The Sermon on the Mount #5
Series: UPSIDE DOWN KINGDOM
Date: 30th January 2022
Passage: Matthew 7:1-29
00:00:00 --> 00:00:02 Thank you and good morning, church.
00:00:02 --> 00:00:05 It's good to see you and thank you for this opportunity
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 to open God's word and let God speak to us.
00:00:09 --> 00:00:10 So let's just pray now.
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 Heavenly Father, Lord, your word is a lamp to our feet
00:00:14 --> 00:00:17 and a light to our path.
00:00:17 --> 00:00:21 Lord, speak into our hearts now, Lord, and transform them.
00:00:21 --> 00:00:24 Change our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh
00:00:24 --> 00:00:26 that see the world the way you see it
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 and reach out then in love.
00:00:29 --> 00:00:31 I pray this in your son's name. Amen.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:36 Well, this is going to be a bit of a heavy one.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:40 If you just saw the reading then, it's pretty full on.
00:00:40 --> 00:00:43 And so I'm trying to...
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 I can't lighten it up, but I'm just letting you know
00:00:45 --> 00:00:47 that it's going to be pretty full on.
00:00:48 --> 00:00:54 I heard a story once about a preacher in a small town
00:00:54 --> 00:00:55 who preached up a storm.
00:00:56 --> 00:00:58 He started with this amazing illustration.
00:00:58 --> 00:01:00 He led into opening God's word.
00:01:00 --> 00:01:03 And then really by the end of it,
00:01:04 --> 00:01:05 everyone was convicted of their sin,
00:01:06 --> 00:01:07 their need to repent,
00:01:08 --> 00:01:11 and their need to live for Jesus each day.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:13 And so word got around town.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:14 It was a small town.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 And so everyone turned up the following week.
00:01:17 --> 00:01:18 The church was packed.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 Everyone from the town turned up.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:22 And he started off with the same illustration.
00:01:23 --> 00:01:25 And I went, oh, I heard it last week,
00:01:25 --> 00:01:26 but that's a good illustration.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:27 I like hearing it again.
00:01:28 --> 00:01:33 And then launched into the same sermon, word for word.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:35 And they all came out.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:38 And because other people hadn't heard it that week before,
00:01:38 --> 00:01:39 they went, good sermon.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:40 Thanks very much.
00:01:40 --> 00:01:42 And they went on their way.
00:01:42 --> 00:01:43 And the following week,
00:01:43 --> 00:01:44 they all turned up again.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:49 And he preached exactly the same sermon, word for word.
00:01:50 --> 00:01:51 And the following week,
00:01:52 --> 00:01:52 they all turned up.
00:01:52 --> 00:01:55 And he preached the same sermon, word for word.
00:01:55 --> 00:01:56 They're starting to get a bit worried.
00:01:57 --> 00:02:00 Is this, you know, what's it called?
00:02:00 --> 00:02:01 An age moment?
00:02:01 --> 00:02:01 I don't know.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 Like, is he getting premature dementia?
00:02:04 --> 00:02:05 I don't know.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:06 Like, what was it?
00:02:06 --> 00:02:08 And who's going to speak to him?
00:02:08 --> 00:02:10 You know, has he just sort of turned up
00:02:10 --> 00:02:11 and got the same folder?
00:02:11 --> 00:02:13 And anyway, someone was brave enough.
00:02:13 --> 00:02:14 And they went up to him.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:15 And they said,
00:02:15 --> 00:02:19 you seem to be preaching the same sermon every week.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 We kind of like your style.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:23 But, you know, we like your variety as well.
00:02:23 --> 00:02:26 Can't you just, what's the reason?
00:02:26 --> 00:02:27 You've got a reason.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:29 He said, it's one thing to know it.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 It's another thing to put it into practice.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:35 Then he goes on to say,
00:02:36 --> 00:02:38 I'll start preaching something new
00:02:38 --> 00:02:39 when we all start doing it.
00:02:41 --> 00:02:42 And not really a joke,
00:02:43 --> 00:02:45 but just a case of put it into action.
00:02:47 --> 00:02:48 This new year,
00:02:48 --> 00:02:51 we have been working through the Sermon on a Mount.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:55 One of the most famous pieces of teaching
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 in the history of the human race.
00:02:58 --> 00:03:01 It's been heard of by a lot of people.
00:03:02 --> 00:03:03 But at the same time,
00:03:04 --> 00:03:05 it's a misunderstood piece of teaching.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:09 Even though it's actually not difficult to understand.
00:03:10 --> 00:03:12 Rather, it seems that those who know of
00:03:12 --> 00:03:14 the Sermon on the Mount
00:03:14 --> 00:03:15 actually haven't read it for themselves.
00:03:15 --> 00:03:18 Oh yeah, I know of the Sermon on the Mount.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:22 Jesus was a good guy.
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 You know, he had some moral teachings, didn't he?
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 Something about loving people,
00:03:26 --> 00:03:27 I guess, in there somewhere.
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 Some moral reflections or suggestions
00:03:30 --> 00:03:31 on how to live.
00:03:32 --> 00:03:33 Take it or leave it.
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 The Sermon on the Mount
00:03:36 --> 00:03:37 is not like that at all.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 It actually calls us
00:03:40 --> 00:03:43 to make an extremely important choice.
00:03:44 --> 00:03:45 Choose life.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 Jesus came to give us life to the full.
00:03:49 --> 00:03:50 This is life
00:03:50 --> 00:03:51 and what it means to live life
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 according to being part of God's kingdom
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 and it's on God's terms.
00:03:56 --> 00:03:58 Having been chosen by God,
00:03:59 --> 00:04:01 we now have a daily choice
00:04:01 --> 00:04:03 to live as followers of Jesus.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 Jesus lays it out in the Sermon on the Mount.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:10 What it means to live a life in him
00:04:10 --> 00:04:12 and God has very high standards.
00:04:14 --> 00:04:15 Jesus is not talking about
00:04:15 --> 00:04:16 a better moral code
00:04:16 --> 00:04:19 or burdensome new laws
00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 that we have to achieve
00:04:20 --> 00:04:22 to get a tick in God's good books.
