WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.440 Today, as being already mentioned, I get to give the last sermon that will be preached from this 00:00:04.440 --> 00:00:10.960 point right here. That could actually be something that's a bit painful for you to think about. I 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:16.800 just want to say that it's okay to find change difficult. So if you're feeling a little bit 00:00:16.800 --> 00:00:21.900 nervous about the big shift sideways, I want to say that's okay to feel like that and we love you. 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:27.359 We're praying and hoping that the shift will be something God uses to bring more people into his 00:00:27.359 --> 00:00:33.380 kingdom, to see more people come to know the hope and love of the gospel. And so it is my prayer that 00:00:33.380 --> 00:00:40.039 God comforts you in your discomfort, but also that he uses that discomfort for a significant purpose 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:45.659 of seeing people come to know him. But let me pray and then let's get stuck into today's message. 00:00:47.420 --> 00:00:52.859 Father God, we thank you for your word. We thank you that you're a God who speaks and we ask today 00:00:52.859 --> 00:00:57.780 that it would be your voice that we hear loudest. We ask that you would give us the wisdom that we 00:00:57.780 --> 00:01:03.140 seek, that we would live in light of who you are and particularly in the area of relationships, God, 00:01:03.219 --> 00:01:10.840 that we might honour you. Amen. When I was in youth group, which is getting further and further behind 00:01:10.840 --> 00:01:16.939 me, we used to sing a song called All Day. I'm not sure that this song would make it through the song 00:01:16.939 --> 00:01:21.920 selection process here at St Paul's and that might be a good thing. But there was one line in the song 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:27.500 in particular that we sung, which went something like, I don't care what they say about me, it's 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:33.820 all right. I don't care what they think about me, it's all right. They'll get it one day. Now, I think 00:01:33.820 --> 00:01:39.260 the point of the line is they'll understand one day, but there's this group of us as teenagers that 00:01:39.260 --> 00:01:45.359 would enthusiastically be singing, they're going to get it one day. You know, it's great that we're 00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:51.060 following Jesus. If they dislike us and pick on us, they're going to get theirs. Now, again, I'm not sure 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:55.540 that's the point of the song, but sadly, there was a whole bunch of teenagers in the youth group I went 00:01:55.540 --> 00:02:02.000 to enthusiastically cheering about the judgment of God on anyone who would oppose us. Now, for the 00:02:02.000 --> 00:02:06.700 past two weeks, we've been looking at friendship, looking at what it looks like to be a wise friend. 00:02:06.820 --> 00:02:12.099 We looked even earlier on in the series at family and relationship between parents and children, 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:19.580 between spouses. But the reality of relationships, friendship and all the other ones as well, is that 00:02:19.580 --> 00:02:28.220 they don't always work out the way that we want them to. People let us down, we get hurt, relationships 00:02:28.220 --> 00:02:36.700 get damaged. And so the question is, what do we do then? What do we do once the relationship already has 00:02:36.700 --> 00:02:43.120 issues? Now, I'm sure that you can think of a relationship in your life that is not what it once 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:51.539 was, not what you wish it was. It could be with a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, a parent, 00:02:52.120 --> 00:03:01.319 a spouse, a friend, a neighbour. What do you do once it's damaged? When we've been hurt, how do we live 00:03:01.319 --> 00:03:11.420 well through that pain? How do we move forward? Do you ever find yourself, maybe not singing it like I did, 00:03:11.419 --> 00:03:21.299 but thinking that sentiment, they'll get it one day. Justice will be done and it will be sweet when it is. 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:27.519 Now, I mean, we're probably a bit more subtle about those feelings and maybe we don't declare them 00:03:27.519 --> 00:03:34.119 out loud, although maybe we do. Maybe you're unashamed in your desire for revenge. I'm sorry, I mean justice. 00:03:34.120 --> 00:03:44.700 But what does wisdom say into the pain? What does wisdom say into that damaged relationship? What 00:03:44.700 --> 00:03:52.140 does it look like to move forward in a way that actually honours God? Do we cut and run? Do we walk 00:03:52.140 --> 00:04:01.700 away, cut our losses, forget about the relationship? Proverbs calls us to repair relationships. 00:04:01.699 --> 00:04:10.519 And I choose that word very carefully. Repairing as distinct from restoring. Now, restoration might 00:04:10.519 --> 00:04:17.899 be a great outcome, but it's not always going to be wise to return to the same relationship or the 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:25.519 same person in the same way. The damage might be a good reason and might be wise to actually not pursue 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:31.579 that relationship in the same way. Repairing could even include the possibility of ending a relationship. 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:39.459 But I'm going to talk about that a little bit more later on. But repairing is what wisdom calls for. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:47.420 So how? How do you repair a damaged relationship? And I think Proverbs wants to suggest at least three 00:04:47.420 --> 00:04:54.060 steps for us. First one, we need to remove ourselves from the throne. 00:04:54.060 --> 00:05:02.000 Our hearts are incredibly well trained at self-justification. So we're pretty good at 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:06.680 explaining our weaknesses and our failings as, you know, part of the deal. We give ourselves grace, 00:05:07.160 --> 00:05:13.680 but at the same time, we unwaveringly hold other people to a standard that we can't meet on our own. 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:18.180 You know, when we get it wrong, it's understandable. But when they get it wrong, 00:05:18.180 --> 00:05:26.379 it's inexcusable. We're very passionate about justice, except of course, when that justice would 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:31.740 mean that we're on the receiving end. And we see ourselves in a different category to other people. 00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:39.139 We like to place ourselves above them. And anger and hurt flow out of that sense of superiority. 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:46.199 They come from a place where we look at the person who's hurt us and we respond with something like, 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:52.079 I would never do that. I would never do what they did. 00:05:54.099 --> 00:06:00.419 You know, it's only actually possible to stay angry with someone as long as you think you're superior to them. 00:06:02.579 --> 00:06:08.379 It's only actually possible to stay angry as long as you see yourself as somebody who is better than them. 