Class 1 from this series was used for GCT Episode 250
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Thank you very much, brother
Nathan, and good morning
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brothers and sisters.
Thank you for braving the the.
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Cold.
Well, I think it’s.
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Cold anyway, being a
Queenslander.
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Well.
Brothers and sisters, this is.
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Where God gives us the
opportunity.
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To sit in the.
Driver’s seat, so to speak.
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One of the important things
about coming to know God and
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coming to.
Reflect his character.
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Is that we need to know.
What he goes through every day.
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For us and what he’s done by
giving us.
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The power to forgive.
He’s encouraging.
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Us to think like him so in.
Actual fact he’s putting.
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A lot of control in our hands
and he’s saying.
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It’s up to you.
You have a go.
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See how you go.
So we come then to this
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response.
And this is very challenging.
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It is a challenging.
Part I find it challenging,
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personally.
Because it involves the.
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Application of all.
The principles we’ve.
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We’ve looked at this weekend,
our personal involvement.
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This is the part where we come
to understand really what God is
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doing for us, and it’s.
This this section.
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This morning, brothers and
sisters, really is the true
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measure.
Of our understanding and
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appreciation.
Of what it really means to be
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reconciled with God?
No, we we talk about God.
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Manifestation reflecting God’s
character.
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And we say it’s a wonderful
subject.
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To consider and it is.
It’s a, it’s a.
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A beautiful subject.
It’s amazing honor for human
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beings.
To have that privilege to try
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and act out, I say try.
Because we all.
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Fail miserably at this.
To try and act out the character
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who.
We are instinctively.
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At enmity with our instincts are
opposite even our Lord.
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Jesus Christ instincts were
opposite to his father’s.
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Not my will, but thine be done.
We don’t like to forgive.
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It’s contrary to our nature.
We don’t like to.
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Forgive and forget for those of
who have wronged us.
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Because we think the.
Kind of mind thinks.
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That they need to pay.
For what they’ve done, and we
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harbor things in our minds we
need.
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Brothers and sisters.
To come to an understanding that
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those things have to be let go.
So remember our three
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conditions.
The process that we’ve looked at
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here is the confession of sin,
the repentance.
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And conversion and So what this
morning we’re going to look.
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At this this 4th condition.
So come to come to Matthew. 6
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This is a critical.
Condition and God cannot work
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with us unless we involve
ourselves in this process.
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So Matthew 6 and verse 12, let’s
come in.
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Halfway through the Lord’s.
Prayer here where we read.
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Forgive us our.
Debts, as we forgive our
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debtors, lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from
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evil.
For thine is the Kingdom, and
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the power, and the glory
forever.
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Amen.
And the first thing he says
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immediately after that prayer.
For if you forgive men, the
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trespasses your heavenly.
Father will also forgive you.
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But if you forgive not men, the
trespasses neither.
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Will or can?
Your father, forgive your
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trespasses.
He’s not in a position.
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To forgive us.
Because we’re not forgiving
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others, Mark, 11, says.
This, And when you stand
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praying.
Forgive if you have aught
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against.
Any.
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That your father also witches.
In heaven may forgive your.
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Trespasses again.
God wants to forgive.
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Us.
He awaits our response.
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But if you do not forgive.
Says Mark.
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Neither will your father, which
is in.
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Heaven, forgive your trespasses
so.
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You can see then that my
personal forgiveness from God.
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Is.
Conditional upon the way that.
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I forgive others.
And there is one little extra
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thing that we need to know here,
brothers and sisters.
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That’s this.
Remember in our last session.
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We saw how God was proactive,
how he initiated.
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The forgiveness, that process.
Wherever he could.
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Well, he wants us as we sit in
the.
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In the driver’s seat, so to
speak.
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With the controls to do that as
well.
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He wants us to try and initiate
the process.
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If indeed we.
Think that someone has something
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against us and we know that from
Matthew 5.
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Shall we have a look at that
too?
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Matthew 5 and verse 23 And that
says.
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This therefore, if they’ll bring
thy gift.
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To the altar.
And there remembers that thy
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brother hath aught.
Against thee.
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So it’s not you with the
problem, your.
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Brother has something against
you.
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God said Christ says here verse
24 leave there thy gift before.
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The altar.
And go thy way.
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First be reconciled to thy
brother, and then come.
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And offer your gift.
Now if both parties do this, we
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have success and if.
One party is not doing it and
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the other one is.
Success as well.
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Initiate if you think.
That you’ve been wrong.
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Or whatever it is initiate.
That process.
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Take the initiative in saving
your brother or your sister.
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Whatever that the case may be.
See the the Spirit of God in
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which he would like us to.
To frame our relationships.
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It’s a desire to be.
To be in fellowship with each.
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Other That’s what it is.
No, not.
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Now that we it’s not going to
be.
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Always possible brothers and
sisters.
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To do that, But God says I want
you to drive.
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Toward unity with your brothers
and sisters, whether it’s on an
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Ecclesia level or a personal
level, whatever that may be.
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That should always be our goal.
Remember, an old brother said
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once.
If we know anything.
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About God at all, We know that
he.
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Loves unity.
And why is that so?
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Because God is.
One he’s not 2.
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Or three he’s.
One God he loves.
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Unity.
He loves this cohesive spirit.
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So.
This is a major condition.
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This is a big condition.
Now we’ve just read from first
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John 4 this chapter.
We have the core motivation
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glaring out.
Of why God does what He does,
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it’s because.
Of love.
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Love is of God.
The word love.
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Appears in John’s Gospel.
And his epistles more than any
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other gospel.
Or epistle in the Bible, the New
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Testament, because he is so
focused on this concept of love.
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But if God.
Loves.
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What he creates the converse is
equally true.
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He hates that which he.
Doesn’t create because.
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It’s opposite to him.
Opposite to the way he thinks
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so.
First grin thins 13 Verse three
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says this.
You know this.
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You don’t have to turn this up,
says this.
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Though I bestow.
All.
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My goods to feed the poor.
And though I give my.
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Body to be burned.
Now that’s extreme, Paul says.
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If I have not love, I have
nothing.
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I have no thing.
Nothing at all.
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It’s actually empty.
That’s.
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That’s incredible, isn’t it To.
To think that we could live our
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lives totally in the truth, but
we we do so without love, it
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profits.
Me nothing.
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Look how that.
You think about the.
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Concepts of love here.
Oh, there we go.
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OK, so proverbs.
Is this proverbs?
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Says hatred stirs up strife, but
love covers all sins.
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He that covereth A transgression
seeks love, but he that repeats
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a matter separates very friends.
The contemporary English version
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puts that.
You will keep your friends if
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you forgive them, but you will
lose your.
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Friends, if you keep talking
about what they did wrong, love.
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Must be at the core of
everything we do and this.
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Self.
Sacrificing love, which we know
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is agape love.
Is the key to forgiving.
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Others I will forgive.
You.
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At my personal expense, that’s
what God is actually looking
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for.
So we’ve got to ask the
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question.
Then as we think about this, is
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there a sin?
That God will not forgive.
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We looked at this yesterday.
And we decided the answer was
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no.
Apart from thinking that God
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can’t forgive us, there is
actually no sin that God will
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not forgive.
He knows our thoughts.
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He knows our frame.
He knows the frailness of our
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thinking so.
He’s prepared to cover all sins,
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whatever they are.
Is there then a?
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Sin that you can’t forgive.
Is there a sin?
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That you can’t forgive.
And in our minds there’s very
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grave sins and there’s very
small light, light things.
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It’s a good thing to think
about.
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But just a word of.
Explanation here about what he’s
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actually.
Got is.
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Expecting of us.
So at the moment there’s only. 2
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beings in the universe.
That can forgive sins.
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That’s God and his Son Jesus
Christ to forgive actual sins.
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Involves power.
We know that.
