WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.219 Anyway, welcome to week two of our Sunday school class entitled The Ethics of Life. 00:00:05.560 --> 00:00:12.140 ! As we mentioned last week, this course is kind of in many ways an extended meditation on the Sixth Commandment, 00:00:12.500 --> 00:00:15.820 ! where God commands His people saying, you shall not murder. 00:00:17.900 --> 00:00:22.000 And honestly, given all that's happened in our country this last week, 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:25.480 preparing for this morning has actually been really sorrowful. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:31.960 So, I'm two seconds into the class and I'm already losing it. 00:00:34.340 --> 00:00:39.200 You know, like you, I think I've been grieved thinking about the people who were killed this week, 00:00:39.299 --> 00:00:40.260 thinking about their families. 00:00:47.760 --> 00:00:50.859 Yeah, been grieved thinking about perpetrators. 00:00:50.859 --> 00:00:57.579 I've been very grieved thinking about how widespread violence has become in our culture. 00:01:00.820 --> 00:01:04.519 So, I think lament's a proper response to this week. 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:15.219 I also think it's a proper response for us to have a renewed resolve to listen to God's words 00:01:15.219 --> 00:01:22.359 and by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to live as the sort of people He's redeemed us to be. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:26.699 People who eschew violence and hatred. 00:01:26.700 --> 00:01:30.740 People who love not just our friends, but our enemies. 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:35.740 And who pray not just for those who bless us, but for those who persecute us. 00:01:37.460 --> 00:01:42.980 How desperately the world needs the church to be the church. 00:01:44.460 --> 00:01:48.700 And how desperately the church needs the grace of God to live as He's called us to live. 00:01:48.700 --> 00:01:52.780 So, as we begin then, why don't we pray? 00:01:58.460 --> 00:02:04.640 Father, Son, Spirit, Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer. 00:02:06.379 --> 00:02:09.300 As we consider the violence of this past week, we pray, 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:12.599 How long, O Lord, how long? 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:19.680 How long until you return to put an end to violence and evil once and for all? 00:02:21.199 --> 00:02:22.840 How long until you put an end 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:32.180 to senseless killing and to war? 00:02:42.599 --> 00:03:00.459 We pray, God, for the families of Evergreen High School. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:08.620 We pray for the friends and family of Irina Zerutska. 00:03:08.620 --> 00:03:15.219 God, we pray for the friends and the family of Charlie Kirk. 00:03:16.920 --> 00:03:18.140 God, comfort them. 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:23.340 In this bitter time, would their hearts not harden towards you, 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:28.560 but would they find solace in your everlasting love? 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:35.740 Jesus, you experienced human hatred and violence and murder. 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:38.879 Father, you know every tear that we shed. 00:03:39.620 --> 00:03:41.740 Be a shepherd to those who are grieving now. 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:48.659 Father, we admit that the news of this week reminds us of the news that we hear every week. 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:52.700 And it saddens us that our hearts grow numb, God. 00:03:53.920 --> 00:03:55.100 It's too much to bear. 00:03:57.140 --> 00:03:59.680 God, we see how sin has ravaged your good world, 00:04:00.379 --> 00:04:01.740 ravaged your image bearers. 00:04:03.460 --> 00:04:05.000 Have mercy on us, O God. 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:09.379 And by your spirit, grant us courage. 00:04:10.320 --> 00:04:11.280 Grant us strength. 00:04:12.180 --> 00:04:13.140 Grant us compassion. 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:17.720 To live according to the new way of the gospel. 00:04:18.300 --> 00:04:19.220 The way of peace. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:22.480 In the midst of a violent world, 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:25.240 would your church be a sign of your new creation 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:28.120 where hatred and enmity will be no more? 00:04:29.259 --> 00:04:31.620 Help us in our reflections this morning, God. 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:34.560 May we learn from your word what it means to be your people. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:38.139 To follow the path of Jesus, our Lord, 00:04:38.459 --> 00:04:41.459 who has delivered us from the kingdom of darkness 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:45.280 and transferred us to his glorious kingdom 00:04:45.280 --> 00:04:48.139 through the forgiveness of our sins 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:50.180 by the shedding of his blood. 00:04:50.180 --> 00:04:52.780 In his name we pray. 00:04:53.660 --> 00:04:53.939 Amen. 00:04:53.939 --> 00:04:54.139 Amen. 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:57.959 So I want to pick up our class this morning 00:04:57.959 --> 00:04:59.500 where we left off last week 00:04:59.500 --> 00:05:02.699 in the gospel of Matthew chapter 5, 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:04.439 verses 21 through 26. 00:05:06.040 --> 00:05:06.920 Jesus says this, 00:05:06.920 --> 00:05:09.439 You have heard it was said to those of old, 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:10.319 you shall not murder, 00:05:10.680 --> 00:05:12.480 and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:15.020 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother 00:05:15.020 --> 00:05:16.199 will be liable to judgment. 00:05:16.960 --> 00:05:19.680 Whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council, 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:23.280 and whoever says you fool will be liable to the hell of fire. 00:05:24.420 --> 00:05:26.200 So if you're offering your gift at the altar 00:05:26.200 --> 00:05:28.700 and there remember that your brother has something against you, 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:31.340 leave your gift there before the altar and go. 00:05:31.339 --> 00:05:33.859 So first be reconciled to your brother 00:05:33.859 --> 00:05:36.179 and then come and offer your gift. 00:05:38.339 --> 00:05:41.539 So we said last week that the sixth commandment 00:05:41.539 --> 00:05:46.239 is rooted in some of the most fundamental doctrines 00:05:46.239 --> 00:05:47.559 of creation and redemption. 00:05:48.259 --> 00:05:50.039 Let me review a little bit of that. 00:05:50.139 --> 00:05:51.859 In creation, we confess what? 00:05:51.919 --> 00:05:55.000 We confess that God is the author of life. 00:05:55.679 --> 00:05:58.159 And as such, only God has the right 00:05:58.159 --> 00:06:00.699 to give life and to take it away. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:04.439 Moreover, in creation, we confess that humans 00:06:04.439 --> 00:06:06.379 are made in God's image. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:09.039 And as bearers of God's image, 00:06:09.159 --> 00:06:11.659 all humans, regardless of race, gender, class, 00:06:11.739 --> 00:06:14.199 regardless of their size or age or ability, 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:17.399 have inestimable worth and dignity. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:21.179 But we also said last week that this commandment 00:06:21.179 --> 00:06:22.839 springs from the doctrine of redemption, 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:24.219 from the doctrines of redemption. 00:06:25.839 --> 00:06:28.459 In his incarnation, Jesus Christ affirmed 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:31.399 the dignity of human beings made in God's image. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:34.500 Though we are fallen in sin, 00:06:35.339 --> 00:06:37.179 we still bear God's image. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:42.000 And our Savior dignified every aspect of being human 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:43.859 through his incarnation, 00:06:44.379 --> 00:06:46.459 from his conception in the womb of Mary, 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:48.639 all the way to his death, resurrection, 00:06:49.099 --> 00:06:50.639 and ascension to God's right hand, 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:53.620 where he still is fully human. 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:56.519 Moreover, in redemption, 00:06:56.720 --> 00:06:58.340 Jesus affirms that he and he alone 00:06:58.340 --> 00:07:00.319 has the right to give life and take it away. 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:02.420 Do you remember what the risen Lord Jesus says to John 00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:04.040 in Revelation chapter 1? 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:05.199 He says, 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:08.060 I have the keys of death and Hades. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:10.379 And what's more, 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:12.240 because of Christ's redeeming work, 00:07:12.720 --> 00:07:14.620 we are now all the more 00:07:14.620 --> 00:07:18.360 not to view our lives as our own, 00:07:18.740 --> 00:07:20.860 to dispose of as we choose. 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:24.259 The doctrine of creation should already point us in that direction, 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:26.680 but how much more the doctrine of redemption? 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:30.259 The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 6, 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:31.879 You're not your own. 00:07:32.839 --> 00:07:34.740 You were bought with a price. 00:07:35.719 --> 00:07:38.539 So glorify God in your body. 