hell. 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:22.459 It's really, really serious. 00:04:23.079 --> 00:04:28.879 But as you look at what the Bible says about words, about lies, you'll find similar language. 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:33.420 So in Proverbs, let's pull this up. 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:35.860 This is why you don't use phones for notes, because they do funny things. 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:37.860 Okay, in Proverbs 18, verse 21, it says, 00:04:38.020 --> 00:04:44.000 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 00:04:44.660 --> 00:04:47.520 And if we had time to go more thoroughly through it, you'll see time and time again, 00:04:47.740 --> 00:04:51.080 it's using the same language that it used about Sheol regarding adultery, 00:04:51.340 --> 00:04:54.040 that adultery, lust, leads to hell, to death, 00:04:54.400 --> 00:04:58.960 that the same is true for words that are not of God, including lying words. 00:04:58.959 --> 00:05:00.939 Proverbs 26, verse 28, 00:05:01.219 --> 00:05:03.500 And a flattery mouth works ruin. 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:06.959 What is flattery but another form of bearing false witness? 00:05:07.419 --> 00:05:09.279 Where a flatterer is trying to butter someone up, 00:05:09.419 --> 00:05:11.859 trying to, you know, kind of make yourself, 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:16.299 gratiate yourself to them by saying things that might have a lot of truth in it, 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:18.339 but you're crossing the line and you're saying flattery. 00:05:18.419 --> 00:05:21.079 Flattery are things that aren't really fully true, 00:05:21.159 --> 00:05:23.379 but are nice to hear for someone. 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:25.299 And it says a flattery mouth. 00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:28.840 As positive as a flattery mouth may sound, it works ruin. 00:05:29.840 --> 00:05:31.060 Proverbs 25, verse 18, 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:35.579 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, 00:05:35.840 --> 00:05:38.180 or a sword, or a sharp arrow. 00:05:38.460 --> 00:05:40.540 If you think about what those various weapons are, 00:05:40.620 --> 00:05:41.620 they're actually very different. 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:44.319 When you smash someone with a club, 00:05:44.420 --> 00:05:45.680 not that I have much experience, 00:05:45.780 --> 00:05:47.160 but when you smash someone with a club, 00:05:47.460 --> 00:05:49.620 it's this kind of brute force just, you know, 00:05:49.740 --> 00:05:50.900 dents their skull right in. 00:05:51.199 --> 00:05:52.480 A sword's so different. 00:05:53.280 --> 00:05:55.240 Well, it doesn't like just bludgeon them. 00:05:55.379 --> 00:05:57.900 But it'll like cut through something and separates it. 00:05:58.160 --> 00:06:01.100 And then an arrow pierces through stuff that the other two couldn't do. 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:02.139 And every one of them, 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:05.699 it's very clearly speaking of this destruction, this death. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:09.080 And it says the man who bears false witness against his neighbor 00:06:09.080 --> 00:06:11.740 is like a war club or a sword or a sharp arrow. 00:06:12.040 --> 00:06:12.780 It's destruction. 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:17.099 As we continue on with that, 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:18.579 if you go through Proverbs and beyond, 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:20.379 in Exodus 23, 00:06:21.199 --> 00:06:23.500 it expands on the commandments. 00:06:23.799 --> 00:06:24.839 It goes through the different commandments, 00:06:24.959 --> 00:06:25.879 kind of expanding on them. 00:06:26.319 --> 00:06:27.539 In Exodus 23, 1 and 3, 00:06:27.639 --> 00:06:29.639 it gets to false witness. 00:06:30.299 --> 00:06:30.699 It says, 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:45.420 Listen to this. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:49.100 Nor shall you be partial to the poor in his lawsuit. 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:51.460 So, 00:06:52.020 --> 00:06:54.920 in expanding on what it means to not be a false witness, 00:06:55.540 --> 00:06:55.760 it says, 00:06:56.020 --> 00:06:56.939 Don't side with the many. 00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:57.960 And the connotation there is, 00:06:58.160 --> 00:07:00.100 Don't side with the powerful, 00:07:00.260 --> 00:07:02.420 with the crowds against the innocent, 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:03.000 the vulnerable. 00:07:03.400 --> 00:07:04.100 But then it says, 00:07:04.660 --> 00:07:04.700 Just, 00:07:04.960 --> 00:07:06.360 in just as strong language, 00:07:06.820 --> 00:07:08.280 Do not side with the poor man. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:10.240 Don't pervert justice for the poor. 00:07:10.960 --> 00:07:12.180 And with a couple examples I read, 00:07:12.180 --> 00:07:13.439 from Proverbs and from Exodus, 00:07:13.879 --> 00:07:15.519 you'll note that in none of it, 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:18.660 does it excuse your motivation. 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:19.319 In none of it, 00:07:19.340 --> 00:07:19.879 does it say, 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:21.040 Don't, 00:07:21.400 --> 00:07:22.379 don't lie. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:23.780 Don't bear false witness, 00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:25.939 for evil reasons. 00:07:26.040 --> 00:07:26.340 It says, 00:07:26.600 --> 00:07:27.759 Don't do it. 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:29.439 With the, 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:31.759 in the example of the flattery, 00:07:31.899 --> 00:07:32.720 Proverbs 26, 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:33.379 28, 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:35.980 when it speaks of the flatterer, 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:37.000 if you think about it, 00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:38.040 in many times, 00:07:38.139 --> 00:07:38.579 that that is, 00:07:39.360 --> 00:07:41.519 that that can be in our effort to encourage someone, 00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:43.419 in our effort to kind of elevate the room, 00:07:43.680 --> 00:07:44.539 we might be, 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:44.879 you know, 00:07:44.939 --> 00:07:45.779 overly encouraging. 00:07:46.099 --> 00:07:47.039 And it says it, 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:48.219 that it brings ruin. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:49.959 When it speaks about, 00:07:50.039 --> 00:07:51.539 a lying tongue being, 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:53.579 a false witness being like a, 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:54.459 a club, 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:55.859 or a sword, 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:56.479 or an arrow, 00:07:56.979 --> 00:07:58.060 it doesn't say why, 00:07:58.199 --> 00:07:59.180 the person is lying. 00:07:59.799 --> 00:08:00.579 It just says that, 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:01.799 lies are like that. 00:08:02.740 --> 00:08:04.060 And then here in Exodus 23, 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:04.560 it says, 00:08:04.859 --> 00:08:06.039 Now to decide with the powerful, 00:08:06.199 --> 00:08:06.740 nor even, 00:08:07.019 --> 00:08:08.259 to advocate for the poor. 00:08:09.879 --> 00:08:11.319 And if we're honest with ourselves, 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:12.339 some of the times, 00:08:12.459 --> 00:08:12.759 in fact, 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:14.019 perhaps many of the times, 00:08:14.079 --> 00:08:15.339 where we'll be most tempted, 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:16.560 to lie, 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:18.500 whether that's flattery, 00:08:19.099 --> 00:08:20.079 exaggerating, 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:21.060 spreading a gossip, 00:08:21.259 --> 00:08:21.899 all the stuff, 00:08:22.240 --> 00:08:23.899 will be for nice reasons. 00:08:26.040 --> 00:08:26.800 As Christians, 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:28.439 one of the most common ways, 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:30.120 that we kind of spread rumor, 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:30.779 and gossip, 00:08:31.060 --> 00:08:31.639 and lies, 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:33.080 that we use the words like we shouldn't, 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:34.139 or when it ends with, 00:08:34.220 --> 00:08:35.179 so please pray for, 00:08:35.700 --> 00:08:35.980 you know? 00:08:36.220 --> 00:08:37.559 Like somehow we think like, 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:38.259 if we're willing, 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:39.100 if we're able to, 00:08:39.100 --> 00:08:40.500 just end the sentence, 00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:41.320 please pray for, 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.659 then it makes it all good. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:43.720 But, 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:46.220 the Bible never lets that be an excuse. 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:48.540 Your motivation can be kind. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:50.220 It can be to build up, 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:51.220 and so you flatter. 00:08:51.340 --> 00:08:51.940 It can be to, 00:08:52.060 --> 00:08:53.220 have people praying for. 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:54.159 And yet, 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:55.920 where we are spreading rumor, 00:08:56.040 --> 00:08:56.920 where we're flattering, 00:08:57.080 --> 00:08:57.440 where we're, 00:08:58.060 --> 00:08:59.740 we're falsifying the truth a little bit. 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:01.220 It brings destruction. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:02.040 It's like a weapon. 00:09:02.580 --> 00:09:03.259 It pierces, 00:09:03.600 --> 00:09:04.220 it cuts, 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:05.340 it bludgeons. 00:09:05.340 --> 00:09:09.180 Some of the times, 00:09:09.259 --> 00:09:10.500 that we'll be tempted to lie, 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:11.600 is perhaps, 00:09:11.720 --> 00:09:12.519 when it just seems like, 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.639 our friend can't handle the truth. