WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.600 Would you open up your Bibles to Matthew 5, 00:00:02.600 --> 00:00:05.400 verses 38-42? 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:08.240 We've been working through the Sermon on the Mount. 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:12.040 And it's been rather challenging, hasn't it? 00:00:12.040 --> 00:00:17.719 Let me bow one more time. 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:21.280 God, it's not our natural inclination 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:26.760 to love someone who slaps us across the face. 00:00:26.760 --> 00:00:33.960 It's not our natural inclination to give a cloak. 00:00:33.960 --> 00:00:37.079 Our only cloak. 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:39.040 It's not our natural inclination 00:00:39.040 --> 00:00:42.200 to not only give someone a ride for a mile, 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:46.960 but to take them where they need to go. 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:49.120 And Lord, when we're begged for money 00:00:49.120 --> 00:00:52.120 or asked for someone to borrow money from us, 00:00:52.120 --> 00:00:56.719 our natural inclination isn't to welcome and love. 00:00:56.719 --> 00:01:02.920 There is a work that needs to happen in us, God. 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:05.599 And Lord Jesus, from Your lips, 00:01:05.599 --> 00:01:07.959 You call us to something beyond ourselves, 00:01:07.959 --> 00:01:12.400 a righteousness that exceeds the Pharisees here. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:15.879 It exceeds our ability. 00:01:15.879 --> 00:01:19.920 And so God, we're so thankful that not only You call us 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:23.519 to an exceeding righteousness, You have an exceeding power 00:01:23.519 --> 00:01:27.120 that You've made available to us in Jesus 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.799 to live the life You've called us to. 00:01:29.799 --> 00:01:35.159 God, would You make us a people who shine as lights in this dark place. 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:37.799 In Jesus' name, Amen. 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:43.000 Amen. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:46.879 Heart Set Life 00:01:46.879 --> 00:01:48.140 Slapped across the face? 00:01:50.239 --> 00:01:52.679 Have you ever been verbally insulted before? 00:01:53.459 --> 00:01:56.699 When you're verbally insulted, what's your first inclination? 00:01:56.840 --> 00:02:00.319 I don't know about you, but when I get insulted, I'm like... 00:02:00.319 --> 00:02:03.159 I want to insult back. 00:02:03.299 --> 00:02:07.199 I want to swap wrong for wrong. 00:02:08.019 --> 00:02:14.319 Our natural inclination when wronged is to wrong back. 00:02:14.319 --> 00:02:17.780 This morning, we're going to see Jesus. 00:02:17.939 --> 00:02:24.560 He's going to call us to something here that when we're wronged, we're not to retaliate in kind, 00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:29.539 but actually, we're to go beyond what is expected. 00:02:29.719 --> 00:02:36.459 It is quite a call this morning, but just to help you guys realize we're all in this together. 00:02:37.359 --> 00:02:41.719 When a sinner is wronged, a sinner tends to wrong back. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:48.599 I think you guys probably remember from this summer, the whole thing with Paul Ryan and Donald Trump. 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:54.819 And Donald Trump wanted Paul Ryan's endorsement, and Paul Ryan was a little reluctant to give the endorsement. 00:02:55.120 --> 00:02:57.939 And he finally did some kind of endorsement. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:05.139 And then when it was Paul Ryan's time to be endorsed, remember Donald Trump was less than quick to endorse him. 00:03:05.139 --> 00:03:09.619 A little retaliation going on there, I think. 00:03:12.679 --> 00:03:19.219 We see retaliation taking place in a variety of different places, not just in politics, but in families. 00:03:21.059 --> 00:03:26.279 You see a wife who's offended by her husband and she retaliates in a variety of ways. 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:33.360 Maybe it's a silent treatment. 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:35.439 Maybe it's a slam door. 00:03:35.860 --> 00:03:37.400 Maybe it's a withholding of something. 00:03:39.300 --> 00:03:44.259 It's tragic when you see these kinds of retaliations escalating and escalating, 00:03:44.340 --> 00:03:48.159 and eventually, it just starts burning a marriage from both ends. 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:55.139 We see retaliation taking place between parents and children. 00:03:56.139 --> 00:04:01.900 A child doesn't get something that he or she wants from the parent, and they retaliate. 00:04:02.699 --> 00:04:07.280 And other kinds of disobedience or making things hard around the house. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:11.919 We see retaliation taking place between brothers and sisters. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:18.860 And it's just not in our families, in our homes. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:22.399 It takes place in God's family, the church. 00:04:25.659 --> 00:04:30.939 When a brother is offended by another brother, by some kind of an insult, 00:04:31.699 --> 00:04:34.579 that can lead to all sorts of retaliations. 00:04:34.579 --> 00:04:42.219 Grudges, grudges, silent treatments, slander, gossip. 00:04:45.859 --> 00:04:50.120 Retaliation is a temptation that is common to man. 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:54.839 And when a sinner is wrong, a sinner tends to wrong back. 00:04:57.779 --> 00:04:59.620 Maybe you came in here this morning, 00:04:59.620 --> 00:05:04.420 and you're already involved in some kind of escalating conflict 00:05:04.420 --> 00:05:07.199 with another person who has wronged you. 00:05:07.300 --> 00:05:10.340 Maybe they insulted you some way with their words. 00:05:10.699 --> 00:05:12.680 Some kind of verbal backhand. 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:17.420 Or maybe they are making demands on you that you know are selfish. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:24.480 And your temptation is to retaliate. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:27.340 To slap back somehow. 00:05:27.700 --> 00:05:31.780 To respond to a demand with some demand of your own. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:36.420 I'm going to give you your just desserts. 00:05:37.540 --> 00:05:38.939 I'm going to even this score. 00:05:39.660 --> 00:05:43.980 That injury, I'm going to swap for an injury of my own, buddy. 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:49.840 And oftentimes, we justify our retaliation with things like this. 00:05:50.980 --> 00:05:52.560 Hey, I'm just claiming my rights, pal. 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:57.019 I have the right to protect my reputation. 00:05:57.379 --> 00:05:58.399 Thank you very much. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:01.959 I have the right to my own possessions. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:03.339 Thank you very much. 00:06:03.540 --> 00:06:06.000 I have the right to my own time. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:07.600 Don't you make a claim on it. 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:11.819 I've got a right to my money in the way I want to spend it. 00:06:11.899 --> 00:06:12.480 Thank you. 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:20.899 At the heart of retaliation is a selfish claiming of one's rights. 00:06:20.899 --> 00:06:21.879 Or it can be. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:25.040 And what Jesus is going to call us to this morning is, 00:06:25.699 --> 00:06:29.759 He's going to call us to give up our rights 00:06:29.759 --> 00:06:35.740 so that we can love the one who offends us. 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:38.579 It's a radical call. 00:06:41.779 --> 00:06:46.439 When offended, our first inclination is to revenge. 00:06:46.800 --> 00:06:48.199 To retaliation. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:07:00.860 But Jesus is calling us this morning to lay down our right to retaliate in order to love the one who has offended us. 00:07:00.939 --> 00:07:03.539 And so this morning, I'm going to show you from this text. 00:07:03.740 --> 00:07:11.539 I'm going to walk us through Moses on retaliation, the Pharisees on retaliation, and then Jesus on retaliation. 00:07:11.540 --> 00:07:17.360 And we're going to spend most of our time on Jesus and what He has to say about retaliation. 00:07:17.580 --> 00:07:21.140 But we've got to set it up by starting with the Mosaic Law. 00:07:21.620 --> 00:07:24.000 And so, let's jump right in. 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:34.160 The Mosaic Law, the Law and the Prophets, actually addressed the problem of retaliation. 00:07:34.160 --> 00:07:40.880 It came to be called, it came to be called, lex talionis. 00:07:41.460 --> 00:07:45.300 And it's Latin for the law of retaliation. 00:07:46.740 --> 00:07:49.020 And we see it several places in the Old Testament. 00:07:49.260 --> 00:07:51.800 I'm just going to read several places to you. 00:07:52.060 --> 00:07:54.120 If you can keep up, please, by all means do. 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:58.680 We'll start in Leviticus 24, 19 through 20. 