WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.040 Thank you, everyone who led here in singing. 00:00:09.720 --> 00:00:13.720 What a joy to be here today singing praises to King Jesus. 00:00:15.560 --> 00:00:23.219 It's such a joy for my wife and I, Carol's right here in the first seat, to be here with 00:00:23.219 --> 00:00:24.199 you all this morning. 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:27.060 And just a quick introduction. 00:00:27.059 --> 00:00:30.820 We're both from Brazil, Belo Horizonte is the name of our city. 00:00:31.579 --> 00:00:39.600 My father, about 15 years ago, he started a ministry called Escali, which aims at equipping, 00:00:39.899 --> 00:00:43.840 training lay Christian leaders and pastors in Brazil. 00:00:44.519 --> 00:00:47.780 And that's what we feel called to continue doing. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:51.620 That's why we're here having our education at Trinity. 00:00:51.879 --> 00:00:56.899 I know Dr. Tully is not here today, so I feel a little bit more off-campus. 00:00:57.060 --> 00:01:02.260 And it's a great privilege to be here with you all today. 00:01:02.259 --> 00:01:13.039 And I would like to invite you all to open your Bibles to Matthew chapter 5, Matthew chapter 00:01:13.039 --> 00:01:17.500 5 and verses 38 to 42. 00:01:18.319 --> 00:01:21.099 I'll ask you to please leave it open there for a second. 00:01:21.479 --> 00:01:25.079 And I just want to situate us on where this text is located. 00:01:25.079 --> 00:01:35.060 You know, chapters 5 to 7 of Matthew are a collection of the Sermon on the Mount, which is Jesus' most famous teachings. 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:43.700 But however famous it is, there's also lots of confusion about what it means and how we should relate to it. 00:01:43.700 --> 00:01:54.040 It doesn't take a long time for anyone who's reading through these chapters to see that the Sermon on the Mount paints a picture of a way of life, 00:01:54.520 --> 00:01:56.980 which is totally upside down to us. 00:01:58.400 --> 00:02:00.200 The meek inherit the earth. 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:02.420 The persecuted rejoice. 00:02:03.240 --> 00:02:05.079 The enemies are loved. 00:02:06.120 --> 00:02:10.159 This is not at all how the world around us operates. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:19.139 It's foreign to us both conceptually, like how could I even begin to think about living life this way? 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:23.280 And practically, how can I begin to take steps towards this? 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:27.300 But this is what God's kingdom is like. 00:02:28.079 --> 00:02:33.699 It is what true righteousness looks like and what men and women were ultimately made for. 00:02:33.699 --> 00:02:39.319 And it is what a blessed life looks like. 00:02:40.579 --> 00:02:49.039 And as we read Jesus' words and meditate on them, we're deeply confronted with truths that go against every inclination of our bodies. 00:02:49.979 --> 00:02:56.319 There's a disconnect between the way of life in God's kingdom and what we often desire. 00:02:56.919 --> 00:02:57.379 Isn't there? 00:02:57.379 --> 00:03:01.039 I know that's how I feel sometimes. 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:11.939 And if you've never been confronted or convicted by the teachings of Jesus, you really need to evaluate if you're being honest to your life or to the text in front of you. 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:15.319 So what is the point of the Sermon on the Mount? 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:19.379 Is it just Jesus' way of frustrating us with things that we can't ever do? 00:03:19.379 --> 00:03:23.139 Or is it actually a way that we can live our lives? 00:03:24.379 --> 00:03:29.159 So I believe we can summarize what the Sermon on the Mount is with three statements. 00:03:30.199 --> 00:03:35.500 First, it is a declaration of what true righteousness in God's kingdom look like. 00:03:36.259 --> 00:03:40.280 It's Jesus' big manifesto of what people will look like in this kingdom. 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:41.740 How they will talk to each other. 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:42.479 How they will walk. 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:43.340 How they will interact. 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:45.079 What kind of community it is. 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:56.480 But the Sermon on the Mount is also like a big mirror that makes us look at ourselves and compare our way of living with true righteousness. 00:03:57.880 --> 00:03:59.120 Chapter 5, verse 20 says, 00:03:59.460 --> 00:04:05.560 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you never enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:04:06.420 --> 00:04:07.040 Verse 48, 00:04:07.660 --> 00:04:11.700 You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:04:11.699 --> 00:04:17.219 Strong words from Jesus that really makes us sit back and reflect, 00:04:17.939 --> 00:04:21.740 How do I compare to the way of life in God's kingdom? 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:27.860 And lastly, the Sermon on the Mount points us to a fulfillment in Jesus. 00:04:29.240 --> 00:04:30.180 Matthew 5, 17, 00:04:30.579 --> 00:04:33.079 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets. 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:36.339 I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 00:04:37.219 --> 00:04:40.219 And to make the point clearer, the sermon ends with this note, 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:44.960 And when Jesus finished these saints, the crowds were astonished as His teaching, 00:04:45.440 --> 00:04:50.480 for He was teaching them as one who had authority and not as the scribes. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:05:00.740 So, having this big picture, let us now read this text and how Jesus is accomplishing all that in these few five verses that we're going to read right now. 00:05:01.220 --> 00:05:02.420 So, follow along with me. 00:05:03.340 --> 00:05:06.840 Matthew 5, verses 38 to 42. 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:36.819 Matthew 5, verse 39. 00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:44.379 We have all probably heard this text or parts of it several times growing up, right? 00:05:44.619 --> 00:05:48.379 And even if we didn't go to church, we know that we're supposed to give the other cheek. 00:05:50.279 --> 00:06:00.219 Many of us have used this text to say that in God's kingdom, there is no place for punishment, justice, or violence of any kind. 00:06:00.220 --> 00:06:07.340 Others have taught that this text is about nothing more than not giving revenge. 00:06:08.340 --> 00:06:13.720 But as we'll go on, we'll see that vengeance and retaliation are only part of the issue. 00:06:14.220 --> 00:06:18.160 And Jesus is trying to get to the heart of where these things actually come from. 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:28.620 So, as we go over this text, we'll spend most of our time first trying to gradually understand, with all the examples that Jesus is giving, 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:33.920 what is true righteousness in this text and how we compare to it. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:43.140 And then, finally, we'll spend the last minutes of this sermon seeing how this text points us to Jesus as the fulfillment of all righteousness 00:06:43.140 --> 00:06:47.740 and why that actually is good news for us as God's people. 00:06:47.740 --> 00:06:53.819 So, what is true righteousness and how do we compare to it? 00:06:55.060 --> 00:07:01.100 Jesus begins this passage by quoting a part of the law that God had given to Israel through His servant Moses. 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:03.259 Verse 38, He says, 00:07:03.420 --> 00:07:08.460 You have heard that it was said in the law, an eye for an eye and a two for a two. 00:07:09.680 --> 00:07:17.680 Now, I don't know about you, but many times I forget that even though the law of Moses was something pretty far removed in the past, 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:22.319 for us, it was already very ancient even in Jesus' day. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:28.220 I sometimes have the tendency to think that all the characters in the Bible are just like people living in different villages, 00:07:28.879 --> 00:07:29.879 as if Jesus could say, 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:35.259 You know, Moses, when he came with those two big pieces of stone, he told us a good story. 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:37.259 You know how it goes. Here it is. 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:41.100 But that's not at all the case, right? 00:07:41.560 --> 00:07:42.939 They live centuries apart. 00:07:42.939 --> 00:07:54.500 And just as it is for us, it was also hard for them in Jesus' day to keep fresh in their minds what was the true intent of the law. 00:07:55.720 --> 00:08:01.519 That's why in verses 21 to 48 in this chapter 5, Jesus says it several times. 00:08:02.519 --> 00:08:06.339 You have heard that it was said this, but I tell you that. 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:13.219 It's not as if Jesus is saying that the law is useless and they're not correct anymore. 00:08:13.919 --> 00:08:23.659 He's just trying to address the issues of people's current misunderstandings of the law and to show them what is the true righteousness that it pointed to. 00:08:24.819 --> 00:08:28.859 So what's the correct understanding of an eye for an eye and a two for a two? 00:08:29.859 --> 00:08:33.899 It sure sounds very violent, to say the least, right? 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:43.959 However, if we go back to the text on the law that addressed this issue, we'll see that far from being something the law was encouraging people to do, 00:08:44.799 --> 00:08:53.459 this phrase, which was intentionally easy to remember, was placed as a limit to the extent of punishment a crime should have. 00:08:54.319 --> 00:09:01.960 It was a provision in the law, much like the provision of divorce, which became allowed in some cases because of the hardness of people's heart. 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:08.580 And this provision was supposed to restrict vengeance and to limit vindictiveness. 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:13.360 The question was, have you been wronged by someone? 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:18.360 And if so, whoever wronged you will be punished. 00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:21.960 And the punishment, it must fit the crime. 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:25.860 You can't put a person in jail for stumbling on your foot, 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:30.400 and we're not going to let someone who robbed your house just go away with a written warning. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:35.419 Instead, it will be like an eye for an eye and a two for a two. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:38.399 So, for example, Leviticus 24, 21 says, 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:41.079 Whoever kills a person shall be put to death. 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:43.399 The punishment fits the crime. 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:44.860 Verse 22, 00:09:45.240 --> 00:09:49.279 You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God. 00:09:50.699 --> 00:09:55.279 This was a law for the land of Israel and all of those in it. 00:09:55.279 --> 00:10:01.139 It was supposed to be applied not by the person who received the crime, you see, 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:06.959 but by the government officials, by the governors, or sometimes called princes or elders of the people. 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:11.600 And they were supposed to make this judgment based on the evidence of two or three people. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:18.139 That's what the law said, and it was commonly summarized in an eye for an eye and a two for a two. 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:22.340 Now, fast forward several hundred years, 00:10:22.840 --> 00:10:26.279 and how were the people in Jesus' day actually practicing this law? 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:31.220 Instead of limiting it to the court of law, 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:38.000 they were applying this principle without thinking about any intention of justice and righteousness. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:42.740 They didn't care if there was an investigation or not, witnesses or not. 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:47.700 They just thought of this law as a concession to take vengeance into their own hands. 00:10:49.539 --> 00:10:50.240 They thought, 00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:52.279 Okay, he got a chicken for me, 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:54.299 so I'll go ahead and grab two from him, 00:10:54.580 --> 00:10:55.360 and then three, 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:57.039 and so on and so forth. 00:10:58.039 --> 00:11:00.500 Things just piled up without any control 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:03.519 because they didn't care for justice. 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:06.779 Then what does Jesus say 00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:09.620 the citizens of God's upside-down kingdom 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:11.259 should do instead? 