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:14.339 As long as you look at them as worse, you're going to put yourself in the dangerous position 00:06:14.339 --> 00:06:22.240 of justifying your anger and even your hatred towards them as a good and right response. 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:27.339 Now, hatred might sound a bit strong for the way that you feel, but maybe it doesn't. 00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:32.779 Maybe that's exactly how you feel. But you've got to understand when the Bible talks about hatred, 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:36.199 what it's getting at is the sense of ill will. 00:06:36.199 --> 00:06:44.079 It's that attitude that takes a bit of delight out of them getting their just desserts. 00:06:45.659 --> 00:06:50.980 It's that attitude that takes enjoyment out of their misfortune. 00:06:50.980 --> 00:06:56.360 And it thinks, you know, whatever happens to them, whatever bad they have to deal with in life, 00:06:56.400 --> 00:06:57.460 it's probably fair enough. 00:06:59.720 --> 00:07:06.740 What we've done is we've taken an issue within a person and we've exaggerated it to make that 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:08.400 the sum total of the person. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:14.599 So if they lie to you, they lied and they are a liar. 00:07:15.759 --> 00:07:18.959 But if you lie, you're complex. 00:07:19.739 --> 00:07:20.719 There's reasons. 00:07:21.179 --> 00:07:22.139 It's understandable. 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:24.000 There's background. 00:07:24.159 --> 00:07:24.879 There's context. 00:07:26.099 --> 00:07:28.339 That's the sentiment of superiority. 00:07:28.339 --> 00:07:35.519 It's a heart that delights in and desires judgment against those who have hurt us. 00:07:36.719 --> 00:07:39.279 That says they'll get it one day. 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:41.299 With a smile. 00:07:42.899 --> 00:07:46.159 But listen to Proverbs 24, 17. 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:50.600 Do not gloat when your enemy falls. 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:54.060 When they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:08:00.100 Or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. 00:08:01.700 --> 00:08:08.620 Our judgment of people, our sense of superiority, our refusal to give them the same grace we give ourselves 00:08:08.620 --> 00:08:11.640 could actually turn God's wrath away from people. 00:08:11.700 --> 00:08:12.260 Do you know why? 00:08:12.259 --> 00:08:20.259 Because when God looks at that situation, what we are doing, the bitterness in our own hearts, 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:26.060 the hatred that we have towards these people is just as displeasing to God as whatever it was 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:28.039 that was done to us in the first place. 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:35.399 We're sitting on this throne thinking that we are somehow superior in character whilst doing 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:39.000 something which is deeply dishonouring to God. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:48.100 When we sit over people, when we pass judgment on people, we don't just demote them below us, 00:08:48.600 --> 00:08:52.440 but we actually remove God from where he belongs as well. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:54.960 We actually demote him. 00:08:55.580 --> 00:08:57.940 The throne that we're sitting on is his throne. 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:04.460 He's the only one who has the right to judge, and yet we have decided that we should sit there. 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:09.420 The Bible teaches clearly in the Old and New Testament that vengeance belongs to God. 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:10.420 It's his job. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:15.879 He's the only one who is pure enough and holy enough and just enough that he can sit in that seat. 00:09:17.160 --> 00:09:23.100 And as soon as you put yourself there, you take a role that you are not equipped for and you are unworthy of. 00:09:23.100 --> 00:09:33.159 If we want to repair damaged relationships, we need to begin by taking ourselves off that throne. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:42.279 We need to begin by resisting that natural inclination of our hearts which self-justifies and says, 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:44.379 they're bad, I'm complicated. 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:52.700 Secondly, we need to release people from liability. 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:55.820 Have a look at Proverbs 24 verse 28. 00:09:56.939 --> 00:10:00.059 Do not testify against your neighbour without cause. 00:10:00.620 --> 00:10:02.340 Would you use your lips to mislead? 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:05.820 Do not say, I'll do to them as they have done to me. 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:07.700 I'll pay them back for what they did. 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:16.640 See, the natural outworking of sitting on the throne in a position of superiority is to demand payment, is to exact revenge. 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:20.860 It bears fruit in this sense that we feel entitled. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:24.840 We feel entitled to justice. 00:10:25.020 --> 00:10:26.500 We feel entitled to revenge. 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:35.100 Payback in our culture, in our hearts, is seen as something that is honourable. 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:38.379 Not just valid, but desirable. 00:10:38.840 --> 00:10:46.100 When we are wronged, when those we care about are wronged, the immediate inclination of our heart is that whoever has wronged them gets what they deserve. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:50.480 That's our starting point because we are sitting from a place where we're above them. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:53.920 Where their failing is all of them. 00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:55.980 Our failings is just a small part of us. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:10:59.740 But Proverbs says no. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:03.399 Proverbs 17.9 says, 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:14.100 See, sometimes we mask our desire for revenge. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:18.060 We get a bit savvy and subtle with it in the form of holding a grudge. 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:22.139 So face to face, we feign forgiveness. 00:11:22.139 --> 00:11:27.439 We superficially act like everything is okay, like there's no issue. 00:11:27.559 --> 00:11:29.939 But deep down, we're still very angry. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.679 Still very bitter. 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:35.960 And so we keep reminding everybody else what happened. 00:11:36.740 --> 00:11:38.360 Face to face, it doesn't come up. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.679 We don't talk about that issue. 00:11:40.179 --> 00:11:41.259 But we slander. 00:11:41.439 --> 00:11:42.059 We gossip. 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:44.399 So that even though we haven't confronted them, 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:49.980 we make sure they pay what they owe in the form of character assassinating them. 00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:54.860 In the form of making everybody else know just how bad they are. 00:11:57.639 --> 00:12:02.139 Wisdom repairs relationships by releasing people from liability. 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:05.240 By not demanding payment. 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:08.139 It causes us to actually cover an offence. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:10.659 It repeats it in Proverbs 19.11. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:13.139 A person's wisdom yields patience. 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:17.759 It is to one's glory to overlook an offence. 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:21.720 Now, we need to be really clear here. 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:25.259 What do we mean when we say cover an offence? 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:29.179 That's not the same as ignoring an offence 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:31.740 or pretending an offence didn't happen. 00:12:31.860 --> 00:12:35.220 It's not playing down an offence as if somehow it's less painful. 00:12:36.199 --> 00:12:37.220 Pain is real. 00:12:38.399 --> 00:12:40.720 Where there is an offence, there is hurt. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.860 There is damage. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:45.580 There is emotional and relational debt. 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:49.199 And if you release somebody from having to pay that debt, 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:51.480 then it goes somewhere. 00:12:52.840 --> 00:12:54.620 It doesn't just evaporate. 00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:57.379 Somebody has to pay the debt. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:13:02.519 And the call in these verses is for us to pay it. 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:07.360 The idea of covering an offence is not like hiding it. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:12.120 It's like that sense of you're in a restaurant with a bunch of friends and a bill arrives. 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:15.019 And everybody owes a piece of this bill. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:19.220 But you put your hand up and insist, no, no, no, I'll cover this. 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:21.399 It's that sense of covering. 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.759 I will own this debt. 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:24.000 I will deal with this debt. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:24.659 I will take it. 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:27.659 Even though it's not mine, I will choose to bear it. 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:31.639 That's what it means when it says cover an offence. 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:38.419 It means you choose to wear the cost in a way that releases the other people. 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:43.059 Now, if you say at the table, I'll cover it and then send out emails the next morning 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:46.179 with itemised bills and interest accounts for how much people owe you, 00:13:46.459 --> 00:13:47.439 you haven't covered it. 00:13:49.479 --> 00:13:55.439 To cover an offence is to actually take the debt, own it, deal with it, pay with it, and move on. 00:13:56.459 --> 00:13:57.099 It's gone. 00:13:57.219 --> 00:13:57.639 It's done. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:02.139 To cover an offence is to release a person from what they owe you. 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.539 They might owe you an apology. 00:14:06.199 --> 00:14:10.179 They might owe you some change in character, some change in behaviour. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:20.139 Whatever it is, repairing the relationship is only possible when you make the wise decision 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:22.159 about what you can control. 00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:27.959 And the only thing you control in a damaged relationship is this. 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:31.079 Do I demand revenge? 00:14:32.559 --> 00:14:35.939 Or do I make the choice to release them from what they owe? 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:43.819 I wanted to share with you briefly about my own relationship with my dad. 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:46.639 Now, I want to do this gently. 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:48.319 I don't want to dishonour my dad. 00:14:48.559 --> 00:14:51.139 I have shared stories from my childhood before, 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:55.379 and many of you will know that my family relationships generally are somewhat damaged, 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:59.059 but probably most specifically with my dad, since I was about 14. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:03.580 There's been points over the journey of my life where I've thought, 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.879 I'm going to fix this. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.960 I'm going to repair this. 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:11.799 We've had some fairly pointed conversations, my dad and I, 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:17.659 but for the most part, it's still a damaged relationship. 00:15:17.659 --> 00:15:23.199 As I started repairing this week, it was the first relationship that popped into my head. 00:15:25.679 --> 00:15:29.000 And as I reflected on particularly these first two things, 00:15:29.439 --> 00:15:31.639 I began to get a bit of a picture of why. 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:35.740 And unsurprisingly, the issue wasn't in my dad, it was in me. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:42.039 I still feel that there are things that my dad has done to me that hurt me. 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.060 That hasn't changed. 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:46.759 There is still some feelings that I'm processing. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:48.919 I've been sitting in this for six days, 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:51.259 but I feel like this will be a journey for longer than that. 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:56.740 But the issue has been that I have had an expectation of my dad. 00:15:56.740 --> 00:16:00.820 I think I've even said out loud, I would never do what he did. 