Willow Ridge Sermons

February 15th, 2026 • "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

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Creators and Guests

Host

Beau Bradberry

Senior Pastor

What is Willow Ridge Sermons?

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Good morning, y'all caught me in mid-cough. If you have your Bibles, and I hope you do,

I want to invite you to join us in Matthew chapter 5. As you turn there, if you do not

have a copy of God's Word, we do have some there back in the back at our connections table. I want

to encourage you, if you're here and you do not have a copy of God's Word, make sure you swing by

there, get you a copy. We would love for you to have one as a gift from us to you. Also, if you're

a first-time guest at the end of the service, I will be back there. Pastor Dave will be back there

with me. We would love to be able to speak with you, and thank you for being here, for worshiping

with us. So we know that you've got somewhere to be, but if you wouldn't mind just pausing for just

a brief moment, we would love to be able to shake your hand and greet you, and thank you personally

for being here. We're going to continue on in our Sermon on the Mount, our Matthew series, as we look

at the Sermon on the Mount. And as we do, I would like to read to you guys 2 Corinthians 5,

18 through 19, to get our minds set on what the Lord may have for us this morning. Paul writes to

the church at Corinth, and he says, all this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself

and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world

to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of

reconciliation. Would you pray with me? God, thank you so much for this time and opportunity to be

gathered in here today. Lord, even as we sit here and we hear the rain outside, Lord, we thank you for

the warmth and comfort of this building, and we thank you for the rain that you have sent our way as

we desperately need it. God, I pray that as we study your word this morning, that through the power of

your Holy Spirit, you'd speak to our hearts. Convict us, Lord, and for some who were here who are not

followers of Jesus, that they would be brought into relationship with him. Lord, use me to speak.

Remove any of this that is of me or from me, and Lord, may it be of you and from you, and we will praise you

for it. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. So, we are in a key critical moment in the early

ministry of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is there. He's got a group of followers who have been

following him, and he is going to begin to speak into some areas that will draw out some of the DNA and

characteristics of the true followers of Christ and not the fraud followers of Christ. Sometimes people can

portray themselves to be something that they are not. I'd like to share with you a funny little story. I think

it's funny about this. From our pastor friend in India, Dr. Sam John. Sam was telling me one day,

we were having a conversation about how things are done differently in India than in the United States,

and there's lots of things that they do differently than how we do them. But one of the things that they

can do in India is on your driver's license, you can choose to have a title put by your name.

And so, Sam, being a student of theology, Sam, continuing to achieve higher levels of education

and the things that the Lord has given him opportunities, has earned the title of doctor.

So, when it came time to get his ID updated, they asked if he had a title, and he said,

sure, I would like for you to put doctor. So, on his driver's license in India, it says Dr. Sam John.

Well, one day he gets a call, and a church member is in the hospital. It's an emergency.

So, if you've ever been to India, I found this remarkable that there could ever be

such minimal traffic that you could speed. But Sam was speeding, and then Sam ran a red light.

Again, if you've ever been to India, lots of people run red lights. But Sam, in speeding and

running the red light, gets pulled over. The police officer comes up to him.

And says, can I see your ID? So, Sam hands him his ID. The police officer makes a comment about his

rate of speed and his running the red light. The police officer looks at his ID and says,

oh, I'm sorry, Dr. John, are you headed to the hospital? He said, I am. He said, is it an emergency?

He said, it is. He said, well, then you can continue on your way. And handed him back his driver's license.

Now, I say this, we had a good laugh at it, right? Sam didn't lie to the gentleman. He is a doctor of

theology. He was headed to the hospital, and it was an emergency. He answered all of his questions

truthfully, right? Sam was not falsely portraying who he was, even though it was the perception of the

police officer. Jesus is going to speak to, in these next few passages, as we work through this,

some of these DNA aspects that deal with the heart of the followers of Christ.

What Jesus is going to say in the audience, and in the culture, and in the context,

is greatly offensive to the audience. The people who would have heard the words would have been taken

aback by the things that he said. But it doesn't limit, it doesn't reduce, their offense does not reduce

the truth of the message. Here's my point. This week, in my flesh, I was offended.

That doesn't make the message less truthful. I'd be willing to bet over the next few weeks

that there will be something in your flesh that takes offense to the truth that is in God's Word.