00:07:58.680 --> 00:08:05.759 We read this, if anyone injures his neighbor as he has done, it shall be done to him. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.280 Fracture for fracture. 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:10.800 Eye for eye. 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:12.120 Tooth for tooth. 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:15.639 Whatever injury has given a person shall be given to him. 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:18.019 That's lex talionis. 00:08:19.840 --> 00:08:24.360 Another passage is in Exodus 21, verses 23-24. 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:28.100 But if there is harm, you shall pay life for life. 00:08:28.100 --> 00:08:29.040 Eye for eye. 00:08:29.220 --> 00:08:30.020 Tooth for tooth. 00:08:30.140 --> 00:08:30.920 Hand for hand. 00:08:31.080 --> 00:08:31.740 Foot for foot. 00:08:32.139 --> 00:08:32.980 Burn for burn. 00:08:33.259 --> 00:08:34.080 Wound for wound. 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:36.639 Stripe for stripe. 00:08:36.920 --> 00:08:38.360 Lex talionis. 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:40.420 The Law of Retaliation. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:43.600 Deuteronomy 19, verse 21. 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:45.540 Your eye shall not pity. 00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:47.200 It shall be life for life. 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:48.259 Eye for eye. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:49.379 Tooth for tooth. 00:08:49.700 --> 00:08:50.580 Hand for hand. 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:52.759 Foot for foot. 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:55.480 The Law of Retaliation. 00:08:55.820 --> 00:08:57.379 Lex talionis. 00:08:58.100 --> 00:09:04.420 It's really important to understand why these passages are in our Bible. 00:09:05.420 --> 00:09:10.200 There are two really important distinctions that we need to make here. 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:12.019 Why this is here. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:27.139 Essentially, what the Law of Retaliation, these passages are getting at, is to provide just recompense when wronged. 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:39.480 And so the heart behind it, the idea behind it, is that the use of eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth was intended to keep a conflict from escalating more. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:44.440 It was to provide just recompense for an injury. 00:09:44.440 --> 00:09:51.159 So the eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth thinking commands. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:53.159 It wasn't to breed revenge. 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:56.120 It wasn't to escalate hostility. 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:59.480 Rather, it was to pacify revenge. 00:09:59.480 --> 00:10:04.279 It was to provide a just punishment for a corresponding crime. 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:15.039 It was to make sure there was just compensation for an injury in right kind and degree. 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:16.659 An eye for an eye. 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:17.659 A tooth for a tooth. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:18.899 Let me give you an example. 00:10:18.899 --> 00:10:26.579 If you rear-ended my 2003 pickup truck, Lex talionis would say, bumper for bumper. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:34.139 And so I would not require of you to buy me a new 2016 pickup truck. 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:37.340 That's going beyond the principle. 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:47.700 So Lex talionis, the way that Moses was using it was instituted to ensure that there was a just compensation for an injury. 00:10:47.700 --> 00:10:59.620 It was a corresponding punishment that fit the crime. 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:03.920 Corresponding compensation for an injury incurred. 00:11:03.920 --> 00:11:08.340 But that's only one part of Lex talionis. 00:11:08.340 --> 00:11:12.580 The second distinction is important too. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:22.100 If you look at the immediate context around the Exodus 21 passage in the Deuteronomy 19 passage, 00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:33.060 Moses assumes judges will be the ones deciding what is a fair and just compensation for an offense or injury. 00:11:33.060 --> 00:11:38.980 Remember Exodus chapter 18, Moses is overwhelmed by all the decisions he's having to make. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:42.580 And his father-in-law Jethro says, hey buddy, you need some help. 00:11:42.580 --> 00:11:46.420 Call up judges that will help you decide these cases. 00:11:46.420 --> 00:11:47.460 And he does so. 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:52.340 And these judges were the ones who were deciding these kinds of issues. 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:54.740 So they wouldn't have to go to Moses. 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:58.259 Moses just handled the really heavy stuff. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:12:01.300 But what's important to realize here is this. 00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:07.860 That the one who's deciding what the just compensation was, was not the one offended. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:11.379 It was an objective, godly third party. 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:16.820 And so what we see going on here with this mosaic eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, 00:12:16.820 --> 00:12:24.019 it was to de-escalate conflict from moving towards personal vendettas. 00:12:24.019 --> 00:12:32.659 By providing a just consequence and having someone, a third party, make the decisions. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:36.259 There's actually a lot of wisdom to it, don't you think? 00:12:40.819 --> 00:12:44.419 But that's not what the Pharisees were using eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth for. 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:47.779 So we've seen Moses' use. 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:52.419 Let's look at the Pharisees' twist of Lex Talionis. 00:12:52.419 --> 00:12:56.500 We see that in Matthew chapter 5, verse 38. 00:13:02.740 --> 00:13:03.620 We read this. 00:13:04.819 --> 00:13:07.539 You have heard that it was said, this is Jesus speaking of course, 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:11.299 an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:18.979 The Pharisees were misusing, misapplying eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.819 Jesus says, but you have heard that it was said. 00:13:23.699 --> 00:13:27.859 Would you look at Matthew 5, 21? 00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:30.339 You've heard that it was said. 00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:32.679 Now look at 5, 27. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:34.079 You've heard that it was said. 00:13:34.839 --> 00:13:35.639 Verse 31. 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:37.679 It was also said. 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:38.819 Verse 33. 00:13:38.820 --> 00:13:41.240 Again, you've heard that it was said to those of old. 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:44.280 In verse 38, you've heard that it was said. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:46.440 Next week we're going to focus on verse 43. 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.520 You've heard that it was said. 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:49.000 You should love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:53.740 What Jesus is getting at is not what the Bible actually says, 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:57.820 but what the Pharisees were saying, what they were teaching. 00:13:58.320 --> 00:14:03.080 Jesus is taking issue with what the religious leaders of His day were teaching the people. 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:13.220 So He's seeking to correct His disciples in a misunderstanding and application of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 00:14:13.400 --> 00:14:15.800 So what you need to understand is that this is corrective. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:23.960 Jesus is helping His disciples understand the true meaning of an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:29.480 If Jesus wanted to actually appeal to the Bible, He would have said, it is written. 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:29.560 Hmm. 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:32.740 That's what He does in Matthew 4 at least. 00:14:34.180 --> 00:14:35.879 And so here's the Pharisaical twist. 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:42.480 Apparently, they were reinterpreting an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:53.340 in order for one's personal vendetta to be met for personal gain. 00:14:53.960 --> 00:15:01.320 It was misusing the intent of it instead of de-escalating conflict. 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:08.279 The Pharisees were using an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth in order to get what was due them. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:11.920 And it would increase conflict. 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.920 It would escalate things. 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:20.600 So it would kind of work out somewhat like this if you could imagine. 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:25.920 Let's say a Pharisee is offended by something that he didn't get. 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:27.740 The Pharisee would say, you know what? 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:29.039 That's wrong. 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.139 That's do me. 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.899 You know, eye for an eye. 00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.039 Tooth for a tooth, buddy. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:36.959 Where Moses would be saying, you know what? 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:38.699 It does seem like there was an offense here. 00:15:39.699 --> 00:15:43.360 And we want to make sure you get a just compensation. 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:46.139 An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 00:15:47.139 --> 00:15:47.740 See the difference? 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:50.719 One is looking to de-escalate. 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.540 The one is other. 00:15:51.540 --> 00:15:53.139 The one is claiming their rights. 00:15:57.100 --> 00:16:03.720 So what the law of Moses was intending to do in terms of restraining personal retaliation, 00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:09.040 the Pharisees were somehow using an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth in a distorted, 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:12.480 tweaked way to get what they wanted. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:17.180 To justify their retaliation. 00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:18.879 You wrong me. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:20.060 I'm going to wrong you back. 00:16:20.180 --> 00:16:21.720 Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:23.680 And Jesus speaks right into that. 00:16:24.840 --> 00:16:26.200 He seeks to correct it. 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:29.379 Because we all deal with retaliation. 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:32.620 It's a temptation common to man. 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:37.180 And so, let's turn now to, we've looked at Moses on retaliation. 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:47.579 We've looked at the twist, how the Pharisees were justifying their gripes and complaints 00:16:47.579 --> 00:16:51.620 with this eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. 00:16:51.719 --> 00:16:52.719 Now let's look at Jesus. 00:16:55.439 --> 00:16:57.779 And we see it beginning in verse 39. 00:16:57.979 --> 00:17:03.199 Jesus says, but I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. 00:17:03.539 --> 00:17:06.960 But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. 00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:10.059 What I'd like to show you right now are four things. 00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:16.160 In understanding what Jesus is getting at with, do not resist the one who is evil. 00:17:16.440 --> 00:17:19.880 What I want you to see first is the principle that Jesus is getting at. 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:21.640 And then the practice. 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:27.039 Jesus is going to take this principle and show it in practice in four scenarios. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:31.440 And then I want to help you think through, what is the power behind this? 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:34.660 And then the perspective that it gives. 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:39.060 And so we're going to look at principle, practice, power, and perspective. 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.540 Now let's look at this principle. 00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:46.940 You've heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:52.160 But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:55.080 The one who is evil. 00:17:55.079 --> 00:18:01.099 The first thing you need to understand about this principle that he's giving is, he's not talking about just war theory. 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:07.899 He's not making a claim on how a police department should use force or not. 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:09.220 That's not what he's doing here. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:13.639 We see that talked about in Romans 13. 00:18:13.640 --> 00:18:20.880 No, Jesus is very much focusing in on personal relationships. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:25.460 The everyday stuff where we're offended. 00:18:26.400 --> 00:18:28.940 And we want to claim our rights real quick. 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:35.980 The key word of it all is this word resist. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:39.019 What does Jesus mean by resist? 00:18:39.160 --> 00:18:41.059 Do not resist the one who is evil. 00:18:41.160 --> 00:18:43.500 I mean, are we to be doormats here? 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:46.500 Are we just going to let crime happen? 00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:48.580 What is Jesus getting at here? 00:18:48.579 --> 00:18:55.759 Well, given that Jesus is clarifying the true meaning of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 00:18:55.899 --> 00:19:01.159 He's wanting to help us see what the law of retaliation really is intended to mean. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:06.819 It's best to understand that word resist as retaliate. 00:19:10.199 --> 00:19:15.319 But I say, do not retaliate against the one who is evil. 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:18.519 He's not denying that you're going to be sinned against. 00:19:18.879 --> 00:19:22.439 What Jesus is saying is, don't retaliate against them. 00:19:24.439 --> 00:19:29.980 Do not retaliate against the one who intends some kind of evil against you. 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:33.839 Don't trade wrong for wrong. 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:47.319 Jesus seems very much to be limiting the focus of his teaching here on the different kinds of personal offense. 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:51.579 And we'll see that played out in the scenarios he gives out in a second. 00:19:52.859 --> 00:19:57.119 And so what I just want you to make sure you're understanding is he's not speaking of the role of a government. 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:59.419 It's military or it's police force here. 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:04.220 He's addressing the frequent evils of insult and imposition. 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:10.920 When someone is being self-focused and demanding and imposing on us. 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:14.339 And so he's dealing with the realm of personal relationships. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:16.860 A realm we live in every day. 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:18.599 In our marriages. 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:18.859 In our parenting. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:21.619 In our workplaces. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.799 In our schools. 00:20:23.919 --> 00:20:25.919 Here's what Jesus is getting at. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.740 Here's the principle. 00:20:28.639 --> 00:20:33.639 When you are insulted or imposed upon by another person. 00:20:34.639 --> 00:20:37.019 Do not retaliate. 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:40.059 Do not retaliate. 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:47.680 He says do not resist the one who is evil. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:53.920 And what he means by do not resist, do not retaliate is you don't sin back. 00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:58.940 But what we're going to see now as we turn to the practice of this principle. 00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:02.139 There's more to it than just not sinning in return. 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:06.500 So let's now look at verses the second half of 39. 00:21:06.900 --> 00:21:08.180 All the way through 42. 00:21:08.580 --> 00:21:12.740 And we're going to see four examples of this principle in practice. 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:18.880 So you are not, when you're insulted or imposed believer. 00:21:19.860 --> 00:21:21.060 By another person. 00:21:21.800 --> 00:21:23.440 Don't retaliate. 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:26.200 In second half of verse 39 we see this. 00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:30.500 But I say to you do not resist the one who is evil. 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:34.299 But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek. 00:21:34.640 --> 00:21:38.099 Turn to him the other also. 