1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,800 Well, good morning. Please open your Bibles to 2 00:00:04,800 --> 00:00:09,680 Matthew chapter 5. I'll be starting at verse 38 and 3 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:13,440 going to the end of the chapter. We're continuing the sermon 4 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:15,440 series through the Sermon on the Mount. 5 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:19,240 It's a powerful message given by Jesus to the people of that day, 6 00:00:19,240 --> 00:00:23,200 including his disciples. And as we have seen read so far 7 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:25,760 from what we call the Sermon on the Mount, it was an 8 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,240 authoritative and it was a bold message. 9 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:31,520 It would have shocked the people that heard it when Jesus spoke, 10 00:00:31,520 --> 00:00:33,200 and it shocks people still today. 11 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:36,720 And although we don't have the privilege of audibly hearing 12 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:40,240 Jesus teach his message, we have a written account of what he 13 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,560 said. The message is a call to a 14 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:46,280 higher standard, a practical handbook, if you will, for 15 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:49,440 Christian living. He juxtaposes the laws that were 16 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:52,520 given in what we now call the Old Testament, and he builds on 17 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:55,000 them. He expands them not to abolish 18 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:59,480 the laws, but to show the intent behind the laws and ultimately 19 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:02,480 to fulfill the laws. And the passage that we will 20 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:05,800 read today is no different. From a quick glance, it seems 21 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:07,840 wrong. It seems theoretical, or in 22 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:09,920 other words, it seems impossible to follow. 23 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:13,440 But what I love about the Scripture is, unlike my too 24 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:17,040 frequent tendency to soften the edges, the Scripture speaks 25 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:19,600 plainly. And so with that, let's read 26 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:24,600 Matthew 538 to 48. You have heard that it was said 27 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:27,080 an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 28 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:30,160 But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. 29 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:33,160 But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him, the 30 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:35,840 other also. And if anyone would sue you and 31 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:38,560 take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 32 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:42,240 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him 2 miles. 33 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:45,760 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one 34 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:48,680 who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 35 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:51,360 You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 36 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:55,160 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who 37 00:01:55,160 --> 00:01:58,760 persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in 38 00:01:58,760 --> 00:02:01,160 heaven. For he makes the sunrise on the 39 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:04,760 evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the 40 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:07,240 unjust. For if you love those who love 41 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:10,639 you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors 42 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:12,720 do the same? And if you greet only your 43 00:02:12,720 --> 00:02:15,480 brothers, what more are you doing than others? 44 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,760 Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 45 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:22,920 You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. 46 00:02:23,680 --> 00:02:28,800 Before we continue, let's pray. Heavenly Father, you are 47 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:31,320 perfect. Your word is a lamp for our 48 00:02:31,320 --> 00:02:33,360 feet. It lights the path that we're to 49 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:35,640 follow. And I pray as we continue to 50 00:02:35,640 --> 00:02:38,960 look into your word today, You give us understanding to rightly 51 00:02:38,960 --> 00:02:42,520 handle the word of truth. Lord, may your name be glorified 52 00:02:42,520 --> 00:02:45,080 by the preaching of this text. Amen. 53 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,760 What is the most selfless thing that you have ever done? 54 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:54,160 Perhaps you let someone cut in line during busy traffic. 55 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:57,240 Maybe you've paid for someone's groceries when they couldn't 56 00:02:57,240 --> 00:02:59,640 afford it. Or maybe you went as far as to 57 00:02:59,640 --> 00:03:02,360 give your own blood to someone that needed it. 58 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,000 Those things are good, but over the last two years I've had a 59 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,440 front row seat to I think is the most selfless thing a person can 60 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:11,200 do. I'm talking about being a 61 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:13,920 mother. Over the last two years, I've 62 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:16,280 seen my wife go through pregnancy, birthing and 63 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:19,560 nurturing our little boy. In the first few weeks of 64 00:03:19,560 --> 00:03:22,080 pregnancy, the woman can already start to feel sick. 65 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:25,080 They then proceed to carry the baby for nine months, being 66 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:28,280 careful about what they do so as no harm comes to the baby. 67 00:03:29,600 --> 00:03:32,320 When the delivery day finally comes, they go through intense 68 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:36,000 emotions and physical pain as they bring this baby into the 69 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,200 world. And instead of resting and 70 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,680 having a peaceful recovery, they immediately go into caretaker 71 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,800 mode as they feed and support this new baby that is literally 72 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,560 depending on them for its very existence. 73 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:50,800 And it doesn't stop there. Mothers continue to sacrifice 74 00:03:50,800 --> 00:03:54,320 their time, their energy, and their own body for this baby. 75 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:58,640 They give up their sleep, their comfort, and their own desires 76 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:01,000 so that the baby will be well taken care of. 77 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:04,680 And as the baby continues to grow and develop, the role of 78 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:07,960 the mother does not go away. They continue to sacrifice 79 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:11,240 themselves for the needs of their children, with no promise 80 00:04:11,240 --> 00:04:13,960 of their work being compensated or appreciated. 81 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:16,839 Whether you're a mother, you're married to one, or you have a 82 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:19,560 good mother, this probably isn't new information to you. 83 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:23,200 Among the many words you could describe being a good parent and 84 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:27,200 specifically a good mother, I think selfless would be fitting. 