1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:05,300 Please stand, if you're able for the reading of God's word. 2 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:10,100 We're in The Sermon on the Mount and we'll be wrapping this study 3 00:00:10,100 --> 00:00:15,400 op which began about a year ago. I'm going to read to you one 4 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:20,700 verse, which is the most universally, esteemed statement 5 00:00:20,700 --> 00:00:24,900 that Jesus ever made. Whether you're a believer in 6 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:29,200 Christ or not, people love the statement. 7 00:00:30,600 --> 00:00:33,200 Throughout history. It has had parallels. 8 00:00:33,900 --> 00:00:36,500 Lots of other religions bring statements like this. 9 00:00:36,500 --> 00:00:41,100 But there's a difference all of them bring it in the form of a - 10 00:00:41,700 --> 00:00:45,300 don't do to others. What you don't want, done to 11 00:00:45,300 --> 00:00:47,900 you. But Christ changed it. 12 00:00:48,900 --> 00:00:54,000 He put it in the positive and in doing so created a standard. 13 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:58,300 That is much higher. The standard that could only be 14 00:00:58,300 --> 00:01:01,800 met and him. But a standard that he is 15 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:06,400 calling us to it's important to say. 16 00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:10,900 Before I read this verse That there's a danger in only reading 17 00:01:10,900 --> 00:01:14,200 one verse. And that is, you would take this 18 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:17,000 verse out of its context, which we can't do. 19 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:22,600 It was part of his larger sermon and where he placed it is 20 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:26,800 important, and it's exactly where he wanted it to be. 21 00:01:27,500 --> 00:01:29,600 I'll explain as we go forward here. 22 00:01:29,600 --> 00:01:34,100 Now, the word of the Lord, Jesus preach these words, so, whatever 23 00:01:34,100 --> 00:01:40,300 you wish that others would do to you do, also to them for this is 24 00:01:40,300 --> 00:01:43,900 the law and the prophets. This Is the word of the Lord. 25 00:01:44,500 --> 00:01:45,600 Thanks. Be to God. 26 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:58,700 Please be seated. and looking at this verse, Jesus is extremely 27 00:01:58,700 --> 00:02:03,200 simple. And he's very clear, he could 28 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:07,600 not be more clear. We know what he is calling us to 29 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:13,000 do, but we also know if we're honest that we can't live this 30 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:18,600 out, we can't even live this out today, not even for a whole day, 31 00:02:18,700 --> 00:02:22,000 we can't. And he knows that, but he calls 32 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:27,700 us to it anyway. Three years ago, the world 33 00:02:27,700 --> 00:02:33,100 really changed. Churches schools. 34 00:02:34,500 --> 00:02:38,300 All sorts of Industry were faced with decisions that we had never 35 00:02:38,300 --> 00:02:40,000 encountered. We weren't sure what to do. 36 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:46,000 When I began to preach during that season of the pandemic and 37 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:49,400 then all that followed it with the racially-charged Dynamics in 38 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:54,700 our own country. I began almost every sermon for 39 00:02:54,700 --> 00:02:57,000 several weeks asking you a question. 40 00:02:57,800 --> 00:03:03,800 Who are you listening to? It's a very important question. 41 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:09,000 Who are you listening to? Francis Schaeffer. 42 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:12,000 I quoted him. Three years ago said that when 43 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:15,700 the world goes through a crisis, like the one we were going 44 00:03:15,700 --> 00:03:21,500 through, it is the golden opportunity for the church, the 45 00:03:21,500 --> 00:03:26,400 golden opportunity for the church to shine because the 46 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:31,500 world is watching How are we going to respond? 47 00:03:32,500 --> 00:03:36,200 Where we going to respond standing up for truth, which we 48 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:39,600 can never compromise, but are we going to do it in a way? 49 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:44,200 That brings God glory. Even remembering a verse like 50 00:03:44,200 --> 00:03:49,100 this. This golden opportunity, it 51 00:03:49,100 --> 00:03:52,400 really always exist. And the reason is because this 52 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:57,500 side of heaven, we are always going to be in relational strife 53 00:03:58,300 --> 00:04:00,600 and the relational Strife that exists is directly. 