WEBVTT

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 Father, we know that it's far easier to see specks in other people's eyes than it is to see logs in our own eyes.

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 And we know in your word it says that we flatter ourselves too much to detect or hate our own sin.

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 And so, Father, we have sort of a knowledge that those are your words, but, Father, we confess that we don't really live that.

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 It's hard for us to live that and experience it.

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 And we ask, Father, that you would be very kind to us this morning and pour the Holy Spirit upon us,

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 not only us who are here, but those who are joining us via the online medium,

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 that the Holy Spirit would fall with fresh power upon us

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 and make who Jesus is and what he accomplished for us on the cross ever more real to our hearts

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 so that, Father, we might grow into that new life, that new life of self-knowledge and repentance,

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 and pursuit of justice and of mercy and of compassion that you intend for your people.

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 And we ask this in the name of Jesus, your Son and our Savior. Amen.

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 Please be seated.

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 So, imagine that, I mean, depending on your age, for me it would be maybe one of my kids brings home a boyfriend or a girlfriend.

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 For you, you have young kids or no kids, that wouldn't be the thing.

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 But maybe it's your sister, your brother, your nephew or your niece.

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 Somebody very close to you brings home somebody or brings to you to meet somebody that they've started to date.

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 And you're having a nice meal, enjoying your time together.

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 And all of a sudden, in the midst of that conversation, the person, you know,

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 so in my case might be the boyfriend or the girlfriend that one of my kids has brought home,

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 or your brother or your sister, all of a sudden in the conversation, they say a racial slur.

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 Now, for some of you, you probably are familiar with hearing racial slurs.

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 And because I know that happens, obviously, in Canada, and some of you might have friends who make racial slurs.

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 But for me, if it was like, I don't know, somebody who's come and wants to date my daughter or, you know, date my son,

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 and if they said a racial slur while we're having a conversation, like, first of all,

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 I confess for me because I'm not used to things like that happening, I would be gobsmacked.

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 Like, I'd go, did I just hear that right?

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 Like, I'd probably in first, in fact, at first sort of doubt that I actually heard it.

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 Like, I know that I heard it, but I'd sort of doubt, like, I can't have heard that.

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 Like, that's sort of amazing.

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 And then you're talking for 10 or 15 minutes more, and then they say it a second time.

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 Now you know they've said it.

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 Now, I'd like you to hold on.

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 Remember, and this is the person who wants to date your precious daughter or who's going to date your sister or your brother or your, you know,

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 somebody like that, your dad, you know, your dad or your mom are single, and they want to date them,

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 and you just heard them say these racial slurs twice.

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 Now hold that image or that example in your head as you start to read the text,

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 because it's going to help us to understand something that the Bible says, which is very powerful,

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 but not only about the issues of racism and prejudice, of favoritism and discrimination,

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 but also in terms of how on earth you have justice and how on earth you show mercy in a world where things like that happen.

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 So if you would take your Bibles and turn in them to James chapter 2, verse 8,

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 we'll look at the text and see the wisdom, the practical wisdom,

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 the very, very incisive wisdom that the Bible gives into this particular topic and issue.

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 And it goes like this.

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 And those of you who were here last week and remember, because I didn't put you to sleep,

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 or were watching it online,

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 one of the things that we talked, the main thing we talked about last week was the problem of prejudice,

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 discrimination, favoritism,

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 and how the Bible says that in fact it does not at all fit with your walk with Christ,

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 that in fact prejudice erodes faith, and faith erodes prejudice.

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 And if prejudice, favoritism, discrimination isn't being eroded in your life,

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 it could be a sign that you actually don't have a faith and trust in Jesus,

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 because it's of the nature of the gospel to erode prejudice, favoritism, and discrimination.

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 And of course racism is a very violent and hateful form of prejudice and discrimination.

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 And so the text continues.

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 That's what just went on just immediately before that,

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 and it's going to help us to understand the first little bit that's said,

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 because that's the context.

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 The Bible very firmly says, in fact, if you remember correctly,

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 in verse 1 it uses a plural word to really bring home,

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 to emphasize it, that every type and form of prejudice,

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 every type and form of discrimination,

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 every type and form of favoritism is not at all compatible with your walk with Jesus.

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 And here's how it continues in verse 8.

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 If you really fulfill, so if, it's following sort of up on,

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 in fact you could also even translate it as a bit of a however if,

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 if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture,

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 what is the royal law?

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 Well, it tells you, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

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 You are doing well.

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 But if you show partiality,

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 and that word partiality is the word that can also be translated as prejudice,

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 favoritism, or discrimination.

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 That's what the word is.

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 If you show partiality, prejudice, favoritism, or discrimination,

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 you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors,

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 which is a very strong word, violator, transgressor.

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 It's a very firm claim that you are doing something that's completely and utterly abhorrent to the royal law.

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 And the royal law, for those of you who don't know,

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 it's actually one of the interesting things about this text.

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 It shows that Matthew, I mean, James is aware of the fact that Jesus is the one who said

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 that this is the way to summarize all of what our Jewish friends call the Tanakh or the Torah,

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 when we call the Old Testament,

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 that all of the laws that you find in the Bible,

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 that are horizontal,

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 can be summarized with this one statement,

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 that you are to love your neighbor as yourself.

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 And it's also very interesting,

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 if you note in verse 8,

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 it says that we are to fulfill this law.

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 It doesn't say we are to keep it,

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 but to fulfill it.

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 There's a very, very important difference

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 between these two words, keep and fulfill.

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 And to keep it,

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 well, you keep the speed limit,

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 but you don't fulfill the speed limit.

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 To make it sort of a very obvious one,

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 you keep the speed limit,

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 but you don't fulfill it.

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 Fulfill it,

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 when it says fulfill,

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 it means that this law is propulsive.

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 It gives you a quest for life.

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 It describes where true north is,

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 so that you can orient what's going on in the world.

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 If you're in a workplace situation,

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 a family situation,

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 if you're trying to figure out how to apply the Bible,

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 and what texts are going on,

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 and what you should do,

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 that what Jesus is saying,

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 that's why it's royal,

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 because it comes from the King of kings

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 and Lord of lords,

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 is that you are to fulfill

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 loving your neighbor as yourself.

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 You're now,

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 when you become a Christian,

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 when you give your life to Jesus,

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 he in a sense gives you a boot,

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 a loving boot,

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 and says,

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 this is your quest.

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 This is where you're to be headed in your life.

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 It's not just a matter of keeping it,

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 it's a matter of fulfilling it,

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 entering into it,

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 and as we all know,

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 that if we were to try to do this in our workplace,

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 in politics,

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 in business,

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 in art,

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 in family,

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 and in neighborhood,

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 it's not just something you tick off,

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 it propels you

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 into a whole way of living,

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 and it's fulfilled with this word love,

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 and which is also going to be important,

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 we'll look at again in a moment,

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 by saying law,

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 it's not just saying something like a principle,

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 it's not like just saying like a type of logic,

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 it's also including words,

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 that to understand the words of the scripture,

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 you are to understand that they come from the heart

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 of the triune God who loves you,

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 and that because from all eternity,

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 the Father has loved the Son,

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 and the Son has loved the Father,

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 and the Holy Spirit is on one level,

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 both a loving person,

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 but also the very love that flows

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 between the Father and the Son,

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 and so every word that comes from the triune God

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 is motivated,

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 comes from love,

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 to teach you to love,

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 to propel you into love,

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 and he does this by telling you things,

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 he writes,

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 God causes words to be written,

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 in a sense rules,

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 commands,

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 that in fact,

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 the mantra which is so popular today,

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 love is love,

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 is in fact empty and vacuous,

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 you need words to describe it,

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 to ground it,

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 to propel it,

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 to help put guardrails up,

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 to give you what that end result is,

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 and that's what James is saying is all about it,

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 and so what he's saying is to show any prejudice,

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 any favoritism,

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 any discrimination,

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 violates this law,

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 and all of the laws that which it summarizes,

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 you can't say that you're keeping God's word,

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 if prejudice,

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 discrimination,

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 favoritism,

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 partiality,

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 and racism,

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 is it all a feature of your life,

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 that's what the text is saying,

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 but then,

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 the text moves,

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 in a very,

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 very,

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 challenging direction,

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 and you have to remember,

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 that when God causes his word to be written,

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 he's writing it,

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 not just for people,

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 in post-modern,

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 post-capitalist,

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 Ottawa,

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 in 2021,

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 he's writing it for,

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 people in Singapore,

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 people in Iran,

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 he's writing it for Korea,

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 he's writing it for Christians,

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 who lived 100 years ago,

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 500 years ago,

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 1,000 years ago,

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 that his word is,

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 trans-cultural,

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 trans-temporal,

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 trans-linguistic,

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 trans-ethnic,

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 trans-racial,

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 it's speaking into every culture,

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 and as we all know,

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 in many cultures,

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 it's very easy to say,

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 well,

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 look at that,

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 who would have thought,

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 that God was woke,

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 and we can give ourselves,

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 all a good pat on the back,

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 and walk out the door,

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 but no,

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 no,

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 no,

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 no,

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 no,

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 no,

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 the Bible never allows us,

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 love never allows us,

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 to flatter ourselves,

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 and pat ourselves on the back,

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 let us go off,

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 thinking,

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 well,

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 you know,

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 I did that,

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 good guy,

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 good on me,

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 it takes a bit of a turn,

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 look at what it does in verse 10,

