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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
in
but same
accountability
before the
Lord.
what
we are
liable
of
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
to
the filter
to see
Jesus
through
the filter
to
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
us
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
us
two
examples
two
examples
verses
23
through
24
is an
illustration
of this
and verses
25
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
is
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
to
this
the
apostle
Paul
in his
letter
to the
church
at
Rome
puts
forth
a
challenge
to the
believers
who were
there
now let
me
explain
to you
a little
bit
about
what
the
church
of
Rome
would
have
looked
like
when
Paul
is
writing
this
like
in
the
world
for
Christianity
perspectives
at
this
time
there's
largely
two
groups
of
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
is
these
two
different
groups
of
people
come
together
underneath
the
banner
of
Christ
and the
unity
of
fellowship
within
the
body
and
then
often
times
with
that
because
people
are
different
people
are
having
a
hard
time
getting
along
and I
don't
know
if
you've
watched
the
news
lately
but
that
pretty
much
summarizes
every
news
story
you'll
watch
this
week
different
people
not
getting
along
so
it
hasn't
changed
so
Paul
in
this
in
this
mixed
congregation
understanding
that they
view
the
world
in a
secularly
different
way
understands
that
there's
conflict
this
conflict
is
racially
this
conflict
is
through
socioeconomic
conflict
this
conflict
is
through
political
conflict
and
in
some
instances
it's
an
ethical
conflict
not
in
a
biblical
ethic
sense
but
in
a
worldly
ethical
sense
these
two
people
can
find
it
difficult
to
get
along
you
ever
met
somebody
like
that
you
both
are
under
the
banner
of
Christ
you
both
are
going
to
spend
eternity
with
Jesus
but
yet
you
find
it
difficult
to
spend
five
minutes
in
the
same
room
with
one
another
here's
what
Paul
says
in
Romans
12
8
a
charge
to
the
holiness
of
living
he
says
if
possible
so
far as
it
depends
on
you
live
peaceably
with
all
now
in
these
words
there's
a lot
if
possible
have
you
tried
this
have
you
pursued
this
is
there
any
area
of
possibility
for
reconciliation
that you
haven't
considered
if
possible
well
you
know
I've
done
it
all
and
they
just
want
well
here's
the
thing
we
talked
about
this
in
the
parenting
class
that
we're
doing
this
morning
I
don't
know
about
you
but
I'm
terrible
at
getting
other
people
to
do
something
that
they
don't
want
to
do
so
Paul
says
if
possible
as
far
as
it
depends
on
you
so
stop
looking
at
why
they
are
so
difficult
and
you
look
in
your
heart
look
in
your
motives
look
in
what
you're
doing
if
possible
so far
as it
lives
depends
on
you
live
peaceably
with
all
live
peaceably
he
doesn't
say
agree
with
everyone
he
doesn't
say
go on
vacation
with
everyone
he
doesn't
say
that
in
every
area
of
life
you've
got
to
join
hands
and
skip
through
fields
with
flowers
for
whatever
reason
the
very
beginning
of
little
house
on
the
prairie
just
popped
in
my
head
right
with
people
that
you
struggle
with
but
we
can
struggle
with
people
and
live
at
peace
with
people
see
reconciliation
is
the
goal
and
within
this
it's
not
just
about
moving
on
it's
about
moving
on
together
when
we
see
this
that
Jesus
is
more
concerned
with
your
heart
in
worship
than
Jesus
is
with
your
action
of
worship
right
like
we
can
all
come
into
church
and
fake
it
we
can
all
say
holy
things
we
can
all
raise
hands
we
can
join
all
the
discipleship
groups
we
can
do
all
the
giving
and
Jesus
saying
all
that's
great
but
none
of
it
matters
to
me
as
long
as
this
is
what
the
heart
is
so
Jesus
says
when
you
come
for
worship
leave
it
go
fix
it
and
then
come
back
together
as
if
possible
so
far
as
it
depends
on
you
with
peaceably
with
all
Jesus
is
second
illustration
verses
25
through
26
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
will
never
get
out
until
you
have
paid
the
last
penny
so
in
this
illustration
the
conflict
has
grown
there
are
two
people
and
conflict
exist
within
the
two
of
them
and
it's
become
so
bad
right
this
is
the
first
instance
of
judge
duty
right
people's
court
has
taken
place
and
this
is
what
must
happen
and
Jesus
point
here
look
at the
first
four
words
come
to
terms
quickly
come
to
terms
quickly
Jesus
point
is to
settle
now
let's
talk
about
that
for
a
second
Jesus
doesn't
mean
this
word
doesn't
carry
with
it
the
idea
of
sweep
it
under
the
rug
it
doesn't
carry
with
it
the
idea
of
ignore
because
it's
already
become
a
situation
where
people's
hearts
are
battling
with
one
another
so
Jesus
looks
