WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.719 Please turn back to Luke chapter 6, the passage that was read for us, 8.6.2 in the Black Church Bible. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:23.339 Towards the end of his life, as his terminal cancer took hold, the American minister, Tim Keller, was talking to his wife about what they knew was imminent. 00:00:23.339 --> 00:00:42.439 And he said to her that in all their sadness and all their fear and in all that would come to a couple like that at a time like that, he said, because Jesus rose bodily from the grave, everything's going to be okay. 00:00:44.500 --> 00:00:48.820 It is, when you think about it, a remarkable thing to be able to say. 00:00:48.820 --> 00:01:01.920 When the worst thing that any of us can face has had all of its potency taken away, it actually transforms everything. 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:05.740 You can live without fear. 00:01:06.539 --> 00:01:08.340 You can live in complete freedom. 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:16.159 What is it that we want in life but to live fearlessly and in complete freedom? 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:22.819 Because Jesus rose bodily from the grave, everything is going to be all right. 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:25.579 That's what the Christian can say. 00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:31.459 Because Jesus rose from the dead, death is now just a bump on the road to eternity. 00:01:31.459 --> 00:01:46.399 And last week, if you were here, verses 20 to 23, what we heard there was Jesus bring that future security back into the day-to-day of the lives of his disciples. 00:01:46.619 --> 00:01:48.799 He told them that they belonged to God. 00:01:49.699 --> 00:01:50.819 They were part of his kingdom. 00:01:51.519 --> 00:01:53.799 And because of that, they were blessed by him. 00:01:53.799 --> 00:02:02.479 And because of that, whatever opposition they faced, everything was in the end going to be all right. 00:02:04.679 --> 00:02:09.219 That is the assurance that the follower of Jesus possesses. 00:02:09.460 --> 00:02:11.039 If you think about it, that's how it works. 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:17.120 If the worst thing at the end of the road has completely been taken out of the picture as something to fear, 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:20.319 Oh, death, where is your sting? 00:02:20.599 --> 00:02:21.980 The Apostle Paul would say. 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:26.560 John MacArthur, another American minister at his memorial service recently, 00:02:26.700 --> 00:02:30.379 one of his sons recounted the last conversation he had with him. 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:31.539 And he said, 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:33.500 Death, where is your sting? 00:02:33.800 --> 00:02:35.759 I feel no sting. 00:02:37.540 --> 00:02:40.099 It's a remarkable thing that we can say as Christians. 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:43.979 And if that great enemy has been defeated, 00:02:45.180 --> 00:02:50.180 the security then of that future reaches back into the present and we are blessed. 00:02:50.959 --> 00:02:52.379 We belong to God's kingdom. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:53.280 We are secure. 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:58.219 Whatever lies ahead, it's all going to be okay. 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:02.139 And our passage this evening, verse 28, can you see? 00:03:02.280 --> 00:03:05.139 People can even hate us and revile us. 00:03:05.459 --> 00:03:08.180 They can curse us and abuse us. 00:03:08.180 --> 00:03:10.879 But we have the blessing of God. 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:13.400 We belong to his kingdom. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:16.659 It is a kingdom that persists through death. 00:03:17.120 --> 00:03:19.659 And that changes everything. 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:24.300 Now, of course, it's easy to say those things and for it to sound flippant. 00:03:24.939 --> 00:03:26.219 Death has lost its sting. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:27.480 Therefore, we don't need to fear. 00:03:27.600 --> 00:03:32.520 While that may be true, of course, the journey to that point can be painful and difficult and a battle. 00:03:32.700 --> 00:03:34.340 I'm not meaning to be flippant at all. 00:03:34.340 --> 00:03:39.460 But if we step back from that and look at the reality, when you belong to God's kingdom, 00:03:39.599 --> 00:03:44.520 he can eyeball these disciples that are about to face terrible things, terrible opposition, 00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.960 and he can say, you're blessed because you belong to my kingdom. 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:50.080 It is a kingdom that gets through death. 00:03:50.080 --> 00:03:52.360 And that transforms everything. 00:03:54.480 --> 00:03:59.560 And when you grasp that, when you get the reality of that to hit your heart, 00:03:59.700 --> 00:04:03.200 not just to be something you can say intellectually, but to get right down in here, 00:04:04.200 --> 00:04:05.460 well, then it frees you up. 00:04:05.640 --> 00:04:08.340 It frees you up to live by the values of that kingdom. 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:15.920 And those values, according to Jesus' words this evening, are generosity and grace. 00:04:16.879 --> 00:04:23.420 Or as one author put it, a glorious, uproarious, and absurd generosity. 00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:28.899 That is, those are the values of the kingdom that we are to live by. 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:32.019 And that's where we start. 00:04:32.100 --> 00:04:36.079 Verse 27, the first thing I want us to see is this radical call to a generous life. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:38.439 Now, you might think, I started off with the resurrection. 00:04:38.859 --> 00:04:41.839 I started off with the security of belonging to God's kingdom and all of that. 00:04:42.060 --> 00:04:43.979 What has that got to do with love your enemies? 00:04:44.099 --> 00:04:44.979 Well, I hope you'll see. 00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:46.479 It frames everything. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:51.759 See, we're being called, point number one, a radical call to a generous life. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:54.219 Verse 27, but I say to you who hear, 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:58.439 he's talking to the same group of disciples that he's been reassuring from verse 20. 00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:00.419 He says to them, love your enemies. 00:05:01.259 --> 00:05:02.599 Do good to those who hate you. 00:05:03.159 --> 00:05:04.279 Bless those who curse you. 00:05:04.779 --> 00:05:06.060 Pray for those who abuse you. 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:08.800 To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. 00:05:09.319 --> 00:05:12.800 And from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 00:05:13.339 --> 00:05:15.259 Give to everyone who begs from you. 00:05:15.539 --> 00:05:18.300 And from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:22.139 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 00:05:26.579 --> 00:05:27.599 We pray and go home. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:28.299 That's it. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:29.279 That's all we need, isn't it? 00:05:29.919 --> 00:05:30.779 Hang on a second. 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:32.599 This sounds ridiculous. 00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:36.060 Now, it isn't a new law. 