Ken Styles - Class 3: The Wisdom of Godly Love

Automatically transcribed. Accuracy is good but not perfect, and words are sometimes wrong. Trust the audio over the text.

1. 0:00

   This is the North Battleford Christadelphian Study Weekend, November 13th and 14th, 2010. The overall theme is Godly Love, and our speaker is Brother Ken Stiles. And this is Class 3, and the reading was 1 John Chapter 3, and the subtitle of this class is The Wisdom of Godly Love. Brother Ken.

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   Thank you, Brother Tim, and good evening, everyone. We will divide this class into two parts. The majority of the class will be spent covering the material in the notes under the section of The Wisdom of Godly Love. And then towards the end, we have a brief object lesson in which we're going to ask one of the young people to come forward and help us demonstrate a couple of the principles that we've been talking about today.

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   Just a quick review of the principles we looked at and the lessons from the second class. We saw that the love of the Father and the love of the Son converge on the cross. Both are loving and both are giving. And what we've been asked to do is to add our love to theirs.

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   We saw as well that God's expectation is that we will manifest His love. We saw that in 1 John 4. That's His expectation that we will manifest His love so that when others see our love, they are seeing His love. And we saw it as well in John 15 when Christ said, You are my friends.

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   If you do whatsoever, I have commanded you. And He had just commanded them to love one another. With His same love, His laying down our life love, His greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends. In Ephesians 3, we saw that the love of the Son is intended to become our love.

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   That is how we become filled with all the fullness of God. By learning to love as they love. In John 4, we briefly looked at the fact that love is the key to our spiritual growth. Greater love on our part will be responded with greater understanding. In the parable of the Good Shepherd, so to speak, we saw how godly love includes three parts.

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   This is how god defines love. And it's differentiated from human love. The first is that a death to sin must take place. And again, just to underscore, that doesn't mean we die literally. But it means we put the needs of others before our own. It has to be done willingly so that others can benefit spiritually.

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   And god loves this. We also saw how the cross represents to us the lesson of what needs to be done to sin. And godly love is how we do it. Dying to sin and living to righteousness. We also saw that Christ's expectation is that the highest form of love, the laying down our life love, aligns perfectly with that of his father.

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   Both the father and the son are saying to us, our love for you needs to become your love for each other. And we said in class one or two, I'm not sure that we would spend a few minutes in tonight's class and we'll see it again tomorrow. I have found it helpful to now go back and look at some of the lives of the faithful men and women in the Old Testament, especially, to see how godly love shows up in their life.

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    You won't find the words godly love anywhere in the life of Ruth or Jonathan or David or Esther or Mordecai. Once we look at the details that are recorded about their actions, what we're going to find is their lives were permeated with godly love. Take, for example, Ruth. If you turn back to chapter one, some of us probably can recite this by heart.

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    If you can, in verse 16 and 17, you don't need to. But godly love, the way God defines love, was not first practiced by the Lord Jesus Christ. It's not unique to the New Testament.

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    She is a Gentile by birth. Deuteronomy 23, verse 3 says she is to be excluded from the congregation because we know what the women of Moab were like. Their character was clearly revealed in the incident at the Baal of Peor. But that does not represent this faithful young woman named Ruth. Her decision to return with Naomi to Israel was foolish in the eyes of the world.

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    And godly love oftentimes will appear to the world to be foolish. Why would you ever want to go to a land in which you're not welcome and not supposed to be there? To take care of an older woman with no prospect of ever finding another husband because your kind of people are despised in that land.

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    So Ruth had no natural reasons to return with Naomi. There would be no husband. There would be no income. There would be a constant threat of being mistreated in a foreign land. We know that from Judges 19. And we know that from Ruth chapter 2 in which Boaz had to warn his own men not to mistreat Ruth.

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    But in verses 16 and 17 we see Ruth's declaration of her godly love. And treat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee. For whither thou goest, I will go. And where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people. Thy God, my God. Where thou diest, will I die.

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    And there will I be buried. Yahweh do so to me and more also. If ought but death part thee and me. You see what Ruth is doing in expressing her godly love is she is uniting herself to the hardships of Naomi. And Naomi returns to Israel facing bitter hardships. Which is why she tries to convince both Orpah and Ruth not to return with her.

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    And Ruth turns to Naomi and says, Your bitter hardships will be my bitter hardships. Naomi and Elimelech had made poor spiritual decisions. Leaving Naomi with great difficulties upon her return. But Ruth clings to Naomi. She freely chooses to stay with Naomi. Choosing that way of life. Embracing what will become a very difficult life for her.

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    Because she is crucifying her flesh. She is dying the death that godly love calls for. She is putting the needs of Naomi ahead of her own needs. And you notice her love for Naomi is unlimited when she makes her declaration. Whatever it is you need. Wherever it is you go. I will take care of you and I will stay with you.

