WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:19.620 Thank you, Rob. 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:28.839 Luke's Gospel, Chapter 6. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.480 We're going to read from verses 27 to 36 this morning. 00:00:40.340 --> 00:00:48.340 This section that I'm reading from Luke starts back towards the beginning of Chapter 6. 00:00:48.620 --> 00:00:52.400 You've probably heard of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel. 00:00:52.539 --> 00:00:54.260 This is the Sermon on the Plain. 00:00:54.900 --> 00:00:57.980 Some of the teachings are repeated, some are different. 00:00:57.979 --> 00:01:06.379 But Jesus is teaching a wide audience of people, some who are disciples, some are not. 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:10.140 So we're going to pick it up in verse 27. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:24.060 But to you who are listening, that's us, I say, love your enemies. 00:01:24.960 --> 00:01:27.099 Do good to those who hate you. 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:29.960 Bless those who curse you. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:33.299 Pray for those who ill-treat you. 00:01:33.299 --> 00:01:39.399 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:45.379 If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 00:01:46.479 --> 00:01:48.299 Give to everyone who asks you. 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:52.920 And if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:57.739 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 00:01:57.739 --> 00:02:04.259 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? 00:02:04.979 --> 00:02:07.679 Even sinners love those who love them. 00:02:08.799 --> 00:02:14.539 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:16.280 Even sinners do that. 00:02:16.919 --> 00:02:22.900 And if you lend to those whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:27.640 Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be repaid in full. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:31.180 But love your enemies. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:33.420 Do good to them. 00:02:34.300 --> 00:02:37.980 And lend to them without expecting to get anything back. 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:41.460 Then your reward will be great. 00:02:42.360 --> 00:02:44.480 And you will be children of the Most High. 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:49.259 Because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:51.259 Be merciful. 00:02:51.259 --> 00:02:51.959 Be merciful. 00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:55.859 Just as your Father is merciful. 00:02:57.519 --> 00:02:59.120 Well, let's pray. 00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:04.799 Father God, be our teacher. 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:08.139 And help us to listen. 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:12.099 And may the words that I speak 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:15.139 be words that you use 00:03:15.139 --> 00:03:16.979 for our benefit 00:03:16.979 --> 00:03:18.579 and for our good. 00:03:19.259 --> 00:03:21.159 Bless us, we pray. 00:03:21.919 --> 00:03:22.560 Amen. 00:03:24.620 --> 00:03:27.639 Well, in our series of this month, 00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:29.799 we've been asking the big question, 00:03:30.659 --> 00:03:32.419 what is a Christian? 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:34.439 And today we're going to see that a Christian 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:35.639 is someone 00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:37.659 who has a love 00:03:37.659 --> 00:03:39.159 for others. 00:03:40.180 --> 00:03:41.120 In other words, 00:03:41.180 --> 00:03:43.039 if you are a disciple of Jesus, 00:03:43.039 --> 00:03:44.139 you are known 00:03:44.139 --> 00:03:45.780 for your love. 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:48.680 love for our brothers and sisters 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:50.060 within the church family, 00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:53.259 but for all those we meet 00:03:53.259 --> 00:03:54.659 in our community 00:03:54.659 --> 00:03:56.759 and those who we work with. 00:03:58.199 --> 00:04:01.240 And as a way of understanding love, 00:04:01.439 --> 00:04:03.539 I just have a very simple definition 00:04:03.539 --> 00:04:06.340 to help us along this morning. 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:08.340 love is an unconditional action 00:04:08.340 --> 00:04:11.300 to do good 00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:13.060 and be kind 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:14.900 to those we consider 00:04:14.900 --> 00:04:16.000 undeserving 00:04:16.000 --> 00:04:18.540 and unlovely. 00:04:19.079 --> 00:04:20.840 An unconditional action 00:04:20.840 --> 00:04:21.680 to do good 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:22.439 and be kind 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:23.740 to those we consider 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:25.280 undeserving 00:04:25.280 --> 00:04:27.560 and unlovely. 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:29.280 You see, as Christians, 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:30.560 we are not 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:31.699 called to 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:32.699 separate 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:33.439 from those 00:04:33.439 --> 00:04:34.439 who we consider 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:35.420 immoral 00:04:35.420 --> 00:04:37.180 or to avoid 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:38.920 those who we don't agree with 00:04:38.920 --> 00:04:40.160 or to tolerate 00:04:40.160 --> 00:04:41.860 those we think 00:04:41.860 --> 00:04:42.439 difficult. 00:04:43.540 --> 00:04:44.420 Now, we're commanded, 00:04:44.879 --> 00:04:45.620 do you see it there 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:46.620 in verse 27? 00:04:47.819 --> 00:04:49.160 To love 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:50.340 your enemies. 00:04:52.340 --> 00:04:53.540 Do good 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:54.199 to those 00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:55.420 who hate you. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:57.699 bless those 00:04:57.699 --> 00:04:59.180 who curse you. 00:05:00.520 --> 00:05:01.460 Pray for those 00:05:01.460 --> 00:05:03.379 who ill-treat you. 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:06.100 We are to move 00:05:06.100 --> 00:05:07.680 towards those 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:08.600 we consider 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:09.740 undeserving 00:05:09.740 --> 00:05:11.080 and unlovely 00:05:11.080 --> 00:05:12.439 and do good 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:13.020 to them 00:05:13.020 --> 00:05:15.060 and to be kind 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:16.060 to them. 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:18.680 Corrie Ten Boom, 00:05:18.879 --> 00:05:19.819 whom some of you 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:20.639 may have heard of, 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:21.439 was a remarkable 00:05:21.439 --> 00:05:22.259 young lady 00:05:22.259 --> 00:05:24.180 who helped her father 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:25.100 hide 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:25.820 and protect 00:05:25.820 --> 00:05:26.420 Jews 00:05:26.420 --> 00:05:27.660 in her own home 00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:28.660 during the Holocaust 00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:29.740 of World War II. 00:05:30.760 --> 00:05:31.220 Eventually, 00:05:31.460 --> 00:05:32.500 Corrie and her family 00:05:32.500 --> 00:05:33.220 were caught 00:05:33.220 --> 00:05:34.920 and all her family 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:35.780 were taken off 00:05:35.780 --> 00:05:36.500 to one of the 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:37.100 notorious 00:05:37.100 --> 00:05:38.660 concentration camps. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:41.020 Corrie survived 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:42.260 and after the war, 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:43.540 she began 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:44.160 to speak 00:05:44.160 --> 00:05:45.439 in various churches 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:47.760 about her experience. 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:49.700 And in her book, 00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:50.820 which is called 00:05:50.820 --> 00:05:52.140 The Hiding Place, 00:05:52.139 --> 00:05:53.699 she recounts 00:05:53.699 --> 00:05:54.560 one particular 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:55.279 encounter 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:56.899 that she had 00:05:56.899 --> 00:05:58.079 at a church 00:05:58.079 --> 00:05:58.839 meeting. 00:05:59.800 --> 00:06:00.879 Let me read 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:01.419 to you 00:06:01.419 --> 00:06:02.240 from that 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:03.240 encounter. 00:06:04.599 --> 00:06:05.560 A man 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:06.079 approached 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:06.639 to shake 00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:07.399 her hand, 00:06:08.339 --> 00:06:08.939 marvelling 00:06:08.939 --> 00:06:09.979 at the forgiveness 00:06:09.979 --> 00:06:10.839 of Jesus 00:06:10.839 --> 00:06:12.479 she had just 00:06:12.479 --> 00:06:13.120 described. 00:06:14.439 --> 00:06:15.819 She recognised 00:06:15.819 --> 00:06:16.159 him. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:18.180 He was her 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:18.759 former 00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:19.720 jailer. 00:06:20.780 --> 00:06:21.600 His hand 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:22.459 was thrust 00:06:22.459 --> 00:06:23.300 out to shake 00:06:23.300 --> 00:06:23.759 mine, 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:25.340 and I, 00:06:25.459 --> 00:06:26.100 who had preached 00:06:26.100 --> 00:06:27.060 so often to the 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:27.480 people 00:06:27.480 --> 00:06:28.459 the need 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:29.379 to forgive, 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:31.879 kept my hand 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:33.019 by my side. 00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:35.800 Even as angry, 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:37.519 vengeful thoughts 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:38.639 boiled through me, 00:06:39.100 --> 00:06:40.540 I saw the sin 00:06:40.540 --> 00:06:40.920 of them. 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:43.640 Jesus Christ 00:06:43.640 --> 00:06:44.300 had died 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:45.100 for this man. 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:46.800 Was I going 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:47.439 to ask 00:06:47.439 --> 00:06:48.040 for more? 00:06:49.480 --> 00:06:50.460 I breathed 00:06:50.460 --> 00:06:51.040 a silent 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:51.520 prayer. 00:06:52.759 --> 00:06:53.160 Jesus, 00:06:53.700 --> 00:06:55.040 I cannot 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:55.840 forgive him. 00:06:57.460 --> 00:06:57.960 Give 00:06:57.960 --> 00:06:58.800 your 00:06:58.800 --> 00:06:59.500 forgiveness. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:01.780 And she 00:07:01.780 --> 00:07:02.460 took the 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:03.340 man's hand. 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:05.540 Then this 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:06.700 healing warmth 00:07:06.700 --> 00:07:07.600 seemed to flood 00:07:07.600 --> 00:07:08.580 my whole being, 00:07:09.020 --> 00:07:09.840 bringing tears 00:07:09.840 --> 00:07:10.800 to my eyes. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:12.640 I forgive 00:07:12.640 --> 00:07:13.199 you, 00:07:13.420 --> 00:07:13.699 brother, 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:15.020 I cried, 00:07:15.640 --> 00:07:16.540 with all 00:07:16.540 --> 00:07:17.360 my heart. 00:07:18.580 --> 00:07:19.480 For a long 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:20.220 moment we 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:21.259 grasped each 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.100 other's hands, 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:23.620 the former 00:07:23.620 --> 00:07:24.240 guard, 00:07:25.460 --> 00:07:26.100 and me, 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:26.819 the former 00:07:26.819 --> 00:07:27.340 prisoner. 