85 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:30,320 And of course, I think most mothers would probably agree 86 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,640 that the positives outweigh all the negatives and that putting 87 00:04:33,640 --> 00:04:36,480 away their own desires would be worth it when it comes to 88 00:04:36,480 --> 00:04:39,840 raising a child. But in other areas of our life, 89 00:04:39,840 --> 00:04:43,560 how often do we feel like it's worth it to let go of our 90 00:04:43,560 --> 00:04:46,600 selfish desires? I think if we're honest with 91 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:50,360 ourselves, our selfish desires often override our Christian 92 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:54,560 duties, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. 93 00:04:54,840 --> 00:04:58,320 Our actions show that we want what we want, when we want it, 94 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,400 how we want it, and where we want it. 95 00:05:00,920 --> 00:05:04,520 We don't want to sacrifice, and as far as it depends on us or as 96 00:05:04,560 --> 00:05:07,080 far as it benefits us, we want justice. 97 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:11,200 But as we look further into this passage today, we'll see that 98 00:05:11,280 --> 00:05:14,800 Jesus teaching is in contrast to what we may feel we're entitled 99 00:05:14,800 --> 00:05:16,880 to. We'll see that because God is 100 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:20,320 just, we should let go of our selfish desires. 101 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,560 Not all our desires are inherently selfish. 102 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:27,200 We can have desires to do good and to help others, but often 103 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:31,120 our desires come from selfish motivations, desires that have 104 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:34,080 something in it for us, even if it's just a moral sense of 105 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:37,080 superiority. So what are some of the selfish 106 00:05:37,080 --> 00:05:39,000 desires that we need to let go of? 107 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,160 We need to let go of our desire for revenge, our desire to hate, 108 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:48,280 and our desire to be passive. A desire for revenge seems to be 109 00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:50,720 the most socially acceptable desire. 110 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,280 If someone wrongs you, no one bats an eye if you retaliate or 111 00:05:54,280 --> 00:05:57,160 seek retribution. And therefore it's often easy to 112 00:05:57,160 --> 00:05:59,840 sweep it under the rug with sayings like, well, he had it 113 00:05:59,840 --> 00:06:02,280 coming or what goes around comes around. 114 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:06,880 The idea of karma gets thrown in as a platitude to remove the 115 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:08,920 need for deeper thought or action. 116 00:06:09,560 --> 00:06:11,600 And so why should we let go of that desire? 117 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,360 Well, most importantly, because the Bible says so. 118 00:06:14,960 --> 00:06:18,520 In Exodus 3235, God says vengeance is mine. 119 00:06:19,240 --> 00:06:22,560 God commands the Israelites to not seek personal vengeance, but 120 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:26,280 rather to wait on the Lord. It is for him to exact judgment 121 00:06:26,280 --> 00:06:29,640 where he sees fit. Paul reiterates this in his 122 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:32,840 letter to the church in Rome saying, Beloved, never avenge 123 00:06:32,840 --> 00:06:36,240 yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 124 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,200 vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. 125 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:42,560 When we decide to go against what is commanded in the Bible, 126 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:46,760 we weaken our testimony as believers in Galatians. 5. 127 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:49,960 Paul writes To walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify 128 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,640 the desires of the flesh. He continues to say that the 129 00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:57,320 that the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and vice 130 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:00,680 versa, and that those who belong to Christ Jesus have been 131 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:04,400 crucified have crucified the flesh with its passion and 132 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:07,080 desires. So in summary, if we are in 133 00:07:07,080 --> 00:07:10,240 Christ, that is, if we have put our hope and trust in Jesus, we 134 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:12,520 should keep in step with the Spirit and the fruit of the 135 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:14,520 Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit being 136 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:17,560 Lovejoy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 137 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:20,080 faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 138 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:24,600 When you take revenge into your own hands it shows a a lack of 139 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:28,080 self-control. Going back to our passage verses 140 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:30,360 38 and 39. You have heard that it was said 141 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:32,920 an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 142 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,720 But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil, but if 143 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:39,920 anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other 144 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,160 also. Jesus is referring back to the 145 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:46,720 laws of Moses that were put in place to give justice and 146 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:50,360 retribution to the offended, but it was also to prevent excessive 147 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:52,720 revenge from being taken by the individual. 148 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:55,440 The laws were given to the judges to make sure that the 149 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:57,920 proper amount of restitution was made. 150 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:01,600 This would protect all parties involved from continuous and 151 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,840 needless bloodshed. The laws were given to just not 152 00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:08,720 to justify violence, but to give a proper guidance for justice. 153 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:11,960 But here Jesus, like he's done with so many other laws, he 154 00:08:11,960 --> 00:08:15,440 doesn't remove them, rather he calls for a higher standard. 155 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:19,680 The idea of turning the other cheek when slapped show is to 156 00:08:19,680 --> 00:08:24,040 show humility and that you do possess self-control and that 157 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:25,720 culture. Being slapped on the right cheek 158 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:29,080 was an insult to the receiver. Most people were likely 159 00:08:29,080 --> 00:08:32,200 right-handed and so to be hit on the right cheek would require a 160 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:35,600 backhanded slap. It wasn't a life threatening 161 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:39,360 blow, but rather a gesture of contempt and humiliation. 162 00:08:40,159 --> 00:08:43,400 Jesus is saying not to retaliate with that same level of insult 163 00:08:43,400 --> 00:08:46,960 or evil, but rather to be controlled in your response. 164 00:08:48,120 --> 00:08:49,720 When you take revenge into your own hands. 165 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:52,480 It it also shows a lack of patience. 166 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:57,040 Let's look at verses 40 to 41. And if anyone would sue you and 167 00:08:57,040 --> 00:08:59,640 take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 168 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:03,720 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him 2 miles. 169 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:07,400 Here we get the phrase going the extra mile. 170 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:09,240 No doubt you've heard this one before. 171 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:11,760 It's a common saying among believers and non believers 172 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:13,840 alike. The meaning of this verse, and 173 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:16,880 really the meaning of the greater passage, is to sacrifice 174 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:20,240 your own time and desires to benefit others. 