WEBVTT

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 Do open your Bible to Matthew chapter 16, which is on page 823.

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!

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 And verses 15 to 20, but the whole chapter in lots of ways.

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 There's no introduction, I've got three points.

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 And my two points are, we need to love the church as Jesus does.

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 We need to see the church as Jesus does.

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 And number three, we need to treat the church as Jesus does.

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 So first of all, we need to love the church as Jesus does.

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 Look at verse 15.

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 That's the kind of language it uses.

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 How does it begin?

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 It begins, if your brother.

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 If we translated if your brother or sister in that way.

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 If your brother, so that church is a family.

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 It is a family of believers, of brothers and sisters, and mothers and fathers, who are brought together in this great assembly.

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 In other words, what Jesus is saying is, if you want to live as a Christian, that the business of the Christian life is not isolated individualism.

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 It's not about doing church on your own.

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 It's not about you being able to listen to a sermon online so you can save a bit of time on Sundays.

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 It's about people.

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 It's about knowing God with others.

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 It's not about you getting along in your Christian life on your own.

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 It's about a community.

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 And you can see, and I want to try and show you, that this is the big idea of the chapter.

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 So look at verse 2.

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 Jesus calls him to bring a little child and put him in the middle of them.

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 And he speaks about the presence of God and the community life of the people of God.

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 He says these people, they belong here.

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 They have relationships within the church.

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 And he illustrates that.

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 He illustrates from this child what it means to be inside the kingdom of God

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 but what it means to be outside the kingdom of God, the church.

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 And so he puts this child in the middle of his disciples.

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 And it's one of the number of occasions when Jesus did this in his day.

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 And it well indicates the culture.

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 And so at that point, in this point of history, children had no status, no rank, no rights.

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 They were to be seen and not heard.

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 Or maybe even not seen and not heard.

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 They didn't factor in.

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 Children were disposable.

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 Children were even dispensable.

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 You can read horrific accounts in Roman history.

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 And so here is Jesus teaching his name.

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 That children are not dispensable to Christ's church.

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 Children are part of the fellowship of the people of God.

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 That's why we love them being in here.

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 Even when there's a little bit of background noise.

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 Occasionally.

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 Children are part of the fellowship of God.

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 And this little one, he represents, doesn't he?

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 Actually, all Christians.

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 In fact, he says, adult believers, grown-ups,

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 so-called men and women are to become like this little child.

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 They're to become like this little child,

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 both in their utter dependence upon the Lord Jesus,

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 and I think what Jesus is teaching here

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 is exactly what Peter is teaching at Pentecost.

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 That the membership of his church is made up of believers and their children.

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 And the presence of children in the fellowship of the church

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 is to be a constant reminder of what Jesus is doing.

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 A constant reminder to us, in a sense,

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 that spiritually we should never grow up.

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 We should never grow up beyond that state.

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 We never get beyond the status of a child.

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 We should all be as unselfconscious and trusting as little children.

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 As absolutely dependent on God and his grace.

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 You see, there is no place in the church

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 for people asserting their rights.

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 For people pushing others around.

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 Always rubbishing others.

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 For people claiming priority.

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 We are to be humble like little children.

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 Unselfconscious.

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 Standing there in the midst of the disciples.

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 And so let the children, as we gather Sunday by Sunday,

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 be a constant reminder of Jesus' words.

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 And this childlike faith is to be a feature of the whole life of the believer.

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 It's not just you've got to humble yourself in order to get into the Christian life.

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 No.

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 The whole of the Christian life is about humbling yourself before,

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 under the mighty hand of God.

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 And if it's a Samsonite, there is nothing more terrifying

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 than to cause one of these little ones to sin.

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 There's no doubt, is there, that people will sin.

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 Temptations will come upon everybody, whatever age you are,

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 or whatever stage you're at in your life.

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 But what Jesus says is,

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 Woe to the one by whom the temptation comes.

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 And you make sure that though people are being tempted and falling into sin,

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 you're not the cause of that.

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 You're not the one who's tripping them out.

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 You're not the one who is leading them into sinful behaviour,

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 because that is a terrifying thing to do.

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 And then in verses 10 to 14,

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 he says,

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 Don't despise the little children,

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 both physically and spiritually.

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 Verse 10,

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 See that you don't despise one of these little ones.

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 Jesus is teaching us to need to follow people.

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 Whatever their age, he illustrates it.

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 He illustrates it from what the Father does.

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 What does the Father do?

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 Well, when one of these little ones goes astray,

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 one of his believing ones goes astray,

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 the Father leaves everything,

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 and he goes out to look for his lost sheep.

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 Because he is the shepherd,

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 and he cares for,

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 and he loves his people,

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 his sheep,

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 his church.

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 And Jesus is saying to us,

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 You and I should love the church

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 the way the Father does.

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 And the way that the Son does.

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 And again, this picks up, doesn't it,

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 a language or a thread

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 that runs right the way through the Bible?

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 That God is the shepherd of his people.

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 And to Psalm 100,

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 We are the sheep of his pasture.

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 Psalm 23,

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 The Lord is my shepherd.

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 Psalm 40,

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 Tends his flock like a shepherd.

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 He gathers the lambs to his heart,

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 and he carries them close.

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 So whether you're a young lamb,

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 or an old sheep,

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 the Lord is the shepherd of Israel.

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 Matthew 2,

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 you see it.

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 He will shepherd his people Israel.

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 The Lord Jesus says,

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 I am the good shepherd

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 who lays down his life for the sheep.

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 And all this language

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 is pointing you and I

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 to value Jesus' people.

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 So I ask you,

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 do you love the church?

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 Do you love Jesus' people?

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 How do I love them?

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 Not by setting myself over them

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 as if I'm superior.

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 Not by comparing myself to others

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 as if they were kind of my Lord.

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 Or they were the ones

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 that I was meant to be following.

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 I love others not by injuring

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 or abusing

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 or leading them into sin.

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 Whether that's theological error

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 or morally wrong.

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 I love others not by ignoring them

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 or showing a blind eye

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 to those who've gone astray.

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 But rather,

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 like the good shepherd,

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 I do what he does.

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 And so I have to love the church

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 and I have to give myself for it.

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 And that takes commitment,

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 doesn't it?

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 And that takes effort.

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 And that takes making it a priority.

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 Secondly,

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 I need to see the church

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 the way that Jesus

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 sees the church.

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 Can we come again to verse 15?

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 If your brother

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 sins against you.

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 So if your brother or sister

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 and that is somebody

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 who goes to the same church family

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 as you do,

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 if they sin against you,

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 Jesus is presuming,

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 isn't he,

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 that in his church

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 it will be marked

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 this side of heaven,

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 this side of glory

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 by sin and by weakness.

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 And so Jesus does not expect

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 the perfect church

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 to those who do.

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 Martin Luther had a saying,

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 he said,

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 the face of the church

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 is the face of a sinner.

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 The Western Confession of Faith

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 and our Confession of Faith

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 says the purest of churches,

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 the best of churches

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 under heaven

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 are subject to both

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 mixture and error.

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 And some are so degenerated

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 to become as no churches

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 of Christ

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 but synagogues of Satan.

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 Churches are not perfect.

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 And again,

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 that's been a theme

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 in Matthew's Gospel.

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 There are weeds

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 as well as wheat.

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 There are goats

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 as well as sheep.

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 There are some

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 in the church

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 who are wolves

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 in sheep's clothing.

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 The church is not perfect.

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 And some of the problems

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 that we have

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 with churches

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 and some of the problems

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 we have

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 with other Christians

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 is that we are

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 practical perfectionists.

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 And sometimes

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 it's just that

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 we've not looked in the mirror

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 and see how imperfect we are.

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 We see the imperfections

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 of everyone else,

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 don't we?

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 And so you go to Revelation

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 and the last book

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 of the Bible,

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 chapter 2 and chapter 3

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 and we are given

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 an overview of the church.