Please, please, please, as a follower of Christ, fight against the offense and listen to the truth

and maybe, maybe respond in repentance to the truth that God has for you, right?

Be authentic.

Dallas Willard said, in his book, Divine Conspiracy,

actions do not emerge from nothing.

They faithfully reveal what is in the heart.

Actions reveal a lot about us,

both positively and negatively.

Jesus is going to share not just the standard for the world,

but instead, the standard for the kingdom.

Jesus is going to speak to those who will become followers,

those who are followers of Christ,

that this is not the worldly standard,

but that this is raising it a level to kingdom standards.

This reaches beyond culture.

This reaches beyond religion.

And this reaches into the heart

for those who follow the one, true, living God.

So let's read.

I want us to get the fullness of what Jesus says,

and then we're going to break it down into three different sections

as Jesus will speak to anger.

Starting in Matthew 5, verse 21, he said,

You have heard that it was said to those of old,

You shall not murder,

and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother

will be liable to judgment.

Whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council.

And whoever says you fool will be liable to the hell of fire.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar,

and remember that your brother has something against you,

leave your gift before the altar and go.

First be reconciled to your brother,

and then come and offer your gift.

Come to terms quickly with your accuser

while you are going with him to court.

Lest your accuser hand you over to the judge,

and the judge to the guard,

and you be put in prison.

Truly, I say to you,

you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.

We said earlier that actions reveal a lot to us

about the heart,

both positively and negatively.

For example, if someone has a greedy heart,

that will be reflective in their actions.

But if someone has a generous heart,

this too will be reflective in their actions.

If someone has a heart of lust versus a heart of purity.

If someone has a heart of love versus a heart of hate.

What we're going to see Jesus do in the next few weeks

is take the commandments that God has given them,

and he will say,

you have heard that it was said to those of old.

And then he will state what the commandment is.

But then Jesus will take the command,

and he will raise it.

He will elevate it to its principle,

or to the heart of the command.

And Jesus will surpass the law

by insisting that one should not just avoid sinful actions,

but that we should avoid sinful attitudes,

sinful hearts,

sinful motives,

sinful desires as well.

Jesus will get into the core

of why we do what we do

comes from who we really are.

Jesus in Matthew 21 through 26

gives us a pattern.

This will give you a sneak peek

into where we're going in our message this morning.

He looks at the act of murder

and the heart of anger.

I'll be honest with you,

it would be very simple

if Jesus left us there.

Don't get mad.

Don't get angry.

When you do get mad,

when you do get angry,

seek repentance

before the Lord.

But Jesus doesn't leave us there.

Jesus doesn't just deal with murder and anger.

Jesus speaks to the greater.

Jesus speaks to the more difficult.

Jesus speaks to what I believe

is impossible without the Spirit of God.

Jesus speaks that

what we should long for,

what we should desire,

what we should see within ourselves,

what we should pray for,

what we should plead for God

is a heart of forgiveness.

You see, it's not just simply

do not have a heart of anger

that Jesus is imploring

that in His people,

as is in their God,

is to have a heart of forgiveness.

And then from that,

it would be easy

if like, okay, Lord,

between me and you,

I'm moving on.

I'm moving past.

But Jesus is going to ratchet it up again.

And Jesus is going to say

that from that heart

is not just simply words

that say, I'm sorry.

Not just words that say, my bad.

Not just that say,

words, can we move on?

But the act of reconciliation.

You see, what we're going to find in here

is a beautiful picture of the gospel.

As offense

is met with forgiveness

and then is worked through reconciliation.

Just what Jesus did for you

and for me.

We offended,

He forgave,

and He reconciled.

You see, without reconciliation,

there is no relationship.

So let's look at these three sections

in Matthew 21 through 26.

Let's get the first two verses.

It says,

You have heard that it was said

to those of old,

you shall not murder.

And whoever murders

will be liable to judgment.

But I say to you

that everyone who is angry

with his brother

will be liable to judgment.

Whoever insults his brother

will be liable to the council.

Whoever says,

you fool,

will be liable

to the hell

of fire.

Jesus speaks to

the spread of sin.

Jesus speaks to

what begins to happen

when anger

takes hold

and becomes the cancer

that consumes

the heart

of what it moves to

and what it moves

from.

