1 00:00:05,080 --> 00:00:06,840 If you have your Bible, would you open to Matthew chapter? 2 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:08,800 Five, please. Matthew 5. 3 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:12,280 That's where we're going to. Be as we continue through 4 00:00:12,280 --> 00:00:14,480 Jesus's. Sermon on the Mount. 5 00:00:14,560 --> 00:00:16,600 All right, so we've had a lot of fun in this so. 6 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:19,640 Far, but it's about to. Really get going today. 7 00:00:19,640 --> 00:00:24,480 So we got to lock in if you haven't had. 8 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:26,880 Your toes stepped on yet? All right. 9 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:31,000 Then the next several weeks. Just wear your steel toe boots, 10 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:34,920 OK? It's it's it's hard on me even 11 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:36,920 as I write these sermons just to not. 12 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:38,880 Want to crunch my toes up a little so. 13 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:41,240 But today's a good one, all right? 14 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:44,760 Today's a really good one. It's I think it's something that 15 00:00:44,760 --> 00:00:46,280 we struggle. With in our culture a. 16 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:50,560 Lot we have an. Outraged culture we're we're 17 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:53,520 prone to outrage whether it's. Social media or? 18 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:56,560 You know, just the news. Cycles and whatever else. 19 00:00:57,280 --> 00:01:00,200 So we find ourselves dealing with kind of pent up aggression 20 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,360 quite often and the Lord wants. To talk. 21 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:08,240 To us today from his word about what that looks like. 22 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:10,960 In our hearts. And what we might do with it? 23 00:01:10,960 --> 00:01:14,320 OK, so. Matthew 5 in in the. 24 00:01:14,320 --> 00:01:17,800 Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is describing the kind of 25 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:21,000 character. And conduct of his. 26 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:23,880 People right, Those who would. Belong to His Kingdom, those 27 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:27,360 Kingdom citizens as we've. Been calling them SO last. 28 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:30,440 Week we heard a. Crucial statement in verse 20 29 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:35,280 where Jesus is Speaking of. Righteousness. 30 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:41,480 And he says, unless your righteousness exceeds, exceeds. 31 00:01:41,480 --> 00:01:43,680 That of the scribes and Pharisees. 32 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:47,080 You will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. 33 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:49,120 All right, now that statement like. 34 00:01:49,120 --> 00:01:52,960 We said last week would have absolutely shocked Jesus. 35 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:56,760 Listeners, the Scribes and Pharisees. 36 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:59,520 Were. Considered the most religious 37 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:01,720 people in Israel. Like. 38 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:04,480 They're they're held in very. High regard. 39 00:02:04,920 --> 00:02:07,280 They're the ones who are carefully observing the, 40 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,479 observing the. Law they were. 41 00:02:09,479 --> 00:02:11,400 Extremely strict in their religious. 42 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:13,840 Practices. And So what? 43 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:16,720 Jesus. Is saying it is. 44 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:18,680 Shocking to the. Crowd what they're. 45 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:22,600 Thinking is, if their righteousness is not enough, if 46 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:27,360 ours must exceed theirs, then what kind of righteousness does 47 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:29,440 God require? Right? 48 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,920 And so beginning in verse. 21 Jesus is going to give 6. 49 00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:39,240 Examples showing the difference between external religion and 50 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:40,760 true heart. Righteousness. 51 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:42,440 So that's what was exposed last. Week. 52 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:44,880 Is that in? Christ, we can have a. 53 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,360 True Heart. Righteousness, right? 54 00:02:47,360 --> 00:02:51,160 His righteousness becomes our. Righteousness because He took. 55 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:54,480 Our sin on himself on the cross, right? 56 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:58,520 And so the first. Example that we're going to see 57 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:01,800 is dealing with anger. All right, nobody leave. 58 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,200 Yet OK, it's dealing with. Anger. 59 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,160 The Pharisees taught this that if you had. 60 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:11,120 Not physically murdered. Someone then you had done. 61 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:13,040 Well, in keeping the six. Commandments. 62 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:15,880 All right, And if you haven't murdered someone, we would say 63 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:17,880 you're doing a pretty good job. Right, that's. 64 00:03:18,320 --> 00:03:22,000 That seems like base. Level type stuff, but Jesus 65 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:25,840 exposes the deeper reality. Of the commandments. 66 00:03:26,960 --> 00:03:30,200 And he shows us that murder begins in the heart, actually. 67 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:33,400 It actually starts. Within this passage is going to 68 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:35,680 show us. That Kingdom righteousness is 69 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,720 not merely about avoiding. Outward sins. 70 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:42,800 That's legalism. Right Kingdom righteous is not. 71 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:45,360 Merely about avoiding outward sins. 72 00:03:45,720 --> 00:03:48,960 It's about the transformation of the heart that's becoming 73 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:50,000 altogether. New. 74 00:03:50,000 --> 00:03:52,560 It's having a new. Heart God's laws written on our 75 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:55,200 hearts. This is a work of the Spirit. 76 00:03:55,320 --> 00:03:59,280 Comes to us through salvation by faith in Christ. 77 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:03,720 Alone. All right, so if you're able. 78 00:04:03,960 --> 00:04:06,440 Would you please stand now in honor of the reading of God's 79 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:07,160 Word? Matthew. 80 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:17,670 Matthew 5, verses 21 through 20. 6 Jesus is speaking here. 81 00:04:18,589 --> 00:04:20,910 You have heard that it was said to those of old. 82 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:24,600 You shall not murder and whoever murders. 83 00:04:24,600 --> 00:04:28,240 Will be liable to judgments, but I say to you. 84 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:31,800 That everyone who is angry. With his brother will be liable 85 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:34,360 to. Judgments whoever insults his 86 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:35,480 brother. Will be liable to the. 87 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:40,720 Council and whoever says you. Fool will be liable to the hell 88 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:43,840 of fire. So if you're offering your gift 89 00:04:43,840 --> 00:04:46,680 at the altar and there, remember that your brother has something. 90 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:49,880 Against you. Leave your gift there before the 91 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:52,880 altar. And go first, be reconciled to 92 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,480 your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 93 00:04:56,440 --> 00:04:58,360 Come to terms. Quickly with your accuser. 94 00:04:58,360 --> 00:05:00,080 While you were going with him to court. 95 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:02,680 Lest your accuser. Hand you over to the. 96 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:05,280 Judge and the judge. To the guard. 