Grace, Love and Compassion James Shepherd
Series: FRONTLINE
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 27th February 2016
00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that we get to gather here this morning,
00:00:03 --> 00:00:06 that we have been set free by your wonderful gospel.
00:00:06 --> 00:00:12 Through your son's death and resurrection, we might have life and salvation in him.
00:00:13 --> 00:00:17 And we thank you that right now we have the privilege and the joy to hear from your word.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:20 And so we pray that what you have to teach us this morning,
00:00:21 --> 00:00:25 we would take in and we would go back out into our world, onto our front line,
00:00:25 --> 00:00:27 and live faithfully for you.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:31 And we pray this in your son's precious name. Amen.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:36 We exist in a world that loves to love.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:44 We use the word love to describe just about anything that gives us any slight sort of affection or joy.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:46 You might have people say, I love my car.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:48 I love my bike.
00:00:48 --> 00:00:50 I love my iPhone.
00:00:50 --> 00:00:51 I love pizza.
00:00:52 --> 00:00:54 I love, I love, I love.
00:00:54 --> 00:01:00 We use the word I love so frequently and so much that we kind of forget what it means.
00:01:01 --> 00:01:03 We're a world that loves to love.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:08 Love is one of the most dominant themes in books, TV shows, and movies.
00:01:09 --> 00:01:14 We love stories about love, especially when love is victorious,
00:01:14 --> 00:01:21 because they are stories that tap into an innate desire to be loved and to love.
00:01:21 --> 00:01:27 For us to love and be loved is to celebrate being accepted, included,
00:01:27 --> 00:01:34 to feel value and worth, to be part of something that feels right and to feel good.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:42 The problem is, as a society, we don't always agree upon what is good and what is right,
00:01:42 --> 00:01:45 and therefore what is ultimately loving.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:53 A very clear and recent example of this has been Malcolm Turnbull's call for an independent review of the Safe Schools program.
00:01:53 --> 00:02:03 This program is accused of trying to influence the thinking of young children to accept LGBTI views as the norm,
00:02:03 --> 00:02:09 even if it contradicts the values and views these children have themselves,
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 or the values and views their parents have taught them.
00:02:12 --> 00:02:16 There are many ways the program has been accused of being unsafe for some,
00:02:16 --> 00:02:17 but we don't have time to go into it.
00:02:17 --> 00:02:28 But what I want to point out is that it's very clear that there is a profound concern on both sides for the safety of our children.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:36 But there is a clear divide about how best to make a program that keeps these kids safe.
00:02:36 --> 00:02:41 We are divided as a community as to how to love these kids best,
00:02:41 --> 00:02:46 and we've seen both sides accuse the other side of being unloving.
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 During Bill Shorten's press conference,
00:02:51 --> 00:02:53 Cory Bernardi came out and called him a homophobe.
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 Sorry, Bill Shorten called Cory Bernardi a homophobe,
00:02:57 --> 00:03:03 and Bernardi and others believe that the program is about brainwashing our kids
00:03:03 --> 00:03:08 towards a socialist Marxist agenda, if you will.
00:03:09 --> 00:03:13 Those who oppose the program are called unloving and homophodes,
00:03:13 --> 00:03:17 and they are accused of persecuting those who are for the safe school program.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:21 And those who are for the program are called unloving and intolerant.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:25 They are accused of extremism, liberalism, and brainwashing.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:31 The thing is that both sides claim and desire to love these kids.
00:03:31 --> 00:03:34 Both want safe schools for kids.
00:03:35 --> 00:03:40 Both sides completely, though, disagree about what that looks like.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:45 And therefore, both sides accuse the other of being unloving.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 We're in a world that loves to love.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:52 But in reality, our world loves conditionally.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:54 That is, we love because.
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 Because you make me feel good.
00:03:57 --> 00:03:59 Because you agree with the way I think.
00:04:00 --> 00:04:03 Because you act and speak like me.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:08 Because your views don't stop me from having my views and doing what I want.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:16 Anything that might be perceived as a threat or an attack on someone's freedom, autonomy, beliefs,
00:04:17 --> 00:04:20 does not and cannot be loving.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:24 Now, how have Christians responded?
00:04:25 --> 00:04:29 You may have heard of a church called Westboro Baptist Church.
00:04:29 --> 00:04:36 A very vocal church in America that is well known for promoting how much God hates sinners,
00:04:37 --> 00:04:40 which is, for them, everyone except them.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 They have a strong message of hate.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:47 They are not at all interested in loving those who disagree with them.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:53 And they don't view any other Christian action, apart from their own, as loving.
00:04:53 --> 00:04:56 They picket funerals of soldiers.
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 Their signs say, God hates gays.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 God hates you.
00:05:00 --> 00:05:05 And in their eyes, their signs are supposed to be loving somehow towards you.
00:05:06 --> 00:05:07 Go figure.
00:05:08 --> 00:05:12 Their response to the world is to remain in their holy huddle and judge.
00:05:13 --> 00:05:17 And by judging, they presume they think they are loving.
00:05:17 --> 00:05:22 Whilst Westboro Baptist is an extreme example of this,
00:05:23 --> 00:05:25 there are still a number of Christians and churches
00:05:25 --> 00:05:30 who think the best response to this kind of world is to not take part in it,
00:05:31 --> 00:05:32 to not engage in it,
00:05:33 --> 00:05:34 to remain in their little holy huddle,
00:05:34 --> 00:05:35 to love each other,
00:05:36 --> 00:05:40 but not to love those who are outside their congregation,
00:05:40 --> 00:05:43 to love those who are outside their holy huddle.