Jesus wants

His focus

on both

murderous acts

but also

murderous hearts.

I may never kill

anyone with my hands

but I may kill

them with my words.

I may kill

them with my mind

which all

comes from

the heart.

And you see,

we try to draw

lines sometimes

between

Old Testament

and New Testament.

instead of looking

at the unity

of Scripture

and the truth

found in both

and the story

of God

and the story

of redemption

and the act

of what God

is doing

what we look

back at last week.

So I think

it's important

for us

to see

that while

Jesus

is clarifying

and raising

the standard

of what we

are called

to be

that this

has been

the message

of God.

Psalm 37, 8

Refrain

from anger

and forsake

wrath.

Fret not

yourself.

It tends

only

to evil.

Proverbs

15, 18

A hot-tempered

man stirs

up strife

but he

who is

slow

to anger

quiets

contention.

Ecclesiastes

7, 9

Be not

quick

in your

spirit

to become

angry.

I love

this description

for anger

lodges

in the

heart

of fools.

Here Jesus

quotes the

law in

Matthew 5

and says

yes

if you

murder

someone

you are

liable

to judgment.

but he

also says

that when

your heart

when your

words

through

insult

or defamation

seek to

murder as

well

then you

are

liable.

Different

consequences

in the

world that

we live

but same

accountability

before the

Lord.

what

we are

liable

and

who

we are

liable

to.

Here's

what Jesus

has been

doing.