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:13.980 Beginning of verse 39, 00:11:14.480 --> 00:11:15.399 But I say to you, 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:17.659 do not resist the one who is evil. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:19.980 For him, 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:22.720 when it comes to our relationship with other people, 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:25.539 it's not up to us 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:28.700 to offer the proper retribution to evil. 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:32.019 And please hear me well here. 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.679 Jesus was not saying, 00:11:34.039 --> 00:11:36.019 forget about all that punishment 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:37.580 and forget about retribution. 00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:40.560 People should do just whatever they want 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:41.580 whenever they feel like it. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:42.100 No, 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.500 not a chance. 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:45.639 The law was intended for good. 00:11:46.620 --> 00:11:47.720 What Jesus is saying 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:49.060 is that we don't take vengeance 00:11:49.060 --> 00:11:50.800 into our own hands. 00:11:52.460 --> 00:11:53.879 The governments and authorities 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:56.400 are the ones set up by God to do so. 00:11:57.280 --> 00:11:58.639 Romans 13, 4 says that 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:59.639 the human's authority 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:01.320 are the servants of God, 00:12:01.500 --> 00:12:03.320 an avenger who carries out 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:04.980 God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.639 Not us. 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:09.019 Even more than that, 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.200 the Bible says that 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:12.180 God is the ultimate retributer. 00:12:12.840 --> 00:12:14.379 1 Corinthians 3, 17 says, 00:12:14.840 --> 00:12:16.560 If anyone destroys God's temple, 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:17.920 that is our body, 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.800 God will destroy him. 00:12:21.180 --> 00:12:22.300 Do you see how this language 00:12:22.300 --> 00:12:24.580 fits with the goodness of retribution 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:26.300 that the law was actually pointing to? 00:12:26.299 --> 00:12:30.079 But when it comes to our daily lives 00:12:30.079 --> 00:12:31.359 and our personal interactions, 00:12:31.959 --> 00:12:34.419 we should have a certain orientation 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:35.359 about life 00:12:35.359 --> 00:12:37.859 that does not seek to repay offenses 00:12:37.859 --> 00:12:39.859 and that does not desire 00:12:39.859 --> 00:12:41.259 to preserve our honor 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:43.339 and our pride at all costs. 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:46.519 So we got the principle down. 00:12:46.639 --> 00:12:48.599 Do not resist the evil person. 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:50.679 But the question then comes, 00:12:51.099 --> 00:12:52.579 how does that look like in real life? 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:55.379 And that's why Jesus 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:57.639 wants to make it clear 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:59.200 with four different examples 00:12:59.200 --> 00:13:00.620 of how we should apply it. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.360 And as we go along, 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:03.940 we'll get a better understanding 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:05.040 of what Jesus means 00:13:05.040 --> 00:13:06.620 by not resisting the evil person. 00:13:07.020 --> 00:13:08.680 Because that is only part 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:09.680 of the picture 00:13:09.680 --> 00:13:11.560 of what true righteousness is 00:13:11.560 --> 00:13:12.440 in this text. 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:15.020 And the examples are set up 00:13:15.020 --> 00:13:15.600 in such a way 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.780 that we're supposed to look 00:13:16.780 --> 00:13:17.560 at each of them 00:13:17.560 --> 00:13:18.940 and ask ourselves, 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:20.980 how do I compare to this? 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:24.399 Verse 39 again, 00:13:25.420 --> 00:13:26.500 second part of it now. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:29.080 If anyone slaps you 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:29.940 on the right cheek, 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:32.399 give him the other also. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:35.639 We tend to think of this 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:38.399 as a physical attack, right? 00:13:38.560 --> 00:13:39.680 Slap on the cheek. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.820 But if we read carefully, 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:43.860 he says on the right cheek. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:46.060 That may not seem like much, 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:47.580 but it means it wasn't 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:50.060 a full right-handed slap, 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:52.239 not a sounding and impactful, 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:53.599 hurtful slap to the face, 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:56.879 but an ironic, humiliating slap 00:13:56.879 --> 00:13:57.979 with the back of the hand. 00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:00.479 It was the kind of thing 00:14:00.479 --> 00:14:01.000 that you would do 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.919 to make the person feel 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:04.039 like the scum of the earth. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.199 It was an assault 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:07.739 on the person's honor. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:11.359 And what does that look like 00:14:11.359 --> 00:14:12.119 for us today? 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:13.679 I mean, 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.360 a slap on the face 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.480 is still pretty humiliating. 00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:17.940 But our lives 00:14:17.940 --> 00:14:18.980 are filled with things 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:19.720 usually that are 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.679 much more subtle 00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:22.179 and much more nuanced 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.220 that are nevertheless 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:25.000 damaging to our honor. 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.539 Sometimes it can be 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.740 as obvious as a boss 00:14:28.740 --> 00:14:29.700 yelling at us 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:30.720 across the room 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:31.600 for everyone to hear. 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:35.820 Or a joke 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:36.759 that someone tells 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.799 to the whole group 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:39.759 about a flaw that you have. 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:42.539 sometimes just a look, 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.659 depending on how it's done 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.700 and by whom it's done, 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:47.879 can be very humiliating 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:48.480 and hurting 00:14:48.480 --> 00:14:50.059 deep down on our pride. 00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:52.279 I'm certain that we have 00:14:52.279 --> 00:14:53.279 all experienced this 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:55.000 to one degree or another 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.080 at some point in life. 00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:59.819 And how do we typically respond? 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.679 With a strike back 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.580 at their honor. 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:04.860 Right? 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.600 We don't absorb the blow, 00:15:06.700 --> 00:15:08.039 much less give the other cheek. 00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:09.779 No, we need to make 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:10.599 things right again. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.120 It almost seems like 00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:14.219 a socially accepted idea. 00:15:15.159 --> 00:15:15.279 Right? 00:15:15.339 --> 00:15:15.759 Think about 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:18.120 a random guy 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:19.120 at the end of his 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.620 bar fight story 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.959 saying, 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:22.839 I just 00:15:22.839 --> 00:15:24.139 didn't let my kid 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:24.939 think I was a loser. 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:26.980 Or 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.639 think of the response 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.539 of her friends 00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:30.759 after a girl says 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.620 what was her sarcastic reply 00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.980 to the inappropriate comment 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.799 she heard at work. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.240 Yeah, girl. 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:37.379 You showed him. 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:40.519 has become 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:42.059 socially accepted 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:43.179 and valued. 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:45.659 And unfortunately, 00:15:45.860 --> 00:15:47.080 this socially accepted 00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:48.299 practice 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:49.419 has infiltrated 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.720 many of our own 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.240 families. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.220 Our very houses. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:55.980 Whenever we feel 00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.539 attacked 00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:57.360 by the words 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.259 of our spouses 00:15:58.259 --> 00:16:00.259 or of our parents, 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.539 these are the people 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.120 that we know 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.120 most intimately. 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:05.019 Right? 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.439 We know what 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.039 ticks them. 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.299 We know what 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.120 could hurt them 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:09.480 back. 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:12.879 It's easy 00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.539 to 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:16.079 vindicate 00:16:16.079 --> 00:16:16.659 ourselves 00:16:16.659 --> 00:16:17.360 and the family 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:17.960 because we can 00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.600 hurt them back. 00:16:19.460 --> 00:16:19.980 Instead of 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:21.559 doing that, 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.980 Jesus tells us 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:23.639 to show 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.480 no concern 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:24.939 at all 00:16:24.939 --> 00:16:25.899 for the 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.240 maintenance 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.340 of our honor. 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.740 Give the other 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.100 cheek. 