WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 Good morning, guys. 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:11.820 Good morning, y'all. Can you hear me okay? 00:00:12.700 --> 00:00:13.500 Good? Okay. 00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:18.019 It's so good to see everyone here at Starlight. 00:00:18.839 --> 00:00:22.320 Shout out to everyone joining online. You are loved. You are missed. 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:24.900 I want for the day when we can hug each other again. 00:00:25.980 --> 00:00:29.480 Please turn with me to our passage this morning in Proverbs chapter 20. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.719 First is chapter 23. 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:35.980 While you turn there, let me introduce myself. My name is Ray Park. 00:00:36.520 --> 00:00:40.740 And along with Matt Hawkins, I'm one of the pastoral interns here at Trinity English Church. 00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:45.579 Matt and I are in the process of taking our exams in order to get ordained. 00:00:46.140 --> 00:00:50.439 After which, we joined Sean in forming the local eldership at Trinity. 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:54.560 Our elders currently consist of Sean plus two provisional elders. 00:00:55.000 --> 00:00:56.500 So Paul Buckley and Dan Broca. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:58.619 Sorry, guys. 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:02.280 They're basically elders on loan for us from other churches. 00:01:02.280 --> 00:01:05.519 And we're grateful for Paul and Dan for their service to us. 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:08.540 So let me pray for us before reading today's passage. 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:14.040 Heavenly Father, you are God over us. 00:01:14.820 --> 00:01:16.060 You are God over Cambridge. 00:01:16.820 --> 00:01:17.820 God over all things. 00:01:17.940 --> 00:01:21.760 And we thank you for your word, which is our spiritual bread and is sweeter than honey. 00:01:22.760 --> 00:01:26.740 God, we pray that you would give us an appetite to eat from your word. 00:01:27.240 --> 00:01:28.620 Faith to digest your word. 00:01:29.420 --> 00:01:32.280 Give us a heart to apply your word to our lives. 00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:34.500 And we pray in Jesus' name. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:34.920 Amen. 00:01:36.700 --> 00:01:39.219 Proverbs 20, starting in verse 10. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:46.379 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike in abomination to the Lord. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:52.819 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. 00:01:54.020 --> 00:01:57.579 The hearing gear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both. 00:01:57.579 --> 00:02:01.239 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty. 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:04.359 Open your eyes and you will have plenty of bread. 00:02:05.819 --> 00:02:07.739 Bad, bad, says the buyer. 00:02:08.079 --> 00:02:10.060 But when he goes away, then he boasts. 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:13.879 There is gold and abundance of costly stones. 00:02:14.680 --> 00:02:17.240 But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:21.419 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger. 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:24.579 And hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners. 00:02:24.580 --> 00:02:28.780 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man. 00:02:29.660 --> 00:02:32.220 But afterward his mouth is full of gravel. 00:02:34.260 --> 00:02:38.720 Plans are established by counsel, by wise guidance, rage, rule. 00:02:40.180 --> 00:02:42.480 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:45.460 Therefore, do not associate with a simple battle. 00:02:46.420 --> 00:02:51.960 If one curses his father or his mother, his lamb will be put out in utter darkness. 00:02:51.960 --> 00:02:57.800 And inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. 00:02:58.840 --> 00:03:01.520 Do not say, I will repay evil. 00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:04.600 Wait for the Lord and he will deliver you. 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:08.500 Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord. 00:03:09.020 --> 00:03:10.580 And false feels are not good. 00:03:10.580 --> 00:03:16.760 So the Boston Marathon, which usually takes place in April, was canceled this year. 00:03:17.500 --> 00:03:19.580 One of the many things impacted by the pandemic. 00:03:20.380 --> 00:03:21.120 Just random note. 00:03:21.200 --> 00:03:23.960 Another thing impacted was how often I wear pants. 00:03:24.060 --> 00:03:25.120 I was worried this morning. 00:03:25.260 --> 00:03:26.600 It's the first time I wear pants in a long time. 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:33.079 But so the marathon, instead of being held in person, it was held as a virtual event. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:37.039 But I'm guessing most people didn't get to run Heartbreak Hill. 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:43.519 This is a notorious incline at mile 20, which is really a rough part of the marathon. 00:03:44.859 --> 00:03:47.719 So we're at chapter 20 of Proverbs. 00:03:47.719 --> 00:03:50.419 And I'm reminded of Heartbreak Hill. 00:03:50.680 --> 00:03:54.500 Because I don't know about you, but I'm looking for some endurance to get through the book. 00:03:56.000 --> 00:03:57.259 But Proverbs is a wonderful book. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:03.819 And of course, all scripture is useful for teaching and rebuking and correcting and training in righteousness. 00:04:04.099 --> 00:04:05.800 But I think Proverbs can be a little bit tough. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:08.800 Part of it is the genre and the style of Proverbs. 00:04:09.120 --> 00:04:10.300 So it's a wisdom miniature. 00:04:10.300 --> 00:04:17.740 It's not dripping storytelling of narratives or the deep, meaty theology of New Testament epistles. 00:04:18.980 --> 00:04:20.879 And some of it's the style. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:23.960 We're well into the same portion of Proverbs. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:28.280 So it's the rhythm of A but B, A but B, A but B. 00:04:28.819 --> 00:04:31.480 And part of it's the concept. 00:04:32.160 --> 00:04:37.379 You can read a chapter of the sayings and you feel pretty disjointed. 