00:05:43 --> 00:05:47 They view that their responsibility is to hide away until Jesus returns
00:05:47 --> 00:05:50 and just take care of each other.
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 Now, at the other end of the spectrum,
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 there are churches and Christians
00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 who have abandoned biblical principle and truths
00:05:58 --> 00:06:02 in order to love those who otherwise disagree with them.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:06 In their mind, you can't love and accept outsiders
00:06:06 --> 00:06:09 without doing away of old, archaic dogma.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:13 They justify this by concluding simplistically
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 that the whole Bible is about love.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:18 And if one thing is remaining in our society,
00:06:18 --> 00:06:18 that is love.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 So therefore, the priority of our lives as Christians
00:06:21 --> 00:06:24 is to love above all else.
00:06:25 --> 00:06:28 So therefore, some Christians have begun denying
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 core beliefs of our faith,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:33 like the Trinity,
00:06:33 --> 00:06:35 the bodily resurrection of Jesus,
00:06:36 --> 00:06:37 his death for our sins,
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 is even his own deity.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:43 Much of the Anglican Church outside of Sydney
00:06:43 --> 00:06:46 is moving in towards this direction.
00:06:46 --> 00:06:50 With examples such as Reverend Rod Bauer up at Gosford,
00:06:50 --> 00:06:52 who is constantly making headlines
00:06:52 --> 00:06:54 about being pro-gay marriage,
00:06:54 --> 00:06:58 and also doesn't believe that Jesus died for our sins.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:03 Even one of our previous Anglican primates of Australia,
00:07:03 --> 00:07:06 he didn't believe in the resurrection of Jesus.
00:07:07 --> 00:07:11 Christians head in this direction
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 in order to make outsiders feel loved.
00:07:15 --> 00:07:18 They are not just going against their own conscience
00:07:18 --> 00:07:19 in order to fit in.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 They truly believe,
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 these guys truly believe,
00:07:22 --> 00:07:26 that love is the central aim of the Christian faith.
00:07:26 --> 00:07:28 And then everything else in the Scripture
00:07:28 --> 00:07:31 is relative towards achieving that aim,
00:07:31 --> 00:07:33 towards love.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:38 We exist in a world that loves to love.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 But I think it's fair to say
00:07:40 --> 00:07:43 we struggle to actually love each other,
00:07:44 --> 00:07:45 even Christians.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 How do we love people
00:07:48 --> 00:07:52 without acting like self-righteous jerks
00:07:52 --> 00:07:55 remaining in our holy huddles?
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 Or how do we love people
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 without abandoning all biblical principle
00:08:00 --> 00:08:02 and eventually inspiring out of control
00:08:02 --> 00:08:06 into something that doesn't even look like Christianity?
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 How do we love those who disagree with us?
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 How do we love those who don't want to love us back?
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 When we go to work on Monday,
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 or what do you do tomorrow?
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 How are we going to love those on our front line?
00:08:22 --> 00:08:24 How are we going to live and love
00:08:24 --> 00:08:27 in a world that struggles to love?
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 We're in a series called
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 Fruitfulness on the Front Line.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 The whole point of this series
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 is to show that our faith
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 extends beyond the Sunday gathering,
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 extends beyond our Christian gatherings
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 throughout the week.
00:08:39 --> 00:08:41 That there is no such thing
00:08:41 --> 00:08:43 as a secular, sacred divide,
00:08:44 --> 00:08:46 but that we are called to live for Christ,
00:08:46 --> 00:08:48 to worship Him in our daily lives
00:08:48 --> 00:08:50 with whatever it is
00:08:50 --> 00:08:52 we've been called to do throughout the week.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:56 And because Jesus' death and resurrection
00:08:56 --> 00:08:59 not only saves us from our sins,
00:08:59 --> 00:09:01 but inaugurates the reconciliation
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 of all things to come,
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 it's making all things new
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 and perfecting all things,
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 including our work,
00:09:08 --> 00:09:09 we can then enjoy knowing
00:09:09 --> 00:09:12 that what we do each and every single day
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 in our workplace,
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 in our homes,
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 in our schools,
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 where we volunteer,
00:09:17 --> 00:09:19 has immense dignity.
00:09:20 --> 00:09:22 And it's not a waste of time.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 Indeed, our duty is to work
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 and involve ourselves in this world,
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 to engage with the world,
00:09:29 --> 00:09:30 reflecting the proper order
00:09:30 --> 00:09:33 of God's creation as we do it,
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 and therefore showing the world
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 our wonderful and great God
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 that we serve,
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 who made us to work
00:09:39 --> 00:09:41 and to rule over this creation,
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 this good creation,
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 giving the world
00:09:44 --> 00:09:47 a taste of what it's like
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 to be known by God
00:09:48 --> 00:09:51 and what the new creation
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 will look like
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 that is to come.
