WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.200 Morning everyone. Today's reading is going to be from Matthew chapter 7 and we'll be reading verses 1 to 12. 00:00:07.620 --> 00:00:15.400 Judge not that you be not judged, for with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 00:00:16.539 --> 00:00:21.519 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 00:00:22.080 --> 00:00:27.500 Or how can you say to your brother, let me take the speck out of your own eye? 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:39.219 And then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:46.900 Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. 00:00:48.299 --> 00:00:53.219 Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:59.659 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 00:01:01.379 --> 00:01:04.959 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:07.739 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 00:01:09.099 --> 00:01:17.560 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father, who is in heaven, give good things to those who ask him? 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:22.799 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, also do to them. 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:24.939 For this is the law of the prophets. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:30.799 Well, why don't we pray before we get into God's word? 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:31.900 Would you pray to me? 00:01:31.900 --> 00:01:46.740 Our father, we've all got lots of things in our minds, whether exciting things, joyful things, or whether trouble in our life. 00:01:48.020 --> 00:01:52.000 I just pray that you would help us to focus on your word now. 00:01:52.120 --> 00:01:56.540 Help us to sit under your, what you want us to hear. 00:01:56.540 --> 00:02:06.740 Lord, especially as it comes to judging, Lord, we want to be people who are full of your mercy and truth. 00:02:06.900 --> 00:02:10.120 And so please help us to be more like you. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:16.360 Please speak to us now and give us energy and a desire to hear. 00:02:17.000 --> 00:02:18.060 I pray in Jesus' name. 00:02:18.420 --> 00:02:18.719 Amen. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:30.000 Well, apparently Matthew 7, verse 1 is the most Googled, the most well-known verse in all of the Bible. 00:02:30.259 --> 00:02:32.960 Judge not, lest you be judged. 00:02:33.699 --> 00:02:38.520 So the most famous verse, it's not Romans 6, 23 or John 3, 16. 00:02:39.560 --> 00:02:46.759 Do not judge is one message from Jesus that our current culture is delighted to hear. 00:02:46.759 --> 00:02:48.620 Don't criticize. 00:02:49.699 --> 00:02:51.159 Don't call something wrong. 00:02:51.919 --> 00:02:55.899 Otherwise, you're a hypocrite judging when Jesus said not to. 00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:05.939 When I was a scripture teacher, I visited lots of different churches who supported me as a scripture teacher. 00:03:06.459 --> 00:03:09.699 On particular occasion, there was a Q&A session. 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:13.219 The first question I got was, do I believe in hell? 00:03:13.219 --> 00:03:17.659 Well, second question, do I believe homosexuality is a sin? 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:26.639 After my attempt at a careful, grace-filled answer, you can guess what the argument back was. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:29.620 Doesn't Jesus say not to judge? 00:03:31.079 --> 00:03:32.180 Don't judge. 00:03:32.319 --> 00:03:34.479 It feels like a knockout argument. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:41.599 It's assumed that Jesus is advocating for the tolerant live and let live ethic of our day. 00:03:41.819 --> 00:03:46.419 As if it's unloving to call anything someone does wrong. 00:03:46.419 --> 00:04:00.619 There's a deep mistrust and suspicion of anyone who claims to have an ultimate authority, an ultimate standard that a person's life can be evaluated by. 00:04:00.620 --> 00:04:10.680 Because if a person doesn't fit within that ultimate overarching standard, then they're on the outside, they're rejected, they're condemned. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:17.459 To have an ultimate standard, therefore, is oppressive in our culture's thinking. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:18.980 The solution? 00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:20.959 Live and let live. 00:04:20.959 --> 00:04:28.819 I'll let you do whatever you think is right, whatever you think is good, and you let me do the same. 00:04:29.979 --> 00:04:36.439 This is the ultimate standard that will protect everyone's freedom to live as they think is best. 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:39.779 Anything else is judgmental. 00:04:40.359 --> 00:04:44.699 And I think this belief of our times has crept into the church. 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:57.240 Even while we say with our lips that Jesus and his word is the authority on all matters, we have this thinking, live and let live, even within the church. 00:04:58.480 --> 00:05:09.379 So for me personally, giving sermons, I struggled for a long time with receiving constructive feedback from my sermons, as if criticism was dismissing me as a person. 00:05:10.980 --> 00:05:13.019 Or consider Bible study. 00:05:13.019 --> 00:05:22.099 Do you find it a little awkward, that small group, if someone's contribution about what they think the Bible passage means is challenged? 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:26.299 Do we sense that it's unloving to say a person is wrong? 00:05:27.399 --> 00:05:34.539 We say the Bible is the authority, and yet all disagreement is put in this category of being unloving. 00:05:34.540 --> 00:05:44.319 Or in relationships, when a brother or sister shares what they're going through in life, and you feel that they just need a different perspective. 00:05:45.520 --> 00:05:48.260 But do you feel paralyzed to say anything? 00:05:48.320 --> 00:05:52.259 Because to say anything would be judging. 00:05:53.220 --> 00:05:56.259 All you have to do is affirm and sympathize. 00:05:56.259 --> 00:06:07.240 I think part of the motivation is, I won't say you're doing anything wrong, so that you can't tell me that I'm doing anything wrong. 00:06:09.920 --> 00:06:12.139 Or this thinking, let me ask you this way. 00:06:12.219 --> 00:06:14.899 Do you appreciate the community at church? 00:06:15.680 --> 00:06:25.480 Do you appreciate the community equally for the encouragement you receive, as much as the accountability that a community holds you to? 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:37.420 I think this live and let live ultimate ethic is in our minds and in our hearts and in the church, and we call it showing grace. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:41.480 But do you see the irony? 00:06:42.779 --> 00:06:48.659 By making live and let live, don't judge me, only love me. 00:06:48.660 --> 00:06:54.960 By making live and let live the ultimate standard to measure people by. 00:06:55.300 --> 00:07:07.680 Anyone who doesn't live according to the live and let live ethic, who claims there is a higher authority that we all must answer to, they are rejected and condemned. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:15.819 The live and let live spirit of our times is just as judgmental and oppressive. 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:22.100 If you don't believe me, just read a few comment threads on social media. 00:07:22.100 --> 00:07:26.100 We need a better way. 00:07:27.240 --> 00:07:32.900 We need an ultimate standard that tells us what's right and wrong, what is good and what is evil. 00:07:33.700 --> 00:07:39.060 But an ultimate standard that isn't used as a back to beat people down with. 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:43.680 And one that promotes humility and loving help. 00:07:44.460 --> 00:07:49.060 We need both truth and mercy together. 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:52.399 So let's come to our passage. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:55.920 What does Jesus say true mercy is? 00:07:56.600 --> 00:08:03.300 Well, the first thing Jesus says, true mercy is not judgmental. 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:10.180 Let's hear Jesus' hilarious but piercing parable again, verses 3 to 5. 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:15.000 If you have your Bibles with you, have a look at verse 3. 00:08:15.000 --> 00:08:23.920 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:31.360 Or how can you say to your brother, let me take the speck out of your eye when there is the log in your own eye? 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:33.480 You hypocrite. 00:08:33.919 --> 00:08:40.320 First take the log out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:44.080 True love, true mercy. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.320 First of all, it's not judgmental. 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:52.220 Being judgmental is to be fault-finding. 00:08:52.440 --> 00:08:56.379 It's to be severely critical of others. 00:08:57.400 --> 00:09:02.120 It's an attitude I think we can smell in someone a mile away. 00:09:02.120 --> 00:09:05.759 But it's not easy to define. 00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:09.120 It can be expressed in a facial expression. 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:11.799 It can be in a piercing joke. 00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:14.159 It can be a harsh word. 