00:04:38.040 --> 00:04:39.040 They don't have much in common. 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:44.060 But there are some common things going throughout Proverbs. 00:04:44.700 --> 00:04:47.439 But after a while, too, they seem to be more competitive. 00:04:48.660 --> 00:04:53.540 So, I mean, like a tired runner, hitting that hill, looking for motivation to crush on, 00:04:53.860 --> 00:04:56.980 it might be helpful to remember the immense value of the book of Proverbs. 00:04:57.439 --> 00:04:58.700 It's a book about wisdom. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:06.480 It's a book about learning the skill of the art of godly living. 00:05:06.480 --> 00:05:09.280 So wisdom helps us to live holy lives. 00:05:09.900 --> 00:05:13.720 So why is that important, to live holy, godly lives? 00:05:15.140 --> 00:05:23.120 It's because we, as you, as a person who trusts in Jesus to save you from sin, that's who you are. 00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:25.040 You are holy. 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:27.300 You are set apart for God. 00:05:27.840 --> 00:05:30.439 You are God's special treasured possession. 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:33.399 Titus chapter 2 tells us, 00:05:33.399 --> 00:05:37.319 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:41.040 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, 00:05:41.660 --> 00:05:45.579 and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:47.759 waiting for our blessed hope, 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:52.000 the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 00:05:52.000 --> 00:05:56.420 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness, 00:05:57.220 --> 00:06:00.800 and to purify for himself and people for his own possession, 00:06:01.040 --> 00:06:02.040 who are selfish and religious. 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:10.720 So telling you, my Christian brother and sister, to be holy is like telling our Korean pastor, Sean Woo, 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:11.800 to be Korean. 00:06:12.300 --> 00:06:17.740 Or telling our chemistry PhD student, Bailey McLernan, to be smart. 00:06:18.640 --> 00:06:22.439 Or telling our 6'2 Justin Koontz to be tall, right? 00:06:23.000 --> 00:06:25.320 It's, we are holy in Christ. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:27.100 And so we are holy. 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:30.040 And so that was a part of who we are. 00:06:30.040 --> 00:06:34.040 Now, holy and godly life, it doesn't happen by accident 00:06:34.040 --> 00:06:37.980 any more than does a good marriage or a successful career. 00:06:38.760 --> 00:06:39.700 It takes diligence. 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:41.140 It takes pursuit. 00:06:41.260 --> 00:06:41.840 It takes discipline. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:42.920 It takes hard work. 00:06:43.780 --> 00:06:47.280 But for a child of God who was born again and filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:06:48.020 --> 00:06:52.060 I think it's harder work to live an ungodly life 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:53.540 because that's our new nature. 00:06:53.900 --> 00:06:55.140 That's against our new nature. 00:06:55.840 --> 00:06:59.860 He can't tell and expect Justin to stop being tall. 00:07:00.260 --> 00:07:04.520 And you can't expect and tell a child of God to stop being like the Heavenly Father. 00:07:06.040 --> 00:07:09.800 If you do find that it's easy and natural to live counter to who God is, 00:07:10.280 --> 00:07:14.560 then it's time to examine whether or not your faith is genuine, whether it's alive. 00:07:14.560 --> 00:07:20.100 But for those pursuing God in this, Proverbs provides words of wisdom on how to be holy. 00:07:20.620 --> 00:07:27.860 How to be holy and normal, day-to-day things of life, work, money, communication, family. 00:07:28.540 --> 00:07:31.180 These are all topics that Proverbs touches on. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:38.439 And today in chapter 20, verses 22, it touches on the topics of human business and wealth, 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:40.819 as well as discernment and judgment. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:47.139 So the main message for today is that we should trust God in our business dealings 00:07:47.139 --> 00:07:49.540 and be fair, discerning, and diligent. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:54.319 So we should trust God in our business dealings and be fair, discerning, and diligent. 00:07:55.740 --> 00:07:57.779 Let's jump into verses 10 through 12. 00:07:57.779 --> 00:08:01.319 These verses are repeated from last week's sermon. 00:08:02.179 --> 00:08:06.899 That's because they're related both to the previous section about foolish behavior before it came, 00:08:07.339 --> 00:08:10.739 and to the next section about foolish business dealings. 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:13.979 God sees, and God will judge both things. 00:08:15.159 --> 00:08:15.919 So verse 10 says, 00:08:16.059 --> 00:08:20.639 Unequal ways and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:28.079 An abomination is a thing that causes hatred or disgust, something that's vile, something that's detestable. 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:32.939 Maybe to us that might be adultery, child abuse, public defecation. 00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:34.939 Those things are abominations. 00:08:35.699 --> 00:08:39.419 And to God, unequal weights and measures are abominations. 00:08:40.379 --> 00:08:43.220 So think of a trader who's buying and selling goods. 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:45.559 He's trying to be as profitable as possible. 00:08:45.759 --> 00:08:46.559 He sets up shop. 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:48.259 He works for long hours. 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:51.299 He builds up his network of buyers and suppliers. 00:08:52.080 --> 00:08:55.759 He does everything he can to make money within what's ethical. 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:59.580 Maybe things beyond the ethical. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:04.360 About something that he needs to be sure to go unlimits. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:07.559 He holds out a couple scales for measuring money. 00:09:07.980 --> 00:09:10.500 One, he uses for measuring gold to pay suppliers. 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:14.700 And he tweaks it so that he ends up paying a little bit less than he should. 