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 One of the things
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 our world is so desperately
00:09:57 --> 00:09:59 in need of tasting
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 is love.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:03 Not love in the way
00:10:03 --> 00:10:04 the world loves,
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 but love in the way
00:10:05 --> 00:10:07 Christ loves.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 And this morning,
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 we're going to see how we are called
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 to love in such a way
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 on our front line,
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 to give our world
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 that is thirsty
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 and hungry
00:10:15 --> 00:10:17 a taste
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 of true love.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 We're going to see
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 what it looks like
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 and how we're able to do it.
00:10:24 --> 00:10:24 So firstly,
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 what does Christ's love
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 look like
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 in this world?
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 The parable of the Good Samaritan
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 read out before us
00:10:32 --> 00:10:33 is to show us
00:10:33 --> 00:10:34 what God demands
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 of those who follow Him.
00:10:36 --> 00:10:36 Jesus' aim
00:10:36 --> 00:10:37 is to point out
00:10:37 --> 00:10:39 that the central calling
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 of our life
00:10:39 --> 00:10:41 is to love God
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 and to love our neighbor.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:44 This is the pattern
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 of life
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 that the law talks about.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 It is to love.
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 But the extent
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 to which we are called
00:10:50 --> 00:10:50 to love
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 is immensely challenging.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:55 Jesus tells the parable
00:10:55 --> 00:10:55 in order to show
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 that our neighbor
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 from time to time
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 may be someone
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 we least expect.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 In fact,
00:11:01 --> 00:11:01 it might be
00:11:01 --> 00:11:03 our worst enemy.
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 We're going to read out
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 that parable once more.
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 So please open your Bibles again
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 from verse 30.
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 A man was going down
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 from Jerusalem to Jericho
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 and he fell among robbers
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 who stripped him
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 and beat him
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 and departed,
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 leaving him half dead.
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 Now by chance
00:11:19 --> 00:11:20 a priest was going down
00:11:20 --> 00:11:20 that road
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 and when he saw him
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 he passed by
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 on the other side.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 So likewise a Levite,
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 when he came to the place
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 and saw him pass by
00:11:27 --> 00:11:28 on that other side.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 But a Samaritan,
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 as he journeyed,
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 came to where he was
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 and when he saw him
00:11:34 --> 00:11:34 he had compassion.
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 He went to him
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 and bound up his wounds,
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 pouring on oil and wine.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 Then he set him
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 on his own animal
00:11:42 --> 00:11:42 and brought him
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 to an inn
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 and took care of him.
00:11:45 --> 00:11:47 This is an incredible parable.
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 Jesus flips
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 our expectation
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 upside down.
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 The idea of Samaritan
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 exemplifying what it was
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 to love your neighbor
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 is completely unexpected.
00:11:58 --> 00:12:01 The fact that the Samaritan
00:12:01 --> 00:12:03 outshone the exemplary Jews,
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 the priest and the Levite,
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 is absolutely insulting
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 towards the Jews.
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 To give you some context,
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 the Samaritans and Jews
00:12:12 --> 00:12:13 hated each other.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:16 They hated each other.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 Samaritans were considered
00:12:18 --> 00:12:20 fake Jews from the north
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 who had mixed up
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 with other races.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 They were considered dirty,
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 considered unclean,
00:12:26 --> 00:12:29 like pork for the Jews.
00:12:29 --> 00:12:29 They were equated
00:12:29 --> 00:12:31 with the dirty pork.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 Jews hated the Samaritans.
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 They were absolutely racist
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 towards them.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 You could liken the hate
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 the Jews had
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 for Samaritans
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 with the hate
00:12:42 --> 00:12:44 a white supremacist had
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 for black people.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:48 It's that insane.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 That's how much
00:12:50 --> 00:12:52 they hated Samaritans.
00:12:52 --> 00:12:55 Jesus paints
00:12:55 --> 00:12:57 a very challenging picture
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 of what it is
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 to love our neighbor.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 It might seem so foreign
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 in our world
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 and so backwards
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 to our culture,
00:13:04 --> 00:13:06 but it's the very picture
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 we needed painted for us.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 Indeed, our world
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 has begun trying to paint
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 its own picture
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 of what it is to love,
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 to love conditionally,
00:13:13 --> 00:13:15 claiming we don't need God
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 to know what it is to love.
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 We can do it ourselves,
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 but the reality is
00:13:19 --> 00:13:23 we love in a very corrupted way
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 and this is why
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 we find this story
00:13:25 --> 00:13:27 incredibly challenging
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 and shocking.
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 It turns our version of love
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 and the way we view love
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 completely upside down.
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 The picture Jesus paints
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 tells us what it is
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 to truly love your neighbor.
00:13:39 --> 00:13:41 It's to show that love
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 is unconditional.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 It's not conditional love.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 It's not because love.
00:13:46 --> 00:13:48 It's love that seeks
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 their well-being
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 no matter what.
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 This parable
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 is to say that
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 if you want eternal life,
00:13:55 --> 00:13:57 you must love God
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 and your neighbor
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 and your neighbor
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 could be at times
00:14:00 --> 00:14:02 your worst enemy.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:07 This unconditional love
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 that Christ calls us
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 to have for our neighbor
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 means being able to see
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 your worst enemy
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 potentially lying half dead
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 in front of you
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 and instead of feeling rage
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 and bitterness
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 and anger
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 and maybe a bit of joy
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 about their plight
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 instead you feel
00:14:21 --> 00:14:23 compassion.
00:14:24 --> 00:14:26 Imagine that.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 Imagine if that was
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 your first reaction
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 to seeing
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 your worst enemy
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 lying before you
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 half dead.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 Your first reaction
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 was to have
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 compassion
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 on them.