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:05.799 And every time I've sat down with him to have a conversation, 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:08.500 I've had an expectation of what he needed to do 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:11.460 for me to be able to walk away and say, this is fixed. 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:16.639 An apology, an ownership of fault, 00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:22.600 some acknowledgement of the pain that other people have had to deal with that he hasn't. 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:26.240 But as I was reflecting, 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:33.540 I realised that nothing was fixed despite the many conversations that we've had. 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:38.639 Because reality is I was still sitting on a throne over him. 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:42.800 I was still passing judgement on him and I still felt like he owed me. 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:51.639 Now you've got to understand that releasing somebody from what they owe you, 00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:54.840 especially when we're talking about a relational hurt, 00:16:55.179 --> 00:16:56.539 is not going to be easy. 00:16:57.460 --> 00:17:00.039 This is not two boxes you're going to tick off on the way home 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:01.939 in a quick conversation this afternoon. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.779 You can wallpaper over it with superficial niceness. 00:17:05.879 --> 00:17:07.079 That's what my family does. 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:09.099 We're all going to be together for Christmas 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:12.460 and nobody will talk about anything substantial. 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.900 It'll still be okay. 00:17:15.139 --> 00:17:16.240 We'll talk about things. 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.379 We'll talk about football. 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:19.500 We'll talk about what's happening with the kids. 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:21.799 But it will be superficial. 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:24.759 And then in private, in the little one-on-one conversations, 00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:28.460 the factions in our family will have conversations about what we really think. 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:32.519 That's not releasing anyone. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:37.180 To release them would be to let it go. 00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:39.880 To stop talking about it. 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:41.180 To stop repeating it. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.500 To let go of my right, 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:45.720 my entitlement to pay back. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:48.759 It's not easy. 00:17:50.980 --> 00:17:51.960 But it's wisdom. 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:56.299 And it's the path to repairing the relationship. 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.759 And it's what's best for you. 00:17:59.480 --> 00:18:00.559 It's what's best for me. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:03.299 If you keep carrying some need in you, 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:06.660 something that you require from this person who has hurt you, 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:11.480 then most of the damage is going to be in you. 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:17.320 Most of the consequence will be internal. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:22.440 Now, I'm going to make a generalisation based on my own heart 00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.820 and my own experience, 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:25.759 and you can decide how well this fits you. 00:18:25.759 --> 00:18:31.539 I think that many of us see as the best case scenario 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:33.220 when there's a damaged relationship, 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:35.019 where there's substantial hurt, 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:38.859 the best case scenario is to walk away and end the relationship. 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:41.079 Cut and run. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:44.879 We minimise the hurt with phrases like, 00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:47.099 I don't care about them anymore, it's a non-issue. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:53.139 But we need to be mindful that when we do that, 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:56.059 often the relationship has continued. 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:59.859 It's just doing us damage beneath the surface now. 00:19:01.699 --> 00:19:03.139 We're pretending it's not, 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:05.899 but the pain and hurt is still there. 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:09.439 Now, I put end the relationship in inverted commas, 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:12.639 because so long as you're carrying hurt, 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.819 as long as you're carrying anger and bitterness, 00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:17.139 you're still carrying the relationship. 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:20.679 And so not only have you not repaired the damage, 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:23.700 what you've done now is camouflaged what's causing damage 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:25.879 so that it's going to be even more difficult 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:27.339 for you to deal with later in life. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:30.460 You've said it's not an issue you've moved on, 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:32.379 but your heart is still being impacted 00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:34.099 by that person and what they did to you. 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:39.279 If you find yourself still talking about 00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.299 what someone did to you, 00:19:40.839 --> 00:19:42.119 still angry about it, 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:44.799 still secretly delighting in their misfortune, 00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:47.559 then it hasn't ended for you. 00:19:49.179 --> 00:19:50.200 It's still there. 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.960 And it still needs to be repaired. 00:19:56.179 --> 00:19:58.019 Now, it might need to be repaired 00:19:58.019 --> 00:20:00.599 so that you can fully and finally end it. 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.939 This is what I was talking about at the beginning. 