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 A perfect picture

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 of the church.

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 It's a complete picture

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 of the church.

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 It's a seven-fold picture.

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 It's a picture

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 of completeness

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 of what Jesus sees

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 in his church.

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 And there it is.

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 And you read

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 those seven churches

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 and you find out

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 that the five

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 of the seven churches

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 were seriously

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 screwed up.

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 And two of the seven

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 are going right down

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 the road

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 where Jesus said

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 I'm tempted

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 just to extinguish

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 the light of you,

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 the stuff you want.

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 Altogether,

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 you've got so bad.

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 And we need to see

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 the church

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 the way that Jesus does

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 a sinful congregation.

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 There is coming

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 a day,

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 and it's going to be

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 a wonderful day

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 when the Lord Jesus Christ

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 comes again

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 and he will present

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 his church

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 without spot

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 or wrinkle

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 or any such thing.

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 But today,

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 as I look around,

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 there are a fair few

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 wrinkles out there

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 and a fair few spots.

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 And IPC is an

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 ace and imperfect church.

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 And so is every true church.

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 And so the first thing

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 that strikes you

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 in verse 15

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 is if your brother

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 sins.

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 He's not suggesting

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 that that is impossible.

00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.059
 He's suggesting

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 that this will happen.

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 It will happen.

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 There's two ways

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 of reading this verse.

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 Whether he's speaking

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 generally,

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 whether he's saying

00:11:26.019 --> 00:11:27.439
 if your brother sins

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 in his tenth period,

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 or if your brother

00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:31.939
 sins in his tenth period,

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 it means you.

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 And we need to know

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 what's going to happen.

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 So it's illustrated

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 in this chapter.

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 Again, look at

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 verse 1.

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 The chapter has got

00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:42.919
 two questions.

00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:45.639
 And this illustration

00:11:45.639 --> 00:11:46.299
 of a kind of

00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:46.759
 simple message.

00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:47.719
 There's a verse 1.

00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.339
 The disciples ask,

00:11:49.459 --> 00:11:50.119
 who is the greatest

00:11:50.119 --> 00:11:51.159
 in the kingdom of heaven?

00:11:53.059 --> 00:11:54.219
 And that is not

00:11:54.219 --> 00:11:55.000
 a statement about

00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:55.500
 Christology.

00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.319
 That is not a statement

00:11:56.319 --> 00:11:57.159
 where they're expecting

00:11:57.159 --> 00:11:58.119
 Jesus to speak

00:11:58.119 --> 00:11:58.679
 about himself.

00:11:59.359 --> 00:12:00.719
 They are expecting

00:12:00.719 --> 00:12:01.239
 him to say,

00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:01.579
 well,

00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:02.679
 of course,

00:12:03.339 --> 00:12:04.000
 you are John

00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.939
 or you are Jesus.

00:12:06.359 --> 00:12:07.239
 And the disciples,

00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:07.839
 they are the ones

00:12:07.839 --> 00:12:08.639
 that are jockeying

00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.259
 for position

00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.419
 and place

00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.340
 and prestige.

00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:12.159
 In other words,

00:12:12.199 --> 00:12:12.740
 that's what church

00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.179
 is like.

00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:16.419
 Sinful people,

00:12:16.580 --> 00:12:17.120
 fallen people.

00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:19.539
 And these are the

00:12:19.539 --> 00:12:19.960
 apostles.

00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:21.939
 Top guys.

00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.500
 And that's the way

00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.159
 they were in that

00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:27.039
 stage of their lives.

00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:28.059
 And so often

00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:28.840
 in the church,

00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:30.939
 you'll find people

00:12:30.939 --> 00:12:31.840
 that have not been

00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.879
 able to make much

00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:33.500
 of an impression

00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.620
 in their day-to-day

00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:35.139
 vocation,

00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:35.740
 in their work,

00:12:35.740 --> 00:12:36.600
 but in church,

00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:37.159
 they throw their

00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:37.620
 weight about.

00:12:39.159 --> 00:12:39.759
 And they've got

00:12:39.759 --> 00:12:40.759
 power in their hands

00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:41.379
 and it goes to

00:12:41.379 --> 00:12:42.019
 their heads

00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:42.560
 and they become

00:12:42.560 --> 00:12:43.279
 insufferable.

00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.120
 And they become

00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.360
 overbearing.

00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.060
 Or there are other

00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:49.580
 people and they're

00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:50.399
 influential in their

00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.600
 day-jobs and they

00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.259
 walk in and they

00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:52.740
 think they can be

00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.539
 influential in the

00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:54.139
 church as well.

00:12:55.460 --> 00:12:56.000
 But that's not the

00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.120
 way it's meant to be,

00:12:57.180 --> 00:12:57.379
 is it?

00:12:57.500 --> 00:12:57.960
 In other words,

00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:59.039
 it doesn't really

00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:00.159
 matter if you're

00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:01.080
 doing well or not

00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:01.919
 doing so well in

00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:02.539
 your day-job.

00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.279
 That's not what

00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.200
 makes for status

00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:04.879
 or position.

00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:06.000
 position in the

00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:06.439
 church.

00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.439
 Jesus is at

00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.240
 pains to point

00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:08.580
 that out,

00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:08.980
 doesn't he?

00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:11.240
 That in his

00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:11.600
 kingdom,

00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:13.379
 the usual values

00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.840
 of the world

00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:15.519
 don't apply in

00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:15.980
 the church.

00:13:17.080 --> 00:13:18.039
 And so nobody

00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:19.320
 acts as if they

00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:20.059
 own the place.

00:13:21.580 --> 00:13:22.240
 We're all to be

00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:22.820
 humble children.

00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:23.179
 Look at the

00:13:23.179 --> 00:13:23.779
 second question,

00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:24.460
 verse 21.

00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:27.399
 Peter has a

00:13:27.399 --> 00:13:27.639
 question,

00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:28.240
 he comes up and

00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:28.679
 he says to him,

00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:29.259
 Lord, how often

00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:30.000
 should my brother

00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:30.879
 sin against me

00:13:30.879 --> 00:13:31.940
 and I forgive him

00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:32.639
 as many as

00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.440
 seven times?

00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:36.659
 And I think

00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:37.240
 Peter is feeling

00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:38.039
 pretty good about

00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:38.539
 himself in

00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:39.120
 verse 21.

00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.000
 He's feeling

00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:43.759
 pretty spiritual.

00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:46.240
 And the religious

00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:46.840
 teachers of the

00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.679
 day, the Pharisees

00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:48.679
 and the teachers

00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:49.299
 of the law,

00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.460
 lay in rules about

00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:51.059
 how often you

00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:51.580
 were to forgive.

00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:52.320
 And they

00:13:52.320 --> 00:13:52.779
 talk that if

00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.519
 somebody sinned

00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.419
 against you,

00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:55.279
 just to be

00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:55.879
 gracious and

00:13:55.879 --> 00:13:56.519
 merciful, you

00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:56.919
 could forgive

00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:57.500
 them after three

00:13:57.500 --> 00:13:57.960
 times.

00:13:58.100 --> 00:13:58.740
 Three strikes

00:13:58.740 --> 00:13:59.259
 and you're out.

00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.299
 Which is Peter.

00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:02.979
 And Peter says

00:14:02.979 --> 00:14:03.740
 what the Pharisees

00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.639
 say three times,

00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.379
 but I guess,

00:14:05.519 --> 00:14:06.259
 Jesus, you like

00:14:06.259 --> 00:14:06.939
 the number seven,

00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:07.519
 it's a perfect

00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:08.159
 number, a complete

00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.500
 number.

00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.679
 But Peter isn't

00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:10.359
 getting it, is he?

00:14:11.979 --> 00:14:12.579
 Because he doesn't

00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:13.359
 understand the grace

00:14:13.359 --> 00:14:14.000
 of the Lord Jesus

00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:14.379
 yet.

00:14:14.699 --> 00:14:15.299
 There are different

00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:15.699
 values.