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To be true, it involves power to
forgive sins.
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So the man that was let down.
And he was.
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He was paralyzed.
He was.
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Let down through.
The Roof to show people their
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God’s power.
Jesus went to the.
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Core of the problem.
And he forgave his.
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Sins now he went to the very.
Root of the issue, he said.
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As far as your paralysis,
paralysis is concerned.
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Don’t worry too much about that.
That’s only a temporary element.
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I’m going to.
Fix the real problem.
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And in his power he forgave
sins.
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The Pharisees grumbled and said,
Who is this that can forgive
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sins?
Of course he to show the
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Pharisees that indeed he had.
That power, he went on.
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To to to heal the.
The man that was sick of the
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posing, so we need power to
forgive.
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Power.
To discern the thoughts and
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intents of the heart.
Only those two beings can do
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this.
To forgive.
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To determine motives and
objectives.
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Of the mind.
So can you see that?
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This is actually not our our
role or purpose.
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It’s not our responsibility.
We don’t have that power.
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To decide, you know, like.
Brothers and sisters, I am hard
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pressed to discern my own
motives.
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Let alone judge yours so this
role.
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Primarily belongs to God and now
his Son.
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So our response then is limited
to.
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Forgiving the.
Person not the morality of what
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they have done or haven’t done.
We forgive the person.
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Let me let me show you.
Matthew 6 says this.
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Forgive us our debts as.
We forgive.
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Our debtors, it doesn’t say
forgive us, our sins, our debts.
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As we forgive the sins.
Of those who have wronged us.
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It’s the.
Person that we forgive.
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And one more Luke 11 verse 4.
Forgive us our sins, for we are,
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for we also forgive everyone
that is indebted to us.
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Can you hear that difference?
We don’t forgive the sin.
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We can’t.
We don’t have that power, that
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authority, to do so.
Only God.
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Forgives sin the deed done.
Or the wrong thought.
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Wrong action that that we need
to.
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Leave that to God.
He’s merely asking us to forgive
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the person.
It’s really important that we
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make that clear difference
between God’s work and our work.
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Because the implications are
actually quite big, you see if.
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We’re in the business.
Of forgiving sin.
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00:13:13,050 –> 00:13:15,810
Itself, we would need to.
As God.
226
00:13:15,810 –> 00:13:21,130
Does look and wait for
confession, repentance and
227
00:13:21,130 –> 00:13:23,530
conversion, and that might not
happen.
228
00:13:24,060 –> 00:13:26,140
At all or.
For years and years after.
229
00:13:28,900 –> 00:13:31,140
We can only judge.
After the seeing of our eyes and
230
00:13:31,140 –> 00:13:34,500
the.
Hearing of our ears, and even
231
00:13:34,500 –> 00:13:36,820
then even.
Then our judgment is faulty,
232
00:13:36,820 –> 00:13:39,860
often, in my personal experience
at least.
233
00:13:43,580 –> 00:13:45,340
So we do not.
Need to wait for those things.
234
00:13:45,340 –> 00:13:47,060
Confession, repentance and
conversion.
235
00:13:47,340 –> 00:13:51,420
It’s not our job, so we can
forgive.
236
00:13:52,300 –> 00:13:56,260
Leave the sin to.
God, that’s.
237
00:13:56,260 –> 00:14:00,020
God’s area to deal with, to deal
with that individual or those
238
00:14:00,020 –> 00:14:02,660
individuals, whatever the case.
Is Leave it to God.
239
00:14:03,260 –> 00:14:05,660
Let him work his good work with.
Them as well.
240
00:14:08,620 –> 00:14:10,020
Now I want to.
Say this as well, brother.
241
00:14:10,020 –> 00:14:13,460
And sisters, that God is very,
very aware of our.
242
00:14:13,460 –> 00:14:17,540
Weaknesses in this area now.
If we have trouble with sin.
243
00:14:18,380 –> 00:14:21,340
And we know that we’re never,
ever going to get on top of sin
244
00:14:21,460 –> 00:14:23,460
in the days of immortality.
Where then it’s.
245
00:14:23,580 –> 00:14:26,580
Equally true that we’re going to
struggle with forgiveness,
246
00:14:27,020 –> 00:14:31,660
that’s a given we will struggle
with forgiving each other.
247
00:14:33,940 –> 00:14:36,340
We can’t forgive and forget.
Well, I don’t.
248
00:14:36,340 –> 00:14:38,460
I don’t forgive and forget.
I know God.
249
00:14:38,460 –> 00:14:42,060
Does because.
God says I’ll remember thy sin,
250
00:14:42,300 –> 00:14:45,300
the sins no more.
And we can’t do that.
251
00:14:45,300 –> 00:14:50,870
Do you know what we do instead?
We forgive and we keep.
252
00:14:50,870 –> 00:14:55,510
Remembering that we have
forgiven, we remind ourselves.
253
00:14:55,630 –> 00:15:00,910
Of that fact and also.
Forgiveness.
254
00:15:00,910 –> 00:15:03,150
Between ourselves can sometimes
take.
255
00:15:03,310 –> 00:15:07,110
A lot of time because often
there’s a lot of damage.
256
00:15:07,670 –> 00:15:10,990
It can take time.
Because of our limitations.
257
00:15:11,390 –> 00:15:13,790
Our emotions.
There are some.
258
00:15:13,790 –> 00:15:16,070
Shocking things that we do.
Against each other.
259
00:15:16,940 –> 00:15:20,780
And these matters can sometimes
be not an overnight fix, but
260
00:15:20,780 –> 00:15:26,060
matters that we need to present
to God in earnest prayer, asking
261
00:15:26,060 –> 00:15:29,220
for strength and the foresight
and foreknowledge.
262
00:15:29,220 –> 00:15:31,140
To be able to forgive your
brother.
263
00:15:31,180 –> 00:15:34,620
Or sister we need.
To seek his help.
264
00:15:34,620 –> 00:15:37,420
And rest upon his kindness, that
he knows our frame.
265
00:15:37,820 –> 00:15:40,180
Just exactly how frail we are.
Whether.
266
00:15:40,180 –> 00:15:43,500
That’s emotionally.
Psychologically, spiritually,
267
00:15:43,860 –> 00:15:48,030
whatever it is.
We are frail creatures.
268
00:15:48,030 –> 00:15:52,110
We are.
Frail of mind and body, and not
269
00:15:52,110 –> 00:15:54,590
to think that well, it is at the
end of the matter.
270
00:15:54,590 –> 00:15:56,950
It is this is, this is the end
of the world.
271
00:15:56,950 –> 00:15:59,310
Because I I can’t find it in
myself to forgive.
272
00:15:59,310 –> 00:16:03,230
And I I feel so wretched that I
maybe I should be forgiving, and
273
00:16:03,230 –> 00:16:06,070
I’m not.
Prayer Brothers and sisters,
274
00:16:06,830 –> 00:16:09,710
pray to God for strength that
you can arrive at that frame of
275
00:16:09,710 –> 00:16:14,430
mind where you can say yes, I
think I can, just let go of this
276
00:16:14,430 –> 00:16:16,480
now.
Because I’m so.
277
00:16:16,480 –> 00:16:20,240
Appreciative of how God?
Continually forgives me and
278
00:16:20,400 –> 00:16:22,880
allows me to turn from my own
iniquities.
279
00:16:25,520 –> 00:16:27,560
So God is very, very aware of
the.
280
00:16:27,560 –> 00:16:30,560
Frailness of our own nature.
It’s a struggle that’s.
281
00:16:30,560 –> 00:16:33,200
What’s important to God?
He needs to see us.
282
00:16:33,200 –> 00:16:37,520
Try to make a genuine effort and
it’s not the end of the world if
283
00:16:37,520 –> 00:16:42,960
we’re struggling on this matter,
so maybe it’s a good exercise if
284
00:16:42,960 –> 00:16:44,600
we are struggling with this at
the moment.
