WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.980 Good morning, everyone. My name's James. It's nice to see you this morning. 00:00:06.280 --> 00:00:17.100 The hashtag MeToo movement began in 2017 to give voice to women bringing to light issues of sexual harassment and abuse. 00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:26.760 In 2020, the Black Lives Matter marches rose to give voice to those who had been harassed and abused because of their ethnicity. 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:32.859 More recently, there has been a campaign to stop anti-Asian hate and abuse. 00:00:33.480 --> 00:00:41.240 Even in the last week in Sydney, someone had carved into a footpath, Asians go home. 00:00:42.400 --> 00:00:46.160 And so this sentiment is happening even here in Sydney. 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:52.200 In the last couple of weeks in Australia, tens of thousands of people marched against the abuse of women. 00:00:52.200 --> 00:01:00.359 Those who don't have power and freedom, those who have been abused in their lives, have been responding. 00:01:00.740 --> 00:01:04.079 They are calling for social issues to change. 00:01:05.500 --> 00:01:10.200 Whilst the coronavirus pandemic hit many people very hard, hit people's... 00:01:10.760 --> 00:01:14.200 They lost houses, people have lost jobs, people have been hit financially, 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:19.200 let alone those who have had their health damaged and lost their lives. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:23.600 Yet, the richest in our society have also gotten richer. 00:01:24.200 --> 00:01:27.159 The three richest men in the United States, 00:01:27.700 --> 00:01:29.840 Mark Zuckerberg, who owns Facebook, 00:01:30.480 --> 00:01:33.320 Elon Musk, who owns Tesla and, you know, spaceships, 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:38.659 and the third is Jeff Bezos, who owns most things, and Amazon. 00:01:38.659 --> 00:01:43.119 All three of those in the last year have more than doubled their wealth. 00:01:44.719 --> 00:01:46.659 We see social abuses. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:49.219 We see racial inequality. 00:01:50.039 --> 00:01:53.079 And we want to see a society that is changed. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:55.239 I want to see a society that is changed. 00:01:56.539 --> 00:01:58.319 In the Western culture that we live in, 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:02.400 there is unrest and dissatisfaction about relationships. 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:05.979 There is conflict between people at the workplace, 00:02:05.980 --> 00:02:09.280 conflict at home, conflict between friends and marriages. 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:14.259 There is tension in the social fabric of who we are as people. 00:02:14.840 --> 00:02:17.400 Each of us trying to get ahead, trying to earn more money, 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:19.280 trying to have shinier things. 00:02:19.420 --> 00:02:22.120 There is tension economically between classes, 00:02:22.379 --> 00:02:24.879 between those who would be considered working class 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:26.360 and middle class and upper class. 00:02:27.520 --> 00:02:29.900 There is tension and unrest and dissatisfaction 00:02:29.900 --> 00:02:32.939 between different ethnicities and nationalities. 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:37.719 And for me, personally, I can feel the pull to become a Twitter warrior 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:41.280 and to have arguments with people online. 00:02:41.379 --> 00:02:44.219 I can feel the pull to go to marches. 00:02:45.319 --> 00:02:47.800 And yet, I can feel another pull, 00:02:47.919 --> 00:02:50.560 which is just to be totally passive. 00:02:51.219 --> 00:02:55.159 Because these social issues seem so large 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:56.900 that they are just impossible to change. 00:02:56.900 --> 00:03:01.319 So how are we to view these issues 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:04.800 that are not only around us, but we are also part of? 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:07.120 What does God have to say to this? 00:03:07.140 --> 00:03:09.700 And how does a Christian respond to these issues? 00:03:10.939 --> 00:03:12.140 Last week was Easter. 00:03:12.840 --> 00:03:16.340 And we were reminded at Easter of God's goodness to us. 00:03:16.540 --> 00:03:17.840 His love, His grace. 00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:19.540 Not only that Jesus would die, 00:03:20.379 --> 00:03:22.040 but that He would be raised 00:03:22.040 --> 00:03:24.360 so that our death has been paid for 00:03:24.360 --> 00:03:26.760 and we are promised new life. 00:03:27.920 --> 00:03:30.300 The resurrection is such a wonderful, 00:03:30.600 --> 00:03:32.160 world-changing event 00:03:32.160 --> 00:03:34.940 that it not only changes our vertical relationship with God. 00:03:34.980 --> 00:03:37.200 Not only do we have a relationship with God 00:03:37.200 --> 00:03:39.140 that is restored, redeemed, 00:03:39.240 --> 00:03:40.420 now we can know Him 00:03:40.420 --> 00:03:42.160 and we can be made more like Him, 00:03:42.360 --> 00:03:46.180 but it also impacts our horizontal relationships. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:49.380 The resurrection changes how we relate to God, 00:03:49.380 --> 00:03:52.120 but it also changes how we relate to other people. 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:56.400 And so only in the death and resurrection of Jesus 00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:59.219 do we have the resources to see 00:03:59.219 --> 00:04:01.180 the transformation of relationships, 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:02.920 the transformation of our society, 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:06.780 of the church being a powerful sign to the world, 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:09.800 of the people that God is making us to be. 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:14.800 And so today, over the next 20, 30 minutes, 00:04:15.580 --> 00:04:17.660 I'm going to be touching on some large issues. 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:20.240 Racism, economic inequality. 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:23.379 Unfortunately, I can't preach for an hour and a half 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:25.199 to go into all of these very deeply, 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:27.600 but please come and speak with me after 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:29.759 if you'd like to talk more about these. 00:04:30.040 --> 00:04:32.019 So we're going to speak about 00:04:32.019 --> 00:04:35.060 the resurrection hope we have for relationships 00:04:35.060 --> 00:04:37.560 before we look at the resurrection hope 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:41.900 for racism and different classes. 00:04:42.300 --> 00:04:43.180 And as we do this, 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:45.420 we should be praying and asking God for help. 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:46.500 So let's pray. 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:48.920 Dear Heavenly Father, 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:52.819 Lord, I thank you so much for our last weekend 00:04:52.819 --> 00:04:55.240 and for the reminder of Easter, 00:04:55.480 --> 00:04:57.980 of your goodness to us at the cross 00:04:57.980 --> 00:04:58.899 and in the resurrection. 00:04:59.839 --> 00:05:01.639 Father, as we consider the implications 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:04.300 for us across our lives, 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:07.560 give us much understanding of ourself 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:09.240 and love of other people, Lord. 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:10.000 Amen. 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:12.500 Please have your Bibles open. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:13.759 We're going to be spending time 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:16.839 in those three parts of the Bible that Anne read. 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:19.439 And we're going to start in 1 Corinthians. 00:05:20.300 --> 00:05:23.699 In this letter, Paul is writing this letter 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:27.439 rebuking a church for many issues. 00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:29.339 Most of their issues come down 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:31.360 to how they are relating between people. 00:05:31.860 --> 00:05:34.480 You know, they might have the vertical relationship 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:35.259 with God sorted, 00:05:35.259 --> 00:05:37.720 but their horizontal relationships with other people 00:05:37.720 --> 00:05:39.780 are in a dire state. 00:05:40.400 --> 00:05:42.620 So as he writes in chapter 6, verse 1, 00:05:43.760 --> 00:05:46.060 if any of you has a dispute with another, 00:05:46.700 --> 00:05:49.700 do you dare take it before the ungodly for judgment 00:05:49.700 --> 00:05:51.940 instead of being the Lord's people? 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:54.380 It seems that the social relationships 00:05:54.380 --> 00:05:57.320 between people of the church have broken down. 00:05:57.540 --> 00:05:59.460 Those people who should be loving, 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:01.480 who should be forgiving each other 00:06:01.480 --> 00:06:04.100 because they know how much they've been forgiven by Jesus, 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:06.200 they are not forgiving each other. 00:06:06.199 --> 00:06:09.579 And so instead of dealing with this conflict, 00:06:10.240 --> 00:06:11.979 they've been taking each other to court. 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:14.860 They've been suing each other 00:06:14.860 --> 00:06:18.039 and they're being judged not by somebody else in the church, 00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:19.759 not by a wise Christian brother, 00:06:20.159 --> 00:06:23.560 but somebody that's totally unrelated. 00:06:24.419 --> 00:06:25.699 And so chapter 6, verse 2, 00:06:26.139 --> 00:06:29.699 do you not know that the Lord's people will judge the world? 00:06:29.699 --> 00:06:31.779 And if you are to judge the world, 00:06:32.360 --> 00:06:35.000 are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:38.519 Do you not know that we will judge angels? 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:41.319 And how much more the things of this life? 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:44.060 Paul is saying that at the resurrection, 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:46.519 there will be a final judgment 00:06:46.519 --> 00:06:50.659 and Christians will have a role to judge the world. 00:06:51.519 --> 00:06:52.579 And yet these Christians 00:06:52.579 --> 00:06:56.139 couldn't even judge trivial cases amongst themselves. 00:06:56.139 --> 00:07:01.539 You know, there's like a case of a hole between two neighbors 00:07:01.539 --> 00:07:02.919 and a donkey fell down it. 00:07:03.039 --> 00:07:07.560 And so instead of forgiving and reconciling their relationship, 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:09.000 they're taking each other to court. 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:11.740 You know, someone hasn't paid the right amount. 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:14.240 They've got unequal weights on their scales. 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:17.259 And so instead of talking amongst themselves, 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:18.719 they're taking each other to court. 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:21.759 And so many of these issues that they worried about 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:24.860 are trivial in comparison to the coming resurrection. 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:29.680 Now, Paul's not saying that there is no place for lawsuits. 00:07:30.420 --> 00:07:32.819 There is a place for lawyers and lawsuits. 00:07:33.600 --> 00:07:35.639 Seeking justice is important. 00:07:36.379 --> 00:07:38.480 But it's the attitude of the vengeful, 00:07:38.620 --> 00:07:41.520 you know, he said, she said, you owe me more. 00:07:41.900 --> 00:07:44.080 You know, you owe me, you know, $13, $28. 00:07:45.340 --> 00:07:48.100 It's the quickness to sue and litigate. 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:52.800 It's part of an unhealthy heart attitude. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:56.480 It's the spirit of the age of the church in Corinth 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:58.920 where people wanted to get what they were owed. 00:07:59.760 --> 00:08:03.600 And I also think it's the spirit of our age here in Sydney. 