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:42.459 Our life is not our own, but God's. 00:07:43.800 --> 00:07:46.099 And we saw last week that even in the Old Testament, 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:47.639 that command, you shall not murder, 00:07:47.779 --> 00:07:50.199 entailed more than just a prohibition 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:52.779 of what we legally call murder today, right? 00:07:53.099 --> 00:07:56.379 Rather, as it takes shape in the case law of the Old Testament, 00:07:56.379 --> 00:08:00.300 we see that it really speaks to a respect for life, 00:08:00.839 --> 00:08:02.180 a care for life, 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:07.079 and not just the avoiding of the taking of life, 00:08:07.540 --> 00:08:10.819 but actively seeking the protection of human life. 00:08:11.399 --> 00:08:13.459 So that brings us back to Matthew 5, 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:15.379 where Jesus shows us that his commandment 00:08:15.379 --> 00:08:16.939 also speaks, 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:19.959 where this commandment speaks about the condition of our hearts. 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:23.480 It's not just about murder, but it's about anger. 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:24.939 It's not just about violence. 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:26.699 It's also about contempt. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:30.740 In other words, Jesus says that the sixth commandment demands 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:34.879 that we shape not just our actions, 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:38.700 but our character, right? 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:40.240 Living in light of the sixth commandment 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:43.679 isn't just about avoiding certain actions that are wrong, 00:08:44.019 --> 00:08:48.159 but it's also about becoming a certain kind of people, 00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:52.679 becoming a certain kind of community that's good. 00:08:54.940 --> 00:08:57.620 Okay, so your homework last week 00:08:57.620 --> 00:09:01.500 was to find a reflection on the sixth commandment 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:02.620 from church history. 00:09:03.400 --> 00:09:06.020 I photocopied two of those for you this morning. 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:08.660 Did you get the handout that was distributed, 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:09.280 dispersed? 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:14.139 The first is from the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563. 00:09:15.259 --> 00:09:17.539 And I'm going to read these for us. 00:09:17.620 --> 00:09:18.919 We're going to read them slowly together. 00:09:19.579 --> 00:09:21.679 And I want us to listen for ways 00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:24.740 that the sixth commandment 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:27.379 and the many relevant other scripture passages 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:28.299 related to the sixth commandment 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:31.039 are applied both to our character 00:09:31.039 --> 00:09:32.679 and to our life together as a church. 00:09:32.759 --> 00:09:36.139 Let's learn from some of our forebears in the faith 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:38.819 how we might live out the fuller implications 00:09:38.819 --> 00:09:39.779 of the sixth commandment. 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:43.620 So here's the Heidelberg Catechism from 1563. 00:09:44.439 --> 00:09:47.039 And the Heidelberg Catechism is arranged 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:49.539 according to Sundays. 00:09:49.819 --> 00:09:51.939 So they arrange it into 52 sections. 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:54.539 And if you're not familiar with what a catechism is, 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:56.799 that's simply a tool for teaching 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:59.080 that uses question and answer format. 00:09:59.080 --> 00:10:02.200 And the hope was that people would actually memorize 00:10:02.200 --> 00:10:03.259 the questions and answers 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:05.240 to kind of help these doctrines 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:06.780 and these truths get down into their hearts. 00:10:08.280 --> 00:10:11.680 So Lord's Day 40, question 105. 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:15.300 What is God's will for you in the sixth commandment? 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:17.500 Here's the answer. 00:10:18.540 --> 00:10:23.860 I am not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor. 00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:29.419 Not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:32.120 and certainly not by actual deeds. 00:10:33.519 --> 00:10:38.159 And I am not to be party to this in others. 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:44.159 Rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge. 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:49.060 I'm not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. 00:10:49.059 --> 00:10:55.479 Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with a sword. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:57.559 Guilty. 00:11:00.479 --> 00:11:01.599 Question 106. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:03.979 Does this commandment refer only to murder? 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:05.579 Answer. 00:11:05.699 --> 00:11:07.799 By forbidding murder, God teaches us 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:09.339 that He hates the root of murder. 00:11:09.619 --> 00:11:13.379 Envy, hatred, anger, vindictiveness, 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:17.839 and God's sight, all such are disguised forms of murder. 00:11:17.839 --> 00:11:18.799 Guilty again. 00:11:19.059 --> 00:11:22.559 Okay, next question. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:24.779 Is it enough then that we do not murder our neighbor in any such way? 00:11:24.859 --> 00:11:25.179 No. 00:11:26.359 --> 00:11:29.259 By condemning envy, hatred, and anger, 00:11:29.399 --> 00:11:32.819 God wants us to love our neighbors as ourselves. 00:11:33.719 --> 00:11:39.039 To be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly towards them. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:42.219 To protect them from harm as much as we can. 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:44.799 And to do good even to our enemies. 00:11:44.799 --> 00:11:52.699 So what are some of the character traits that the Heidelberg Catechism is pulling out for us 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:55.079 as we think about living the Sixth Commandment? 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:57.039 What do you see here? 00:11:57.039 --> 00:12:08.620 Character traits that I don't have yet, that I'm guilty of. 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:10.620 What jumps out to you, Raul? 00:12:10.699 --> 00:12:11.480 Every one of them. 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:15.519 I've belittled people, I've hated people, I've insulted people. 00:12:16.219 --> 00:12:19.279 And my thoughts, my words, my looks, my gestures, 00:12:19.279 --> 00:12:23.240 I'm guilty, but I always go to the end. 00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:25.799 Ah, He died for me. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.919 I'm forgiven. 00:12:29.339 --> 00:12:30.559 That's the caper. 00:12:31.319 --> 00:12:31.899 Right, yeah. 00:12:32.059 --> 00:12:34.239 But we also believe in the doctrine of sanctification, right? 00:12:34.459 --> 00:12:34.759 Yes. 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:36.599 That God does make us more and more like His Son. 00:12:36.719 --> 00:12:41.079 So that's what this reflection is meant to help us with, right? 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:44.739 That based on our justification, right, in Christ, 00:12:44.899 --> 00:12:47.699 we do become, through the Spirit's work, more like Jesus. 00:12:47.819 --> 00:12:48.799 We do become sanctified. 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:50.759 So what are some of those paths of sanctification 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:52.899 this reflection is pointing out for us? 00:12:53.219 --> 00:12:53.619 Yeah, Tyler. 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:56.460 Just the greatest commandment to love God and our neighbor. 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:59.440 So that we thank someone else positively. 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:00.620 Yeah, that's right. 00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.159 Yeah, that's good. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:06.480 Yeah. 00:13:07.299 --> 00:13:08.039 Chris, go ahead. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:13.240 Yeah, to hold back our initial response sometimes, 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.259 because it's anger. 00:13:14.700 --> 00:13:18.419 Hold back so we have time to think about it. 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.019 Yeah. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:21.560 You know, where's that coming from? 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:23.139 And what's a better response? 00:13:23.539 --> 00:13:23.759 Yeah. 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:27.279 Yeah, self-control, right, is maybe one way of talking about that. 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:27.779 You know? 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:31.559 It's sort of encouraging us to, by the Spirit, 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:33.159 to exercise that self-control. 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:33.620 Yeah. 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:34.580 Yeah, Jeff, do you want to add? 00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:36.319 Do you think what it says, you know, 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:39.980 don't let the sun go down on your anger? 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.840 Ah, yes. 00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:44.240 It implies you can be angry, but what you do with it is a big issue. 