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:45.680 This right cheek slap was a certain kind of slap. 00:21:47.099 --> 00:21:49.839 It was, most people were right handed. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:52.740 And so in order for you to do a right cheek slap. 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:54.680 It had to be a back hand. 00:21:54.819 --> 00:21:57.960 Otherwise you'd have to do some kind of contortion move. 00:21:57.960 --> 00:22:01.240 In order to slap them on the right cheek with an open right hand. 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:06.039 And so this right handed back hand was an insult. 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:11.900 It was considered more of an insult than an open handed slap to the left cheek. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:14.200 This was across your face. 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:16.539 And it was an insult of your person. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:24.960 Now, nowadays we don't really do much of this right handed back hand against the, cross the face. 00:22:25.139 --> 00:22:27.240 But we have our own kinds of insults, don't we? 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:28.519 That are just as slappy. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:31.759 Often times they're verbal insults. 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:35.480 And it has the effect of a verbal back hand. 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:38.099 You're so incompetent. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.759 You're so incompetent. 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.640 You're so arrogant. 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:44.059 You're useless. 00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:46.059 Has anybody been called those before? 00:22:46.420 --> 00:22:48.880 Or some other kind of insult of your person? 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:52.059 It's a verbal back hand. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:55.660 And what Jesus is telling us here is this. 00:22:55.660 --> 00:23:03.800 When you receive a back hand of some kind, across your right cheek, turn your other. 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.920 So notice what he's saying. 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.660 There's two things. 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:12.200 Jesus is saying, don't retaliate. 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:14.000 Don't slap them back. 00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:19.120 Rather, go beyond what is expected. 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:22.659 And position yourself for another insult. 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.919 Turn your cheek. 00:23:26.239 --> 00:23:31.359 And so when Jesus talks about resisting the one who is evil, not only is he saying, don't retaliate. 00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:36.679 What we're going to see played out in these examples is, you go beyond what's expected. 00:23:39.699 --> 00:23:42.799 We see that played out in the next example, in verse 40. 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:48.359 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:54.859 The idea there is someone's bringing you a small claims court for your favorite outfit. 00:23:56.239 --> 00:23:58.819 And so the tunic was something that was worn. 00:23:58.919 --> 00:24:02.199 It's not your underwear, but it is, you know, pants in your shirt. 00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:13.179 And what Jesus is bringing up, hey, if someone imposes this demand on you for your favorite outfit, 00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:16.039 don't retaliate. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.319 Don't sue him back. 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:19.899 Rather, give them your outfit. 00:24:20.460 --> 00:24:21.859 But then he goes one step further. 00:24:22.659 --> 00:24:25.039 He says, and also give them your cloak. 00:24:25.259 --> 00:24:26.220 Do you know what he's talking about? 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:30.299 Do you have a favorite parka that you wear in February here in Wisconsin? 00:24:30.899 --> 00:24:32.059 I got a favorite parka. 00:24:32.119 --> 00:24:33.139 Man, this thing is awesome. 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:36.980 I could wear a t-shirt underneath it in 30 below weather, and I'm just happy. 00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:39.599 I only got one of them. 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:48.900 According to Mosaic law, it was wrong for one Jew to sue another Jew for their cloak, 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:50.420 because it's the only thing they had. 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:55.880 And so what Jesus is saying here, if someone sues you for your tunic, give them your tunic, 00:24:55.880 --> 00:25:01.220 and voluntarily give them your favorite parka too. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:07.960 What Jesus is saying here is don't retaliate. 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:10.960 Yeah, don't swap out suit for suit. 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:14.400 Rather, go beyond what's expected. 00:25:14.400 --> 00:25:17.519 When you're insulted, go beyond what's expected. 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:21.740 This next one's very interesting. 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.540 Verse 41. 00:25:24.100 --> 00:25:27.280 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:32.340 If the first one was an insult of your person, 00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:35.720 and the second one was the imposition on your possessions, 00:25:36.280 --> 00:25:41.180 this one is an imposition on your time, your energy. 00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:48.000 Somebody imposes, demands something of you to do a task that you weren't planning on doing. 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:49.019 Thank you very much. 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:55.120 A good example of this is Simon of Cyrene. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:56.360 Do you remember him? 00:25:58.039 --> 00:25:59.840 Jesus is about to be crucified, 00:26:00.360 --> 00:26:03.700 and he's having to carry his cross out to Calvary, 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.420 and the Roman guards, 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:09.360 they impress upon Simon of Cyrene, 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:10.439 who was in Jerusalem, 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:12.479 to carry Jesus' cross. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:15.079 Simon did not show up to Jerusalem 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:17.539 to volunteer to carry Jesus' cross that day. 00:26:17.740 --> 00:26:19.759 He was forced to do that. 00:26:20.479 --> 00:26:22.659 It was legal for him, 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.439 for the Romans, 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:26.279 to do that to Simon of Cyrene. 00:26:26.579 --> 00:26:28.579 And so what we're being talked about here 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:31.119 is when someone imposes something on you, 00:26:31.199 --> 00:26:32.519 a task of some sort, 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:34.459 that you weren't planning on today, 00:26:34.979 --> 00:26:36.199 that's going to take time, 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:37.500 and it's going to take time away 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:38.779 from whatever else you were doing. 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:43.000 Jesus says, 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:46.240 hey, don't retaliate. 00:26:47.660 --> 00:26:50.299 Rather, go another mile. 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:55.019 Now, if you're like me, 00:26:55.200 --> 00:26:56.519 I start thinking like this. 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.000 Okay, I have a friend. 00:26:58.099 --> 00:27:00.379 He needs to get a ride out west, 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:02.740 and so he gets in the car. 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:05.379 I turn my odometer thingy to zero, 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:08.859 and I'm watching this go click to one mile. 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.659 Got it. 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:11.980 I'm now entering the second mile, 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:14.139 and I get to mile number two, 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:16.440 and I pull over to the side of the road, 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.619 and I say to my friend, 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.099 hey, buddy, 00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:20.019 I got you the extra mile. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:22.039 I know you've got three more miles to walk, 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:24.980 but I want the extra mile for you. 00:27:26.659 --> 00:27:28.240 That's not what Jesus is getting at. 00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:31.179 Jesus is simply getting at the point 00:27:31.179 --> 00:27:32.699 of going beyond what's expected. 