WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.060 Well, good morning, everyone. You're going to need that passage in Matthew chapter 5 open in front of you. 00:00:05.919 --> 00:00:14.820 Wonderful songs and just a wonderful story from Inez that will fit so well with what we're thinking about this morning. 00:00:14.820 --> 00:00:19.780 So we're going to get into verses 38 to 48 together. 00:00:19.940 --> 00:00:25.660 Let me try and get us under the skin of this and tell you two facts about chimpanzees. 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:30.300 Here's number one. They are incredibly aggressive. 00:00:31.560 --> 00:00:33.280 If you Google this, this is what you'll find. 00:00:33.460 --> 00:00:38.920 The chimpanzee community has one of the highest murder rates in the animal kingdom. 00:00:39.899 --> 00:00:49.120 Google it and you'll find that studies show how rates of violence among chimpanzees is similar to those of societies of hunter-gatherers. 00:00:49.879 --> 00:00:55.359 In fact, St Andrews University had a report online called Why Chimps Go Ape, so you can knock yourself out after that. 00:00:55.359 --> 00:00:56.420 After this, if you want. 00:00:57.140 --> 00:01:01.060 Incredibly violent, particularly towards those who aren't like them. 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:02.600 Threat to them. 00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:04.060 Incredibly violent. 00:01:04.180 --> 00:01:05.180 But here's the other thing. 00:01:06.260 --> 00:01:10.840 Aggressive and yet incredibly affectionate. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:16.480 Particularly when it comes to looking after those in their own tribe. 00:01:16.939 --> 00:01:18.000 Incredibly affectionate. 00:01:18.060 --> 00:01:22.859 One of the first dates that Alex and I had, when we first started going out, I worked up here. 00:01:22.859 --> 00:01:26.540 She worked down in Dorset near a place called Bournemouth. 00:01:26.599 --> 00:01:32.180 One of our first ever dates when I flew around to see her in Bournemouth, if you've ever been, is that we went to a place called Monkey World. 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:40.539 And as I always laugh, because given what I've just told you, Monkey World is on the same sign as the Tank Museum, which is quite interesting. 00:01:40.540 --> 00:01:42.460 But we're in Monkey World. 00:01:42.460 --> 00:01:49.420 And the thing about Monkey World is you can spend hours walking around this park watching all sorts of different types of monkeys and chimpanzees. 00:01:49.780 --> 00:01:50.640 And what are they doing? 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:54.240 You're watching them going swinging from rope to rope. 00:01:54.540 --> 00:01:58.140 You're witnessing them kind of chasing playfully after each other. 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:02.219 You're witnessing them kind of picking the lice out of each other's hair. 00:02:02.219 --> 00:02:05.519 And we go crazy for it. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:07.640 We think it's the most cutest thing ever. 00:02:07.819 --> 00:02:10.479 Oh, would you not love to be a chimpanzee? 00:02:10.520 --> 00:02:11.079 But here's the thing. 00:02:11.300 --> 00:02:14.120 Incredibly aggressive and yet incredibly affectionate. 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:17.280 Depends on who they come up against. 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:23.039 And see, if I'm honest, we have that phrase in our culture, animal instincts. 00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:29.879 Here's what I know to be true in my own life, what I'm really, really natural at doing. 00:02:31.459 --> 00:02:36.840 Is that I am really good at lashing out to those who are a threat to me. 00:02:38.259 --> 00:02:43.439 And I'm also really good at showing compassion and love to those who I like and who are just like me. 00:02:46.219 --> 00:02:47.199 Does that sound familiar? 00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:49.819 These kind of instincts. 00:02:51.099 --> 00:02:52.799 We lash out and we love. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:02:53.680 This is what we do. 00:02:53.920 --> 00:03:00.040 And of course, in our day, big tech play into those twin instincts, don't they? 00:03:01.200 --> 00:03:06.219 A generation ago, the mantra when it came to getting people's attention, 00:03:06.460 --> 00:03:10.140 the mantra was, want it to gather pacey, better make it racy. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:16.840 Now, a generation after, it is, if it enrages, it engages. 00:03:18.000 --> 00:03:18.900 Do I remember having this feeling? 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:22.000 Do you remember that Charlie Kirk episode a little while ago? 00:03:22.800 --> 00:03:27.420 I remember finding myself in the days and weeks after just watching all these short videos on social media. 00:03:27.419 --> 00:03:33.679 And I'm building up this picture in my mind of the guy and what he's about and thinking he can do no wrong and all that kind of stuff. 00:03:33.839 --> 00:03:41.419 And then I look at my neighbor at the school who's posting on social media, who's coming to a completely different conclusion. 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:42.259 The guy's done nothing. 00:03:42.479 --> 00:03:43.259 All this kind of stuff. 00:03:43.259 --> 00:03:44.879 And I'm thinking, how could it be so different? 00:03:45.299 --> 00:03:47.179 And then it occurs to me what's going on. 00:03:48.199 --> 00:03:50.659 Is it the algorithms are just feeding the stuff? 00:03:50.739 --> 00:03:52.659 They're learning the stuff that you like to watch. 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:53.899 We're learning your tastes. 00:03:53.959 --> 00:03:57.419 And we're just feeding you videos after video after video. 00:03:57.419 --> 00:04:01.119 To get your attention. 00:04:02.119 --> 00:04:13.500 And that material that the algorithms put in front of our eyes is tailored to act like gasoline in an already lit fire of distrust and hate. 00:04:13.799 --> 00:04:14.179 Isn't it? 00:04:14.419 --> 00:04:15.339 It's our world, isn't it? 00:04:15.359 --> 00:04:16.159 It's our instincts. 00:04:16.659 --> 00:04:18.279 It's lash out in love. 00:04:18.279 --> 00:04:29.639 And that's why there's so much inside of me, if I'm honest, that really doesn't like what Jesus says in these verses. 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:33.319 And yet I love him. 00:04:34.059 --> 00:04:35.379 And I know he loves me. 00:04:36.519 --> 00:04:38.799 And I know he's showing me here a better way. 00:04:39.739 --> 00:04:41.199 But I know I can't do this. 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:43.179 I know this doesn't come naturally to me. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:47.239 And the promise here is that he's going to help me do it. 00:04:49.179 --> 00:04:53.919 So to stop this becoming simply an ethical lecture, come with me to verse 45. 00:04:55.239 --> 00:04:58.859 And let me try and frame what Jesus is saying here. 00:05:00.359 --> 00:05:04.419 You know, the more I've got into this sermon over the past month, something I've maybe come to appreciate. 00:05:06.179 --> 00:05:11.939 Is that this isn't primarily a sermon about how Jesus wants his disciples to live. 00:05:14.559 --> 00:05:18.119 Actually, it's primarily a sermon all about the character of God. 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:28.279 You'll so often hear theologians today talk about the incommunicable attributes of God. 00:05:28.379 --> 00:05:29.459 Now, hang on with me, okay? 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:32.199 The incommunicable attributes of God. 00:05:32.419 --> 00:05:34.859 Meaning that there are things that is good for us. 00:05:34.919 --> 00:05:40.599 It's really healthy for us to realize that we are not because he alone is. 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:48.020 There are things that God calls his people not to be because he alone is those things. 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:52.920 So for example, it's really healthy for us to know that we are not all knowing. 00:05:53.260 --> 00:05:53.939 And he is. 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:55.120 Yeah? 00:05:55.120 --> 00:06:00.280 It's also really helpful for us to know that he is all-powerful and we are not. 00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:06.160 It's really healthy for us to rest in the fact that, no, I go to sleep. 00:06:06.280 --> 00:06:07.060 I get tired. 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:07.780 I get weary. 00:06:07.879 --> 00:06:08.740 But God doesn't. 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:20.639 And so I can rest my head on the pillow of his sovereignty every night and go to sleep knowing that I do not need to carry the pressure of holding the world and my times and my decisions in my hand. 00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:22.680 Because he's sovereign and good and he loves me. 