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:44.919 That's right. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:48.019 So I like to think about, take what I'm angry, 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:50.740 do something, find something positive for it. 00:13:51.080 --> 00:13:52.379 Yeah, that's good. 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:52.840 Yeah. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:55.080 Anyone else? 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:55.699 Yeah? 00:13:56.139 --> 00:14:01.019 Prudence, not to recklessly endanger myself either. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:01.659 Yeah. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:07.220 So it's caring for what kind of situation you're going to place yourself in. 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:12.419 So it requires some prudence and careful thought about these things. 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:13.620 Yeah. 00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:13.679 Yeah. 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:13.919 Yeah. 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:16.620 Yeah, that's right. 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:18.459 Richard? 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:25.860 I can infer from especially 107, 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:37.759 that we ought to cultivate a humble attitude toward our neighbors. 00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:45.700 As the scripture says, each of us should value the other above himself. 00:14:45.700 --> 00:15:06.379 But by adopting that stance of humility, we have a platform on which to build peace-loving, gentle, merciful, friendly, and protective. 00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:06.879 Mm-hmm. 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.240 Mm-hmm. 00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:07.379 Mm-hmm. 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.080 That's good. 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:08.639 Yeah. 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:10.220 Yeah. 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:13.420 Well, let's go to the next. 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.379 It's on the back of that page. 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:18.500 You should have the Westminster Larger Catechism. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:28.539 So the Westminster Assembly was held in the middle 17th century in England, produced a few documents. 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:35.440 One is the Westminster Confession of Faith, but also two catechisms, the Larger Catechism and the Shorter Catechism. 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:39.620 You might be familiar with the first question of the Shorter Catechism. 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.460 Anyone know what it is? 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:42.960 What is the chief end of man? 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:43.620 Yeah. 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.620 Do you know the answer, Raul? 00:15:44.620 --> 00:15:45.139 Yeah. 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:49.139 Yeah, to glorify God and all... 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:52.080 Yeah, glorify God and... 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.360 Enjoy Him forever. 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.439 Enjoy Him forever. 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:55.059 Right, yeah. 00:15:55.100 --> 00:16:01.220 So if you're familiar with that, to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, that's the Westminster Divines, the Westminster Assembly. 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:04.580 So here's the Larger Catechism where they talk about the Sixth Commandment. 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.879 Which is the Sixth Commandment? 00:16:06.939 --> 00:16:08.559 The Sixth Commandment is, thou shalt not kill. 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:11.840 What are the duties required in the Sixth Commandment? 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:12.620 Okay, here we go. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:15.879 We're going to read this slowly, but let's kind of savor this. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:27.820 The duties required in the Sixth Commandment are all careful studies and lawful endeavors to preserve the life of ourselves and others. 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:43.980 By resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions and avoiding all occasions, temptations and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:59.080 By just defense thereof, against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit. 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:07.319 A sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labor, and recreation. 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:17.180 By charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, kindness. 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:22.000 Peaceable, mild, and courteous speeches and behavior. 00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:31.779 Forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries and requiting good for evil. 00:17:33.440 --> 00:17:39.259 Comforting and succoring the distressed and protecting and defending the innocent. 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:44.680 What a vision of life, right? 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:53.099 Anything in here maybe surprising to you that's included as something implicated in the Sixth Commandment? 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.180 Maybe someone we haven't heard from yet? 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:54.740 Yeah, how's the way? 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:58.240 That's what I have to think of the most. 00:17:58.359 --> 00:17:59.299 A sober use of meat. 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:04.299 Sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep, labor, and recreation. 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:04.740 Yeah. 00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.640 Don't eat too much chicken. 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.920 Don't eat too little chicken. 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:11.620 That's right. 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.680 It's very trendy now to get a lot of protein. 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:16.700 You know, one gram per pound of body weight, right? 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:19.099 You know, sober use of meat. 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:19.759 Yeah. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:25.539 What do you think Westminster's pushing, this church tradition's pushing us to think of here 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:28.240 when it's talking about the sober use of meat, drink, physic, sleep? 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.539 What are they getting at there? 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:29.940 What do you think? 00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:33.879 It may be just possibly going to just appetite and general. 00:18:34.299 --> 00:18:39.460 So about living a healthy Christian life is to be able to have self-control and improve our appetite. 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:44.279 Because if we are uncontrolling certain aspects of our life, 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:47.140 it will see things that we're angry with. 00:18:47.420 --> 00:18:47.700 Yeah. 00:18:47.920 --> 00:18:48.859 I really like that. 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.680 That's really insightful. 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:54.259 Because on the one hand, on the surface, just like, hey, you're supposed to be caring for and protecting life. 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:56.119 So care for and protect your own life, right? 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:57.039 Like be a good steward of it. 00:18:57.079 --> 00:18:58.119 But I think you're right. 00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:05.119 If we think about sober use of those things, that is developing a certain kind of self-control, 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:13.039 a certain kind of prudence, as Tyler said, towards some of those basic things that will then flow out into other areas of our life, right? 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.720 Because we're whole people, right? 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:16.420 God made us as whole people. 00:19:16.420 --> 00:19:19.920 So as we practice these things in one area of our life, they will come out in others. 00:19:20.560 --> 00:19:20.759 Yeah. 00:19:20.880 --> 00:19:21.600 That's really great. 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:22.640 Thanks for sharing that. 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:23.340 Yeah. 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:28.379 Any other things surprise you in question 135 here of the larger catechism? 00:19:29.720 --> 00:19:30.079 Yeah. 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:30.439 Go ahead. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:32.980 I think particularly the sober use of labor. 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:35.660 Oh, the sober use of labor. 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.080 Uh-oh. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.379 Yeah. 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:42.939 It's kind of like an inversion of how we think about responsibility and faithfulness. 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:43.579 Yeah. 00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.259 Uh-huh. 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:51.119 And isn't it interesting, too, you can see how there's an interconnectedness in all of God's commands, right? 