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:17.319 And the other, he uses it for customers. 00:09:17.320 --> 00:09:21.320 And he tweaks it so that his customers pay a little more than they should. 00:09:22.379 --> 00:09:23.980 And he thinks that no one will see it. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:24.960 He'll never get caught. 00:09:26.240 --> 00:09:31.100 But what these verses tell us is that God, who made the seeing eye, he sees and knows. 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:34.360 And to God, this kind of dishonest dealing stinks. 00:09:34.760 --> 00:09:40.160 It stinks like an overflowing quarter potty, overflowing quarter potty like we have here on a hot summer day. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:44.120 And, you know, God is truthful. 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:45.399 He does not lie. 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:48.240 Dishonest business is hateful to him. 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:54.439 Whether it's manipulating scales for your benefit, or insurance fraud, you have to pay out. 00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:58.860 Or exaggerating the severity of a patient who comes in. 00:09:58.860 --> 00:10:04.620 To convince them to buy more or additional services. 00:10:04.620 --> 00:10:08.820 So this is the first few verses I'm talking about. 00:10:09.480 --> 00:10:11.960 Verse 12 is actually paired with verse 13. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:14.600 And this is a pattern that we see in our passage. 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:18.679 There are a couple verses related to each other that are coupled throughout. 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:22.659 So verse 12 says that God has made the seeing eye. 00:10:22.659 --> 00:10:28.959 And verse 13 tells us to open your eyes to avoid poverty and have abundance of bread. 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:31.860 In other words, God gave you eyes to see. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:35.219 Now we should open them and use them. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:39.559 It's a unique balance in this division of responsibilities. 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:43.480 It's less like one of our school or work projects. 00:10:43.699 --> 00:10:47.159 Where, you know, you might say, hey, you go create slides 1 to 10. 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:48.819 I'll create slides 11 to 20. 00:10:49.660 --> 00:10:52.860 It's more like God saying, I'm going to help you create slides 1 to 20. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.020 So you go and do it. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:56.000 Create all 20. 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:59.780 We see this balance in Philippians chapter 2, verses 12 through 13. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:03.220 Which tells us to work out your own salvation with mere trembling. 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:05.480 For it is God who works in you. 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:07.580 Both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:11:08.440 --> 00:11:12.100 God has given us bodies and minds and hearts for this life. 00:11:12.260 --> 00:11:14.640 And we should use them to live fruitful for him. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:21.899 In the next pair of verses, in 14 and 15, we move on from one warning to another. 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:26.600 On one hand, you can fail in your work and use property. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:30.220 By being lazy, you can fail to open your eyes. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:34.460 But you can also fail in your work through active deceitfulness or personal gain. 00:11:35.199 --> 00:11:39.039 So verse 14 paints a picture of a buyer in a market who's haggling with his seller. 00:11:39.039 --> 00:11:43.519 He's whittling down the price and later bragging about his buy. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.939 I lived in China for a time. 00:11:47.079 --> 00:11:49.679 And this kind of haggling is pretty common in certain markets. 00:11:50.459 --> 00:11:52.000 You know, I walk into a store. 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:53.299 And I'd ask the price of something. 00:11:53.379 --> 00:11:54.139 I'd put something out. 00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:59.679 And the owner can obviously tell me that I'm a foreigner because of my awful Chinese accent. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:02.679 And we do like a little dance, right? 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:04.839 I say, how much is that? 00:12:04.979 --> 00:12:06.139 We say, that's 100 bucks. 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.419 I say, what? 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.459 Like, that's too expensive. 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:09.139 20 bucks. 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:10.879 Yeah, right. 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:11.620 90 bucks. 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:12.839 We go back and forth. 00:12:12.959 --> 00:12:14.279 30, 80, 40, 70. 00:12:14.979 --> 00:12:17.599 I might throw in some George Costanza for you cycle fans. 00:12:17.739 --> 00:12:19.439 I would say, I'll walk out of here right now, you know? 00:12:20.659 --> 00:12:22.939 You might get some from the seller. 00:12:23.099 --> 00:12:23.759 I was like, come on. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:25.099 I'm barely making money on this. 00:12:25.099 --> 00:12:27.740 And then we eventually settle on $50. 00:12:28.139 --> 00:12:28.679 Everyone's happy. 00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:31.839 So you'd think it's easier to skip that kind of dance. 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:34.479 But every now and then, the owner gets someone who actually pays the $100. 00:12:34.839 --> 00:12:35.759 You know, no questions asked. 00:12:35.859 --> 00:12:36.559 So it's worth it for him. 00:12:37.039 --> 00:12:41.839 But this type of haggling doesn't seem to be what's in focus in this verse for a couple reasons. 00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:45.399 One is that the buyer is saying that the product is bad. 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:46.399 It's bad, bad, right? 00:12:47.339 --> 00:12:53.959 And if something is actually bad, you wouldn't buy it, no matter how cheap it is, no matter how good a deal it is. 00:12:54.240 --> 00:12:56.219 So it doesn't seem like this guy's being shrewd. 