WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.520 Let's ask God to speak to us now. 00:00:02.439 --> 00:00:02.800 Father, 00:00:03.800 --> 00:00:07.600 as we open your word, 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:10.439 open our minds, open our hearts, 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:13.320 we might hear you. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:16.600 We might understand 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:20.460 what you're calling us to be 00:00:20.460 --> 00:00:22.400 and to do. 00:00:23.719 --> 00:00:26.140 Make it clear, Father, how we should respond 00:00:26.140 --> 00:00:29.660 as we work through this passage of Scripture. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.539 To each one of these attitudes 00:00:34.539 --> 00:00:41.359 that we need to have, develop, demonstrate 00:00:41.359 --> 00:00:44.980 toward other people 00:00:44.980 --> 00:00:48.659 and especially those who oppose us. 00:00:50.480 --> 00:00:51.900 Help us, Father, to hear 00:00:51.900 --> 00:00:56.140 and respond wholeheartedly 00:00:56.140 --> 00:00:58.060 in obedience. 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:00.600 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:01.359 Amen. 00:01:03.440 --> 00:01:07.000 How hard is it for you to love someone who loves you? 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:09.719 It's a no-brainer, isn't it? 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:10.840 It's easy. 00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:12.760 People love you. 00:01:12.859 --> 00:01:15.099 You just love them back automatically. 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:18.540 Well, how difficult is it to relate to someone 00:01:18.540 --> 00:01:20.859 who is very much like you? 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:24.400 I mean, they share your same beliefs, 00:01:25.120 --> 00:01:26.340 your same values. 00:01:27.140 --> 00:01:30.140 They live a lifestyle similar to yours. 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:33.400 You just naturally know how to talk to them, 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:35.239 do things with them. 00:01:35.299 --> 00:01:36.980 You can just relate well, 00:01:37.099 --> 00:01:38.159 understand one another. 00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:41.239 But what about people who are different from you? 00:01:41.239 --> 00:01:45.699 Isn't it harder to love somebody 00:01:45.699 --> 00:01:49.259 who is very different from you 00:01:49.259 --> 00:01:51.859 in the way that you look at life and live life? 00:01:53.179 --> 00:01:55.219 Well, what about people who oppose you? 00:01:56.379 --> 00:01:58.119 People who don't like you. 00:01:59.579 --> 00:02:01.079 People who are against you 00:02:01.079 --> 00:02:02.140 because you're a Christian. 00:02:02.140 --> 00:02:05.579 They don't believe like you. 00:02:05.700 --> 00:02:07.599 They don't think like you. 00:02:07.680 --> 00:02:09.460 They don't live like you. 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:15.280 Do you put forth an effort 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:17.560 to love them 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:20.300 and to show them 00:02:20.300 --> 00:02:22.800 by the way that you treat them? 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:26.219 What we're talking about 00:02:26.219 --> 00:02:27.840 in relating to difficult people, 00:02:28.000 --> 00:02:29.699 especially people who oppose us, 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:31.340 who would even persecute us 00:02:31.340 --> 00:02:32.080 because we're Christians, 00:02:32.139 --> 00:02:35.359 to relate to them in a positive way, 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:36.179 to love them, 00:02:36.259 --> 00:02:37.359 to not retaliate. 00:02:37.839 --> 00:02:39.579 That's one of the most difficult things 00:02:39.579 --> 00:02:40.759 in the world to do, isn't it? 00:02:41.539 --> 00:02:43.879 It's just contrary to how we are 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:47.479 with a sinful human nature. 00:02:49.819 --> 00:02:51.939 What we're going to see in a passage this morning, 00:02:52.099 --> 00:02:53.019 Romans chapter 12, 00:02:53.099 --> 00:02:53.779 go ahead and turn. 00:02:54.459 --> 00:02:56.159 We're going to see in this passage this morning 00:02:56.159 --> 00:02:59.759 that God calls us 00:02:59.759 --> 00:03:01.339 and expects us 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:04.099 and will equip us, 00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:05.060 enable us 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:07.700 to relate well, 00:03:08.240 --> 00:03:10.120 to love 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:12.140 such people. 00:03:14.640 --> 00:03:16.980 We've been looking at Romans chapter 12 00:03:16.980 --> 00:03:19.259 over the past several weeks. 00:03:19.259 --> 00:03:23.000 What we've been doing is looking at what is involved 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:24.780 in living like a Christian 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:26.539 in a lot of different ways 00:03:26.539 --> 00:03:28.759 in our relationship with God. 00:03:28.840 --> 00:03:30.019 We saw in verses 1 and 2. 00:03:31.379 --> 00:03:34.280 We saw what's involved in living like a Christian 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:36.399 in our understanding of ourselves, 00:03:36.599 --> 00:03:37.599 of our church, 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:39.960 and of our gifts, 00:03:39.960 --> 00:03:40.359 talents, 00:03:40.359 --> 00:03:41.379 talents, 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:42.139 abilities. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:47.159 We started looking at what is involved in living like a Christian 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:49.639 in our relationships with other people 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:53.180 verses 9 through 13. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:54.340 Now, 00:03:54.340 --> 00:03:55.620 most of what we saw there 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:58.260 was relating to people 00:03:58.260 --> 00:04:00.099 who are Christians, 00:04:01.640 --> 00:04:04.680 relating to church family members. 00:04:05.040 --> 00:04:06.680 It wasn't exclusively that, 00:04:06.740 --> 00:04:08.900 but that was really the focus of those verses. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:10.379 Well, 00:04:10.420 --> 00:04:10.800 today, 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:14.400 we're going to look at the rest of chapter 12. 00:04:15.500 --> 00:04:16.060 We're going to look at 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:19.160 what all is involved in living like a Christian 00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:21.160 in our relationships with people 00:04:21.160 --> 00:04:23.300 who oppose us, 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:26.500 who oppose us because we're Christians. 00:04:27.720 --> 00:04:27.839 Now, 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:28.280 there's, 00:04:28.420 --> 00:04:29.500 it's not exclusively 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:31.259 everything we're going to look at, 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:32.300 and I'll point it out, 00:04:32.340 --> 00:04:33.079 it'll be obvious. 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:35.860 Everything's not about how we relate to people 00:04:35.860 --> 00:04:37.560 who are opposed to us, 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:38.980 but most of this is. 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:41.740 And as we go through this, 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:45.300 you're going to see that it's hard 00:04:45.300 --> 00:04:47.139 but I want you to understand, 00:04:47.280 --> 00:04:49.360 this is the Word of God to us 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:51.960 as God's people. 00:04:52.980 --> 00:04:53.759 Let's read. 00:04:53.939 --> 00:04:54.740 Romans 12, 00:04:55.280 --> 00:04:56.420 beginning in verse 14. 00:04:57.740 --> 00:04:59.580 Bless those who persecute you. 00:05:00.580 --> 00:05:01.060 Bless 00:05:01.060 --> 00:05:03.139 and do not curse them. 00:05:04.860 --> 00:05:06.900 Rejoice with those who rejoice. 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:09.540 Weep with those who weep. 00:05:10.340 --> 00:05:12.360 Live in harmony with one another. 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:14.800 Do not be haughty. 00:05:15.300 --> 00:05:16.300 Or prideful. 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:19.600 But associate with the lowly. 00:05:20.800 --> 00:05:22.660 Never be wise in your own sight. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:25.800 Repay no one evil for evil. 00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:29.600 But give thought to do what is honorable 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:33.879 or right in the sight of all. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.300 If possible. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:40.180 So far as it depends on you, 00:05:40.960 --> 00:05:43.500 live peaceably with all. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:45.339 Beloved, 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:47.379 never avenge yourselves, 00:05:47.899 --> 00:05:49.639 but leave it to the wrath of God. 00:05:50.100 --> 00:05:50.939 For it is written, 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:52.300 vengeance is mine, 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:54.000 I will repay, 00:05:54.300 --> 00:05:55.019 says the Lord. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:56.420 To the contrary, 00:05:56.699 --> 00:05:58.079 if your enemy is hungry, 00:05:58.600 --> 00:05:59.220 feed him. 00:05:59.699 --> 00:06:00.699 If he is thirsty, 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:02.500 give him something to drink. 