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:15.440 It can be silence. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:17.500 It can be a harsh sermon. 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:19.200 It's a spirit. 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:20.060 It's an attitude. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:26.120 But it's not the seriousness of the criticism that makes something judgmental. 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:34.120 It's when something is said without mercy and love for the person and then it becomes judgmental. 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:45.720 It is the posture of sitting up in the judge's bench with your fellow brother or sister below you in the dock, pronouncing wrongdoing on their path. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:54.080 I think this grace-less throwing the law at people, sitting in judgment, can come from three places. 00:09:54.080 --> 00:10:01.580 First, I think it can come when we think we are excelling when that person is failing. 00:10:02.879 --> 00:10:11.540 Like maybe do we ride someone off as not serious about their faith because they haven't attended small group or church in a while? 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:20.340 Maybe we're critical and ride someone off about their spiritual maturity because of their lack of Bible knowledge compared to my own. 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:29.080 Or telling someone who confides in you that they are struggling with lust and just telling them pray and have self-control. 00:10:30.200 --> 00:10:31.920 Pluck out your eye if necessary. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:36.320 All these conclusions lack mercy. 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:39.580 They lack a context of grace. 00:10:39.899 --> 00:10:42.120 They lack any actual help. 00:10:42.120 --> 00:10:46.820 Thinking that simply laying God's law down will help a person. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:54.940 You can only lay God's law down and think it helps if you think you're doing okay at keeping that law. 00:10:54.940 --> 00:11:03.340 I think a second place that a judgmental spirit comes from is similar to the first, but it's when we're failing as well. 00:11:04.300 --> 00:11:11.280 If I'm loaded down with guilt and shame myself, my words can come out even stronger. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:18.460 This too is a lack of mercy, first towards myself and then towards my brother or sister. 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:27.120 It's like trying to turn up the dial on God's law as if more law will produce change. 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:29.379 But we ourselves can't stand the heat. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:36.180 So we put that heat on someone else and think we're more righteous by doing that. 00:11:37.800 --> 00:11:45.560 I think the third place a judgmental spirit can come from is envy, is jealousy. 00:11:45.559 --> 00:11:50.579 Let me use the movie Chocolat to illustrate. 00:11:50.839 --> 00:11:59.219 So there's the religious mayor of the town and he is observing the religious fast during Lent. 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:05.500 But others in the town are just indulging in eating chocolate rather than obeying the religious festival. 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:11.619 So he is criticising severely and he starts despairing and he's praying, 00:12:11.619 --> 00:12:14.519 what do I do for these people to help them? 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:16.600 And he comes up with an idea. 00:12:17.340 --> 00:12:21.860 He breaks into the chocolate shop and starts smashing all the chocolate, 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:26.860 destroying it so that people can't have it until a bit of chocolate lands on his lip. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:28.419 He tastes it. 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.899 And then he just goes to town. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:35.019 He just shoves it all in his mouth, literally rolling in the chocolate. 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:38.579 And he's lying there miserable that he too has failed. 00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:42.080 And yet he's just got exactly what he wants. 00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:51.100 If we actually desire sin, and I'm not saying chocolate is a sin, by the way, 00:12:51.320 --> 00:13:00.139 but when we desire sin, but we think God's ways are restricting us from that sin that we actually want, 00:13:00.139 --> 00:13:09.199 and we just do God's ways begrudgingly, we condemn everyone else who isn't even trying to be self-controlled. 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:17.759 So whether it's feeling like we're excelling or when we feel like we're failing, 00:13:18.020 --> 00:13:22.160 so we come down harder on people, or maybe when we're envious, 00:13:23.160 --> 00:13:25.860 they're sinning in ways we wish we could. 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:39.779 Jesus criticised the Pharisees in Matthew 23, 4. 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:45.659 You tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:49.320 but you yourselves are not willing to move them with a finger. 00:13:49.940 --> 00:13:51.240 You do nothing to help. 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:55.659 Repeating God's standards, saying you should do better. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:14:02.500 God's standards without any true mercy just places a heavier, merciless burden on people. 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:09.259 All the while, we have a two-by-four plank sticking out of our eye, 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:12.759 and we go, hey, please, that I help my brother out. 00:14:14.779 --> 00:14:18.700 Sadly, our culture's criticism of Christians being judgmental, 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:22.539 wielding God's standards without mercy is sometimes true. 00:14:22.539 --> 00:14:29.019 So if coming down hard with God's law isn't the answer, 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:31.579 we naturally think the opposite is a solution. 00:14:32.079 --> 00:14:33.159 Reduce God's law. 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.000 Get rid of it. 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:36.139 And so we ignore sin. 00:14:36.279 --> 00:14:39.099 And I think we're probably more prone to this these days, 00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:40.719 or most of us are anyway. 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:42.240 We commit it. 00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:46.860 And we think we are applying Christian grace. 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:55.460 Notice in the passage, Jesus doesn't say that there is no speck in your brother's eye. 00:14:56.080 --> 00:14:57.120 There is a problem. 00:14:57.799 --> 00:14:59.919 There is a splinter in the eye. 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:02.700 A foreign body is there. 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:04.800 It doesn't belong in your brother's eye. 00:15:04.900 --> 00:15:06.240 It is causing damage. 00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:11.960 The story ends with Jesus affirming that you should feel responsible 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:14.940 for taking the splinter out of your brother's eye. 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:22.500 Maybe we are aware of the depths of our own sinfulness, 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:24.480 the plank in our eye, 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.520 and so we conclude, 00:15:26.660 --> 00:15:30.020 well, what right do I have to tell them to live differently? 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:34.059 But that can't be the problem Jesus is addressing here. 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:37.779 Otherwise, none of us would be able to help anyone else. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:43.480 True mercy can't be about ignoring others' sin. 00:15:43.819 --> 00:15:45.919 God doesn't ignore sin. 00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:51.299 Jesus isn't telling us to switch off our critical thinking, 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.960 to not be discerning. 00:15:54.199 --> 00:15:58.559 True love, true mercy requires you to see the worst 00:15:58.559 --> 00:16:00.239 in a person. 00:16:02.459 --> 00:16:05.439 You can't diagnose and then help a brother 00:16:05.439 --> 00:16:08.099 unless you are first willing to see the worst 00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:09.819 in a brother or sister. 00:16:12.579 --> 00:16:13.819 So true mercy, 00:16:14.199 --> 00:16:16.000 it's not being judgmental, 00:16:16.079 --> 00:16:17.759 coming down hard with God's law, 00:16:17.839 --> 00:16:20.679 but it's not ignoring sin either. 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:24.739 We might think we need to balance these two 00:16:24.739 --> 00:16:26.059 as if they're opposites. 00:16:26.439 --> 00:16:28.599 Some Christians take God's law too seriously, 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:29.959 others are too relaxed. 