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:31.519 Give them grace 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.220 instead of 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.079 any payback 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.700 that you're 00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.280 thinking of 00:16:34.280 --> 00:16:34.520 giving 00:16:34.520 --> 00:16:34.860 and that 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.080 you're 00:16:35.080 --> 00:16:35.400 able 00:16:35.400 --> 00:16:36.080 to give. 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.220 Verse 40. 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.440 And if anyone 00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:42.280 would sue you 00:16:42.280 --> 00:16:43.200 and take your 00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:43.600 tunic, 00:16:44.020 --> 00:16:44.840 let him have 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.480 your cloak 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.040 as well. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.240 Now, 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:47.740 the tunic 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:48.580 was someone's 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:49.320 first layer. 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.200 In my case, 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:50.740 it's this shirt 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.120 underneath. 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:53.180 And the cloak 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:54.280 was the outer layer. 00:16:55.160 --> 00:16:55.340 So, 00:16:55.400 --> 00:16:55.840 in other words, 00:16:55.900 --> 00:16:56.280 he's saying, 00:16:56.360 --> 00:16:56.940 if anyone wants 00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.259 to sue you 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:57.860 for your shirt, 00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:58.800 let him have 00:16:58.800 --> 00:16:59.520 your coat 00:16:59.520 --> 00:17:00.000 also, 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.520 or something 00:17:00.520 --> 00:17:01.020 like that. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:01.840 And I want 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.399 to emphasize 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.259 that he says 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:03.740 if anyone 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:04.779 wants to. 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:05.920 Because if they 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:06.579 actually do 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.259 sue you 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.779 for your shirt 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.660 and win your shirt, 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.720 which is not 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.559 something common here, 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:12.319 but it was more 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:12.859 back then, 00:17:13.099 --> 00:17:13.960 you don't just 00:17:13.960 --> 00:17:14.819 give your coat. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.500 But if they're 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.460 threatening you 00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:18.920 to sue you 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.440 for something 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.900 small like a shirt 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:22.279 and they're using 00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:23.180 that to provoke 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.019 you to anger, 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.359 then show 00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:26.420 that in your heart 00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.579 you could do 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.440 even more than that. 00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.740 Like your coat, 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:30.379 for example. 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:34.240 we all have 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.220 the tendency 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.279 of thinking, 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:37.759 are we supposed 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:38.319 to literally 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:38.900 do this? 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.359 Right? 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:41.859 And we proceed 00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:43.639 to try to draw 00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.240 a line 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.920 of where 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:46.359 good is good enough. 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:47.240 Hey, Jesus, 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:48.059 this is the most 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:48.559 I can do. 00:17:49.359 --> 00:17:50.180 But that's not 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:50.720 the point that 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.759 Jesus is aiming at. 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.639 So, 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.720 imagine for a second 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.660 that you're preparing 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.220 your wedding. 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:57.900 I don't know 00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.460 how many of you 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.220 have gone through that. 00:17:59.279 --> 00:17:59.859 My wife and I 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.559 went through that. 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:01.839 A couple years ago. 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.000 In Brazil, 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:03.839 we usually have 00:18:03.839 --> 00:18:04.659 big weddings. 00:18:05.319 --> 00:18:06.099 At least compared 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:06.819 to what I've heard 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.500 is the common 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:08.639 here in the US. 00:18:09.379 --> 00:18:09.779 So, 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.379 we really need 00:18:10.379 --> 00:18:10.859 to make sure 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:11.359 that we count 00:18:11.359 --> 00:18:12.319 exactly how many 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.099 people are coming 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:14.039 because otherwise 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.579 we'll pay more 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.179 for the buffet, 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.279 which is the most 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:17.159 expensive part. 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.139 Imagine that 00:18:19.139 --> 00:18:20.539 you're at the 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.339 final stages 00:18:21.339 --> 00:18:22.240 of your preparation, 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.460 you and your wife. 00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:24.980 And one day 00:18:24.980 --> 00:18:25.579 you're in the middle 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:26.639 of a random 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.679 family gathering 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.420 that you're having 00:18:28.420 --> 00:18:30.519 and your cousin 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:32.700 turns to your wife 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.519 out of the blue 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.920 and just says, 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:35.860 so, 00:18:36.060 --> 00:18:36.720 since you brought 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.700 your little girlfriend 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:39.799 or your little boyfriend 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.840 to my birthday party 00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.720 a couple years ago, 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.720 I'll just bring 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.440 some of my friends 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:44.960 to your wedding. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:45.900 That's okay, right? 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.620 This is a clear 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.799 challenge to you. 00:18:51.340 --> 00:18:52.340 Much like the one 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.460 who wants to sue 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:54.460 someone else 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.120 for their shirt, 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.319 the situation 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:57.559 just begs the answer. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:58.920 What are you going 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.759 to say about that? 00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:01.559 Your cousin 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.220 obviously wants 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:02.759 to see you 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.299 and your wife 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.019 lose your mind 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.600 over this. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:07.960 Now, 00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:08.900 imagine instead 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.519 of saying, 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:10.579 no, 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.559 what's wrong 00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:11.960 with you? 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.360 You guys responded 00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:15.440 as if this person 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.840 didn't just offend 00:19:16.840 --> 00:19:17.620 and expose you 00:19:17.620 --> 00:19:18.559 in front of 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.299 the entire family. 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.140 Imagine instead 00:19:21.140 --> 00:19:21.720 that you said, 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.940 you know what, 00:19:23.880 --> 00:19:24.160 cousin, 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:26.700 I know there aren't 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:27.519 going to be too many 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.259 people that you know 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.740 there and it's 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.860 really just our goal 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:31.259 that everyone 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.120 has a good time. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:32.799 So yeah, 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:33.380 definitely bring 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:34.120 as many friends 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:34.860 as you want. 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:35.960 I don't want you 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.740 to be feeling 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.220 left out. 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.480 Now, 00:19:39.640 --> 00:19:40.360 I don't know 00:19:40.360 --> 00:19:41.079 if Carol and I 00:19:41.079 --> 00:19:42.180 would have the composure 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:43.120 to have that kind 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:43.600 of answer 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.579 if this actually 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.360 happened to us. 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.759 But if I were 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.140 the imaginary offender 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:49.860 in this case, 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:50.380 the cousin, 00:19:50.840 --> 00:19:51.960 I would have no idea 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:52.660 how to respond. 00:19:53.700 --> 00:19:53.980 Right? 00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:55.759 I would be puzzled 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.519 and surprised. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:56.740 Like, 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.940 how can someone 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.819 be so loving? 