1 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:09,520 We're going to continue a. Study that we started. 2 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:13,320 The beginning of summer in Luke chapter. 6. 3 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:17,120 So please turn your. Bibles to Luke, chapter 6. 4 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:24,720 And we'll be looking at verse 29 this morning before we. 5 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:28,480 Get to the scripture. I want to start with where we're 6 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:29,960 at. In the. 7 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,520 The study of this. Sermon that Jesus giving to his 8 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,680 disciples in the very first part of this sermon, the Sermon on 9 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:39,760 the plane often called the Sermon on the Mount from the 10 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:43,920 Matthew account. It's all about what his people 11 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:45,720 will do. And what they'll look like in 12 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:47,960 their blessings. He's telling them with me, 13 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,040 you're going to be blessed and it's going to look different 14 00:00:50,480 --> 00:00:54,240 than the blessings of the world. And now he's giving us a. 15 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:57,720 Picture of those. Blessings turning into. 16 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:02,960 How we treat others. And so, very simply, if you're a 17 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:04,400 note taker, I just want you to to give. 18 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:07,920 You a phrase or just to have. In your mind for the framing of 19 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:10,800 what we're going to? Look at Jesus is. 20 00:01:10,800 --> 00:01:14,640 Teaching. That truly his disciples. 21 00:01:14,920 --> 00:01:17,000 Are going to be. So blessed. 22 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:22,120 That they can become a blessing. And that is the point wherever 23 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:27,360 you read about or experience the blessings of God in your life 24 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:31,280 from now until you meet Him face to face, He. 25 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,920 Blesses us to. Become a blessing to. 26 00:01:34,920 --> 00:01:40,200 Others A few years ago I was. In. 27 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:44,000 A little car altercation. And it was 100% my fault. 28 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,320 So I guess I'm confessing that to you now. 29 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:49,840 I I was in an accident. I was backing out of a parking 30 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,280 lot and I ran right into someone's truck and caused a 31 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,560 dent in the side of their truck. And I just got out. 32 00:01:54,560 --> 00:01:57,600 And I thought, you know, all the things you think about is you're 33 00:01:57,600 --> 00:01:59,840 looking at the damage, how much is this going to cost? 34 00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:01,600 Is this person going to be reasonable? 35 00:02:02,360 --> 00:02:06,120 And the person looked at his truck and he looked at me and he 36 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:08,919 said, hey, I got some good news for you. 37 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,640 Not long ago, I did the exact same thing. 38 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:16,280 I hit somebody's car. And you know what they told me? 39 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:18,800 Don't worry. About it this car. 40 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:21,560 Is not worth fixing. So just be blessed. 41 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:24,560 And with. That story fresh. 42 00:02:24,560 --> 00:02:28,280 On his heart, he looked at me and said, so I've been waiting 43 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:33,160 for somebody to hit mine. And I guess I got to be that 44 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:37,040 lucky guy that because he was blessed. 45 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:42,080 He became a blessing. That is a picture. 46 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:46,640 In real world experience. Of what? 47 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:48,920 Jesus is doing to. Raise up disciples. 48 00:02:48,920 --> 00:02:54,000 To change the world. It feels great to be blessed 49 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:56,480 with the gift. Of grace when we receive it. 50 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,880 I went home and I said you will not believe what happened to me 51 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:02,280 today. And it ends with some great news 52 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:06,280 everybody wants to receive. But what Jesus is? 53 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:09,760 Saying is I'm actually going to teach you to be the kind of 54 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:13,800 person that changes somebody. 'S life, so the. 55 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:18,800 Question of this sermon is. What would it look like for your 56 00:03:18,800 --> 00:03:20,840 life? To become. 57 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,960 So blessed, so. Trusting of who? 58 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:26,280 God. Is as your provider. 59 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:30,560 As your protector that you can become. 60 00:03:30,920 --> 00:03:33,640 A radical. Blessing to someone else. 61 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:38,080 And I will say just with that. Fresh on our minds that God. 62 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:40,920 Blesses us to. Become a blessing, remember? 63 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:45,840 The blessings are very upside. Down Jesus says you're blessed 64 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,160 when you're poor and you're hungry and you're crying and 65 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:51,200 you're going to see that he's taking care of you. 66 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:53,560 And in the same way, the blessings. 67 00:03:53,800 --> 00:03:56,040 Of your life are. Surprising in the way. 68 00:03:56,040 --> 00:04:00,320 Of Jesus, the way that Jesus will use you to bless others. 