00:16:31.239 --> 00:16:32.919 But Sinclair Ferguson, 00:16:33.419 --> 00:16:35.659 he calls these two attitudes, 00:16:36.259 --> 00:16:37.439 I really like this phrase, 00:16:37.859 --> 00:16:40.779 they are non-identical twins 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:44.279 that emerge from the same womb. 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:48.399 They are non-identical twins 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:51.100 that emerge from the same womb. 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:54.579 I think that same womb 00:16:54.579 --> 00:16:56.939 is what Jesus exposes 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:59.079 when he talks about prayer 00:16:59.079 --> 00:17:01.480 in verses 7 to 11. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.379 This bit about prayer, 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.379 it can't be an instruction on prayer 00:17:06.379 --> 00:17:08.200 because we've already got the Lord's Prayer 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.059 in chapter 6. 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:12.160 There's a much deeper point Jesus is making here. 00:17:12.160 --> 00:17:15.779 These verses challenge both the person 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:18.040 who wields God's law judgmentally 00:17:18.040 --> 00:17:21.040 and the one who does away with God's law 00:17:21.040 --> 00:17:22.160 as if it's restrictive. 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:25.420 Both these people conclude 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:30.820 that God and God's ways are not good. 00:17:33.340 --> 00:17:35.620 It forces us to ask the question, 00:17:35.840 --> 00:17:38.560 how do I see the character of God 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:40.740 only as a judge 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:43.339 who reluctantly gives blessing 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.200 if I obey, 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.480 who can't be relied upon 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.779 to give life? 00:17:48.440 --> 00:17:50.759 Or do I see God as a father 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:52.419 full of mercy 00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:55.720 who only gives me good? 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:59.059 So let me read it again. 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:02.139 Ask and it will be given to you. 00:18:02.559 --> 00:18:04.319 Seek and you will find. 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:07.240 Knock and it will be open to you. 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:10.480 But everyone who asks receives 00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:12.680 and the one who seeks finds 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:15.180 and to the one who knocks it 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.240 will be opened. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:18.559 Or which one of you, 00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:20.839 if his son asks him for bread, 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.380 will give him a stone? 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:24.200 Or if he asks for a fish, 00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:25.740 will give him a serpent? 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.579 If you then, 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.859 who are evil, 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:30.579 know how to give good gifts 00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.160 to your children, 00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:32.519 how much more 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:34.420 will your father who is in heaven 00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.779 give good things 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:37.740 to those who ask him? 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:43.380 For those of you who know me, 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.800 I wonder if you realise 00:18:45.800 --> 00:18:47.940 just how self-absorbed 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.860 I actually am. 00:18:49.660 --> 00:18:51.440 I thought I was a patient man 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:53.279 until I had to look after a child. 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:55.720 When Sam was real young, 00:18:56.080 --> 00:18:57.720 sometimes I had to put him down 00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.819 and just walk away 00:18:58.819 --> 00:19:01.360 because I was just so frustrated 00:19:01.360 --> 00:19:02.100 and angry. 00:19:03.660 --> 00:19:05.380 And yet you all expect me 00:19:05.380 --> 00:19:06.380 to look after Sam. 00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.319 And so you should. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.860 Or maybe you don't expect me to 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:11.019 now that I've admitted that. 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:14.579 I've never given him 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.700 pebbles for dinner 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:17.600 or mouse bait. 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:19.279 Although this morning 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.660 he was trying to eat pebbles 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.339 in our driveway. 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:24.500 But we don't give it to him 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.220 on purpose. 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.299 You expect me 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:28.559 to look after my child 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:29.399 even though 00:19:29.399 --> 00:19:30.779 I am not a good man. 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.299 And yet 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:35.379 when it comes 00:19:35.379 --> 00:19:36.740 to our heavenly father, 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.199 what do you expect 00:19:38.199 --> 00:19:39.099 to receive from him? 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:42.099 We pray 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:43.919 and sometimes 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:44.839 we don't expect 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.599 a response. 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:48.419 We desperately long 00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:49.179 for what we think 00:19:49.179 --> 00:19:49.939 will give us life 00:19:49.939 --> 00:19:51.119 and when we don't get it, 00:19:51.339 --> 00:19:52.039 we conclude 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:53.500 God mustn't 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.899 want to give me life. 00:19:56.139 --> 00:19:57.720 Or maybe you do believe 00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.059 in the power of prayer 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.859 and you're too afraid 00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:01.699 of what God might 00:20:01.699 --> 00:20:02.699 take away from you 00:20:02.699 --> 00:20:04.439 to give you more life 00:20:04.439 --> 00:20:06.119 in knowing Jesus better. 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.639 You might think 00:20:09.639 --> 00:20:11.720 that so many of my prayers 00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.679 go unanswered. 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:15.799 I'm starting to like that. 00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:18.359 I'm starting to dislike 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:20.079 that term unanswered. 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:20.959 I don't think the problem 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:22.180 is silence from heaven. 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.500 I think it is answered 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.579 and the answer is 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.160 no. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.120 No, 00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:28.279 I won't give you that. 00:20:29.220 --> 00:20:30.720 I love you too much. 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.500 I have the best, 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.779 the good life 00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.319 to give you. 00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:37.759 Is there something 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.299 in you 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.240 like there is in me 00:20:39.240 --> 00:20:40.220 that is suspicious 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:42.440 of what Jesus calls 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.559 good things 00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:44.460 promised here? 00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:47.059 we know it's not 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.180 promising a Ferrari 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:49.380 if we pray for it. 