54 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,100 A result of the Fall going all the way back to the Book of 55 00:04:03,100 --> 00:04:05,800 Genesis. We feel it too. 56 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:09,300 Christ knows it. That's why he came and he gives 57 00:04:09,300 --> 00:04:15,800 us these instructions. I think it, maybe I'm wrong but 58 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:19,700 I think most of us know this verse probably by heart might 59 00:04:19,700 --> 00:04:23,600 even say it often but I would imagine that you have never 60 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:28,200 spent a lot of time unpacking it which is what we're going to do 61 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:33,400 today, one verse and we're going to unpack a few important lines 62 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,200 here and I'm going to ask you to do something, whether you're a 63 00:04:36,207 --> 00:04:39,300 note taker or not. I want you to do this whether 64 00:04:39,300 --> 00:04:41,800 you do it now while you're listening or later today, it 65 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:43,700 doesn't matter to me. That I really want you to do it 66 00:04:43,700 --> 00:04:47,000 because I think it's important. In fact, if you won't do it I 67 00:04:47,008 --> 00:04:49,100 don't think you take this verse seriously. 68 00:04:49,500 --> 00:04:53,000 I think you think of it as many do is just a cliche or 69 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:57,500 something, that will be nice. If it's aspirational it's not it 70 00:04:57,500 --> 00:05:02,000 is something that Christ is calling his people to and we are 71 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:04,600 called to walk in a manner worthy of our calling. 72 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:08,600 So I'm going to ask you to make a few list and I'm going to ask 73 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:10,200 you to draw something and children. 74 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:13,500 I want you to pay attention because I You to draw it too. 75 00:05:13,500 --> 00:05:16,300 And later on, I want you to talk about it with your parents. 76 00:05:17,100 --> 00:05:21,600 So let's look at this verse Matthew 7:12, so whatever you 77 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:26,100 wish that others would do to, you do also to them, I want you 78 00:05:26,100 --> 00:05:30,400 to make a list. Here's the first list, what do 79 00:05:30,400 --> 00:05:35,200 you wish others would do to you? Have you ever asked that 80 00:05:35,200 --> 00:05:38,100 question? Have you ever spent time 81 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:42,000 thinking about? What do I want others to do to 82 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,700 me? How do I want others to relate 83 00:05:44,700 --> 00:05:46,000 to me? I think it's important that you 84 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:51,600 ask because it makes no sense. Your life, if you just read it 85 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:54,900 and move on without knowing, really the way in which you 86 00:05:54,900 --> 00:05:58,700 would like to be treated. Now, as you make your list, you 87 00:05:58,700 --> 00:06:02,200 have to make sure it is according to scripture, you 88 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:05,700 can't add things in there that aren't from God's word. 89 00:06:06,200 --> 00:06:10,600 But I want you to hear my list. What do you wish others would do 90 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:12,000 for you? Mark? 91 00:06:12,900 --> 00:06:17,200 I wish they would love me. I wish they would listen to me. 92 00:06:18,300 --> 00:06:22,600 I wish they would respect me. I wish that they would treat me 93 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:30,500 with dignity, Justice truth. I wish that they would correct 94 00:06:30,500 --> 00:06:32,300 me when I'm wrong and I'm wrong every day. 95 00:06:33,200 --> 00:06:37,700 But gently I wish they wouldn't do what Jesus said, not judge 96 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:42,400 me. I wish they would not gossip and 97 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:45,500 slander me. Have you ever gossiped about me? 98 00:06:47,100 --> 00:06:49,000 That's funny. The same thing happened at 9:30. 99 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,700 Just this little nervous laughter went through the 100 00:06:52,700 --> 00:06:55,900 congregation. Well, the truth is most of you 101 00:06:55,900 --> 00:07:00,300 probably have And I probably have in my own mind about you, 102 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,900 it's our nature. But I wish you wouldn't. 103 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:06,400 You wish I wouldn't. Ooh. 104 00:07:07,500 --> 00:07:10,700 I wish people would give me the benefit of the doubt. 