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:29.720 Really good that we embrace the fact that there are things that are true about God that he does not call us as his people to reflect. 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:42.820 And yet, the flip side is that you'll also hear theologians talk about the communicable attributes of God. 00:06:43.140 --> 00:06:43.880 It's a big word. 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:51.260 Meaning that there are things that are true about God that he calls us to reflect. 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:59.700 There are truths about him that he calls his people to reflect to the watching world so that the watching world will know exactly what kind of God is. 00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:00.580 God he is. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.680 And that's kind of the territory we're on today. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:04.260 Maybe think about it like this. 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:05.880 Have a look at verse 45 again. 00:07:07.900 --> 00:07:17.300 You know what, if this helps, one of the fellow dads that I've got to know in the schoolyard over the last couple of years, his name is Darren. 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:21.180 Two things you need to know about Darren. 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:23.740 Number one is that he used to play for Hibs. 00:07:25.200 --> 00:07:26.760 Probably undersold him a little bit there. 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:29.040 He's a bit of a Hibs legend. 00:07:29.040 --> 00:07:33.400 Because he was part of that 2016 Scottish Cup winning team. 00:07:33.520 --> 00:07:35.620 Something that hasn't been done for a generation. 00:07:35.920 --> 00:07:37.780 And Hibs fans like to tell us it's a big deal. 00:07:37.860 --> 00:07:38.800 And we'll kind of let them have it. 00:07:38.900 --> 00:07:39.000 Okay. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:41.439 But he's part of this 2016 Hibs team. 00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:44.660 That's fact number one about him. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:47.620 Number two fact about him though is that he's got three kids. 00:07:48.680 --> 00:07:51.220 And in particular he's got two younger boys. 00:07:51.220 --> 00:07:58.980 And the thing about those boys is that any time there is a, what we call in Scotland a mufty day. 00:07:59.200 --> 00:08:01.620 Kind of wear what you want to school day. 00:08:01.700 --> 00:08:03.620 Any time there's a day like that in school. 00:08:03.620 --> 00:08:06.639 These two boys will be running around in Hibs strips. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.980 But not just any Hibs strips. 00:08:10.920 --> 00:08:14.620 They're running around with their surname on the back. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:18.579 And they're running around with strips with his number on the back. 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:22.759 And they're running around with his colors all over them. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:23.420 Right? 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:25.540 And so you can see them. 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:26.220 They're running around. 00:08:26.340 --> 00:08:27.500 They're wearing this with pride. 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:28.640 And what's going on? 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:30.699 They're saying it's daddy's name. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:33.279 And it's daddy's number. 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:35.899 And it's daddy's badge. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:37.180 It's daddy's team. 00:08:39.779 --> 00:08:41.620 Friends, that's what's going on at verse 45. 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:42.120 Do you see it? 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:44.500 Can I paraphrase it? 00:08:45.000 --> 00:08:48.060 In a Shanks uninspired translation version. 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:50.860 Here's what Jesus is saying today. 00:08:50.960 --> 00:08:52.120 And this frames the whole thing. 00:08:53.419 --> 00:08:54.539 Be like this. 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:56.519 Because your dad's like this. 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:00.299 Or more than that. 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:02.620 You can be like this. 00:09:02.679 --> 00:09:04.120 Because your father's like this. 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.299 Do you see it? 00:09:08.459 --> 00:09:10.779 And for the first time in this book of Matthew. 00:09:10.979 --> 00:09:12.719 Jesus uses the word father. 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:17.439 To talk about how his disciples can relate to God. 00:09:19.899 --> 00:09:23.399 And this is telling us that we can know our father. 00:09:23.419 --> 00:09:24.479 We can trust him. 00:09:24.620 --> 00:09:28.000 And the rest of this sermon on the mount. 00:09:28.120 --> 00:09:29.879 That's going to be right at the heart of it. 00:09:30.139 --> 00:09:31.500 That we'll come back to in September. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:33.379 Just in case you're worried about stopping today. 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:38.199 But the central idea is that I can worship my father. 00:09:38.339 --> 00:09:39.240 I can know him. 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:42.019 And I can reflect him in the simple details of my life. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.719 And bring glory and honor to him. 00:09:45.299 --> 00:09:47.079 Be like this because your dad's like this. 00:09:47.080 --> 00:09:51.360 And so see what that with that frame in place. 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:52.300 As far as. 00:09:52.360 --> 00:09:54.440 And remember this is all about in the context. 00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:57.680 Engaging and loving our neighbor. 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:00.980 Who remember in the disciples day. 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:03.600 Would have been a neighbor who is likely persecuting them. 00:10:04.400 --> 00:10:05.560 For following Jesus. 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:09.279 Jesus is challenging two things. 00:10:09.399 --> 00:10:11.399 That the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. 00:10:11.619 --> 00:10:12.899 Are peddling to the people. 00:10:13.479 --> 00:10:14.519 Remember we said this last week. 00:10:14.619 --> 00:10:17.519 If people are going to the Pharisees and teachers of the law. 00:10:17.599 --> 00:10:19.579 And saying show us what it means to follow God. 00:10:19.879 --> 00:10:21.079 Show us the heart of the law. 00:10:21.699 --> 00:10:24.079 They're holding up a distorted picture. 00:10:24.839 --> 00:10:26.839 And Jesus has come to reveal. 00:10:27.019 --> 00:10:28.379 And restore the original. 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:29.359 That's what's going on. 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:33.480 But here's two things that they're teaching the people in this day. 00:10:34.740 --> 00:10:36.139 Jesus is going to challenge. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:36.820 Here's number one. 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.800 This is verses 38 to 42. 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:43.560 He's challenging their blow for blow attitude. 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:46.419 So have a look at verse 38. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.659 What are they teaching? 00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:49.580 This is really interesting. 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:51.060 What are they teaching? 00:10:52.440 --> 00:10:53.860 You have heard that it was said. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:55.740 Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:58.720 Now that is a direct quote from the law. 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:01.159 That you'll find in Exodus 21. 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:02.360 Leviticus 24. 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:03.860 And Deuteronomy 19. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:06.080 So their quote is legit. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:09.800 But always a great question to ask is. 00:11:10.200 --> 00:11:11.820 What was its original purpose? 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.519 What is it doing there? 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.279 And what it was doing is. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:20.800 In the context of when God had given that law to his people. 