SM140714/WhatJesusTaughtAboutA

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It's Matthew chapter 5 were back in our series, God came near its set of a Quadra phonic look at the life of Christ, a chronological look.

Drawing from all four Gospels going from event to event teaching. The teaching and what we (this series we were looking at the sermon on the Mount. We pick up we last left off in my message title is what Jesus taught about anger, hatred and lust. Let's break now father as we open your word and we read this amazing sermon really the greatest sermon ever preached. We pray that we will see how it works in our lives.

The things that were about to consider are not easy. There challenging their very hard and in some ways they seem impossible, but by the power of your spirit, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us strengthens us so we ask your blessing on this time a Bible study. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. While our country is facing a formidable enemy today there called Isis iso but is much broader broader than that.

It's Islamic terrorism. They have a simple objective. They want a global caliphate of global Islamic society and they want to destroy us in the United States of America. This is been demonstrated in tangible ways. The first probably the most notable. There were others before this but would really put this on the radar screens of most Americans, as well as people around the world with the attack on 9/11 as we watched in shock as the twin towers of the word World Trade Center just crumbled and all that life was lost. Then, more recently there was the Boston bombing and then we recently saw two American journalists beheaded on camera.

This particular group Isis is a very savvy with social media getting their message out effective sort of made G hard cool" and a lot of young people, and some even from America, but more from England and other parts of the world are joining up so this is what will for us right now. So our president recently said that he was going to destroy ISIS and we hear that we think will okay but how does that work does not. The Bible teach that were to turn the other cheek and were to go the other mile is a really a place for retaliation somewhat even question if there's a place for the military or the police force Cigna Christian effectively be a pacifist. After all, wasn't Jesus himself, the ultimate pacifist will find the answer to those questions and more because here in the greatest sermon ever preached is effectively the worldview of Jesus Christ you want to know what Jesus Christ thinks study this sermon you want to use me stinking gold you want to know how his heart really beats study this sermon you want to know how he feels about life and living in general.

Again, study their sermon. The sermon on the Mount is the official manifesto of the King of Kings and Lord of lords. But let me add a word of warning.

This sermon is for believers only member those jackets from years ago, members only. How many of you have those jackets okay how many views are wearing one today. How many of you still consider it a fashionable item urging the probably come back well we didn't know we are members, but we had members only jackets right this is for believers only and now here's the greatest sermon ever preached begins versus 1 to 2 in Matthew five and seeing the multitudes, he wanted her to a mountain and when he was seated his disciples came to him and he opened his mouth and taught them saying someone to notice that this was directed not to the multitudes or to culture or to society in general.

It was directed to his disciples.

The phrase then he opened his mouth as a colloquialism in Greek pictures and subscribe something that is Solomon grave and dignified it speaks of a weighty statement when he opened his mouth. This was important what Jesus was saying, but the only people that can live by the sermon on the Mount are followers of Jesus Christ.

Even back then as now Jesus at his fair weather followers. You know what he was performing miracles and providing free lunch.

They were in when he spoke of sacrifice and commitment they were gone with the wind so these words were delivered to committed believers and what he says in this sermon here before us and in the whole sermon in general is amazing. It's mind boggling. It's beautiful and it's impossible without the help of the holy spirit no one can live by these standards.

Without God's help that's funny because some people say will you know all the rivulet all the religion I need is found in the sermon on the Mount, and I often will respond by saying will cook something from the sermon on the Mount Judge not lest you be judged. That's everyone's favorite verse. That's the nonbelievers favorite verse, will deal with the later judge not lest you be judged.

I like that but you know, listen, you cannot live by the sermon on the mount. It's harder to live by the sermon on the Mount than it is to live by the 10 Commandments.

Because this sermon deal so much with the heart you know you can do a certain degree, have an external obedience. But when it comes to the heart.

That's a very hard thing to control so you can be doing the right thing outwardly but inwardly still wanting to do the wrong thing so this sermon deals with motives why we do what we do and you could sum it up this way, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. So now here it is Jesus speaking to his disciples remember that the sermon on the Mount starts of the Beatitudes. Those are sort of the Kate into the sermon you have to follow these things.

If you're going to even come close to understanding what Jesus is teaching. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are they that mourn, and so forth.

So this is a trusted people who are poor in spirit.