00:04:23 --> 00:04:24 Jesus is showing
00:04:24 --> 00:04:26 what life can be like
00:04:26 --> 00:04:27 if we follow him
00:04:27 --> 00:04:29 and if we trust him.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:32 Like the minister
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 who kept preaching the same sermon
00:04:34 --> 00:04:36 until everyone decided to do it,
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 we can't walk away
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 from Jesus' words unaffected.
00:04:41 --> 00:04:43 We need to hear them again
00:04:43 --> 00:04:44 and again
00:04:44 --> 00:04:45 and be reminded
00:04:45 --> 00:04:48 there is a call to action.
00:04:49 --> 00:04:50 Make a choice.
00:04:51 --> 00:04:54 Live for God's upside down kingdom
00:04:54 --> 00:04:56 each and every day.
00:04:56 --> 00:04:59 As we come to Matthew 7,
00:05:00 --> 00:05:01 we will see the important choices
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 we must make in relationships
00:05:03 --> 00:05:05 and how we can call on God
00:05:05 --> 00:05:06 to help.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:08 Jesus shifts from
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 warning his followers
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 about their own personal temptations
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 concerning wealth and worry
00:05:13 --> 00:05:16 to temptations that can surface
00:05:16 --> 00:05:17 in their relationships
00:05:17 --> 00:05:18 with each other.
00:05:20 --> 00:05:21 Jesus has something to say
00:05:21 --> 00:05:22 about our relationships
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 because following Jesus
00:05:24 --> 00:05:26 should make a difference
00:05:26 --> 00:05:27 to how we relate
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 to one another,
00:05:28 --> 00:05:29 to our brothers
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 and to our sisters.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 Matthew 7, verse 1.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:36 Do not judge
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 or you too will be judged.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:40 For in the same way
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 you judge others,
00:05:41 --> 00:05:42 you will be judged
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 and with the measure you use,
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 it will be measured
00:05:46 --> 00:05:47 to you.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:50 Our culture,
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 more than ever,
00:05:51 --> 00:05:53 seems super judgmental,
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 hypercritical,
00:05:55 --> 00:05:56 touchy,
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 easily offended.
00:05:58 --> 00:05:59 Social media algorithms,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:00 I think,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 play into this a little bit.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:03 People want to post images,
00:06:04 --> 00:06:05 get likes,
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 get followers.
00:06:07 --> 00:06:07 There's a guy,
00:06:07 --> 00:06:08 Mr Beast,
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 who's got millions of followers
00:06:10 --> 00:06:12 and do perfect.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 There's all these people
00:06:13 --> 00:06:14 and they make a living
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 out of getting followers.
00:06:15 --> 00:06:18 Instagram posts,
00:06:19 --> 00:06:19 getting likes,
00:06:20 --> 00:06:22 whether it's on home renos
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 or decorations
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 or I actually personally
00:06:25 --> 00:06:25 follow a thing
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 called van life.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 Van life's these people
00:06:28 --> 00:06:30 who do up the interior vans
00:06:30 --> 00:06:31 and they,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:32 anyway,
00:06:32 --> 00:06:32 they're nice.
00:06:33 --> 00:06:34 So there's sort of,
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 sometimes it's a little bit positive
00:06:35 --> 00:06:37 but it can also be a negative.
00:06:38 --> 00:06:38 If you don't fly
00:06:38 --> 00:06:40 a particular flag
00:06:40 --> 00:06:42 or have a political allegiance
00:06:42 --> 00:06:44 and it lies outside
00:06:44 --> 00:06:45 popular culture,
00:06:45 --> 00:06:48 expect to be vilified,
00:06:49 --> 00:06:50 a media pylon,
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 face the wrath
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 of the cancel culture
00:06:53 --> 00:06:55 who are judge,
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 jury and executioner.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 But we judge all the time,
00:07:01 --> 00:07:02 superficial judgments,
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 self-righteous judgments,
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 hypocritical judgments,
00:07:07 --> 00:07:09 unfair and ill-informed judgments,
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 harsh, unforgiving judgments.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:15 When we meet people,
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 before we've even opened our mouths,
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 before we go into a conversation with them,
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 we do a top to toe.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:23 I like their eyes,
00:07:24 --> 00:07:24 nice smile,
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 look at the shirt they're wearing,
00:07:26 --> 00:07:26 oh they've had a haircut,
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 nice haircut,
00:07:27 --> 00:07:28 all the way down to,
00:07:28 --> 00:07:30 oh I wouldn't wear those shoes,
00:07:30 --> 00:07:31 or all the accessories
00:07:31 --> 00:07:32 that they're wearing
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 that they have.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 This is before we even say,
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 oh hi,
00:07:35 --> 00:07:35 my name is,
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 what do you do?
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 What are your hobbies?
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 Where do you live?
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 What are your thoughts on this issue?
00:07:45 --> 00:07:46 That's how we relate to one another,
00:07:46 --> 00:07:48 by judging each other,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:49 compartmentalizing,
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 putting each other in a box,
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 assessing whether they live up
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 to a certain standard
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 or the right postcode,
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 if we have anything in common,
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 where they fit in the social standing
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 or pecking order of things.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 And so we point the finger,
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 I've done this in schools,
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 and say,
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 every time you point the finger,
00:08:09 --> 00:08:10 there's three pointing
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 right back at you,
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 to which you remember
00:08:13 --> 00:08:13 a student saying,
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 I'm just going to point
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 like this now.
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 So obviously,
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 there's no wrong in them.
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 Do not judge.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:23 No, no, I'll do it this way.
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 Do not judge.
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 In these words,
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 Jesus is saying,
00:08:29 --> 00:08:31 don't set ourselves up
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 as judge.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 That's God's job.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:37 Don't be self-righteous.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 Set ourselves up to judge
00:08:40 --> 00:08:40 and to criticize.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:44 If you find yourself doing this,
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 Jesus is saying,
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 there's no place for that
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 amongst Christian people.
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 Christians aren't to judge.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 God is judge,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 and he will judge one day,
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 and we'll answer to God.
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 We'll answer to God's standards,
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 not our own.
00:08:59 --> 00:09:02 When it comes to Jesus,
00:09:02 --> 00:09:04 Jesus uses the very graphic image
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 of a speck in someone's eye
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 and a plank in our own.
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 This is real,
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 but we don't like to think of it as us.
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 It's not me.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 Preferably it's that person over there.
00:09:18 --> 00:09:18 Surely not me.