175 00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:23,720 In those days, the Roman law was that if a soldier requested it, 176 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,760 the Jew would have to take the soldiers pack and carry it for a 177 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:28,960 mile. And of course, as you would 178 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:32,040 imagine, the Jewish people didn't look too favorably on the 179 00:09:32,040 --> 00:09:36,400 Roman soldiers because of this. It was insulting and oppressive. 180 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:40,400 But again, Jesus raises the bar and says go the extra mile. 181 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:44,080 He doesn't say go a mile and berate them the whole time about 182 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:47,400 how evil they are. And for the Roman soldiers, this 183 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:49,200 would have been a surprise for them too. 184 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,080 They would have been aware that the Jewish people didn't like 185 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:54,360 them. And so if someone offered to do 186 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:58,520 extra work, extra hard work, they would have been perplexed. 187 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:01,760 So much so that I'm sure the question was asked, why are you 188 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,200 doing this? And I think that's the point. 189 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:08,120 Later in this book in Chapter 7, Jesus says you will know them by 190 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:11,960 their fruit, meaning that you'll be able to tell true believers 191 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,560 from false ones by their actions, by possessing and 192 00:10:15,560 --> 00:10:18,040 showing the fruit of the Spirit or the fruit of patience. 193 00:10:18,040 --> 00:10:22,640 Rather, it gives you the ability to share Jesus when you go the 194 00:10:22,640 --> 00:10:25,320 extra mile and it confuses the person and they ask why are you 195 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:28,040 doing this? That is the perfect opening, the 196 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:30,120 perfect opportunity to share Jesus. 197 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:34,080 Who Jesus is and what he taught you switched the roles from 198 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:37,480 being the victim to being in a place of power to share the 199 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:41,120 gospel. And back to verse 42, Jesus says 200 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:43,640 give to the one who begs from you and do not refuse the one 201 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:46,680 who would borrow from you. When you take revenge into your 202 00:10:46,680 --> 00:10:49,280 own hands, it shows a lack of kindness. 203 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:52,640 Besides not getting revenge when someone physically hurts you, 204 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:55,360 it's tough not to get revenge when someone takes from you. 205 00:10:55,960 --> 00:10:57,960 I don't think this verse is saying that as a Christian 206 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,840 you're not required to give all your money away, or that as 207 00:11:00,840 --> 00:11:02,720 Christians we can't have possessions. 208 00:11:03,160 --> 00:11:07,440 Psalm 1717 to 18 says a friend is always loyal and a brother is 209 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:10,480 born to help in a time of need. But then in the next verse it 210 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:13,080 says it's poor judgement to guarantee another person's debt 211 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:15,080 or to put up security for a friend. 212 00:11:15,520 --> 00:11:18,040 There's a contrast there. As Christians, as fellow 213 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:20,880 brothers and sisters in Christ, we should be willing to help, 214 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:23,840 but in the same vein, be discerning about what kind of 215 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:27,480 help is actually needed. Simply giving money often does 216 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,800 less good than giving time and attention to address the real 217 00:11:30,800 --> 00:11:32,920 problem. But the overarching theme here 218 00:11:32,920 --> 00:11:37,200 is to be kind, to go out of your way to help someone else, to not 219 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:40,040 be greedy with what God has given you, but to hold it with 220 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:44,200 an open hand and to be willing to use it to help others again. 221 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:47,240 By doing so, you can be an effective witness for Christ and 222 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:52,280 share your love for Jesus. In Genesis 37, we're given the 223 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:55,080 account of Joseph at the age of 17. 224 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:57,680 Joseph's brothers, who are jealous of him, attempted to 225 00:11:57,680 --> 00:12:00,400 kill Joseph by throwing him into a deep pit. 226 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:03,920 But when a group of traders came by, they thought to themselves, 227 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:06,960 why kill Joseph when we can get something in return for him? 228 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:10,200 So they pulled him back up and sold them into slavery for their 229 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:12,920 own profit. Joseph ends up going to Egypt 230 00:12:12,920 --> 00:12:15,160 and being sold to the captain of Pharaoh's guard. 231 00:12:15,640 --> 00:12:18,200 Joseph, being a man of integrity, rises the ranks and 232 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:21,320 gets put in charge of the guard or of the captain's household. 233 00:12:21,840 --> 00:12:24,680 He then gets wrongfully accused, thrown into prison, and again 234 00:12:24,680 --> 00:12:27,800 rises the ranks in prison, ultimately at the age of 30 235 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:30,600 becomes second in command in all of Egypt next to only the 236 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,880 Pharaoh. Then when a time of famine 237 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:36,160 comes, Joseph's brothers come to Egypt seeking food. 238 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:39,600 Joseph recognizes his brothers, but they don't recognize him and 239 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,200 the same brothers that tried to kill him and sold them into 240 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:47,600 slavery are now at his mercy. But Joseph displays self-control 241 00:12:47,760 --> 00:12:49,960 and he doesn't seek revenge for their wrongdoing. 242 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:53,200 He exhibits patience and he tests them and ultimately shows 243 00:12:53,200 --> 00:12:56,400 kindness to them, but giving them the best land in all of 244 00:12:56,400 --> 00:12:58,440 Egypt to live and to raise their families. 245 00:12:59,160 --> 00:13:03,080 Joseph displayed what Jesus would teach approximately 1800 246 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:05,760 years later. He let go of his desire for 247 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:08,200 revenge and instead he left it to God. 248 00:13:08,840 --> 00:13:11,160 He showed strength where it would have been easy to show 249 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:14,320 weakness. When Joseph's brothers apologize 250 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:18,040 in fear of Joseph, he tells them, As for you, you meant evil 251 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:22,200 against me, but God meant it for good to bring it about that many 252 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,840 people should be kept alive as they are today. 253 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,800 God used for good the evil that Joseph's brothers committed. 254 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,720 It does not condone or endorse the evil, but it shows that God 255 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:37,600 is in control of all things. So in our own lives, what is our 256 00:13:37,600 --> 00:13:41,120 response when injustice is committed against us? 257 00:13:41,520 --> 00:13:45,080 Do we jump to retaliate and so by doing so, stoop to the 258 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:47,640 offenders level? Maybe there's someone that 259 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:50,400 worked at at that's constantly giving you a hard time and 260 00:13:50,400 --> 00:13:52,400 making you do work that no one else does. 261 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:54,960 For those of you in school, maybe there's someone that picks 262 00:13:54,960 --> 00:13:57,440 on you that bullies you or that spreads rumors about you. 263 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:01,040 Whatever the case is, we aren't required to be a doormat and let 264 00:14:01,040 --> 00:14:03,400 others walk over us. And I would encourage you to 265 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,800 report wrongful behaviors to the proper authorities. 