WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.339 Please take your copy of God's Word, which I hope you have with you. It's well read and treasured in your heart. 00:00:05.339 --> 00:00:09.960 Turn with me to Matthew's Gospel, chapter 5. 00:00:12.480 --> 00:00:14.800 It's Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:17.160 --> 00:00:22.460 Our text this morning will be Matthew chapter 5, verses 38 through 42. 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:28.219 We've been working on an exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:35.859 which is found in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7 since mid-February of this year. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:40.399 And we are getting close to concluding chapter 5. 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:46.259 Those of you who were with us in the spring and then not with us in the summer, here we are, 00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:52.899 still in chapter 5 of this most precious of Jesus' teachings. 00:00:52.899 --> 00:01:01.539 Across our study so far, we have considered two prominent themes that I want to remind you of 00:01:01.539 --> 00:01:04.019 before we look at our text today. 00:01:04.819 --> 00:01:12.500 First is the theme of human flourishing, these declarations of blessedness. 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:17.599 We commonly call the Beatitudes, found at the beginning of chapter 5. 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:21.939 Jesus has this repetition of statements, blessed is. 00:01:21.939 --> 00:01:30.259 And tells us what it is like, what it looks like to live as a citizen of God's kingdom. 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:39.400 This blessedness that Jesus teaches is not the same as the blessedness of the world. 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:46.599 Jesus says, blessed are those who are poor in spirit and mourn 00:01:46.599 --> 00:01:56.060 and are meek and hungry and thirsty for righteousness and merciful, pure peacemakers. 00:01:56.579 --> 00:02:03.079 He even says that those who are persecuted for righteousness call blessed. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:10.319 The second theme is the theme of whole person righteousness. 00:02:10.319 --> 00:02:18.239 Jesus has taught us that citizens of his kingdom are keepers of the law. 00:02:18.239 --> 00:02:27.639 Not that they gain their citizenship by keeping the law, but that they have been granted citizenship 00:02:27.639 --> 00:02:33.039 and their keeping of the law is the evidence of their citizenship. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:40.799 And this law keeping, this righteousness is meant to permeate us. 00:02:41.359 --> 00:02:45.239 It's meant to be every part of our being. 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:53.280 We are to be righteous in thought, feeling, intention, as well as action. 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:58.539 It's to have an inward expression as well as an outward expression. 00:02:58.539 --> 00:03:04.120 And this is what Jesus means when he says in Matthew chapter 5 verse 20, 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:11.739 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:14.479 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:03:15.399 --> 00:03:20.899 The scribes and the Pharisees were seen as the most righteous people of the day, 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:24.939 the most outwardly expressive followers of God. 00:03:24.939 --> 00:03:27.740 They seemed to have everything right. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:32.139 And they certainly told others that they did and placed burdens upon them. 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:42.979 And he goes on then to press this point by using a series of phrases beginning in Matthew chapter 5 verse 21 and 22. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:43.979 You'll see it there. 00:03:44.539 --> 00:03:47.240 You have heard that it was said. 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:52.180 And then in verse 22, but I say to you. 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:56.320 There's a repetition of this through the end of chapter 5. 00:03:56.600 --> 00:03:59.360 Six different times. 00:03:59.540 --> 00:04:06.540 And what Jesus is doing here is correcting the common misinterpretations of the law in his day. 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:08.820 He's saying, see the scribes and Pharisees? 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:11.879 They haven't even gotten this stuff right. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:17.519 Those that you would declare as righteous are not at all righteous. 00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:21.620 This morning's text is the fifth in this series. 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:24.459 And it concerns revenge. 00:04:24.620 --> 00:04:28.659 Or as some of your subtitles in your Bibles might say, retaliation. 00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:37.620 So join me as we look at Jesus' careful correction and application for our day. 00:04:37.620 --> 00:04:44.060 Before I read the text, beloved, I want to remind you that this is God's word to us. 00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:48.259 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:04:48.980 --> 00:04:56.120 And as such, we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:04:57.079 --> 00:04:59.120 I'll begin reading in verse 38. 00:04:59.120 --> 00:05:29.100 Verse 38. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:39.399 Now this morning we will consider this text by employing the following outline. 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:44.579 And I'll repeat these, of course, but I want you to see where we're headed before we even start. 00:05:45.480 --> 00:05:49.980 Number one, the original intent of the law. 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:57.300 Number two, the scribes and Pharisees' perversion of the law. 00:05:57.300 --> 00:06:03.819 Number three, the modern perversion of Jesus' teaching. 00:06:05.120 --> 00:06:12.000 And number four, and most importantly, the correct understanding of Jesus' teaching. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:21.620 I find so often, as Jesus finds here, that we have to correct, we have to say the what is not in order to say what is. 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:27.079 So let's look first at the original intent of the law. 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:28.840 Verse 38, Jesus says, 00:06:28.899 --> 00:06:37.579 You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, which is a direct quotation from the Old Testament. 00:06:37.579 --> 00:06:43.599 So their saying an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth was not wrong to say. 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:47.139 They just misapplied the law. 00:06:47.659 --> 00:06:50.500 You can find this in Exodus chapter 21, verse 24. 00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:53.419 Leviticus chapter 24, verse 20. 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:57.959 And Deuteronomy chapter 19 and verse 21. 00:06:57.959 --> 00:07:05.680 And this law was given to place limitations on punishments for crimes. 00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:17.139 It was meant to place boundaries on the severity of punishments and was given as a limiting law to the judges of Israel. 00:07:18.099 --> 00:07:25.439 So God is saying, let's be fair as we enact punishments for crimes that are committed. 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:34.439 Let's not go above and beyond the crime itself, but rather an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 00:07:35.199 --> 00:07:44.980 God, in His graciousness, in His mercy, was putting a line that the judges could not cross. 00:07:45.600 --> 00:07:47.720 They couldn't create a severity. 00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:55.220 If you steal a piece of fruit, we'll cut off your hand would be an example of what this type of thing was limiting. 00:07:56.300 --> 00:08:05.920 And this is most clearly seen in Deuteronomy chapter 19, verse 18, and then leading up to verse 21, where we see this phrase repeated. 00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:09.600 So beginning of verse 18, it says, 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:18.960 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:22.060 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. 00:08:22.200 --> 00:08:25.340 So you shall purge the evil from your midst. 00:08:26.040 --> 00:08:30.280 And the rest shall hear in fear and shall never again commit any such evil among you. 00:08:30.279 --> 00:08:32.019 Your eye shall not pity. 00:08:32.600 --> 00:08:39.319 It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. 00:08:39.959 --> 00:08:50.279 So you see, in the case of a false witness, the judges are charged to enact punishment, but only so far. 00:08:50.279 --> 00:09:00.379 So God gave a good law that would restrain unfair punishments from being administered by Israel's judges. 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:04.579 But this was not its use in Jesus' day. 