00:19:51.159 --> 00:19:55.199 Because you would think that a sober use of labor would be which commandment, right? 00:19:55.699 --> 00:19:57.199 The Sabbath command, right? 00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:58.819 Work six, rest one. 00:19:59.019 --> 00:20:00.279 Don't let work rule your life. 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.740 Remember that you're a creature, right? 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:08.099 But even here, right, that sober use of labor is also connected to how we care for and protect life. 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:08.640 Yeah. 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:13.019 So maybe there's a little bit of chastisement here to our workaholism. 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:14.859 Yeah. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:15.519 Anyone else? 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.400 Maybe one more? 00:20:18.120 --> 00:20:18.440 Skunle. 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:18.680 Yeah. 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.539 Yeah. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:25.480 I think in line with our culture today, I think the point about mild and courteous speech, 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:34.839 where our language tends to get very, especially in online. 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:35.720 Yes. 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.000 Yes. 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:43.640 It's not as, yeah, I guess it's clear then because in some way, like how we use our words. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:43.960 Yeah. 00:20:44.440 --> 00:20:44.839 Yeah. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:51.200 Peaceable, mild, and courteous speeches and behavior. 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:51.740 Yeah. 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:53.160 How we use our words, definitely. 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:56.180 All right, let's read the next paragraph and then we'll keep moving. 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:58.400 What are the sins forbidden in the Sixth Commandment? 00:20:58.900 --> 00:21:04.360 The sins forbidden in the Sixth Commandment are all taking away the life of ourselves or 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:10.440 of others, except in the case of public justice, lawful war, or necessary defense. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:15.779 Now here you can see that the Westminster Confession is already anticipating some of our future classes, 00:21:15.900 --> 00:21:19.580 right, where we get into some case studies of, well, what about war? 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.540 What about defense? 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:23.279 What about justice, capital punishment, right? 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:28.899 So the Westminster Assembly would have seen that there are areas where God has delegated 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:33.619 that to proper and lawful human authorities, but we'll explore those in coming classes. 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:34.960 Okay. 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:39.840 So all taking away the life of ourselves or others, except in these cases, the neglecting 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:47.160 or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life, sinful anger, hatred, 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:59.039 envy, desire of revenge, all excessive passions, distracting cares, immoderate use of meat, drink, 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:07.119 labor and recreations, provoking words, oppression, quarreling, striking, wounding, and whatsoever else 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:10.139 tends to the destruction of the life of any. 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:15.559 So you can see how a lot of that's just the mirror of the first question, right? 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:23.619 So following the words of Jesus then in Matthew chapter 5, I think these examples from church 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:28.460 history show us, right, that really living out the sixth commandment means, what, getting 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:31.419 to the root causes of murder and hatred. 00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:35.779 It's not just enough for Christians to be sort of against murder in whatever form we're thinking 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.099 of. 00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:41.679 We have to be people who actually live in ways that counter the seeds of murder in our hearts, 00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:42.340 right? 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:49.400 In Matthew 5, Jesus mentions not just anger, but contempt as one of those seeds, one of 00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.860 those root causes, right? 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:54.220 Whoever insults his brother, whoever says, you fool. 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:58.860 And we pointed out that the Heidelberg Catechism picks up on this right away. 00:22:58.860 --> 00:23:03.120 I'm not to belittle, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor. 00:23:03.600 --> 00:23:08.019 Not by my thoughts, words, my look, or gesture, and certainly not by my actual deeds. 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:11.120 And I'm not to be party to this in others. 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:12.720 Right? 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:19.519 So I'm going to talk about three ways which I think the church, the kind of church communities 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:22.460 we need to be building in light of the sixth commandment. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:24.279 And the first one in light of this is this. 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:30.920 I think in a world of much contempt and contemptuousness, I think the church has to be a community 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:35.539 of honor and dignity toward God's image bearers. 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:36.720 Right? 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:41.360 The Westminster Catechism speaks of charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:45.819 kindness, peaceable, mild, and courteous speeches and behavior. 00:23:47.579 --> 00:23:52.480 I mean, as Kuhnly pointed out, there is so much contempt in our culture towards those with 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.480 whom we disagree. 00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.140 Like there's so much. 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:56.620 I wonder if we even notice it anymore. 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.980 I wonder if we even notice it happening. 00:23:58.100 --> 00:24:00.620 It's like the water we swim in. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:07.280 And I wonder, do we filter the media that we consume through this lens? 00:24:07.660 --> 00:24:07.860 Right? 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:11.519 Are we aware of it in the different things that we imbibe? 00:24:12.219 --> 00:24:17.979 Do we think, you know, I'm not to be belittling, hating, or insulting, nor to be party to this 00:24:17.979 --> 00:24:18.539 in others? 00:24:18.979 --> 00:24:19.259 Right? 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:26.839 I mean, not to pick on, you know, this person, but the entire Super Bowl show last year was 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:29.979 an exercise in belittling and insulting, wasn't it? 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:34.099 Yeah, right? 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:37.059 I mean, okay, maybe if you're old like me, you're like, what is going on right now? 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:37.599 I don't get it. 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:41.339 Then you have young people explain it to you, and you're like, oh, that's what's happening. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:41.759 Right? 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.000 But do we even notice? 00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:47.819 Does it even register in our mind as like, wow, this kind of culture of contempt actually 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:50.880 isn't what's going to cause us to flourish as a people? 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:51.940 Right? 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:58.360 And do we reproduce this contemptuousness in our own thinking and speaking when we listen 00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:59.019 to the news? 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:01.799 Are we aware of how disagreeing parties speak about each other? 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:02.940 Right? 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:06.359 The church should be a place where the truth is spoken. 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:09.779 Yes, I think in the course of this class, we're going to be speaking some truths that 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:14.700 are very countercultural, but this should never be done in a way that insults or belittles 00:25:14.700 --> 00:25:15.839 an image bearer of God. 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:21.579 Now, being a community of honor and dignity means more than just the words we use. 00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:24.379 Doesn't mean less than that, but it does mean more, right? 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:28.099 It means that we value people of all ages and stages. 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.539 Right? 00:25:30.039 --> 00:25:34.319 Jesus shocked even his own disciples when he did what? 