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:36.860 We need to see that. 00:05:36.980 --> 00:05:42.220 Jesus is not providing here a checklist of things, moral imperatives that we are to tick off. 00:05:42.280 --> 00:05:45.060 He is outlining a heart attitude. 00:05:45.060 --> 00:05:48.740 He is defining a way of being in the world. 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:51.259 And it's quite a thing to say. 00:05:51.780 --> 00:05:53.420 Love your enemies. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:56.040 Is that even possible? 00:05:56.040 --> 00:06:01.340 Now, it's obvious, I think, that love here is not sentimental. 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:07.460 We're not being told to feel warm and affectionate feelings for people who hate us and speak badly of us. 00:06:07.459 --> 00:06:12.799 But we are to speak and act in a positive and generous way towards them. 00:06:14.419 --> 00:06:17.259 Someone hates you, do something good for them. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:18.739 Act in a loving way. 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:22.479 Someone curses you, bless them in return. 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:24.379 Speak in a loving way. 00:06:24.819 --> 00:06:28.699 Someone mistreats you, well, return their abuse with prayer. 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:31.459 Ask God to do them good. 00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:37.779 Someone insults you, verse 29, or steals from you or borrows and never returns what they took. 00:06:38.120 --> 00:06:40.039 Be generous towards them in return. 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:42.379 Just to say, by the way, verse 29, have a look. 00:06:42.459 --> 00:06:46.680 Verse 29 is describing actually a form of insult in the culture. 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:49.099 Turning the other cheek, that whole idea. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:51.679 It's about being slapped on the face. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:52.799 One commentator says this. 00:06:52.879 --> 00:06:57.939 The religious context makes it likely that a slap is intended and that an insult is in view. 00:06:57.939 --> 00:07:03.459 An ancient slap usually involved the back of the hand and may picture public rejection from the synagogue. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:08.600 In this case, one is not to fight back in kind but remain vulnerable to the insult again. 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:16.579 Now, I say that because if someone punches you in the face, don't think on the strength of this verse that you need to get back up the floor, 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:19.339 thank them, and turn and allow them to hit you again. 00:07:20.420 --> 00:07:24.259 You can defend yourself or you can run away or you can call the police. 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:32.620 The point is that we are willing to receive insult repeatedly for the sake of Christ. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:36.699 So the broader principle here is summarized in verse 31. 00:07:37.399 --> 00:07:41.120 As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 00:07:41.120 --> 00:07:49.280 Now, maybe over years and years of familiarity with this idea, we're not as shocked by this as we should, 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:54.340 but the rabbis taught, don't do to others what you wouldn't want done to you. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:57.319 Jesus takes it further. 00:07:57.420 --> 00:07:58.060 Can you see that? 00:08:01.040 --> 00:08:07.959 He's saying, as you want other people to treat you, you therefore treat them. 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:13.099 You'd like your bad behavior to be met with generosity, so do that to others. 00:08:15.139 --> 00:08:20.740 In Christ's kingdom, we are to meet another person's bad behavior with love. 00:08:21.799 --> 00:08:27.019 That's it boiled down to its most basic. 00:08:28.159 --> 00:08:32.620 In Christ's kingdom, we are to meet another person's bad behavior with love. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:38.419 One commentator says this, think of the best thing you can do for the worst person and go ahead and do it. 00:08:39.799 --> 00:08:42.840 Think of what you'd really like someone to do for you and do it for them. 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:49.000 Think of the people to whom you are tempted to be nasty and lavish generosity on them instead. 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:56.539 If that's not radical enough, he doesn't stop there. 00:08:57.399 --> 00:09:03.299 We're to do this without any expectation that it will benefit us in the moment. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:05.620 We're to expect nothing in return. 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:08.460 Verse 32, if you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:10.539 For even sinners love those who love them. 00:09:11.159 --> 00:09:14.220 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:16.440 For even sinners do the same. 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:21.019 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:24.440 Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:32.580 There's something of an unwritten code in our culture that says doing good for another person demands payback. 00:09:34.160 --> 00:09:38.019 There's something hardwired into all of us that thinks that way. 00:09:38.420 --> 00:09:43.160 If you think about it, when you're out and someone pays for lunch or buys drinks, what do you say? 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:45.560 My turn next time. 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:51.420 Oh, or this is the next time you say, no, no, no, let me. 00:09:51.560 --> 00:09:52.060 I owe you. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.139 You got it last time. 00:09:54.139 --> 00:09:55.220 That's how we operate. 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:58.980 And business thrives on this ethic. 00:09:59.920 --> 00:10:01.259 You use our firm. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.560 We give you perks. 00:10:03.060 --> 00:10:05.779 We give you perks so that you use our firm. 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:08.440 That's the way of the world. 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:10.080 There's nothing inherently wrong with that. 00:10:10.180 --> 00:10:11.259 It is the way of the world. 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:21.019 Now, it can appear very generous, but when the principle that underpins it is, I'll do this so that there's a kickback for me, there is nothing distinctively Christian about it. 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.240 Verse 33. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:22.879 Have a look. 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:23.840 Verse 33. 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:27.759 If you do good to those who do good to you, even sinners do that, he says. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:30.559 That's the way of the world. 00:10:31.679 --> 00:10:33.299 There's nothing distinctive about that. 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:41.340 And Jesus says that in a world that operates along these lines, the Christian is to follow a different path. 00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:49.419 In the face of criticism, insult, and opposition, we are to do good to our adversary, and we are to expect nothing in return. 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:56.139 This is the kind of generosity that should mark the church of Jesus Christ. 