WEBVTT

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 We've been in the Gospel of Matthew since last December.

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!

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 Heavenly Father,

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 Heavenly Father,

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 I want to ask that you will

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 elevate a few things this morning

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 in our minds and in our hearts.

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 I ask that you would elevate your Word and your law,

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 your great high standards,

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 so that all those who are self-righteous and legalistic

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 despair of their own righteousness this morning.

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 And I ask, Father,

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 that you would elevate your mercy and grace,

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 so that having seen how woefully inadequate we are

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 and how far we fall short of your glorious standard,

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 that we would revel in your great mercy and grace

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 that have bridged that chasm for us.

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 And, Father, as consequence of that,

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 I ask that you would elevate your name.

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 Your name and the name of your Son, Jesus Christ,

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 would be exalted high above all things,

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 that we would bow in worship in humility

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 because of who you are

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 and all that you have done for us.

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 Meet with us this morning.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you are able, please rise

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 for the reading of God's Word

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 so that we can honor God

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 as we read from His Word.

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 Matthew 5, verses 21 to 26.

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 You have heard that it was said to those of old,

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 you shall not murder,

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 and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.

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 But I say to you

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 that everyone who is angry with his brother

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 will be liable to judgment.

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 Whoever insults his brother

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 will be liable to the council,

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 and whoever says,

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 you fool,

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 will be liable to the hell of fire.

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 So if you are offering your gift at the altar

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 and there remember that your brother

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 has something against you,

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 leave your gift there before the altar

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 and go first be reconciled to your brother

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 and then come and offer your gift.

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 Come to terms quickly with your accuser

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 while you are going with him to court,

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 lest your accuser hand you over to the judge

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 and the judge to the guard

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 and you be put in prison.

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 Truly I say to you,

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 you will never get out

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 until you have paid the last penny.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Please be seated.

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 Scripture is full of warnings about sinful anger.

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 The Bible's wisdom literature says,

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 it associates a quick temper with folly.

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 Ecclesiastes 7, 9 says,

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 be not quick in your spirit to become angry,

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 for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

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 All of us at some point are going to feel angry

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 because things that make us angry happen.

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 There is real wrong in the world,

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 real injustice in the world

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 and we are going to at some point feel anger

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 if we live in this world.

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 However, a wise person does not let anger lodge there.

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 He doesn't let anger rest there in his heart.

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 So Proverbs 14, 29 says,

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 whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,

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 but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

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 It's not that anger is always sinful.

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 Some anger is actually righteous.

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 God himself is described as displaying

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 throughout scriptures righteous anger.

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 And if we, as God's people,

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 are indifferent and apathetic toward evil

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 and injustice,

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 then that's not a virtue.

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 That's a sin.

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 And that means we don't love the things that God loves

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 nor hate the things that God hates.

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 However, even in our righteous anger,

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 we ought to be slow to anger

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 because that's what God is like.

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 The Lord, the Lord,

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 the gracious and compassionate God,

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 slow to anger,

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 abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

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 Why do we need to be slow to anger?

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 James 1, 19 to 20,

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 be quick to hear,

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 slow to speak,

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 slow to anger.

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 For the anger of man does not produce

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 the righteousness of God.

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 We have to be slow to anger

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 because we are especially sinful people.

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 And as sinful people,

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 it's very hard not to sin

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 when we are angry.

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 Often we misperceive wrongs.

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 So we get angry

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 even though we shouldn't be angry.

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 We get angry

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 not because someone has wronged us

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 but because of our own pride

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 and selfishness

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 and self-righteousness.

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 And sometimes even when

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 we are rightly angry,

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 we misdirect our anger

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 at people,

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 at things that don't deserve it.

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 Or we mismeasure our anger

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 so that it's disproportionate

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 to the offense

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 that has been caused to us.

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 We can sin in so many ways

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 when it comes to anger.

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 That's why we ought to be slow to anger.

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 There are many warnings

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 in scripture about anger

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 but the scariest one of them all

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 I think is Ephesians 4,

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 verse 26 and 27.

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 Be angry and do not sin.

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 Do not let the sun go down on your anger

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 and give no opportunity to the devil.

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 If we let the sun go down on our anger,

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 if we prolong our anger,

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 it says that we are giving

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 an opportunity to the devil.

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 The Greek word translated opportunity here

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 is a word that literally means place.

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 A place, like a spatial word,

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 place for the devil.

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 Many pastors and theologians

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 have warned against this

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 throughout church history.

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 In the first 17th century,

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 Puritan pastor Thomas Manton wrote this,

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 nothing makes room for Satan

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 more than wrath,

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 giving space,

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 room to the devil.

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 Charles Spurgeon wrote,

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 I have no more right as a Christian

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 to allow a bad temper to dwell in me

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 than I have to allow the devil himself

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 to dwell there.

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 John Calvin explains Ephesians 4, 27 this way,

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 I have no doubt that Paul was warning us

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 to beware lest Satan should take possession

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 of our minds

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 like an enemy-occupied fortress

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 and do whatever he pleases.

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 Sinful anger gives the devil

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 a foothold in our lives.

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 It gives the devil a beachhead

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 from which to launch his assaults

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 in our spiritual warfare.

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 It gives the devil real estate

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 in our minds and in our hearts

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 so that he can,

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 through that sinful anger,

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 destroy relationships,

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 divide communities,

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 devastate homes,

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 and dead in our souls

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 to joy and gratitude,

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 compassion,

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 and mercy,

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 which is what anger does to our hearts.

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 In fact,

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 Jesus in this passage

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 connects anger to murder

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 and to the hell of fire.

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 It's no wonder that Jesus teaches us

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 in this passage

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 to forsake anger

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 and seek reconciliation

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 as God in Christ did for us.

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 That's really the main point

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 of this passage.

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 We're going to first talk about

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 the heart of obedience,

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 and second,

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 we'll talk about the priority

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 of reconciliation,

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 and lastly,

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 we'll talk about the certainty

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 of judgment.

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 Jesus says in verse 21 and 22,

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 you have heard that it was said

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 to those of old,

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 you shall not murder,

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 and whoever murders

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 will be liable to judgment,

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 but I say to you

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 that everyone who is angry

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 with his brother

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 will be liable to judgment.

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 The phrase,

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 you have heard that it was said

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 to those of old,

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 is an allusion to the scriptures,

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 to the word of God,

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 to the law of God.

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 That passive form,

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 it was said,

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 is a formula that is used

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 specifically in the New Testament

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 to refer to the scriptures.

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 So he's not referring here

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 to the words of men,

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 he's referring to the word of God.

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 And every single one

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 of these phrases,

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 you have heard that it was said

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 to the people of old

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 in Matthew 5,

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 introduces an identifiable

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 piece of scripture.

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 Shockingly then,

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 Jesus is here

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 pitting his own teaching

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 against the Old Testament scriptures.

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 Well, not exactly.

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 If you're here for Ed's sermon,

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 you know better than that.

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 Hopefully that was a red flag

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 that went up right

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 when I said that to you.

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 Because Jesus is not actually

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 challenging or contradicting

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 the scriptures,

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 but challenging

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 the Jewish misinterpretation

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 of the scriptures

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 during his day.

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 I've heard another pastor

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 who's funnier than me

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 refer to this as the RSP.

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 Not the RSV,

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 the revised standard version,

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 but the RSP,

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 the revised standard perversion.

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 That's what he is trying to correct.

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 If you scan the rest of chapter 5,

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 you'll find the same formula

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 over and over again.

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 You have heard that it was said,

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 but I say to you,

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 you'll find it a total of six times.

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 This formula is commonly called

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 the antitheses

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 of the Sermon on the Mount.

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 Antitheses or the contrast

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 that Jesus uses

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 to contrast his teaching

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 from the teaching

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 of his contemporary Jews

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 about the Old Testament.

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 So the following six pages,

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 six passages rather,

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 then serve as illustrations

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 and examples of what we saw

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 in the preceding passage.

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 What Jesus said

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 in the preceding passage,

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 I have not come to abolish the law,

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 but to fulfill them.

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 For I tell you,

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 unless your righteousness

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 exceeds that of the Pharisees

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 and the scribes,

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 you will never enter

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 the kingdom of heaven.

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 So in these antitheses,

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 Jesus is showing us,

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 here's what the righteousness

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 of the scribes

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 and the Pharisees look like,

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 and here's how your righteousness

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 must exceed that of the Pharisees

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 and the scribes.

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 But before we dive

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 into the details of that,

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 we need to note

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 that these antitheses

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 simply imply,

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 what they imply

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 about Jesus' identity

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 and authority.

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 In our country,

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 we have some lawyers here

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 and law students here,

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 there are Supreme Court cases

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 that are considered

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 so definitive

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 and foundational

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 for our society and law

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 that no one

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 seriously questions them

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 or seeks to ever overturn them.

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 Those cases are called

00:11:54.219 --> 00:11:55.439
 super precedents.

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 The most commonly cited example

00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:00.680
 of a super precedent

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 is Marbury v. Madison

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 and Brown v. Board of Education.

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 These cases have been established

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 by many decades

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 of judicial support

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 and thousands of cases,

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 subsequent court cases,

00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:13.640
 have cited them

00:12:13.640 --> 00:12:15.040
 and have relied on them

00:12:15.040 --> 00:12:16.020
 as authority.

00:12:18.640 --> 00:12:19.200
 So no one,

00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.880
 virtually no one challenges them.

00:12:21.420 --> 00:12:22.760
 It's accepted as fact.

00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:26.259
 Now compare this to this,

00:12:26.419 --> 00:12:27.159
 compare that

00:12:27.159 --> 00:12:28.100
 to the fact that

00:12:28.100 --> 00:12:29.059
 by the time of Jesus,

00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:31.439
 the Old Testament law

00:12:31.439 --> 00:12:32.419
 has been around

00:12:32.419 --> 00:12:33.779
 not for mere decades

00:12:33.779 --> 00:12:34.679
 or even centuries,

00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:36.439
 but for over a millennia.

00:12:37.279 --> 00:12:39.000
 1,500 years.

00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:42.559
 For 1,500 years,

00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:43.879
 Jewish rabbis

00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:45.019
 and Sadducees

00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:45.919
 and Pharisees

00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:46.700
 and scribes

00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.200
 and lawyers

00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:47.960
 and teachers

00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:50.159
 have taught

00:12:50.159 --> 00:12:51.220
 the Mosaic law

00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:53.399
 and they regarded it

00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:53.960
 not merely

00:12:53.960 --> 00:12:54.860
 as the laws

00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.220
 of men,

00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:57.200
 but as the law

00:12:57.200 --> 00:12:58.360
 of God.