00:12:56.339 --> 00:12:58.500 It seems like he's being a liar. 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.559 He's just lying, right? 00:13:00.239 --> 00:13:01.399 So that's the first reason. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:04.079 Second, he goes away and brags about it. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.919 So he brags about himself. 00:13:06.839 --> 00:13:09.559 The foolish man depicted here is the boastful liar. 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:14.419 Someone who's skilled in deceitful business practices and proud of it. 00:13:14.419 --> 00:13:17.819 So that's the first of this pair. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:22.099 In the second part of this verse, in this pairing, is verse 15. 00:13:22.819 --> 00:13:30.159 It speaks of lips of knowledge that are more precious than gold, which is a contrast to the proud, lying lips in verse 14. 00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:32.779 I've grown to value. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:35.959 I've grown to value lips of knowledge more and more during years of marriage. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:39.240 God has gifted me with a beautiful wife in Carolyn. 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:42.539 But one day we'll both be old and gray. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:47.759 She'll be a more beautiful old and gray than I am, but we're all going to get there. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.639 So I've learned that. 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:52.679 More than her beauty, it's her lips of knowledge that are valuable. 00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:53.740 She's smart. 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:56.299 She's great at understanding people and situations. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.879 She knows how to respond wisely. 00:13:58.659 --> 00:14:02.679 I don't know if you noticed me in our members meeting a couple weeks ago, but we're all muted. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.480 But every now and then I'm talking off screen. 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:05.220 I'm talking to Carolyn. 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:07.419 I'm saying, hey, what do you think about this? 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.960 How would you respond? 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:10.139 What do you think is the best course of action? 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.600 And I rely on her for counsel. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:15.320 And lips of knowledge are immensely valuable. 00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:19.340 They're valuable because they're a product of hard work. 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:25.679 It takes study of God's word and God's mind to understand what is good and what is not. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:32.179 It takes practice trying to speak wisely, sometimes succeeding and sometimes putting your foot in your mouth. 00:14:33.099 --> 00:14:35.000 It takes prayer to change your heart. 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:45.279 So even if you know the words to say, you would have the heart to say it, to want to speak kindly and lovingly to others instead of being disparaging or sarcastic. 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:48.259 It's hard work, but it's valuable work. 00:14:49.539 --> 00:14:51.199 So that's verses 14 and 15. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:54.860 In the next pairing is verses 16 and 17. 00:14:55.580 --> 00:14:59.740 Verse 16 instructs us not to rashly take on the debt of strangers. 00:15:00.640 --> 00:15:03.680 So we've heard this topic before in the book of Proverbs. 00:15:04.180 --> 00:15:12.259 The Proverbs says to take a man's garment, which is his basic property, as collateral when you foolishly become security for a stranger. 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:15.000 Now this is said with rhetorical sarcasm. 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:17.279 It's not a command to actually do that. 00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:21.299 It's meant to emphasize the stupidity of becoming security for a stranger. 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:25.819 A similar situation today might be co-signing someone else's contract. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:29.559 So I found some advice online about co-signing loans. 00:15:29.559 --> 00:15:35.039 So it says, co-signing a loan can distribute your financial life. 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:40.739 When a friend or family member comes to you and asks you to co-sign a loan for them, just say no. 00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:43.779 Co-signing puts you in the worst of both worlds. 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:49.219 You don't get the benefit of the house, the car, the student loan, etc. that you're guaranteeing. 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:52.619 But if things go wrong, you'll be responsible for paying. 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:59.340 So this advice talks about turning down a friend or a family member. 00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:02.240 Someone you already have a relationship with. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:07.159 How much more unadvisable is it to co-sign for a stranger? 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.379 Someone you don't know. 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:19.620 Verse 17 escalates this from rash words of saying that you'll back somebody out that you don't know. 00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:22.159 To again, deceitful words for personal gain. 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:28.419 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. 00:16:29.960 --> 00:16:32.759 This is one of Satan's schemes when he tempts us to sin. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:38.379 He shows us the short-term gratification and gain of sin, but he blinds us. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:43.620 The more long-term consequences and the more significant loss that it brings. 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:50.320 We see the instant gratification of pornography, but are blind to the future impact on our marriages. 