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:08.680 If the Christians in the church who were supposed to know forgiveness 00:08:08.680 --> 00:08:12.360 and love from God at the cost of Jesus himself, 00:08:12.459 --> 00:08:15.000 if these people couldn't even forgive each other, 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:18.139 what hope is there for people that aren't part of our church? 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:20.420 What hope is there for people in the rest of society 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:22.980 to deal with their relationships, 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:25.720 to have any hope of seeing reconciliation? 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:32.820 The call of the gospel is to lay down our desire to get what we are owed. 00:08:34.160 --> 00:08:37.300 The beauty of the gospel can be seen when Christians forgive each other. 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:40.440 You know, think, you know, last week we saw Jesus on the cross. 00:08:41.800 --> 00:08:43.700 He prays to God, Father, forgive them. 00:08:43.779 --> 00:08:44.899 They don't know what they do. 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:51.920 The Abdullah family who had a person drive into their car 00:08:51.920 --> 00:08:54.560 and saw four of their children of the family be killed 00:08:54.559 --> 00:08:57.939 seeing that family forgive the driver. 00:08:59.159 --> 00:09:03.439 The beauty of the gospel can be seen when Christians forgive. 00:09:05.239 --> 00:09:06.959 And the resurrection is the key 00:09:06.959 --> 00:09:09.419 to healing our relationships with each other 00:09:09.419 --> 00:09:11.099 in two different ways. 00:09:11.239 --> 00:09:14.719 Firstly, when we know how much we have been forgiven, 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:18.919 it helps us to lay down our judgment of others. 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.819 When we know how much we've been forgiven, 00:09:21.959 --> 00:09:23.819 it helps us to lay down our judgment of others. 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:26.980 And secondly, knowing that God is a good judge 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:30.540 helps us not to feel that we need to judge. 00:09:31.780 --> 00:09:33.700 Knowing that God has got the judgment. 00:09:33.820 --> 00:09:36.220 It's not in the kind of way that it's like, 00:09:36.280 --> 00:09:38.460 oh, I'm not going to judge because God's going to get you. 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:41.140 I'm going to leave it to him because he'll take care of you. 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:41.680 Don't worry. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.560 You know, big brother, you know, my God, 00:09:43.640 --> 00:09:44.640 he's going to get you. 00:09:44.760 --> 00:09:45.879 Lightning bolts are coming for you. 00:09:46.580 --> 00:09:48.220 No, when there's conflict, it's, 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:50.380 well, I know God is a good judge 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:51.720 and he will take care of this. 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:54.120 So I don't need to judge in his place. 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.860 Instead, I can forgive. 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.899 But I know personally 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:02.659 that when I seek to forgive, 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:04.220 there's often two other things 00:10:04.220 --> 00:10:05.779 that can get in the way. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:08.000 Two other things that my heart 00:10:08.000 --> 00:10:09.659 wants to default to. 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:12.500 Imagine that I've been wronged. 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:14.059 Does anybody want to suggest a way 00:10:14.059 --> 00:10:15.159 that I could have been wronged? 00:10:18.179 --> 00:10:18.899 Nobody's, you know, 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:20.080 let's just say it's a car. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:21.059 Let's just say James, 00:10:21.419 --> 00:10:22.519 dear James, dear brother James, 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:23.080 I'll pick on him. 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:23.500 He's leading. 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:24.080 Thank you, James. 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:25.299 Thanks for putting your hand up there. 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:27.519 Let's say he's driven into my car. 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:30.019 Okay, let's say he's driven into my car. 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:32.720 Now, you know, when that happens, 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:34.899 I'm pumped up full of adrenaline 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:37.159 and I might want to respond 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:39.419 firstly by striking back. 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:41.479 I might be very angry 00:10:41.479 --> 00:10:42.979 and I might want to go 00:10:42.979 --> 00:10:44.599 and put my dear brother in a headlock. 00:10:46.459 --> 00:10:48.599 Or maybe I won't respond physically. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:49.919 I'll respond with words 00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:51.599 and I will, you know, shout him. 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:53.000 What are you doing? 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:54.039 What are you looking? 00:10:54.099 --> 00:10:55.000 You're looking at your phone. 00:10:55.219 --> 00:10:56.179 What are you doing, James? 00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:59.279 I might respond quickly 00:10:59.279 --> 00:11:01.399 by trying to strike back. 00:11:02.079 --> 00:11:04.579 Or in the case of the Corinthian church, 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.599 they were suing each other. 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:06.719 James, I'll tell you what, 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:07.679 I'm going straight to your insurance. 00:11:07.839 --> 00:11:09.120 You are paying for every, 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.639 Dom, you're seeing my car fixed. 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:15.019 Or I might hold a grudge. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:17.700 I might say to James' face, 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:19.120 don't worry, brother, it's fine. 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:20.000 I forgive you. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:23.000 But I might actually hold onto a grudge. 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:24.940 Because what a grudge does, 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:27.179 it gives me power over someone else. 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:30.399 You owe me for hurting me, 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:31.440 for damaging my car. 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:32.659 And I'm going to bring this up 00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:33.440 every now and then. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:34.899 Oh, James, you know, 00:11:34.940 --> 00:11:35.700 you remember that time 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:37.379 you smashed into my car? 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:38.340 It's okay, I forgive you. 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:38.780 But you know what, 00:11:38.780 --> 00:11:40.120 I'd love a coffee right now. 00:11:42.100 --> 00:11:43.759 And I'm going to remind other people, 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:45.240 Ash, you remember that time James 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:46.780 smashed into my car, you know? 00:11:47.680 --> 00:11:49.879 And I could use that as a tool 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:51.120 to belittle you. 00:11:52.280 --> 00:11:54.420 Maybe I'll actually just hold onto this grudge 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:55.120 for many years, 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.700 and then one day I'll just cut you off 00:11:56.700 --> 00:11:57.740 and have nothing to do with you. 00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:00.780 Neither of these options 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:03.320 are influenced by the resurrection of Jesus. 00:12:03.320 --> 00:12:06.120 They're influenced by selfishness and pride. 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:09.440 They're the things that my heart quickly responds to. 00:12:10.300 --> 00:12:12.400 I'm sure that your heart does the same. 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:16.200 Years of responding in conflict in our relationships 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:18.480 can leave us with destroyed families, 00:12:19.260 --> 00:12:20.180 split churches, 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:21.580 damaged marriages, 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:23.080 and hurt friendships. 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:28.600 And so the resurrection calls us to forgive. 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:31.160 And this is really hard. 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:33.660 It actually means that we need to bear the cost. 00:12:34.060 --> 00:12:36.220 Instead of recouping the cost, 00:12:37.259 --> 00:12:39.300 I actually need to bear this cost. 00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:42.660 And that's what God has done with our sin. 00:12:42.800 --> 00:12:45.940 He has borne the cost in Jesus' death. 00:12:45.940 --> 00:12:49.280 Now this might sound good in principle. 00:12:49.420 --> 00:12:50.460 It might sound fine. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:52.680 But it can be very difficult. 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.460 It's very difficult. 00:12:54.540 --> 00:12:55.240 Because do you know what? 00:12:55.260 --> 00:12:56.760 I like to hold onto a grudge. 00:12:57.800 --> 00:13:00.560 Because I gain something out of that. 00:13:01.880 --> 00:13:03.040 I've been wronged. 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:04.780 And if I need to let go of that, 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:07.500 it feels like I'm letting part of me die. 00:13:08.960 --> 00:13:09.820 And it is. 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.640 But the beauty of the gospel 00:13:12.640 --> 00:13:14.400 is that when we let our anger 00:13:14.399 --> 00:13:16.079 and our grudges die, 00:13:17.059 --> 00:13:17.840 we see life. 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:20.659 We see the resurrection life in us, 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:22.120 the Holy Spirit working in us 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:23.199 so that we can forgive 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:25.919 and we can show God's love 00:13:25.919 --> 00:13:27.019 and life to other people. 00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:31.419 So to have hope for relationships, 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:34.059 even before we get to 00:13:34.059 --> 00:13:35.779 more difficult relationships 00:13:35.779 --> 00:13:38.319 like ones across ethnicities and classes, 00:13:38.620 --> 00:13:39.840 we need to be people 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:41.720 who practice forgiveness. 00:13:41.720 --> 00:13:41.920 forgiveness. 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:45.320 So to have hope 00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:47.279 for relationships, 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:50.080 our forgiveness has to come 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:50.940 from the resurrection. 00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:54.639 We come now to a more complicated issue, 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:57.519 one of race and ethnicity. 00:13:58.019 --> 00:14:00.320 Please turn with me to Galatians chapter 2 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:02.759 as we see the resurrection hope for racism. 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:06.180 In Galatians chapter 2, verse 11, 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:09.399 when Cephas came to Antioch, 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.659 Paul said that he, 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:12.359 I opposed him to his face 00:14:12.359 --> 00:14:13.979 because he stood condemned. 00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:16.379 For before certain men came from James, 00:14:16.439 --> 00:14:17.819 he used to eat with Gentiles. 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.439 But when they arrived, 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.979 he began to draw back 00:14:20.979 --> 00:14:22.959 and separate himself from the Gentiles 00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:24.699 because he was afraid 00:14:24.699 --> 00:14:27.339 of those who belong to the circumcision group. 