266 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:09,360 But from what is in your control, be wise about handling 267 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:11,960 the situation. Don't seek revenge in your 268 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,360 suffering and don't waste your suffering. 269 00:14:15,040 --> 00:14:17,400 If you're going to suffer, it might as well be for the glory 270 00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,960 of Christ. Walk in the Spirit and live out 271 00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:23,640 the fruit of the Spirit. Be self controlled, be patient 272 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:25,520 and show kindness wherever you can. 273 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,120 What people mean for evil, God can use for good. 274 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:33,400 Use those moments to show to show Jesus to those around you 275 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:35,920 and tell them about the hope that you have in Him. 276 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:39,400 You may think then, well, I won't take revenge on them, I 277 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:42,240 won't show my anger physically, but I still hate them. 278 00:14:43,400 --> 00:14:44,880 But that doesn't get you off the hook. 279 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,600 Hate is equally wrong in the sight of God. 280 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:50,840 We heard a few weeks ago Jesus teaching on anger and that 281 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:53,880 everyone who is angry with his brother is liable to judgement. 282 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:57,320 Jesus is just concerned about just as concerned about your 283 00:14:57,320 --> 00:14:59,640 heart as he is about your actions. 284 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:03,440 Speaking to the Pharisees in Matthew 23, Jesus says Woe to 285 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,040 you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. 286 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:09,720 For you are like a whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear 287 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:14,040 beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all 288 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:16,520 uncleanliness. So you are outwardly. 289 00:15:16,520 --> 00:15:20,800 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within 290 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:23,800 you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 291 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:27,800 Jesus harshly rebuked the Pharisees for trying to have the 292 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:31,080 appearance of righteousness while their hearts were full of 293 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:33,840 hate. Jesus knew their hearts and He 294 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:36,920 knows ours as well. As Christians, then, we should 295 00:15:36,920 --> 00:15:40,680 let go of our desire for hate, and instead we're called to love 296 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:44,080 our enemies, to love our enemies by praying for them, by treating 297 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,960 them as equals, and by giving and greeting them. 298 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:51,360 Let's go back to the passage, verses 43 to 45. 299 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:54,360 Jesus speaking, you have heard that it was said, you shall love 300 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:55,840 your neighbor and hate your enemy. 301 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:59,200 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who 302 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:02,560 persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in 303 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:05,320 heaven. Jesus is saying to not only love 304 00:16:05,320 --> 00:16:09,200 your enemies, but pray for them. It seems to be the climax of the 305 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:11,360 sermon. Jesus has referenced many old 306 00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:14,520 laws and He calls for the higher standard, and this seems to be 307 00:16:14,520 --> 00:16:17,560 the greatest. Loving your enemies, praying for 308 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:19,920 them. How many world leaders can you 309 00:16:19,920 --> 00:16:22,360 think of that have told their constituents to pray for their 310 00:16:22,360 --> 00:16:25,400 enemies? But by praying for your enemies, 311 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:28,280 it puts you in the correct heart posture toward them. 312 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:32,400 In Proverbs 16, it says violent people mislead their companions, 313 00:16:32,720 --> 00:16:34,440 leading them down a harmful path. 314 00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:36,480 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil. 315 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:38,840 With a smirk, they plan their mischief. 316 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,760 Pausing to pray for our enemies prevents us from being blinded 317 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:46,240 by anger and helps us remove the desire to hate. 318 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:49,840 It also brings us closer to the likeness of God. 319 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:54,520 Jesus says to love and pray for your enemies so that you will be 320 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:56,360 sons of your Father who is in heaven. 321 00:16:56,920 --> 00:17:00,200 It points to sacrifice himself and conforming to the will of 322 00:17:00,200 --> 00:17:02,680 God. And we should also love our 323 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:04,520 enemies by treating them as equals. 324 00:17:04,920 --> 00:17:08,560 The last part of verse 45 says For he makes the his sunrise on 325 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:12,200 the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on 326 00:17:12,200 --> 00:17:15,200 the unjust. Borrowing from Matthew Henry's 327 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:17,520 commentary, he points out that the sun and rain are both 328 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:20,520 blessings from God. And where would we be without 329 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:23,359 the sun or the rain? Yet God in all his goodness 330 00:17:23,599 --> 00:17:26,760 allows both to fall on the believer and on the non believer 331 00:17:26,760 --> 00:17:29,200 alike. It proves the goodness and the 332 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,040 mercy of God. If we were in control of the sun 333 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:35,080 and the rain, would we be impartial to the just and to the 334 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,680 unjust? Yet the very people that 335 00:17:37,680 --> 00:17:41,040 slandered the name of God, that mock in the ridicule His the 336 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:44,800 idea of His existence, do so in the loving outpour of the sun in 337 00:17:44,800 --> 00:17:47,360 the rain and air to breathe from Him. 338 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:51,640 James 117 says every good and perfect gift is from above, 339 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:54,840 coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no 340 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:57,440 variation or shadow due to change. 341 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:01,240 It is ironic that those that don't believe in God can only do 342 00:18:01,240 --> 00:18:04,800 so because of God. It does beg the question then, 343 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,640 why does God allow evil? And while that's a much larger 344 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:10,600 topic, I love Frank Turk's response to this. 345 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:14,360 He quoting Turk, he says God allows evil because he allows 346 00:18:14,360 --> 00:18:17,760 free choice and that's the only way that we could have love. 347 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,760 In other words, he doesn't force you to love him. 348 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:23,160 He reveals himself and who he is. 349 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:28,280 He draws and He calls, and it is our responsibility to respond by 350 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:30,920 treating our enemies as equals in the fact that they were 351 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:34,640 created in the image of God. It removes any potential for 352 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:38,120 pride or for boasting. It allows us to see fellow men 353 00:18:38,120 --> 00:18:42,880 and women like God sees us sinners in need of a Saviour. 