00:13:01.800 --> 00:13:02.639
 Imagine that.

00:13:02.800 --> 00:13:03.720
 What do you call that?

00:13:04.840 --> 00:13:06.519
 Super, super, super precedent.

00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.940
 Imagine that context

00:13:12.940 --> 00:13:14.160
 and then hear

00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:15.100
 what Jesus says.

00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:17.440
 You have heard

00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.160
 that it was said

00:13:18.160 --> 00:13:18.920
 to the people

00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:20.360
 of old,

00:13:21.079 --> 00:13:23.500
 but I say

00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:24.399
 to you.

00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:29.979
 It's a shocking statement.

00:13:34.699 --> 00:13:36.139
 Who does Jesus think

00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:36.620
 he is?

00:13:39.839 --> 00:13:41.339
 How does Jesus think

00:13:41.339 --> 00:13:42.699
 that he has the authority

00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:43.939
 to overturn

00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:45.839
 nearly two millennia

00:13:45.839 --> 00:13:46.980
 of legal precedents

00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:48.180
 and interpretive tradition

00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:49.820
 around the law

00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:50.700
 of God itself?

00:13:53.340 --> 00:13:54.360
 We find a clue

00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.139
 in verse 26

00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:55.879
 when Jesus says,

00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.960
 I say to you,

00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:57.360
 again,

00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.480
 but this time

00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:59.519
 he adds a little word,

00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:00.300
 truly,

00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:01.879
 I say to you.

00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:04.120
 Jesus said this

00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.000
 in the preceding passage

00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:06.820
 also in verse 18,

00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:07.460
 truly,

00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.159
 I say to you,

00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:10.300
 until heaven and earth

00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:10.779
 pass away,

00:14:10.840 --> 00:14:11.600
 not an iota,

00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.519
 not a dot

00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.460
 will pass from the law

00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.420
 until all is accomplished.

00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:15.759
 And Jesus will say

00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:16.719
 that exact phrase

00:14:16.719 --> 00:14:17.419
 again and again

00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.079
 throughout the gospel

00:14:18.079 --> 00:14:18.479
 of Matthew,

00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:18.959
 truly,

00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:19.740
 I say to you,

00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:20.279
 truly,

00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.039
 I say to you.

00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:21.860
 It seems like

00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:22.719
 a common phrase,

00:14:22.819 --> 00:14:23.579
 but more literally,

00:14:23.919 --> 00:14:24.539
 the word truly

00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:25.459
 is amen.

00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:27.339
 Amen,

00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.479
 I say to you.

00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:30.039
 It's a Hebrew word.

00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:31.939
 The word amen

00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.919
 is often used

00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.599
 in the Old Testament

00:14:33.599 --> 00:14:34.559
 as a solemn

00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:36.059
 declaration of faith

00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:37.459
 that God will indeed

00:14:37.459 --> 00:14:38.419
 do what he has

00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:39.279
 promised to do.

00:14:40.199 --> 00:14:40.860
 And because of

00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.199
 the meaning

00:14:41.199 --> 00:14:42.099
 of the word amen,

00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:43.379
 it was also

00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:44.219
 frequently used

00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:44.840
 in the Old Testament

00:14:44.840 --> 00:14:45.800
 to confirm

00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:46.860
 the validity

00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.940
 of an oath

00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:48.820
 that you were taking

00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:49.720
 before God.

00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.379
 You can see that

00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:54.779
 in Numbers 5.22

00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:55.960
 and Deuteronomy 27,

00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.240
 verse 15 to 26.

00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:00.560
 In light of that background,

00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:02.899
 no Jewish teacher

00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:05.759
 ever before Jesus

00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:08.379
 used the word amen

00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:10.200
 to introduce

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:11.779
 his own teachings.

00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:19.459
 when Jesus applies

00:15:19.459 --> 00:15:20.620
 this word amen

00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.959
 to his own teaching

00:15:21.959 --> 00:15:22.899
 and pronouncements,

00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:23.959
 it's the equivalent

00:15:23.959 --> 00:15:25.220
 of the Old Testament

00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:25.779
 expression

00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:27.360
 that God says,

00:15:27.839 --> 00:15:29.199
 as I live,

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.879
 declares the Lord.

00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.419
 To emphasize

00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:34.240
 the certainty

00:15:34.240 --> 00:15:35.419
 of his pronouncement,

00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.500
 God sometimes invokes

00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.279
 his own authority

00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:38.000
 when he says,

00:15:38.459 --> 00:15:39.799
 as I live,

00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:41.639
 as surely as I live,

00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:43.120
 this word is true.

00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.479
 And when Jesus says,

00:15:44.599 --> 00:15:44.979
 amen,

00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.199
 I say to you,

00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.259
 he's invoking

00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:48.379
 divine authority,

00:15:48.839 --> 00:15:50.039
 his own authority.

00:15:50.979 --> 00:15:52.079
 20th century theologian

00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:52.979
 Heinrich Schlier

00:15:52.979 --> 00:15:54.059
 is correct

00:15:54.059 --> 00:15:54.899
 when he affirms

00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:57.579
 that this one little word

00:15:57.579 --> 00:15:59.439
 contains in a nutshell

00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:01.599
 the whole of Christology.

00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:07.279
 when Jesus says,

00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:07.700
 amen,

00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.120
 I say to you,

00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:09.740
 he's claiming

00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.759
 divine authority

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.259
 for himself

00:16:11.259 --> 00:16:11.899
 and that's why

00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.700
 Jesus is called

00:16:12.700 --> 00:16:13.560
 the amen,

00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.259
 the faithful and true witness

00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.460
 in Revelation 3.14.

00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.320
 And that's why he says

00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.519
 that the promises of God

00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.620
 find their yes

00:16:20.620 --> 00:16:21.560
 in Jesus

00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.320
 and that it is

00:16:22.320 --> 00:16:23.340
 through him

00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:23.980
 that we utter

00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:24.980
 our amen

00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.600
 to God

00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:27.000
 in 2 Corinthians 1.20.

00:16:27.300 --> 00:16:28.180
 This is why

00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:29.779
 Jesus can overturn

00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:32.679
 millennia of legal precedents

00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:33.799
 and interpretive traditions

00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:35.319
 around the Old Testament law

00:16:35.319 --> 00:16:36.899
 and authoritatively

00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.860
 pronounced to all

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.539
 of his followers,

00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:39.699
 you have heard

00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:40.439
 that it was said,

00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.899
 but I say to you.

00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:48.259
 The particular command

00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:49.500
 that Jesus is commenting

00:16:49.500 --> 00:16:49.919
 on here

00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:50.839
 is the sixth

00:16:50.839 --> 00:16:52.199
 of the ten commandments.

00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:54.419
 You shall not murder.

00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:54.919
 You find that

00:16:54.919 --> 00:16:55.659
 in Exodus 20

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.539
 and Deuteronomy 5.

00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:59.039
 And the following clause

00:16:59.039 --> 00:17:00.860
 and whoever murders

00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:01.679
 will be liable

00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.259
 to judgment

00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.079
 is taken from

00:17:03.079 --> 00:17:04.220
 Numbers 35

00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.220
 verse 30-31.

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.180
 The problem

00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.159
 with the Jewish

00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:08.740
 understanding

00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.940
 of this command

00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.980
 wasn't that they

00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.740
 thought that murder

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.420
 was okay,

00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:14.799
 but that they thought

00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:16.039
 this command

00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.379
 dealt only

00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:18.039
 with murder.

00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:20.980
 Their understanding

00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.579
 of the command

00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.519
 was incomplete.

00:17:23.779 --> 00:17:25.259
 So Jesus elevates

00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.399
 and expands

00:17:26.399 --> 00:17:27.420
 upon their understanding

00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.299
 of the sixth commandment

00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.180
 in verse 22.

00:17:29.579 --> 00:17:30.619
 But I say to you

00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:31.159
 that everyone

00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:31.980
 who is angry

00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:32.659
 with his brother

00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:33.299
 will be liable

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:33.779
 to judgment.

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:35.240
 Whoever insults

00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.680
 his brother

00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.359
 will be liable

00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.059
 to the council

00:17:37.059 --> 00:17:38.339
 and whoever says

00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:38.980
 you fool

00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.759
 will be liable

00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:40.339
 to the hell

00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:41.119
 of fire.

00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.259
 With these words,

00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.359
 Jesus definitely

00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:46.079
 exposes the legalism,

00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.039
 the shortcomings

00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:48.559
 of pharisaical legalism.

00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.599
 Legalism is concerned

00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.200
 with the letter

00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:51.799
 of the law

00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:53.639
 and not with the spirit

00:17:53.639 --> 00:17:54.559
 or the heart

00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.200
 of the law.

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:57.000
 it seeks

00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.420
 to circumscribe

00:17:58.420 --> 00:17:59.720
 and limit

00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.700
 God's law

00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.360
 in order

00:18:01.360 --> 00:18:02.200
 to make it

00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:02.880
 achievable.

00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.080
 It's like

00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:08.200
 when the Tariff Act

00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.059
 of 1883

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.100
 imposed taxes

00:18:10.100 --> 00:18:11.440
 on imported vegetables

00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.860
 and then there

00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:13.440
 was a family,

00:18:13.600 --> 00:18:14.400
 the Nix family

00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.640
 who imported tomatoes

00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:17.539
 refused to pay taxes

00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.120
 on tomatoes

00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:19.240
 because they insisted

00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:21.080
 tomatoes are fruits

00:18:21.080 --> 00:18:22.220
 and not vegetables.

00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:25.140
 even though

00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:25.920
 the government

00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:26.839
 intended for tomatoes

00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.420
 to be taxed.

00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.019
 So of course

00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.839
 it goes to court

00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:30.980
 and it goes all the way

00:18:30.980 --> 00:18:31.799
 to the Supreme Court

00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:33.279
 and then the Supreme Court

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.360
 rules that for the purposes

00:18:34.360 --> 00:18:35.000
 of tariffs,

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:35.460
 yes,

00:18:35.600 --> 00:18:36.839
 tomatoes are vegetables.

00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.640
 It's closing a loophole.

00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.519
 Or it's like the kid

00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.579
 whose mother told him,

00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.740
 don't you think

00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.360
 about touching

00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:48.220
 that birthday cake

00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:49.120
 until after dinner.

