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[0.00 --> 9.82] Good morning, Hope.
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[11.82 --> 15.24] This morning we are continuing with our series on forgiveness.
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[16.08 --> 20.66] And I actually want to highlight the subtitle for our series as we begin this morning.
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[21.12 --> 24.52] As you can see, if you can see in the graphic there with the pictures,
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[25.34 --> 29.82] forgiveness, and the subtitle is Learning to Live in Grace.
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[30.28 --> 31.46] With grace.
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[32.16 --> 34.52] And that's what we want to focus in on today.
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[35.10 --> 40.76] We have now reflected for the last couple of weeks on what it means to forgive as we have been forgiven.
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[41.64 --> 46.20] This is our Christian identity, a way of life to live in grace.
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[46.72 --> 52.84] And if you haven't been able to listen to our past sermons here for the last couple of weeks on forgiveness,
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[53.38 --> 57.50] I strongly encourage you, whether you can go onto our YouTube site,
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[57.50 --> 59.90] or you can listen to us on podcast.
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[60.40 --> 62.48] We do have a podcast, by the way.
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[62.90 --> 66.80] And so I'm not just promoting it because I edit it and I'm in charge of it or anything.
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[67.66 --> 70.38] I just, I'm not big on the numbers thing.
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[70.44 --> 71.46] I don't need more followers.
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[71.92 --> 73.80] It's just the way, if you miss a sermon,
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[73.90 --> 77.70] it's a great way to listen to it on your drive to work or wherever you can listen.
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[78.24 --> 80.14] Listen to the past sermons on forgiveness.
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[80.14 --> 85.10] And today is a continuation of, obviously, our sermon series.
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[85.80 --> 91.52] We continue with this difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible identity of ours.
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[92.04 --> 98.58] This living out, this lifestyle of forgiving because we have been forgiven.
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[98.58 --> 108.84] And today we hear from Jesus who teaches us specifically on how to handle conflicts among brothers and sisters in His church, His body.
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[109.60 --> 111.12] This is a word for us, church.
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[111.48 --> 116.20] And so if you have your Bible with you, or if you can follow along on the screen,
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[116.38 --> 120.84] we are in Matthew chapter 18 this morning and also Galatians chapter 6.
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[120.84 --> 126.98] So we'll start with Matthew 18, verse 15, where Jesus tells us,
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[127.52 --> 134.14] If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault just between the two of you.
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[134.78 --> 137.90] If they listen to you, you have won them over.
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[138.42 --> 146.38] But if they will not listen, take one or two others along so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
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[146.38 --> 150.96] If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church.
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[151.66 --> 156.82] And if they refuse to listen to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
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[157.80 --> 160.98] Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven,
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[161.18 --> 163.98] and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
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[164.62 --> 169.54] And again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for,
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[169.86 --> 172.42] it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
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[172.42 --> 177.86] Because where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
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[178.64 --> 181.14] And from Galatians, Paul says to the church,
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[181.56 --> 184.14] Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin,
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[184.68 --> 188.90] you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.
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[189.88 --> 193.68] But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
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[194.50 --> 195.90] Carry each other's burdens.
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[195.90 --> 199.54] And in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.
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[200.40 --> 200.90] Amen.
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[200.90 --> 206.64] Personally, as we've been learning and reflecting from this sermon series,
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[206.74 --> 208.00] and thinking about forgiveness,
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[208.46 --> 211.70] there is one thing that I really, really resonate with.
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[212.36 --> 214.22] And it is the fact that forgiveness,
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[214.76 --> 217.16] and seeking reconciliation that comes with it,
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[217.44 --> 219.48] is extremely difficult.
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[220.54 --> 222.44] It is very, very difficult.
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[222.80 --> 223.94] And what I want to say is,
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[223.94 --> 228.02] it is much harder to forgive and seek true reconciliation,
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[228.82 --> 230.82] compared to just forgetting about it,
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[231.16 --> 233.26] or just holding a grudge inside of you,
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[233.60 --> 236.34] or worse, finding different ways to cope,
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[236.66 --> 237.74] such as gossiping,
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[238.06 --> 240.68] or holding hatred inside of your heart.
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[242.30 --> 245.08] Specifically from Jesus' teaching from our passage this morning,
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[245.40 --> 248.54] it reminded me actually of my upbringing in my dad's church,
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[248.54 --> 251.50] a smaller church that I grew up in.
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[252.00 --> 255.50] Our church was small enough where everyone practically knew everyone.
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[255.80 --> 257.52] That's sort of the dynamic that we had.
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[257.88 --> 260.94] And one of the gifts from being a smaller church is that
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[260.94 --> 263.20] whenever sins are committed,
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[263.58 --> 264.80] and we'll talk about that today,
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[264.84 --> 265.98] we'll expand on that,
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[266.38 --> 268.74] but when some things go wrong,
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[268.74 --> 269.82] and when there's conflict,
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[270.30 --> 273.62] you usually don't have the option of avoiding it,
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[273.92 --> 275.12] and pretending it didn't happen,
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[275.22 --> 276.24] or you brush it off,
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[276.52 --> 277.90] oh, I'm not part of that circle.
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[278.50 --> 279.80] Well, there's only one circle.
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[280.20 --> 281.34] Everyone knows everyone,
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[281.70 --> 283.64] and everyone will probably know
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[283.64 --> 286.14] about the conflict or the wrongdoing
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[286.14 --> 287.40] that was done by somebody.
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[288.04 --> 289.24] And so with that in mind,
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[289.72 --> 291.48] that was especially annoying for me.
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[291.96 --> 292.20] Why?
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[292.60 --> 293.74] Because I was the PK.
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[294.54 --> 295.50] Eyes are on you.
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[296.10 --> 298.30] And that meant I could not sin easily.
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[298.74 --> 299.90] I had to be creative.
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[301.04 --> 305.00] So growing up in one of these creative seasons of my life
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[305.00 --> 306.12] in high school, okay,
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[306.16 --> 307.94] it wasn't when I was super mature,
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[308.84 --> 309.46] I acted,
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[309.58 --> 311.92] so I was struggling with my Christian identity growing up,
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[311.96 --> 312.90] especially being a PK.
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[313.30 --> 314.06] PKs are weird.
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[314.36 --> 315.88] Just, no offense, sorry Levi,
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[316.08 --> 316.56] but I'm,
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[317.26 --> 318.98] that's just the dynamic of being a PK.
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[319.60 --> 323.00] And as I wrestled with my sort of struggle,
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[323.48 --> 324.68] I did things,
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[324.68 --> 326.22] I acted in certain ways,
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[326.32 --> 327.54] I said certain things
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[327.54 --> 329.50] that I was very not much proud of,
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[329.54 --> 330.04] even then.
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[331.08 --> 332.24] And when word got out,
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[332.32 --> 333.30] and word gets out,
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[333.44 --> 335.14] especially again in a small community,
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[335.70 --> 337.04] of my misbehaviors,
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[337.32 --> 339.54] one of the older youth confronted me,
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[339.98 --> 341.82] which is sort of what Jesus teaches us today.
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[342.44 --> 343.42] He confronted me,
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[343.50 --> 345.34] but with gentleness and care,
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[345.50 --> 347.58] also from Galatians passage.
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[348.04 --> 349.52] That's the important part, by the way.
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[350.04 --> 351.18] There are three steps here.
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[351.66 --> 352.68] You confront sin.
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[352.68 --> 354.88] You do not let sin just slide by
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[354.88 --> 356.94] and continue on as a pattern of life.
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[357.44 --> 359.96] But you do it with care and gentleness,
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[360.08 --> 361.04] as Paul teaches us.
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[361.36 --> 362.24] And the last part,
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[362.96 --> 363.58] the goal,
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[363.84 --> 364.78] the ultimate goal,
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[364.94 --> 365.62] is reconciliation.
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[366.32 --> 367.76] Whether that's achieved or not,
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[368.16 --> 369.52] that's the direction we're heading.
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[370.06 --> 371.90] We head toward reconciliation.
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[372.40 --> 372.94] And so anyways,
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[373.04 --> 373.78] with that in mind,
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[374.04 --> 375.48] this older youth confronted me,
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[375.84 --> 378.72] and he was so Christ-like in that situation.
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[379.40 --> 381.86] I don't think he realized how Christ-like he was.
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[382.12 --> 384.22] I didn't realize how Christ-like he was.
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[384.60 --> 384.94] Why?
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[385.14 --> 385.84] In the sense,
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[385.94 --> 387.94] because just as Jesus teaches us today
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[387.94 --> 388.76] from Matthew 18,
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[388.76 --> 391.00] he confronted me privately.
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[391.68 --> 392.74] He pulled me aside
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[392.74 --> 394.04] during one of Sunday services,
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[394.50 --> 395.70] and he confronted me
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[395.70 --> 397.12] and forced me in a way
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[397.12 --> 399.08] to reflect on how serious
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[399.08 --> 400.54] and how destructive
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[400.54 --> 401.78] my patterns,
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[401.90 --> 402.88] my misbehaviors,
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[403.08 --> 403.80] could be,
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[403.90 --> 404.52] and is,
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[404.70 --> 405.40] at that point.
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[406.96 --> 408.48] He was not a saint, though.
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[409.50 --> 410.88] That's an important part as well.
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[411.42 --> 412.84] He did not confront me
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[412.84 --> 415.04] from a place of self-righteousness and pride.
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[415.42 --> 417.04] He did not have his life altogether.
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[417.14 --> 418.26] I can tell you that for sure.
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[418.74 --> 419.86] But he came to me
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[419.86 --> 422.30] in a posture of care and gentleness,
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[423.28 --> 425.18] wanting real growth from me.
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[426.64 --> 427.82] Now that's the important part.
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[428.28 --> 429.14] Another important part
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[429.14 --> 429.80] that I want to highlight
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[429.80 --> 430.78] before we move on
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[430.78 --> 431.72] is,
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[432.12 --> 433.26] yes, he confronted me.
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[433.68 --> 435.06] I accepted it humbly.
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[435.56 --> 435.82] It was,
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[436.28 --> 437.88] I was not proud of my actions.
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[437.88 --> 438.50] But,
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[438.86 --> 440.10] it wasn't one and done.
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[440.86 --> 441.40] It wasn't,
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[441.52 --> 441.76] alright,
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[442.22 --> 442.94] some guy
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[442.94 --> 444.26] cared about me
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[444.26 --> 444.94] within the church,
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[445.20 --> 446.16] so now overnight,
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[446.34 --> 447.48] I no longer sin.