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:29.560 I had never 00:07:29.560 --> 00:07:30.580 known God's 00:07:30.580 --> 00:07:32.139 love so 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:32.840 intensely 00:07:32.840 --> 00:07:34.780 as I did 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:35.600 then. 00:07:37.100 --> 00:07:37.740 Do you see, 00:07:37.840 --> 00:07:38.600 in that one 00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:39.560 encounter, 00:07:39.560 --> 00:07:41.199 Corrie 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:42.220 loved her 00:07:42.220 --> 00:07:43.060 enemies, 00:07:44.280 --> 00:07:45.060 did good 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:45.680 to those 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:46.379 who hated 00:07:46.379 --> 00:07:46.740 her, 00:07:48.019 --> 00:07:48.379 blessed 00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:49.259 those who 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:50.019 had cursed 00:07:50.019 --> 00:07:50.339 her, 00:07:51.339 --> 00:07:52.420 and prayed 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:53.199 for those 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:54.680 who ill-treated 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:55.019 her. 00:07:56.480 --> 00:07:57.360 That's the 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:58.180 kind of love 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:59.139 we're thinking 00:07:59.139 --> 00:08:00.100 about today. 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:01.139 And to help 00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:01.899 us see what 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:02.600 this kind of 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:03.699 love looks 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:04.360 like for us, 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:05.199 we're going to 00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:05.959 look at three 00:08:05.959 --> 00:08:06.920 things from the 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:07.860 text we've read. 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:08.699 love as 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:09.340 evidence, 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:11.420 love in 00:08:11.420 --> 00:08:12.040 action, 00:08:12.980 --> 00:08:13.800 and love 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:15.100 from God. 00:08:15.939 --> 00:08:16.920 So first, 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:18.220 love as 00:08:18.220 --> 00:08:18.980 evidence. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:23.900 Love is 00:08:23.900 --> 00:08:24.780 not the 00:08:24.780 --> 00:08:25.759 key into 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:26.240 God's 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:26.540 kingdom, 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:27.280 rather it's 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:28.120 the mark of 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:28.639 those who 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:29.860 are in 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:30.319 the kingdom. 00:08:30.480 --> 00:08:30.980 Or to put it 00:08:30.980 --> 00:08:31.540 another way, 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:32.680 love doesn't 00:08:32.680 --> 00:08:33.379 make us 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:33.960 Christians, 00:08:34.539 --> 00:08:35.360 rather love 00:08:35.360 --> 00:08:35.820 is the 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:36.580 evidence 00:08:36.580 --> 00:08:37.720 that we 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:38.340 are a 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:38.740 Christian. 00:08:39.400 --> 00:08:40.240 So look at 00:08:40.240 --> 00:08:41.160 verse 35. 00:08:42.780 --> 00:08:43.460 Love your 00:08:43.460 --> 00:08:44.100 enemies, 00:08:44.660 --> 00:08:45.660 do good to 00:08:45.660 --> 00:08:46.060 them, 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:47.640 lend to them 00:08:47.640 --> 00:08:48.580 without expecting 00:08:48.580 --> 00:08:49.360 to get anything 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:49.879 back, 00:08:50.300 --> 00:08:51.120 then your 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:51.900 reward will 00:08:51.900 --> 00:08:52.460 be great, 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:53.120 and you 00:08:53.120 --> 00:08:53.500 will be 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.100 called 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:55.560 children of 00:08:55.560 --> 00:08:55.980 the Most 00:08:55.980 --> 00:08:56.460 High, 00:08:57.140 --> 00:08:57.960 because he 00:08:57.960 --> 00:08:58.740 is kind to 00:08:58.740 --> 00:08:59.460 the ungrateful 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:00.040 and the wicked. 00:09:01.180 --> 00:09:02.180 Love doesn't 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:02.980 make us 00:09:02.980 --> 00:09:03.740 children of 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:04.120 God, 00:09:04.560 --> 00:09:05.500 rather when 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:06.500 we love 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:07.600 like God, 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:08.860 we are 00:09:08.860 --> 00:09:09.820 demonstrating 00:09:09.820 --> 00:09:10.940 our identity 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:12.320 that I'm 00:09:12.320 --> 00:09:12.860 a child 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:13.480 of God. 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:15.620 Jesus goes 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:16.500 on later 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:17.060 to give an 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:17.700 illustration, 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:18.419 jump down 00:09:18.419 --> 00:09:18.840 to verse 00:09:18.840 --> 00:09:19.519 43. 00:09:21.519 --> 00:09:22.519 No good 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:23.539 tree bears 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:24.639 bad fruit, 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:26.220 nor does a 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:27.039 bad tree 00:09:27.039 --> 00:09:28.000 bear good 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:28.480 fruit. 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:29.940 Each tree 00:09:29.940 --> 00:09:30.580 is recognised 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:31.659 by its own 00:09:31.659 --> 00:09:32.100 fruit. 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:33.180 People don't 00:09:33.180 --> 00:09:33.960 pick figs 00:09:33.960 --> 00:09:34.580 from thorn 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:35.259 bushes or 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.320 grapes from 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:36.960 briars. 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:38.580 In other 00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:38.800 words, 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:39.700 we know a 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:40.259 tree is a 00:09:40.259 --> 00:09:40.960 pear tree 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:42.120 because it 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:42.500 produces 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:42.980 pears. 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:43.600 We know 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:43.920 it's an 00:09:43.920 --> 00:09:44.420 orange tree 00:09:44.420 --> 00:09:45.019 because it 00:09:45.019 --> 00:09:45.440 produces 00:09:45.440 --> 00:09:45.940 oranges. 00:09:46.440 --> 00:09:46.680 Well, 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:47.220 in the same 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:47.639 way you 00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:48.420 know someone 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:48.800 is a 00:09:48.800 --> 00:09:49.100 Christian 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:49.879 because they 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:51.159 produce 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:52.960 love for 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:53.540 others. 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:55.460 The fruit 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:56.320 of a 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:56.759 Christian 00:09:56.759 --> 00:09:58.519 is love. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:00.460 we produce 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:00.980 delicious, 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:01.740 tasty, 00:10:02.299 --> 00:10:02.699 refreshing 00:10:02.699 --> 00:10:03.620 acts of 00:10:03.620 --> 00:10:03.980 goodness 00:10:03.980 --> 00:10:04.340 and 00:10:04.340 --> 00:10:04.879 kindness. 00:10:06.460 --> 00:10:07.659 Verse 45. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:08.679 A good 00:10:08.679 --> 00:10:09.539 man brings 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:10.419 good things 00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:11.100 out of the 00:10:11.100 --> 00:10:12.620 good stored 00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:13.259 up in his 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:13.659 heart, 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:14.340 and an 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:14.939 evil man 00:10:14.939 --> 00:10:15.620 brings evil 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:16.179 things out 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:16.819 of the evil 00:10:16.819 --> 00:10:17.500 stored up 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:17.819 in his 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:18.199 heart. 00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:19.919 For the 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:20.679 mouth speaks 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:21.179 what the 00:10:21.179 --> 00:10:21.740 heart is 00:10:21.740 --> 00:10:22.379 full of. 00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:24.279 You see, 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:25.299 whatever is 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:25.679 in our 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:26.319 hearts 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:28.240 is going 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:29.100 to overflow 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:31.120 from out 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:31.460 of our 00:10:31.460 --> 00:10:31.980 hearts. 00:10:33.020 --> 00:10:33.420 And a 00:10:33.420 --> 00:10:33.860 Christian, 00:10:34.060 --> 00:10:34.440 we're told 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:34.740 here, 00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:35.140 is one 00:10:35.140 --> 00:10:35.540 who is 00:10:35.540 --> 00:10:36.240 filled 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.000 with love. 00:10:37.160 --> 00:10:37.400 So, 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:38.500 whenever we're 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:39.620 jostled by 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:40.340 the actions 00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:40.900 of others, 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:41.860 whenever we're 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.140 knocked by 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:43.660 the hurts 00:10:43.660 --> 00:10:44.240 of others, 00:10:44.640 --> 00:10:45.480 love is 00:10:45.480 --> 00:10:46.020 going to 00:10:46.020 --> 00:10:46.800 spill out 00:10:46.800 --> 00:10:47.300 in all 00:10:47.300 --> 00:10:47.960 kinds of 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:49.080 kind words 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.620 and good 00:10:49.620 --> 00:10:50.200 deeds. 00:10:51.780 --> 00:10:52.580 Love is 00:10:52.580 --> 00:10:53.340 the supreme 00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:54.100 mark of a 00:10:54.100 --> 00:10:54.480 Christian. 00:10:55.040 --> 00:10:55.740 It reveals 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:56.779 our identity 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:58.500 as children 00:10:58.500 --> 00:10:59.159 of God. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:01.120 So, 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:01.560 first, 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:02.860 love is 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:03.779 evidence 00:11:03.779 --> 00:11:05.240 that we 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:06.659 are children 00:11:06.659 --> 00:11:08.000 of the 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:08.879 Most High. 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:09.919 Second, 00:11:10.919 --> 00:11:11.519 we're going 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:11.960 to look at 00:11:11.960 --> 00:11:12.440 love in 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:12.860 action. 00:11:14.220 --> 00:11:14.779 The command 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:15.220 to love 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:15.960 is radical, 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:16.480 isn't it, 00:11:16.480 --> 00:11:16.980 as we've 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.060 been reading. 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:19.500 It's upside 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:20.299 down and 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:20.779 back to 00:11:20.779 --> 00:11:21.259 front of 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:21.759 how we 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.259 think it 00:11:22.259 --> 00:11:22.740 should be. 00:11:23.139 --> 00:11:23.500 You see, 00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:24.180 it's not a 00:11:24.180 --> 00:11:24.720 call to 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:25.100 love the 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:25.720 ones who 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:26.519 we see 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.480 are decent. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:29.060 You're 00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:29.379 good, 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.000 all-round 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:30.540 friendly 00:11:30.540 --> 00:11:30.940 neighbour 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:31.320 who's 00:11:31.320 --> 00:11:31.620 always 00:11:31.620 --> 00:11:32.080 up for 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:32.600 a chat 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:33.159 and 00:11:33.159 --> 00:11:33.379 ready 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:33.639 to 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:34.060 help. 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:35.580 Anyone 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:36.480 can and 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:36.800 does 00:11:36.800 --> 00:11:37.440 love that 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.000 kind of 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.379 person, 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:39.620 but that's 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:40.159 not the 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:40.720 kind of 00:11:40.720 --> 00:11:41.440 love Jesus 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:42.180 is talking 00:11:42.180 --> 00:11:42.680 about. 00:11:43.460 --> 00:11:43.899 Look at 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:44.720 verse 32. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.399 If you 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.139 love those 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.639 who love 00:11:48.639 --> 00:11:49.019 you, 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:50.899 what credit 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.379 is that 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:51.820 to you? 00:11:51.820 --> 00:11:53.379 even 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:53.920 sinners 00:11:53.920 --> 00:11:54.860 love those 00:11:54.860 --> 00:11:55.360 who love 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:55.700 them. 00:11:57.020 --> 00:11:57.420 And if 00:11:57.420 --> 00:11:57.800 you do 00:11:57.800 --> 00:11:58.300 good to 00:11:58.300 --> 00:11:58.820 those who 00:11:58.820 --> 00:11:59.200 are good 00:11:59.200 --> 00:11:59.820 to you, 00:12:00.760 --> 00:12:01.660 what credit 00:12:01.660 --> 00:12:02.200 is that 00:12:02.200 --> 00:12:02.620 to you? 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:03.260 Even 00:12:03.260 --> 00:12:03.740 sinners 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.480 do that. 00:12:05.480 --> 00:12:05.920 And if 00:12:05.920 --> 00:12:06.440 you lend 00:12:06.440 --> 00:12:07.040 to those 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:07.540 from whom 00:12:07.540 --> 00:12:08.340 you expect 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:09.280 repayment, 00:12:09.840 --> 00:12:11.120 what credit 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:11.640 is that 00:12:11.640 --> 00:12:12.100 to you? 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:13.640 Even 00:12:13.640 --> 00:12:14.460 sinners 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:15.080 lend 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:16.020 to sinners 00:12:16.020 --> 00:12:17.440 expecting 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:17.920 to be 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:18.540 repaid 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.639 in full. 00:12:21.079 --> 00:12:21.439 In other 00:12:21.439 --> 00:12:21.639 words, 00:12:21.699 --> 00:12:22.000 he's saying 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.759 you don't 00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.319 have to 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:23.719 be a 00:12:23.719 --> 00:12:24.139 Christian 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:25.419 to live 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.159 like that. 00:12:27.019 --> 00:12:27.500 You don't 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.019 need to 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:28.379 be a 00:12:28.379 --> 00:12:28.959 child of 00:12:28.959 --> 00:12:29.559 God to 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:29.939 love 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:30.919 nice, 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:31.740 decent 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:32.439 people. 00:12:33.819 --> 00:12:34.159 You see, 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.179 I think 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:35.799 I'm rather 00:12:35.799 --> 00:12:36.959 good when 00:12:36.959 --> 00:12:37.639 I invite 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:38.099 Mr. 00:12:38.199 --> 00:12:38.639 Nice and 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:39.179 his family 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:39.599 to a 00:12:39.599 --> 00:12:40.059 neighbourhood 00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:40.740 barbecue 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:43.079 because I 00:12:43.079 --> 00:12:43.480 know that 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:43.799 when they 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:44.259 come they're 00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:44.480 going to 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:44.839 bring a 00:12:44.839 --> 00:12:45.279 bottle of 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:45.679 wine and 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:46.159 a dessert 00:12:46.159 --> 00:12:46.459 without 00:12:46.459 --> 00:12:47.319 even asking. 00:12:48.539 --> 00:12:50.299 And I, 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:50.959 you know, 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:51.639 maybe for 00:12:51.639 --> 00:12:52.319 you when 00:12:52.319 --> 00:12:52.659 you're at 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:52.939 work, 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:53.360 it's, 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:54.079 well, 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:54.480 somebody 00:12:54.480 --> 00:12:55.039 asks you 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:55.399 for a 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:55.740 lift. 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:56.779 Well, 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:57.159 it's no 00:12:57.159 --> 00:12:57.539 problem 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.059 giving them 00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:58.339 a lift 00:12:58.339 --> 00:12:58.899 because you 00:12:58.899 --> 00:12:59.299 know they're 00:12:59.299 --> 00:12:59.500 going to 00:12:59.500 --> 00:12:59.819 give you 00:12:59.819 --> 00:13:00.259 a tenner 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:00.579 for the 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:00.959 petrol. 00:13:02.719 --> 00:13:03.019 It's 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:03.679 easy to 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:04.559 love those 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:05.299 who love 00:13:05.299 --> 00:13:05.919 back and 00:13:05.919 --> 00:13:06.779 do good 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:07.399 to you. 00:13:08.539 --> 00:13:08.959 No, 00:13:09.059 --> 00:13:09.599 says Jesus, 00:13:09.759 --> 00:13:10.480 there's nothing 00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:11.480 special about 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:11.980 that. 00:13:12.839 --> 00:13:13.319 Don't go 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.159 patting yourself 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:14.539 on the 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:14.959 back. 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:16.339 Look what 00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:16.879 it says at 00:13:16.879 --> 00:13:17.339 the end of 00:13:17.339 --> 00:13:18.159 verse 32. 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.639 Even sinners 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.620 love those 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.439 who love 00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:21.899 them. 00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:23.819 Or the 00:13:23.819 --> 00:13:24.159 end of 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.099 verse 34. 00:13:26.339 --> 00:13:26.699 Even 00:13:26.699 --> 00:13:27.500 sinners 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:29.120 lend to 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:29.519 sinners. 00:13:31.559 --> 00:13:32.599 Those that 00:13:32.599 --> 00:13:33.699 hurt you 00:13:33.699 --> 00:13:35.500 and 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:36.379 irritate 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:36.719 you 00:13:36.719 --> 00:13:38.360 and wrong 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:38.740 you 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:40.439 and judge 00:13:40.439 --> 00:13:40.799 you, 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:42.639 they're the 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.199 ones we're 00:13:43.199 --> 00:13:43.759 to love. 00:13:44.939 --> 00:13:46.159 Verse 27. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.699 love 00:13:47.699 --> 00:13:48.699 your 00:13:48.699 --> 00:13:49.500 enemies. 00:13:51.419 --> 00:13:52.779 Verse 35. 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:55.120 But love 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.139 your 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:56.779 enemies. 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.100 Maybe it 00:13:59.100 --> 00:13:59.279 would be 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.100 helpful now, 00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:00.740 and please 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.319 don't shout 00:14:01.319 --> 00:14:01.740 out the 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:02.019 name, 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:03.419 but to be 00:14:03.419 --> 00:14:04.039 thinking of 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:04.699 the person 00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:05.879 who most 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.639 irritates 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:06.939 you, 00:14:07.559 --> 00:14:08.500 who most 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.219 frustrates 00:14:09.219 --> 00:14:09.579 you, 00:14:10.259 --> 00:14:11.039 who do you 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:11.819 not want to 00:14:11.819 --> 00:14:12.519 see tomorrow 00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.199 morning when 00:14:13.199 --> 00:14:13.740 you go to 00:14:13.740 --> 00:14:14.120 work? 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:15.360 Who do you 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.019 not want to 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:16.620 bump into 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:17.100 when you're 00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:17.720 out shopping? 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:20.639 Love them. 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:22.960 So what does 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:23.759 this kind of 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.779 love look 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.180 like? 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:26.759 Well, 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.659 two things. 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:29.340 First, 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.200 don't 00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:32.560 retaliate. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.600 Let's pick it up 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:35.039 again in 00:14:35.039 --> 00:14:35.840 verse 29. 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:35.980 29. 00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:38.340 If someone 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.060 slaps you 00:14:39.060 --> 00:14:39.620 on one 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:40.019 cheek, 00:14:41.139 --> 00:14:41.660 turn to 00:14:41.660 --> 00:14:42.080 them the 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:42.759 other also. 00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:44.960 If someone 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:45.560 takes your 00:14:45.560 --> 00:14:46.040 coat, 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:47.740 do not 00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.399 withhold your 00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:48.940 shirt from 00:14:48.940 --> 00:14:49.220 them. 00:14:50.420 --> 00:14:50.820 Give to 00:14:50.820 --> 00:14:51.460 everyone who 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:52.180 asks you, 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:53.560 and if 00:14:53.560 --> 00:14:54.379 anyone takes 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:55.060 what belongs 00:14:55.060 --> 00:14:55.519 to you, 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.399 don't demand 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:58.000 it back. 