00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:17.019
 No, Jesus says,

00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:17.819
 you keep going.

00:14:17.919 --> 00:14:18.839
 Can you see verse 22?

00:14:19.359 --> 00:14:21.299
 I do not say to you

00:14:21.299 --> 00:14:21.899
 seven times, but

00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:22.959
 77 times.

00:14:23.079 --> 00:14:23.959
 Seven times seven.

00:14:25.059 --> 00:14:25.919
 To infinity and

00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.699
 beyond you forgive.

00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:28.979
 There's no end

00:14:28.979 --> 00:14:29.799
 to forgiveness that

00:14:29.799 --> 00:14:30.279
 you want to show

00:14:30.279 --> 00:14:30.819
 one another.

00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.019
 Within the body

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:32.539
 of Christ.

00:14:34.620 --> 00:14:35.439
 And so, within

00:14:35.439 --> 00:14:36.279
 the body of Christ,

00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:37.379
 within the church,

00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.659
 be sure of this.

00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.600
 Your brother or

00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.240
 your sister will

00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.059
 sin against you.

00:14:46.839 --> 00:14:47.720
 Let me say what

00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.679
 that sinning against

00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:49.159
 you is.

00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.579
 It is minor

00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:51.240
 irritation.

00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:53.279
 Or annoying

00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.839
 behaviour.

00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:56.919
 Or petty

00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.579
 complaints.

00:14:57.580 --> 00:15:01.240
 sinning against you

00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:02.160
 is not things that

00:15:02.160 --> 00:15:03.180
 you just don't

00:15:03.180 --> 00:15:03.540
 like.

00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.440
 I've gone to write

00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:06.020
 a list at this

00:15:06.020 --> 00:15:06.320
 point.

00:15:07.400 --> 00:15:07.940
 Of the various

00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:08.639
 things that I think

00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.759
 folk get upset

00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.040
 about.

00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.320
 That aren't

00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:12.400
 sinful and then I

00:15:12.400 --> 00:15:12.879
 realised I'd

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.520
 probably get fired

00:15:13.520 --> 00:15:13.980
 for it.

00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:16.980
 He's not thinking

00:15:16.980 --> 00:15:17.540
 about things that

00:15:17.540 --> 00:15:18.420
 we elevate to

00:15:18.420 --> 00:15:19.440
 really, really

00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.460
 important, but the

00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.040
 Bible doesn't

00:15:21.040 --> 00:15:21.600
 elevate them.

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.700
 The Bible tells

00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:24.379
 you what sin is,

00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:24.879
 doesn't it?

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:27.059
 We don't make

00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:27.679
 up what sins

00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:27.980
 are.

00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:30.039
 And lots and

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.799
 lots of things

00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:31.379
 that people get

00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.059
 upset about in

00:15:32.059 --> 00:15:32.439
 church are like,

00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:33.820
 are not sinful.

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.600
 But note the

00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:37.500
 realism of Jesus.

00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:38.200
 Can you see it?

00:15:38.439 --> 00:15:39.080
 He says your

00:15:39.080 --> 00:15:39.620
 brother will

00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.340
 sin against you.

00:15:42.179 --> 00:15:42.720
 That is, he'll

00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.220
 actually do

00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:43.820
 something, whether

00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:44.379
 that is he'll

00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:44.840
 teach you something

00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:46.000
 wrong, or teach

00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:46.340
 you a wrong

00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.220
 practice, or he'll

00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:47.860
 do something to

00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.539
 injure you in

00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.179
 some way, or

00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:49.899
 despise you in

00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:50.379
 some way.

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.360
 Love the church

00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:53.779
 as Jesus does.

00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.139
 See the church

00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:57.100
 as Jesus does,

00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.299
 and thirdly, treat

00:15:58.299 --> 00:15:59.279
 the church as

00:15:59.279 --> 00:15:59.980
 Jesus does.

00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.759
 What does God

00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.580
 do when his

00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.220
 followers go

00:16:06.220 --> 00:16:06.679
 astray?

00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:09.620
 Look at the

00:16:09.620 --> 00:16:10.139
 context.

00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.240
 The whole chapter

00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:11.899
 hangs together.

00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:12.960
 The previous

00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:13.860
 parable is so

00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.360
 important.

00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.059
 What does God

00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:16.240
 do?

00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:16.899
 He goes out

00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.539
 looking for

00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.000
 his children.

00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.539
 There's a really

00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.179
 deliberate

00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:21.919
 connection

00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.279
 between each

00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:23.940
 of the stories

00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.759
 in this chapter.

00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.980
 And how does

00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.600
 God go out

00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.179
 looking for

00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:28.659
 lost sheep?

00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:29.139
 The Father

00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.519
 goes out

00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:29.939
 looking for

00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:30.039
 them.

00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:30.899
 Your Father

00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.820
 in heaven, he

00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.379
 doesn't will

00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.120
 that any of

00:16:33.120 --> 00:16:33.939
 these little

00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:34.899
 ones should

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.480
 perish.

00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.460
 If your

00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:37.960
 brother sins

00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.399
 against you,

00:16:38.439 --> 00:16:38.679
 see the

00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:38.960
 connection?

00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.439
 How does

00:16:41.439 --> 00:16:41.840
 the Father

00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.700
 go looking for

00:16:42.700 --> 00:16:43.120
 the sinning

00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.340
 one?

00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:43.939
 How does

00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.379
 the Father

00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.100
 find lost

00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.460
 sheep?

00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:46.500
 When in

00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.580
 this context,

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:49.159
 it is the

00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.519
 family.

00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.799
 Jesus uses

00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:54.039
 the power

00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.279
 of the

00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:54.779
 lost sheep

00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:55.199
 in two

00:16:55.199 --> 00:16:55.759
 different ways.

00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.500
 I think he

00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:56.939
 uses it

00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:57.699
 differently in

00:16:57.699 --> 00:16:58.459
 Luke 15

00:16:58.459 --> 00:16:59.620
 than he does

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.079
 in Matthew

00:17:00.079 --> 00:17:01.159
 18.

00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.639
 In Luke 15,

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.139
 it's about

00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:04.899
 reaching the

00:17:04.899 --> 00:17:05.519
 outsider.

00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:07.779
 But here,

00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.339
 it is most

00:17:08.339 --> 00:17:09.119
 definitely about

00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.759
 reaching the

00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:10.480
 insider.

00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.299
 Note the

00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:12.899
 use of little

00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.500
 ones in

00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:14.240
 verse 10.

00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:15.819
 How does

00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.519
 he find the

00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.059
 little one

00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:17.740
 that is lost?

00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:20.099
 how does

00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:21.400
 God go

00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.279
 after his

00:17:22.279 --> 00:17:22.900
 wayward

00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.380
 children?

00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.000
 Can you

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.460
 see it?

00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:26.779
 Verse 15,

00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:31.019
 you go.

00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:32.920
 You go,

00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:33.099
 sir.

00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.759
 That's a

00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.480
 very, very

00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:36.960
 important thing

00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.500
 to understand.

00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.000
 That God

00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.200
 uses us as

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:40.900
 his people to

00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:42.240
 reach out to

00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.620
 offenders.

00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:45.859
 God

00:17:45.859 --> 00:17:47.440
 exercises the

00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.720
 rule of

00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.620
 the church

00:17:49.620 --> 00:17:50.860
 and the

00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.519
 care of

00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:52.059
 his church

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.759
 through his

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.200
 people.

00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.360
 So the

00:17:56.360 --> 00:17:56.900
 people he

00:17:56.900 --> 00:17:57.539
 has sent

00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.220
 into your

00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:58.640
 life, you

00:17:58.640 --> 00:17:59.240
 are responsible

00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.620
 for.

00:18:01.420 --> 00:18:02.120
 People you

00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:02.980
 know you

00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.580
 are responsible

00:18:03.580 --> 00:18:04.100
 for in the

00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:04.380
 body of

00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:04.620
 Christ.