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[448.14 --> 449.20] I no longer struggle
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[449.20 --> 449.78] with that sin.
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[450.12 --> 451.12] It wasn't like that.
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[451.58 --> 453.32] It's an ongoing process.
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[453.76 --> 455.22] It's not a one and done deal,
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[455.30 --> 456.58] as Pastor Sid mentioned before.
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[457.06 --> 457.88] It is a,
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[458.24 --> 459.56] it is the hard work.
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[459.78 --> 461.28] It is a long process.
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[461.68 --> 462.40] Really long
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[462.40 --> 463.38] in certain situations.
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[463.38 --> 464.42] But,
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[464.42 --> 466.12] that confrontation,
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[466.78 --> 467.60] that calling out
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[467.60 --> 468.66] of my misbehaviors,
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[468.86 --> 470.98] was a significant impact
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[470.98 --> 472.28] into my growth,
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[472.70 --> 474.80] even as I go through growth today.
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[475.26 --> 475.64] Hopefully,
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[475.84 --> 477.10] more and more like my Savior.
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[477.82 --> 478.08] It,
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[478.08 --> 478.84] it played
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[478.84 --> 480.46] a significant role
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[480.46 --> 481.04] in my life.
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[481.90 --> 482.32] Again,
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[482.70 --> 483.28] hard work,
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[483.66 --> 484.50] this living out
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[484.50 --> 485.28] of our identity
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[485.28 --> 486.02] of forgiveness
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[486.02 --> 486.80] and reconciliation.
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[486.80 --> 488.58] And I want to suggest
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[488.58 --> 490.26] from Jesus and Paul's teaching
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[490.26 --> 490.78] this morning,
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[491.32 --> 493.02] that it is our Christian duty.
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[493.78 --> 494.92] It is our mission,
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[495.08 --> 495.72] our identity,
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[496.26 --> 497.76] to fulfill the law of Christ
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[497.76 --> 499.32] and carry each other's burdens,
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[499.54 --> 500.72] as Paul says in Galatians.
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[501.06 --> 502.82] To confront sin.
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[504.22 --> 505.22] We don't let that go.
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[505.98 --> 507.58] But seek reconciliation
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[507.58 --> 509.22] with gentleness and love.
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[509.46 --> 510.34] And in this way,
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[510.52 --> 511.50] we get to embody
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[511.50 --> 512.70] and reflect
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[512.70 --> 513.70] the forgiving,
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[514.10 --> 514.90] loving goodness
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[514.90 --> 516.00] of our God,
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[516.00 --> 517.64] so that we may be
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[517.64 --> 519.10] witnesses for the world.
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[519.46 --> 520.20] A glimpse,
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[520.40 --> 521.82] maybe just a small glimpse,
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[522.00 --> 522.68] but a glimpse
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[522.68 --> 525.36] of what being real humans
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[525.36 --> 526.32] looks like.
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[526.98 --> 528.90] A community of real people,
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[529.98 --> 531.44] real broken human beings
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[531.44 --> 532.34] that come together,
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[532.46 --> 533.14] try to reflect
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[533.14 --> 534.10] the goodness of God
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[534.10 --> 535.62] because we're all forgiven.
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[536.22 --> 537.44] And we try to seek
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[537.44 --> 538.80] reconciliation together.
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[539.68 --> 540.44] And that's the key,
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[540.58 --> 540.90] isn't it?
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[541.36 --> 542.44] We're seeking
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[542.44 --> 543.88] reconciliation together.
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[544.50 --> 545.12] The Bible
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[545.12 --> 545.92] and Jesus
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[545.92 --> 546.34] and Paul,
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[546.44 --> 547.02] whoever it is,
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[547.08 --> 547.78] they're not naive.
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[548.02 --> 549.10] They don't simply say,
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[549.28 --> 549.58] all right,
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[549.76 --> 551.04] you enter the church doors,
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[551.32 --> 551.92] you're forgiven,
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[552.04 --> 552.90] you know your identity,
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[553.28 --> 554.42] all problem solved,
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[554.52 --> 555.62] you don't need reconciliation.
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[556.30 --> 557.66] Everyone is just perfect.
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[559.14 --> 559.42] No.
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[559.76 --> 560.68] They know
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[560.68 --> 561.90] that we are broken.
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[562.50 --> 562.72] They,
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[563.32 --> 563.58] they,
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[563.72 --> 564.00] I mean,
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[564.18 --> 564.98] Jesus and Paul,
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[565.44 --> 566.18] they know
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[566.18 --> 568.32] that we are broken
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[568.32 --> 569.76] and we need guidance
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[569.76 --> 570.22] and help
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[570.22 --> 571.20] every step of the way.
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[573.14 --> 574.96] We seek reconciliation
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[574.96 --> 576.24] through the power
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[576.24 --> 577.02] of forgiveness
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[577.02 --> 579.38] because we are a people
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[579.38 --> 580.50] who have been saved
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[580.50 --> 581.56] by that same power.
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[582.06 --> 583.00] We'll talk about it more.
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[583.22 --> 584.36] That's the starting place.
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[585.12 --> 586.32] That's the starting place.
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[586.88 --> 588.28] We experienced
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[588.28 --> 590.28] the power of forgiveness.
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[590.28 --> 592.56] So with this in mind,
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[592.74 --> 593.60] with that goal,
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[593.76 --> 594.98] with gentleness and care,
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[595.54 --> 596.48] it is significant
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[596.48 --> 597.16] to define
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[597.16 --> 598.36] what Jesus and Paul meant
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[598.36 --> 599.56] when they mention
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[599.56 --> 600.72] a brother or sister
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[600.72 --> 601.34] who sins,
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[601.72 --> 602.34] or you can say
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[602.34 --> 603.84] who is caught in a sin.
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[604.64 --> 605.22] And here,
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[605.38 --> 606.16] we're not talking
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[606.16 --> 606.88] simply about
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[606.88 --> 608.12] some one-off mistakes
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[608.12 --> 609.94] or some unintended actions
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[609.94 --> 611.20] that may have been hurtful.
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[611.96 --> 613.28] We are talking about
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[613.28 --> 614.04] a deliberate
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[614.04 --> 615.84] pattern of life
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[615.84 --> 617.28] that hinders the growth
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[617.28 --> 618.24] and the flourishing
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[618.24 --> 619.58] of the body of Christ,
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[619.68 --> 620.22] the church.
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[621.54 --> 622.40] So this is what
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[622.40 --> 623.12] they're talking about
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[623.12 --> 624.68] when they talk about sin.
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[625.26 --> 626.24] It's a pattern of life.
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[626.58 --> 627.16] And Val today,
|
|
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[627.24 --> 627.66] this morning,
|
|
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[627.76 --> 629.08] opened up with Psalm 1,
|
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[629.16 --> 630.92] which was very appropriate
|
|
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[630.92 --> 632.60] because Psalm 1 says,
|
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[632.88 --> 633.48] Blessed are the people
|
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[633.48 --> 635.20] who do not walk
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[635.20 --> 636.36] in step with the wicked
|
|
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[636.36 --> 637.96] or stand or sit.
|
|
|
[638.20 --> 639.70] This is a pattern of life.
|
|
|
[639.96 --> 640.28] Again,
|
|
|
[640.40 --> 641.76] not a one-and-done thing
|
|
|
[641.76 --> 642.98] in the pattern of sin either.
|
|
|
[643.38 --> 644.98] Not just unintended mistakes
|
|
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[644.98 --> 646.02] that hurt somebody's feelings.
|
|
|
[646.30 --> 647.26] There is a place for that.
|
|
|
[647.28 --> 648.74] But when we talk
|
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[648.74 --> 649.62] about sin here,
|
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[649.92 --> 650.70] a brother or sister
|
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[650.70 --> 652.16] who is caught in a sin,
|
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[652.22 --> 653.10] a pattern of life,
|
|
|
[653.90 --> 655.96] that's when we are given
|
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[655.96 --> 657.72] the duty to carefully,
|
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[658.34 --> 660.14] with care and gentleness,
|
|
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[660.38 --> 661.34] confront the sin.
|
|
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[661.90 --> 663.62] We do not want to brush it off
|
|
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[663.62 --> 664.26] and let it go.
|
|
|
[665.08 --> 666.34] That's the easy thing to do.
|
|
|
[666.64 --> 667.34] But that's not what
|
|
|
[667.34 --> 668.24] we're called to do.
|
|
|
[669.58 --> 671.04] So the Greek verb
|
|
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[671.04 --> 671.88] that is used here,
|
|
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[671.98 --> 672.44] translated,
|
|
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[672.82 --> 673.22] point out,
|
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[673.28 --> 673.82] in our NIV,
|
|
|
[673.96 --> 674.28] it says,
|
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[674.68 --> 675.92] go and point out
|
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[675.92 --> 676.76] to your brother's
|
|
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[676.76 --> 678.16] brother or sister's sin.
|
|
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[679.36 --> 680.88] Or in different translation,
|
|
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[681.06 --> 681.68] it says confront.
|
|
|
[682.00 --> 683.08] The Greek word here
|
|
|
[683.08 --> 683.80] is alecho.
|
|
|
[684.20 --> 685.28] And it actually means
|
|
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[685.28 --> 686.08] to confront,
|
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[686.42 --> 686.68] yes,
|
|
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[687.02 --> 687.78] to convict.
|
|
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[688.04 --> 688.86] It also means
|
|
|
[688.86 --> 689.76] to expose.
|
|
|
[690.76 --> 691.80] It also means
|
|
|
[691.80 --> 692.56] to reprove.
|
|
|
[693.18 --> 693.62] You're heading
|
|
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[693.62 --> 694.82] toward repentance.
|
|
|
[695.46 --> 696.54] That's the point.
|
|
|
[697.04 --> 697.66] And also,
|
|
|
[697.88 --> 699.28] the important part is,
|
|
|
[699.40 --> 700.60] what does Jesus start with?
|
|
|
[701.24 --> 701.82] He says,
|
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[702.04 --> 702.24] go.
|
|
|
[703.28 --> 704.70] This is a command.
|
|
|
[705.24 --> 706.70] This is not just some,
|
|
|
[706.70 --> 708.92] some practice
|
|
|
[708.92 --> 709.48] that we can do
|
|
|
[709.48 --> 710.66] that might be good for us.