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:17.879 Just the other day, 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:19.080 a dad came to me, 00:09:19.120 --> 00:09:20.120 and was sharing about how, 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:21.920 his son is in an unhealthy relationship, 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:23.960 and his son, 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.519 they've always been close. 00:09:26.040 --> 00:09:26.879 But he's afraid that, 00:09:26.960 --> 00:09:28.080 if he's honest with his son, 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:28.879 about the relationship, 00:09:29.560 --> 00:09:30.920 that it's going to separate them. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:31.840 And so, 00:09:31.980 --> 00:09:33.980 he's just really wrestling with this. 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:35.060 And, 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:36.420 in light of preparing for today, 00:09:36.580 --> 00:09:37.700 I brought them to some of the verses, 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:38.300 we're looking at, 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:39.220 and encouraged them, 00:09:39.720 --> 00:09:41.460 that the scriptures call us to truth. 00:09:42.039 --> 00:09:42.600 There are times, 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:43.480 where you and I feel like, 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:44.259 our friend, 00:09:44.620 --> 00:09:45.259 our family member, 00:09:45.300 --> 00:09:47.000 just can't handle the truth. 00:09:47.300 --> 00:09:47.580 And so, 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:48.480 we want to cover it up. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:49.360 We want to share something, 00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:50.820 just equivocate a little bit. 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:52.840 But it doesn't matter, 00:09:52.920 --> 00:09:53.720 what is motivating, 00:09:53.779 --> 00:09:54.720 even if it's kindness, 00:09:55.379 --> 00:09:57.100 that motivates our lives. 00:09:57.620 --> 00:09:57.980 Lies, 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:59.580 the scriptures clearly show, 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:01.120 bring death. 00:10:01.800 --> 00:10:02.820 A couple weeks ago, 00:10:02.820 --> 00:10:07.100 Diane Scharf, 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:07.580 you know her, 00:10:07.660 --> 00:10:08.140 she comes here, 00:10:08.400 --> 00:10:09.320 she's been so gracious, 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:10.740 in lending me her car a lot. 00:10:10.920 --> 00:10:11.940 And it's been such a blessing. 00:10:12.640 --> 00:10:12.900 Well, 00:10:13.160 --> 00:10:14.240 a family member was over, 00:10:14.620 --> 00:10:14.820 and they, 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:16.480 someone with the car, 00:10:16.520 --> 00:10:17.120 is going to take the car, 00:10:17.160 --> 00:10:17.320 and like, 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:17.540 oh, 00:10:17.640 --> 00:10:18.360 are you on the insurance? 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:20.600 And I had to honestly answer, 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:20.940 no. 00:10:21.420 --> 00:10:22.180 And so then, 00:10:22.280 --> 00:10:22.500 they're like, 00:10:22.520 --> 00:10:22.620 oh, 00:10:22.640 --> 00:10:23.200 why is he on the insurance? 00:10:23.280 --> 00:10:23.420 So, 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:23.900 Diane was like, 00:10:23.940 --> 00:10:24.400 no problem. 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:25.680 I have great insurance, 00:10:25.780 --> 00:10:26.300 I'll call them, 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:26.880 and I'll confirm, 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:28.220 you don't need to be put on the insurance. 00:10:28.680 --> 00:10:28.840 So, 00:10:28.900 --> 00:10:30.560 she calls the insurance company, 00:10:30.900 --> 00:10:32.500 and they start asking all these questions. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:32.980 Okay? 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:33.960 And so then, 00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:34.299 Diane's like, 00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:34.480 you know what, 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.259 I'll just get them to call you. 00:10:35.480 --> 00:10:35.720 Well, 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:37.100 Diane gives me the message, 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:38.059 I'm supposed to call the insurance. 00:10:38.919 --> 00:10:39.980 And I didn't. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:40.299 So, 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:40.980 sometime it was by, 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:41.340 Diane's like, 00:10:41.360 --> 00:10:41.460 hey, 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.159 have you called the insurance? 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:43.259 And I was just like, 00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:44.299 I know it's going to happen. 00:10:44.480 --> 00:10:44.620 See, 00:10:44.679 --> 00:10:45.580 I only have a G2, 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:47.320 and because of my age bracket, 00:10:47.500 --> 00:10:48.440 and my gender, 00:10:48.659 --> 00:10:49.039 and my, 00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:49.980 and the G2, 00:10:49.980 --> 00:10:51.940 it's going to make the insurance go up. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:52.899 I've been here before, 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:53.420 trust me, 00:10:53.440 --> 00:10:53.639 okay? 00:10:54.060 --> 00:10:54.420 And so, 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.860 I just looked Diane right in the eyes, 00:10:55.940 --> 00:10:56.340 and just said, 00:10:56.399 --> 00:10:56.720 Diane, 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:57.620 you know, 00:10:58.200 --> 00:10:59.320 when insurance calls, 00:10:59.379 --> 00:11:01.259 just tell them that he's gone to Australia, 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:01.639 okay? 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:02.620 He's going to Australia, 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:04.259 because I was about to go to Australia. 00:11:04.980 --> 00:11:06.159 And Diane just looked at me, 00:11:06.159 --> 00:11:06.620 and just said, 00:11:06.680 --> 00:11:06.980 Daniel, 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.340 but that's lying. 00:11:08.759 --> 00:11:09.019 I was like, 00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:09.480 no, 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:09.779 literally, 00:11:09.920 --> 00:11:10.039 like, 00:11:10.300 --> 00:11:10.980 in three days, 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:12.360 I'm getting on a plane to go to Australia. 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:13.259 And she's like, 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:13.399 yeah, 00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:13.980 but in three weeks, 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:14.840 you're coming back, 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:15.340 right? 00:11:15.360 --> 00:11:15.639 And I was like, 00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:15.800 well, 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:16.860 it's a true statement. 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:18.779 He's going to Australia. 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:18.960 Like, 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.779 that's the truth. 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:20.940 You're not lying. 00:11:21.460 --> 00:11:23.220 The definition of the truth is it's the truth, 00:11:23.259 --> 00:11:23.820 you know what I'm saying? 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.120 And Diane was just like, 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:25.460 Daniel, 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:26.980 you're lying. 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:27.860 Anyway, 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:29.800 I had to acknowledge, 00:11:29.800 --> 00:11:30.560 Diane was right. 00:11:31.180 --> 00:11:31.840 So often, 00:11:32.060 --> 00:11:32.379 we, 00:11:32.580 --> 00:11:33.060 you and me, 00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:35.820 we try to get around the truth that we're not comfortable with, 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:37.600 in all sorts of brilliant ways. 00:11:37.700 --> 00:11:38.500 I think some of the most, 00:11:38.680 --> 00:11:38.820 like, 00:11:39.139 --> 00:11:41.440 you can see the brilliance of the human intellect, 00:11:41.639 --> 00:11:43.340 when it comes to how we handle the truth, 00:11:43.340 --> 00:11:46.340 and able to navigate around it in ways that are lies. 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:49.300 We can do it by just our silence on something. 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:50.420 Just by being silent, 00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:52.800 you allow someone to believe something that isn't true. 00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:54.000 Or in my case, 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.420 I thought I was pretty clever, 00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:58.360 and I found a real statement that's true. 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:59.620 He's going to Australia. 00:11:59.720 --> 00:12:03.580 But it was designed to make them think I was leaving the country for good, 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:05.960 but it was not a true statement. 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:06.740 The reality is, 00:12:07.060 --> 00:12:09.980 I was still going to be using the car the very day I got back. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.659 So, 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:14.820 when the scriptures forbid us from bearing false witness, 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:16.360 it's not saying, 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:18.159 make sure that every sentence, 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:19.259 in and of itself, 00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:20.060 is always true. 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:21.240 But it is saying, 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:21.860 do not, 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:24.940 do not have someone believe something that isn't true, 00:12:25.399 --> 00:12:26.639 whether through false statement, 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:27.539 through silence, 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:28.399 or equivocation, 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:29.620 or even true statements, 00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:33.720 designed to lead someone believing something that isn't true. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:35.480 That's a, 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:36.399 that's a big definition. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:41.600 To not bear false witness is to not lead someone in believing something that isn't true. 00:12:41.860 --> 00:12:44.139 And that is what the scriptures call us to do. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:49.540 There's so many ways that we'll want to justify it, 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:51.000 but in every single time, 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.620 it will bring death. 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:54.860 I, 00:12:54.980 --> 00:12:57.620 I saw the reality of that earlier this year. 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.600 When I met up with a young couple, 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.220 they're dating, 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.560 and they had, 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:04.120 just repeatedly gone into sexual sin. 00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:04.860 And so, 00:13:04.940 --> 00:13:05.600 they asked to meet up. 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:05.779 They're, 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:06.500 they're from out of town, 00:13:06.560 --> 00:13:07.259 but they were coming through, 00:13:07.320 --> 00:13:08.419 and they knew I do purity talks, 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:08.720 and whatever. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:08.899 So, 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:09.360 we met up. 00:13:09.820 --> 00:13:10.560 And as we're chatting, 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.799 it was incredible to, 00:13:12.200 --> 00:13:16.279 incredibly difficult to see the weight of the guilt, 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:18.200 the burden of the shame, 00:13:18.419 --> 00:13:20.500 on the shoulders of this young couple. 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:22.080 And we're talking about this, 00:13:22.080 --> 00:13:22.860 and the girl is saying this, 00:13:22.919 --> 00:13:24.399 how she's betrayed what she believes, 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:24.840 and, 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:25.279 and yet she, 00:13:25.340 --> 00:13:26.879 she promised herself not to do this, 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:28.500 and yet she finds herself doing this again. 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:29.679 And so, 00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:30.740 they're talking about this. 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:31.419 At one point, 00:13:31.480 --> 00:13:32.919 she blurted out something about how, 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:34.200 she lives in a, 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:35.019 in a Christian dorm, 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.360 with like 20 other girls. 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:37.539 And one time, 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.039 late at night, 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:39.519 they're all chatting about purity, 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.740 and their history. 00:13:41.259 --> 00:13:41.899 And she said, 00:13:41.980 --> 00:13:42.179 listen, 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:42.379 like, 00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.820 I am the only one, 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:45.519 of these 20 girls, 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:46.939 who has, 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.320 who has slept with someone. 00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.559 I'm the only one, 00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:49.820 like, 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:50.519 I'm the only one, 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:50.820 who's, 00:13:50.879 --> 00:13:51.840 who's in sexual sin. 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:52.860 I was like, 00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:53.340 you're the only, 00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:53.940 one of 20? 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:54.259 Like, 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:55.899 I don't know if you know the stats, 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:57.879 but those stats make absolutely no sense, 00:13:57.959 --> 00:13:58.179 okay? 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:58.879 And so, 00:13:58.899 --> 00:13:59.240 I'm just like, 00:13:59.279 --> 00:13:59.439 really? 00:13:59.860 --> 00:14:00.100 So, 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:01.240 as we're chatting a little bit more, 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:04.199 she told me that she had lied to everyone, 00:14:04.539 --> 00:14:06.480 and that she had also said that she had like, 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:07.199 only have like, 00:14:07.240 --> 00:14:08.259 held hands with a guy or something. 00:14:08.299 --> 00:14:09.360 They're talking about how far they'd gone, 00:14:09.419 --> 00:14:09.779 and she had, 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.639 she had lied. 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:11.360 I said, 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:11.480 hey, 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.299 just stop for a second. 00:14:12.779 --> 00:14:13.620 Do you realize that, 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:15.579 if I met with any one of those other girls, 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.139 they would say, 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:17.659 I'm the only one, 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.379 that's has, 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.779 that's committed sexual sin, 00:14:20.259 --> 00:14:21.860 because you also lied. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.580 And when I say you also lied, 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:25.039 it's because someone else lied too. 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.259 Like, 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.879 you were in a room of people, 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:27.440 who, 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:27.840 in China, 00:14:27.940 --> 00:14:29.680 because you were afraid that you'd be the only one, 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:31.000 you all lied to each other, 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.980 and claimed that you had, 00:14:33.639 --> 00:14:35.279 and talked about how far you'd gone in relationships, 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:37.080 and for sure, 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.200 several of them, 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.620 if not many of them, 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.120 had lied. 00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:43.000 As we worked through that, 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.360 and it ended up being a really precious afternoon, 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.580 working through this stuff with them, 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:48.399 and putting a battle plan together for the couple, 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:49.820 to have healthier boundaries, 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:50.580 and all that stuff, 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:51.820 talked about the gospel, 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.480 and all of it. 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:54.100 As we walked through that, 00:14:54.140 --> 00:14:55.020 and I went home that evening, 00:14:55.540 --> 00:14:56.460 I looked at my own life, 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.260 and saw, 00:14:57.640 --> 00:14:58.480 what are ways, 00:14:59.680 --> 00:15:00.120 that, 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.420 that I, 00:15:01.540 --> 00:15:03.780 or that we are creating that similar context, 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.720 to that dormitory. 00:15:06.400 --> 00:15:07.220 Where there are, 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:08.680 each one of us, 00:15:09.820 --> 00:15:10.200 has, 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.960 has done things that are, 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.120 not only embarrassing, 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:13.920 but are forbidden. 00:15:14.640 --> 00:15:15.680 Done things that we regret. 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.520 And you and I are, 00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:19.220 bearing false witness to our neighbor, 00:15:19.820 --> 00:15:22.440 by the way that we're presenting ourselves. 00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.540 I'm not saying that we should go around, 00:15:24.640 --> 00:15:25.640 with big placards, 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:27.460 declaring all of our things, 00:15:27.640 --> 00:15:28.379 that might be, 00:15:28.540 --> 00:15:28.800 you know, 00:15:29.260 --> 00:15:30.420 to share it with someone, 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.540 who's trust and confidential. 00:15:32.300 --> 00:15:33.500 Because we try so desperately, 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:34.340 in a world where, 00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:36.020 with social media, 00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:36.760 and all the stuff, 00:15:36.800 --> 00:15:37.440 where we can really, 00:15:37.760 --> 00:15:38.120 like, 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.600 Photoshop, 00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:39.480 and edit, 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.620 and throw in a little filter, 00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:42.400 our favorite image of ourself, 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.060 that we tend to not only do that, 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.800 with our social media, 00:15:44.880 --> 00:15:46.360 but with the way we present ourselves. 00:15:46.920 --> 00:15:48.020 We want to cover up, 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:48.680 so desperately. 