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:52.160 We don't go as far 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:52.819 as to say 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.900 that God is lying 00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.840 in this passage. 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.940 I think we just conclude 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:56.440 oh, 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:59.160 he means heavenly gifts, 00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.539 spiritual things. 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:03.940 What's so good 00:21:03.940 --> 00:21:04.480 about that? 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:10.460 our father is so patient 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:10.860 with us, 00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:11.220 isn't he? 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.880 He has given us 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:15.019 the best. 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.799 In fact, 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.519 our father has given us 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:20.039 all that is 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:21.120 actually good, 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.200 everything 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.799 that he's got to give. 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.920 He's given us 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:26.279 his only son. 00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:27.380 He has filled us 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.539 with his Holy Spirit. 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.519 While angels 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.059 look on 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.779 from a distance, 00:21:30.920 --> 00:21:31.480 we are brought 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.359 into the family 00:21:32.359 --> 00:21:32.980 of God 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:34.379 that we might be 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:35.539 his treasured possession. 00:21:36.039 --> 00:21:36.839 Knowing the judge 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:37.440 of the earth, 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.119 not afraid, 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.740 but as a loving father. 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:41.159 Knowing the one 00:21:41.159 --> 00:21:42.079 with all power 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:44.119 is using all of it 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.779 to give us life. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:48.119 Knowing his constant 00:21:48.119 --> 00:21:49.420 stream of mercy 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.700 all of the time, 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.700 wherever we are, 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.559 whatever's happening. 00:21:58.539 --> 00:21:59.139 Do you think 00:21:59.139 --> 00:21:59.980 you can stop 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.899 being judgmental 00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:01.619 on your own? 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.299 Do you think 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.899 that naturally 00:22:03.899 --> 00:22:04.859 you can show mercy 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:05.440 to others? 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:06.759 If we've learnt 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.500 anything from 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.619 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:10.079 one thing is really clear, 00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:12.139 that none of the kingdom 00:22:12.139 --> 00:22:13.680 values come naturally 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.299 to us. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:17.119 We need to be emptied 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.779 of ourselves, 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.899 coming to God, 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:20.879 trusting him 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.940 to give us good, 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.139 trusting that he gives us 00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:25.180 mercy. 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.240 Our God, 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.059 who he is, 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:30.039 is true mercy. 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:31.399 He is full of truth 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.359 and grace. 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.519 We need to receive 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.579 the heart of God 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:37.119 if we are to be 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.960 truly merciful. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.700 And so, 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.339 we're told, 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.000 ask. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:45.019 And this heart of God, 00:22:45.119 --> 00:22:45.960 being like God, 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:46.740 knowing you, 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:48.539 growing to be like him, 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.720 will be given to you. 00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:51.440 Seek and you will find 00:22:51.440 --> 00:22:52.159 true treasure. 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.659 Knock 00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:56.799 and the kingdom of heaven 00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.779 will be opened to you. 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.920 If you seek 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:01.019 what's important to God, 00:23:01.099 --> 00:23:02.059 what's actually good, 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:03.639 the Father is excited, 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:05.420 wanting to give you life. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.940 All the storehouses 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.599 of heaven, 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.720 the armies of heaven 00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:10.299 will be opened up to you. 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:11.940 Ask 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:13.000 and you'll receive. 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.539 True mercy 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.899 is who our Father is. 00:23:17.680 --> 00:23:18.539 And that mercy 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.500 is meant to run 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.220 in the family. 00:23:21.339 --> 00:23:22.700 Each of us 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:24.779 have entered the family 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:25.920 by the same blood 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.420 of Jesus. 00:23:26.420 --> 00:23:27.140 So, 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:28.220 as brothers and sisters, 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.800 we are called 00:23:28.800 --> 00:23:29.460 to show 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.500 this same mercy 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:32.800 that we have received. 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:36.039 We see this 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:36.539 summed up 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.340 in verse 12. 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:39.140 So, 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.259 whatever you wish 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:41.380 that others 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:42.300 would do to you, 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.580 do also to them. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.920 For this 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:46.560 is the law 00:23:46.560 --> 00:23:47.660 and the prophets. 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.300 Now, 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:50.100 this is a summary 00:23:50.100 --> 00:23:51.560 of all Jesus' teaching. 00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:53.140 If you want to know 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:54.320 what God's law is about, 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.639 it's quite simple, 00:23:55.859 --> 00:23:56.159 love. 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.839 But I think 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.559 in particular, 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:01.159 Jesus is contrasting 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:03.460 this attitude 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:05.519 with being judgmental, 00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.439 laying down 00:24:06.439 --> 00:24:07.259 God's law 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.119 without grace. 