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:02.059 And Paul says 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.039 in Romans 12 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:03.960 that this type 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:05.259 of loving response 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:07.620 puts burning coals 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:09.000 on the heads 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.100 of our enemies. 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.420 They are now 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.539 the ones ashamed 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.660 and probably convicted 00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:16.920 by their own selfishness. 00:20:16.920 --> 00:20:19.480 now, 00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:19.860 again, 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.800 how do we compare 00:20:20.800 --> 00:20:21.440 to this kind 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.000 of righteousness? 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.600 How do we compare 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.160 to this kind 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.560 of really 00:20:25.560 --> 00:20:26.700 it's not a big deal 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:27.960 type of attitude 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.360 to the offenses 00:20:29.360 --> 00:20:30.259 and threats 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:31.080 against us? 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.660 Verse 41, 00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:37.580 And if anyone 00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:38.360 forces you 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.220 to go one mile, 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.240 go with him 00:20:40.240 --> 00:20:41.019 two miles. 00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.040 It was a common 00:20:43.040 --> 00:20:43.880 practice in the Roman 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.960 Empire for soldiers 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:45.860 to ask random 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:47.040 civilians to carry 00:20:47.040 --> 00:20:48.360 their military 00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:49.840 equipment for them. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:50.900 Of course, 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.860 there was no other 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.259 option. 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:52.980 You could only 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.420 obey. 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.279 But the most 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:55.720 they could ask 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.640 for was one mile. 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:57.920 Now, 00:20:58.000 --> 00:20:58.840 we don't have to be 00:20:58.840 --> 00:21:00.080 experts in the culture 00:21:00.080 --> 00:21:00.680 of that time 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.160 to know 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.560 that the Israelites 00:21:02.560 --> 00:21:03.460 didn't like 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:03.940 the Romans 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.440 very much. 00:21:04.900 --> 00:21:05.080 I mean, 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.580 they invaded 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:06.860 their country, 00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:07.920 taxed them, 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.700 and abused them 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.500 in several ways. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:10.380 So, 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.080 you can imagine 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:11.720 how they felt 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.140 about these 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.440 mile-long heavy lifting. 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.519 Now, 00:21:16.600 --> 00:21:17.539 how do we deal 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.700 with those 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:19.519 who have authority 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.279 over us, 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.299 especially 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:23.080 when things 00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:23.860 seem to go 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:25.019 against us 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:26.279 in a discomforting 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:26.519 way? 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.120 Are we more 00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:29.660 inclined 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.759 to submit 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.720 and endure 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.740 with patience 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.360 and grace, 00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.940 even if it seems 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.279 unfair at the 00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:36.580 moment? 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:38.660 Or are we 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.640 too concerned 00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:41.180 with reclaiming 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.820 our rights 00:21:41.820 --> 00:21:43.180 to even think 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:43.900 about submitting, 00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:45.279 let alone 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.340 walking the extra 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:46.680 mile? 00:21:48.360 --> 00:21:48.960 Again, 00:21:49.040 --> 00:21:49.680 it's not about 00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:50.600 making little rules 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:51.380 for every situation 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.120 where we can't ever 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:52.900 deviate from them, 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.300 but it's a matter 00:21:54.300 --> 00:21:55.140 of the heart, 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.000 a desire 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.279 and posture 00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.420 of fighting 00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.039 against 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.160 all inclination 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.079 that tell us 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.000 to fight back 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.819 and to hold 00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.299 our ground 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.079 when we feel 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:07.059 attacked by others 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:08.079 in our pride. 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:10.700 And with the 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.359 examples we've 00:22:11.359 --> 00:22:12.039 seen so far, 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:12.740 we can start 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.599 to sketch out 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.879 a better understanding 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.480 of what true 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.319 righteousness is 00:22:16.319 --> 00:22:16.980 in this text. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.079 You see, 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:19.059 it's not really 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.920 just about 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.539 not resisting 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.579 the evil person, 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.559 as verse 39 00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.299 seemed to indicate, 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.759 but true 00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:26.359 righteousness 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:28.319 abandons 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:30.279 sinful impulses 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:32.220 of self-preservation. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:34.799 What do I mean 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.180 by that? 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:38.059 Not only are we 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:39.159 to let go 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:40.059 of vengeance, 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.519 but all 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.619 sinful, 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:43.740 that is, 00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.919 all the wrong 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:46.399 impulses 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:47.379 towards 00:22:47.379 --> 00:22:48.680 self-preservation. 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:51.140 By implication, 00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.120 there are 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.779 such things 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:54.140 as good 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:54.620 impulses 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.620 of self-preservation. 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:56.500 Right? 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.360 It's good 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:59.340 for a mother 00:22:59.340 --> 00:23:00.519 to protect 00:23:00.519 --> 00:23:01.560 her life 00:23:01.560 --> 00:23:02.420 and health 00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.600 so she can 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:04.200 take good care 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:04.840 of her kids, 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.940 whether it be 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.519 her life 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.120 from the attacks 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:07.620 of others 00:23:07.620 --> 00:23:08.640 or her health 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:09.500 from fat, 00:23:09.820 --> 00:23:10.299 trans fat, 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.080 fat trans, 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.960 I don't know 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.560 how to say that. 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:13.440 You know, 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:13.960 eating well. 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.940 It is not good, 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:17.320 however, 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.659 for a mother 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.359 to yell 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.119 at a stranger 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:20.879 who cut her 00:23:20.879 --> 00:23:21.559 off in traffic 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.480 so her daughter 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.139 will see her 00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.899 as the strong 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.720 independent woman 00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.299 she always 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.339 dreams for her 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:26.819 kid to be. 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.740 That's not 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.460 the type of 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.099 impulse 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:32.299 to preserve. 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.299 Of course, 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:35.740 too, 00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:37.039 we should all 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.700 be concerned 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:39.119 for justice 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:39.879 and for those 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.819 who are abused 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.679 and afflicted. 