00:14:38 --> 00:14:42 This is what it means
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 to love your neighbor.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 Not conditional.
00:14:46 --> 00:14:48 Not because type love.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 Unconditional.
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 But the question is
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 how are we able
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 to do this?
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 How are we going to love
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 our neighbor
00:14:57 --> 00:14:59 when they turn out
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 to be our enemy?
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 The reality is
00:15:02 --> 00:15:04 we really can't
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 if we're honest
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 because sin
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 has so corrupted
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 our world
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 and has so corrupted
00:15:09 --> 00:15:11 the way that we love
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 that we don't even know
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 what it looks like
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 and truly means
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 to love unconditionally.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:16 People would be
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 looking at this story
00:15:17 --> 00:15:17 and going
00:15:17 --> 00:15:19 that is wrong.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 That is not right.
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 That is not loving
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 for that Samaritan
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 to love that Jew.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 That's foolish.
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 It's impossible
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 for us
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 to be able
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 to love
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 our neighbor
00:15:30 --> 00:15:30 in such a way
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 which is why
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 when we read this
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 we're so taken aback
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 and we want to challenge it.
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 We don't want it
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 to be true.
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 But
00:15:37 --> 00:15:39 the great reality here
00:15:39 --> 00:15:41 that this is not only
00:15:41 --> 00:15:41 a depiction
00:15:41 --> 00:15:43 of how we're
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 ought to love
00:15:43 --> 00:15:45 this is a depiction
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 of how God loves us.
00:15:48 --> 00:15:48 Remember
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 the parable's purpose
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 is to illustrate
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 what it is
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 to love
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 the Lord your God
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 with all your heart
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 mind soul and strength
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 and to love your neighbor
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 as yourself.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 It's supposed to be
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 a depiction
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 of the law of God
00:15:59 --> 00:16:02 and unconditional love
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 is what characterizes
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 this law
00:16:04 --> 00:16:06 than it also
00:16:06 --> 00:16:06 would be what
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 characterizes
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 God himself.
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 Our God then
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 is a God
00:16:11 --> 00:16:13 of unconditional love
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 and we have seen
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 this haven't we
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 through his son.
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 Romans 5.8
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 says this
00:16:17 --> 00:16:19 but God demonstrates
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 his own love
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 for us
00:16:20 --> 00:16:20 in this
00:16:20 --> 00:16:22 while we were
00:16:22 --> 00:16:22 still sinners
00:16:22 --> 00:16:24 Christ died
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 for us.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 Ephesians 2
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 says this
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 all of us
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 also lived among
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 them at one time
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 gratifying the
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 cravings of our flesh
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 and following
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 his desires
00:16:33 --> 00:16:33 and thoughts
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 like the rest
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 we were by nature
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 deserving of wrath
00:16:36 --> 00:16:38 but because of
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 his great love
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 for us
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 God who is rich
00:16:40 --> 00:16:40 in mercy
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 made us alive
00:16:41 --> 00:16:43 with Christ
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 even when
00:16:44 --> 00:16:44 we were dead
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 in transgressions
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 it is by grace
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 you have been saved.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 When we were
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 God's enemy
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 Christ
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 died
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 for us
00:16:53 --> 00:16:53 while we were
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 lying on the road
00:16:54 --> 00:16:56 helpless victims
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 of our own rebellion
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 against him
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 Christ came
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 and he did not
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 pass us by
00:17:02 --> 00:17:02 he stopped
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 and he had
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 compassion on us.
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 That word
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 compassion
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 is
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 splagitsomai
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 in the Greek
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 and what it means
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 is for your gut
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 to actually go out
00:17:13 --> 00:17:16 for you to actually
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 feel sick
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 when you see
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 someone in pain
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 and who is hurting.
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 That's the kind
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 of compassion
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 that Christ
00:17:23 --> 00:17:25 had for us.
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 He saved us
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 from our sins
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 by taking
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 our place
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 on the cross
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 even though we
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 were his worst
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 enemies
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 he died for us
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 and through his death
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 he gave us
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 new life.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 What does the love
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 of Christ
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 look like?
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 It's unconditional.
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 While you were
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 his worst enemy
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 he died for you.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 We enjoy
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 eternal life
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 and peace
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 with God
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 and fellowship
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 with each other
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 here this morning
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 because of
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 Christ's
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 unconditional love
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 for us.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 So we then
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 who have been
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 brought into
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 relationship
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 with God
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 who experience
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 the incredible
00:18:05 --> 00:18:07 unconditional love
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 of God
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 through his son
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 and have seen
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 how good it is
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 and how right
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 it is
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 have the privilege
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 to reflect
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 this love
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 to a world
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 that is so broken
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 and a world
00:18:17 --> 00:18:19 that is so corrupted
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 in the way
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 it loves.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:23 We don't do this
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 in our own strength
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 but we do it
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 in the strength
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 of Christ
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 knowing that we
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 are deeply loved
00:18:28 --> 00:18:30 by him
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 set free
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 in him
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 resting in his
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 assurance
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 of forgiveness
00:18:34 --> 00:18:36 and eternal life
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 enabled by his
00:18:37 --> 00:18:37 spirit
00:18:37 --> 00:18:39 to love
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 others
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 even those
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 who might be
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 considered our enemies
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 who might be
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 so unlovable
00:18:45 --> 00:18:47 and so hard
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 to love
00:18:47 --> 00:18:49 but the question is
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 how does this play out
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 practically?