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:10.059 Because which one 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.439 of us 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:11.579 doesn't want 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:12.759 to receive mercy? 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.299 And if we want 00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:16.220 to receive mercy, 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.359 then we should give 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.439 our brothers and sisters 00:24:19.439 --> 00:24:19.919 mercy. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:22.460 this question, 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:25.080 what would I want 00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:26.539 if I was that person? 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.460 It's a really 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:29.500 simple question, 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.019 but it's a profound one. 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.700 It's quite a loving 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.380 teaching 00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:34.700 from our Lord 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.400 because life 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:36.180 is complex. 00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:38.100 We want to bring 00:24:38.100 --> 00:24:38.920 all the scripture 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.500 to bear, 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:40.600 but sometimes 00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:41.600 we just don't know 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.140 what to do. 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:43.240 Asking this question, 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.940 it can really help us. 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.980 How would I want 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:48.400 to receive mercy? 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.720 Now, 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.640 this isn't placing 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:52.320 myself as the standard 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:53.340 of what to give. 00:24:53.560 --> 00:24:54.160 It's not like 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.160 when buying someone 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.019 a birthday present 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.780 and you buy them 00:24:56.780 --> 00:24:57.780 what you would want 00:24:57.780 --> 00:24:58.980 rather than what 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:00.000 they would actually want. 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:01.740 A true love 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:02.960 is to understand 00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:03.480 a person 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.700 as much as he can, 00:25:04.780 --> 00:25:05.720 to be in their shoes 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.240 and ask, 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.259 how would I want 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:08.080 God's forgiveness, 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:08.980 God's help, 00:25:09.280 --> 00:25:10.200 God's instruction 00:25:10.200 --> 00:25:12.580 to be applied to me 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.420 in this situation? 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.860 If I was stubborn 00:25:15.860 --> 00:25:17.500 and hardened 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.779 in my sinful thinking, 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:19.839 although it would 00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.920 anger me at the time, 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:21.559 in hindsight, 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.920 I would want my brother 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.539 to clearly show me 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:25.599 the destructive 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.339 consequences 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.380 of the part of me 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.859 and I want my brother 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:30.720 to then help me 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:32.079 see my father's 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.599 better way. 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.559 Or if I was trying 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.539 to please the Lord 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:37.420 and I was just failing 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:39.019 in how I was carrying it out, 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:41.099 I would want my intentions 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:42.259 to be affirmed 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.759 that then receive 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.799 encouragement 00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:46.019 and advice 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.700 to change course. 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:50.299 How would I want 00:25:50.299 --> 00:25:50.900 the grace 00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:51.920 and help of God 00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:52.839 applied to me? 00:25:54.680 --> 00:25:55.759 Show mercy 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.940 as you 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:58.799 want to receive mercy. 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:03.299 But then there's those 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.240 who are outside 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.579 the family of God. 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.640 There are some 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:09.119 who absolutely 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:09.799 refuse 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:11.139 mercy 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.919 and I think 00:26:11.919 --> 00:26:12.359 that's what 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.539 verse 6 is about. 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:16.440 Do not give dogs 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.659 what is holy. 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.059 Do not throw 00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.779 your pearls 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.680 before pigs 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:21.619 lest they trample 00:26:21.619 --> 00:26:22.319 them underfoot 00:26:22.319 --> 00:26:23.740 and turn 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:25.240 to attack you. 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.119 Dogs 00:26:27.119 --> 00:26:28.200 and pigs 00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:29.720 are in Jewish 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.079 thinking 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:31.079 they're unclean 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.579 animals. 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.740 They don't belong 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.720 in the holy 00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.919 presence of God's 00:26:34.919 --> 00:26:35.399 community. 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:37.440 So don't 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.360 think of a dog 00:26:38.360 --> 00:26:39.220 like a Labrador 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.080 as a pet 00:26:40.080 --> 00:26:40.600 in your home. 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.540 Think of a wild 00:26:41.540 --> 00:26:42.600 dog that you 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.160 want to stay 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.860 in your car 00:26:43.860 --> 00:26:44.700 to hide from. 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:46.200 The Jews 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.660 of Jesus' 00:26:46.840 --> 00:26:47.180 day would 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.540 have thought 00:26:47.540 --> 00:26:48.580 of Gentiles 00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:49.280 as dogs 00:26:49.280 --> 00:26:50.259 outside the 00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.600 kingdom 00:26:50.600 --> 00:26:52.040 especially 00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:53.240 the Romans, 00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.780 Samaritan 00:26:54.780 --> 00:26:55.400 mongrels 00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:56.820 and any Jews 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.840 who are unclean 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.400 morally, 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.340 religiously. 