00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:52.519
 and then the kid

00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.500
 proceeds

00:18:53.500 --> 00:18:54.899
 to eat the entirety

00:18:54.899 --> 00:18:55.559
 of the cake

00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:57.779
 without ever

00:18:57.779 --> 00:18:58.659
 using his hands.

00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:02.000
 I told you not

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.699
 to touch the cake.

00:19:03.199 --> 00:19:04.479
 I didn't touch the cake.

00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:12.099
 It got the letter

00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:12.699
 of the law.

00:19:12.839 --> 00:19:13.699
 He didn't touch

00:19:13.699 --> 00:19:15.259
 the cake technically

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.959
 with his hands

00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:19.579
 but it totally

00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:20.400
 missed the spirit

00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:20.799
 of the law.

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.579
 Why did his mom

00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.120
 tell him not

00:19:23.120 --> 00:19:24.000
 to touch the cake?

00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:25.519
 Because if you eat it

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.180
 before dinner

00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.840
 it's going to spoil

00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:27.340
 your appetite

00:19:27.340 --> 00:19:27.900
 for dinner

00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:29.039
 and because

00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.600
 if you eat it

00:19:29.600 --> 00:19:30.039
 before dinner

00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.759
 then you can't

00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.980
 celebrate your birthday

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.000
 with your family

00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.980
 who's waiting.

00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.140
 Oh,

00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:37.900
 but I didn't touch it.

00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:38.660
 I'm a good kid.

00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:38.700
 I'm a good kid.

00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:48.120
 That's legalistic thinking.

00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:51.120
 Isn't this the problem

00:19:51.120 --> 00:19:51.900
 with so much

00:19:51.900 --> 00:19:52.840
 of Christian obedience?

00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:57.519
 Why do so many of us

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:59.440
 seek where the lines

00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.819
 and the boundaries are?

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.480
 Tell me where the line is

00:20:06.480 --> 00:20:09.579
 and then I won't cross it.

00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:11.839
 I might get very close

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:17.480
 but I will not cross it.

00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:22.599
 How far is too far

00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:24.419
 when God's word says

00:20:24.419 --> 00:20:26.579
 to not be drunk

00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.740
 with wine?

00:20:31.199 --> 00:20:32.460
 Am I not a drunkard

00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:34.099
 as long as I don't black out?

00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.159
 What?

00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.779
 That's what some people say.

00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.099
 Surely being tipsy

00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.779
 is okay, right?

00:20:45.179 --> 00:20:46.279
 Why do we focus

00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:48.419
 only on the negative obedience

00:20:48.419 --> 00:20:50.319
 not sinning

00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.559
 not crossing a line

00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.639
 rather than on

00:20:52.639 --> 00:20:54.119
 positive obedience?

00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.599
 Why do we focus

00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:59.419
 only on specific prohibitions

00:20:59.419 --> 00:21:01.819
 and not on the general principles

00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.019
 that are behind them?

00:21:03.699 --> 00:21:04.679
 Doesn't God's word

00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:06.220
 forbid drunkenness

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.960
 and debauchery

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:10.100
 because God wants us

00:21:10.100 --> 00:21:11.480
 to be sober-minded

00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.620
 and self-controlled?

00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:18.039
 Because God wants us

00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.940
 not to be controlled

00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.900
 by spirits,

00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.140
 drinks,

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.400
 alcohol,

00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:24.840
 but rather to be controlled

00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:26.440
 by the Holy Spirit?

00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:31.160
 Why then do we not strive

00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:32.819
 to be maximally obedient,

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.720
 maximally self-controlled,

00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:36.120
 and maximally sober-minded?

00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:41.880
 How much should I give

00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:43.340
 as an offering to God?

00:21:45.559 --> 00:21:46.900
 Do we have to do

00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:48.140
 like the full tithe,

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.940
 like 10%?

00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:53.120
 Is like 7% okay?

00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:56.100
 Where's the line?

00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.400
 Can I give

00:21:58.400 --> 00:22:02.740
 not out of the gross income,

00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:05.039
 but out of the net income

00:22:05.039 --> 00:22:06.659
 after I pay taxes

00:22:06.659 --> 00:22:07.759
 and take deductions?

00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:10.039
 Is that okay?

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.779
 Does God really care

00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.819
 about those extra dollars?

00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.879
 Or does God care

00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:17.720
 about our hearts?

00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.220
 Isn't the point

00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:23.839
 to recognize

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:25.159
 that God is the provider?

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.180
 He's the one

00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:26.980
 from whom all

00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.779
 of the good gifts

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.539
 that we enjoy in life

00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:28.920
 come,

00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:31.140
 and we gratefully

00:22:31.140 --> 00:22:31.840
 give to Him

00:22:31.840 --> 00:22:32.820
 as thanksgiving?

00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.380
 Don't we give

00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:35.880
 to Him

00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:37.160
 because we trust

00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:38.860
 that He's going

00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.600
 to keep providing

00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:40.160
 for us

00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:41.259
 and because

00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:42.279
 we are declaring

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.320
 our allegiance

00:22:43.320 --> 00:22:44.080
 to Him,

00:22:44.560 --> 00:22:45.279
 paying our tribute

00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:45.720
 to Him,

00:22:45.800 --> 00:22:45.980
 saying,

00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:47.019
 you are our King,

00:22:47.080 --> 00:22:48.200
 we do not serve money.

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:52.880
 Isn't the goal

00:22:52.880 --> 00:22:54.400
 to be maximally generous

00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:55.039
 toward God

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.960
 and toward the needy

00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.480
 among us?

00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:59.559
 Let me ask you a question.

00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.160
 When you drive

00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:00.759
 on the highway,

00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:04.360
 do you try

00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:04.700
 to stay

00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.059
 in the middle

00:23:05.059 --> 00:23:05.559
 of the lane

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:07.059
 or do you say

00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.420
 to yourself,

00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:07.720
 you know,

00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.680
 I'm going to see

00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.279
 how close

00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:09.940
 I can get

00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.720
 to the line

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:12.740
 and how close

00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.039
 I can get

00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:13.420
 to the line

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:14.599
 before I hit

00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.440
 the car next to me?

00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.160
 Who drives like that?

00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.480
 Nobody.

00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.360
 Why do we think

00:23:22.360 --> 00:23:22.700
 like that

00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.120
 when it comes

00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:23.539
 to obedience

00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:24.039
 to God?

00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:30.000
 You cross

00:23:30.000 --> 00:23:30.539
 that line

00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:30.940
 and you hit

00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.279
 the car,

00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.099
 that's death.

00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.880
 And God's word

00:23:36.880 --> 00:23:37.380
 teaches us

00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:38.039
 that the wages

00:23:38.039 --> 00:23:38.640
 of sin

00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.400
 is death.

00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.240
 Who flirts

00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.880
 with death?

00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.779
 If we believe

00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.740
 that God's commands

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.700
 are restrictive

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.759
 and stifling,

00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:53.940
 that God

00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.960
 is withholding

00:23:54.960 --> 00:23:55.539
 good things

00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.059
 from us

00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:56.740
 and then

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.159
 we're going

00:23:57.159 --> 00:23:58.240
 to be legalistic.

00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.480
 Then we're going

00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.240
 to have a minimal

00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:03.019
 standard mindset.

00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.819
 But if we believe

00:24:05.819 --> 00:24:06.819
 that God's commands

00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.539
 are meant

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.559
 for our thriving

00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:10.259
 and for our flourishing

00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:10.940
 and that God

00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.500
 is seeking

00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.440
 to preserve

00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.799
 good for us

00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:15.059
 by these commands,

00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.019
 then we're going

00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.579
 to strive

00:24:16.579 --> 00:24:18.259
 for maximal obedience.

00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:31.619
 what Jesus

00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:31.940
 is getting

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.500
 at is this.

00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.359
 Do you think

00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:35.359
 that all

00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:35.819
 that God

00:24:35.819 --> 00:24:36.259
 is after

00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.759
 in the sixth

00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.200
 commandment

00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.980
 is a physical

00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.460
 murder?

00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.200
 Because I mean

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.720
 that's a pretty

00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.220
 low bar,

00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:42.180
 isn't that?

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:46.380
 Isn't that

00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.820
 what everybody

00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:47.180
 says?

00:24:47.340 --> 00:24:47.900
 Like most people

00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.320
 in the world

00:24:48.320 --> 00:24:49.600
 think of themselves

00:24:49.600 --> 00:24:50.519
 as pretty good

00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.560
 moral people.

00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.880
 And you ask them,

00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.400
 why do you think

00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:53.860
 you're a pretty

00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:55.060
 good moral person?

00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.640
 Usually the go-to

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.240
 answer is like,

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.660
 well, I mean,

00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.420
 I haven't murdered

00:24:58.420 --> 00:24:58.880
 anyone.

00:25:03.880 --> 00:25:04.320
 Yeah,

00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:04.820
 I still have

00:25:04.820 --> 00:25:06.600
 many billions

00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:07.000
 of people.

00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.659
 But what about

00:25:12.659 --> 00:25:13.899
 murder of the heart?

00:25:16.399 --> 00:25:17.399
 What if a person

00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:18.240
 never commits

00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.179
 physical murder

00:25:19.179 --> 00:25:20.240
 but murders

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.019
 someone over

00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.240
 and over again

00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.079
 in his or her

00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.719
 heart through

00:25:23.719 --> 00:25:24.599
 sinful anger?

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.699
 What if that

00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:28.399
 sinful anger

00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:29.279
 poisons and

00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:29.959
 destroys

00:25:29.959 --> 00:25:30.859
 relationships?

00:25:31.939 --> 00:25:32.419
 Is that

00:25:32.419 --> 00:25:32.779
 murder?

00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.779
 Oh, yes.

00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:37.019
 writes D.

00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.720
 Martin Lloyd-Jones

00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:39.339
 in his book

00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:39.859
 Studies in the

00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:40.440
 Sermon on the Mount.

00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.779
 There are ways

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.379
 in which man

00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.319
 can be destroyed

00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.619
 short of murder.

00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.220
 We can destroy

00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:47.339
 a man's reputation.

00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:48.539
 We can shake

00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.299
 somebody else's

00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.559
 confidence in him

00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.299
 by whispering

00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:51.960
 criticism

00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:53.379
 or by deliberate

00:25:53.379 --> 00:25:54.339
 fault finding.