69 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:03,480 Is going to be surprising and so. 70 00:04:03,480 --> 00:04:06,760 We'll get that right out the gate as he tells us what a 71 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:10,760 disciple who's blessed will do to bless others as we look at 72 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:17,440 Luke chapter. 6 Verse 29 he says to him, Who strikes you on the 73 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:21,880 one cheek? Offer the other also. 74 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:25,240 And from him who? Takes away your cloak. 75 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:30,320 Do not withhold your tunic. Either, so we've titled this The 76 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,080 Way of. Jesus and right. 77 00:04:33,080 --> 00:04:35,840 Here we have two. Principles that are in fact the. 78 00:04:35,840 --> 00:04:40,040 Way of Jesus for his disciples. Modeled by his life and it is 79 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:44,680 the way of non retaliation and radical generosity. 80 00:04:45,840 --> 00:04:47,760 Those. Are two things that Jesus is 81 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,240 going to train. His disciples to. 82 00:04:50,240 --> 00:04:55,440 Follow him after and with these kind of upside down blessings 83 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:58,240 and ways to be a blessing, there's going to come all sorts 84 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,320 of questions about. What this looks like. 85 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,400 Practically in your life and already. 86 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,920 People will will. Try to find how. 87 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:08,840 To do this. Within the boundaries of wisdom, 88 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:12,200 does this mean that I become a doormat for anyone who knows 89 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:14,560 that I'm a Christian, they can just take advantage of me with 90 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:16,920 no end. Does this mean I can never 91 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,920 defend myself from defend ourselves from physical 92 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,400 violence? And so let's answer some of 93 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,360 those questions as we. Look for what this looks like 94 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:28,440 practically and how to leave the. 95 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:31,200 Sanctuary with hearts. To do it. 96 00:05:32,840 --> 00:05:36,280 So once again, we find a little bit of clarity by the cross 97 00:05:36,280 --> 00:05:38,600 reference in Matthew. So let me read you, Matthew. 98 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:43,440 Chapter 5 Verse. 39 where he gives the same command with some 99 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:47,480 more detail says but I tell you not to resist an evil person 100 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:48,600 but. Whatever. 101 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:51,920 Slaps you on your right cheek. Turn to him. 102 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:55,400 Also the other side. So many people trying to 103 00:05:55,400 --> 00:05:58,400 understand this will point out that when Jesus says for 104 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:00,960 somebody to slap you on the right cheek, if there's a 105 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:03,480 right-handed person, they need to give you one of these, a 106 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:09,840 backhanded slap, which gives us insight that it's more of an 107 00:06:09,840 --> 00:06:12,880 insult than an injury. This is how. 108 00:06:13,280 --> 00:06:16,120 One scholar puts it a backhanded, a right-handed. 109 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:20,280 To right cheek slap. Was intended to injure and was 110 00:06:20,280 --> 00:06:24,440 intended not to injure as much as to insult, and so Jesus 111 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:28,560 audience would have recognized it as a symbolic attack on your 112 00:06:28,600 --> 00:06:30,720 honor and your. Pride. 113 00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,800 And your ego. So you've probably seen the 114 00:06:33,800 --> 00:06:36,680 movie that's kind of recounting maybe our closest reference 115 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:39,840 point where where two guys finally meet and one of them 116 00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:41,560 takes off his glove and he gives them. 117 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:43,680 The the old slap. Across the face, it's not that. 118 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:46,800 That was supposed to. End the the confrontation that's 119 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:48,640 supposed to. Escalate it to the duel. 120 00:06:49,360 --> 00:06:52,880 And what Jesus is saying is when you get the moment when the 121 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:53,960 insult. Is supposed. 122 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:57,960 To escalate the situation, when you get the backhanded comment, 123 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:00,720 how do you respond? You know we've. 124 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:03,160 All got to. Live in a world where sometimes 125 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:05,880 nice things are said in a way. That are actually rude. 126 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:07,920 Even as I was preparing this message, I. 127 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:09,720 I've got the fresh. Cut and my. 128 00:07:10,080 --> 00:07:11,800 My daughter says. That's a nice haircut. 129 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:13,520 And I think that's so nice of you to say. 130 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,280 And then she says, now you don't look so old and Gray. 131 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:18,040 And I thought, no, that's not nice. 132 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:22,680 See that was more one of these and I have a decision to make on 133 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:27,000 how I want to retaliate to a 10 year old and could. 134 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,760 Tell her that Gray. Hair is a sign of wisdom, and 135 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:31,400 your scoffing will be punished by the. 136 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:35,080 Lord and I. Wouldn't have been wrong, but 137 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:38,960 I'm also cultivating a heart. To try to practice. 138 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:42,920 Not escalating situations where we get insulted and we get our 139 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:44,880 feelings hurt and our ego is attacked. 