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    Ruth understood God's definition of a self-sacrificing love. Like the good shepherd. She understood a death needed to take place. It needed to be done willingly. So that Naomi would benefit. You see this is what a godly love looks like. When it is put into practice. She did not just speak her love to Naomi.

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    In tongue or word. Her love for Naomi was in deed and in truth. And you notice her love for Naomi arose out of her faith. If you looked in chapter 2. When Boaz recognizes that the wonder of this young woman. Ruth understood the power of the cross. Is on a parallel with Abraham.

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    No less. And that she was willing to leave her father and her mother. And unite herself to her mother-in-law. Out of a desire to serve her. Ruth understood the power of the cross. Putting the flesh to death. Condemning sin. And saving people. She had as it were. The same godly love. As the Lord Jesus Christ.

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    You couldn't love. Naomi. With a greater love. Than Ruth. Showed toward her. In the midst of her personal crisis. This is Ruth's personal crisis. Being a widow. Having no means to support herself. In Israel. Being at the mercy of others. And leaving her family behind. She shows her godly love. Because godly love.

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    Is not something we do. When everything else is taken care of. Godly love is something we show. And something we do. When someone else has a need. The lesson is. We need to learn to lay down our life. To serve others. As we've seen. Regardless. Of what's happening to me. Or what effect.

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    It will have on me. It would have been far easier. For Ruth. To remain in Moab. We need to continuously look. To serve others. To do what's best. For their spiritual. Well-being. And not be preoccupied. With our own misfortunes. And the marvel. The marvel. Of this young Moabite woman. Is she brought. Her godly love.

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    With her. She understands. This concept. Before she sets. A single foot. In the land of Israel. So it's not. A difficult concept. To understand. The challenge becomes. In putting it. Into practice. She entered Israel. As a daughter. Of God. Not as a disciple. Of Naomi. But as one. Who put her strength. And her faith.

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    And her refuge. In her God. So that her commitment. To Naomi. Was bound up. In her commitment. To love. And serve God. And that's how we need. To see our love. For each other. Our love for one another. Is not independent. Of our love for God. Our love for each other. Is bound up.

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    In our love. And our service. To our heavenly father. But Ruth. Isn't the only one. That can teach us. About godly love. From the old testament. Come to 1st Samuel 18. Remember that. Marvelous incident. That takes place. Right after the. Giant Goliath. Is slain.

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    And Jonathan. Would have been. In the company. Of those who heard. The conversation. Between. Saul. And David. And we read. In 1st Samuel 18. Beginning at verse 1. It came to pass. When he made an end. Of speaking unto Saul. This is David. That the soul of Jonathan. Was knit. With the soul of David.

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    And Jonathan. Loved him. As his own soul. And Saul. Took David. That day. And he would not let him go. No more to home. Sorry. No more home. To his father's house. Then Jonathan. And David. Made a covenant. Because he loved him. As his own soul. And Jonathan. Stripped himself. Of the robe.

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    That was upon him. And gave it to David. And his garments. Even to his sword. And to his bow. And to his girdle. And you ask yourself. There is Jonathan. Giving David. His robe. And his armor. And his sword. And his bow. And his girdle. What is Jonathan doing. By all these actions.

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    And the answer is. He is showing David. His love. Because Jonathan loved. He gave. He saw in Jonathan. The man. That Samuel had proclaimed. Would take over the throne. From David. He could see. The faith. Of David. Portrayed. In the slaying. Of the giant. And he could see. How this young man. In his willingness.

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    To act by faith. Who understood. God's purpose. And would take the head. Of Goliath. To Jerusalem. To likely be buried. In the same place. Where Abraham. Had offered Isaac. Foreshadowing. The future. Death of sin. Overcome. By the death. Of the Messiah. In the same place. But whatever was said. Between Jonathan. Sorry. Between David.

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    And Saul. At the end. Of chapter 17. The response is. That Jonathan's soul. Was knit to David's. Because he loved him. As his own soul. And as a result. They make a covenant. A covenant. Of love. In verse 3. And it's reiterated. Again. As we know. In chapter 20. At verse 17. You see.

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    Jonathan. Is the first. In Israel. To declare. His allegiance. To the future. King. Of Israel. That's what he's telling. David. That day. Now that's the story. That we're all familiar with. Let's go back. And look. At the pieces. Of godly love. That we see. In this story. And we'll see. How the power.

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    Of godly love. Was at work. In the life of Jonathan. First of all. He is dying. A death. He is taking. His own interests. And his own needs. He has been promised. The throne. In fact. Saul. Will challenge. Jonathan. In the future. And his love. And devotion. To David. Don't you know. You are to be.

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    The next king. And Jonathan. Takes that. Future rulership. And the future. Prestige. He's a man. Who has been. Groomed. To be. The next king. And he sees. David. And what he can do. For the nation. Knowing that. God has told. Saul. The throne. Would go to another. And Dave. And Jonathan. Puts to death.