00:16:50.320 --> 00:16:58.520 Or in business, we see the immediate gains of stolen riches, but are blind to the sorrow and shame of justice. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:01.220 I think of Bernie Madoff. 00:17:01.319 --> 00:17:07.920 He ran a massive $64.8 billion Ponzi scheme. 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:11.379 And he's currently serving a 150-year prison sentence. 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:16.060 And his eldest son committed suicide in the aftermath. 00:17:16.060 --> 00:17:23.460 But even when justice doesn't catch up in this life, we know that it will in the next. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:26.340 Because God sees, God hears all. 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.360 Vengeance belongs to God. 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:34.980 Verses 18-19 give guidance on decision-making. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:40.279 It means that you should seek counsel in making decisions, but not with gossip. 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:46.399 It is the humble and God-fearing person who values input from others. 00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:49.720 Others who love and trust God. 00:17:50.379 --> 00:17:53.960 But the proud person already has the only opinion that he thinks that he needs. 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:56.720 And so he doesn't ask for it, he doesn't look for it. 00:17:57.319 --> 00:18:04.480 Verse 18 applies this need for advice to war, but it's equally applicable for other areas of life. 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:12.299 I found that it's really helpful when you're dating somebody to have one or two people that you really trust walking with you throughout. 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:15.799 In the midi-gritty of the relationship. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:21.200 Because you can lose sight, lose perspective when you're dating. 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:24.900 You need someone who can see straight, who can call out some red flags. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:27.519 Especially when your own judgment is clouded. 00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:34.079 So, yeah, the need for advice, the value of that is super important. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:38.440 But someone you shouldn't trust in verse 19 is a gossip. 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:40.539 It's a person who can't keep their mouth shut. 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:42.880 Who goes without revealing secrets. 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:47.680 At the heart of gossip is unfaithfulness. 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:50.940 It's unfaithfulness to the person being gossiped about. 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.839 And a lack of love. 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:56.259 When you confide in a person who has these character flaws. 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.720 And you seek their guidance. 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:59.819 They might come off initially as a good listener. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:02.860 Someone who gives good counsel in the moment. 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:07.099 Plus you get the benefit of gifts and juicy details about other people's lives. 00:19:07.919 --> 00:19:11.599 But the gossip is also likely to share your secrets with others. 00:19:13.439 --> 00:19:15.719 So be careful there. 00:19:16.219 --> 00:19:16.819 Says the prophet. 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:21.980 Moving on to verses 20 and 21. 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:24.359 They speak to how we treat our parents. 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:27.179 Namely, we should honor our mother and father. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.319 Verses 20. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:31.379 Verse 20 is the flip side of Exodus. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.500 Chapter 20, verse 12. 00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:34.159 It says in the Ten Commandments. 00:19:34.659 --> 00:19:36.039 Honor your father and your mother. 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:39.539 That your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God has given you. 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:44.200 Honoring one's parents can be very difficult. 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:47.119 Some of us have parents that are great. 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:50.000 They love us. 00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:51.500 They provide for us. 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:53.720 And we respect them. 00:19:54.099 --> 00:19:58.779 But some of us have parents that it's hard. 00:19:59.240 --> 00:19:59.420 You know? 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.920 We might not judge them as honorable. 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:06.560 And in this world, it's the norm to give what is earned by a person. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:09.220 We honor those who are honorable. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.560 Love those who are lovable. 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.759 Respect those who are respectable. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:18.560 But the biblical norm is to give what is deserved by the position. 00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:19.840 Not the person. 00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:22.700 So in Exodus chapter 20, verse 12. 00:20:22.880 --> 00:20:24.400 We read, honor your father and your mother. 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:27.320 Ephesians 5, verse 33. 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:29.759 Let each one of you love his wife as himself. 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:32.540 And let the wife see that she respects her husband. 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.840 1 Peter 2, 17. 00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.280 Honor the emperor. 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.300 And in verse 18. 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:40.980 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect. 