97 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,640 And you'll be put in. Prison, truly, I say to. 98 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,120 You you will never get out until you have paid. 99 00:05:11,360 --> 00:05:14,760 The last penny this is. The word of the Lord. 100 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:20,360 Thanks be to God, let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you. 101 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:24,520 For your word. And God, we thank you. 102 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:28,360 That as second Timothy. Three tells us that your. 103 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:33,000 Word is. Profitable for rebuke. 104 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:37,760 And correction and teaching and training in all godliness, that 105 00:05:37,760 --> 00:05:41,160 the man of God may be perfect or complete. 106 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:44,760 Lord, so as we come to your word, we recognize that we. 107 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:48,760 Come to something that is. Living and active it. 108 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:50,640 It's not a. It's not. 109 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:52,760 Like a a non. Fiction book that we might. 110 00:05:52,760 --> 00:05:54,960 Just pull off the shelf and read about history. 111 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:58,040 But but your word is living and active. 112 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:02,480 Got it, It reads us. And so, Lord, we ask that you 113 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:04,320 would help us to humble ourselves before your. 114 00:06:04,320 --> 00:06:07,000 Word today that it. That your spirit might. 115 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,800 Read us through your word that that we might be. 116 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:13,960 Convicted and. Trained for godliness where we 117 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,160 need it. Lord as we. 118 00:06:16,160 --> 00:06:19,840 Open this text on. Anger, Lord, we ask that you 119 00:06:19,840 --> 00:06:23,760 would help us to receive it with glad hearts today. 120 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:29,120 Our Lord to know that. You love us so much that you 121 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,280 have spoken and you have commanded things and you have 122 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:37,840 enabled us by your spirits to walk with you and to honor you 123 00:06:37,840 --> 00:06:41,680 with our lives. And so, Lord, in in this area of 124 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:44,480 anger, we want to be the kind of men and women and boys and girls 125 00:06:45,520 --> 00:06:47,200 who walk with you, who honor you. 126 00:06:47,720 --> 00:06:49,600 And all that we say and all that we do. 127 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,000 And all that we think. And so. 128 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:53,720 Father, we ask that. You would teach us today. 129 00:06:54,160 --> 00:06:55,520 It's in the name of Christ I pray. 130 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:57,120 Amen. Amen. 131 00:06:57,120 --> 00:07:09,370 You may be seated well some time. 132 00:07:09,370 --> 00:07:15,850 Ago there was a dispute. Between two neighbors and what 133 00:07:15,850 --> 00:07:17,850 had always been really a quiet town. 134 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,920 The issue itself, the dispute, was rather. 135 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:25,840 Small In the beginning, it was nothing more than a disagreement 136 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:29,240 over where a property line ran and where a fence. 137 00:07:29,240 --> 00:07:32,880 Should be placed. At first it was just. 138 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:35,080 Conversation about the property line. 139 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:38,760 Then the conversation turned into an argument. 140 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,920 The argument turned into harsh. Words that were exchanged those. 141 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:47,480 Words begin to harden into resentments between the 142 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:50,720 neighbors. The two men stopped speaking to 143 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:55,080 each other weeks. Turned into months and every 144 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:57,080 time they saw. One another, the tension 145 00:07:57,640 --> 00:08:02,720 deepened. What began as irritation with 146 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:06,400 one another slowly became. Bitterness between them. 147 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:11,800 Eventually, the hostility erupted into violence, leaving 148 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:14,680 both families permanently. Scarred. 149 00:08:16,520 --> 00:08:19,960 Now when we hear a story like. That it's easy. 150 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:23,920 To think that the tragedy. Happened in that final moments 151 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:29,040 when violence occurred. But the truth is the. 152 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:33,520 Destruction began much, much earlier, didn't it? 153 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:36,760 It began when anger first took roots in their hearts. 154 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:41,039 And that's exactly what Jesus is addressing in the passage this 155 00:08:41,039 --> 00:08:44,400 morning, Many of us, many people. 156 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,160 Think that they are doing. Well, with the 6th commandment. 157 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:53,400 Because they have never murdered someone, we tend to think of 158 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:56,840 anger. As a relatively small problem. 159 00:08:58,600 --> 00:08:59,280 Right. Have you ever? 160 00:08:59,280 --> 00:09:03,800 Excused your temper. Have you ever sought to justify 161 00:09:03,840 --> 00:09:06,000 your temper? Have you ever sought to? 162 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:08,560 Explain it away. Right. 163 00:09:08,560 --> 00:09:11,880 We might say things like. I just have a short temper. 164 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:13,680 It's just. It's the way God made me. 165 00:09:13,680 --> 00:09:17,320 It's who I am. Or we might say something. 166 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:18,760 Else like. Well, I was just. 167 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:20,720 Venting. I didn't mean all. 168 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,080 Of that I was just venting all. Right. 169 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:28,880 But Jesus is telling us today in the text. 170 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:34,840 That anger isn't small, it's actually pretty great anger. 171 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:40,080 Is the seed of murder. Now I would bet. 172 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:41,720 That not many of us have thought about. 173 00:09:41,720 --> 00:09:46,800 Anger as the seed of murder. Before but. 174 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:50,680 The same sinful impulse that. Eventually produces violence 175 00:09:50,680 --> 00:09:54,080 often begins really quietly in our hearts. 176 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:56,720 Right, it starts with. Irritation. 177 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,800 Irritation becomes resentment. Resentment. 178 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:01,680 Becomes contempt for that. Person. 179 00:10:02,360 --> 00:10:04,560 And then there's harsh words that are exchanged. 180 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:08,480 And in this passage, Jesus is teaching us that. 181 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:13,840 Obedience to God is not simply avoiding the outward act of 182 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:17,640 murder, right? True obedience deals with the 183 00:10:17,680 --> 00:10:20,880 anger in the heart that produces murder. 184 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:24,480 Jesus is showing us what righteousness in his Kingdom. 185 00:10:24,760 --> 00:10:28,160 Really looks like it's a heart deep. 186 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:31,200 Righteousness. It's not merely. 187 00:10:31,200 --> 00:10:33,320 External compliance with the law, right? 188 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:35,440 That's morality. Or again, legalism. 189 00:10:36,680 --> 00:10:40,840 Righteousness demands a. Transformation of the heart. 190 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:44,400 And so if you're taking notes, our main point for. 191 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:49,440 The passage today is this Kingdom righteousness rejects 192 00:10:49,520 --> 00:10:54,040 sinful. Anger and pursues reconciliation 193 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:55,280 among. God's people. 194 00:10:56,680 --> 00:11:01,440 Kingdom righteousness rejects. Sinful anger and pursues 195 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:03,840 reconciliation among God's people. 196 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:08,480 Now, as Jesus unfolds the truth, he's going to lead us. 197 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,520 Through three important realities. 198 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:13,520 We might call them. Right first. 