00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.340
 And so in

00:18:05.340 --> 00:18:05.900
 Galatians,

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.440
 it says if

00:18:06.440 --> 00:18:06.820
 someone is

00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:07.380
 caught in a

00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:08.120
 sin, you

00:18:08.120 --> 00:18:08.799
 are spiritual

00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:09.480
 should restore

00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.299
 him gently.

00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.140
 In 5,

00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:12.519
 if one of

00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:12.820
 you should

00:18:12.820 --> 00:18:13.559
 wander from

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.039
 the truth,

00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.200
 someone should

00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:16.779
 bring him

00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.420
 back from

00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:18.000
 remember this,

00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:19.039
 whoever should

00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.580
 turn a

00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.100
 sinner from

00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.560
 the errors

00:18:20.560 --> 00:18:20.940
 of his

00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:21.500
 ways will

00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:21.980
 save him

00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.440
 from death

00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.019
 and cover

00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.440
 up a

00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:24.140
 multitude of

00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.580
 sins.

00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.400
 So you

00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:27.100
 go, you.

00:18:29.140 --> 00:18:29.600
 How am I

00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:29.900
 to go?

00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:32.880
 I'm not

00:18:32.880 --> 00:18:33.420
 going to go

00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:33.940
 heresy

00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.240
 hunting.

00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.340
 I'm not

00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:36.600
 going to go

00:18:36.600 --> 00:18:37.340
 prying into

00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:37.740
 people's

00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.279
 lives.

00:18:40.140 --> 00:18:40.720
 I'm not

00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:41.000
 going to

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.580
 setting them

00:18:41.580 --> 00:18:42.800
 up for a

00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:43.240
 fall.

00:18:43.240 --> 00:18:43.339
 people.

00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.220
 But I

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.599
 am to

00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.039
 deal with

00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.539
 what comes

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:47.799
 up in

00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:47.960
 my

00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.420
 relationships

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:48.700
 with

00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:48.920
 them.

00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:50.740
 And if

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.180
 my brother

00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.740
 sins against

00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.480
 me, I

00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:52.900
 am to

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.160
 go.

00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:53.539
 I am

00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:53.900
 not to

00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.380
 sit down

00:18:54.380 --> 00:18:54.579
 and

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.000
 sulk.

00:18:56.680 --> 00:18:57.160
 I am

00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:57.400
 not to

00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:57.720
 look the

00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.299
 other way.

00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.079
 I'm not

00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.420
 to become

00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.779
 passive-aggressive.

00:19:01.880 --> 00:19:02.539
 I'm not to

00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.240
 take four

00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.079
 months off

00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:04.720
 church.

00:19:06.380 --> 00:19:06.960
 Or four

00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.319
 weeks.

00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.220
 I'm not to

00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.980
 go home and

00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.380
 complain.

00:19:10.579 --> 00:19:11.000
 I'm not to

00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.559
 speak to my

00:19:11.559 --> 00:19:12.319
 friends and give

00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:12.839
 off about it.

00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.319
 I'm not to

00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:13.839
 bury my

00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.299
 head in

00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:14.700
 sand.

00:19:15.439 --> 00:19:15.960
 I'm not to

00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.480
 say someone

00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:16.939
 should be

00:19:16.939 --> 00:19:18.000
 doing something

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.480
 about this.

00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:18.919
 Where are the

00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:19.359
 elders in

00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:19.859
 this place?

00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.159
 No, if

00:19:23.159 --> 00:19:23.439
 your brother

00:19:23.439 --> 00:19:23.960
 sins against

00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:24.359
 you, you

00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:24.759
 go and

00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:25.159
 tell them.

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:30.700
 You don't

00:19:30.700 --> 00:19:31.019
 send them a

00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.240
 letter.

00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:32.939
 You don't

00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:33.279
 send them an

00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:33.460
 email.

00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.019
 You don't

00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.359
 send them a

00:19:35.359 --> 00:19:35.720
 text.

00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.639
 You go to

00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.039
 them, person

00:19:38.039 --> 00:19:38.460
 to person.

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.259
 You are

00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:41.859
 to go in

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.579
 a childlike,

00:19:42.939 --> 00:19:43.459
 humble,

00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:45.879
 believing,

00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.119
 Christian

00:19:47.119 --> 00:19:47.439
 way.

00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:49.719
 And you

00:19:49.719 --> 00:19:49.919
 have to

00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:50.699
 go with

00:19:50.699 --> 00:19:50.899
 what?

00:19:50.959 --> 00:19:51.099
 You have

00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.879
 to go with

00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.659
 the heart

00:19:52.659 --> 00:19:53.939
 of God

00:19:53.939 --> 00:19:55.279
 looking for

00:19:55.279 --> 00:19:55.819
 the restoration

00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.299
 of the

00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.619
 lost.

00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.240
 Restoring

00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.479
 them.

00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:00.579
 And you

00:20:00.579 --> 00:20:00.719
 have to

00:20:00.719 --> 00:20:00.919
 go to

00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:03.219
 them willing

00:20:03.219 --> 00:20:03.719
 to forgive

00:20:03.719 --> 00:20:04.379
 to infinity.

00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:06.639
 A forgiving

00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.000
 heart.

00:20:07.079 --> 00:20:07.359
 That's how

00:20:07.359 --> 00:20:09.159
 you're wanting

00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.620
 to go.

00:20:11.840 --> 00:20:12.400
 Taking the

00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:12.960
 initiative to

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.860
 tell him or

00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.500
 her a

00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:15.340
 fault and

00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:15.880
 remembering

00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:16.440
 that you

00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:16.840
 are a

00:20:16.840 --> 00:20:18.759
 sinner and

00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.140
 you tell

00:20:19.140 --> 00:20:19.500
 them very

00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.220
 gently your

00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.540
 fault.

00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:22.779
 That by the

00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:22.960
 way is

00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.259
 fulfilling,

00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:23.600
 isn't it?

00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:24.720
 Leviticus 17

00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.480
 verse 19.

00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:26.620
 That verse

00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.640
 says, do not

00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.019
 hate your

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.440
 brother in

00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:28.940
 your heart.

00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:29.740
 Repeat your

00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:30.580
 brother frankly

00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:31.500
 so that you

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.160
 will not share

00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:32.779
 in his guilt.

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.660
 how do I

00:20:33.660 --> 00:20:34.119
 hate my

00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.539
 brother or

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:34.779
 sister?

00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.359
 I hate my

00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:37.740
 brother or

00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:38.700
 sister if I

00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.960
 see him or

00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.079
 her in sin

00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.759
 and I do

00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.299
 nothing.

00:20:44.200 --> 00:20:45.079
 I hate my

00:20:45.079 --> 00:20:45.440
 brother or

00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:45.920
 sister if I

00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.319
 don't take

00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:46.980
 responsibility

00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.920
 for them.

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.160
 Well I can

00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:50.680
 help them by

00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.160
 speaking to

00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:51.339
 them.

00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.000
 So I go to

00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.480
 them one to

00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:54.779
 one in one

00:20:54.779 --> 00:20:56.420
 in a private

00:20:56.420 --> 00:20:57.200
 conversation and

00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:58.259
 I allow real

00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:59.119
 dialogue.

00:20:59.119 --> 00:21:02.639
 In terms of

00:21:02.639 --> 00:21:03.239
 normal life,

00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:04.459
 private sin is

00:21:04.459 --> 00:21:05.379
 dealt with

00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.859
 privately between

00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.219
 people.

00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:07.879
 And what is

00:21:07.879 --> 00:21:08.219
 the goal?

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:08.759
 The goal is

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.000
 there in

00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.919
 verse 15,

00:21:10.719 --> 00:21:11.599
 is that he

00:21:11.599 --> 00:21:12.419
 listens to

00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:12.659
 you.