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:44.380 Not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust. 00:20:45.820 --> 00:20:47.220 There are no caveats here. 00:20:47.220 --> 00:20:51.480 The last verse actually points out that servants are to respect even unjust masters. 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:53.120 Those who don't deserve it. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:59.619 And this type of honoring and respecting, irrespective of the person, is good and right. 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:07.139 Because in these relationships between person to person, there's a third party, the most important party, who's God. 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:12.259 Who has created families and marriage and work and all the roles within them. 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:17.699 He's the one who deserves our obedience and honoring and respecting and loving. 00:21:18.719 --> 00:21:21.419 So we see an example of this in the Old Testament with David. 00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:24.160 In 1 Samuel chapter 24. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:29.100 This is a time when he's running for his life from King Saul. 00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:31.480 And he takes refuge in some caves. 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:35.300 Saul hears that he's over there and he comes after him. 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:38.779 But while in pursuit, Saul needs to use the bathroom. 00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:41.539 So he decides to go to number two in a cave. 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:45.539 And actually that cave is the very one that we're designing. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:50.059 And I'm reading in 1 Samuel chapter 24 and verse 4. 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:52.319 And the men of David said to him, 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:55.200 Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:58.099 Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand. 00:21:58.639 --> 00:22:01.220 And you shall do to him as it should seem good to you. 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:03.100 So his men are saying, 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:05.680 Hey, God said he's going to give your enemies to your hand. 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.940 This is exactly it. 00:22:07.019 --> 00:22:08.960 You should go take care of them. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:14.740 So David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:17.620 And afterward, David's heart struck him 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:20.259 because he had cut off a corner of Saul's robe. 00:22:21.100 --> 00:22:21.940 He said to his men, 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:25.319 The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my Lord, 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:26.420 the Lord's anointed, 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:28.620 to put out my hand against him, 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.539 seeing he is the Lord's anointed. 00:22:31.299 --> 00:22:33.680 So David persuaded his men with these words 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:36.200 and did not permit them to attack Saul. 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:39.819 And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:44.400 And then later, when David reveals to Saul what happened, 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:44.880 he says, 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:47.120 May the Lord judge between me and you. 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:49.019 May the Lord avenge me against you, 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:51.480 but my hand shall not be against you. 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:55.720 So it's clear that David trusted and feared God. 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:58.680 When it comes just to human wisdom, 00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:02.600 this was a perfect opportunity for David to be rid of his enemies. 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:05.600 And though Saul had come out to kill him, 00:23:05.599 --> 00:23:10.039 David honored God so he would not harm God's kingdom. 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.019 And he would trust God to avenge 00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:13.959 rather than taking vengeance into his own hands. 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:16.959 So it's hard to honor those who are not honorable 00:23:16.959 --> 00:23:18.599 and to love those who are not lovable. 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.159 And God understands this. 00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:24.019 He knows this because he does this for us. 00:23:25.219 --> 00:23:28.519 You and I, we are not good enough for God. 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:30.259 We will never be good enough for God. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:33.379 He is God and his standards of perfection, 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:37.539 of purity, of love, of righteousness are beyond any of us. 00:23:38.619 --> 00:23:41.259 So we will never be good enough for God, 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:45.279 yet we are of immense value, incredible value to God. 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:48.759 We are valuable enough that God sent his only son 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:50.319 on a rescue mission 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:53.939 so that Jesus could be good enough for us 00:23:53.939 --> 00:23:55.059 and pay for our penalties. 00:23:56.099 --> 00:23:58.419 So we're not good enough, but Jesus is good enough. 00:23:59.319 --> 00:24:02.059 God chooses to forgive us because Jesus deserves it. 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:04.399 He chooses to make us his children 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:06.419 because Jesus deserves it. 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:09.759 And he chooses never to leave us nor forsake us 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.980 because Jesus deserves it. 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.839 So honor your parents 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:14.720 because Jesus deserves it. 