199 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:15,920 We're going to see the Kingdom. Righteousness exposes the 200 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:20,840 sinfulness of anger in verses. 21 and 22 Next we'll see Kingdom 201 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,760 righteousness pursues reconciliation in verses. 23 and 202 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:27,600 24 and then. Finally, we'll see Kingdom 203 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:31,560 righteousness. Settles conflict urgently in 204 00:11:31,560 --> 00:11:34,400 verses. 25 through 26. Right. 205 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:37,520 So Jesus begins by exposing. The true problem? 206 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,080 So let's start where he starts, right? 207 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,960 Number one. Kingdom righteousness exposes 208 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:44,440 sinful. Anger. 209 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:49,280 I'm going to read. 21 and 22. Again, you've heard that it. 210 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:52,240 Was said to those of. Old you shall not murder, and 211 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:54,400 whoever murders. Will be liable to judgements, 212 00:11:55,000 --> 00:11:57,120 but I say to you. That everyone who is angry with 213 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:58,360 his. Brother will be liable to. 214 00:11:58,360 --> 00:12:00,280 Judgement. Whoever insults. 215 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:02,280 His brother will be liable. To the Council. 216 00:12:02,560 --> 00:12:05,840 And whoever says you? Fool will be liable to the hell 217 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:09,640 of fire. So Jesus begins with a. 218 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:12,560 Familiar phrase. A familiar phrase for his 219 00:12:12,560 --> 00:12:14,440 audience, right? You have heard. 220 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:17,160 That it was said to. Those of old you shall not 221 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:20,760 murder, and whoever murders. Will be liable to judgments. 222 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:23,560 So here Jesus is. Referring to the 6th. 223 00:12:23,560 --> 00:12:27,360 Commandment given in Exodus. 20 You shall not murder. 224 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:32,240 But notice carefully, Jesus is not he's. 225 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,160 Not correcting the Old Testament right? 226 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:36,840 He's not correcting the Old Testament law. 227 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:40,040 Itself the law is true. And good we talked about. 228 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:42,720 This last week, right as we talked about. 229 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:45,800 Christ has not come to. Abolish the law, but to fulfill 230 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:49,120 it, So what he is. Correcting. 231 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:52,000 Is the. Way that the law had been 232 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:56,040 interpreted and taught. By the Scribes and Pharisees. 233 00:12:57,240 --> 00:12:59,800 Right, they had to reduce. The commandment to merely 234 00:12:59,960 --> 00:13:03,280 external prohibition. You shall not murder as long as 235 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:04,880 you're not taking the life of someone. 236 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:10,120 In an unjust manner. Then you are not guilty. 237 00:13:11,840 --> 00:13:15,280 And they're thinking righteousness consisted. 238 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:19,640 Of avoiding the act the. Outward act of murder if a. 239 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:21,840 Person had never taken. Another life he could assume 240 00:13:21,840 --> 00:13:23,360 that he had. Kept the 6th commandment. 241 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:26,720 And he should go on. With a clear conscience. 242 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:30,200 But Jesus now reveals. That such an. 243 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:34,200 Interpretation that that it's only the act of murder 244 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:37,600 completely misses. The heart of the law. 245 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:40,040 Right. Verse 22 begins with a 246 00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:43,440 statement. Of remarkable authority, I hope. 247 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:49,200 You saw it, Jesus says. But I say to you. 248 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:52,800 You have heard it said, but I. Say to you that's. 249 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:58,000 Pretty astounding. Jesus. 250 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:05,280 Is not simply offering an alternative opinion on the 251 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:09,440 matter, right? He's speaking with divine 252 00:14:09,440 --> 00:14:11,840 authority as the Lawgiver himself. 253 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:14,800 You have heard it said. You shall not murder. 254 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:16,040 And those who do will be liable to. 255 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:18,640 Judgments, Jesus saying, but I say to you. 256 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:23,480 Right. He's speaking with authority, 257 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:27,840 he's revealing the true intent of the commandment itself. 258 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:30,600 And So what does he? Reveal as he reveals. 259 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:32,760 The intent of the commandment, he says he goes. 260 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:34,120 On, he says. Everyone who is angry. 261 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,880 With his brother will be liable to judgements so. 262 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:41,480 Jesus moves from the issue. Of the hands, right, The 263 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:43,840 actions. To the issue of the. 264 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:47,920 Heart murder does not begin with a. 265 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:51,520 Weapon Jesus. Says murder begins with anger. 266 00:14:53,080 --> 00:14:56,760 It begins with the emotion of anger stored up in the hearts. 267 00:14:57,720 --> 00:15:00,760 So Scripture. Consistently teaches this 268 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:04,080 connection. Jesus isn't adding something new 269 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:06,400 again, He's just revealing. What was? 270 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:10,240 Intended by the law to. Begin with you may think back to 271 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:12,440 Genesis chapter. Four, we have the story. 272 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:16,160 Of those two, lovely. Brothers there, Cain and Abel. 273 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:20,680 Right. Cain became angry with Abel. 274 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:22,800 Because Abel had offered a sacrifice, that was. 275 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:25,240 Pleasing to the Lord. And Cain had not. 276 00:15:26,760 --> 00:15:31,040 Right now, the anger from Cain. Erupts. 277 00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:32,920 And even though God comes to him and says you. 278 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:35,800 Need to beware because sin is crouching at your door and it's 279 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:39,800 seeking to devour. You Cain dismisses that. 280 00:15:40,560 --> 00:15:43,440 And his anger erupts into the first murder. 281 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:45,280 That we have. Recorded in human history. 282 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:48,920 Now the. The apostle John will later 283 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:54,520 write in first John 315 everyone who hates his brother is a 284 00:15:54,520 --> 00:15:58,160 murderer. So everyone who hates his 285 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:01,560 brother meaning his his brother in the Lord, right so you might 286 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:05,600 say everyone who hates his brother or sister in Christ is a 287 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:09,880 murderer. In other words, the outward act 288 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:13,000 of murder is only the final expression of a. 289 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,560 Sinful disposition that has been. 290 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:18,160 Growing in the heart, This is where it finally. 291 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:20,760 Erupts. Right, and we know this because 292 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:24,320 Jesus then gives 2 examples. Of how this anger often 293 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:29,160 manifests itself. First he mentions the word Raqqa 294 00:16:29,400 --> 00:16:35,440 after reading the SV. It says there whoever insults. 