|
|
|
[710.76 --> 711.62] This is a command.
|
|
|
[711.82 --> 712.54] This is a part
|
|
|
[712.54 --> 713.32] of the core
|
|
|
[713.32 --> 714.04] of our identity.
|
|
|
[714.66 --> 715.24] Jesus says,
|
|
|
[715.44 --> 716.88] go and confront,
|
|
|
[717.06 --> 717.66] point out,
|
|
|
[718.00 --> 718.52] expose,
|
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|
[719.06 --> 720.08] with gentleness
|
|
|
[720.08 --> 720.58] and care,
|
|
|
[720.84 --> 722.16] with the end goal
|
|
|
[722.16 --> 722.96] of reconciliation.
|
|
|
[724.10 --> 725.50] So this is our command.
|
|
|
[726.68 --> 727.38] And here,
|
|
|
[727.50 --> 728.62] Jesus is not inventing
|
|
|
[728.62 --> 729.56] a new Christian concept,
|
|
|
[729.62 --> 729.96] by the way.
|
|
|
[730.54 --> 731.18] It's not like
|
|
|
[731.18 --> 732.04] Jesus came on earth
|
|
|
[732.04 --> 732.46] and it's like,
|
|
|
[732.86 --> 733.04] hey,
|
|
|
[733.48 --> 734.10] I think I know
|
|
|
[734.10 --> 734.48] what it means
|
|
|
[734.48 --> 735.18] to be really human
|
|
|
[735.18 --> 735.90] and to flourish.
|
|
|
[736.08 --> 736.96] So let me teach you.
|
|
|
[737.74 --> 738.68] Jesus is simply
|
|
|
[738.68 --> 740.10] continuing the whole
|
|
|
[740.10 --> 741.02] story of the Bible
|
|
|
[741.02 --> 742.52] where God's people
|
|
|
[742.52 --> 744.30] were always called
|
|
|
[744.30 --> 745.54] to be a people
|
|
|
[745.54 --> 746.50] of forgiveness
|
|
|
[746.50 --> 747.64] and reconciliation,
|
|
|
[748.44 --> 749.56] a people of shalom,
|
|
|
[749.82 --> 750.18] harmony,
|
|
|
[750.60 --> 750.96] together.
|
|
|
[752.52 --> 752.90] Jesus,
|
|
|
[753.16 --> 753.94] so obviously,
|
|
|
[754.50 --> 756.98] quotes Deuteronomy 19
|
|
|
[756.98 --> 758.10] when he says,
|
|
|
[758.10 --> 759.26] call two or three witnesses,
|
|
|
[759.46 --> 759.96] that part.
|
|
|
[760.40 --> 761.02] But also,
|
|
|
[761.16 --> 762.18] this idea reflects
|
|
|
[762.18 --> 762.88] the Old Testament
|
|
|
[762.88 --> 764.08] from two verses
|
|
|
[764.08 --> 764.78] I pulled out.
|
|
|
[764.98 --> 765.88] I love this proverb.
|
|
|
[766.26 --> 766.76] Every culture
|
|
|
[766.76 --> 767.80] has wisdom sayings,
|
|
|
[768.04 --> 768.76] but this one comes
|
|
|
[768.76 --> 769.36] from our Bible.
|
|
|
[770.04 --> 771.38] Proverbs 27 says,
|
|
|
[771.94 --> 773.66] better an open rebuke
|
|
|
[773.66 --> 775.48] than love that is concealed.
|
|
|
[776.24 --> 776.88] The wounds,
|
|
|
[777.00 --> 778.16] so the open rebuke,
|
|
|
[778.32 --> 779.06] from a friend
|
|
|
[779.06 --> 779.80] are faithful.
|
|
|
[780.28 --> 780.92] Or in other words,
|
|
|
[780.98 --> 781.78] they can be trusted,
|
|
|
[782.30 --> 783.54] but the kisses
|
|
|
[783.54 --> 784.62] of an enemy
|
|
|
[784.62 --> 785.42] are deceitful.
|
|
|
[786.40 --> 787.84] That's such a wise saying.
|
|
|
[788.10 --> 791.34] Leviticus 19 also,
|
|
|
[791.56 --> 792.16] part of the law.
|
|
|
[793.06 --> 794.80] You must not harbor hatred
|
|
|
[794.80 --> 795.60] against your brother
|
|
|
[795.60 --> 796.28] in your heart.
|
|
|
[797.16 --> 798.82] Directly or openly
|
|
|
[798.82 --> 800.10] rebuke your neighbor
|
|
|
[800.10 --> 801.12] so that you will not
|
|
|
[801.12 --> 802.00] incur guilt
|
|
|
[802.00 --> 803.02] on account of him.
|
|
|
[803.56 --> 804.46] Do you notice
|
|
|
[804.46 --> 805.16] the duty here?
|
|
|
[805.42 --> 806.86] It is your mandate.
|
|
|
[807.26 --> 808.44] You have the responsibility
|
|
|
[808.44 --> 809.80] to expose
|
|
|
[809.80 --> 811.98] and confront the sin
|
|
|
[811.98 --> 814.52] because you might
|
|
|
[814.52 --> 815.36] incur guilt
|
|
|
[815.36 --> 816.12] on account
|
|
|
[816.12 --> 817.02] of not
|
|
|
[817.02 --> 818.28] or looking the other way
|
|
|
[818.28 --> 819.64] and letting that sin slide.
|
|
|
[820.94 --> 822.62] Do not seek revenge
|
|
|
[822.62 --> 823.72] or bear a grudge
|
|
|
[823.72 --> 824.98] against any of your people,
|
|
|
[825.14 --> 826.48] but love your neighbor
|
|
|
[826.48 --> 827.40] as yourself.
|
|
|
[827.62 --> 828.54] I am the Lord.
|
|
|
[828.54 --> 830.48] See,
|
|
|
[830.56 --> 831.62] this ultimate command
|
|
|
[831.62 --> 832.64] to love God
|
|
|
[832.64 --> 833.44] and love neighbor
|
|
|
[833.44 --> 834.50] as Jesus teaches us
|
|
|
[834.50 --> 835.28] from the Old Testament,
|
|
|
[835.88 --> 836.98] this includes
|
|
|
[836.98 --> 838.02] the difficult journey
|
|
|
[838.02 --> 839.20] of seeking reconciliation.
|
|
|
[840.34 --> 841.72] It is a difficult,
|
|
|
[841.92 --> 843.92] it is a very hard task
|
|
|
[843.92 --> 844.34] to do,
|
|
|
[844.62 --> 845.86] but we are called
|
|
|
[845.86 --> 847.14] to reflect that identity
|
|
|
[847.14 --> 847.68] of ours.
|
|
|
[848.18 --> 848.92] And so the question
|
|
|
[848.92 --> 849.82] we should be asking
|
|
|
[849.82 --> 850.90] one another is this,
|
|
|
[851.46 --> 852.96] do you care enough,
|
|
|
[852.96 --> 855.16] do you care enough of me
|
|
|
[855.16 --> 856.04] to tell me
|
|
|
[856.04 --> 856.76] when I'm sinning?
|
|
|
[857.68 --> 859.06] And then on the other side
|
|
|
[859.06 --> 859.48] of that,
|
|
|
[860.40 --> 860.90] are you,
|
|
|
[861.02 --> 861.78] when you receive
|
|
|
[861.78 --> 862.54] that reproval
|
|
|
[862.54 --> 863.24] or discipline,
|
|
|
[863.72 --> 864.76] are you humble enough
|
|
|
[864.76 --> 865.80] to accept that
|
|
|
[865.80 --> 866.96] as care,
|
|
|
[867.44 --> 868.60] as wanting growth
|
|
|
[868.60 --> 869.00] out of you
|
|
|
[869.00 --> 870.20] instead of receiving it
|
|
|
[870.20 --> 871.02] as an attack?
|
|
|
[871.92 --> 873.10] It is a two-way street,
|
|
|
[873.20 --> 873.80] this reconciliation.
|
|
|
[874.60 --> 875.98] It is not just one person.
|
|
|
[876.54 --> 877.44] It is two parties
|
|
|
[877.44 --> 878.20] coming together,
|
|
|
[878.68 --> 879.36] receiving it
|
|
|
[879.36 --> 880.06] with gentleness
|
|
|
[880.06 --> 881.24] and care and growth,
|
|
|
[881.66 --> 882.64] seeking reconciliation.
|
|
|
[883.72 --> 884.94] This is not easy,
|
|
|
[885.06 --> 885.44] obviously,
|
|
|
[885.72 --> 887.20] and this has been abused
|
|
|
[887.20 --> 888.54] by the church in the past,
|
|
|
[888.68 --> 889.72] where we just simply
|
|
|
[889.72 --> 890.40] point fingers.
|
|
|
[890.50 --> 891.76] That's also easy to do.
|
|
|
[893.78 --> 895.46] But we seek reconciliation
|
|
|
[895.46 --> 896.88] together in humility
|
|
|
[896.88 --> 897.64] and care
|
|
|
[897.64 --> 900.24] because the starting place,
|
|
|
[900.94 --> 902.08] the starting place,
|
|
|
[902.46 --> 905.02] is that we are all sinners,
|
|
|
[905.16 --> 905.52] aren't we?
|
|
|
[906.24 --> 907.64] We are a gathering
|
|
|
[907.64 --> 908.90] of not just saints.
|
|
|
[909.42 --> 910.18] That's the identity
|
|
|
[910.18 --> 911.60] that we've been gifted with.
|
|
|
[911.60 --> 913.04] But in reality,
|
|
|
[913.42 --> 915.54] we are all saved sinners.
|
|
|
[916.24 --> 917.06] You cannot forget
|
|
|
[917.06 --> 918.20] about the sinner's part.
|
|
|
[918.48 --> 919.54] That is still part
|
|
|
[919.54 --> 920.14] of our identity.
|
|
|
[920.52 --> 921.14] We are saved
|
|
|
[921.14 --> 922.18] by the grace of God,
|
|
|
[922.32 --> 923.20] but we are still
|
|
|
[923.20 --> 923.68] broken,
|
|
|
[923.90 --> 924.58] fragile people
|
|
|
[924.58 --> 925.50] that come together
|
|
|
[925.50 --> 926.72] to try and reflect
|
|
|
[926.72 --> 927.48] God's goodness
|
|
|
[927.48 --> 928.72] in His body,
|
|
|
[928.82 --> 929.44] His church.