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:17.519 And he also helps us to obey. 00:24:19.319 --> 00:24:21.400 Verse 20 is paired with verse 21. 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:24.160 An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:26.539 will not be blessed in the end. 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:29.579 This verse probably isn't referring 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:31.279 to a fortune made quickly 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:33.039 through immoral means. 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:35.740 It seems specifically to pertain to 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:37.259 inheritance received from parents. 00:24:37.819 --> 00:24:39.559 It has in mind a grieved child 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:41.200 who somehow speaks out the process 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.559 like put his hands on his parents 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.299 running faster. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:45.960 Maybe he tries to get his parents 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.599 to die quicker. 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:49.019 Maybe it's like a prodigal sign 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.859 in Luke 15. 00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:59.940 Which is equivalent to saying to his father, 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.659 I wish you were dead. 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.319 I'd rather have your money. 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.599 Maybe the child wants a head start 00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.279 on his life. 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:10.259 He needs money to find an education 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.399 or pay for a way 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:14.139 to pay a down payment on a house. 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:16.059 Maybe he wants to start up a business. 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:17.899 All good things, 00:25:18.099 --> 00:25:20.259 but doing these things 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.960 by taking from his parents 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.200 what is not his 00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:24.859 and what is theirs 00:25:24.859 --> 00:25:26.000 before the time is right 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.660 will not be blessed by God. 00:25:28.619 --> 00:25:30.160 The ultimate source of 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:32.619 a successful education 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.859 and a marriage 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.599 and business 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.720 is not money 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:37.100 more hard work 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:38.039 but it's from God. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.940 So this brings us 00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:42.160 to our final two verses 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:43.779 in verses 22 and 23 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:45.259 which tells us 00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.279 that we should trust God 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.039 to avenge 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.539 even in the workplace. 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.980 Without the fear of God 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:52.380 we are tempted to avenge 00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.400 in God's place 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:55.120 to try to make things right 00:25:55.120 --> 00:25:56.100 with our own hands. 00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:58.119 But with the fear of God 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:58.899 we know that vengeance 00:25:58.899 --> 00:25:59.899 belongs to him. 00:26:00.719 --> 00:26:02.159 God created everything 00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:03.619 everything belongs to him 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:05.279 and he will repay 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.279 injustice 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.480 and wrongdoing 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:09.240 even in the workplace 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.699 because the workplace 00:26:10.699 --> 00:26:11.740 also belongs to him. 00:26:12.599 --> 00:26:13.859 This nuance is given 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:15.519 with verse 23. 00:26:15.699 --> 00:26:17.279 Verse 23 sounds very similar 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.939 to verse 10. 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.000 The last and first verse 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.259 of our passage 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.219 they sound similar 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.799 but the difference 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.480 is in the context 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.259 surrounding it 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:26.380 and around business 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:27.039 and God's vengeance. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.940 Verse 23 says that 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:29.980 remember 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:31.019 dishonest 00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:32.079 and deceitful 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:33.000 business dealings 00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.339 are an abomination to God 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.460 and he's also 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:36.240 the God of vengeance. 