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    Those natural desires. To be the next king. And he does it. Willingly. So that David. And the rest of the nation. Will benefit. Secondly. Do you see the connection. With the second commandment. To love our neighbor. As ourself. Jonathan. Puts himself. In David's position. And he said. What would I need. If I was in David's position.

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    In chapter 18. Verse 1. This young man. Has just slain. The giant. This young man. Is likely. The next. The future. King. King. Of Israel. What would I need. If I was going to love my neighbor. As myself. What I would need. Is for a person. Like Jonathan. To give me. His whole.

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    Hearted. Love. And devotion. And commitment. And allegiance. And that's exactly. What Jonathan. Gives to David. Because he was loving. His neighbor. As himself. He was treating. David. Just as Jonathan. Would wish to be treated. If the roles. Were reversed. Saul. Will become. Appalled. When he finds out. What Jonathan. Has done. And he will.

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    Hate. David. For the very. Reason. That Jonathan. Loves. David. Jonathan. How can you. Forgo the throne. Don't you see. What you're giving up. It's contained. In chapter 20. At verse 31. We won't take. The time. To look it up. We're all familiar. Hopefully. With the story. You see. Saul. Rejected. The principle. Of laying down.

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    Your life. For your brother. Jonathan. Looks at David. As a result. Of the giant. Being slain. And he tells. Jonathan. I'm yours. Saul. Looks at David. As a result. Of him. Having slain. The giant. And he says. You're. Mine. And he wouldn't. Let him return home. And there's a stark. Contrast. Between the two men.

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    Between Jonathan. And Saul. And it's showing us. The difference. Between one. Who has embraced. Godly love. As a way of life. And one. Who is not. Thirdly. Do you see. How Jonathan's. Love for David. Was godly love. Not human love. It was not. A relationship. In which. If you do. For me. I'll do.

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    For you. Jonathan. Devotes himself. And gives his. Allegiance. And loyalty. Over to David. At the beginning. Of chapter. 18. Before David. Has even had. Opportunity. To talk to Jonathan. There was no. Reciprocating. Aspect. In this. Relationship. That they would have. Jonathan's love. For David. Was a pure. Godly. Love. It was not. Human.

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    Love. Love. It wasn't. Predicated. Upon what. David. Would do. For him. Or what. David. Would eventually. Do for him. You see. That's human. Love. When I do. For you. With the understanding. That you will. At some point. Do for me. That can be a very. Beneficial. Relationship. In the world. Business. Is. Is.

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    Oftentimes. Rooted. In that kind. Of a relationship. Love. Love. But that is. Not. Godly. Love. Fourthly. Do you see. How there was. No limit. To Jonathan's. Love. For David. Excuse me. Do you remember. When Jonathan. Came to David. In the wood. In chapter 20. Saul has been. Chasing him. He's put the priests.

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    Of Nob. To death. David is. Convinced. That Saul. Is going to catch him. And slay him. He's at a very. Low point. In his life. In fact. He pleads. With Jonathan. If you're going. To betray me. Please slay me now. Don't turn me over. To your father. And Jonathan. Has to remind David.

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    Of his love. For him. And in verse 4. Of chapter 20. Jonathan. Tells David. There is. No. Limit. To godly love. Except he doesn't. Use that phrase. He tells David. Whatever. You need. I am prepared. To do that. For you. Because he understood. That when a person. Is in need. Whatever. It takes.

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    Is what I am prepared. To do. On your behalf. And you can imagine. How helpful. That kind. Of love. And that kind. Of assurance. Would have been. For David. It didn't solve. David's problems. Godly. Love. Does not. Solve. Another. Person's. Problems. And trials. And suffering. That they go through. But godly love. Assures them.

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    That you will not. Go through this. Trial. Alone. I will stand. Right. With you. And it doesn't. Matter. The shame. It doesn't. Matter. The cost. Because godly love. Puts the needs. Of others. Before our own. God. The fifth. Aspect. Of Jonathan's. Love. Is that he. Also. Had godly love. Not surprisingly. For Saul.

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    Which is why. Jonathan. Is such an excellent. Example. Of a man. Who lived. By godly love. One man. Is righteous. The giant slayer. David. The other man. Is wicked. Yet. Jonathan. Loves. Them. Both. Now. The love. For Saul. Is not as obvious. In the record. But it's just. As outstanding. How do you love.

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    A brother. Like Saul. How do you show him. Godly love. When he runs. Hot and cold. In the truth. And he is. Repeatedly. Giving himself. Over. To sin's power. How do you love. A person like that.

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    Well. You certainly. Don't give up on him. You don't. Abandon. A brother like Saul. You do all you can. To save him. To win him back. To righteousness. You lay down. Your life. For him. And you do it. Willingly. So that hopefully. He will benefit. And this is exactly. What Jonathan does. For Saul.