105 00:07:12,100 --> 00:07:19,800 And I wish people would forgive me. when I've wronged them, what 106 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,800 do you wish others would do to you? 107 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:28,400 I want you to make that list. You can use mine and build on 108 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:30,700 it, but I think it's important that you do it. 109 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:35,200 Here's why second list who are the others. 110 00:07:36,100 --> 00:07:39,800 Jesus said, so whatever you wish that others would do to you. 111 00:07:39,900 --> 00:07:44,100 Who are the others? Well, the others are your family 112 00:07:44,100 --> 00:07:47,400 members. Your friends. 113 00:07:49,100 --> 00:07:52,900 Your classmates. Your coworkers. 114 00:07:54,100 --> 00:07:57,800 Your teammates. Your leaders. 115 00:07:59,800 --> 00:08:04,400 Fellow citizens Brothers and Sisters in Christ. 116 00:08:05,900 --> 00:08:09,000 Members of other nations, including leaders of other 117 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:13,700 nations. We would like to say at least 118 00:08:13,700 --> 00:08:19,400 enemies aren't on the list. But if you remember what Jesus 119 00:08:19,400 --> 00:08:23,900 said, maybe about a minute and a half before he got to this. 120 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:30,000 He said these very words. You have heard that it was said, 121 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:33,900 You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say to 122 00:08:33,900 --> 00:08:38,900 you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so 123 00:08:38,900 --> 00:08:43,799 that you may be sons of your father who is in heaven. 124 00:08:44,100 --> 00:08:47,100 Remember Jesus wants to make much of the father and our 125 00:08:47,100 --> 00:08:53,300 sonship So, who are others? It's everyone. 126 00:08:55,800 --> 00:09:00,300 Make that list and then get specific with that list, right? 127 00:09:00,300 --> 00:09:04,000 Your family members down your teammates down your classmates, 128 00:09:04,100 --> 00:09:05,900 your coaches. Make that list. 129 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:11,400 And then ask this question of the list that I made of how I 130 00:09:11,400 --> 00:09:16,800 wish others would treat me. Am I treating that list of 131 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:21,300 others the same way? Am I thinking about them? 132 00:09:21,300 --> 00:09:23,500 The way I want people to think about me. 133 00:09:24,100 --> 00:09:26,800 Am I speaking about them to others the way I want people to 134 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:32,700 speak about me? And then make another list. 135 00:09:34,100 --> 00:09:37,700 Who are the ones. I have not done that with Who 136 00:09:37,700 --> 00:09:40,700 are the ones I'm currently not doing that with. 137 00:09:42,200 --> 00:09:44,300 I really want you to make that list. 138 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:47,600 If fact, if you don't make that list I think you're in danger of 139 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,800 doing the very thing Jesus is going to close his sermon with. 140 00:09:51,900 --> 00:09:54,500 Where he says you listen but you didn't hear. 141 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:57,900 You heard what was said but you didn't obey it. 142 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:04,700 So this is called application. Now, children all of us. 143 00:10:04,900 --> 00:10:08,100 I want you to do some art. The art is going to be very 144 00:10:08,100 --> 00:10:11,800 simple on some white page. You can use your bulletin if you 145 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:15,300 want or later when you get home, I want you to take some writing 146 00:10:15,300 --> 00:10:17,800 utensil and starting at the top of the page. 147 00:10:17,800 --> 00:10:20,600 I just want you to draw a straight line. 148 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:22,500 I want you to draw a straight line. 149 00:10:22,500 --> 00:10:25,100 Not using any straight edge. Just freehand. 150 00:10:25,100 --> 00:10:27,200 It just a straight line that's it. 151 00:10:27,300 --> 00:10:30,200 We can all do it. Now, where am I going with this 152 00:10:31,100 --> 00:10:32,800 dr. James Montgomery, boys, who was 153 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:37,300 the longtime preacher of Tenth Presbyterian Church. 154 00:10:37,300 --> 00:10:41,000 A PC, a church in Philadelphia. An incredible man, studying the 155 00:10:41,008 --> 00:10:43,900 word writing multiple volumes of commentaries. 156 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:47,600 He shares this illustration in his commentary on Matthew 7:12. 