00:10:57.339 --> 00:11:08.799 It is the kind of generosity that is experienced when there is a lightness of spirit and a joy that comes from the Holy Spirit that kind of flows out of our lives. 00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:12.740 It's so countercultural. 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:42.720 It's so countercultural. 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:48.120 And the person is in this lane, and they won't let this person get in. 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:52.360 And they keep going right up in front so that this person can't get in. 00:11:53.940 --> 00:12:03.740 And there's always somebody in that outside lane that you know sees the signs perfectly well, and they still keep going up because they want to push in at the front. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.500 They're being selfish. 00:12:05.500 --> 00:12:10.399 and this person, what's going through their mind 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:12.399 as they drive up close to the bumper in front, 00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:14.919 how dare you think you can get in ahead of me? 00:12:16.500 --> 00:12:17.639 Who do you think you are? 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:20.240 Not letting you in front of me, sunshine. 00:12:22.039 --> 00:12:23.940 You drive really close to the car in front. 00:12:24.299 --> 00:12:24.940 They can't get in. 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:25.980 You maybe beep your horn, 00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:29.620 maybe stare at them as you refuse to let them in. 00:12:32.679 --> 00:12:34.539 I'm afraid to say that lots of Christians 00:12:34.539 --> 00:12:36.740 take this approach to life in general. 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:41.679 They're angry, surly, feeling hard done by 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:43.679 because other people in the world treat them badly 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:45.360 or just behave badly in general, 00:12:46.079 --> 00:12:48.980 and they live with closed hands. 00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:52.219 I don't know who holds on to what I've got. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:54.679 These people are trying to take me on. 00:12:56.599 --> 00:12:58.500 And actually, I think with men, 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:01.899 part of this lack of generosity is a competitiveness 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:03.620 and an unwillingness to be beaten. 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:07.240 I've kind of kept the rules. 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:08.519 I've been in this lane. 00:13:08.599 --> 00:13:09.519 I've been driving down. 00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:12.139 Who's this guy think he's going to get in in front of me? 00:13:12.179 --> 00:13:13.439 I'm not going to let him beat me. 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.799 I have to be honest. 00:13:16.839 --> 00:13:17.699 I see that myself. 00:13:19.480 --> 00:13:20.279 Tell you a story. 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:24.279 A while ago, I got played by a guy on the street near us. 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:25.319 He was begging. 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:30.779 He gave me a sob story about how he had been in social housing, 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:35.100 and there was a delay on his benefits check, 00:13:35.220 --> 00:13:37.199 and it meant that he got kicked out, 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:38.220 and he was on the street. 00:13:38.339 --> 00:13:40.139 And I hadn't seen him around the area before, 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:43.220 and so I sat and listened to him, 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:46.419 and I believed him, 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:47.799 and he said, 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:49.600 oh, I'm just trying to get some money for a hostel. 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:52.399 And I said, okay, how much is the hostel? 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:53.039 And he told me, 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:53.840 and I said, well, look, here, 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.940 I got money out of the cash machine. 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:57.060 I gave it to him for the hostel, 00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:57.899 and I said to him, 00:13:57.940 --> 00:14:01.639 if you meet me on Monday in this cafe here, 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:03.280 just beside where he was begging, 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:04.700 we can go online, 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:06.960 and I'll help you get back into the benefits system, 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:08.500 and I'll help you sort that all out. 00:14:08.680 --> 00:14:09.899 He was very credible. 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.840 He's a complete liar. 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:13.540 His story was made up. 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:14.300 He wasn't homeless. 00:14:14.800 --> 00:14:16.320 In fact, he still knocks around the streets 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:17.660 where I am drinking 00:14:17.660 --> 00:14:20.040 and doing all the things he told me he didn't do. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:22.340 When I see him, 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:24.420 makes me cross. 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:28.379 He abused my charity. 00:14:29.060 --> 00:14:29.920 How dare he? 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:33.420 I want him to apologize to me. 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:37.139 But it's also annoying, if I'm honest, 00:14:37.180 --> 00:14:38.160 because he beat me. 00:14:41.280 --> 00:14:42.820 And that is exactly the attitude 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.340 that Jesus is ruling out here. 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:46.879 Plus, actually, 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:48.220 when I gave him the money, 00:14:48.300 --> 00:14:48.879 I gave him the money, 00:14:48.960 --> 00:14:49.820 I told him I was doing it 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:51.500 because Jesus had been generous to me, 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.580 and in that case, 00:14:52.639 --> 00:14:54.220 I was actually giving the money to the Lord. 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:54.879 So what? 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:57.179 But I see the guy, 00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.200 and I get cross. 00:14:58.679 --> 00:15:00.620 I can feel my body get hot. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.240 I can feel the resentment. 00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.919 And this is actually one of the reasons 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:09.200 why living with this generous spirit 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:10.080 is actually better. 00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:12.440 It's actually a more liberating way to live. 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:14.440 The car pushes in in front of you. 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.060 Being able to say, 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:19.440 Sure, go ahead. 00:15:20.540 --> 00:15:21.920 I don't mind waiting. 