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    He will repeatedly. Appeal. To Saul. To leave off. His hatred. Of David. Jonathan. Will even. Put himself. In harm's way. In appealing. To his father. To change his ways. In the end. He stuck. By Saul. Even till Gilboa. He never joined. In the pursuit. Against David. But he stood. With his father. With Saul.

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    Not because he had. Blind allegiance. But because. He loved him. With godly love. And he did. All he could. In his case. Literally. Laying down. His life. For a man. He loved. David's love. For Saul. As an aside. Is equally. Outstanding. He will spend. Ten years. Roaming. The wilderness. As a fugitive. And you ask yourself.

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    What is David doing. During these. Ten years. Or so. Wandering the wilderness. As a fugitive. And the answer is. He is loving. Saul. He is doing. All he can. For Saul's sake. To win him. Back to righteousness. So that. When he writes. The song of the bow. In second. Samuel. Chapter one. After Saul.

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    And Jonathan. Had been slain. On Gilboa. David. Can. Sincerely. And with. Absolute. Integrity. Mourn. The death. Of Saul. Because he has been. Loving. Saul. All his life. He had spent. He had spent. All that time. In the wilderness. Being hunted. Down. By this man. But he could. With absolute. Integrity. Mourn. His death.

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    Because he had been. Trying to win. Saul. Back. To righteousness. And in the end. Once Saul was dead. It was evident. That that was not. Going to be possible. He never turned. On Saul. Just like Christ. Would not turn. On Judas. Or he wouldn't. Let any group. Turn on Saul. It's not natural.

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    To love. A man. Like Saul. Don't read. Through the record. And say. Well we're just not. Given enough. Information. To understand. How David. Could maintain. Such a loving. Attitude. Towards Saul. When Saul. So desperately. Mistreated him.

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    And you think. Of the brother. Or sister. In your life. Who you think. Has mistreated you. Don't think. Too long. Because we don't want. To have evil thoughts. Hopefully. You have long. Since forgiven them. But I can just about. Guarantee. Whatever mistreatment. Any of us. Have ever received. In a collegial life. Ever.

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    Ever. It pales. By comparison. To what Saul. And how Saul. Was mistreating David. But David. Never. Wavered. In his love. For Saul. We call it. One of those. Those. Wonderful. Scriptural. Scenes. That takes place. In the cave. In the cave. In the cave. In the cave. When there is David. And all his men.

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    Are hiding in the cave. And Saul comes in. To find rest. And the opportunity. Is perfect. To take Saul's life. And what does David do? He holds. A bible class. As we like to refer to it. And the subject. Is godly love. You do not slay. Your brother. It doesn't matter. How he has mistreated you.

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    It doesn't matter. You lay down your life. For him. So that you cut off the skirt. And even that. Pained David's heart. So that when he walks away. And he is far enough away. You can appeal to him. Out of love.

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    Seeking. To win him back. To righteousness. Foolishness. In the eyes of his men. From a human standpoint. And godly love. Often times. Will appear that way. But it is a willingness. To lay down our life. Even for those. Who have mistreated us. It won't permanently change. Saul's heart. Like Jonathan. David was only able.

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    To win a temporary change. But you see. How the two men. Jonathan and David. Are both. Showing. The principles. Of godly love. In how they treat Saul. They won't change him. Ultimately. But it doesn't mean. They didn't stop trying. Because they both loved him. With the same love. They both understood. The wisdom.

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    Of godly love. And it really is a wisdom. Brothers and sisters. And young people. There is great wisdom. In god defining love. As both. A willingness. To die to sin. On one hand. And doing it. For the sake of others. On the other. It unites. What we say. Are the two. Fundamental principles.

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    Of discipleship. Crucifying the flesh. And becoming. A servant. Of others. Recall the words. Of the lord. Jesus Christ. In mark. 10. Verse 45. Where mark. Writes. For even the son of man. Came not to be ministered unto. But to serve. But to minister. And to give his life. A ransom. For many. You see.

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    This is how god. Changes our character. He doesn't change us. By simply. Staying in the truth. For 20 years. And you finally. Sit through enough. Classes. And you. You hear enough. Things. To where finally. You become a different person. God changes us. And the change. Can begin. As soon as. We align ourselves.

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    With these principles. It can begin. As soon as. We come to understand. That when we devote. Ourselves. To living for others. Becoming their servants. By first. Putting to death. Our own desires. Our own interests. Our own list of things. That we need to get done. Before the sun goes down. When those become.

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    Of secondary importance. And the needs of others. Take on primary importance. Now. God can make us. Into new. And different. Men and women. It's how he saves us. It's how he's able. To transform us. Not by any merit. Of our own. But a life. Devoted. To dying. To sin. And serving others. Will transform.

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    Our characters. It will make us. Into new husbands. And new wives. It will make us. Into new brethren. In the ecclesias. And new sisters. It really will change us. Because what God. Is telling us. Is if you want. To learn. To stop. Walking. After the flesh. And you want. To start. Walking. After the spirit.