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:05.159 It might need to be repaired 00:20:05.159 --> 00:20:08.119 so that you can draw a line and walk away. 00:20:08.119 --> 00:20:11.019 But until it's repaired, 00:20:11.679 --> 00:20:13.679 it won't end. 00:20:14.239 --> 00:20:16.759 It'll still be a source of pain and damage for you. 00:20:17.419 --> 00:20:18.899 Now, I just want to make it clear 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:20.399 that this doesn't necessarily mean 00:20:20.399 --> 00:20:22.239 you need to have a face-to-face conversation 00:20:22.239 --> 00:20:23.679 with everybody who's ever hurt you. 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.019 I don't know if you've noticed, 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:28.439 but so far the two steps that Proverbs has given us 00:20:28.439 --> 00:20:30.099 don't require you to converse with anyone 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:32.879 except for God. 00:20:34.379 --> 00:20:36.439 You need to remove yourself from the throne. 00:20:36.959 --> 00:20:38.079 It's not impacting them. 00:20:38.199 --> 00:20:39.939 And you need to release them from liability. 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:42.519 They might not think they owe you anything, 00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:44.799 so that releasing is going to be something 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.919 that you do internally. 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:50.840 But Proverbs pushes us one step further. 00:20:53.060 --> 00:20:54.759 To repair relationships, 00:20:55.320 --> 00:20:57.060 you've got to remove yourself from the throne. 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.820 You've got to release them from liability. 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.500 And lastly, 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:03.160 you need to overcome evil with good. 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:07.360 Proverbs 25, 21 says, 00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:10.500 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. 00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:13.440 If he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:16.759 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:18.840 and the Lord will reward you. 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:22.720 See, wisdom is calling us to shift drastically 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:25.120 the way that we view these people that have hurt us. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:29.380 We need to look at them as someone to be loved, 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:32.180 not someone who owes us. 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:35.240 That's why we need to first remove ourselves 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.259 from the judgment seat, 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:37.480 because when we're looking down, 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:39.180 love will not be the first emotion. 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:42.740 So that we stop looking at ourselves 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:44.660 from this false position of superiority, 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:48.839 and then we can begin to see them as just like us, 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.660 created by God, 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.759 in need of grace, 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:56.519 as part of the command that God has given us 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.559 to love our enemies, 00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:58.779 to love our neighbours. 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:02.259 If we want to repair relationships, 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.680 we need to cross over from 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:05.019 you owe me 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:08.619 to I want to serve you. 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:13.720 From delighting in their misfortune, 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:16.180 delighting in the negativity in their life, 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:18.619 to actually desiring their good. 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:20.980 Say that again. 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:22.940 Understand how drastic that is. 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:27.539 To go from delighting in their pain and misfortune 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:31.200 to desiring their good. 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:34.480 Now I think most of us would look at that 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.139 and write that off. 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.319 We were aiming for the middle, 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:38.639 where at least we stop delighting 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:39.460 and just don't care. 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:43.720 But that's not what wisdom calls for. 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:46.859 It says, 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:47.859 if your enemy is hungry, 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.639 give him food. 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:49.500 If he's thirsty, 00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.279 give him drink. 00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:53.259 Love them. 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:58.220 Paul quotes this part of Proverbs in Romans 12, 00:22:58.339 --> 00:22:59.599 which Deb read out for us, 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.379 where he says, 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:03.160 do not repay anyone evil for evil. 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.200 Be careful to do what is right 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.200 in the eyes of everyone. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:07.279 If it is possible, 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:09.200 as far as it depends on you, 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.940 live at peace with everyone. 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:13.379 Do not take revenge, 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.400 my dear friends, 00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:16.440 but leave room for God's wrath, 00:23:16.579 --> 00:23:17.480 for it is written, 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:19.000 it is mine to avenge. 00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:20.180 I will repay, 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:20.900 says the Lord. 00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.539 On the contrary, 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:24.299 if your enemy is hungry, 00:23:24.559 --> 00:23:25.039 feed him. 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.259 If he is thirsty, 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.619 give him something to drink. 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:28.859 In doing this, 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:30.899 you will heap burning coals on his head. 