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:39.179 When someone demands your time and energy 00:27:39.179 --> 00:27:40.719 in a way that you weren't planning for, 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:46.400 the last example that Jesus gives 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:50.079 of this principle to not retaliate, 00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.900 not to resist the one who is evil. 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:56.240 We see that played out in verse 42. 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.500 Give to the one who begs from you, 00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.880 and do not refuse the one 00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:01.380 who would borrow from you. 00:28:01.600 --> 00:28:02.299 All of a sudden, 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:03.360 we're in the world of someone 00:28:03.360 --> 00:28:04.579 wanting money from me. 00:28:05.420 --> 00:28:06.700 Someone asking for money. 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:09.420 Give me some money. 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:15.259 It's challenging. 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:17.620 What Jesus' response is this. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.080 He's saying, 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.560 don't retaliate, 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:23.740 but go beyond what's expected. 00:28:25.580 --> 00:28:27.560 Now, we are faced on a regular basis. 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:28.560 I don't know about you, 00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:31.480 but I'm regularly encountering people 00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:32.620 who are asking money from me. 00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:35.140 What am I supposed to do? 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:38.180 Do I give them everything in my pockets? 00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:39.860 Do I go to an ATM 00:28:39.860 --> 00:28:41.660 and cash out everything we got 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.300 and give it to them? 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.500 What am I supposed to do? 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.340 Well, the bottom line is 00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:49.360 what we're going to see is, 00:28:49.700 --> 00:28:51.060 well, we don't retaliate, 00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:53.740 but we're going to go beyond what's expected, 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:55.300 and the way that we do that 00:28:55.300 --> 00:28:56.920 is by loving this person 00:28:56.920 --> 00:28:58.259 who's asking for money, 00:28:58.259 --> 00:29:00.160 and that doesn't necessarily mean 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:01.519 we give them everything we got, 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.660 but it definitely means 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.839 helping them 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:06.500 and understanding them 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:08.319 and taking them the next step. 00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:10.279 Now, I don't have an easy answer 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.680 for you this morning on that one, 00:29:12.119 --> 00:29:13.420 but I can point you to something. 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.619 This is a book 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:19.819 that has been tremendously helpful for me 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:21.679 and for people from our church 00:29:21.679 --> 00:29:23.919 and understanding how to respond 00:29:23.919 --> 00:29:25.099 to people in need, 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:27.159 and when you're put on the spot, 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:28.099 ask for money. 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:30.339 It's called when helping hurts. 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.139 The bottom line is 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:34.200 to go beyond what's expected, 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.019 we're going to do that 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.339 in a way that pleases God, 00:29:37.119 --> 00:29:38.240 and so we want to help people 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.179 without hurting them. 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:40.899 So, for example, 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:43.000 if I'm outside of shenanigans 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:44.339 and I have a guy 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.639 who's got alcohol in his breath 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:46.299 coming up to me 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:47.619 and asking for five bucks, 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:49.619 I'm going to say no. 00:29:50.639 --> 00:29:51.339 Do you know why? 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.959 It would be unloving of me. 00:29:57.939 --> 00:30:00.439 Another example would be this. 00:30:01.659 --> 00:30:03.439 If I had someone coming up to me 00:30:03.439 --> 00:30:04.619 and asking for money, 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:07.579 and I know this person 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:09.579 had a chronic problem 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:11.439 with finding a job, 00:30:11.959 --> 00:30:13.459 and it wasn't that he wasn't looking, 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:16.259 it was because he didn't want to work. 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:19.259 I would not be inclined 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:21.119 to help them out with money. 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.319 I'd want to help them out 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:23.939 in a different way. 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.659 I'd want to admonish him, 00:30:26.939 --> 00:30:28.439 as 1 Thessalonians would say. 00:30:29.819 --> 00:30:31.419 Admonish him to work. 00:30:32.739 --> 00:30:34.519 The Apostle Paul says some hard things 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:35.939 in 2 Thessalonians 3. 00:30:36.139 --> 00:30:36.359 He says, 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:37.739 hey, if you're not going to work, 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.399 you're not going to eat. 00:30:38.839 --> 00:30:40.419 That's the rule I tell all the churches. 00:30:40.420 --> 00:30:43.279 And so what we want to do, 00:30:43.380 --> 00:30:44.140 whatever it is, 00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:46.100 when someone presents a real physical need, 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:47.519 is we want to help them 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:49.560 in a way that's really going to help them, 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.840 not going to hurt them in the long run. 00:30:52.360 --> 00:30:54.300 And so I want to commend to you this book, 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.580 When Helping Hurts. 00:30:55.900 --> 00:30:56.840 It also has a, 00:30:57.080 --> 00:30:59.840 there's a free video series online. 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:02.660 That's called Helping Without Hurting. 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.160 I think there's six videos. 00:31:04.320 --> 00:31:05.620 They're really, really helpful, 00:31:05.619 --> 00:31:07.979 and they will help you know how to respond 00:31:07.979 --> 00:31:09.339 when you're put on the spot 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:11.699 when someone asks you for money. 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:15.139 But the principle is this. 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:17.399 When someone asks you for money, 00:31:17.979 --> 00:31:19.039 don't retaliate. 00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:22.039 Don't be sinful back. 00:31:22.619 --> 00:31:25.659 Rather, seek to go beyond what's expected. 00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:29.459 I'll help you with that in just a second. 00:31:33.059 --> 00:31:34.959 In all this practice, 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:38.039 of not retaliating 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.979 and going beyond what's expected, 00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:42.619 I think we need to ask a question. 00:31:44.239 --> 00:31:45.599 What's underneath this? 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:47.659 Jesus, why are you talking like this? 00:31:48.219 --> 00:31:49.819 What's driving this? 00:31:50.579 --> 00:31:54.599 Why not just stop with non-retaliation? 00:31:55.679 --> 00:31:59.000 What's this business of going beyond what's expected? 00:31:59.139 --> 00:32:00.279 Where's this coming from? 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:04.059 Well, it's not explicit in this passage, 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:07.099 but it becomes explicit in a passage later in Matthew. 