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 If we can do this
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 in Christ strength
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 then what does it
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 look like practically
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 to love those
00:18:56 --> 00:18:58 who could be
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 our worst enemies
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 who are on our
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 front line
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 who are difficult
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 and hard to love?
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 So we come to
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 our second question
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 how do we live
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 our lives
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 on the front line
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 in such a way
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 that reflects
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 the unconditional
00:19:11 --> 00:19:13 love of Christ?
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 How do we
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 love those
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 in our world
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 who would least
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 expect it
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 without compromising
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 what it is
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 we believe?
00:19:21 --> 00:19:21 Showing
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 unconditional love
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 whilst
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 continuing
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 to hold
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 tightly
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 and firmly
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 to the faith
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 that we confess
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 to the things
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 that we believe
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 in scripture
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 and not compromising
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 it or abandoning
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 it
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 even though we're
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 in a world
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 that wants us
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 to abandon
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 those things
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 how do we do that?
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 The answer
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 is not a simple one
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 I'm sure
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 you'll be able
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 to think
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 of situations
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 where you
00:19:44 --> 00:19:46 won't know
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 what to do
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 exactly
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 but I think
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 the best thing
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 we can do
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 is model
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 our Lord
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 Jesus Christ
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 himself
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 as we see
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 how he loved
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 in the gospels
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 and do our best
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 to follow
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 his example
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 in our world
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 today
00:19:59 --> 00:19:59 and I think
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 there are two
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 particular
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 things
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 that we see
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 Christ
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 model to us
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 in the gospels
00:20:04 --> 00:20:06 that will help us
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 to love
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 our neighbour
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 whoever
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 that might be
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 firstly we see
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 that Jesus
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 was not afraid
00:20:12 --> 00:20:14 to associate
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 with sinners
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 all throughout
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 the gospels
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 Jesus loves
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 to hang out
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 with sinners
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 and those
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 who are rejected
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 from the community
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 and showing them
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 love and grace
00:20:23 --> 00:20:25 but a particular
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 story I want to
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 look at
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 is in Luke 5
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 which was our
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 second reading
00:20:28 --> 00:20:30 Jesus
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 meets Levi
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 a tax collector
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 and he calls
00:20:33 --> 00:20:35 Levi to follow him
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 Levi then
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 he's so stoked
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 about following
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 Jesus
00:20:38 --> 00:20:40 decides to throw
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 a massive party
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 in his honour
00:20:42 --> 00:20:44 and Levi
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 invites
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 tax collectors
00:20:45 --> 00:20:47 and other people
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 along as well
00:20:48 --> 00:20:50 now tax collectors
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 kind of like
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 Samaritans
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 were also hated
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 by the Jews
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 because they were
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 people who worked
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 for the Roman Empire
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 who took money
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 from the Jews
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 and then took
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 even more
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 than they owed
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 for themselves
00:21:02 --> 00:21:04 they were considered
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 traitors
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 of the Jewish people
00:21:05 --> 00:21:07 and so people
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 again would not
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 want to be
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 associated anyway
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 with these
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 tax collectors
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 with these
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 sinners
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 and yet here
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 we have Jesus
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 once again
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 hanging out
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 with these
00:21:17 --> 00:21:19 unlikely people
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 it would be like
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 this situation
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 our Archbishop
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 Glenn Davies
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 being invited
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 to the house
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 of the Auburn City
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 Council's mayor
00:21:27 --> 00:21:29 Salim Mahajah
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 for a party
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 now you can imagine
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 what kind of party
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 that might be like
00:21:32 --> 00:21:35 Jesus goes
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 and spends time
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 with these people
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 with these sinners
00:21:38 --> 00:21:40 associating with them
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 presumably having
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 lots of fun
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 with them
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 and not afraid
00:21:43 --> 00:21:45 of what the Pharisees
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 thought
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 even though
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 they were questioning
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 his disciples
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 about why
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 he was doing this
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 and his response
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 was this
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 in verse 31
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 those who are well
00:21:54 --> 00:21:56 need no physician
00:21:56 --> 00:21:56 or doctor
00:21:56 --> 00:21:58 but those who are sick
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 I have not come
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 to call the righteous
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 but sinners
00:22:01 --> 00:22:03 Jesus isn't afraid
00:22:03 --> 00:22:05 to associate
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 with sinful people
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 indeed
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 it's his purpose
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 for coming
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 down to earth
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 to associate
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 with them
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 and love them
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 in order he might
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 save them
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 we are not
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 concerned
00:22:15 --> 00:22:17 we are not
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 called
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 to hide away