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:04.879 For by doing so, 00:06:05.240 --> 00:06:07.000 you will heap burning coals 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:08.000 on his head. 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:11.620 Do not be overcome by evil, 00:06:12.259 --> 00:06:15.339 but overcome evil with good. 00:06:16.560 --> 00:06:18.259 How should we relate to people 00:06:18.259 --> 00:06:19.420 who oppose us? 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:20.800 Well, first, 00:06:21.420 --> 00:06:22.199 be gracious. 00:06:23.259 --> 00:06:24.300 Verse 14, 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:25.579 he's telling us, 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:26.240 be gracious. 00:06:26.379 --> 00:06:27.540 Look at how he describes this. 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:29.259 Bless those 00:06:29.259 --> 00:06:31.220 who persecute you. 00:06:31.860 --> 00:06:34.000 Bless and do not curse. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:34.319 Curse. 00:06:35.279 --> 00:06:36.699 That's the response of grace, 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:37.079 isn't it? 00:06:37.139 --> 00:06:38.420 Grace is undeserved, 00:06:39.420 --> 00:06:40.759 but it's not natural, 00:06:41.339 --> 00:06:42.319 is it? 00:06:44.740 --> 00:06:45.540 Look at it. 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:50.220 Bless those who persecute you. 00:06:50.899 --> 00:06:52.000 Bless and do not curse them. 00:06:53.139 --> 00:06:54.519 People who persecute you, 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:56.420 the last thing in the world 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:57.000 you want to do, 00:06:57.060 --> 00:06:57.339 really, 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:58.019 is bless. 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:00.259 You want to curse 00:07:00.259 --> 00:07:01.120 and do more. 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:03.060 If you're honest, 00:07:03.160 --> 00:07:03.439 don't you? 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:05.240 Because they're out to get you. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:06.699 They're out to hurt you 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:09.540 because of your faith 00:07:09.540 --> 00:07:10.040 in the Lord, 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:11.420 because of your belief 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:12.139 in the truth 00:07:12.139 --> 00:07:13.560 that God's revealed to us 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:14.220 in His Word. 00:07:17.740 --> 00:07:19.560 Jesus says something 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:20.259 very similar. 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:22.699 Paul tells us something 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:23.660 that's not natural. 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:24.899 Jesus says something 00:07:24.899 --> 00:07:25.780 that's even more 00:07:25.780 --> 00:07:27.500 not natural 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:28.639 in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:29.060 In fact, 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:29.920 Jesus said this 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.100 on more than one occasion 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:32.300 in different forms, 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:33.100 but look at it 00:07:33.100 --> 00:07:34.240 in Matthew chapter 5. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:35.439 Jesus said, 00:07:36.220 --> 00:07:37.000 love your enemies 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:38.819 and pray for those 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:39.780 who persecute you. 00:07:41.139 --> 00:07:42.680 Bless rather than curse. 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:44.920 Love rather than hate. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:46.779 Pray for 00:07:46.779 --> 00:07:49.819 those who persecute you. 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:52.079 Here's what I want us 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:52.600 to understand. 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:52.680 Again, 00:07:53.200 --> 00:07:55.260 this is not easy 00:07:55.260 --> 00:07:56.720 and it is unnatural, 00:07:57.500 --> 00:07:58.580 but as we've been 00:07:58.580 --> 00:07:59.080 talking about 00:07:59.080 --> 00:08:00.000 throughout this whole series 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:01.160 on Romans chapter 12, 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:03.720 when God saves a person, 00:08:03.840 --> 00:08:04.900 God puts His Spirit 00:08:04.900 --> 00:08:05.600 in us. 00:08:07.460 --> 00:08:08.500 Becoming a Christian 00:08:08.500 --> 00:08:09.439 is not, quote, 00:08:09.520 --> 00:08:10.580 just a decision 00:08:10.580 --> 00:08:11.700 that somebody makes. 00:08:12.420 --> 00:08:13.680 You'll never find that 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:14.740 in any place 00:08:14.740 --> 00:08:15.320 in the Bible. 00:08:16.960 --> 00:08:17.920 Becoming a Christian 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:19.580 is a work of God. 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:19.699 God. 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:23.219 When God saves us, 00:08:23.259 --> 00:08:24.039 He puts His Spirit 00:08:24.039 --> 00:08:24.620 in us. 00:08:24.719 --> 00:08:25.240 He brings about 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:26.180 a new birth, 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:27.439 regeneration. 00:08:28.159 --> 00:08:29.039 He changes the way 00:08:29.039 --> 00:08:29.919 that we look at life, 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:30.839 the way that we think 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:31.359 about life, 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:32.439 the way that we feel 00:08:32.439 --> 00:08:33.220 about life. 00:08:34.699 --> 00:08:36.340 And the Spirit of God 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:37.679 who lives in us 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:40.059 will enable us 00:08:40.059 --> 00:08:41.279 to do the things 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:42.600 that we're reading 00:08:42.600 --> 00:08:43.240 about here, 00:08:43.579 --> 00:08:45.480 about being gracious 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:47.399 even to people 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:49.299 who persecute us. 00:08:50.199 --> 00:08:50.939 So this is sort of 00:08:50.939 --> 00:08:51.799 the first thing 00:08:51.799 --> 00:08:52.259 as we go through 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:53.000 this list. 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:55.079 Everything's going to be 00:08:55.079 --> 00:08:56.740 basically this hard 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:57.480 or harder 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.939 that we're called 00:08:58.939 --> 00:08:59.939 to be and do 00:08:59.939 --> 00:09:00.459 as Christians. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:03.120 And it's not that 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:04.819 we just work up 00:09:04.819 --> 00:09:06.179 the ability 00:09:06.179 --> 00:09:06.919 to do this. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:09.159 And He's not talking 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:10.199 about some people 00:09:10.199 --> 00:09:11.139 it's easier to do 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:12.000 this than others. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:14.279 This is the Word of God 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:15.720 to the people of God. 00:09:15.720 --> 00:09:16.840 This is how we're 00:09:16.840 --> 00:09:17.779 to live in this world 00:09:17.779 --> 00:09:18.639 as God's people 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:20.120 even in the face 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:21.220 of persecution. 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:23.180 Bless, don't curse. 00:09:24.160 --> 00:09:26.500 Love, pray for them. 00:09:27.000 --> 00:09:28.940 That takes the supernatural 00:09:28.940 --> 00:09:31.180 help of God's Spirit 00:09:31.180 --> 00:09:32.399 and then we must 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:33.560 cooperate with Him 00:09:33.560 --> 00:09:36.160 and actually do those things 00:09:36.160 --> 00:09:39.240 in situation by situation. 00:09:39.920 --> 00:09:41.399 Let's look at the next one. 00:09:42.279 --> 00:09:43.600 Be empathetic. 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:46.019 Now what He's saying here 00:09:46.019 --> 00:09:46.860 in verse 15 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:49.340 this is a more general statement 00:09:49.340 --> 00:09:50.139 that would apply 00:09:50.139 --> 00:09:51.080 to everybody. 00:09:51.540 --> 00:09:52.759 It'll apply to other Christians 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:53.500 as well as those 00:09:53.500 --> 00:09:54.840 who would persecute you. 00:09:55.040 --> 00:09:56.420 Look at it in verse 15. 00:09:57.540 --> 00:09:58.500 Rejoice with those 00:09:58.500 --> 00:09:59.019 who rejoice 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:00.519 and weep 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:02.100 with those who weep. 00:10:02.759 --> 00:10:03.580 To be empathetic 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:04.600 means to feel 00:10:04.600 --> 00:10:06.759 with another person. 