00:15:22.220 --> 00:15:23.000 No problem. 00:15:25.060 --> 00:15:26.100 And not think about it again. 00:15:26.220 --> 00:15:27.180 It's so freeing. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.540 You don't care. 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.379 You don't think about it. 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:30.960 You don't have to fret about the fact 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:32.320 that he might be beating you. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:35.260 To be able to see that guy on the street 00:15:35.260 --> 00:15:35.720 and say, 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:37.180 You took my money. 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:37.940 You won. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:38.660 Well played. 00:15:38.760 --> 00:15:39.460 Or better still, 00:15:39.540 --> 00:15:40.640 to be able to say to him, 00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:41.900 Outside the shop, 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.980 Do you need me to get anything for you? 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:47.540 There's no stress. 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:50.280 You can live like that. 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:52.200 It's much easier. 00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.140 Don't get wound up. 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:57.280 You say, 00:15:57.400 --> 00:15:58.720 Okay, these are trivial examples. 00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.360 What about when the amount of money 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.700 isn't an insignificant amount? 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:03.960 What about when you get scammed 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.940 and you lose everything? 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:08.600 Or somebody slanders you online 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.900 and destroys your reputation? 00:16:10.940 --> 00:16:12.840 What about when the hatred is personal 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:15.640 and the loss is significant? 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:19.640 Jesus requires the same radical, 00:16:20.120 --> 00:16:22.000 shocking kingdom generosity 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:23.820 even in those situations. 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.140 And you might be saying, 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:26.000 Look, that's unrealistic. 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.879 That is totally unrealistic. 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:29.560 I'm not suggesting it's easy. 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.340 But remember where we started. 00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.759 To be a Christian 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:34.620 is to possess the kingdom of God. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:37.540 We live in the freedom of God's blessing 00:16:37.540 --> 00:16:39.259 both now and in the future. 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:41.360 So even great loss, 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:44.620 we have the resources to live in this way. 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.040 We do. 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:47.400 In the gospel of Jesus Christ, 00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:50.560 we have the resources to live this way. 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:54.619 God has decided in that moment 00:16:54.619 --> 00:16:55.739 He's completely sovereign 00:16:55.739 --> 00:16:57.119 over every detail. 00:16:57.239 --> 00:16:59.259 He has decided that that is what you needed. 00:17:00.119 --> 00:17:02.039 And because the kingdom cannot be lost, 00:17:02.099 --> 00:17:02.699 in the end, 00:17:02.819 --> 00:17:04.839 everything's going to be all right. 00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:05.740 It is. 00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:09.279 As well as that, 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:10.899 however hard the loss may be, 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.700 when you think about it, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:13.099 the bigger the loss, 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.799 the greater the freedom 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:15.899 when you can just let it go. 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:20.540 That thing ceases to have a hold over you. 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.960 You're no longer a slave 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:25.000 to the wrong that that person did over you. 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:27.060 You're no longer a slave 00:17:27.060 --> 00:17:28.380 to the thing that you lost. 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.960 You can let it go 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:33.019 because the kingdom cannot be lost. 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:36.900 Now there's a further reason 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:37.900 why we should live this way, 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.779 but before we get there, 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.799 I want to make two comments. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.680 The first is this. 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:43.319 I said these commands 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.660 aren't like a rule book 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:47.180 that we keep in a legalistic way. 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.660 What I mean by that, 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:50.599 I said it's about a heart attitude, 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.759 a posture in the world. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.400 What I mean by that is this. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.879 There is all the difference in the world 00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:56.379 between looking at this and saying, 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:56.700 right, 00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.319 rule number four, 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.759 give to everyone who begs from you. 00:18:01.400 --> 00:18:01.680 Okay? 00:18:01.819 --> 00:18:02.740 Got to go and keep the rules. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.319 It's a law. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.259 It's in God's Word. 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:06.519 I've got to keep it in every case. 00:18:07.120 --> 00:18:08.019 There's all the difference 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:09.000 in the world between that 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:11.599 and you are so blessed 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.660 in the kingdom of God 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:15.519 that you should be ridiculously generous. 00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.259 I mean, 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.680 give to everyone who begs from you. 00:18:20.140 --> 00:18:21.079 That's the spirit 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:23.440 that Jesus has in mind here, 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:25.880 which means we should be generous 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:26.779 to those in need, 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:27.880 but it doesn't mean 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.819 that you should give cash 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.700 to every crack addict 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.559 on the streets of Ealing. 