295 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:36,640 Right. But you'll have a footnote there 296 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:43,680 that references the word Raqqa. Raqqa was a term of contempt in 297 00:16:43,680 --> 00:16:46,600 the ancient world. It. 298 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:50,200 Was similar to calling someone empty headed or worthless. 299 00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:53,120 It it was. Cursing, right? 300 00:16:56,240 --> 00:17:01,760 And this term was used to dismiss someone as 301 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:06,240 insignificant. Then then he adds a. 302 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:10,359 Second example. Anyone who says you fool, this 303 00:17:10,359 --> 00:17:11,880 is not merely. Describing Foolish. 304 00:17:11,880 --> 00:17:14,440 Behavior right the the. Proverbs are. 305 00:17:14,440 --> 00:17:16,960 Full of descriptions of the. Fool. 306 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:19,599 Right. Describing foolish behavior, 307 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:23,280 right? It's a word of. 308 00:17:23,280 --> 00:17:27,839 Deep moral condemnation, right? It's. 309 00:17:27,839 --> 00:17:30,560 To condemn someone, it's to. Treat another person as. 310 00:17:30,840 --> 00:17:33,880 Worthless. So what Jesus is? 311 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:39,800 Exposing here in Matthew 5 is the progression of anger. 312 00:17:40,880 --> 00:17:45,000 Anger in the hearts, right? Deep seated anger in the heart 313 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:47,720 becomes. Contempt toward another. 314 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:50,400 Person that contempt toward another. 315 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,440 Person then goes on to. Become verbal attack. 316 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:58,360 Or insults, so the. Problem is not merely that. 317 00:17:58,360 --> 00:18:00,440 Harsh words hurt people. Right. 318 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:04,400 Although they. Do the the deeper. 319 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:08,240 Problem is that anger and contempt deny the value of 320 00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:12,280 another person who bears the image of God, right. 321 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,800 Martin Wood Jones explains this. Powerfully and his exposition. 322 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:18,840 On the Sermon on the Mount if you don't have a copy. 323 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:20,000 Of that you should buy it and read it. 324 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:23,840 It's really great. Wood, Jones says. 325 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:25,800 The whole trouble is that we have. 326 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:31,000 Concentrated only on the act of murder, but the thing that leads 327 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:32,440 to murder. Is the Spirit. 328 00:18:32,440 --> 00:18:35,360 Of anger and hatred within the heart. 329 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:37,920 So the whole trouble is that we've only concentrated. 330 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:40,080 On the ACT. Right. 331 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:45,440 The thing that's punishable by. Law, but the trouble, really. 332 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:48,160 Is the spirit of anger. And hatred that resides in the 333 00:18:48,160 --> 00:18:51,480 heart of someone. So Jesus is teaching that the 334 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:53,400 6th. Commandment was never about, 335 00:18:53,760 --> 00:18:56,280 never, only about presenting, preventing. 336 00:18:56,280 --> 00:19:01,160 Homicide. It was always about protecting. 337 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:03,640 Life. By. 338 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:07,000 Addressing the attitudes that will destroy relationships. 339 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:09,600 You see, the Pharisees were satisfied with. 340 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:14,840 Avoiding the outward crime. But Jesus says the law of God 341 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:19,040 reaches all. The way into the heart of man. 342 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:24,800 It's not just about his actions. And when it reaches into. 343 00:19:24,800 --> 00:19:29,960 The heart of us. It exposes something sobering. 344 00:19:34,160 --> 00:19:37,640 All of. Us stand guilty before God. 345 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:44,280 All of us. Most. 346 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,800 Wildfires don't begin with towering. 347 00:19:46,800 --> 00:19:50,640 Flames do they they? They begin with a single. 348 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:54,400 Spark. Something small, something 349 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:59,600 almost unnoticed, right? A spark lands in dry grass, the 350 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:03,120 grass begins to smolder, then the wind spreads it, and soon an 351 00:20:03,120 --> 00:20:06,040 entire forest or field is consumed. 352 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:10,280 Well, anger works the same. Way what? 353 00:20:10,280 --> 00:20:14,800 What? Begins as a small irritation can 354 00:20:14,800 --> 00:20:19,200 quickly grow. Into resentment can grow into 355 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:22,720 contempt. Can grow into what becomes. 356 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:29,000 Eventually destructive words. That you might think of. 357 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:34,800 Biting sarcasm. Name calling, right? 358 00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:39,880 There's all sorts. Of things gossip, slander. 359 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:44,560 But it also results. Eventually in destructive 360 00:20:44,560 --> 00:20:48,360 actions. And in trying to dismantle. 361 00:20:48,360 --> 00:20:49,960 The. Reputation of someone who you 362 00:20:49,960 --> 00:20:52,360 hate. Murder. 363 00:20:52,360 --> 00:20:56,280 Is the wildfire. Anger is the spark. 364 00:20:58,200 --> 00:20:59,640 So this passage. Calls us to. 365 00:20:59,640 --> 00:21:02,160 Examine our hearts honestly. Before the Lord we. 366 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:05,160 We may not have you may not have committed murder. 367 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:09,200 Praise God. Right, but what we must. 368 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:14,080 Ask ourselves. There's a series of. 369 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:21,400 Questions that I've written down do I harbor resentment toward? 370 00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:24,520 A. Brother or sister in Christ? 371 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,600 Do I speak? About a brother or sister. 372 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:35,040 In Christ with contempt. For them. 373 00:21:40,570 --> 00:21:44,610 Do I allow? Irritation and bitterness 374 00:21:46,210 --> 00:21:49,330 against a brother or sister in. Christ to settle into my heart. 375 00:21:52,930 --> 00:21:54,490 Jesus is showing us here that Kingdom. 376 00:21:54,490 --> 00:22:00,530 Righteousness does not merely restrain the hands, but it ought 377 00:22:00,530 --> 00:22:01,770 to transform. Our hearts. 378 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:05,240 Right. And once the problem of anger. 379 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:09,880 Has been exposed. Jesus now leads us to the next 380 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:13,920 step, Kingdom. Righteousness doesn't merely 381 00:22:13,920 --> 00:22:17,320 recognize anger, it pursues. Reconciliation. 382 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:22,440 It has to. Kingdom, righteousness #2 383 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:23,920 Kingdom. Righteousness pursues 384 00:22:23,920 --> 00:22:26,480 reconciliation, verses 23 and 24. 385 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:31,400 So if you're offering your gift. At the altar. 386 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:34,000 And then remember that your. Brother has something against 387 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:36,560 you. Leave your gift there before 388 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:40,160 the. Altar and go first, be 389 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:45,200 reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 390 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:51,400 So after. Exposing the sinfulness of. 391 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:53,400 Anger in the heart. Jesus now moves. 392 00:22:53,400 --> 00:22:55,360 To the practical. Response that Kingdom 393 00:22:55,360 --> 00:23:00,960 righteousness produces right if anger is the root problem. 394 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:03,680 Then reconciliation becomes the necessary. 395 00:23:03,680 --> 00:23:07,720 Solution right, Jesus. Illustrates this with a scene 396 00:23:07,720 --> 00:23:11,760 that every Jewish believer would immediately recognize. 