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 and by the way,

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 if you go back and look at it later,

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 you'll notice,

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 this is one of the strengths,

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 of the English Standard Version,

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 I don't,

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 in my private devotions,

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 I read the NIV,

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 true confession,

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 my ESV,

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 groupie friends,

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 will all now not like me,

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 I'll probably get hate mail,

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 but the NIV is just very easy,

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 to read in my normal devotions,

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 and preaching,

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 I always use the ESV,

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 one of the things the ESV does,

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 it's very good at getting,

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 connector words,

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 which the NIV,

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 to make it easier to read,

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 will smooth over often,

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 or the New Living Translation,

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 another fine translation,

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 you go back,

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 and you'll notice the for,

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 the for,

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 the if,

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 the if,

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 buts that go through,

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 it's like there's a connection,

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 that goes through these verses,

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 so note,

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 in verse 10,

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 it goes like this,

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 sorry,

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 that was the grammar geek moment,

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 I just lost some of you,

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 and some of you are going,

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 whoa,

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 look at that grammar geek stuff,

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 yeah,

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 anyway,

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 so,

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 for,

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 whoever keeps the whole law,

00:11:35.080 --> 00:11:37.020
 but fails in one point,

00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:39.900
 has become accountable for all of it,

00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:41.379
 for he who said,

00:11:41.500 --> 00:11:42.440
 do not commit adultery,

00:11:42.520 --> 00:11:43.120
 also said,

00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:43.820
 do not murder,

00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:46.020
 if you do not commit adultery,

00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:46.900
 but you do murder,

00:11:47.020 --> 00:11:48.760
 you have become a transgressor,

00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:50.040
 of the law,

00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:53.020
 now this is a bit confusing,

00:11:53.600 --> 00:11:54.620
 when we read it,

00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:55.540
 in fact,

00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:57.740
 some people,

00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:58.759
 will say,

00:11:59.259 --> 00:11:59.439
 okay,

00:11:59.539 --> 00:11:59.779
 George,

00:11:59.839 --> 00:12:00.899
 is that saying that,

00:12:01.419 --> 00:12:01.819
 I don't know,

00:12:01.899 --> 00:12:03.419
 like me showing a little bit of,

00:12:03.539 --> 00:12:03.699
 like,

00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:03.980
 you know,

00:12:04.079 --> 00:12:04.399
 is George,

00:12:04.459 --> 00:12:05.399
 is that saying that,

00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:07.599
 when it comes time for my taxes,

00:12:07.959 --> 00:12:08.719
 if I,

00:12:09.159 --> 00:12:10.419
 sort of,

00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:12.360
 try to get away,

00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:14.599
 with a couple of income tax returns,

00:12:14.599 --> 00:12:16.199
 that I did in 2021,

00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:18.059
 but it's going to really help me in 2020,

00:12:18.199 --> 00:12:19.299
 and I try to slip them in,

00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:20.519
 and hope they don't notice,

00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:22.039
 so I get a better tax,

00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:22.259
 like,

00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:23.220
 are you saying,

00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:24.519
 that's the same as rape?

00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:26.639
 That's the same as murder?

00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:28.460
 Like,

00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:28.720
 George,

00:12:28.840 --> 00:12:29.620
 how does that make,

00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:31.039
 any type of sense?

00:12:31.819 --> 00:12:32.159
 And,

00:12:32.199 --> 00:12:33.340
 and if that's the case,

00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:33.639
 then,

00:12:34.199 --> 00:12:34.960
 isn't the Bible,

00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.759
 just completely,

00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:37.199
 and utterly undercutting,

00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.500
 any attempt,

00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:39.779
 to live a moral life?

00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:40.919
 Like,

00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:41.539
 I thought that was,

00:12:41.620 --> 00:12:42.819
 sort of important to Christians.

00:12:43.740 --> 00:12:43.980
 So,

00:12:44.179 --> 00:12:44.399
 like,

00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:45.159
 that doesn't make,

00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:45.740
 any,

00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:46.679
 any type of,

00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:48.319
 any type of sense,

00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:48.939
 at all.

00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:50.620
 And,

00:12:50.680 --> 00:12:51.380
 and as well as that,

00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:51.840
 don't you think,

00:12:51.940 --> 00:12:52.120
 George,

00:12:52.160 --> 00:12:53.680
 that's a bit harsh on people?

00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:54.840
 Like,

00:12:54.860 --> 00:12:56.100
 a bit judgmental?

00:12:56.540 --> 00:12:56.800
 Like,

00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:58.300
 how is that a loving thing,

00:12:58.320 --> 00:13:00.640
 to sort of make such a blanket statement,

00:13:00.640 --> 00:13:01.440
 about people?

00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:02.820
 So,

00:13:02.880 --> 00:13:03.900
 you sort of go from thinking,

00:13:04.020 --> 00:13:04.100
 okay,

00:13:04.160 --> 00:13:05.460
 this is pretty powerful stuff,

00:13:05.540 --> 00:13:06.060
 good stuff,

00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:06.640
 you know,

00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:07.100
 love,

00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:07.740
 a quest,

00:13:07.880 --> 00:13:08.000
 like,

00:13:08.060 --> 00:13:09.660
 that's stuff that we can understand,

00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.340
 can get behind,

00:13:10.420 --> 00:13:11.440
 we might not be able to live it,

00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:12.080
 but we can get behind it,

00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.300
 and it now goes and says something,

00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:13.560
 which,

00:13:14.020 --> 00:13:14.580
 for many of us,

00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:16.080
 we think is maybe a bit extreme,

00:13:16.640 --> 00:13:17.360
 and not loving.

00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:19.240
 So,

00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:19.580
 what's,

00:13:19.640 --> 00:13:21.020
 what's going on here in the text?

00:13:22.040 --> 00:13:23.360
 Let's think back to the story,

00:13:23.440 --> 00:13:23.980
 if you remember,

00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:25.080
 if I haven't put you to sleep,

00:13:25.260 --> 00:13:26.180
 with this story,

00:13:26.400 --> 00:13:28.460
 the illustration that I gave at the beginning of the service.

00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.880
 What happens if,

00:13:31.420 --> 00:13:32.100
 your sister,

00:13:32.260 --> 00:13:32.760
 your brother,

00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.740
 your kid,

00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.000
 your dad,

00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:35.560
 your mom,

00:13:35.680 --> 00:13:36.920
 brings home their new boyfriend,

00:13:37.040 --> 00:13:37.600
 or girlfriend,

00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:39.580
 and in the course of the conversation,

00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:40.860
 they,

00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:43.000
 they give you two racial slurs.

00:13:45.720 --> 00:13:46.080
 Now,

00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:47.520
 true confession,

00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:48.480
 in,

00:13:48.540 --> 00:13:49.360
 in our house,

00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:50.180
 I mean,

00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:50.800
 I would probably,

00:13:50.920 --> 00:13:52.740
 I would probably just be sitting there thinking,

00:13:52.840 --> 00:13:53.520
 I don't know what to say,

00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:55.180
 my wife would go after the person.

00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:56.680
 Like,

00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.460
 this is a good thing,

00:13:57.520 --> 00:13:57.820
 by the way,

00:13:57.860 --> 00:13:59.080
 this isn't a put down for my wife,

00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:00.660
 this is a good thing about my wife,

00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:00.920
 she,

00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:03.100
 she would say something about it,

00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:04.200
 she'd step right up to it,

00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:04.340
 I,

00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:04.600
 I,

00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:06.100
 maybe not quite know what to say.

00:14:06.560 --> 00:14:07.840
 I'd probably rather say,

00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:09.200
 I'd like to think about it for a week,

00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:10.019
 and then do a sermon,

00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:10.899
 and talk about it,

00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:12.200
 rather than knowing what I'd say,

00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.240
 right in the moment.

00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:13.840
 But,

00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:16.139
 what would you say,

00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:18.080
 how many of you would believe the person,

00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:18.540
 if they said,

00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:18.800
 oh,

00:14:18.920 --> 00:14:19.180
 listen,

00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:19.500
 you know,

00:14:19.540 --> 00:14:19.720
 just,

00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.840
 I had a glass of wine,

00:14:21.040 --> 00:14:21.360
 you know,

00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:22.960
 it doesn't mean anything,

00:14:23.300 --> 00:14:24.340
 it's just a bit of a joke,

00:14:24.680 --> 00:14:25.200
 you know,

00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.060
 I'm under a lot of stress,

00:14:26.080 --> 00:14:27.379
 and they come up with a few excuses.

00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:29.040
 How many of you would buy it?

00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.940
 Zero of you would buy it.

00:14:32.960 --> 00:14:35.540
 How many of you would be desperately concerned,

00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:37.300
 that your daughter,

00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.100
 your son,

00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.800
 your sister,

00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:39.399
 your brother,

00:14:39.540 --> 00:14:39.920
 your mother,

00:14:40.040 --> 00:14:40.639
 your father,

00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:43.340
 is going to actually date this person,

00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:44.620
 and maybe marry them.

00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:46.560
 How many of you would be deeply concerned?

00:14:46.879 --> 00:14:47.200
 Why?

00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:49.759
 Because you don't believe for a moment,

00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:51.620
 that it's just a slip of the tongue.

00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:54.759
 What do every one of us believe?