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:09.039 Would you turn to Matthew 22? 00:32:13.039 --> 00:32:17.059 In Matthew 22, verses 34-40, 00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:22.480 Jesus says something that is really helpful for us. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:29.660 Quickly to summarize it, it's this. 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:34.180 A lawyer comes up to Jesus and asks him a question to test him. 00:32:35.059 --> 00:32:35.620 He says, 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:38.319 Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.120 And he's asking, 00:32:39.700 --> 00:32:42.059 What is the greatest of commandments? 00:32:42.059 --> 00:32:45.200 And Jesus says to him, 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:47.339 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.220 with all your soul, 00:32:48.299 --> 00:32:49.319 and with all your mind. 00:32:49.919 --> 00:32:50.599 And then he says, 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:52.899 This is the great and first commandment, 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.039 and a second is like it. 00:32:54.099 --> 00:32:55.879 You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:57.599 And now look at verse 40. 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:02.139 On these two commandments depend 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:05.799 all the law and the prophets. 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:09.500 What Jesus is giving us right here 00:33:09.500 --> 00:33:11.460 is a way to understand 00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:13.200 how we're to fulfill 00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:14.339 an eye for an eye, 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.399 and a tooth for a tooth. 00:33:16.659 --> 00:33:19.960 Lex talionis is filled by the law of love. 00:33:21.180 --> 00:33:22.379 Lex amoris. 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:25.460 So what Jesus is saying here is, 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:27.399 when someone asks you for money, 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:29.180 love them. 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:31.059 Love them. 00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:33.839 Treat them as you would want to be treated. 00:33:33.839 --> 00:33:35.519 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:36.779 In fact, 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:37.619 first, 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.399 love God with everything you've got, 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:41.139 and then love this person. 00:33:42.159 --> 00:33:42.480 And so, 00:33:42.659 --> 00:33:43.940 when you love God first, 00:33:44.059 --> 00:33:45.259 you know what you're going to want for your neighbor? 00:33:46.159 --> 00:33:47.619 You're going to want them to love God 00:33:47.619 --> 00:33:48.839 with everything they've got. 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:51.039 So no matter how I help somebody, 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:52.700 I'm going to help them in a way 00:33:52.700 --> 00:33:55.000 that's going to aim them at God Himself. 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:56.680 So that they would love Him 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:58.579 with all of their heart, soul, mind, 00:33:59.059 --> 00:33:59.659 and strength. 00:34:00.839 --> 00:34:01.519 And so, 00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:03.279 underneath this, 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:05.159 these words of Jesus, 00:34:05.160 --> 00:34:06.680 I want to help you think 00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:10.300 in terms of there is a law of love. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:13.920 Do good to the one who insults you. 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:17.260 Love the person who puts a demand on you. 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.680 And love them, 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.940 and what it means is, 00:34:20.300 --> 00:34:22.340 do the greatest thing you can for them. 00:34:22.720 --> 00:34:24.659 Do what's most wise for them. 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.819 And sometimes, 00:34:26.139 --> 00:34:28.119 that will be something 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:29.559 they don't want, 00:34:30.399 --> 00:34:32.579 but you know it's the most loving thing you can do. 00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:36.500 Quick question. 00:34:38.619 --> 00:34:40.679 Jesus, did you practice what you preached? 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:45.960 Jesus, did you do this very thing 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:48.099 you're talking about here? 00:34:49.440 --> 00:34:50.599 When you were insulted, 00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:52.799 did you not retaliate? 00:34:53.319 --> 00:34:55.039 Did you go beyond what was expected? 00:34:55.919 --> 00:34:57.579 When you were imposed upon, 00:34:57.839 --> 00:34:59.099 did you not retaliate? 00:34:59.359 --> 00:35:01.219 Did you go beyond what was expected? 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:03.960 Of course, we know the answer. 00:35:03.960 --> 00:35:07.599 The cross of Jesus Christ 00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:09.599 is the greatest example 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.920 of non-retaliation 00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:12.539 and going beyond what's expected 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:13.740 the world has ever seen. 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:18.320 At the cross, 00:35:19.320 --> 00:35:24.420 God went beyond 00:35:24.420 --> 00:35:26.220 our expectations. 00:35:26.579 --> 00:35:27.460 What did we deserve? 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:30.280 We deserve punishment. 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:34.159 In the cross, 00:35:34.260 --> 00:35:35.119 what it shows is, 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:37.760 God did not come to retaliate in Jesus. 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:40.039 He came to forgive. 00:35:41.000 --> 00:35:42.559 He came to forgive sinners 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.500 who slapped Him. 00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:45.619 He gave to forgive sinners 00:35:45.619 --> 00:35:47.240 who swapped Him out 00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:48.820 to worship what He created. 00:35:48.820 --> 00:35:51.280 He came to save the ones 00:35:51.280 --> 00:35:53.260 who were offending Him. 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:57.680 The cross is the greatest example 00:35:57.680 --> 00:36:00.300 of this principle 00:36:00.300 --> 00:36:02.360 of non-retaliation 00:36:02.360 --> 00:36:04.220 and going beyond what's expected. 00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.780 The cross of Jesus Christ 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:08.800 is not lex talionis. 00:36:09.560 --> 00:36:11.700 It's the law of love on display. 00:36:12.060 --> 00:36:13.060 Lex amoris. 00:36:13.160 --> 00:36:14.140 The law of love. 00:36:16.460 --> 00:36:17.820 Now when you realize 00:36:17.820 --> 00:36:19.120 what Jesus is talking about, 00:36:19.180 --> 00:36:20.920 you realize He's practicing 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.760 what He preaches. 00:36:21.760 --> 00:36:24.500 this gives us eyes to see 00:36:24.500 --> 00:36:26.780 these practices in a new light. 00:36:27.740 --> 00:36:29.760 What's underneath all this 00:36:29.760 --> 00:36:31.540 is the law of love. 00:36:32.060 --> 00:36:33.820 So we're not to respond, 00:36:34.780 --> 00:36:36.020 retaliate to the one 00:36:36.020 --> 00:36:37.120 who insults us 00:36:37.120 --> 00:36:38.240 because it wouldn't be loving. 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.660 It wouldn't be loving 00:36:39.660 --> 00:36:40.680 my neighbor as myself. 00:36:42.560 --> 00:36:43.840 And I'm going to go beyond 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:45.100 what is expected. 00:36:45.260 --> 00:36:46.540 Even though they insult me, 00:36:46.800 --> 00:36:48.040 I'm going to turn my cheek. 00:36:49.320 --> 00:36:50.440 I'm going to give my cloak. 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.840 I'm going to go the extra mile 00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:55.119 because that's what God 00:36:55.119 --> 00:36:56.380 and Christ has done for me. 00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:05.659 There's no way to put it 00:37:05.659 --> 00:37:06.320 other than this. 00:37:07.360 --> 00:37:08.559 What we see happening 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:10.679 in Matthew 5, 38-42 00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:14.460 is a call to die to your rights. 00:37:14.460 --> 00:37:17.659 That's what Jesus is calling us to. 00:37:19.159 --> 00:37:20.599 He Himself did that. 00:37:21.599 --> 00:37:23.940 And He's calling us to the same. 