|
|
|
[934.08 --> 935.12] So we start
|
|
|
[935.12 --> 936.16] at a place of humility
|
|
|
[936.16 --> 937.00] and gentleness.
|
|
|
[937.00 --> 938.60] But again,
|
|
|
[938.66 --> 939.66] I still had to wrestle
|
|
|
[939.66 --> 940.40] with this idea
|
|
|
[940.40 --> 940.84] of, okay,
|
|
|
[941.12 --> 942.12] Jesus and Paul,
|
|
|
[942.76 --> 943.94] what are you talking about?
|
|
|
[944.28 --> 945.32] What sort of sins,
|
|
|
[945.46 --> 946.26] what sort of patterns
|
|
|
[946.26 --> 946.90] of sin
|
|
|
[946.90 --> 949.22] require such care
|
|
|
[949.22 --> 950.04] and gentleness?
|
|
|
[951.82 --> 952.88] One commentator
|
|
|
[952.88 --> 953.90] defined it this way,
|
|
|
[953.96 --> 955.00] which I think is correct.
|
|
|
[955.56 --> 956.72] Sins that are
|
|
|
[956.72 --> 958.56] deliberate acts
|
|
|
[958.56 --> 959.54] of hurting the faith
|
|
|
[959.54 --> 960.66] of other Christians
|
|
|
[960.66 --> 961.40] by teaching
|
|
|
[961.40 --> 962.42] or living
|
|
|
[962.42 --> 963.78] unrepentantly,
|
|
|
[964.56 --> 965.38] shamelessly,
|
|
|
[965.38 --> 967.30] contrary to God's
|
|
|
[967.30 --> 968.30] words and commands.
|
|
|
[969.10 --> 970.38] So it's a lifestyle.
|
|
|
[970.58 --> 970.74] Again,
|
|
|
[970.80 --> 971.30] it's not just
|
|
|
[971.30 --> 972.48] unintentional mistakes.
|
|
|
[972.80 --> 973.76] It's a lifestyle
|
|
|
[973.76 --> 975.38] that is contrary
|
|
|
[975.38 --> 976.32] to the way
|
|
|
[976.32 --> 977.70] that Jesus exemplified
|
|
|
[977.70 --> 978.62] and has taught us
|
|
|
[978.62 --> 979.16] to follow.
|
|
|
[980.88 --> 982.08] But if you receive
|
|
|
[982.08 --> 982.82] this right now
|
|
|
[982.82 --> 983.42] and if you're anything
|
|
|
[983.42 --> 983.98] like me,
|
|
|
[984.26 --> 985.38] you sort of get
|
|
|
[985.38 --> 987.36] this sensitive cringe
|
|
|
[987.36 --> 987.84] and I go,
|
|
|
[988.28 --> 988.60] oof,
|
|
|
[988.86 --> 989.60] that sounds like
|
|
|
[989.60 --> 990.44] Christian legalism.
|
|
|
[991.22 --> 992.04] So you're saying
|
|
|
[992.04 --> 992.92] there's a way
|
|
|
[992.92 --> 993.74] of life
|
|
|
[993.74 --> 994.88] that Jesus taught us,
|
|
|
[994.88 --> 995.96] a way of blessing.
|
|
|
[996.44 --> 997.10] And if you don't
|
|
|
[997.10 --> 998.20] follow these standards,
|
|
|
[998.58 --> 999.20] we are given
|
|
|
[999.20 --> 999.88] the responsibility
|
|
|
[999.88 --> 1000.78] to point our fingers
|
|
|
[1000.78 --> 1001.16] and say,
|
|
|
[1001.30 --> 1001.50] hey,
|
|
|
[1002.42 --> 1003.76] WWJD, man.
|
|
|
[1003.92 --> 1005.20] You shouldn't be like that.
|
|
|
[1006.44 --> 1007.54] There's part of that,
|
|
|
[1007.64 --> 1007.90] yes.
|
|
|
[1008.42 --> 1009.30] But is it coming
|
|
|
[1009.30 --> 1010.10] out of a place
|
|
|
[1010.10 --> 1011.16] of care and gentleness?
|
|
|
[1011.50 --> 1012.26] And also,
|
|
|
[1012.70 --> 1013.36] would you do that
|
|
|
[1013.36 --> 1014.52] to somebody you just met?
|
|
|
[1014.72 --> 1015.80] Hey, nice to meet you.
|
|
|
[1015.96 --> 1016.68] What's your sin?
|
|
|
[1019.56 --> 1020.00] Obviously,
|
|
|
[1020.34 --> 1021.48] I'm sort of preaching
|
|
|
[1021.48 --> 1022.84] from what Jesus teaches us,
|
|
|
[1022.84 --> 1024.12] but the deep dynamics
|
|
|
[1024.12 --> 1024.82] of it is
|
|
|
[1024.82 --> 1026.34] it has to come out.
|
|
|
[1026.58 --> 1027.72] The seeking reconciliation
|
|
|
[1027.72 --> 1029.30] and confronting the sin
|
|
|
[1029.30 --> 1030.44] and the wrongdoing
|
|
|
[1030.44 --> 1031.48] that stands against
|
|
|
[1031.48 --> 1032.60] God's word
|
|
|
[1032.60 --> 1033.48] and his instruction
|
|
|
[1033.48 --> 1034.98] for flourishing human life,
|
|
|
[1035.40 --> 1035.60] yes,
|
|
|
[1035.66 --> 1036.40] it must come,
|
|
|
[1036.66 --> 1037.72] but it has to come
|
|
|
[1037.72 --> 1038.72] out of a place
|
|
|
[1038.72 --> 1039.74] of care and gentleness
|
|
|
[1039.74 --> 1041.42] and that takes time.
|
|
|
[1042.04 --> 1042.36] Again,
|
|
|
[1042.50 --> 1042.96] like I said,
|
|
|
[1043.00 --> 1043.72] the extreme is
|
|
|
[1043.72 --> 1045.04] you just meet somebody,
|
|
|
[1045.26 --> 1045.70] you don't want
|
|
|
[1045.70 --> 1046.48] to point your fingers.
|
|
|
[1046.48 --> 1048.76] you start
|
|
|
[1048.76 --> 1049.74] at a place
|
|
|
[1049.74 --> 1050.28] of humility.
|
|
|
[1054.94 --> 1055.80] Notice the heart
|
|
|
[1055.80 --> 1056.24] of it here.
|
|
|
[1057.56 --> 1059.06] I asked this question
|
|
|
[1059.06 --> 1059.46] in my head,
|
|
|
[1059.82 --> 1060.16] but Jesus,
|
|
|
[1060.30 --> 1060.94] aren't we all sinners?
|
|
|
[1061.78 --> 1062.92] What right do we have
|
|
|
[1062.92 --> 1063.40] to confront
|
|
|
[1063.40 --> 1064.26] somebody else's sin?
|
|
|
[1065.66 --> 1066.40] Aren't we all sinners?
|
|
|
[1066.50 --> 1066.66] Yes,
|
|
|
[1066.74 --> 1067.56] that is the truth,
|
|
|
[1067.80 --> 1069.10] but notice the heart
|
|
|
[1069.10 --> 1070.30] of what Jesus is teaching
|
|
|
[1070.30 --> 1071.38] and what Paul is teaching.
|
|
|
[1072.26 --> 1073.06] The sins,
|
|
|
[1073.36 --> 1074.36] the pattern of life,
|
|
|
[1074.62 --> 1075.26] the walking
|
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|
[1075.26 --> 1076.22] and standing
|
|
|
[1076.22 --> 1077.18] and sitting in the place
|
|
|
[1077.18 --> 1078.12] of mockers and sinners,
|
|
|
[1078.24 --> 1079.18] this lifestyle
|
|
|
[1079.18 --> 1081.94] is not a one-and-done mistake
|
|
|
[1081.94 --> 1083.06] or unintentional.
|
|
|
[1083.50 --> 1084.28] It is something
|
|
|
[1084.28 --> 1085.32] that is just embedded
|
|
|
[1085.32 --> 1086.42] in somebody's life.
|
|
|
[1087.82 --> 1089.30] And the heart of it is
|
|
|
[1089.30 --> 1090.60] that person
|
|
|
[1090.60 --> 1091.72] is unwilling
|
|
|
[1091.72 --> 1092.44] to repent
|
|
|
[1092.44 --> 1094.20] and shamelessly
|
|
|
[1094.20 --> 1094.74] thinking,
|
|
|
[1094.90 --> 1095.04] no,
|
|
|
[1095.24 --> 1095.92] I don't need
|
|
|
[1095.92 --> 1096.92] to change my ways.
|
|
|
[1097.94 --> 1099.04] So I'm not referring
|
|
|
[1099.04 --> 1099.90] to the people,
|
|
|
[1100.16 --> 1100.80] to us,
|
|
|
[1100.80 --> 1101.80] when we struggle
|
|
|
[1101.80 --> 1103.36] against the sins
|
|
|
[1103.36 --> 1104.18] that we struggle with,
|
|
|
[1104.32 --> 1105.00] the good fight
|
|
|
[1105.00 --> 1105.92] that we just talked about
|
|
|
[1105.92 --> 1106.98] in our last sermon series.
|
|
|
[1108.32 --> 1109.06] Not the,
|
|
|
[1109.36 --> 1110.12] I want growth
|
|
|
[1110.12 --> 1110.64] in my life.
|
|
|
[1110.78 --> 1111.54] I hate that
|
|
|
[1111.54 --> 1112.62] I'm still sinning
|
|
|
[1112.62 --> 1113.06] this way.
|
|
|
[1113.36 --> 1114.06] I'm struggling
|
|
|
[1114.06 --> 1114.70] and I'm wrestling
|
|
|
[1114.70 --> 1115.36] with this sin.
|
|
|
[1115.46 --> 1116.20] That's not what
|
|
|
[1116.20 --> 1116.92] I'm talking about.
|
|
|
[1117.40 --> 1118.64] What Jesus is talking
|
|
|
[1118.64 --> 1119.42] about with the sin,
|
|
|
[1119.50 --> 1120.40] the pattern of life,
|
|
|
[1120.70 --> 1121.30] of sin,
|
|
|
[1121.68 --> 1122.96] is this lifestyle
|
|
|
[1122.96 --> 1123.74] where they think,
|
|
|
[1124.20 --> 1125.24] I don't need to change.
|
|
|
[1125.72 --> 1126.20] Who are you
|
|
|
[1126.20 --> 1126.82] to tell me?