00:14:55.320 --> 00:14:58.080
 That it reveals something dark,

00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:58.980
 and twisted,

00:14:59.279 --> 00:15:00.220
 and wrong,

00:15:00.820 --> 00:15:01.980
 in that person.

00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:03.980
 That's what all of us would believe.

00:15:04.720 --> 00:15:06.980
 It reveals something dark,

00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:07.740
 and twisted,

00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:08.639
 and wrong,

00:15:09.420 --> 00:15:10.300
 in that person.

00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:13.560
 What the Bible is doing here,

00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.920
 is it's actually saying,

00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:16.920
 first of all,

00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:18.300
 the text is not saying,

00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:19.200
 that there's no difference,

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.259
 between small sins,

00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:20.960
 and big sins.

00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:22.960
 It's not saying,

00:15:23.060 --> 00:15:24.399
 that some tiny little lie,

00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.139
 that you've just said,

00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:26.279
 is the exact same thing,

00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:28.379
 as raping somebody.

00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:30.759
 It's not saying,

00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.460
 there's no difference,

00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.019
 between small and big sins.

00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:34.840
 It is saying,

00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:37.320
 that even the smallest sin,

00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.679
 is revelatory.

00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:41.759
 That even the smallest sin,

00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:44.360
 reveals something,

00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:45.879
 about who you are.

00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:47.519
 That there is in fact,

00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:49.039
 something within you,

00:15:50.200 --> 00:15:51.720
 that is dark,

00:15:51.899 --> 00:15:52.399
 and twisted,

00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.779
 and not right.

00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:59.379
 Now it's really funny,

00:15:59.459 --> 00:16:00.159
 in our culture,

00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:02.779
 our culture,

00:16:03.079 --> 00:16:03.939
 doesn't know,

00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:05.199
 how to deal with this.

00:16:06.360 --> 00:16:07.559
 On one hand,

00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.299
 if I was to say that,

00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:10.980
 I mean,

00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:11.639
 once you actually,

00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.939
 can sit in coffee shops,

00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:13.480
 and all again,

00:16:13.579 --> 00:16:14.699
 or more coffee shops,

00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.860
 and just a couple of them,

00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:17.179
 if I was to say that,

00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.799
 to some people,

00:16:17.839 --> 00:16:18.620
 they'd probably say,

00:16:18.699 --> 00:16:18.879
 George,

00:16:18.919 --> 00:16:19.879
 that's a terrible view,

00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.539
 of human nature,

00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:21.459
 it's just wrong.

00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:24.139
 At the same time,

00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:27.680
 I would say to them,

00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:29.620
 but if somebody told you,

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.620
 that their 10 year old,

00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.220
 was perfect,

00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:32.440
 and never done anything wrong,

00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.480
 in their entire life,

00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:34.740
 would you believe them?

00:16:36.200 --> 00:16:36.759
 In fact,

00:16:36.800 --> 00:16:37.340
 if they said it,

00:16:37.420 --> 00:16:38.280
 with a very satisfied,

00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.540
 self-confident smile,

00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:40.180
 wouldn't it make you,

00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:40.920
 want to gag?

00:16:42.900 --> 00:16:43.639
 Wouldn't you say,

00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.519
 that it only shows,

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.820
 that they're not very smart,

00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.600
 or very wise,

00:16:47.660 --> 00:16:48.460
 or very attentive?

00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:50.700
 In fact,

00:16:50.700 --> 00:16:51.520
 isn't it the case,

00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:52.640
 that in every movie,

00:16:52.780 --> 00:16:53.460
 you watch,

00:16:54.060 --> 00:16:55.240
 or every story,

00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.100
 you read,

00:16:56.640 --> 00:16:58.259
 that if you see something,

00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:58.920
 where it looks,

00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.480
 as if everybody is perfect,

00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:01.500
 it means there is,

00:17:01.640 --> 00:17:03.040
 a great evil behind it.

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.200
 So why is it,

00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.019
 on one hand,

00:17:08.100 --> 00:17:08.920
 that our culture,

00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:09.860
 on one hand,

00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:10.759
 is addicted,

00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:11.819
 to the idea,

00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:12.799
 that fundamentally,

00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.840
 within us,

00:17:15.120 --> 00:17:16.299
 there is fundamentally,

00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:17.819
 that we're fundamentally good,

00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:19.059
 yet at the same time,

00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:20.159
 in our culture,

00:17:20.159 --> 00:17:21.720
 we have a disbelief,

00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.899
 that anybody can actually,

00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.839
 act out of that,

00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.759
 fundamental goodness,

00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:25.799
 and only be good.

00:17:30.419 --> 00:17:31.139
 Why is it,

00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:32.460
 that we have those two things,

00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.019
 in our head,

00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.740
 and it's the reason,

00:17:33.879 --> 00:17:33.899
 is,

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.700
 and we don't know,

00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.700
 how to put them together,

00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:37.279
 only the biblical gospel,

00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:39.200
 helps us to wisely,

00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.099
 put them together,

00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:41.039
 without despair.

00:17:42.720 --> 00:17:43.339
 Because you see,

00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:44.399
 that's what often happens,

00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:44.980
 in our culture,

00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:46.000
 we either despair,

00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:47.259
 of human beings,

00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:49.099
 or we end up,

00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.319
 trying to ignore,

00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.819
 the reality of human beings,

00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.420
 and have an overly exalted,

00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:54.360
 view,

00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.579
 of their goodness,

00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.519
 their niceness,

00:17:57.240 --> 00:17:58.200
 and if not of,

00:17:58.279 --> 00:17:59.220
 them in general,

00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:00.079
 of myself,

00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:00.860
 in particular.

00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:04.400
 And the Bible here,

00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:05.220
 is actually pointing,

00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:05.720
 at something,

00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:07.539
 which is profoundly wise,

00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.680
 profoundly wise,

00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.299
 wise,

00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:12.000
 that every thing,

00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:14.160
 every time we do something,

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.460
 which is wrong,

00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.259
 it reveals,

00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:19.279
 something about our state,

00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:21.279
 and it also reveals,

00:18:21.619 --> 00:18:22.779
 that we can't fix it,

00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:23.240
 because we know,

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.240
 we can't fix it.

00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:26.500
 So,

00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:29.599
 some of us might say,

00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.720
 well that's a bit of a bleak view,

00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.259
 of what it means,

00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.160
 to be a human being,

00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:34.839
 and some might actually say,

00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.220
 well that's sort of,

00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:35.960
 what I thought about,

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.900
 about Christians,

00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.119
 that Christians just have,

00:18:38.180 --> 00:18:38.880
 this view that,

00:18:39.180 --> 00:18:40.039
 everything is bad,

00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:40.799
 everybody's wicked,

00:18:40.940 --> 00:18:41.819
 everybody's a sinner,

00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.859
 like on Saturday Night Live,

00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:45.140
 if they had somebody,

00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.460
 begin the skit by saying,

00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:47.059
 I am a sinner,

00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:48.059
 everybody would laugh,

00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:48.680
 because they know,

00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:49.940
 that there's a joke coming up,

00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.299
 that they'll make fun,

00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:51.859
 of it.

00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:53.579
 And so,

00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.339
 some might say,

00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.180
 well okay George,

00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:56.240
 you don't realize it,

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:58.180
 but you're in a Saturday Night Live,

00:18:58.539 --> 00:18:59.000
 skit,

00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:00.480
 and one of the weird things,

00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.140
 about Christians,

00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.039
 is they don't laugh,

00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:02.680
 they all listen,

00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.839
 but all of us watching,

00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:04.480
 we're laughing,

00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.480
 because we know it's,

00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:06.220
 so,

00:19:07.380 --> 00:19:08.000
 well let's see,

00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:09.140
 the Bible moves,

00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:10.839
 both deepens the issue,

00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:12.980
 and also gives resolution,

00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:13.899
 and hope,

00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:15.259
 in the next two words.

00:19:15.959 --> 00:19:17.099
 And it goes like this,

00:19:17.159 --> 00:19:18.539
 in verses 12 and 13,

00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.259
 so,

00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.539
 that's a follow word,

00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:21.740
 right,

00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.259
 if look at,

00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.699
 actually we'll read verse 11 again,

00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:25.019
 for he who said,

00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:26.180
 do not commit adultery,

00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.980
 also said,

00:19:28.039 --> 00:19:28.660
 do not murder,

00:19:28.880 --> 00:19:30.460
 if you do not commit adultery,

00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.259
 but do murder,

00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:32.779
 you have become a transgressor,

00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.299
 of the law,

00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.319
 so,

00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:35.819
 in other words,

00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:36.860
 how shall we then live,

00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.019
 speak,

00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.100
 and so act,

00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:40.740
 as those who are to be judged,

00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:41.960
 under the law,

00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:42.840
 of liberty,

00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.600
 for judgment,

00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.920
 is without mercy,

00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.519
 to one who has shown,

00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.380
 no mercy,

00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.600
 mercy,

00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:50.880
 triumphs,

00:19:51.100 --> 00:19:51.539
 over,

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.620
 judgment,

00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:52.799
 judgment,

00:19:53.239 --> 00:19:54.799
 that's the title of the sermon,

00:19:55.179 --> 00:19:55.639
 mercy,

00:19:56.199 --> 00:19:57.259
 triumphs,

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:57.719
 over,

00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:58.699
 judgment,

00:19:59.179 --> 00:20:01.199
 I don't have a tattoo,

00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:03.139
 but if I was to have a tattoo,