00:21:13.659 --> 00:21:14.179
 If he

00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:14.719
 listens to

00:21:14.719 --> 00:21:15.139
 you, you

00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.679
 gave your

00:21:15.679 --> 00:21:16.059
 brother, you

00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:16.579
 want him to

00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:17.019
 hear.

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.119
 And that

00:21:19.119 --> 00:21:19.719
 may well mean

00:21:19.719 --> 00:21:20.419
 you've got to

00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.239
 listen as well.

00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.559
 But listening

00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.679
 is what you

00:21:23.679 --> 00:21:24.159
 want.

00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:26.139
 So that you

00:21:26.139 --> 00:21:26.959
 can restore

00:21:26.959 --> 00:21:27.779
 him or her

00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:28.399
 again.

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:31.599
 And supposing

00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.259
 you go

00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.939
 gently and

00:21:32.939 --> 00:21:33.579
 you get

00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:33.979
 round to

00:21:33.979 --> 00:21:34.619
 the subject.

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.299
 And supposing

00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.099
 they don't

00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.379
 listen.

00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.559
 Well the

00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.319
 next step

00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.019
 kicks in.

00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:41.799
 You take

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.299
 two or

00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.439
 three witnesses.

00:21:45.219 --> 00:21:45.459
 And so

00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:45.959
 witnesses are

00:21:45.959 --> 00:21:46.459
 taken at one

00:21:46.459 --> 00:21:46.919
 level to

00:21:46.919 --> 00:21:47.719
 avoid false

00:21:47.719 --> 00:21:48.839
 accusations and

00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.399
 frivolous

00:21:49.399 --> 00:21:49.919
 allegations.

00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:50.879
 And there

00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:51.299
 are two or

00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:51.699
 three because

00:21:51.699 --> 00:21:52.159
 the law of

00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:52.859
 Moses tells

00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.519
 us that

00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:53.939
 that's what

00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.319
 makes a

00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:54.979
 thing official

00:21:54.979 --> 00:21:55.959
 or formal.

00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.019
 And the

00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.539
 point of two

00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:58.819
 or three

00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.099
 witnesses is

00:21:59.099 --> 00:22:00.139
 in verse

00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:00.939
 16 is that

00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:02.759
 every charge

00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.799
 may be

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.399
 established

00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:04.740
 literally

00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.179
 made to

00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:05.559
 stand.

00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.219
 And so

00:22:08.219 --> 00:22:08.819
 you go

00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.240
 with your

00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.699
 witnesses

00:22:09.699 --> 00:22:11.219
 unless

00:22:11.219 --> 00:22:12.019
 suppose they

00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.459
 refuse to

00:22:12.459 --> 00:22:13.419
 be reconciled.

00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:14.939
 When you're

00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.500
 taken to the

00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.019
 church,

00:22:16.719 --> 00:22:17.139
 particularly

00:22:17.139 --> 00:22:17.819
 the elders,

00:22:17.959 --> 00:22:18.459
 the judges

00:22:18.459 --> 00:22:18.759
 of the

00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.240
 congregation

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:21.819
 were appointed

00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:22.559
 to act

00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:24.000
 as judge

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.339
 in these

00:22:24.339 --> 00:22:24.819
 matters.

00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:26.779
 Peter is

00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.099
 speaking to

00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.539
 the disciples

00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:28.420
 and he

00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:28.700
 says if

00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:28.940
 they don't

00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.259
 listen to

00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.399
 the

00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:29.940
 church,

00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:30.399
 we'll

00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:30.639
 treat

00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:30.960
 them like

00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.119
 a

00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:31.500
 gentile

00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:31.759
 or a

00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:31.960
 tax

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.339
 collector.

00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:34.700
 Here's the

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.099
 ultimate

00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:35.440
 sacrifice,

00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:35.980
 which is not

00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:36.339
 to neek

00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:36.779
 at them,

00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:38.420
 not to

00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:38.960
 destroy their

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.359
 reputation

00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:39.899
 publicly,

00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.000
 but it is

00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.639
 to treat

00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.119
 them as

00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.319
 their

00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:42.680
 behavior,

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.119
 not as

00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.359
 a brother

00:22:43.359 --> 00:22:43.779
 or sister.

00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.819
 It is to

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.359
 exclude them

00:22:47.359 --> 00:22:47.920
 from communion

00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.740
 and if there's

00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.359
 still no

00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.899
 repentance,

00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.460
 it is to

00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.319
 say we have

00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:51.799
 to treat you

00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.240
 as somebody

00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.759
 who is not

00:22:53.759 --> 00:22:54.359
 following the

00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:54.859
 Lord Jesus.

00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.459
 We have

00:22:55.459 --> 00:22:55.819
 to treat

00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.159
 you like

00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:56.339
 you're

00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.639
 acting.

00:23:00.399 --> 00:23:00.799
 You're

00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:01.240
 treating them

00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.519
 as their

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:01.859
 behavior.

00:23:02.759 --> 00:23:03.219
 It's the

00:23:03.219 --> 00:23:03.519
 ultimate

00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.079
 sanction of

00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:04.479
 the church.

00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:06.399
 And some

00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:06.779
 of you hear

00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.099
 this and you

00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.219
 think,

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.639
 good grief,

00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:07.959
 this is

00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:08.599
 terrifying.

00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.579
 What on

00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.219
 earth is

00:23:10.219 --> 00:23:11.139
 going on?

00:23:11.979 --> 00:23:12.559
 My faith

00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.059
 is my

00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.679
 business.

00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:15.939
 Isn't it

00:23:15.939 --> 00:23:16.240
 all about

00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:16.819
 Jesus and

00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.139
 me?

00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:17.719
 What has

00:23:17.719 --> 00:23:18.219
 the church

00:23:18.219 --> 00:23:18.659
 got to do

00:23:18.659 --> 00:23:19.179
 with me

00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:19.619
 and my

00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:19.919
 Christian

00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:20.379
 behavior?

00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.019
 And the

00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.299
 answer,

00:23:21.459 --> 00:23:21.659
 of course,

00:23:21.699 --> 00:23:21.939
 is the

00:23:21.939 --> 00:23:22.299
 church has

00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:22.779
 got everything

00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.139
 to do with

00:23:23.139 --> 00:23:23.299
 it.

00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:26.000
 Because you

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.539
 are brought

00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.019
 into the

00:23:27.019 --> 00:23:27.459
 church and

00:23:27.459 --> 00:23:27.699
 you are

00:23:27.699 --> 00:23:28.199
 part of

00:23:28.199 --> 00:23:28.500
 it and

00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:28.839
 you are

00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.299
 one of

00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:29.619
 the people

00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.119
 of God.

00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.000
 And you

00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.299
 are a

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:32.479
 man,

00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:33.000
 just like

00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:33.479
 that child

00:23:33.479 --> 00:23:33.919
 is among

00:23:33.919 --> 00:23:34.519
 the disciples,

00:23:34.659 --> 00:23:35.039
 you belong

00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.319
 there.

00:23:36.719 --> 00:23:37.199
 And it's

00:23:37.199 --> 00:23:37.740
 because Jesus

00:23:37.740 --> 00:23:38.240
 has given

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.139
 authority to

00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.439
 the church.

00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.139
 Notice the

00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:40.579
 language in

00:23:40.579 --> 00:23:41.279
 verse 18.

00:23:43.500 --> 00:23:44.219
 I say to

00:23:44.219 --> 00:23:44.299
 you,

00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:44.779
 whatever you

00:23:44.779 --> 00:23:45.639
 bind on

00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:45.979
 earth shall

00:23:45.979 --> 00:23:46.500
 be bound

00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.019
 in heaven,

00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:47.459
 and whatever

00:23:47.459 --> 00:23:48.039
 you loose

00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:48.539
 on earth shall

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.059
 be loosed

00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.479
 in heaven.

00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.319
 The binding

00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:50.559
 and the

00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:50.699
 loosing,

00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.059
 we've seen

00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:51.419
 it before,

00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:52.059
 it was given

00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.439
 to Peter,

00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:52.779
 wasn't it,

00:23:52.839 --> 00:23:53.439
 chapter 16.