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:33.259 That might be the least generous thing 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.159 that you could do for them. 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.879 The second point I want to make 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:39.259 might ask the question, 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.639 well, how does this relate to justice? 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.279 Someone steals your car 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.720 and the police manage to catch them. 00:18:45.519 --> 00:18:46.679 Well, do you just let them off 00:18:46.679 --> 00:18:47.639 on the basis of this? 00:18:48.839 --> 00:18:50.579 Or if you're woken up in the night 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:51.839 because you hear noises downstairs 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.759 and you go downstairs 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.339 and there are people 00:18:53.339 --> 00:18:54.659 helping themselves do your stuff, 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.679 are you just to hold the door 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:56.440 and wish them well? 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:58.759 No. 00:18:59.500 --> 00:18:59.900 Again, 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.299 Jesus is not suggesting 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.640 that you don't pursue justice 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.820 where a crime has been committed 00:19:03.820 --> 00:19:05.060 or somebody has wronged you 00:19:05.060 --> 00:19:06.160 in some way. 00:19:06.340 --> 00:19:07.200 He's talking about 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:08.900 a general spirit of generosity. 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.100 Now, 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:11.380 that spirit will inform 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:13.360 how you pursue justice. 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.820 You might not approach justice 00:19:15.820 --> 00:19:16.140 thinking, 00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.080 I'm going to squeeze 00:19:17.080 --> 00:19:17.960 absolutely everything 00:19:17.960 --> 00:19:18.980 out of what I want to get 00:19:18.980 --> 00:19:19.720 from this person, 00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:22.900 but it doesn't mean 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.880 that you don't pursue justice. 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.620 He's not obviously suggesting 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.720 that you overlook justice. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:28.720 Okay, 00:19:28.799 --> 00:19:29.799 back to the why question. 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.759 Why should Christians 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.960 be so generous? 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.279 It is a freer 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:36.100 and less stressful way to live. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:36.400 Sure, 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.480 it's possible to do this 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.620 because we belong to the kingdom 00:19:38.620 --> 00:19:39.640 that cannot be shaken, 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:43.079 but we're also to heed 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:45.180 the radical call 00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:46.140 to a generous life 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.740 because, 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.600 point number two, 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:49.519 it reflects the character 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.919 of a generous God. 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.799 It reflects the character 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:55.480 of a generous God. 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.439 Verse 35, 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.279 but love your enemies 00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.000 and do good 00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.240 and lend, 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:01.519 expecting nothing in return 00:20:01.519 --> 00:20:03.079 and your reward will be great 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.959 and you will be sons 00:20:03.959 --> 00:20:04.740 of the Most High 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.099 for he is kind 00:20:06.099 --> 00:20:07.359 to the ungrateful 00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:08.339 and the evil. 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.059 Be merciful 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.879 even as your Father 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:13.179 is merciful. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:17.480 Jesus taught his disciples 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.200 to be generous 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.680 because it is a reflection 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.680 of the character 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.640 of God. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.460 He uses family language 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:26.559 to make a connection 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.240 in this regard. 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:28.480 He talks about being sons 00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.259 of the Most High 00:20:29.259 --> 00:20:30.319 and behaving like 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.599 our Heavenly Father. 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:33.599 Children imitate 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.779 their parents. 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:37.120 The parents among us here 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:38.640 might wish that weren't the case, 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:41.980 but all those quirks 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.440 that my children have 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:45.759 come from one source. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:48.379 this guy. 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:51.200 That's the way it is. 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.480 Children imitate 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:53.059 their parents 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:54.299 and when Jesus calls us 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:54.879 to a life 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:55.879 of radical generosity, 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.920 he does so 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:59.039 because this kind of life 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.740 bears the family resemblance. 