140 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:47,160 And So what has? Jesus been teaching his 141 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:51,760 disciples you are going to go out into a world where people do 142 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:55,400 not like the Master you follow and they insulted me. 143 00:07:55,400 --> 00:07:57,360 They're going to insult you, and he's already. 144 00:07:57,360 --> 00:07:58,400 Said which we have. Covered. 145 00:07:58,400 --> 00:07:59,920 They're going to cast out your name is evil. 146 00:08:00,320 --> 00:08:02,560 They're going to revile you. They're going to curse you. 147 00:08:02,800 --> 00:08:05,120 They're going to gossip about you and defame you and drag your 148 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:07,880 name through the mud and people are going to question your 149 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,520 integrity and spread rumors about you and if you're 150 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:12,600 following. Jesus correctly, it will all be 151 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:14,520 for. His namesake and he says. 152 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:19,160 Here's how you bless. Them anyway, so the question of 153 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,200 this whole. Series as we've titled, The Way 154 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:24,120 of Jesus is Which way do you follow? 155 00:08:24,840 --> 00:08:27,560 When you are met. With what you should. 156 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:32,720 Expect is the incoming. Trials of life there is the way 157 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:34,080 of the world. And there is. 158 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,559 The way of Jesus. And the way of. 159 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:38,799 The world. Is our natural instinct. 160 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:41,440 I don't have to. Teach you that. 161 00:08:41,520 --> 00:08:44,280 When people insult you. That there's a way to. 162 00:08:44,280 --> 00:08:46,720 Call a lawyer and sue them for defamation you can hear. 163 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,680 About that all. In all kinds of examples in the 164 00:08:49,680 --> 00:08:52,680 real world, and there's all sorts of ways that just our 165 00:08:52,680 --> 00:08:55,000 modern vernacular has terms for how to. 166 00:08:55,120 --> 00:08:58,760 Get back at people to clap back. To bring the receipts to flame 167 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:02,000 them in the comments section. I mean, we live in a world where 168 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:04,840 the popular genre of music in our day is rap and one of the 169 00:09:04,840 --> 00:09:05,800 best. Ways to grow a. 170 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:08,480 Rap song is with a diss track where you can say they ain't 171 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:10,920 like us and you'll be right. And people will judge who was 172 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:13,520 right based off. Who had the better comeback in 173 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:16,360 the escalating battle of insults? 174 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:20,320 But then there's the way of Jesus and to. 175 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:23,680 Study His word is to study his life. 176 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:26,880 And the way of. Jesus, when you look. 177 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:29,920 At everything he did. As he walked this earth to bless 178 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,520 people. He was met with all sorts of 179 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:39,800 opposition people that insulted him for being born out of what 180 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:43,160 they claim to be an illegitimate relationship that his mother. 181 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:45,480 Had to. Be working and operating with 182 00:09:45,480 --> 00:09:46,360 the. Power of. 183 00:09:46,600 --> 00:09:51,200 A demonic influence. They called him a glutton for 184 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,520 hanging out with people who feasted, and they called him an 185 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:57,160 alcoholic for hanging out with people who who drank, and they 186 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:01,480 called him a friend of sinners, and he responded by continuing 187 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,720 to bless. Them, he responded with stories. 188 00:10:05,400 --> 00:10:07,000 And parables. To try to. 189 00:10:07,000 --> 00:10:10,120 Help them understand that they were missing what was actually 190 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:15,200 happening and this is how we answer the question of this. 191 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:18,520 Last couple of weeks, how do you bless? 192 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:23,560 Someone who has cursed you by not cursing them back. 193 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:29,240 By. Taking it by absorbing the pain 194 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:30,160 that they. Caused you? 195 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:33,600 And having the escalation end with you and. 196 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:37,120 This is. Offending your human instincts. 197 00:10:37,640 --> 00:10:39,880 There's all sorts of. Questions that are going to stir 198 00:10:39,880 --> 00:10:42,160 in all of our hearts when the rubber hits the road on this 199 00:10:42,160 --> 00:10:43,840 message becoming real in your life. 200 00:10:44,680 --> 00:10:45,680 And there's all sorts. Of. 201 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,000 Things that will come across and we'll think, well, maybe, you 202 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,920 know, I'm I, I, I can. Disregard this whole. 203 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:55,840 Command because this scenario doesn't quite make sense to how 204 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:56,280 it would. Work. 205 00:10:56,280 --> 00:11:00,200 So let me. Overcome some of the objections 206 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,880 that are waiting for you. As we've done this whole series, 207 00:11:02,880 --> 00:11:03,680 let's. Discuss what? 208 00:11:03,760 --> 00:11:08,040 Jesus. Isn't saying Jesus is not saying 209 00:11:08,600 --> 00:11:10,440 that evil will never be dealt? With. 210 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,240 And that's one of the ways this will challenge your flesh. 211 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:17,360 This person is so rude and they're lying. 