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:26.840 I'm going to do 00:37:26.840 --> 00:37:28.880 for the one who insults me 00:37:28.880 --> 00:37:31.460 what Jesus did for me. 00:37:33.460 --> 00:37:35.119 So the law of love 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:38.599 isn't just limiting our response 00:37:38.599 --> 00:37:39.800 to non-retaliation, 00:37:39.800 --> 00:37:42.680 but it's going beyond expectations 00:37:42.680 --> 00:37:44.519 because that is what God 00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:45.960 has done for each of us 00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:46.760 in Christ. 00:37:47.620 --> 00:37:48.980 And so all of these practices 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.320 that Jesus is showing here 00:37:50.320 --> 00:37:51.300 of this principle 00:37:51.300 --> 00:37:52.800 of non-retaliation 00:37:52.800 --> 00:37:54.019 ends up being 00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:56.100 ways we love our neighbor 00:37:56.100 --> 00:37:56.780 as ourself. 00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:57.740 It's the law of love. 00:38:00.320 --> 00:38:01.760 Now the question becomes, 00:38:02.320 --> 00:38:02.539 man, 00:38:03.580 --> 00:38:04.680 really, seriously, 00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.860 how am I supposed to do that? 00:38:05.860 --> 00:38:08.460 Because it sounds great, 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:10.780 but how do you actually do that? 00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:12.160 How do I, 00:38:12.500 --> 00:38:14.660 when someone is insulting me, 00:38:15.120 --> 00:38:17.140 respond in love to them? 00:38:17.340 --> 00:38:18.320 Because that's where it gets 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:19.200 in the nitty-gritty, right? 00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:21.599 How do you do that? 00:38:21.980 --> 00:38:22.980 Well, you need a power 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:23.920 that's not of your own. 00:38:26.599 --> 00:38:28.700 And the power that we need 00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:29.720 comes from the one 00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:31.300 who's speaking these words. 00:38:32.320 --> 00:38:33.079 Jesus power, 00:38:33.320 --> 00:38:34.140 gospel power, 00:38:34.139 --> 00:38:36.019 cross power. 00:38:36.579 --> 00:38:37.980 What gives us the ability 00:38:37.980 --> 00:38:39.500 to love those who insult us? 00:38:39.639 --> 00:38:40.739 What gives us the ability 00:38:40.739 --> 00:38:42.900 to love those who impose 00:38:42.900 --> 00:38:44.400 a demand upon us? 00:38:45.799 --> 00:38:46.779 Jesus does. 00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:49.699 The cross of Christ does. 00:38:50.159 --> 00:38:53.420 Me being united to Jesus does. 00:38:53.839 --> 00:38:54.619 And so let me point you 00:38:54.619 --> 00:38:56.059 to a couple passages. 00:38:57.339 --> 00:38:59.739 Ways in which this works out 00:38:59.739 --> 00:39:01.099 in life. 00:39:01.099 --> 00:39:01.179 life. 00:39:03.699 --> 00:39:04.860 The first thing you've got to realize 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:06.079 is you've got to die to yourself. 00:39:07.339 --> 00:39:09.099 That initial reaction 00:39:09.099 --> 00:39:10.219 to retaliate, 00:39:10.420 --> 00:39:11.480 it's got to die. 00:39:14.819 --> 00:39:15.779 There's this passage 00:39:15.779 --> 00:39:17.039 in 1 Corinthians 6. 00:39:17.119 --> 00:39:18.940 The Apostle Paul is calling 00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:19.980 these Corinthians 00:39:19.980 --> 00:39:22.420 out of sexual immorality. 00:39:23.079 --> 00:39:24.380 And he says this 00:39:24.380 --> 00:39:25.940 by way of summary. 00:39:25.940 --> 00:39:26.500 He says, 00:39:26.599 --> 00:39:27.739 you're not your own. 00:39:27.739 --> 00:39:29.119 You were bought 00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:30.119 with a price. 00:39:30.519 --> 00:39:32.039 So glorify God 00:39:32.039 --> 00:39:32.899 with your body. 00:39:33.959 --> 00:39:35.000 See what he's saying? 00:39:36.479 --> 00:39:38.319 You're not your own. 00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:42.179 You have no right 00:39:42.179 --> 00:39:42.819 to claim. 00:39:43.899 --> 00:39:44.879 You've been bought 00:39:44.879 --> 00:39:45.659 with a price. 00:39:47.319 --> 00:39:48.219 Jesus' blood. 00:39:48.939 --> 00:39:49.839 Gospel truth. 00:39:50.319 --> 00:39:50.819 Cross. 00:39:51.000 --> 00:39:51.699 Right there. 00:39:52.119 --> 00:39:53.099 So glorify God 00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:53.759 with your body. 00:39:54.159 --> 00:39:55.139 Here's what that means. 00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:57.359 Because I'm not my own. 00:39:57.719 --> 00:39:58.639 All that I am 00:39:58.639 --> 00:40:00.359 belongs to Jesus now. 00:40:00.539 --> 00:40:01.379 Do you know what that includes? 00:40:01.859 --> 00:40:02.779 My reputation. 00:40:03.559 --> 00:40:04.639 So when I'm insulted, 00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:07.199 the reputation 00:40:07.199 --> 00:40:09.019 that I want to protect, 00:40:09.199 --> 00:40:10.359 I'm going to submit it 00:40:10.359 --> 00:40:10.960 to Jesus. 00:40:11.559 --> 00:40:12.079 It's His. 00:40:13.239 --> 00:40:14.799 My reputation is His. 00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:17.219 My tunic and cloak 00:40:17.219 --> 00:40:17.940 is His. 00:40:18.239 --> 00:40:19.920 My time and energy 00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:20.619 is His. 00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:22.400 My money is His. 00:40:22.400 --> 00:40:23.259 All of that 00:40:23.259 --> 00:40:24.400 He's entrusted to me. 00:40:24.400 --> 00:40:26.099 I'm going to steward 00:40:26.099 --> 00:40:27.340 unto Him. 00:40:28.680 --> 00:40:30.400 So what the cross 00:40:30.400 --> 00:40:31.639 does for us 00:40:31.639 --> 00:40:33.340 is it helps us 00:40:33.340 --> 00:40:34.139 to die 00:40:34.139 --> 00:40:35.579 to our selfish 00:40:35.579 --> 00:40:36.660 claiming of rights 00:40:36.660 --> 00:40:38.360 so that we can live 00:40:38.360 --> 00:40:40.280 for our King. 00:40:42.180 --> 00:40:43.000 And then when we are 00:40:43.000 --> 00:40:44.619 positioned to do that, 00:40:44.940 --> 00:40:46.160 we are now able 00:40:46.160 --> 00:40:47.460 to love our neighbor 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:48.720 as ourself. 00:40:50.860 --> 00:40:52.840 A couple of my favorite passages. 00:40:52.840 --> 00:40:56.000 2 Corinthians 5.15 00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:56.420 says, 00:40:56.579 --> 00:40:57.320 And He died for all 00:40:57.320 --> 00:40:58.079 that those who live 00:40:58.079 --> 00:40:58.740 might no longer 00:40:58.740 --> 00:40:59.660 live for themselves, 00:41:00.420 --> 00:41:01.360 but for Him 00:41:01.360 --> 00:41:03.140 who for their sake 00:41:03.140 --> 00:41:04.120 died and was raised. 00:41:05.059 --> 00:41:05.980 He died for me 00:41:05.980 --> 00:41:07.059 so that I can live for Him. 00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:09.240 He died for you 00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:10.260 so that you could 00:41:10.260 --> 00:41:11.019 live for Him. 00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:12.500 He died for you 00:41:12.500 --> 00:41:13.300 so that when you're 00:41:13.300 --> 00:41:13.720 insulted, 00:41:14.120 --> 00:41:15.019 you don't respond 00:41:15.019 --> 00:41:15.579 in kind, 00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:16.960 but you go beyond 00:41:16.960 --> 00:41:17.660 what's expected. 00:41:18.100 --> 00:41:19.000 That's why He died 00:41:19.000 --> 00:41:19.380 for you. 00:41:22.219 --> 00:41:23.260 Galatians 2.20 00:41:23.260 --> 00:41:25.179 I have been crucified 00:41:25.179 --> 00:41:25.960 with Christ. 00:41:26.059 --> 00:41:27.280 It's no longer I who live, 00:41:27.360 --> 00:41:28.599 but Christ who lives in me 00:41:28.599 --> 00:41:29.800 in the life I now live 00:41:29.800 --> 00:41:30.320 in the flesh. 00:41:30.699 --> 00:41:31.719 I live by faith 00:41:31.719 --> 00:41:32.460 in the Son of God 00:41:32.460 --> 00:41:33.000 who loved me 00:41:33.000 --> 00:41:34.280 and gave Himself up for me. 00:41:34.539 --> 00:41:35.239 There's gospel. 00:41:35.380 --> 00:41:36.519 He gave Himself up for me 00:41:36.519 --> 00:41:37.920 so that I could live for Him. 00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:42.039 So when someone puts 00:41:42.039 --> 00:41:43.460 an unrealistic, 00:41:43.780 --> 00:41:45.059 selfish demand on me, 00:41:45.059 --> 00:41:46.539 I don't respond 00:41:46.539 --> 00:41:47.679 in retaliation, 00:41:47.900 --> 00:41:48.299 vengeance. 00:41:49.500 --> 00:41:50.559 I love them 00:41:50.559 --> 00:41:52.579 as God in Christ 00:41:52.579 --> 00:41:53.360 has loved me. 00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:56.079 This is how we die 00:41:56.079 --> 00:41:56.759 to ourselves 00:41:56.759 --> 00:41:58.360 in order to live 00:41:58.360 --> 00:41:59.000 for Christ 00:41:59.000 --> 00:42:00.579 and it all has to do 00:42:00.579 --> 00:42:01.860 with Christ's work 00:42:01.860 --> 00:42:02.599 on the cross. 00:42:03.539 --> 00:42:05.860 That's where the power is 00:42:05.860 --> 00:42:06.940 to enable us 00:42:06.940 --> 00:42:07.579 to do this. 00:42:07.880 --> 00:42:08.199 And so, 00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:09.579 let's say that you are 00:42:09.579 --> 00:42:10.579 insulted by someone 00:42:10.579 --> 00:42:11.599 and you're face to face. 00:42:11.679 --> 00:42:11.920 Do you know 00:42:11.920 --> 00:42:12.659 what you could be doing? 