354 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:45,920 And then lastly, to let go of our desire for hate. 355 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:49,000 We should love our enemies by greeting them and giving freely. 356 00:18:49,720 --> 00:18:54,600 Verses 46 to 47 For if you love those who love you, what reward 357 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:57,040 do you have? Do not even the tax collectors 358 00:18:57,040 --> 00:18:59,320 do the same? And if you greet only your 359 00:18:59,320 --> 00:19:01,560 brothers, what more are you doing than others? 360 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:03,960 Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 361 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:07,640 Jesus wraps up this idea of loving your enemies by comparing 362 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:10,960 how Christians are to act versus how the world acts. 363 00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:14,480 Jesus saying that if you only do the bare minimum, if you only 364 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,480 love those that love you, if you only greet those that greet you, 365 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:20,520 if you only give to the ones that give to you, how are you 366 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:23,280 any different? Christians are called to be 367 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:26,640 different, not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be 368 00:19:26,640 --> 00:19:29,560 transformed by the renewal of your mind. 369 00:19:30,440 --> 00:19:33,280 CS Lewis touches on this subject in the book 4 Loves. 370 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:35,760 He writes by having great many friends. 371 00:19:35,760 --> 00:19:39,120 I do not prove that I have a wide appreciation of human 372 00:19:39,120 --> 00:19:41,680 excellence. You might as well say I proved 373 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:44,920 the width of my literary taste by being able to enjoy all the 374 00:19:44,920 --> 00:19:48,480 books in my own study. The answer is the same in both 375 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,360 cases. You chose those books, you chose 376 00:19:51,360 --> 00:19:53,400 those friends. Of course they suit you. 377 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,880 The truly wide taste in humanity will find something to 378 00:19:56,880 --> 00:20:00,800 appreciate in the cross section of humanity whom one has to meet 379 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:04,000 every day. CS Lewis has a large vocabulary 380 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:06,440 and I had to read that. Reread that quote like 5 times 381 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:10,160 before it made sense to me. But Simply put, how are you 382 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:12,600 treating the people that you don't choose to have in your 383 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:14,880 life? The waitress at the restaurant. 384 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:18,360 The janitor at your workplace, the people you pass by in the 385 00:20:18,360 --> 00:20:21,720 grocery store, how you love and greet those everyday people that 386 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:24,320 you don't choose to have in your life will tell you a lot more 387 00:20:24,320 --> 00:20:26,840 about yourself than those that you, that are close to you and 388 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:28,960 that you do choose to have in your life. 389 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:33,120 A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the in the waiting room as my 390 00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:35,080 wife was getting ready for her ultrasound. 391 00:20:35,560 --> 00:20:38,240 And ironically, I was reading this book by CS Lewis there. 392 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:42,040 And they're sitting next to me were what seemed to be two very 393 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:44,880 pleasant elderly ladies. And sitting next to them, I 394 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:47,160 could hear their conversation well as they went on about the 395 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:50,600 state of the nation, the economy and all the rest of the stuff 396 00:20:50,600 --> 00:20:52,400 that goes along with those conversations. 397 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:55,440 And it wasn't until they mentioned their great disdain 398 00:20:55,440 --> 00:20:58,080 for the American president that sparked my curiosity. 399 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:01,560 There had been, there had been a public, deadly public shooting 400 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:04,280 in the news recently. And one lady mentioned that she 401 00:21:04,280 --> 00:21:07,640 wished the shooter that shot at the American president had the 402 00:21:07,640 --> 00:21:12,680 same aim as this recent shooter. I put my book down, surprised by 403 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:15,280 this bat brash statement from this lady. 404 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:18,600 But she didn't skip a beat. And in the very next sentence, 405 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:21,680 she lamented how rude the president was and of his great 406 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:24,760 disdain towards people and his disregard for people. 407 00:21:25,360 --> 00:21:29,560 The irony was palpable. In one sentence she wished for a 408 00:21:29,560 --> 00:21:33,240 man's death and in another she demanded kindness and mercy. 409 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:38,120 We don't have Christ if when we don't have Christ in our lives. 410 00:21:38,440 --> 00:21:41,880 That line of thinking is fair to the non believer. 411 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:44,760 Yes, it can sound hypocritical, but really there's nothing wrong 412 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:46,960 with it. Death to those I hate and 413 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:48,760 kindness to me and to those I love. 414 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:51,960 But through Jesus's words we can see the fault. 415 00:21:52,120 --> 00:21:55,720 In that way of thinking, it removes grace and mercy from the 416 00:21:55,720 --> 00:21:58,560 equation. We may think that we always want 417 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:01,520 justice, but when it comes to our own sins, to our own 418 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:03,880 shortcomings, then we want mercy. 419 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:07,600 Yes, we have enemies, and yes, they may hate us, but if you 420 00:22:07,600 --> 00:22:10,800 were saved here this morning, you too were once an enemy of 421 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,120 the cross. Paul, writing in First 422 00:22:13,120 --> 00:22:16,160 Corinthians, says, Do you not know that the unrighteous will 423 00:22:16,160 --> 00:22:19,960 not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be the deceived, neither 424 00:22:19,960 --> 00:22:22,880 the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor 425 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:26,480 men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor 426 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:29,800 drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the 427 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:32,800 Kingdom of God. And such were some of you. 428 00:22:34,600 --> 00:22:37,960 This applies to us today too. There is no individual that is 429 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:40,360 too far gone that God cannot save. 430 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:42,880 Jesus calls us to love our enemies. 431 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:46,120 We should pray for them, treat them as equals, as humans made 432 00:22:46,120 --> 00:22:49,120 in the image of God, and to show Christ's love for them. 433 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:52,880 Loving our enemies does not mean condoning their sin or enabling 434 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:55,520 sin to happen. But Paul continues to say, but 435 00:22:55,520 --> 00:22:58,680 you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified 436 00:22:58,680 --> 00:23:01,320 in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our 437 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:04,280 God. So if we have been sanctified, 438 00:23:04,280 --> 00:23:07,080 if we have been washed and justified in Christ, then we 439 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:10,960 have a responsibility to also love our enemies and to let go 440 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:15,560 of our desire for hate. Lastly, because God is just, we 441 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:18,480 should let go of our desire for revenge and our desire for hate, 442 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:22,000 and we should also let go of our desire to be passive. 