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 But here's an opportunity right now
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 even to think,
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 where am I at with this?
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 Am I judging
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 and being judgmental?
00:09:26 --> 00:09:29 Do you find yourself being a bit judgy?
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 What at stake here
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 is our attitude.
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 What does critical,
00:09:36 --> 00:09:38 judgmental character look like?
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 It's self-righteous
00:09:40 --> 00:09:42 and it's hypocritical.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 We may tell ourselves,
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 I can afford to look down my nose
00:09:46 --> 00:09:48 at my less disciplined peers
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 or my colleagues
00:09:49 --> 00:09:51 because of their recurring sin,
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 some small deficiency
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 or inconsistency in their lives.
00:09:55 --> 00:09:57 We may conclude
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 that their spiritual stature,
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 personal integrity
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 and useful service of others
00:10:01 --> 00:10:04 are all vastly inferior to our own.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 But it's condescending
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 and actually fails to recognize
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 our own sinfulness.
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 I can't help but think
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 of Jesus' response here
00:10:13 --> 00:10:16 when there's a crowd of people
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 with stones in their hand
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 ready to stone the adulterous.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 And notice if they're being consistent,
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 the man should have been there as well.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:25 And Jesus stands up
00:10:25 --> 00:10:26 and he says,
00:10:27 --> 00:10:30 those who have not sinned
00:10:30 --> 00:10:32 cast the first stone.
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 And he goes back to doodling in the sand,
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 whatever he's drawing or writing.
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 And they all one by one
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 drop their stones and walk away.
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 And then he gets up
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 and actually it's,
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 those who have not sinned cast,
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 Jesus can cast the first stone now
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 because he has not sinned.
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 And he goes on to say,
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 neither do I condemn you,
00:10:53 --> 00:10:56 but go and leave your life of sin.
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 So don't keep doing it.
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 Leave your life of sin.
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 So if we're going to cast stones,
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 listen to Jesus' words,
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 that those who are without sin
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 cast a stone.
00:11:06 --> 00:11:09 Do you find that the very thing
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 that you struggle with
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 is the thing that you actually notice
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 in someone?
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 So I think it's because
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 we're attuned to that sin
00:11:18 --> 00:11:21 or we're so practiced at it.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:22 Like if you're someone
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 who's used to concealing something,
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 you'll notice someone else
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 who's, oh,
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 they're looking the other way
00:11:27 --> 00:11:27 when they're talking.
00:11:27 --> 00:11:29 They must be lying or something.
00:11:29 --> 00:11:29 And you notice
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 you can be attuned to this.
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 At which point we have a choice.
00:11:33 --> 00:11:35 You can pounce and highlight it
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 and go, ah,
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 you're actually not telling
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 the truth right now.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 Or you can first take the plank
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 out of your own eye
00:11:43 --> 00:11:45 before you go to take
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 the speck out of theirs.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 It's hypocritical and double standards
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 to expect something from others
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 that we can't accomplish ourselves.
00:11:54 --> 00:11:55 I can assure you,
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 anyone who gets up in the pulpit
00:11:56 --> 00:11:58 and shares a message
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 from the scriptures,
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 they're convicted.
00:12:01 --> 00:12:03 I'm not standing up here
00:12:03 --> 00:12:03 and saying,
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 I don't struggle with anything
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 that I'm sharing with you,
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 the way you struggle.
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 We're all convicted.
00:12:10 --> 00:12:12 There's nothing self-righteous.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 You pour over the scriptures
00:12:14 --> 00:12:14 and you go,
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 wow, I'm preaching on this.
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 I'm going to say,
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 this is what God says.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 But at the end of the day,
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 I really struggle with this myself.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 So I want to be clear about that.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 But in the same way we judge,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 we'll be judged,
00:12:29 --> 00:12:32 and do we really want God
00:12:32 --> 00:12:34 to use that measure against us?
00:12:34 --> 00:12:35 Because I think humans
00:12:35 --> 00:12:37 can be really merciless
00:12:37 --> 00:12:39 and yet God shows grace and mercy.
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 We don't want him to judge us
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 the way we judge each other,
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 I think, personally.
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 Jesus is saying,
00:12:46 --> 00:12:49 we shouldn't give up
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 any capacity to discern
00:12:50 --> 00:12:50 right from wrong
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 and I'm going to get to that
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 in a moment.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 It's not that we should
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 never help one another
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 or completely refrain
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 from pointing out
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 some wrongdoing.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 But first,
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 be prepared to take
00:13:01 --> 00:13:03 that plank out of your eye
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 and once that's dealt with,
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 then remove the specks.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 This is about how we relate
00:13:09 --> 00:13:09 to one another.
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 As Christians,
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 there needs to be a difference.
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 And if we go back
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 to Matthew 5, verse 7,
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 remember the blessed.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:21 Blessed are the merciful,
00:13:21 --> 00:13:24 for they will be shown mercy.
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 What Jesus is saying here,
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 as we come into a relationship
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 with God,
00:13:32 --> 00:13:34 kingdom living involves humility.
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 It involves self-reflection
00:13:36 --> 00:13:39 and it involves repentance.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 In God's upside-down kingdom,
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 our lives have to change.
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 We won't feel the need
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 to assert our rightness
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 all the time
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 because when we're
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 in God's kingdom,
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 we're secure enough
00:13:53 --> 00:13:53 to recognise
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 that we've got faults
00:13:54 --> 00:13:56 and everyone,
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 every one of us
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 are fully reliant
00:13:59 --> 00:13:59 on God's grace.
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 We can acknowledge
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 our own faults
00:14:03 --> 00:14:05 and at the same time,
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 if need be,
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 are able to encourage others
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 to turn back to Christ.
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 And I think here
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 in Galatians,
00:14:11 --> 00:14:13 Galatians chapter 6,
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 we read,
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 Brothers and sisters,
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 if someone is caught in sin,
00:14:20 --> 00:14:22 you who live by the Spirit
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 should restore that person gently,
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 but watch yourselves
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 or you also may be tempted.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:31 Carry each other's burdens
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 and in this way
00:14:32 --> 00:14:35 you will fulfil the law of Christ.