|
|
|
[1127.72 --> 1128.56] And they take
|
|
|
[1128.56 --> 1129.20] God's throne
|
|
|
[1129.20 --> 1129.74] and say,
|
|
|
[1129.74 --> 1131.18] I'm the ultimate judge
|
|
|
[1131.18 --> 1131.76] of my life.
|
|
|
[1132.22 --> 1132.82] Don't tell me
|
|
|
[1132.82 --> 1133.32] what to do.
|
|
|
[1134.36 --> 1135.08] That's sort of
|
|
|
[1135.08 --> 1136.18] the pattern of sin,
|
|
|
[1136.28 --> 1136.82] a lifestyle
|
|
|
[1136.82 --> 1138.16] that we are called
|
|
|
[1138.16 --> 1138.94] to confront
|
|
|
[1138.94 --> 1139.90] with care
|
|
|
[1139.90 --> 1140.64] and gentleness.
|
|
|
[1143.10 --> 1143.58] Because,
|
|
|
[1143.90 --> 1144.80] as Jesus says,
|
|
|
[1145.16 --> 1146.20] if they listen
|
|
|
[1146.20 --> 1146.60] to you,
|
|
|
[1147.46 --> 1148.12] in other words,
|
|
|
[1148.20 --> 1148.84] if they listen
|
|
|
[1148.84 --> 1149.64] and they repent,
|
|
|
[1150.64 --> 1151.86] then you have
|
|
|
[1151.86 --> 1153.26] won them over.
|
|
|
[1154.26 --> 1155.78] It's such strong language.
|
|
|
[1155.78 --> 1156.70] It means you have
|
|
|
[1156.70 --> 1157.62] won them back
|
|
|
[1157.62 --> 1159.22] into the family of God.
|
|
|
[1159.72 --> 1160.34] And I don't know
|
|
|
[1160.34 --> 1160.94] about you,
|
|
|
[1161.32 --> 1161.88] but that just
|
|
|
[1161.88 --> 1162.86] right away
|
|
|
[1162.86 --> 1163.54] reminded me
|
|
|
[1163.54 --> 1164.52] of the prodigal son.
|
|
|
[1165.34 --> 1167.04] When the prodigal son
|
|
|
[1167.04 --> 1167.44] repents
|
|
|
[1167.44 --> 1168.14] and comes back
|
|
|
[1168.14 --> 1168.64] to the father,
|
|
|
[1168.74 --> 1169.44] the father isn't
|
|
|
[1169.44 --> 1170.20] just sitting there
|
|
|
[1170.20 --> 1171.50] on his prideful throne
|
|
|
[1171.50 --> 1171.94] thinking,
|
|
|
[1172.32 --> 1172.46] yeah,
|
|
|
[1172.54 --> 1173.14] about time,
|
|
|
[1173.26 --> 1173.38] buddy.
|
|
|
[1174.26 --> 1174.60] No.
|
|
|
[1174.96 --> 1175.78] He's just
|
|
|
[1175.78 --> 1176.84] overjoyed
|
|
|
[1176.84 --> 1177.76] and he runs out
|
|
|
[1177.76 --> 1178.22] to his son
|
|
|
[1178.22 --> 1179.02] who comes back
|
|
|
[1179.02 --> 1179.90] because there is
|
|
|
[1179.90 --> 1181.12] power in forgiveness
|
|
|
[1181.12 --> 1181.92] and there is
|
|
|
[1181.92 --> 1182.86] power and joy
|
|
|
[1182.86 --> 1183.68] in reconciliation.
|
|
|
[1184.32 --> 1184.86] That shalom
|
|
|
[1184.86 --> 1185.74] that we're supposed
|
|
|
[1185.74 --> 1186.48] to live out.
|
|
|
[1186.88 --> 1187.78] There's so much
|
|
|
[1187.78 --> 1188.52] joy there.
|
|
|
[1189.08 --> 1190.00] That's what Jesus
|
|
|
[1190.00 --> 1191.82] is instructing us
|
|
|
[1191.82 --> 1192.20] to do.
|
|
|
[1192.60 --> 1193.48] That's the goodness
|
|
|
[1193.48 --> 1194.72] that is in store
|
|
|
[1194.72 --> 1195.34] for us.
|
|
|
[1197.22 --> 1197.62] And so,
|
|
|
[1197.72 --> 1197.90] again,
|
|
|
[1197.96 --> 1198.58] with that goal
|
|
|
[1198.58 --> 1199.02] in mind,
|
|
|
[1199.12 --> 1199.78] we want to head
|
|
|
[1199.78 --> 1200.90] toward reconciliation.
|
|
|
[1201.94 --> 1202.64] We are commanded
|
|
|
[1202.64 --> 1203.44] to confront
|
|
|
[1203.44 --> 1204.94] these sorts of patterns
|
|
|
[1204.94 --> 1206.34] with scrupulous care
|
|
|
[1206.34 --> 1207.62] for a lost
|
|
|
[1207.62 --> 1208.74] brother or sister.
|
|
|
[1209.20 --> 1210.26] But where do we start?
|
|
|
[1211.66 --> 1212.72] We start with
|
|
|
[1212.72 --> 1213.44] one-on-one,
|
|
|
[1213.78 --> 1215.10] private conversation.
|
|
|
[1216.04 --> 1216.78] Notice the care
|
|
|
[1216.78 --> 1217.56] of detail here.
|
|
|
[1217.86 --> 1218.76] Jesus starts with,
|
|
|
[1219.18 --> 1220.22] go and confront them,
|
|
|
[1220.40 --> 1221.38] just the two of you.
|
|
|
[1222.18 --> 1223.02] You start there.
|
|
|
[1223.80 --> 1224.66] You do not go
|
|
|
[1224.66 --> 1225.28] with your gang
|
|
|
[1225.28 --> 1226.70] of ten holy saints
|
|
|
[1226.70 --> 1227.26] and go,
|
|
|
[1227.38 --> 1227.62] alright,
|
|
|
[1228.08 --> 1229.04] I got ten people,
|
|
|
[1229.22 --> 1230.16] we all know you're sinning,
|
|
|
[1230.38 --> 1230.74] let's go,
|
|
|
[1230.84 --> 1231.16] come on,
|
|
|
[1231.32 --> 1231.74] shape up.
|
|
|
[1232.24 --> 1232.48] No.
|
|
|
[1232.78 --> 1233.70] It's a caring
|
|
|
[1233.70 --> 1235.22] one-on-one conversation
|
|
|
[1235.22 --> 1236.52] and you start there.
|
|
|
[1237.56 --> 1238.56] If that person
|
|
|
[1238.56 --> 1239.14] is unwilling
|
|
|
[1239.14 --> 1240.08] to listen to you,
|
|
|
[1240.40 --> 1240.70] again,
|
|
|
[1240.70 --> 1241.28] the next step
|
|
|
[1241.28 --> 1242.12] isn't bring your
|
|
|
[1242.12 --> 1242.72] whole church,
|
|
|
[1243.40 --> 1244.08] the next step
|
|
|
[1244.08 --> 1244.88] is bring your
|
|
|
[1244.88 --> 1245.38] small group.
|
|
|
[1245.86 --> 1246.68] Who are the fellow
|
|
|
[1246.68 --> 1247.50] brothers and sisters
|
|
|
[1247.50 --> 1249.20] who care for this
|
|
|
[1249.20 --> 1250.26] lost soul right now?
|
|
|
[1250.70 --> 1251.56] You bring them
|
|
|
[1251.56 --> 1252.28] into the picture.
|
|
|
[1253.36 --> 1254.80] But the sequence
|
|
|
[1254.80 --> 1255.38] goes on.
|
|
|
[1256.10 --> 1256.68] So if they're
|
|
|
[1256.68 --> 1257.62] unwilling to listen
|
|
|
[1257.62 --> 1258.54] to even a caring
|
|
|
[1258.54 --> 1259.26] small group,
|
|
|
[1259.74 --> 1260.84] then Jesus says,
|
|
|
[1261.32 --> 1262.12] tell it to the pastor.
|
|
|
[1263.40 --> 1264.12] He says,
|
|
|
[1264.22 --> 1265.24] tell it to the church.
|
|
|
[1265.24 --> 1266.60] He says,
|
|
|
[1266.92 --> 1268.44] go tell the whole community.
|
|
|
[1268.44 --> 1274.02] All of this sequence,
|
|
|
[1274.60 --> 1275.62] all this care
|
|
|
[1275.62 --> 1276.30] and detail,
|
|
|
[1276.80 --> 1277.90] it's a step-by-step
|
|
|
[1277.90 --> 1279.16] process that reflects
|
|
|
[1279.16 --> 1280.20] loving patience
|
|
|
[1280.20 --> 1281.16] because Jesus
|
|
|
[1281.16 --> 1282.10] is commanding,
|
|
|
[1282.30 --> 1283.20] he's instructing
|
|
|
[1283.20 --> 1283.82] his body,
|
|
|
[1283.94 --> 1284.54] his church,
|
|
|
[1284.94 --> 1285.54] to exhaust
|
|
|
[1285.54 --> 1286.50] all means
|
|
|
[1286.50 --> 1287.44] to win back
|
|
|
[1287.44 --> 1288.14] a lost brother
|
|
|
[1288.14 --> 1288.64] or sister.
|
|
|
[1289.92 --> 1291.16] Every way you can
|
|
|
[1291.16 --> 1292.16] because if you think of it,
|
|
|
[1292.16 --> 1293.02] if a private
|
|
|
[1293.02 --> 1293.92] caring conversation
|
|
|
[1293.92 --> 1294.48] doesn't work,
|
|
|
[1294.78 --> 1295.70] if a private
|
|
|
[1295.70 --> 1296.98] caring small group
|
|
|
[1296.98 --> 1297.44] doesn't work,
|
|
|
[1297.50 --> 1298.06] then you bring it
|
|
|
[1298.06 --> 1298.98] to the whole church
|
|
|
[1298.98 --> 1299.44] community.
|
|
|
[1299.88 --> 1300.50] And now,
|
|
|
[1300.92 --> 1301.88] the whole church
|
|
|
[1301.88 --> 1302.90] feels the weight
|
|
|
[1302.90 --> 1303.68] of the gravity
|
|
|
[1303.68 --> 1304.16] of sin
|
|
|
[1304.16 --> 1305.86] and how serious
|
|
|
[1305.86 --> 1306.60] it can get.