285
00:16:45,430 –> 00:16:48,270
You know, we think that we’ve
been wronged and we probably in
286
00:16:48,270 –> 00:16:50,710
some cases have been.
Badly wronged and mistreated.
287
00:16:50,710 –> 00:16:53,390
Maltreated And God doesn’t
discount.
288
00:16:53,390 –> 00:16:54,990
That what?
What’s one little?
289
00:16:54,990 –> 00:16:59,670
Bit.
But can it be a good exercise,
290
00:16:59,670 –> 00:17:03,990
then, to put our grievances next
to a man?
291
00:17:04,630 –> 00:17:07,589
Who is enduring a?
Horrific crucifixion.
292
00:17:08,869 –> 00:17:12,190
He’s hanging on a cross, utterly
naked.
293
00:17:12,950 –> 00:17:16,069
Now this is the most moral man
that ever lived and.
294
00:17:16,069 –> 00:17:17,430
Look at him.
He’s hanging on this cross.
295
00:17:17,589 –> 00:17:21,950
He’s bleeding all over.
He’s and while the, the, the.
296
00:17:21,950 –> 00:17:25,109
Perpetrators are inflicting this
upon.
297
00:17:25,109 –> 00:17:33,510
Him and laughing at him, he says
forgive them because they don’t.
298
00:17:33,510 –> 00:17:38,870
Understand what they’re doing.
So you talk about physical
299
00:17:38,870 –> 00:17:41,030
abuse?
Talk about.
300
00:17:41,030 –> 00:17:47,470
Moral abuse, Mental abuse,
whatever it is, how does it
301
00:17:47,470 –> 00:17:51,910
right?
Next to that man, and he’s.
302
00:17:51,950 –> 00:17:55,350
Asking to forgive the people
whilst the very act.
303
00:17:55,350 –> 00:17:58,030
Is taking place.
Not the next day or the next
304
00:17:58,030 –> 00:18:00,430
year, the next Millennium,
whatever it is.
305
00:18:00,870 –> 00:18:04,150
It’s right then he’s.
Dealing with it in his mind,
306
00:18:04,310 –> 00:18:08,550
he’s letting it go because he
understands.
307
00:18:09,270 –> 00:18:14,230
To hold that.
Grudge can be so, so
308
00:18:14,350 –> 00:18:18,430
debilitating.
And he He’s not going to do
309
00:18:18,430 –> 00:18:20,870
that.
But if you do not forgive,
310
00:18:21,110 –> 00:18:23,310
neither will your Father, which
is in heaven, forgive.
311
00:18:23,310 –> 00:18:27,710
Your trespasses.
Now does that mean then?
312
00:18:29,070 –> 00:18:31,230
We’ve got to race up to.
The person or persons that have
313
00:18:31,230 –> 00:18:32,630
hurt us.
Right.
314
00:18:32,870 –> 00:18:33,550
You know, race up.
To the.
315
00:18:33,550 –> 00:18:35,270
Perpetrator.
The culprit, The offender,
316
00:18:35,390 –> 00:18:38,790
whoever it is.
And tell them wonderful news.
317
00:18:39,700 –> 00:18:41,380
I forgive you.
Is that it?
318
00:18:41,380 –> 00:18:45,780
Is that the answer?
I don’t think so, not at all
319
00:18:45,940 –> 00:18:48,860
that can.
Actually be quite damaging in
320
00:18:48,860 –> 00:18:50,980
the healing process for both
parties.
321
00:18:52,220 –> 00:18:55,420
It may well have the.
Opposite effect because every
322
00:18:55,420 –> 00:18:58,700
situation is different.
I think the answer.
323
00:19:00,500 –> 00:19:02,260
In fact, let’s turn this show.
Matthew 18.
324
00:19:02,300 –> 00:19:03,500
You have a look.
Here’s the answer to the
325
00:19:03,500 –> 00:19:05,980
problem.
This is where.
326
00:19:06,220 –> 00:19:12,120
God wants us to work.
So Matthew 18 the verse 35 says
327
00:19:15,520 –> 00:19:17,280
so now.
This is the chapter.
328
00:19:17,280 –> 00:19:18,760
Of forgiveness.
We’ve been looking at this
329
00:19:18,760 –> 00:19:22,840
weekend, this so likewise shall
my Heavenly Father.
330
00:19:23,840 –> 00:19:27,960
Do also unto you if ye Now
here’s the key.
331
00:19:28,840 –> 00:19:35,000
From your heart, forgive not
everyone his brother.
332
00:19:36,200 –> 00:19:42,370
Their trespasses.
That’s it there from your heart.
333
00:19:42,370 –> 00:19:47,210
That’s where it occurs.
It’s in your heart where that
334
00:19:47,410 –> 00:19:52,450
forgiving act takes.
Place not necessarily even out
335
00:19:52,450 –> 00:19:55,490
loud.
So then the forgiveness.
336
00:19:55,490 –> 00:19:58,250
Of your brother and sister in
the end.
337
00:19:58,250 –> 00:19:59,850
Brothers and sisters, you know
it’s between.
338
00:20:00,050 –> 00:20:06,570
It’s between you and God.
Leave God to deal.
339
00:20:07,140 –> 00:20:09,460
With the brother or sister,
friend, whoever it is.
340
00:20:09,700 –> 00:20:11,060
Leave.
Leave that to God.
341
00:20:11,740 –> 00:20:17,340
But you forgive from your.
Heart that’s is well.
342
00:20:17,340 –> 00:20:21,220
Pleasing to our Heavenly Father.
God is looking for.
343
00:20:21,220 –> 00:20:23,580
Something from us rather than
sisters, that is a.
344
00:20:23,580 –> 00:20:28,300
Willing spirit of forgiveness.
An attitude that is merciful and
345
00:20:28,300 –> 00:20:32,140
kind, long-suffering,
compassionate, recognize.
346
00:20:32,140 –> 00:20:34,500
Those characteristics.
God says.
347
00:20:35,300 –> 00:20:39,020
Jeremiah says this of God
understand and know me that I am
348
00:20:39,020 –> 00:20:40,540
Yahweh which.
Exercised.
349
00:20:40,540 –> 00:20:43,300
Loving kindness, judgment, and
righteousness.
350
00:20:43,300 –> 00:20:46,100
In the earth for in.
These things I did.
351
00:20:46,180 –> 00:20:52,020
Not say to Yahweh.
Some years ago I was.
352
00:20:52,020 –> 00:20:56,340
Talking to an elderly lady.
And.
353
00:20:56,380 –> 00:21:03,220
I was aware that she was abused
by her father when she was a
354
00:21:03,220 –> 00:21:07,510
little girl.
And her father wasn’t in the
355
00:21:07,510 –> 00:21:10,990
truth at that stage.
And I knew it was taking its
356
00:21:10,990 –> 00:21:17,070
toll on her and many, many
years.
357
00:21:17,070 –> 00:21:24,190
Later, her father was baptized
because of the wonderful example
358
00:21:24,190 –> 00:21:28,910
of her, the girl’s.
Mother and the consistent way in
359
00:21:29,350 –> 00:21:31,670
which her mother handled her
life.
360
00:21:32,800 –> 00:21:35,000
And and I said to.
This elderly sister, I said.
361
00:21:37,680 –> 00:21:41,600
What are your thoughts?
On on all that now that he’s a
362
00:21:41,600 –> 00:21:44,200
baptized brother and.
How have you dealt with?
363
00:21:44,200 –> 00:21:47,960
That in your mind and.
Harasser was very, very logical
364
00:21:47,960 –> 00:21:50,880
and simple, She simply.
Said this the hurt?
365
00:21:52,200 –> 00:21:54,520
Is still there.
So that’s the consequence.