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:30.019 So Paul corrects Peter, 00:14:30.199 --> 00:14:31.299 Paul rebukes Peter 00:14:31.299 --> 00:14:33.399 because he has separated himself 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.720 from the Gentiles. 00:14:35.079 --> 00:14:35.639 Verse 15, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.480 we who are Jews by birth 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:40.620 and not sinful Gentiles 00:14:40.620 --> 00:14:41.919 know that a person 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:43.039 is not justified 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:44.559 by the works of the law 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:46.939 but by faith in Jesus Christ. 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:50.019 So we too 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.559 have put our faith in Jesus 00:14:51.559 --> 00:14:53.779 that we may be justified 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:55.000 by faith in Christ 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.840 and not by works of the law 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:58.419 because by the works of the law 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.819 no one will be justified. 00:14:59.820 --> 00:15:03.080 Paul had to go and remind Peter 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:05.340 of where salvation came from. 00:15:05.660 --> 00:15:07.320 It did not come from the law 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:09.320 but it came from God's grace. 00:15:10.140 --> 00:15:11.220 And what Paul does 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:12.200 is something really interesting here. 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:14.640 He connects God's love 00:15:14.640 --> 00:15:16.140 and his grace 00:15:16.140 --> 00:15:17.220 and his justification 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:19.840 to cultural identity. 00:15:21.400 --> 00:15:22.800 And he actually says that 00:15:22.800 --> 00:15:25.020 one is stronger than the other. 00:15:25.460 --> 00:15:26.880 The identity that we have 00:15:26.880 --> 00:15:27.460 as Christians 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:29.300 is far stronger 00:15:29.300 --> 00:15:31.840 than our family heritage, 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:33.180 our cultural identity. 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:35.120 Now Paul himself 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.420 was a proud Hebrew. 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.060 He continues to refer 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:39.060 to himself as a Hebrew. 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:39.740 He doesn't say 00:15:39.740 --> 00:15:40.720 I'm a Christian now 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:42.400 so everything that came before 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:43.120 doesn't matter. 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.360 He follows Jesus 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.379 and he also says 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.980 he's a Hebrew. 00:15:47.400 --> 00:15:49.780 He's proud of his heritage. 00:15:50.900 --> 00:15:52.980 And Paul is talking to Peter. 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:54.160 Peter is the guy 00:15:54.160 --> 00:15:55.920 who had seen a vision 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:56.839 from God 00:15:56.839 --> 00:15:58.099 that all people 00:15:58.099 --> 00:15:58.659 were considered 00:15:58.659 --> 00:15:59.439 to be clean. 00:16:00.479 --> 00:16:01.399 This is the guy 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.000 who had had a vision 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.399 from God 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:03.779 that all people are clean 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.719 that there is no division 00:16:04.719 --> 00:16:06.079 between Jew and Gentile. 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:08.319 And yet 00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:09.860 the racial division 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:11.059 between Jews 00:16:11.059 --> 00:16:11.919 and Gentiles 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:12.679 ran deep. 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:14.000 It was full 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:15.579 of mistrust, 00:16:16.439 --> 00:16:16.879 disrespect 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.879 and suspicion. 00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:20.659 His fear of the Jews 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.819 separated himself 00:16:21.819 --> 00:16:22.399 from others. 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:23.019 It was just 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:24.779 racism in practice. 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:26.599 So Peter 00:16:26.599 --> 00:16:27.860 stopped eating food 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.679 with the Gentiles 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:29.939 and food 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:31.559 is such a clear sign 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:32.219 of relationship. 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:34.179 It's such a wonderful thing 00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:35.839 when we get to eat food together. 00:16:35.979 --> 00:16:36.539 I'm looking forward 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.259 to eating food 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:37.799 with a whole bunch 00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.099 of people 00:16:38.099 --> 00:16:39.279 coming over to my house today. 00:16:40.079 --> 00:16:40.620 But here 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:42.360 Peter's racial identity 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:44.159 became more important 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:45.939 than his spiritual identity. 00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:47.899 And in effect 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.699 he may have said 00:16:48.699 --> 00:16:49.079 one thing 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:49.759 with these words 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:51.599 God's love 00:16:51.599 --> 00:16:52.679 is for all people. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.339 God offers forgiveness 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.160 to all people 00:16:55.160 --> 00:16:56.620 but in practice 00:16:56.620 --> 00:16:58.139 he denied 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:59.259 the gospel of grace 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.820 because he was just 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:01.519 spending time 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.080 with the Jews. 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.480 Jesus didn't die 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.200 for just one ethnicity. 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.220 There is no one group 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:08.559 of people 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.360 that are more special. 00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.500 He was the God 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.160 he is the God 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:11.860 of the Israelites 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:13.620 and a specific country 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:14.660 but he is also 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.140 the God 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:16.720 of the whole world. 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:19.319 At the end of Galatians 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.160 in chapter 6 00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:21.140 Paul says 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.600 neither circumcision 00:17:22.600 --> 00:17:23.860 nor uncircumcision 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:25.100 means anything. 00:17:25.820 --> 00:17:26.540 What counts 00:17:26.540 --> 00:17:28.120 is the new creation. 00:17:29.340 --> 00:17:29.860 Paul says that 00:17:29.860 --> 00:17:31.200 because of the resurrection 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.759 the ethnic 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.820 and cultural 00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:36.040 differences 00:17:36.040 --> 00:17:37.640 are no longer important. 00:17:38.520 --> 00:17:39.460 In the new creation 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.259 cultural and ethnic 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:40.920 differences 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.860 don't create tension 00:17:41.860 --> 00:17:43.180 but they are made pure. 00:17:43.340 --> 00:17:44.180 They are just one 00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:45.500 aspect of who we are. 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.660 And I love 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.780 Revelation chapter 7. 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.880 Revelation chapter 7 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:51.700 has this beautiful picture 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:53.840 of the new creation 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:55.480 where there will be 00:17:55.480 --> 00:17:56.400 people from 00:17:56.400 --> 00:17:57.420 every tribe 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.300 nation 00:17:58.300 --> 00:17:59.260 people and language 00:17:59.260 --> 00:18:00.420 praising God 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:01.240 together. 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.540 Ethnic and cultural 00:18:03.540 --> 00:18:04.120 differences 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:05.600 are a good 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:06.820 part of creation 00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:08.100 and they are 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:08.640 purified 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:09.680 and they endure 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.960 past the resurrection. 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:14.860 In the ancient world 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:16.700 religion was just 00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.740 one aspect 00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.820 of a culture's 00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.260 identity. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.540 If you were from 00:18:20.540 --> 00:18:20.940 Athens 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:22.360 you worshipped 00:18:22.360 --> 00:18:22.980 the god 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.900 Athena 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:26.000 Athena 00:18:26.000 --> 00:18:27.160 Athena 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:27.600 thank you 00:18:27.600 --> 00:18:27.900 thank you 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:28.160 Narlene. 00:18:28.520 --> 00:18:29.080 If you were 00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:29.740 a Delphian 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.440 your god 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.040 was Apollo 00:18:31.040 --> 00:18:32.440 if you were 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:33.160 from Olympus 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:33.760 your god 00:18:33.760 --> 00:18:34.240 was Zeus 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:34.760 if you were 00:18:34.760 --> 00:18:35.400 from Corinth 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:35.920 a city 00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.580 by the sea 00:18:36.580 --> 00:18:37.320 your god 00:18:37.320 --> 00:18:38.220 was Poseidon. 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:39.780 Christianity 00:18:39.780 --> 00:18:40.700 fundamentally 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.420 changed 00:18:41.420 --> 00:18:42.220 all of that. 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:43.940 Everyone 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.520 of every 00:18:45.520 --> 00:18:46.060 city 00:18:46.060 --> 00:18:46.820 every 00:18:46.820 --> 00:18:47.880 ethnic group 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:48.360 every 00:18:48.360 --> 00:18:48.900 nation 00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:49.860 all people 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:50.380 were called 00:18:50.380 --> 00:18:50.980 to worship 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.720 the same 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:52.280 god. 