|
|
|
[1307.80 --> 1308.86] This is not about
|
|
|
[1308.86 --> 1309.48] the whole church
|
|
|
[1309.48 --> 1310.56] now pointing fingers
|
|
|
[1310.56 --> 1311.04] at a sinner.
|
|
|
[1311.30 --> 1312.44] It's the whole church
|
|
|
[1312.44 --> 1313.28] coming together
|
|
|
[1313.28 --> 1314.24] with gentleness
|
|
|
[1314.24 --> 1315.06] and care
|
|
|
[1315.06 --> 1316.10] with the goal
|
|
|
[1316.10 --> 1317.96] of bringing back
|
|
|
[1317.96 --> 1319.00] the lost sinner,
|
|
|
[1319.16 --> 1320.46] not pointing our fingers
|
|
|
[1320.46 --> 1320.80] and saying,
|
|
|
[1321.00 --> 1321.28] get out.
|
|
|
[1322.48 --> 1323.54] That's not our goal.
|
|
|
[1324.52 --> 1324.92] Sometimes,
|
|
|
[1325.28 --> 1325.44] yes,
|
|
|
[1325.50 --> 1326.36] the reality of life
|
|
|
[1326.36 --> 1327.52] is that must happen.
|
|
|
[1328.54 --> 1329.24] And sometimes,
|
|
|
[1329.38 --> 1329.86] reconciliation
|
|
|
[1329.86 --> 1331.02] is not possible.
|
|
|
[1331.42 --> 1332.22] Jesus is also
|
|
|
[1332.22 --> 1333.56] not naive about that.
|
|
|
[1335.20 --> 1336.58] That's the last step,
|
|
|
[1336.66 --> 1336.82] right?
|
|
|
[1336.94 --> 1337.94] Even if they
|
|
|
[1337.94 --> 1339.66] don't even listen
|
|
|
[1339.66 --> 1340.60] to the whole church
|
|
|
[1340.60 --> 1341.04] community.
|
|
|
[1342.12 --> 1342.68] And sometimes,
|
|
|
[1342.86 --> 1343.14] sadly,
|
|
|
[1343.40 --> 1344.28] that happens.
|
|
|
[1345.04 --> 1345.94] That's what Pastor Dave
|
|
|
[1345.94 --> 1346.80] goes into for us
|
|
|
[1346.80 --> 1347.28] next week.
|
|
|
[1347.36 --> 1348.28] So I'm not going to
|
|
|
[1348.28 --> 1349.30] steal from his sermon
|
|
|
[1349.30 --> 1349.82] from next week.
|
|
|
[1349.82 --> 1350.60] We don't do that here.
|
|
|
[1350.78 --> 1351.32] We don't steal.
|
|
|
[1351.64 --> 1352.50] I'll leave it to him.
|
|
|
[1353.58 --> 1355.38] But it is a sobering reality.
|
|
|
[1356.36 --> 1357.00] Sometimes,
|
|
|
[1357.34 --> 1358.24] that is impossible.
|
|
|
[1360.10 --> 1361.04] Back to the point.
|
|
|
[1361.76 --> 1362.28] Jesus says,
|
|
|
[1362.38 --> 1363.18] tell it to the church,
|
|
|
[1363.22 --> 1363.38] right,
|
|
|
[1363.44 --> 1364.22] as the last step.
|
|
|
[1364.98 --> 1365.40] Because,
|
|
|
[1365.56 --> 1366.94] as Pastor Dave says
|
|
|
[1366.94 --> 1367.78] all the time
|
|
|
[1367.78 --> 1368.92] when we do baptisms here,
|
|
|
[1369.22 --> 1369.82] he says something
|
|
|
[1369.82 --> 1370.94] like this to us.
|
|
|
[1371.34 --> 1372.34] It takes a whole village
|
|
|
[1372.34 --> 1373.14] to raise a child,
|
|
|
[1373.26 --> 1373.44] right?
|
|
|
[1373.70 --> 1374.88] It takes a whole church
|
|
|
[1374.88 --> 1375.28] community
|
|
|
[1375.28 --> 1376.66] to raise each other up
|
|
|
[1376.66 --> 1377.32] in faith.
|
|
|
[1377.64 --> 1378.68] And that includes
|
|
|
[1378.68 --> 1379.52] this as well.
|
|
|
[1380.88 --> 1381.36] Sometimes,
|
|
|
[1381.64 --> 1383.04] it takes a whole church
|
|
|
[1383.04 --> 1383.42] community
|
|
|
[1383.42 --> 1384.16] to bring back
|
|
|
[1384.16 --> 1384.72] a lost sinner.
|
|
|
[1387.08 --> 1387.74] I'm going to get
|
|
|
[1387.74 --> 1388.30] a little nerdy
|
|
|
[1388.30 --> 1388.86] on you here.
|
|
|
[1389.32 --> 1390.28] I had to study this
|
|
|
[1390.28 --> 1391.54] during my ordination process.
|
|
|
[1392.14 --> 1392.84] But we have something
|
|
|
[1392.84 --> 1393.80] called church orders.
|
|
|
[1394.16 --> 1395.68] Every church denomination
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[1395.68 --> 1396.86] or tradition
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[1396.86 --> 1398.08] has something called
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[1398.08 --> 1398.66] church orders.
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[1399.02 --> 1399.50] And they're like,
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[1399.56 --> 1400.32] if you simply put,
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[1400.40 --> 1401.12] they're like guidelines
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[1401.12 --> 1402.30] for a healthy church
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[1402.30 --> 1403.10] fellowship.
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[1404.12 --> 1404.84] And part of it,
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[1404.94 --> 1405.66] Article 79,
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[1406.02 --> 1407.36] already I'm sounding nerdy,
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[1407.44 --> 1407.56] right?
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[1407.76 --> 1408.40] Church order,
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[1408.52 --> 1409.82] Article 79 says,
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[1410.14 --> 1411.04] and you'll see it up here,
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[1411.04 --> 1412.96] the members of the church
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[1412.96 --> 1413.62] are accountable
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[1413.62 --> 1414.32] to one another
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[1414.32 --> 1415.24] in their doctrine
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[1415.24 --> 1415.86] and life
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[1415.86 --> 1417.24] and have the responsibility
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[1417.24 --> 1418.36] to encourage
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[1418.36 --> 1420.84] and admonish
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[1420.84 --> 1421.94] one another in love.
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[1422.02 --> 1423.02] So that's the first part.
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[1423.56 --> 1424.72] That's the biblical basis.
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[1425.18 --> 1425.88] And then going on
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[1425.88 --> 1426.30] from there,
|
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[1426.50 --> 1427.28] the consistory,
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[1427.68 --> 1428.74] which is a fancy term
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[1428.74 --> 1429.28] for the elders
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[1429.28 --> 1430.40] and deacons of the church,
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[1430.88 --> 1431.60] shall instruct
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[1431.60 --> 1432.82] and remind the members
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[1432.82 --> 1433.34] of the church
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[1433.34 --> 1434.52] of their responsibility
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[1434.52 --> 1436.08] and foster a spirit
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[1436.08 --> 1437.36] of love and openness
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[1437.36 --> 1438.36] within the fellowship
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[1438.36 --> 1439.66] so that,
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[1440.14 --> 1440.70] the goal,
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[1441.10 --> 1442.88] so that erring members,
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[1443.22 --> 1444.10] sinning members
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[1444.10 --> 1445.96] may be led to repentance
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[1445.96 --> 1446.94] and reconciliation.
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[1448.62 --> 1449.60] When I was studying that,
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[1449.64 --> 1450.20] I thought that was
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[1450.20 --> 1451.24] so meaningful
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[1451.24 --> 1452.64] and so biblical,
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[1453.08 --> 1454.12] exactly from what
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[1454.12 --> 1455.20] Jesus teaches us
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[1455.20 --> 1456.28] with the goal
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[1456.28 --> 1457.70] of reconciliation,
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[1458.18 --> 1459.18] the core part
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[1459.18 --> 1460.74] of the church's identity.
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[1461.30 --> 1462.22] As Jesus says,
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[1462.56 --> 1463.52] the last step is,
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[1463.52 --> 1464.98] go tell it to the church.
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[1464.98 --> 1467.38] The church,
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[1467.68 --> 1468.90] as a body of believers,
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[1469.56 --> 1470.76] has authority.
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[1471.98 --> 1473.54] Jesus says in verse 18
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[1473.54 --> 1474.52] from Matthew 18,
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[1475.56 --> 1476.44] whatever you bind
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[1476.44 --> 1477.46] or loose on earth
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[1477.46 --> 1478.10] will be bound
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[1478.10 --> 1479.14] or loosed in heaven.
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[1479.60 --> 1480.58] That's the amount
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[1480.58 --> 1481.12] of authority
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[1481.12 --> 1482.64] that the church is given,
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[1482.82 --> 1483.78] not to an individual,
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[1484.32 --> 1486.08] but to the whole community
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[1486.08 --> 1486.78] of believers.
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[1487.62 --> 1488.58] Whatever the size
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[1488.58 --> 1489.36] of the church is,
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[1489.50 --> 1490.26] as Jesus says,
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[1490.26 --> 1491.56] even when two or three
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[1491.56 --> 1492.72] gather in my name,
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[1492.96 --> 1494.16] there I am with them.
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[1494.98 --> 1496.16] That's the authority
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[1496.16 --> 1497.32] that every single
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[1497.32 --> 1498.08] church community
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[1498.08 --> 1499.38] is given with,
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[1499.58 --> 1501.36] is given responsibility for.
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[1502.58 --> 1503.50] But again,
|
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[1503.78 --> 1505.06] another point of me
|
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[1505.06 --> 1505.70] cringing here,
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[1505.82 --> 1506.16] oof,
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[1506.50 --> 1507.14] whenever I hear
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[1507.14 --> 1508.20] authority of the church.
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[1509.06 --> 1509.86] I don't know about you,
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[1509.92 --> 1511.06] but I live,
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[1511.82 --> 1512.96] I come from a culture
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[1512.96 --> 1514.80] where I hear horror stories
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[1514.80 --> 1517.16] from mega churches in Korea
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[1517.16 --> 1518.48] where they take
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[1518.48 --> 1519.46] personal agendas
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[1519.46 --> 1521.24] and even pastors too.
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[1521.40 --> 1522.46] Yes, we're broken people.