212 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:20,080 And if I don't stop them in their tracks, they're just going 213 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:21,720 to. Go on a rampage of evil. 214 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:26,720 And it's never going to end. Well, there's a. 215 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:30,400 Promise of. Scripture that the Lord is 216 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:33,800 actually very just as the Apostle. 217 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:35,360 Paul was writing to the church in Rome. 218 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:40,360 As they were dealing with their own real time insults and and 219 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:44,120 reviling, he wrote them a letter of encouragement on how to 220 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:46,800 handle it. And he says in Romans chapter 12 221 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:49,200 verse 19, Beloved, do not avenge. 222 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:53,560 Yourselves, but rather give place to wrath. 223 00:11:54,960 --> 00:11:58,840 Save room for the wrath. Of God for. 224 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:01,480 It is written. Vengeance is mine. 225 00:12:01,560 --> 00:12:05,160 I will. Repay, says the Lord, so to. 226 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:08,160 Turn the other cheek is not to just sweep everything under the 227 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:12,200 rug and rug and and just take on all of the the hurt and pain and 228 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,320 pretend it never happened. It is to trust that there is a 229 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,440 just God. Who sees injustice and will deal 230 00:12:18,440 --> 00:12:20,720 with it? Paul was. 231 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:25,960 Quoting Deuteronomy 32 when the Lord says vengeance is mine and 232 00:12:25,960 --> 00:12:29,120 recompense. Their foot shall slip. 233 00:12:29,120 --> 00:12:31,360 In due time. For the day. 234 00:12:31,360 --> 00:12:36,000 Of their calamity is at hand and the things to come will hasten 235 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:39,680 upon them. So Paul is saying, don't worry, 236 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,360 don't take vengeance. It's not yours to handle. 237 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:49,200 It's not your duty to make sure that all of the injustice that 238 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,440 is that is causing you harm is dealt with. 239 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:55,280 The Lord sees. And in due time, maybe not now, 240 00:12:55,680 --> 00:12:58,080 but soon. Their foot will slip. 241 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:01,240 And the Lord. Will take care of all of the 242 00:13:01,240 --> 00:13:05,160 ways that his. People are being revivaled and 243 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:07,280 once again, the Sermon on the Mount. 244 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:13,280 Requires us to have faith. That the immediate story is not 245 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:15,720 the final. Story throughout the whole. 246 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:18,120 Sermon The. Only way the blessings work to 247 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:21,000 be poor. And to be hungry and to weep. 248 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:24,640 Is to trust that. God is going to bring a future 249 00:13:24,640 --> 00:13:28,800 day when his people are completely compensated. 250 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:31,000 For all of their. Suffering with more. 251 00:13:31,000 --> 00:13:33,160 Glory that is outweighed. On the other. 252 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:36,360 Side of the scale. And to and to turn the other. 253 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:38,760 Cheek is to have. Faith that. 254 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:42,040 God will. Take care of the vengeance. 255 00:13:42,040 --> 00:13:43,880 That is owed the. Person who's hurt you. 256 00:13:44,880 --> 00:13:46,600 And so Jesus is not saying that evil. 257 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,680 Will never be dealt with. We have. 258 00:13:48,680 --> 00:13:50,960 Confidence that. God is very just. 259 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:53,080 He's. Also not telling us. 260 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:56,600 How we should expect society to be. 261 00:13:56,600 --> 00:14:00,000 Governed there's no in the current climate if. 262 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:00,760 You've ever heard? Well. 263 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:02,160 As Christians, what? What the heck? 264 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:05,320 Can Christians be in favor of the police and prisons? 265 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:06,400 Aren't you? Guys supposed to just. 266 00:14:06,400 --> 00:14:08,120 Forgive everything and turn the other cheek. 267 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:15,200 And the answer is Jesus talking to his disciples is not giving a 268 00:14:15,200 --> 00:14:20,120 vision for earthly government. In fact, Paul will go on to say 269 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:24,560 in his letter to the Romans in Romans chapter 13 For rulers are 270 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:27,640 not a terror. To good works but. 271 00:14:27,920 --> 00:14:29,240 To evil. When he says rulers, he's 272 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:31,960 talking about. The system of government. 273 00:14:32,200 --> 00:14:37,320 That includes their system of policing and judging and 274 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:41,160 prosecuting criminal offenses. He says there's a. 275 00:14:41,160 --> 00:14:43,360 System that will punish evil, he says. 276 00:14:43,360 --> 00:14:45,240 Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? 277 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:48,160 Do what is good and you will have praise from the same. 278 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:50,120 And then he has a warning for evil doers. 279 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:53,400 For he is a For the the authorities are God. 280 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:55,520 'S minister. For your good, but if you do 281 00:14:55,520 --> 00:14:59,000 evil, be afraid. For he does not bear the sword 282 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,960 in vain, for he is God's minister and avenger. 283 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:04,800 To execute wrath. On him who practices. 284 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:07,560 Evil. So God. 285 00:15:08,080 --> 00:15:13,040 Has as a temporary solution to the fallen nature of humanity 286 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:14,080 Has. Allowed. 