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.899 Isaiah 1.17 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.339 says, 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.599 Seek justice, 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:46.960 defend the oppressed, 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.019 take up the cause 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:48.779 of the fatherless, 00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:49.660 plead the case 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.140 of the widow, 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:51.220 and so on. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.440 And these things 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.559 are especially relevant 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:54.380 here in the U.S., 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.019 and I don't want to 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:55.960 downplay them 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.500 at all. 00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.640 But the question is, 00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:01.000 what are you really 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:02.980 trying to preserve 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.220 or fight for? 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.980 Are you standing 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.559 for those 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.279 who are suffering 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.019 justice 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:10.480 or just for your 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.420 personal honor 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.220 and in some 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.160 twisted way 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.160 making everything 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.060 about your pride 00:24:15.060 --> 00:24:16.060 and your personal 00:24:16.060 --> 00:24:18.019 self and pride? 00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.460 The point 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.220 is simple 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.180 to understand 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.279 but is 00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:24.240 so hard 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.800 to apply. 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.259 What heart 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:27.980 inclination 00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:29.000 are you going 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:29.759 to listen to 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.940 before your next 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.300 step? 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.540 Is it one that 00:24:32.540 --> 00:24:33.120 simply wants to 00:24:33.120 --> 00:24:34.080 reclaim your honor, 00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.740 your time, 00:24:34.840 --> 00:24:35.340 your energy, 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.040 your rights, 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.900 your self-esteem, 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.920 your social status? 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:40.080 Don't listen 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:40.840 to that anymore. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.620 Verse 42. 00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.380 Give to the one 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:48.660 who begs from you 00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.920 and do not refuse 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:50.759 the one who wants 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.660 to borrow from you. 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:54.640 Now, 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.960 what does this verse 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:57.080 have in common 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.279 with the ones 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.360 that came before it? 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:01.120 It does not follow 00:25:01.120 --> 00:25:01.840 the same pattern 00:25:01.840 --> 00:25:03.039 of if this, 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.740 then that. 00:25:04.320 --> 00:25:04.980 And it's not really 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:05.840 about vengeance 00:25:05.840 --> 00:25:07.080 like the previous ones. 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.819 So, 00:25:07.919 --> 00:25:08.720 what brings all 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.699 these verses together? 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.500 What do they 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.220 have in common? 00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.839 If we look closely 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.779 at these examples, 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:15.899 we'll see that 00:25:15.899 --> 00:25:16.720 in all of them, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:17.879 without exception, 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.339 the controlling 00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.299 impulse 00:25:20.299 --> 00:25:21.539 from our sinful nature 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:23.019 is to fight 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:24.099 to preserve 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.819 something. 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.919 Think about it. 00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:28.759 The person 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.579 who slaps back 00:25:29.579 --> 00:25:30.159 instead of giving 00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:30.819 the other cheek 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:32.439 isn't really trying 00:25:32.439 --> 00:25:33.740 to hurt 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:34.659 the other person 00:25:34.659 --> 00:25:36.199 in their face 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.519 but to put them 00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:38.440 back on equal 00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.440 grounds of honor. 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.120 The heart 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.740 is begging 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.420 to have its 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.259 treasured honor 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.580 back. 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.340 The one who 00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:46.019 fights back 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.240 against those 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.940 who want to sue 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:48.240 them 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:49.519 do not necessarily 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.180 want something 00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:51.240 from that person 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.400 but they want 00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:52.779 to say, 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.039 hey, 00:25:54.240 --> 00:25:55.620 I'm no pushover. 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.799 I don't care 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.539 if it's a shirt, 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.420 a blouse, 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:00.759 or even a sock. 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:02.279 I will not let you 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.900 go out there 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.640 as if you're 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.640 somehow above me. 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:06.320 The one who 00:26:06.320 --> 00:26:07.180 resists the 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.040 inconvenience 00:26:08.040 --> 00:26:08.700 of walking 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:09.080 the mile 00:26:09.080 --> 00:26:09.620 requested 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.940 is saying 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.480 in his heart, 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:12.840 why me? 00:26:13.680 --> 00:26:14.400 Why am I 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:14.920 always the one 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.320 who needs to 00:26:15.320 --> 00:26:15.620 put up 00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:15.940 with this 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.500 kind of stuff? 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.520 Ask Steve 00:26:18.520 --> 00:26:19.660 or Pastor Mike 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.120 or something. 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.780 Don't ask me. 00:26:23.300 --> 00:26:23.860 And finally, 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:24.720 of the one 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.180 to whom 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:26.140 people are asking 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:27.340 and to whom 00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:27.680 they want 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.520 to borrow from, 00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:29.980 what are they 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:30.860 seeking to preserve? 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.100 Money. 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:34.520 Right? 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:36.540 I mean, 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:37.660 they think, 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.680 it's my money 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:39.520 after all 00:26:39.520 --> 00:26:40.740 and I can do 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.000 with it 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.840 whatever I want. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.140 And if you're 00:26:43.140 --> 00:26:43.440 going to get 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:43.900 any money 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:44.320 from me, 00:26:44.780 --> 00:26:45.340 you better give 00:26:45.340 --> 00:26:45.759 me a pretty 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.259 good reason 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.680 why I should 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.300 trust you 00:26:47.300 --> 00:26:48.220 and I will 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.620 treat you 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:48.960 like you're 00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.540 beneath me 00:26:49.540 --> 00:26:50.180 the whole time 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:50.580 until you 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.120 pay me back 00:26:51.120 --> 00:26:51.720 every cent. 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.440 Obviously, 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.440 just like 00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:56.759 the other 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.200 examples, 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.460 this does not 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.000 mean that we 00:26:59.000 --> 00:26:59.440 must give 00:26:59.440 --> 00:26:59.860 money to 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.320 everyone 00:27:00.320 --> 00:27:01.520 who asks 00:27:01.520 --> 00:27:02.200 every time. 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:03.799 demanding 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.220 this 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.860 is making 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:05.160 the same 00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:05.519 mistake 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:05.819 as the 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.059 person 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.420 who says 00:27:06.420 --> 00:27:06.640 that there 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:06.920 is never 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.420 space for 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.059 retaliation 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.600 and justice 00:27:08.600 --> 00:27:09.360 just because 00:27:09.360 --> 00:27:09.880 Jesus told 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:10.240 us to give 00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.500 the other 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:10.740 cheek. 