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[1522.46 --> 1524.36] And pastors even abuse
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[1524.36 --> 1525.00] the pulpit
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[1525.00 --> 1526.52] to rebuke,
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[1526.64 --> 1527.52] openly rebuke.
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[1527.58 --> 1528.46] Yeah, following Jesus'
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[1528.70 --> 1529.48] instructions, right?
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[1529.74 --> 1530.92] But using the pulpit
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[1530.92 --> 1532.16] to openly rebuke
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[1532.16 --> 1533.44] certain individuals
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[1533.44 --> 1534.98] that they have conflict with
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[1534.98 --> 1535.96] or certain groups
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[1535.96 --> 1537.08] that they have conflict with.
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[1537.70 --> 1538.94] And you can sort of imagine
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[1538.94 --> 1539.76] what would happen.
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[1541.04 --> 1542.30] In some infamous cases,
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[1542.44 --> 1543.38] people would stand up
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[1543.38 --> 1544.12] in the middle of the sermon
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[1544.12 --> 1545.12] and start screaming back
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[1545.12 --> 1546.38] at the pastor
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[1546.38 --> 1546.68] and saying,
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[1546.94 --> 1547.94] you can't do that!
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[1548.14 --> 1549.38] You can't say that there!
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[1549.38 --> 1552.26] Don't get any ideas here.
|
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[1554.00 --> 1555.48] But think and imagine
|
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[1555.48 --> 1556.82] like a heated debate
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[1556.82 --> 1558.34] in a House of Commons meeting.
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[1560.84 --> 1562.12] But think about it.
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[1562.50 --> 1563.40] If the church,
|
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[1563.48 --> 1564.20] and nothing against
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[1564.20 --> 1565.04] our politicians,
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[1565.90 --> 1566.98] but if the church
|
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[1566.98 --> 1568.24] as the body of believers
|
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[1568.24 --> 1569.42] reflects exactly
|
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[1569.42 --> 1570.72] what the politicians do
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[1570.72 --> 1571.60] in the House of Commons,
|
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[1571.98 --> 1573.06] what sort of witness
|
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[1573.06 --> 1574.40] is the body of Christ
|
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[1574.40 --> 1575.48] for the world?
|
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[1575.48 --> 1578.20] And I hope you can see
|
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[1578.20 --> 1578.62] the connection
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[1578.62 --> 1579.50] to Paul's warning
|
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[1579.50 --> 1580.18] for us here.
|
|
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[1580.74 --> 1581.46] As Paul says
|
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[1581.46 --> 1582.36] in Galatians 6,
|
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[1583.28 --> 1584.94] be careful in your rebukes
|
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[1584.94 --> 1586.06] of the sins, church.
|
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[1587.00 --> 1588.24] Be careful when you
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[1588.24 --> 1589.24] confront the sins
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[1589.24 --> 1590.06] of your own brother
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[1590.06 --> 1590.60] or sister.
|
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[1591.00 --> 1591.28] Why?
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[1591.68 --> 1593.28] Because in your rebuke,
|
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[1593.68 --> 1594.20] in other words,
|
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[1594.28 --> 1595.02] in your anger
|
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[1595.02 --> 1596.12] against that sin,
|
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[1596.42 --> 1597.10] and rightly so,
|
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|
[1597.16 --> 1598.06] we should be angry
|
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[1598.06 --> 1599.02] against sins
|
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[1599.02 --> 1599.54] that are committed
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|
[1599.54 --> 1600.22] in the church.
|
|
|
[1601.14 --> 1602.68] But in that anger,
|
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|
[1603.02 --> 1604.38] it is so easy
|
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|
[1604.38 --> 1605.68] and so tempting
|
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|
[1605.68 --> 1607.42] to sin out of that anger.
|
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|
[1610.22 --> 1611.32] An early church father
|
|
|
[1611.32 --> 1612.14] says it so well.
|
|
|
[1612.28 --> 1612.98] St. Augustine,
|
|
|
[1613.72 --> 1614.76] touching on this topic,
|
|
|
[1614.86 --> 1615.56] he says this,
|
|
|
[1616.26 --> 1616.80] So then,
|
|
|
[1616.94 --> 1618.32] be neither consenting
|
|
|
[1618.32 --> 1618.90] to evil
|
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|
[1618.90 --> 1620.94] so as to approve sin,
|
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|
[1621.66 --> 1623.20] nor negligent
|
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[1623.20 --> 1624.76] so as not to reprove it
|
|
|
[1624.76 --> 1625.68] and just avoid it,
|
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|
[1626.74 --> 1627.98] nor proud
|
|
|
[1627.98 --> 1629.60] so as to reprove it
|
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|
[1629.60 --> 1631.24] in a tone of insult.
|
|
|
[1632.96 --> 1634.34] This is hard work.
|
|
|
[1635.34 --> 1635.84] Forgiveness
|
|
|
[1635.84 --> 1636.70] and reconciliation.
|
|
|
[1637.82 --> 1638.70] Even John Calvin,
|
|
|
[1638.88 --> 1640.34] one of the early theologians,
|
|
|
[1640.42 --> 1640.76] he's like,
|
|
|
[1641.14 --> 1642.52] one of the hardest things
|
|
|
[1642.52 --> 1643.00] to do
|
|
|
[1643.00 --> 1644.94] is to care
|
|
|
[1644.94 --> 1646.96] and also reprove
|
|
|
[1646.96 --> 1647.98] a fellow brother
|
|
|
[1647.98 --> 1648.94] or sister in the church.
|
|
|
[1649.22 --> 1650.60] It's one of the hardest things
|
|
|
[1650.60 --> 1651.52] to do in the church.
|
|
|
[1653.20 --> 1653.94] As mentioned
|
|
|
[1653.94 --> 1654.36] at the beginning
|
|
|
[1654.36 --> 1654.90] of my sermon,
|
|
|
[1655.56 --> 1657.04] it's much easier
|
|
|
[1657.04 --> 1658.24] to avoid accountability
|
|
|
[1658.24 --> 1659.82] or reprove someone's
|
|
|
[1659.82 --> 1660.70] unhealthy patterns
|
|
|
[1660.70 --> 1661.82] and just let them be.
|
|
|
[1661.92 --> 1662.92] That's just much easier.
|
|
|
[1663.78 --> 1664.26] And besides,
|
|
|
[1664.58 --> 1665.74] that's what the culture,
|
|
|
[1666.06 --> 1667.26] our individualistic culture
|
|
|
[1667.26 --> 1668.48] today tells us anyways.
|
|
|
[1669.04 --> 1669.56] Remember from
|
|
|
[1669.56 --> 1670.44] our Good Fight series,
|
|
|
[1670.78 --> 1671.68] the deceptive message
|
|
|
[1671.68 --> 1672.22] of the world?
|
|
|
[1672.90 --> 1673.68] You do you.
|
|
|
[1675.20 --> 1676.80] Just follow your heart.
|
|
|
[1677.56 --> 1678.70] You don't need me
|
|
|
[1678.70 --> 1679.82] to point out your fault
|
|
|
[1679.82 --> 1681.28] or your bad patterns
|
|
|
[1681.28 --> 1682.56] or unhealthy patterns
|
|
|
[1682.56 --> 1684.10] to speak into your life
|
|
|
[1684.10 --> 1685.84] or journey toward growth together.
|
|
|
[1686.26 --> 1686.46] No,
|
|
|
[1686.70 --> 1688.38] that's way too much work.
|
|
|
[1689.20 --> 1689.46] Okay,
|
|
|
[1689.56 --> 1690.28] but we're a church.
|
|
|
[1690.34 --> 1691.18] We need to try, right?
|
|
|
[1691.28 --> 1691.74] Oh, right.
|
|
|
[1691.84 --> 1692.10] Okay,
|
|
|
[1692.42 --> 1693.14] we'll just hire
|
|
|
[1693.14 --> 1694.06] and pay the pastors
|
|
|
[1694.06 --> 1694.70] to do that.
|
|
|
[1695.76 --> 1696.84] That's good enough, right?
|
|
|
[1698.30 --> 1698.66] Now,
|
|
|
[1698.70 --> 1699.50] I'm not trying to avoid
|
|
|
[1699.50 --> 1700.54] responsibility here.
|
|
|
[1700.88 --> 1701.58] We here
|
|
|
[1701.58 --> 1703.14] even have a pastor of care
|
|
|
[1703.14 --> 1704.60] who says that
|
|
|
[1704.60 --> 1705.72] the rest of us don't care.
|
|
|
[1706.10 --> 1706.52] We do.
|
|
|
[1706.64 --> 1707.14] We try.
|
|
|
[1707.80 --> 1709.12] But this calling
|
|
|
[1709.12 --> 1710.86] and Paul's exhortation
|
|
|
[1710.86 --> 1711.78] for the church
|
|
|
[1711.78 --> 1713.06] is to carry
|
|
|
[1713.06 --> 1714.12] one another's burdens.
|
|
|
[1714.82 --> 1715.96] He did not write
|
|
|
[1715.96 --> 1716.46] his letter
|
|
|
[1716.46 --> 1718.04] to the Galatian Community Church
|
|
|
[1718.04 --> 1720.02] just for the pastors.
|
|
|
[1720.92 --> 1721.80] He wrote it
|
|
|
[1721.80 --> 1722.82] to the whole church
|
|
|
[1722.82 --> 1723.84] and he said
|
|
|
[1723.84 --> 1726.20] carry each other's burdens.
|
|
|
[1729.78 --> 1731.56] It's for the whole community.
|
|
|
[1732.02 --> 1733.04] It's our identity
|
|
|
[1733.04 --> 1734.96] as the body of Christ,
|
|
|
[1735.10 --> 1736.12] all of us together.
|
|
|
[1737.74 --> 1738.96] And so this commentator
|
|
|
[1738.96 --> 1740.04] sums it up very well
|
|
|
[1740.04 --> 1742.26] as he writes on Matthew 18.
|
|
|
[1743.16 --> 1743.88] He says,
|
|
|
[1743.88 --> 1745.44] real lovelessness,
|
|
|
[1746.26 --> 1747.16] wrong judging,
|
|
|
[1747.80 --> 1749.54] is to drop another person
|
|
|
[1749.54 --> 1750.08] altogether
|
|
|
[1750.08 --> 1751.88] without any attempt
|
|
|
[1751.88 --> 1753.14] at speaking,
|
|
|
[1753.56 --> 1754.90] at seeking conversations,
|
|
|
[1755.16 --> 1755.50] repentance,
|
|
|
[1755.72 --> 1757.00] or reconciliation at all.