397 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:15,480 So if you're offering your gift at the altar there, remember 398 00:23:15,480 --> 00:23:17,560 that your brother has something against you. 399 00:23:17,800 --> 00:23:21,400 Leave your gift there before. The altar and go first we 400 00:23:21,400 --> 00:23:23,920 reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer. 401 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:27,920 Your gifts. So in the Old Testament system. 402 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,000 Bringing an offering to the altar. 403 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:34,280 Was one of the most. Sacred acts of worship. 404 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:37,080 That a person could perform. Right. 405 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:42,280 Many worshippers would travel significant distances to come to 406 00:23:42,280 --> 00:23:44,920 the temple. In Jerusalem, to offer their 407 00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:47,360 sacrifices and to worship the. Lord. 408 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:51,320 Their offering represented a lot of things for them. 409 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:54,800 One was devotion. Right, they offered. 410 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:56,760 They made the trip. They made the journey. 411 00:23:56,760 --> 00:23:59,680 They offered their sacrifice because they were devoted to 412 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:01,760 God. They loved the Lord. 413 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:09,240 Their offering of sacrifice was also an offering of repentance, 414 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:13,480 knowing that they had sinned or bringing their offering for 415 00:24:13,480 --> 00:24:16,040 repentance. It was an offering of. 416 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:19,000 Gratitude, just thankfulness to God. 417 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:24,040 For all that he's provided, all the way that he cares, all the 418 00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:28,480 way that he sees. To it to remain faithful and 419 00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:30,400 steadfast in His love. Toward us. 420 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:33,160 Right. But Jesus says that while 421 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:35,680 you're. Standing at the altar right in 422 00:24:35,680 --> 00:24:40,000 the middle of worship. Something may come to mind. 423 00:24:41,120 --> 00:24:44,560 Your brother has something against. 424 00:24:44,560 --> 00:24:48,480 You. Notice the wording carefully. 425 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:52,040 Jesus doesn't say that. You have something against your 426 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:54,520 brother. But that your brother has. 427 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:59,280 Something against you. In other words, you become aware 428 00:24:59,760 --> 00:25:03,440 that there is a relational breach between you and your 429 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:05,400 brother or sister. In Christ. 430 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:09,880 That your. Brother has been wronged that a 431 00:25:09,880 --> 00:25:16,200 conflict remains unresolved. And what does Jesus command? 432 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:22,600 Leave your gift. Before the altar. 433 00:25:23,240 --> 00:25:25,920 And go. Right. 434 00:25:25,920 --> 00:25:29,320 In other words, reconciliation. Takes. 435 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:31,360 Priority. Above the. 436 00:25:31,360 --> 00:25:37,960 Offering go and be reconciled, then you can return to worship 437 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:42,760 now again for a 1st century Jewish audience, I think even 438 00:25:42,760 --> 00:25:46,880 for a 21st. Century Christian audience, this 439 00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:50,200 is. Wild, but definitely for. 1st 440 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:51,640 century Jewish audience. This would have been 441 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:54,120 astonishing. Right, temple worship. 442 00:25:54,120 --> 00:25:59,120 Was the highest religious duty. Imaginable, yet Jesus teaches 443 00:25:59,120 --> 00:26:01,840 that. Unresolved conflict with another 444 00:26:01,840 --> 00:26:05,000 person. Is so serious that it must be. 445 00:26:05,000 --> 00:26:09,680 Addressed immediately, right even before continuing an act of 446 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:12,200 worship. Now why? 447 00:26:14,520 --> 00:26:16,840 You might ask why, If you're like me, why? 448 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:21,160 Because true worship cannot be separated. 449 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:24,360 From right. Relationships, right? 450 00:26:24,360 --> 00:26:26,920 Scripture repeatedly teaches. This for us. 451 00:26:27,200 --> 00:26:32,360 The prophets rebuked Israel. For attempting to maintain 452 00:26:32,360 --> 00:26:34,400 their. Religious ceremonies while 453 00:26:34,400 --> 00:26:37,000 ignoring. Justice and reconciliation, 454 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:41,280 Isaiah. 113 through 15 records. God saying this. 455 00:26:41,600 --> 00:26:46,280 Bring no more vain offerings. Do not bring your vain offerings 456 00:26:46,280 --> 00:26:50,480 to me any longer when you are spreading out your hands to 457 00:26:50,480 --> 00:26:53,960 offer your offering. I will hide my eyes from you. 458 00:26:56,360 --> 00:26:58,360 Now the. Problem wasn't the sacrifices 459 00:26:58,360 --> 00:27:01,560 themselves. The the problem was the fact 460 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:02,320 that their. Worship. 461 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:05,480 Was disconnected from the condition of their hearts and 462 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:08,920 their treatment of others. Jesus is. 463 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:10,360 Teaching the same principle here. 464 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:14,880 God is not interested in religious activity that ignores 465 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:18,480 broken relationships. All right. 466 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:23,240 So again, I just want to ask a few questions. 467 00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:25,760 How are your relationships with your? 468 00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:33,080 Brothers and sisters in Christ. Now less, we're tempted to 469 00:27:33,080 --> 00:27:35,160 think, well, that just simply means the people sitting. 470 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:38,800 Around me let. Me ask this question. 471 00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:41,480 Are you at peace with your spouse? 472 00:27:44,520 --> 00:27:46,960 Are they your? Brother or sister in the Lord? 473 00:27:48,120 --> 00:27:52,000 Are you at peace with the what? About with your children. 474 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:58,640 Who may be believers the. Question comes. 475 00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:02,560 To us rather rapidly do. I need to seek reconciliation 476 00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:08,240 with someone. Martin Lee Jones summarizes this 477 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:10,160 powerfully again. He writes this. 478 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:11,920 He says if. You're in a wrong relationship 479 00:28:11,920 --> 00:28:15,200 with another person. You cannot be right with God. 480 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:20,760 That's pretty succinct, really easy to understand. 481 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,440 This is not because reconciliation earns. 482 00:28:25,440 --> 00:28:28,040 God's favor. Right. 483 00:28:28,320 --> 00:28:31,080 Rather, reconciliation is the evidence. 484 00:28:31,400 --> 00:28:34,400 Of the heart. That has been truly transformed 485 00:28:34,640 --> 00:28:36,160 by the righteousness of the Kingdom. 486 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:38,880 It's the evidence of it. It's the. 487 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:41,320 Fruit of it that we. Walk in right relationship. 488 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:42,920 With our brothers and. Sisters in Christ. 489 00:28:43,600 --> 00:28:47,640 So Kingdom citizens pursue. Peace, because their king is a 490 00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:51,320 God of peace. But it's who we are. 491 00:28:51,320 --> 00:28:54,560 It should be who we are. If you'll remember earlier in 492 00:28:54,560 --> 00:28:55,840 the sermon on the. Mount Jesus. 493 00:28:55,840 --> 00:28:59,520 Declared Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be 494 00:28:59,520 --> 00:29:03,120 called. Sons of God, so. 495 00:29:03,120 --> 00:29:07,080 Peacemaking is not an optional. Duty, brothers and sisters. 496 00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:12,320 Peacemaking in the Kingdom? It should be a way of. 497 00:29:12,320 --> 00:29:16,080 Life for us, it's. Part of the family resemblance 498 00:29:16,320 --> 00:29:17,960 of those who belong to. Christ. 499 00:29:18,760 --> 00:29:21,640 It's one way that we recognize that God. 500 00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:25,000 Has arrested the heart of. Someone. 501 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:29,600 Is that they are a. Peacemaker doing all that they 502 00:29:29,600 --> 00:29:33,520 can in their own strength to be at peace with everyone. 