What is it mean to be to see that you're spiritually bankrupt before God. It means that you realize that you need God's help and then you mourn over that condition, your sorry for your sin, and the result is you have a new hunger for godly things wasn't a big hunger and thirst after righteousness only read it again from the new living translation what was already read in the video. Matthew five verse 38 Jesus speaking you've heard that it was said of old of those of old, you shall not murder.

You further than our ancestors were told, you must not murder. If you commit murder your subject to judgment. But I say to you if you're angry with someone your subject to judgment. If you call someone an idiot you're in danger of being brought before the court. If you curse someone you're in danger of the fires of hell. So if you're presenting the sacrifice of the Temple there at the altar and suddenly remember someone or something against you, leave your sacrifice at the altar and will be reconciled of the person, then come and offer your sacrifice to God while you're on your way to the court with your adversary settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge will hand you over to an officer and you'll be thrown in the prison that happens, you will be free again until you have paid the last penny you further commitment that says you shall not commit adultery but I say to you whoever looks to the woman with lust is already committed adultery with her in his heart, so if you're I even your good eye causes you lust counted out and throw it away to better lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If you can even your stronger hand causes you to sin, cut off and throw it away. It's better lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell stop there told it was hard as already you're asking questions are due like Susan. How does that work. So Jesus deals with three areas of sin that are very widespread in our culture. I think these three areas of sin are probably in most movies that you see in the theater.

Their anger hatred and lust, but again Jesus is dealing with the heart syntheses me into thinking that if I've not done the actual deed, I'm all right. But why haven't you done the actual deed. Why haven't you murdered that person that you hate hopefully you don't.

But let's assume you do.

Why haven't you committed adultery. You see if you still want to do it in your heart. The problem still exists, the root is still their anger is murder in the heart. Lust is adultery in the heart not to.

Jesus is pointing to verse 22.

If you're angry with your brother without a cause. You'll be in danger of the judgment now let's make it clear that there is a place for anger. This is something that a Christian cannot be angry. There are certain things that should anger us. The Bible even says over in Ephesians be angry and do not sin. So there's a place for righteous indignation that some of this is talking about effective work that is used it for anger is interesting it means is settled. Anger a malice that is nursed inwardly.

This is not even describing a person who maybe gets irritated and flies off the handle and then apologizes. Hopefully you don't punch your wife probably recalled an elevator. This is a person who is better. Developing a grudge. Nursing and feeding that this is a person that is throwing gasoline on the fire of anger.

This is a person who is consumed with anger.

Many people in the depths of their heart have anger and hatred that such a great virtue desire is for the heated person to be dad to feel that way about anyone, please don't raise your hand if you do let's be honest if you do is what the Bible says verse John 315 everyone who hates his brother is a murderer.

First John 29 he that says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness until now Scripture is seen. You cannot be a follower of Jesus and live with this boiling settled anger that you feed and fuel every single day there's no place for it. The word hate means to habitually despise not just the transient motion of the affections, a deep-rooted loathing you know when you see this certain person you just low them you just are so bitter toward them when we get this way will sometimes her anger is rooted in envy member. The story of Cain and Abel effectively.

Cain killed his brother because he was envious of him. What is envy. It's been defined as a discontent or uneasiness at the sight of another's good fortune accompanied with some degree of hatred and desire to possess equal advantages. So it's not like a person has done something against you personally.

It's simply a person who is really succeeded. Maybe it's a monetary succession. Maybe they married someone you wish you could have married. Maybe they've accomplished something you wished you could've accomplished.

They got the position you felt you should have whatever it is you're envious and it grows and it turns into something even worse.

Thomas Fuller said, quote, envy shoots another and wounds itself. The only person who suffers when UMB is you listen to this verse 22 Jesus as I say whoever is angry with his brother without a cause is in danger of judgment. But if you say to your brother rock, you'll be in danger of the council. But whoever says you full will be in danger of hell fire and we don't even know that being, you probably can't even remember the last time you said the summit rock off the really what about in this culture that were carried a lot of weight rocket was used in Jesus, David, there's no modern equivalent. Maybe you could say brainless idiot empty head bonehead. Some like that.