366
00:21:55,800 –> 00:22:00,720
The hurt is still there.
But she said with all my heart.
367
00:22:01,980 –> 00:22:02,940
I hope.
He’s in the Kingdom.
368
00:22:02,940 –> 00:22:14,820
Of God with all my heart, And
she never told him that.
369
00:22:15,540 –> 00:22:19,220
Because he had passed away.
So he doesn’t have to know that
370
00:22:21,780 –> 00:22:23,980
she had forgiven him from her
heart.
371
00:22:24,260 –> 00:22:25,980
And she wants.
Him to be in the Kingdom of God,
372
00:22:26,220 –> 00:22:27,980
because at that point, she said.
I know.
373
00:22:28,220 –> 00:22:29,420
That this.
Whole thing.
374
00:22:30,540 –> 00:22:33,080
Will be healed.
And she also said.
375
00:22:33,720 –> 00:22:39,600
I know that that suffering has
shaped my life to become a
376
00:22:39,600 –> 00:22:43,480
softer person.
So she understood what God was
377
00:22:43,520 –> 00:22:47,640
actually.
Doing Remember we looked at the
378
00:22:47,640 –> 00:22:49,760
parable of the unmerciful
servant in Matthew 18.
379
00:22:49,760 –> 00:22:51,200
You’re probably.
Still there, which is good.
380
00:22:52,880 –> 00:22:55,880
Verse 27 just picking up where
we left off yesterday.
381
00:22:55,880 –> 00:22:59,560
He loosed him and.
Forgave him the debt loosed.
382
00:22:59,560 –> 00:23:02,630
Him and.
Two things forgave the dead.
383
00:23:03,510 –> 00:23:04,790
And of course we saw that that
was.
384
00:23:05,110 –> 00:23:08,990
Much more than he ever asked.
That term, that lovely term,
385
00:23:08,990 –> 00:23:11,190
much more.
Right through Romans 5.
386
00:23:12,150 –> 00:23:15,190
Now, here, now, is the proof
that this servant did not in any
387
00:23:15,190 –> 00:23:17,550
way.
Appreciate the gravity of.
388
00:23:17,670 –> 00:23:20,790
His sin, or indeed what had been
done?
389
00:23:20,790 –> 00:23:25,550
For him, let me just.
Just show you that.
390
00:23:25,670 –> 00:23:27,670
Just have a look at.
I meant to show you this before.
391
00:23:27,990 –> 00:23:30,820
See the way, John?
Focuses on love.
392
00:23:30,980 –> 00:23:36,540
His Gospel 27 His Epistle 28.
Look at the rest.
393
00:23:36,540 –> 00:23:41,020
Of the I think John is making a
point, don’t you think?
394
00:23:41,780 –> 00:23:45,020
So here we go, verse 28.
But the same.
395
00:23:45,020 –> 00:23:48,780
Servant went out and found one
of his fellow servants.
396
00:23:49,020 –> 00:23:53,700
Which owed him 100.
Pence, and he laid hands on him.
397
00:23:54,140 –> 00:23:56,820
And took him by the.
Throat saying, Pay me that thou
398
00:23:56,820 –> 00:23:59,100
owest.
Now he obviously owed.
399
00:23:59,100 –> 00:24:00,860
Something.
And that’s God acknowledging,
400
00:24:00,900 –> 00:24:03,700
yes, I know that you have
actually been hurt.
401
00:24:03,900 –> 00:24:07,100
You have.
Been offended and you are
402
00:24:07,100 –> 00:24:10,620
hurting.
I acknowledge that 100 pence.
403
00:24:11,420 –> 00:24:14,860
But he.
Grabs him by the throat and he
404
00:24:14,860 –> 00:24:18,340
says.
Pay me that you are.
405
00:24:18,620 –> 00:24:20,740
He wasn’t treated.
Like that his Lord didn’t grab
406
00:24:20,740 –> 00:24:24,740
him by the throat.
He reasoned gently with him.
407
00:24:26,050 –> 00:24:28,450
You know, I think brothers.
And sisters, I think it’s true
408
00:24:28,890 –> 00:24:30,450
for all of us because God will
want to.
409
00:24:30,450 –> 00:24:31,490
Test us.
All of us.
410
00:24:31,490 –> 00:24:36,010
In this area.
I think sometime or other.
411
00:24:36,090 –> 00:24:39,090
We all will.
Come upon a.
412
00:24:39,090 –> 00:24:45,290
Circumstance in which God will.
Rest will test and our
413
00:24:45,290 –> 00:24:46,930
reactions.
To the to to this.
414
00:24:47,570 –> 00:24:50,290
Type of thinking.
He will test us to a fellow
415
00:24:50,290 –> 00:24:54,010
brother or sister somewhere
along the line in God’s purpose
416
00:24:54,050 –> 00:24:55,730
and Providence.
We will be tested.
417
00:24:56,580 –> 00:24:58,980
In our lives.
And at that point we’ll have to
418
00:24:58,980 –> 00:25:00,380
make.
Decisions as to whether.
419
00:25:00,380 –> 00:25:10,460
We are going to worry about the
200 pence or whether it be able.
420
00:25:10,460 –> 00:25:14,340
To be forgiven.
So think about this.
421
00:25:14,820 –> 00:25:17,780
When we, when we.
Hold out against.
422
00:25:17,780 –> 00:25:19,900
People we sort of think about.
Here’s a bit of a list about.
423
00:25:20,020 –> 00:25:23,500
Perhaps some of the things that
are in our minds maybe a
424
00:25:23,500 –> 00:25:25,860
financial debt.
It might be an argument.
425
00:25:25,860 –> 00:25:29,300
Which has caused ill.
Feeling it might be gossip.
426
00:25:29,940 –> 00:25:34,020
Misunderstandings, different
opinions, and of course, abuse.
427
00:25:34,020 –> 00:25:35,700
We’ve touched on that one,
whether that’s.
428
00:25:35,860 –> 00:25:39,540
Mental, physical, sexual abuse.
They’re all covered.
429
00:25:40,100 –> 00:25:42,020
Under the in in this this.
Context.
430
00:25:42,620 –> 00:25:45,940
What about false accusation?
Mocking derision.
431
00:25:46,340 –> 00:25:48,660
Spitting.
Scourging crucifixion.
432
00:25:49,820 –> 00:25:52,620
All those things.
There’s a little.
433
00:25:52,620 –> 00:25:56,690
Room that’s often.
In our minds we we hold that and
434
00:25:56,690 –> 00:26:00,010
makes us.
Feel as if we’re making that
435
00:26:00,010 –> 00:26:02,650
person pay for the ill.
Done.
436
00:26:06,650 –> 00:26:11,370
Imagine if we were to open that
door we were able to get.
437
00:26:11,370 –> 00:26:14,610
Into the mind, your mind walk
along the corridor.
438
00:26:15,170 –> 00:26:16,970
And here we come to the big
door.
439
00:26:17,170 –> 00:26:21,970
The big.
Solid grudge door and we open
440
00:26:21,970 –> 00:26:22,930
all.
The locks.
441
00:26:24,240 –> 00:26:27,280
That are all round the door.
And we swing.
442
00:26:27,280 –> 00:26:30,160
The door open, it’s because
we’re going to clean it out.
443
00:26:31,000 –> 00:26:40,840
And there in the center of the
room is 1 solitary person and
444
00:26:40,840 –> 00:26:47,600
that person is actually you.
I heard a saying recently and it
445
00:26:47,600 –> 00:26:50,480
went.
Like this to forgive.
446
00:26:54,940 –> 00:26:58,580
To to forgive is to set the
captive.
447
00:26:58,580 –> 00:27:04,700
Free and then you suddenly.
Realize that the captive.
448
00:27:04,900 –> 00:27:09,860
Was me.
That person has probably moved.