503 00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:35,880 But especially at peace. With their brothers. 504 00:29:35,880 --> 00:29:40,360 And sisters in Christ. You might. 505 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:44,760 Imagine a child who has spent the day deeply. 506 00:29:44,760 --> 00:29:51,600 Hurting his siblings, ugly words hitting. 507 00:29:52,600 --> 00:29:54,520 Right. Just being, just being foul. 508 00:29:56,840 --> 00:29:58,440 Maybe he's being selfish. Right. 509 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:01,080 And later that. Evening he walks into the living 510 00:30:01,080 --> 00:30:03,360 room and he. Cheerfully says to his father. 511 00:30:03,560 --> 00:30:06,040 Dad, can we go outside and throw the ball? 512 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:11,240 Now a wise. Father will respond with 513 00:30:11,240 --> 00:30:16,320 something like. This before we do that. 514 00:30:17,840 --> 00:30:20,480 You need to go make. Things right with your brother. 515 00:30:23,520 --> 00:30:26,040 The the relationship. Within the family must be. 516 00:30:26,040 --> 00:30:29,320 Addressed before. Everything else continues as 517 00:30:29,320 --> 00:30:32,640 normal. If there is not peace. 518 00:30:32,960 --> 00:30:39,200 In your home, husbands, wives, children to siblings. 519 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:41,680 Parents to their. Children right if there's not. 520 00:30:41,680 --> 00:30:44,160 Peace in your home? Then it's impossible. 521 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:45,640 To act like everything is. Normal. 522 00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:51,480 It's impossible, and anger and bitterness are only being stored 523 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:53,120 up for a day of. Wrath to come. 524 00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:56,920 You. Can't go on that way. 525 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:01,120 In the same way, that's what. Jesus is teaching us here. 526 00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:03,160 Jesus is teaching us. That God is not pleased. 527 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:05,360 With the kind of. Worship that we bring. 528 00:31:05,360 --> 00:31:08,600 To him that. Ignores unresolved conflict with 529 00:31:08,600 --> 00:31:12,600 others. If we have unresolved conflict 530 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:16,120 with others, we should. Go and handle that. 531 00:31:16,680 --> 00:31:18,400 Be reconciled to your brother or. 532 00:31:18,400 --> 00:31:22,960 Sister in Christ, and then come. And worship with a pure. 533 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:27,720 Heart before the Lord. So this passage is calling us to 534 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:33,200 take reconciliation seriously. It's really easy to maintain 535 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:36,000 like an. Outward religious veneer through 536 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,840 habits. All right, we can attend. 537 00:31:38,840 --> 00:31:41,840 Church, we can smile at the people around us. 538 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:44,360 We can sing the songs. We can pray the prayers. 539 00:31:44,440 --> 00:31:46,600 We can listen to the sermon and take notes. 540 00:31:47,800 --> 00:31:50,240 All the while. Allowing relational conflict to 541 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:52,360 remain. Unresolved in our life. 542 00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:58,760 But Jesus says that Kingdom. Righteousness pursues peace. 543 00:32:00,760 --> 00:32:01,200 Now what? That. 544 00:32:01,200 --> 00:32:04,200 Means is that you might need to initiate. 545 00:32:04,520 --> 00:32:10,640 A difficult conversation today. It may mean that you need to 546 00:32:10,640 --> 00:32:13,480 ask. Forgiveness of someone that 547 00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:16,560 you've wronged it might mean. That you need to extend 548 00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:19,200 forgiveness to someone who has. Wronged you? 549 00:32:20,720 --> 00:32:24,440 But the citizens of Christ's. Kingdom do not ignore broken 550 00:32:24,440 --> 00:32:28,240 relationships, right? We we don't ignore these things 551 00:32:28,240 --> 00:32:30,440 we pursue. Reconciliation. 552 00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:34,480 Jesus adds one more important truth. 553 00:32:34,480 --> 00:32:36,880 Not only must reconciliation be. Pursued. 554 00:32:37,120 --> 00:32:38,800 It must be pursued. Urgently look. 555 00:32:41,680 --> 00:32:47,000 At #3 Kingdom righteousness. Settles conflict urgently, Verse 556 00:32:47,000 --> 00:32:51,960 25 through 20. 6 Jesus says come to terms. 557 00:32:51,960 --> 00:32:54,360 Quickly with your accuser. While you were going with him 558 00:32:54,360 --> 00:32:57,160 to. Courts lest your accuser. 559 00:32:57,160 --> 00:32:59,680 Hand you over to the. Judge and the judge. 560 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:01,520 To the guard. And you be put in. 561 00:33:01,520 --> 00:33:04,120 Prison. Truly, I say to you. 562 00:33:04,120 --> 00:33:05,560 You will never get out until you. 563 00:33:05,560 --> 00:33:11,960 Have paid the last penny so after calling. 564 00:33:11,960 --> 00:33:14,000 His followers to pursue reconciliation. 565 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:17,720 Jesus now presses the urgency of doing so. 566 00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:21,040 He. Gives a second illustration. 567 00:33:21,040 --> 00:33:22,040 He. Shifts. 568 00:33:22,040 --> 00:33:26,240 The setting from the temple. To the courtroom, come to terms. 569 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:28,400 Quickly with your accuser. While you were going with him 570 00:33:28,400 --> 00:33:30,680 to. Court lest your accuser. 571 00:33:31,560 --> 00:33:33,680 Hand you over to the. Judge and the judge. 572 00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:35,280 To the guard. And you'll be put in. 573 00:33:35,280 --> 00:33:41,240 Prison again. This is another scene that you 574 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:43,040 know Jesus. Speaks in Word pictures. 575 00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:45,560 Which are really helpful. There's another scene that would 576 00:33:45,560 --> 00:33:47,160 have meant a. Lot to his audience. 577 00:33:48,160 --> 00:33:50,600 Two men are walking together on their way to courts. 578 00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:53,840 One is the. Accuser bringing a legal charge 579 00:33:53,840 --> 00:33:56,920 against the other. The outcome? 580 00:33:56,920 --> 00:34:00,360 Will soon be determined by the judge and Jesus is saying. 581 00:34:00,840 --> 00:34:03,680 While you are still on the way, right? 582 00:34:04,040 --> 00:34:05,840 But before. The case is heard and. 583 00:34:05,840 --> 00:34:08,239 Decided the wise. Thing to do is to. 584 00:34:08,239 --> 00:34:12,280 Settle the matter. Come to terms quickly. 585 00:34:12,360 --> 00:34:15,000 Christ says. In other words, pursue 586 00:34:15,000 --> 00:34:20,040 reconciliation before the. Situation escalates into your 587 00:34:20,040 --> 00:34:24,360 judgement. Jesus then describes the 588 00:34:24,360 --> 00:34:27,480 possible consequences if reconciliation is delayed. 589 00:34:28,760 --> 00:34:30,400 Lest your accuser hand you over to the. 590 00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:32,840 Judge and the judge to the guard. 591 00:34:33,159 --> 00:34:36,800 And you be put in prison. Truly, I say to you, you will 592 00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:41,560 never get out until you have paid the last penny again. 593 00:34:41,560 --> 00:34:43,360 The pictures really straightforward here. 594 00:34:43,360 --> 00:34:46,679 A conflict that could have been resolved early now moves. 595 00:34:46,679 --> 00:34:49,159 Through a series of escalating. Authorities. 596 00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:51,560 There's an accuser. There's a. 597 00:34:51,560 --> 00:34:53,719 Judge, there's a guard. There's a prison. 598 00:34:55,000 --> 00:34:57,040 What? Began as a personal dispute 599 00:34:57,040 --> 00:35:00,760 between two people. Becomes a much more. 600 00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:05,400 Serious situation. Now the point that Jesus. 601 00:35:05,400 --> 00:35:09,760 Is making is that unresolved conflict grows more destructive 602 00:35:09,960 --> 00:35:14,480 the longer it's left alone. You see that? 603 00:35:16,160 --> 00:35:21,800 Anger and and resentment rarely remain small. 604 00:35:23,720 --> 00:35:29,760 When anger and resentment are allowed to linger, they deepen. 605 00:35:31,360 --> 00:35:32,960 They they take. Roots. 606 00:35:33,680 --> 00:35:36,320 They they begin to harden. Our hearts. 607 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:39,440 And they produce a greater damage. 608 00:35:43,240 --> 00:35:47,680 Again, Martin Lee Jones. Explains this morning clearly. 609 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:49,840 He says our. Lord is saying. 610 00:35:49,840 --> 00:35:52,360 That if we. Do not deal with these things at 611 00:35:52,360 --> 00:35:53,960 once. They. 612 00:35:53,960 --> 00:35:59,120 Will inevitably lead to consequences that are far more 613 00:35:59,120 --> 00:36:04,400 serious, so the longer anger is allowed to remain in the heart, 614 00:36:04,400 --> 00:36:10,720 the more it poisons relationships and. 615 00:36:10,720 --> 00:36:16,240 Distorts the soul, so scripture. Warns repeatedly about the 616 00:36:16,240 --> 00:36:18,600 danger of allowing anger to linger. 