Remember

the theme

of Matthew

the portrayal

of what

Matthew

is giving

for us

the filter

to see

Jesus

through

the filter

understand

ourselves

and our

place

in this

world

is that

Jesus

is king

and that

as a part

of Jesus

being king

that when

we receive

Christ

as our

savior

it's not

just punching

the ticket

into heaven

but to

truly

receive

Christ

as our

savior

is to

receive

Christ

as our

Lord

and as

our

Lord

we bow

the knee

to him

we surrender

ourselves

we're

different

so the

king

comes

and the

king

gathers

those

around

and he

says as a

part of the

kingdom

let's talk

about kingdom

standing

the

beatitudes

this is what

it means

to be

blessed

he'll give

kingdom

he's given

kingdom

responsibility

be the

salt

and light

that he's

called us

to be

carry with

it the

the message

of the

gospel

as you

carry as

a person

of the

gospel

he's given

the kingdom

authority

the very

word of

God

that he

came to

fulfill

and now

he gives

the

kingdom

characteristics

kingdom

characteristics

place value

on who

you are

in your

heart

and what

you do

in your

actions

it's both

they're linked

together

they're not

separated

from

it's who

you are

in your

following

of Christ

as a son

and daughter

of the

living God

and then

flows through

who you

are as

you serve

him in

the world

that he

places you

so Jesus

can give

two

examples

two

examples

verses

through

is an

illustration

of this

and verses

through 26

is an

illustration

of this

so let's

look at the

first illustration

verses 23

and 24

so if you're

offering your

gift

at the

altar

and there

remember

that your

brother has

something

against you

leave your

gift there

before the

altar

and go

first be

reconciled

to your

brother

and then

come

and offer

your gift

the first

one deals

with

that Jesus

shares to

this group

this congregation

this gathering

is Jesus

deals with

the heart

of anger

as it's

found

in worship

he says

you've hurt

someone

or at least

they feel

that you

have hurt

them

there's

conflict

that exists

and the

point of

what Jesus

is going

to get

us to

is that

reconciliation

is critical

reconciliation

is critical

if proper

worship

is going

to take

place

reconciliation

is critical

if proper

worship

is going

to take

place

so when

we look

at anger

in our

life

what we're

looking at

is anger

is both

a spiritual

and relational

matter

it takes

place

in the

vertical

relationship

of our

life

between us

and God

and then

it is

impacted

through our

horizontal

relationships

that we

have

with one

another

and the

calling

that we

see

is that

in worship

in our

worship of

God

in this

in me

before him

and you

before him

because we're

not here

this morning

to worship

anyone or

anything other

than him

he is the

reason why

we are here

he is the

reason

that you

took that

very long

walk

and now

your hair

does not

look as good

as it did

right

because of

the rain

this morning

he is the

reason

and so

reconciliation

is at the

heart of that

because when

there is

conflict in

the heart

there is

conflict in

the relationship

when there

is conflict

in the

relationship

there is

conflict in

worship

and when

there is

conflict in

worship

folks there

is conflict

in the

body

and this

is what

Jesus

pressing

into

you're

going to

see

this group

with Jesus

Jesus

doesn't move

from the

sermon on

the mountain

and the

journey of

his ministry

and everyone

gets along

great

there's going

to be

conflict

but for

there to

be the

proper

worship

that's

there

the

conflict

needs

to be

worked

through

the

apostle

Paul

speaks

this

the

apostle

Paul

in his

letter

to the

church

Rome

puts

forth

challenge

to the

believers

who were

there

now let

explain

to you

a little

bit

about

what

the

church

Rome

would

have

looked

when

Paul

writing

this

the

world

for

Christianity

perspectives

this

time

there's

largely

two

groups

people

there's

the

Jewish

people

and then

there's

the

Gentile

people

and in

every area

of life

the

Gentile

people

and the

Jewish

people

find

conflict

but what

we see

in the

early

church

these

two

different

groups

people

come

together

underneath

the

banner

Christ

and the

unity

fellowship

within

the

body

and

then

often

times

with

that

because

people

are

different

people

are

having

hard

time

getting

along

and I

don't

know

you've

watched

the

news

lately

but

that

pretty

much

summarizes

every

news

story

you'll

watch

this

week

different

people

not

getting

along

hasn't

changed

Paul

this

mixed

congregation

understanding

that they

view

the

world

in a

secularly

different

way

understands

that

there's

conflict

this

conflict

racially

this

conflict

through

socioeconomic

conflict

this

conflict

through

political

conflict

and

some

instances

it's

ethical

conflict

not

biblical

ethic

sense

but

worldly

ethical

sense

these

two

people

can

find

difficult

get

along

you

ever

met

somebody

that

you

both

are

under

the

banner

Christ

you

both

are

going