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.879
 that would be a good line,

00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:06.659
 to tattoo somewhere in my body,

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.199
 mercy,

00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:08.399
 triumphs,

00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:08.739
 over,

00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:09.399
 judgment,

00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.779
 it has legs,

00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:13.359
 it won't look ridiculous,

00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.159
 when I'm 90,

00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.339
 I mean it would look ridiculous,

00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.099
 when I'm 90,

00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:16.679
 but,

00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:18.839
 at least I'd still be able,

00:20:18.939 --> 00:20:19.659
 to agree with it,

00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:20.899
 but listen to what this,

00:20:20.979 --> 00:20:22.119
 and it's a bit confusing,

00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.659
 law of liberty,

00:20:23.939 --> 00:20:24.839
 and now it sounds,

00:20:24.939 --> 00:20:25.959
 as if you are being judged,

00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.919
 but not being judged,

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.679
 and mercy,

00:20:27.939 --> 00:20:29.099
 but listen to it again,

00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:29.639
 we'll read again,

00:20:29.699 --> 00:20:30.639
 those two verses,

00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:31.139
 so,

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.619
 remember now,

00:20:32.719 --> 00:20:33.859
 given that you have this,

00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:35.799
 any wrongdoing,

00:20:35.939 --> 00:20:36.419
 that you do,

00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.479
 reveals something,

00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:39.019
 just as a racial slur,

00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:41.159
 reveals a darkness,

00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.659
 of racism,

00:20:43.959 --> 00:20:45.139
 a twistedness,

00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.779
 of racism,

00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:49.359
 a perplexing thing,

00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.180
 because once again,

00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.200
 if this person at the table,

00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.160
 they might be very witty,

00:20:52.279 --> 00:20:52.920
 very smart,

00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:53.220
 very,

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.299
 very well educated,

00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.980
 love animals,

00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.859
 love children,

00:20:57.139 --> 00:20:58.299
 obviously love your,

00:20:58.399 --> 00:20:58.639
 you know,

00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.220
 your sister,

00:20:59.379 --> 00:20:59.839
 your kid,

00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:00.599
 your child,

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.460
 or whatever it is,

00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.200
 and yet,

00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.160
 despite the fact,

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.119
 that they can be all these,

00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:05.299
 excellent things,

00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:06.539
 there's in fact,

00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.980
 something twisted about them,

00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:08.339
 in fact,

00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.279
 it would be so twisted,

00:21:09.399 --> 00:21:10.259
 that you wouldn't want,

00:21:10.319 --> 00:21:10.960
 your loved one,

00:21:11.059 --> 00:21:12.139
 to marry that person,

00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.000
 like you wouldn't,

00:21:13.000 --> 00:21:14.460
 and in fact,

00:21:14.539 --> 00:21:15.079
 if he said,

00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.319
 you got to show me mercy,

00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.160
 you'd say,

00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.700
 I'm not showing you mercy,

00:21:20.420 --> 00:21:22.319
 do you think I'm an idiot,

00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.859
 think I'm a fool,

00:21:24.660 --> 00:21:25.740
 I'm not going to show you mercy,

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:31.720
 listen again,

00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:33.079
 so speak and so act,

00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:34.240
 as those who are to be judged,

00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.160
 under the law of liberty,

00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.819
 for judgment is without mercy,

00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:38.259
 the one who has shown no mercy,

00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:40.420
 mercy triumphs,

00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.359
 over judgment,

00:21:41.359 --> 00:21:43.339
 that's what's going on in the text,

00:21:43.979 --> 00:21:44.599
 I'm going to give you,

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.699
 another thought experiment,

00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:48.219
 just to take a couple of seconds,

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:49.299
 and I want you to think,

00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:52.459
 of one or two instances,

00:21:52.979 --> 00:21:53.419
 where if,

00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:54.740
 and this is just in your own life,

00:21:54.799 --> 00:21:55.959
 not in somebody else's life,

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.019
 but just in your own life,

00:21:57.459 --> 00:21:58.459
 one or two instances,

00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.500
 in your own life,

00:21:59.659 --> 00:22:01.399
 where if mercy had been shown,

00:22:01.979 --> 00:22:04.419
 life would have gone far better,

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.479
 one or two things,

00:22:05.539 --> 00:22:06.879
 where if mercy had been shown,

00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:08.259
 life would have gone far better,

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:13.299
 now I'm willing to bet,

00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.720
 that for most of us,

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.079
 we thought of times,

00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:18.000
 when mercy should have been shown to us,

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:21.359
 that you thought of times,

00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:23.059
 when mercy should have been shown to you,

00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:25.279
 that you didn't think of a time,

00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:26.160
 when you should show mercy,

00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.059
 to somebody else,

00:22:27.059 --> 00:22:31.859
 you see,

00:22:32.659 --> 00:22:35.099
 if you just think about that,

00:22:35.179 --> 00:22:37.339
 that that's the sort of the right,

00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.519
 for those of us who are right-handed,

00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:39.460
 it's the right-handed way,

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.419
 of responding to it,

00:22:40.460 --> 00:22:42.259
 it's the natural inclination,

00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:45.440
 it shows,

00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:49.119
 a type of self-centeredness,

00:22:49.179 --> 00:22:50.339
 and self-exaltation,

00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.519
 about each one of us,

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:58.920
 that we would first think,

00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.180
 of ourselves,

00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:02.819
 as being victims,

00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:05.759
 and not as ones,

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.740
 who are,

00:23:08.879 --> 00:23:10.220
 needing to show mercy,

00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:11.139
 needing to swallow,

00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:13.519
 the cost of showing mercy,

00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:16.920
 in fact,

00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:19.519
 if you think about it for a second,

00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:25.900
 if it ends up being the case,

00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:28.099
 that we always want to receive mercy,

00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:30.220
 but virtually never show mercy,

00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:32.779
 how can you ever actually,

00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:35.099
 wisely show mercy to that person,

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.639
 you see,

00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:40.240
 if a person only wants to receive mercy,

00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:42.139
 but never actually give mercy,

00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:44.960
 it shows that what they really want to do,

00:23:45.039 --> 00:23:47.139
 is manipulate you in the situation,

00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:48.680
 for their own good,

00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.880
 and exaltation,

00:23:50.600 --> 00:23:55.500
 think of it in a movie situation,

00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.900
 those of you probably,

00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.560
 most of you probably have very,

00:23:58.700 --> 00:24:00.039
 far better tastes in movies,

00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:00.539
 and shows,

00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.240
 than I do,

00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.700
 but I like ones with guns,

00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:03.180
 and good,

00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:03.920
 you know,

00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.220
 there's some type of a conflict,

00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:05.700
 you know,

00:24:05.880 --> 00:24:07.019
 getting the bank robbers,

00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:08.279
 or stopping the spies,

00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.100
 or the terrorists,

00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:10.980
 or catching the murderer,

00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:11.880
 or something like that,

00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:13.140
 and you come to a situation,

00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:15.600
 where the person,

00:24:15.800 --> 00:24:17.300
 the terrorist,

00:24:17.520 --> 00:24:17.960
 or whatever,

00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.460
 who's,

00:24:19.140 --> 00:24:21.000
 or the evil murderer,

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:23.400
 the serial rapist,

00:24:23.520 --> 00:24:24.540
 the serial murderer,

00:24:25.160 --> 00:24:26.520
 the good person,

00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.080
 the cop,

00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.140
 is there,

00:24:28.220 --> 00:24:28.740
 and they have them,

00:24:28.800 --> 00:24:29.759
 they have them dead to the rights,

00:24:29.840 --> 00:24:30.840
 they have the gun drawn,

00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.600
 the person can't get away,

00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:34.659
 and maybe,

00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.000
 you know,

00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.719
 they've been a victim,

00:24:35.939 --> 00:24:37.339
 by the serial killer,

00:24:37.459 --> 00:24:37.559
 you know,

00:24:37.579 --> 00:24:38.480
 maybe one of their loved ones,

00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:42.039
 and they're not sure what to do,

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.179
 and all of a sudden,

00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:45.759
 the person who's the rapist,

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.359
 or the murderer,

00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.779
 or whatever,

00:24:47.219 --> 00:24:47.439
 says,

00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:47.599
 listen,

00:24:47.639 --> 00:24:48.500
 you've got to show me mercy,

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.980
 show me some mercy,

00:24:51.059 --> 00:24:51.359
 you know,

00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:51.839
 don't do it,

00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:52.819
 don't do something you regret,

00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:53.740
 show me some mercy,

00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:57.099
 and you're the viewer,

00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:57.459
 you know,

00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.679
 there's another person beside,

00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:58.919
 says,

00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.099
 no,

00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.219
 no,

00:24:59.259 --> 00:24:59.399
 no,

00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.899
 take the shot,

00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:01.759
 take the shot,

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:03.359
 don't show them mercy,

00:25:03.940 --> 00:25:04.440
 they're not,

00:25:04.759 --> 00:25:05.960
 don't show them mercy,

00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.799
 they're just going to abuse the mercy,

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:09.359
 they're just going to use the mercy,

00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:10.640
 it's just going to be weakness,

00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.879
 take the shot,

00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.740
 take the shot,

00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.559
 and then of course,

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.180
 you know,

00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.920
 depending on the movie,

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.200
 the person does put,

00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:17.500
 you know,

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.859
 they decide they are going to show mercy,

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:20.339
 they step forward to not,