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    Then learn. To crucify. Your own desires. For the sake. Of others. If you want. To break. Sin's hold. Over you. And no longer. Be dominated. By it. So when our. Relationships. And our marriages. Or with our children. If we're given. To anger. Or we're given. To ridicule. Or whatever it is. God says.

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    If you want. To break. That hold. Over you. Then take. Your life. Which sin. Values. More than anything. Else in the world. And you all realize. Don't you. That I am. The most important. Person in this room. I don't know. Who's in second place. But my mind. Tells me. Every day. I'm the most important.

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    Person in this world. God says. Take. That. Natural. Mind. And if you want. To change it. Into a different mind. Put your own needs. To death. And begin. To live. For the sake. Of others. And that will change us. Into different men. And women. Because we begin to live. For the spiritual well-being.

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    Of others. And what this principle. Of love shows. Is that the power. Of godly. Love. Is. Greater. Than the power. Of sin. And if you don't. Circle. Anything else. In the notes.

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    Identify that principle. Because we're going to see it. In the life of the Lord. Jesus Christ. And we're going to see it. In his appeal. To us. The power. Of godly love. Is greater. Than the power. Of sin. The ruler. Of this world.

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    Which. By our nature. Has power. Over us. Can be broken. By our love. For the father. The proof of this. Is found. In combining. Two passages. The first. Is in John. Chapter 12. Again. We're very familiar. With these passages. Recall. That the prince. Of this world. That Jesus refers to. Is sin. So we read.

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    In John 12. Verse 31. Now. Is the judgment. Of this world. Now. Shall the prince. Of this world. Be cast out. Who was the prince. Of this world. The prince. Was coming. After Christ. Sin. In all of its. Manifestation. And how is it. Going to be cast out. We go on. In verse 32.

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    And 33. And if I. Be lifted up. From the earth. Will draw. All men. Unto me. This he said. Signifying. What death. He should die. So the prince. Of this world. Sin. And all of its. Manifestations. Is about to be. Cast out. How. I am about. To die. On a cross. Yes. Now combine that.

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    With John 14. Verse 30. And what we see here. Is Jesus. Is declaring. That sin. Has. No. Power. Over me. Hereafter. In verse 30. Of John 14. I will not talk much. With you. For the prince. Of this world. Cometh. Here comes. Sin. Represented by Judas. And the soldiers. And all. Of the evil.

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    That was going to be. Unleashed. That night. Against the Lord. Jesus Christ. But Jesus said. It had nothing. In me. You look in the RSV. It says. It has no. Power. Over me. Well. Why didn't. Sin. That was coming. To put him to death. And all the evil. That it represented. Why didn't.

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    It have any. Pardon. Or any. Power. Over Christ. Is it because. Sin. Didn't dwell. In his members. Absolutely not. He had the same. Tendency. To sin. As we do. And what Jesus. Is telling us. Is that there was something. More. Powerful. Than sin. At work. In his life. And what was more. Powerful.

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    Than sin. Is in verse 31. Of chapter 14. The power. Of godly. Love. That the world. May know. That I love. The father. And as the father. Gave me commandment. Even so. I do. Arise. Let us go hence. And what Jesus. Is telling us. Is what was true. In his life. Need be no different.

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    In our life. Sin. Was there. It was there. In the temptations. That he bore. Bearing our nature. And that he suffered through. It was there. In the evil. And the animosity. That was exhibited. Against him. That night. But you notice. Jesus said. Sin has nothing. In me. It has no power. Over me.

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    Because of the love. That I have. For my father. This was his declaration. To his disciples. My love. For my father. Has rendered. Sin. Powerless. In my life. Not because he possessed. The holy spirit. Not because he was part. Of some triune god. Not because temptations. Weren't real temptations. They were just. Recorders.

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    As if they were. But sin. Had no power. In the love. Of the lord. Jesus Christ. Not because it wasn't there. But because there was. A greater power. At work. In his life. Than the power. Of sin. And that was. The power. Of his love. For his father. And you see. Brethren and sisters.

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    And young people. Why we say. The power. Of godly love. Can be greater. Than the power. Of sin. In our life. It doesn't mean. We will be sinless. But it does mean. When sin. Presents itself. In our life. We don't. Have to give in to it. We don't. Have to allow it. To be our master.

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    And dominate over us. It doesn't have to rule. Our relationships. It doesn't have to. Cause us. To be those. Who give fits. Are given to fits. Of anger. Or whatever else. The situation is. In the life of Christ. Was the enmity. Of Genesis 3. 15. Sin. Pitted. In battle. It was the love.

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    Of the son. Of the father. That prevailed. Over the sin. And the battle. That existed. He had overcome. The prince of this world. By his love. For his father. So that the world. May know. Not so that we sit. Back. And applaud. How thankful. We are. That the love. For the father. Overcame sin.

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    But that we will. Engage ourselves. In the same battle. Using the same power. Of godly love. That's the principle. He's asking us. To get hold of. So that if I want. To be helpful. To my brethren. And sisters. Sin. Must first. Be put to death. In my life. You see. I can't let.