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:51.079 And looking back, 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.979 at what it looks like, 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.899 to bear false witness, 00:15:54.599 --> 00:15:55.339 one of the, 00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:56.379 one of the ways, 00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:56.919 that we do, 00:15:56.979 --> 00:15:58.419 exactly what she did, 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.699 and others, 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:02.379 is at the beginning of the Bible, 00:16:02.459 --> 00:16:04.199 if you turn to Genesis chapter 3. 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.139 In Genesis 3, 00:16:06.299 --> 00:16:07.120 you know the story, 00:16:07.579 --> 00:16:08.799 the devil has deceived, 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:10.399 has tempted Eve, 00:16:10.739 --> 00:16:11.639 and Eve and Adam, 00:16:11.719 --> 00:16:12.039 in turn, 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:12.819 have both eaten, 00:16:12.859 --> 00:16:13.799 of the forbidden fruit. 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.359 And they hear, 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.859 the spirit of God, 00:16:16.939 --> 00:16:17.879 coming through the garden. 00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.200 And what do they do? 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:19.840 They hide. 00:16:21.200 --> 00:16:22.360 And the scriptures tell us, 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.480 that they took fig leaves, 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:24.919 they hid among the fig leaves, 00:16:25.139 --> 00:16:26.100 trying to close themselves, 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:26.899 with fig leaves. 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:29.000 I heard a speaker say it once, 00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.659 and so I looked it up, 00:16:29.700 --> 00:16:30.600 I'm not a botanist, 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:32.120 but fig leaves, 00:16:32.240 --> 00:16:33.240 have this sap on it. 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:33.720 It's true. 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.500 Fig leaves have a sap on it, 00:16:35.600 --> 00:16:37.279 that burns human skin. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:38.840 And so when Adam and Eve, 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:39.980 hid among the fig leaves, 00:16:40.039 --> 00:16:41.600 and tried to cover themselves up, 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.399 with the fig leaves, 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:43.759 if they're covering up, 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:44.620 their most intimate, 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:45.460 sensitive, 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.299 private areas, 00:16:46.299 --> 00:16:46.959 of their bodies, 00:16:47.219 --> 00:16:48.039 they're bringing this, 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:49.459 burning sap, 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:51.399 onto their very bodies. 00:16:51.839 --> 00:16:53.319 Just think for a moment, 00:16:53.459 --> 00:16:54.659 of how painful that would be. 00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:57.339 And when God comes to them, 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.859 and calls them out from hiding, 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.259 from cloaking themselves, 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:00.899 with this, 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:02.139 what does God do? 00:17:03.339 --> 00:17:04.279 Well among other things, 00:17:04.399 --> 00:17:05.940 God makes them clothes, 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.740 clothes that don't burn, 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.619 that don't hurt them, 00:17:08.659 --> 00:17:09.399 don't harm them. 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:10.879 Fig leaves harm. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.500 God clothes them. 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:12.519 God clothes them. 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:16.279 God clothes them. 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:17.639 And this is, 00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:19.299 incredibly relevant, 00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:19.980 to the issue, 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.399 of the way that you and I, 00:17:21.480 --> 00:17:22.259 handle the truth. 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.799 And that you and I, 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.159 will find things in our lives, 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.460 whether in our own lives, 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.339 that we're trying to conceal, 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:27.919 and cloak, 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.839 or the way we present, 00:17:29.940 --> 00:17:30.839 about other people. 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:32.220 Well what we're doing, 00:17:32.359 --> 00:17:34.200 is that we're clothing the truth, 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:34.960 clothing reality, 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:36.039 trying to hide it away, 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:39.359 by the creativity of our words. 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.019 We're cloaking, 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.619 concealing, 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.180 and deceiving. 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:43.560 And the, 00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:44.720 for all the variety, 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:45.900 of reasons that we'll do, 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.660 that we'll lie, 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:49.060 so many of our lives, 00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:50.400 are for self-preservation. 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:53.080 Whether we are, 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:54.259 trying to exaggerate, 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.039 our strengths, 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:56.740 or trying to conceal, 00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:57.460 our weakness, 00:17:57.640 --> 00:17:58.080 our shame, 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:58.680 and our sin. 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:00.360 In so many cases, 00:18:00.360 --> 00:18:01.620 about self-preservation, 00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:03.160 we're afraid that, 00:18:03.240 --> 00:18:03.880 those around us, 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.799 can't handle the truth. 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.340 And if we're real with them, 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.080 what would that mean, 00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:07.759 for reputation? 00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:08.660 If we're real with them, 00:18:08.860 --> 00:18:09.420 what would that mean, 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.100 for relationships? 00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.180 And so we conceal, 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:12.900 the truth, 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.500 we conceal ourselves, 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.380 with our words, 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:17.580 with our lies, 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.300 with our deceit. 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.820 But the reality, 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:22.340 that we have to face today, 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.740 looking, 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:25.180 at the ninth commandment, 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.040 and you shall not, 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:28.460 bear false witness, 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:29.900 is that, 00:18:30.040 --> 00:18:30.600 though we do it, 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.540 for self-preservation, 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.800 just like those fig leaves, 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:34.620 actually burn their skin. 00:18:35.820 --> 00:18:36.500 So also, 00:18:36.620 --> 00:18:36.900 when we, 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.540 cloak the truth, 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.880 when we try to hide, 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:40.720 among lies, 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.200 it brings, 00:18:42.320 --> 00:18:42.779 ruin. 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.860 As Proverbs 18 says, 00:18:45.440 --> 00:18:46.160 there's death, 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:46.820 in the tongue. 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.180 David, 00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:51.220 in Psalm 32, 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.040 writes about, 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:52.800 the adultery, 00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.400 he had committed, 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.980 not rather the adultery, 00:18:55.040 --> 00:18:55.640 but rather his, 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.620 concealing it, 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.720 his lying about, 00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.880 his bearing false witness. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.180 Just like the girl, 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.900 in that story. 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:02.100 So David also, 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.519 he had committed a sin, 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:04.700 and he, 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:05.560 was so afraid, 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:06.120 of what would happen, 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:07.040 if people knew the truth. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.740 And so he bore, 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.440 false witness, 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.619 by his silence. 