spend

eternity

with

Jesus

but

yet

you

find

difficult

spend

five

minutes

the

same

room

with

one

another

here's

what

Paul

says

Romans

charge

the

holiness

living

says

possible

far as

depends

you

live

peaceably

with

all

now

these

words

there's

a lot

possible

have

you

tried

this

have

you

pursued

this

there

any

area

possibility

for

reconciliation

that you

haven't

considered

possible

well

you

know

I've

done

all

and

they

just

want

well

here's

the

thing

talked

about

this

the

parenting

class

that

we're

doing

this

morning

don't

know

about

you

but

I'm

terrible

getting

other

people

something

that

they

don't

want

Paul

says

possible

far

depends

you

stop

looking

why

they

are

difficult

and

you

look

your

heart

look

your

motives

look

what

you're

doing

possible

so far

as it

lives

depends

you

live

peaceably

with

all

live

peaceably

doesn't

say

agree

with

everyone

doesn't

say

go on

vacation

with

everyone

doesn't

say

that

every

area

life

you've

got

join

hands

and

skip

through

fields

with

flowers

for

whatever

reason

the

very

beginning

little

house

the

prairie

just

popped

head

right

with

people

that

you

struggle

with

but

can

struggle

with

people

and

live

peace

with

people

see

reconciliation

the

goal

and

within

this

it's

not

just

about

moving

it's

about

moving

together

when

see

this

that

Jesus

concerned

with

your

heart

worship

than

Jesus

with

your

action

worship

right

can

all

come

into

church

and

fake

can

all

say

holy

things

can

all

raise

hands

can

join

all

the

discipleship

groups

can

all

the

giving

and

Jesus

saying

all

that's

great

but

none

matters

long

this

what

the

heart

Jesus

says

when

you

come

for

worship

leave

fix

and

then

come

back

together

possible

far

depends

you

with

peaceably

with

all

Jesus

second

illustration

verses

through

come

terms

quickly

with

your

accuser

while

you

are

going

with

him

court

lest

your

accuser

hand

you

over

the

judge

and

the

judge

the

guard

and

you

put

prison

truly

say

you

will

never

get

out

until

you

have

paid

the

last

penny

this

illustration

the

conflict

has

grown

there

are

two

people

and

conflict

exist

within

the

two

them

and

it's

become

bad

right

this

the

first

instance

judge

duty

right

people's

court

has

taken

place

and

this

what

must

happen

and

Jesus

point

here

look

at the

first

four

words

come

terms

quickly

come

terms

quickly

Jesus

point

is to

settle

now

let's

talk

about

that

for

second

Jesus

doesn't

mean

this

word

doesn't

carry

with

the

idea

sweep

under

the

rug

doesn't

carry

with

the

idea

ignore

because

it's

already

become

situation

where

people's

hearts

are

battling

with

one

another

Jesus

looks

them

and

says

come

terms

quickly

settle

this

conflict

it's

escalated

it's

just

going

escalate

one

ever

walks

out

Judge

Judy

and

says

high

five

that

was

pretty

cool

wasn't

Jesus

says

settle

now

not

here

this

morning

told

you

Jesus

words

offended

every

possible

way

that

they

could

not

great

when

comes

conflict

especially

when

feel

that

I'm

attacked

someone

has

been

attacked

Jesus

works

and is

working

on my

heart

just as

with

many

you

years

ago

as I

saw

counsel

for an

area

conflict

life

where

thought

that

was

the

innocent

party

who

had

been

wronged

but

the

person

who

wronged

did

not

appear

show

forth

the

characteristics

that

thought

they

should

have

shown

sought

the

counsel

someone

older

than

someone

seasoned

than

someone

mature

their

walk

with

the

Lord

and

they

gave

three

areas

pray

and

seek

three

questions

ask

moments

conflict

and

want

those

with

y'all

they've

been

paramount

for

the

application

faith

number

one

this

conflict

what

responsible

for

what

responsible

for

now

have

found

that

life

and

maybe

this

where

you

are

well

there's

never

been

conflict

where

I've

been

100%

innocent

and

the

challenge

given

before

was

this

what

this

conflict

are

you

responsible

for

what

are

the

things

that

you

could

have

done

what

are

the

things

maybe

the

intentional

actions

the

unintentional

actions

the

intentional

words

the

unintentional

words

that

you

can

take

responsibility

for

that

when

you

can

come

together

God

grants

that

God

allows

that

the

fingers

aren't

pointed

you

jerk

but

it's

dealing

with

the

heart

the

person

who

feels

offended

what

responsible

for

number

two

when

feel

that

know

what

I'm

responsible

for

number

two

how

can

say

that

I'm

sorry

even

the

offended

the

largely

offended

party

how

can

come

someone

set

pride

the

side

pick

humility

and

come

before

them

and

not

I'm

sorry

with

but

you

but

I'm

sorry

not

passive

aggressive

you

know

I'm

sorry

that

you

dislike

I'm

sorry

that

very

presence

this

room

offends

you

not

that

listen

know

there's

conflict

between

and I

want

to say

to you

that