443 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:24,960 At first glance, this doesn't really seem to be an issue, 444 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:27,360 right? I've never heard anyone say I 445 00:23:27,360 --> 00:23:30,560 desire to be passive. It's almost a contradiction. 446 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:34,880 So being passive means to allow things to happen to you without 447 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:38,080 taking action, or to allow things to happen without taking 448 00:23:38,080 --> 00:23:41,680 action. So to desire to be passive would 449 00:23:41,680 --> 00:23:45,120 be to want to allow things to happen without being responsible 450 00:23:45,120 --> 00:23:48,240 to take action. Again, you rarely, if ever, hear 451 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:51,440 anyone say that they want to be passive, but I'm a firm believer 452 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:55,520 that behavior is a language. Sometimes what we say and what 453 00:23:55,520 --> 00:23:58,960 we do are two different things. I can say I want to grow 454 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:01,880 spiritually, but if I don't pray or if I don't read my Bible, 455 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:05,000 then I don't really want it. I just want to want it. 456 00:24:05,920 --> 00:24:08,760 Being a Christian is not just about what you believe, but 457 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:12,040 where is your devotion, where are your actions. 458 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:15,680 Our faith needs to be put into practice and not merely held as 459 00:24:15,680 --> 00:24:18,840 an intellectual belief. The whole Sermon on the Mount is 460 00:24:18,840 --> 00:24:22,640 not a theoretical sermon, it's an application for how to live. 461 00:24:23,040 --> 00:24:25,840 James, the brother of Jesus says, but be doers of the word 462 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:29,720 and not only hears deceiving yourself, it's a call to be 463 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:33,400 present and active, to not desire a life of passivity and 464 00:24:33,400 --> 00:24:35,600 to let go of that desire. To be passive. 465 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:38,760 We need to be blameless, bold and brave. 466 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:42,840 The last verse of this passage, verse 48, says you therefore 467 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:46,480 must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. 468 00:24:46,960 --> 00:24:49,840 Talk about a high bar, right? It's probably would have been a 469 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:51,440 good idea to just start with that verse. 470 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:56,600 That's it, be perfect, done. But it's not that simple. 471 00:24:57,040 --> 00:25:01,000 Often we'll hear the phrase no one is perfect as an excuse for 472 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,880 our sins or the sins of someone else. 473 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:05,160 And even though that's technically true, it can be 474 00:25:05,160 --> 00:25:08,080 misused. Christ is calling us to be 475 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:11,080 blameless. We know on this side of heaven 476 00:25:11,080 --> 00:25:14,520 we will never truly be blameless or perfect, but that should be 477 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,000 the goal. That should be what we strive 478 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:18,360 for. Using the excuse. 479 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:22,160 Yeah, but no one's perfect. To remain in sin is a sign that 480 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:24,160 we don't understand Jesus teaching. 481 00:25:25,360 --> 00:25:28,640 As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us, 482 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:32,080 guiding and helping us to live a life that resembles Jesus. 483 00:25:32,360 --> 00:25:35,920 We are sanctified, set apart, and God calls us to a higher 484 00:25:35,920 --> 00:25:38,040 standard. To not stay in the muck, in the 485 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:42,000 mire of our own sin and so fuel our desire, our desire for 486 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:45,080 passivity, but to come out and live in the light of His Word. 487 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:48,800 To let go of our desire to be passive means we also need to be 488 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:52,080 bold. Bold to protect, love and give. 489 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:54,680 And for all you English majors out there, you'll recognize 490 00:25:54,680 --> 00:25:56,800 those as verbs. And from what I remember from 491 00:25:56,800 --> 00:26:00,840 school, verbs are action words. They are the opposite of being 492 00:26:00,840 --> 00:26:03,320 passive. When we read a verse like 493 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:07,200 Matthew 539 where Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek, it can 494 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:10,800 be easy to apply this to areas of our life that it was not 495 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:13,120 intended. I don't believe that this is a 496 00:26:13,120 --> 00:26:16,800 call for complete pacifism, but rather for proper action. 497 00:26:17,520 --> 00:26:21,200 First Corinthians 13 seven says that love always protects. 498 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:25,040 The ESV says that it bears all things, and the original word 499 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:28,960 there means to cover. True love protects. 500 00:26:29,040 --> 00:26:33,040 It covers as God protected the Israelites in the Old Testament, 501 00:26:33,280 --> 00:26:36,400 as Joseph protected Mary from public shame in the New 502 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:38,320 Testament. True love looks for the 503 00:26:38,320 --> 00:26:41,880 betterment of others. It isn't selfish, but it's a 504 00:26:41,880 --> 00:26:44,960 shield to the vulnerable. Turning the other cheek is a 505 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:48,520 response of strength, to show that my trust in Jesus is 506 00:26:48,520 --> 00:26:52,120 greater than my own need for justice or for retaliation. 507 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:56,320 But we aren't told to turn someone else's cheek for them. 508 00:26:57,160 --> 00:27:00,040 Jesus was addressing the personal desires for retribution 509 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:02,960 and revenge, which seeks to bring glory to yourself and make 510 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:06,160 yourself look great. And that is a selfish desire, 511 00:27:06,360 --> 00:27:08,400 and it goes against the teachings of Jesus. 512 00:27:08,800 --> 00:27:11,680 But he wasn't saying that we need to be passive when we see 513 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:13,640 the victimization of the vulnerable. 514 00:27:14,520 --> 00:27:17,080 Jesus himself wasn't passive when He saw the money lenders 515 00:27:17,080 --> 00:27:19,640 abusing the temple and those coming to it. 516 00:27:20,080 --> 00:27:22,720 He flipped their tables and he drove them out with a whip. 517 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:25,560 He took action to protect the vulnerable. 518 00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:29,440 It's right and proper to have righteous anger when we see the 519 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:31,640 mistreatment and the abuse of others. 520 00:27:32,160 --> 00:27:36,080 Ephesians 426 says be angry and do not sin. 521 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:40,360 It shows that it is possible to be angry and not sin at the same 522 00:27:40,360 --> 00:27:42,920 time. When Canadians landed on Juno 523 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:46,440 Beach in 1944, it wasn't a hatred of people that led them 524 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:49,680 there, but a love of good and a hatred of evil. 525 00:27:50,440 --> 00:27:52,880 Don't hear me wrong, I'm not saying that there was no sin 526 00:27:52,880 --> 00:27:56,920 there or that all the motives were pure and right, but that is 527 00:27:56,920 --> 00:27:59,560 where the issue lies. What is our heart position? 