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:10.960 And he says in Psalm 32, 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.480 that as long as he, 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.559 kept his mouth shut, 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:14.339 as long as he tried, 00:19:14.399 --> 00:19:15.099 to hide away, 00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.399 like Adam and Eve, 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.539 it was like his, 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:19.000 the strength of his, 00:19:19.200 --> 00:19:20.319 in his very bones, 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:21.059 wasted away. 00:19:22.799 --> 00:19:23.839 Perhaps you could relate. 00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.539 If there's something, 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.200 in your life, 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.359 that you've tried so hard, 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:27.779 to make sure, 00:19:27.859 --> 00:19:29.000 no one would ever find out. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.599 The amount of energy, 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.759 that goes into, 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.819 working so hard, 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.899 to guard your words, 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.380 so that you don't let, 00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:36.080 anything slip. 00:19:37.280 --> 00:19:38.220 To always be clicking, 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:38.980 alt tab, 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:39.860 to be deleting, 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.560 your search history, 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.660 to be doing whatever it is, 00:19:41.780 --> 00:19:42.600 always afraid, 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.280 of what will happen, 00:19:43.320 --> 00:19:44.200 if people find out. 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:46.980 It's not the actual, 00:19:47.040 --> 00:19:47.820 just the act, 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:48.680 that is causing, 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:50.120 the sin, 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:52.080 that you're trying to hide, 00:19:52.580 --> 00:19:53.220 that is causing, 00:19:53.320 --> 00:19:55.500 such exhaustion. 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.120 But it's the weight, 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:57.800 of the effort, 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.740 of concealing it. 00:19:59.440 --> 00:19:59.840 And so, 00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:01.880 as you try to unpack this, 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:02.620 I'm going to read to you, 00:20:02.619 --> 00:20:03.159 a story. 00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:04.339 And it reads like, 00:20:04.379 --> 00:20:05.419 a children's story. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.699 But I hope that, 00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:07.819 you won't just discard it, 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.399 for that reason. 00:20:09.219 --> 00:20:10.279 But I want you to, 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:11.219 just to listen, 00:20:11.339 --> 00:20:12.000 to these words. 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.199 And to hear the truth, 00:20:13.239 --> 00:20:13.759 of the story, 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:16.679 as I pull it up. 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:21.519 I, 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:23.500 had originally thought, 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.119 and you'll see why, 00:20:24.679 --> 00:20:25.500 of reading this, 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.279 during two weeks ago, 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:26.779 on the sermon, 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:28.259 on the seventh commandment. 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:29.659 But I think it's actually, 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:30.239 more relevant, 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:31.039 to the ninth. 00:20:31.459 --> 00:20:31.979 Do not bear, 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.559 false witness. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.539 There was once, 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.920 a great and noble king, 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.319 whose land was terrorized, 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:37.460 by a crafty dragon. 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:39.519 Like a massive bird of prey, 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.740 the scaly beast, 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:42.259 delighted in ravaging villages, 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.559 with his fiery breath. 00:20:44.220 --> 00:20:44.900 Hapless victims, 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:46.319 ran from their burning homes, 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.339 only to be snatched, 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:48.500 into the dragon's jaws, 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.440 or talons. 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.940 Those devoured, 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.360 instantly, 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.339 were deemed more fortunate, 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.339 than those carried back, 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.299 to the dragon's lair, 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.360 to be devoured, 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.019 at his leisure. 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.660 The king led his sons, 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.059 and knights, 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.160 in many valiant battles, 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:00.039 against the dragon. 00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:01.900 Riding alone in the forest, 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.840 one of the king's sons, 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:04.780 heard his name purred low and soft. 00:21:05.280 --> 00:21:05.860 In the shadows, 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:07.080 of the ferns and trees, 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:08.340 curled among the boulders, 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.380 lay the dragon. 00:21:10.060 --> 00:21:11.740 The creature's heavy-lidded eyes, 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.780 fastened on the prince, 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:13.920 and the reptilian mouth, 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.620 stretched into a friendly smile. 00:21:16.100 --> 00:21:16.840 Don't be alarmed, 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.560 said the dragon, 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.840 as grey wisps of smoke, 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:20.340 rose lazily from his nostrils. 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.159 I'm not what your father thinks. 00:21:22.699 --> 00:21:23.339 What are you then, 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:23.919 asked the prince, 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:25.199 warily drawing his sword, 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:26.519 as he pulled in the reins, 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.759 to keep his fearful horse, 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.299 from bolting. 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.579 I am pleasure, 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.299 said the dragon. 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.659 Ride on my back, 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.399 and you will experience, 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.819 more than you ever imagined. 00:21:33.959 --> 00:21:34.439 Come now. 00:21:34.679 --> 00:21:35.919 I have no harmful intention. 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:36.859 I seek a friend, 00:21:36.959 --> 00:21:38.299 someone to share flights with me. 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:40.000 Have you never dreamed of flying, 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.759 never longed to soar in the clouds? 00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:43.179 Visions of soaring, 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:44.519 high above the forested hills, 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.439 drew the prince, 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.699 hesitantly from his horse. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:48.600 The dragon unfurled one, 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:49.660 great webbed wing, 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.680 to serve as a ramp, 00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:52.000 and to his rigid back. 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.840 Between the spiny projections, 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.340 the prince found a secure seat. 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:56.700 Then the creature snapped, 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.880 his powerful wings once, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.220 twice, 00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:59.779 and launched them into the sky. 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:01.240 The prince's apprehension, 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:03.039 melted into awe and exhilaration. 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:03.940 From then on, 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.880 he met the dragon often, 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.480 but secretly. 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:07.259 For how could he tell his father, 00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:07.660 brother, 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.319 or the knights, 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.819 that he had befriended the enemy? 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:11.860 The prince felt separate from them all. 00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.680 Their concerns, 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:14.059 were no longer his concerns. 