449
00:27:09,860 –> 00:27:14,140
On or not even worried about
things in some some
450
00:27:14,140 –> 00:27:18,380
circumstances.
But we lock ourselves up if we
451
00:27:18,380 –> 00:27:20,840
hold grudges.
We are not only we.
452
00:27:20,840 –> 00:27:23,040
Throwing out fellow fellow
servant in prison.
453
00:27:24,200 –> 00:27:27,320
We are throwing ourselves there
as well, and more often than
454
00:27:27,320 –> 00:27:28,560
not.
We we stay there.
455
00:27:29,320 –> 00:27:35,720
We are imprisoning or binding
our very own selves and that’s
456
00:27:35,720 –> 00:27:39,680
why God is now saying I want.
You to forgive because.
457
00:27:39,680 –> 00:27:40,840
You know what, brothers and
sisters?
458
00:27:41,440 –> 00:27:43,720
You think about this, just think
about this little.
459
00:27:43,960 –> 00:27:46,840
This little fact here.
If we receive forgiveness of
460
00:27:46,840 –> 00:27:52,180
God.
Who’s the beneficiary we are?
461
00:27:52,860 –> 00:27:54,660
I am.
If I receive forgiveness, I’m
462
00:27:54,660 –> 00:27:57,420
the beneficiary.
If we forgive.
463
00:27:57,420 –> 00:28:02,180
Others from the heart.
Who’s the beneficiary?
464
00:28:02,980 –> 00:28:05,540
The others?
No, they’re not.
465
00:28:06,100 –> 00:28:11,300
I am.
So on both counts, God is saying
466
00:28:11,660 –> 00:28:13,500
you benefit.
Yourself.
467
00:28:17,630 –> 00:28:20,710
And so verse 32 says.
Then his Lord, after that he had
468
00:28:20,710 –> 00:28:22,350
called him, said to him, Oh
their wicked.
469
00:28:22,350 –> 00:28:25,110
Servant.
I forgave thee all that debt
470
00:28:26,030 –> 00:28:30,950
because you asked me to.
So this.
471
00:28:30,950 –> 00:28:34,670
Wicked servant here had
misrepresented God he’d
472
00:28:34,670 –> 00:28:38,350
misrepresented.
What God was all about, He had
473
00:28:38,350 –> 00:28:41,750
misrepresented this.
Concept of God manifestation.
474
00:28:41,750 –> 00:28:43,830
He had misrepresented God in
that.
475
00:28:44,110 –> 00:28:46,990
He had just been forgiven.
And he’d left God’s.
476
00:28:46,990 –> 00:28:50,150
Presence and soon after.
Had been exactly in God’s
477
00:28:50,150 –> 00:28:54,510
position.
And had shown his brother what
478
00:28:54,510 –> 00:28:57,670
he thought God was.
He had failed to.
479
00:28:57,670 –> 00:29:00,350
Exercise loving kindness and
righteousness.
480
00:29:00,710 –> 00:29:02,950
He had distorted God’s
character.
481
00:29:03,270 –> 00:29:08,110
To his brother and sister, make
no mistake, brothers and
482
00:29:08,110 –> 00:29:10,230
sisters, our understanding of
forgiveness.
483
00:29:10,790 –> 00:29:14,150
Will have a direct impact on how
we treat others.
484
00:29:15,720 –> 00:29:19,840
There is a distinct correlation.
Between those two things.
485
00:29:20,400 –> 00:29:23,280
How you see God is how you will
treat your brother.
486
00:29:24,960 –> 00:29:26,400
And if we believe, believe God
is.
487
00:29:26,400 –> 00:29:29,080
Hard and.
Austere reaping where he
488
00:29:29,080 –> 00:29:32,040
doesn’t.
So then there’s a.
489
00:29:32,040 –> 00:29:34,600
Very, very high chance.
We’ll reflect that in our own
490
00:29:34,600 –> 00:29:41,240
lives and we’ll hold out.
Because the other people need to
491
00:29:41,240 –> 00:29:45,530
pay.
So then this has.
492
00:29:45,530 –> 00:29:48,410
Actually gone up a notch now.
This has gone to next level.
493
00:29:48,490 –> 00:29:52,090
You see this is more.
Than just about being merciful
494
00:29:52,290 –> 00:29:56,210
or otherwise.
This is about portraying God to
495
00:29:56,210 –> 00:29:58,690
one another.
Now that’s another level
496
00:29:58,690 –> 00:29:59,730
altogether.
What a.
497
00:29:59,730 –> 00:30:04,690
Responsibility, that is, O thou
wicked servant, I forgave thee
498
00:30:04,690 –> 00:30:09,570
all the debt shouldest.
Not thou also have had
499
00:30:09,570 –> 00:30:11,610
compassion on thy fellow
servant.
500
00:30:12,100 –> 00:30:18,740
Even as I had pity on thee, can
you hear that responsibility?
501
00:30:19,420 –> 00:30:22,620
We are portraying God.
To one another.
502
00:30:26,620 –> 00:30:29,860
That’s what John says.
John says we all agree.
503
00:30:29,860 –> 00:30:33,260
That nobody has seen God at any
time, Is that not true?
504
00:30:33,260 –> 00:30:37,700
Says.
John, but if the love of God.
505
00:30:37,980 –> 00:30:40,540
Dwells in your brother, then
you’re looking at God.
506
00:30:42,810 –> 00:30:46,650
What a responsibility that is
now.
507
00:30:46,650 –> 00:30:49,890
This is why Matthew. 18 verse 18
says this verily I’ll say.
508
00:30:49,890 –> 00:30:54,490
Unto you whatsoever ye shall.
Bind on Earth.
509
00:30:54,650 –> 00:31:00,530
Shall be bound in heaven, and
whatsoever ye shall.
510
00:31:00,810 –> 00:31:04,850
Loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven.
511
00:31:06,130 –> 00:31:09,520
So there is a counter action.
There is a.
512
00:31:09,520 –> 00:31:11,400
Correlation between those two
things.
513
00:31:11,800 –> 00:31:14,760
Again, I was saying to you that
if two of you shall agree.
514
00:31:14,760 –> 00:31:19,760
On earth as touching anything
that they should ask, it shall
515
00:31:19,760 –> 00:31:21,840
be done for them of my Father.
Which is in.
516
00:31:22,000 –> 00:31:29,320
Heaven.
So there is.
517
00:31:30,120 –> 00:31:33,440
A connection between how we.
Treat each other on Earth.
518
00:31:34,040 –> 00:31:37,180
And God’s response in heaven.
And that’s why.
519
00:31:37,340 –> 00:31:39,420
The very next parable.
In Matthew 18.
520
00:31:39,620 –> 00:31:43,540
Is the parable of the.
Unforgiving Servant, verse 27 he
521
00:31:43,540 –> 00:31:48,380
is loosed and verse 30 he’s
bound in prison.
522
00:31:50,340 –> 00:31:52,300
There’s.
Losing and there’s bonding.
523
00:31:52,780 –> 00:31:55,460
Again, our understanding of
forgiveness will have a direct
524
00:31:56,260 –> 00:31:59,180
impact on how we live.
You know in in the Lord’s
525
00:31:59,180 –> 00:32:01,940
Prayer, think about the Lord’s.
Prayer for a moment, you know.
526
00:32:02,380 –> 00:32:05,580
Forgive us our debts as we
forgive our debtors.
527
00:32:06,510 –> 00:32:08,390
And we say, you know, yeah,
that’s.
528
00:32:08,750 –> 00:32:10,350
I can relate to that.
I think that’s fair.
529
00:32:10,710 –> 00:32:16,310
If God, if God expects us to
forgive others, well, that’s
530
00:32:16,310 –> 00:32:17,470
fair.