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.220 So when you find out 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:38.779 that someone 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:40.279 cheated you out 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:42.160 into paying 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.980 10% more 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:43.700 than was fair 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:45.519 don't try to even that out 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:47.140 and do the same 00:26:47.140 --> 00:26:48.019 to your next customer. 00:26:48.740 --> 00:26:49.819 Don't take things 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:50.539 into your own hands. 00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:52.359 Or when you find out 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.159 that you're going 00:26:53.159 --> 00:26:53.759 for a promotion 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:55.519 and you've got 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.019 a co-worker 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.500 who's fighting 00:26:56.500 --> 00:26:57.339 for the same promotion 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:59.519 and you hear 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.379 that he's bad-mouthing 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:01.259 you behind your back 00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:02.119 and playing politics 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:03.259 don't get into 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.859 the temptation 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.819 to do the same thing. 00:27:07.319 --> 00:27:08.460 Whether it's inside 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:09.899 or outside the workplace 00:27:09.899 --> 00:27:11.980 we will be wrong 00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.879 it's inevitable 00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:13.659 it's going to happen 00:27:13.659 --> 00:27:15.940 but will you choose 00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.859 to trust God 00:27:16.859 --> 00:27:17.460 to be God? 00:27:18.619 --> 00:27:19.339 Will you let him 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:19.940 take vengeance? 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.579 Will you say 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.539 like David did 00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.539 may the Lord 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:24.500 judge between 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.359 me and you 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.659 may the Lord 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:27.619 avenge me 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.420 against you 00:27:28.420 --> 00:27:29.659 but my hand 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:30.339 shall not be 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:30.920 against you. 00:27:32.039 --> 00:27:32.960 So let's 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.819 trust God 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:34.759 to be God 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.440 in our work 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.859 to be God 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:38.399 in every sphere 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.159 of our life 00:27:39.159 --> 00:27:40.980 to see and to know 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:42.099 and judge and avenge 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:43.599 and let's strive 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:44.839 to be God 00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.740 in Christ Jesus. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.740 Amen. 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:46.859 Amen. 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:46.920 Amen. 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:48.980 Amen. 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.039 Amen. 00:27:50.539 --> 00:27:52.240 Amen. 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:52.879 Amen. 00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.159 Amen. 00:27:53.159 --> 00:27:53.519 Amen. 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:56.960 Amen. 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.039 Amen. 00:27:59.440 --> 00:27:59.559 Amen. 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.059 Amen. 00:28:00.059 --> 00:28:00.200 Amen. 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.599 Amen. 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:00.940 Amen. 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.079 Amen. 00:28:01.079 --> 00:28:01.339 Amen. 00:28:01.379 --> 00:28:01.720 Amen. 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.599 Amen. 00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:03.599 Amen. 00:28:03.639 --> 00:28:04.079 Amen. 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:04.220 Amen. 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.539 Amen. 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.240 Amen. 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:05.680 Amen. 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:05.740 Amen. 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:05.940 Amen. 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.379 Amen. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:06.659 Amen. 00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:07.079 Amen. 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:07.399 Amen. 00:28:07.399 --> 00:28:07.799 Amen. 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:07.819 Amen. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.019 Amen. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.480 Amen. 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.779 Amen. 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:09.960 Amen. 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.299 Amen. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:10.799 Amen. 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.680 Amen. 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:11.819 Amen. 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:11.940 Amen. 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.039 Amen. 00:28:12.139 --> 00:28:13.859 Amen. 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:13.960 Amen. 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:16.240 Amen. 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:16.519 Amen. 00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:18.500 Amen. 00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:18.740 Amen. 00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:18.980 Amen.