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:15.819 Even when he wasn't with the dragon, 00:22:15.819 --> 00:22:17.339 he spent less time with those he loved, 00:22:17.679 --> 00:22:18.559 and more time alone. 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:20.859 The skin on the prince's legs, 00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:21.779 became calloused, 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.700 from gripping the rigid back of the dragon. 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:25.559 His hands grew rough and hardened. 00:22:25.919 --> 00:22:27.000 He began wearing gloves, 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.980 to hide the malady. 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.480 After many nights of riding, 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:30.539 he discovered scales, 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:32.240 growing on the back of his hands as well. 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:32.879 With dread, 00:22:32.939 --> 00:22:33.839 he realized his fate, 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:34.579 were he to continue. 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:36.099 And so he resolved, 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.919 to return no more to the dragon. 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:39.659 But after a fortnight, 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:41.279 he again sought out the dragon, 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:43.359 having been tormented with desire. 00:22:43.939 --> 00:22:45.579 And so it transpired many times over, 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:47.119 no matter what his determination, 00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:49.659 the prince eventually found himself pulled back, 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:52.139 as if by the cords of an invisible web. 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:53.359 Silently, 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.220 patiently, 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:56.000 the dragon always waited. 00:22:56.659 --> 00:22:57.539 One cold, 00:22:57.679 --> 00:22:58.319 moonless night, 00:22:58.399 --> 00:22:59.960 their excursion became a foray, 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:01.519 against the sleeping village. 00:23:01.939 --> 00:23:02.980 Torching the thatched roost, 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:04.480 with fiery blasts from his nostrils, 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.179 the dragon roared with delight, 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.139 when the terrified victims, 00:23:07.419 --> 00:23:08.779 fled from their burning homes. 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:09.859 Swooping in, 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:11.079 the sermon belched again, 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:11.819 and flames engulfed, 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:13.099 the cluster of screaming villagers. 00:23:13.699 --> 00:23:15.139 The prince closed his eyes tightly, 00:23:15.219 --> 00:23:16.659 in an attempt to shut out the carnage. 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.459 In the pre-dawn hours, 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.659 when the prince crept back from his dragon trysts, 00:23:20.839 --> 00:23:22.159 the road outside his father's castle, 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.399 usually remained empty. 00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:24.359 But not tonight. 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:26.599 Terrified refugees streamed, 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:28.359 into the protective walls of the castle. 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:29.699 The prince attempted, 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:30.740 to slip through the crowd, 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:32.039 to close himself in his chamber. 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.559 But some of the survivors, 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.740 stared and pointed toward him. 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.719 He was there, 00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:36.819 one woman cried out. 00:23:36.819 --> 00:23:38.639 I saw him on the back of the dragon. 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:40.159 Others nodded their heads, 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.040 in angry agreement. 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.160 Horrified, 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:44.100 the prince saw that his father, 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.680 the king, 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.740 was in the courtyard, 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:47.740 holding a bleeding child in his arms. 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:50.580 The king's face mirrored the agony of his people, 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:52.420 as his eyes found the prince's. 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.640 The son fled, 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.740 hoping to escape into the night. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.620 But the guards apprehended him, 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.920 as if he were a common thief. 00:23:59.380 --> 00:24:00.759 They brought him to the great hall, 00:24:00.820 --> 00:24:02.940 where his father sat solemnly on the throne. 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.300 The people on every side, 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.480 railed against the prince. 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.400 Banish him! 00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:07.779 He heard one of his own brothers, 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.880 angrily cry out. 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:10.020 Burn him alive! 00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:11.060 Other voices shouted. 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:13.620 As the king rose from his throne, 00:24:14.560 --> 00:24:15.800 blood stains from the wounded 00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:18.040 shone darkly on his royal robes. 00:24:18.280 --> 00:24:19.380 The crowd felt silent 00:24:19.380 --> 00:24:20.680 in expectation of his decree. 00:24:21.020 --> 00:24:21.420 The prince, 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.240 who could not bear 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.620 to look into his father's face, 00:24:24.040 --> 00:24:25.660 stared at the flagstones of the floor. 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:27.360 Take off your gloves and your tunic, 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.100 the king commanded. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.480 The prince obeyed slowly, 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:32.240 dreading to have his metamorphosis 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:33.580 uncovered before the kingdom. 00:24:33.780 --> 00:24:35.740 Was his shame not already enough? 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.460 He had hoped for a quick death 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.720 without further humiliation. 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:41.060 Sounds of revulsion 00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:42.200 rippled through the crowd 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.220 at the sight of the prince's 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.500 thick, scaled skin 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:46.080 and the ridge growing along his spine. 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:48.320 The king strode toward his son, 00:24:48.540 --> 00:24:49.480 and the prince sealed himself, 00:24:49.600 --> 00:24:51.100 fully expecting a backhand to blow, 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.100 even though he had never been struck so 00:24:53.100 --> 00:24:53.740 by his father. 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:55.580 Instead, his father, 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:57.340 the king, embraced him 00:24:57.340 --> 00:24:59.100 and wept as he held him tightly. 00:24:59.620 --> 00:25:00.460 In shock disbelief, 00:25:00.520 --> 00:25:01.640 the prince buried his face 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.660 against his father's shoulder. 00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:04.020 Do you wish to be freed 00:25:04.020 --> 00:25:05.180 from the dragon, my son? 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.860 The prince answered in despair, 00:25:06.859 --> 00:25:08.019 I wished it many times, 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:10.639 but there is no hope for me. 00:25:11.139 --> 00:25:12.339 Not alone, said the king. 00:25:12.579 --> 00:25:14.559 You cannot win against the dragon alone. 00:25:15.219 --> 00:25:16.500 Father, I'm no longer your son, 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.240 I'm half dragon, 00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:18.000 saw the prince. 00:25:18.459 --> 00:25:19.419 But his father replied, 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:21.039 my blood runs in your veins. 00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:22.619 My nobility has been stamped 00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.619 deep within your soul. 00:25:24.159 --> 00:25:25.979 With his face still hidden tearfully 00:25:25.979 --> 00:25:27.019 in his father's embrace, 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.139 the prince heard the king 00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:28.939 instruct the crowd. 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.479 The dragon is crafty. 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:32.419 Some fall victim to his wiles 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.560 and some to his violence. 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.880 There will be mercy 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:36.200 for all who wish to be freed. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.480 Who else among you 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:38.320 has ridden the dragon? 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.300 The prince lifted his head 00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:41.759 to see someone emerge 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.279 from the crowd. 