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.980 The implication 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.220 then is that 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:57.320 this god 00:18:57.320 --> 00:18:58.200 relationship 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.260 with this god 00:18:59.260 --> 00:19:00.520 unites us 00:19:00.520 --> 00:19:02.140 far deeper 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.520 far stronger 00:19:03.520 --> 00:19:04.800 than any 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:05.720 cultural bond 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:07.160 any place 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:07.620 that we've 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.140 come from. 00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:10.440 And yet 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:11.840 following Jesus 00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:12.380 putting off 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.140 the old self 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.860 and old way 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:14.660 of doing things 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.700 doesn't mean 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.120 that I can 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:16.740 actually put 00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.080 off my 00:19:17.080 --> 00:19:17.460 cultural 00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:17.960 identity. 00:19:18.320 --> 00:19:18.720 There is 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.259 no way 00:19:19.259 --> 00:19:20.040 to be 00:19:20.040 --> 00:19:20.640 culturally 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:21.200 neutral. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.400 I will 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.279 forever be 00:19:24.279 --> 00:19:25.080 someone who 00:19:25.080 --> 00:19:25.860 is influenced 00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:27.279 by being 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.700 an Aussie 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:27.980 male 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.580 growing up 00:19:28.580 --> 00:19:29.320 in Wollongong 00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:30.000 in the 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.160 1990s. 00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:32.100 I'm a 00:19:32.100 --> 00:19:32.880 90s child 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:33.380 that's just 00:19:33.380 --> 00:19:34.300 that's who 00:19:34.300 --> 00:19:34.800 I am 00:19:34.800 --> 00:19:35.880 and I can't 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:36.519 actually change 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:36.820 that. 00:19:37.300 --> 00:19:37.900 It's impossible 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:38.440 to change 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:38.720 that. 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.019 But what 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.580 I can seek 00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:41.160 to do 00:19:41.160 --> 00:19:42.400 is to have 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.140 my cultural 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:43.920 way of 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:44.740 doing things 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.259 changed 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.120 and made 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:46.440 pure. 00:19:47.020 --> 00:19:47.640 No longer 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.340 can I blame 00:19:48.340 --> 00:19:49.160 culture. 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:49.700 No longer 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.080 can I just 00:19:50.080 --> 00:19:50.640 say that's 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.840 just what 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:52.280 people from 00:19:52.280 --> 00:19:52.720 Sydney do. 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.300 That's just 00:19:53.300 --> 00:19:53.780 what Aussies 00:19:53.780 --> 00:19:54.080 do. 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.560 I can actually 00:19:56.560 --> 00:19:57.100 choose to 00:19:57.100 --> 00:19:57.780 stand apart 00:19:57.780 --> 00:19:58.540 to put off 00:19:58.540 --> 00:19:59.500 idolatrous 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:01.000 ways and 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.700 be a 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.040 Christian 00:20:02.040 --> 00:20:02.920 with a 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.340 culture 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:04.180 shaped by 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:04.460 God. 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:06.240 What if 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.100 I as 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:08.300 a white 00:20:08.300 --> 00:20:09.380 36 year 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:09.900 old male 00:20:09.900 --> 00:20:10.640 was listening 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.759 to a 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.140 younger 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.759 Asian 00:20:12.759 --> 00:20:13.240 Christian 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.839 sister 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:15.420 speak of 00:20:15.420 --> 00:20:15.640 the 00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:16.660 casual 00:20:16.660 --> 00:20:17.099 and 00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.500 deliberate 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.099 racism 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:18.879 she's 00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:19.359 received 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:19.720 just 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.019 because 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.160 of 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:20.359 her 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:20.819 ethnicity? 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.500 How would 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:22.900 I respond 00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:23.279 to that? 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.599 I think 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.779 my instinct 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.519 would be 00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.480 to defend 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.140 my culture 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:29.519 to defend 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.059 the way 00:20:30.059 --> 00:20:30.440 I grew 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:30.700 up and 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.059 the people 00:20:31.059 --> 00:20:31.420 I grew 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:31.819 up with. 00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:32.940 I probably 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.759 want to 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:35.339 default to 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:35.879 saying something 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.279 like oh 00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:36.599 look it's 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.099 not real 00:20:37.099 --> 00:20:37.599 racism 00:20:37.599 --> 00:20:38.500 it's just 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:38.900 jokes. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.079 That's just 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:40.599 what Aussies 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.059 do. 00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:41.900 They're just 00:20:41.900 --> 00:20:43.480 boys being 00:20:43.480 --> 00:20:44.080 boys it's 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:44.320 one of 00:20:44.320 --> 00:20:44.740 those type 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.300 of excuses 00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:46.220 and just 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.880 dismiss her 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:47.460 concerns. 00:20:48.280 --> 00:20:48.759 Maybe I'd 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.340 even push 00:20:49.340 --> 00:20:49.820 it back to 00:20:49.820 --> 00:20:50.420 victim blaming 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:50.980 oh look you're 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.360 actually not 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:51.640 able to 00:20:51.640 --> 00:20:51.920 take a 00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:52.200 joke. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.080 It's 00:20:53.080 --> 00:20:53.259 actually 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:53.840 your fault. 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.460 I might 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:55.940 even say 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.720 look racism 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.440 now isn't 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:57.980 as bad 00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.380 as it 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.560 was 20 00:20:59.560 --> 00:21:00.220 30 years 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.580 ago when 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:00.880 I was 00:21:00.880 --> 00:21:01.400 growing up. 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:01.800 It's so 00:21:01.800 --> 00:21:02.140 much better 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:02.480 now so 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:02.940 don't worry 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.540 about it. 00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:05.980 or I 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:06.559 can remember 00:21:06.559 --> 00:21:07.079 that my 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.839 old self 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:09.539 because of 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.379 my pride 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:11.039 in ethnicity 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.779 is an 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:13.480 idol and 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:13.799 what it 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.420 does is 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.759 it actually 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.619 blinds me 00:21:16.619 --> 00:21:17.220 to actual 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:18.619 racism and 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:18.960 I need to 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:19.319 remember that 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:19.559 I'm a 00:21:19.559 --> 00:21:20.579 Christian first 00:21:20.579 --> 00:21:21.119 and a 00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:22.139 white male 00:21:22.139 --> 00:21:23.519 second and 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:23.759 I must 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:24.319 treat this 00:21:24.319 --> 00:21:25.220 sister as 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.819 an equal 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.420 child of 00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.659 God and 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.099 who God 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.500 is using 00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:28.920 to speak 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.420 to me in 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:29.879 that moment 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:30.359 to work 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.279 on my 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:31.960 idolatry. 