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 from the world
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 to disassociate
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 ourselves
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 from the world
00:22:23 --> 00:22:25 and the concerns
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 of the world
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 to remain
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 our own holy huddles
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 and focus
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 on each other
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 no Jesus has called us
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 to engage
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 with these people
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 to love them
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 to extend
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 mercy
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 and grace
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 even if
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 they are undeserving
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 of it
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 in our own eyes
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 we do this
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 because for we have been
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 saved by grace
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 for we have been
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 experiencing
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 the unconditional love
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 of God
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 through his son
00:22:51 --> 00:22:53 if it were our purpose
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 to just remain
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 this little holy huddle
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 right here
00:22:56 --> 00:22:58 and avoid the world
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 then there would be
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 no point for us
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 in being on this earth
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 but we are here
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 because it is our privilege
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 and our joy
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 to exhibit the love
00:23:06 --> 00:23:06 of Christ
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 has shown us
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 to the whole world
00:23:08 --> 00:23:10 as Jesus says
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 it's not the healthy
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 who need a doctor
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 it's the sick
00:23:13 --> 00:23:14 who need
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 a doctor
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 and so therefore
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 there's a particular
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 need
00:23:18 --> 00:23:20 for us to go out
00:23:20 --> 00:23:20 and love those
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 who might seem
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 unlovable
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 to love those
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 who no one else
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 will love
00:23:25 --> 00:23:27 to love
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 and associate
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 ourselves
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 with those
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 who really
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 in the eyes
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 of the world
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 don't deserve
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 our love
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 but we do this
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 because we see
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 our world
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 is in desperate need
00:23:38 --> 00:23:40 of the love
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 of Christ
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 and it's through
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 us
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 on our front line
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 we are able
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 to reflect it
00:23:45 --> 00:23:47 the second thing
00:23:47 --> 00:23:47 we see
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 that Jesus
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 exemplifies to us
00:23:49 --> 00:23:51 is that Jesus'
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 purpose
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 in being with them
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 and loving them
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 was for their salvation
00:23:55 --> 00:23:58 you may have noticed
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 I left out two words
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 in that last
00:23:59 --> 00:24:01 quote of Jesus
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 when he responded
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 to the Pharisees
00:24:02 --> 00:24:04 the very last two words
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 are probably the most important
00:24:05 --> 00:24:07 in fully understanding
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 how Jesus
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 loves
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 sinners
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 and why it is
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 he's actually
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 hanging out
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 with these people
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 I'll read it again
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 for us
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 those who are well
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 have no need
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 for a physician
00:24:19 --> 00:24:21 but those who are sick
00:24:21 --> 00:24:23 I have not come
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 to call the righteous
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 but sinners
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 to repentance
00:24:26 --> 00:24:28 Jesus understood
00:24:28 --> 00:24:30 his purpose
00:24:30 --> 00:24:32 in being there
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 in being at this party
00:24:33 --> 00:24:35 his profound
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 unconditional love
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 for them
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 is seen
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 in his desire
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 to see them
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 repent
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 of their sin
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 and follow
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 him
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 in the eyes
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 of the Pharisees
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 Jesus looked like
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 he was compromising
00:24:47 --> 00:24:49 it looked like
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 he was going in
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 just to join in
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 on the fun
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 sinful
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 party
00:24:53 --> 00:24:55 I wonder
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 how many of us
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 here
00:24:56 --> 00:24:58 have had eyes
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 like the Pharisees
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 and have secretly
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 judged
00:25:01 --> 00:25:03 our Christian friends
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 for going out
00:25:04 --> 00:25:04 to the pub
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 after work
00:25:05 --> 00:25:07 for always posting
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 photos online
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 with a beer in hand
00:25:08 --> 00:25:10 for being around
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 our non-Christian
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 friends a lot
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 I wonder
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 how many of us
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 have thought
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 of them
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 as compromising
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 on their faith
00:25:17 --> 00:25:20 because they are
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 with sinners
00:25:20 --> 00:25:24 as we saw
00:25:24 --> 00:25:24 before
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 we're not to fear
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 associating
00:25:26 --> 00:25:28 with the world
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 but we need
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 to know
00:25:30 --> 00:25:30 why we are
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 doing so
00:25:31 --> 00:25:33 our unconditional
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 love for our
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 neighbor
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 is expressed
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 in our desire
00:25:36 --> 00:25:38 to see these
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 people repent
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 and follow
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 Jesus
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 if we were
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 joining in
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 on the sinful
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 activity
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 or abandoning
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 biblical truth
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 in order to
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 make it easier
00:25:48 --> 00:25:48 to love
00:25:48 --> 00:25:50 then it would
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 be compromising
00:25:51 --> 00:25:53 the thing is
00:25:53 --> 00:25:53 it's an illusion
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 to think
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 that we are
00:25:55 --> 00:25:55 loving by even
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 being like that
00:25:56 --> 00:25:58 it's not
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 unconditional love
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 to compromise
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 on what it is
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 that we believe
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 in order to make
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 people feel
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 comfortable
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 it's not
00:26:05 --> 00:26:06 unconditional love
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 to sweep
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 people's sin
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 under the carpet
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 and act like
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 it doesn't matter
00:26:10 --> 00:26:12 that's the opposite
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 of loving
00:26:13 --> 00:26:15 people might
00:26:15 --> 00:26:15 love you
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 in this life
00:26:16 --> 00:26:18 for how flexible
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 you are
00:26:18 --> 00:26:20 in your beliefs