It was a phrase of arrogant contempt where you felt superior to the person you are addressing the word full speaks of an obstinate godless person was effectively condemning them so it's not so much the word rock up her full as much is it is a revealing of the bitterness of a person's heart of the Bible says Matthew 1234 out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Now Jesus deals with lust in the heart. Verse 27 to 30. Further commandment that says you must not commit adultery but I say whoever looks on a woman with lust is already committed adultery in his heart. Now this is not just talking about a casual glance in speaking of a continual act of looking your sometimes it's sort of that second look right. You know so you see an attractive woman or an attractive guy you see them. They walk right into your life you get out the attractive woman or attractive guy, so it's not like I owe. It's more like this will and is not just low, it will all because the idea that is being conveyed here is of intentional and repeated gazing with the purpose of lusting, so you're not admiring the beauty your lusting after that person.

By the way we usually think this is a guy thing, although it can be a girl thing to circuited any person with lust in your heart.

This is talking about a person who goes out of their way to look at someone to lust after them. Needless to say a few look at pornography you would be violating this commandment you're intentionally looking at things that will stimulate lust you're looking at someone for the deliberate purpose of lusting probably the best example of this in the Bible is the story of David and Bathsheba course David was up on his rooftop because back in those days, or rooftop was sort of like the terrace you see a lot of this in New York City. You know these every bit as basic and fine so thereupon he is terrace in his royal palace, David was just hanging out and looking over his little balcony.

There, the Baron eyes view was the beautiful Bathsheba. Ironically, taking a bath and David went while and he saw her in the Bible says she was beautiful and when the Bible says a girls beautiful. She's really beautiful. You know the Bible says a man was, you will build torque. It describes out first person's physical attributes what it is saying is they were really exceptional so she was an incredibly beautiful and attractive woman that was okay. He saw her. She doesn't have any clothing on, so he thought he could have stopped that first look without first look, went on a long time and he looked in the looked and then of course he gave the commandment for her to be brought up to his palace and he had sex with her and she became pregnant.

We all know the story, but you know Bathsheba has a responsibility here to know modest humor woman would ever be publicly did that she may indeed know that she was within eyeshot of the palace up. I'm standing here I know the King comes on the balcony, did she position is awful.

I can't say that she did all say this. David was the most culpable in the sin, because he misuses authority misuses position, but she was culpable. She could have said no as well. This is a two-way street of lustful looking is bad and it than those who dress and expose himself with the desire to be looked at and lusted after are also guilty right so girls talking to you. Think about what you wear or what you don't wear when you walk out that door, you might say well Woody's hello I know will think of it this way would've Jesus was picking you up to take you to church or out to dinner. Would you wear that trial had Knoll but will think of it that way. She want to be a good witness.

Modesty is still a good thing and didn't want to wear some that would stimulate lust is a Greg please you know some guys with lust after a tree. This is true. In fact, that God is not this is true, I can't deny that I think you girls know what's going on with this and I think you understand how this works and so we want to be very careful.

Davidson was a continuous look and then he took dramatic action.

So here's where it starts with lust. You have to guard your mind. Job said in Job 31 one I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl. How does this work in real life. Let's say you're in a movie and there's a sex scene in the film you did know about it. There it is an event.

Oh I didn't know this was going to be here when I do get walk out.

Well paid for the film so what if something comes on your TV screen and it hit suggestive and and you know if the kids were there you would turn it off but since they aren't well is part of the blog need to look at this and understand the you know you can hit the off button.

One of your walking down the street and an attractive girl or guy is coming your way and you know some people the way they put themselves together the way they walk, it's all about.

Look at me right now right and you see that person others. One of those people you know it is look at the ground is what did you know don't look to grow forever.

You might bump into them work a tree that you lusted after earlier but you know you see the company is going to slip down, look up after they're gone.

Some people want to be looked at Janelle. That's what they're all about but don't let your mind go to that place and have a conversation happens with members of the opposite sex, and maybe becomes a little suggestive terminated.

Did you know most affairs happened in the workplace, knowing people work closely together they become friendly with one another and then one thing leads to another to have to be very careful in this area check on something before you watch it or read it. Second Corinthians 10 five says we take every thought captive and make it obedient to Jesus Christ. So Jesus gives a solution that, are you ready here's how to fix it.

Verse 29. So if you're you and your good eye causes you lust counted out and throw it away. Okay is that literal know. So what is it me, Jesus is talking about how to be delivered from the sin.

Clearly he's not speaking literally, you could pluck out your right. I instill lust with your left eye for that matter you could pluck up both eyes and still managed to lust.