287 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:19,480 Systems of man to govern as an extension of his vengeance. 288 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:22,360 So we live in a world. Where we can trust that there's 289 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:26,160 governing authorities and we don't have to try to implement 290 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:28,360 on a society level that everyone is. 291 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:30,720 By law required. To turn the other cheek. 292 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:35,040 God will avenge, and someday will be once and for all. 293 00:15:35,040 --> 00:15:38,000 You will meet him face to face, or he will return and there will 294 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:39,920 be no more need for human government. 295 00:15:39,920 --> 00:15:43,200 He will be the King that reigns supreme with perfect justice. 296 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:45,760 And in the meantime, there's a system in place. 297 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:48,800 For evildoers to be. Punished, you can turn the other 298 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:50,560 cheek and trust. That they. 299 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:54,280 Live in a world where. God will execute his wrath. 300 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:58,680 Upon them and he's also not saying that we now as. 301 00:15:58,680 --> 00:16:02,200 Followers of Jesus just. Turn a blind eye to all evil. 302 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:06,880 We we live in a world where there are injustices done. 303 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,320 Where God? Can use his. 304 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:11,840 People as lights. In the dark to stand up. 305 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:16,880 For people who are. Being abused and mistreated from 306 00:16:16,880 --> 00:16:20,160 the the the mother's womb to the grave we can see. 307 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:22,040 All sorts of ways where God's. People can. 308 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:25,080 Serve those who are. Being mistreated, and we see 309 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:28,440 this example in Jesus. He's deeply concerned. 310 00:16:28,560 --> 00:16:30,760 With justice on behalf of others. 311 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:35,640 Matthew chapter 21 says Jesus went into the temple of God and 312 00:16:35,640 --> 00:16:36,560 drove out. All. 313 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:39,600 Those who bought and sold in the temple and overturned the tables 314 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:41,400 of the money changers and the seats. 315 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:45,640 Who of those who sold doves? He did not turn his cheek. 316 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:47,960 For the way that. People were taking advantage of 317 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:51,200 people. So he's not saying that evil, 318 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:53,760 you know, we just never have to worry about it ever being dealt 319 00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:56,320 with. He's not saying that we we have 320 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:58,880 to completely remove ourselves from the governments of this 321 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:01,520 world. And he's not saying that we have 322 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:04,000 to turn a blind. Eye to evil. 323 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:08,720 So what is he saying? What does this look like for our 324 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:10,160 lives? He is saying. 325 00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:15,920 To his disciples, to those of you who are part. 326 00:17:15,920 --> 00:17:20,160 Of his Kingdom you've received the blessing of poor in spirit. 327 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:22,640 You. Trust him with your life. 328 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:26,119 He now. Says for those of you. 329 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:31,840 Who are willing to suffer now with confidence for eternity on 330 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:36,800 a personal level, as people mistreat you on a relational 331 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:43,280 level as much as possible within you to those who insult. 332 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:49,520 You. Show them mercy to anyone of 333 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:53,360 you, and I should. Say to all of you who have the 334 00:17:53,360 --> 00:17:54,920 gift of. Relationships in your. 335 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:58,240 Life that will test your ability to trust Jesus. 336 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:01,320 And give you the power to be his witness, he's saying. 337 00:18:01,640 --> 00:18:03,680 The way of. The world is vengeance. 338 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:08,840 The way of my people is mercy. And once again we we just read 339 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:10,120 it. The Matthew account gives us 340 00:18:10,120 --> 00:18:10,960 insight. It says but I. 341 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:17,600 Tell you. Not to resist an evil person in 342 00:18:17,720 --> 00:18:20,080 the same. Exercise we did last week as we 343 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:24,120 heard Jesus tell each. One of us to love our enemies. 344 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:27,320 I'm trusting that there are people. 345 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:32,520 There is the example of an evil person in your life that God may 346 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:36,640 be speaking to you right now. That your response to them. 347 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:40,320 Is to not retaliate and to not get back at them. 348 00:18:41,120 --> 00:18:47,240 But to exercise mercy, we bless people with mercy. 349 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:51,280 We bless people with grace, which is where Jesus. 350 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:53,000 Is taking this this? Whole. 351 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:56,000 Command on love, he says in Luke chapter. 6 verse 36. 352 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:57,160 Just going down in the. Bible. 353 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:05,560 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. 354 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:12,000 The model is You have been blessed by the mercy. 