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:01.200 And yet 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.660 what do we 00:27:01.660 --> 00:27:02.060 find 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:04.279 in chapter 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.659 eight? 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:07.139 Who is it 00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:08.200 that enters 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:08.619 the kingdom 00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.079 of heaven? 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.019 We're going 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.279 to come 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:11.879 to it soon 00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:13.460 but we 00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:14.079 first see 00:27:14.079 --> 00:27:14.799 an unclean 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.200 leper, 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.819 Jesus touching 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.339 him and 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.740 cleansing 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.079 him, 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.299 welcoming 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:19.839 him in 00:27:19.839 --> 00:27:20.539 and then 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.259 a dirty 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:22.500 Roman soldier 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.539 comes into 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.000 the kingdom. 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.359 Jesus is 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:27.299 redefining 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.419 who is 00:27:28.419 --> 00:27:28.940 considered 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:30.000 dogs 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.879 outside the 00:27:30.879 --> 00:27:31.159 kingdom. 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:33.559 Who is 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.399 it that 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.259 after hearing 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:36.039 this sermon 00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.779 by Jesus 00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.500 will be 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.379 so offended 00:27:38.379 --> 00:27:38.940 by his 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.859 grace that 00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.139 they will 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.440 want to 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.279 destroy him? 00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.599 It's 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.619 the self 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.059 righteous 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.039 religious 00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.539 people, 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:48.480 the Pharisees 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.339 and scribes. 00:27:50.419 --> 00:27:50.720 Chapter 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.399 23, 00:27:52.220 --> 00:27:52.879 Jesus says 00:27:52.879 --> 00:27:53.159 to them, 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.039 woe to 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.379 you, 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.379 hypocrites. 00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:55.960 In other 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.200 words, 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.659 you are 00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.200 going to 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:57.519 hell, 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.299 woe to 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:58.539 you. 00:27:59.379 --> 00:27:59.619 You 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.460 outwardly 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:00.779 appear 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.220 righteous 00:28:01.220 --> 00:28:01.700 to others 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.200 but within 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:02.559 you are 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:02.900 full of 00:28:02.900 --> 00:28:03.600 hypocrisy 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:03.819 and 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.400 lawlessness. 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.420 And then 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.220 after saying 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.519 this, 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.220 Jesus is 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.259 in tears 00:28:09.259 --> 00:28:10.259 weeping 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.160 over Jerusalem 00:28:11.160 --> 00:28:12.180 how I've 00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:12.759 longed to 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.279 gather you 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.940 as chicks 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.539 under my 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.100 wings, 00:28:15.860 --> 00:28:16.200 but you 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.539 were not 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:16.819 willing. 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.880 This 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.420 judgment 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:22.500 we're told 00:28:22.500 --> 00:28:23.039 to give. 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.539 Notice 00:28:25.539 --> 00:28:26.100 that we're 00:28:26.100 --> 00:28:26.799 told not 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.340 to give 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:27.920 what is 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:28.279 holy. 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.180 don't 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:29.460 give 00:28:29.460 --> 00:28:30.059 pearls. 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:31.920 There's 00:28:31.920 --> 00:28:32.339 some 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.200 who 00:28:33.200 --> 00:28:33.940 stubbornly 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.579 refuse 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.240 to receive 00:28:35.240 --> 00:28:35.639 God's 00:28:35.639 --> 00:28:36.079 mercy, 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.319 mocking 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:37.799 Jesus' 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.319 blood 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.799 even to 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.180 the point 00:28:40.180 --> 00:28:40.720 of attacking 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.019 you. 00:28:41.980 --> 00:28:42.440 If they 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:43.039 refuse 00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.500 God's 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:43.940 mercy, 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.099 you've 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:45.619 got no 00:28:45.619 --> 00:28:45.940 other 00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.579 good to 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:46.859 give 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.099 them. 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.740 For 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.160 some, 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.559 I know 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:49.879 we're 00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.160 meant to 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:50.420 take 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:50.899 risks. 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.099 We 00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:53.660 might be 00:28:53.660 --> 00:28:54.220 hurt in 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.740 response, 00:28:54.940 --> 00:28:56.480 but we 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:56.779 need 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.359 discernment 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:57.799 as well. 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:58.139 There 00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:58.559 comes a 00:28:58.559 --> 00:28:58.980 point where 00:28:58.980 --> 00:28:59.259 we need 00:28:59.259 --> 00:28:59.720 to leave 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.279 someone in 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.700 the state 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.139 they're in 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:01.799 if they 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.500 won't receive 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.980 mercy, 00:29:03.539 --> 00:29:04.139 but we 00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:04.460 do it 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.059 with tears. 