You could cut off your right arm instill sin with your left arm, you can have no arms instill lust here is really the point Jesus is making give up whatever is necessary to keep from falling into this sin that make sense give up whatever is necessary to keep from falling into distinct several problem with what you know Internet pornography. I just can't overcome it. You know what unplugged dump the computer if you have to know some people maybe can handle. It might be another area I know you all probably for the story of amending Aaron Ralston. He was a man that cut up his arm to save his life. Remember again the movie was made about his life, his right rock climbing and he's right hand was on the side of a boulder and it shifted pinning his hand while also knew how to use his equipment so he uses Robeson's acres in everything he had to remove the balder but it wasn't working out couple of days past. It's called he runs out of water so he does something that's unthinkable.

He pulls out his pocket knife and cuts off his arm and he repels 75 feet to the canyon floor and walks out this whole ordeal lasted five days. Now that's radical, but really it's incredibly smart because you can do both arms and die or lose an arm and live in.

That's the way he sought so in the same way Connaught whatever it takes in your life to live spiritually anything the morally or spiritually traps us or causes us to fall in sin or stay in sin must be eliminated quickly and completely. Hebrews 12 says lay aside the weight and the sin that so easily beset you and run with endurance the race that is set before us. By the way this can vary from person to person. Some people are more vulnerable in an area than others are. So you have to look at your own life.

So that's a solution take action now. Matthew 530.

You've heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury and eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth but I say don't resist an evil person is someone slaps you on the right cheek, turning him the other also. If your suit in court in your shirt is taken from you give your code to the soldier demand to carry his gear for a mile, go 2 miles give to those that ask and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. You've heard that it was said love your enemy, or acutely love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies prays for the pray for those who persecute you. That way you'll be acting as to children of your father. This is hard stuff is it not. Needless to say, these are very high standards. Turning the other cheek going the extra mile. Loving our enemies are these the standards that we should govern society by and if they are, how can we justify military or police force will the 19th century Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy wrote a book entitled what I believe, which he came to the conclusion after he read the sermon on the Mount and rerouted.

He said quote Christ for bids. The human institution of any court because they resist evil and even return evil for evil. He believed criminals love good and hate evil as I do it in think a Christian should be involved in the military police force or courts of law. One many was profoundly impacted by the writings of Tolstoy was Mahatma Gandhi and he believed by practicing this teaching you could bring about a perfect state were punishment within, and prisons would be turned in the school.

Newsflash Tolstoy and Gandhi were wrong because they were misunderstanding what these teachings are saying this sermon on the Mount was not given to govern society govern the society. But what is said in verse 38 referred that it was said, and I print I a tooth for a tooth. This come from Exodus 21 and continues hand for hand, foot for foot burn for burn Bruce for a bruise, wound for wound, this is the same as the expression tit for tat this with the Hebrew civic justice system. What was its purpose.

According to Deuteronomy 1920.

The rest will Karen be afraid I will never again do such an evil thing among you listen. Criminals don't love good and hate evil effect most people don't love good and hate evil. Most people let me restate that all people have sinful hearts and were drawn in the wrong direction now for heart changes. That's fantastic like Michael Francies was a made member of the Mafia, but he was converted in prison.

Now he no longer longs for those things that fantastic moment someone breaks those laws has to be a punishment. Now that punishment is never to be carried about by the victim but by the legal system.

We as a nation need law enforcement and military government as an entity is been established by God. Romans 13 says obey the government for God put them there.

All governments have been placed in power by God. Serve those who refused to obey the laws of the land there, refusing to obey God and punishment will follow with the authorities do not frighten people that are doing right. They frighten those who do wrong. Do what they say and you get along well. I have a friend who's a chief of police. And sometimes we meet for coffee and you bring along another of the officers in these guys another dressed in their police uniforms and got the Sam Brown on which is that heavy utility belt with all the equipment you know you've got a place for the walkie-talkie. A place where the gun a place for it can cause a place for a donut and just kidding, but he's got stars he's got stars in his uniform because he's the chief and it's funny how people reacted when he orders coffee could be in hope everyone gets a little nervous in a white he's an authority figure.

When he puts that uniform on. It changes the dynamic of a room and just what he's been placed there by God. What if he's not a Christian.

He still placed there by God.

So there's a risk factor and if you're obeying the law, you don't fear the police if you are not obeying the law. This becomes a great problem.

Speaking of the military police and those in enforce law. Scripture says they are God's servant to do good and if you do wrong, be afraid, for they don't bear the sword for nothing.