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:06.559 Jesus says, 00:09:07.319 --> 00:09:12.120 You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 00:09:12.120 --> 00:09:16.340 The previous four times we have seen Jesus say, 00:09:16.500 --> 00:09:21.120 You have heard that it was said, but I say to you, 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:25.899 He has been correcting a misinterpretation and practice. 00:09:26.100 --> 00:09:27.919 And this is no different. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:33.840 So let's look at what the scribes and Pharisees were doing with this law in their day. 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:38.860 So number two, the scribes and Pharisees' perversion of the law. 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:48.820 The main trouble of the scribes and Pharisees' teaching was that they failed to connect the teaching to judges, 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:52.740 but rather made it a point of personal application. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:58.379 They believed the commandment was given for the sake of retaliation and revenge, 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:07.379 and in their typically legalistic way, viewed exacting revenge as a duty and an honor. 00:10:07.379 --> 00:10:11.679 They were taking a negative injunction, 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:15.159 do not punish beyond what is just, 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:18.460 into a positive one, 00:10:18.939 --> 00:10:22.700 punish to the degree of what is just. 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.299 Did I say that word? 00:10:26.679 --> 00:10:32.960 And they took and taught that the power to do so belonged to the individual. 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:38.180 What they were promoting was vigilantism, not justice. 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:44.100 It is into this background that Jesus is speaking and says, 00:10:44.240 --> 00:10:49.560 But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:52.400 It's that context he's speaking into, 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:55.240 where they would, at every turn, 00:10:55.620 --> 00:10:57.379 defend their own rights, 00:10:57.580 --> 00:10:59.960 stand up for themselves. 00:10:59.960 --> 00:11:01.900 And it's important to know that, 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:06.620 to rightly understand what the rest of Jesus says means. 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:13.379 There is much misinterpretation and misunderstanding in our day of what Jesus is saying here. 00:11:13.940 --> 00:11:21.280 So let's look at what Jesus is not teaching in our contemporary setting in this text. 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:22.079 So number three, 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:26.199 the modern perversion of Jesus' teaching. 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:29.519 The modern perversion of Jesus' teaching. 00:11:31.439 --> 00:11:33.299 Certainly there are those of us in our day 00:11:33.299 --> 00:11:39.759 who want to defend our own rights in the same way that the Pharisees did. 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:43.779 This is typically not the text people run to, 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:47.539 though, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth to justify such a thing. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:53.579 But there are many who run to this text to make an argument for national pacifism. 00:11:54.360 --> 00:11:59.099 And I suggest to you that that is not at all what Jesus is teaching here. 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:04.339 We must be very careful in how we go about interpreting such a text. 00:12:04.599 --> 00:12:06.980 And there are a number of interpretive principles 00:12:06.980 --> 00:12:12.599 that must be applied to the Sermon on the Mount to understand it well. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:22.180 Number one, if our interpretation contradicts the plain and obvious teaching of Scripture elsewhere, 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:25.800 then our interpretation is wrong. 00:12:27.240 --> 00:12:29.300 James chapter 4 and verse 7. 00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.040 James writes, 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.659 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:36.200 Resist the devil or the evil one, 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:39.480 and he will flee from you. 00:12:39.480 --> 00:12:42.259 So how are we to reconcile these two things 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.840 if we're not supposed to resist the evil one? 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:49.420 And yet James commands us in the Holy Writ to resist the evil one. 00:12:50.460 --> 00:12:53.340 Isaiah chapter 1 and verse 17. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:56.220 Isaiah prophesies, 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.600 Learn to do good. 00:12:58.580 --> 00:12:59.800 Seek justice. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:02.039 Correct oppression. 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:04.360 Bring justice to the fatherless. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.500 Plead the widow's cause. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:12.740 So if our interpretation contradicts the plain and obvious teaching of Scripture elsewhere, 00:13:13.019 --> 00:13:16.019 then our interpretation is wrong. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:19.960 This text is not a cry for national pacifism. 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:25.559 Secondly, if our interpretation makes the teaching appear impossible, 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:29.039 then our interpretation is wrong. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:37.599 Jesus nowhere requires something of us that cannot be done by His grace. 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:44.639 Tolstoy believed and wrote that our Lord's word should be taken at face value. 00:13:45.459 --> 00:13:50.360 And therefore, because soldiers, police, and magistrates all resist evil, 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:56.039 to have any of these positions would be to be unchristian. 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:01.220 But Paul writes in Romans chapter 13, verses 1 through 4, 00:14:01.220 --> 00:14:04.879 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. 00:14:04.960 --> 00:14:08.300 For there is no authority except from God, 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:12.600 and those that exist have been instituted by God. 00:14:13.660 --> 00:14:16.620 Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:19.420 and those who resist will incur judgment. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:24.379 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:27.620 Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:31.600 Then do what is good, and you will receive His approval. 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:34.399 For He is God's servant for your good. 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:36.539 But if you do wrong, be afraid. 00:14:36.639 --> 00:14:39.120 For He does not bear the sword in vain. 00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:41.399 For He is the servant of God, 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:46.600 an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:53.720 Seems that Tolstoy also needed to read Romans chapter 13, verses 1 through 4 at face. 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:57.980 To see that those placed in authority, 00:14:58.279 --> 00:15:00.580 the magistrates, the soldiers, the police, 00:15:00.680 --> 00:15:03.639 are given to us as a good gift from God 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:07.500 to restrain the evil of men. 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:11.820 The world would descend into absolute chaos 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:15.120 without the restraining grace of God. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:18.660 And authorities are part of that grace to us. 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:23.340 Not the totality of it, but they are part of that grace to us. 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:26.160 So, if our interpretation makes the teaching appear impossible, 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:29.139 then our interpretation is wrong. 00:15:30.300 --> 00:15:31.600 Third interpretive principle. 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:35.440 If our interpretation ignores the context of the text, 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:38.920 ignores the context of the text, 00:15:39.160 --> 00:15:42.680 then our interpretation will likely be wrong. 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.399 Will likely be wrong. 00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:47.980 As they say, even a blind squirrel finds a nut from time to time. 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:53.039 It is possible to ignore the context and still arrive at the proper meaning. 