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 Restore gently,
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 but first,
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 take the plank
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 out of our own eyes
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 and then work
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 on the speck in theirs.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 But be careful also
00:14:48 --> 00:14:48 that whatever
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 they're struggling with,
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 you then don't get tempted
00:14:51 --> 00:14:53 and drawn into yourself.
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 Jesus has been talking
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 about how Christians
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 need to relate
00:14:58 --> 00:14:58 to one another.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 Don't copy the hypocrisy
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 of the Pharisees.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 And he's now addressing
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 how we relate
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 to non-Christians.
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 He goes from saying,
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 do not judge,
00:15:07 --> 00:15:09 this is really tricky now,
00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 I think,
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 and we're going,
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 what?
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 To requiring us
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 to actually make
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 a judgment call.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 Jesus goes on
00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 to talk about
00:15:15 --> 00:15:17 dogs and pigs.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 And they're his labels,
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 they're not mine,
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 they're his,
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 and so it's Jesus' words
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 and they're full on.
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 He's not talking about
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 non-Christians in general.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 He's talking about
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 those who just,
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 like Pharaoh's heart
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 that hardened,
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 don't want anything
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 to do with this at all.
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 The sacred pearl here
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 that Jesus is talking
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 about here
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 is the gospel.
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 And if I could put it
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 this way,
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 in one hand,
00:15:45 --> 00:15:47 we've got God's love
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 and God's compassion
00:15:48 --> 00:15:51 and in the other hand,
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 we've got God's judgment.
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 That is the gospel.
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 God's judgment
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 is poured out
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 on his son
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 because he shows
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 compassion
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 and love to us.
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 You want to know
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 about God's love?
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 You've got to have
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 the full gospel.
00:16:05 --> 00:16:08 What I'm hearing today
00:16:08 --> 00:16:08 from society
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 is this.
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 I want to know
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 about God's love
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 and compassion
00:16:11 --> 00:16:14 but I don't want
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 to hear about judgment.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 I don't want to hear
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 that judgment's coming.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 I don't want to hear
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 that I'm going to be judged.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 But you don't get
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 the full gospel
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 if you don't bring
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 in judgment.
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 And when I say,
00:16:25 --> 00:16:25 how do you know
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 God loves me?
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 Because
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 he took the judgment
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 for me
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 on the cross.
00:16:31 --> 00:16:33 But people
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 don't want to hear
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 that today.
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 They don't want
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 to hear it.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 So don't cast
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 your pearls
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 before dogs
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 and pigs.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 In other words,
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 don't bother
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 sharing the gospel
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 with people
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 who have decisively
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 rejected it.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 We need to
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 recognize them
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 for who they are
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 and this is
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 a judgment call.
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 When Jesus says
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 don't judge,
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 he's not saying
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 remove all our
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 critical faculties
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 or under no circumstances
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 can we hold
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 no opinions
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 about right and wrong.
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 Jesus turned tables
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 you remember.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 He turned tables
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 at injustice.
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 Diedrich Bonhoeffer
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 stood up
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 against Hitler.
00:17:15 --> 00:17:15 It actually
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 saw him imprisoned
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 and later executed
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 because he stood up
00:17:19 --> 00:17:21 and spoke against evil.
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 Evil prospers
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 when good people
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 do and say nothing.
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 Christians must have
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 a voice in society.
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 What Jesus is saying
00:17:30 --> 00:17:32 is that we must
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 recognize those
00:17:33 --> 00:17:33 in the world
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 who have so rejected
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 Christ
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 that there comes
00:17:36 --> 00:17:36 a point
00:17:36 --> 00:17:38 when we're not
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 to waste our time
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 any longer
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 casting the pearls
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 of the gospel
00:17:41 --> 00:17:41 before them.
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 We have to discern
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 when we're speaking
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 pearls to those
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 who have ears to hear
00:17:47 --> 00:17:49 and when the pearl
00:17:49 --> 00:17:49 of the gospel
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 is being trampled
00:17:50 --> 00:17:51 underfoot.
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 But how can we know?
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 I think it's hard
00:17:56 --> 00:17:56 to know.
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 You don't know
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 people's hearts
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 or you can't
00:17:59 --> 00:17:59 read their thoughts.
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 But there probably
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 are occasions
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 when we're
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 proverbially
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 shown the door.
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 I don't want
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 to hear this anymore.
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 So there's no point
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 carrying on with this
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 and it always
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 blows me away.
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 It's an amazing
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 message of forgiveness,
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 hope,
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 and love.
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 And people don't
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 want to hear it.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:21 The intent
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 of the Sermon
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 on the Mount
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 is to listen
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 to Jesus' words
00:18:24 --> 00:18:25 and to act
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 upon them.
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 Our relationship
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 with our brothers
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 and sisters
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 in Christ
00:18:29 --> 00:18:32 should be different.
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 Jesus has presented
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 us with two
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 difficult tasks.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 One,
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 a standard
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 in the way
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 we relate
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 to one another
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 and if we're
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 honest,
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 we know
00:18:43 --> 00:18:43 how difficult
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 this can be.
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 Do not judge.
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 And two,
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 he's actually
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 set out
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 that we need
00:18:50 --> 00:18:50 to discern
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 and recognise
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 those who are
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 the dogs
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 and pigs
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 which can be
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 too tricky
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 and it might
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 be too quick
00:18:58 --> 00:18:58 to actually
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 write people
00:18:59 --> 00:18:59 off
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 because you
00:19:00 --> 00:19:00 hear of
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 amazing
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 conversion stories
00:19:02 --> 00:19:02 of total
00:19:02 --> 00:19:04 Christopher Hitchens,
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 brother Peter Hitchens,
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 Christopher Hitchens,
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 total atheist,
00:19:08 --> 00:19:08 Peter Hitchens
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 was as well,
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 Peter Hitchens
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 now just loves
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 Jesus and
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 shares the message
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 of the resurrection.
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 So how can we
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 know?
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 Come to our
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 heavenly father
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 and ask.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 Let's take out
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 all the verses,
00:19:21 --> 00:19:21 Jesus didn't have
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 verses.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 What follows
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 on from this
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 is Matthew
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 7,
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 verses 7
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 to 11.
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 Ask
00:19:29 --> 00:19:31 and it will
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 be given
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 to you.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 Seek
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 and you
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 will find.