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:23.899 Is giving power to the courts in Israel. 00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:28.639 And it's specifically giving them power to do two things. 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.960 On the one hand. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:34.360 Make sure justice was done in the Israelite community. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.759 When someone was wronged. 00:11:36.659 --> 00:11:37.960 And on the other hand. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:40.360 What it's doing is capping the penalty. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:45.460 Thereby discouraging people from going over the top. 00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:47.259 In terms of their retaliation. 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:49.819 And their desire for justice and revenge. 00:11:49.919 --> 00:11:51.500 Taking matters into their own hands. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:52.659 So it's doing those two things. 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:54.159 Making sure justice is done. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:55.539 And it's capping. 00:11:56.600 --> 00:11:58.379 The level of retaliation. 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:05.539 And it's a law specifically designed to protect who in the community. 00:12:06.579 --> 00:12:07.579 Remember the kids talk? 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:12.199 It's specifically designed to protect those who are vulnerable. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:16.120 And those who are likely to be exploited in the Israelite community. 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:16.799 That's what it's doing. 00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:20.599 But what seems to be happening in Jesus' day. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:22.759 Is that the Pharisees and teachers of the law. 00:12:22.979 --> 00:12:25.179 Were subtly encouraging people. 00:12:25.599 --> 00:12:27.559 To take matters into their own hands. 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:28.559 When they've been wronged. 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:31.759 And leading them to think. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:34.319 That technically you can still act like that. 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:37.319 And still believe. 00:12:37.439 --> 00:12:38.639 And feel like you're keeping the law. 00:12:38.779 --> 00:12:39.379 Remember we said. 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.459 This is what they're doing. 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:42.059 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law. 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.599 They're dropping the bar. 00:12:43.600 --> 00:12:45.120 Why are they dropping the bar? 00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:47.540 Because they're trying to make it easier to obey. 00:12:49.279 --> 00:12:50.519 Now you can imagine. 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:53.720 With that going on in the community. 00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:56.600 What's going to happen to the community? 00:12:57.540 --> 00:12:59.860 What's going to happen if people are encouraged to. 00:13:00.540 --> 00:13:02.100 Seek out their own revenge. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:03.860 Take matters into their own hands. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.560 What's going to happen to the community? 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:07.879 What happens in our communities when that happens? 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:10.779 It rips societies apart. 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:14.199 You know the first wedding I ever did at Brunsfield. 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:17.699 Was the most controversial wedding I've ever done at Brunsfield. 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:21.959 Because it was a Campbell girl. 00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:24.600 Marrying a McDonald boy. 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.620 And jokes throughout the day. 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:30.459 About the fact that this would never have happened 400 years ago. 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:31.379 I mean if you look at the. 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:34.199 The history of clan violence in the day. 00:13:34.319 --> 00:13:34.959 It is brutal. 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:36.919 Jokes throughout the day. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.159 That this would never have happened. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:40.919 And jokes about the violence and the tensions. 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:41.919 And everything like that. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:44.120 But the thing is we were joking about that. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:47.219 But what is the reality in our world. 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:48.939 When it comes to revenge. 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:51.879 Is that nations. 00:13:52.839 --> 00:13:53.959 And communities. 00:13:53.959 --> 00:13:55.259 And we will know this today. 00:13:55.719 --> 00:13:56.240 Families. 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:59.100 Generations are ripped apart. 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:01.480 By the desire for revenge. 00:14:02.659 --> 00:14:02.819 Yeah. 00:14:02.820 --> 00:14:07.160 And what happens to that rage so often. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:09.960 Is it is just passed down from generation. 00:14:10.440 --> 00:14:11.500 To generation. 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:12.580 To generation. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.700 And somebody asks. 00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:15.560 Why don't we speak to Uncle Dave anymore. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:16.660 And we say. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.640 Well it's a long story. 00:14:20.420 --> 00:14:21.560 And it's amazing isn't it. 00:14:21.560 --> 00:14:22.420 When I was prepping for this. 00:14:22.540 --> 00:14:24.680 How many phrases we have in our culture. 00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.660 For this kind of thing. 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:27.280 Which shows you that it's a real thing. 00:14:27.660 --> 00:14:27.820 Okay. 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:28.900 Can I try them on for size. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:30.120 See if you can complete them. 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.820 Revenge is a dish. 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.159 Best served. 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:34.659 Cold. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.220 Right. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:38.200 I'm glad he finally got his just. 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:39.799 Desserts. 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:41.100 Sometimes in life. 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.879 You've got to fight fire with. 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:45.600 I'll teach her a lesson. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.299 That she'll never. 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:47.799 Forget. 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:48.340 Do you see what I mean? 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:52.080 The human heart is. 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:53.700 Brutally ugly at times. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:57.980 And if Jesus' disciples are wondering. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:59.820 How should we respond to the neighbor. 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:00.620 That comes at us. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.620 With hostility. 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.920 Jesus says here. 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:09.100 Be people of surprising. 00:15:10.540 --> 00:15:10.900 Mercy. 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:14.660 Three quick examples of that. 00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:15.700 We'll race through these. 00:15:15.900 --> 00:15:17.280 And go to your growth groups this week. 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.220 And tease this out. 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.820 Let me just give you the big hitters here. 00:15:20.140 --> 00:15:21.520 Three examples of that in the text. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:22.379 You see the first one. 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:23.340 Turn the other cheek. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.320 Now the harm. 00:15:27.400 --> 00:15:28.980 Let me just try and get it in this context. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.680 The harm that came from us. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.259 Slapping the cheek back in the day. 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.700 It wasn't so much physical. 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:36.700 It was more the act of that was an insult. 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:39.240 So this is about when somebody insults you. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:43.700 What do people expect you to do when they insult you? 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:45.259 What do they expect you to do back? 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.420 Insult them back. 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:49.899 But see when you don't react like that. 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.759 Surprising mercy. 00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:54.220 People stop in their tracks and they think. 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:56.519 What's that all about? 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:01.079 Surprising mercy. 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:01.819 Number two. 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.159 We're going through these really quick. 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.779 Give away your tunic. 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.779 Surprising mercy. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:09.439 So in Jesus' day for a Jewish man. 00:16:09.959 --> 00:16:10.480 Their coat. 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:11.079 Their turek. 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:12.319 Is a massive deal. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:13.459 It's a sign of honor. 00:16:14.339 --> 00:16:15.480 It's their dignity. 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:21.179 So somebody is after you for a financial pledge. 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:22.419 Maybe for a debt that you owe. 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.379 Or something like that. 00:16:24.839 --> 00:16:25.699 A pledge. 00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.620 As a pledge you could give your shirt. 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:29.879 They could demand your shirt off your back. 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:34.360 But your coat was off limits. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:36.480 Or if you did take the coat. 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:39.600 You would need to give it back by sunset. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:42.679 Because the person likely needed it for warmth. 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:45.100 So it's a huge deal. 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:46.340 The coat back in the day. 00:16:46.659 --> 00:16:48.059 But imagine the scenario. 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.939 If somebody came after you financially. 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:51.759 You offered them their shirt. 00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:54.059 And then you offered them your coat. 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:56.460 Again. 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:56.860 What? 00:16:59.060 --> 00:16:59.900 Shocking mercy. 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.680 Surprising mercy. 00:17:00.900 --> 00:17:01.800 Why are you? 00:17:02.400 --> 00:17:03.879 Why are you doing that? 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.480 And then number three. 00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:12.019 And it's amazing how many of these phrases have made it into our culture's language today. 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:12.319 Isn't it? 00:17:12.360 --> 00:17:13.259 Here's number three. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.160 Go the extra mile. 00:17:16.980 --> 00:17:19.039 Which is a reference to a Roman law. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:21.460 That gave Roman soldiers the power. 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.980 Power. 00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:25.299 To stop any citizen. 00:17:25.819 --> 00:17:26.740 On the street. 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:30.160 And force them to carry their heavy military gear. 00:17:30.860 --> 00:17:32.220 Carry it up to one mile. 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.740 But Jesus is saying. 00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:38.700 Imagine a scenario where you're forced to carry it one mile. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:40.680 And then instead of stopping and dropping. 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:44.680 You just keep on going. 00:17:47.380 --> 00:17:47.819 Again. 00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:50.159 Why would you do that? 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:53.299 Why would you respond to such an unfair request like that? 00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.539 And I think in the context as well. 00:17:54.599 --> 00:17:55.279 There's a bit of. 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:57.460 If you're made to walk one mile. 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.240 The Romans are in charge of you. 00:17:59.480 --> 00:17:59.799 But see. 00:17:59.939 --> 00:18:00.960 If you go another mile. 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.839 Who's in charge? 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.139 You are. 00:18:04.939 --> 00:18:06.059 So shocking mercy. 00:18:06.200 --> 00:18:06.599 Do you see? 00:18:07.519 --> 00:18:08.919 Surprising mercy. 00:18:13.679 --> 00:18:15.839 Breaking the cycle of revenge. 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:16.980 And rage. 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:18.720 Now can I just. 00:18:19.539 --> 00:18:20.500 Knowing you friends. 00:18:20.980 --> 00:18:21.179 Just. 00:18:21.539 --> 00:18:24.259 Think about two questions that might be in your mind just now. 00:18:24.379 --> 00:18:24.539 We'll just. 00:18:25.159 --> 00:18:26.159 Try and go towards them. 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.339 Again. 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:28.019 Talk about them in your growth group this week. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.399 Two questions that might be in your mind. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:31.339 Just try and have quick short answers. 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.879 To these. 00:18:32.939 --> 00:18:33.379 Maybe you're thinking. 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:35.299 Does this mean I need to be a walking doormat? 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.399 Maybe. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:43.139 Thinking particularly of those who are in really difficult situations. 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:44.139 At work just now. 00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:45.319 Or at uni or something. 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:47.740 And it's relationally difficult. 00:18:47.919 --> 00:18:48.279 And you're thinking. 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:49.179 What are my options? 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.519 What does this call me to do? 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:54.399 Just remember the context of God giving that law to his people. 00:18:55.679 --> 00:18:57.139 God giving it to his people. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:19:00.319 Not any Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 perfect world context. 00:19:00.419 --> 00:19:01.759 God is giving it to his people. 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:03.879 And then Genesis 3 onward context. 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.419 Where it's. 00:19:04.659 --> 00:19:05.419 It's tricky. 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.379 It's sin. 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:07.260 It's all over this. 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:08.920 It's relationally complex. 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:11.380 I take it. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.300 If you're in a situation. 