00:15:53.259 --> 00:15:57.019 But it's not probable that this will happen. 00:15:58.060 --> 00:16:01.659 Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount is not teaching a new law. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:06.120 He is not explaining a new code of ethics. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:11.700 The Sermon on the Mount is harmonious with the moral law of God. 00:16:11.700 --> 00:16:18.640 Jesus rather is working to give his listeners an understanding of the spirit of the law. 00:16:19.400 --> 00:16:22.280 The scribes and the Pharisees were all about the letter of it. 00:16:22.520 --> 00:16:25.840 And they misunderstood it all together. 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:29.040 But Jesus is concerned about the spirit of it. 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:32.600 An understanding of the law leading to human flourishing 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:35.259 and to whole person righteousness. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:39.439 Further, in the context, 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:43.340 Jesus is speaking about what citizens of his kingdom will look like. 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:45.919 Citizens of his kingdom. 00:16:46.860 --> 00:16:51.679 This is teaching meant to be applied to individuals called apart for his praise. 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:55.259 Not nation states or local governments. 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:59.299 Now I won't labor any longer on the matter of pacifism. 00:16:59.439 --> 00:17:00.620 Because it is not really the point. 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:04.359 I will say I'm not a pacifist. 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.559 And I believe in just war theory. 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:08.940 But that's a topic for another day. 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.480 All I mean to show you this morning 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:17.019 is that national pacifism is not what Jesus is teaching here. 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:20.700 That is not the point of this text. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.740 And I believe it's unfaithful to the text 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.519 to think that's what it teaches. 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:28.220 So, what is he teaching? 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:29.900 The all-important question. 00:17:30.619 --> 00:17:32.939 What is he teaching? 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:36.799 This brings us to our fourth and final but longest point. 00:17:37.879 --> 00:17:41.719 The correct understanding of Jesus' teaching. 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:42.039 Right? 00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:46.779 So, if he's correcting what the scribes and Pharisees thought and practiced in the day, 00:17:47.719 --> 00:17:52.599 certainly he's not supporting the national pacifism cries of our day. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:56.659 What is it that he's teaching in this text? 00:17:56.659 --> 00:17:59.859 And let me begin by rereading verses 39 through 42. 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:02.119 Let's get it fresh back in our minds again. 00:18:02.659 --> 00:18:04.740 Jesus says in verse 39 and following, 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.880 But I say to you, 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:08.059 Do not resist the one who is evil. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:10.620 But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:12.000 turn to him the other also. 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:14.759 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:16.680 let him have your cloak as well. 00:18:17.339 --> 00:18:19.299 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.799 go with him two miles. 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:22.620 Give to the one who begs from you, 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:26.259 and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:28.759 So, after Jesus says, 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:31.920 Do not resist the one who is evil. 00:18:32.579 --> 00:18:33.980 I say to you, 00:18:34.359 --> 00:18:37.480 Do not resist the one who is evil. 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:41.220 He graciously gives us five examples. 00:18:41.879 --> 00:18:44.900 He wants us to understand what he means when he says, 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:46.019 But I say to you, 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:50.079 Do not resist the one who is evil. 00:18:50.079 --> 00:18:52.240 And of these five examples, 00:18:52.379 --> 00:18:55.399 the first three seem pretty straightforward. 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:58.399 Fairly basic. 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.839 If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.579 turn to him the other also. 00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:04.359 So if someone hits you, 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:05.879 don't hit him back. 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.879 There's the summary of it. 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:10.259 And, 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:13.639 if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, 00:19:14.359 --> 00:19:15.720 let him have your cloak as well. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.740 So if someone sues you to take your jacket, 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:22.200 give them your coat also. 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:25.339 Grip tightly what is yours, 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.460 but be willing to give, 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:28.259 and to give freely. 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:30.839 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:33.220 go with him two miles. 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:35.279 Roman soldiers in this day 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:37.019 could force citizens of Israel, 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:39.120 or any other foreigner for that matter, 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.819 to carry their backpacks. 00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:42.519 They could demand that of them, 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:44.880 as the conquering nation. 00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.000 But, 00:19:46.520 --> 00:19:49.720 as the Romans were somewhat fair at times, 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:52.220 they could only demand that they would go a mile. 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.780 So along the Roman road, 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:55.280 they would go from one mile marker 00:19:55.280 --> 00:19:56.380 to another mile marker, 00:19:56.840 --> 00:19:58.880 and then that conquered citizen 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:02.900 could give the backpack back to the soldier. 00:20:03.780 --> 00:20:04.520 Jesus here is saying, 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.960 if you're forced to walk one, 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:10.640 volunteer to walk a second mile. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:11.600 So, 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:16.500 certainly we have to work on applications of that in our day, 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:17.660 and I'm going to leave you to that, 00:20:17.840 --> 00:20:18.320 mostly, 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.140 yourself. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:21.560 How is it that I'm supposed to be 00:20:21.560 --> 00:20:24.020 gracious in this way? 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:25.220 But, 00:20:25.400 --> 00:20:26.800 when we come to verse 42, 00:20:27.840 --> 00:20:29.720 this pattern seems to break up a bit, 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:32.340 and I think that verse 42 is key 00:20:32.340 --> 00:20:36.040 in helping us interpret this teaching of Jesus. 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.240 Jesus. 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:39.619 He gives us the final two examples 00:20:39.619 --> 00:20:40.879 of what he means by, 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:45.159 do not resist the one who is evil. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.539 They seem a little out of place. 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.319 We've tracked through. 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.079 If someone hits you, 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:50.720 don't hit them back. 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.579 If someone sues you, 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:52.839 give a little extra. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.440 That's okay. 