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:09.500 So true 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:09.920 mercy, 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:11.839 it's not 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:12.740 judgmental. 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.319 True 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:14.779 mercy, 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.500 it doesn't 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.440 ignore sin, 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:18.059 but God's 00:29:18.059 --> 00:29:18.740 true mercy 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.680 is always 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.759 both full 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.420 of truth 00:29:21.420 --> 00:29:23.000 and full 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:23.500 of love. 00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:23.539 love. 00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.140 We 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:25.519 often 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.200 err 00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.160 to one 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.660 side, 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.839 but in 00:29:28.839 --> 00:29:29.339 the person 00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:29.859 of Jesus 00:29:29.859 --> 00:29:30.839 we see 00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.339 what true 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.000 mercy looks 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:32.380 like. 00:29:33.900 --> 00:29:34.799 I think 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.059 of the 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.660 woman who 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:36.180 was caught 00:29:36.180 --> 00:29:37.339 in adultery, 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.500 who was 00:29:38.500 --> 00:29:39.180 brought before 00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:39.700 Jesus. 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:41.500 His 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.700 self-righteous 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.480 adversaries 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.119 tried to 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:45.079 corner Jesus 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:45.799 between the 00:29:45.799 --> 00:29:46.680 law of God 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.599 that clearly 00:29:47.599 --> 00:29:48.240 taught that 00:29:48.240 --> 00:29:48.880 such a 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:49.240 person 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.039 deserved to 00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.660 be stoned 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.140 to death 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:53.200 and between 00:29:53.200 --> 00:29:54.080 his teaching 00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:55.120 of forgiveness 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:56.100 which seemed 00:29:56.100 --> 00:29:56.580 like he was 00:29:56.580 --> 00:29:57.560 permitting sin, 00:29:57.660 --> 00:29:58.220 doing away 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.759 with God's 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.040 law. 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.320 They thought 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:00.880 they had him 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:01.400 cornered. 00:30:01.580 --> 00:30:02.160 He had to 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.860 choose between 00:30:02.860 --> 00:30:03.320 the two, 00:30:03.780 --> 00:30:04.480 God's law, 00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:05.360 God's truth, 00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:06.620 or forgiveness 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.259 and love. 00:30:10.780 --> 00:30:11.340 Jesus 00:30:11.340 --> 00:30:11.800 calmly 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:12.340 answers, 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.280 let him 00:30:14.280 --> 00:30:14.920 who is without 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.880 sin among you 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.600 be the first 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:17.280 to throw a 00:30:17.280 --> 00:30:18.000 stone at her 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.880 and beginning 00:30:19.880 --> 00:30:20.180 with the 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.940 oldest first, 00:30:21.040 --> 00:30:21.360 they all 00:30:21.360 --> 00:30:21.760 put down 00:30:21.760 --> 00:30:22.300 their rocks 00:30:22.300 --> 00:30:22.940 and walk 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.300 away. 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:25.100 When they're 00:30:25.100 --> 00:30:25.660 all gone, 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:27.080 with just a 00:30:27.080 --> 00:30:28.200 woman left 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:28.860 with Jesus, 00:30:30.120 --> 00:30:30.620 she is 00:30:30.620 --> 00:30:31.580 standing before 00:30:31.580 --> 00:30:32.600 a sinless 00:30:32.600 --> 00:30:33.960 man, 00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:35.740 God 00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.300 himself, 00:30:36.540 --> 00:30:37.060 the judge. 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.360 And what 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.040 words does 00:30:40.040 --> 00:30:40.480 she hear 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:40.880 from him? 00:30:43.140 --> 00:30:43.660 Neither 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:44.200 do I 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:44.780 condemn you. 00:30:45.840 --> 00:30:46.180 Go, 00:30:47.040 --> 00:30:47.720 and from 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.360 now on, 00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:49.719 sin no 00:30:49.719 --> 00:30:50.000 more. 00:30:52.359 --> 00:30:52.679 True 00:30:52.679 --> 00:30:53.199 mercy 00:30:53.199 --> 00:30:54.479 is full 00:30:54.479 --> 00:30:55.240 of truth 00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:55.779 of God's 00:30:55.779 --> 00:30:56.240 standards 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.000 and it's 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.359 full of 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:57.740 grace 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.719 that come 00:30:58.719 --> 00:30:59.219 together 00:30:59.219 --> 00:31:00.519 in Jesus 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:01.059 Christ. 00:31:02.539 --> 00:31:03.559 That woman 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.959 was not 00:31:04.959 --> 00:31:05.439 condemned 00:31:05.439 --> 00:31:07.379 because Jesus 00:31:07.379 --> 00:31:08.979 took that 00:31:08.979 --> 00:31:09.719 condemnation 00:31:09.719 --> 00:31:10.259 himself. 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.099 This 00:31:12.099 --> 00:31:12.639 sinless 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:13.099 judge 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:15.039 took it 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.659 upon himself 00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:16.640 and he 00:31:16.640 --> 00:31:17.540 sees my 00:31:17.540 --> 00:31:17.980 life 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.779 and he 00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.420 sees your 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:19.900 life 00:31:19.900 --> 00:31:21.100 and he 00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:21.580 says to 00:31:21.580 --> 00:31:21.779 us, 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:22.160 I do 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:22.380 not 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:22.759 condemn 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.040 you, 00:31:23.800 --> 00:31:24.440 but come 00:31:24.440 --> 00:31:24.960 to 00:31:24.960 --> 00:31:25.300 pursue 00:31:25.300 --> 00:31:25.620 my 00:31:25.620 --> 00:31:26.200 righteousness. 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.580 As 00:31:28.580 --> 00:31:29.360 children of 00:31:29.360 --> 00:31:29.740 God by 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:30.200 mercy, 00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:31.580 we don't 00:31:31.580 --> 00:31:32.640 discard God's 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:33.600 law as if 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.420 Jesus died 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.040 for nothing, 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:36.640 but we 00:31:36.640 --> 00:31:37.259 look to our 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.140 father's ways 00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:38.640 to give us 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.140 life, 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:39.860 while at the 00:31:39.860 --> 00:31:40.500 same time 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:40.880 we are 00:31:40.880 --> 00:31:42.160 humbled by 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.000 his great 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.740 and costly 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:45.440 sacrifice for 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:45.740 us. 