00:25:20.619 --> 00:25:20.839
 you know,

00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.279
 kill them,

00:25:21.319 --> 00:25:21.839
 or do whatever,

00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:24.160
 and once they let their guard down,

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.599
 in fact,

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:27.140
 the bad person uses it against them,

00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.140
 beats them up,

00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.859
 or kills them,

00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:30.920
 and gets away,

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:35.779
 and we all see that in different situations,

00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.839
 in movies,

00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:40.119
 and so if you go back to this puzzling phrase,

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:42.500
 it sounds as if God's only going to show mercy,

00:25:42.940 --> 00:25:45.500
 if you've shown mercy first,

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:48.700
 but what the text is trying to get at,

00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.299
 once again,

00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:53.839
 is a bit of an attempt for us to reflect upon the real situation,

00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:55.500
 see,

00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.899
 when we show mercy to somebody,

00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:58.459
 we show mercy in the hope,

00:25:58.919 --> 00:26:00.679
 that there's a restoration of order,

00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:03.159
 that there's a walking towards justice,

00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:05.259
 that there's a walking towards goodness,

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:08.240
 that there's some sense in the other person of gratitude,

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.459
 there's some sense,

00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:11.299
 that with this act of mercy,

00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:13.639
 that there will be a walking in the way,

00:26:13.639 --> 00:26:14.419
 that is right,

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:14.799
 and good,

00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.279
 and true,

00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:17.039
 but if in fact,

00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.980
 you just show mercy to a person,

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:21.960
 who never has no intention of doing that,

00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:24.059
 no intention at all of doing that,

00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.139
 most of us would say,

00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:28.019
 that's not really as much a case that mercy should be shown,

00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:33.299
 because the person is just wanting to use your mercy,

00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:36.759
 mercy to continually further their own ends,

00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.480
 and maybe you show them mercy once,

00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.799
 maybe you show them mercy twice,

00:26:39.839 --> 00:26:41.359
 but if you continue to show them mercy,

00:26:41.779 --> 00:26:43.579
 and it's always just transgressed,

00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:47.399
 then really all they're concerned about is exalting themselves,

00:26:48.659 --> 00:26:50.839
 and triumphing,

00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:55.099
 and continuing to walk in a way which is not just and good,

00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.240
 and merciful,

00:26:56.759 --> 00:27:00.680
 and so the Bible here isn't saying,

00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:06.160
 that God waits for you to start being merciful,

00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:07.640
 before he shows mercy,

00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:10.940
 that's made clear by the very powerful statement,

00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:12.680
 that mercy triumphs over judgment,

00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:14.740
 because you see,

00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:16.140
 it's only in the biblical gospel,

00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:17.480
 that you start to have a sense,

00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:19.440
 of how mercy could triumph over judgment,

00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:24.620
 that what we understand as Christians,

00:27:24.820 --> 00:27:27.039
 that God never ceases being just,

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:29.880
 he's only just,

00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:34.500
 his mercy isn't just sort of saying,

00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:36.360
 I think I like these cronies of mine,

00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.960
 it's not like,

00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:39.320
 and we can pick on Trump right now,

00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.400
 but the fact of the matter is,

00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.500
 is that every president,

00:27:41.580 --> 00:27:43.299
 every president when they leave office,

00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:45.480
 every president when they leave office,

00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:47.860
 regardless of political affiliation,

00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.799
 pardons their cronies,

00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:52.700
 that's what they do,

00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:56.700
 those of you who are Republican types,

00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.100
 looking down your nose at Democrats,

00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:00.960
 Republicans do it,

00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.740
 Democrats do it,

00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.200
 it's human,

00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:04.039
 it's not showing mercy,

00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.660
 what is it?

00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:08.279
 It's ignoring the demands of justice,

00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:10.480
 it's exercising privilege,

00:28:10.600 --> 00:28:11.480
 and prejudice,

00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.480
 and favoritism,

00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.759
 and the Bible condemns it,

00:28:14.100 --> 00:28:15.160
 the Bible condemns it,

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.100
 the Bible condemns it,

00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:22.279
 and no transgression is permitted and allowed,

00:28:22.399 --> 00:28:24.419
 because the person who does it is your hero,

00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:28.119
 that is the path towards deeper evil,

00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:30.579
 but what the Bible says,

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.879
 James would be thinking very,

00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.739
 very powerfully of the fact,

00:28:35.479 --> 00:28:38.539
 that he is the younger brother of Jesus,

00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:40.959
 that Mary and Joseph had children,

00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:42.359
 after the virgin birth,

00:28:42.739 --> 00:28:44.559
 and James is one of those children,

00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:47.639
 that was born as a result of Mary and Joseph's marriage,

00:28:47.979 --> 00:28:50.899
 and that James insulted Jesus,

00:28:50.899 --> 00:28:52.539
 he thought Jesus was insane,

00:28:52.739 --> 00:28:55.419
 he didn't believe anything that Jesus was saying is true,

00:28:55.759 --> 00:28:57.519
 he did things to mock him,

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:59.200
 to undermine him,

00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:03.720
 and when Jesus was in his darkest moment of problems,

00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:06.619
 when he's condemned by the authorities,

00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.420
 the religious,

00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.420
 the secular,

00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.200
 the political,

00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.079
 the cultural,

00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:11.059
 the intellectual,

00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.559
 the world powers,

00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:14.220
 and Jesus is condemned,

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:16.059
 and when he dies upon the cross,

00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:18.279
 James is not there.

00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:27.319
 What does James know in his own life?

00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:31.740
 Mercy triumphed over judgment.

00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:36.440
 Jesus appears to James,

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.980
 it's one of the things which is told,

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:40.539
 after Jesus has died and risen from the dead,

00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:42.019
 James knows the tomb is empty,

00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:45.220
 James knows that the body wasn't found,

00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:47.519
 and James knows that they would never find the body,

00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.440
 because Jesus,

00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:49.559
 risen and alive,

00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:51.500
 appears to James and speaks to him,

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:53.700
 with words of love and forgiveness,

00:29:54.519 --> 00:29:56.299
 that James comes to understand,

00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:56.920
 that Jesus,

00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:58.140
 when he died on the cross,

00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:59.779
 that what James was to understand,

00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:02.440
 that in James' place,

00:30:02.779 --> 00:30:03.299
 condemned,

00:30:03.799 --> 00:30:05.119
 Jesus stood,

00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:10.079
 that the full demands of righteousness,

00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.599
 and justice,

00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:14.239
 were being upheld by God,

00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:16.759
 but God does something,

00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:18.900
 at great cost to himself,

00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:22.240
 that James could not do for himself,

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:25.700
 and Jesus dies on the cross,

00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:27.339
 condemned,

00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:29.500
 in the place,

00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:32.019
 of James' mockery,

00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:34.579
 breaking of filial bonds,

00:30:34.579 --> 00:30:37.679
 and all of the other things,

00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:39.099
 that James had done to Jesus,

00:30:39.539 --> 00:30:40.859
 Jesus dies,

00:30:41.179 --> 00:30:43.379
 in James' place,

00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:45.779
 you see all forgiveness,

00:30:46.379 --> 00:30:48.240
 and mercy is a key part of forgiveness,

00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:50.759
 all forgiveness is only forgiveness,

00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.679
 if justice is maintained,

00:30:53.419 --> 00:30:54.579
 and the one who is wronged,

00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:57.119
 bears the cost of the wrong,

00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:58.879
 in their own person,

00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:02.359
 for the sake of this profound mystery,

00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.559
 that only makes sense,

00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:05.019
 if it is the triune God,

00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:07.319
 that has in fact created the entire world,

00:31:08.059 --> 00:31:10.500
 that sometimes for the good of your own soul,

00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.519
 and for the good of others,

00:31:11.639 --> 00:31:12.639
 and for the good of the city,

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.679
 and the good of the nation,

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:18.240
 to swallow the desire for revenge,

00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:21.779
 to die to reparation,

00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:24.279
 in an act of forgiveness,

00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:26.839
 is the act of wisdom and love,

00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:29.740
 South Africa is a country,

00:31:29.839 --> 00:31:31.220
 that has many problems still,

00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:33.779
 but they have far fewer problems,

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:35.500
 because Nelson Mandela,

00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:37.900
 understood the importance,

00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.559
 of mercy and forgiveness,

00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:43.100
 that he would swallow his desire,

00:31:43.100 --> 00:31:44.980
 for revenge and vindication,

00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:48.039
 and pay the price of that,

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:50.180
 to set both him,

00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:52.319
 and his persecutors,

00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:54.220
 towards the path of freedom,

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:57.160
 mercy triumphs,

00:31:57.160 --> 00:31:58.160
 mercy triumphs,

00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:59.380
 over judgment,

00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:02.200
 so what do those other two phrases mean,

00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.319
 just in sort of closing,

00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.360
 what does it mean to say,

00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:07.579
 that we're judged by the law of liberty,

00:32:08.019 --> 00:32:09.319
 what does it mean to say,

00:32:09.640 --> 00:32:10.940
 that if you don't show mercy,

00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:13.940
 that God won't give you mercy,

00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:16.839
 it's an indicator language,

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:18.519
 we'll use the mercy one first,

00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:21.039
 Tim Keller has a very wonderful,

00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.079
 illustration,

00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:23.480
 about what it is that happens,

00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.680
 when you receive the gospel,