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:55.320 And if someone makes you serve them, 00:20:55.460 --> 00:20:57.180 serve them a little more. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.799 But then he says in verse 42, 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.160 give to the one who begs from you, 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:06.019 and do not refuse the one who would borrow for you. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.620 Doesn't it seem inconsistent 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:12.059 to equate the beggar and the borrower 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:14.259 against, right, 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:17.920 alongside a slapper, a sewer, and a sluggard? 00:21:18.960 --> 00:21:20.059 I like to alliterate. 00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:23.259 Doesn't it seem inconsistent 00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:25.299 to equate the two together? 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:28.879 How is it that the beggar and the borrower 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:31.779 are the one who is evil? 00:21:33.839 --> 00:21:35.440 Have you ever borrowed money from somebody? 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:37.379 I don't think you did so from evil intent. 00:21:40.139 --> 00:21:42.240 I believe that what Jesus is doing here 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:47.159 is speaking to our perspective of ourselves 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:50.960 and our perspective of others. 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:54.900 That's how these examples fit together. 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:57.860 We are so apt to think 00:21:57.860 --> 00:22:00.500 that we are always in the right 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:03.660 and that others are always in the wrong. 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.420 This would have been the great error 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:07.340 of the scribes and Pharisees' day. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:10.840 They were so self-righteous. 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:14.060 Everything they did was right and good. 00:22:14.059 --> 00:22:16.659 And therefore, anything anybody else did, 00:22:17.200 --> 00:22:19.639 anybody who didn't look just like them, 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:22.500 demanded or asked something of them, 00:22:22.700 --> 00:22:25.059 must be evil. 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.819 Must be in that category. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:28.599 Since they were so righteous, 00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:32.200 everyone else must be evil. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:37.859 So, how would Jesus have us live 00:22:37.859 --> 00:22:39.740 in light of this text? 00:22:39.740 --> 00:22:43.220 What are we meant to do with the text? 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.539 Number one, 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.940 we should live in light of this text 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:51.940 with a proper view of self. 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:55.500 A proper view of self. 00:22:56.460 --> 00:22:59.079 We must have the right attitudes 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:01.160 toward ourselves. 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.599 In our sinfulness, 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:06.759 we are so quick to jump to our own defense 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:09.980 when any wrong is done to us. 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:13.200 I like to classically use traffic as an example 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:15.559 because I think we all readily experience this. 00:23:16.720 --> 00:23:18.059 Have you ever pulled out 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.279 in front of somebody accidentally? 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.059 I have. 00:23:20.140 --> 00:23:22.420 I do it out here on this road all the time. 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:25.039 People come over that hill so fast. 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:26.180 And I drive a Prius, 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:28.339 which is not a spry vehicle. 00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:30.460 And I think, 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.299 Oh, no. 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.440 That guy clearly was going faster 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:35.059 than I can get up to speed. 00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:38.419 How often have you shook your fist 00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:39.539 at somebody when they pull out 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:40.139 in front of you? 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:42.079 Probably accidentally. 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.399 Probably didn't recognize 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:47.159 how fast you were barreling down the road 00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:49.579 when they pulled out in front of you. 00:23:49.639 --> 00:23:51.039 We're so quick 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:53.779 to even call things wrong that aren't wrong, 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:56.440 but to defend our own rights. 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:58.259 We want to be so autonomous, 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.539 so independent. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:01.440 I deserve. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.859 My, mine. 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:05.579 We would be so likely 00:24:05.579 --> 00:24:07.659 to slap back. 00:24:08.939 --> 00:24:10.119 Just imagine if somebody, 00:24:10.379 --> 00:24:12.379 when you headed to the restaurant 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.279 after you're here 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.279 and somebody just walked up to you 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.079 and slapped you. 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:17.079 What is your knee-jerk reaction 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:18.159 going to be? 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:21.240 Would it be humility? 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:24.119 Or would you rear back 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:25.679 and let it fly? 00:24:25.680 --> 00:24:29.160 We would be so likely 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:30.340 to grip tightly 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:31.580 our tunic 00:24:31.580 --> 00:24:32.980 and our cloak. 00:24:33.600 --> 00:24:33.740 Right? 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:36.480 How dare anyone take from me 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:38.060 what is mine? 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:40.980 We would be so likely 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.560 to grumble 00:24:42.560 --> 00:24:44.080 the whole mile 00:24:44.080 --> 00:24:47.039 and begrudgingly 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.420 throw down the backpack 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.680 at the mile marker. 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:52.680 Not a step further. 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:54.940 I have rights. 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:59.180 We would be so quick 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:01.279 to begrudge the person 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.740 asking for help 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:05.580 and think so much of ourselves 00:25:05.580 --> 00:25:06.560 when someone needs 00:25:06.560 --> 00:25:08.860 to borrow from us. 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.340 Of course, 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:11.759 I put myself in the position 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:13.000 to be the loner 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:15.380 and not the borrower. 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:17.660 I am so good with money 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.519 and clearly you 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:20.160 are not. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:22.040 Beloved, 00:25:22.100 --> 00:25:23.940 we think far too much 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:25.200 of ourselves. 00:25:26.300 --> 00:25:27.600 Anything that we are, 00:25:28.180 --> 00:25:29.880 we are by the grace 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.960 of God. 00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:33.140 Don't forget 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.060 that this teaching 00:25:34.060 --> 00:25:35.960 comes in succession 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.920 to the beginning 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:38.759 of Jesus' sermon. 