00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.459
 And Peter

00:23:55.459 --> 00:23:55.819
 was given

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.500
 the authority

00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:56.979
 to say who

00:23:56.979 --> 00:23:57.519
 was in and

00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.439
 wasn't in

00:23:58.439 --> 00:23:59.339
 the church.

00:24:00.839 --> 00:24:01.199
 And you

00:24:01.199 --> 00:24:01.719
 see him

00:24:01.719 --> 00:24:02.839
 exercising that

00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.579
 responsibility on

00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:03.919
 the day of

00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.539
 Pentecost when

00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:05.179
 he gets up and

00:24:05.179 --> 00:24:05.579
 he preaches

00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:06.119
 the gospel.

00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:07.719
 And he

00:24:07.719 --> 00:24:07.839
 said,

00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:08.459
 Jesus Christ

00:24:08.459 --> 00:24:08.819
 is the

00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.740
 only way of

00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.199
 salvation,

00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.119
 and so if

00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:11.899
 you believe in

00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:12.479
 him you will

00:24:12.479 --> 00:24:13.319
 be saved,

00:24:13.959 --> 00:24:14.479
 and if you

00:24:14.479 --> 00:24:15.159
 don't believe

00:24:15.159 --> 00:24:15.539
 in him you

00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:15.779
 will be

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:16.439
 excreted and

00:24:16.439 --> 00:24:16.759
 damned.

00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:19.039
 And he

00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.559
 sets out

00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:19.900
 who is

00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:20.220
 in and

00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.779
 who isn't.

00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.039
 And the

00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.539
 promise he

00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.079
 says is for

00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.900
 you and

00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.420
 your children

00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:23.740
 and for

00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.039
 all who

00:24:24.039 --> 00:24:24.460
 are far

00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:24.759
 off.

00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.480
 And so

00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:26.960
 here Jesus

00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.460
 repeats it

00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:27.680
 to the

00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.000
 apostles.

00:24:29.900 --> 00:24:30.420
 Whatever you

00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:30.859
 bind on

00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:31.759
 earth will

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.079
 be found

00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:32.539
 in heaven.

00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:33.259
 And later

00:24:33.259 --> 00:24:33.619
 on in

00:24:33.619 --> 00:24:34.019
 John's

00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:34.460
 gospel he

00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:34.900
 repeats it

00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.099
 again.

00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:35.539
 He says you

00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:35.759
 have the

00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.539
 authority to

00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.480
 forgive sins.

00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.279
 What is this

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.900
 teaching us?

00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.799
 It's teaching you

00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.279
 and I that

00:24:42.279 --> 00:24:43.279
 the church

00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.799
 is the

00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.359
 earthly

00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:46.500
 instrument for

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.019
 Christ's

00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.319
 heavenly

00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.720
 rule.

00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.740
 That Christ

00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.619
 has appointed

00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:52.960
 his church

00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.519
 on earth,

00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.200
 especially the

00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:54.799
 officers of

00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.240
 his church,

00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.140
 to be the

00:24:56.140 --> 00:24:56.799
 shepherds of

00:24:56.799 --> 00:24:57.259
 his people.

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.759
 To administer

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.859
 his rule in

00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.700
 the hearts of

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.339
 his people.

00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.440
 And believers

00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:03.920
 when they

00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:05.380
 join the

00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:05.740
 church they

00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.400
 take vows

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.160
 together to

00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:07.859
 submit to

00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.640
 his authority.

00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.160
 The authority

00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.759
 of the church.

00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.599
 And to those

00:25:14.599 --> 00:25:14.880
 who have been

00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:15.359
 committed to

00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:16.339
 exercise authority

00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:16.819
 within it,

00:25:16.879 --> 00:25:17.339
 the church

00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:17.679
 has the

00:25:17.679 --> 00:25:18.339
 authority to

00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.859
 bind and

00:25:18.859 --> 00:25:19.279
 to loose.

00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:22.119
 So whenever

00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:22.539
 we preach

00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:22.919
 the gospel,

00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.519
 whenever we

00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.039
 say believe

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.299
 on the

00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:24.720
 Lord Jesus

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.179
 and you

00:25:25.179 --> 00:25:25.480
 will be

00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:25.819
 saved,

00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:26.339
 we are

00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:26.959
 echoing

00:25:26.959 --> 00:25:27.379
 Jesus'

00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:27.959
 words.

00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:28.319
 We are

00:25:28.319 --> 00:25:28.939
 re-echoing

00:25:28.939 --> 00:25:29.199
 them.

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:31.099
 Re-speaking

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.399
 them.

00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.079
 And whenever

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.459
 the church

00:25:32.459 --> 00:25:33.039
 is sitting

00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.919
 judicially

00:25:33.919 --> 00:25:34.740
 and it has

00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.220
 to deal

00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.519
 with a

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.159
 case of

00:25:36.159 --> 00:25:36.679
 discipline,

00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.279
 it is

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.899
 acting on

00:25:37.899 --> 00:25:38.159
 Jesus'

00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:38.599
 behalf.

00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.359
 And if

00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:41.980
 you are a

00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.439
 humble,

00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:43.019
 believing

00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.539
 Christian,

00:25:43.659 --> 00:25:44.119
 like this

00:25:44.119 --> 00:25:44.919
 little child

00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:45.380
 of Matthew

00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:45.720
 18,

00:25:45.840 --> 00:25:46.120
 you will

00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:47.300
 submit to

00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:47.620
 your brothers

00:25:47.620 --> 00:25:48.140
 and sisters.

00:25:50.300 --> 00:25:50.980
 The promise

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.300
 of Sarah

00:25:51.300 --> 00:25:51.560
 in verses

00:25:51.560 --> 00:25:52.420
 19 and 20

00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:53.000
 is that again

00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.519
 I say to

00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:53.740
 you,

00:25:54.580 --> 00:25:55.320
 if two of

00:25:55.320 --> 00:25:55.900
 you agree

00:25:55.900 --> 00:25:56.279
 on earth

00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:56.820
 about anything

00:25:56.820 --> 00:25:57.460
 they ask,

00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:57.820
 it will be

00:25:57.820 --> 00:25:58.160
 done for

00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:58.400
 them by

00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:58.840
 my Father

00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.259
 in heaven.

00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.680
 For where

00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.080
 two or

00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:00.440
 three are

00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:00.960
 gathered in

00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.460
 my name,

00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.000
 there I

00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.779
 am among

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.060
 them.

00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.300
 It's not a

00:26:07.300 --> 00:26:08.240
 general principle.

00:26:08.400 --> 00:26:08.980
 We love to

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.340
 quote that

00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:09.800
 in general,

00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.220
 don't we?

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:11.819
 The Bible

00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.180
 is a lot

00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:12.680
 of general

00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.100
 promises,

00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:13.519
 but this

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:13.900
 isn't one,

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.160
 it's not

00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:14.600
 actually about

00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.039
 prayer at

00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:15.279
 all.

00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.819
 The phrase

00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.660
 of agreeing

00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.360
 is actually

00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:18.860
 a legal

00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.279
 term.

00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.319
 It's in

00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:21.759
 the context

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:22.160
 of if you

00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:22.620
 agree on

00:26:22.620 --> 00:26:23.220
 a judicial

00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.819
 matter,

00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:25.120
 any matter

00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:25.559
 of this

00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:25.980
 importance,

00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.339
 if you

00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.019
 agree as

00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.360
 the church

00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:27.880
 of God

00:26:27.880 --> 00:26:28.500
 like this,

00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:29.519
 you can

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.100
 be sure

00:26:30.100 --> 00:26:31.400
 that you're

00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:31.860
 agreeing with

00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.299
 my Father

00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.640
 who is in

00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:32.860
 heaven.