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:08.600 To try to understand 00:10:09.180 --> 00:10:10.720 what they are going through 00:10:10.720 --> 00:10:12.960 and share those feelings. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:14.920 Look at the situation 00:10:14.920 --> 00:10:16.460 from their perspective. 00:10:16.680 --> 00:10:17.500 Try to put yourself 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.340 in their shoes. 00:10:19.080 --> 00:10:20.440 How would you feel? 00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:22.660 Feel with them 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:24.060 is what He's talking about. 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:26.060 Now to do this 00:10:26.060 --> 00:10:28.279 we've got to set aside 00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:30.379 our own feelings 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:32.000 and how we would 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.600 how we think we would feel 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:34.300 in that situation. 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:35.219 In other words 00:10:35.219 --> 00:10:37.939 if there's someone 00:10:37.939 --> 00:10:40.059 and you can tell 00:10:40.059 --> 00:10:41.059 they're just heartbroken 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:43.379 there's tears 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:45.000 there's 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:46.879 just real sorrow 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:48.819 and you find out 00:10:48.819 --> 00:10:49.839 what the situation is 00:10:49.839 --> 00:10:50.899 and you think to yourself 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.219 well if that happened to me 00:10:52.219 --> 00:10:53.839 it wouldn't bother me 00:10:53.839 --> 00:10:56.579 they must just be weak. 00:10:58.219 --> 00:10:58.819 No. 00:10:59.939 --> 00:11:01.859 What Paul is saying here is 00:11:01.859 --> 00:11:03.159 it's not about you. 00:11:03.159 --> 00:11:06.120 When there's another person 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.000 that you're involved 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:08.019 in a relationship with 00:11:08.019 --> 00:11:09.379 a friend 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:10.719 even an enemy 00:11:10.719 --> 00:11:12.899 and you see 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:13.899 that there is something 00:11:13.899 --> 00:11:15.059 that has bothered them 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:15.980 hurts them 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:17.759 He is saying 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.559 what you need to do 00:11:18.559 --> 00:11:19.779 is come along beside them 00:11:19.779 --> 00:11:20.939 put yourself 00:11:20.939 --> 00:11:21.839 in their position 00:11:21.839 --> 00:11:22.379 looking at it 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:23.159 from their perspective 00:11:23.159 --> 00:11:24.459 weep with them. 00:11:25.579 --> 00:11:26.799 Be a friend 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:27.679 to them 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:29.179 and walk with them 00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:30.259 through that. 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:32.919 Same thing about 00:11:32.919 --> 00:11:33.579 rejoicing 00:11:33.579 --> 00:11:35.159 let's just think about this 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:37.159 which is it easier to do 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:37.819 to rejoice 00:11:37.819 --> 00:11:39.379 or weep with someone 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:40.620 think about it 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:41.059 just for a moment 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:43.879 isn't it easier 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:44.519 to weep 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:45.539 with those who weep 00:11:45.539 --> 00:11:46.279 than to rejoice 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:47.559 with those who rejoice 00:11:47.559 --> 00:11:49.339 I mean 00:11:49.339 --> 00:11:52.259 most people 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:54.399 when you see somebody 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.819 who's just really broken 00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:58.259 I mean 00:11:58.259 --> 00:11:58.959 they're just 00:11:58.959 --> 00:12:03.679 they're emotionally spent 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:06.019 broken hearted 00:12:06.019 --> 00:12:09.099 your heart goes out to them 00:12:09.099 --> 00:12:10.719 you just 00:12:10.719 --> 00:12:12.599 you feel sorry for them 00:12:12.599 --> 00:12:14.419 that's not really 00:12:14.419 --> 00:12:15.479 a Christian response 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:17.060 that's a human response 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.800 if you can't feel 00:12:18.800 --> 00:12:19.360 for people 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:20.320 who are broken 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:22.120 something's wrong 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:22.659 with you 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:24.560 there's something 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:25.519 missing there 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:27.080 about 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:28.500 just you 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:29.600 as a human being 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:33.240 but it's not always 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:34.300 easy to rejoice 00:12:34.300 --> 00:12:35.639 with those 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.519 who rejoice 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:37.800 it's not always 00:12:37.800 --> 00:12:38.920 easy to congratulate 00:12:38.920 --> 00:12:39.440 someone 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:40.720 for their success 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:41.680 especially 00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:42.500 if you think 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:45.139 you deserve it 00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.279 ahead of them 00:12:46.279 --> 00:12:48.220 think about 00:12:48.220 --> 00:12:49.659 somebody at work 00:12:49.659 --> 00:12:51.620 they get a promotion 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:53.220 or they get a raise 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.519 and they're all excited 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:54.879 about it 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:55.440 but you think 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:56.679 I should have got that promotion 00:12:56.679 --> 00:12:57.899 that money should be mine 00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:59.600 somebody plays a sport 00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.100 with you 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:02.940 and they get some kind 00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:03.799 of recognition 00:13:03.799 --> 00:13:04.820 win a trophy 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:05.600 or named 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:06.940 some most valuable 00:13:06.940 --> 00:13:07.460 or something 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:08.919 and they're all excited 00:13:08.919 --> 00:13:09.200 about it 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:10.000 but you think to yourself 00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:12.159 I should be the most valuable 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.839 I should have gotten that 00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:16.159 see a lot of times 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:17.219 when people rejoice 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:18.539 it's hard for us 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.539 to rejoice with them 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:21.279 because we're jealous 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:24.019 because we're envious 00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:24.679 of them 00:13:24.679 --> 00:13:27.219 you know there may be 00:13:27.219 --> 00:13:28.579 a point as to why 00:13:28.579 --> 00:13:29.759 when Paul wrote this 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.539 in verse 15 00:13:30.539 --> 00:13:32.860 he said rejoice 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:34.100 with those who rejoice 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.139 first 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:38.519 because we have a problem 00:13:38.519 --> 00:13:40.199 doing that 00:13:40.200 --> 00:13:42.340 God calls us 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:42.840 to learn 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:44.259 to empathize 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:44.860 with people 00:13:44.860 --> 00:13:47.240 in both the good times 00:13:47.240 --> 00:13:49.820 and the bad 00:13:49.820 --> 00:13:51.580 and Paul really 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.440 stresses 00:13:52.440 --> 00:13:53.500 in another place 00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:54.780 that we need to do this 00:13:54.780 --> 00:13:55.820 with one another 00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:57.700 fellow Christians 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:59.040 look in 1 Corinthians 00:13:59.040 --> 00:13:59.720 chapter 12 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:00.480 verse 26 