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.840 We are 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.519 instead supposed 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.039 to have a 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.720 certain view 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.860 of our 00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:16.160 money 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:17.100 that is not 00:27:17.100 --> 00:27:18.120 striving to 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:18.799 preserve it 00:27:18.799 --> 00:27:19.580 at all times 00:27:19.580 --> 00:27:20.480 just for the 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:21.039 sake of it 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.920 or for the 00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.759 love of it. 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.299 We are to be 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:25.180 generous people. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:27.720 on the 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.180 other hand, 00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:28.960 it's not 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:29.640 because someone 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.799 asks for 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:31.080 money. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.420 That money 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:32.820 is what 00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:33.279 they need 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.960 or even 00:27:33.960 --> 00:27:34.460 what's the 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:34.960 most loving 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.380 thing to 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.759 give them. 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:36.600 Right? 00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:38.180 Let's say 00:27:38.180 --> 00:27:38.700 it's summertime 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.779 and you're 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.380 eating outside 00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:40.740 at one of 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.240 the restaurants 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.640 downtown 00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:43.000 and a 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.580 disheveled 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.620 man smelling 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:45.519 like alcohol 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.759 comes up to 00:27:46.759 --> 00:27:47.220 you and 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.620 asks for 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.320 five bucks 00:27:48.320 --> 00:27:48.840 to get 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:49.180 something to 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.380 eat. 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.660 In this 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:53.060 instance, 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:54.700 how does 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:54.940 want to 00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:55.440 obey what 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:55.819 Jesus is 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:56.299 requiring 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.640 in verse 00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.059 42? 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.480 What is 00:27:58.480 --> 00:27:58.799 the best 00:27:58.799 --> 00:27:59.160 way to 00:27:59.160 --> 00:27:59.620 help this 00:27:59.620 --> 00:27:59.880 man? 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:00.720 Is it 00:28:00.720 --> 00:28:01.340 to give 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:01.600 him the 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:01.880 cash? 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.660 Well, 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.319 here's what 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:04.620 you could 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:04.840 do. 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:05.500 You could 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:05.799 say to 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:05.980 them, 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:06.559 sir, 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:06.940 I'm not 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.120 going to 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.480 give you 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:07.960 any money 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.779 but I'll 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.120 do something 00:28:09.120 --> 00:28:09.420 better. 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.039 Just pick 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.480 something off 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.799 the menu 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.240 here and 00:28:11.240 --> 00:28:11.559 I'll buy 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:11.799 it for 00:28:11.799 --> 00:28:12.019 you. 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.059 In doing 00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.420 so, 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.039 you obey 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.559 Jesus by 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.220 not refusing 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:16.600 the one 00:28:16.600 --> 00:28:17.160 who's asking 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.620 and you 00:28:18.620 --> 00:28:19.740 avoid unwisely 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.480 contributing to 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:20.880 something that 00:28:20.880 --> 00:28:21.460 might be harmful 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:22.200 to the person 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.019 that is 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:23.420 alcohol. 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.420 You help 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.059 him without 00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.779 hurting him 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:27.980 and that's 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.620 true righteousness. 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:31.559 So, 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:31.900 you see, 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.580 this whole 00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:34.019 section is 00:28:34.019 --> 00:28:34.559 not just 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:35.539 about not 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.700 giving vengeance 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.519 or revenge 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:38.779 and at this 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:39.259 point it's 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.299 clear that 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.100 true righteousness 00:28:41.100 --> 00:28:42.240 also does not 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:43.480 stop at 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.259 abandoning the 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.080 sinful impulses 00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:46.100 of self-preservation. 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:48.619 true righteousness 00:28:48.619 --> 00:28:51.259 also embraces 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:52.779 a lifestyle 00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:54.179 of mercy 00:28:54.179 --> 00:28:55.099 and grace. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.740 Mercy 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.959 does not 00:28:58.959 --> 00:28:59.879 give what 00:28:59.879 --> 00:29:00.379 the person 00:29:00.379 --> 00:29:00.859 deserves. 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.619 The person 00:29:02.619 --> 00:29:03.219 who offends 00:29:03.219 --> 00:29:04.219 you deserves 00:29:04.219 --> 00:29:04.599 punishment. 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.039 You don't 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.559 give that to 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:05.740 them. 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:07.279 Grace 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:08.980 gives even 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.319 when they 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:09.959 don't deserve 00:29:09.959 --> 00:29:10.199 it, 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:10.740 especially 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.319 because they 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:11.819 don't deserve 00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.000 it. 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.319 Our offenders 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:13.899 and those who 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.599 beg from us 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.740 are not entitled 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:16.639 to anything 00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.299 from us, 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.240 but we give 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:18.639 it to them 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.079 anyway. 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:21.279 As imitators 00:29:21.279 --> 00:29:21.740 of God 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.619 himself who 00:29:22.619 --> 00:29:23.000 does the 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.439 same thing 00:29:23.439 --> 00:29:23.959 for us. 00:29:24.399 --> 00:29:24.819 As Jesus 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.279 will say in 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:25.500 a few 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:25.919 verses, 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:26.939 love your 00:29:26.939 --> 00:29:27.919 enemies so 00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:28.359 that you may 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:28.939 be sons of 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:29.439 your fathers, 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.179 that is, 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.859 imitators of 00:29:30.859 --> 00:29:31.299 your fathers. 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.199 For he 00:29:32.199 --> 00:29:32.659 makes his 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:34.059 son rise on 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.439 the evil 00:29:34.439 --> 00:29:34.919 and on the 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.179 good, 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.039 and he 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:37.159 sends rain 00:29:37.159 --> 00:29:37.839 on the just 00:29:37.839 --> 00:29:38.659 and on the 00:29:38.659 --> 00:29:39.039 unjust. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.599 So, 00:29:40.699 --> 00:29:41.039 what Jesus 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.679 is saying 00:29:41.679 --> 00:29:42.980 in all these 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.579 five verses 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.579 is that 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:45.379 true righteousness 00:29:45.379 --> 00:29:47.299 both abandons 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.599 sinful impulses 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.939 of self-preservation 00:29:49.939 --> 00:29:51.599 and it 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.240 also 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.399 embraces 00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.460 a lifestyle 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:55.679 of mercy 00:29:55.679 --> 00:29:56.759 and of grace. 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.539 And I think 00:29:58.539 --> 00:29:59.019 we can all 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.879 agree that 00:29:59.879 --> 00:30:00.460 in one degree 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:00.980 or another 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:02.359 we all fall 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:03.079 short of this. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.740 So, 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.139 with that in 00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:05.319 mind, 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:05.960 we come to 00:30:05.960 --> 00:30:06.419 our second 00:30:06.419 --> 00:30:07.119 and final 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.559 point. 