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:12.960 Where you're thinking. 00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:14.820 There's a course of action open to me. 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:15.860 I take it. 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:17.760 If there are rules and procedures in place. 00:19:17.760 --> 00:19:19.640 For justice to be done. 00:19:20.300 --> 00:19:22.040 Then it's not wrong for you to take them. 00:19:22.080 --> 00:19:23.260 If you think about it wisely. 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:26.560 But I think where the cross section. 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:28.360 Where this passage intersects. 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:30.260 With maybe your thinking on that. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:35.000 Is in terms of what's going on in your heart. 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.339 Is you seek that out. 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:39.059 It's your motivation in it. 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:42.039 Is it a desire to lay down the law. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:44.039 And stand on your rights. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:45.200 And maybe out somebody. 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:47.559 Or genuinely is it a desire. 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:49.059 For the glory of Jesus. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:50.779 And the good and the health. 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.879 Maybe of your workplace. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.220 Or whatever it is. 00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:57.180 So that's why we do this in community. 00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:57.680 Isn't it? 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.019 This is wisdom territory. 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.700 We help each other with this. 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:04.319 And S was talking about how beautiful a thing it is. 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:06.879 To be part of an intergenerational church family. 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:08.700 There'll be people in this church family. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.139 Who will have walked through situations. 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:11.460 Like perhaps that you're facing. 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.539 And if nothing else. 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:15.379 What can we do for each other is pray. 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.599 Jesus is saying here. 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:21.079 Always check your motivation. 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:23.319 I listen to a podcast called Knowing Faith. 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.279 In the States. 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:27.220 A lady called Jen Wilkin. 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:29.680 And there's a guy called JT English. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:30.519 And Kyle Worley. 00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.720 Really good podcast. 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:33.120 If you're looking for something to listen to. 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:34.140 They just pick subjects. 00:20:34.140 --> 00:20:35.700 And look at it from a Christian point of view. 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:37.060 Listening to it recently. 00:20:37.160 --> 00:20:38.779 Here's what Jen Wilkin said. 00:20:38.820 --> 00:20:40.000 And I found this really helpful. 00:20:41.180 --> 00:20:41.600 She said. 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:44.400 Godly obedience is more than just right actions. 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:47.700 Godly obedience is right action. 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:49.320 Joined to right motive. 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:52.779 It is doing the right thing. 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.759 For the right reason. 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.919 And that's something worth chewing on. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.919 If we're thinking today. 00:20:59.019 --> 00:21:01.339 Does this call us to be walking doormats? 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.879 Here's number two. 00:21:03.939 --> 00:21:05.339 And I think this is a slightly bigger one. 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:09.319 Does this say when I've been sinned against and hurt. 00:21:09.399 --> 00:21:10.099 That it doesn't matter? 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:14.960 And I think you can say from this passage. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.960 And from particularly the one who's telling this. 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:18.440 That it does matter. 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:21.180 It matters so much. 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.720 And where do we go? 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.720 We run to the cross. 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:28.500 Because. 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:30.400 Not only does Jesus. 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.860 The one giving up this sermon. 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:33.640 Know what it is to turn the other cheek. 00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:35.920 And not retaliate against his enemies. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:37.539 When he had every reason to. 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:41.559 But the cross of Christ says to you and to me. 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.379 That what happened to you. 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.799 The sin against you and I. 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.720 Is not trivial. 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:48.200 It is serious. 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.879 It is so serious in fact. 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:53.599 That it required the suffering and death of the son of God. 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:55.000 To pay for it on the cross. 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:57.299 So the cross says. 00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.420 As you come to this text. 00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:59.639 When you have been wronged. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.359 It doesn't undermine it. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:04.240 Actually the cross underscores it. 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:06.480 And it says it is serious. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.559 It is serious. 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:11.420 And you hear Jesus from the cross telling us. 00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:13.220 I know what it is to be humiliated. 00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:16.640 And I know what it is to be wronged. 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:18.620 But would you trust me that there is. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:22.140 One day when I will return and make all things right. 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.539 And see knowledge of him in that day. 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.720 And we'll come back to this in a bit. 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:29.360 Knowledge of him in that day means that we can leave. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.559 Ultimate. 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:31.799 Justice. 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:32.759 To God. 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:35.700 Known that vengeance is his. 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:37.080 And he will repay. 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:40.900 And won't the God of all the earth do right. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:43.279 This is Tim Keller. 00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.740 Really simply says this. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:49.200 A God who substitutes himself for you. 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:51.319 And suffers so that you may go free. 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.880 Is a God you can trust. 