there

may

many

things

that

I've

done

hurt

you

and

this

moment

just

need

tell

you

that

sorry

for

anything

that

I've

done

wrong

hurt

this

relationship

and

with

that

may

need

confess

some

things

that

I've

gossiped

about

you

that

I've

spoken

poorly

about

you

that

have

hard

time

looking

you

and

I'm

wrong

for

that

and

that

sin

and

I'm

sorry

what

responsible

for

what

can

say

I'm

sorry

for

number

three

not

after

they

ask

for

but

right

now

what

can

forgive

that

person

right

now

what

can

forgive

them

but

what

they

never

asked

for

forgiveness

well

let's

look

refrain

from

anger

and

forsake

wrath

fret

not

yourself

tends

only

evil

not

quick

your

spirit

become

angry

for

anger

lodges

the

heart

fools

someone

has

hurt

you

and

they've

never

apologized

God

can

part

the

sea

God

can

forgive

you

and

God

can

forgive

then

miracle

can

happen

the

heart

you

the

heart

for

and

can

forgive

people

praise

God

even

they

never

ask

for

why

does

this

matter

because

Jesus

pointing

greater

calling

our

life

every

moment

for

you

and me

citizens

of the

kingdom

is set

living

for

the

mission

God

you

are

the

salt

the

earth

you

are

the

light

the

world

and

salty

and

live

for

the

power

the

gospel

and

the

lives

others

and

light

and

shine

areas

darkness

that

men

and

women

will

see

your

light

before

others

they

will

see

your

good

works

the

saltiness

that

what

you

bring

and

give

glory

your

father

who

heaven

that's

why

you're

here

that's

why

when

God

saved

didn't

call

home

left

here

left

here

for

purpose

and

reason

and

here's

what's

crazy

guys

here's

this

Jesus

John

says

all

this

people

will

know

that

you're

disciples

because

the

t-shirts

that

you

wear

thank

you

there's

nothing

wrong

you

wear

those

t-shirts

this

all

people

will

know

that

you

are

disciples

because

the

church

you

this

all

people

will

know

that

you're

disciples

because

this

people

will

know

that

you're

disciples

based

off

how

many

mission

trips

you

this

all

people

will

know

that

you

are

disciples

you

have

love

for

one

another

thank

you

lord

the

miracle

the

gospel

made

known

when

people

see

and

here's

the thing

it's

not

just

the

love

that

have

for

the

lost

world

it's

for

the

love

that

have

here

it's

for

the

love

that

have

brothers

and

sisters

Christ

who

attend

different

church

it's

for

the

love

the

brothers

and

sisters

Christ

that

live

door

that

work

with

Jesus

says

this

all

people

will

know

that

you

are

disciples

you

have

love

for

one

another

second

Corinthians

church

Corinth

couldn't

get more

dysfunctional

Paul

writes

second

Corinthians

through

all

this

from

God

who

through

Christ

reconciled

and

gave

the

ministry

reconciliation

that

Christ

God

was

reconciling

the

world

himself

not

counting

their

trespasses

against

them

and

entrusting

the

message

reconciliation

when

God

will

get

there

every

sin

that

we've

ever

committed

you

the

sins

the

world

had

one

common

target

God

every

single

one

every

murderous

thought

every

lustful

action

every

horrible

word

every

moment

your

sin

every

single

one

those

hidden

those

exposed

every

single

one

that

was

aimed

God

offended

you

and

haven't

said

we're

sorry

haven't

said

bad

haven't

said

can

work

this

and

says

let

send

son

die

the

cross

for

every

single

sin

both

those

who

will

repent

and

Jesus

his

work

forgiveness

available

even

those

who

won't

and

that

Christ

died

the

cross

and

reconciled

the

Bible

tells

that

before

faith

Christ

before

the

imparted

work

Christ

into

our

life

that

were

enemies

war

with

God

and

were

children

and

objects

wrath

and

what

God

does

that

Jesus

work

reconciling

now

we're

citizens

of the

kingdom

we're

sons

and

daughters

and

it's

the

message

that

carry

and

just

God

uses

the

relationship

Christ

much

for

the

gospel

God

uses

our

relationships

with

one

another

illustrate

what

this

looks

you

see

it's

not

just

enough

move

it's

not

just

enough

forget

about

folks

it's

not

even

really

enough

just

say

forgive

them

complicated

and as

messy

gets

says

but

want

reconciled

you

four

things

closing

that

the

Lord's

teaching

that

want

with

you

and

what

reconciliation

will

require

and

can

look

the

ministry

Christ

for

these

number

one

for

reconciliation

happen

need

humility

need

humility

for

reconciliation

happen

between

and

God

Christ

humbled

himself

and

took

the

form

servant

and

died

the

cross

for

reconciliation

happen

you

and

through

the

power

the

Holy

Spirit

have

cast

any

form

pride

any

form

self

righteousness

the

side

embrace

humility

step

into

conflict

that

Jesus

could

glorified

and

Jesus

isn't

asking

anything

that

hasn't

done

number

two

number

two

prayer

see

prayer

the

vital

important

part

Christ's

ministry

see

Jesus

pray