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 and in accepting
00:26:21 --> 00:26:21 you are
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 of others
00:26:22 --> 00:26:24 but Christ's
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 love for us
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 looked beyond
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 this life
00:26:27 --> 00:26:29 towards eternity
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 and we must
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 do the same
00:26:31 --> 00:26:33 our way
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 of love
00:26:34 --> 00:26:34 is hard
00:26:34 --> 00:26:36 calling people
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 to repent
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 is hard
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 living a life
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 of faithfulness
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 to the scripture
00:26:41 --> 00:26:43 especially
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 on the front
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 line
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 is hard
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 but the
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 unconditional
00:26:47 --> 00:26:49 love
00:26:49 --> 00:26:49 that we exhibit
00:26:49 --> 00:26:51 in the end
00:26:51 --> 00:26:53 is eternal
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 and therefore
00:26:54 --> 00:26:56 worth it
00:26:56 --> 00:26:58 and that's
00:26:58 --> 00:26:58 where it will
00:26:58 --> 00:26:59 count
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 whether we're
00:27:00 --> 00:27:01 at the pub
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 at work
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 after work
00:27:03 --> 00:27:03 in mother's
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 groups
00:27:04 --> 00:27:04 throughout the week
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 in the lunch
00:27:05 --> 00:27:05 room
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 in the office
00:27:06 --> 00:27:06 talking to
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 mums and dads
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 at the school
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 pickup
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 in our book
00:27:09 --> 00:27:09 clubs
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 and rotary
00:27:10 --> 00:27:10 meetings
00:27:10 --> 00:27:11 we are called
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 to profoundly
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 love these
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 people
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 by calling
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 them
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 to repent
00:27:16 --> 00:27:18 to remember
00:27:18 --> 00:27:18 that our
00:27:18 --> 00:27:18 purpose
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 in loving
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 them
00:27:20 --> 00:27:20 is to see
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 them come
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 to know
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 and to love
00:27:22 --> 00:27:22 Jesus
00:27:22 --> 00:27:24 now that doesn't
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 necessarily mean
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 that we stand up
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 in the middle
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 of our workplaces
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 and start
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 preaching
00:27:29 --> 00:27:29 and calling
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 them to baptize
00:27:30 --> 00:27:30 and such
00:27:30 --> 00:27:32 but what it
00:27:32 --> 00:27:32 does mean
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 you can give
00:27:33 --> 00:27:33 it a go
00:27:33 --> 00:27:33 if you like
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 but what it
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 does mean
00:27:34 --> 00:27:36 is living
00:27:36 --> 00:27:36 life of
00:27:36 --> 00:27:36 gracious
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 love
00:27:37 --> 00:27:39 that seeks
00:27:39 --> 00:27:39 to engage
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 with these
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 people
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 with where
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 they are at
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 not afraid
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 to associate
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 yourself
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 with them
00:27:45 --> 00:27:45 and yet
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 at the same
00:27:46 --> 00:27:46 time
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 not compromising
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 on your
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 faith
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 drawing the
00:27:50 --> 00:27:50 line
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 that line
00:27:51 --> 00:27:51 might be
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 hard to find
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 at times
00:27:52 --> 00:27:54 but we ought
00:27:54 --> 00:27:54 to do our
00:27:54 --> 00:27:54 best
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 because in
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 the end
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 it is
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 seeking
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 to love
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 them
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 and to
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 do life
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 with them
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 as you
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 are both
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 part of
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 the same
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 world
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 the same
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 world
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 that God
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 made
00:28:04 --> 00:28:06 and as
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 they seek
00:28:07 --> 00:28:07 to share
00:28:07 --> 00:28:08 their life
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 with you
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 you'll have
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 an opportunity
00:28:10 --> 00:28:10 to share
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 your life
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 with them
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 and that's
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 where you'll
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 have the
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 opportunity
00:28:14 --> 00:28:16 to share
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 the love
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 of God
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 and call
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 them
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 to repent
00:28:19 --> 00:28:21 and there
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 is not
00:28:22 --> 00:28:22 a better
00:28:22 --> 00:28:22 way to
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 love people
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 by telling
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 them
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 the wonderful
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 love
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 and truth
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 of Jesus
00:28:27 --> 00:28:29 love for
00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 them
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 and by
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 living it
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 out
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 as you
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 live
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 your life
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 on the
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 front line
00:28:34 --> 00:28:36 as I said
00:28:36 --> 00:28:36 it's not
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 always that
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 simple
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 it's not
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 always that
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 easy and
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 clear
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 how to
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 show that
00:28:42 --> 00:28:42 love
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 of Christ
00:28:43 --> 00:28:43 in this
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 world
00:28:44 --> 00:28:45 but where
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 we do
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 have the
00:28:46 --> 00:28:46 opportunity
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 to love
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 it will
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 speak volumes
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 where we
00:28:49 --> 00:28:51 can give
00:28:51 --> 00:28:51 the world
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 taste
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 the love
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 of God
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 has lavished
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 upon us
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 and how
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 that
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 transforms
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 our life
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 on our
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 front line
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 it will
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 speak
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 volumes
00:29:02 --> 00:29:04 a couple
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 of weeks
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 ago a
00:29:04 --> 00:29:06 lady named
00:29:06 --> 00:29:06 Ingrid Williams
00:29:06 --> 00:29:08 was killed
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 in a car
00:29:08 --> 00:29:08 accident
00:29:08 --> 00:29:10 in Oklahoma
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 City
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 she was hit
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 by an
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 oncoming
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 car
00:29:13 --> 00:29:15 that killed
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 the driver
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 instantly
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 and then she
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 was killed
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 a day later
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 in hospital
00:29:19 --> 00:29:21 Monty Williams
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 her husband
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 had every
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 reason
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 to be
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 filled
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 with anger
00:29:26 --> 00:29:28 you might
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 expect that
00:29:29 --> 00:29:29 he was
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 had a sense
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 that he was
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 robbed
00:29:31 --> 00:29:33 that what
00:29:33 --> 00:29:33 happened
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 was unjust
00:29:34 --> 00:29:34 and not
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 fair