00:19:35 --> 00:19:35 Knock
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 and the
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 door
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 will be
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 opened
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 to you.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:38 For
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 everyone
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 who asks
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 receives.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 Those
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 who seek
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 find
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 and to
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 those
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 who knock
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 the door
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 will be
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 opened.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 Which
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 of you
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 their son
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 or daughter
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 asks for
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 bread
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 will give
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 them a
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 stone?
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 or if
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 they ask
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 for a
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 fish
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 will give
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 them a
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 snake?
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 If
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 you
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 then
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 though you
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 are evil
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 know how to
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 give good
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 gifts to
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 your children
00:20:03 --> 00:20:05 how much
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 more will
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 your father
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 in heaven
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 give good
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 gifts to
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 those who
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 ask him?
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 Ask
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 seek
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 knock.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:17 these
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 words
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 are often
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 used
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 in
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 sermons
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 to
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 give
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 the
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 impression
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 that
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 God
00:20:19 --> 00:20:19 is
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 our
00:20:20 --> 00:20:20 personal
00:20:20 --> 00:20:20 vending
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 machine.
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 I
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 actually
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 know
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 someone
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 from a
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 different
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 denomination
00:20:25 --> 00:20:25 and I
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 don't want to
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 make a
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 judgment call
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 here but
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 I think
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 they're
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 wrong in
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 this.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 I'm not
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 judgment about
00:20:30 --> 00:20:30 the
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 denomination
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 but what
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 they believe
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 is that
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 you can
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 demand
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 things from
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 God.
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 I demand
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 a new
00:20:36 --> 00:20:36 surfboard
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 or I
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 demand
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 a new
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 car.
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 I
00:20:39 --> 00:20:39 don't
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 read that
00:20:40 --> 00:20:40 here.
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 But if
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 you want
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 stuff
00:20:43 --> 00:20:43 just
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 ask.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 I
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 want
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 more
00:20:45 --> 00:20:45 money
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 or I
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 want
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 success
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 in my
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 relationships
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 or business
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 just ask
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 and God
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 will dispense
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 our every
00:20:51 --> 00:20:51 wish.
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 Now I
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 actually do
00:20:53 --> 00:20:53 believe it
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 doesn't hurt
00:20:54 --> 00:20:54 to ask.
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 Ask
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 sure.
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 But God
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 isn't the
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 cosmic
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 Santa Claus
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 and we
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 need only
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 bring our
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 Christmas
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 wish list
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 and God
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 will tick
00:21:05 --> 00:21:05 it off
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 for us
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 or give
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 us a
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 hunk
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 of
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 coal.
00:21:08 --> 00:21:08 What I
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 actually
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 believe
00:21:09 --> 00:21:11 there's
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 no harm
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 in asking
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 and God
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 knows the
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 difference
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 between our
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 needs and
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 our wants
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 we need
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 to look at
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 the context
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 of ask
00:21:19 --> 00:21:19 seek
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 knock.
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 Followers
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 of Jesus
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 will find
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 it difficult
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 to not
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 judge
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 on the
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 one hand
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 and on
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 the other
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 hand be
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 wisely
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 discerning
00:21:29 --> 00:21:31 able to
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 assess
00:21:31 --> 00:21:31 someone's
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 willingness
00:21:32 --> 00:21:32 and openness
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 to the
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 gospel.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 It's a
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 difficult
00:21:35 --> 00:21:35 ask
00:21:35 --> 00:21:37 so ask
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 God.
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 To ask
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 naturally
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 indicates
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 prayer
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 but seek
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 and knock
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 are also
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 metaphors
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 of prayer.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 Ask
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 seek
00:21:47 --> 00:21:47 knock
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 seems to
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 suggest
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 an
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 escalation
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 a rising
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 scale
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 of intensity
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 in our
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 prayers
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 and points
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 to the
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 persistent
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 manner in
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 our lives
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 of asking
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 our heavenly
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 father.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Ask
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 indicates
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 how we
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 come to
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 God
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 with
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 humility
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 conscious
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 of a
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 real deep
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 felt
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 need
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 like a
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 child
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 asking
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 for something
00:22:08 --> 00:22:08 from their
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 parents.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:11 seek
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 links
00:22:12 --> 00:22:12 prayer
00:22:12 --> 00:22:12 with a
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 responsible
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 action
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 of
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 pursuing
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 God's
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 will
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 a bit
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 like
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 praying
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 for a
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 job
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 and also
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 actively
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 pursuing
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 work.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 You don't
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 just have
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 it fall
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 in your
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 lap
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 necessarily.
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 Knock
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 includes
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 perseverance
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 if one
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 is asking
00:22:30 --> 00:22:30 and seeking
00:22:30 --> 00:22:32 like you
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 may spend
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 a lifetime
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 persistently
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 praying for
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 a family
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 member
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 or a
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 friend.
00:22:36 --> 00:22:36 I've
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 got a
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 friend
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 that I've
00:22:37 --> 00:22:37 been
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 friends
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 with
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 since
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 year
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 seven
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 and I
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 pray for
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 him
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 regularly.