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:03.259 When we love our enemies, 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.240 we show that we are 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.879 God's children 00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.859 because that is what 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:06.680 he is like. 00:21:07.799 --> 00:21:08.920 When we show mercy 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.460 to others, 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.359 when we don't give them 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:11.440 what their behavior deserves, 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.140 we are imitating 00:21:12.140 --> 00:21:13.119 our Heavenly Father 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.079 who is merciful 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.500 to all who come to him. 00:21:15.739 --> 00:21:18.239 He is so generous. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.739 I wonder, 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:22.519 is this how you think 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.119 about God? 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:27.019 Kind to the ungrateful. 00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:30.199 Kind to those 00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:30.859 who are evil. 00:21:32.739 --> 00:21:33.879 Merciful to those 00:21:33.879 --> 00:21:34.879 who deserve to be 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:36.059 cut off from him 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.939 forever. 00:21:38.099 --> 00:21:39.799 He sees the driver 00:21:39.799 --> 00:21:41.219 ignoring all the signs 00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.180 in the outside lane 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.519 and trying to push in 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.059 at the front. 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:46.259 He sees the selfishness 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:47.319 in all of our hearts. 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:49.600 He sees those rotten desires, 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:50.940 those corrupt motives. 00:21:51.660 --> 00:21:52.799 He sees the spirit 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.500 that says, 00:21:54.100 --> 00:21:54.759 my life, 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.120 on my terms, 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.640 you all get out of the way. 00:21:58.059 --> 00:21:59.259 And God, 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:00.519 if I can say it like this, 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.900 He doesn't drive up close 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.819 and shut us out. 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.180 He invites us 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:05.799 not only to join the line 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.880 but to get into the car 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:07.240 with Him 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.440 and travel with Him. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:11.120 That is the offer 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:11.759 of the gospel. 00:22:12.360 --> 00:22:13.120 It is not just 00:22:13.120 --> 00:22:14.019 that God ignores 00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:14.840 your wickedness. 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.820 He couldn't do that 00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:16.920 because He is just 00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:18.759 but that He covers it. 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:20.259 He forgives it 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:21.799 and He brings you 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.480 into the family. 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:26.519 God isn't kind 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.620 to those who are good 00:22:27.620 --> 00:22:29.180 and well behaved 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:31.019 and play by the highway code. 00:22:33.279 --> 00:22:34.200 That's what religious 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.880 people think. 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:36.200 That is the metric 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:37.400 of a religious mind. 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:38.820 Be a good person 00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:39.920 and God will accept you. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.160 But that won't work 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:42.500 because none of us 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.340 can ever be good enough 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:43.880 for God. 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.019 To use the language 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.660 of this passage, 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.759 we have hated God. 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:48.300 We have abused His Son. 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.500 We have insulted Him. 00:22:49.560 --> 00:22:50.040 We have stolen 00:22:50.040 --> 00:22:51.420 from His storehouse of gifts 00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:52.440 and never bothered 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.080 to thank Him. 00:22:53.360 --> 00:22:54.620 We are the ungrateful 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.380 and the evil. 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:56.900 But this is why 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.759 He sent His Son. 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:02.180 As Jesus says these words, 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:03.040 He's on His way 00:23:03.040 --> 00:23:03.780 to His death. 00:23:04.080 --> 00:23:05.460 He will go to a cross 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.279 and He will die 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:07.539 not for His own sins. 00:23:07.600 --> 00:23:08.559 He had none of those. 00:23:08.860 --> 00:23:09.500 But for people 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.700 who have behaved like this. 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.539 People like us. 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.380 People like you 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.480 and people like me. 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.860 So don't think 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:19.079 your past, 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:20.559 whatever it involved, 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.720 is too bad for God. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:25.319 Jesus came for the ungrateful 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.299 and the evil 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.039 which means that 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.420 He came for you. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.240 And if you turn to Him 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.360 in faith, 00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.640 if you say sorry 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:33.720 for living that way 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:34.740 and if you give yourself 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.240 to Him, 00:23:35.540 --> 00:23:36.520 He will respond 00:23:36.520 --> 00:23:39.840 with kindness. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.360 He will respond 00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:47.300 to your saying sorry, 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:48.600 turning from your sin 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:50.060 and giving yourself 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:50.620 to Him 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:51.940 with kindness. 00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:54.940 It is an astonishing thing. 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:57.200 He will be kind to you. 00:23:57.820 --> 00:23:59.460 He will be merciful to you. 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.240 He will forgive you. 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:03.259 He will make you His own. 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:05.940 He is so generous. 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:10.180 And it is this generosity 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:12.259 that we as His disciples 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:14.339 are called to imitate. 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.960 Did you notice the motivation 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.759 that He slips in? 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.480 Do you see that? 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.839 It is of course 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.960 surely a privilege. 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.500 It's a great privilege 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.680 to be able to reflect 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:25.400 even in a tiny, tiny way 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:27.259 the God of eternity 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.000 to the world. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.539 That privilege in itself 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.220 should be enough. 00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:32.700 But as well as that, 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.460 verse 37, 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:34.539 when we do this, 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.680 we receive even more blessing. 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.460 Judge not 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.619 and you will not be judged. 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.379 Condemn not 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:41.579 and you will not be condemned. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:42.079 Forgiven, 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.940 you will be forgiven. 00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:44.700 That's the summary 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.200 of the point 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:45.899 that He's just made. 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.899 Don't behave towards 00:24:46.899 --> 00:24:47.379 your enemies 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:48.359 the way the world would. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.559 The world would judge them. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.920 The world would condemn them. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.899 Don't do that. 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.579 Not you. 00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.960 Leave that work to God. 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.559 You can leave 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.559 all of that to God. 00:24:55.639 --> 00:24:56.000 Instead, 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.599 verse 38, 00:24:57.759 --> 00:24:58.940 give and it will be given to you. 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.900 Good measure, 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.120 pressed down, 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.140 shaken together, 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.140 running over, 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:04.620 will be put into your lap. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:06.180 For with the measure you use, 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:07.740 it will be measured back to you. 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:09.920 God's generosity continues 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.539 and it's overflowing. 00:25:11.740 --> 00:25:12.440 The picture here 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:13.440 is of the grain market 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.400 where the seller 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:15.340 would take the measure 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.220 into his lap 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:18.039 and he'd fill it up 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.660 to a point 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.519 and then he'd stop 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.320 and he'd bang it 00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:22.000 in order that it all settled 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.940 and there was more space. 00:25:23.000 --> 00:25:23.580 He'd put it back. 00:25:23.640 --> 00:25:24.299 He'd fill it again. 00:25:24.360 --> 00:25:25.059 He'd do it again. 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:27.000 He'd then squeeze it down on top 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.019 to make sure 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.900 that he was filling it 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.900 to the absolute brim 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:30.980 and the person would get 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.779 the fullness of that measure. 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:37.819 For those who live 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:39.640 like their Father in heaven, 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.539 there isn't simply 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.759 a full measure of blessing 00:25:42.759 --> 00:25:44.279 but so much blessing 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:45.339 that it runs over 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.259 into our lap. 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:47.940 He fills it up, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:48.740 bangs it down, 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.460 fills it again, 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.180 bangs it down, 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.940 fills it again 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.339 and just keeps going 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.759 and the blessing overflows. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:56.079 He is so generous. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:01.000 Do you see in 32 and 34, 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.799 Jesus says there is no benefit 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.700 for a kind of love 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.259 that you would see 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.240 anywhere else in the world. 