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    Sin. Dominate. My life. And then. Turn around. And try to be. Helpful. To you. It doesn't work. It. There is no power. There's no. There's. It's not effective. In bringing. Into your situation. What you really need. And notice. Back in chapter 13. At verse 35. There was a witness. Of this love. Associated with it.

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    By this. He says. Again. Words that we're familiar with. Shall all men know. That ye are my disciples. If ye have love. One to another. When we say. The power. Of godly love. Is greater than. The power of sin. That's true in concept. Well. What does it look like. In practice.

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    How is it. That the love of God. Can separate us. From other peoples. And other churches. We really. Should. Be. Different. You see. Godly love. Will stop. The bickering. That typically. Arises. Among a group. Of people. And if you're not sure. What it looks like. Come back to my. Ecclesia. In Royal Oak.

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    Because we have. The same. Situation. As every other. Group of people. Around the world. Who are struggling. Under the. Difficulties. Of the flesh. And coming to grips. With living. By the principles. Of our Lord. But godly love. Will stop. The bickering. It will resolve. Whatever the difficulties. Are. In a loving way. And it will encourage.

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    All. To choose righteousness. We know. From our own experiences. How powerful. Sin can be. When godly love. Is missing. In a relationship. When there. Is an absence. Of godly love. In a marriage. Sin results. Sin reigns. And the marriage. Suffers badly. Two people. Can say things. Against each other. And do things. To each other.

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    That are all together. Unloving. And insidious. The trials. Of marriage. Will reveal. The kind. Of love. That exists. Between. The husband. And wife. If my love. For my wife. Is a human. Love. She does for me. I do for her. She helps me. I help her. If that's the love. That I have.

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    For my wife. The trials. That come along. In our marriage. We will never survive. But if. My love. For my wife. And her love. For me. Is that. I will love. My spouse. Not because. He deserves it. But because. He needs it. Especially. When sin. Has taken hold. In his character.

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    Now that's. A different response. To the very. Same situation. And we live. In a day and age. In which. The trials. Of our marriages. The trials. Of ecclesial life. Have got to be. Responded to. By godly love. Because otherwise. Our relationships. Will take a severe beating. In an ecclesia. When godly love. Is missing.

98. 38:53

    In the relationship. Between members. It shows up. In how we treat. Each other. And sin. Wins. It doesn't matter. The issue. Doesn't matter. The source. Of conflict. Sin. Wins. In that situation. One person. Won't speak. To another person. One group of brethren. Won't work. With another group of brethren. And they've. Been working together.

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    All this time. But when godly love. Is missing. Sin. Fills that void. And the result. Is that there is. A great deal. Of mistrust. And accusations. So when we find. Ourselves. In these situations. It's critical. That godly love. Be reinserted. Into these relationships. That. That we acknowledge. The sin. That has taken place.

100. 39:38

     And we admit. To ourselves. Even if no one else. Will admit. And whoever is involved. At least we admit. To ourselves. That I have not. Been bringing godly love. Into this situation. And henceforth. I will. I don't know. How others will respond. Or react. But in terms. Of my contribution. In the future.

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     To this situation. I will bring. The love of god. I will consider. The needs. In the interest. Of others. To be more important. Than my own. I will lay down. My life. For my brothers. And sisters. And I will do it. Willingly. And I will do it. By faith. Trusting. That god will bless.

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     Those efforts. Because I am bringing. My life. Into conformity. With what he has. Commanded. But if we do this. The lesson of scripture. Is that breaches. Can be healed. And by this. All men. Will know. That we are in fact. The disciples. Of the Lord Jesus Christ. Turn back. To 1st John 3.

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     Another example. Of where you won't find. The words. Godly love. Is more powerful. Than sin. In your Bible. But see in fact. If this is not. The same lesson. That John is teaching. In chapter 3. He begins. Chapter 3. Of 1st John. By saying. Behold. What manner of love. The father. Hath bestowed upon us.

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     That we should be called. The sons of God. Therefore. The world. Knoweth us not. Because it knew not him. So he begins. With the love of God. In verse 5. He then. As we know. Begins a discussion. Of the work of the cross. How Jesus. In verse 5. Came to overcome. This. Overcome the devil.

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     Or sin. In verse 8. It says. Jesus was manifested. To destroy the works. Of the devil. And in our first principle. Classes. And in our seminar. Classes. We sit down. With interested friends. And show. How there is your definition. Of the devil. It's the works. Of the devil. It's the sin. Jesus came to take away.

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     The sins. He came to destroy. The works of the devil. But in this same section. Now John will show us. The application. Of this doctrine. And the impact. It ought to have on us. John says. There are two kinds. Of people. There are those. Who follow. After righteousness. And those. Who follow. After the devil.