at
them
and
he
says
come
to
terms
quickly
settle
this
conflict
it's
escalated
it's
just
going
to
escalate
more
no
one
ever
walks
out
of
Judge
Judy
and
says
high
five
that
was
pretty
cool
wasn't
it
Jesus
says
settle
it
settle
it
settle
it
now
I
am
not
up
here
this
morning
I
told
you
Jesus
words
offended
me
every
possible
way
that
they
could
I
am
not
great
when
it
comes
to
conflict
especially
when
I
feel
that
I'm
attacked
or
someone
close
to
me
has
been
attacked
Jesus
works
and is
working
on my
heart
just as
he
is
with
so
many
of
you
years
ago
as I
saw
counsel
for an
area
of
conflict
in
my
life
where
I
thought
that
I
was
the
innocent
party
who
had
been
wronged
but
the
person
who
wronged
me
did
not
appear
to
show
forth
the
characteristics
that
I
thought
they
should
have
shown
I
sought
the
counsel
of
someone
older
than
me
someone
more
seasoned
than
me
someone
more
mature
in
their
walk
with
the
Lord
and
they
gave
me
three
areas
to
pray
and
to
seek
three
questions
to
ask
in
moments
of
conflict
and
I
want
to
share
those
with
y'all
as
they've
been
paramount
for
me
in
the
application
of
my
faith
number
one
in
this
conflict
what
am
I
responsible
for
what
am
I
responsible
for
now
I
have
found
that
in
my
life
and
maybe
this
is
where
you
are
as
well
there's
never
been
a
conflict
where
I've
been
100%
innocent
and
so
the
challenge
given
before
me
was
in
this
what
in
this
conflict
are
you
responsible
for
what
are
the
things
that
you
could
have
done
what
are
the
things
maybe
in
the
intentional
actions
or
the
unintentional
actions
in
the
intentional
words
the
unintentional
words
that
Bo
you
can
take
responsibility
for
so
that
when
you
can
come
together
if
God
grants
that
if
God
allows
that
the
fingers
aren't
pointed
at
you
jerk
but
it's
dealing
with
the
heart
of
the
person
who
feels
offended
what
am
I
responsible
for
number
two
when
I
feel
that
I
know
what
I'm
responsible
for
number
two
how
can
I
say
that
I'm
sorry
even
if
I
am
the
offended
the
largely
offended
party
how
can
I
come
to
someone
set
my
pride
to
the
side
pick
up
humility
and
come
before
them
and
not
an
I'm
sorry
with
a
but
you
but
I'm
sorry
not
a
passive
aggressive
you
know
I'm
sorry
that
you
dislike
me
I'm
sorry
that
my
very
presence
in
this
room
offends
you
not
that
listen
I
know
there's
conflict
between
us
and I
want
to say
to you
that
there
may
be
so
many
things
that
I've
done
to
hurt
you
and
in
this
moment
I
just
need
to
tell
you
that
I
am
so
sorry
for
anything
that
I've
done
wrong
to
hurt
this
relationship
and
with
that
I
may
need
to
confess
some
things
that
I've
gossiped
about
you
that
I've
spoken
poorly
about
you
that
I
have
a
hard
time
looking
at
you
and
I'm
wrong
for
that
and
that
is
my
sin
and
I'm
sorry
what
am
I
responsible
for
what
can
I
say
I'm
sorry
for
number
three
not
after
they
ask
for
it
but
right
now
what
can
I
do
to
forgive
that
person
right
now
what
can
I
do
to
forgive
them
but
what
if
they
never
asked
for
forgiveness
well
let's
look
refrain
from
anger
and
forsake
wrath
fret
not
yourself
it
tends
only
to
evil
be
not
quick
in
your
spirit
become
angry
for
anger
lodges
in
the
heart
of
fools
if
someone
has
hurt
you
and
they've
never
apologized
if
God
can
part
the
sea
if
God
can
forgive
you
and
God
can
forgive
me
then
a
miracle
can
happen
in
the
heart
of
you
in
the
heart
for
me
and
we
can
forgive
people
praise
God
even
if
they
never
ask
for
it
why
does
this
matter
because
Jesus
is
pointing
us
to
a
greater
calling
our
life
every
moment
for
you
and me
as
citizens
of the
kingdom
is set
on
living
for
the
mission
of
God
you
are
the
salt
of
the
earth
you
are
the
light
of
the
world
go
and
be
salty
and
live
for
the
power
of
the
gospel
and
the
lives
of
others
go
and
be
light
and
shine
in
areas
of
darkness
so
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
to
your
father
who
is
in
heaven
that's
it
that's
it
that's
why
you're
here
that's
why
when
God
saved
us
he
didn't
call
us
home
he
left
us
here
he
left
here
for
a
purpose
and
a
reason
and
here's
what's
crazy
guys
here's
this
Jesus
in
John
13
35
he
says
by
all
this
people
will
know
that
you're
my
disciples
because
of
the
t-shirts
that
you
wear
thank
you
there's
nothing
wrong
if
you
wear
those
t-shirts
by
this
all
people
will
know
that
you
are
my
disciples
because
of
the
church
you
go
to
by
this
all
people
will
know
that
you're
my
disciples
because
by
this
people
will
know
that
you're
my
disciples
based
off
of
how
many
mission
trips
you
go
on
by
this
all
people
will
know
that
you
are
my
disciples
if
you
have
love
for
one
another
thank
you
lord
the
miracle
of
the
gospel
is
made
known
when
people
see
us
and
here's
the thing
it's
not
just
the
love
that
we
have
for
the