00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.180
 Whenever

00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.700
 you gather

00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.100
 like this

00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.600
 as a church

00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.100
 to deal

00:26:38.100 --> 00:26:38.480
 with these

00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:38.819
 kind of

00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:39.259
 difficulties,

00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.960
 whenever

00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.259
 you're

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.720
 together

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:41.079
 in this

00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.279
 way,

00:26:41.400 --> 00:26:41.720
 seeking

00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.359
 the unity

00:26:42.359 --> 00:26:42.720
 of the

00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.119
 church,

00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.140
 and trying

00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:45.240
 to restore

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.980
 a brother

00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.599
 or sister,

00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.539
 be sure

00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:47.879
 of this

00:26:47.879 --> 00:26:48.160
 from the

00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.420
 end of

00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:48.819
 the age,

00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.240
 that whenever

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.740
 you gather

00:26:49.740 --> 00:26:50.059
 in my

00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:50.299
 name,

00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:50.640
 there I'll

00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:50.839
 be.

00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.079
 Let me

00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:55.400
 sum up,

00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:55.700
 and then I'm

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:55.819
 going to

00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.079
 sum up

00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.400
 again.

00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.480
 We all

00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.519
 sin as

00:26:59.519 --> 00:26:59.920
 people of

00:26:59.920 --> 00:27:00.259
 God.

00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.059
 And we

00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:03.759
 must know

00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.440
 that our

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:06.259
 sin is

00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.640
 going to

00:27:06.640 --> 00:27:07.039
 impact

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.539
 people's

00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.220
 lives to

00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:08.640
 a greater

00:27:08.640 --> 00:27:09.079
 or less

00:27:09.079 --> 00:27:09.519
 a degree.

00:27:12.039 --> 00:27:12.279
 And so

00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.539
 you and

00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:12.859
 I must

00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.519
 keep short

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.000
 accounts

00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:14.460
 to people.

00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:16.759
 We must

00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.240
 remember how

00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.919
 our actions

00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.299
 and our

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:18.740
 choices

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.339
 and our

00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:19.899
 words

00:27:19.899 --> 00:27:20.599
 impact

00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:20.899
 other

00:27:20.899 --> 00:27:21.240
 people.

00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:21.819
 They do.

00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.319
 And ask

00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:24.980
 yourself the

00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:25.299
 question,

00:27:25.439 --> 00:27:25.759
 will my

00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.220
 actions,

00:27:26.399 --> 00:27:26.779
 will my

00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.259
 words,

00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.000
 will I

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.619
 air what

00:27:28.619 --> 00:27:29.079
 I think

00:27:29.079 --> 00:27:29.359
 of that

00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:29.839
 person,

00:27:30.139 --> 00:27:30.480
 or the

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.859
 leadership

00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.240
 of the

00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.639
 church,

00:27:31.879 --> 00:27:32.099
 what

00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:32.500
 effect

00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:32.879
 will that

00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.279
 have on

00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.799
 the men

00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.059
 and the

00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.240
 women,

00:27:34.379 --> 00:27:34.879
 and particularly

00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.399
 the boys

00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:36.019
 and girls

00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:36.599
 that are

00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.059
 hearing it

00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:38.240
 in the

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:38.639
 family of

00:27:38.639 --> 00:27:38.859
 God,

00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.359
 because we

00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:39.740
 are all

00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.180
 responsible

00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.519
 for one

00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:40.799
 another.

00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.799
 We prepare

00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.259
 to serve

00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.799
 the church

00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.259
 in this

00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:45.599
 way.

00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.660
 There's

00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.200
 nothing here

00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.599
 about saving

00:27:48.599 --> 00:27:49.059
 yourself,

00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:49.519
 is there?

00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:51.180
 It is all

00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.579
 about being

00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.139
 like your

00:27:52.139 --> 00:27:52.579
 father who

00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:52.819
 is in

00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.039
 heaven,

00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:55.859
 and like

00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.240
 the Lord

00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.839
 Jesus who

00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.259
 goes out

00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.900
 looking for

00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.500
 lost ones

00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:58.779
 so that

00:27:58.779 --> 00:27:59.420
 they may

00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.220
 be restored.

00:28:00.220 --> 00:28:02.200
 And that

00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.579
 is the

00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.059
 goal in

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.400
 all of

00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.759
 this,

00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:05.500
 that we

00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:05.860
 would live

00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:06.200
 happily

00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:08.019
 together in

00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:08.460
 the fellowship

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:08.940
 of God's

00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.259
 church.

00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.420
 You might

00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:16.680
 have been a

00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.019
 Christian a

00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.460
 long time,

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:17.680
 you might

00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:17.839
 have been

00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.180
 in church

00:28:18.180 --> 00:28:18.380
 here for

00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:18.579
 a long

00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:18.839
 time.

00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.259
 Some of

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:19.480
 us have

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:19.860
 been in

00:28:19.860 --> 00:28:20.079
 church

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.420
 leadership

00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.759
 for a

00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:20.920
 long

00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:21.259
 time.

00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:23.740
 And I

00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.019
 think you

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.240
 will be

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.819
 aware,

00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:25.319
 if you

00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:25.660
 have been

00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:26.140
 in

00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:26.799
 leadership

00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.180
 for any

00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:27.759
 length of

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.120
 time,

00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:30.439
 that this

00:28:30.439 --> 00:28:31.379
 instruction of

00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:31.619
 the Lord

00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.079
 Jesus is

00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:33.099
 more complicated

00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:33.619
 than at

00:28:33.619 --> 00:28:34.000
 first it

00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.459
 appears.

00:28:36.199 --> 00:28:36.479
 And I

00:28:36.479 --> 00:28:36.659
 want to

00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:37.299
 finish here.

00:28:37.699 --> 00:28:38.359
 What sins

00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:38.679
 is the

00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:39.239
 Lord talking

00:28:39.239 --> 00:28:39.539
 about?

00:28:41.239 --> 00:28:41.939
 What sins

00:28:41.939 --> 00:28:42.419
 are we to

00:28:42.419 --> 00:28:43.259
 confront our

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:43.759
 brother and

00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.679
 sister about?

00:28:46.419 --> 00:28:46.959
 After all,

00:28:46.979 --> 00:28:47.259
 you and I

00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.659
 are sinning

00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:48.159
 all the time.

00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:49.019
 We sin by

00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.379
 things we

00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:49.659
 do,

00:28:49.739 --> 00:28:50.099
 don't we?

00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:51.739
 And we

00:28:51.739 --> 00:28:52.059
 sin by

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.419
 things that

00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:52.839
 we shouldn't

00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.079
 do.

00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.859
 There's a

00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.459
 world of

00:28:56.459 --> 00:28:56.859
 sinning in

00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.159
 the Christian

00:28:57.159 --> 00:28:57.500
 life.

00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:59.699
 And so

00:28:59.699 --> 00:28:59.979
 in the

00:28:59.979 --> 00:29:00.319
 Christian

00:29:00.319 --> 00:29:01.059
 church,

00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:01.579
 there are

00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:01.959
 times when

00:29:01.959 --> 00:29:02.199
 the New

00:29:02.199 --> 00:29:02.500
 Testament

00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:03.279
 tells us

00:29:03.279 --> 00:29:04.019
 to patiently

00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.779
 endure and

00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.179
 not to

00:29:05.179 --> 00:29:05.500
 confront.

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.699
 Paul tells

00:29:08.699 --> 00:29:08.939
 us that

00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:09.159
 there were

00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:09.799
 sins of

00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.399
 thought and

00:29:10.399 --> 00:29:11.039
 of life

00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.919
 in his

00:29:11.919 --> 00:29:12.559
 churches that

00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:12.979
 he closed

00:29:12.979 --> 00:29:13.399
 his eyes

00:29:13.399 --> 00:29:13.919
 to and

00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.819
 he patiently

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:16.459
 with reflective

00:29:16.459 --> 00:29:17.199
 attention

00:29:17.199 --> 00:29:17.719
 all with

00:29:17.719 --> 00:29:17.839
 them.