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.379 Now, 00:15:00.500 --> 00:15:00.879 we have to 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.240 be very 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:01.920 careful how 00:15:01.920 --> 00:15:02.660 we interpret 00:15:02.660 --> 00:15:03.200 this. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:05.080 Jesus is 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:05.740 not saying 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.480 to a 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:07.060 wife who 00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:08.140 is physically 00:15:08.140 --> 00:15:09.000 being abused 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:09.460 by her 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:09.860 husband, 00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:10.800 oh, 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:11.820 let him 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:12.200 hit you 00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:12.600 again. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.420 Jesus is 00:15:15.420 --> 00:15:16.120 not saying 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:16.580 to a 00:15:16.580 --> 00:15:17.100 man who's 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.740 been diddled 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:18.320 by his 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.520 accountant to 00:15:19.520 --> 00:15:19.920 give him 00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:20.640 more access 00:15:20.640 --> 00:15:21.280 to his 00:15:21.280 --> 00:15:21.820 funds. 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.259 No, 00:15:23.300 --> 00:15:23.600 that would 00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:24.300 fly in the 00:15:24.300 --> 00:15:24.780 face of 00:15:24.780 --> 00:15:25.300 the command 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:25.920 to seek 00:15:25.920 --> 00:15:26.680 justice 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.140 and to 00:15:27.140 --> 00:15:27.920 be wise. 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.160 So what 00:15:30.160 --> 00:15:30.680 does Jesus 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:31.500 mean by 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.360 these words? 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.240 Well, 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:33.600 when we 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.180 take what 00:15:34.180 --> 00:15:34.620 we've just 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.060 read in 00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:35.759 verses 29 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.560 to 30, 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.320 if we 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.019 take these 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.600 examples 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:39.159 together, 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:40.800 it's really 00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:41.759 commanding us, 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:43.639 don't retaliate. 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.460 Don't take 00:15:46.460 --> 00:15:48.480 revenge on 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:48.960 those who 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.580 cause you 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:50.019 harm. 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:51.820 Instead, 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.759 seek ways 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:53.860 to be good 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.440 and kind 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:54.800 to them. 00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:56.019 Put yourself 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:56.500 into, 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.000 yes, 00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:57.759 a vulnerable 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:58.779 position where 00:15:58.779 --> 00:16:00.519 you may be 00:16:00.519 --> 00:16:01.360 hurt again 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:01.899 by their 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:02.659 words or 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:02.879 their 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:03.360 actions. 00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:05.700 You see, 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:06.379 we tend to 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.080 operate under 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:07.659 the principle 00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:09.060 of do to 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:10.680 others what 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.440 they do to 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:11.779 you. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.680 So if you're 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:15.539 given a box 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.340 in the jaw, 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:17.360 well, 00:16:17.419 --> 00:16:17.800 give them a 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:18.379 good thump 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:18.919 back, 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.539 maybe two. 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.639 Or if 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.200 someone won't 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:23.740 give back 00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.120 what you 00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.700 lent them, 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:26.139 go to their 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:26.680 house and 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.340 take it back 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:27.800 and take 00:16:27.800 --> 00:16:28.500 something else 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:28.899 while you're 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.220 there. 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.740 But that's 00:16:30.740 --> 00:16:31.180 not what 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:31.759 Jesus is 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.080 saying, 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:32.980 verse 31. 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.540 Do to 00:16:35.540 --> 00:16:37.800 others as 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:38.100 you would 00:16:38.100 --> 00:16:38.600 have them 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:39.720 do to 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.060 you. 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.200 We are to 00:16:42.200 --> 00:16:42.960 intentionally 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:43.920 seek ways 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:44.899 of blessing 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.580 those who 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.200 cause us 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:46.560 harm. 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:48.940 So loving 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:49.820 others means 00:16:49.820 --> 00:16:51.080 don't 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:52.220 retaliate. 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:55.040 Second, 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:58.779 be generous. 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.419 Look at 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:01.240 verse 35. 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:02.699 Love your 00:17:02.699 --> 00:17:03.299 enemies. 00:17:04.379 --> 00:17:04.960 Do good 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.440 to them 00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:07.339 and lend 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:07.819 to them 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.099 without 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.099 expecting to 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.960 get anything 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.579 back in 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:11.039 return. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:12.420 You see, 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.839 non-retaliation, 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:14.879 that's right, 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.139 don't retaliate. 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.539 But it 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:18.220 doesn't stop 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:18.619 there. 00:17:19.659 --> 00:17:20.399 It calls us 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:20.779 to go 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.180 further. 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:21.700 It says, 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:23.279 be generous. 00:17:23.279 --> 00:17:25.279 You see, 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:25.680 when you 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:27.500 give or 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:27.920 when you 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.359 lend 00:17:28.359 --> 00:17:29.039 something, 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:31.079 don't look 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.500 at it as 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.259 something that 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:32.799 you're going 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.200 to get 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.700 back or 00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.160 you hope 00:17:34.160 --> 00:17:34.519 that in 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:34.920 some way 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:35.359 you'll be 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.339 getting some 00:17:36.339 --> 00:17:37.119 return on 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.399 it. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.680 No, 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.220 treat it 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:39.619 as a 00:17:39.619 --> 00:17:39.960 gift. 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:41.859 You see, 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:42.480 whatever we 00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.000 have in 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.720 our possession, 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:44.799 all that 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.759 we enjoy, 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:46.740 well, 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.379 none of 00:17:47.379 --> 00:17:47.899 these things 00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:48.579 are ultimately 00:17:48.579 --> 00:17:49.019 ours. 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.740 They're all 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:50.720 gifts from 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.200 God. 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.819 we have 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.640 no right 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.960 to hold 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:55.380 on to 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:56.160 anything. 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.259 What we 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.660 have, 00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.200 God has 00:17:59.200 --> 00:17:59.620 given. 00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.620 So we 00:18:01.620 --> 00:18:01.880 are to 00:18:01.880 --> 00:18:02.500 act in 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.539 generosity 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:04.380 to those 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:04.900 who cause 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.620 us physical 00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:07.220 or practical 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.980 or financial 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:09.580 harm. 00:18:11.539 --> 00:18:11.819 Loving 00:18:11.819 --> 00:18:12.740 others means 00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:14.140 we are to 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:14.500 be 00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:15.720 generous. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.880 Alistair 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:19.319 Begg, 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:20.679 who is a 00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:21.279 teacher, 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.359 pastor, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:22.960 and author, 00:18:23.919 --> 00:18:24.559 put it 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.319 like this. 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:27.179 You can 00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:27.740 follow on 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.359 the screen. 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:30.480 It's a 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.819 refusal to 00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.619 treat others 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.419 according to 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:33.939 what they 00:18:33.939 --> 00:18:34.579 deserve. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.579 Even those 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.319 who hate, 00:18:38.179 --> 00:18:38.740 exclude, 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.299 revile, 00:18:40.879 --> 00:18:41.659 and defame 00:18:41.659 --> 00:18:42.519 you are not 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.200 to be treated 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:43.839 as enemies. 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.579 We are to 00:18:45.579 --> 00:18:46.220 live a life 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:47.240 marked by a 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.740 refusal to 00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.620 treat others 00:18:49.620 --> 00:18:50.859 as though 00:18:50.859 --> 00:18:51.440 they were 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.579 your enemies. 00:18:54.099 --> 00:18:55.279 Love means 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.740 don't 00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.680 retaliate, 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.220 but be 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.660 generous. 00:19:03.980 --> 00:19:04.539 Now, 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:04.940 I know 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.720 this is hard 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.359 and it's a 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.160 big thing 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:08.039 that's being 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.500 said, 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.019 love your 00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:09.400 enemies. 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.259 And before 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.759 we move 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.140 on, 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.559 let's just 00:19:13.559 --> 00:19:14.160 think for a 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.720 moment about 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.660 what about 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.480 the wrong 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:17.200 that has 00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:17.640 been done 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.180 to us. 00:19:18.259 --> 00:19:18.440 You're 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.000 saying love 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:19.559 your enemies, 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.579 but what 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.079 about the 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:21.720 harm they've 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.519 caused us? 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.440 What are we 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:24.960 to do with 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.380 that? 00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.579 Are we to 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.319 pretend that 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:27.860 it doesn't 00:19:27.860 --> 00:19:28.299 matter? 00:19:29.339 --> 00:19:30.059 If we've 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.640 been hurt 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:31.380 or something's 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:31.960 been stolen, 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:32.839 are we just 00:19:32.839 --> 00:19:33.500 to sweep it 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:33.920 under the 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:34.460 carpet and 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.120 take a deep 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:35.600 breath and 00:19:35.600 --> 00:19:37.400 just push on 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:38.059 and hope 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.380 for the 00:19:38.380 --> 00:19:38.779 best? 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.500 No, 00:19:40.579 --> 00:19:41.279 it's not 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.120 saying anywhere 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:42.559 here, 00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.279 let's overlook 00:19:44.279 --> 00:19:45.399 people's 00:19:45.399 --> 00:19:46.879 sin or 00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:47.459 let's just 00:19:47.459 --> 00:19:48.759 ignore everybody's 00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:49.459 flaws and 00:19:49.459 --> 00:19:50.000 failures. 00:19:50.479 --> 00:19:50.679 No, 00:19:50.739 --> 00:19:51.059 we should 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.899 never treat 00:19:51.899 --> 00:19:52.959 sin lightly, 00:19:53.719 --> 00:19:55.279 not just 00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:56.099 because it's 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:56.959 had an effect 00:19:56.959 --> 00:19:57.379 or it's 00:19:57.379 --> 00:19:58.099 hurt us, 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:59.059 but because 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.039 ultimately it 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.639 offends 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.259 God. 00:20:02.339 --> 00:20:03.079 We should 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:03.399 and we 00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:03.899 ought to 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.719 always seek 00:20:04.719 --> 00:20:05.119 what is 00:20:05.119 --> 00:20:06.339 right and 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.519 just and 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.059 fair. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.199 However, 00:20:10.339 --> 00:20:10.699 when there 00:20:10.699 --> 00:20:11.279 is no 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:12.039 recognition 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:12.700 of wrong 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.619 doing or 00:20:13.619 --> 00:20:14.039 where there 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.700 is no 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.299 repentance 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:16.119 of sin, 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.500 the text 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.180 is calling 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.500 us not 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.159 to hold 00:20:21.159 --> 00:20:22.599 it over 00:20:22.599 --> 00:20:23.920 or against. 00:20:25.680 --> 00:20:26.240 Instead, 00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:28.379 Jesus calls 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:28.940 us to a 00:20:28.940 --> 00:20:29.779 high calling. 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:31.799 Don't 00:20:31.799 --> 00:20:32.659 retaliate, 00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:34.500 but be 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.059 generous. 00:20:37.159 --> 00:20:37.859 So 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.259 second, 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.220 love 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.940 in action. 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.579 love 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.500 love 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:48.379 from God. 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.279 So off 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.839 we go 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.639 ready to 00:20:52.639 --> 00:20:53.000 love our 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.539 enemies. 00:20:54.240 --> 00:20:54.740 Love in 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.119 action, 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:55.619 that's what 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:55.940 we're to 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.139 do. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.200 Surely it 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.579 can't be 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.240 that hard. 00:20:59.119 --> 00:20:59.700 Loving is 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.639 pretty easy, 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.200 isn't it? 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:03.059 Well, 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.559 maybe your 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.119 day goes 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.799 like this. 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:06.500 You see 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.079 someone in 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.579 the shop 00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:07.980 who has 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:08.519 ill-treated 00:21:08.519 --> 00:21:08.919 you, 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.960 and, 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:11.659 well, 00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.059 you just 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:12.480 turn in 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:12.899 the opposite 00:21:12.899 --> 00:21:13.799 direction and 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.460 get away from 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.099 them as fast 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.699 as possible. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.799 Or someone 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.599 pulls out in 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.259 front of you 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:20.000 when you're 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.779 driving home 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:22.199 and you start 00:21:22.199 --> 00:21:23.359 shouting obscenities 00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:24.099 out the window. 00:21:25.699 --> 00:21:26.419 Or your 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.619 boss backtracks 00:21:27.619 --> 00:21:28.599 on his promise 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:30.539 and you give her 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.139 the silent 00:21:31.139 --> 00:21:31.579 treatment. 00:21:31.579 --> 00:21:33.799 You see, 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:34.419 we don't have 00:21:34.419 --> 00:21:35.119 to go very 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:35.799 far into 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.359 our day, 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:36.859 do we, 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:37.559 when we 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.399 realise that, 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:38.679 well, 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:40.039 loving our 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.759 enemies 00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:42.939 seems quite 00:21:42.939 --> 00:21:43.619 impossible. 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:45.539 In fact, 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:45.919 as we're 00:21:45.919 --> 00:21:46.759 listening this 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.139 morning, 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.259 we may be 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.679 wondering, 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.539 well, 00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:50.359 am I a 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:50.980 Christian at 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.279 all? 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:53.220 Because love 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.000 is not how I 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:54.639 respond to 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.079 those who 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.539 hurt me. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.220 I don't know 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.639 about you, 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:57.480 but I find 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:59.000 it hard to 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.460 love my 00:21:59.460 --> 00:21:59.779 enemy. 00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:01.599 I don't 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.819 respond always 00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:04.339 in generosity. 00:22:05.099 --> 00:22:06.019 I want to 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.819 retaliate. 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.099 Am I a 00:22:09.099 --> 00:22:09.500 Christian? 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:12.859 So how do 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:13.440 we love? 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.879 What are we 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.480 to do with 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:15.720 it? 00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:17.759 Well, 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.740 three practical 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:20.480 steps to 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:20.980 help us 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.279 all. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:23.899 Here's the 00:22:23.899 --> 00:22:24.480 first one. 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:28.079 Know who 00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:29.359 you are. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.599 Jesus' 00:22:31.819 --> 00:22:32.359 message is 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.119 clear right 00:22:33.119 --> 00:22:33.539 from the 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:33.899 start. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:34.839 Verse 27, 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.059 love your 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:37.559 enemies. 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:40.200 Now, 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.420 I don't 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:40.759 know if you 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.200 know this, 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:41.720 but if 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.059 you're a 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.700 Christian here 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:43.200 today, 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:45.259 before you 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.879 became a 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.359 Christian, 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.440 that's how 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.099 we're 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:49.619 described. 00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:51.339 That's 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:51.700 right. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:53.019 An 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.359 enemy. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.299 An 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.859 enemy of 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.299 God. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:56.980 I'm not 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.460 sure if I 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:57.859 have the, 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:58.119 know I 00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:58.339 don't 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:58.859 have the 00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.099 quotes. 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.539 Let me 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.259 just quote 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.919 you two 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:02.959 verses from 00:23:02.959 --> 00:23:03.779 scripture that 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.439 tell us this. 00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.339 Colossians 1 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:06.139 verse 21, 00:23:07.199 --> 00:23:07.839 once you 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:08.939 were alienated 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:09.799 from God 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:11.219 and were 00:23:11.219 --> 00:23:12.979 enemies in 00:23:12.979 --> 00:23:13.639 your minds 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.240 because of 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:14.679 your evil 00:23:14.679 --> 00:23:15.299 behavior. 00:23:16.439 --> 00:23:17.319 Or Romans 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.299 5 verse 10, 00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.199 while we 00:23:19.199 --> 00:23:20.459 were God's 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:21.339 enemies, 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.359 we were 00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.279 reconciled to 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.779 him through 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.359 the death of 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:25.839 his son. 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:27.719 You see, 00:23:27.919 --> 00:23:29.619 let's get to 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.179 grips with 00:23:30.179 --> 00:23:30.579 who we 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:30.919 are. 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.479 We weren't 00:23:32.479 --> 00:23:32.939 Mr. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:33.719 Decent or 00:23:33.719 --> 00:23:34.479 Miss Nice. 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.219 We were 00:23:36.219 --> 00:23:37.500 unlovely. 00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:39.439 Remember what 00:23:39.439 --> 00:23:40.079 we read in 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.879 Deuteronomy at 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.339 the beginning? 00:23:41.959 --> 00:23:42.419 Why does 00:23:42.419 --> 00:23:43.039 God love us? 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:43.899 God loves us 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.740 because what? 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.399 Because he 00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:46.919 loves you. 00:23:49.959 --> 00:23:50.479 So, 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.219 Johnny, 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:51.959 and I speak 00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:52.379 this to 00:23:52.379 --> 00:23:52.819 myself, 00:23:52.939 --> 00:23:53.419 to all of 00:23:53.419 --> 00:23:53.619 us, 00:23:53.619 --> 00:23:54.939 never forget 00:23:54.939 --> 00:23:55.439 who you 00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:56.279 once were 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.619 when you 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.059 turn your 00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.519 back on 00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.039 your enemy. 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:01.199 Know who 00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:01.759 you are. 00:24:03.419 --> 00:24:03.759 Second, 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:06.139 let us 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:06.939 know what 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:08.099 God has 00:24:08.099 --> 00:24:08.479 done 00:24:08.479 --> 00:24:10.859 because God 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:12.519 loved his 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.079 enemies. 00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:14.919 Look at 00:24:14.919 --> 00:24:15.579 verse 35 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.399 with me. 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:22.040 the last 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:22.640 part of 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:23.680 verse 35. 00:24:25.060 --> 00:24:25.519 Then your 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.140 reward will 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:26.640 be great 00:24:26.640 --> 00:24:26.960 and you 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.280 will be 00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:27.900 children of 00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.320 the Most 00:24:28.320 --> 00:24:28.740 High 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:30.280 because he 00:24:30.280 --> 00:24:31.259 is kind 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:31.800 to the 00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:32.519 ungrateful 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:34.080 and wicked. 00:24:35.980 --> 00:24:36.580 That's 00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.080 God our 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:37.480 Father. 00:24:38.860 --> 00:24:39.340 He is 00:24:39.340 --> 00:24:39.980 kind 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.860 to the 00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.600 ungrateful, 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.440 kind 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.700 to the 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:44.960 wicked. 00:24:47.259 --> 00:24:47.960 And we 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.620 see this 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:49.279 kindness 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:50.200 in all 00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.740 its fullness 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.160 at the 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.600 cross. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:52.700 Let's 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:52.980 jump 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.660 forward to 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:53.940 Luke 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.420 chapter 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:55.279 23. 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.180 Luke 00:24:59.180 --> 00:24:59.580 chapter 00:24:59.580 --> 00:25:00.320 23. 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:06.220 Verse 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.740 18. 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.740 This is 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.360 leading up 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:09.720 to the 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.620 crucifixion 00:25:10.619 --> 00:25:11.579 of Jesus 00:25:11.579 --> 00:25:12.319 and the 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:12.959 crowd are 00:25:12.959 --> 00:25:13.719 roaring and 00:25:13.719 --> 00:25:14.459 shouting and 00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:15.119 vying for 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:15.639 the death 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.219 of Jesus 00:25:16.219 --> 00:25:17.500 and in 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.179 place of 00:25:18.179 --> 00:25:18.859 Jesus they 00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.359 want to 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:19.739 release 00:25:19.739 --> 00:25:20.579 Barabbas. 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.359 And this 00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:23.019 account we 00:25:23.019 --> 00:25:23.939 see Jesus 00:25:23.939 --> 00:25:25.639 dying in 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:26.159 the place 00:25:26.159 --> 00:25:26.839 not just 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.619 of Barabbas 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.979 but of 00:25:28.979 --> 00:25:29.500 all who 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.319 turn against 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.659 him. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.659 Let's 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:33.119 pick it up 00:25:33.119 --> 00:25:33.500 in verse 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.019 18. 00:25:35.219 --> 00:25:35.919 But the 00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:36.699 whole crowd 00:25:36.699 --> 00:25:37.359 shouted, 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:39.039 away with 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:39.659 this man. 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.379 release 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:42.099 Barabbas 00:25:42.099 --> 00:25:42.919 to us. 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.819 Barabbas 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.179 had been 00:25:45.179 --> 00:25:45.879 thrown into 00:25:45.879 --> 00:25:46.599 prison for 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.419 an insurrection 00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:47.899 in the 00:25:47.899 --> 00:25:49.019 city and 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.699 for murder. 