617 00:36:19,880 --> 00:36:24,280 Ephesians, right? Paul's book to the Church at 618 00:36:24,280 --> 00:36:28,760 Ephesus. Ephesians. 426 through 27 says 619 00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:30,880 be. Angry and do not sin. 620 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:35,480 Do not let the sun go down. On your anger and give no 621 00:36:35,480 --> 00:36:37,200 opportunity. To the devil. 622 00:36:40,000 --> 00:36:46,080 Paul saying that unresolved anger creates fertile ground for 623 00:36:46,080 --> 00:36:49,520 bitterness, for division, for further sin. 624 00:36:51,400 --> 00:36:53,720 Hebrews 12/15. The writer of Hebrews gives a 625 00:36:53,720 --> 00:36:55,840 similar warning. He says see. 626 00:36:55,840 --> 00:36:59,600 To it that no root. Of bitterness springs up and. 627 00:36:59,600 --> 00:37:03,880 Causes trouble. And by it many become. 628 00:37:03,880 --> 00:37:09,480 Defiled. So Jesus is. 629 00:37:10,360 --> 00:37:13,040 Urging his followers to deal with conflict quickly. 630 00:37:13,600 --> 00:37:15,320 Right before it. Grows into something that 631 00:37:15,320 --> 00:37:18,080 becomes. Far more destructive Kingdom 632 00:37:18,080 --> 00:37:20,720 righteousness does not delay. Reconciliation. 633 00:37:20,840 --> 00:37:23,680 It acts with urgency, brothers and sisters. 634 00:37:24,600 --> 00:37:28,520 And so it must. Think of your house. 635 00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:33,760 If you notice a small. Crack in your house's 636 00:37:33,760 --> 00:37:36,680 foundation. It may not seem. 637 00:37:36,680 --> 00:37:42,880 Like a major concern at. 1st. But but if that crack. 638 00:37:42,880 --> 00:37:49,560 Goes ignored, water begins to seep in it, and over time the 639 00:37:49,560 --> 00:37:53,480 damage. Spreads what was once a. 640 00:37:53,480 --> 00:37:55,400 Minor problem eventually threatens the. 641 00:37:55,720 --> 00:37:57,960 The stability of the entire. Structure. 642 00:38:00,040 --> 00:38:03,200 Now the wise homeowner addresses the crack early, before the 643 00:38:03,200 --> 00:38:04,560 damage. Spreads, right? 644 00:38:05,560 --> 00:38:08,080 Well, relational. Conflict works the same way. 645 00:38:08,760 --> 00:38:15,240 When anger and resentment are left unattended, they slowly. 646 00:38:15,320 --> 00:38:19,360 Widen the. Fracture in a relationship, what 647 00:38:19,360 --> 00:38:23,760 might have been resolved quickly becomes much harder to repair. 648 00:38:24,040 --> 00:38:28,480 Later and we all. Know this is true. 649 00:38:32,360 --> 00:38:37,560 That's where the text presses. On us because you. 650 00:38:37,560 --> 00:38:39,720 Read it and you don't. Disagree. 651 00:38:39,960 --> 00:38:42,080 You hear it taught. And you don't disagree? 652 00:38:42,360 --> 00:38:48,440 You know it's true. And yet, if you're like. 653 00:38:48,440 --> 00:38:54,480 Me. A sinful Wretch saved by grace. 654 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:57,280 Then you know that you. Wrestle against that flesh. 655 00:38:58,160 --> 00:39:01,760 And we will, pridefully, pridefully. 656 00:39:01,760 --> 00:39:07,400 Refuse to seek reconciliation through humility and honesty, 657 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:17,410 and even. Urgently, but Jesus here calls 658 00:39:17,410 --> 00:39:22,410 us to deal with conflict. Quickly, what that means is that 659 00:39:22,410 --> 00:39:23,770 we must. Refuse to let. 660 00:39:23,890 --> 00:39:27,890 Anger linger in the heart. A lot of times we'll. 661 00:39:27,890 --> 00:39:31,240 Store up anger in the heart. Because. 662 00:39:31,240 --> 00:39:33,680 We'll justify it in our. Own pride. 663 00:39:36,920 --> 00:39:40,160 I'm not going to humble myself. He. 664 00:39:40,440 --> 00:39:43,720 Deserves every bit of wrath that I feel right now. 665 00:39:50,400 --> 00:39:52,600 But what Jesus is? After is that we? 666 00:39:52,600 --> 00:39:56,360 Would take the initiative to. Address the issues that we would 667 00:39:56,360 --> 00:39:59,240 humble. Ourselves before him rather than 668 00:39:59,240 --> 00:40:00,520 allowing. Them to grow in the. 669 00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:05,640 Pride of our own hearts. Pride often tells you. 670 00:40:05,960 --> 00:40:11,000 To wait, let the other. Person make the first move. 671 00:40:13,840 --> 00:40:16,760 Sweet go heart, How many conflicts could we have resolved 672 00:40:17,240 --> 00:40:21,200 rather quickly if I did not wait on you to make the first move 673 00:40:21,240 --> 00:40:23,640 right? If I'd been a better. 674 00:40:23,640 --> 00:40:29,720 Man. But Kingdom? 675 00:40:29,720 --> 00:40:32,240 Righteousness seeks peace without delay. 676 00:40:33,760 --> 00:40:39,120 But the longer anger remains unresolved, the the more damage. 677 00:40:39,120 --> 00:40:42,400 It's going to cause. The more. 678 00:40:42,400 --> 00:40:46,240 Problems that will come. You're not making life. 679 00:40:46,240 --> 00:40:50,080 Better for yourself by storing up anger and pride. 680 00:40:51,080 --> 00:40:53,960 You know that's true already. You don't need me to tell you 681 00:40:53,960 --> 00:40:58,960 that. So don't do it. 682 00:41:00,360 --> 00:41:04,000 Carry it to the Lord. Don't let it destroy. 683 00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:05,360 Your marriage. Don't let it destroy. 684 00:41:05,360 --> 00:41:08,400 Your home, don't let it destroy relationships with brothers and 685 00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:10,640 sisters here and outside of here. 686 00:41:13,680 --> 00:41:16,680 As we step back and we look at. This passage Jesus has taken. 687 00:41:16,680 --> 00:41:19,000 Us much? Deeper than many of us. 688 00:41:19,000 --> 00:41:23,120 Expected. But most people believe they're 689 00:41:23,120 --> 00:41:25,160 doing well. With the 6th commandment because 690 00:41:25,160 --> 00:41:26,880 they have. Never taken another person's 691 00:41:26,880 --> 00:41:31,200 life. But Jesus has shown us in this 692 00:41:31,200 --> 00:41:34,080 text that the. Commandment was never only 693 00:41:34,080 --> 00:41:36,280 about. Restraining our hands. 694 00:41:36,720 --> 00:41:39,320 It was always about. Confronting the heart of the 695 00:41:39,320 --> 00:41:40,960 man. Anger. 696 00:41:41,080 --> 00:41:42,880 Contempt. Hostility. 697 00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:44,800 All of. Those things reveal something 698 00:41:44,800 --> 00:41:47,080 serious about the human condition. 699 00:41:48,240 --> 00:41:53,120 We're we're in desperate need. Of a savior that the. 700 00:41:53,120 --> 00:41:56,960 Problem of murder begins long before the ACT itself. 701 00:41:58,360 --> 00:42:01,520 It begins with resentment. It begins with bitterness. 702 00:42:01,640 --> 00:42:05,960 It begins with the hatred. That grow quietly in our hearts. 703 00:42:05,960 --> 00:42:12,160 And maybe not so quietly. Sometimes now, when Jesus 704 00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:14,440 exposes. The true depth of the. 705 00:42:14,440 --> 00:42:17,960 Law. As he has here and as he. 706 00:42:17,960 --> 00:42:19,520 Will in the weeks. To come, I'm telling you. 707 00:42:19,520 --> 00:42:25,960 Bring your steel toe boots, but don't not come right. 708 00:42:31,200 --> 00:42:33,720 Something becomes very clear. For us when he exposes. 709 00:42:33,720 --> 00:42:36,000 The true depth of the law. And that's this. 710 00:42:36,560 --> 00:42:46,680 None of us are innocent. If the standard were simply 711 00:42:46,680 --> 00:42:50,560 avoiding murder, then we might all feel. 712 00:42:50,560 --> 00:42:55,200 Confident, but if the. Standard includes sinful anger 713 00:42:56,080 --> 00:43:00,960 if it can, if it includes contemptuous words, if it 714 00:43:00,960 --> 00:43:06,000 includes unresolved. Hostility, then the law. 715 00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:10,640 Exposes the reality that every one of us have fallen short of 716 00:43:10,640 --> 00:43:16,800 God's glory. And that's precisely why we need 717 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:18,200 the. Gospel brothers and sisters. 718 00:43:19,600 --> 00:43:21,080 But because the truth of the Gospel. 719 00:43:21,080 --> 00:43:24,160 Is that every one of us was once an enemy of God. 720 00:43:24,160 --> 00:43:26,680 And if you're not in Christ, you're still you remain. 721 00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:30,720 An enemy of God, Romans 510 says. 722 00:43:30,720 --> 00:43:33,920 This while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God. 723 00:43:34,080 --> 00:43:40,440 By the death of his son. We were not neutral towards. 724 00:43:40,440 --> 00:43:43,920 God. Our sin had placed us in 725 00:43:43,920 --> 00:43:47,280 opposition to Him, but instead of. 726 00:43:47,280 --> 00:43:51,920 Leaving us in that condition. Of opposition Christ has come to 727 00:43:51,920 --> 00:43:55,360 make. Peace through his life. 728 00:43:55,560 --> 00:43:59,000 And death and resurrection Jesus accomplished. 729 00:43:59,000 --> 00:44:01,120 The ultimate act of reconciliation. 730 00:44:01,880 --> 00:44:04,360 At the cross he absorbed the judgement that our. 731 00:44:04,360 --> 00:44:07,280 Sins deserve so that. You and I might. 732 00:44:07,280 --> 00:44:18,240 Be restored to God the Father. And 1st Corinthians 5. 733 00:44:18,240 --> 00:44:22,600 Explains that when that. Reconciliation when you receive. 734 00:44:22,600 --> 00:44:25,160 Reconciliation with God through Jesus. 735 00:44:25,160 --> 00:44:32,000 Christ, when that becomes real in your life, Romans 5 says that 736 00:44:32,000 --> 00:44:35,680 you are a new creation. In other words, you were being 737 00:44:35,840 --> 00:44:42,000 reborn, you're being remade, you're his workmanship created 738 00:44:42,000 --> 00:44:43,160 in. Christ. 