00:29:17.919 --> 00:29:18.119
 He was

00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:18.379
 patient.

00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.719
 There was

00:29:20.719 --> 00:29:21.159
 a good

00:29:21.159 --> 00:29:21.419
 bit of

00:29:21.419 --> 00:29:21.739
 his own

00:29:21.739 --> 00:29:22.759
 sinning that

00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.039
 as far

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.259
 as we

00:29:23.259 --> 00:29:23.799
 know was

00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.319
 never made

00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.799
 a point of

00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.399
 confronting

00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:25.639
 with

00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:25.959
 believers.

00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:28.120
 When does

00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:28.500
 the sin

00:29:28.500 --> 00:29:29.059
 reach the

00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.620
 point that

00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.059
 we need

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.600
 to confront

00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:30.900
 it?

00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.200
 And there

00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.660
 are judgments

00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.180
 that are to

00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.620
 be made

00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.000
 with the

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.220
 Christian

00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:35.759
 conscience.

00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:39.400
 And then

00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:39.759
 the question

00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.180
 comes this,

00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:40.880
 are all

00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.340
 situations

00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:41.759
 meant to be

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.259
 handled like

00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.559
 this?

00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:47.940
 if you

00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:48.159
 are to

00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:48.679
 read

00:29:48.679 --> 00:29:50.259
 accounts of

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:50.579
 church

00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:51.200
 discipline

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:52.679
 and church

00:29:52.679 --> 00:29:53.159
 courts

00:29:53.159 --> 00:29:57.099
 or in

00:29:57.099 --> 00:29:57.460
 cases of

00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:57.659
 church

00:29:57.659 --> 00:29:58.019
 discipline

00:29:58.019 --> 00:29:58.339
 as I

00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:58.579
 have to

00:29:58.579 --> 00:29:59.099
 sometimes

00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:00.839
 this is

00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.000
 what I

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.279
 found

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.899
 that over

00:30:01.899 --> 00:30:02.259
 and over

00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.879
 again

00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:03.639
 the

00:30:03.639 --> 00:30:04.480
 offender

00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:06.139
 uses this

00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:06.500
 line,

00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.099
 uses this

00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:07.579
 excuse.

00:30:07.799 --> 00:30:08.159
 It's almost

00:30:08.159 --> 00:30:08.659
 a mantra.

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:09.759
 I was with

00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.159
 someone this

00:30:10.159 --> 00:30:10.599
 week that

00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.019
 said to me

00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:11.519
 they didn't

00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.039
 follow Matthew

00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.440
 18.

00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:15.079
 And Matthew

00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.519
 18 is

00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:16.240
 often a

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.980
 technicality

00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.299
 and a

00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:17.859
 loophole.

00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.139
 And many

00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.559
 through the

00:30:20.559 --> 00:30:21.000
 years have

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:21.419
 used,

00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.099
 they didn't

00:30:22.099 --> 00:30:22.779
 follow Matthew

00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:24.200
 18 as

00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.899
 a mantra

00:30:24.899 --> 00:30:25.539
 to escape

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:25.960
 punishment.

00:30:27.379 --> 00:30:27.740
 They get

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.079
 off on a

00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.700
 technicality.

00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.319
 You didn't

00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:29.839
 use Matthew

00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.200
 18.

00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:33.899
 And I

00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:34.099
 think we

00:30:34.099 --> 00:30:34.460
 have to admit

00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:34.619
 this,

00:30:34.679 --> 00:30:34.879
 but it's

00:30:34.879 --> 00:30:35.259
 seen that

00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:35.599
 this isn't

00:30:35.599 --> 00:30:36.220
 as straightforward

00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.819
 as sometimes

00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.279
 it's

00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.839
 played out.

00:30:37.980 --> 00:30:38.220
 If you

00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:38.700
 just applied

00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:38.980
 Matthew

00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.419
 18 it would

00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:39.659
 all be

00:30:39.659 --> 00:30:39.980
 okay.

00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:40.480
 It's more

00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:40.899
 complicated

00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:41.299
 than that.

00:30:42.559 --> 00:30:45.200
 But the

00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.619
 fact is

00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:45.899
 this,

00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:46.940
 I think

00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.819
 by understanding

00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.599
 the context

00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:48.940
 of the

00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.599
 chapter we

00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:49.960
 see that

00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.379
 Jesus is

00:30:50.379 --> 00:30:50.779
 not dealing

00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.159
 here with

00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:51.940
 case law.

00:30:53.159 --> 00:30:53.539
 He's not

00:30:53.539 --> 00:30:54.119
 giving up an

00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:55.279
 ABC setup.

00:30:55.720 --> 00:30:56.099
 He is

00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:56.579
 talking about

00:30:56.579 --> 00:30:57.159
 helping his

00:30:57.159 --> 00:30:57.879
 little ones.

00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:00.500
 He's talking

00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.299
 about recovering

00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:02.279
 those of his

00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:02.779
 sheep who've

00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.480
 gone astray,

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.299
 like one sheep

00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:04.899
 in the flock of

00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:05.119
 hundreds.

00:31:05.119 --> 00:31:05.739
 He's not

00:31:05.739 --> 00:31:06.299
 a lawyer

00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.419
 here laying

00:31:07.419 --> 00:31:08.239
 down procedures

00:31:08.239 --> 00:31:08.659
 so that

00:31:08.659 --> 00:31:09.419
 everyone gets

00:31:09.419 --> 00:31:09.799
 the same

00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:10.299
 treatment.

00:31:11.139 --> 00:31:11.759
 He's certainly

00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.599
 not enlisting

00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.039
 you as a

00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.559
 disciple to

00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:13.899
 become an

00:31:13.899 --> 00:31:14.979
 informer on

00:31:14.979 --> 00:31:15.339
 your other

00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:15.819
 disciples.

00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.099
 He is a

00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:18.459
 shepherd wanting

00:31:18.459 --> 00:31:19.500
 to make sure

00:31:19.500 --> 00:31:20.299
 that his

00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:21.500
 sheep learn

00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.119
 to care for

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:22.619
 one another,

00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.439
 like he cares

00:31:24.439 --> 00:31:24.779
 for them.

00:31:25.879 --> 00:31:26.599
 Sheep go

00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.139
 astray,

00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:27.699
 and what is

00:31:27.699 --> 00:31:28.859
 the best way

00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.539
 to find them

00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.799
 and bring them

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.359
 back to safety?

00:31:31.599 --> 00:31:32.239
 That's Jesus'

00:31:32.239 --> 00:31:33.059
 concern here.

00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:35.179
 And the best

00:31:35.179 --> 00:31:36.200
 way is

00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.079
 the gentlest

00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:37.379
 way,

00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:39.259
 the least

00:31:39.259 --> 00:31:39.659
 embarrassing

00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:39.980
 way,

00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:41.940
 the way

00:31:41.940 --> 00:31:42.899
 most considerate

00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.240
 of another

00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:43.619
 person's

00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:43.940
 feelings,

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.740
 the way

00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.179
 that makes

00:31:46.179 --> 00:31:46.960
 it easiest

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.659
 for a

00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:47.960
 Christian

00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.279
 who's

00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.679
 stumbled

00:31:48.679 --> 00:31:50.179
 to get

00:31:50.179 --> 00:31:50.599
 back on

00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:50.980
 his feet.

00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:53.460
 And so

00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:53.819
 if your

00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.319
 brother or

00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:54.899
 sister sins

00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:55.460
 against you,

00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:55.980
 go.

00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.299
 Go and

00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.679
 tell them

00:31:58.679 --> 00:31:59.339
 their fault,

00:31:59.539 --> 00:32:00.259
 but do it

00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.759
 with the

00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.179
 heart of

00:32:01.179 --> 00:32:01.579
 the Father.

00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:03.119
 On the

00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.399
 heart of

00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:03.699
 the Son,

00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.259
 let's pray.

00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.379
 Amen.