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:40.100 We started that 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.320 back in February. 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:43.019 His original listeners 00:25:43.019 --> 00:25:43.940 sit and listen 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.920 through the whole thing 00:25:44.920 --> 00:25:47.279 at one time. 00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:48.759 Remember, 00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:49.920 he's declared blessed. 00:25:51.060 --> 00:25:52.019 Those who are, 00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:53.040 in verse 3, 00:25:53.600 --> 00:25:54.540 poor in spirit, 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:56.840 recognize their spiritual poverty 00:25:56.840 --> 00:25:57.600 before God, 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:59.340 recognize they have nothing 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:00.580 of any value 00:26:00.580 --> 00:26:01.620 spiritually to offer 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.840 to God. 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.019 Verse 4, 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:05.180 those who mourn, 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.540 who are heartbroken 00:26:06.540 --> 00:26:07.340 over this, 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:07.600 right? 00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.360 Humbled, 00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:10.279 see their great 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.840 spiritual poverty. 00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.259 Who are meek, 00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.259 although they have 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.620 the strength 00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:16.640 to retaliate, 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.900 the strength 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.340 to find revenge, 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:19.340 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:21.420 rather lay aside 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:22.960 their own self-interest 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.080 for the sake of others. 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:26.040 Verse 6, 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:27.300 those are hungry 00:26:27.300 --> 00:26:28.300 and thirsty 00:26:28.300 --> 00:26:29.340 for righteousness, 00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:29.720 right? 00:26:29.780 --> 00:26:30.759 Recognizing that they have 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.280 no righteousness 00:26:31.280 --> 00:26:32.720 of their own longing 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:34.339 to do good 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.519 and to walk uprightly 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.779 before God. 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:38.480 Those in verse 7 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:40.079 who are merciful. 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.059 Those in verse 9 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:45.100 who are peacemakers. 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:48.360 Those in verses 10-12 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:50.259 who are persecuted. 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:52.200 There has been wrong 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:54.100 delivered to these people 00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:55.019 and they're persecuted 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:56.940 for righteousness' sake. 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.220 And Jesus here 00:26:58.220 --> 00:26:59.519 is turning, 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.440 as you've heard me say, 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.580 an upside down world 00:27:01.580 --> 00:27:02.420 right side up. 00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.900 And He's saying, 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.080 these are the blessed 00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:05.519 of the world. 00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:06.080 And why? 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:06.799 Because the kingdom 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.420 of heaven 00:27:07.420 --> 00:27:08.720 is theirs. 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.340 They'll rejoice 00:27:10.340 --> 00:27:12.160 with me forevermore 00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.980 because the kingdom 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.759 of heaven 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:15.700 is theirs. 00:27:17.100 --> 00:27:17.580 Beloved, 00:27:17.620 --> 00:27:18.480 we ought not 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.279 defend 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.660 ourselves. 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:22.519 We ought to join 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.920 with Paul 00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:24.039 in thinking ourselves 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.799 the worst 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.900 of sinners. 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:27.340 we ought to think 00:27:27.340 --> 00:27:28.320 less about 00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:29.320 our rights 00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:31.100 and more about 00:27:31.100 --> 00:27:31.920 the grace of God 00:27:31.920 --> 00:27:32.420 to us 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.740 in Jesus Christ. 00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.440 We ought to think 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:36.220 more about 00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.340 having received 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:38.420 that which we 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:39.560 do not deserve 00:27:39.560 --> 00:27:41.100 and less 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:42.160 about what we 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:44.080 think we deserve. 00:27:45.040 --> 00:27:46.019 So we're to live 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.720 in light of this text 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.640 with a proper view 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:48.820 of ourselves. 00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:51.300 We're also to live 00:27:51.300 --> 00:27:52.200 in light of this text 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:53.700 with a proper view 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.360 of others. 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:59.240 we found 00:27:59.240 --> 00:27:59.900 ourselves 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.880 in need 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:02.220 and God 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.280 graciously 00:28:03.280 --> 00:28:03.920 met 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.180 that need. 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.080 He now 00:28:07.080 --> 00:28:07.440 intends 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.480 to use us 00:28:08.480 --> 00:28:09.360 to meet 00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:10.060 the great 00:28:10.060 --> 00:28:10.680 need 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:12.480 of others. 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.360 We encounter 00:28:14.360 --> 00:28:15.380 people every day 00:28:15.380 --> 00:28:16.080 who act 00:28:16.080 --> 00:28:16.740 wretchedly, 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:18.140 but should we 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.820 expect 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:19.820 anything else? 00:28:21.320 --> 00:28:21.680 Beloved, 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.600 we need to view 00:28:22.600 --> 00:28:23.440 people with the 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:25.220 eyes of Jesus 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:26.660 who wept 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:28.680 over unrepentant 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.279 Jerusalem. 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.059 We need to see 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:32.620 all people 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:34.180 as eternal 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:36.259 and consider 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:38.500 their eternality. 