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:34.200 Do not be overcome by evil, 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.659 but overcome evil with good. 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:40.680 Love people who don't deserve it. 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:44.619 Do good to those who do evil to you. 00:23:46.359 --> 00:23:47.779 Overcome evil with good. 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:52.059 Now, 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:54.759 one little side note on confrontation. 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:57.639 Look at verse 18 with me a little bit closer. 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.680 If it is possible, 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:03.759 as far as it depends on you. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.019 If it is possible, 00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:08.539 as far as it depends on you. 00:24:08.619 --> 00:24:09.160 Two things. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.119 Firstly, 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:13.039 sometimes confronting someone who's wronged you 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.500 is good and right. 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:17.339 Proverbs actually explicitly says that. 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.319 In Proverbs 27, 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.559 we looked at it a few weeks ago. 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:21.880 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.900 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:25.759 but an enemy multiplies kisses. 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:26.680 But now, 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.940 it's important to see 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:30.279 that confrontation, 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:31.680 if it's necessary, 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:33.099 and it won't always be. 00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:36.220 There are some things that you can just let go of 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.880 and move on. 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:39.220 But if it's necessary, 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:42.299 it needs to flow out of those first two steps. 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:46.539 If we confront people with a prescribed, 00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:47.980 here's what you must do, 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:51.120 then we're still sitting on the throne. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:56.160 And if it's even slightly motivated by a desire 00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:58.339 to pay them back for what they did to us, 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.559 then it's not motivated by love. 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:02.000 Now, 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:05.240 that confrontation might have an outcome, 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:06.919 but it won't be a repaired relationship. 00:25:08.139 --> 00:25:09.359 Even if they apologise, 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:11.579 even if they adjust their behaviour, 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.599 in the process, 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:14.220 you've actually damaged yourself. 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.859 Because what you've done is 00:25:16.859 --> 00:25:18.740 you've affirmed your place as judge 00:25:18.740 --> 00:25:19.480 in the relationship. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:22.099 You've affirmed your position 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:23.500 as the one who is superior. 00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:25.819 You've exacted what was owed to you 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.240 because you were entitled to it, 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.980 and you've lost sight of the fact 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:30.620 that you were both accountable to Jesus. 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:35.980 And the second thing on confrontation is 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:38.460 you can't control other people. 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:41.539 Did you catch that in verse 18? 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.599 If it's possible. 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:47.120 As far as it depends on you, 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:49.039 you actually can't control other people. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.880 Some people aren't going to ask 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.920 for a fixed relationship. 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.920 Some people don't think they need 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.400 a fixed relationship. 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:57.720 Let alone your forgiveness. 00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:00.440 And so even if you were to confront them, 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.259 they might disagree. 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:03.440 They might see things differently. 00:26:03.560 --> 00:26:05.300 You may make no ground 00:26:05.300 --> 00:26:07.180 and you don't have the power to change that. 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:12.280 What you do have power over 00:26:12.280 --> 00:26:15.560 is how you feel about them. 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:19.240 The one choice that you get 00:26:19.240 --> 00:26:20.940 is to decide whether or not 00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:22.160 you will cover the offence, 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.460 bear the cost, 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:25.980 or hold a grudge 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:27.759 and wear the consequences. 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.880 And those consequences 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.720 aren't just for them. 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.920 They're for you as well. 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:37.420 Relationships can be repaired 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:39.519 if we are willing to remove ourselves 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:40.299 from the throne, 00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:43.100 release people from liability 00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:45.559 and overcome evil with good. 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.500 Simple, right? 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.700 Not even close. 