355 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:18,920 Of God, therefore be a. Blessing of mercy and if we need 356 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,960 a reminder in the blessings of God and the mercy that exists 357 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:24,920 new every morning in the sanctuary right now. 358 00:19:25,840 --> 00:19:29,560 Lamentations chapter 3 verse 22 says through the Lord's mercies 359 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:34,680 we are not consumed because his compassions fail not they are 360 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:39,160 new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. 361 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:42,200 I encourage. You to. 362 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:46,760 Practice the the discipline of waking up in the morning to 363 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:49,640 celebrate the new. Mercies of God every. 364 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:53,520 Single day that God has compassion on your life, that 365 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:56,880 none of us get even one. Single day, perfect and we can 366 00:19:56,880 --> 00:19:58,000 wake. Up refreshed. 367 00:19:58,000 --> 00:19:59,320 By the mercy. Of God. 368 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:04,440 And be blessed. To be a blessing, receive mercy 369 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:09,720 so that you can give mercy. And this is now. 370 00:20:10,200 --> 00:20:12,120 A picture of what this looks like. 371 00:20:12,360 --> 00:20:13,600 And, and now he's going to get very. 372 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:17,360 Practical, he says that. You will not. 373 00:20:17,360 --> 00:20:21,160 Repay evil for evil. You will in all the ways that 374 00:20:21,160 --> 00:20:25,040 people may slap you on the right cheek, you will not return. 375 00:20:25,040 --> 00:20:28,360 Serve and then, he says, and do good. 376 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:31,240 Last week it was do good to those. 377 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:35,200 Who hate you? And now he gives an example of 378 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:36,480 what that. Goodwill look like. 379 00:20:36,960 --> 00:20:39,720 Here's a picture of what it. Looks like and from him. 380 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:44,640 Who takes away your? Cloak Do not withhold your tunic 381 00:20:44,640 --> 00:20:49,520 either. And so there's a little Pharisee 382 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:52,080 inside all of us. Sometimes we look at the. 383 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:55,280 Picture that Jesus is. Giving us to point out the 384 00:20:55,280 --> 00:20:59,080 principle and we say OK, I'll be ready if anyone asks for my 385 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:02,640 outer garments to share them. Anything beyond that, I'm just 386 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:05,040 going to keep it. To the the literal words of the 387 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:05,800 Jesus. Command. 388 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:10,160 So Jesus is giving us a picture. He's giving us a principle. 389 00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:12,280 Of how to do. Good. 390 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:15,120 And the principle is. That property. 391 00:21:15,120 --> 00:21:18,240 Is never more important than people, principally. 392 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:22,160 There is a Don't ever let a piece of. 393 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:24,720 Property be more important or get in the. 394 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:27,760 Way of the call. To make peace with. 395 00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:29,760 People. That's what he's saying. 396 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:34,120 I heard a story of. Just one way that this. 397 00:21:34,120 --> 00:21:36,120 Played out way. Beyond outer garments in your 398 00:21:36,120 --> 00:21:37,880 life. All of you, I hope, will have. 399 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:41,600 Opportunities to exercise this principle in a picture. 400 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:43,240 That looks very. Different than sharing. 401 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:46,400 A coat or a sweater. And one story. 402 00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:51,000 I heard was that. A a pastor went out to to put up 403 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:52,960 his fence. He wanted to went out there with 404 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:55,400 the hole digger and he started to dig his holes and his 405 00:21:55,400 --> 00:21:58,200 neighbor ran out immediately said that you've gone way. 406 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:01,360 Too far you're. You're now into my property and 407 00:22:01,360 --> 00:22:06,840 he's got a moment where he can argue and he can dispute and his 408 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:08,200 response? Was here. 409 00:22:08,800 --> 00:22:10,600 Here's the here's the post hole digger. 410 00:22:10,840 --> 00:22:13,200 Why don't you show me where you think the property line is? 411 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:16,280 So the guy grabbed it. And he moved it over about 12 412 00:22:16,280 --> 00:22:20,040 inches and he said, OK, so we. Can be at peace? 413 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:23,480 Over 12 inches? And how often is that the case? 414 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:27,280 People will fight over. Tunics and outer garments and 415 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:28,240 lose. People over it. 416 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:31,120 And Jesus is saying just. Give it away. 417 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:35,600 As much. As is possible to live at peace 418 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:37,840 and have people. That more value than the 419 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:39,760 precious possessions of your life. 420 00:22:40,240 --> 00:22:44,600 Give it all away. So one principle that we get 421 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:47,960 from this picture is that people are more important than our 422 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:51,240 possessions. And there's another principle, 423 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:54,880 and this is one that will. Fit with the upside. 424 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:58,880 Down nature of the entire sermon that we've been studying in this 425 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:03,000 principle, he says if someone asks for the for one thing, you 426 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:05,960 give them two. And he's giving us a principle 427 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:12,000 of even more good. And this is turning upside down 428 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:13,920 something that lives in all. Of your hearts. 