00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:40.220 Where will this 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.460 person go? 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:42.320 Are they a citizen 00:28:42.320 --> 00:28:42.799 of the kingdom 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.320 of heaven 00:28:43.320 --> 00:28:44.400 as I am? 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.600 Are they a citizen 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:46.059 of the kingdom 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.080 of darkness? 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.519 And how might 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.559 I be about 00:28:49.559 --> 00:28:50.179 the work 00:28:50.179 --> 00:28:50.939 of rescuing 00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.240 them 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.359 from that 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.460 darkness 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:54.299 by the grace 00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:54.699 of God? 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.919 Paul wrote 00:28:56.919 --> 00:28:57.659 in 2 Corinthians 00:28:57.659 --> 00:28:58.480 chapter 5 00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.639 verse 14 00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.639 and following, 00:29:00.779 --> 00:29:01.399 For the love 00:29:01.399 --> 00:29:02.559 of Christ 00:29:02.559 --> 00:29:04.019 controls us 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:05.419 because we 00:29:05.419 --> 00:29:05.960 have concluded 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.460 this, 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:07.720 that one 00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.379 has died 00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:09.079 for all, 00:29:09.679 --> 00:29:10.439 therefore all 00:29:10.439 --> 00:29:11.179 have died. 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:12.279 And he died 00:29:12.279 --> 00:29:12.619 for all 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.039 that those 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.579 who live 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.299 might no longer 00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.399 live for themselves 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:17.099 but for him 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.039 who for their 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.919 sake died 00:29:18.919 --> 00:29:20.480 and was raised. 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.460 From now on, 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:22.799 therefore, 00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:24.200 we regard no one 00:29:24.200 --> 00:29:25.159 according 00:29:25.159 --> 00:29:26.740 to the flesh. 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.500 You see that? 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.659 The love 00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:30.619 of Christ 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:32.119 controls us. 00:29:32.240 --> 00:29:32.659 The one 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.259 who died 00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:34.180 on our behalf 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:34.940 that we might 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.720 live in him. 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.639 And now, 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.159 living in him, 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.839 we live 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.480 in such a way 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.720 to bring others 00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.819 to the life. 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.079 that is found 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:46.259 in Christ. 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.419 We regard 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:48.399 no one 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:49.539 according 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:51.059 to the flesh. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.899 I want to read 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:53.619 to you two examples. 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.259 This is from 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:55.599 a commentary 00:29:55.599 --> 00:29:58.220 by Martin Lloyd-Jones. 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:02.099 And he writes, 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:04.240 Let me give you 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.000 two illustrations 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.720 of men 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.319 who, 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:08.099 we must all agree, 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:09.240 put this teaching 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.559 into practice. 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:12.559 The first is about 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.480 the famous 00:30:13.480 --> 00:30:15.019 Cornish evangelist, 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.079 Billy Bray, 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:17.859 who before his conversion 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:19.159 was a pugilist. 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:20.059 Anybody know 00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.879 what a pugilist is? 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.539 A professional boxer. 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.619 A much cooler name. 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.460 Boxer. 00:30:27.119 --> 00:30:28.099 Before his conversion, 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.679 he was a pugilist 00:30:29.679 --> 00:30:31.500 and a very good one. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.259 Billy Bray 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:33.879 was converted 00:30:33.879 --> 00:30:34.759 but one day 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:36.059 down in the mines 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.700 before he became 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:37.279 an evangelist. 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.399 Another man 00:30:38.399 --> 00:30:39.179 who used to live 00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:40.360 in mortal dread 00:30:40.360 --> 00:30:40.920 and terror 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.539 of Billy Bray 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:43.100 before Bray's conversion, 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.980 knowing he was converted, 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.740 thought he had at last 00:30:46.740 --> 00:30:47.620 found his opportunity. 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.560 Without any provocation 00:30:49.560 --> 00:30:49.920 at all, 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:51.340 he struck Billy Bray 00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:52.860 who could very easily 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:54.100 have revenged himself 00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:54.640 upon him 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.680 and laid him down 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.259 unconscious 00:30:56.259 --> 00:30:57.140 on the ground. 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:59.320 But instead of doing that, 00:31:00.080 --> 00:31:00.680 Billy Bray 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.519 looked at him 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.440 and said, 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.600 May God forgive you 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:07.440 even as I forgive you 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.600 and no more. 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:11.180 The result was that 00:31:11.180 --> 00:31:12.039 the man endured 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.019 for several days 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:14.700 an agony of mind 00:31:14.700 --> 00:31:15.380 and spirit 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:16.400 which led directly 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.759 to his conversion. 00:31:18.820 --> 00:31:19.600 He knew what 00:31:19.600 --> 00:31:20.799 Billy Bray could do 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.940 and he knew 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:23.279 that the natural man 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:23.980 in Billy Bray 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:25.640 wanted to do it 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:27.240 but Billy Bray 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.380 did not do it 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.559 and that is how 00:31:29.559 --> 00:31:30.759 God used him. 