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.740 he says 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:03.759 in talking about the church 00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.920 just like we saw 00:14:04.920 --> 00:14:05.580 last week 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.120 in Romans 12 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.420 about 00:14:06.420 --> 00:14:07.600 we're all part 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:08.540 of one body 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:10.819 many members 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:11.779 we're parts 00:14:11.779 --> 00:14:12.259 of the body 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:13.659 look in 1 Corinthians 12 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.879 if one member 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:15.559 suffers 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:17.159 all suffer 00:14:17.159 --> 00:14:18.559 if one member 00:14:18.559 --> 00:14:19.459 is honored 00:14:19.459 --> 00:14:21.459 all rejoice 00:14:21.459 --> 00:14:22.000 together 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:24.599 in just about 00:14:24.599 --> 00:14:25.279 every Sunday school 00:14:25.279 --> 00:14:26.319 class in this room 00:14:26.319 --> 00:14:28.480 there's a time 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:29.219 in your class 00:14:29.219 --> 00:14:30.480 where you bring up 00:14:30.480 --> 00:14:32.620 concerns 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.620 that you have 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.159 that you want 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.179 your fellow classmates 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:36.360 to know about 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:38.019 some of them 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.639 are announcements 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.279 some of them 00:14:39.279 --> 00:14:40.200 are prayer requests 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:41.740 but 9 times 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.259 out of 10 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.600 what you bring up 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:46.120 are sad things 00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:48.039 hurtful things 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:49.720 bad things 00:14:49.720 --> 00:14:52.000 and in this 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.860 context 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:53.940 you usually 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:54.519 bring up 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:55.120 things 00:14:55.120 --> 00:14:56.700 for people 00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:57.519 to weep 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.700 with you 00:14:58.700 --> 00:14:59.919 or somebody else 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:01.080 who's weeping 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:03.400 why is it 00:15:03.400 --> 00:15:05.920 that's mainly 00:15:05.920 --> 00:15:06.920 all we ever 00:15:06.920 --> 00:15:07.460 bring up 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:08.620 why is it 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.379 we don't bring up 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.500 the good things 00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:12.000 why can't we 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:12.560 come to our 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.080 Sunday school 00:15:13.080 --> 00:15:13.560 classes 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.840 and announce 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:15.480 how God 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:16.020 has worked 00:15:16.020 --> 00:15:16.620 in our life 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.100 or how some 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.700 good things 00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.139 have happened 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:18.540 to us 00:15:18.540 --> 00:15:19.020 and we're 00:15:19.020 --> 00:15:19.639 happy about it 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:20.200 we're excited 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:20.700 about it 00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:21.580 and get everybody 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.400 to rejoice 00:15:22.400 --> 00:15:22.840 with us 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.680 as we rejoice 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:27.360 what would be 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:27.920 wrong with that 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:29.420 nothing 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:30.240 what would be 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:30.879 right with that 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.899 everything 00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:34.679 I think it'd 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:35.279 be a whole lot 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.580 more positive 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.100 atmosphere 00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:37.439 in our Sunday 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:37.980 school classes 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:40.120 if you had 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.659 to balance 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.019 that 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:43.740 you can only 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:44.120 bring up 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.939 so many things 00:15:44.939 --> 00:15:45.439 for us to 00:15:45.439 --> 00:15:46.179 weep with 00:15:46.179 --> 00:15:47.820 without bringing 00:15:47.820 --> 00:15:48.500 up things 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:48.960 for us to 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.960 rejoice with 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:52.539 that might 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.000 help us to 00:15:53.000 --> 00:15:53.939 work on 00:15:53.939 --> 00:15:54.759 some envy 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:56.659 some jealousy 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:58.440 that we can 00:15:58.440 --> 00:15:59.240 have for one 00:15:59.240 --> 00:15:59.580 another 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:00.360 not just in 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:00.680 the church 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.019 family 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:01.399 although it 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:01.940 happens 00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:03.000 to be 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:03.700 anywhere else 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:04.639 I'll give you 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:04.940 one more 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.480 example about 00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:05.800 this 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:07.440 one person 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:08.080 could get up 00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:08.379 in Sunday 00:16:08.379 --> 00:16:09.120 school class 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:10.240 and talk about 00:16:10.240 --> 00:16:11.159 how their car 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:12.279 just died 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:14.379 engines blown 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:18.100 I can't get it 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.419 fixed I'm in bad 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:19.720 shape 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:20.899 you weep with that 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:22.000 person because 00:16:22.000 --> 00:16:22.580 their car is 00:16:22.580 --> 00:16:22.899 broken 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:24.159 somebody else 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:24.700 comes in and 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.159 say I bought a 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.919 new car yesterday 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:28.000 why can't you be 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:28.700 happy for them 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:30.240 why do you have to 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.919 be jealous because 00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.399 they bought a new 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.159 car you can't afford 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.500 one 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:34.559 you see 00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:35.720 Paul's talking 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.500 he's being serious 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:36.939 here I'm being 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:37.439 funny but he's 00:16:37.439 --> 00:16:38.179 being serious 00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:40.480 as a part of being 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:41.320 brothers and sisters 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:42.080 in