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     Or sin. And he differentiates. As we know. Between the two kinds. Of people. Describing how they have. Two entirely different. Kinds of walk. The first category. Are the children. Of the devil. Those who commit. Or practice. Sin. And if you haven't seen. This in the past. It's worth noting. That that Greek word.

108. 42:14

     There for commits. Or practices. As it is. In some versions. It shows up. In verse 8. For instance. He that committed. Sin. That word. Is the Greek word. Porio. And it means. To practice. So in verse 8. When it says. Sorry. In verse 9. When it says. Whosoever is born of God. Doth not commit sin.

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     It doesn't mean. You've never committed. A sin in your life. It means. You don't practice. Sin. That's not. Your main. Walk. In life. You will sin. But that is not. Your main. Walk. In life. So that those. Who are. Born. Of God. Do not sin. As their practice. Secondly. If there is a children.

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     Of the devil. As the first category. The second category. Is the children. Of God. Who commit. Or practice. Righteousness. Righteousness. Is their main focus. For instance. In verse 7. Little children. Let no man deceive you. He that doeth. Or practiceth. Righteousness. Is righteous. Even as he. Is righteous. He that. Committeth. Sin. Is of the devil.

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     For the devil. Sinneth. From the beginning. So John is contrasting. Two groups of people. It's the two seeds. It's the seed of the woman. And it's the seed of the serpent. One practice. Or devote themselves. To practicing righteousness. The others don't. And those. Who practice. Righteousness. Do so. Because they recognize. That Jesus.

112. 43:41

     came. To take away sin. To destroy. The works. Of the devil. So to continue. To practice. Sin. To continue. To let sin. Dominate. In their life. Would live. In opposition. To the very purpose. Christ came. And that was. To destroy. The works. Of the devil. And it's what he. Devoted his life to.

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     So the children. Of God. Say if that is what. He devoted his life to. I am certainly. I am certainly not going to live. In opposition to it. But the key point. We don't want to miss. Is what differentiates. The two groups. And what John is writing. What differentiates. The group called. The children of the devil.

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     From the group called. The children of God. In other words. What determines. Who we are. Love. It isn't our baptism. It isn't our first name. It isn't our last name. It isn't the position. We do. Or don't hold. In the ecclesia. What. Differentiates. Or determines. Whether we are. Children of God. Or the children of the devil.

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     And what is John's answer. In verse 10. The answer. He says. Is love. Now you won't find. The word for love. In verse 10. But what do you see.

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     Recall the various aspects. Of godly love. Do you see the two. Great commandments. In verse 10. Only. They are written. In the negative. Instead of the positive. In this. The children of God. Are manifest. And the children. Of the devil. Whosoever. Doesn't. Love. God. With all his heart. Soul. And mind. And strength.

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     Only here. John is using a synonym. Whosoever. Doth. Not. Righteousness. Is not of God. And whosoever. Doesn't love. His neighbor. As himself. Only John says. And whosoever. Loveth. Not. His brother. Neither. Is he. Of God. So you see. What differentiates. The children of God. From the children. Of the devil. Is whether or not.

118. 45:56

     We practice love. So we read in verse 11. For this is the message. That ye heard from the beginning. That we should love. One another. And then in verse 14. John identifies. The enormity. Of the impact. This should have on us. We know that we have passed. From death. Unto life. Because. We love.

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     The brethren. He is not talking. About the judgment seat. He is not talking. About being raised. And being given. Immortality. He is drawing. A defining line. In our life. Just as the defining line. Divided the children of God. From the children of the devil. We have passed. Into life. He says. From death.

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     Into life. Based upon. Whether or not. We have learned. To love. Our brethren. And notice. In verse 16. Between the three loves. We talked about. The love of the father. The love of the son. And our adding. Our love. To their love. Hereby perceive we. The love of God. There is the first one.

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     Because. He. Jesus. Laid down his life. For us. There is the second one. And we ought to lay down. Our lives. For the brethren. And when all three. Of those loves. Are in alignment. Then God. Can do great things. In our life. But until we add. Our love. To their love. We severely restrict.

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     God's ability. If you're still not convinced. That the power. Of godly love. Is greater. Than the power. Of sin. For the sake of time. We will give you. A homework. Assignment. Go back. Some time. Tonight. Or tomorrow. And read through. Romans chapter 8. And you will see. In Romans chapter 8. Where Paul.

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     Identifies. The same. Three loves. Only the challenge. For us. Is that he doesn't. Always say. The love. Of God. And he doesn't. Always say. The love. Of Christ. What he says. Is. Giving. Of his son. And what he says. Is. The son. Laying down his life. But there is. The love of God.

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     In verse. 32. And there is. The love of the son. In verse 34. And Paul says. If we will add. Our love. In verse 35. There is. Absolutely. Absolutely. Paul says. Nothing. On this earth. That can overcome us. And he uses. That word. In verse 37. He says. We become. Super. Conquerors. Is what the Greek means.