429 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:16,680 For even more, all of us understand the principle of even 430 00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:22,280 more when it comes to vengeance, when someone hurts you and 431 00:23:22,280 --> 00:23:24,520 insults you and says something rude about you. 432 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:26,920 What do you want to do? You don't want to just get. 433 00:23:26,920 --> 00:23:31,520 Even you want to get them better than they got you, you want to 434 00:23:31,520 --> 00:23:33,720 get them even more than they got you. 435 00:23:34,200 --> 00:23:36,800 If someone takes from from you, from something, you want to take 436 00:23:36,800 --> 00:23:38,680 even more to teach them a lesson. 437 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:42,200 And this is. Actually where Jesus is. 438 00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:44,680 Drawing this from in the Matthew account. 439 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:48,640 He says you've heard it said. An eye for an eye and a tooth, 440 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:51,240 and a tooth for a tooth. This was a command. 441 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:53,880 That was actually the law of retribution. 442 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:57,360 Moses was. Stopping people from going even 443 00:23:57,360 --> 00:24:02,080 more in their vengeance. So Moses is saying if if it's an 444 00:24:02,080 --> 00:24:05,400 eye, you can only take an eye, if it's a tooth, you can only 445 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:07,680 take a tooth, that the punishment has to be equal to 446 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:09,440 the crime. Because he's speaking to the 447 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:12,240 human instinct that if someone gets your tooth, you're going to 448 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:17,880 knock out their whole mouth. And now Jesus is not just saying 449 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:19,840 the punishment has to match the crime. 450 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:23,160 He's saying I'm going to turn the instinct for even more 451 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:26,800 upside down. Now you're going to have not 452 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:30,560 even more vengeance, you're going to have even more good. 453 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:33,960 Your instinct is to get people. Back. 454 00:24:34,320 --> 00:24:38,320 More than they got from you. The way of Jesus is to give. 455 00:24:38,320 --> 00:24:42,280 People even more good than what they even thought was coming. 456 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:45,960 One of those things this does. Is protect our hearts. 457 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:49,880 From turning this whole sermon into a homework assignment, you 458 00:24:49,880 --> 00:24:51,120 know if if. This was a. 459 00:24:51,120 --> 00:24:53,800 Command that I gave to children, they would do it, but they 460 00:24:53,800 --> 00:24:56,960 wouldn't be happy about it and said all right, fine, I'll give 461 00:24:56,960 --> 00:24:58,480 him my coat. And then they stomp off and 462 00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:01,200 Jesus is teaching his people. Be. 463 00:25:01,200 --> 00:25:04,120 Radical in your generosity? Be. 464 00:25:04,120 --> 00:25:09,200 Radical in your mercy. And so once again we have the 465 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:13,480 objections of the human heart. Are you telling me to be a 466 00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:15,440 doormat? How many of you ever thought 467 00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:16,320 that or. Felt that. 468 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:19,720 Sometimes I read this and I think, yeah, it sounds good on 469 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:21,680 paper, but in real? Life, there's all sorts. 470 00:25:21,680 --> 00:25:24,200 Of things that we have to figure out which isn't wrong. 471 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:29,880 There is boundaries to. How this should be? 472 00:25:29,880 --> 00:25:34,200 Implemented and you can sum up the boundary in one word, love. 473 00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:39,760 The boundary is, Am I still loving this person by giving it 474 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:43,040 all away? So for this example if. 475 00:25:43,360 --> 00:25:46,400 Someone that you know has borrowed money from you before 476 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:48,560 because they needed to get a fix for their addiction. 477 00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:51,400 And they said they come back and they say, man, I really need 478 00:25:51,400 --> 00:25:54,120 another 20 bucks. In that moment you don't give 479 00:25:54,120 --> 00:25:57,440 them 40. Love would actually say no, I'm 480 00:25:57,440 --> 00:26:00,160 actually not going to give you money because I know that you're 481 00:26:00,160 --> 00:26:04,720 in the middle of a of a major addiction right now and I'm 482 00:26:04,720 --> 00:26:05,960 going to love you in a different way. 483 00:26:06,960 --> 00:26:10,280 If someone says they need food from you and you have a decision 484 00:26:10,280 --> 00:26:12,520 on whether or not to feed your children or to give all your 485 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:14,040 food. Away, love would say. 486 00:26:14,040 --> 00:26:17,800 I have a responsibility to care for my children, so I'm going to 487 00:26:17,800 --> 00:26:21,200 love them as much as it's responsible for me to also love 488 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:24,240 my children. The boundary is never self 489 00:26:24,240 --> 00:26:25,480 preservation. The boundary. 490 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:30,040 Is always love. How can I love you and stay 491 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:32,800 within wisdom in my love for you? 492 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:36,600 But the principle, the exceptions to the. 493 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:39,800 Rule. Prove the rule it is supposed 494 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:42,280 to. Be a radical example. 495 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:46,480 Of otherworldly love. It is not supposed to align with 496 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:48,600 your senses and what makes sense. 497 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:50,760 For your real life. Experience it is. 498 00:26:50,760 --> 00:26:53,120 Supposed to be. A radical example. 