157 00:10:47,900 --> 00:10:51,600 He says, imagine a teacher going into a classroom in her 158 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:55,900 classroom and she's instructs, her elementary students to draw 159 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:58,600 a straight line. That's all. 160 00:10:59,300 --> 00:11:02,100 Well, they're doing that she steps out of the room because 161 00:11:02,100 --> 00:11:03,300 somebody's called her into the Hall. 162 00:11:03,300 --> 00:11:05,400 She goes into the Hall. The kids have done their work. 163 00:11:05,400 --> 00:11:07,900 It didn't take very long, so while she's out of the room, 164 00:11:07,900 --> 00:11:10,700 what do they do? They begin to compare one 165 00:11:10,700 --> 00:11:14,600 another straight lines. Some were meticulous going very, 166 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,600 very slow. Some were quick to get through 167 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,900 it but as they look at one another as what they're doing is 168 00:11:20,900 --> 00:11:25,600 seeing Whose Line is the straightest One child says to 169 00:11:25,600 --> 00:11:28,900 another mine straighter than yours too. 170 00:11:28,900 --> 00:11:31,400 Boy, see another hers, a straighter than ours. 171 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:33,100 One of them says together. Well that's because she has the 172 00:11:33,108 --> 00:11:37,200 better writing utensil. The teacher, then walks back in, 173 00:11:38,100 --> 00:11:41,400 they get quiet. All the lines have been written 174 00:11:41,400 --> 00:11:46,200 down or driven drawn and then she takes one by one a straight 175 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:49,600 edge. A ruler. 176 00:11:50,800 --> 00:11:54,900 And she takes her writing utensil and then to go straight 177 00:11:54,900 --> 00:11:58,400 down. Here's the point. 178 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:05,000 The Golden Rule. Is a standard and it could be 179 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:10,500 called the Golden straight edge. I want you to see. 180 00:12:11,700 --> 00:12:14,800 That however, gifted you are drawing a straight line. 181 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:19,900 When you put the golden standard to it, the Golden Rule and you 182 00:12:19,900 --> 00:12:24,100 go straight, you're going to see how it veers off. 183 00:12:24,500 --> 00:12:26,400 It's not as straight as you think. 184 00:12:26,700 --> 00:12:31,200 You're not as good as you think and if it's really close, here's 185 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:33,800 what I want you to do. I want you to keep drawing a 186 00:12:33,808 --> 00:12:38,800 straight line connected to that page every day the rest of your 187 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:46,600 life. Friends, we miss the mark this 188 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:50,900 passage is called the Golden Rule and there is a golden 189 00:12:50,900 --> 00:12:55,000 standard that Christ has set. And in this golden standard he 190 00:12:55,000 --> 00:13:00,800 is teaching us the way we are to respond to all people were in 191 00:13:00,800 --> 00:13:06,200 relationship with and he speaks in such a way that he calls us. 192 00:13:07,700 --> 00:13:12,500 To be who he's called us to be even to people who don't deserve 193 00:13:12,500 --> 00:13:14,700 it. Now, I know some of you are in 194 00:13:14,700 --> 00:13:17,500 relationships where they could be dangerous. 195 00:13:17,800 --> 00:13:19,300 There could have been things that have happened. 196 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:21,700 There's a context for that. You need to know that. 197 00:13:21,700 --> 00:13:26,900 I understand that, but that's not the majority of Our Lives or 198 00:13:26,900 --> 00:13:30,200 times. This is important for us to see 199 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:33,200 that. Jesus is trying to set apart his 200 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:37,400 followers and how they relate to others. 201 00:13:39,900 --> 00:13:44,800 So how can we live this out? Here's the first thing I think 202 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:49,300 we need to know Jesus is going to make this point for different 203 00:13:49,300 --> 00:13:52,700 ways over the next four sections of The Sermon on the Mount. 204 00:13:53,700 --> 00:13:57,700 First, we need to realize that Jesus wasn't preaching. 205 00:13:57,700 --> 00:14:02,600 This sermon in order that we could simply praise the sermon, 206 00:14:03,500 --> 00:14:06,800 he wasn't giving us this summary of the law and the prophets in 207 00:14:06,800 --> 00:14:10,400 order for it to be praised, he gave it so that it would be 208 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:14,900 practiced Martyn, lloyd-jones has it this way, our Lord did 209 00:14:14,900 --> 00:14:18,200 not preach The Sermon on the Mount in order that you and I 210 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:23,200 might comment upon it, but in order that we might carry it 211 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:24,000 out. Out. 212 00:14:24,300 --> 00:14:27,600 And in our tradition we love to make comments. 