00:25:50.959 --> 00:25:51.879 Wanting to 00:25:51.879 --> 00:25:52.919 release Jesus 00:25:52.919 --> 00:25:54.059 Pilate appealed 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:54.479 to them 00:25:54.479 --> 00:25:54.899 again. 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.279 But they 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.000 kept shouting, 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.839 crucify him, 00:25:59.439 --> 00:26:00.479 crucify him. 00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:02.339 For the 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:03.019 third time 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.579 he spoke 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:04.000 to them, 00:26:04.699 --> 00:26:05.159 why? 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:07.159 What crime 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:07.679 has this 00:26:07.679 --> 00:26:08.359 man committed? 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.559 I have 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.179 found in 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.880 him no 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.840 grounds for 00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.299 the death 00:26:12.299 --> 00:26:12.860 penalty. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.640 Therefore I 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:15.039 will have 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.620 him punished 00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:16.039 and then 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.660 release him. 00:26:17.860 --> 00:26:18.400 But with 00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:19.480 loud shouts 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:21.279 they insistently 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:22.240 demanded that 00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.640 he be 00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:23.200 crucified 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.700 and their 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.160 shouts 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.799 prevailed. 00:26:26.860 --> 00:26:27.500 So 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.000 Pilate 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.279 decided to 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:29.880 grant their 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.360 demand. 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:32.060 He released 00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:32.740 the man who 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.100 had been 00:26:33.100 --> 00:26:33.860 thrown into 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.560 prison for 00:26:34.560 --> 00:26:35.340 insurrection 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:36.179 and murder 00:26:36.179 --> 00:26:37.779 the one 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.359 they asked 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:38.759 for 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:40.599 and surrendered 00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:41.159 Jesus 00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:42.519 to their 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:42.899 will. 00:26:43.959 --> 00:26:45.220 Verse 33 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:47.439 When they 00:26:47.439 --> 00:26:48.139 came to the 00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:49.000 place called 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.679 the skull 00:26:49.679 --> 00:26:51.539 they crucified 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.619 Jesus there 00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:53.220 along with 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.839 the criminals 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:55.500 one on his 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:55.899 right 00:26:55.899 --> 00:26:57.299 the other 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:57.740 on his 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.199 left. 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:00.740 Jesus said 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.420 Father 00:27:02.420 --> 00:27:04.860 forgive them 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:06.640 for they do 00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.360 not know 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:07.900 what they 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.480 are doing. 00:27:11.340 --> 00:27:12.180 Jesus 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:13.680 loved his 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.080 enemies. 00:27:15.519 --> 00:27:16.019 He did 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.680 good to 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.440 those who 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.180 hated him. 00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.460 He blessed 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.360 those who 00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:21.039 cursed him. 00:27:21.440 --> 00:27:22.120 He prayed 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:22.799 for those 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.240 who ill 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:24.000 treated him. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:26.059 He came 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.700 and died 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.160 in the 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.819 place of 00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.319 sinners 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:30.279 so that 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:30.680 they could 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.400 be forgiven 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.339 so that 00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.440 we can 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.119 be forgiven 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:34.940 for the 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:35.880 many times 00:27:35.880 --> 00:27:36.779 we do 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.779 not love 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.940 as we 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.460 ought to 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:39.799 love. 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.700 Let's go 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.259 back to 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.160 chapter 6. 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.559 So 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.279 first know 00:27:50.279 --> 00:27:50.720 who you 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.099 are. 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.940 Know 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.579 what God 00:27:53.579 --> 00:27:54.079 has done 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:54.460 that he 00:27:54.460 --> 00:27:54.939 dies 00:27:54.939 --> 00:27:55.720 for us. 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.099 And 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.579 third 00:27:59.579 --> 00:28:00.339 know 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.099 how 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:01.879 we 00:28:01.879 --> 00:28:02.119 can 00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.559 love. 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:03.980 You 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.179 see 00:28:04.179 --> 00:28:04.720 just as 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.099 God 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:05.559 has been 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.039 kind 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.759 to us 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.759 just 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.019 as 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.419 God 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:08.799 has 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.259 loved 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:09.899 us 00:28:09.899 --> 00:28:11.119 verse 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:11.919 36 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:13.419 be 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.220 merciful 00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:15.720 just 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.139 as your 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.639 father 00:28:16.639 --> 00:28:17.480 is 00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.019 merciful. 00:28:18.960 --> 00:28:19.539 Don't 00:28:19.539 --> 00:28:20.419 retaliate 00:28:20.419 --> 00:28:21.699 be 00:28:21.699 --> 00:28:22.339 generous 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:24.279 but how 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.439 how do 00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:25.859 we do 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.259 it? 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:28.859 Well at 00:28:28.859 --> 00:28:29.339 the beginning 00:28:29.339 --> 00:28:30.159 of this 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:30.720 morning we 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.159 read the 00:28:31.159 --> 00:28:31.799 account of 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.459 Corrie ten 00:28:32.459 --> 00:28:32.819 boom. 00:28:33.959 --> 00:28:34.359 Remember 00:28:34.359 --> 00:28:34.839 what she 00:28:34.839 --> 00:28:35.240 said? 00:28:35.439 --> 00:28:35.919 Listen to 00:28:35.919 --> 00:28:36.519 her words 00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.099 carefully. 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:39.199 Remember 00:28:39.199 --> 00:28:40.119 she's facing 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:41.319 her former 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.879 guard. 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:44.280 even as 00:28:44.280 --> 00:28:45.100 angry 00:28:45.100 --> 00:28:46.240 vengeful 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:46.920 thoughts 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.440 boiled 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:47.820 through 00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:48.140 me 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:49.440 I 00:28:49.440 --> 00:28:49.860 saw 00:28:49.860 --> 00:28:50.140 the 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.400 sin 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:50.580 of 00:28:50.580 --> 00:28:50.800 them. 00:28:52.260 --> 00:28:52.600 Jesus 00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.320 Christ 00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:54.040 had died 00:28:54.040 --> 00:28:54.600 for this 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:55.040 man. 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.580 Was I 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.080 going to 00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:57.600 ask for 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:57.940 more? 00:28:59.520 --> 00:28:59.860 You see 00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:00.620 Corrie didn't 00:29:00.620 --> 00:29:01.320 just see the 00:29:01.320 --> 00:29:02.260 sin of 00:29:02.260 --> 00:29:02.920 her former 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.420 prison 00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:03.820 guard. 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:05.040 She saw 00:29:05.040 --> 00:29:05.760 her own 00:29:05.760 --> 00:29:06.580 sin of 00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:07.300 withholding 00:29:07.300 --> 00:29:07.820 forgiveness 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.819 and she 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.519 saw that 00:29:09.519 --> 00:29:10.419 Jesus died 00:29:10.419 --> 00:29:11.279 for her 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:13.200 as much 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:13.579 as for 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:13.899 him. 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:16.839 She 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.599 continues 00:29:17.599 --> 00:29:19.179 I 00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:19.980 breathed a 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.399 silent 00:29:20.399 --> 00:29:20.980 prayer. 00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:23.099 Jesus I 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:23.559 cannot 00:29:23.559 --> 00:29:24.339 forgive him. 00:29:26.099 --> 00:29:26.460 Give 00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.039 your 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:27.599 forgiveness 00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:29.819 and shook 00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.460 the man's 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:30.960 hands. 