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.259 To his amazement, 00:25:43.580 --> 00:25:44.820 he recognized an older brother, 00:25:45.300 --> 00:25:46.640 one who had been lauded 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.340 throughout the kingdom 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:48.240 for his onslaught 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.460 against the dragon in battle 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.860 and for many good deeds. 00:25:51.279 --> 00:25:51.820 Others came, 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.440 some weeping, 00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.920 others hanging their heads in shame. 00:25:54.320 --> 00:25:55.500 The king embraced them all. 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:57.420 This is our most powerful weapon 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:58.180 against the dragon, 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:58.920 the king announced. 00:25:59.240 --> 00:25:59.600 Truth, 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:01.139 no more hidden flights. 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:01.959 Alone, 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:03.419 we cannot resist him. 00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:09.119 Part of what makes this story 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:10.619 so true and so real 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.439 and so accurate 00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:13.299 is the very final words 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:13.799 where he says, 00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.579 truth, 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:16.759 alone we cannot resist him. 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.559 The reality is that 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:20.179 as you and I cloak, 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:22.740 conceal our weaknesses, 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.139 our lives, 00:26:26.419 --> 00:26:28.719 when we remove ourselves 00:26:28.719 --> 00:26:29.459 from the truth, 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:31.079 we become alone. 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:35.379 And the reason that Sunday mornings 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.199 you and I aren't just 00:26:36.199 --> 00:26:37.240 in front of our computer 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:37.959 or on our phones 00:26:37.959 --> 00:26:38.480 at our home 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:40.899 watching some live service, 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.319 hearing a preacher 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:43.699 who is much more trained, 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.099 experienced, 00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:45.019 and better than me, 00:26:45.199 --> 00:26:47.259 but the reason that we'll show up 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:49.079 with real people 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:51.859 and interact with real people 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:53.899 to be part of a real community 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:57.519 is because we desperately 00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.619 need community. 00:26:58.619 --> 00:26:59.680 God made us 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.900 to be here together 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:02.339 so that we're not alone. 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:05.460 For us to live in the truth, 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:07.240 for us to live in reality 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:08.920 before God, 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.759 it requires us 00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:11.200 to be with each other. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:14.000 And the tendency 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:15.139 we have as human beings 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:15.900 is either we do 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.779 what Adam and Eve did 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:18.400 and we try to hide ourselves 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.400 among the fig leaves 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:21.140 or we cast aside 00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.680 the fig leaves 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.500 and just embrace 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.500 our brokenness 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:25.640 and we take pride 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.060 and glory 00:27:26.060 --> 00:27:26.860 in our brokenness, 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:27.820 in our nakedness. 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:29.300 And so instead of trying 00:27:29.300 --> 00:27:29.840 to hide ourselves 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:30.460 in the fig leaves, 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.019 we're just like, 00:27:31.060 --> 00:27:31.980 yo, I'm going to own it, 00:27:32.040 --> 00:27:32.320 okay? 00:27:32.560 --> 00:27:33.400 And so we just stop 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.140 trying to fight it 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.180 and we just wear it. 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:35.920 And by wear it, 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:36.620 I mean we don't wear it. 00:27:36.620 --> 00:27:37.400 We just walk around 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:37.980 naked, 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.540 taking pride in it. 00:27:40.080 --> 00:27:40.380 Today, 00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:41.740 there's a good example 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.600 of that a few blocks 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:42.980 from here. 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:46.120 But the scriptures 00:27:46.120 --> 00:27:47.559 call us to another path, 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:49.059 to neither conceal 00:27:49.059 --> 00:27:51.920 nor to just flaunt it, 00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:53.640 but rather to be closed 00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:55.240 by God himself. 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:56.980 The scriptures, 00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:58.880 it's using the language, 00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.900 it's using the imagery 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:01.339 of Genesis 3 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.880 when in Isaiah 61 00:28:02.880 --> 00:28:04.720 there's a prophecy 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:06.019 of the coming 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.759 of the Messiah, 00:28:06.860 --> 00:28:07.559 of the Savior, 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.120 that will set us free 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:10.420 from our brokenness, 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.500 from our death. 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.860 And it speaks of him 00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.759 clothing us 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.679 with righteousness. 00:28:15.439 --> 00:28:17.000 Just as God clothed 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.899 Adam and Eve 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:19.519 with clothes that he made, 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.079 so God today 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:22.139 clothes us 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.799 with righteousness 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:24.379 as we in truth 00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:25.099 come before him 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.019 and confess our sin. 00:28:27.379 --> 00:28:27.919 And so that's why 00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:28.959 week after week 00:28:28.959 --> 00:28:30.279 we come together. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.919 And I think it's one 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:33.279 of the most beautiful things 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:35.199 about the Anglican liturgy, 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.619 which is that 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:38.500 we confess our sin together. 00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.019 That each week, 00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:40.559 together, 00:28:40.699 --> 00:28:41.679 we hear each other 00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:42.839 be declaring a brokenness. 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.319 brokenness. 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:46.079 So I just want to read 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:47.279 something that we'll be 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:47.919 reading together 00:28:47.919 --> 00:28:48.719 in a moment. 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.579 In a few minutes, 00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:53.439 together in communion, 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.019 we'll say, 00:28:54.479 --> 00:28:55.219 Almighty God, 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:56.319 Father of our Lord 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.079 Jesus Christ, 00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:59.679 we have sinned 00:28:59.679 --> 00:29:00.740 in what we have done 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.979 and what we have not done. 00:29:02.839 --> 00:29:03.919 Our sins are grievous. 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.639 The burden of them 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:05.419 is intolerable. 00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.099 And we'll continue on, 00:29:08.179 --> 00:29:09.199 declaring together, 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.859 hearing each other's voices 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.359 declare, 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:13.579 that we stand before God 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.419 with a burden 00:29:14.419 --> 00:29:15.359 that is intolerable, 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.879 a burden that we cannot bear. 