00:26:05.619 --> 00:26:06.920 If you're going into it 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.539 for yourself, 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:09.680 you're not going to get 00:26:09.680 --> 00:26:10.440 anything back 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.960 but here he is saying 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.559 that there is overflowing benefit 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.339 from God 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:15.160 for those who live 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:17.000 with the open-handed generosity 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:19.319 that he's calling them to 00:26:19.319 --> 00:26:20.759 and they do it for God's sake. 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:22.759 That distinction 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:24.299 is really, really important. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.000 If you are generous 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.099 because you want to reflect 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:27.960 your heavenly Father 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.500 and trust that he will bless you 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:31.539 his way in his time, 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.799 that is very different 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.059 from pursuing a generosity 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.119 that will bring you 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:35.920 material blessing 00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.680 in the here and now. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.879 One of those is heavenward, 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.599 the other one is all about you. 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:43.059 In fact, that second one 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:43.980 is using God 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:44.980 to get what you want 00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.700 in your time. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:46.559 Do you see that? 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.759 That is blasphemy. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:47.879 Secondly, 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:50.940 I'm doing this 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.339 in order to put God 00:26:52.339 --> 00:26:52.960 in my debt 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.900 so that he gives me 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:54.740 what I really want. 00:26:54.859 --> 00:26:55.680 The first one 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:57.200 is I want God 00:26:57.200 --> 00:26:59.160 and I'm going to do this 00:26:59.160 --> 00:26:59.960 and live this way 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:01.079 because I get to reflect 00:27:01.079 --> 00:27:02.240 his character of the world 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.400 and I want the blessing 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:04.259 that he promises 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.339 in his time. 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.900 One is Godward, 00:27:06.960 --> 00:27:08.140 the other is all about you. 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.700 That's the heresy actually 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.799 of the prosperity gospel. 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:14.220 They use this verse 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:15.059 to make this point. 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:17.519 It is desperate, 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.379 terrible, 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.019 leads all kinds of people 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:21.460 into all kinds of destruction. 00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:24.019 However, 00:27:24.159 --> 00:27:25.720 just because prosperity preachers 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:27.460 use this verse falsely 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:27.960 doesn't mean 00:27:27.960 --> 00:27:28.619 that we shouldn't 00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.480 take it seriously. 00:27:30.700 --> 00:27:33.539 God will abundantly bless 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.579 those who reflect 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.220 his character 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.599 by living generously. 00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:41.960 So there we are. 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:44.940 whatever comes your way 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.380 this week 00:27:45.380 --> 00:27:47.200 or in the weeks ahead 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:49.400 from the hands 00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.160 or the lips 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:51.360 of your enemies 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.799 or those who oppose you, 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.160 meet their hostility 00:27:54.160 --> 00:27:55.440 with generosity. 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:58.039 Do to them 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.880 as you would wish 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.940 that they would do to you 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:01.900 and be merciful 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:04.019 as your Father 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.000 is merciful. 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.500 You can do this. 00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:09.019 It's not a fantasy. 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:10.299 You can do this 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.740 because you're secure 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:13.099 in Christ's kingdom. 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.720 Whatever comes your way 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.579 in the end 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.519 it's going to be okay. 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:18.279 You cannot lose the kingdom. 00:28:19.419 --> 00:28:20.139 The kingdom 00:28:20.139 --> 00:28:21.500 cannot be shaken. 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.700 You have the promise 00:28:23.700 --> 00:28:24.680 of the Father's blessing 00:28:24.680 --> 00:28:27.059 and you get the privilege 00:28:27.059 --> 00:28:28.279 of reflecting 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.259 the family likeness. 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:30.299 Those are the three reasons 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.659 why you can 00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.659 live this way. 00:28:32.980 --> 00:28:33.819 With this radical 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:35.200 counter-cultural generosity 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.299 you're secure, 00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:37.440 secure, secure 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.180 in Christ's kingdom. 00:28:38.180 --> 00:28:40.120 You have the promise 00:28:40.120 --> 00:28:41.080 of the blessing of God 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:43.740 and what a privilege it is 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.720 to live reflecting 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.720 the family likeness. 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:47.060 Let's pray.