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 He's
00:22:41 --> 00:22:41 not a
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 Christian
00:22:42 --> 00:22:43 and I
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 know
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 that
00:22:44 --> 00:22:47 at one
00:22:47 --> 00:22:47 stage
00:22:47 --> 00:22:47 at
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 university
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 he really
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 told me
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 in certain
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 words
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 don't ever
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 talk to
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 me about
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 Jesus
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 again
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 but then
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 his
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 father
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 got
00:22:53 --> 00:22:54 cancer
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 and he
00:22:54 --> 00:22:54 said
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 is there
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 any
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 Bible
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 verses
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 that
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 could
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 help
00:22:57 --> 00:22:57 him
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 and so
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 he's
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 not a
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 Christian
00:22:59 --> 00:22:59 yet
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 but I
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 got him
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 a
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 Bible
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 and sent
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 it to
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 him
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 and I
00:23:01 --> 00:23:01 got him
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 a
00:23:02 --> 00:23:02 study
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 and he
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 actually
00:23:07 --> 00:23:07 put
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 together
00:23:08 --> 00:23:08 a
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 set
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 of
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 Bible
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 verses
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 for
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 his
00:23:10 --> 00:23:10 father
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 to
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 read
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 and so
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 he still
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 hasn't
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 committed
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 his life
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 to
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 Jesus
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 but I
00:23:16 --> 00:23:16 still
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 am
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 persistently
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 praying
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 and I
00:23:19 --> 00:23:19 do think
00:23:19 --> 00:23:19 even then
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 of my
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 daughter
00:23:21 --> 00:23:21 when she
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 was three
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 the one
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 who did
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 that amazing
00:23:23 --> 00:23:23 painting
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 anyway
00:23:24 --> 00:23:27 I remember
00:23:27 --> 00:23:27 I was working
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 in the study
00:23:28 --> 00:23:28 and dad
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 dad
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 dad
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 and she
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 was just
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 knocking at
00:23:31 --> 00:23:31 the door
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 I'm busy
00:23:32 --> 00:23:32 I'm busy
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 I'm busy
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 but at
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 some point
00:23:35 --> 00:23:35 you've got
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 to answer
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 that door
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 and I
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 answer
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 the door
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 and knock
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 pray
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 persistently
00:23:40 --> 00:23:42 in the
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 sermon
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 on the
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 mount
00:23:42 --> 00:23:43 Jesus
00:23:43 --> 00:23:43 makes it
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 clear
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 what it
00:23:45 --> 00:23:45 means to
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 live as
00:23:46 --> 00:23:46 life
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 as a
00:23:47 --> 00:23:47 member
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 of God's
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 kingdom
00:23:48 --> 00:23:50 if we
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 want to
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 live
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 God's
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 way
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 loving
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 your
00:23:53 --> 00:23:53 enemies
00:23:53 --> 00:23:55 persevering
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 when
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 persecuted
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 giving
00:23:57 --> 00:23:57 to the
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 needy
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 being salt
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 and light
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 in the
00:24:00 --> 00:24:00 world
00:24:00 --> 00:24:02 not worrying
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 about
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 tomorrow
00:24:02 --> 00:24:04 storing up
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 treasures
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 in heaven
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 forgiving
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 others
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 not
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 sitting in
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 the seat
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 of judgment
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 yet
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 discerning
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 decisively
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 who have
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 rejected
00:24:12 --> 00:24:12 Jesus
00:24:12 --> 00:24:14 if we
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 want to
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 live God's
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 way
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 in God's
00:24:16 --> 00:24:16 world
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 then we
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 ask
00:24:18 --> 00:24:19 we seek
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 and we
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 knock
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 like the
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 persistent
00:24:22 --> 00:24:22 widow
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 in Luke
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 18
00:24:23 --> 00:24:25 she kept
00:24:25 --> 00:24:25 going to
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 that unjust
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 judge
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 until she
00:24:27 --> 00:24:27 got a
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 result
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 don't give
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 up
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 bring it
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 all before
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 God
00:24:32 --> 00:24:32 in prayer
00:24:32 --> 00:24:34 and trust
00:24:34 --> 00:24:36 if we
00:24:36 --> 00:24:36 are going
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 to be
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 at all
00:24:37 --> 00:24:38 serious
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 about
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 living
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 the life
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 Jesus
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 offers
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 on the
00:24:40 --> 00:24:40 Sermon on
00:24:40 --> 00:24:40 the Mount
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 then we
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 have to
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 ask our
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 heavenly
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 father
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 to strengthen
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 us by
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 his
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 Holy
00:24:45 --> 00:24:45 Spirit
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 to enable
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 us to
00:24:47 --> 00:24:47 live this
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 life
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 the life
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 God
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 intends
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 for us
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 and what
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 Jesus
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 says here
00:24:52 --> 00:24:54 if humans
00:24:54 --> 00:24:56 who are
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 naturally
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 evil
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 and you
00:24:57 --> 00:24:57 notice that
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 he calls
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 us evil
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 in fact
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 remember the
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 rich young
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 ruler who
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 tries to
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 tick off
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 the Ten
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 Commandments
00:25:05 --> 00:25:05 yes all
00:25:05 --> 00:25:05 I have
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 things I've
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 done sell
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 everything
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 and follow
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 me but
00:25:07 --> 00:25:07 when he
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 comes to
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 Jesus
00:25:08 --> 00:25:08 as good
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 teacher
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 what must
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 I do
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 to inherit
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 eternal
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 life
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 and Jesus
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 says why
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 do you
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 call me
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 good
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 only God
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 is good
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 so let's
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 be clear
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 you who
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 are evil
00:25:18 --> 00:25:20 give good
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 gifts to
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 your kids
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 and I hope
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 we do
00:25:23 --> 00:25:25 how much
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 more will
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 God give
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 good gifts
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 to those
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 who ask
00:25:28 --> 00:25:30 Bono the
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 lead singer
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 from U2
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 was once
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 asked do
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 you pray
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 and he
00:25:34 --> 00:25:34 said yeah
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 of course
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 I pray
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 and he
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 said well
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 what sort