Christ we're 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:43.200 supposed to rejoice 00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:44.680 with one another 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.160 when there's 00:16:45.160 --> 00:16:45.759 something good 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:47.500 going on but we 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.220 need to also 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.680 suffer with one 00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:51.340 another when 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:51.980 there's suffering 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:54.120 going on both 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:56.600 are important in a 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:58.340 healthy body 00:16:58.340 --> 00:17:00.660 family and it's 00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:01.639 important in all of 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.300 our relationships 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:05.880 we need to show 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:08.180 this weeping with 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:08.880 those who weep 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.660 rejoicing with 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.319 those who rejoice 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.840 to unbelievers 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:13.220 believers because 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.139 this is a great 00:17:14.139 --> 00:17:15.639 way to build a 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:16.319 relationship and 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:17.159 witness to someone 00:17:17.159 --> 00:17:18.279 you know you may 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.859 have some people at 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.959 work but they 00:17:19.959 --> 00:17:20.779 don't really think a 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:21.379 whole lot of you 00:17:21.379 --> 00:17:22.119 because you're a 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:22.980 Christian they think 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.579 you're some kind of 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.759 hypocrite they think 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:26.000 that you are you 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.359 know you don't 00:17:26.359 --> 00:17:27.059 really practice what 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.619 you preach they 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:28.039 don't have anything 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:28.679 to do with you 00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:29.419 maybe somebody in 00:17:29.419 --> 00:17:30.039 school with you 00:17:30.039 --> 00:17:30.519 you really want to 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.099 be a witness to 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.519 them they don't 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:31.959 have anything to 00:17:31.959 --> 00:17:32.419 do with you 00:17:32.419 --> 00:17:34.819 they won't let you 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.879 talk to them about 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:36.799 what you believe 00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:37.779 they won't let you 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.799 share the gospel 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:40.980 with them but what 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.740 about when something 00:17:41.740 --> 00:17:42.420 happens in their 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:44.299 life and they are 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:47.660 hurting you think 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.079 they're going to 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:48.860 tell you if you 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:49.660 come up and say I 00:17:49.660 --> 00:17:51.759 sure am sorry you 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.980 put your arm on 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:53.880 them you touch them 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:56.039 maybe even say I'm 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:56.599 going to pray for 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.579 you you think 00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:58.039 they're going to 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:59.620 reject that not 00:17:59.620 --> 00:18:00.539 like they might but 00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:02.640 not likely and 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.400 when they something 00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.099 is good going in 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:04.720 their life in their 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:06.299 life and you join the 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.279 celebration with them 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.039 you don't have to 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.200 like it you don't 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.119 have to agree with 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:12.599 it but you become a 00:18:12.599 --> 00:18:14.879 friend who is 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:16.440 rejoicing with those 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.420 who rejoice it'll 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.420 build some relationship 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.420 it'll build some 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:22.099 bridges may even tear 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:25.099 down some walls walls 00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:27.420 of hostility if we'll 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:29.039 learn to be empathetic 00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:31.019 note the next statement 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.559 about how we should 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:33.119 relate to people be 00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:34.720 humble we're going to 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:36.680 look at several little 00:18:36.680 --> 00:18:37.519 things here in verse 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:39.200 16 I want you to 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:44.500 notice verse 16 live 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.580 in harmony with one 00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:47.820 another all says 00:18:47.820 --> 00:18:49.180 something like that a 00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.039 lot in his letters 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.740 live in harmony with 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:53.380 one another be of one 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:55.320 mind talk about members 00:18:55.320 --> 00:18:56.560 of the church church 00:18:56.560 --> 00:19:01.279 family be united do not 00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:02.779 be haughty don't be 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:04.660 arrogant don't be proud 00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:06.580 but associate with the 00:19:06.580 --> 00:19:09.360 lowly never be wise in 00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:11.480 your own sight don't 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:12.400 think more highly of 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:13.080 yourself than you ought 00:19:13.080 --> 00:19:13.940 to we've already seen 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:19.519 in this chapter live in 00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:21.519 harmony do not be haughty 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.320 associate with the 00:19:22.320 --> 00:19:23.960 lowly never be wise in 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:26.940 your own sight this verse 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.720 applies to our 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:29.580 relationships both in and 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:31.980 outside the church John 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:34.559 Stott former pastor 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.319 conference speaker writer 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:38.960 he explains the meaning of 00:19:38.960 --> 00:19:41.299 this verse very well I 00:19:41.299 --> 00:19:41.839 want you to look at what 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:44.360 he said few kinds of 00:19:44.360 --> 00:19:47.120 pride are worse than 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:50.299 snobbery snobs are 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:52.360 obsessed with questions of 00:19:52.360 --> 00:19:54.940 status with dividing 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.700 society into upper and 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:58.480 lower classes and middle 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:00.660 people they forget that 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:02.720 Jesus fraternized freely 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:05.720 and naturally with social 00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:07.720 