I know what some of your thinking using what about it that the nation is corrupt. What about if the police officer is corrupt and that this happened does will look at. We have a higher principle we obey of the apostles were told to no longer preach the gospel by the authorities reportedly do they want to preach the gospel and they said that we must obey God and not man. So if our government were to pass a law that said you you can no longer practice your faith. You no longer can pray you no longer can preach, we obey the law because the Bible says, obey your civil government doing no we don't because we have a higher law when a law was passed that no one could pray for the law was passed that no one could pray Daniel pray openly solutions was a gold digger, godly or my taxes are too high will then vote for somebody that will lower your taxes next time that's what we have our system to elect people that represent this properly, but we have to obey the law, you may not always agree with it and keep in mind when Paul wrote these words. Who were the authorities, the Roman government and Caesar hardly what I would call a model of virtue so still Paul says the authorities have their place.

He talked about his sword verse four.

He does not bear the sword for nothing. He's God's servant and agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. A sword is an instrument of death is not to wrap a person on the knuckles but to run them through of a Roman soldier drew his sword, you have trouble if a police officer draws his gun is ready for a confrontation so you understand that that's what that is all about God is pleased these people in their position affect it's interesting that Paul actually used a soldier as a model of what it is to be a Christian. Paul spent a lot of time with soldiers why because he got arrested all the time and on some occasions he was chained to the so they become friends probably mean you all about their armor and Ephesians 60 talks about the shield of faith in the breastplate of righteousness helmet of salvation. He knew all the Roman armor work and what its purpose was to use the idea of the military and how we should follow Jesus.

He said in second Timothy 34 endure suffering along with me as a good soldier of Jesus Christ and his Christ soldier. Do not let yourself be kind up with the affairs of this life, then you can't satisfy the one who was enlisted you into his army now God would never choose a dishonorable profession as an illustration for a Christian.

He wouldn't saying be clever like a fee. You know or be passionate like a murderer know that's the wrong picture, but he did take the position of the soldier as a very positive illustration. Now some people like to think that Jesus was the ultimate pacifist they like to think of Jesus as the first hippie right just throwing flowers. Peace and love man, probably with a lamb wrapped around his neck. I love those paintings of Jesus Lamb roadrunners that will that's not the Jesus of the Bible that may be the Jesus of your imagination. But the Jesus of the Bible was loving and he was forgiving and he was compassionate and the children even came to but the Jesus of the Bible also administered justice. What you think he was doing when he made out with and drove the moneychangers out of the temple. By the way, he told his disciples, as these are getting more dangerous they may need their swords at 2236, Peter responded what we already have two sorts. I why would they need to carry sorts to have shish kebab is called self-defense. They were entitled to defend themselves a Christian can then themselves.

It's acceptable for a nation to defend themselves from those who want to harm them. Now that's not to say were to be some kind of a dormant so you think you want what is this mean it's like you've almost that it is the point I'm just explaining what it doesn't to me all right there is a placer self-defense. You have your rights as an American citizen. God has the military, the police force okay but now without a mind.

What is this mean turning the other cheek going the extra mile. Jesus is giving specific advice for a believer when they're persecuted. These are not mechanical rules but principles for meeting the personal wrongs that come to those who follow-up.

There are times are for the sake of the kingdom and the soul of a person we take the kids or turn the other cheek or go the extra mile, what is that even mean well. Back in these days when a Roman soldier would be out marching and he had his backpack a person the citizen was required to carry the backpack for 30 during all is Jerry as his army is a you carry my backpack you are obligated by law to carry it for a mile so you care to promote Jesus answers what I say don't hurt for a mile, go the extra mile.

So be like I got it okay okay you're done you can give her back don't know keep Karen into going extra mile with you to that'll give me a little more time to tell you about Jesus.

So I am in the cadets of the phrase go the extra mile comes from but then he talks about churning the other sheet. What is that mean well verse 39 summits lunch on the right teacher and the other back in this culture, a slap in the face, striking someone in the face was among of the most demeaning and contemptuous back, even a slave would rather be struck in the back. Then the face. It was a calculated insult orbiter modern equivalent be wanting a slapper qualify some and slap you in the face of right for one hit back with yours. Maybe one that we would understand summits spits in your face. Now that doesn't physically harm you, but it's humiliating. It's degrading a spit in your face or they do in Epstein gesture they call it flipping the bird is anyone ever done that to you. I've had it done to me. Not well in preaching. However, that would be just alarming but on the road man. People are crazy, you know, they'll cut in front of you hit their brakes and do all the subduction stuff and you probably just look them up. You will get you know who to talk to just cruise by forget it. Let it go.