213 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:31,200 We love to spend our time. Talking about what did you think 214 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:33,000 of the sermon? What did you think of the 215 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:35,000 podcast? What did you think of the book? 216 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:38,300 That's a fair question, but that's not the end. 217 00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:41,500 The end isn't to say. I had a wiser comment than you 218 00:14:41,500 --> 00:14:44,300 or I commented about somebody that's older and dead so I'm 219 00:14:44,300 --> 00:14:47,400 deeper. No, the whole point is that this 220 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:52,300 is to be carried out. That really the people of God 221 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:56,000 are to love. Others, as they love themselves. 222 00:14:56,900 --> 00:15:01,700 So how do we do it? First, we have to understand 223 00:15:01,700 --> 00:15:04,800 that this whole thing is a theological problem. 224 00:15:06,100 --> 00:15:10,000 And when there is a theological problem, we have to start with 225 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:13,300 the theological answer, which means we've got to go to the 226 00:15:13,300 --> 00:15:15,600 right place first. And where do we go? 227 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:21,900 We go to God himself. How does God described himself 228 00:15:21,900 --> 00:15:25,000 and his word when we begin to see the way in which he 229 00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:29,800 described himself as holy other than set apart sacred. 230 00:15:29,800 --> 00:15:34,700 Righteous perfect all-powerful all-knowing all-wise. 231 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:39,600 We begin to To see who he is. We recognized in humility. 232 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,700 Blessed are the poor in spirit. His first words, we recognize in 233 00:15:42,708 --> 00:15:47,000 humility that we are not him and that we're very, very small. 234 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:49,400 Secondly, it was, we look at it theological. 235 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:51,900 We have to understand, not only who he is. 236 00:15:52,300 --> 00:15:55,600 But who does he say? We are, I want you to go to 237 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:59,400 Ephesians grab the blue Pew. Bible in front of you, turn to 238 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:01,500 the right, several several pages. 239 00:16:01,500 --> 00:16:03,900 And you'll find the book of Ephesians written to the people 240 00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:09,400 of Ephesus. You turn to Ephesians 2 and I 241 00:16:09,408 --> 00:16:13,000 want you to see the way in which Paul describes us. 242 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:17,400 Verse 1 of chapter 2 of Ephesians Paul wrote these 243 00:16:17,400 --> 00:16:21,300 words, they're very significant and you were dead and the 244 00:16:21,300 --> 00:16:25,100 trespasses and sins. And one in which you once walked 245 00:16:25,300 --> 00:16:28,400 following the course of this world, following the prince of 246 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:31,400 the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons 247 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:36,200 of Disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the passions 248 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:39,700 of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and mind, 249 00:16:39,700 --> 00:16:43,900 and we're by Nature children of Wrath like the rest of mankind. 250 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:44,500 Kind. Okay. 251 00:16:44,500 --> 00:16:49,900 Now let me stop these four babies, that were baptized, the 252 00:16:49,900 --> 00:16:52,300 parents holding them to siblings that were with them. 253 00:16:53,000 --> 00:16:57,200 That's true of them just as true of all mankind. 254 00:16:57,800 --> 00:17:00,000 Now, some of you might be grandparents like, well, hold 255 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,700 on. Now, our granddaughter or 256 00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:04,800 grandson have a grandpa now, too. 257 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:09,200 And my little granddaughter. Who's six months old? 258 00:17:09,599 --> 00:17:13,200 Seems perfect. I've yet to see your sin. 259 00:17:14,599 --> 00:17:17,400 I haven't. But she's a sinner. 260 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:23,400 She belongs. To what Paul says here. 261 00:17:25,500 --> 00:17:27,900 Children at some age are going to reveal that sin. 262 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,500 I remember Matt Chandler talking about one of his children, 263 00:17:31,500 --> 00:17:35,100 taking the remote, going to the other child and hitting them on 264 00:17:35,100 --> 00:17:37,700 the head. Where did they learn that? 265 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:39,500 He had not done that to his wife. 266 00:17:39,500 --> 00:17:41,400 She had not done that to him. They've done it to know the 267 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:44,400 other children. They didn't have to learn it. 268 00:17:45,100 --> 00:17:49,000 It's Ennis. And what Paul is saying here 269 00:17:49,500 --> 00:17:53,800 with great eloquence and great power is that we all are like 270 00:17:53,800 --> 00:17:57,300 this. Not some of us we are by Nature 271 00:17:57,300 --> 00:18:01,500 children of Wrath like the rest of mankind and at the center of 272 00:18:01,500 --> 00:18:06,900 all of it is the real problem and that self the verse that 273 00:18:06,900 --> 00:18:09,900 Jesus gives us in. Matthew 7:12 is not hard to 274 00:18:09,900 --> 00:18:12,800 understand. It's very clear, but it's so 275 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:16,700 hard to live out. It's so hard to live out that 276 00:18:16,700 --> 00:18:19,200 many of us have just simply said I can't, so I won't. 277 00:18:19,300 --> 00:18:21,100 And that's not what Christ is after. 