739 00:44:44,640 --> 00:44:48,120 Romans 5 also says that. You've been given the Ministry 740 00:44:48,200 --> 00:44:53,560 of Reconciliation the. One that means that. 741 00:44:53,560 --> 00:44:58,840 You are to become. A lover of the. 742 00:44:58,840 --> 00:45:01,920 Good news of Jesus. Christ, and whom crucified? 743 00:45:02,160 --> 00:45:04,560 And you are to share. It with everyone. 744 00:45:06,320 --> 00:45:08,160 So that they too. Might. 745 00:45:08,160 --> 00:45:11,760 Be reconciled to God by believing in Jesus Christ. 746 00:45:16,320 --> 00:45:20,120 Another thing it means is that. As a minister of reconciliation, 747 00:45:20,120 --> 00:45:22,520 you are called to be a peacemaker. 748 00:45:24,200 --> 00:45:27,160 You're called to be. Reconciled especially to your 749 00:45:27,160 --> 00:45:28,480 brothers and sisters in the Lord. 750 00:45:31,160 --> 00:45:33,520 To to not remain. Bitter. 751 00:45:33,920 --> 00:45:37,520 Resentful. Hurt, angry. 752 00:45:39,240 --> 00:45:41,960 But to settle those things with Christ, To settle those things 753 00:45:41,960 --> 00:45:49,280 with. Your brother or sister, those 754 00:45:49,280 --> 00:45:53,960 who have been reconciled to God, become people who pursue 755 00:45:53,960 --> 00:45:57,640 reconciliation. Remember Kingdom? 756 00:45:57,640 --> 00:45:59,280 Righteousness, we said earlier, rejects. 757 00:45:59,280 --> 00:46:02,800 Sinful anger and pursues. Reconciliation among God's 758 00:46:02,800 --> 00:46:05,640 people. So the question for each. 759 00:46:05,640 --> 00:46:08,520 Of us this morning. As if there haven't already been 760 00:46:08,520 --> 00:46:10,080 a bunch of very personal questions there. 761 00:46:10,080 --> 00:46:16,160 Here's another one for you. Is there anger in your heart 762 00:46:16,160 --> 00:46:18,120 right now? Towards someone. 763 00:46:22,720 --> 00:46:27,000 Is there bitterness that you've allowed to remain? 764 00:46:32,040 --> 00:46:34,920 Is there a relationship that needs to be addressed? 765 00:46:35,960 --> 00:46:38,480 Is there a conversation? That needs to happen. 766 00:46:39,440 --> 00:46:43,640 Is there forgiveness that needs? To be offered or. 767 00:46:43,640 --> 00:46:45,160 Forgiveness. That needs to be. 768 00:46:45,160 --> 00:46:55,950 Asked for here's. One I debated on writing, but I 769 00:46:55,950 --> 00:47:01,430 think it's a good one. Has your worship today been in 770 00:47:01,430 --> 00:47:04,830 vain? Because you refuse to reconcile. 771 00:47:04,830 --> 00:47:06,510 With your brother or sister in Christ. 772 00:47:11,920 --> 00:47:14,000 Jesus does not call his people. To ignore. 773 00:47:14,120 --> 00:47:18,080 Those kinds of questions he calls us to. 774 00:47:19,520 --> 00:47:21,640 Ask them. Often and to pursue. 775 00:47:21,640 --> 00:47:24,800 Reconciliation. And he calls. 776 00:47:24,800 --> 00:47:26,840 Us to pursue reconciliation quickly. 777 00:47:28,160 --> 00:47:31,160 But before anger grows deeper and causes. 778 00:47:31,160 --> 00:47:35,920 Greater damage. So for some of us. 779 00:47:35,920 --> 00:47:38,280 This passage. Might mean that obedience for 780 00:47:38,280 --> 00:47:41,000 us. Means picking up the phone this 781 00:47:41,000 --> 00:47:43,200 week. Or today. 782 00:47:44,840 --> 00:47:47,480 It might mean inviting a conversation. 783 00:47:49,760 --> 00:47:53,360 It may mean humbling ourselves and saying I was. 784 00:47:53,360 --> 00:47:57,120 Wrong. Will you forgive me? 785 00:48:00,280 --> 00:48:01,680 Or perhaps it. Means that we should. 786 00:48:01,680 --> 00:48:04,680 Extend forgiveness. To a brother and sister in 787 00:48:04,680 --> 00:48:05,800 Christ that has. Hurt us. 788 00:48:08,280 --> 00:48:09,840 And none of these things is easy. 789 00:48:09,840 --> 00:48:13,000 Or easy for us, right? But but they are the. 790 00:48:13,000 --> 00:48:16,520 Kind of actions that reflect the righteousness of Christ. 791 00:48:16,520 --> 00:48:20,640 'S Kingdom, because the people who have been reconciled. 792 00:48:21,120 --> 00:48:24,480 To God through Christ. Become people who pursue. 793 00:48:24,480 --> 00:48:31,960 Peace with others. So may the Lord. 794 00:48:33,600 --> 00:48:37,600 Search our hearts today. May the Lord soften. 795 00:48:38,320 --> 00:48:42,320 Our spirits. May the Lord mold. 796 00:48:42,320 --> 00:48:44,280 US. And shape us and form. 797 00:48:44,280 --> 00:48:47,960 Us into the kind of. People who reject sinful anger. 798 00:48:48,400 --> 00:48:53,040 Into the kind of people who. Pursue reconciliation for the 799 00:48:53,040 --> 00:48:58,880 glory of our King and. The purity of His bride, the 800 00:48:58,880 --> 00:49:04,760 Church. Let's pray, Heavenly Father. 801 00:49:12,440 --> 00:49:19,920 We thank. You so much for the mercy that 802 00:49:19,920 --> 00:49:24,000 we have sung about today. We thank you for the mercy that 803 00:49:24,000 --> 00:49:27,640 we. Have received We thank you for 804 00:49:27,640 --> 00:49:30,520 the truth in Romans. Five, that while we were still 805 00:49:30,800 --> 00:49:37,240 sinners, Christ died for us. While we were still enemies with 806 00:49:37,240 --> 00:49:40,960 you, Father Christ went to the cross. 807 00:49:41,640 --> 00:49:46,560 And bore the penalty for our sins we thank. 808 00:49:46,560 --> 00:49:50,560 You, Father, that we have been reconciled to God as believers 809 00:49:50,840 --> 00:49:56,480 in Jesus Christ. We thank you, Father, for your. 810 00:49:56,480 --> 00:50:00,320 Spirit. Which continues to sanctify us 811 00:50:00,320 --> 00:50:02,880 today. That is we. 812 00:50:03,080 --> 00:50:08,120 Behold Christ in Matthew 5. This morning as we read his 813 00:50:08,120 --> 00:50:09,280 words. As we. 814 00:50:09,440 --> 00:50:13,080 Seek to understand them. We we see his. 815 00:50:13,080 --> 00:50:18,640 Glory on full display. And it's, it's our desire. 816 00:50:19,160 --> 00:50:24,160 That you would shape us. More and more into the image of 817 00:50:24,160 --> 00:50:32,560 our King and so God, when we come to a difficult text, but 818 00:50:32,560 --> 00:50:36,840 difficult I just mean one that potentially stunts on our egos 819 00:50:36,840 --> 00:50:43,200 and our pride. Father, would you humble us by 820 00:50:43,200 --> 00:50:46,320 your word? Would you protect us now from a 821 00:50:46,320 --> 00:50:55,040 hard heartedness so many times? We were like children. 822 00:50:56,440 --> 00:51:00,800 Before a Father, when we're being disciplined, when we're 823 00:51:00,800 --> 00:51:10,920 being reproved, our face grows hard and cold, our heart grows 824 00:51:10,920 --> 00:51:14,280 hard to the commands of our Father, to the instruction and 825 00:51:14,280 --> 00:51:19,840 the discipline. The Lord is my prayer for these 826 00:51:19,840 --> 00:51:25,120 people and my own heart today, that You would protect our souls 827 00:51:25,960 --> 00:51:32,480 from becoming hard hearted towards Your instruction, that 828 00:51:32,480 --> 00:51:36,280 You would deliver us from pride, and that You would lead. 829 00:51:36,280 --> 00:51:39,960 Us now to. Seek reconciliation with those 830 00:51:39,960 --> 00:51:45,320 whom we've hurt to offer forgiveness. 831 00:51:45,320 --> 00:51:47,480 To those. Who have hurt us? 832 00:51:53,340 --> 00:51:56,260 God, I pray. I pray often. 833 00:51:57,420 --> 00:52:00,540 I pray today that you would protect the unity of this body, 834 00:52:02,580 --> 00:52:05,260 that you would deepen our fellowship. 835 00:52:05,960 --> 00:52:08,040 You would deepen our. Love for one another. 836 00:52:09,200 --> 00:52:11,200 That the watching world might. See the love. 837 00:52:11,200 --> 00:52:17,200 That we have for one another and recognize that we belong to. 838 00:52:17,200 --> 00:52:23,040 God, God, would you? Help us be peacemakers in our 839 00:52:23,040 --> 00:52:26,720 homes. In our church, in our. 840 00:52:26,720 --> 00:52:29,960 Workplaces in our city and beyond. 841 00:52:31,920 --> 00:52:39,440 God, would you season our words with the gospel? 842 00:52:40,600 --> 00:52:44,680 Would you help us to? Carry the light of the gospel in 843 00:52:44,680 --> 00:52:53,400 our actions, God, that we might proclaim rightly that there is 844 00:52:53,400 --> 00:52:57,600 reconciliation to God available for all who believe in Jesus 845 00:52:57,600 --> 00:53:05,200 Christ, and that we might not dismantle that message by our 846 00:53:05,200 --> 00:53:09,280 words and actions that say something altogether different. 847 00:53:09,280 --> 00:53:21,530 I'm going to give you a moment now there in your seat, to pray, 848 00:53:23,930 --> 00:53:30,690 to seek the Lord, to ask where have I been disobedient in this 849 00:53:30,690 --> 00:53:34,760 way with my anger? Where have I dishonored you, 850 00:53:34,760 --> 00:53:38,480 Lord? Where have I hurt those who are 851 00:53:38,480 --> 00:53:43,160 close to me? How can I make it right? 852 00:53:48,080 --> 00:53:51,640 Ask the Holy Spirit to help in every way. 853 00:54:28,280 --> 00:54:30,520 Heavenly Father, we thank you for your word today. 854 00:54:31,840 --> 00:54:37,720 We thank you for the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. 855 00:54:40,520 --> 00:54:46,720 We thank you for your mercy. God, we praise you for your 856 00:54:46,720 --> 00:54:54,880 marvellous grace that is above and beyond whatever we're going 857 00:54:54,880 --> 00:54:59,600 through at any moments, that it's by your grace we find that 858 00:54:59,600 --> 00:55:03,240 we can be strong even when we feel most weak. 859 00:55:07,240 --> 00:55:12,760 And so Lord, we offer, we offer our praise to you this morning. 860 00:55:14,240 --> 00:55:20,760 We love you and God. It is our hope as a church, as 861 00:55:20,760 --> 00:55:21,480 a. People. 862 00:55:22,920 --> 00:55:29,520 To to give our lives every day as a sacrifice of praise to our 863 00:55:29,520 --> 00:55:36,840 King. It's in the name of Christ we 864 00:55:36,840 --> 00:55:38,160 pray. Amen.