00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.460
 That is the kind

00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.980
 of thing which

00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.680
 our Lord is here

00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.480
 indicating and

00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.539
 his whole purpose

00:25:59.539 --> 00:26:00.539
 to his show

00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:01.160
 is to show

00:26:01.160 --> 00:26:01.879
 that all that

00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.399
 is included

00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:03.160
 in this commandment

00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:04.779
 thou shall not kill.

00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:08.619
 You see,

00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:10.619
 the laws of our

00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.339
 country deal

00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.680
 primarily with

00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.579
 actions and

00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.599
 not with thoughts,

00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.000
 right?

00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.079
 Thoughts alone

00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:18.019
 do not constitute

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.759
 a crime.

00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.299
 It's when you

00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.920
 start to take

00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:22.079
 concrete steps

00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:23.879
 toward acting

00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:25.079
 on your plans,

00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:25.960
 when you start

00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.859
 to conspire

00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:27.720
 with others,

00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:28.599
 deliberate,

00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.500
 when you attempt

00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:32.180
 crimes that you

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.079
 can be prosecuted.

00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.339
 and that is

00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.659
 rightly the case

00:26:35.659 --> 00:26:37.419
 because human

00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:37.960
 beings are

00:26:37.960 --> 00:26:38.919
 incapable of

00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.159
 discerning and

00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:41.359
 judging what's in

00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:42.079
 people's hearts

00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.679
 and minds.

00:26:46.919 --> 00:26:47.679
 But when it

00:26:47.679 --> 00:26:48.259
 comes to God,

00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:48.740
 that's a different

00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.179
 story.

00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:53.419
 I, the Lord,

00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.799
 search the heart

00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:56.159
 and test the mind

00:26:56.159 --> 00:26:57.419
 to give every man

00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:58.079
 according to his

00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:58.879
 ways, according to

00:26:58.879 --> 00:26:59.439
 the fruit of his

00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.519
 deeds, Jeremiah 17,

00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:00.839
 10.

00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:04.319
 That's why King

00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.240
 David charges his

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:06.039
 son Solomon in

00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:07.420
 1 Chronicles 28,

00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.839
 9, serve God

00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:10.319
 with a whole heart

00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:11.599
 and with a

00:27:11.599 --> 00:27:12.519
 willing mind,

00:27:12.700 --> 00:27:13.519
 for the Lord

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:15.180
 searches all hearts

00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.900
 and understands

00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:17.079
 every plan and

00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:17.579
 thought.

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:21.099
 God, unlike man,

00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.879
 can and does

00:27:22.879 --> 00:27:24.879
 judge our

00:27:24.879 --> 00:27:25.299
 thoughts.

00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:29.159
 and that's why

00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:30.059
 it matters to

00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.859
 God what's going

00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.299
 on in our

00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.639
 hearts.

00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.960
 That's why not

00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.740
 murdering someone

00:27:35.740 --> 00:27:36.519
 is not enough.

00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.879
 We also must not

00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:38.659
 harbor sinful

00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:40.000
 anger toward

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.639
 others in our

00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:40.980
 hearts.

00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:43.839
 Jesus continues

00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:44.940
 in verse 22,

00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.740
 whoever insults

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:48.099
 his brother will

00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.879
 be liable to the

00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:50.159
 council and

00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:50.839
 whoever says,

00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:51.639
 you fool,

00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:53.119
 will be liable to

00:27:53.119 --> 00:27:53.960
 the hell of fire.

00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:57.500
 not only is

00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:59.279
 murder punishable,

00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.460
 Jesus says

00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.639
 insults are also

00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.139
 punishable.

00:28:03.659 --> 00:28:04.599
 Again, Jesus is

00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:05.399
 getting to the

00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:05.899
 heart, drilling

00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.639
 down to the

00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:06.919
 heart.

00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:08.779
 How many times

00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:11.299
 have you

00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.779
 had to repent

00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.240
 of this,

00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.159
 thinking about it,

00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.960
 how many times

00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.759
 have you called

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.299
 someone a

00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:18.740
 fool?

00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:21.640
 you idiot?

00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.400
 Maybe you

00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.019
 haven't called

00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.700
 people names,

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.180
 but you have

00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.859
 thought in your

00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.640
 heart, you have

00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.839
 regarded someone as,

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.960
 oh, that person is

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.019
 stupid,

00:28:34.380 --> 00:28:34.680
 dumb.

00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:43.680
 God takes these

00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:45.060
 things seriously

00:28:45.060 --> 00:28:46.259
 because the

00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.220
 attitude of the

00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:48.220
 heart ultimately

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:50.200
 dictates the

00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.840
 actions of our

00:28:50.840 --> 00:28:51.200
 hands.

00:28:53.840 --> 00:28:55.380
 God searches our

00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.360
 hearts and our

00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:57.759
 minds when a

00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.500
 group of people

00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:00.080
 start dehumanizing

00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.940
 another group of

00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.500
 people and they

00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.500
 start calling them

00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.380
 savages.

00:29:03.380 --> 00:29:05.380
 and beasts.

00:29:06.780 --> 00:29:07.800
 Does that not

00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:08.780
 pave the way for

00:29:08.780 --> 00:29:09.520
 and provide the

00:29:09.520 --> 00:29:10.540
 rationale for

00:29:10.540 --> 00:29:11.800
 racial, lifelong,

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.060
 hereditary, chattel

00:29:13.060 --> 00:29:13.480
 slavery?

00:29:20.260 --> 00:29:21.520
 Didn't the mass

00:29:21.520 --> 00:29:22.540
 murder of the

00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:23.580
 Holocaust begin

00:29:23.580 --> 00:29:25.340
 with insults?

00:29:26.320 --> 00:29:27.620
 With propaganda?

00:29:31.460 --> 00:29:32.500
 Didn't Nazis

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.900
 there many first

00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:35.259
 demonize Jews and

00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.000
 blame them for

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.480
 their economic

00:29:36.480 --> 00:29:37.039
 struggles and

00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.660
 their defeat in

00:29:37.660 --> 00:29:38.279
 World War I?

00:29:38.839 --> 00:29:39.200
 Didn't they

00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:40.319
 include books like

00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.119
 The Poisonous

00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.839
 Mushroom in

00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.519
 their children's

00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:43.400
 curriculum in

00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.259
 schools to teach

00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.099
 children to tell

00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:45.920
 poisonous mushrooms

00:29:45.920 --> 00:29:46.980
 apart from edible

00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:47.680
 mushrooms and then

00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.259
 they taught them

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.700
 that you need to

00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.519
 distinguish Jews

00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.160
 from Gentiles

00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.700
 because the Jews

00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.339
 are the poisonous

00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:51.859
 mushrooms.

00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.700
 Didn't they

00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.599
 produce films like

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.339
 The Eternal Jew

00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.200
 which compared the

00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:01.660
 Jews to rats who

00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.360
 were a disease to

00:30:02.360 --> 00:30:02.740
 society?

00:30:03.060 --> 00:30:03.960
 The Holocaust did

00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.960
 not start with

00:30:04.960 --> 00:30:05.440
 murder.

00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.300
 It began with

00:30:08.300 --> 00:30:09.240
 murder of the

00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:09.620
 heart.

00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.500
 It began with

00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.700
 insults,

00:30:14.300 --> 00:30:14.779
 contempt.

00:30:19.000 --> 00:30:20.180
 You see that

00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:21.040
 connection over and

00:30:21.040 --> 00:30:21.700
 over again throughout

00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.100
 history.

00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:25.600
 Whoever says you

00:30:25.600 --> 00:30:27.140
 fool will be

00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.100
 liable to the

00:30:28.100 --> 00:30:28.960
 hell of fire.

00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:32.640
 if you know your

00:30:32.640 --> 00:30:34.200
 Bible, you might

00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:34.900
 object at this

00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.240
 point.

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.600
 Wait a minute.

00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.299
 In Matthew

00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:43.140
 chapter 23, when

00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:44.100
 Jesus is pronouncing

00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:44.980
 his woes against

00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.740
 the Pharisees and

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.360
 the scribes,

00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:48.500
 doesn't Jesus say,

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:51.279
 you fools?

00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.340
 So he does.

00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:58.119
 it's the exact same

00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:58.359
 word.

00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.359
 Matthew 23, 17.

00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:03.599
 But let me tell you

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.359
 why Jesus can do

00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:04.799
 that and you

00:31:04.799 --> 00:31:05.139
 can't.

00:31:08.199 --> 00:31:09.119
 I can't either.

00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.819
 First it says in

00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:14.220
 James 4, 11-12,

00:31:15.099 --> 00:31:16.179
 do not speak evil

00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:17.240
 against one another,

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:17.720
 brothers.

00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.259
 The one who speaks

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.039
 against the brother

00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:21.099
 or judges his brother

00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.039
 speaks evil against

00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:22.859
 the law and judges

00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.319
 the law.

00:31:23.759 --> 00:31:24.599
 But if you judge

00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.359
 the law, you are

00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:26.339
 not a doer of the

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.359
 law but a judge.

00:31:27.699 --> 00:31:29.179
 There's only one

00:31:29.179 --> 00:31:30.419
 lawgiver and judge,

00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.399
 he who is able to

00:31:31.399 --> 00:31:32.539
 save and to destroy.

00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:34.079
 But who are you to

00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.519
 judge?

00:31:34.679 --> 00:31:35.240
 Your neighbor.

00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:37.919
 We are not to

00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:39.659
 insult or speak evil

00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.500
 against our

00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.639
 neighbors or against

00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:42.480
 our brothers because

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.419
 when we do, we are

00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.740
 pronouncing judgment

00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.319
 on them.

00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:46.839
 It is inappropriate

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:48.220
 for us to do that

00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:49.720
 because we are not

00:31:49.720 --> 00:31:50.480
 the judge.

00:31:51.119 --> 00:31:52.099
 We are not the

00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.619
 lawgivers.

00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.459
 Rather, we ought to

00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.559
 be law keepers and

00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:55.480
 law doers.

00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:57.539
 Only the judge can

00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:58.500
 pronounce final

00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:59.220
 judgment and

00:31:59.220 --> 00:32:00.180
 verdict because only

00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:01.400
 he sees all things,

00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:02.660
 only he knows all

00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.400
 things, and only he

00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:04.420
 has the authority to

00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:06.220
 save and to destroy.

00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:11.600
 Jesus is the son of

00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:12.000
 God.

00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:14.519
 He is the law

00:32:14.519 --> 00:32:15.000
 giver.