00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:26.240
 and he says,

00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:27.879
 what happens when you receive the gospel,

00:32:27.960 --> 00:32:29.680
 it's as if God gives you new clothes,

00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.400
 and the new clothes,

00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.619
 are way too big for you,

00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:34.359
 like way too big,

00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:38.420
 but what happens is,

00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:39.539
 that as the gospel,

00:32:39.539 --> 00:32:40.819
 becomes more and more real,

00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.579
 to your heart,

00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.799
 as the reality,

00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:45.039
 of God's forgiveness,

00:32:45.039 --> 00:32:45.900
 to you,

00:32:45.980 --> 00:32:47.379
 who have something dark,

00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.480
 and twisted within,

00:32:49.560 --> 00:32:51.400
 that in your place condemned,

00:32:51.520 --> 00:32:51.940
 he stood,

00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:53.740
 that there is this fundamental,

00:32:54.380 --> 00:32:56.420
 God never surrenders justice,

00:32:56.580 --> 00:32:57.760
 he never gives up on it,

00:32:57.780 --> 00:32:58.980
 he never plays favorites,

00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:00.440
 he doesn't show partiality,

00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.500
 he doesn't show prejudice,

00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:02.760
 he's not racist,

00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:04.380
 not at all,

00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:06.320
 and maintaining all of the demands,

00:33:06.320 --> 00:33:07.920
 of justice and truth,

00:33:07.920 --> 00:33:08.920
 and goodness,

00:33:09.840 --> 00:33:11.040
 yet still there is this,

00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:13.220
 mercy that comes from love,

00:33:14.020 --> 00:33:14.820
 that is what,

00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:16.580
 can make you right with him,

00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:18.299
 and it's all done by God,

00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.220
 for you,

00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:22.460
 that as this grips you,

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:25.199
 and as you start to hear,

00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.359
 the words of Jesus,

00:33:26.519 --> 00:33:27.220
 that are spoken,

00:33:27.399 --> 00:33:28.019
 that are words,

00:33:28.079 --> 00:33:30.439
 that are all words of love,

00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.559
 that come from the love,

00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:32.159
 of the Father,

00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:32.819
 for the Son,

00:33:32.879 --> 00:33:33.879
 and the Son of the Father,

00:33:33.939 --> 00:33:34.919
 and the Holy Spirit,

00:33:35.299 --> 00:33:36.159
 loving the Father,

00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:36.740
 and the Son,

00:33:36.939 --> 00:33:38.799
 and that every word of Jesus,

00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.299
 in terms of how you shall live,

00:33:40.399 --> 00:33:41.579
 comes out of love,

00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.699
 and as you're gripped,

00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.740
 by the gospel,

00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:46.640
 you start to grow up,

00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:48.779
 to fit the clothes,

00:33:49.600 --> 00:33:51.840
 and showing mercy,

00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:54.720
 isn't a requirement,

00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.960
 to receive mercy,

00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:57.720
 but a sign,

00:33:58.080 --> 00:33:59.160
 that you've started,

00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.960
 to receive the mercy,

00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:04.500
 just as the smallest sin,

00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.920
 is an indicator,

00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:07.720
 of a blackness,

00:34:07.779 --> 00:34:08.300
 and a darkness,

00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.300
 and an evil within,

00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:11.400
 the showing of mercy,

00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.519
 is the sign,

00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:15.019
 that you're starting,

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.500
 to grow into the clothes,

00:34:18.740 --> 00:34:24.199
 because you see,

00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:27.919
 God's intention,

00:34:27.919 --> 00:34:29.099
 for human beings,

00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:29.859
 and his intention,

00:34:30.059 --> 00:34:30.779
 for his children,

00:34:31.319 --> 00:34:33.099
 is that they never surrender,

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:34.819
 the demands of justice,

00:34:35.299 --> 00:34:36.960
 they never show favorites,

00:34:37.359 --> 00:34:39.159
 in terms of how justice is applied,

00:34:40.279 --> 00:34:44.599
 I've been in lots of organizations,

00:34:44.599 --> 00:34:45.719
 where the CEO,

00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:47.460
 is given a pass,

00:34:47.559 --> 00:34:48.480
 because he's a CEO,

00:34:49.480 --> 00:34:51.179
 but the Bible says,

00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:53.139
 the higher the authority,

00:34:53.139 --> 00:34:54.940
 the more they shouldn't,

00:34:54.940 --> 00:34:55.739
 have a pass,

00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:57.480
 because the damage,

00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.259
 they can do,

00:34:58.859 --> 00:35:00.059
 is vastly greater,

00:35:00.960 --> 00:35:04.559
 and what it's talking about,

00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.519
 in the terms of the law,

00:35:05.559 --> 00:35:06.039
 of liberty,

00:35:06.699 --> 00:35:08.239
 is if you understand,

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:10.440
 that mercy triumphs,

00:35:10.440 --> 00:35:11.159
 over judgment,

00:35:11.259 --> 00:35:12.440
 it's one of the several places,

00:35:12.440 --> 00:35:13.039
 in the Bible,

00:35:13.039 --> 00:35:14.440
 where there's this profound,

00:35:14.879 --> 00:35:16.039
 explanation,

00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:17.900
 of what the gospel is,

00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:18.659
 that mercy,

00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.940
 triumphs,

00:35:20.099 --> 00:35:21.460
 over judgment,

00:35:21.460 --> 00:35:21.659
 judgment,

00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:28.699
 well then what we understand,

00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.159
 is that,

00:35:29.500 --> 00:35:30.019
 the way,

00:35:30.159 --> 00:35:30.880
 every one of us,

00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.619
 lives our lives,

00:35:31.659 --> 00:35:32.740
 and we've become Christians,

00:35:33.400 --> 00:35:34.760
 is that the law of liberty,

00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:36.139
 nestles,

00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:38.960
 between your justification,

00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:40.760
 and your glorification,

00:35:41.760 --> 00:35:44.760
 and God wants both,

00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.559
 to be very real,

00:35:45.699 --> 00:35:46.480
 to our hearts,

00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:47.740
 because it's only,

00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.519
 as both are real,

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.280
 to our hearts,

00:35:49.320 --> 00:35:50.280
 that we begin to learn,

00:35:50.280 --> 00:35:50.940
 how to live,

00:35:51.640 --> 00:35:52.320
 that we begin,

00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.720
 to have the confidence,

00:35:53.720 --> 00:35:54.380
 to look,

00:35:55.080 --> 00:35:56.580
 at the flaws,

00:35:56.720 --> 00:35:57.220
 and the issues,

00:35:57.320 --> 00:35:57.740
 and the sin,

00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.680
 of our own lives,

00:35:59.300 --> 00:36:00.300
 and both to see,

00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:00.940
 their horror,

00:36:01.100 --> 00:36:01.860
 but to understand,

00:36:02.000 --> 00:36:02.960
 that to a perfect God,

00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:03.500
 that horror,

00:36:03.500 --> 00:36:04.500
 was even greater,

00:36:04.760 --> 00:36:05.900
 and yet in love,

00:36:06.460 --> 00:36:07.660
 in your place,

00:36:07.760 --> 00:36:08.600
 in my place,

00:36:08.720 --> 00:36:09.100
 condemned,

00:36:09.240 --> 00:36:09.740
 he stood,

00:36:09.739 --> 00:36:12.879
 and so,

00:36:12.879 --> 00:36:13.819
 if you understand,

00:36:13.959 --> 00:36:15.000
 that the words of Jesus,

00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:16.459
 in terms of how we should live,

00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.739
 that you are to love your neighbors,

00:36:17.899 --> 00:36:18.279
 yourself,

00:36:18.359 --> 00:36:19.639
 and all of the other commands,

00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:21.299
 but not committing adultery,

00:36:21.379 --> 00:36:22.839
 and not taking innocent life,

00:36:23.439 --> 00:36:24.739
 that all of these,

00:36:24.799 --> 00:36:25.539
 are to be understood,

00:36:25.699 --> 00:36:26.219
 and lived,

00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:28.279
 nestled between the reality,

00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:29.179
 of your justification,

00:36:29.179 --> 00:36:29.959
 in Christ,

00:36:30.039 --> 00:36:30.819
 and your glorification,

00:36:30.819 --> 00:36:31.579
 in Christ,

00:36:31.779 --> 00:36:33.000
 that is liberty,

00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:34.859
 it begins to free you,

00:36:35.519 --> 00:36:36.859
 free to be more honest,

00:36:36.859 --> 00:36:37.599
 about yourself,

00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:39.380
 free to be more honest,

00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:39.900
 and clear-eyed,

00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:40.639
 about the world,

00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:43.239
 and maybe even freed up,

00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:44.839
 to start to show mercy,

00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.239
 to not just,

00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:47.659
 to see past vengeance,

00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:49.480
 and to be willing,

00:36:49.579 --> 00:36:51.099
 to pay that price yourself,

00:36:51.360 --> 00:36:52.119
 that is needed,

00:36:52.259 --> 00:36:53.119
 for there to be mercy,

00:36:53.119 --> 00:36:53.799
 and forgiveness,

00:36:55.079 --> 00:36:56.239
 and so,

00:36:56.319 --> 00:36:56.599
 it's a very,

00:36:56.719 --> 00:36:57.599
 very wonderful thing,

00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:58.480
 if you understand,

00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:59.819
 as the gospel grips you,