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:58.900 So firstly Jesus is challenging the blow for blow attitude. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:01.600 And number two. 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:05.000 He's challenging the we look out for our own mindset. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:07.720 Again come with me to verse 43. 00:23:07.880 --> 00:23:08.720 What are they teaching? 00:23:10.300 --> 00:23:13.940 They are teaching love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.960 You see it? 00:23:16.280 --> 00:23:18.300 Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:21.200 And there's alarm bells going off all over the place with this one. 00:23:21.280 --> 00:23:22.480 Can I show you a couple of them? 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:25.460 Love your neighbor. 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:27.420 Doing well. 00:23:28.660 --> 00:23:34.360 But what's the convenient end of that sentence that they have conveniently left out when they quote Leviticus 19? 00:23:34.519 --> 00:23:35.680 Love your neighbor as who? 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:37.500 As yourself. 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.099 Right? 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:39.460 So they've missed it out. 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:42.019 So that's red flag number one. 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:44.059 But here's the red flag number two. 00:23:44.400 --> 00:23:45.500 Hate your enemies. 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:49.000 Where did that come from? 00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.039 And the idea of hate. 00:23:52.119 --> 00:23:58.680 I'd imagine where they might have got it from is God talks an awful lot in the Old Testament about how he will bring final justice upon his enemies. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:01.240 And perhaps they've grabbed that and taken it to this. 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:02.579 To their day. 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:04.259 And this is what they're teaching to the people. 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.180 But here's the question. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.140 Why so strong? 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.839 What are they trying to do? 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:15.380 When they introduce this language of neighbor and enemy. 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.339 What are they trying to do? 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.680 Well maybe think about it like this. 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:17.980 Friends. 00:24:18.099 --> 00:24:22.099 What is our beef with insurance companies? 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:27.259 Especially when you try and make a claim. 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:32.420 What is the line that we hate hearing after you've been put on hold for 25 minutes? 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:37.759 And you leave thinking I cannot get that on hold music out of my head for at least a week. 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:43.319 The line that they give you is that I am sorry to have kept you waiting. 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:51.159 But we've actually established that your claim isn't covered under our policy. 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:52.419 It's infuriating isn't it? 00:24:52.439 --> 00:24:53.200 It's not covered. 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.679 It doesn't. 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:57.980 What you're claiming for doesn't come under the term. 00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:01.759 And what are these guys doing? 00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:03.220 Remember they're making it easier to be. 00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.159 They're dropping the bar. 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:07.560 They are trying to limit who qualifies as a neighbor. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:12.960 Because if I can establish that you are not my neighbor. 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:18.920 Well then that makes you according to this my enemy. 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:23.360 And if you're my enemy then technically I can hate on you. 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:26.920 And still feel like I'm obeying the command to love my neighbor. 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:31.180 And then go on. 00:25:31.300 --> 00:25:32.840 Notice verse 46. 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:35.400 Notice the three groups. 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:39.160 So remember this is coming back to the chimpanzees right? 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.640 Aggression and affection. 00:25:40.800 --> 00:25:41.680 Notice the three groups. 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.340 Tax collectors. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:45.380 Remember the guy that's written this book. 00:25:46.300 --> 00:25:47.060 Tax collector. 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:47.920 Okay. 00:25:48.779 --> 00:25:51.100 Who do tax collectors find it really easy to love? 00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.580 Tax collectors. 00:25:54.539 --> 00:25:54.800 Yeah. 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.159 Jews. 00:25:56.419 --> 00:25:58.240 And I take it when Jesus says they're. 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.639 Your own people. 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:01.639 That's what he's talking about there. 00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:05.240 Who in the context do Jews find it really easy to hang out with and love? 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.259 Jews. 00:26:07.559 --> 00:26:07.779 Okay. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.159 And pagans. 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:13.500 Who do pagans find it really easy to hang out with and love? 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.639 Just go with the logic. 00:26:15.539 --> 00:26:16.319 Other pagans. 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:16.579 Right. 00:26:16.659 --> 00:26:18.919 I'll tell you what is the easiest thing in the world. 00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:23.139 Is to hang out with and love people just like me and you. 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:29.039 In this context you see who Jesus has picked deliberately. 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:31.899 Some are the scumbags of the earth. 00:26:32.419 --> 00:26:33.339 In the context. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:33.599 Right. 00:26:33.740 --> 00:26:34.359 Tax collector. 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.359 Scum of the earth. 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.539 Fellow Jews. 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.279 Religious guys. 00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.000 Considered morally. 00:26:42.379 --> 00:26:43.099 Top of the earth. 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.419 But here's the thing. 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:46.379 It doesn't matter if you're at the top or the bottom. 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:47.759 The problem is the same. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:51.859 We just hang out with and love people just like us. 00:26:52.220 --> 00:26:53.819 And we think if you're not in our tribe. 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.819 If you're over here. 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:56.119 Then you aren't my neighbor. 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:57.500 You are my enemy. 00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:59.420 And Jesus is about to flip the definition. 00:27:05.460 --> 00:27:07.240 Do you see in wonderful contrast. 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:11.240 To something that comes so naturally to us. 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:12.019 Do you see how. 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:14.579 Jesus says to his disciples. 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.500 Be those people marked by. 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:17.740 Shocking. 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:18.700 Grace. 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.519 Surprising mercy. 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.639 Shocking grace. 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.440 Verse 44. 