Enough, because he’s forgiving
531
00:32:17,470 –> 00:32:19,150
us, you know, brothers and
sisters, what we’re saying to
532
00:32:19,150 –> 00:32:21,990
God, actually.
We’re saying to God this forgive
533
00:32:21,990 –> 00:32:24,070
us 10 million.
Dollars.
534
00:32:26,590 –> 00:32:32,750
As we forgive $20.
That is that fair?
535
00:32:36,700 –> 00:32:41,300
Can you see how it’s?
All out of balance in our favor
536
00:32:44,380 –> 00:32:46,140
and I think this is the one of
the the.
537
00:32:46,140 –> 00:32:48,900
Core ideas of this parable?
The main.
538
00:32:48,900 –> 00:32:52,580
Reason we need to be given our
lives is so that we appreciate.
539
00:32:52,980 –> 00:32:55,380
In a such a small.
Way the.
540
00:32:55,380 –> 00:33:01,220
Enormity of what God, the King
of heaven, has already done for
541
00:33:01,220 –> 00:33:03,990
us.
That we might experience that
542
00:33:03,990 –> 00:33:07,510
position that God is in.
It’s a very very see it your
543
00:33:07,510 –> 00:33:09,830
your ability you you’re having
the control to forgive.
544
00:33:10,030 –> 00:33:15,790
See it as a very big privilege.
It’s an honor to forgive because
545
00:33:15,790 –> 00:33:17,150
I’m.
Mimicking the God of heaven.
546
00:33:17,630 –> 00:33:21,350
What a privilege that.
Is this is not.
547
00:33:21,590 –> 00:33:24,630
We shouldn’t do this grudgingly.
It should be an absolute
548
00:33:24,630 –> 00:33:31,810
pleasure for us to forgive.
You come to 2nd Corinthians 5
549
00:33:31,810 –> 00:33:34,970
and verse 17.
Let’s let Paul.
550
00:33:34,970 –> 00:33:39,970
Pull this all together this.
Marvelous way he he writes in
551
00:33:39,970 –> 00:33:42,570
2nd Corinthians 5 and verse
verse 17.
552
00:33:44,690 –> 00:33:52,230
He brings together God’s.
Reconciliation And now, if you
553
00:33:52,230 –> 00:33:53,830
like, the.
The mirror image in which we
554
00:33:53,830 –> 00:33:55,670
should.
Treat each other, therefore
555
00:33:56,030 –> 00:33:59,590
verse 17 of chapter 5.
Therefore, if anyone is in
556
00:33:59,590 –> 00:34:06,140
Christ, he is a new creation.
Reading this from ESV, he’s a
557
00:34:06,140 –> 00:34:08,179
new creation.
So this is a.
558
00:34:08,179 –> 00:34:11,620
Work of God with us.
The old has passed away.
559
00:34:11,900 –> 00:34:15,620
Behold, the new has come.
All this is from God.
560
00:34:15,900 –> 00:34:19,780
Who through?
Christ reconciled us to himself.
561
00:34:21,100 –> 00:34:23,659
And gave.
US The Ministry of
562
00:34:23,659 –> 00:34:25,300
Reconciliation.
Oh, that’s interesting.
563
00:34:25,300 –> 00:34:27,659
So now.
It’s our turn he’s given.
564
00:34:27,659 –> 00:34:31,580
US The doctrine of
reconciliation.
565
00:34:32,270 –> 00:34:36,630
That is verse 19 in Christ.
God was reconciling the world to
566
00:34:36,630 –> 00:34:40,230
himself.
Not counting their trespasses
567
00:34:40,230 –> 00:34:45,670
against them and entrusting us.
With the message.
568
00:34:46,150 –> 00:34:52,989
Of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors
569
00:34:54,190 –> 00:34:56,070
for Christ.
What does an ambassador do?
570
00:34:56,949 –> 00:35:00,840
He’s a representative.
And he acts the same as and
571
00:35:00,840 –> 00:35:03,800
speaks the same language as from
this country of origin.
572
00:35:06,320 –> 00:35:10,520
We’re ambassadors for Christ, so
we are representatives.
573
00:35:10,720 –> 00:35:13,360
God is making His appeal through
us.
574
00:35:14,040 –> 00:35:17,000
We implore you on behalf of
Christ.
575
00:35:17,280 –> 00:35:20,480
Be reconciled to God and don’t
see reconciliation.
576
00:35:20,840 –> 00:35:27,200
Like that?
See it like that one.
577
00:35:28,390 –> 00:35:35,590
That they may be one in us was
Christ’s prayer and Matthew in
578
00:35:35,590 –> 00:35:42,070
John 17.
So I want you to think about
579
00:35:42,070 –> 00:35:44,310
now, brothers.
And sisters, just quickly, this
580
00:35:44,990 –> 00:35:46,590
occasion where Christ washed
his.
581
00:35:46,590 –> 00:35:49,950
Disciples feet, and the
recommendations that He left
582
00:35:49,950 –> 00:35:53,030
with his disciples on that
occasion in relation to
583
00:35:53,030 –> 00:35:54,870
forgiving one another.
He said.
584
00:35:54,870 –> 00:35:57,510
When we come to John, we don’t
find.
585
00:35:58,170 –> 00:36:00,650
Any record.
Of the details of the Last
586
00:36:00,650 –> 00:36:05,050
Supper, as we do in Matthew.
Mark and Luke instead, do you?
587
00:36:05,170 –> 00:36:06,650
Know what we find, you know?
What John does.
588
00:36:07,290 –> 00:36:09,970
He deals with the absolute.
Essence.
589
00:36:10,410 –> 00:36:14,010
Of what the emblems are all
about, He puts the atonement in
590
00:36:14,010 –> 00:36:15,570
action.
Shall we have a look at that?
591
00:36:15,570 –> 00:36:19,330
This is John 13 and verse three.
We’ll come in there.
592
00:36:22,610 –> 00:36:25,490
John 13 and verse 3.
This is the atonement in action.
593
00:36:25,490 –> 00:36:27,550
This is.
Forgiveness.
594
00:36:27,630 –> 00:36:31,750
This is how it works.
This is the ministration of the
595
00:36:31,750 –> 00:36:35,510
Son of God to.
Those who he loved verse. 3 John
596
00:36:35,510 –> 00:36:38,590
13 Jesus knowing that the Father
had given.
597
00:36:38,670 –> 00:36:41,950
All things into his hands.
And that he.
598
00:36:41,950 –> 00:36:46,910
Was come from God.
And went to God, and I want you
599
00:36:46,910 –> 00:36:49,030
to.
Notice the the intricate detail.
600
00:36:49,150 –> 00:36:51,310
In the text here.
It’s very interesting.
601
00:36:51,310 –> 00:36:54,310
It’s sort of like a.
Magnifying glass comes down onto
602
00:36:54,310 –> 00:36:56,270
the text.
Now let’s look at this.
603
00:36:56,550 –> 00:37:02,630
He rises from supper, lays
aside.
604
00:37:03,390 –> 00:37:11,710
His garments takes a.
Towel and girds himself.
605
00:37:13,270 –> 00:37:16,670
Now the disciple is all watching
this, and they’re probably
606
00:37:16,670 –> 00:37:20,990
looking at each other going,
what is he doing now?
607
00:37:22,910 –> 00:37:24,550
And after he’d done that, verse
5.
608
00:37:25,740 –> 00:37:30,460
He poured water.
Out into a basin and he began to
609
00:37:30,460 –> 00:37:37,460
watch the disciples feet one by
one, and they’re all probably
610
00:37:37,820 –> 00:37:40,900
sitting back, lounging on a on a
couch in a in a reclined
611
00:37:40,900 –> 00:37:46,220
position, and he began to wipe.
Them with the same.
612
00:37:46,580 –> 00:37:51,540
Towel.
Wherewith he was girded, he’s.
613
00:37:51,540 –> 00:37:57,790
Taking upon himself their dirt.