00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:14.840 I'm hearing what this person 00:42:14.840 --> 00:42:15.300 is saying 00:42:15.300 --> 00:42:16.519 and I really want to 00:42:16.519 --> 00:42:17.940 reach out with my 00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:19.039 verbal backhand right now 00:42:19.039 --> 00:42:20.100 and slap them right across 00:42:20.100 --> 00:42:20.980 the face in return 00:42:20.980 --> 00:42:21.980 but you know what? 00:42:22.260 --> 00:42:22.500 Jesus, 00:42:22.720 --> 00:42:23.760 You died for me 00:42:23.760 --> 00:42:27.140 so that I could respond 00:42:27.140 --> 00:42:27.940 to this person 00:42:27.940 --> 00:42:28.960 not in kind 00:42:28.960 --> 00:42:30.000 but in love. 00:42:31.380 --> 00:42:32.120 I'm not going to 00:42:32.120 --> 00:42:33.079 retaliate back. 00:42:33.900 --> 00:42:35.079 I'm going to love back. 00:42:36.160 --> 00:42:37.160 That's the power 00:42:37.160 --> 00:42:37.860 of the cross. 00:42:39.620 --> 00:42:40.700 That's what God 00:42:40.700 --> 00:42:42.019 enables us to do. 00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:44.900 Now having said that, 00:42:44.980 --> 00:42:45.420 let me give you 00:42:45.420 --> 00:42:46.780 this perspective. 00:42:49.420 --> 00:42:50.579 This is a game changer. 00:42:53.699 --> 00:42:55.539 When you realize 00:42:55.539 --> 00:42:56.440 what God in Christ 00:42:56.440 --> 00:42:57.280 has done for you 00:42:57.280 --> 00:42:58.500 and that you belong 00:42:58.500 --> 00:42:58.940 to Him 00:42:58.940 --> 00:42:59.599 and you don't really 00:42:59.599 --> 00:43:00.199 have any rights 00:43:00.199 --> 00:43:01.019 to claim anymore, 00:43:02.019 --> 00:43:05.480 you're on His agenda. 00:43:07.340 --> 00:43:08.440 All of who you are 00:43:08.440 --> 00:43:09.500 is for Him now. 00:43:09.500 --> 00:43:13.280 And so, 00:43:13.500 --> 00:43:14.400 here's what this means. 00:43:15.440 --> 00:43:16.420 The next time you're 00:43:16.420 --> 00:43:16.800 insulted, 00:43:16.960 --> 00:43:17.920 it might be this afternoon 00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:18.440 or tonight. 00:43:18.940 --> 00:43:19.380 Do you know what that 00:43:19.380 --> 00:43:20.119 actually is? 00:43:21.219 --> 00:43:22.559 God's sovereign over it all. 00:43:23.699 --> 00:43:24.500 Your insult 00:43:24.500 --> 00:43:26.219 is His opportunity 00:43:26.219 --> 00:43:27.980 to advance His kingdom. 00:43:30.860 --> 00:43:34.059 My being imposed upon 00:43:34.059 --> 00:43:35.340 is His opportunity 00:43:35.340 --> 00:43:37.099 to advance His glory. 00:43:37.099 --> 00:43:40.360 I'm living for Him 00:43:40.360 --> 00:43:41.619 so it gives me 00:43:41.619 --> 00:43:42.239 the opportunity 00:43:42.239 --> 00:43:43.239 to see things 00:43:43.239 --> 00:43:44.319 as they are. 00:43:45.719 --> 00:43:46.839 Opportunities to advance 00:43:46.839 --> 00:43:47.420 His kingdom. 00:43:48.539 --> 00:43:49.759 That's the perspective 00:43:49.759 --> 00:43:50.799 this gives us. 00:43:52.480 --> 00:43:53.500 My insults 00:43:53.500 --> 00:43:54.739 are His opportunities 00:43:54.739 --> 00:43:55.860 for His glory. 00:43:58.059 --> 00:43:59.420 So when you're insulted, 00:43:59.659 --> 00:44:00.559 don't think about yourself. 00:44:00.819 --> 00:44:01.380 Don't think about 00:44:01.380 --> 00:44:02.360 the one who's insulted you. 00:44:02.480 --> 00:44:03.339 Think about Jesus. 00:44:03.779 --> 00:44:04.239 Cross. 00:44:04.679 --> 00:44:05.039 Love. 00:44:05.539 --> 00:44:06.019 Reconciliation. 00:44:06.019 --> 00:44:06.219 Reconciliation. 00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:07.900 This is an opportunity. 00:44:10.059 --> 00:44:11.420 I'm not going to retaliate. 00:44:13.360 --> 00:44:14.340 I'm going to go beyond 00:44:14.340 --> 00:44:15.000 what is expected 00:44:15.000 --> 00:44:16.320 out of love for this person. 00:44:18.340 --> 00:44:19.820 The question becomes, 00:44:20.039 --> 00:44:21.000 it's no longer 00:44:21.000 --> 00:44:21.960 am I obligated. 00:44:22.699 --> 00:44:23.960 The question becomes, 00:44:24.199 --> 00:44:25.219 in light of the cross, 00:44:25.719 --> 00:44:28.239 what is the most loving thing 00:44:28.239 --> 00:44:29.300 I can do for this person 00:44:29.300 --> 00:44:29.920 right now 00:44:29.920 --> 00:44:30.960 within reason 00:44:30.960 --> 00:44:32.539 for the glory of Jesus? 00:44:32.539 --> 00:44:34.739 See how that's 00:44:34.739 --> 00:44:35.340 a game changer? 00:44:35.960 --> 00:44:37.340 That totally flips 00:44:37.340 --> 00:44:38.340 our insults 00:44:38.340 --> 00:44:39.119 on their head. 00:44:39.679 --> 00:44:40.579 Totally flips 00:44:40.579 --> 00:44:41.320 these demands 00:44:41.320 --> 00:44:42.480 into opportunities 00:44:42.480 --> 00:44:43.779 for the living God 00:44:43.779 --> 00:44:44.679 to advance 00:44:44.679 --> 00:44:46.659 His glorious purpose. 00:44:51.159 --> 00:44:52.460 There are opportunities. 00:44:53.920 --> 00:44:54.980 Is it possible 00:44:54.980 --> 00:44:58.059 that this is part 00:44:58.059 --> 00:44:59.260 of our God's strategy 00:44:59.260 --> 00:45:01.219 to advance 00:45:01.219 --> 00:45:01.659 His kingdom 00:45:01.659 --> 00:45:02.199 on earth? 00:45:04.199 --> 00:45:05.240 Using those 00:45:05.240 --> 00:45:06.380 who insult us 00:45:06.380 --> 00:45:08.219 and our impositions 00:45:08.219 --> 00:45:09.639 to advance 00:45:09.639 --> 00:45:11.380 His Christ-like 00:45:11.380 --> 00:45:12.320 love and glory. 00:45:12.320 --> 00:45:18.740 We've seen Moses 00:45:18.740 --> 00:45:19.780 on retaliation. 00:45:19.960 --> 00:45:21.260 It was to restrain 00:45:21.260 --> 00:45:22.080 retaliation. 00:45:22.320 --> 00:45:22.900 We've seen 00:45:22.900 --> 00:45:24.120 the Pharisees 00:45:24.120 --> 00:45:25.140 on retaliation. 00:45:25.300 --> 00:45:26.300 It was to justify 00:45:26.300 --> 00:45:27.260 retaliation. 00:45:27.700 --> 00:45:28.700 And now we've seen 00:45:28.700 --> 00:45:30.100 Jesus on retaliation. 00:45:31.600 --> 00:45:32.800 Your insults 00:45:32.800 --> 00:45:33.900 and your impositions 00:45:33.900 --> 00:45:35.320 are my opportunities 00:45:35.320 --> 00:45:37.100 to bring glory 00:45:37.100 --> 00:45:38.480 to my name. 00:45:38.480 --> 00:45:42.139 The principle 00:45:42.139 --> 00:45:43.820 when wronged 00:45:43.820 --> 00:45:45.119 don't retaliate 00:45:45.119 --> 00:45:45.420 back, 00:45:45.519 --> 00:45:45.960 love back. 00:45:46.079 --> 00:45:46.800 The practice 00:45:46.800 --> 00:45:48.559 whether insults 00:45:48.559 --> 00:45:49.460 or impositions 00:45:49.460 --> 00:45:51.519 don't retaliate 00:45:51.519 --> 00:45:52.360 love 00:45:52.360 --> 00:45:53.679 again and again. 00:45:53.840 --> 00:45:54.400 The power 00:45:54.400 --> 00:45:56.000 is cross power. 00:45:56.420 --> 00:45:57.400 He died for us 00:45:57.400 --> 00:45:58.280 so that we could 00:45:58.280 --> 00:45:59.820 lay down our rights 00:45:59.820 --> 00:46:02.039 and love others. 00:46:03.780 --> 00:46:04.820 And then of course 00:46:04.820 --> 00:46:05.619 is the perspective. 00:46:07.179 --> 00:46:08.280 Your next insult 00:46:08.280 --> 00:46:10.340 is your next 00:46:10.340 --> 00:46:10.980 opportunity 00:46:10.980 --> 00:46:12.500 to be a witness 00:46:12.500 --> 00:46:13.500 for God's 00:46:13.500 --> 00:46:14.140 go beyond 00:46:14.140 --> 00:46:14.980 expectation 00:46:14.980 --> 00:46:15.820 kind of love. 00:46:22.260 --> 00:46:23.300 Jesus didn't come 00:46:23.300 --> 00:46:24.180 to abolish the law. 00:46:25.560 --> 00:46:27.000 He came to fulfill it. 00:46:28.440 --> 00:46:29.920 And He calls us 00:46:29.920 --> 00:46:31.180 to a righteousness 00:46:31.180 --> 00:46:32.660 that exceeds 00:46:32.660 --> 00:46:34.300 even the Pharisees. 00:46:35.320 --> 00:46:36.440 We love 00:46:36.440 --> 00:46:37.640 when we're insulted. 00:46:38.280 --> 00:46:39.400 Because Jesus 00:46:39.400 --> 00:46:40.160 loved us. 00:46:41.019 --> 00:46:41.840 Let's pray. 00:46:50.840 --> 00:46:51.640 God in heaven 00:46:51.640 --> 00:46:52.440 help us 00:46:52.440 --> 00:46:53.320 throughout the rest 00:46:53.320 --> 00:46:54.000 of this day 00:46:54.000 --> 00:46:55.720 to live in the good 00:46:55.720 --> 00:46:56.720 of the gospel here. 00:46:56.860 --> 00:46:57.400 To live in light 00:46:57.400 --> 00:46:58.080 of the cross. 00:46:59.100 --> 00:47:00.640 That our rights 00:47:00.640 --> 00:47:01.480 are no more. 00:47:02.540 --> 00:47:03.540 That we're living 00:47:03.540 --> 00:47:04.260 for you now. 00:47:04.260 --> 00:47:05.580 God in heaven 00:47:05.580 --> 00:47:06.140 and so God 00:47:06.140 --> 00:47:07.880 when we're insulted 00:47:07.880 --> 00:47:09.140 when we are made 00:47:09.140 --> 00:47:09.600 demand 00:47:09.600 --> 00:47:10.800 people put demands 00:47:10.800 --> 00:47:11.280 on us 00:47:11.280 --> 00:47:12.520 God would you help us 00:47:12.520 --> 00:47:14.820 to respond 00:47:14.820 --> 00:47:15.500 in the way 00:47:15.500 --> 00:47:16.340 that you responded 00:47:16.340 --> 00:47:16.880 to us. 00:47:18.620 --> 00:47:19.480 That we wouldn't 00:47:19.480 --> 00:47:20.240 retaliate 00:47:20.240 --> 00:47:22.160 that we would go 00:47:22.160 --> 00:47:23.200 beyond what's expected. 00:47:23.800 --> 00:47:24.240 God would you 00:47:24.240 --> 00:47:25.060 would you build 00:47:25.060 --> 00:47:26.420 your church 00:47:26.420 --> 00:47:27.400 would you advance 00:47:27.400 --> 00:47:27.960 your kingdom 00:47:27.960 --> 00:47:29.420 through us 00:47:29.420 --> 00:47:30.220 your people 00:47:30.220 --> 00:47:31.420 as you change us. 00:47:31.420 --> 00:47:32.139 Jesus 00:47:32.139 --> 00:47:33.000 we ask this 00:47:33.000 --> 00:47:33.579 in your name 00:47:33.579 --> 00:47:34.619 Amen. 00:47:34.619 --> 00:47:34.740 Amen. 00:47:34.740 --> 00:47:34.780 Amen. 00:47:34.780 --> 00:47:34.920 Amen.