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:38.079 When he welcomed little children into his midst and blessed them. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:42.119 Now, look, children in the first century had no social standing. 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:48.279 They had little ability to be productive or profitable, just like today. 00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:50.699 They were simple in their understanding. 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:54.920 They were messy and noisy and inconvenient. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:26:00.779 And despite all of those things that were true about children, Jesus welcomed them and 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.220 blessed them. 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:08.319 And he even saw in them a model, a parable for what saving faith really looks like, for what 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:16.819 entrance into the kingdom looks like in these inconvenient, unproductive nothings. 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.700 Right? 00:26:20.500 --> 00:26:21.720 Just like us. 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.220 Yes. 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:29.819 And if that's the kind of dignity that Jesus afforded to children, should we not follow in 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:35.039 his steps and likewise show respect and honor to humans regardless of their social standing, 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:39.859 regardless of their ability, regardless of their understanding, even if they are messy 00:26:39.859 --> 00:26:40.879 or noisy or inconvenient. 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:41.359 Right? 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:41.639 Right? 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:44.459 We honor them as human beings. 00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:49.339 And isn't all of that an outworking of the gospel, right? 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.859 Think about it. 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:54.500 As sinners, we deserved God's rejection. 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:56.240 We deserved God's condemnation. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:59.619 But instead, God accepted us. 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:02.339 He even justified us in his son. 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:07.919 Not because we deserved it, but because of what Jesus the Son had done for us. 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:16.619 So we see in ourselves people who have received undeserved dignity and kindness, and we see 00:27:16.619 --> 00:27:19.379 in others image bearers for whom Christ died. 00:27:20.359 --> 00:27:22.079 That is fundamental. 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:29.000 And that ought to be making us a community of honor and dignity, no matter how contemptuous 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.220 the world around us becomes. 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.500 Right? 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:30.559 Right? 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:37.019 Okay, but contempt isn't the only seed of murder that lurks in our hearts. 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:42.240 I would also suggest that fear also looms very large. 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:45.919 I think underneath a lot of our contempt, even, is fear. 00:27:47.699 --> 00:27:49.019 We are afraid of the future. 00:27:49.199 --> 00:27:50.240 We're afraid of what might happen. 00:27:50.500 --> 00:27:52.679 So we lash out in anger and contempt. 00:27:53.699 --> 00:27:56.459 And isn't there a lot of fear in our culture, right? 00:27:58.199 --> 00:27:59.099 Fear of change. 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.099 00:27:59.240 --> 00:27:59.720 Fear of AI. 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.119 Fear about our economic future. 00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:03.779 Fear about keeping an unexpected pregnancy, right? 00:28:04.359 --> 00:28:05.859 Fear about safety and security. 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:09.979 But again and again, what does God say to his people? 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:13.619 What does Jesus say to his disciples as the waves are crashing against the boat? 00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:16.119 Don't be afraid. 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:18.239 Don't be afraid. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.240 Don't be afraid. 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:24.759 So I think in a fear-stricken culture, the church has to be a community, not just of dignity, 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.420 but a community of hope. 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:31.240 That's where the Sixth Commandment is leading us, to be a community of hope. 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:36.240 When people lose hope, they live in fear. 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:43.660 And when people live in fear, they will easily turn to violence as a means to stop or avoid what they fear. 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:49.980 But at the heart of the church is good news of hope. 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:54.500 Hope that the world's not a lost cause, right? 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:56.500 But the world is God's cause. 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.840 He's made it his cause. 00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:02.120 Hope that God's kingdom is a kingdom of healing and redemption. 00:29:02.360 --> 00:29:05.880 Hope that God brings good out of evil and blessing out of cursing. 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:10.240 Hope that the future's in the hands of a loving God. 00:29:11.080 --> 00:29:12.400 A God of resurrection. 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:18.260 Now, of course, there are countless ways that we could embody this hope as a church. 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:23.240 But to take one example, think about the act of childbearing. 00:29:24.280 --> 00:29:29.680 Now, next week, we're going to specifically look at how the Sixth Commandment applies to the beginning of life. 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:31.920 So we're kind of anticipating a little bit of that. 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:35.640 So by way of anticipating, let's consider the beginning of life just generally for a moment. 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:38.120 In this context of being a community of hope. 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:42.700 Now, when we step back and we look at the world we live in, 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:48.060 sometimes we wonder who in their right mind would bring a child into this messed up and broken world, right? 00:29:48.740 --> 00:29:49.640 What are we thinking? 00:29:51.759 --> 00:29:56.640 But for Christians, you see, we see the brokenness of the world. 00:29:58.100 --> 00:30:02.360 But we believe and we know that God has not abandoned the world. 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:09.579 We believe that God's future kingdom has broken into the present in Jesus Christ. 00:30:09.959 --> 00:30:12.339 It's continuing to grow by the Spirit. 00:30:12.919 --> 00:30:16.419 And we know that in Christ, God will bring his promises to fulfillment. 00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:21.980 So the very act of having children is a sign of our hope. 00:30:22.800 --> 00:30:27.500 It's a defiant act in a fallen world that says everything is not lost. 00:30:28.400 --> 00:30:32.820 God will be faithful to his promises to heal his creation and redeem his world. 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:43.200 But at the same time, the act of childbearing is not ultimate either. 00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:44.960 Now think about it. 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:47.119 In traditional cultures, in many traditional cultures, 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:51.759 your worth and your value as a human comes from your ability to have a family, right? 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:59.200 But that's not true for Christians. 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:06.079 For the single Christian, for the Christian married couple who's maybe unable to have children, 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:13.920 we know that our hope and our identity is not ultimately in our children. 00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:18.819 After all, how does the kingdom of God advance? 00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:25.460 It does not advance, friends, through natural birth, but through new birth. 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:31.539 The family of God is not biological, but eschatological. 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:37.019 In other words, we're bound together by the new creation in Christ. 00:31:38.059 --> 00:31:41.139 And that means the single Christian or the Christian couple without children 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:44.679 are both living testimonies to that reality and that hope. 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:48.900 That their future hope is not guaranteed by family or by childbearing, 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:50.600 but by God and God's kingdom. 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:53.940 That's where all of our hope and identity lies. 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:59.880 So these are testimonies that God is enough 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:03.080 and that God is more than sufficient to secure 00:32:03.080 --> 00:32:05.980 and ensure our ultimate good in the future that he has in store. 