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:33.180 The other is a story 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.279 of a very different man, 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.440 Hudson Taylor, 00:31:36.140 --> 00:31:37.420 standing on a river bank 00:31:37.420 --> 00:31:38.880 in China one evening, 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:39.960 hailed a boat 00:31:39.960 --> 00:31:40.500 to take him 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:41.740 across a river. 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.300 Just as the boat 00:31:43.300 --> 00:31:44.080 was drawing near, 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:45.620 a wealthy Chinese 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.420 came along 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:47.640 who did not recognize 00:31:47.640 --> 00:31:48.160 Hudson Taylor 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.940 as a foreigner 00:31:48.940 --> 00:31:50.320 because he had 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:52.360 affected native dress. 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.120 Hudson Taylor 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:54.279 wore the clothes 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.180 of China 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.600 to relate to the Chinese 00:31:56.600 --> 00:31:57.740 more closely. 00:31:58.400 --> 00:31:59.720 So this Chinese man 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.560 did not recognize him 00:32:00.560 --> 00:32:01.000 as a foreigner 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.740 which would have been 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:02.860 a thing of honor. 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:05.000 So when the boat came, 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:07.119 he struck and thrust 00:32:07.119 --> 00:32:08.119 Hudson Taylor aside 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:09.240 with such force 00:32:09.240 --> 00:32:10.920 that the latter fell 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.839 into the mud. 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:13.460 Hudson Taylor, 00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:13.859 however, 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.059 said nothing 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:16.240 but the boatman 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.200 refused to take 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:18.299 his fellow countrymen 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:18.859 saying, 00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.500 no, 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:21.140 that foreigner 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:21.940 called me 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:22.819 and the boat 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.559 is his 00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:24.420 and he must 00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.279 go first. 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:27.259 The Chinese traveler 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.160 was amazed 00:32:28.160 --> 00:32:28.779 and astounded 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:29.700 when he realized 00:32:29.700 --> 00:32:30.700 he had blundered. 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.180 Hudson Taylor 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:33.200 did not complain 00:32:33.200 --> 00:32:34.319 but invited the man 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.120 into the boat 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:35.660 with him 00:32:35.660 --> 00:32:37.340 and began to tell him 00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:39.460 what it was in him 00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:40.600 that made him behave 00:32:40.600 --> 00:32:41.340 in such a manner. 00:32:42.120 --> 00:32:42.740 As a foreigner, 00:32:42.860 --> 00:32:43.660 he could have resented 00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:44.299 such treatment 00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.480 but he did not do so 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.480 because of the grace 00:32:46.480 --> 00:32:47.380 of God in him. 00:32:48.160 --> 00:32:49.200 A conversation followed 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:49.940 which Hudson Taylor 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:51.460 had every reason to believe 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:52.660 made a deep impression 00:32:52.660 --> 00:32:53.500 upon that man 00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:55.080 and upon his soul. 00:32:56.640 --> 00:32:58.460 So how would we respond, 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.059 right, 00:32:59.400 --> 00:33:00.980 if we have a proper view 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.579 of others 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:04.740 to these types 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.339 of offenses, 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.500 would you respond 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.480 in the same way 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:09.180 that Billy Bray 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.319 and Hudson Taylor 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:10.839 responded 00:33:10.839 --> 00:33:12.299 in these cases? 00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.339 So we must live 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:15.180 in light of this text 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:16.279 with the proper view 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.920 of ourselves, 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.539 with the proper view 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.660 of others, 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:21.279 and finally, 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.380 and in closing, 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.420 with the proper view 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.759 of God. 00:33:25.759 --> 00:33:28.000 Beloved, 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:30.259 God is ours 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:33.019 and we are God's. 00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:35.099 What else 00:33:35.099 --> 00:33:36.440 could a rationally 00:33:36.440 --> 00:33:38.299 enlightened person 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:40.180 possibly want? 00:33:42.339 --> 00:33:44.480 Read to you Romans chapter 8 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:47.299 verse 31 and following. 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:50.279 After Paul has talked about 00:33:50.279 --> 00:33:52.240 the trouble of the world, 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:54.440 living in the tension 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:55.299 of our bodies, 00:33:56.019 --> 00:33:56.700 the flesh, 00:33:56.840 --> 00:33:59.080 and our spirit of life. 00:34:00.759 --> 00:34:01.460 He says, 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:03.000 What then shall we say 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:04.580 to these things? 00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:07.240 If God is for us, 00:34:07.700 --> 00:34:09.119 who can be against us? 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:11.079 He who did not spare 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.980 his own son 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.780 but gave him up 00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.539 for us all, 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:15.220 how will he not 00:34:15.220 --> 00:34:16.340 also with him 00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:17.460 graciously give us 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:18.360 all things? 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:20.019 Who shall bring 00:34:20.019 --> 00:34:20.840 any charge 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:22.099 against God's elect? 00:34:22.579 --> 00:34:23.179 It is God 00:34:23.179 --> 00:34:23.980 who justifies. 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:25.259 Who is to condemn? 00:34:26.399 --> 00:34:27.199 Christ Jesus 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:28.279 is the one who died 00:34:28.279 --> 00:34:29.079 more than that 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:29.719 who was raised, 00:34:29.779 --> 00:34:30.719 who is at the right hand 00:34:30.719 --> 00:34:31.219 of God, 00:34:31.379 --> 00:34:32.259 who indeed 00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:33.419 is interceding 00:34:33.419 --> 00:34:34.539 for us. 00:34:35.699 --> 00:34:37.000 Who shall separate us 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:37.759 from the love 00:34:37.759 --> 00:34:38.480 of Christ? 