for

those

for

those

who

have

known

and

trust

him

and

for

those

who

don't

see

the

importance

the

ministry

prayer

his

life

and

God

calling

you

and

matters

reconciliation

amongst

one

another

to pray

for one

another

now

again

let's

talk

about

some

those

prayers

how

many

times

have

prayed

prayers

God

let

them

get

what's

coming

them

God

wish

they

would

just

somewhere

else

gosh

God

why

won't

you

change

what's

wrong

with

them

and

instead

are we

pleading

with God

to change

our

heart

are we

pleading

with God

that we

would

give

forgiveness

are we

pleading

for God

for the

best

of the

person

who's

offended

number

three

number

three

reconciliation

requires

patience

yes

Jesus

says

quickly

come to

terms

quickly

glory

but

also

here's

what I

know

Jesus

extremely

patient

with me

and I

don't know

about you

maybe you're

really good

here's the

standard

surrender to

the standard

meet it

sometimes

with me

and my

stubbornness

it takes

some time

and God

is good

and gracious

and patient

sometimes

in reconciliation

we have to

be patient

we have to be

patient for

for the person

to respond

we have to be

patient for the

work that God

is doing in

we have to be

patient for them

to respond

we have to be

patient when

things don't work

out the way

that we want

them to

we have to

be patient

for God

to work

and move

we have

to be

patient

and in

our

patience

continue to

embrace

humility

and continue

to be a

people of

prayer

and the

last one

of what

God's

teaching me

when it

comes to

reconciliation

of what

reconciliation

requires

and if

you thought

the others

were difficult

folks

number four

pain

the pain

of the

cross

was the

mandate

of Christ

you will

work

and pray

to forgive

people

and seek

reconciliation

with people

who will

mock you

and who

will reject

you

they will

belittle

you

they will

blame

you

and to

say that

that doesn't

hurt

would be

a lie

it does

it hurts

it's scars

that we

wake up

with all

the time

relationships

that we

fought for

only to

have them

turn their

backs

and walk

from us

only to

have them

to speak

little of

and to

belittle

others

but if

we're

going to

people

reconciliation

then we

need to

understand

from time

to time

pain

is going

to happen

and

unfortunately

in this

world

pain

is a

promise

and I'm

sorry

that you

walk

through

pain

I hate

that I

walk

through

pain

but

blessed

are the

peacemakers

for they

shall be

called

sons of

God

so does

the pain

hurt

absolutely

but I

don't

live

for

today

in the

reality

today

but in

the reality

of the

future

that there

will become

a point

in time

where the

old things

of this

world

have passed

away

and they'll

wipe away

every tear

every hurt

every sorrow

for eternity

with him

Jesus

looks out

of people

tired

hurt

broken

and he

says it's

not just

enough

to not

murder

it's not

just enough

to not

be angry

but may

we be

people

forgiveness

and people

reconciliation

I'm going to

ask the

band

to come

and join

me on

stage

as we

prepare for

our response

time

and worship

and if

you're here

this morning

I want to

ask you

about the

most important

relationship

in your

life

and I

want to

ask you

do you

need to

reconciled

with

God

before we

look at

the earthly

relationships

of this

world

do you

understand

of what

we spoke

about

earlier

that your

sin is

an offense

to God

just as

mine is

but he

offers

forgiveness

he offers

reconciliation

when you

put your

faith

hope

and trust

as Jesus

Christ

as your

Lord and

Savior

number

two

do you

need to

reconciled

with

someone

would

you

humble

yourself

and

would

you

commit

reconciliation

number

two

would

you

commit

pray

for

them

today

pray

for

their

heart

pray

for

their

good

pray

that

they

would

blessed

pray

for

your

heart

concerning

them

number

three

would

you

commit

patient

with

them

patient

for

God

patient

for

God

work

and

move

your

heart

and

theirs

and

lastly

I'm

sorry

would

you

commit

grow

through

the

pain

would

you

commit

grow

through

the

sorrow

knowing

that

God

wastes

nothing

and

trusting

that

and

alone

working

and

moving

would

you pray

with me

God I

thank you

for today

God I

thank you

this week

that your

words

spoke

clearly

God I

thank you

that your

words

cut

at my

heart

God I

thank you

that you

removed

the

cancer

anger

that was

taking

hold

and

God I

celebrate

you

God

may we

as followers

of Jesus

Christ

embrace

the call

that you've

placed on

our

life

to not

just love

you

but the

love for

one another

not for

our name

and not

for our

glory

but for

yours

and so

in Jesus

let me

pray

amen

that's it

for this

week's

message

be sure

to check

back next

week for

a new

episode

and in

the

meantime

you can

visit us

online at

willowridgechurch.org

or by searching

for Willow Ridge

Church on

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and YouTube

thanks again

for listening

you

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