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:09.599 How does 00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.139 this teaching 00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:10.639 point us 00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.179 to Jesus 00:30:11.179 --> 00:30:11.699 as the 00:30:11.699 --> 00:30:12.099 fulfillment 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:12.659 of all 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.080 righteousness 00:30:13.080 --> 00:30:13.940 and why 00:30:13.940 --> 00:30:14.340 is that 00:30:14.340 --> 00:30:15.019 good news 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.500 for us? 00:30:16.759 --> 00:30:17.240 So, 00:30:17.300 --> 00:30:17.519 friends, 00:30:18.340 --> 00:30:18.720 the thing 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.460 about these 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.120 early chapters 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:20.720 of Matthew's 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:21.880 gospel is 00:30:21.880 --> 00:30:22.480 that when we 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:22.960 look at the 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.779 Sermon on the 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.040 Mount, 00:30:24.440 --> 00:30:24.920 we're only 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.700 getting a 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:26.900 glimpse of 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.200 the whole 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.540 story. 00:30:28.120 --> 00:30:28.560 We're taking 00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:29.040 a peek at 00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:29.640 the guest 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.320 room when 00:30:30.320 --> 00:30:30.779 he's building 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.200 this whole 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.060 house in 00:30:32.060 --> 00:30:32.400 the book. 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.620 He's inviting 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.019 us, 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.500 Matthew, 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:36.440 the author 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:36.920 of this 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.220 gospel, 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:37.880 to continue 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.560 reading so 00:30:38.560 --> 00:30:39.120 we can fully 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:40.200 understand what 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:40.920 Jesus means 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.600 with being 00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.240 the fulfillment 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:42.620 of the 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:42.800 law. 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:44.340 If you 00:30:44.340 --> 00:30:45.060 remember a 00:30:45.060 --> 00:30:45.440 few verses 00:30:45.440 --> 00:30:45.800 earlier, 00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.460 verse 17, 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:47.259 he said, 00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:47.820 do not 00:30:47.820 --> 00:30:48.140 think that I 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:48.380 have come 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:49.000 to abolish 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.300 the law 00:30:49.300 --> 00:30:49.480 and the 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:49.800 prophets. 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.200 I have 00:30:50.200 --> 00:30:50.460 not come 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.019 to abolish 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:51.240 them, 00:30:51.560 --> 00:30:52.019 but to 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:52.500 fulfill 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:52.759 them. 00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.480 We need 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:55.940 to understand 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.539 that Jesus 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.440 was the 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:58.640 center of 00:30:58.640 --> 00:30:59.519 everything that 00:30:59.519 --> 00:31:00.220 God's law 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.019 pointed to. 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.960 In fact, 00:31:03.519 --> 00:31:04.039 Jesus was 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.560 such a 00:31:04.560 --> 00:31:05.279 turning point 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:05.920 to the 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.440 way people 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.000 needed to 00:31:07.000 --> 00:31:07.779 see and 00:31:07.779 --> 00:31:08.340 relate to 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:09.300 God and 00:31:09.300 --> 00:31:09.779 his law, 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.859 that he 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:11.279 said things 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.639 like this 00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:11.879 throughout 00:31:11.879 --> 00:31:12.220 the whole 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.480 sermon. 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.200 You heard 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:14.460 that it 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.960 was said, 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.160 this thing 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:16.539 on the 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:16.779 law, 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.639 but I 00:31:17.639 --> 00:31:18.240 tell you, 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:19.740 this is 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.379 no ordinary 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:20.899 teacher, 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:21.759 and Matthew 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.200 makes it 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.680 clear by 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.019 the end 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.299 of the 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:23.559 sermon 00:31:23.559 --> 00:31:24.139 just how 00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:24.660 unlike 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.079 the other 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.399 teachers 00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:25.859 of Israel 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.180 Jesus 00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.579 was. 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:27.759 The 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.079 crowds 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.299 were 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:28.879 astonished 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.240 at his 00:31:29.240 --> 00:31:29.579 teaching, 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.200 for he 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:30.720 was teaching 00:31:30.720 --> 00:31:31.460 them with 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:32.079 one who 00:31:32.079 --> 00:31:32.379 had 00:31:32.379 --> 00:31:33.200 authority. 00:31:35.099 --> 00:31:35.599 What 00:31:35.599 --> 00:31:35.980 kind of 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.559 authority 00:31:36.559 --> 00:31:37.379 is this? 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:38.279 What 00:31:38.279 --> 00:31:38.639 does it 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:38.879 do? 00:31:38.880 --> 00:31:39.280 What is 00:31:39.280 --> 00:31:39.840 it for? 00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:41.140 Matthew 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.540 wants us 00:31:41.540 --> 00:31:41.880 to keep 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.160 reading. 00:31:43.300 --> 00:31:43.640 On chapter 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:43.920 9, 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.380 Jesus is 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:44.700 going to 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:45.020 heal the 00:31:45.020 --> 00:31:45.540 paralytic, 00:31:45.760 --> 00:31:46.120 and the 00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:46.500 reason why 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:46.780 he does 00:31:46.780 --> 00:31:47.380 that is, 00:31:47.800 --> 00:31:48.340 verse 6, 00:31:48.720 --> 00:31:49.020 so you 00:31:49.020 --> 00:31:49.500 may know 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.860 that the 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:50.120 Son of 00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:50.760 Man has 00:31:50.760 --> 00:31:52.040 authority on 00:31:52.040 --> 00:31:52.720 earth to 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.500 forgive sins. 00:31:54.580 --> 00:31:54.940 Likewise, 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:55.620 chapter 10, 00:31:55.680 --> 00:31:56.100 verse 1, 00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:56.840 Jesus gives 00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:57.640 his apostles 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:59.800 authority to 00:31:59.800 --> 00:32:00.380 drive out 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.280 impure spirits 00:32:01.280 --> 00:32:01.740 and heal 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.500 every disease. 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:04.420 And if we 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.040 keep reading, 00:32:05.660 --> 00:32:06.440 later on we'll 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:06.960 see Jesus 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.059 suffering without 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.980 taking revenge 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.640 into his own 00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:10.680 hands and 00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:11.440 dying a shameful 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:12.579 death though he 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:13.319 lived a sinless 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:13.740 life. 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:15.279 But by his 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:16.480 authority he 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.120 defeated the 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:17.980 grave and 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.559 raised to 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.360 life as he 00:32:19.360 --> 00:32:19.779 said he 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.059 would. 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.400 And right 00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:21.779 before he 00:32:21.779 --> 00:32:22.220 went back to 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.779 the Father he 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.319 said to the 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:23.700 apostles, 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.279 all authority 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:27.860 in heaven and 00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:28.779 on earth has 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.340 been given to 00:32:29.340 --> 00:32:29.539 me. 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:30.500 Not just 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:31.079 authority to 00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:31.740 teach, to 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.240 heal, to 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:32.620 cast out 00:32:32.620 --> 00:32:33.880 demons, but 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.920 all authority. 00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.680 Go therefore 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:38.820 by his 00:32:38.820 --> 00:32:40.600 authority and 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:41.240 make disciples 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:42.060 of all nations 00:32:42.060 --> 00:32:43.180 baptizing them 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:43.580 in the name of 00:32:43.580 --> 00:32:44.240 the Father, the 00:32:44.240 --> 00:32:44.740 Son, and the 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.360 Holy Spirit. 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:46.980 Teaching them to 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:48.080 observe all that 00:32:48.080 --> 00:32:48.840 I have commended 00:32:48.840 --> 00:32:49.140 you. 00:32:50.520 --> 00:32:51.720 And behold, I'm 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.540 with you always 00:32:52.540 --> 00:32:53.400 to the end of 00:32:53.400 --> 00:32:53.940 the age. 00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:56.720 So for 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:58.160 Matthew, the 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:59.740 pathway towards 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.700 true righteousness 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:02.600 is not first and 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:03.919 foremost to strive 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:04.919 to be a 00:33:04.919 --> 00:33:05.480 citizen of 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:05.759 heaven. 