00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:32.559 You see 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:33.079 in that 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:33.639 moment 00:29:33.639 --> 00:29:34.059 and in 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.720 that time 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.440 there was 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.059 a natural 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.799 struggle 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.559 and tension 00:29:37.559 --> 00:29:38.180 and battle 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:38.640 within 00:29:38.640 --> 00:29:39.500 to love 00:29:39.500 --> 00:29:39.740 her 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.180 enemy. 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.420 And what 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:42.740 did she 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.360 do but 00:29:43.360 --> 00:29:44.039 cry out 00:29:44.039 --> 00:29:44.519 to God 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:44.960 and ask 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.500 for help 00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.380 by saying 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:47.620 I can't 00:29:47.620 --> 00:29:48.500 but you 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.200 can give 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.600 your 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.120 forgiveness. 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.240 But as 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.880 she did 00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:53.440 that 00:29:53.440 --> 00:29:55.120 she 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.100 recalls 00:29:56.100 --> 00:29:57.200 then this 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.680 healing 00:29:57.680 --> 00:29:58.220 warmth 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.779 seemed to 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.380 flood my 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.079 whole being 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.140 I cried 00:30:01.140 --> 00:30:01.720 out I 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.480 forgive you 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.200 my brother 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.319 with all 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:05.139 my heart. 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.439 What 00:30:07.439 --> 00:30:08.179 caused a 00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:08.839 woman so 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.519 terribly 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.519 ill-treated 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:12.220 who had 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.859 only done 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:13.359 something 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:14.159 right and 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:15.539 good who 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.179 was harmed 00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:17.159 physically and 00:30:17.159 --> 00:30:17.879 psychologically 00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:20.099 what caused 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:21.480 a woman to 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.299 reach out 00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:23.139 and love 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:24.159 and show 00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:24.740 forgiveness. 00:30:25.399 --> 00:30:26.700 What caused 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.359 her to show 00:30:27.359 --> 00:30:28.299 such kindness. 00:30:30.139 --> 00:30:30.639 Well in 00:30:30.639 --> 00:30:31.419 Corrie's own 00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:32.039 words she 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:34.299 says I 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:34.899 had never 00:30:34.899 --> 00:30:35.839 known God's 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.680 love so 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.379 intensely 00:30:37.379 --> 00:30:39.000 as I 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.659 did then. 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.919 You see 00:30:41.919 --> 00:30:42.319 it was 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:42.960 remembering 00:30:42.960 --> 00:30:44.899 and recalling 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:46.359 and applying 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.139 afresh 00:30:47.139 --> 00:30:48.879 the experience 00:30:48.879 --> 00:30:49.879 of God's 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.980 love for 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:51.379 her 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:53.119 and God's 00:30:53.119 --> 00:30:53.500 love 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:54.759 melted her 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.240 heart. 00:30:56.480 --> 00:30:56.940 She came 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.419 to see 00:30:57.419 --> 00:30:58.419 again how 00:30:58.419 --> 00:30:59.299 much God 00:30:59.299 --> 00:30:59.960 loved her 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.079 and he 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.140 enabled her 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.819 to reach 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.279 out 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.960 and love. 00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:08.620 You see 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:09.120 that's the 00:31:09.120 --> 00:31:09.539 only way 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:09.960 we can 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.660 ever love 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:12.519 is when 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.400 we receive 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:14.480 love from 00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.920 God. 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.779 When we 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.259 know who 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.840 we are 00:31:17.840 --> 00:31:19.480 and when 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.380 we dwell 00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:21.299 afresh in 00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:21.940 all that 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.519 God has 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.180 done for 00:31:23.180 --> 00:31:23.980 us and 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.579 how he 00:31:24.579 --> 00:31:25.460 loves us 00:31:25.460 --> 00:31:26.660 consistently 00:31:26.660 --> 00:31:27.759 and continually 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.980 never giving 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.400 up. 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:32.140 And as we 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:33.640 reflect on 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:34.300 his love 00:31:34.300 --> 00:31:37.259 so we 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.720 can love 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.220 a world 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:38.600 and a 00:31:38.600 --> 00:31:39.120 community 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:40.580 in which 00:31:40.580 --> 00:31:41.140 we live. 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:43.980 let's pray 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.880 together. 00:32:01.680 --> 00:32:02.560 Father, we 00:32:02.560 --> 00:32:03.300 admit that 00:32:03.300 --> 00:32:03.660 we 00:32:03.660 --> 00:32:05.940 we all 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.440 struggle. 00:32:06.580 --> 00:32:07.060 I think I 00:32:07.060 --> 00:32:07.520 can say 00:32:07.520 --> 00:32:07.880 that. 00:32:08.540 --> 00:32:09.440 We all 00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.140 struggle 00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:12.020 with this 00:32:12.020 --> 00:32:12.520 command 00:32:12.520 --> 00:32:13.440 to love. 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:15.940 We 00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.380 battle. 00:32:17.540 --> 00:32:18.540 We feel 00:32:18.540 --> 00:32:19.140 the tension. 00:32:20.520 --> 00:32:21.540 We want 00:32:21.540 --> 00:32:22.500 to retaliate. 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.460 We don't 00:32:24.460 --> 00:32:25.100 want to be 00:32:25.100 --> 00:32:25.440 kind. 00:32:28.480 --> 00:32:29.560 Father, melt 00:32:29.560 --> 00:32:30.180 our hearts 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.800 afresh. 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:33.000 Give us 00:32:33.000 --> 00:32:34.000 an experience 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.800 afresh of 00:32:34.800 --> 00:32:35.400 your love 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:36.080 to us, 00:32:36.940 --> 00:32:37.800 of your 00:32:37.800 --> 00:32:38.480 mercy and 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.160 your grace. 00:32:40.140 --> 00:32:41.140 and your 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:41.640 kindness 00:32:41.640 --> 00:32:44.740 and teach 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.580 us afresh 00:32:45.580 --> 00:32:47.140 that we 00:32:47.140 --> 00:32:47.860 might love 00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:48.580 all who 00:32:48.580 --> 00:32:48.980 we come 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.660 in contact 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:50.060 with. 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.060 And may 00:32:52.060 --> 00:32:52.940 their hearts 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:54.340 be melted 00:32:54.340 --> 00:32:55.160 and changed 00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:56.140 and transformed 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:58.020 that they 00:32:58.020 --> 00:32:58.560 too may 00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:59.140 run to 00:32:59.140 --> 00:32:59.680 the Savior 00:32:59.680 --> 00:33:02.080 and experience 00:33:02.080 --> 00:33:02.640 a love 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:03.240 that never 00:33:03.240 --> 00:33:03.940 gives up. 00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:07.019 Father, 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.720 thank you 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:09.420 that you 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:10.220 love us 00:33:10.220 --> 00:33:10.720 today. 00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:12.900 In all 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.500 our mess 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:15.279 and all 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.880 our failure, 00:33:16.880 --> 00:33:17.519 thank you 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:17.880 that you 00:33:17.880 --> 00:33:18.860 treasure us 00:33:18.860 --> 00:33:19.840 as your 00:33:19.840 --> 00:33:20.340 children. 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:23.400 Not even 00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:24.059 our sin 00:33:24.059 --> 00:33:26.100 will ever 00:33:26.100 --> 00:33:27.080 separate us 00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:27.799 from the love 00:33:27.799 --> 00:33:28.200 that you 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.160 have for us. 00:33:29.160 --> 00:33:31.340 how amazing 00:33:31.340 --> 00:33:32.000 is that? 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.240 Amen. 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:41.800 Well, we're 00:33:41.800 --> 00:33:42.440 going to do 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.200 exactly what 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.720 we've been 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.620 thinking about 00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:46.040 to stand 00:33:46.040 --> 00:33:47.600 and be 00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:48.320 amazed 00:33:48.320 --> 00:33:49.540 at the 00:33:49.540 --> 00:33:50.440 amazing love 00:33:50.440 --> 00:33:50.980 of God. 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:53.140 Wonder 00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:54.440 how he 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:54.940 could love 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.300 us. 00:33:55.560 --> 00:33:56.019 And he 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.400 does. 00:33:56.400 --> 00:33:57.759 If you're 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.120 able to, 00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:58.420 let's 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:58.640 stand 00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.160 together 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.480 as we 00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:00.780 sing. 00:34:00.780 --> 00:34:00.840 Amen.