00:32:15.180 --> 00:32:17.019
 He is the word of

00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.400
 God.

00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.819
 In John 5, 22,

00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.200
 he says,

00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.360
 the father judges

00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:23.779
 no one but has

00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:25.360
 given all judgment

00:32:25.360 --> 00:32:26.420
 to the son.

00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:29.080
 If God hasn't

00:32:29.080 --> 00:32:30.240
 told you that to

00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:31.140
 you, that means we

00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:31.660
 don't get to do

00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:31.900
 that.

00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.880
 There's a second

00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:37.180
 reason.

00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:37.860
 At the end of that

00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:38.460
 same chapter in

00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.400
 Matthew 23, where

00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:40.500
 Jesus pronounces his

00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.360
 judgment of the

00:32:41.360 --> 00:32:41.920
 Pharisees and the

00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:43.380
 scribes, he, at the

00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:43.960
 end of that same

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:45.100
 chapter, he laments

00:32:45.100 --> 00:32:46.380
 and mourns their

00:32:46.380 --> 00:32:47.200
 unbelief.

00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:48.759
 And he says this,

00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:49.600
 O Jerusalem,

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.539
 Jerusalem, the city

00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.299
 that kills the

00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:52.259
 prophets and stones

00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.039
 those who are sent

00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.339
 to it, how often

00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:55.000
 would I have

00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:55.680
 gathered your

00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.799
 children together

00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:58.299
 as a hen gathers

00:32:58.299 --> 00:32:59.319
 her brood under

00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.500
 her wings, and you

00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.619
 were not willing.

00:33:03.599 --> 00:33:05.000
 See how tender and

00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:06.000
 compassionate Jesus

00:33:06.000 --> 00:33:07.700
 is, even with the

00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.539
 Pharisees and the

00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.680
 scribes who reject

00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:11.339
 him and will crucify

00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:12.099
 him in the coming

00:33:12.099 --> 00:33:12.539
 chapters.

00:33:12.539 --> 00:33:17.700
 His heart longs to

00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:19.079
 gather them as a

00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:20.220
 mother hen gathers

00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:20.920
 her cheeks.

00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:22.299
 Her chicks, sorry.

00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:28.079
 There is no glee, no

00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:29.379
 vindictiveness in

00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:29.980
 Jesus when he

00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:31.139
 pronounces judgment.

00:33:32.319 --> 00:33:33.859
 But can we say that

00:33:33.859 --> 00:33:34.599
 about ourselves?

00:33:34.599 --> 00:33:39.819
 When we call someone a

00:33:39.819 --> 00:33:43.859
 fool, when we whisper

00:33:43.859 --> 00:33:45.079
 criticisms about them

00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:49.439
 to others, is there

00:33:49.439 --> 00:33:51.219
 pride, is there

00:33:51.219 --> 00:33:52.779
 hatred, is there

00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.299
 contempt?

00:33:56.559 --> 00:33:57.659
 That's the difference.

00:33:57.660 --> 00:34:02.620
 whoever says you fool

00:34:02.620 --> 00:34:03.640
 will be liable to the

00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.820
 hell of fire.

00:34:05.340 --> 00:34:06.120
 Hell of fire.

00:34:06.220 --> 00:34:07.940
 Isn't that a, doesn't

00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.740
 seem a little extreme

00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:09.119
 to you?

00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:11.280
 The severest punishment

00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:13.159
 that a human court can

00:34:13.159 --> 00:34:14.280
 pronounce is the death

00:34:14.280 --> 00:34:14.720
 penalty.

00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:16.420
 But God who searches

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:17.420
 the heart and the mind

00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.659
 can sentence people to

00:34:18.659 --> 00:34:21.059
 eternal death, to

00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:22.360
 eternal condemnations.

00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:24.840
 Hell, which Revelation

00:34:24.840 --> 00:34:26.019
 calls the second death.

00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.879
 Jesus says in Matthew

00:34:28.879 --> 00:34:30.239
 10, 28, do not fear

00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:31.440
 those who kill the body

00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:32.619
 but cannot kill the soul.

00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:34.159
 Rather fear him who can

00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:35.659
 destroy both soul and

00:34:35.659 --> 00:34:36.579
 body in hell.

00:34:37.159 --> 00:34:38.219
 Here was another problem

00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:39.719
 with the legalism of the

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.239
 Pharisees.

00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:42.319
 They were more concerned

00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:44.059
 about the perception and

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:45.879
 judgment of other humans,

00:34:46.299 --> 00:34:48.219
 of the human court, than

00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:49.379
 with the judgment of the

00:34:49.379 --> 00:34:50.339
 divine court.

00:34:51.799 --> 00:34:52.719
 As Jesus says in Matthew

00:34:52.719 --> 00:34:54.079
 23, they did all their

00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:55.519
 deeds to be seen by

00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:55.960
 others.

00:34:55.960 --> 00:34:57.319
 For they loved the place

00:34:57.320 --> 00:34:58.519
 of honor at feasts and

00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:59.460
 the best seats in the

00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:00.700
 synagogues and greetings

00:35:00.700 --> 00:35:01.780
 in the marketplaces and

00:35:01.780 --> 00:35:03.039
 being called rabbi by

00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:03.480
 others.

00:35:06.120 --> 00:35:07.539
 So likewise, there are

00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.360
 people in the world who

00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:10.000
 are very concerned about

00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:12.280
 not committing crimes that

00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:14.860
 are punishable by law but

00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:16.620
 have very little concern

00:35:16.620 --> 00:35:17.940
 about sins that are

00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:19.320
 technically not illegal.

00:35:19.320 --> 00:35:19.460
 people.

00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.460
 Because they care more about

00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.660
 what the human court says

00:35:29.660 --> 00:35:30.780
 than what the divine court

00:35:30.780 --> 00:35:31.140
 says.

00:35:34.700 --> 00:35:35.900
 So likewise, there are

00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:37.480
 people who confess and

00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:41.519
 repent of sin, but only

00:35:41.519 --> 00:35:42.900
 when they are caught doing

00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:45.240
 it and never voluntarily.

00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:47.119
 Why?

00:35:47.219 --> 00:35:48.759
 Because they care more about

00:35:48.759 --> 00:35:50.959
 human perception, human

00:35:50.959 --> 00:35:53.239
 judgment, than about God's

00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:54.699
 judgment because God sees

00:35:54.699 --> 00:35:55.019
 it all.

00:36:01.019 --> 00:36:02.599
 Do we care more about the

00:36:02.599 --> 00:36:04.299
 glory we get from men or the

00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:05.979
 glory that comes from God?

00:36:07.019 --> 00:36:08.619
 In this passage, Jesus is

00:36:08.619 --> 00:36:10.059
 getting to the heart of

00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:10.519
 obedience.

00:36:10.519 --> 00:36:14.000
 Having addressed the heart,

00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:15.420
 Jesus turns to some specific

00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:16.659
 applications and implications

00:36:16.659 --> 00:36:17.659
 of his teaching in verses

00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:18.739
 23 to 24.

00:36:19.259 --> 00:36:20.780
 So if you are offering your

00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:22.019
 gift at the altar and there

00:36:22.019 --> 00:36:23.099
 remember that your brother

00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:24.239
 has something against you,

00:36:24.659 --> 00:36:26.139
 leave your gift there before

00:36:26.139 --> 00:36:28.960
 the altar and go first be

00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.980
 reconciled to your brother

00:36:29.980 --> 00:36:31.759
 and then come and offer your

00:36:31.759 --> 00:36:32.099
 gift.

00:36:33.719 --> 00:36:36.320
 When we have sinful anger

00:36:36.320 --> 00:36:37.320
 within our own hearts, we

00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:38.659
 must deal with it right away

00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.759
 is what Jesus is saying.

00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:42.139
 Mark 11, 25 says,

00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.539
 whenever you stand praying,

00:36:43.719 --> 00:36:43.960
 forgive.

00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.860
 If you have something against

00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:47.179
 anyone, forgive them so that

00:36:47.179 --> 00:36:48.440
 your father also who is in

00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:49.659
 heaven may forgive you your

00:36:49.659 --> 00:36:50.360
 trespasses.

00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:52.539
 But the flip side is also

00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:53.539
 true and that's what Matthew

00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:55.360
 5, 23, 24 is addressing.

00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:58.219
 What if someone else has

00:36:58.219 --> 00:36:59.300
 something against you?

00:37:00.480 --> 00:37:02.019
 Is that not your responsibility?

00:37:02.179 --> 00:37:02.739
 Oh, that's their

00:37:02.739 --> 00:37:03.219
 responsibility.

00:37:04.259 --> 00:37:05.800
 No, Jesus says that's your

00:37:05.800 --> 00:37:06.860
 responsibility too.

00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:13.280
 Because God has redeemed us

00:37:13.280 --> 00:37:14.360
 to be peacemakers.

00:37:15.760 --> 00:37:17.059
 Blessed are the peacemakers

00:37:17.059 --> 00:37:18.140
 for they shall be called

00:37:18.140 --> 00:37:18.900
 sons of God.

00:37:20.660 --> 00:37:21.760
 Notice that this text

00:37:21.760 --> 00:37:23.019
 specifically mentions your

00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:23.500
 brother.

00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:26.620
 This is a reference to

00:37:26.620 --> 00:37:27.760
 Christian brothers and

00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:28.079
 sisters.

00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:29.599
 That's what we see clearly

00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:31.000
 later on in Matthew 12,

00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:32.740
 46 to 50 when Jesus gathers

00:37:32.740 --> 00:37:34.519
 his group of disciples and

00:37:34.519 --> 00:37:35.840
 while his mother and brothers

00:37:35.840 --> 00:37:37.079
 are waiting outside, he

00:37:37.079 --> 00:37:38.219
 turns to his disciples and

00:37:38.219 --> 00:37:40.239
 says, you are my brothers

00:37:40.239 --> 00:37:43.000
 and sisters who obey the

00:37:43.000 --> 00:37:43.739
 commandments of God.

00:37:46.719 --> 00:37:48.059
 But does this mean that we

00:37:48.059 --> 00:37:49.900
 only need to seek peace and

00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:50.840
 reconciliation with fellow

00:37:50.840 --> 00:37:51.280
 Christians?

00:37:52.759 --> 00:37:53.280
 No.

00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:55.820
 Once again, we're trying to

00:37:55.820 --> 00:37:58.019
 circumscribe and limit the

00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:58.940
 commandments of God.