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 of things
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 do you
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 pray
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 and he
00:25:38 --> 00:25:38 said I
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 pray that
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 God's
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 will will
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 be done
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 then it's
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 more likely
00:25:43 --> 00:25:43 to happen
00:25:43 --> 00:25:47 in Matthew
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 7 verse 12
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 Jesus sums
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 up all
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 of it
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 he says
00:25:52 --> 00:25:56 so in
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 everything
00:25:56 --> 00:25:58 do unto
00:25:58 --> 00:25:58 others
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 as you
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 would have
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 them
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 do
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 unto
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 you
00:26:00 --> 00:26:02 this
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 sums
00:26:02 --> 00:26:02 up
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 the
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 law
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 and
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 the
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 prophets
00:26:04 --> 00:26:06 ask
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 and you
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 will
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 receive
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 seek
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 and you
00:26:08 --> 00:26:08 will
00:26:08 --> 00:26:09 find
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 knock
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 and the
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 door
00:26:10 --> 00:26:10 will be
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 opened
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 unto
00:26:11 --> 00:26:11 you
00:26:11 --> 00:26:13 throughout
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 the
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 sermon
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 on the
00:26:13 --> 00:26:13 mount
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 Jesus
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 references
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 the
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 old
00:26:16 --> 00:26:17 testament
00:26:17 --> 00:26:18 the
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 law
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 and the
00:26:18 --> 00:26:19 prophets
00:26:19 --> 00:26:21 and he
00:26:21 --> 00:26:22 says here
00:26:22 --> 00:26:22 it could
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 pretty much
00:26:23 --> 00:26:23 be summed
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 up
00:26:24 --> 00:26:24 in this
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 golden rule
00:26:25 --> 00:26:27 severus
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 reputedly
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 had it
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 written on
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 his wall
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 in gold
00:26:30 --> 00:26:32 do unto
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 others
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 as you
00:26:33 --> 00:26:33 would have
00:26:33 --> 00:26:34 them
00:26:34 --> 00:26:34 do unto
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 you
00:26:35 --> 00:26:37 there's a
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 misconception
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 people said
00:26:39 --> 00:26:39 oh that's
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 just common
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 to all
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 religions
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 or all
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 philosophies
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 and faith
00:26:42 --> 00:26:42 traditions
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 this is
00:26:43 --> 00:26:43 actually not
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 the case
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 the parallels
00:26:45 --> 00:26:45 to Jesus
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 teaching
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 appear in
00:26:47 --> 00:26:47 the negative
00:26:47 --> 00:26:49 one example
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 is Confucius
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 he wrote
00:26:51 --> 00:26:52 do not
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 inflict on
00:26:53 --> 00:26:53 others
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 what you
00:26:54 --> 00:26:54 yourself
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 would not
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 wish done
00:26:56 --> 00:26:56 to you
00:26:56 --> 00:26:59 it's subtle
00:26:59 --> 00:26:59 but it's
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 different
00:27:00 --> 00:27:02 to refrain
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 from hurting
00:27:03 --> 00:27:03 others
00:27:03 --> 00:27:05 so you
00:27:05 --> 00:27:05 don't get
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 harmed
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 it's not
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 the same
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 as doing
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 good to
00:27:08 --> 00:27:08 others
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 even if
00:27:09 --> 00:27:10 they don't
00:27:10 --> 00:27:10 deserve it
00:27:10 --> 00:27:12 the difference
00:27:12 --> 00:27:12 between
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 for example
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 deciding not
00:27:14 --> 00:27:14 to punch
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 my enemy
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 in the
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 nose
00:27:15 --> 00:27:17 and deciding
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 to build
00:27:18 --> 00:27:18 my enemy
00:27:18 --> 00:27:19 a hospital
00:27:19 --> 00:27:21 they're
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 dramatically
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 different
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 two different
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 ways of
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 living
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 one
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 is
00:27:25 --> 00:27:25 negative
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 and one's
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 proactive
00:27:27 --> 00:27:27 it's
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 positive
00:27:28 --> 00:27:29 it's
00:27:29 --> 00:27:29 affirmative
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 action
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 and that's
00:27:31 --> 00:27:31 how we're
00:27:31 --> 00:27:31 to live
00:27:31 --> 00:27:33 there's no
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 parallel to
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 Jesus teaching
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 Jesus call
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 to love
00:27:37 --> 00:27:37 is premised
00:27:37 --> 00:27:37 on God's
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 love
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 his call
00:27:39 --> 00:27:39 to love
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 enemies
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 doesn't
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 make sense
00:27:41 --> 00:27:41 without
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 Jesus
00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 repeated
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 emphasis
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 that God
00:27:44 --> 00:27:44 is merciful
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 and gracious
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 to the
00:27:46 --> 00:27:47 ungrateful
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 and the
00:27:48 --> 00:27:48 wicked
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 and then
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 proving it
00:27:50 --> 00:27:52 as Jesus
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 dies on the
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 cross for
00:27:53 --> 00:27:53 his enemies
00:27:53 --> 00:27:56 words
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 accompanied
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 with actions
00:27:58 --> 00:28:01 why love
00:28:01 --> 00:28:01 enemies
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 why be
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 gracious
00:28:02 --> 00:28:04 why not
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 judge
00:28:04 --> 00:28:06 show mercy
00:28:06 --> 00:28:06 to the others
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 who don't
00:28:07 --> 00:28:07 deserve it
00:28:07 --> 00:28:09 because God
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 loves his
00:28:10 --> 00:28:10 enemies
00:28:10 --> 00:28:12 and shows
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 grace and
00:28:13 --> 00:28:13 mercy to
00:28:13 --> 00:28:13 those who
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 don't deserve
00:28:14 --> 00:28:14 it
00:28:14 --> 00:28:17 God's
00:28:17 --> 00:28:17 judge
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 that's
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 his
00:28:18 --> 00:28:18 job
00:28:18 --> 00:28:21 the logic
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 is important
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 and we
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 get the
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 heartbeat
00:28:23 --> 00:28:23 of Jesus
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 teaching
00:28:24 --> 00:28:24 here
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 and I
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 want to
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 put this
00:28:26 --> 00:28:26 in a
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 sentence
00:28:27 --> 00:28:29 what we
00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 think
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 lies at
00:28:30 --> 00:28:30 the heart
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 of reality
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 shapes
00:28:32 --> 00:28:32 what we
00:28:32 --> 00:28:33 think
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 is an
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 authentic
00:28:34 --> 00:28:34 human
00:28:34 --> 00:28:35 life
00:28:35 --> 00:28:37 what we
00:28:37 --> 00:28:37 think
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 lies at
00:28:38 --> 00:28:38 the heart
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 of reality
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 shapes
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 what we
00:28:40 --> 00:28:40 think
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 is an
00:28:41 --> 00:28:41 authentic
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 human
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 life
00:28:43 --> 00:28:45 life
00:28:45 --> 00:28:45 with
00:28:45 --> 00:28:46 Jesus
00:28:46 --> 00:28:46 now
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 and
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 forever
00:28:47 --> 00:28:49 is
00:28:49 --> 00:28:49 reality
00:28:49 --> 00:28:52 Jesus
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 offers
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 life
00:28:53 --> 00:28:54 can we
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 imagine
00:28:54 --> 00:28:54 a world
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 where we're
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 all living
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 like
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 Jesus
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 where we're
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 not thinking
00:28:58 --> 00:28:58 of our
00:28:58 --> 00:28:58 own
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 needs
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 seeking
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 the best
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 for number
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 one
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 but actually
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 looking out
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 to help
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 others
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 sharing
00:29:05 --> 00:29:05 the hope
00:29:05 --> 00:29:07 of Jesus
00:29:07 --> 00:29:09 Jesus
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 came into
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 this world
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 to make
00:29:11 --> 00:29:11 that life
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 possible
00:29:12 --> 00:29:14 the sermon
00:29:14 --> 00:29:14 on the
00:29:14 --> 00:29:14 mount
00:29:14 --> 00:29:14 is a
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 glimpse
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 at the
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 relationships
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 of those
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 who follow
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 Christ
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 and what
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 the relationship
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 they'll find
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 themselves
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 engaged in
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 noticeably
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 transformed
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 by the
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 gospel
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 and living
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 for God's