00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:34.039 Each of 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:35.000 us needs 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:35.460 to be 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:36.160 aware of 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:36.600 our own 00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:37.039 cultural 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.559 blindness 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.779 and not 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.259 believe that 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.779 our way 00:21:39.779 --> 00:21:40.220 of being 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.860 a Christian 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:41.720 just because 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.019 it's the 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.400 way we've 00:21:42.400 --> 00:21:42.759 grown up 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.559 is necessarily 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:44.600 the right 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:44.880 way. 00:21:45.759 --> 00:21:46.120 Now what 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:46.340 I would 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:46.660 love to 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:46.860 do at 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.259 this point 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.880 is I 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.279 would love 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.900 to encourage 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.860 you to 00:21:49.860 --> 00:21:50.860 go on a 00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:51.380 holiday to 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:51.620 another 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:52.200 country. 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:53.480 A little 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.019 bit difficult 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.299 I don't 00:21:55.299 --> 00:21:55.640 have money 00:21:55.640 --> 00:21:56.019 to give 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.279 you to 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:56.620 fly 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.039 anywhere 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.740 we might 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:57.940 be able 00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.160 to go to 00:21:58.160 --> 00:21:58.539 New Zealand 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.079 in a week. 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:00.799 What I'd 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.420 love for you 00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:01.759 to do is 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.319 to go to 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:02.779 another 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.339 culture 00:22:03.339 --> 00:22:04.299 spend a 00:22:04.299 --> 00:22:04.660 significant 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.140 amount of 00:22:05.140 --> 00:22:05.680 time there 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.220 because what 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.779 that does 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.039 is it 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.640 actually makes 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.420 you realise 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:12.640 these Christians 00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:13.220 do things 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.299 differently to 00:22:14.299 --> 00:22:14.799 those Christians 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.339 back home. 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:15.779 I wonder 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.240 why. 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.059 When we 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:18.500 get out of 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:18.839 our own 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.259 culture it 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.740 helps us 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.160 to ask 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.839 questions 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.740 of our 00:22:21.740 --> 00:22:22.240 own way 00:22:22.240 --> 00:22:22.599 of doing 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.039 things. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.579 We are 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.279 a multi-ethnic 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:26.900 church here 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.960 and we are 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:28.460 seeking to 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:28.740 have a 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.599 culture shaped 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.599 not by 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.419 racism 00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:32.119 not by 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.679 ethnic 00:22:32.679 --> 00:22:33.179 preference 00:22:33.179 --> 00:22:33.839 not by 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:34.599 the culture 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.019 that I've 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.439 grown up 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:35.639 in 00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:36.299 but shaped 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.339 by Jesus 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:37.879 and his 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.419 resurrection. 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.539 We can be 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:41.359 a voice 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:42.219 of love 00:22:42.219 --> 00:22:43.519 to hurt 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.099 and broken 00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.919 people in 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.139 our 00:22:45.139 --> 00:22:45.919 polarised 00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:46.359 neighbourhood 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.459 as we 00:22:47.459 --> 00:22:47.819 hold out 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.099 God's 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.379 love. 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.000 Let me 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.779 encourage you 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.159 call out 00:22:52.159 --> 00:22:52.459 racism 00:22:52.459 --> 00:22:52.859 when you 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.259 see it. 00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.379 Call out 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:54.740 racism 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.200 in the 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:55.740 workplace 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:56.579 even if 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:57.000 it means 00:22:57.000 --> 00:22:57.400 you don't 00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:57.779 get the 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.000 next 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:58.440 promotion. 00:22:58.599 --> 00:22:58.900 Call out 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.359 racism 00:22:59.359 --> 00:22:59.759 within 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.220 friendship 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.620 groups 00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:01.039 even if 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.519 it means 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.500 you lose 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.059 friends. 00:23:03.859 --> 00:23:04.259 Don't keep 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.039 quiet in 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.819 fear like 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.180 Peter. 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.319 Show active 00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:08.779 love to 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.160 people of 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:09.660 all nations 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:10.359 and I 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:10.779 think most 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.240 importantly 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.640 we actually 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.279 need to 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.440 seek to 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.519 listen to 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.099 people who 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:15.579 are different 00:23:15.579 --> 00:23:16.120 to us. 00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.000 In the next 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.299 couple of 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:19.039 weeks I'm 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.740 hoping to 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.039 read a 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.779 book called 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:21.240 Reading 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.740 While 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.220 Black. 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:22.839 It's 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.200 written by 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.680 an African 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.140 American 00:23:24.140 --> 00:23:24.759 called 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.200 Esau 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:25.700 Macaulay 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.540 and he 00:23:26.540 --> 00:23:27.000 writes 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.120 about 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.740 what it 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.160 means to 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.460 be a 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:29.759 Christian 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.440 growing up 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:30.780 in the 00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:31.040 South 00:23:31.040 --> 00:23:31.660 of America 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:33.040 and I'm 00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:33.380 looking forward 00:23:33.380 --> 00:23:33.720 to reading 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.160 that because 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.780 it is such 00:23:34.780 --> 00:23:35.420 a different 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:35.960 cultural 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.520 perspective 00:23:36.520 --> 00:23:37.460 on what it 00:23:37.460 --> 00:23:37.820 means to 00:23:37.820 --> 00:23:38.140 be a 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:38.480 Christian 00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:40.240 and he 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.600 has a 00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:40.840 whole 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:41.180 different 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.180 voice on 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.440 what it 00:23:42.440 --> 00:23:42.800 means to 00:23:42.800 --> 00:23:43.180 be an 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.600 African 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:45.020 and insight 00:23:45.020 --> 00:23:45.460 into the 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.040 Africans in 00:23:46.040 --> 00:23:46.440 the Bible 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:46.820 so I'm 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.380 really looking 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:47.860 forward to 00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.120 that. 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:49.500 Let me 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.340 encourage you 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:51.720 seek out 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.220 different 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.980 voices to 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.500 understand 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:54.080 people from 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.359 different 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:54.859 places. 