278 00:18:21,900 --> 00:18:25,400 It's not what he's after. He's calling us to his standard 279 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:28,900 and he's enabling us because of who we are in him to live out. 280 00:18:28,900 --> 00:18:34,100 What is impossible. We've got to see God first and 281 00:18:34,100 --> 00:18:38,400 then we've got to see ourselves. This is a relationship problem. 282 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:42,200 I want you to think about the last time you saw the news, 283 00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:46,500 maybe it was this morning, maybe it was last night, sometime 284 00:18:46,500 --> 00:18:48,800 yesterday. Think about what you heard and 285 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:53,300 just a few minutes. Everything you heard is going to 286 00:18:53,300 --> 00:18:58,900 be connected to the fall of Man. Relationships that are broken 287 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,500 murders that are committed Wars, that take place. 288 00:19:02,800 --> 00:19:07,400 This theological problem is a relational problem and it goes 289 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:10,900 all the way back to the beginning, where Adam and Eve a 290 00:19:10,900 --> 00:19:13,200 real man. And a real woman were created 291 00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:19,100 without sin without sin. They had no wrong thoughts, no 292 00:19:19,100 --> 00:19:23,000 wrong feelings, they didn't say a wrong thing to one another. 293 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,800 They didn't treat one another wrongly, nothing was wrong. 294 00:19:26,500 --> 00:19:30,100 Until they fell. And when they fell, they were 295 00:19:30,100 --> 00:19:33,500 told that their eyes were opened in their, as their eyes were 296 00:19:33,500 --> 00:19:35,800 opened, and they realized they were naked. 297 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:39,300 And how you see this in Genesis 3, is that the relationship 298 00:19:39,300 --> 00:19:42,300 between this man, and this woman between Adam and Eve is suddenly 299 00:19:42,300 --> 00:19:45,300 broken. They hide from one another, 300 00:19:45,800 --> 00:19:49,300 their nakedness is exposed in their, a shame, they feel guilt. 301 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:52,000 So, as they seek to cover themselves, they also realized 302 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:53,700 their relationship with God was broken. 303 00:19:54,100 --> 00:19:56,400 God gives us his first question in the Bible. 304 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:59,000 Where are you? It's not because he He's all 305 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:02,800 knowing but he's indicating even now I'm coming for you. 306 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:08,600 Eve's soon gives birth to two boys as the boys grow up their 307 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:13,000 sin is revealed never greater than when one kills the other. 308 00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:18,400 And man, to man, kind we've been killing one another ever since. 309 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:24,000 Not always physically. But with our words, Jesus 310 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:27,600 Christ. Delivers this sermon from his 311 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:33,300 very own mouth and as he does, so he gives us a strong call. 312 00:20:35,200 --> 00:20:38,700 How do you wish to be treated by others? 313 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:44,400 Treat them the same way? But what about when they don't 314 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:50,400 deserve it? And your list of others. 315 00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:54,000 I know you experienced that category. 316 00:20:55,000 --> 00:21:00,100 How are we as Believers to act? The solution. 317 00:21:01,200 --> 00:21:05,400 Is to lift our eyes towards God hear this. 318 00:21:08,500 --> 00:21:17,500 God, the Father demonstrated his own love for us in this while we 319 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:22,200 were still sinners Christ died for us. 320 00:21:23,500 --> 00:21:28,900 Not once we clean ourselves up. Not once we came to a place of 321 00:21:28,900 --> 00:21:33,500 deserving it more than we did before while we were still 322 00:21:33,500 --> 00:21:39,200 sinners Christ died for us. We didn't deserve it. 323 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:44,000 We never did, we never will, that's why it's called Grace 324 00:21:44,500 --> 00:21:47,600 back to Ephesians 2. It says, but God being rich in 325 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:51,200 Mercy because of the great love with which he loved us. 326 00:21:51,500 --> 00:21:55,800 Even when we were dead in our trespasses, he made us alive 327 00:21:55,800 --> 00:21:58,400 together. With Christ by Grace. 