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:08.719 By ourselves, any 00:33:08.719 --> 00:33:09.939 such effort is 00:33:09.939 --> 00:33:10.480 vain. 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:11.659 As we've seen 00:33:11.659 --> 00:33:12.299 today looking at 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.539 this text and as 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.119 we know from 00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:16.500 experience, true 00:33:16.500 --> 00:33:17.819 righteousness is 00:33:17.819 --> 00:33:19.299 only found in the 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:20.399 one who holds all 00:33:20.399 --> 00:33:22.099 authority, even to 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:23.519 fulfill the law and 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.159 even to make 00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:25.000 disciples out of 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:26.779 people like us who 00:33:26.779 --> 00:33:27.619 once lived according 00:33:27.619 --> 00:33:28.480 to the values of 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.639 this world and not 00:33:29.639 --> 00:33:30.240 of his kingdom. 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:30.759 And the 00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.399 my friends, we 00:33:33.399 --> 00:33:33.980 are the 00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:35.980 benefactors of 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.079 this authority. 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.240 He's making 00:33:39.240 --> 00:33:40.319 disciples of all 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.159 the nations to 00:33:41.159 --> 00:33:41.659 this day. 00:33:42.399 --> 00:33:43.099 He has not 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:44.259 abandoned us, but 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.259 has included us 00:33:45.259 --> 00:33:46.159 into his kingdom. 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:48.079 If we by faith 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:49.299 desire to be his 00:33:49.299 --> 00:33:49.759 disciples. 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:51.579 And he will 00:33:51.579 --> 00:33:52.459 remain with us 00:33:52.459 --> 00:33:53.259 always to the 00:33:53.259 --> 00:33:53.980 end of the age. 00:33:55.859 --> 00:33:57.019 And that is a 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.919 reason for great 00:33:57.919 --> 00:33:58.299 hope. 00:33:58.299 --> 00:34:00.960 especially for 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:01.659 those of you 00:34:01.659 --> 00:34:02.940 who like me 00:34:02.940 --> 00:34:03.799 have been at 00:34:03.799 --> 00:34:04.879 times actually 00:34:04.879 --> 00:34:06.539 discouraged by a 00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.279 text like this. 00:34:07.879 --> 00:34:09.000 Not because it's 00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.079 hard to understand, 00:34:10.759 --> 00:34:11.920 you see, but 00:34:11.920 --> 00:34:12.920 because it's so 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.880 difficult to live 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:14.199 out. 00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.599 The way of life in 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:18.019 God's kingdom is so 00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:18.519 beautiful. 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:20.860 But for me, it 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.679 seems so distant 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:23.380 at times because of 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:24.099 how poorly I 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:24.900 compare to it. 00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.500 But then I'm 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:27.400 reminded of this 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:27.860 promise. 00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:30.120 the one who 00:34:30.120 --> 00:34:31.099 has all authority 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.079 and who is the 00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:33.000 fulfillment of all 00:34:33.000 --> 00:34:34.260 righteousness has 00:34:34.260 --> 00:34:35.539 called me himself 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:37.900 and guaranteed that 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.720 he will be with me 00:34:38.720 --> 00:34:39.960 always to the end 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.559 of the age. 00:34:41.300 --> 00:34:42.099 That's what gives me 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:43.120 confidence to wake 00:34:43.120 --> 00:34:44.220 up every morning to 00:34:44.220 --> 00:34:45.180 follow his footsteps. 00:34:46.700 --> 00:34:47.640 And what gives me 00:34:47.640 --> 00:34:49.900 confidence at all to 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:50.720 preach this this 00:34:50.720 --> 00:34:51.019 morning. 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:54.280 So friends, as we 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:55.740 conclude, I really 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:57.440 want us to read one 00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.760 last text as we wrap 00:34:58.760 --> 00:34:59.099 it up. 00:35:00.139 --> 00:35:01.579 You can open it with 00:35:01.579 --> 00:35:02.220 me or not. 00:35:03.320 --> 00:35:06.159 It's 1 Peter 2, 21-24. 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.639 It's a really 00:35:07.639 --> 00:35:09.000 important text and the 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:10.000 echoes to our passage 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:11.039 in Matthew 5 are just 00:35:11.039 --> 00:35:12.300 too obvious to ignore. 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:17.039 So let's read the 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.800 words of the Apostle 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:19.139 Peter who wanted to 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.900 encourage those 00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:20.559 Christians who were 00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.079 suffering under 00:35:21.079 --> 00:35:22.240 persecution to remain 00:35:22.240 --> 00:35:23.139 faithful to this 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:25.119 teaching and maybe it 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:25.740 served as an 00:35:25.739 --> 00:35:26.639 encouragement for us 00:35:26.639 --> 00:35:26.919 too. 00:35:28.919 --> 00:35:30.939 1 Peter 2, 21-24 00:35:30.939 --> 00:35:31.439 says, 00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:35.039 For to this you have 00:35:35.039 --> 00:35:37.419 been called, because 00:35:37.419 --> 00:35:38.599 Christ also suffered 00:35:38.599 --> 00:35:39.799 for you, leaving you 00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:41.439 an example so that you 00:35:41.439 --> 00:35:42.259 might follow in his 00:35:42.259 --> 00:35:42.779 footsteps. 00:35:43.819 --> 00:35:44.659 And look at the 00:35:44.659 --> 00:35:45.519 example he left to 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:46.319 those whom he called. 00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:48.639 He committed no sin, 00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:50.239 neither was deceit 00:35:50.239 --> 00:35:51.139 found in his mouth. 00:35:51.959 --> 00:35:54.159 When he was reviled, he 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:55.359 did not revile in return. 00:35:55.360 --> 00:35:57.200 When he suffered, he 00:35:57.200 --> 00:35:58.640 did not threaten, but 00:35:58.640 --> 00:36:00.120 continued entrusting 00:36:00.120 --> 00:36:01.620 himself to him who 00:36:01.620 --> 00:36:02.660 judges justly. 00:36:03.760 --> 00:36:04.880 Friends, things don't go 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.940 unnoticed in God's 00:36:05.940 --> 00:36:06.180 kingdom. 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.400 God takes vengeance for 00:36:08.400 --> 00:36:10.280 us so we don't have to 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:11.099 take it. 00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:13.440 And thankfully, he's much 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.780 more just than we'll ever 00:36:14.780 --> 00:36:15.039 be. 00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:18.260 Verse 24, he himself 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:20.240 bore our sins in his 00:36:20.240 --> 00:36:21.980 body on the cross that we 00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:23.880 might die to sin and live 00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:24.660 for righteousness. 00:36:25.559 --> 00:36:27.039 By his wounds you have 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:27.559 been healed. 00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:29.820 What a blessed hope. 00:36:31.260 --> 00:36:32.480 Friends, isn't it amazing 00:36:32.480 --> 00:36:33.579 that we can be assured 00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:35.099 that our wounds have 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:36.240 already been healed? 00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:39.140 In Christ, we can find 00:36:39.140 --> 00:36:40.300 forgiveness of our sins 00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:41.240 and all of our 00:36:41.240 --> 00:36:42.079 unrighteousness. 00:36:43.160 --> 00:36:45.820 Christ died for us so that 00:36:45.820 --> 00:36:48.119 we might die to sin and to 00:36:48.119 --> 00:36:50.820 enable us to, in fact, live 00:36:50.820 --> 00:36:52.760 for righteousness, which we 00:36:52.760 --> 00:36:53.880 can't without him. 00:36:55.019 --> 00:36:56.260 Because of the nature of 00:36:56.260 --> 00:36:57.420 our calling and what Christ 00:36:57.420 --> 00:36:59.740 has done for us, we can 00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:01.980 abandon sinful impulses of 00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:03.360 self-preservation and embrace 00:37:03.360 --> 00:37:05.320 a life of mercy and grace. 00:37:06.600 --> 00:37:08.780 And this can be true for any 00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:11.240 of us if we only take up his 00:37:11.240 --> 00:37:12.940 calling with faith and follow 00:37:12.940 --> 00:37:13.200 him. 00:37:13.199 --> 00:37:16.359 It is for this that we have 00:37:16.359 --> 00:37:18.679 been called, to follow his 00:37:18.679 --> 00:37:19.159 footsteps. 00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:22.699 And that's why he healed us, to 00:37:22.699 --> 00:37:23.439 be like him. 00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:27.859 And he empowers us to do so by 00:37:27.859 --> 00:37:29.859 his abiding presence with us. 00:37:29.860 --> 00:37:35.400 That's what a blessed life truly 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.019 looks like. 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:38.760 Not what the world has to offer 00:37:38.760 --> 00:37:40.599 with all of its advertisements 00:37:40.599 --> 00:37:43.300 and career plans and diets and 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:45.099 exercises and retirements in 00:37:45.099 --> 00:37:45.400 Florida. 00:37:47.460 --> 00:37:47.960 No. 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:50.260 True righteousness in Christ. 00:37:51.000 --> 00:37:53.240 That's the blessed life that I 00:37:53.240 --> 00:37:55.059 want for myself, for my family, 00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:57.660 for each of us today, and for 00:37:57.660 --> 00:37:59.280 God's people worldwide. 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:01.300 And I hope you want it too. 00:38:01.940 --> 00:38:02.480 Let's pray. 00:38:05.920 --> 00:38:06.860 Dear God, 00:38:07.860 --> 00:38:12.000 we are both convicted and 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:14.200 encouraged by this message, 00:38:14.360 --> 00:38:14.500 Lord. 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:19.980 Thank you because you have not 00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:21.920 left us for our own efforts. 00:38:22.920 --> 00:38:24.700 But you have empowered us, 00:38:24.880 --> 00:38:27.160 Lord, through your Holy Spirit 00:38:27.160 --> 00:38:27.860 in us. 00:38:27.860 --> 00:38:30.800 Jesus' presence with us. 00:38:31.620 --> 00:38:33.760 To live in a life of true 00:38:33.760 --> 00:38:34.220 righteousness. 00:38:34.780 --> 00:38:36.079 It will not be perfect here, 00:38:36.200 --> 00:38:36.400 Lord. 00:38:36.860 --> 00:38:37.740 We know that. 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:39.860 But we know that you're working 00:38:39.860 --> 00:38:40.539 with us. 00:38:41.099 --> 00:38:43.480 And one day, you'll bring us back 00:38:43.480 --> 00:38:44.480 to glory with you. 00:38:44.559 --> 00:38:47.160 Where we will, in fact, forever 00:38:47.160 --> 00:38:49.500 reign in righteousness with you. 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:51.460 Thank you, Lord Jesus. 00:38:51.640 --> 00:38:55.019 Help us to live out this life today 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:56.500 as we walk out. 00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:58.900 And be with us, Lord, 00:38:59.039 --> 00:38:59.820 because we need you. 00:39:00.179 --> 00:39:00.739 In Jesus' name. 00:39:00.739 --> 00:39:01.179 Amen. 00:39:01.179 --> 00:39:31.159 Thank you.