00:38:02.579 --> 00:38:04.159
 Jesus addresses this later on

00:38:04.159 --> 00:38:05.299
 in verses 43, 44.

00:38:05.420 --> 00:38:06.559
 You have heard that it was

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:08.679
 said, you shall love your

00:38:08.679 --> 00:38:11.239
 neighbor, my fellow

00:38:11.239 --> 00:38:13.179
 compatriots, my fellow

00:38:13.179 --> 00:38:14.619
 Jews, my fellow Christians.

00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:16.359
 You shall love your neighbor

00:38:16.359 --> 00:38:17.259
 and hate your enemy.

00:38:19.239 --> 00:38:21.699
 But I say to you, love your

00:38:21.699 --> 00:38:23.259
 enemies and pray for those who

00:38:23.259 --> 00:38:24.099
 persecute you.

00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:26.379
 We are to obey this command

00:38:26.379 --> 00:38:27.759
 with regard to both believers

00:38:27.759 --> 00:38:29.139
 and unbelievers.

00:38:29.579 --> 00:38:32.079
 There is, however, an emphasis on

00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:33.279
 seeking reconciliation among

00:38:33.280 --> 00:38:34.360
 fellow Christians in this

00:38:34.360 --> 00:38:34.660
 passage.

00:38:35.420 --> 00:38:36.380
 That's why we see the word

00:38:36.380 --> 00:38:37.880
 brother four times in verses

00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:38.900
 22 to 24.

00:38:40.040 --> 00:38:41.560
 I think the principle of

00:38:41.560 --> 00:38:43.660
 Galatians 6, 10 holds here,

00:38:44.340 --> 00:38:46.140
 which says, so then, as we have

00:38:46.140 --> 00:38:48.600
 opportunity, let us do good to

00:38:48.600 --> 00:38:52.100
 everyone and especially to those

00:38:52.100 --> 00:38:54.060
 who are of the household of

00:38:54.060 --> 00:38:54.340
 faith.

00:38:56.100 --> 00:38:57.620
 We do good to everyone.

00:38:57.780 --> 00:38:58.920
 We seek peace and reconciliation

00:38:58.920 --> 00:39:00.840
 with everyone, but especially

00:39:00.840 --> 00:39:02.680
 within the household of God.

00:39:04.840 --> 00:39:06.460
 If we are to seek peace and

00:39:06.460 --> 00:39:08.300
 reconcile with even unbelievers,

00:39:08.440 --> 00:39:11.380
 even our enemies, not that all

00:39:11.380 --> 00:39:12.460
 unbelievers are enemies, they're

00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:15.660
 not, how much more than should we

00:39:15.660 --> 00:39:17.480
 love our brothers and sisters in

00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:17.820
 Christ?

00:39:19.600 --> 00:39:21.900
 If you are to seek and peace, seek

00:39:21.900 --> 00:39:23.240
 peace and reconciliation with even

00:39:23.240 --> 00:39:24.519
 non-Christians, how much more

00:39:24.519 --> 00:39:25.760
 should we seek peace and reconciliation

00:39:25.760 --> 00:39:27.440
 with the members of the body of

00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:29.599
 Christ, the same local church?

00:39:32.579 --> 00:39:34.960
 It says in Ephesians 4, 2 to 6, that

00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:36.480
 we are to relate to one another with

00:39:36.480 --> 00:39:38.820
 all humility and gentleness, with

00:39:38.820 --> 00:39:40.960
 patience, bearing with one another in

00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:43.760
 love, eager to maintain the unity of

00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:45.440
 the spirit in the bond of peace.

00:39:45.820 --> 00:39:46.940
 Why should we do that?

00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:47.500
 It continues.

00:39:47.860 --> 00:39:50.320
 There is one body and one spirit,

00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:51.579
 just as you were called to the one

00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:53.059
 hope that belongs to your call.

00:39:53.380 --> 00:39:56.039
 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:58.159
 one God and Father of all who is

00:39:58.159 --> 00:40:00.759
 over all and through all and in all.

00:40:03.119 --> 00:40:05.360
 Just as God the Father, Son, and

00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:09.619
 Spirit are one, three in one, we are

00:40:09.619 --> 00:40:13.039
 many, yet we are one in Jesus Christ.

00:40:13.599 --> 00:40:15.980
 If one member of the body suffers, we

00:40:15.980 --> 00:40:16.719
 all suffer together.

00:40:16.840 --> 00:40:18.779
 If one member is honored, then we all

00:40:18.779 --> 00:40:19.880
 rejoice together.

00:40:20.340 --> 00:40:22.639
 When Jesus shed his own blood to

00:40:22.639 --> 00:40:24.500
 reconcile us to himself and to God

00:40:24.500 --> 00:40:26.519
 and to one another, how can we

00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:29.539
 persist in harboring anger, resentment,

00:40:30.119 --> 00:40:31.539
 and contempt toward one another?

00:40:34.659 --> 00:40:36.219
 Reconciliation is such an important

00:40:36.219 --> 00:40:38.059
 priority that Jesus says, if you are

00:40:38.059 --> 00:40:40.340
 offering your gift at the altar, and

00:40:40.340 --> 00:40:41.780
 then there remember that your brother

00:40:41.780 --> 00:40:43.380
 has something against you, you should

00:40:43.380 --> 00:40:44.840
 leave your gift there before the

00:40:44.840 --> 00:40:45.559
 altar and then go.

00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:47.840
 First, be reconciled to your brother

00:40:47.840 --> 00:40:49.119
 and then come and offer you a gift.

00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:52.519
 Note the priority first.

00:40:53.299 --> 00:40:55.059
 And note the urgency of verse 25.

00:40:55.239 --> 00:40:56.599
 Come to terms quickly.

00:40:59.299 --> 00:41:01.559
 This urgency is highlighted when we

00:41:01.559 --> 00:41:03.519
 recognize that Jesus is preaching here

00:41:03.519 --> 00:41:04.500
 in Galilee.

00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:07.739
 We know that from chapter four.

00:41:08.859 --> 00:41:11.519
 There was only one place in the world

00:41:11.519 --> 00:41:13.239
 where you could come, if you're a

00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:16.059
 faithful Jew, to offer an offering, a

00:41:16.059 --> 00:41:16.960
 gift to God.

00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:19.860
 But it's at the temple, which is in

00:41:19.860 --> 00:41:25.079
 Jerusalem, which is 80 to 90 miles

00:41:25.079 --> 00:41:26.019
 away from Galilee.

00:41:33.300 --> 00:41:34.820
 Let's say you come to worship with

00:41:34.820 --> 00:41:37.039
 the body of Christ on Sunday morning,

00:41:37.159 --> 00:41:38.579
 and as you're singing in praise, you

00:41:38.579 --> 00:41:42.740
 remember, oh, this brother that lives

00:41:42.740 --> 00:41:44.599
 80, 90 miles away has something against

00:41:44.599 --> 00:41:44.839
 me.

00:41:45.659 --> 00:41:51.440
 Imagine leaving, driving 80, 90 miles,

00:41:53.039 --> 00:41:56.500
 reconciling, coming back, and trying

00:41:56.500 --> 00:41:57.319
 to worship again.

00:42:00.839 --> 00:42:02.779
 And remember, they didn't have cars.

00:42:06.099 --> 00:42:09.839
 That's a five to seven day journey on foot.

00:42:09.840 --> 00:42:19.900
 Think about how inconvenient that is.

00:42:21.460 --> 00:42:23.660
 That's how you obey Ephesians 4, 26.

00:42:23.780 --> 00:42:25.340
 Do not let the sun go down on your

00:42:25.340 --> 00:42:28.920
 anger, because that's how important the

00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:30.820
 unity of the body of Christ is to him.

00:42:30.820 --> 00:42:41.140
 God says to his people, his unfaithful

00:42:41.140 --> 00:42:44.000
 people in Isaiah 1, 11, what to me is

00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:46.140
 the multitude of your sacrifices?

00:42:46.860 --> 00:42:49.720
 I have had enough of burnt offerings of

00:42:49.720 --> 00:42:51.980
 rams and the fat of well-fed beasts.

00:42:52.180 --> 00:42:56.300
 I do not delight in your blood of bulls or

00:42:56.300 --> 00:42:57.519
 of lambs or of goats.

00:42:57.519 --> 00:42:59.199
 Why does he say this?

00:43:00.259 --> 00:43:02.059
 He continues in verses 15 and 17,

00:43:02.199 --> 00:43:03.920
 your hands are full of blood.

00:43:07.059 --> 00:43:08.059
 Wash yourselves.

00:43:08.480 --> 00:43:09.239
 Make yourselves clean.

00:43:09.340 --> 00:43:11.280
 Remove the evil of your deeds from your

00:43:11.280 --> 00:43:13.199
 eyes, from before my eyes.

00:43:13.280 --> 00:43:14.039
 Cease to do evil.

00:43:14.159 --> 00:43:14.739
 Learn to do good.

00:43:14.840 --> 00:43:15.739
 Seek justice.

00:43:16.000 --> 00:43:16.880
 Correct oppression.

00:43:17.219 --> 00:43:18.940
 Bring justice to the fatherless.

00:43:19.300 --> 00:43:20.539
 Plead the widow's cause.

00:43:22.159 --> 00:43:24.519
 Again, in Isaiah 58, God says that he

00:43:24.519 --> 00:43:27.000
 will not accept the prayers and the

00:43:27.000 --> 00:43:28.219
 fasting of his people.

00:43:29.280 --> 00:43:30.739
 So this is especially appropriate as

00:43:30.739 --> 00:43:32.320
 we go into a time of prayer and fasting

00:43:32.320 --> 00:43:33.380
 as a church this month.

00:43:35.079 --> 00:43:37.119
 Why does God say that he will not accept

00:43:37.119 --> 00:43:37.840
 their prayer and fasting?

00:43:37.940 --> 00:43:40.159
 He says, behold, in the day of your

00:43:40.159 --> 00:43:42.460
 fast, you seek your own pleasure and

00:43:42.460 --> 00:43:44.119
 oppress all your workers.

00:43:45.759 --> 00:43:48.139
 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to

00:43:48.139 --> 00:43:50.639
 fight and to hit with the wicked fist.

00:43:50.639 --> 00:43:56.119
 In other words, to obey is better than

00:43:56.119 --> 00:43:56.900
 sacrifice.