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.380 Okay, so you see then, 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:11.440 that in light of the gospel, in light of our hope, 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:15.059 both bearing children and not bearing children are made possible 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:17.759 because the church is a community of hope, 00:32:17.960 --> 00:32:19.360 of hope that flows from the gospel. 00:32:20.120 --> 00:32:21.420 On the one hand, 00:32:22.320 --> 00:32:23.980 we can bear children 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:27.860 even when the circumstances seem to scream against it. 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.580 Why? 00:32:30.820 --> 00:32:33.440 Because God has not abandoned his creation, 00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:35.480 nor has he abandoned us. 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.600 Think about it, friends. 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:41.899 The hope for the whole world 00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:45.199 came through a pregnant mother 00:32:45.199 --> 00:32:47.819 and an unexpected pregnancy. 00:32:50.699 --> 00:32:51.899 That means 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:53.859 every pregnancy 00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:55.459 from Eve 00:32:55.459 --> 00:32:56.980 to the end of time 00:32:56.980 --> 00:33:00.039 will stand as a sign 00:33:00.039 --> 00:33:02.279 knowingly or unknowingly, 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:04.459 intentionally or unintentionally, 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:08.019 of what God did to rescue us. 00:33:09.059 --> 00:33:10.380 It will stand as a sign 00:33:10.380 --> 00:33:12.420 of the promise he made in Christ 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:14.360 to bring healing and redemption 00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:16.860 even out of the most unlikely 00:33:16.860 --> 00:33:18.200 and difficult circumstances. 00:33:21.019 --> 00:33:22.519 But at the same time, 00:33:23.519 --> 00:33:24.600 as Christians, 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:26.880 we can not bear children 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:29.340 and live fully dignified 00:33:29.340 --> 00:33:31.340 and complete lives in God's kingdom 00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:33.240 because our ultimate hope 00:33:33.240 --> 00:33:34.379 is not in procreation 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:35.619 but in God's new creation. 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.859 And the new creation advances 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:39.559 through resurrection power 00:33:39.559 --> 00:33:41.539 and the proclamation of the gospel. 00:33:44.220 --> 00:33:45.819 So this is just one example 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:47.639 of how the church 00:33:47.639 --> 00:33:49.279 is a community of hope 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:51.939 in the sea of fear 00:33:51.939 --> 00:33:52.659 that we live in. 00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:54.980 When we fear 00:33:54.980 --> 00:33:55.939 what will become of us 00:33:55.939 --> 00:33:56.839 if we have children, 00:33:56.959 --> 00:33:57.559 when we fear 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:58.480 what will become of us 00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:59.659 if we don't have children, 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:01.119 the gospel meets us with hope. 00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.220 Hope in God 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:02.799 who rescues, 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.259 redeems, 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:04.359 and makes all things new. 00:34:05.379 --> 00:34:06.159 And as a community, 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:07.399 we live that hope 00:34:07.399 --> 00:34:08.940 in love and support 00:34:08.940 --> 00:34:09.440 of one another 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:11.279 in both of those circumstances. 00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.719 So we're a community of honor 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:16.679 and we're a community of hope. 00:34:16.739 --> 00:34:17.119 And lastly, 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:18.059 Jesus says we have to be 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:19.340 a community of reconciliation. 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.779 It's not just fear 00:34:21.779 --> 00:34:22.639 that lives beneath 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.699 our anger and hatred 00:34:23.699 --> 00:34:24.400 and murder, right? 00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.460 It's also hurt 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.799 and offense. 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:29.400 And isn't our culture 00:34:29.400 --> 00:34:31.220 a culture of outrage 00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:32.240 and offense. 00:34:33.240 --> 00:34:34.639 We don't know how to respond 00:34:34.639 --> 00:34:35.760 when we're hurt or offended 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:37.579 so we just get more easily offended 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:38.740 and we get more angry 00:34:38.740 --> 00:34:40.019 and we get more full of hatred. 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:43.220 But Jesus enables us 00:34:43.220 --> 00:34:44.139 to live a different way. 00:34:45.760 --> 00:34:46.340 Jesus says, 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.780 go to the one who offended you 00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:49.740 and be reconciled. 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.519 If your brother or sister 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.300 owes you anything, 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:52.700 go. 00:34:53.380 --> 00:34:54.220 Address the issue. 00:34:54.700 --> 00:34:55.599 Don't let it fester. 00:34:56.000 --> 00:34:56.700 Don't let it grow. 00:34:56.699 --> 00:34:58.559 Go bring it into the light 00:34:58.559 --> 00:35:00.379 and forgive. 00:35:01.899 --> 00:35:02.919 Instead of returning 00:35:02.919 --> 00:35:04.099 hurt for hurt 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:05.379 or wound for wound 00:35:05.379 --> 00:35:06.679 or violence for violence, 00:35:06.779 --> 00:35:07.679 instead forgive 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:09.659 just as you've been forgiven. 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:13.219 At the heart of the gospel, friends, 00:35:13.359 --> 00:35:15.719 is the wonderful good news 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.359 of forgiveness. 00:35:17.859 --> 00:35:18.799 We were dead 00:35:18.799 --> 00:35:20.159 in our trespasses and sins. 00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:22.139 We were children of wrath 00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:22.899 and deserve nothing 00:35:22.899 --> 00:35:23.899 from God but judgment. 00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:25.099 And that judgment 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:26.420 would have been perfectly just 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.279 and good and right. 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:28.960 But instead, 00:35:29.940 --> 00:35:31.259 God forgave us 00:35:31.259 --> 00:35:32.219 all of our sins, 00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:33.900 covered them all 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:34.679 with his own blood, 00:35:34.799 --> 00:35:35.639 absorbed the debt 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:36.639 that we owed on the cross, 00:35:36.819 --> 00:35:37.739 and released us 00:35:37.739 --> 00:35:38.219 from any debt 00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:38.679 that we owed. 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.059 And now, 00:35:40.179 --> 00:35:41.880 forgiven by sheer grace, 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:44.599 we turn and we forgive 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:45.319 others as well. 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.980 So how do we uproot 00:35:47.980 --> 00:35:48.739 the seeds of hatred 00:35:48.739 --> 00:35:49.319 and murder 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:50.079 in our hearts? 00:35:51.819 --> 00:35:53.000 Well, we're the community 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.980 that prays, 00:35:54.980 --> 00:35:56.119 Father, forgive us 00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:57.000 our trespasses 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:58.980 even as we forgive 00:35:58.980 --> 00:35:59.880 those who trespass 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:00.619 against us. 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:02.380 And then we make 00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:03.440 every effort to forgive 00:36:03.440 --> 00:36:04.579 and to reconcile. 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:07.400 Okay, so this is 00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:08.179 the sort of community, 00:36:08.340 --> 00:36:09.019 the sort of character 00:36:09.019 --> 00:36:09.800 the Sixth Commandment 00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.559 calls us to become, 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.300 a community of honor, 00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:12.079 a community of hope, 00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.840 a community of reconciliation. 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:16.079 Let me stop there. 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:16.860 We're at time. 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.420 We've got a few minutes 00:36:18.420 --> 00:36:19.280 just for conversation, 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:19.880 for questions. 00:36:20.019 --> 00:36:20.900 We're going to break it 00:36:20.900 --> 00:36:22.340 at 10 of for service. 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:24.340 So any thoughts, 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:24.880 any questions? 