Let it go. Let it go. I know that song because I have four granddaughters and they sing it constantly.

But it's really cute. This is speaking of a person that has an attitude that would not want to immediately strike back now.

Is this an easy thing to do well know, I don't want to see more so for a guy, but maybe more so for a guy in a guy's bill just a you took a guy a boom he's getting hit back. Sometimes girls tube at the more often guys probably but even the great apostle Paul struggled with that he was struck by Ananias a high priest hit and policy effect. Gotto smite you. You whitewashed wall. Some of said that's a high priest poses. I didn't know was a high priest.

Helio is a high priest. He was a member of the Sanhedrin into a high priest look like he just irritated he was human like you like me.

So the point is, it's not easy but this is the idea of just forgiving going the extra mile listen. We've all been wrong in life. Most of us have been slandered is treated ripped off, taken advantage of. But Jesus is not saying I should be the doorknob or torn up the doormat. I don't even know what it would be to be a doorknob. He's not saying that I should be the doormat for the planet to the problem is I have a cold and I'm on cold medication but deadly combination. So who knows what else. I'm going to say today already.

I probably said if you think you think that's a little hot. This is Greg on cold medication. But here's what Jesus concludes with verse 44, love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you were not to strike out but instead love them in a positive way. Abraham Lincoln said, quote the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend that's good isn't it the best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.

This selflessness, this love. Jesus calls for is found in many people that God used was a spirit of Abraham, when he gave the best land to his undeserving nephew Lot despaired of Joseph when he kissed his brothers who would so mistreated him at this spirit that would not let David take advantage of the opportunity to take the life of King Saul would been pursuing him to spare the cause Stephen to pray for those that were stoning him to death and it's a spirit that every one of God's children should have. May God help us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile. May he enable us to have a change of heart or we do not harbor hatred and lust in a medias you've heard these words, some of these things have hit home. Hope all of them have been hit home that they may have. Maybe one of the area. I've got that anger problem though.

Yes, the issue of loss.

This is really a problem will we need to pray and ask God to help us with these very areas of weakness. Because if you're harboring hatred for someone in your life. I want to tell you something. It's going to bring your prayer life to a halt verse 23, representing the sacrifice at the altar and the temple, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice at the altar, and go be reconciled of that person, then come and bring your sacrifice to God. So maybe you're praying for, like your prayers are going nowhere, but I was your praying, sitting three purifying you as a person you hate every time you see them, your heart filled with hatred. Maybe it's motivated from NV maybe something else. They mistreated you.

They said something I got you hate them, and you see with anger whenever you see them hurt hate old Lord I love you so you love you love you Lord. Love-hate the Bishop to cold medication more often on, Lucinda, that's going to kill your prayer life is that unconfessed sin in the Bible says if I regard iniquity in my heart. The Lord will not hear me story is told of Corrie 10 boom and have never heard of. Corrie 10 boom family been over well if you've never read her book. She wrote a book called the hiding place, which is her autobiography of all that she suffered a World War II just reply over the 10 boom family lived in Holland. They were Dutch obviously and there were strong Christians. And as the Jews are being persecuted by the Germans. They took Jewish people into their home and they both these false walls to hide rooms that they kept the Jewish people in because they felt that God wanted them the love and show favor to God's chosen people, while the Gestapo found out about it. They warned him to stop and the 10 boom family would not a one day the Gestapo showed up and they arrested Cory her sister Betsy and her father took them off to concentration camps. Father quickly died. He was rather elderly, and Corey and Betsy ended up in a camp called Robbins Brook and sadly Betsy died in that camp and Doug Cory was released because of a clerical error.

She should've stayed in but she got out and you recognize it was the Providence of God. She spent the lust rest of her life as a self-described tramp for the Lord sharing her story with people. I have the privilege of peering in person.

She was an amazing woman which he shares a story in her book the hiding place. She was at a church in Munich Germany in it which he says I was in this church. When I saw him, the former SS men would stood guard at the shower room door and the processing center at Robbins Brook.