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:54.740 Like I said, 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:56.420 I'm six days into processing this 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.039 with my dad, 00:26:57.400 --> 00:26:58.519 which, if I'm honest, 00:26:58.580 --> 00:26:59.259 is a relationship 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.340 that I would have said 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.100 was repaired 00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:03.000 because we'd had the confrontation. 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.799 This helps me intellectually 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:07.360 know how it's supposed to work. 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.920 It helps me know 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:11.480 the steps I'm supposed to take, 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:14.059 but it doesn't change how I feel 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.920 because of what was done to me. 00:27:15.920 --> 00:27:18.779 It doesn't minimize the hurt. 00:27:21.060 --> 00:27:22.400 I mean, the kind of forgiveness 00:27:22.400 --> 00:27:23.759 that we're talking about here 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:25.759 isn't just an intellectual decision. 00:27:26.620 --> 00:27:27.720 It's not just a choice, 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.800 I'll bear the cost 00:27:28.800 --> 00:27:30.480 or I'll bear a grudge. 00:27:32.460 --> 00:27:33.740 There actually needs to be 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:35.060 a move in our heart 00:27:35.060 --> 00:27:37.640 to shift us from anger 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:38.140 and bitterness 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.800 towards forgiveness and grace. 00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.860 There needs to be a shift 00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:41.580 in our heart, 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.980 but how do you do that? 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:46.200 Well, look to wisdom. 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:50.420 God alone has the right to judge. 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.819 Vengeance is his 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.740 and he will give it. 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:55.480 It is his justice. 00:27:57.299 --> 00:27:58.599 In his perfection, 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:01.960 he will crush sins and rebellion. 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.599 But instead of crushing 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:09.880 those who have opposed him, 00:28:09.880 --> 00:28:13.200 he chose to bear the cost. 00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:17.020 He chose to take vengeance. 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.920 Vengeance that was his to give, 00:28:18.980 --> 00:28:20.600 he chose to wear on himself. 00:28:22.380 --> 00:28:24.400 Isaiah 53 says it incredibly. 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:24.980 He says, 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:25.500 surely, 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:26.660 just talking about Jesus, 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:28.780 surely he took up our pain 00:28:28.780 --> 00:28:30.360 and bore our suffering. 00:28:30.820 --> 00:28:32.900 Yet we considered him punished by God, 00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:34.580 stricken by him and afflicted. 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:37.580 He was pierced for our transgressions. 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:39.879 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.939 The punishment that brought us peace 00:28:41.939 --> 00:28:43.000 was on him 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:45.079 and by his wounds we are healed. 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:48.419 We all like sheep have gone astray. 00:28:48.579 --> 00:28:50.480 Each of us has turned to our own way 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:52.139 and the Lord has laid on him 00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:54.259 the iniquity of us all. 00:28:57.379 --> 00:28:58.519 In the cross, 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:00.740 vengeance is poured out on Jesus 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:02.159 for our sin, 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:04.000 for our iniquity. 00:29:04.099 --> 00:29:06.019 It's our punishment that he takes. 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:09.059 Vengeance is God's to give. 00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:12.420 And yet for us, 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:13.180 he takes it 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:15.500 on himself. 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:19.299 He covers the offense. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.039 He bears the weight 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:23.259 and he offers forgiveness 00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:24.660 to you for free. 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.879 Free to you, 00:29:28.660 --> 00:29:30.799 but at the highest cost to him. 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:34.700 When you look at the cross, 00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:37.480 when you look at what Jesus 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.519 has done for you, 00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:40.539 it is hard to stand over others 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:42.279 as if somehow they are inferior. 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:46.440 As if somehow you are entitled. 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:49.960 In light of the incredible forgiveness 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.940 that was purchased 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:52.099 with the blood of Jesus, 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:56.459 our hearts are not only grateful, 00:29:57.399 --> 00:29:59.459 but they can also begin 00:29:59.459 --> 00:30:00.939 to be grace giving. 00:30:04.379 --> 00:30:05.199 When you weigh 00:30:05.199 --> 00:30:06.199 what it's going to cost you 00:30:06.199 --> 00:30:07.099 to forgive someone, 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:09.359 when you weigh 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:10.059 the difficulty 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:11.000 that will be there 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:12.439 trying to repair a relationship 00:30:12.439 --> 00:30:13.599 and it will be difficult 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.559 and it will be costly, 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.740 when you weigh that 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.699 in light of what God 00:30:16.699 --> 00:30:17.500 has done for you, 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:19.399 what seems impossible 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:22.259 begins to be possible. 