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 upside down
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 kingdom
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 the rest
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 of the
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 chapter
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 I'm finishing
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 up here
00:29:28 --> 00:29:28 is about
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 how gospel
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 can impact
00:29:30 --> 00:29:30 our life
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 with warnings
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 to be
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 wise
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 and reminders
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 judgment
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 is coming
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 verse 13
00:29:36 --> 00:29:38 enter through
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 the narrow
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 gate
00:29:38 --> 00:29:40 wide is the
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 road that
00:29:40 --> 00:29:40 leads to
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 destruction
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 verse 15
00:29:42 --> 00:29:44 watch out
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 for false
00:29:45 --> 00:29:45 prophets
00:29:45 --> 00:29:47 wolves in
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 sheep's
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 clothing
00:29:47 --> 00:29:49 by their
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 fruit
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 you will
00:29:50 --> 00:29:50 know them
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 verse 21
00:29:51 --> 00:29:53 not everyone
00:29:53 --> 00:29:53 who says to
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 me
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 lord lord
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 will enter
00:29:56 --> 00:29:56 the kingdom
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 of heaven
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 but
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 only the
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 ones who
00:30:00 --> 00:30:00 do the
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 will of
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 my father
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 who is
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 in heaven
00:30:02 --> 00:30:05 verse 24
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 everyone
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 who hears
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 these words
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 of mine
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 and puts
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 them into
00:30:09 --> 00:30:09 practice
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 is like
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 a wise
00:30:11 --> 00:30:11 person
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 who built
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 their house
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 on the
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 rock
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 you know
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 what happened
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 when he
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 finished
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 teaching
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 they were
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 amazed
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 there was
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 no one
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 taught
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 with such
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 authority
00:30:23 --> 00:30:25 the preacher
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 who gave
00:30:26 --> 00:30:26 the same
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 sermon
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 every week
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 week in
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 and week
00:30:29 --> 00:30:29 out
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 was waiting
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 to see
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 if those
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 who listened
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 would respond
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 and take
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 action
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 we can't
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 walk away
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 from the
00:30:36 --> 00:30:36 sermon
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 on the
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 mount
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 unaffected
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 we must
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 take action
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 in our
00:30:40 --> 00:30:40 lives
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 it's one
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 thing to
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 know it
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 it's another
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 thing to
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 put it
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 into practice
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 and jc
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 ryle's got an
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 amazing quote
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 here about
00:30:48 --> 00:30:48 this
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 doctrine is
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 useless
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 so it's one
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 thing to
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 know it
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 doctrine is
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 useless
00:30:53 --> 00:30:53 if it's not
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 accompanied by
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 a holy
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 life
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 it is worse
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 than useless
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 it does
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 positive harm
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 something of
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 the image of
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 christ must
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 be seen
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 and observed
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 by others
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 in our
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 private life
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 and habits
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 and character
00:31:06 --> 00:31:08 and doings
00:31:08 --> 00:31:11 so church
00:31:11 --> 00:31:13 ask
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 and it will
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 be given
00:31:15 --> 00:31:15 to you
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 seek
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 and you
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 will find
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 knock
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 and the
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 door will
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 be opened
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 to you
00:31:21 --> 00:31:23 for everyone
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 who asks
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 receives
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 those who
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 seek
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 find
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 and to
00:31:27 --> 00:31:28 those who
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 knock
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 the door
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 will be
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 opened
00:31:30 --> 00:31:32 let's pray
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 heavenly
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 father
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 we thank
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 you
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 that
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 you
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 knock
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 at
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 our
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 hearts
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 and you
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 say
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 let me
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 in
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 lord
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 open our
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 hearts
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 to you
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 to your
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 message
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 to your
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 word
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 heavenly
00:31:44 --> 00:31:44 father
00:31:44 --> 00:31:45 we ask
00:31:45 --> 00:31:45 now that
00:31:45 --> 00:31:45 we can
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 have the
00:31:46 --> 00:31:46 beautiful
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 attitudes
00:31:47 --> 00:31:47 outlined
00:31:47 --> 00:31:49 in the
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 sermon
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 on the
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 mount
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 we pray
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 that we
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 can love
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 our
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 enemies
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 lord
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 we pray
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 that we
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 can
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 hunger
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 and thirst
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 for
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 righteousness
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 lord
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 we pray
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 that we
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 can
00:31:58 --> 00:32:01 seek
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 you
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 with
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 all
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 our
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 hearts
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 lord
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 we
00:32:04 --> 00:32:04 pray
00:32:04 --> 00:32:04 that
00:32:04 --> 00:32:04 our
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 eyes
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 will
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 see
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 the
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 need
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 in
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 this
00:32:06 --> 00:32:06 world
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 our
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 hands
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 will
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 reach
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 out
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 with
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 your
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 hands
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 our
00:32:09 --> 00:32:10 feet
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 will
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 go
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 where
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 you
00:32:10 --> 00:32:11 will
00:32:11 --> 00:32:11 take
00:32:11 --> 00:32:11 us
00:32:11 --> 00:32:12 to
00:32:12 --> 00:32:12 share
00:32:12 --> 00:32:12 the
00:32:12 --> 00:32:12 gospel
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 and
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 your
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 great
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 word
00:32:14 --> 00:32:14 lord
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 we
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 knock
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 and we
00:32:16 --> 00:32:16 ask
00:32:16 --> 00:32:16 that
00:32:16 --> 00:32:16 you
00:32:16 --> 00:32:16 answer
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 these
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 prayers
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 your
00:32:18 --> 00:32:18 gospel
00:32:18 --> 00:32:18 will
00:32:18 --> 00:32:18 go
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 forth
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 your
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 kingdom
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 will
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 grow
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 in
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 each
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 of
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 us
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 and
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 your
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 amen