00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:56.399 I think 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:57.220 SBS is a 00:23:57.220 --> 00:23:57.500 wonderful 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.159 channel because 00:23:58.159 --> 00:23:59.460 it is so 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.359 multi-ethnic. 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:02.559 Watch documentaries, 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.519 learn about 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.019 people from 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:04.679 other places. 00:24:06.059 --> 00:24:06.679 So let me 00:24:06.679 --> 00:24:07.259 encourage you, 00:24:07.759 --> 00:24:08.919 as we seek to 00:24:08.919 --> 00:24:09.839 be influenced by 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.519 the resurrection, 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.480 to love people 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.139 who are different, 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.240 let me encourage 00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.980 you to listen. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.240 Listen to 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.899 people's stories. 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.599 We've looked at 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.480 relationships between 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:19.919 each other, 00:24:20.179 --> 00:24:20.720 how we need to 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.119 forgive, 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:23.139 across ethnicities, 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.879 how important 00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.639 it is to 00:24:24.639 --> 00:24:25.119 listen, 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.579 and now we 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.299 come to the 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.139 resurrection hope 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:30.539 we have for 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.399 the classes, 00:24:31.739 --> 00:24:32.199 for different 00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:32.939 social groups. 00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:34.799 Have a look 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:35.419 with me at 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:35.919 Luke chapter 00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:36.399 14. 00:24:37.379 --> 00:24:38.500 Jesus is at 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.139 a banquet. 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.399 I actually 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:41.199 wonder if this 00:24:41.199 --> 00:24:41.879 is the first 00:24:41.879 --> 00:24:42.699 type of banquet 00:24:42.699 --> 00:24:43.419 like this Jesus 00:24:43.419 --> 00:24:44.119 has gone to. 00:24:44.379 --> 00:24:45.539 Growing up as a 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.599 tradie, I 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.599 wonder if this 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:48.139 is the first 00:24:48.139 --> 00:24:48.699 time he's gone 00:24:48.699 --> 00:24:49.379 to a meal like 00:24:49.380 --> 00:24:49.680 this. 00:24:50.080 --> 00:24:51.040 In chapter 14 00:24:51.040 --> 00:24:51.700 it says, 00:24:52.640 --> 00:24:53.300 when he noticed 00:24:53.300 --> 00:24:54.100 how the guests 00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:55.020 picked the places 00:24:55.020 --> 00:24:55.720 of honour at 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.180 the table, 00:24:56.720 --> 00:24:57.220 he told them 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:57.760 this parable. 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:59.360 When someone 00:24:59.360 --> 00:25:00.200 invites you to 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:00.920 a wedding feast, 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:01.820 do not take 00:25:01.820 --> 00:25:02.400 the place of 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:02.660 honour, 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.040 for a person 00:25:04.040 --> 00:25:04.760 more distinguished 00:25:04.760 --> 00:25:05.500 than you may 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.060 have been 00:25:06.060 --> 00:25:06.560 invited. 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:08.200 Jesus is at 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.880 this banquet 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:09.700 and he is 00:25:09.700 --> 00:25:10.380 watching the 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:11.500 social interactions 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.460 around him. 00:25:12.780 --> 00:25:13.320 He's watching 00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:14.680 how the class 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.560 based system 00:25:15.560 --> 00:25:16.340 functions. 00:25:17.520 --> 00:25:18.060 Those who 00:25:18.060 --> 00:25:18.780 were closer to 00:25:18.780 --> 00:25:19.300 the top of 00:25:19.299 --> 00:25:19.759 the table, 00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.599 they were 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:21.180 considered to 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:21.579 be more 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:21.980 important. 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.000 They sat 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.279 with the 00:25:23.279 --> 00:25:23.839 more important 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.779 people and 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.059 they would 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.019 have conversations 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.759 to advance 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.200 themselves. 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:29.720 It was a 00:25:29.720 --> 00:25:30.279 form of 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.299 ancient networking 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:33.500 before LinkedIn 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.339 or however 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:34.919 people do it 00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:35.440 these days. 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.279 The purpose 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:36.639 of this 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.279 dinner was 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.299 to grow 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:39.440 social relationships 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.759 so that you 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.299 could climb 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.759 the ladder. 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:42.759 You know, 00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:43.299 you wanted to 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:43.859 sit next to 00:25:43.859 --> 00:25:44.720 a person who 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.159 could help 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:46.059 you to open 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.740 doors, to 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.519 invest in you 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:47.839 and you would 00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:48.639 invest in them 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.080 and you 00:25:49.080 --> 00:25:49.340 would buy 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:49.900 products. 00:25:50.820 --> 00:25:51.040 So, you 00:25:51.040 --> 00:25:51.300 know, you'd 00:25:51.300 --> 00:25:51.860 sit next to 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:52.259 the property 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:53.400 developer and 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.100 you'd ask, 00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.540 you know, 00:25:54.600 --> 00:25:55.020 where's the 00:25:55.020 --> 00:25:57.160 next land sale 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.660 going to be? 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.020 Where's the 00:25:58.020 --> 00:25:58.580 next boom 00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.140 suburb? 00:25:59.280 --> 00:26:00.900 You tell me 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.580 where that is 00:26:01.580 --> 00:26:02.420 and I'll buy 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:02.920 in there and 00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.300 you'll get 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:03.759 more money. 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:04.940 And then if 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.360 you need me, 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:05.759 you do a 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.100 favour for 00:26:06.100 --> 00:26:06.440 you, I'll 00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:06.940 do that. 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:08.140 You know, 00:26:08.320 --> 00:26:08.800 I'm going to 00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:09.240 sit next to 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:09.820 the person who 00:26:09.820 --> 00:26:10.240 works for the 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.980 government so I 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.900 can get my 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.800 DA through 00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:13.440 quicker and 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:13.960 when it does 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.440 that I will 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.840 give your 00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.620 political party 00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:17.020 an extra kickback. 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.180 You scratch my 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:18.879 back, I scratch 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:19.400 your back. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.639 Jesus says 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.039 into this 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.539 context, 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.019 don't try and 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.900 take the places 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:25.960 of honour and 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.599 power for 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:27.099 yourselves. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.879 But that's a 00:26:28.879 --> 00:26:29.599 crazy thought 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.019 into this 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.440 context. 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.619 That was the 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.279 whole point of 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.839 going to this 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.200 event. 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:34.599 You wanted the 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.119 place of honour 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:35.579 because you 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:36.139 want to talk to 00:26:36.139 --> 00:26:36.579 those people 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.660 around you so 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.099 that you can 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:38.779 climb so you 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.420 can get ahead. 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:41.800 I didn't come 00:26:41.800 --> 00:26:42.539 to this feast 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.400 to talk to 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:44.000 poor people. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.640 They are not 00:26:45.640 --> 00:26:46.400 going to help 00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:46.840 me at all. 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.500 I came to 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:48.759 get an 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.200 advantage. 