00:44:00.239 --> 00:44:02.679
 Harboring sinful anger against one

00:44:02.679 --> 00:44:04.879
 another in the body of Christ hinders

00:44:04.879 --> 00:44:06.219
 our worship of God.

00:44:08.739 --> 00:44:11.219
 A disturbed fellowship between brother

00:44:11.219 --> 00:44:13.379
 and sister in Christ disturbs our

00:44:13.379 --> 00:44:14.879
 fellowship with God himself.

00:44:14.880 --> 00:44:19.920
 That's why we always have the time of

00:44:19.920 --> 00:44:21.180
 passing of the peace in the middle of

00:44:21.180 --> 00:44:21.740
 our service.

00:44:24.480 --> 00:44:25.840
 Go make that right.

00:44:26.260 --> 00:44:27.780
 Then come and offer your gift.

00:44:37.119 --> 00:44:38.640
 That's how precious the people of God

00:44:38.640 --> 00:44:39.099
 is to him.

00:44:40.900 --> 00:44:42.820
 But what if you try to reconcile, but

00:44:42.820 --> 00:44:43.559
 it hasn't worked?

00:44:44.880 --> 00:44:47.480
 What if you confessed all the sins you

00:44:47.480 --> 00:44:49.800
 could possibly think of and you've

00:44:49.800 --> 00:44:52.360
 you've owned everything you can

00:44:52.360 --> 00:44:54.180
 possibly own and maybe even taken

00:44:54.180 --> 00:44:55.440
 responsibility for things maybe you

00:44:55.440 --> 00:44:56.720
 weren't really responsible for?

00:44:59.059 --> 00:45:00.480
 Which you shouldn't do, by the way.

00:45:04.280 --> 00:45:06.940
 But the other party is still holding a

00:45:06.940 --> 00:45:07.599
 grudge against you.

00:45:07.680 --> 00:45:08.380
 There's no forgiveness.

00:45:08.680 --> 00:45:10.480
 There's no reciprocation of seeking

00:45:10.480 --> 00:45:11.059
 reconciliation.

00:45:11.059 --> 00:45:15.420
 That sadly happens in this world because

00:45:15.420 --> 00:45:17.000
 we still live in a sinful and broken

00:45:17.000 --> 00:45:17.500
 world.

00:45:18.980 --> 00:45:20.739
 Then you remember the admonition of

00:45:20.739 --> 00:45:21.440
 Romans 12.

00:45:21.679 --> 00:45:22.840
 Bless those who persecute you.

00:45:22.940 --> 00:45:24.039
 Bless and do not curse them.

00:45:24.119 --> 00:45:25.400
 Live in harmony with one another.

00:45:25.519 --> 00:45:26.940
 Repay no one evil for evil.

00:45:27.299 --> 00:45:29.519
 If possible, so far as it depends on you,

00:45:29.659 --> 00:45:30.960
 live peaceably with all.

00:45:31.420 --> 00:45:32.079
 That's the key.

00:45:32.219 --> 00:45:34.299
 So far as it depends on you,

00:45:34.759 --> 00:45:36.259
 live peaceably with all.

00:45:37.160 --> 00:45:38.940
 Beloved, never avenge yourselves,

00:45:39.060 --> 00:45:40.440
 but leave it to the wrath of God,

00:45:40.500 --> 00:45:42.340
 for it is written, vengeance is mine,

00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:43.580
 I will repay, says the Lord.

00:45:44.920 --> 00:45:46.140
 That's what it looks like to be a

00:45:46.140 --> 00:45:47.100
 peacemaker in a sinful,

00:45:47.240 --> 00:45:48.000
 unbelieving world.

00:45:48.120 --> 00:45:50.520
 We live peaceably with all so long as

00:45:50.520 --> 00:45:52.160
 it depends on us.

00:45:52.720 --> 00:45:54.400
 And then we trust God with the rest.

00:45:54.540 --> 00:45:56.100
 We trust God for justice.

00:45:56.099 --> 00:46:02.519
 Then in the last two verses,

00:46:02.639 --> 00:46:03.360
 25 and 26,

00:46:03.460 --> 00:46:05.059
 Jesus asks one more factor that

00:46:05.059 --> 00:46:06.579
 contributes to the urgency and the

00:46:06.579 --> 00:46:07.719
 priority of reconciliation.

00:46:08.739 --> 00:46:10.039
 The certainty of judgment.

00:46:11.839 --> 00:46:12.239
 He says,

00:46:12.380 --> 00:46:13.819
 Come to terms quickly with your

00:46:13.819 --> 00:46:15.420
 accuser while you are going with him

00:46:15.420 --> 00:46:15.920
 to court,

00:46:16.319 --> 00:46:17.980
 lest your accuser hand you over to

00:46:17.980 --> 00:46:19.139
 the judge and the judge to the

00:46:19.139 --> 00:46:20.759
 guard and you be put in prison.

00:46:20.760 --> 00:46:25.660
 Truly I say to you,

00:46:25.740 --> 00:46:26.940
 you will never get out until you

00:46:26.940 --> 00:46:28.020
 have paid the last penny.

00:46:29.640 --> 00:46:31.960
 This is true at a literal level,

00:46:32.080 --> 00:46:32.420
 of course.

00:46:33.360 --> 00:46:35.940
 If we have wronged someone and

00:46:35.940 --> 00:46:37.360
 someone is suing us,

00:46:37.440 --> 00:46:38.280
 taking us to court,

00:46:38.640 --> 00:46:40.860
 then it is to our advantage to

00:46:40.860 --> 00:46:42.860
 settle out of court because once

00:46:42.860 --> 00:46:43.760
 you're taken to court,

00:46:44.040 --> 00:46:45.420
 you will be condemned and then you

00:46:45.420 --> 00:46:46.700
 will be jailed and then you will

00:46:46.700 --> 00:46:48.340
 be in there until you pay the last

00:46:48.340 --> 00:46:48.680
 penny.

00:46:48.679 --> 00:46:54.899
 Assuming this is a debt that has

00:46:54.899 --> 00:46:55.599
 been defaulted on,

00:46:55.659 --> 00:46:57.559
 then you'll have to pay it back in

00:46:57.559 --> 00:46:58.899
 order to be released from prison.

00:47:03.179 --> 00:47:03.819
 Once again,

00:47:03.899 --> 00:47:04.980
 the same main point.

00:47:05.759 --> 00:47:06.759
 Forsake pride

00:47:06.759 --> 00:47:10.059
 and seek reconciliation.

00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:13.219
 Don't let relationships that have

00:47:13.219 --> 00:47:15.819
 gone sour continue to putrefy.

00:47:16.519 --> 00:47:17.639
 Be salt.

00:47:18.679 --> 00:47:21.259
 Stop the decay.

00:47:23.699 --> 00:47:26.299
 But the logical progression in this

00:47:26.299 --> 00:47:28.319
 passage from the judgment of human

00:47:28.319 --> 00:47:31.219
 counsel to the judgment of God and

00:47:31.219 --> 00:47:33.159
 the hell of fire in verse 22

00:47:33.159 --> 00:47:36.679
 suggests that verse 25 also points

00:47:36.679 --> 00:47:39.000
 beyond human judgment,

00:47:39.739 --> 00:47:41.440
 human court to the ultimate judgment

00:47:41.440 --> 00:47:41.899
 of God.

00:47:41.900 --> 00:47:46.780
 Jesus' emphasis in verse 26 confirms

00:47:46.780 --> 00:47:47.079
 this.

00:47:47.079 --> 00:47:48.760
 Truly I say to you,

00:47:49.260 --> 00:47:50.519
 amen I say to you,

00:47:50.579 --> 00:47:52.000
 you will never get out until you have

00:47:52.000 --> 00:47:53.039
 paid the last penny.

00:47:53.700 --> 00:47:55.599
 There have been plenty of human courts

00:47:55.599 --> 00:47:57.639
 where evildoers have gotten off easy

00:47:57.639 --> 00:47:58.860
 without paying the last penny.

00:47:58.860 --> 00:48:02.860
 But that never happens in the court of God.

00:48:05.440 --> 00:48:07.440
 The divine judge of all the earth

00:48:07.440 --> 00:48:08.960
 sees all offenses,

00:48:09.500 --> 00:48:10.980
 overlooks no fact,

00:48:11.220 --> 00:48:13.039
 and takes no bribes.

00:48:13.240 --> 00:48:14.640
 He is perfectly just,

00:48:14.760 --> 00:48:16.440
 and when the verdict is announced,

00:48:16.860 --> 00:48:20.120
 there is no higher court to which you can appeal.

00:48:20.119 --> 00:48:27.859
 Jesus uses the human court as an analogy,

00:48:28.199 --> 00:48:30.779
 as an illustration of the divine court,

00:48:31.000 --> 00:48:32.799
 again in Matthew 18,

00:48:33.219 --> 00:48:34.920
 in the parable of the unforgiving servant.

00:48:37.119 --> 00:48:38.279
 In that parable,

00:48:38.380 --> 00:48:40.519
 Jesus tells us that we are a servant

00:48:40.519 --> 00:48:44.079
 that has been forgiven an insurmountable debt,

00:48:44.880 --> 00:48:47.619
 a dollar equivalent of 7.2 billion dollars,

00:48:47.619 --> 00:48:50.039
 by our master who is God.

00:48:52.119 --> 00:48:52.900
 And then,

00:48:53.319 --> 00:48:56.380
 and therefore we should not begrudge

00:48:56.380 --> 00:49:00.039
 forgiving the relatively insignificant

00:49:00.679 --> 00:49:02.900
 and small debt that other people owe us,

00:49:03.319 --> 00:49:05.299
 the way other people have sinned against us

00:49:05.299 --> 00:49:06.239
 and wronged us.

00:49:07.480 --> 00:49:10.039
 Of those who show no mercy to others

00:49:10.039 --> 00:49:12.079
 and those who do not forgive others their sins,

00:49:12.179 --> 00:49:13.819
 Jesus says this in Matthew 18,

00:49:14.299 --> 00:49:16.980
 in anger his master delivered him to the jailers

00:49:16.980 --> 00:49:19.159
 until he should pay all his debt.

00:49:20.659 --> 00:49:23.659
 So also my heavenly father will do to every one of you

00:49:23.659 --> 00:49:25.840
 if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.

00:49:26.519 --> 00:49:27.539
 It's the same comparison.

00:49:28.039 --> 00:49:29.960
 So I think it's pointing beyond the human court

00:49:29.960 --> 00:49:31.360
 to the divine court.