rejects and called his 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:09.099 followers to do the same 00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:11.819 with equal freedom and 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:15.160 naturalness think about 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:18.539 that we need to learn in 00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:21.279 this country we need to 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:24.360 learn in churches to guard 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:25.819 against being class 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:29.839 conscious and along that 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:32.379 same line being 00:20:32.379 --> 00:20:36.059 condescending toward people 00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:39.359 we think are beneath us 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:41.859 Kent Hughes had a good 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:43.879 illustration of this from 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:45.319 the life of former chief 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:48.500 justice Charles Evans Hughes 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:51.660 when Judge Hughes was 00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.420 appointed to the Supreme 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.460 Court of the United States 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:55.619 he was a Christian he was a 00:20:55.619 --> 00:20:56.779 Baptist and so when he 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.539 moved to Washington DC he 00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.960 joined a local Baptist 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:02.500 church in that church they 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.680 had the habit of certain 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.980 every now and then they 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:06.339 would introduce new members 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.359 having come to the front 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:10.599 one Sunday the Sunday he was 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:12.420 going to be presented at the 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:13.380 end of the service several 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.920 people came forward the first 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.839 one that came forward his 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:20.399 name was Ah Sing he had 00:21:20.399 --> 00:21:22.899 moved from San Francisco to 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:26.240 Washington DC to open up a 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.559 laundry service he was a 00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:31.799 Chinese laundromat well he 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:34.019 came first he spoke to the 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:36.000 pastor and then he went over 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:38.839 on this side at the end just 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:42.119 like here several other people 00:21:42.119 --> 00:21:44.259 came forward just like he did 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:46.240 they spoke to the pastor and 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.279 each one of them went to the 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:52.180 far other side than this man 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:55.420 Ah Sing after several people 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.660 had come all standing over 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:59.319 here the judge came he came 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:01.299 last he came and spoke to the 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:05.519 pastor and Hughes said he did 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:07.720 this in a very deliberate 00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:10.579 intentional significant way he 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:13.099 made his way over to that man 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:15.859 that Chinese laundromat Ah Sing and 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:19.259 stood beside him identifying with 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:28.139 him very very overtly the point is 00:22:28.139 --> 00:22:32.839 even in church we have a tendency 00:22:32.839 --> 00:22:37.679 to just get in circles with people 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:42.220 that we think and think and feel and act 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:47.019 and talk just alike and sort of 00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:51.200 isolate ostracize those that we 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:56.000 consider to be different we as 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:59.640 Christians we cannot have and be right 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:02.340 with God this elitist mindset and think 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:08.339 that we're above anyone we cannot have 00:23:08.339 --> 00:23:12.099 have this class conscious mindset and be 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:14.500 looking down at people and by the same 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:19.579 token think that some people are above us 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:21.399 have a chip on our shoulder toward them 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:28.960 now our Lord calls us to love all kinds of people 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:33.680 to build relationships with all kinds of 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:38.340 people reach out to all kinds and bring all 00:23:38.340 --> 00:23:42.640 kinds into the church I want to make it real 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:44.780 clear I don't think I have to make it clear I 00:23:44.780 --> 00:23:46.600 think everybody understands but just in case 00:23:46.599 --> 00:23:49.699 one person doesn't when we leave here today 00:23:49.699 --> 00:23:52.159 we're going to scatter and go a lot of 00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:54.339 different places in this county and beyond 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:55.299 this coming week 00:23:55.299 --> 00:24:03.619 if in your work or in your school or in 00:24:03.619 --> 00:24:05.799 your play or whatever wherever you go 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:09.319 whatever you do if you have people you're 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:14.819 trying to share the gospel with reach or 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:16.939 they're Christians looking for a church home 00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:19.859 I want you to know that whoever on the face 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:21.579 of the earth you're involved with 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:25.819 you are not they're not only welcome but 00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:27.679 you're encouraged to bring them to our 00:24:27.679 --> 00:24:31.079 church and they will be accepted they will 00:24:31.079 --> 00:24:35.000 be accepted warmly by most people and if 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:37.439 anybody does not like them coming the one 00:24:37.439 --> 00:24:40.740 that don't like them coming can leave and a 00:24:40.740 --> 00:24:42.359 bunch of people here will join me we'll open 00:24:42.359 --> 00:24:44.179 the door for you if that's the person's 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:46.279 attitude because the church of Jesus 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:50.100 Christ it is open to all human beings 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:55.960 we want to be inclusive we want to be 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:58.580 warm and receiving of people who want to 00:24:58.580 --> 00:25:01.039 or are willing to come here and hear the 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:05.100 word of God and we pray will be changed 00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:09.160 by the word of God and become true a true 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:13.980 child of God we need to be humble our Lord 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:17.360 God and the Lord calls us to be this as we move 00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:20.819 on to this passage the focus now going to be 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:25.000 more on those who oppose us how we should 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:27.960 relate to them let's look at verses 17 and 18 00:25:27.960 --> 00:25:30.900 under the caption do what is right look at 00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:37.960 those verses again verse 17 repay no one evil 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:51.000 for evil but give thought to do what is honorable or right in the sight of all if possible so far as it depends on you live peaceably with all 00:25:51.000 --> 00:26:20.960 Paul is saying here do what is honorable or do what is right regardless of what others do to you when the day is over don't look at how other people have treated you you look at how you have treated others how you have responded even to their mistreatments you know we're not judged by how people treat us but we are 