528 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:03,720 I'll share a short story that's slightly embarrassing to tell, 529 00:28:03,720 --> 00:28:07,680 but I think it fits here. Quite a few years ago my then 530 00:28:07,680 --> 00:28:10,280 girlfriend and now wife Courtney and I were standing in line 531 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:13,200 outside the Tigers baseball stadium with a couple friends 532 00:28:14,120 --> 00:28:16,600 and not too far away from us. There were a few older guys that 533 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:19,320 were open air preaching using a microphone and some portable 534 00:28:19,320 --> 00:28:21,560 speakers. They were handing out Bible 535 00:28:21,560 --> 00:28:23,800 tracts and from what I heard they were sharing the gospel 536 00:28:23,800 --> 00:28:27,360 from those waiting to go inside. While I was standing there I 537 00:28:27,360 --> 00:28:30,080 heard a loud commotion with people yelling and a man walking 538 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:32,840 away from the area. This man had gone up to the 539 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:35,920 Street Preachers and pushed them and knocked over all of his 540 00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:37,920 speakers and the different resources. 541 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:41,200 I immediately got angry and I was looking for the guy that did 542 00:28:41,200 --> 00:28:43,600 this. I got so wrapped up about it all 543 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:45,880 that all I could think about was what I would do if I would see 544 00:28:45,880 --> 00:28:48,120 this guy or the things I would all tell him. 545 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:52,320 But I was quickly humbled when I saw a few people go over to 546 00:28:52,320 --> 00:28:55,600 these gentlemen, pick up their stuff and ask if they were OK. 547 00:28:56,240 --> 00:28:59,480 I was so focused on my hatred for this immature man that I 548 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:02,000 didn't even think to help. Of the ones that were to help, 549 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:05,160 the ones that were abused, for all I know, the people that 550 00:29:05,400 --> 00:29:08,080 helped them that day, they might not even have been Christians. 551 00:29:08,440 --> 00:29:12,120 While IA professing Christian stood there passively doing 552 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:15,280 nothing. My words said one thing, but my 553 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:17,040 heart and my actions showed another. 554 00:29:17,360 --> 00:29:21,400 I was justifiably angry, but in my anger I was passive and I 555 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:25,320 missed an opportunity to show kindness on the outside. 556 00:29:25,320 --> 00:29:28,440 I could have faked moral virtue and said how self controlled I 557 00:29:28,440 --> 00:29:32,840 was to not retaliate, but in my heart I had already retaliated. 558 00:29:33,560 --> 00:29:35,760 And that's what Jesus is constantly going back to in the 559 00:29:35,760 --> 00:29:37,560 sermon. What's in the heart? 560 00:29:38,240 --> 00:29:39,680 And that's the source of the problem. 561 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:43,200 If we don't let go of our passivity, we cannot expect to 562 00:29:43,200 --> 00:29:46,840 become virtuous. CS Lewis put it in this way in a 563 00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:50,440 sort of ghastly simplicity. Re remove the organ and demand 564 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:53,280 the function. We make men without chests and 565 00:29:53,280 --> 00:29:55,640 expect of them virtue and enterprise. 566 00:29:56,920 --> 00:30:00,480 Our love for others should not remove our boldness, but rather 567 00:30:00,480 --> 00:30:03,520 it should bring it out. Being bold for the faith and 568 00:30:03,520 --> 00:30:06,680 standing up for the oppressed is not antithetical to the gospel, 569 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:11,320 it displays it. Finally, we should be blameless, 570 00:30:11,320 --> 00:30:13,960 we should be bold, and we should be brave. 571 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:17,240 When Jesus preached the sermon, he knew the effect it would 572 00:30:17,240 --> 00:30:19,520 have. When he rebuked the Pharisees 573 00:30:19,520 --> 00:30:22,640 for being whitewashed tombs, he knew the effect it would have. 574 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:25,920 Jesus came to bring love into a broken world. 575 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:28,960 His message was to come out of the darkness and into the light, 576 00:30:29,200 --> 00:30:32,160 to repent and believe, to love God and love your neighbor. 577 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:34,200 Yet there are still those that hated him. 578 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:38,240 Looking at the example of Jesus, we too should not be surprised 579 00:30:38,240 --> 00:30:40,400 when we are hated for the sake of the Gospel. 580 00:30:41,080 --> 00:30:43,520 Later in the book of Matthew, when Jesus sends out the 12 581 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:46,840 apostles, he tells them, I am sending you out a sheep in the 582 00:30:46,840 --> 00:30:50,280 midst of wolves. So be wise as serpent and as 583 00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:54,200 serpents, and innocent as doves. And he continues to say that you 584 00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:56,720 will be hated by all for my name's sake. 585 00:30:57,960 --> 00:31:01,960 But even if we are hated and mocked, Jesus prior words still 586 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:04,640 stand firm. Through the work of the Spirit. 587 00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:08,240 We are to be brave and to love our enemies as Christ did. 588 00:31:09,080 --> 00:31:12,160 Being blameless, being bold and being brave is a call for all 589 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:15,680 Christians, men and women alike. But for a moment, let me speak 590 00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:18,360 to the men and I'm speaking to myself as well. 591 00:31:19,160 --> 00:31:22,720 You are called to be courageous. Paul, writing in First in 592 00:31:22,720 --> 00:31:25,960 Corinthians, says be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act 593 00:31:25,960 --> 00:31:30,680 like men, be strong, let all that you do be done in love. 594 00:31:31,320 --> 00:31:33,840 In a day and age where being a man is looked down upon or 595 00:31:33,840 --> 00:31:36,920 twisted as something to hide from, we're still called to be 596 00:31:36,920 --> 00:31:39,880 godly men. Not some dumb caricature as 597 00:31:39,880 --> 00:31:43,440 displayed by social media influencers, but as leaders. 598 00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:48,080 Leaders that love like Christ did and put others needs before 599 00:31:48,080 --> 00:31:50,720 our own. Letting go of trivial disputes 600 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:54,600 and selfish desires and honoring Christ by loving him and serving 601 00:31:54,600 --> 00:31:57,640 others well. To quote Bobby Jameson, 602 00:31:57,640 --> 00:32:01,080 authority flows from those who take responsibility. 603 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:05,000 So take responsibility. Don't wait for others to do it 604 00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:07,440 first. There's plenty of bad leaders 605 00:32:07,440 --> 00:32:10,800 out there and when we become passive to their abuse of others 606 00:32:10,960 --> 00:32:13,880 and when we disguise it and turning the other cheek, we 607 00:32:13,880 --> 00:32:16,400 contribute to that hurt. Again. 608 00:32:16,400 --> 00:32:20,080 Quoting Bobby Jameson, he says the opposite of selfish ambition 609 00:32:20,080 --> 00:32:23,680 is not passivity, but rather selfless ambition. 610 00:32:24,560 --> 00:32:27,960 As Christians, we all need to have a selfless ambition for the 611 00:32:27,960 --> 00:32:31,320 good of others. Not only that we that we don't 612 00:32:31,320 --> 00:32:34,920 prioritize our own needs, but that we actively prioritize the 613 00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:37,880 needs of others, men, women, young and old. 614 00:32:37,880 --> 00:32:41,800 Our duty is to love God and to love others, and it's by our 615 00:32:41,800 --> 00:32:44,120 love that the world will see that we are different and 616 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:47,200 therefore point to Christ. Doug Wilson says that the 617 00:32:47,200 --> 00:32:50,600 Christian faith does not advance by the sword, but instead by the 618 00:32:50,600 --> 00:32:54,400 sword of the Spirit. By rejecting passivity and 619 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:57,440 loving others, we can be a light in a Dark World. 620 00:32:58,840 --> 00:33:02,600 About 7-7 weeks ago on September 10th, there was an event that 621 00:33:02,600 --> 00:33:05,440 happened that shocked the world and caught the eyes and ears of 622 00:33:05,440 --> 00:33:09,000 almost everyone in the world. A young man, a husband, and the 623 00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:12,560 father of two small children was assassinated in public in front 624 00:33:12,560 --> 00:33:15,760 of hundreds of students. And because of his popularity, 625 00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:19,040 the event was captured on video and spread like wildfire across 626 00:33:19,040 --> 00:33:20,720 the Internet for everyone to see. 627 00:33:21,320 --> 00:33:23,840 I'm sure most of you have heard of this man named Charlie Kirk. 628 00:33:24,560 --> 00:33:27,320 He was a passionate individual who had a mission to help young 629 00:33:27,320 --> 00:33:29,600 people. He was bold and sharing his 630 00:33:29,600 --> 00:33:32,120 faith, and he never shield away from sharing the gospel. 