Their iniquities their.
614
00:37:57,790 –> 00:37:59,750
Sins.
He’s bearing them himself.
615
00:38:02,830 –> 00:38:07,470
He wanted them all to know this
and all of us today, brothers
616
00:38:07,470 –> 00:38:09,750
and sisters, to make no mistake
about what he was doing.
617
00:38:10,030 –> 00:38:13,590
He was bringing together 2.
Concepts and here’s the
618
00:38:13,590 –> 00:38:17,710
concepts.
Washing through the act of
619
00:38:17,830 –> 00:38:23,390
service, those two things.
Washing through the act of
620
00:38:23,390 –> 00:38:28,390
service.
This is him laying his.
621
00:38:28,390 –> 00:38:31,190
Life down for his disciples and
us.
622
00:38:31,750 –> 00:38:35,950
He’s displaying to them what he
was about to undergo in the
623
00:38:35,950 –> 00:38:39,150
process of the crucifixion, and
that was that he was going to.
624
00:38:39,150 –> 00:38:45,990
Wash their filthy, dirty walk at
personal cost to himself.
625
00:38:46,990 –> 00:38:51,150
These own tower he was taking.
On the soiled things that were
626
00:38:51,150 –> 00:38:53,390
coming off their feet.
And we all know that.
627
00:38:53,390 –> 00:38:55,430
The feet they are not.
The most attractive?
628
00:38:55,670 –> 00:39:04,510
Part of our body, but he says
with desire, with.
629
00:39:04,510 –> 00:39:07,310
Desire I have desired.
To eat this Passover with you.
630
00:39:08,710 –> 00:39:11,590
I’ve been looking forward to
this occasion for such a long
631
00:39:11,590 –> 00:39:13,990
time.
I’ve been really looking forward
632
00:39:13,990 –> 00:39:15,910
to washing your feet.
Is that how we feel?
633
00:39:17,550 –> 00:39:20,630
I want to do this for you.
I want to forgive you.
634
00:39:23,020 –> 00:39:25,780
But I can only do this if you
let.
635
00:39:25,780 –> 00:39:29,940
Me I need.
You to work with me on this.
636
00:39:29,940 –> 00:39:32,980
I need you to give me your feet.
Give.
637
00:39:32,980 –> 00:39:35,860
Me that that soil.
We let’s work together.
638
00:39:36,020 –> 00:39:39,620
On this let’s say what happens.
Verse six Then cometh here to
639
00:39:39,620 –> 00:39:44,580
Simon Peter, and Peter saith
unto him, Lord, no way, he says,
640
00:39:44,580 –> 00:39:48,740
Are you going to wash my feet?
Jesus answered and said to him.
641
00:39:49,590 –> 00:39:54,910
What I do now, you probably
don’t understand this, You know
642
00:39:54,910 –> 00:39:56,950
not, but.
You’re going to actually.
643
00:39:57,150 –> 00:39:59,790
Think back to this occasion and
you’re going to understand what
644
00:39:59,790 –> 00:40:01,910
I’m actually doing.
Let.
645
00:40:01,910 –> 00:40:04,510
Me tell you what he didn’t.
Say when he came to Peter, he
646
00:40:04,510 –> 00:40:09,190
didn’t say.
Oh for goodness sake Peter, look
647
00:40:09,190 –> 00:40:11,310
all.
Your all the other disciples
648
00:40:11,310 –> 00:40:14,110
here, all your friends here,
they’ve happily.
649
00:40:14,110 –> 00:40:17,350
Let me wash their feet.
And here we go again.
650
00:40:17,350 –> 00:40:20,830
Why is it always you he?
Didn’t say that at all.
651
00:40:22,950 –> 00:40:24,310
He was very, very.
Gentle.
652
00:40:26,110 –> 00:40:31,830
And he’s very understanding and
he says, I know you’re not going
653
00:40:31,830 –> 00:40:36,630
to understand this, Peter.
But you will in the future
654
00:40:36,910 –> 00:40:37,750
you’ll.
Get it?
655
00:40:39,110 –> 00:40:42,630
And Peter said to him verse 18,
No, not going to happen.
656
00:40:43,470 –> 00:40:45,790
You will never.
Wash my feet.
657
00:40:47,710 –> 00:40:50,950
Now Jesus, I think he.
Gets a little bit firm and says
658
00:40:50,950 –> 00:40:52,470
now Peter.
If I.
659
00:40:52,470 –> 00:40:56,030
Wash thee not.
You have no part in me meaning.
660
00:40:56,190 –> 00:40:59,470
You have no share.
You cannot share the Kingdom of
661
00:40:59,470 –> 00:41:04,070
God with me if I don’t wash you.
Ears, Face says.
662
00:41:04,350 –> 00:41:06,710
You have.
No share with me at.
663
00:41:06,710 –> 00:41:08,910
All.
No portion, no part.
664
00:41:08,950 –> 00:41:12,270
Of.
Eternity, you imagine the scene,
665
00:41:12,270 –> 00:41:15,210
Just try and picture the scene.
He’s the king of the.
666
00:41:15,210 –> 00:41:19,290
World sitting at.
Peter’s feet and he’s sitting.
667
00:41:19,370 –> 00:41:22,210
On the ground, he’s got a bowl
in front of him.
668
00:41:22,890 –> 00:41:25,290
He’s got the town in his hand.
Everybody’s watching this
669
00:41:25,290 –> 00:41:29,370
discussion.
There’s Peter sitting on his
670
00:41:29,370 –> 00:41:33,050
little couch with his feet drawn
up under him, saying, you’re not
671
00:41:33,050 –> 00:41:36,010
going to do this.
I won’t allow you to do this.
672
00:41:36,330 –> 00:41:38,290
He’s probably being honorable.
In his own mind.
673
00:41:41,290 –> 00:41:43,010
And there’s Christ.
Sitting there, his hands are.
674
00:41:43,480 –> 00:41:45,520
Ready to go dripping with water
from the.
675
00:41:45,640 –> 00:41:48,560
The last pair of feet.
And he’s having this.
676
00:41:48,560 –> 00:41:49,880
Conversation.
We’re saying Peter.
677
00:41:50,520 –> 00:41:51,920
You’ve got.
To let this happen.
678
00:41:55,560 –> 00:41:58,320
It is saying to Peter this, this
is all figurative language.
679
00:41:58,760 –> 00:41:59,960
He’s saying if I.
Don’t wash your.
680
00:41:59,960 –> 00:42:03,000
Feet, you have no forgiveness of
sins, That’s actually.
681
00:42:03,000 –> 00:42:06,520
The essence of what’s being said
here there is no forgiveness of
682
00:42:06,520 –> 00:42:07,640
sins.
If I.
683
00:42:07,880 –> 00:42:10,680
Cannot wash your feet.
Do you know every Sunday?
684
00:42:12,110 –> 00:42:16,590
When Christ’s disciples.
Come together in 2022, we keep
685
00:42:16,590 –> 00:42:19,630
the.
Feast and we do exactly this.
686
00:42:20,230 –> 00:42:22,990
We understand.
What he is doing for.
687
00:42:22,990 –> 00:42:26,110
You and I.
And there’s something else that
688
00:42:26,110 –> 00:42:29,710
he he need that we need to know.
It’s not a grudging act.
689
00:42:30,430 –> 00:42:33,950
He’s pleading with Peter.
Come on, Peter.
690
00:42:34,390 –> 00:42:37,030
I want to do this for you.
This is not reluctance on
691
00:42:37,030 –> 00:42:39,400
Christ’s part.
He really does want to do this
692
00:42:39,400 –> 00:42:41,680
with desire.
I’ve desired to eat this.
693
00:42:41,680 –> 00:42:43,320
Passover.
With you before I suffer.
694
00:42:43,960 –> 00:42:47,320
So what happens then?