00:34:39.279 --> 00:34:40.199 Shall tribulation 00:34:40.199 --> 00:34:40.779 or distress 00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:41.519 or persecution 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.319 or famine 00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:43.619 or nakedness 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.579 or danger 00:34:44.579 --> 00:34:45.659 or sword? 00:34:46.339 --> 00:34:47.199 As it is written, 00:34:47.819 --> 00:34:48.559 For your sake 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.339 we are being killed 00:34:49.339 --> 00:34:50.159 all the day long. 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:50.699 We are regarded 00:34:50.699 --> 00:34:51.379 as sheep 00:34:51.379 --> 00:34:53.239 to be slaughtered. 00:34:54.019 --> 00:34:54.420 No, 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:56.359 in all these things 00:34:56.359 --> 00:34:57.179 we are more than 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:57.699 conquerors 00:34:57.699 --> 00:34:58.279 through him 00:34:58.279 --> 00:34:59.719 who loved us. 00:35:00.379 --> 00:35:01.139 For I am sure 00:35:01.139 --> 00:35:02.000 that neither death 00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.559 nor life 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.179 nor angels 00:35:03.179 --> 00:35:03.779 nor rulers 00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:04.819 nor things present 00:35:04.819 --> 00:35:06.039 nor things to come 00:35:06.039 --> 00:35:07.319 nor powers 00:35:07.319 --> 00:35:08.079 nor height 00:35:08.079 --> 00:35:09.239 nor depth 00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:10.460 nor anything else 00:35:10.460 --> 00:35:11.699 in all creation 00:35:11.699 --> 00:35:12.739 including 00:35:12.739 --> 00:35:13.839 offenses 00:35:13.839 --> 00:35:14.739 against our 00:35:14.739 --> 00:35:15.940 perceived rights 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:17.639 will be able 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.780 to separate us 00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:19.480 from the love 00:35:19.480 --> 00:35:19.980 of God 00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:21.500 in Christ Jesus 00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:22.800 our Lord. 00:35:23.780 --> 00:35:24.360 Beloved, 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:26.200 we have Christ 00:35:26.200 --> 00:35:27.800 and he is better 00:35:27.800 --> 00:35:28.539 than anything 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:29.760 we could possibly 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:30.639 imagine 00:35:30.639 --> 00:35:32.860 that we deserve. 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:34.500 And 00:35:34.500 --> 00:35:36.500 he is for us 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:38.200 and he will finally 00:35:38.200 --> 00:35:40.059 make all things 00:35:40.059 --> 00:35:41.360 right. 00:35:41.800 --> 00:35:43.059 We have the God 00:35:43.059 --> 00:35:44.199 of the universe 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:45.940 on our side. 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:47.159 Why do we think 00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:48.519 we have to go around 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.840 stamping our feet 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.920 and pounding our fists 00:35:50.920 --> 00:35:52.199 and trying to get 00:35:52.199 --> 00:35:53.360 what's ours? 00:35:56.059 --> 00:35:56.880 Paul writes 00:35:56.880 --> 00:35:57.659 in Romans 12 00:35:57.659 --> 00:35:58.699 verse 17 00:35:58.699 --> 00:36:00.079 and following 00:36:00.079 --> 00:36:02.840 Repay no one 00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:03.759 evil 00:36:03.759 --> 00:36:05.099 for evil 00:36:05.099 --> 00:36:06.579 but give thought 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.159 to do what is 00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:07.759 honorable 00:36:07.759 --> 00:36:08.799 in the sight 00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:09.679 of all. 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:11.340 If possible 00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:12.059 so far as it 00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:13.019 depends on you 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:14.039 live peaceably 00:36:14.039 --> 00:36:15.259 with all. 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:16.619 Beloved, 00:36:16.699 --> 00:36:17.400 never avenge 00:36:17.400 --> 00:36:17.940 yourselves 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:19.340 but leave it 00:36:19.340 --> 00:36:20.259 to the wrath 00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:20.780 of God 00:36:20.780 --> 00:36:22.519 for it is written 00:36:22.519 --> 00:36:23.340 vengeance 00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:24.380 is mine 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:25.280 I will 00:36:25.280 --> 00:36:25.980 repay 00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:27.259 says the Lord. 00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:29.300 To the contrary 00:36:29.300 --> 00:36:31.380 if your enemy 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:31.980 is hungry 00:36:31.980 --> 00:36:33.900 feed him 00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:35.900 if he is thirsty 00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:37.400 give him 00:36:37.400 --> 00:36:38.199 something to drink 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:39.980 for by so doing 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.460 you will heap 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.320 burning coals 00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:42.519 on his head. 00:36:43.059 --> 00:36:43.800 Do not 00:36:43.800 --> 00:36:44.480 be overcome 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:45.539 by evil 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:47.019 but overcome 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.059 evil 00:36:48.059 --> 00:36:49.920 with good. 00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:51.580 You see Paul 00:36:51.580 --> 00:36:52.220 picking up 00:36:52.220 --> 00:36:53.600 the teaching here. 00:36:53.840 --> 00:36:55.080 How is it that we 00:36:55.080 --> 00:36:56.340 are in fact 00:36:56.340 --> 00:36:57.200 to resist 00:36:57.200 --> 00:36:58.980 the evil one 00:36:58.980 --> 00:37:00.420 with good? 00:37:01.200 --> 00:37:02.019 We're to turn 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:02.980 the other cheek 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:04.300 and give also 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:05.840 the cloak 00:37:05.840 --> 00:37:06.600 and walk 00:37:06.600 --> 00:37:07.840 the extra mile 00:37:07.840 --> 00:37:08.980 and lend 00:37:08.980 --> 00:37:10.019 and give 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:11.019 generously 00:37:11.019 --> 00:37:12.980 that people 00:37:12.980 --> 00:37:13.420 would come 00:37:13.420 --> 00:37:13.900 to saving 00:37:13.900 --> 00:37:14.400 faith 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:15.620 in Christ. 00:37:17.840 --> 00:37:18.400 Beloved, 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:19.100 may we be a 00:37:19.100 --> 00:37:19.480 people 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.880 with a proper 00:37:20.880 --> 00:37:21.519 perspective 00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:22.739 of ourselves 00:37:22.739 --> 00:37:24.199 others 00:37:24.199 --> 00:37:25.460 and God. 00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:26.960 May we be 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:27.420 individuals 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:27.860 that do not 00:37:27.860 --> 00:37:28.579 seek our own 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:29.139 self-interest 00:37:29.139 --> 00:37:29.659 but look 00:37:29.659 --> 00:37:30.559 to the interests 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.739 of others. 00:37:32.739 --> 00:37:33.360 May we be 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:33.739 citizens 00:37:33.739 --> 00:37:34.480 of the kingdom 00:37:34.480 --> 00:37:35.340 of heaven 00:37:35.340 --> 00:37:36.840 who are not 00:37:36.840 --> 00:37:37.699 retaliators 00:37:37.699 --> 00:37:38.460 but trust 00:37:38.460 --> 00:37:39.139 in the mighty 00:37:39.139 --> 00:37:39.599 hand 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.679 of our sovereign 00:37:40.679 --> 00:37:41.679 and gracious 00:37:41.679 --> 00:37:42.059 God. 00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:43.679 May we be 00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:44.340 a church 00:37:44.340 --> 00:37:45.820 that glorifies 00:37:45.820 --> 00:37:46.199 God 00:37:46.199 --> 00:37:47.699 by experiencing 00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:49.099 proclaiming 00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:50.159 and displaying 00:37:50.159 --> 00:37:51.139 the supremacy 00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:52.639 of Jesus Christ 00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:53.880 in all things 00:37:53.880 --> 00:37:55.559 to all peoples. 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:57.519 Let's pray together.