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:47.320 Only knowing 00:31:47.320 --> 00:31:48.060 his truth 00:31:48.060 --> 00:31:48.580 and love 00:31:48.580 --> 00:31:49.880 are we 00:31:49.880 --> 00:31:50.800 ready to 00:31:50.800 --> 00:31:51.019 be 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.680 mercifully 00:31:51.680 --> 00:31:53.480 take the 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.720 speck out 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:54.960 of our 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:55.340 brother's 00:31:55.340 --> 00:31:55.660 eye. 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:57.380 True 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:58.259 mercy is 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:58.480 not 00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.240 judgmental, 00:31:59.540 --> 00:32:00.060 it doesn't 00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:00.460 ignore 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:00.800 sin, 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.259 but it's 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.860 both full 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.460 of truth 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.440 and grace. 00:32:06.519 --> 00:32:07.360 There is 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:07.860 only one 00:32:07.860 --> 00:32:09.140 way you 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:09.620 and I 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.600 will become 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:11.520 more like 00:32:11.520 --> 00:32:12.880 our older 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.620 brother Jesus 00:32:13.620 --> 00:32:14.280 and like 00:32:14.280 --> 00:32:15.940 our father. 00:32:18.120 --> 00:32:18.920 We're not 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:19.759 naturally like 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.000 this. 00:32:21.340 --> 00:32:21.860 We need 00:32:21.860 --> 00:32:22.480 to ask, 00:32:24.020 --> 00:32:24.340 seek, 00:32:25.060 --> 00:32:25.660 and knock. 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.520 Will you 00:32:29.520 --> 00:32:29.940 pray with 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.080 me? 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.600 Let's 00:32:30.600 --> 00:32:31.740 pray before 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.100 our good 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:32.400 father. 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.560 Lord, 00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:39.679 you 00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:41.099 have given 00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:41.679 us only 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.039 good. 00:32:42.919 --> 00:32:43.519 We 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.099 rightly 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:44.720 stand 00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.599 before you 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.639 as judge 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:47.179 of all 00:32:47.179 --> 00:32:47.720 the earth. 00:32:48.679 --> 00:32:49.259 Lord, 00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.639 if you 00:32:49.639 --> 00:32:50.079 gave us 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.419 what we 00:32:50.419 --> 00:32:51.000 deserved, 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:52.059 none of 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:52.379 us could 00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:52.899 stand, 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.779 but instead 00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:56.539 you have 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.299 poured out 00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:58.039 all of 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.839 yourself to 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.079 us. 00:32:59.200 --> 00:32:59.480 You have 00:32:59.480 --> 00:33:00.099 brought us 00:33:00.099 --> 00:33:00.839 into your 00:33:00.839 --> 00:33:01.319 family. 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.379 You have 00:33:02.379 --> 00:33:02.859 promised 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:03.460 eternal 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:03.859 life. 00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:04.099 You've 00:33:04.099 --> 00:33:04.399 already 00:33:04.399 --> 00:33:05.000 given us 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.460 eternal 00:33:05.460 --> 00:33:06.099 life in 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.759 knowing you, 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:07.859 in knowing 00:33:07.859 --> 00:33:08.319 Jesus, 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:09.099 being filled 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.399 with your 00:33:09.399 --> 00:33:09.819 spirit, 00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:11.399 being united 00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:11.839 with one 00:33:11.839 --> 00:33:12.179 another. 00:33:12.579 --> 00:33:12.839 Lord, 00:33:12.919 --> 00:33:13.439 please help 00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:14.079 us to see 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.619 one another 00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:15.179 as brothers 00:33:15.179 --> 00:33:15.799 and sisters 00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:16.480 in the 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:16.899 blood of 00:33:16.899 --> 00:33:17.220 Jesus. 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.799 Help us 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:20.259 to treat 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:20.700 each other 00:33:20.700 --> 00:33:21.079 with the 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:22.559 same mercy 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.339 and truth 00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:24.579 that we 00:33:24.579 --> 00:33:24.939 want to 00:33:24.939 --> 00:33:25.379 receive. 00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:26.679 Lord, 00:33:26.759 --> 00:33:27.200 do this 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:27.759 among us 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:28.240 so that 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.559 the world 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.579 might see 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.839 just the 00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:32.480 difference 00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.480 in your 00:33:33.480 --> 00:33:34.000 church, 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:35.460 what true 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:35.860 mercy 00:33:35.860 --> 00:33:36.420 looks like. 00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:36.640 Lord, 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:37.059 change 00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.299 us. 00:33:37.860 --> 00:33:38.460 Help us 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.200 trust that 00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:39.660 you are 00:33:39.660 --> 00:33:39.900 our 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.200 good 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:41.480 father and 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:41.799 help us 00:33:41.799 --> 00:33:42.279 to pass 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.819 that mercy 00:33:42.819 --> 00:33:43.180 on to 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:43.559 others. 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:44.680 I pray in 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.220 Jesus' name. 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:45.819 Amen. 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:45.960 Amen. 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.100 Amen. 00:33:46.100 --> 00:33:46.799 Amen. 00:33:46.799 --> 00:33:46.860 Amen. 00:33:46.860 --> 00:33:47.200 Amen. 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.340 Amen. 00:33:47.340 --> 00:33:47.400 Amen. 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:47.960 Amen. 00:33:47.960 --> 00:33:48.120 Amen. 00:33:48.120 --> 00:33:48.180 Amen. 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:48.279 Amen. 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:48.579 Amen. 00:33:48.579 --> 00:33:48.860 Amen. 00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:49.220 Amen. 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:49.440 Amen. 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:49.920 Amen. 00:33:49.920 --> 00:33:49.940 Amen. 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.100 Amen.