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:19.059 It's one of the reasons 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.879 that we use the word 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.339 communion 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:22.039 for the Lord's Supper, 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.939 is that there's a community 00:29:23.939 --> 00:29:25.159 in the confession 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:26.559 of our brokenness 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:27.279 and of our sin. 00:29:28.959 --> 00:29:30.219 As we declare 00:29:30.219 --> 00:29:31.019 before God 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.579 and each other 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:32.639 how broken we are, 00:29:33.219 --> 00:29:34.079 as we refuse to bear 00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.719 false witness 00:29:34.719 --> 00:29:35.599 against this, 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:37.439 we then come 00:29:37.439 --> 00:29:38.159 and we receive 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:39.199 the broken body 00:29:39.199 --> 00:29:39.699 of Jesus 00:29:39.699 --> 00:29:41.939 that was pierced 00:29:41.939 --> 00:29:43.119 for our transgressions, 00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:44.699 that was crushed 00:29:44.699 --> 00:29:45.439 for our sins, 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:47.059 as we receive 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:48.339 afresh the forgiveness, 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:50.079 a forgiveness 00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:50.899 that lets us 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:52.299 out of hiding, 00:29:52.879 --> 00:29:54.299 that we can stand 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.039 before God 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:56.079 without burden 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:57.039 removed, 00:29:57.919 --> 00:29:58.919 where we can stand 00:29:58.919 --> 00:30:00.459 before God. 00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:02.099 As we drink the blood, 00:30:02.199 --> 00:30:02.779 the Bible says 00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.579 in Leviticus 17 00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.899 that life is in the blood, 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:06.820 that as we drink 00:30:06.820 --> 00:30:07.360 the communion, 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:09.240 the wine of communion, 00:30:10.380 --> 00:30:12.040 we're receiving afresh 00:30:12.040 --> 00:30:13.000 the blood, 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:14.780 the life of Jesus, 00:30:15.400 --> 00:30:16.140 that he not only 00:30:16.140 --> 00:30:17.540 forgives us of our sin, 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.860 but that he gives us 00:30:18.860 --> 00:30:19.440 the grace, 00:30:19.540 --> 00:30:20.080 the strength, 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.740 the life, 00:30:21.060 --> 00:30:21.940 the divine life 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.440 we need 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:24.200 in order to live out 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:25.740 the life he's called us to. 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.600 If you've ever tried 00:30:27.600 --> 00:30:28.840 to just change a behavior, 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:31.280 you hear a message 00:30:31.280 --> 00:30:32.920 on telling the truth, 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.120 you're like, 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:33.280 okay, 00:30:33.300 --> 00:30:34.180 I'm going to tell the truth. 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:34.980 I'm not going to flatter, 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.299 I'm not going to exaggerate 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:36.820 my strength, 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.720 I'm not going to conceal. 00:30:38.500 --> 00:30:39.560 It might last you 00:30:39.560 --> 00:30:40.259 a few minutes 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:41.100 after Sunday, 00:30:41.720 --> 00:30:42.900 but it'd be just fine 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:43.799 to revert back 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.519 to our patterns. 00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:47.620 The impossible task 00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:49.200 of changing our behavior 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:51.100 comes as we receive 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:52.259 the strength from God. 00:30:53.039 --> 00:30:53.700 It's not going to be 00:30:53.700 --> 00:30:54.700 an overnight change, 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:57.180 but all of the commands 00:30:57.180 --> 00:30:57.740 of God 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:59.180 are commands 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.180 and invitations 00:31:00.880 --> 00:31:01.660 to life 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.220 the way life 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:03.140 was made to be lived. 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:04.380 The reason 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:04.860 that the scriptures 00:31:04.860 --> 00:31:06.280 forbid us from lies, 00:31:06.780 --> 00:31:07.700 as pleasant 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.860 as they can sometimes be, 00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.420 is not because 00:31:10.420 --> 00:31:11.140 God wants to 00:31:11.140 --> 00:31:11.860 crimp our style 00:31:11.860 --> 00:31:12.660 or kill our joy, 00:31:13.020 --> 00:31:13.780 but because he, 00:31:14.240 --> 00:31:15.020 that is the place 00:31:15.020 --> 00:31:16.100 of life and thriving. 00:31:16.600 --> 00:31:18.000 As scary as it could be 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:19.840 to confess our sin, 00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.420 to be real 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.200 about a brokenness, 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.140 to be honest 00:31:22.140 --> 00:31:23.620 about someone's, 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.200 about your friends 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:25.800 when they ask you 00:31:25.800 --> 00:31:26.400 for your opinion, 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.940 to be real 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:28.540 with each other, 00:31:28.820 --> 00:31:29.600 is because that is 00:31:29.600 --> 00:31:30.520 the place of community, 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:31.520 that's the place 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.079 of truth, 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:32.960 that's the place 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.400 of freedom. 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:34.819 And so we're able 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.940 to give ourselves 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.900 to that great cause 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:38.700 of obedience to God 00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:40.200 through receiving 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.259 the strength, 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:41.799 the grace, 00:31:41.879 --> 00:31:42.359 the life 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.079 that's found 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:43.660 in his blood. 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.460 Would you pray with me? 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.359 Heavenly Father, 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.539 we can talk 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.079 and talk 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:49.639 and talk 00:31:49.639 --> 00:31:50.879 about being people 00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:52.059 who don't hide 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.519 among flattery, 00:31:53.579 --> 00:31:54.160 pleasantries 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:54.960 and conceal 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:56.920 through our silences, 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:59.019 presenting false images 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.599 of ourselves 00:31:59.599 --> 00:32:00.279 or perhaps 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.240 hurting others' 00:32:01.339 --> 00:32:01.940 reputations. 00:32:02.619 --> 00:32:02.799 God, 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:04.019 we can try so hard, 00:32:04.779 --> 00:32:05.660 yet in our efforts, 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.519 our failed efforts, 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.099 we find afresh 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:08.599 the reality 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.119 that God, 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.359 we need you. 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:11.859 We need saving 00:32:11.859 --> 00:32:12.819 from ourselves. 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.839 And so in a few moments 00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:16.000 as we take communion, 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.480 Lord, 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:18.220 would you help us 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:19.500 to come out of hiding 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:22.680 and receive your forgiveness? 00:32:22.680 --> 00:32:22.880 forgiveness. 00:32:27.120 --> 00:32:28.080 And would you help us 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:29.380 to receive that grace, 00:32:29.580 --> 00:32:30.080 that strength, 00:32:30.160 --> 00:32:30.759 that life 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.900 that we need in you? 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.960 Would you set us free 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.720 from our lies 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:37.340 and empower us 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:38.180 to live in the freedom 00:32:38.180 --> 00:32:38.860 of the truth, 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:40.680 the truth that sets us free? 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.860 In Jesus' name, 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:42.539 amen.