00:27:24.639 --> 00:27:25.359 Love your enemies. 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:27.379 And pray for those who persecute you. 00:27:27.519 --> 00:27:27.839 Wow. 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.160 We find that. 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:30.539 To be honest. 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.599 We hear that. 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:32.740 And we think that sounds. 00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:33.960 Not easy. 00:27:34.200 --> 00:27:35.500 But it doesn't sound that difficult. 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.460 But see if you're a Christian in North Korea. 00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:37.900 Just now. 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.660 And you're reading that. 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.720 If you're a Christian in Sudan. 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:41.559 Reading that. 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:42.519 Anywhere in the world. 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.220 Reading that. 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.720 Boy that's hard to hear isn't it. 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:48.299 But why do that. 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:52.539 Be like this. 00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:55.160 Because your dad's like this. 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.680 Right. 00:27:57.140 --> 00:27:57.700 Be like this. 00:27:57.779 --> 00:27:58.759 Because your dad's like this. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.839 Your father's like this. 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:02.500 And this is going to get us to the character of God. 00:28:02.600 --> 00:28:03.559 See verse 45. 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.539 What kind of God is he. 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:09.740 What kind of God do we have. 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:14.700 We have a enemy loving God. 00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:18.360 And what Jesus is talking about here is. 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:22.079 What theologians commonly call. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:23.759 Common grace. 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:27.339 Meaning that God is not selective. 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:29.160 In who he is kind to. 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:32.539 He allows the sun to shine. 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:35.480 Which allows the maize crops to grow in the farm. 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.920 So that down the line. 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:39.380 The drug dealer can buy their cornflakes at Aldi. 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:39.780 And eat them. 00:28:41.860 --> 00:28:43.520 He makes the rain fall. 00:28:43.700 --> 00:28:45.100 Meaning that there's water to drink. 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:47.020 So that the atheist lecturer. 00:28:47.020 --> 00:28:48.660 Can mock God in the debate. 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.220 And stop at the interval. 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:51.380 To have a glass of water. 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:52.340 To quench his thirst. 00:28:54.560 --> 00:28:55.700 God is kind. 00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:58.200 He is merciful. 00:28:58.200 --> 00:29:01.779 He is kind to his enemies. 00:29:01.880 --> 00:29:03.460 Now listen to what I'm not saying. 00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.980 Notwithstanding the truth. 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:08.779 That there is a day when God will judge the living and the dead. 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:11.259 And one of heaven and hell. 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:13.259 Will be the just and the eternal destination. 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:16.340 For every single human being that has ever lived. 00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:20.759 Until the return of Christ. 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:26.079 God is so incredibly patient. 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.639 And merciful. 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:34.099 And kind. 00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:39.500 Towards those who do not want to know him. 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:42.819 That's not exactly what Annes was saying in her story. 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:46.119 I think about the. 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:50.359 Things I used to think about. 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:53.220 And say about God. 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:54.660 Before I came to know him. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.059 And God had every right. 00:29:57.119 --> 00:29:58.799 To just blow me out the water. 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:02.559 And yet I woke up. 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:03.400 Even in those days. 00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:04.900 When I wanted nothing to do with him. 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.640 And I had. 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:07.420 A home to live in. 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:10.380 And I had a family who loved me. 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.640 I had water to drink. 00:30:12.759 --> 00:30:14.080 I had clothes to wear. 00:30:14.160 --> 00:30:15.300 I had a school to go to. 00:30:15.340 --> 00:30:16.340 All of these things. 00:30:17.020 --> 00:30:18.180 Not by chance. 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.940 All of these things. 00:30:20.080 --> 00:30:23.259 Because God is our enemy loving God. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.560 Friends if you're here today. 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.600 And you do not know him. 00:30:25.960 --> 00:30:28.520 Can I tell you the purpose of his patience. 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:32.920 Is that you return to him in repentance and faith. 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:35.420 And see how foolish I was. 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:38.160 But how merciful Christ is. 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:40.660 In pursuing me. 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:44.780 His common grace to all people. 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:51.120 And I'm so in tune to thinking about the fact. 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:53.600 That it's the weather cycles that make things go. 00:30:53.800 --> 00:30:53.980 Right? 00:30:54.280 --> 00:30:54.820 No, no, no. 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:56.900 It's God who makes the things go. 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.860 God who sends rain. 00:30:59.040 --> 00:31:00.100 God who sends sun. 00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:01.500 God who makes the grass grow. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:06.000 God who gives us power in our lungs to breathe. 00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:07.799 The oxygen that we breathe to keep us alive. 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:10.960 This is his common grace. 00:31:12.400 --> 00:31:16.460 But the wonderful news of the gospel is that he is a loving God. 00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:21.039 An enemy loving God who goes so much further than just common grace. 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:23.819 Here's a question for you. 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:26.980 Who would you be willing to die for? 00:31:26.980 --> 00:31:31.819 Can I be honest with you? 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:38.180 Out with Alex and my kids. 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.279 Perhaps my family. 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:43.279 That list ain't long. 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:47.819 Because naturally to me that list ain't long. 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:52.119 But I tell you one person who I definitely would never die for. 00:31:53.799 --> 00:32:01.000 Is the person who wronged me horrifically and is completely unremorseful about it. 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:03.039 Why would you do that? 00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:08.480 And yet what is so incredible about grace. 