499 00:26:53,240 --> 00:26:54,880 Of people that would. Only be. 500 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:57,360 Able to do this if they were radically loved. 501 00:26:58,960 --> 00:27:04,920 So once again, the whole thing requires A renewed vision for 502 00:27:04,920 --> 00:27:07,560 some of us, the first time. Vision of what the. 503 00:27:07,560 --> 00:27:16,280 Gospel is the gospel is that we are radically loved, that we are 504 00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:18,560 in. Desperate need of mercy and 505 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:25,640 grace and God sends his Son into the world in an upside down way 506 00:27:27,040 --> 00:27:33,400 to pay for our sins and this is supposed to give us all a vision 507 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:39,400 of the cross. The The cross is radical, 508 00:27:40,440 --> 00:27:47,160 otherworldly love that shows that Jesus is altogether. 509 00:27:47,160 --> 00:27:52,320 Different than any other. Story of salvation Last week we 510 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:53,880 looked. At Luke chapter 23 and we. 511 00:27:53,880 --> 00:27:56,760 Got this picture. The gospel writer shows us the. 512 00:27:56,760 --> 00:28:01,480 Vision of Jesus hanging on the cross and as we were wrestling 513 00:28:01,480 --> 00:28:02,840 with what it. Looks like to forgive. 514 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:05,360 Enemies we. We read that as Jesus is. 515 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:09,880 Hanging on the cross and they backhanded compliment. 516 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:12,440 You saved others, why don't you save yourself? 517 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:16,640 And they insulted him and sneered him and mocked him. 518 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:20,720 It says. Father forgive them, for they 519 00:28:20,720 --> 00:28:24,640 don't know what they. Do but the verse. 520 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:29,080 Doesn't end there. The verse actually includes one 521 00:28:29,080 --> 00:28:32,560 detail that I find so hopeful for for understanding what it 522 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:36,600 means to give away a garment. It says. 523 00:28:37,360 --> 00:28:43,040 And they divided his garments and cast his lots as Jesus was 524 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:46,680 hanging on the. Cross, There were soldiers. 525 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:54,400 Taking his garment and the whole message to them was I'm giving 526 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:56,880 even more than you. Realize they thought. 527 00:28:56,920 --> 00:29:04,040 They were getting a cloak and they got his entire life and 528 00:29:04,040 --> 00:29:05,600 that is the gospel. For your life. 529 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:09,400 Jesus is giving you even more than you ever realized. 530 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:12,760 Sometimes we we come to the cross because we needed our 531 00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:15,200 marriage to to be fixed or we needed. 532 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:19,200 Our our lives to be. Rehab from addiction or we we 533 00:29:19,200 --> 00:29:23,280 needed to find our own purpose and Jesus gives us even more 534 00:29:24,800 --> 00:29:28,120 from the cross. He forgives our sins and then he 535 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:32,920 gives us eternity. He gives away his garment, but 536 00:29:32,920 --> 00:29:35,560 he gives. Away his whole life the way of 537 00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:38,640 Jesus is to. Give your things to give away 538 00:29:38,640 --> 00:29:41,800 your. Life it's not about. 539 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:43,760 The things it's about. Who? 540 00:29:43,760 --> 00:29:49,760 You are in laying down your life, Tim Keller says. 541 00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:53,440 Forgiveness always comes. At a cost. 542 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:57,000 To the one granting the forgiveness to not. 543 00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:05,640 Retaliate is to absorb the cost. Jesus absorbed the cost. 544 00:30:06,120 --> 00:30:10,800 Of your sin when you're insulted to turn the other cheek, you are 545 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:14,360 willing. To absorb the cost because. 546 00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:16,600 You've been forgiven. You can now forgive others. 547 00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:22,840 Be blessed so that. You can be a blessing. 548 00:30:23,880 --> 00:30:26,960 Receive. This vision of Jesus giving you 549 00:30:26,960 --> 00:30:29,400 mercy so that you can be merciful. 550 00:30:30,200 --> 00:30:32,640 See the cross? As your salvation and see the 551 00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:34,960 cross as you are now mission of life. 552 00:30:34,960 --> 00:30:39,400 I have so many. There's so many people that that 553 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:40,360 wear. The cross. 554 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:42,880 And there is even sometimes where, you know, we've had the 555 00:30:42,880 --> 00:30:45,000 cross up in our stage and people say, you know, I missed the 556 00:30:45,000 --> 00:30:46,760 cross and you know, we put it up for. 557 00:30:46,760 --> 00:30:49,760 Easter and where's the cross the. 558 00:30:49,760 --> 00:30:53,800 Cross is not supposed to live in an air conditioned sanctuary on 559 00:30:53,800 --> 00:30:56,280 Sunday morning. I I like the reminder. 560 00:30:59,160 --> 00:31:03,360 But if you look for the cross outside of this place, if you 561 00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:06,840 look for the cross. In the way that you could love 562 00:31:06,840 --> 00:31:12,760 someone who insulted you. If you saw the cross as a way 563 00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:15,640 to. Give mercy instead of vengeance. 564 00:31:16,480 --> 00:31:21,200 If you saw the cross every. Time that an enemy tested 565 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:23,640 whether or not that you could love them as you were loved. 566 00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:30,000 We would see a radical, radical. Impact. 567 00:31:30,440 --> 00:31:33,120 Of God's people. Being a blessing. 568 00:31:36,480 --> 00:31:39,880 So look for the cross this week. And we'll remember. 569 00:31:40,440 --> 00:31:45,000 That the cross is. Our is God's mercy to us so that 570 00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:49,400 we can be merciful to others. Thanks for joining us today. 571 00:31:49,680 --> 00:31:52,440 If you would like to watch the full service, check out the link 572 00:31:52,440 --> 00:31:55,280 in the description. For next steps and to learn 573 00:31:55,280 --> 00:31:57,480 more, visit calvaryboise.com.