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:37.340 by how we treat others we're not ever judged by what other people do but we are held accountable for what we do I'm sure a lot of you parents and grandparents and others who work with children even teachers 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:39.339 you've told your children 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:41.339 do what's right 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:42.339 do what's right 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:44.919 it doesn't matter what other people do 00:26:44.919 --> 00:27:01.339 you know the right thing you know what it is that God expects you to do you know what it is that we want you to do I've told my grandson sitting here the important thing for you to do you do what is right you know what you know is right do what you've been taught is right what God says is right 00:27:01.339 --> 00:27:26.339 and don't worry about other people you're responsible for you let them be responsible for themselves we need to learn to do that as adults we need to learn to not be reactors to how people treat us so much we need to learn to act and act in doing the right thing you know if we just can't get along with some people that are the right thing we need to learn to act and act in doing the right thing 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:34.799 thing. You know, if we just can't get along with some people, verse 18, we need to make sure that 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:42.259 it is not our fault. I want you to look at that verse again. He says, if possible, so far as it 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:52.619 depends on you, live peaceably with all. Sometimes I think we, me, you, we use that as an excuse. 00:27:52.619 --> 00:27:57.859 Let's just all admit it. There's some people in life we don't like. There's some people in life that we 00:27:57.859 --> 00:28:04.339 have a hard time getting along with. And so it's just sort of easy, natural for us to look for a way 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:13.239 out where we don't have to treat somebody right. And so I know this verse. 00:28:15.439 --> 00:28:21.359 I'm very familiar with it. Look at it again. If possible, so far as it depends on you, 00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:25.979 live peacefully with all. And the implication is, is if they're just hard to get along with, 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:34.740 if they won't respond well to you, write them off. That's not really the emphasis here. 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:43.299 The emphasis is on us as Christians, if possible. It means we're trying. We're putting forth the 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:48.179 effort. We're trying to make it possible. If possible, so far as it depends on you, 00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:55.519 the monkey's on our back. We've got some responsibilities. And it's only when we are 00:28:55.519 --> 00:29:03.039 trying to make it possible, and we're doing our best to relate to someone, to reconcile with someone, 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:10.400 it's only then, if they won't cooperate, then we can let it go. Even when we let it go, 00:29:10.460 --> 00:29:14.620 we need to keep the door open in case God works in their life, in case they just change. 00:29:14.619 --> 00:29:21.199 They become more responsive. But there are some situations. There are some people who don't 00:29:21.199 --> 00:29:26.519 like you and will never like you, who do not want to relate to you and will not relate to you. 00:29:26.899 --> 00:29:32.739 And so you're not responsible in those situations. That's what this verse is talking about. Now, 00:29:32.779 --> 00:29:42.519 what we're talking about, all of this is just very difficult. It's not easy. And as Paul writes this, 00:29:42.519 --> 00:29:51.059 he's not even implying that it's easy. But this is one way we're to live in this world and be 00:29:51.059 --> 00:29:58.200 faithful witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ, be honorable witnesses, doing what's right, even if 00:29:58.200 --> 00:30:05.319 people don't agree, even if people do not like it. Now, as we move on, the last three verses, 00:30:05.319 --> 00:30:11.939 this is the most difficult. As I've gone through this, thought about this, it's all difficult to me. 00:30:12.679 --> 00:30:19.240 But this is going to be even more. So let's look at it. Verses 19 through 21, be restrained. 00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:24.839 We're called, as we live in the world, this world, people who oppose us, exercise restraint. 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:33.319 Now, Paul tells us how we do this. Number one, we must trust God. Look at verse 19. 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:42.819 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God. For it is written, 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:51.740 vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. We've got to learn to trust God to work in the life 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:59.720 of the person who has wronged us to bring about what needs to be done. Bottom line, we can always 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:05.400 trust that God's going to make things right one day. Paul pointed that out to the Thessalonians. 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:11.019 I put it even, I wrote a little note in my Bible a long time ago. Beside this verse that we're looking 00:31:11.019 --> 00:31:17.539 at, verse 19, I put down 1 Thessalonians chapter 1, 2 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, 00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:21.680 verse 6 and following. I want you to look at these verses with me. 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:30.940 We're looking at verse 19 of Romans. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath 00:31:30.940 --> 00:31:35.839 of God. For it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. We can trust God. 00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:43.759 Here's more details about that. God is just. He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:51.220 and give relief to you who are troubled and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:58.460 revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not 00:31:58.460 --> 00:32:06.099 know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:12.680 and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be 00:32:12.680 --> 00:32:19.940 glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:22.180 because you believed our testimony. That's the last verse. 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:32.560 Enemies of God and enemies of God's people, one day when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:40.880 they will be dealt with by God very harshly. They'll be eternally condemned. 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:51.120 Justice will prevail when all is said and done. Now, what this does not mean is your enemies, 00:32:51.320 --> 00:32:56.080 you just sort of smile and think God's going to put them in hell one day and I'm glad of that. 00:32:56.220 --> 00:33:04.600 That's not the point. In the end, people who do not respond to the grace of God, in the end, 00:33:04.599 --> 00:33:11.379 people who do not respond to your patience and your blessing and your prayers and your love. 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:18.339 We're supposed to work with people, pray for people, try to reach out to people who are even our enemies. 00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:28.079 But if they reject it, the day will come that they will reap what they've sown. 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:36.679 God will settle all scores. His justice will prevail without exception. 00:33:37.679 --> 00:33:42.559 We can count on that. Let God be our avenger. 00:33:42.559 --> 00:33:46.500 Second thing about being restrained, we need to do positive good. 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:47.700 Look in verse 20. 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:50.839 To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:53.859 If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:58.019 For by doing so, you will heap burning coals on his head. 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:04.119 In doing good to the person who does wrong to you, 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:08.299 he says we'll heap burning coals on his head. 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:14.780 And the idea is we'll heap burning coals of shame and remorse on his head 00:34:14.780 --> 00:34:21.120 that will hopefully cause him to wake up, to realize what he's done, 00:34:21.539 --> 00:34:26.680 to cause her to repent, to seek your forgiveness, to seek God's forgiveness. 00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:29.780 A good example of this is found in the life of David. 00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:35.460 King Saul was seeking to kill David. 00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:39.740 David had an opportunity to kill Saul. 00:34:40.880 --> 00:34:45.720 David had an opportunity to do to Saul before Saul did to him, 00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:47.980 but he would not do it. 00:34:49.420 --> 00:34:57.099 And when Saul found out, it humbled him as his words revealed. 00:34:57.240 --> 00:34:57.720 Look at it. 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.940 1 Samuel 24. 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:02.659 As soon as David had finished speaking these words to Saul, 00:35:03.619 --> 00:35:04.400 Saul said, 00:35:04.619 --> 00:35:06.260 Is this your voice, my son David? 