00:32:09.639 --> 00:32:14.460 Is that that is exactly the extent to which the love of God would go. 00:32:14.460 --> 00:32:19.340 The Bible says that while we were still his enemies. 00:32:20.900 --> 00:32:21.340 Enemies. 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.539 Christ died for us. 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:27.799 Not when we were kind of good. 00:32:27.920 --> 00:32:30.640 Not when we were kind of finally getting our act together. 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:33.539 Not when we were beginning to think oh maybe there's something in this. 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:34.519 None of that. 00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:38.180 When we were his enemies Christ died for us. 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:40.079 When we were giving God the fingers. 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.900 Christ died for us. 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:43.519 When we wanted nothing to do with him. 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:46.299 When Christ went to the cross to save me. 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:47.639 And do you see how knowing that. 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:49.319 When we were his enemies. 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:51.160 Christ died for us. 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:54.519 Do you see how that transforms how we view people in the world today. 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.180 And the thing is. 00:32:59.379 --> 00:33:01.119 I know that I can't do this by myself. 00:33:01.180 --> 00:33:02.980 Because I like to hang out with the people who are just like me. 00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:06.299 And I love to love the people just like me. 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:08.119 I love to hate the people who are not like me. 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:10.119 I need Christ to change my heart. 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:12.700 And that's what he's offering to do today. 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:12.940 Friends. 00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:17.940 Friends. 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:23.279 If a non-believer can both explain and easily replicate our ethics as a church. 00:33:23.620 --> 00:33:28.900 Then maybe it's suggesting that our lives together aren't otherworldly enough. 00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:34.960 Just quick fire questions before we close. 00:33:35.640 --> 00:33:40.900 When was the last time you and I prayed for somebody who thought differently to us? 00:33:42.100 --> 00:33:42.860 In here. 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.320 Out there. 00:33:44.319 --> 00:33:50.939 When was the last time we hung out with people who are not just like us? 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:53.139 Maybe who are a different life stage to us. 00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:56.179 Who didn't just look and sound the same as us. 00:33:57.819 --> 00:34:03.539 When was the last time we responded to being wronged with grace and forgiveness? 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:06.799 Because when you think about it. 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:11.139 Our church shouldn't make sense to the world. 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:16.519 But this is what's going to transform our city, right? 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:21.279 And draw people's attention to the truth of Christ. 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:29.100 When ordinary believers in ordinary places, in ordinary ways, choose the way of Christ. 00:34:33.540 --> 00:34:38.780 Jesus is saying to believers in the world, act like this. 00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:41.100 Because your dad's like this. 00:34:42.100 --> 00:34:44.720 You know, just as we close, I remember when I first moved to Edinburgh. 00:34:44.719 --> 00:34:48.019 Back in 2008. 00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:52.899 And going to a, at the time, 2008, some of you might not have been born. 00:34:53.219 --> 00:34:53.439 I don't know. 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:56.939 2008, went to a church down the road called Morningside Baptist Church. 00:34:57.039 --> 00:34:58.679 Started going along to an alpha course. 00:34:58.739 --> 00:35:02.399 I was a believer at the time, but I wanted to come along and just be inspired. 00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:04.519 And bring friends and things like that. 00:35:05.159 --> 00:35:08.259 And I sat next to a lady on my first night called Julie. 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:14.399 And once we'd kind of exchanged the pleasantries and got the small talk out of the way. 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:16.860 I said to her, Julie, what brought you here? 00:35:18.720 --> 00:35:22.820 And she pointed to a man over the other side of the room called Eddie. 00:35:24.180 --> 00:35:29.440 And she said, Eddie brought me, or rather, Eddie invited me on this course last year. 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:31.760 And I became a Christian last year. 00:35:32.200 --> 00:35:33.780 And she said, I work for him. 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:35.860 But you know what? 00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:40.700 Last year, to my shame, I stole from him. 00:35:40.699 --> 00:35:45.039 And he caught me. 00:35:45.159 --> 00:35:48.339 And we went through the processes to make a right and everything like that. 00:35:48.899 --> 00:35:54.439 But instead of firing me and reporting me and getting rid of me, 00:35:55.099 --> 00:36:00.179 with zero pressure and zero coercion, he kept me on. 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:05.099 And he said, do you want to come to my church's alpha course? 00:36:06.039 --> 00:36:13.139 And so she said, it was everything that I didn't expect that he would react in this moment. 00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:14.299 Everything I didn't respect. 00:36:14.360 --> 00:36:15.299 And I thought, hang on. 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:18.960 Maybe there is something to this thing that I dismissed so quickly. 00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:20.559 So she comes on the alpha course. 00:36:21.460 --> 00:36:23.299 She learns about Jesus as she becomes a Christian. 00:36:24.559 --> 00:36:27.559 And there she's on the alpha course the next year, sitting with me, talking about it. 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:30.900 She said, I just want to help people meet the Jesus who transformed my life. 00:36:34.279 --> 00:36:36.259 So Jesus is saying, just see it to his disciples. 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:40.420 In light of who the Father is, be people of surprising mercy. 00:36:42.259 --> 00:36:44.980 And be people of shocking grace. 00:36:45.579 --> 00:36:46.460 And be like this. 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:46.900 Why? 00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:50.779 Be like this because your Father is like this. 00:36:52.139 --> 00:36:52.960 How do I pray? 00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:56.920 And then we'll stand to sing our last couple of songs. 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:12.119 And Father, I just pray, Lord, that a big picture of your heart would capture our affections today. 00:37:12.119 --> 00:37:19.679 And Lord, if we're going through some really thorny things just now, Lord, help us. 00:37:19.799 --> 00:37:27.139 Give us the wisdom to know not just what to do, but how to glorify you and know you in these moments. 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:33.279 Thank you for our church family that we can come around each other and help one another with these things. 00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:38.960 But Lord, so I pray that you would help us today just savor the gospel. 00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:46.560 That while we were your enemies, you died for us. 00:37:47.500 --> 00:37:49.460 Father, thank you really, truly. 00:37:49.620 --> 00:37:51.800 This is not a sermon about how we are to live. 00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:54.960 As much as it's a sermon about who you are. 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:58.280 So, Father, thank you for our time together. 00:37:58.400 --> 00:38:03.960 And as we respond, Lord, in praise and worship, Lord, would your spirit be working in our hearts. 00:38:04.760 --> 00:38:07.300 And we pray all of these things in Jesus' worthy name. 00:38:07.820 --> 00:38:08.159 Amen.