328 00:21:58,400 --> 00:22:03,000 You have been saved and raised up with him and seated us with 329 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:06,600 him in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 330 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:14,900 So let's go back to your list. How do you wish people to treat 331 00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:17,700 you? Make that list. 332 00:22:18,500 --> 00:22:24,400 Who are the others in your life? Are you treating all of them the 333 00:22:24,400 --> 00:22:28,700 same way? As you want to be treated. 334 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:35,000 The answer is no, not every one of them there are people in your 335 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,500 life. And again, you may be in a 336 00:22:37,500 --> 00:22:41,600 situation where there's danger that has to be understood but 337 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:43,500 for most of us that's not the case. 338 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:46,300 Most of us. It's somebody that's just 339 00:22:46,300 --> 00:22:50,400 bothered us a relationship and business that went wrong. 340 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:53,800 A conflict that we're just seeing it from two different 341 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:58,300 sides. So what is Christ calling you to 342 00:22:58,300 --> 00:23:02,500 do? He is calling you who has 343 00:23:02,500 --> 00:23:07,200 received from him, what you didn't deserve to offer the very 344 00:23:07,200 --> 00:23:12,700 same thing to a person that doesn't deserve it and you and I 345 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:19,800 can not do it. Apart from Christ. 346 00:23:20,700 --> 00:23:23,100 So why did he place this verse here? 347 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:27,400 Last Sunday I said that if you ever wonder what the application 348 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:37,900 is to any sermon, it's Matthew, 7:7 211, ask seek, knock ask 349 00:23:37,900 --> 00:23:43,900 continually, it's a present imperative, ask continually seek 350 00:23:43,900 --> 00:23:49,200 continually not continually And God will answer that prayer. 351 00:23:49,500 --> 00:23:54,000 He will give you whatever is necessary for you to be the 352 00:23:54,000 --> 00:23:55,900 person. He's calling you to be. 353 00:23:57,900 --> 00:24:01,400 Three years ago, I asked you who are you listening to? 354 00:24:02,900 --> 00:24:07,500 In that time and since that time I watched the church not just pc 355 00:24:07,500 --> 00:24:11,500 pc the church in many cases behave. 356 00:24:11,500 --> 00:24:15,700 So embarrassed the landlady bad, we missed the golden 357 00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:18,600 opportunity. We were quick to stand up for 358 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:21,400 truth and thing we have convictions about and we should 359 00:24:21,400 --> 00:24:24,900 always do that. But the way in which we engage 360 00:24:24,900 --> 00:24:29,800 with others often times was horrific that was true outside 361 00:24:29,800 --> 00:24:32,300 the church and inside the church. 362 00:24:32,900 --> 00:24:37,500 So often we looked more like a set of anchor people and a new 363 00:24:37,500 --> 00:24:40,900 set debating. So I ask you who do you listen 364 00:24:40,900 --> 00:24:43,600 to? If the way you're treating other 365 00:24:43,600 --> 00:24:47,000 people looks more like somebody on the TV channel or your 366 00:24:47,000 --> 00:24:50,000 favorite podcast. That is spewing things in a way 367 00:24:50,000 --> 00:24:53,600 that is not relevant to the way Christ calls us to act. 368 00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:57,300 Stop listening. If you're in a small group that 369 00:24:57,300 --> 00:25:01,000 begins or ends or even in the middle continues to talk poorly 370 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:03,700 about other people, created in the image of God, get out of 371 00:25:03,700 --> 00:25:07,200 that group. But don't leave before saying 372 00:25:07,900 --> 00:25:12,600 gently and lovingly were not acting the way Christ has called 373 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:14,900 us to act. Right now, some of you are 374 00:25:14,900 --> 00:25:17,900 thinking you're encouraging us to compromise the truth. 375 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:21,700 No, remember what? I said on my list, I want you to 376 00:25:21,700 --> 00:25:26,500 listen to me. Never compromise the truth. 