|
|
|
[1758.22 --> 1759.26] But in Jesus'
|
|
|
[1759.56 --> 1760.92] radical teaching of grace,
|
|
|
[1761.72 --> 1762.58] the sinner
|
|
|
[1762.58 --> 1763.98] is taken seriously
|
|
|
[1763.98 --> 1764.70] as a person
|
|
|
[1764.70 --> 1765.44] and is treated
|
|
|
[1765.44 --> 1767.46] as his teaching shows,
|
|
|
[1767.56 --> 1768.72] as his sequence shows,
|
|
|
[1768.72 --> 1770.16] with an impressive
|
|
|
[1770.16 --> 1771.82] carefulness.
|
|
|
[1771.82 --> 1774.48] In this way,
|
|
|
[1775.04 --> 1776.12] when we seek
|
|
|
[1776.12 --> 1777.50] reconciliation like this
|
|
|
[1777.50 --> 1778.36] with gentleness
|
|
|
[1778.36 --> 1779.06] and care,
|
|
|
[1779.52 --> 1780.58] we embody
|
|
|
[1780.58 --> 1781.46] a lifestyle,
|
|
|
[1782.46 --> 1783.16] a lifestyle
|
|
|
[1783.16 --> 1784.00] of forgiveness,
|
|
|
[1784.62 --> 1785.24] a lifestyle
|
|
|
[1785.24 --> 1786.92] that is spirit-led.
|
|
|
[1787.26 --> 1788.52] Because when the church
|
|
|
[1788.52 --> 1789.84] disciplines Christians,
|
|
|
[1790.66 --> 1791.84] when we discipline
|
|
|
[1791.84 --> 1792.52] each other
|
|
|
[1792.52 --> 1793.56] out of care
|
|
|
[1793.56 --> 1794.28] and gentleness,
|
|
|
[1794.82 --> 1796.58] we more effectively
|
|
|
[1796.58 --> 1796.82] disciple
|
|
|
[1797.34 --> 1798.38] non-Christians.
|
|
|
[1799.40 --> 1800.22] Simply put,
|
|
|
[1800.40 --> 1801.20] it starts here.
|
|
|
[1801.82 --> 1803.00] It starts here.
|
|
|
[1803.88 --> 1804.80] That is our calling.
|
|
|
[1805.32 --> 1806.28] This is our Christian
|
|
|
[1806.28 --> 1807.88] mandate as the church.
|
|
|
[1808.26 --> 1808.74] A humble,
|
|
|
[1809.18 --> 1810.02] gentle posture
|
|
|
[1810.02 --> 1811.02] of seeking healing,
|
|
|
[1811.40 --> 1811.78] forgiveness,
|
|
|
[1812.02 --> 1813.10] and bearing one another's
|
|
|
[1813.10 --> 1813.48] burdens
|
|
|
[1813.48 --> 1815.48] so that we may grow
|
|
|
[1815.48 --> 1817.34] and reflect,
|
|
|
[1817.46 --> 1818.14] even if it's
|
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[1818.14 --> 1818.86] a little bit,
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[1819.36 --> 1820.44] reflect a glimpse
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[1820.44 --> 1821.44] of God's kingdom
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[1821.44 --> 1822.18] on earth
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[1822.18 --> 1823.24] as it is in heaven.
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[1824.90 --> 1825.90] And so the invitation
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[1825.90 --> 1826.40] today,
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[1826.50 --> 1827.20] brothers and sisters,
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[1827.58 --> 1828.64] is to take a step.
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[1828.64 --> 1830.56] who is someone
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[1830.56 --> 1831.66] you care enough about
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[1831.66 --> 1832.96] to hold accountable
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[1832.96 --> 1833.82] and to seek
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[1833.82 --> 1835.04] reconciliation with?
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[1836.10 --> 1837.36] And the warning again
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[1837.36 --> 1838.30] is be careful
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[1838.30 --> 1839.04] not to sin
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[1839.04 --> 1839.76] in your anger
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[1839.76 --> 1841.92] or just to brush it off
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[1841.92 --> 1842.90] or just hold
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[1842.90 --> 1843.36] the grudge
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[1843.36 --> 1844.10] inside of you.
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[1846.02 --> 1847.08] But can you just
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[1847.08 --> 1847.76] start with a cup
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[1847.76 --> 1848.26] of coffee?
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[1849.80 --> 1850.74] Can you take
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[1850.74 --> 1852.22] one simple step
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[1852.22 --> 1852.76] at a time?
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[1852.96 --> 1854.42] Because the good news,
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[1855.24 --> 1855.80] the gospel
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[1855.80 --> 1857.16] is good news for us.
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[1857.46 --> 1858.52] It doesn't just
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[1858.52 --> 1859.40] throw challenges
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[1859.40 --> 1860.14] for us to do
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[1860.14 --> 1860.84] and fail at.
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[1861.36 --> 1862.28] The good news
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[1862.28 --> 1863.86] is that the foundation
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[1863.86 --> 1865.16] and where we lean on
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[1865.16 --> 1866.30] through every step
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[1866.30 --> 1867.58] of this hard journey
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[1867.58 --> 1870.50] is on the forgiver
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[1870.50 --> 1871.86] of all of our sins.
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[1872.18 --> 1873.74] That's where we fall back to.
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[1874.14 --> 1875.28] That's our safety net.
|
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[1875.86 --> 1876.70] The Holy Spirit
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[1876.70 --> 1877.42] is the one
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[1877.42 --> 1878.68] who dwells within us,
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[1878.80 --> 1879.80] who guides us
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[1879.80 --> 1881.12] every step of the way.
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[1882.20 --> 1883.32] And so that's the blessing
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[1883.32 --> 1884.48] for us this morning.
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[1884.48 --> 1886.44] May all of us
|
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[1886.44 --> 1887.06] be blessed
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[1887.06 --> 1888.22] and be attentive
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[1888.22 --> 1889.96] to the Holy Spirit's leading
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[1889.96 --> 1890.96] as we continue
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[1890.96 --> 1892.34] to seek to be a community
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[1892.34 --> 1893.34] of forgiveness
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[1893.34 --> 1895.12] and reconciliation.
|
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[1896.18 --> 1897.42] May we journey
|
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[1897.42 --> 1898.24] through this
|
|
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[1898.24 --> 1900.30] difficult process together.
|
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[1901.34 --> 1902.06] Let's pray.
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[1908.90 --> 1910.70] Loving and forgiving
|
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[1910.70 --> 1911.32] Father,
|
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[1911.32 --> 1914.24] we thank you so much
|
|
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[1914.24 --> 1915.34] that you have brought us
|
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[1915.34 --> 1916.52] here together
|
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[1916.52 --> 1917.38] as your people
|
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[1917.38 --> 1919.14] and you have reminded us
|
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[1919.14 --> 1920.24] of our identity,
|
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[1920.46 --> 1920.58] Lord.
|
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[1922.42 --> 1922.98] Lord,
|
|
|
[1923.12 --> 1924.26] may we continue
|
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|
[1924.26 --> 1925.28] to be a community
|
|
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[1925.28 --> 1926.08] that seeks
|
|
|
[1926.08 --> 1927.06] love,
|
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[1928.06 --> 1929.12] worked out
|
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[1929.12 --> 1929.76] in forgiveness
|
|
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[1929.76 --> 1930.72] and reconciliation,
|
|
|
[1931.80 --> 1933.12] especially in those times
|
|
|
[1933.12 --> 1934.26] where it seems
|
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|
[1934.26 --> 1935.80] like it's impossible.
|
|
|
[1935.80 --> 1938.22] may your spirit
|
|
|
[1938.22 --> 1939.36] give us the humility
|
|
|
[1939.36 --> 1940.76] and the wisdom
|
|
|
[1940.76 --> 1941.48] that it takes
|
|
|
[1941.48 --> 1941.96] to journey
|
|
|
[1941.96 --> 1943.18] through these hard steps
|
|
|
[1943.18 --> 1944.72] as we seek
|
|
|
[1944.72 --> 1945.78] to forgive one another
|
|
|
[1945.78 --> 1947.22] just as you
|
|
|
[1947.22 --> 1948.22] have forgiven us.
|
|
|
[1949.50 --> 1950.88] Continue to remind us
|
|
|
[1950.88 --> 1952.08] of where we come from,
|
|
|
[1952.36 --> 1953.20] where we are,
|
|
|
[1953.80 --> 1955.08] that we belong to you
|
|
|
[1955.08 --> 1956.60] and you have called us
|
|
|
[1956.60 --> 1957.12] in your grace
|
|
|
[1957.12 --> 1958.08] because you,
|
|
|
[1958.34 --> 1959.14] first and foremost,
|
|
|
[1959.54 --> 1960.32] have forgiven us
|
|
|
[1960.32 --> 1961.32] of our sins.
|
|
|
[1961.32 --> 1963.20] we thank you
|
|
|
[1963.20 --> 1964.14] for this good news
|
|
|
[1964.14 --> 1965.50] that we get to reflect
|
|
|
[1965.50 --> 1966.54] a little bit more
|
|
|
[1966.54 --> 1967.80] of your love
|
|
|
[1967.80 --> 1968.56] for one another
|
|
|
[1968.56 --> 1970.72] and may that turn into
|
|
|
[1970.72 --> 1972.14] being a witness
|
|
|
[1972.14 --> 1972.88] for the world
|
|
|
[1972.88 --> 1973.80] who is in darkness,
|
|
|
[1974.00 --> 1975.00] who have no hope.
|
|
|
[1975.88 --> 1977.06] May we be a glimpse
|
|
|
[1977.06 --> 1978.00] of your shalom
|
|
|
[1978.00 --> 1978.62] for the world.
|
|
|
[1979.52 --> 1979.96] We thank you
|
|
|
[1979.96 --> 1980.76] for this good news
|
|
|
[1980.76 --> 1981.54] and in Jesus' name
|
|
|
[1981.54 --> 1981.94] we pray.
|
|
|
[1983.10 --> 1983.40] Amen.
|
|
|
[1984.46 --> 1985.80] I invite you to stand
|
|
|
[1985.80 --> 1986.34] as we sing
|
|
|
[1986.34 --> 1987.42] our song response,
|
|
|
[1987.58 --> 1988.40] Amazing Grace.
|
|
|
[1988.40 --> 2018.38] Thank you.
|
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|