00:35:06.720 --> 00:35:09.780 And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 00:35:10.700 --> 00:35:11.599 He said to David, 00:35:12.019 --> 00:35:14.659 You are more righteous than I, 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:18.119 for you have repaid me good, 00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:20.519 whereas I have repaid you evil. 00:35:20.519 --> 00:35:27.340 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me 00:35:27.340 --> 00:35:32.400 and that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands. 00:35:33.440 --> 00:35:35.659 Now if you know the story, Saul didn't, 00:35:36.059 --> 00:35:37.539 it wasn't a life-changing event. 00:35:39.800 --> 00:35:42.900 But Saul was humbled for a while. 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:47.280 He was remorseful for a while. 00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:49.500 Now, David's kindness, 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:55.080 David's not doing what he could and killing Saul, 00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:58.800 it did make a difference. 00:35:59.540 --> 00:36:00.440 Got his attention, 00:36:01.380 --> 00:36:03.519 humbled him and recognized he was wrong 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:05.580 and David was right. 00:36:07.040 --> 00:36:08.000 Third thing, 00:36:08.680 --> 00:36:10.519 we must overcome evil with good. 00:36:10.620 --> 00:36:11.560 Look at the last verse. 00:36:12.100 --> 00:36:13.220 Do not be overcome by evil, 00:36:13.300 --> 00:36:14.519 but overcome evil with good. 00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:17.559 Here's what we're being told here. 00:36:18.219 --> 00:36:21.320 Don't let your enemies drag you down to their level. 00:36:23.179 --> 00:36:28.519 We as Christians need to learn to take the high road always 00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:31.460 and seek to overcome their evil 00:36:31.460 --> 00:36:34.860 with Christian goodness and love. 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:37.159 That's to be our goal. 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:40.820 What we're called to do in this passage, 00:36:41.239 --> 00:36:42.059 as I said at the beginning, 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.820 is impossible on our own. 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.900 We cannot do this. 00:36:46.119 --> 00:36:49.099 We're not wired to do this on our own. 00:36:49.820 --> 00:36:51.199 But if we are Christians, 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:53.860 even though it's still hard, 00:36:54.920 --> 00:36:57.519 we're still tempted to lash out, 00:36:57.739 --> 00:36:58.480 get revenge, 00:36:58.699 --> 00:36:59.380 if we're Christians, 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.840 the Spirit of God within us 00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:02.960 will convict us 00:37:02.960 --> 00:37:06.480 to do what Paul's telling us to do here. 00:37:07.219 --> 00:37:09.460 Do the kind of things that Jesus said to do 00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:11.079 about loving our enemies 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:13.039 and praying for those who persecute us, 00:37:14.099 --> 00:37:16.019 by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, 00:37:16.719 --> 00:37:20.779 we can live like a Christian, 00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:25.059 even in our relationships with people 00:37:25.059 --> 00:37:28.159 who hate us and oppose us. 00:37:28.159 --> 00:37:32.579 It very well may be that God will use your loving attitudes, 00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:35.899 your grace, 00:37:36.799 --> 00:37:38.179 your patience 00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:40.899 to turn your enemy into a friend, 00:37:41.460 --> 00:37:42.559 or even better, 00:37:43.460 --> 00:37:45.420 to turn them to faith in Jesus, 00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:50.099 to call them to become a real child of God. 00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:52.539 But even if that doesn't happen, 00:37:53.579 --> 00:37:56.839 we will still have the joy and satisfaction of knowing, 00:37:57.839 --> 00:37:59.400 if we do the right thing, 00:38:00.000 --> 00:38:01.619 that we have been faithful to God. 00:38:02.619 --> 00:38:05.179 When it comes to living like a Christian in this world, 00:38:06.159 --> 00:38:08.639 all we're really called to do is be faithful to God. 00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:11.819 That's how He measures success. 00:38:12.739 --> 00:38:14.460 Being faithful to Him, 00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:15.639 to His Word, 00:38:15.900 --> 00:38:17.679 with the help that He gives us. 00:38:17.679 --> 00:38:20.000 When all is said and done, 00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:22.739 that's what matters most. 00:38:23.419 --> 00:38:25.139 Not what other people have done to you, 00:38:26.359 --> 00:38:28.919 but how you have lived before God 00:38:28.919 --> 00:38:30.980 and before other people. 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:36.159 That's what God holds us accountable and responsible for. 00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:37.679 Let's pray together. 00:38:38.480 --> 00:38:38.879 Dear God, 00:38:39.539 --> 00:38:40.659 help us now 00:38:40.659 --> 00:38:43.259 to deal with 00:38:43.259 --> 00:38:45.339 our attitudes, 00:38:46.239 --> 00:38:46.679 words, 00:38:46.679 --> 00:38:47.579 adverse actions 00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:49.599 and the kind of situations 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:51.299 that we've been looking at this morning. 00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:53.039 Father, 00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:53.699 if there's some 00:38:53.699 --> 00:38:55.139 attitude adjustments 00:38:55.139 --> 00:38:55.960 that need to be made, 00:38:56.099 --> 00:38:57.099 make it clear to us. 00:39:00.059 --> 00:39:01.119 If there's just a whole 00:39:01.119 --> 00:39:02.139 mindset 00:39:02.139 --> 00:39:04.199 that needs to change, 00:39:04.460 --> 00:39:05.059 show us. 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.000 Father, 00:39:08.079 --> 00:39:08.960 if there are people in this room 00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:10.000 that this whole 00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:12.099 passage 00:39:12.099 --> 00:39:13.899 has not made sense to them 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.760 because your Spirit 00:39:14.760 --> 00:39:16.019 does not dwell in them, 00:39:18.019 --> 00:39:18.460 show them, 00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:18.820 Father, 00:39:19.860 --> 00:39:21.360 they're not Christians. 00:39:24.680 --> 00:39:25.460 Disturb them, 00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:25.820 Father, 00:39:25.920 --> 00:39:26.639 over that 00:39:26.639 --> 00:39:28.740 and so work 00:39:28.740 --> 00:39:29.900 to bring about 00:39:29.900 --> 00:39:30.700 that change 00:39:30.700 --> 00:39:31.480 of their heart 00:39:31.480 --> 00:39:32.000 and mind. 00:39:33.780 --> 00:39:34.579 Work in them, 00:39:34.660 --> 00:39:35.019 dear God, 00:39:35.119 --> 00:39:35.760 to cause them 00:39:35.760 --> 00:39:36.440 to want to 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:37.440 humble themselves 00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:38.340 before you 00:39:38.340 --> 00:39:39.600 and seek 00:39:39.600 --> 00:39:40.300 your forgiveness 00:39:40.300 --> 00:39:41.260 by turning 00:39:41.260 --> 00:39:42.300 from their sins 00:39:42.300 --> 00:39:43.280 and trusting 00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:43.820 in Jesus 00:39:43.820 --> 00:39:44.640 as their Savior 00:39:44.640 --> 00:39:45.160 and Lord. 00:39:47.559 --> 00:39:47.960 Father, 00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:48.579 if there's Christians 00:39:48.579 --> 00:39:49.160 in this room 00:39:49.160 --> 00:39:49.800 who need to go 00:39:49.800 --> 00:39:50.360 to someone 00:39:50.360 --> 00:39:52.640 and seek 00:39:52.640 --> 00:39:53.240 forgiveness, 00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:55.840 seek to be reconciled, 00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:56.720 show them. 00:39:59.019 --> 00:39:59.420 But, 00:39:59.500 --> 00:39:59.539 Lord, 00:39:59.600 --> 00:40:00.240 help us all 00:40:00.239 --> 00:40:02.639 to desire 00:40:02.639 --> 00:40:04.359 and to look 00:40:04.359 --> 00:40:04.659 to you 00:40:04.659 --> 00:40:05.419 to give us 00:40:05.419 --> 00:40:07.059 the what with all 00:40:07.059 --> 00:40:07.799 we need 00:40:07.799 --> 00:40:09.079 to truly 00:40:09.079 --> 00:40:10.359 live like a Christian 00:40:10.359 --> 00:40:11.399 in this world 00:40:11.399 --> 00:40:12.919 and our relationship 00:40:12.919 --> 00:40:13.559 with you, 00:40:14.559 --> 00:40:16.059 with other people, 00:40:17.639 --> 00:40:18.919 even with people 00:40:18.919 --> 00:40:21.299 who are our enemies. 00:40:22.859 --> 00:40:23.459 And in an attitude 00:40:23.459 --> 00:40:23.939 of prayer, 00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:24.759 you just listen 00:40:24.759 --> 00:40:25.139 to the Lord 00:40:25.139 --> 00:40:25.979 and respond to Him. 00:40:27.119 --> 00:40:27.879 That's all He's 00:40:27.879 --> 00:40:28.539 wanting you to do 00:40:28.539 --> 00:40:29.479 is listen 00:40:29.480 --> 00:40:30.219 and obey. 00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.119 I'd be happy 00:40:31.119 --> 00:40:31.659 to pray with you 00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:32.179 here at the front 00:40:32.179 --> 00:40:32.539 if you want to 00:40:32.539 --> 00:40:32.880 step out 00:40:32.880 --> 00:40:33.559 during this time. 00:40:34.159 --> 00:40:34.900 Let's just be still 00:40:34.900 --> 00:40:35.420 and quiet 00:40:35.420 --> 00:40:36.679 and listen to the Lord.