Peter automatically sees a bit
695
00:42:47,320 –> 00:42:51,400
of a picture and says, Oh well,
in that case he says verse,
696
00:42:51,400 –> 00:42:54,800
verse 9 Lord, not my feet only,
but also my hands and my head.
697
00:42:56,200 –> 00:43:02,240
Jesus said to him he that is
washed needs not saved to wash
698
00:43:02,240 –> 00:43:05,840
his feet, but is cleaned every
wit and you are cleaned but not
699
00:43:05,840 –> 00:43:06,680
all.
And what?
700
00:43:07,700 –> 00:43:09,860
On earth is.
John saying here saying this my
701
00:43:09,860 –> 00:43:15,660
mouth says anyone who has
recently bathed does not need to
702
00:43:15,660 –> 00:43:19,220
wash more than.
His feet but is clean.
703
00:43:19,300 –> 00:43:23,020
All over.
And you, my disciples, are all
704
00:43:23,020 –> 00:43:26,740
clean, and yet that is not.
True of all of you.
705
00:43:29,540 –> 00:43:32,300
So Peter has just said wash all
of me.
706
00:43:33,380 –> 00:43:37,100
And Christ says to Peter, Peter,
I don’t need to do that.
707
00:43:37,420 –> 00:43:42,620
You’ve actually been baptized.
You’re totally washed, I.
708
00:43:42,900 –> 00:43:44,180
Need to.
I need to.
709
00:43:44,180 –> 00:43:48,100
Wash your feet periodically.
In the process of forgiveness,
710
00:43:48,460 –> 00:43:53,620
you don’t need to keep being
rebaptized, and you’re all clean
711
00:43:53,620 –> 00:43:58,260
except one of you, for he knew
verse 11 who should betray him.
712
00:43:58,740 –> 00:44:05,460
That’s why, he said.
You are not all clean and by the
713
00:44:05,460 –> 00:44:10,500
way.
When Jesus Christ came to a pair
714
00:44:10,500 –> 00:44:13,580
of feet and attached to those
feet.
715
00:44:14,940 –> 00:44:17,180
With two legs.
And the body in the face of
716
00:44:17,580 –> 00:44:21,620
Judas.
He didn’t take his bowl and look
717
00:44:21,620 –> 00:44:28,700
up and go next.
He washed his feet, like all.
718
00:44:28,700 –> 00:44:33,620
The others and he knew.
Exactly what Judas was about to
719
00:44:33,620 –> 00:44:36,140
do.
How do we go with that?
720
00:44:36,820 –> 00:44:39,180
How do you go forgiving?
Someone in your heart when you
721
00:44:39,180 –> 00:44:42,980
know probably actually, they’re
not really interested in
722
00:44:42,980 –> 00:44:45,620
forgiveness at all and they’re
about to go ahead and.
723
00:44:45,620 –> 00:44:50,260
Harm you majorly.
What a challenge that is for a
724
00:44:50,260 –> 00:44:52,260
human being with the carnal
mind.
725
00:44:53,460 –> 00:44:54,980
You see, this is all about
forgiveness.
726
00:44:55,340 –> 00:44:59,820
Washing away of sin true,
genuine service in this context,
727
00:44:59,820 –> 00:45:02,900
brothers and sisters, is all
about forgiveness.
728
00:45:04,300 –> 00:45:08,180
That let’s stay with Weymouth.
So verse verse 12 says this, so,
729
00:45:08,220 –> 00:45:09,620
so.
After he’d washed their feet.
730
00:45:09,980 –> 00:45:12,580
Put on his garments again and
returned to the table, he said
731
00:45:12,580 –> 00:45:13,940
to them now.
He said.
732
00:45:13,940 –> 00:45:16,620
Do you?
Understand what I have done.
733
00:45:16,620 –> 00:45:18,540
To you?
Do you get?
734
00:45:18,540 –> 00:45:20,780
This.
You call me.
735
00:45:20,780 –> 00:45:24,700
Rabbi and master and rightly.
So for such as I.
736
00:45:24,700 –> 00:45:31,700
Am so I am your master now, he
says.
737
00:45:32,660 –> 00:45:36,320
If.
I then your master, if I can do
738
00:45:36,320 –> 00:45:39,960
that as your master and I’ve.
Washed your feet.
739
00:45:40,840 –> 00:45:47,120
It’s also your duty to forgive.
One another wash others feet.
740
00:45:47,760 –> 00:45:51,560
For I have set you an example in
order that you may do what I
741
00:45:51,560 –> 00:45:54,000
have.
Done to you to each.
742
00:45:54,000 –> 00:46:00,600
Other so the ultimate act of
service with one another.
743
00:46:01,040 –> 00:46:04,110
Brothers and sisters is.
Forgiveness.
744
00:46:04,510 –> 00:46:07,630
That’s the ultimate act of
service and that.
745
00:46:07,750 –> 00:46:11,150
Makes you a living.
Sacrifice.
746
00:46:13,830 –> 00:46:16,470
A living sacrifice.
Because you are.
747
00:46:16,470 –> 00:46:20,390
Putting to death the
inherentness the kind of mind
748
00:46:20,390 –> 00:46:25,870
which says.
I will not forget or forgive you
749
00:46:25,870 –> 00:46:28,550
are.
Suppressing that and you’re.
750
00:46:28,550 –> 00:46:31,070
Offering a sacrifice to.
The God of heaven and earth.
751
00:46:31,640 –> 00:46:34,520
And he is very pleased with that
act.
752
00:46:34,960 –> 00:46:38,400
It’s total.
It’s free and the it’s not.
753
00:46:38,400 –> 00:46:40,880
Earned your forgiveness.
Is not earned or won.
754
00:46:40,920 –> 00:46:43,200
It’s a gift.
And the same when you.
755
00:46:43,200 –> 00:46:45,520
Give that.
To other brothers and sisters
756
00:46:45,520 –> 00:46:47,960
when Christ come to a.
As we said before, this
757
00:46:47,960 –> 00:46:50,920
particular pair of feet with
Judas attached to it.
758
00:46:51,120 –> 00:46:52,920
There was no difference.
It was exactly.
759
00:46:52,920 –> 00:46:56,720
The same our gift our.
Free gift to each other.
760
00:46:56,960 –> 00:47:00,380
Is forgiveness.
Between ourselves, it’s our
761
00:47:00,420 –> 00:47:04,580
service to one another, and it’s
a service.
762
00:47:04,740 –> 00:47:09,420
Which can only be brought.
Or bought out of appreciation.
763
00:47:09,660 –> 00:47:12,820
It’s a service that involves.
A death.
764
00:47:14,020 –> 00:47:16,420
And so that’s why.
Paul says we die daily.
765
00:47:17,340 –> 00:47:19,500
We are.
Suppressing the carnal mind.
766
00:47:19,500 –> 00:47:22,900
It’s a death of our natural
inclination to hold a grudge.
767
00:47:24,020 –> 00:47:28,300
I have set you an example in
order that you may do.
768
00:47:28,570 –> 00:47:31,170
What I.
Have done to you What a
769
00:47:31,170 –> 00:47:33,810
wonderful man.
What a credible character he
770
00:47:33,810 –> 00:47:37,130
was.
And Paul says this in Ephesians
771
00:47:37,130 –> 00:47:39,370
4 as we.
Wrap our thoughts up for this
772
00:47:39,370 –> 00:47:46,130
morning, he says.
Let all bitterness and wrath and
773
00:47:46,130 –> 00:47:51,770
anger and clamor.
And evil speaking be put away
774
00:47:51,770 –> 00:47:57,090
from you with.
All malice and be kind one to
775
00:47:57,090 –> 00:48:01,300
another.
Tenderhearted, forgiving one
776
00:48:01,300 –> 00:48:06,620
another, even as God for
Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
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