00:36:25.300 --> 00:36:25.639 Yeah, Beth. 00:36:27.240 --> 00:36:27.720 Highlighting 00:36:27.720 --> 00:36:30.180 the sort of hope 00:36:30.180 --> 00:36:31.860 we have in the birth 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.260 of children 00:36:32.260 --> 00:36:33.099 in a broken world, 00:36:33.180 --> 00:36:33.860 but then also 00:36:33.860 --> 00:36:35.460 that that is not 00:36:35.460 --> 00:36:36.619 where our true identity 00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:38.200 and satisfaction lies. 00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:40.660 I think even more so 00:36:40.660 --> 00:36:41.780 whether, 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:46.079 like even for the parent 00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:47.940 who has a biological child, 00:36:48.160 --> 00:36:49.340 I think if you would ask 00:36:49.340 --> 00:36:50.160 that Christian parent 00:36:50.160 --> 00:36:52.280 like what's most paramount, 00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:54.440 it would be the planting 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:55.320 seeds of faith 00:36:55.320 --> 00:36:57.500 and then praying 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:58.940 that God would make them grow. 00:36:59.380 --> 00:37:00.519 And I think that 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:02.539 all of Christians 00:37:02.539 --> 00:37:04.260 have that role 00:37:04.260 --> 00:37:07.900 of like that type of gestation, 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:09.539 that type of seed planting 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:12.360 and new spiritual birth 00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:14.320 and walking with those 00:37:14.320 --> 00:37:15.440 and discipling those 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:17.440 that like that call 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:18.599 is the call 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:19.940 of the kingdom. 00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:20.380 Right? 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:21.139 Yeah, that's right. 00:37:21.220 --> 00:37:22.159 And so it's not simply 00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:24.539 just like equal satisfaction 00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:25.079 in life 00:37:25.079 --> 00:37:25.940 and fullness of life. 00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:27.940 It's also equal calling. 00:37:28.039 --> 00:37:29.400 Yeah, that's really good, Beth. 00:37:29.460 --> 00:37:30.480 Yeah, that's very good. 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.460 Yeah, all of us 00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:32.519 in the family of the church 00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:33.420 are called 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:34.760 to become 00:37:34.760 --> 00:37:35.480 and to be 00:37:35.480 --> 00:37:36.679 spiritual fathers 00:37:36.679 --> 00:37:37.200 and mothers 00:37:37.200 --> 00:37:38.579 of the next generation. 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.780 Regardless of whether 00:37:39.780 --> 00:37:41.000 they are biological children 00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:41.519 or not. 00:37:41.980 --> 00:37:42.579 Regardless of whether 00:37:42.579 --> 00:37:43.099 we've had 00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:45.460 many children 00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.199 or no children. 00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:47.179 We all have 00:37:47.179 --> 00:37:48.039 that same calling 00:37:48.039 --> 00:37:49.019 and that is 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:50.420 even as biological parents 00:37:50.420 --> 00:37:50.980 I hear you saying 00:37:50.980 --> 00:37:52.099 that's kind of 00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:53.219 our primary desire 00:37:53.219 --> 00:37:53.920 and hope, right? 00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:54.619 Is to be 00:37:54.619 --> 00:37:55.579 not just 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:57.400 but to be 00:37:57.400 --> 00:37:58.559 spiritual fathers 00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.019 and mothers 00:37:59.019 --> 00:38:00.159 of the next generation. 00:38:00.319 --> 00:38:00.420 Yeah. 00:38:01.480 --> 00:38:01.920 Yeah. 00:38:02.059 --> 00:38:03.199 Any other thoughts 00:38:03.199 --> 00:38:04.440 or questions? 00:38:05.259 --> 00:38:05.639 Comments? 00:38:06.039 --> 00:38:06.619 Yeah, Kudle. 00:38:09.259 --> 00:38:10.039 Oh, Richard. 00:38:10.380 --> 00:38:10.759 Go ahead. 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:14.519 Ever since last week 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:16.519 my thoughts have been 00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:18.219 after I heard your lesson 00:38:18.219 --> 00:38:19.579 my thoughts have been 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:21.460 occupied with the question of 00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:24.840 is there any place 00:38:24.840 --> 00:38:26.199 in the Christian life 00:38:26.199 --> 00:38:28.159 in the ethical Christian life 00:38:28.159 --> 00:38:31.639 for the sober use of contempt? 00:38:32.599 --> 00:38:34.819 This week you called contempt 00:38:34.819 --> 00:38:36.340 a seed of murder. 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:40.099 And as I thought about it 00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:42.059 I thought about the life of Jesus. 00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:42.659 Hmm. 00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:45.860 So in the life of Jesus 00:38:45.860 --> 00:38:49.320 he called Herod 00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:50.400 King Herod 00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:52.340 King Herod 00:38:52.340 --> 00:38:53.860 a fox 00:38:53.860 --> 00:38:54.699 Mm-hmm. 00:38:54.799 --> 00:38:55.059 Mm-hmm. 00:38:55.659 --> 00:38:56.259 Was 00:38:56.259 --> 00:38:58.320 that's something 00:38:58.320 --> 00:38:59.320 in the modern year 00:38:59.320 --> 00:38:59.940 that we can 00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:00.340 Yeah. 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:01.659 pretty much pass over 00:39:01.659 --> 00:39:02.119 without 00:39:02.119 --> 00:39:03.079 much 00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:04.400 thought. 00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:04.699 Yeah. 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:05.340 Yeah. 00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.340 Without much 00:39:06.340 --> 00:39:07.699 without any ripples. 00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:08.279 Yeah. 00:39:08.280 --> 00:39:08.540 Yeah. 00:39:09.540 --> 00:39:10.560 But when we think 00:39:10.560 --> 00:39:11.960 that in the Song of Songs 00:39:11.960 --> 00:39:14.320 it is the little foxes 00:39:14.320 --> 00:39:15.920 that ruin the vineyard. 00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:16.560 Yeah, sure. 00:39:17.260 --> 00:39:18.280 For Jesus 00:39:18.280 --> 00:39:20.280 to call Herod 00:39:20.280 --> 00:39:20.900 a fox 00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:21.100 Yeah. 00:39:21.440 --> 00:39:21.840 is 00:39:21.840 --> 00:39:24.200 is a contemptuous saying. 00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:24.600 Yeah. 00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:25.700 Well look at the 00:39:25.700 --> 00:39:26.920 imprecatory psalms 00:39:26.920 --> 00:39:28.140 Psalm 109 00:39:28.140 --> 00:39:28.780 Mm-hmm. 00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:29.100 Mm-hmm. 00:39:29.100 --> 00:39:30.320 May what you've done 00:39:30.320 --> 00:39:31.180 come right back 00:39:31.180 --> 00:39:31.900 on your head. 00:39:32.060 --> 00:39:32.280 Mm-hmm. 00:39:32.280 --> 00:39:34.140 Yeah, I think 00:39:34.140 --> 00:39:34.960 I think to your point 00:39:34.960 --> 00:39:35.200 Richard 00:39:35.200 --> 00:39:35.940 yeah, I think 00:39:35.940 --> 00:39:36.840 I think some of this 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:38.019 challenges us 00:39:38.019 --> 00:39:39.280 to be able to 00:39:39.280 --> 00:39:40.340 interrogate our hearts 00:39:40.340 --> 00:39:40.820 right? 00:39:41.320 --> 00:39:41.860 You know 00:39:41.860 --> 00:39:43.800 I don't think 00:39:43.800 --> 00:39:45.100 in the right context 00:39:45.100 --> 00:39:46.580 there's anything wrong 00:39:46.580 --> 00:39:47.900 with salty 00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:49.660 provocative speech 00:39:49.660 --> 00:39:50.460 right? 00:39:53.140 --> 00:39:53.820 However 00:39:53.820 --> 00:39:55.680 I think 00:39:55.680 --> 00:39:56.660 that there is a line 00:39:56.660 --> 00:39:57.600 that gets crossed 00:39:57.600 --> 00:40:00.000 from loving provocation 00:40:00.000 --> 00:40:01.500 or loving truth telling 00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:03.400 to contemptuousness 00:40:03.400 --> 00:40:04.800 towards an image bearer 00:40:04.800 --> 00:40:06.159 right? 00:40:08.320 --> 00:40:09.119 And I think 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:10.260 we can sense that 00:40:10.260 --> 00:40:11.099 when we're listening 00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:11.619 to someone 00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:12.559 when that line 00:40:12.559 --> 00:40:13.239 gets crossed. 00:40:13.619 --> 00:40:14.380 Sometimes it's hard 00:40:14.380 --> 00:40:14.820 to tell 00:40:14.820 --> 00:40:15.579 but I think 00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:16.219 for ourselves 00:40:16.219 --> 00:40:17.420 we need to be honest 00:40:17.420 --> 00:40:18.199 with our own hearts. 00:40:19.139 --> 00:40:19.320 Yeah. 00:40:19.780 --> 00:40:20.460 It's a good observation. 