631 00:33:32,600 --> 00:33:35,560 He shared the gospel at every university campus he attended 632 00:33:36,040 --> 00:33:38,040 and online to millions of viewers. 633 00:33:38,520 --> 00:33:41,920 Specifically, he wanted to reach young men, as his wife put it. 634 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:44,120 Specifically to the young men who felt like they had no 635 00:33:44,120 --> 00:33:47,640 direction, no purpose, no faith, and no reason to live. 636 00:33:48,040 --> 00:33:50,680 The men wasting their lives on distractions and the men 637 00:33:50,680 --> 00:33:53,200 consumed with resentment, anger, and hate. 638 00:33:53,600 --> 00:33:56,800 Charlie wanted to help them, and in doing that, moments after 639 00:33:56,800 --> 00:33:59,280 sharing the gospel, his life was taken. 640 00:33:59,880 --> 00:34:02,040 And since that event, as you would expect in the age of the 641 00:34:02,040 --> 00:34:04,720 Internet, there's been thousands of conspiracy while the 642 00:34:04,840 --> 00:34:08,600 accusations and outright lies. But amidst of all that chaos, 643 00:34:09,120 --> 00:34:12,920 there's still a grieving widow and two small children whose dad 644 00:34:12,920 --> 00:34:17,080 will never come home. A mother and a father whose son, 645 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:20,000 whose son's death is watched, analyzed and argued about in 646 00:34:20,000 --> 00:34:22,679 front of the whole world. It's hard to imagine what we 647 00:34:22,679 --> 00:34:24,719 would do if we were in the place of Charlie's family. 648 00:34:25,040 --> 00:34:27,360 And I don't think anyone would blame them if they exclaim their 649 00:34:27,360 --> 00:34:29,679 hatred of the killer and demanded retaliation. 650 00:34:30,239 --> 00:34:33,480 But they didn't organize mobs or protest and riot. 651 00:34:33,560 --> 00:34:36,239 There was no call for violence or payback. 652 00:34:36,880 --> 00:34:39,840 Instead, his wife Erica forgave her husband's killer. 653 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:43,760 Speaking at the memorial, she said she forgave him because it 654 00:34:43,760 --> 00:34:46,159 was what Christ did. And she continued to say the 655 00:34:46,159 --> 00:34:49,159 answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the 656 00:34:49,159 --> 00:34:52,320 gospel is love. Love for our enemies and those 657 00:34:52,320 --> 00:34:55,360 who persecute us. Erica could have let her 658 00:34:55,360 --> 00:34:59,320 desires, could have chosen to let her desires and hate for 659 00:34:59,320 --> 00:35:03,320 hate to override her Christian duties, and I don't think many 660 00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:04,960 people would have said otherwise. 661 00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:08,920 But she rejected passivity and chose to take action to love her 662 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:13,160 enemy and forgive forgiveness. She exemplified Christ and 663 00:35:13,160 --> 00:35:16,400 forgiving the very one responsible for her husband's 664 00:35:16,400 --> 00:35:19,240 death. There was another event, and 665 00:35:19,240 --> 00:35:22,400 this one took place just over 2000 years ago that would 666 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:26,840 forever impact human history. An innocent man, a beloved son, 667 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:28,720 was killed in front of hundreds to see. 668 00:35:29,160 --> 00:35:31,040 Like Charlie's death, this man has also been. 669 00:35:31,120 --> 00:35:33,840 This man's death has also been analysed and argued about in 670 00:35:33,840 --> 00:35:36,680 front of the whole world. But unlike Charlie, and this is 671 00:35:36,680 --> 00:35:41,840 important, this man was perfect, never committing a sin, never 672 00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:45,320 saying a single thing wrong. This man, Jesus of Nazareth, 673 00:35:45,520 --> 00:35:49,320 fully God and fully man, went to the cross willingly and died for 674 00:35:49,320 --> 00:35:52,480 the sins of the world. He was beaten, mocked and 675 00:35:52,480 --> 00:35:55,680 humiliated, and he endured the suffering not for anything he 676 00:35:55,680 --> 00:35:58,400 did, but for my sins and for your sins. 677 00:35:59,040 --> 00:36:01,800 Then after being nailed to the cross and put up for all to see 678 00:36:02,200 --> 00:36:05,520 Jesus dying on the cross, said Father, forgive them, for they 679 00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:09,640 know not what they do. God and His perfect justice 680 00:36:09,640 --> 00:36:13,040 could not let sin go unpunished, but being a loving Father 681 00:36:13,040 --> 00:36:15,360 provided a way for you and me to go to heaven. 682 00:36:15,800 --> 00:36:19,880 He gave up His very own Son to be abused and mistreated and 683 00:36:19,880 --> 00:36:23,000 ultimately killed to pray to pay the price that you and I could 684 00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:25,800 not. He is the ultimate example of 685 00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:29,760 being a selfless parent. God hates sin, but He is not 686 00:36:29,760 --> 00:36:33,640 passive in His love for sinners. There will one day be justice 687 00:36:33,640 --> 00:36:35,440 for all who have put their trust in Jesus. 688 00:36:35,440 --> 00:36:38,920 So we need not waste our time plotting and wishing for 689 00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:42,160 revenge, but rather our focus should be on God's mercy toward 690 00:36:42,160 --> 00:36:45,320 us. Romans 58 says But God shows his 691 00:36:45,320 --> 00:36:49,480 love for us and that while we were still sinners, Christ died 692 00:36:49,480 --> 00:36:52,840 for us. As we read today, we are called 693 00:36:52,840 --> 00:36:55,760 to be perfect, and it is only through perfection that we can 694 00:36:55,760 --> 00:36:58,240 go to heaven. But we don't fit that bill. 695 00:36:58,360 --> 00:37:02,040 We aren't perfect, not even close, but Jesus is. 696 00:37:02,600 --> 00:37:04,640 Jesus did for us what we could never do. 697 00:37:05,240 --> 00:37:07,360 Jesus died so that you and I could live. 698 00:37:08,320 --> 00:37:10,640 If you haven't put your hope and trust in Jesus, I would 699 00:37:10,640 --> 00:37:13,040 encourage you to look at the life of Jesus. 700 00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:15,920 Look at the love He showed and continues to show. 701 00:37:16,200 --> 00:37:18,320 He is impartial. He isn't selfish. 702 00:37:18,680 --> 00:37:21,280 He desires all men and women to come to faith. 703 00:37:21,880 --> 00:37:25,640 Second, Peter 39 says that the Lord is not slow to fulfill His 704 00:37:25,640 --> 00:37:29,720 promise, as some count slowness, but patient is patient toward 705 00:37:29,720 --> 00:37:34,200 you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should 706 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:38,200 reach repentance. The Lord is patient, but we will 707 00:37:38,200 --> 00:37:41,400 all have to give an account one day and on that day there is 708 00:37:41,400 --> 00:37:44,560 nothing that we can bring to the table, no good works, nothing we 709 00:37:44,560 --> 00:37:47,480 can point out and say this is the reason I deserve it, we 710 00:37:47,480 --> 00:37:50,400 don't deserve it. The only hope we have is in the 711 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:53,720 death and resurrection of Jesus. And that is the beauty of the 712 00:37:53,720 --> 00:37:57,760 gospel, that a man who knew no sin would take the place for you 713 00:37:57,760 --> 00:38:01,880 and me to selflessly lay down his life as a ransom for many. 714 00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:06,120 Christ embodied what it means to love your enemies, so look to 715 00:38:06,120 --> 00:38:08,560 him. Humans are flawed, but Jesus is 716 00:38:08,560 --> 00:38:12,320 perfect and as Christians, let that be our example. 717 00:38:12,600 --> 00:38:16,360 To live a life like Christ, to leave vengeance to the Lord, to 718 00:38:16,360 --> 00:38:19,600 love our enemies, to give of ourselves freely and to take 719 00:38:19,600 --> 00:38:21,280 action to protect the vulnerable. 720 00:38:21,760 --> 00:38:26,640 As Micah 6-8 puts it, do justice, love kindness and walk 721 00:38:26,640 --> 00:38:33,960 humbly with God. Let's pray God there is no one 722 00:38:33,960 --> 00:38:37,200 else like you. There are no words like your 723 00:38:37,200 --> 00:38:39,160 words. You have made everyone in Your 724 00:38:39,160 --> 00:38:42,000 image worthy of love and protection. 725 00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:46,160 Help us to follow Your words. It's easy to read, but it can be 726 00:38:46,160 --> 00:38:49,720 difficult to live out. Lord, be patient with us. 727 00:38:50,480 --> 00:38:53,800 Teach us Your ways that we may walk in Your truth and give us 728 00:38:53,800 --> 00:38:57,240 hearts of understanding. We thank You and we give praise 729 00:38:57,240 --> 00:38:59,240 to You because You alone have saved us. 730 00:38:59,800 --> 00:39:03,600 We are sinners, but You are a merciful and gracious God, slow 731 00:39:03,600 --> 00:39:06,560 to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 732 00:39:07,320 --> 00:39:10,120 May we exemplify Christ as we live our lives in faith and 733 00:39:10,120 --> 00:39:13,280 devotion to you. All this we pray in Jesus name, 734 00:39:13,760 --> 00:39:14,120 Amen.