00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:25.820 The cross humbles us, 00:30:26.680 --> 00:30:28.580 but at the same time 00:30:28.580 --> 00:30:30.120 gives us a deep security 00:30:30.120 --> 00:30:31.080 and peace 00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:33.920 because in Jesus 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.480 we're loved 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.820 even though we don't deserve it. 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.140 The superiority 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.540 we have towards people 00:30:39.540 --> 00:30:40.820 is a heart issue. 00:30:42.860 --> 00:30:43.800 The liability 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:45.000 that we hold people to 00:30:45.000 --> 00:30:46.180 is a heart issue. 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.960 The love that we're called to 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:49.060 is a heart issue. 00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:51.460 And the only thing 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:52.280 that could possibly 00:30:52.280 --> 00:30:53.140 shift a heart 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:56.340 is God's love for you 00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:58.200 shown in Jesus. 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.400 How do you repair 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.780 your damaged relationship? 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:06.259 You remove yourself 00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.519 from the throne. 00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:09.980 You release them 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.900 from the liability. 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:14.300 You overcome evil with good 00:31:14.300 --> 00:31:16.540 and that is only possible 00:31:16.540 --> 00:31:18.759 in light of God's grace 00:31:18.759 --> 00:31:19.940 to us in Jesus. 00:31:22.640 --> 00:31:23.359 Let's pray. 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:31.640 Father God, 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.799 we want to bring before you 00:31:32.799 --> 00:31:34.259 relationships in our life 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.579 that right now are damaged. 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:39.899 we want to acknowledge 00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:41.779 that we have contributed 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.619 to that damage. 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:46.059 We want to acknowledge 00:31:46.059 --> 00:31:47.019 that the inclination 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:47.679 of our heart 00:31:47.679 --> 00:31:49.000 is to justify ourselves 00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:50.079 and condemn others. 00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:51.439 But God, 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.240 we want to ask 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:53.339 that you would give us 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.319 eyes to recognize 00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.399 your grace to us. 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.679 We want to ask 00:31:57.679 --> 00:31:58.740 that you would enable us 00:31:58.740 --> 00:31:59.519 to see people 00:31:59.519 --> 00:32:00.500 in light of the love 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.740 that you have shown to us. 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:04.420 to see ourselves right 00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.880 as desperately in need 00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.660 of your forgiveness. 00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:09.779 Father, 00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:10.500 we want to ask 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.620 that you would enable us 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.720 to show the grace 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.759 that we have been shown. 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.680 That you would shift 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:16.200 our hearts, 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:17.400 give us such security 00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.420 in your love for us 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.539 that we are able to love 00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:21.240 and desire the good 00:32:21.240 --> 00:32:22.579 of those who have hurt us. 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:24.440 Those who don't deserve it. 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:27.360 Father, 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.000 we want to ask 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.559 that you would 00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:30.140 repair relationships 00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:33.220 so that people may see 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.740 in the way 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:34.380 that we love 00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:35.539 and forgive one another 00:32:35.539 --> 00:32:36.580 and those around us 00:32:36.580 --> 00:32:39.400 just a hint 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:41.580 of the incredible love 00:32:41.580 --> 00:32:42.059 and forgiveness 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:43.039 that you show us. 00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:44.400 Father, 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.519 we thank you for Jesus. 00:32:46.740 --> 00:32:48.320 We thank you for loving us 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:49.680 even though we don't deserve it. 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.900 We thank you for loving us 00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:53.740 in spite of our weakness 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.359 and failure. 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.519 We thank you for loving us 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.160 at our worst 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.539 and giving us the deep confidence 00:32:57.539 --> 00:32:59.019 that you will always love us. 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:00.960 Father, 00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:02.480 please consume us 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:04.120 with a gratitude 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.839 for all that you have done, 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:08.400 with the security 00:33:08.400 --> 00:33:09.700 that comes from your love 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:11.420 that we might be 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:12.319 messengers of grace 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:12.779 in the world 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.759 that you have placed us in. 00:33:14.680 --> 00:33:15.079 Amen.