00:36:59.880 --> 00:37:00.539
 as you understand,

00:37:00.659 --> 00:37:01.339
 that in my place,

00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:01.739
 condemned,

00:37:01.880 --> 00:37:02.199
 he stood,

00:37:02.239 --> 00:37:02.900
 and what that says,

00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.539
 about justice,

00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.079
 and mercy,

00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.420
 then you understand,

00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.519
 that all of the words,

00:37:06.579 --> 00:37:07.159
 of scripture,

00:37:07.159 --> 00:37:07.920
 emerge,

00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:09.279
 from one heart,

00:37:09.639 --> 00:37:10.659
 and one mind,

00:37:10.719 --> 00:37:11.679
 and one desire,

00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.980
 and the words,

00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:13.619
 of scripture,

00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:15.059
 are that as you are gripped,

00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:15.739
 by the gospel,

00:37:15.879 --> 00:37:17.839
 and Jesus saves you,

00:37:18.319 --> 00:37:20.039
 that what you are launched on,

00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:20.940
 is a quest,

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:22.299
 for love,

00:37:22.799 --> 00:37:23.719
 a quest,

00:37:23.859 --> 00:37:24.879
 to be more loving,

00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:25.960
 it is a quest,

00:37:26.119 --> 00:37:27.460
 to be more merciful,

00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:28.619
 it is a quest,

00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.779
 to be free,

00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.000
 that's why,

00:37:31.099 --> 00:37:32.199
 it's both the law of love,

00:37:32.279 --> 00:37:33.079
 the royal love,

00:37:33.119 --> 00:37:33.940
 and it is the law,

00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:35.039
 of liberty,

00:37:35.179 --> 00:37:36.519
 because that is the quest,

00:37:36.519 --> 00:37:38.000
 that is the journey,

00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:38.679
 that the Lord,

00:37:38.739 --> 00:37:39.519
 has put you on,

00:37:39.579 --> 00:37:40.500
 that will culminate,

00:37:40.699 --> 00:37:41.800
 in your glorification,

00:37:42.000 --> 00:37:43.599
 not God weighing your merits,

00:37:43.699 --> 00:37:44.759
 but having had him,

00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:46.039
 pardon your offenses,

00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:49.880
 on Friday,

00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:50.300
 I was,

00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:51.900
 I wanted to,

00:37:51.900 --> 00:37:52.679
 have a chat,

00:37:52.759 --> 00:37:53.119
 with somebody,

00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:54.059
 from our congregation,

00:37:54.219 --> 00:37:55.480
 we met in the Sun Life building,

00:37:55.480 --> 00:37:57.519
 and,

00:37:57.539 --> 00:38:00.340
 when we came in,

00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:01.280
 I said I had to,

00:38:01.280 --> 00:38:02.099
 to get a coffee,

00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:03.579
 and I joked,

00:38:04.320 --> 00:38:05.019
 that because,

00:38:05.300 --> 00:38:05.539
 you know,

00:38:05.619 --> 00:38:06.460
 we both know,

00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:07.599
 that if we sit at a table,

00:38:07.679 --> 00:38:08.219
 and talk,

00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:09.559
 and take our masks off,

00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:10.360
 without coffee,

00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:11.300
 we might get COVID,

00:38:12.059 --> 00:38:13.460
 but if we sit at a table,

00:38:13.539 --> 00:38:15.119
 without masks,

00:38:15.179 --> 00:38:16.199
 and have a cup of coffee,

00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:17.300
 the coffee somehow,

00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:18.679
 destroys the transmission,

00:38:18.820 --> 00:38:19.199
 of COVID,

00:38:19.199 --> 00:38:22.299
 now,

00:38:22.439 --> 00:38:22.639
 you know,

00:38:22.639 --> 00:38:23.139
 we all know,

00:38:23.139 --> 00:38:23.659
 that they're,

00:38:23.659 --> 00:38:24.539
 they're trying to balance,

00:38:24.619 --> 00:38:25.559
 opening the economy,

00:38:25.559 --> 00:38:26.219
 with the,

00:38:26.219 --> 00:38:26.519
 the,

00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:26.859
 you know,

00:38:26.899 --> 00:38:27.819
 demands of trying,

00:38:27.879 --> 00:38:28.539
 to protect the,

00:38:28.639 --> 00:38:28.939
 the,

00:38:28.939 --> 00:38:30.519
 the vulnerable,

00:38:30.759 --> 00:38:32.279
 but every single one of us,

00:38:32.319 --> 00:38:33.639
 knows that the problem,

00:38:33.639 --> 00:38:34.299
 with laws,

00:38:34.359 --> 00:38:34.939
 and regulations,

00:38:34.939 --> 00:38:35.719
 around COVID,

00:38:35.839 --> 00:38:36.480
 is that some of them,

00:38:36.480 --> 00:38:37.359
 reflect science,

00:38:37.359 --> 00:38:38.159
 it might have been true,

00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:39.399
 in February of 2020,

00:38:39.399 --> 00:38:40.079
 but we now know,

00:38:40.119 --> 00:38:41.039
 they're not even true,

00:38:41.679 --> 00:38:43.039
 yet the laws continue on,

00:38:43.099 --> 00:38:44.279
 they come from different reasons,

00:38:44.379 --> 00:38:45.219
 from different people,

00:38:45.259 --> 00:38:46.119
 and different sources,

00:38:46.359 --> 00:38:46.399
 and,

00:38:46.699 --> 00:38:47.219
 and the idea,

00:38:47.299 --> 00:38:48.219
 that you keep all of them,

00:38:48.219 --> 00:38:49.439
 when we all know,

00:38:49.579 --> 00:38:50.219
 I mean everybody,

00:38:50.679 --> 00:38:51.319
 I mean I don't,

00:38:51.359 --> 00:38:51.919
 I don't know people,

00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:53.119
 who are highly hysteric,

00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:53.459
 about it,

00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.259
 but everybody knows,

00:38:54.339 --> 00:38:55.480
 that there's contradictions,

00:38:55.619 --> 00:38:56.659
 within what's been said,

00:38:57.099 --> 00:38:58.139
 but the thing about this,

00:38:58.399 --> 00:38:59.519
 and this is so important,

00:38:59.559 --> 00:39:00.039
 in closing,

00:39:00.159 --> 00:39:00.879
 is to understand,

00:39:00.879 --> 00:39:02.439
 that you can't end up,

00:39:02.619 --> 00:39:03.239
 looking at the Bible,

00:39:03.319 --> 00:39:03.559
 and saying,

00:39:03.639 --> 00:39:04.439
 well that's outmoded,

00:39:04.500 --> 00:39:05.179
 that's outdated,

00:39:05.379 --> 00:39:05.959
 or that's because,

00:39:06.039 --> 00:39:06.959
 they didn't have enough knowledge,

00:39:07.059 --> 00:39:08.279
 because given that you,

00:39:08.419 --> 00:39:09.159
 to understand,

00:39:09.579 --> 00:39:11.119
 that the same one,

00:39:11.239 --> 00:39:12.299
 who in your place,

00:39:12.419 --> 00:39:13.639
 condemned he stood,

00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:15.480
 so that mercy triumphs,

00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.299
 over justice,

00:39:16.980 --> 00:39:18.199
 that he is the same,

00:39:18.219 --> 00:39:19.319
 one who speaks,

00:39:19.319 --> 00:39:20.799
 these words to you,

00:39:21.099 --> 00:39:22.279
 and his words,

00:39:22.399 --> 00:39:24.179
 he is the uncreated creator,

00:39:24.339 --> 00:39:25.279
 he is the eternal,

00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:26.759
 one who creates you,

00:39:26.819 --> 00:39:27.699
 to exist in time,

00:39:27.779 --> 00:39:29.039
 he is the infinite one,

00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:30.339
 who creates you finite,

00:39:30.819 --> 00:39:31.980
 he is the one,

00:39:32.079 --> 00:39:33.159
 who has no environment,

00:39:33.279 --> 00:39:33.819
 who creates you,

00:39:33.879 --> 00:39:35.019
 to live in an environment,

00:39:35.219 --> 00:39:36.099
 and he is the one,

00:39:36.419 --> 00:39:37.339
 who is true,

00:39:37.719 --> 00:39:38.399
 knows the heart,

00:39:38.439 --> 00:39:39.399
 of every human being,

00:39:39.439 --> 00:39:40.179
 and it's not as if,

00:39:40.259 --> 00:39:40.980
 there's new knowledge,

00:39:41.019 --> 00:39:41.859
 about human nature,

00:39:41.859 --> 00:39:42.779
 that the creator,

00:39:42.779 --> 00:39:43.819
 of human nature,

00:39:43.959 --> 00:39:44.899
 will have to come,

00:39:44.980 --> 00:39:45.519
 to understand,

00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:46.880
 and so every word,

00:39:47.019 --> 00:39:47.820
 he says,

00:39:47.860 --> 00:39:48.460
 is a word,

00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:49.420
 that we can trust,

00:39:49.659 --> 00:39:50.300
 and a word,

00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:51.300
 that we can understand,

00:39:51.300 --> 00:39:51.880
 is true,

00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:53.079
 and that will lead us,