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.140 The whole 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:52.700 social system 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.720 was designed 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.220 to meet 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:55.200 people to 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.500 do favours 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:56.880 for each 00:26:56.880 --> 00:26:57.800 other, to 00:26:57.800 --> 00:26:58.620 try and get 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.759 control and 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.700 power and 00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.560 influence and 00:27:01.560 --> 00:27:01.840 money. 00:27:03.300 --> 00:27:04.000 Jesus says 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.720 something radical. 00:27:05.980 --> 00:27:06.500 Instead of 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.019 focusing on 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.539 yourself, 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:09.519 focus on 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:09.839 others. 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.519 You don't 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.500 need to gain 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.299 power and 00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:13.119 control and 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:13.639 money because 00:27:13.639 --> 00:27:14.039 you have a 00:27:14.039 --> 00:27:14.879 God who 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.799 richly blesses 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.220 you and he 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:16.759 is in control 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.460 of all things. 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.119 And so Jesus 00:27:19.119 --> 00:27:20.539 breaks free of 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.139 this system in 00:27:21.139 --> 00:27:21.720 verse 12. 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:23.500 Jesus said to 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:23.960 his host, 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:25.700 when you give 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.480 a luncheon or 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.700 dinner, do not 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.279 invite your 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:29.379 friends, your 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:30.159 brothers or your 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.779 sisters, your 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.619 relatives or your 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.119 rich neighbours. 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:34.139 If you do, they 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:35.139 may invite you 00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:36.379 back and so you 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.200 will be repaid. 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.639 But when you 00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:39.359 give a banquet, 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.259 invite the 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.079 poor, the 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.759 crippled, the 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.240 lame, the 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.460 blind and you 00:27:43.460 --> 00:27:44.259 will be blessed. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:45.779 Although they 00:27:45.779 --> 00:27:46.619 cannot repay you, 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.480 you will be 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.720 repaid at the 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.599 resurrection of 00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.119 the righteous. 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.740 So the 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.259 resurrection 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:54.220 influences how 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:55.379 we view people 00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:56.220 in different 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:57.319 social situations. 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.259 Now what Jesus 00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.940 is talking to, 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.859 he's talking to a 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.940 culture of 00:28:01.940 --> 00:28:02.759 reciprocity. 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.759 A culture where 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:05.779 if I do 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.680 something for you, 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.560 you have to 00:28:07.560 --> 00:28:08.180 reciprocate. 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:08.799 You do 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.320 something for 00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:09.580 me. 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.279 It's true of 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.640 other cultures 00:28:12.640 --> 00:28:13.180 today, some 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:13.840 Asian cultures 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:14.799 are still very 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.259 reciprocal. 00:28:16.580 --> 00:28:17.220 Gifts were 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.960 never free. 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.200 There was 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.539 always strings 00:28:20.539 --> 00:28:21.000 attached. 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.320 And so you 00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:22.940 would never 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:23.900 invite a poor 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.600 person to a 00:28:24.600 --> 00:28:24.940 feast. 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.340 First of all, 00:28:26.360 --> 00:28:26.860 it says something 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:27.279 about the 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:27.720 host. 00:28:29.060 --> 00:28:29.720 Other people 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.299 would feel that 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.940 their time was 00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.279 wasted. 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:31.960 Why is this 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.440 poor person 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:32.720 here? 00:28:32.940 --> 00:28:33.680 I get nothing 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.279 out of them. 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.220 I'm not going 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:35.720 to talk to 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.000 them. 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.259 And then the 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.879 poor person 00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.480 themselves would 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.299 be embarrassed 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:40.339 because they 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:40.920 can't offer 00:28:40.920 --> 00:28:41.660 anything else 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.200 back to the 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:42.480 host. 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.259 They can't 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.660 invite the 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.220 host back 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:44.799 next week 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.579 for a feast 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.079 because they 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:46.519 can't do 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:46.779 that. 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.440 And so the 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.039 poor would 00:28:49.039 --> 00:28:49.879 just be 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:51.539 excluded for 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.379 their sake and 00:28:52.379 --> 00:28:52.859 for everybody 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:53.579 else's sake. 00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:54.819 And so what 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.579 would happen is 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:56.599 the poor would 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:57.460 get poorer and 00:28:57.460 --> 00:28:57.980 the rich would 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.460 get richer. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:01.079 Jesus is 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:02.059 critical of this 00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.399 system. 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.480 And so he 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:03.899 says, you 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.059 know what, 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:04.399 let's just 00:29:04.399 --> 00:29:04.899 start a new 00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:05.099 one. 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.740 Let's start 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.019 a new 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.019 system, not 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:07.940 based on 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.819 giving each 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.339 other gifts, 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.359 one based on 00:29:10.359 --> 00:29:11.019 the resurrection 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.139 where God 00:29:12.139 --> 00:29:13.440 values us 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.319 all equally 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:15.259 and has given 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:15.779 us the gift 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.579 of his son. 00:29:17.679 --> 00:29:18.539 All richly 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:18.899 blessed. 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:19.839 Instead of 00:29:19.839 --> 00:29:20.859 seeking people 00:29:20.859 --> 00:29:21.419 to actively 00:29:21.419 --> 00:29:22.419 gain a benefit 00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:23.019 from them, 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.559 I'm going to 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.339 use this person 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.099 to get ahead. 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.299 I'm going to 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.000 befriend them 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.779 to open doors. 00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:28.839 No, choosing 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:29.859 to love other 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:31.200 people just 00:29:31.200 --> 00:29:31.980 to love them. 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.700 The resurrection, 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.380 salvation itself 00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:35.220 is our 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.680 advantage and 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.200 not what we 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:37.680 gain from 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.120 each other. 00:29:39.860 --> 00:29:40.400 Christians are 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:40.920 called to be in 00:29:40.920 --> 00:29:41.580 relationships with 00:29:41.580 --> 00:29:42.039 people from 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.720 other social 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:44.019 circles and 00:29:44.019 --> 00:29:45.360 cultures as an 00:29:45.360 --> 00:29:45.960 expression of 00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.680 God's love, 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:48.080 of God's 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:49.160 generosity to 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.480 us. 00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.860 It's a whole 00:29:50.860 --> 00:29:51.580 new world view 00:29:51.580 --> 00:29:52.680 of how people 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.220 are viewed not 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:54.000 as tools to 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:54.480 get ahead, 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.400 but as people 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:57.460 loved by God 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.160 to be loved. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:30:00.180 Jesus has 00:30:00.180 --> 00:30:00.940 blessed us, 00:30:01.540 --> 00:30:02.040 he's brought 00:30:02.040 --> 00:30:02.660 us out of 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.519 poverty and 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.180 given us life, 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.560 so we're 00:30:04.560 --> 00:30:05.060 called to 00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:05.860 imitate him 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.560 in generosity. 00:30:08.420 --> 00:30:09.279 Belief in 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.920 the resurrection 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:11.160 should change 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:13.080 our relationships. 00:30:13.800 --> 00:30:14.140 It should 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.960 change how we 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:16.240 calculate the 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.820 value of 00:30:16.820 --> 00:30:17.160 people. 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:18.880 It should 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:19.360 end the 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:21.900 constant thoughts 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:22.340 in the back 00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:22.980 of my mind, 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.480 I'll pick on 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:24.800 James again, 00:30:24.880 --> 00:30:25.860 is this person 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:27.099 actually worth 00:30:27.099 --> 00:30:27.659 my time? 00:30:28.299 --> 00:30:28.699 Should I 00:30:28.699 --> 00:30:29.159 spend time 00:30:29.159 --> 00:30:29.500 with him? 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.759 Is he just 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.219 going to drag 00:30:31.219 --> 00:30:31.699 me down? 00:30:32.379 --> 00:30:32.859 He's going to 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:33.319 need a lot of 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.659 work. 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.839 Do I really 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.179 have time? 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:37.899 Is he actually 00:30:37.899 --> 00:30:38.459 worth it? 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:40.559 And if I spend 00:30:40.559 --> 00:30:40.979 time with him, 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.659 does he appreciate 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:42.240 it enough? 00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.439 Does he thank 00:30:43.439 --> 00:30:43.919 me enough? 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:45.000 What do I 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:45.759 actually get out 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.059 of this 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.619 relationship? 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.219 The resurrection 00:30:48.219 --> 00:30:48.879 should actually 00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.959 end our 00:30:49.959 --> 00:30:50.959 stinginess with 00:30:50.959 --> 00:30:52.399 our time and 00:30:52.399 --> 00:30:53.159 our wealth and 00:30:53.159 --> 00:30:53.779 our lives, 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:54.259 because the 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:55.139 resurrection calls 00:30:55.139 --> 00:30:55.839 us to 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:56.459 generosity? 00:30:59.119 --> 00:30:59.879 Today we've 00:30:59.879 --> 00:31:00.579 spoken about 00:31:00.579 --> 00:31:02.079 big social 00:31:02.079 --> 00:31:02.720 change, 00:31:04.159 --> 00:31:04.599 of 00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:05.779 relationships, 00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:08.019 of racism, 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.459 of resources, 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.720 and I want to 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.459 encourage you, 00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.839 instead of 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:15.419 just seeing 00:31:15.419 --> 00:31:16.919 the national 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:18.019 and international 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:19.319 conversations and 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:20.039 thinking, oh, 00:31:20.039 --> 00:31:20.720 I need to engage 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:21.159 with that, 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:23.019 I need to talk 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:24.079 about these big 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:24.579 things, 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:26.199 just to engage 00:31:26.199 --> 00:31:26.839 with the most 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:27.879 recent Black 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.559 Lives Matter 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.759 march or 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.699 these kinds of 00:31:30.699 --> 00:31:30.879 things, 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.779 instead of just 00:31:31.779 --> 00:31:32.519 engaging with 00:31:32.519 --> 00:31:33.220 those things, 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:35.659 start with the 00:31:35.659 --> 00:31:36.659 people around 00:31:36.659 --> 00:31:36.939 you. 00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:38.579 It is much 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.299 easier to 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.319 forgive, to 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:41.199 show generosity, 00:31:41.199 --> 00:31:42.819 and to listen to 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.619 the people that 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.359 are in front of 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:44.539 you. 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.460 So look out for 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:48.159 opportunities of 00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:49.159 social inequality 00:31:49.160 --> 00:31:50.500 people around 00:31:50.500 --> 00:31:51.040 you. 00:31:52.040 --> 00:31:52.940 My community 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.800 group, we 00:31:53.800 --> 00:31:54.740 got together a 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.320 whole heap of 00:31:55.320 --> 00:31:56.759 food for the 00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.640 asylum seeker 00:31:57.640 --> 00:31:59.120 center in the 00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:00.460 city to serve 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.240 people who are 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:01.660 in need. 00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:04.220 Look out for 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.320 opportunities in 00:32:05.320 --> 00:32:05.960 your community 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:08.259 around you to 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.160 show the influence 00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.920 of the resurrection 00:32:09.920 --> 00:32:12.000 and not just 00:32:12.000 --> 00:32:13.220 see the big 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.039 national debates 00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.700 and think it 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.900 is too hard. 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:17.740 The resurrection 00:32:17.740 --> 00:32:18.759 calls us to 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.740 forgive each 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.880 other and to 00:32:20.880 --> 00:32:22.000 see relationships 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.539 restored. 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:23.600 The resurrection 00:32:23.600 --> 00:32:24.380 calls us to 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.960 listen so that 00:32:25.960 --> 00:32:26.600 we see the 00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:27.140 gospel that 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:27.860 binds us 00:32:27.860 --> 00:32:29.400 together and 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:30.500 not cultural 00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:30.980 differences. 00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.800 The resurrection 00:32:32.800 --> 00:32:33.840 calls us to be 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:35.160 generous because 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:36.380 we have a 00:32:36.380 --> 00:32:37.080 generous God. 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:38.460 And so let's 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:38.980 be a church, 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:39.960 let's be a 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:41.679 people that do 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.139 these things, 00:32:42.179 --> 00:32:42.859 that forgive, 00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:44.500 that listen and 00:32:44.500 --> 00:32:44.980 are generous. 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:45.960 Let me pray. 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.079 Dear Heavenly 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.839 Father, Lord I 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.579 thank you for 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:53.019 all of your 00:32:53.019 --> 00:32:53.980 goodness to us. 00:32:55.179 --> 00:32:56.279 Lord it is 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:58.500 easy for us to 00:32:58.500 --> 00:33:00.799 forget how much 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.539 we have been 00:33:01.539 --> 00:33:03.339 forgiven, how 00:33:03.339 --> 00:33:04.419 generous you 00:33:04.419 --> 00:33:05.619 have been and 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:07.059 how you 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.859 know our 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:09.399 condition because 00:33:09.399 --> 00:33:10.399 Jesus became 00:33:10.399 --> 00:33:11.179 one of us. 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.240 Heavenly Father 00:33:13.240 --> 00:33:14.720 we ask that you 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:15.879 would remind us 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:16.919 of the impact 00:33:16.919 --> 00:33:18.039 of the resurrection 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:19.059 on our daily 00:33:19.059 --> 00:33:19.500 lives. 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.480 Lord give us 00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.179 much patience 00:33:23.179 --> 00:33:24.759 when we are 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.200 faced with 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:27.099 conflict that 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:27.759 we would be 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.259 quick to 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.659 forgive. 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.259 That when we 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.980 see cultural 00:33:30.980 --> 00:33:31.819 differences we 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.399 would not be 00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:33.099 quick to see the 00:33:33.099 --> 00:33:33.879 differences between 00:33:33.879 --> 00:33:34.559 us and others 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:36.559 but be quick to 00:33:36.559 --> 00:33:37.419 see the gospel 00:33:37.419 --> 00:33:38.079 that binds 00:33:38.079 --> 00:33:38.539 us. 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.299 And Father 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:42.839 help us to be 00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:43.679 generous to other 00:33:43.679 --> 00:33:44.359 people Lord 00:33:44.359 --> 00:33:46.119 knowing your love 00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:46.639 for us. 00:33:47.460 --> 00:33:48.579 We ask this in 00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:49.220 your son's name. 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.059 Amen. 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:50.159 Amen. 00:33:50.160 --> 00:33:51.160 Amen.