00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:21.619 Yeah. 00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:22.380 Kunle, do you have 00:40:22.380 --> 00:40:22.920 something you want to add? 00:40:22.920 --> 00:40:24.059 Yeah, I thought 00:40:24.059 --> 00:40:24.820 it was interesting 00:40:24.820 --> 00:40:26.079 that in the concept 00:40:26.079 --> 00:40:26.480 of 00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:28.719 on this topic 00:40:28.719 --> 00:40:29.579 of childbearing 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.719 we were talking about 00:40:30.719 --> 00:40:31.400 that in that 00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:32.280 we see in some way 00:40:32.280 --> 00:40:33.300 the partnership between 00:40:33.300 --> 00:40:34.820 almost that same thing 00:40:34.820 --> 00:40:35.720 around God's work 00:40:35.720 --> 00:40:36.280 and our work. 00:40:36.980 --> 00:40:37.960 The kingdom of God 00:40:37.960 --> 00:40:38.860 is going to be made up 00:40:38.860 --> 00:40:40.740 of human beings 00:40:40.740 --> 00:40:42.160 and 00:40:42.160 --> 00:40:44.460 human beings 00:40:44.460 --> 00:40:45.380 are 00:40:45.380 --> 00:40:47.200 created 00:40:47.200 --> 00:40:48.160 through birth. 00:40:48.300 --> 00:40:49.000 Yeah, that's right. 00:40:49.000 --> 00:40:49.680 In some way 00:40:49.680 --> 00:40:50.800 like our actions 00:40:50.800 --> 00:40:51.920 of having children 00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:53.519 populates 00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:54.360 the kingdom of God 00:40:54.360 --> 00:40:55.440 and God does want 00:40:55.440 --> 00:40:56.159 but 00:40:56.159 --> 00:40:57.280 it's going to be 00:40:57.280 --> 00:40:59.380 by newly created humans 00:40:59.380 --> 00:41:01.059 and so it's not just 00:41:01.059 --> 00:41:02.119 our birth 00:41:02.119 --> 00:41:02.860 but God 00:41:02.860 --> 00:41:03.720 transformed the work 00:41:03.720 --> 00:41:04.639 and ultimately does 00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:05.780 and those two things 00:41:05.780 --> 00:41:06.760 in some way 00:41:06.760 --> 00:41:07.700 that echo of like 00:41:07.700 --> 00:41:08.880 seeing how God 00:41:08.880 --> 00:41:09.539 through our work 00:41:09.539 --> 00:41:10.200 also does 00:41:10.200 --> 00:41:10.740 even more 00:41:10.740 --> 00:41:11.539 and we like 00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.019 how God 00:41:12.019 --> 00:41:12.200 would. 00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:12.460 So 00:41:12.460 --> 00:41:13.500 you could argue 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.000 that there is 00:41:14.000 --> 00:41:15.460 a spiritual vision 00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:15.780 of 00:41:15.780 --> 00:41:17.300 I want more people 00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:18.019 to be kingdom. 00:41:18.019 --> 00:41:19.179 Sure, yeah, sure. 00:41:19.380 --> 00:41:19.719 Yeah, yeah. 00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:21.880 Yeah, sure, sure. 00:41:21.960 --> 00:41:22.840 But actually 00:41:22.840 --> 00:41:24.300 it is really true. 00:41:24.659 --> 00:41:26.539 If there were no kids 00:41:26.539 --> 00:41:27.259 there would be 00:41:27.259 --> 00:41:28.219 an upper limit 00:41:28.219 --> 00:41:28.759 to the number 00:41:28.759 --> 00:41:29.259 I mean 00:41:29.259 --> 00:41:30.119 there is an upper 00:41:30.119 --> 00:41:31.059 theoretical limit 00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:32.699 and so I just thought 00:41:32.699 --> 00:41:33.199 it was a 00:41:33.199 --> 00:41:35.000 I have lots of people 00:41:35.000 --> 00:41:36.960 who lots of young people 00:41:36.960 --> 00:41:37.800 and colleagues 00:41:37.800 --> 00:41:39.460 who are choosing 00:41:39.460 --> 00:41:40.500 to not have children 00:41:40.500 --> 00:41:41.699 and I think 00:41:41.699 --> 00:41:42.500 it's like a way 00:41:42.500 --> 00:41:43.559 to remind ourselves 00:41:43.559 --> 00:41:45.380 that beyond the whole 00:41:45.380 --> 00:41:47.199 I think it's like 00:41:47.199 --> 00:41:47.839 an extension 00:41:47.839 --> 00:41:48.719 of the hope 00:41:48.719 --> 00:41:51.519 in our hope 00:41:51.519 --> 00:41:52.960 that these children 00:41:52.960 --> 00:41:53.980 will also be 00:41:53.980 --> 00:41:55.139 members of God's 00:41:55.139 --> 00:41:55.519 commandment 00:41:55.519 --> 00:41:56.839 it's also like that. 00:41:57.259 --> 00:41:58.139 Yeah, yeah, 00:41:58.139 --> 00:41:58.939 there's also a sense 00:41:58.939 --> 00:42:00.019 well, maybe that's 00:42:00.019 --> 00:42:00.939 a longer rabbit trail 00:42:00.939 --> 00:42:01.859 when we do a class 00:42:01.859 --> 00:42:02.879 on the seventh commandment 00:42:02.879 --> 00:42:04.419 about marriage 00:42:04.419 --> 00:42:06.159 and sex 00:42:06.159 --> 00:42:07.359 and the purposes 00:42:07.359 --> 00:42:08.299 of those things 00:42:08.299 --> 00:42:08.679 you know 00:42:08.679 --> 00:42:09.439 but certainly 00:42:09.439 --> 00:42:10.759 procreation is 00:42:10.759 --> 00:42:11.819 part of how God 00:42:11.819 --> 00:42:12.619 designed marriage 00:42:12.619 --> 00:42:13.659 and sexuality, right? 00:42:13.679 --> 00:42:14.239 That there is kind of 00:42:14.239 --> 00:42:14.859 a fittingness 00:42:14.859 --> 00:42:15.559 and a naturalness 00:42:15.559 --> 00:42:16.019 to that 00:42:16.019 --> 00:42:17.440 and that still maintains 00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:18.619 in the kingdom of God, right? 00:42:18.780 --> 00:42:19.480 The kingdom of God 00:42:19.480 --> 00:42:21.400 doesn't just obliterate creation 00:42:21.400 --> 00:42:22.699 it fulfills it, right? 00:42:22.900 --> 00:42:23.780 But what we do see 00:42:23.780 --> 00:42:24.500 there is a kind of 00:42:24.500 --> 00:42:25.179 transcending 00:42:25.179 --> 00:42:26.159 or a transposition 00:42:26.159 --> 00:42:27.320 of the command 00:42:27.320 --> 00:42:27.780 to be fruitful 00:42:27.780 --> 00:42:28.320 and multiply 00:42:28.320 --> 00:42:29.739 in the Great Commission, right? 00:42:30.219 --> 00:42:31.360 So, but again 00:42:31.360 --> 00:42:32.019 that doesn't mean 00:42:32.019 --> 00:42:33.980 that that be fruitful 00:42:33.980 --> 00:42:34.719 and multiply 00:42:34.719 --> 00:42:35.900 directionality 00:42:35.900 --> 00:42:36.619 to marriage 00:42:36.619 --> 00:42:37.239 in human life 00:42:37.239 --> 00:42:38.599 is just obliterated, right? 00:42:39.239 --> 00:42:40.000 But yeah 00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:41.019 so I think for couples 00:42:41.019 --> 00:42:41.800 who are choosing 00:42:41.800 --> 00:42:42.780 not to have children 00:42:42.780 --> 00:42:43.940 I don't think 00:42:43.940 --> 00:42:45.420 that's necessarily wrong 00:42:45.420 --> 00:42:46.019 or a sin 00:42:46.019 --> 00:42:46.720 for them to choose 00:42:46.720 --> 00:42:47.400 not to have children 00:42:47.400 --> 00:42:48.600 but I do think again 00:42:48.600 --> 00:42:49.660 kind of like Richard mentioned 00:42:49.660 --> 00:42:50.640 with contemptuousness 00:42:50.640 --> 00:42:51.700 like I think we have to 00:42:51.700 --> 00:42:52.460 investigate our own hearts 00:42:52.460 --> 00:42:53.980 like what are the motivations 00:42:53.980 --> 00:42:54.640 we're doing 00:42:54.640 --> 00:42:56.180 towards that end, right? 00:42:56.860 --> 00:42:57.720 Why are we making 00:42:57.720 --> 00:42:58.220 those choices? 00:42:58.340 --> 00:42:59.580 Are we able to invite others 00:42:59.580 --> 00:43:00.820 into that discernment process 00:43:00.820 --> 00:43:02.260 to help discern? 00:43:02.820 --> 00:43:02.980 Yeah 00:43:02.980 --> 00:43:05.180 Okay friends 00:43:05.180 --> 00:43:05.840 it's 10 of 00:43:05.840 --> 00:43:06.500 we need to break 00:43:06.500 --> 00:43:07.480 let me pray for us 00:43:07.480 --> 00:43:10.480 and next week 00:43:10.480 --> 00:43:11.940 we will continue 00:43:11.940 --> 00:43:13.940 with our class 00:43:13.940 --> 00:43:14.559 and next week 00:43:14.559 --> 00:43:15.280 we're going to start 00:43:15.280 --> 00:43:16.000 getting into some 00:43:16.000 --> 00:43:16.860 applied topics 00:43:16.860 --> 00:43:17.559 we've kind of hopefully 00:43:17.559 --> 00:43:18.400 laid some groundwork 00:43:18.400 --> 00:43:19.360 these first two weeks 00:43:19.360 --> 00:43:20.659 so next week 00:43:20.659 --> 00:43:21.340 we're going to begin 00:43:21.340 --> 00:43:22.139 with some applied topics 00:43:22.139 --> 00:43:22.460 we're going to 00:43:22.460 --> 00:43:23.440 you know 00:43:23.440 --> 00:43:24.500 the trajectory of our class 00:43:24.500 --> 00:43:25.000 is we're going to start 00:43:25.000 --> 00:43:25.880 at the beginning of life 00:43:25.880 --> 00:43:26.980 and we're going to end 00:43:26.980 --> 00:43:27.840 with the end of life 00:43:27.840 --> 00:43:29.079 and we're going to just talk 00:43:29.079 --> 00:43:29.559 about the things 00:43:29.559 --> 00:43:30.599 that come up along the way 00:43:30.599 --> 00:43:32.300 so let me pray 00:43:32.300 --> 00:43:34.740 oh Father 00:43:34.740 --> 00:43:35.240 as we 00:43:35.240 --> 00:43:37.320 just reflect 00:43:37.320 --> 00:43:38.300 on your word 00:43:38.300 --> 00:43:38.840 this morning 00:43:38.840 --> 00:43:39.140 Jesus 00:43:39.140 --> 00:43:39.840 as we reflect 00:43:39.840 --> 00:43:40.800 on your words 00:43:40.800 --> 00:43:43.100 sometimes we think 00:43:43.100 --> 00:43:43.620 about these things 00:43:43.620 --> 00:43:44.180 and we think 00:43:44.180 --> 00:43:45.000 who is sufficient 00:43:45.000 --> 00:43:45.760 for these things 00:43:45.760 --> 00:43:47.380 and yet 00:43:47.380 --> 00:43:48.420 we are so grateful 00:43:48.420 --> 00:43:50.280 that you have 00:43:50.280 --> 00:43:51.360 filled us 00:43:51.360 --> 00:43:52.019 with your spirit 00:43:52.019 --> 00:43:53.740 you've given us 00:43:53.740 --> 00:43:54.620 new hearts 00:43:54.620 --> 00:43:55.600 new motivations 00:43:55.600 --> 00:43:56.460 new desires 00:43:56.460 --> 00:43:58.660 and new abilities 00:43:58.660 --> 00:43:59.559 and new communities 00:43:59.559 --> 00:44:00.600 whereby we can 00:44:00.600 --> 00:44:01.500 begin to live 00:44:01.500 --> 00:44:02.340 in this way 00:44:02.340 --> 00:44:04.059 so help us 00:44:04.059 --> 00:44:04.800 to do so Lord 00:44:04.800 --> 00:44:05.720 help us to do so 00:44:05.720 --> 00:44:06.360 with all the 00:44:06.360 --> 00:44:07.360 cheerfulness 00:44:07.360 --> 00:44:08.120 of spirit 00:44:08.120 --> 00:44:09.380 and confidence 00:44:09.380 --> 00:44:09.900 of hope 00:44:09.900 --> 00:44:11.420 that being in 00:44:11.420 --> 00:44:12.420 relationship with you 00:44:12.420 --> 00:44:13.840 inevitably brings 00:44:13.840 --> 00:44:15.440 and help us 00:44:15.440 --> 00:44:16.200 to be salt and light 00:44:16.200 --> 00:44:16.720 in our world 00:44:16.720 --> 00:44:17.140 we pray 00:44:17.140 --> 00:44:18.120 in Jesus name 00:44:18.120 --> 00:44:18.420 amen 00:44:18.420 --> 00:44:20.300 alright friends 00:44:20.300 --> 00:44:20.920 see you upstairs 00:44:20.920 --> 00:44:22.079 miracle 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.079 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:52.059 Thank you.