377 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:33,500 We can't We can't, but Christ also didn't doesn't give us the 378 00:25:33,500 --> 00:25:38,800 freedom to behave in a way that's not like him ever. 379 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:43,300 You and I can't do it. So why does he put it here? 380 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:49,800 First thing he says, is he moves into the section Paul Global 381 00:25:49,800 --> 00:25:52,300 preach this. So beautifully, a few weeks ago, 382 00:25:52,800 --> 00:25:58,400 do not judge others. Then he moves into the prayer 383 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:00,900 part. Ask seek knock ask seek. 384 00:26:00,900 --> 00:26:04,400 Knock ask seek knock. And you remember how ins that 385 00:26:04,400 --> 00:26:06,900 section? Let me remind you. 386 00:26:07,700 --> 00:26:14,600 He says this. Which of you if his son ask him 387 00:26:14,600 --> 00:26:18,600 for bread, will give him a stone or if he asks for a fish. 388 00:26:18,600 --> 00:26:22,400 Will give him a serpent if you then who are evil know how to 389 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:24,100 give good gifts to your children. 390 00:26:24,400 --> 00:26:26,900 How much more will your father who is in heaven? 391 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:29,900 Give good things to those who deserve it. 392 00:26:31,700 --> 00:26:36,600 Is that what it says? No, you should judge me. 393 00:26:37,500 --> 00:26:41,000 I'm added to scripture, it doesn't say to those who deserve 394 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:43,100 it. He says, how much more will your 395 00:26:43,100 --> 00:26:44,200 father? Who is in heaven? 396 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:51,700 Give good things to those who ask him, we will never ever 397 00:26:51,700 --> 00:26:57,200 deserve it. That's what the gospel has to do 398 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:01,600 with the golden. Straightedge the golden rule, we 399 00:27:01,600 --> 00:27:06,900 never deserve it. So what Christ is saying is look 400 00:27:06,900 --> 00:27:11,900 up, remember what my father has given you. 401 00:27:12,400 --> 00:27:14,700 Luke will tell us, it's the Holy Spirit. 402 00:27:15,700 --> 00:27:20,300 In the power of who I am and What I've Done In Christ Alone. 403 00:27:20,700 --> 00:27:27,500 Now treat others. As you wish to be treated. 404 00:27:29,700 --> 00:27:31,600 And friends, it's going to be messy. 405 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:36,100 It's going to be frightening at times. 406 00:27:37,700 --> 00:27:40,300 But it's the call that Christ has given. 407 00:27:41,700 --> 00:27:44,200 Because it takes us to the end of ourselves. 408 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:48,400 Some have translated this passage as inspirational. 409 00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:52,400 Like Jesus was calling us to be good. 410 00:27:53,300 --> 00:27:57,200 This is not a passage that is recommending goodness. 411 00:27:59,600 --> 00:28:02,500 It's actually showing the danger of that kind of thinking. 412 00:28:03,700 --> 00:28:13,600 We can't do it. But in Christ, in Christ, in 413 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:22,900 Christ, we can stand and love. And tell the truth with 414 00:28:22,900 --> 00:28:30,900 gentleness and conviction and treat others the way we wish to 415 00:28:30,900 --> 00:28:35,100 be treated. Father in heaven. 416 00:28:38,900 --> 00:28:43,500 You did. What is beyond comprehension? 417 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:51,000 And sending us your son. Christ Jesus, you obeyed. 418 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:58,000 What none of us could obey. And you died, the death that we 419 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:07,400 all deserve to die. what we deserved, we didn't receive what 420 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:14,600 we deserved, we didn't receive You took it? 421 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:22,800 Lord, would you enable us to see the beauty of the passion of 422 00:29:22,800 --> 00:29:28,900 Jesus and all of its Gore? So that we could be reminded 423 00:29:28,900 --> 00:29:34,600 that who we are in you it's secure and from that place of 424 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:42,700 absolute security we can in your power, be that light, the golden 425 00:29:42,700 --> 00:29:46,100 opportunity still exists that we can love. 426 00:29:46,100 --> 00:29:51,500 And A way that the world doesn't understand but is drawn to and 427 00:29:51,500 --> 00:29:56,500 it would be because we look like the one who came for us, who 428 00:29:56,500 --> 00:29:59,400 saved us. Who has Us in his grip? 429 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:06,200 Father, give courage to our to us, give Grace to us and do not 430 00:30:06,200 --> 00:30:10,700 leave us alone. Press this deep into us. 431 00:30:11,400 --> 00:30:15,500 Even to the point where we would have conversations with those. 432 00:30:15,500 --> 00:30:21,100 We know we need to speak to, we pray this Lord and your glorious 433 00:30:21,100 --> 00:30:23,700 name. Amen, we stay.