lost
world
it's
for
the
love
that
we
have
in
here
it's
for
the
love
that
we
have
of
brothers
and
sisters
in
Christ
who
attend
a
different
church
it's
for
the
love
of
the
brothers
and
sisters
in
Christ
that
live
next
door
to
us
that
we
work
with
Jesus
says
by
this
all
people
will
know
that
you
are
my
disciples
if
you
have
love
for
one
another
second
Corinthians
church
at
Corinth
couldn't
get more
dysfunctional
Paul
writes
second
Corinthians
5
18
through
19
all
this
is
from
God
who
through
Christ
reconciled
to
us
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
when
God
will
get
there
every
sin
that
we've
ever
committed
you
me
the
sins
of
the
world
had
one
common
target
God
every
single
one
every
murderous
thought
every
lustful
action
every
horrible
word
every
moment
of
your
sin
in
every
single
one
those
hidden
those
exposed
every
single
one
in
that
it
was
aimed
at
God
he
offended
by
you
and
by
me
and
we
haven't
said
we're
sorry
we
haven't
said
my
bad
we
haven't
said
can
I
work
on
this
and
so
he
says
let
me
send
my
son
to
die
on
the
cross
for
every
single
sin
both
those
who
will
repent
and
Jesus
his
work
of
forgiveness
available
to
even
those
who
won't
and
so
in
that
Christ
died
on
the
cross
and
he
reconciled
the
Bible
tells
us
that
before
faith
in
Christ
before
the
imparted
work
of
Christ
into
our
life
that
we
were
enemies
at
war
with
God
and
we
were
children
and
objects
of
wrath
and
so
what
God
does
in
that
is
he
Jesus
work
of
reconciling
us
so
now
we're
citizens
of the
kingdom
we're
sons
and
daughters
and
it's
the
message
that
we
carry
and
just
as
God
uses
the
relationship
of
Christ
to
us
so
much
for
the
gospel
God
uses
our
relationships
with
one
another
to
illustrate
what
this
looks
like
so
you
see
it's
not
just
enough
to
move
on
it's
not
just
enough
to
forget
about
it
folks
it's
not
even
really
enough
to
just
say
I
forgive
them
as
complicated
and as
messy
as
it
gets
it
says
but
I
want
to
be
reconciled
to
you
four
things
in
closing
that
the
Lord's
teaching
me
that
I
want
to
share
with
you
and
what
reconciliation
will
require
and
we
can
look
at
the
ministry
of
Christ
for
these
number
one
for
reconciliation
to
happen
we
need
humility
we
need
humility
for
reconciliation
to
happen
between
us
and
God
Christ
humbled
himself
and
took
on
the
form
of
a
servant
and
died
on
the
cross
for
reconciliation
to
happen
you
and
I
through
the
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
have
to
cast
any
form
of
pride
any
form
of
self
righteousness
to
the
side
embrace
humility
to
step
into
conflict
so
that
Jesus
could
be
glorified
and
Jesus
isn't
asking
us
to
do
anything
that
he
hasn't
done
number
two
number
two
prayer
we
see
prayer
the
vital
important
part
of
Christ's
ministry
we
see
Jesus
pray
for
those
for
those
who
have
known
and
trust
him
and
for
those
who
don't
we
see
the
importance
of
the
ministry
of
prayer
in
his
life
and
God
is
calling
you
and
I
in
matters
of
reconciliation
amongst
one
another
to pray
for one
another
now
again
let's
talk
about
some
of
those
prayers
how
many
times
have
we
prayed
prayers
of
God
let
them
get
what's
coming
to
them
God
I
wish
they
would
just
go
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
us
number
three
number
three
reconciliation
requires
patience
yes
Jesus
says
quickly
come to
terms
quickly
glory
but
also
here's
what I
know
Jesus
is
extremely
patient
with me
and I
don't know
about you
maybe you're
really good
at
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
us
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
us
and to
belittle
us
to
others
but if
we're
going to
be
people
of
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
of
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
of
forgiveness
and people
of
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
be
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
be
reconciled
with
someone
would
you
humble
yourself
and
would
you
commit
to
reconciliation
number
two
would
you
commit
to
pray
for
them
today
pray
for
their
heart
pray
for
their
good
pray
that
they
would
be
blessed
pray
for
your
heart
concerning
them
number
three
would
you
commit
to
be
patient
with
them
patient
for
God
patient
for
God
to
work
and
move
in
your
heart
and
theirs
and
lastly
I'm
sorry
would
you
commit
to
grow
through
the
pain
would
you
commit
to
grow
through
the
sorrow
knowing
that
God
wastes
nothing
and
trusting
that
he
and
he
alone
is
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
of
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
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Church on
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thanks again
for listening
you