00:29:35 --> 00:29:37 but at the
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 funeral
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 when he
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 gave his
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 eulogy
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 he said
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 this
00:29:40 --> 00:29:42 as a part
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 of it
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 he said
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 this
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 I want
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 to close
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 with this
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 and I
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 think it's
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 the most
00:29:47 --> 00:29:48 important
00:29:48 --> 00:29:48 thing we
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 need to
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 understand
00:29:49 --> 00:29:51 everyone is
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 praying for
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 me and my
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 family
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 which is
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 right
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 but let us
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 not forget
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 that there
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 were two
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 people in
00:29:57 --> 00:29:57 this situation
00:29:57 --> 00:29:59 and that
00:29:59 --> 00:29:59 family needs
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 prayer as
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 well
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 and we
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 have no
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 ill will
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 towards that
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 family
00:30:04 --> 00:30:04 in my
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 house
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 we have
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 a sign
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 that says
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 as for
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 me and
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 my house
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 we will
00:30:09 --> 00:30:09 serve the
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 Lord
00:30:10 --> 00:30:12 we cannot
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 serve the
00:30:13 --> 00:30:13 Lord
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 if we
00:30:14 --> 00:30:14 don't have
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 a heart
00:30:15 --> 00:30:15 of forgiveness
00:30:15 --> 00:30:17 that family
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 didn't wake
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 up wanting
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 to hurt
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 my wife
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 life is
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 hard
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 it's very
00:30:22 --> 00:30:22 hard
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 and that
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 was tough
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 but we
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 will hold
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 no ill
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 will
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 toward
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 Donaldson
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 family
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 and as
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 we group
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 and we
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 as a group
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 brothers united
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 in unity
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 should be
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 praying for
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 that family
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 because they
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 grieve as
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 well
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 so let's
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 not lose
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 sight of
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 what's
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 important
00:30:42 --> 00:30:45 we cannot
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 serve the
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 Lord
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 if we
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 don't have
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 a heart
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 of forgiveness
00:30:49 --> 00:30:51 that right
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 there is
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 someone who
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 is exhibiting
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 on their
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 front line
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 how the
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 unconditional
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 love of
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 God has
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 transformed
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 them in
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 every single
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 way
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 enabling him
00:31:03 --> 00:31:05 to love
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 forgive
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 and pray
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 for the
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 family whose
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 member
00:31:08 --> 00:31:10 killed his
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 wife
00:31:10 --> 00:31:12 love of
00:31:12 --> 00:31:14 this is
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 what it
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 is to
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 love our
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 neighbor
00:31:15 --> 00:31:17 to love
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 those on
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 our front
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 line
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 it can
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 seem quite
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 daunting
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 quite
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 intimidating
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 but this
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 this story
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 should encourage
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 us to see
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 that the
00:31:27 --> 00:31:27 Christian life
00:31:27 --> 00:31:29 has so much
00:31:29 --> 00:31:29 to offer
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 in this
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 world
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 as we
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 engage
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 with the
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 world
00:31:32 --> 00:31:34 not compromising
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 our faith
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 but loving
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 a world
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 that desires
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 to see
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 people
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 we interact
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 with
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 come to
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 repentance
00:31:39 --> 00:31:41 where you
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 are right
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 now
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 and whatever
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 you are
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 doing
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 it is so
00:31:44 --> 00:31:45 important
00:31:45 --> 00:31:47 what you're
00:31:47 --> 00:31:47 doing is
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 so important
00:31:48 --> 00:31:50 whether you
00:31:50 --> 00:31:50 are working
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 full time
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 at home
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 looking out
00:31:52 --> 00:31:52 for the
00:31:52 --> 00:31:52 kids
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 full time
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 studying
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 or at
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 uni
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 full time
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 volunteering
00:31:56 --> 00:31:56 playing
00:31:56 --> 00:31:56 sport
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 whatever it
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 might be
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 wherever God
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 has placed
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 you
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 it is so
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 important
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 because he
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 wants you
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 to live out
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 a life
00:32:04 --> 00:32:04 of faith
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 where you've
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 been placed
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 showing how
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 your whole
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 life
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 your work
00:32:09 --> 00:32:10 your relationships
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 have been
00:32:10 --> 00:32:11 transformed
00:32:11 --> 00:32:13 by Jesus
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 as Jesus
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 transformed
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 Monty Williams
00:32:15 --> 00:32:18 to live
00:32:18 --> 00:32:18 in such a
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 way
00:32:19 --> 00:32:19 in unconditional
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 love
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 to give
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 those around
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 you a
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 taste
00:32:23 --> 00:32:23 of the
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 kingdom
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 of heaven
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 that is to
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 come
00:32:25 --> 00:32:28 as you
00:32:28 --> 00:32:28 live out
00:32:28 --> 00:32:30 and exemplify
00:32:30 --> 00:32:30 the love
00:32:30 --> 00:32:30 of God
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 in your
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 work
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 and in
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 your life
00:32:33 --> 00:32:35 Amen