00:39:53.079 --> 00:39:53.860
 towards love,

00:39:53.960 --> 00:39:54.559
 will lead us,

00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:55.259
 towards freedom,

00:39:55.480 --> 00:39:56.199
 will lead us,

00:39:56.199 --> 00:39:56.920
 towards liberty,

00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:57.559
 will lead us,

00:39:57.559 --> 00:39:58.239
 towards mercy,

00:39:58.239 --> 00:39:59.059
 and will help us,

00:39:59.119 --> 00:40:00.039
 to walk in justice,

00:40:00.039 --> 00:40:01.059
 and will do so,

00:40:01.119 --> 00:40:01.400
 in a way,

00:40:01.460 --> 00:40:02.639
 that is good for our soul,

00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:03.920
 and good for our city,

00:40:04.079 --> 00:40:05.179
 and good for the country,

00:40:05.360 --> 00:40:06.500
 and good for creation,

00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:11.300
 and so heed his words,

00:40:12.260 --> 00:40:15.360
 and this is especially important,

00:40:15.480 --> 00:40:16.920
 because in our day and age,

00:40:17.699 --> 00:40:18.340
 if you're here,

00:40:18.440 --> 00:40:19.320
 you're watching this,

00:40:19.820 --> 00:40:21.099
 I know,

00:40:21.619 --> 00:40:23.599
 it is so unbelievably,

00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:24.860
 crazily,

00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:26.159
 counter-cultural,

00:40:26.519 --> 00:40:28.039
 to give your life to Christ,

00:40:29.039 --> 00:40:34.679
 but only the biblical gospel,

00:40:34.679 --> 00:40:36.359
 unlocks,

00:40:36.699 --> 00:40:37.940
 the mystery,

00:40:37.940 --> 00:40:38.819
 of who you are,

00:40:38.879 --> 00:40:39.299
 in a way,

00:40:39.399 --> 00:40:40.279
 that redeems you,

00:40:40.480 --> 00:40:41.859
 and will speak words,

00:40:41.879 --> 00:40:42.379
 of truth,

00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:42.819
 and love,

00:40:42.960 --> 00:40:43.460
 to you,

00:40:43.879 --> 00:40:46.019
 and mercy,

00:40:46.319 --> 00:40:46.859
 to you,

00:40:48.219 --> 00:40:49.039
 that will give you,

00:40:49.119 --> 00:40:49.980
 a new purpose,

00:40:50.179 --> 00:40:50.919
 start to begin,

00:40:51.039 --> 00:40:51.500
 to free you,

00:40:51.659 --> 00:40:52.359
 from anxiety,

00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:54.339
 it is so worth it,

00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.539
 to take that,

00:40:55.759 --> 00:40:57.359
 counter-cultural,

00:40:57.759 --> 00:40:58.359
 step,

00:40:58.819 --> 00:40:59.739
 and give your life,

00:40:59.839 --> 00:41:00.259
 to Jesus,

00:41:00.859 --> 00:41:04.579
 and it might be hard,

00:41:04.579 --> 00:41:05.779
 to explain to the world,

00:41:06.719 --> 00:41:07.900
 but every word of his,

00:41:07.960 --> 00:41:08.799
 is a word of liberty,

00:41:09.219 --> 00:41:09.860
 of love,

00:41:10.380 --> 00:41:11.179
 of justice,

00:41:11.799 --> 00:41:12.440
 of mercy,

00:41:13.099 --> 00:41:13.559
 freedom,

00:41:14.019 --> 00:41:14.679
 of goodness,

00:41:15.279 --> 00:41:16.079
 please stand,

00:41:16.079 --> 00:41:16.139
 stand,

00:41:16.139 --> 00:41:25.840
 let's pray,

00:41:25.840 --> 00:41:26.400
 Father,

00:41:28.579 --> 00:41:29.000
 we give you,

00:41:29.239 --> 00:41:30.099
 thanks and praise,

00:41:30.259 --> 00:41:31.819
 that you don't require,

00:41:32.099 --> 00:41:33.199
 some magical words,

00:41:33.199 --> 00:41:33.739
 for a person,

00:41:33.779 --> 00:41:34.679
 to become a Christian,

00:41:35.199 --> 00:41:37.199
 Father,

00:41:37.419 --> 00:41:38.460
 if there are any here,

00:41:38.460 --> 00:41:39.359
 who feel,

00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:41.079
 a type of pressure,

00:41:41.980 --> 00:41:43.659
 a compulsion,

00:41:44.399 --> 00:41:45.619
 to surrender,

00:41:46.719 --> 00:41:47.759
 and to call out,

00:41:47.819 --> 00:41:48.239
 to Jesus,

00:41:48.419 --> 00:41:48.939
 that he would be,

00:41:49.059 --> 00:41:49.439
 their Savior,

00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:49.799
 and Lord,

00:41:49.899 --> 00:41:50.099
 Father,

00:41:50.179 --> 00:41:51.159
 I ask that the Holy Spirit,

00:41:51.159 --> 00:41:51.879
 would move mightily,

00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:52.579
 in their lives,

00:41:52.679 --> 00:41:54.519
 that they would not resist,

00:41:54.519 --> 00:41:57.500
 and they don't need,

00:41:57.500 --> 00:41:58.340
 special words,

00:41:58.400 --> 00:41:58.860
 other than say,

00:41:58.940 --> 00:42:00.019
 Jesus be my Savior,

00:42:00.179 --> 00:42:00.900
 Jesus be mine,

00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:02.039
 Jesus I need mercy,

00:42:02.219 --> 00:42:03.239
 Jesus show me mercy,

00:42:03.920 --> 00:42:05.400
 come Lord Jesus,

00:42:06.400 --> 00:42:07.900
 the heart moves,

00:42:08.139 --> 00:42:09.980
 and whatever words you are,

00:42:10.079 --> 00:42:11.380
 whatever stumbling words,

00:42:11.460 --> 00:42:11.900
 you have,

00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:12.860
 are fine with God,

00:42:12.940 --> 00:42:13.820
 because he sees,

00:42:13.900 --> 00:42:14.960
 the desire for your heart,

00:42:15.460 --> 00:42:16.099
 and we give you,

00:42:16.199 --> 00:42:16.840
 thanks and praise,

00:42:16.980 --> 00:42:17.239
 Father,

00:42:17.360 --> 00:42:17.900
 that Jesus,

00:42:18.420 --> 00:42:19.500
 will cross that,

00:42:20.019 --> 00:42:20.980
 what was before,

00:42:20.980 --> 00:42:22.059
 an infinite distance,

00:42:22.059 --> 00:42:23.320
 from him to that person,

00:42:23.539 --> 00:42:25.559
 and Father,

00:42:26.320 --> 00:42:27.059
 in that moment,

00:42:27.059 --> 00:42:28.000
 of us surrendering,

00:42:28.099 --> 00:42:28.940
 our lives to Jesus,

00:42:29.079 --> 00:42:29.780
 we are adopted,

00:42:29.900 --> 00:42:30.599
 as your child,

00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:32.619
 you Father,

00:42:32.760 --> 00:42:33.639
 Son and Holy Spirit,

00:42:33.760 --> 00:42:34.639
 come and live within,

00:42:35.079 --> 00:42:36.199
 our sins are forgiven,

00:42:36.400 --> 00:42:37.240
 mercy is shown,

00:42:38.000 --> 00:42:38.780
 condemnation,

00:42:38.780 --> 00:42:39.960
 has been dealt with,

00:42:40.559 --> 00:42:41.860
 justice has been followed,

00:42:41.980 --> 00:42:43.079
 but mercy has been given,

00:42:43.199 --> 00:42:43.760
 and that now,

00:42:43.900 --> 00:42:44.179
 Father,

00:42:44.240 --> 00:42:45.199
 is the final word,

00:42:45.240 --> 00:42:45.880
 about us,

00:42:47.219 --> 00:42:47.740
 that in a sense,

00:42:47.800 --> 00:42:49.240
 every single one of us,

00:42:49.260 --> 00:42:50.119
 who are in Jesus,

00:42:50.119 --> 00:42:51.519
 that whether it is,

00:42:51.679 --> 00:42:53.039
 a literal tattoo,

00:42:53.440 --> 00:42:54.980
 or a spiritual tattoo,

00:42:55.619 --> 00:42:57.039
 that every single one of us,

00:42:57.099 --> 00:42:58.079
 the word over us,

00:42:58.119 --> 00:42:58.900
 is that mercy,

00:42:59.219 --> 00:43:00.359
 has triumphed,

00:43:00.359 --> 00:43:01.759
 over judgment,

00:43:02.759 --> 00:43:04.679
 that that is the truth,

00:43:04.679 --> 00:43:06.599
 about who we are,

00:43:06.779 --> 00:43:07.679
 and we ask,

00:43:07.980 --> 00:43:08.059
 Father,

00:43:08.179 --> 00:43:09.159
 that the Holy Spirit,

00:43:09.219 --> 00:43:10.239
 would bring this truth,

00:43:10.359 --> 00:43:11.359
 deep to our hearts,

00:43:11.519 --> 00:43:12.539
 and bring your word,

00:43:12.759 --> 00:43:13.699
 deep to us,

00:43:13.819 --> 00:43:15.139
 that we might grow,

00:43:15.139 --> 00:43:16.659
 into those big clothes,

00:43:16.759 --> 00:43:17.900
 you have for us,

00:43:18.079 --> 00:43:19.199
 and so be free,

00:43:19.199 --> 00:43:20.579
 and live for your glory,

00:43:21.119 --> 00:43:22.519
 and all God's people said,

00:43:23.000 --> 00:43:23.719
 Amen.