00:49:33.240 --> 00:49:34.920
 Usually, if not always,

00:49:35.980 --> 00:49:37.900
 wherever there is human conflict

00:49:37.900 --> 00:49:38.940
 and broken relationship,

00:49:39.179 --> 00:49:41.159
 there is some guilt on both sides,

00:49:41.240 --> 00:49:44.260
 although that guilt is certainly not always even.

00:49:44.260 --> 00:49:50.240
 However, that was not the case,

00:49:50.800 --> 00:49:52.380
 decidedly not the case

00:49:52.380 --> 00:49:54.780
 in our broken relationship with God.

00:49:57.760 --> 00:49:59.520
 We did all the wrong.

00:50:01.100 --> 00:50:03.300
 He did everything right.

00:50:05.200 --> 00:50:07.040
 He gave us everything we have.

00:50:07.039 --> 00:50:09.300
 He was our creator, our benefactor,

00:50:10.139 --> 00:50:11.860
 our father,

00:50:13.000 --> 00:50:14.599
 our king.

00:50:18.440 --> 00:50:19.300
 And yet,

00:50:19.619 --> 00:50:21.739
 even though he gave us everything we had,

00:50:22.719 --> 00:50:24.539
 and even though he had never wronged us,

00:50:24.779 --> 00:50:26.860
 we sinned and rebelled against him,

00:50:27.099 --> 00:50:28.440
 we doubted his goodness,

00:50:28.579 --> 00:50:30.340
 and we impugned his character,

00:50:30.579 --> 00:50:32.400
 and we besmirched his name,

00:50:32.400 --> 00:50:35.180
 and we sought to usurp his throne

00:50:35.180 --> 00:50:37.200
 by worshiping idols

00:50:37.200 --> 00:50:38.639
 and setting ourselves up

00:50:38.639 --> 00:50:40.019
 as lords and gods

00:50:40.019 --> 00:50:41.740
 and kings of our own lives.

00:50:42.880 --> 00:50:44.960
 If anyone was responsible

00:50:44.960 --> 00:50:46.500
 for that broken relationship,

00:50:47.139 --> 00:50:50.500
 it was 100% you and me.

00:50:53.619 --> 00:50:55.740
 And yet, who took the initiative?

00:50:55.739 --> 00:50:59.939
 God the Father takes initiative,

00:51:00.719 --> 00:51:02.579
 and he sends his only son.

00:51:02.919 --> 00:51:04.659
 He says in 1 John 4, 9-10,

00:51:04.739 --> 00:51:06.039
 in this, the love of God

00:51:06.039 --> 00:51:07.500
 was made manifest among us,

00:51:07.839 --> 00:51:09.679
 that God sent his only son

00:51:09.679 --> 00:51:10.319
 into the world

00:51:10.319 --> 00:51:12.000
 so that we might live through him.

00:51:12.439 --> 00:51:13.699
 In this is love,

00:51:13.759 --> 00:51:15.500
 not that we have loved God,

00:51:15.759 --> 00:51:17.259
 but that he loved us

00:51:17.259 --> 00:51:18.239
 and sent his son

00:51:18.239 --> 00:51:19.359
 to be the propitiation

00:51:19.359 --> 00:51:20.619
 for our sins.

00:51:22.179 --> 00:51:23.159
 What does it mean

00:51:23.159 --> 00:51:25.079
 that Jesus is the propitiation

00:51:25.079 --> 00:51:26.619
 for our sins?

00:51:27.119 --> 00:51:29.480
 To propitiate is to appease

00:51:29.480 --> 00:51:31.920
 or to satisfy someone's wrath,

00:51:32.400 --> 00:51:33.719
 to conciliate.

00:51:36.039 --> 00:51:38.000
 As it says in Isaiah 53,

00:51:38.480 --> 00:51:41.639
 upon Jesus was the chastisement,

00:51:42.380 --> 00:51:43.179
 the punishment

00:51:43.179 --> 00:51:45.360
 that brought us peace.

00:51:46.799 --> 00:51:48.860
 With his wounds, we are healed.

00:51:48.860 --> 00:51:51.219
 It was the will of the Lord

00:51:51.219 --> 00:51:53.960
 to crush his only son,

00:51:53.960 --> 00:51:56.019
 to put him to grieve.

00:51:57.260 --> 00:51:58.619
 Jesus was punished,

00:51:58.900 --> 00:52:00.440
 and Jesus absorbed

00:52:00.440 --> 00:52:01.780
 the Father's wrath

00:52:01.780 --> 00:52:03.159
 in our place

00:52:03.159 --> 00:52:03.940
 so that we,

00:52:04.179 --> 00:52:06.360
 the just and proper object

00:52:06.360 --> 00:52:07.920
 of God's wrath,

00:52:09.099 --> 00:52:09.860
 can become

00:52:09.860 --> 00:52:12.440
 the just and proper object

00:52:12.440 --> 00:52:14.240
 of his mercy.

00:52:14.239 --> 00:52:26.119
 God so loved us

00:52:26.119 --> 00:52:27.239
 that he sent his only son

00:52:27.239 --> 00:52:28.079
 to be the propitiation

00:52:28.079 --> 00:52:28.819
 for our sins.

00:52:29.179 --> 00:52:30.439
 It's the love of God

00:52:30.439 --> 00:52:32.739
 that paves the way

00:52:32.739 --> 00:52:34.199
 for the wrath of God

00:52:34.199 --> 00:52:35.139
 to be propitiated.

00:52:38.579 --> 00:52:39.879
 They're not contradictory.

00:52:40.779 --> 00:52:41.899
 They exist together.

00:52:41.900 --> 00:52:46.500
 And therein lies

00:52:46.500 --> 00:52:47.119
 the power

00:52:47.119 --> 00:52:48.180
 for us

00:52:48.180 --> 00:52:50.400
 to forgive,

00:52:51.960 --> 00:52:53.139
 seek reconciliation,

00:52:53.720 --> 00:52:55.099
 to humble ourselves.

00:52:58.200 --> 00:52:59.500
 How many times

00:52:59.500 --> 00:53:01.780
 have I lost my temper,

00:53:02.579 --> 00:53:03.880
 been angry at someone,

00:53:04.980 --> 00:53:06.559
 and judged someone in my heart,

00:53:06.639 --> 00:53:08.019
 and condemned them in my heart,

00:53:08.099 --> 00:53:09.860
 and had contempt for people

00:53:09.860 --> 00:53:10.680
 in my heart,

00:53:12.400 --> 00:53:16.599
 when I am no better

00:53:16.599 --> 00:53:17.200
 than they are?

00:53:19.039 --> 00:53:20.300
 Yet how many times

00:53:20.300 --> 00:53:20.960
 has God,

00:53:21.780 --> 00:53:23.820
 who has every right,

00:53:24.599 --> 00:53:26.180
 to condemn me,

00:53:26.559 --> 00:53:27.260
 denounce me,

00:53:28.860 --> 00:53:30.140
 reject me,

00:53:30.140 --> 00:53:30.200
 reject me,

00:53:34.200 --> 00:53:35.460
 there's no name

00:53:35.460 --> 00:53:36.460
 that he could call me

00:53:36.460 --> 00:53:37.740
 that would be unjustified.

00:53:40.820 --> 00:53:42.280
 And all I have noticed

00:53:42.280 --> 00:53:42.860
 is mercy,

00:53:44.079 --> 00:53:46.659
 grace.

00:53:51.460 --> 00:53:52.179
 That's what

00:53:52.179 --> 00:53:53.639
 changes us,

00:53:54.039 --> 00:53:54.920
 transforms us,

00:53:55.320 --> 00:53:56.320
 enables us

00:53:56.320 --> 00:53:59.920
 to be peacemakers

00:53:59.920 --> 00:54:00.440
 like this.

00:54:00.559 --> 00:54:00.960
 Let's pray.

00:54:00.960 --> 00:54:01.019
 Amen.

00:54:01.019 --> 00:54:01.019


00:54:01.019 --> 00:54:01.019


00:54:01.019 --> 00:54:01.019


00:54:01.019 --> 00:54:01.019


00:54:06.460 --> 00:54:19.400
 O Father,

00:54:20.099 --> 00:54:23.679
 we thank you that

00:54:23.679 --> 00:54:28.099
 even when we were dead

00:54:28.099 --> 00:54:29.519
 in our trespasses and sins,

00:54:30.240 --> 00:54:32.159
 even while we were still

00:54:32.159 --> 00:54:33.179
 your enemies,

00:54:33.179 --> 00:54:39.399
 that in love

00:54:39.399 --> 00:54:40.699
 you gave your only son

00:54:40.699 --> 00:54:43.599
 to satisfy

00:54:43.599 --> 00:54:44.539
 your own wrath,

00:54:45.359 --> 00:54:46.339
 your own just

00:54:46.339 --> 00:54:47.259
 and righteous wrath.

00:54:52.480 --> 00:54:53.319
 O God,

00:54:53.399 --> 00:54:53.960
 help us

00:54:53.960 --> 00:54:55.159
 to never lose sight

00:54:55.159 --> 00:54:57.399
 of what great mercy

00:54:57.399 --> 00:54:58.119
 we have received,

00:54:59.739 --> 00:55:01.519
 what great wrath

00:55:01.519 --> 00:55:02.759
 that we have been spared

00:55:02.760 --> 00:55:03.900
 from

00:55:03.900 --> 00:55:07.820
 so that mercy

00:55:07.820 --> 00:55:08.740
 exudes

00:55:08.740 --> 00:55:09.740
 from our hearts

00:55:09.740 --> 00:55:14.520
 so that sinful anger

00:55:14.520 --> 00:55:15.120
 cannot

00:55:15.120 --> 00:55:16.860
 make lodging

00:55:16.860 --> 00:55:17.600
 in our hearts

00:55:17.600 --> 00:55:20.700
 but quickly departs

00:55:20.700 --> 00:55:24.760
 so that we can be

00:55:24.760 --> 00:55:25.160
 gentle,

00:55:26.340 --> 00:55:26.820
 patient,

00:55:27.880 --> 00:55:28.400
 forbearing,

00:55:29.280 --> 00:55:29.640
 forgiving

00:55:29.640 --> 00:55:32.740
 with one another.

00:55:32.760 --> 00:55:36.720
 in Jesus' name

00:55:36.720 --> 00:55:37.100
 we pray.

00:55:37.500 --> 00:55:37.900
 Amen.