He was one of the first of the actual jailers that I'd seen since the time that something was all there. The roomful of mocking men the keeps of clothing. Betsy's pain blanched face. He came up to me as the church was emptying, beaming and bowing and he said how grateful I am for your message. Fräulein he said thank God that he has watched my sins away.

His hand was thrust out to shake mine. Cory says I would preach often the people that they need to forgive My hand to my side. Even as the angry, vengeful thoughts boiled through me. I saw the sin of the Jesus died for this man and I'm in ask for more Lord Jesus I pray, forgive me and help me to forgive him. I tried to smile. I struggle to raise my hand. I could not.

I felt nothing, not the slightest spark of warmth or charity and again I prayed a silent prayer, writes Cory Jesus, I cannot forgive them. Give me your forgiveness and as I shook his hand, the most incredible thing happened for my shoulder along my arm and threw my hand occurred seem to pass from me to him hello, my heart sprang out of my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelming. As I discovered it's not on our forgiveness anymore than on our goodness of the world's healing hinges but on God when he tells us to love our enemies he gives along with the command.

The love itself is not great, so she is did. Here's this person the drive you crazy your math. He said this thing they did okay when her to just go and forgive no way just go for. I don't feel it. Do it anyway, what I would be sincere because I doesn't matter. Just do it. So like Cory comes in and I just forgive you and you'll find that it will help you maybe even more than it will help them when you forgive a prisoner Tuesday when you forgive someone you set a prisoner free yourself, your set free. See, they may not even be aware of how much you hate them if they don't even know about your bitterness. They could care less about you, but it consumes you and it's hurting you and it's killing you slowly, so why don't you do it.

Jesus said, but there my enemy really love your enemies, Jesus said so you can level how do you do it you just do it no way to get feel it. You just do it is no greater example of someone who did all these things than Jesus himself. Remember, after the Lord identified using Judas as his betrayer and then our Lord said, whatever you do, do it quickly and Judas left Jesus encountered you this again in the garden of Gethsemane as Judas approaches followed by the temple garden. Other soldiers.

Jesus says to him, friend, why have you come from an amazing friend. He knew he was there to betray him.

He knew he was facilitating the arrest of Christ. Yet Jesus says friend, why have you come there was one last chance for Judas to repent and he missed it. But Jesus offered that of course is Jesus things on the cross. What are his first words to prayer and he says that the father father forgive them for they know not what they do say will it's good for Jesus. He's God true. The Bible says let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus were to follow his example. Jesus died on the cross because we need forgiveness and then we should extend that forgiveness to others. Listen forgiven people should be forgiving and Jesus will forgive you. Maybe some of you coming here was just a load of sin on your back, you know you are the person can buy loss or maybe you committed adultery multiple times a job and and found out yeah yet you're that person consumed by envy and bitterness and even hatred. You need to be forgiven by God in the closing prayer give you an opportunity to ask for his forgiveness. Also pray father, thank you for sending Jesus, not just as an example but also as a Savior for sinners and we are those sinners.

Thank you for his death on the cross and his resurrection, and thank you for his promise of forgiveness. When a hedge about their eyes are closed, to extend an invitation to really anyone that needs forgiveness.

Maybe you're not a Christian, yet you're not sure that you go to heaven when you die but you committed some of the sins we talked about today or even more than you would like to be forgiven if you want Christ to forgive you of your sin if you want to know you go to heaven when you die, you just raise your hand up for everyone to pray for you is your hand saying I want Christ in my life. I want this forgiveness.

Combustion lifter had a partner I can see it please, she'll turn the balcony, Sheila anybody there at harvest Orange County raise your hand to at the satellite services. You raise your hand review work. God sees you.

This is between you and him what I have just about now let me address Christian. Maybe you've been struggling with lust. Maybe you been struggling with hatred and bitterness, even against a fellow believer. Maybe they're not a believer but whoever that person is you need to repent. You want to take this little step today and say Lord I got the message loud and clear and I'm ready to repent that you raise your hand up. I can have you come forward or stand or anything but just as the act of faith and obedience. Raise your hand and that's me and I want it gone publish what else.

No pressure. Do it if you want to.

Don't do it if you want to publish what you see these hands and you know the back story now.

I pray that you will help each one to forgive even if they don't feel it, to forgive if it's an issue of loss Lord to take appropriate steps to deal with Lord, thank you for your forgiveness for us. Even your children that we continue to need each and every day cleanse us by your blood, and we ask the song in Jesus name, amen