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     In verse 37. When the love. Of the father. And the love. Of the son. Are in alignment. And we add. Our love. To their love. There is. Nothing. On earth. He says. That can separate us. From God. In that situation. Not tribulation. Not distress. Not persecution. Not famine. Not nakedness. Peril. Or sword.

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     It doesn't matter. What trials. Come into our life. It doesn't matter. What sin. May. May present itself. Against us. When our love. Is added. To the love. Of the father. And the son. We become. Super. Conquerors. Is the. The English. The English. Actually. In verse.

127. 49:32

     Verse 37. May. In all these things. We are more than conquerors. Through him. Who loved us. So we're going to take the last. Couple of minutes. And we're going to ask one of the young people. To come forward. But let me first do a minute of explanation.

128. 49:50

     For those who are doing the ice cream social. Is that still on the agenda brother? Don't get the ice cream out of the freezer just yet. Do you recall the parable of the good Samaritan? It's a parable about love. Because in the exchange between Jesus and the lawyer. The lawyer asks Jesus about love.

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     And Jesus turns the question against or back to him. And he says what does the law say? So before you put your Bibles away. Turn to Leviticus. 19. Verse 18.

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     You see the lawyer had rightly figured out. That the way to life. Was through love. And loving your neighbor. As yourself. So that Jesus compliments the lawyer. And says you have answered rightly. In this exchange. When the lawyer had said. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God. With all thy heart. And with all thy soul.

131. 51:05

     And all thy strength. And with all thy mind. And thy neighbor as thyself. Jesus said you have answered rightly. And then the lawyer wants to justify himself. And he says. Ah yes. But who is my neighbor? You see. The circle of those. Whom the lawyer loved. Was a very small circle. And Jesus is now looking to expose this.

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     But if you look in Leviticus 19. From where this is quoted. What are the two things. You cannot hold on to. At the same time. What are the two things. You cannot hold on to. At the same time. What is the first thing. He speaks of in this verse.

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     Sorry. Vengeance. Or. A grudge. Does he say that? Don't bear any grudge. Against the children. So don't you look to take vengeance. And don't hold any grudge. Against the children of thy people. Because you can't hold on to a grudge. And love your neighbor. At the same time. Now. Who knows what this is.

134. 52:22

     In the symbol of course. Now. It's close. But that's not what we're looking for. Excuse me. Love. Now. Why would this be love? This is. You're absolutely right. You see. This in simple. Represents. Godly love. Poor representation. I agree. But I'll prove it to you. Is not this. A room. Full of godly people.

135. 52:55

     And do not. Godly people. Have smiles. Brought to their face. When they see. Or receive. Godly love. So watch what happens. See. You can't see the smiles. Like I can see. Big smile right here.

136. 53:19

     So this represents. Godly love. You don't get one by the way. Right. I've got one of these for you instead. My apologies. Who knows what this is.

137. 53:34

     Somebody has an idea. What is it? It is. Actually it's a foosball. Isn't it? Every other night of this year. It will be a foosball. But it isn't tonight. What do you think this is?

138. 53:49

     For a closer look. And you can pass it around. That you see. Is a grudge. A grudge starts out small. Does it not? In fact. It's so small. And convenient. You can put it in your pocket. And you can take it. Wherever you go. You can take it to bed at night. You can put it under your pillow.

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     You can take it to work with you. In the morning. You can take it in your car. Wherever you go. You can take your grudge.

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     And by the way. You can throw it away. If you want. Now what do you think this is? This is a grudge. That I didn't throw away. When it was real small. I kept it. And now it's so big. It takes up half the bed. And I can't find a garbage can to put it in.

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     Because it's grown to be so big. Now this is where I need a volunteer. Veronica. Are you still with us? And are you still game?

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     Remember what we said. Godly love. And a grudge. We're going to see. Can you hold that for me? We're going to see. If Veronica can hold on to a grudge. And give out godly love. At the same time. Now. You can't pour out. Your godly love. And you can't. Offer it to people.

143. 55:44

     And have them take your godly love from you. Because godly love is something you have to give. So. Now why do you think we have taped. This vase. Because I belong to the same family of those who have also tried. Object lessons. Haven't burnt any place down yet. But I've come close. So we're going to see if Veronica.

144. 56:09

     Is able to give out godly love. And hold a grudge. Sorry. At the same time. Before you go. How many things she'll be able to do it? You have about ten fans in the audience. Okay. So let's see if Veronica can hand out godly love.

145. 56:29

     And hold on to her grudge at the same time. There's one. There's two. There's two. Good job Veronica. Let's give Veronica a big hand.

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     Thanks very much. Veronica you can put the ball down. And we'll have the jar of kisses in the back. For everyone at the end. You can put them on top of your ice cream. But hopefully we can appreciate the lesson. That God is encouraging us. Thanks very much. To let go of the grudge.

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     Because holding on to the grudge. And trying to display the kind of love. That we've looked at today. Is nigh impossible. Thank you very much.