WEBVTT 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 ♪ theme music ♪ 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 an in-depth, interactive study of the Word of God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'm glad you joined us today 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as we continue a series of studies 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on the Gospel of Matthew. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Our topic today: The Sermon of Jesus on the Mount. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's going to be a great blessing, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we're especially happy 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that one of our team, Stephanie, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is going to be teaching today. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Stephanie, we are looking forward 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to a great study. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And we're glad that each one of you 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 has joined us for our study today. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's been a great series, hasn't it? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I notice people ask, "It's not 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the same people every time?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 No, but we're all studying, and this 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Gospel of Matthew, I think 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the biggest challenge is we could take 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a whole series of studies 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on just one section, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 like the Sermon on the Mount, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but we have to look at the big picture 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the message that Jesus is giving us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 through His sermon in Matthew. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, we want to pray that God would bless. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Before I do, though, I want to welcome 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 our Hope Sabbath School members 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 around the world. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Thank you for writing to us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You can write to us at sshope@hopetv.org, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we're always happy to know 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 how God is blessing your lives. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Gerald writes from the Cameroon. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He says, "Hi, Hope Sabbath School team. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'm a church member in the Cameroon. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I like to spend my time studying 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with Hope Sabbath School, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I now have an iPhone, and I'm ready 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to get the Hope Sabbath School app." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Well, I think we have the iPhone 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Hope Sabbath School app in 137 countries, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we have the Android app, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 which is only more recent; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that's, I think, in 150 countries. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, we're glad, Gerald, that you're 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 going to get the Hope Sabbath School app 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for your iPhone, and it's great 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because you click, and the most 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 recent program opens up. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He concludes by saying, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Hope Sabbath School is like a river of blessing for me," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) "...and I'm learning more 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about the Word of God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 My dream is to be with you one day live 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in this amazing Bible study." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well, you know if you come over here 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when we're filming, Gerald, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we would love to have you 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on our team, but you're just as much 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a part of Hope Sabbath School right there in the Cameroon. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I want to invite you and everyone else watching 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to think about gathering a group together. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You can download the outline, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the same outline that Stephanie 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 will be using today in our study, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from our website, hopetv.org/hopess. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You can download the outline, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or you can watch the program with a group 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of friends; hold up your iPHone for them, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Gerald, but get a group of people watching. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We can share what we've learned together. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Here's a note from Pavel. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Anybody want to guess where Pavel is from? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Russia. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) He's from Russia, that's right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 How did you know? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He says, "Greetings, Hope Sabbath School, from Russia. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We always watch the Sabbath School discussion 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and truly enjoy it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Our younger daughter, Veronica, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Consistently asks me to send you a message, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so, here it is." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Here comes the message from Veronica: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "I was sitting in the kitchen 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and enjoying your songs; I like you. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 My name is Veronica, and I'm 5 years old." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well, it's good to know 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we have Hope Sabbath School members 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who are 5 years old, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Thank you, Veronica, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for your message, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we hope you will sing our new 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Scripture song, "Praise Him in the Heights." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You can download that from our website, too. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "I'm watching you every week," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 continues Veronica, "with my mom and dad. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Thank you for the songs. I love them and I love all of you." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well, thank you so much, Veronica! We love you, too. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And your mommy and daddy, thank you 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for being part of our Hope Sabbath School there in Russia. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's amazing what a variety of people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we have watching, isn't it? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Grace writes to us from China, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and she says, "I often translate 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Hope Sabbath School for my mother 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who teaches a Sabbath School 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in a small church in Beijing. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, this is what we are talking about, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 making Hope Sabbath School available 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in other languages. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's already happening by individuals. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Remember a recent email from someone 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in Russia. Her husband was translating for her. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Please pray for my family so that we 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 can all love and reverence God." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Wow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "These days there are many temptations 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for people of all ages, especially young people. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Pray for us so that we can have the wisdom to follow God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 God bless you." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well, we'll do that, Grace. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 God bless you there in the great country of China. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 May God bless your witness to those around you. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Here's one last really encouraging email from Christian. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Now, that name has special significance, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as you'll discover in a minute. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Christian is from Malawi, and Malawi 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is right there in the heart of Africa, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Dear Saints," that's an encouraging title. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Dear Saints, I'm happy to God 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for using Hope Sabbath School to bring a change to my life. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) This is wonderful. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "It has really made an impact on my life 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 since I grew up a Muslim, and I never 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 found the truth as I found it now. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Now I have decided to follow Jesus and be baptized. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen! Praise God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Wow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "As I am speaking, I am now 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a true believer in Bible truth. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Thank you for the mission you're doing 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in cooperating with Jesus Christ 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in saving lost sinners like me." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Is that powerful? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. Praise God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) "May the Good Lord bless us all, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and now you understand." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He has another name, but he's been given a new name. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 His name is Christian. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Thanks for writing to us, Christian, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from Malawi, and we just want 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to praise God for the way He's leading you, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 not only for your salvation but to be 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a blessing to those around you. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Right now we want to sing our Scripture song. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's word for word from Psalm 148. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, it's 3,000 years old, but it's got 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a new tune; I hope you'll enjoy it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Praise Him in the Heights." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's sing it together. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 ♪ music ♪ 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And, for those of you who don't know, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in Hebrew "Praise the Lord" is "Hallelujah!" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, what a beautiful, ancient, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Scripture song with a message with a message for us today. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, Stephanie, as you lead us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in this important study, "The Sermon 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of Jesus on the Mount," I know in the end 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we are going to say, "Praise the Lord!" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because it's really encouraging news. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, why don't you lead us in prayer as we begin our study. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 ((Stephanie) Let's bow our heads. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for giving us this opportunity to study Your Word. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We just ask that, as we study Your Word, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You would send Your Holy Spirit 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to guide us and to direct us, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that at the end of the study, Lord, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 our lives would be changed, and we 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 would have something to share 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with those around us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 In Jesus' name, amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, our study today 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is on the Sermon on the Mount 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 according to Matthew, but we also know 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that Luke records this Sermon on the Mount 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as well, and there are some differences that we see. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Before we go looking into looking 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 at some verses, we do some differences 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 between the account of Matthew and that of Luke. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What can we learn from the differences 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we see? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Notice that Matthew is how many chapters it spans over? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Three whole chapters. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Three whole chapters, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that's over 100 verses. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And Luke spans over how many verses? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) I think there's 30. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Just around 30. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, what can we learn from the differences 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we see there, anyone? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) You know, Stephanie, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it's interesting that even in the 30 verses 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of Luke some things are new. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, that tells me that probably 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 neither of them has everything. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 If Jesus taught all day on the mount, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that the Spirit's guiding them to share some insights. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) It's not a video. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) That's right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Guided by the Holy Spirit, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 which is interesting because then 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we ask, "Why did the Holy Spirit 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 inspire Matthew to include what he did?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but there's probably much more. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, we've learned that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it's thought-inspired right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's not exact word-by-word inspired. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Was there someone else? Go ahead. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Kyle) It's like the four Gospels 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 are all a little different because each one 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 has a different perspective. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 God uses each personality to bring a new insight, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and He puts it all together for a more complete picture. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And, Stephanie, I just want 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to catch you because I understand 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 what you are saying about inspired versus word-for-word. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think Matthew and Luke are writing down the words Jesus said. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) So, it's a little different 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from the prophet being given a vision 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 like Daniel, and he writes it 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in his own words, rather than being dictated. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think here Jesus may have said 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 different things in different ways 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 during the day, and for some reason, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 which maybe we'll discover in our study, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew decides, "I'm going to record some of these." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 By the way, he was there, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He was an eye witness, Matthew. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) He was. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Luke has to talk to eye witnesses, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and so he, guided by the Spirit, too, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 gets some other insights, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but I think the Holy Spirit's definitely 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 giving us a reliable account of what Jesus said. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Is there a difference in the audience 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that Matthew and Luke are speaking to? Yes, Olric. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Matthew's Gospel, from our research, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is more targeted to a Jewish audience, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so in his Gospel he tends to play up 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 more Jesus' kingship, and in his rendering 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the Sermon on the Mount it is 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a little longer than Luke's version 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because we know in those days 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a king is the person invested 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with the authority to enforce the law, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 keep the law in the land like the lawgiver. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So he spends a little more time on that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as opposed to Luke, who was writing more 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to Gentiles, but he wanted the Gentiles 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to see the law in a way that was 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 more applicable to them. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So he did not include many of the things that Matthew was about. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, would you say that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in Matthew some of the very detailed 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 renditions that Matthew shares connects with the Jews? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) ...in a way that is powerful? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Yes, indeed. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) All right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's go ahead and jump into Matthew, chapter 5, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we'll read verses 17 through 19. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, Joshua, if you would be willing 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to read for us those first three verses 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in Matthew, chapter 5, verses 17 through 19? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Joshua) Absolutely, and I'll be reading 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from the New King James Version; the Bible says: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, what are we talking about here? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're talking about the Law of God, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Joshua) Yeah. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) This is the introduction 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to the Law of God that Matthew is talking about. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's go and look at a few more verses, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and then we'll consider some questions 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as they relate to the verses that we read. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 In Matthew, chapter 5:21-22. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Olric, would you read that for us, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew, chapter 5, verses 21 and 22. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And then we'll read verses 27 and 28. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Reading from the New Living Translation: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Wow, that's pretty strong. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Verses 27 and 28? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes, go ahead and continue on. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, do you see a pattern? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What is the pattern that you see in these verses? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go ahead, Tricia Lee. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Well, first if we were wondering, "Well, what law 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is he talking about," it's clear as we kept reading 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that he's talking about the Ten Commandments 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that the people at the time believed... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) ...prided themselves in being able to keep, and you start to understand 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 more about what Jesus meant when He said, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "I've come to fulfill," to give a clearer understanding 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of what it truly means to keep the Law. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And at the time, they were more concerned 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about the outward physicality of behaviors 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that proved that they were observing the laws, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but here Jesus starts to point to what's happening in our hearts, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in our minds, in our thoughts, and kind of showing that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 breaking the Law or even sin doesn't just occur in an action, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it kind of starts in our hearts and our minds. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, again, in fulfilling that Law, He's really kind of peeling back 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 what they thought was the reality in showing that it's much deeper 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 than they thought in just the behavior. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 There's something that's happening in the heart that only He can come 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and help them fix or help them actually be. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie, Team) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Did you have a comment, Jason? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go ahead. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Jason) Yes, I'm looking at this here, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and it talks about how He didn't come 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to destroy but to fulfill, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because Jesus could be accused 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of these new teachings as destroying the law, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but what He's saying is, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Look, I'm not destroying the Law; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'm showing you what it really means." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, He's not saying what was said of old is untrue; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's saying what was said of old, it is true, but also this. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, you have a very limited picture 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of what the Law is, but this is 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a greater understanding, a greater fulfillment 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of what the Law truly is. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And that is what He is doing here in the sermon. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) He's expounding on that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Yes, Missy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Missy) From the fall of humanity, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you know, they had perfection in Eden. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Then came the fall. They fell so far. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Humanity just, fell, fell, fell, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and so, step by step, through Scripture 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you see how God is taking them 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 step by step back to His ideal 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 until you could see the fulfillment 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the Law in Christ when He came to humanity. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And it was supposed to be a revelation 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of who God really was. You know, opening our minds 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to what the Law really meant. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. Nathan. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) Keep in mind that Matthew is writing to Jews... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) ...and Moses was the great hero as the lawgiver. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Moses went up on the Mount Sinai 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to receive the Law from God, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and then he gave it to the people, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the people did their best 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to keep the law, but Moses was the one 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who lead them out of slavery and into the Promised Land, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, the "deliverer." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 ((Stephanie) Right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) Now Matthew is showing 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus is the One who went up on the mountain 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and now expounds upon the Law. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's the new Moses, showing them, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Okay, you received the Law 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on the mountain from God through Moses, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 now up on this mountain Jesus 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is saying, 'Let me show you what 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 this Law really means and how 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it applies deeply inwardly, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and then you're going to be free, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 not just from Egypt but from the slavery of sin...' 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie, Team) Amen. Wow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) '...when we get to the depths 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of what the Law means deep in the heart.'" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) And I want to go to another passage 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 before we leave the teaching of Jesus about the Law of God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We'll move to Matthew 5:43-48, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and, Kyle, would you be willing to read that for us? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew 5:43-48. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Kyle) I'll be reading from the New King James Version. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The Bible says: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Wow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 There's a lot in that verse. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What do you pull out from those verses? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go ahead, Joshua. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Joshua) I will say that it's this aspect 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of Christianity that's the most difficult. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You know, if you compare this sort of command from Jesus 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in comparison to the Ten Commandments, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Ten Commandments actually look pretty easy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You know, if you tell me I'm supposed 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to love my enemies, do good to those 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who are persecuting me, it's like, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Are you serious?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But at the same time we have to think 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about the fact that people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 outside of Christianity judge us based on this sort of thing, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 not simply how many times do you 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 go to church in a week or how many 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Bible verses do you know, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but it's in our character and in the way 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we treat others. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Wow, yes. Go ahead, Juliana. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Juliana) Actually this summer I was 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 traveling around in Europe and happened 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to interact with an individual on a train. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, somehow we got to talking about this kind of stuff, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and he told me, "You know, Christianity 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is supposed to be so much more radical than it is. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So many people, they focus just 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on the Ten Commandments, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but what about the Sermon on the Mount?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And it kind of goes along with what 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you are saying, like, people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from the outside are looking at us, and, it's like, wow! 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 This is what Christianity is supposed to be. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I think that he was completely right, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we should be looking a lot more 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 at the Sermon on the Mount for many 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the things of how we should 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 interact with other people. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So isn't it interesting; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think Jesus was trying to move us away 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from just a head knowledge to a heart knowledge, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Yes. Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) A heart experience. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) You know, I think, Stephanie, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 something Jason said earlier is 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 really important because some Christians 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 get confused and say the Ten Commandments 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 doesn't matter; we just need to love, but that's absurd. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That's like saying, "Don't hate people, but you can kill them." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Don't lust after someone, but you can commit adultery with him or her." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's not that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The Commandments stand. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But, as Tricia Lee was pointing out, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 God is calling us to a much higher standard. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 In fact, to be honest, it's an impossible standard 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if we're going to do it 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in our own strength because we know 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 how feeble we are. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie, Team) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) It's going to take a miracle... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Exactly. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) ...so that, as Joshua pointed out, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 people will look, and they'll actually see 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus reflected, right? Instead of us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) And that happens as a result 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the head knowledge going to our hearts, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And that's the next section that we 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 want to move into, this outward conformity 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 versus an inward conversion. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, I'd like us to move to Matthew, chapter 5, verse 20. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go back to Matthew, chapter 5, verse 20, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and, Missy, would you read that for us? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Missy) I am reading from the New Living Translation: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, I think this is coming back 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to what Juliana was saying. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 People expect something more than 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 just a check off, right? they want something real. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) But it's not just the realness. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Notice here he says, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Unless your righteousness 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 exceeds their righteousness, what was 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 their righteousness that was not sufficient for God? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Their righteousness...mind you, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 righteousness means "right doing." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, they had the outward expression 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of doing right, but at the same time 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the inward conversion was not there. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What they were doing was not from a heart 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that genuinely loved God and loved people. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So you find that a lot of what was being done 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 looked right to the folks on the outside, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but God knew that the heart was not transformed. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, Jesus is saying,"It's not just 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to do right on the outside; I want 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 your heart to be in the right condition also." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That means that your actions 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 will be inspired and motivated by the right desires. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, it starts in the heart, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it starts in the mind, and then our actions follow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go ahead. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Kyle) I'm just going to add onto what he said 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because the Pharisees, they had a scale of how... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They said, "Okay, this is a sin and this 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is worse and worse and worse, and this is a good deed, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and this one's really good, and this one's really, really good." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And they almost would balance and say, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "If your good deeds outweigh 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 your bad deeds, then you earned 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 righteousness in God's sight." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, it was this whole outward way 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of building up themselves, basically, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to feel like they were good and accepted by God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But Jesus comes, and He says, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "That's not what it's about. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Every amount of human righteousness is inadequate." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The only thing is the true heart righteousness 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that you were talking about, Pastor Derek. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That is only from the Holy Spirit. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And that's a total transformation 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of character; true perfection in God's eyes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) By the way, those who 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 were listening, because we look at it, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we say, "Oh, it has to exceed 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the righteousness of the Pharisees." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well, we know what the righteousness 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the Pharisees looked like, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but for those who were listening, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Pharisees were on a high level. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, for them, they were 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 thinking, "Whoa! For us to exceed that -- 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we can't even match them -- how do we exceed that?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, what is Jesus trying to teach? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, also another question that I 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 would have, too, is that, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 have you ever tried to earn the favor of Christ, of God? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I mean, let's be real. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Have you ever been in that situation? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Please be willing to share, I hope, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a time when you've tried to do that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What was that like? Go ahead, Tricia Lee. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Your first question 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about how could they exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The Pharisees, you're right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They were very good at doing what the law required, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the different requirements that they made, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but they did not love God, and they did not love other people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 other than themselves. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And we find that that was what God 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 was trying to teach them was that, at the heart of the commandments, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 loving the Lord more than anything else 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and loving your neighbor as yourself, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and they completely missed all of that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, the "checking of the boxes" meant nothing because they didn't love God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They crucified Him, tried to kill Him at every chance they could. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They did not love their neighbors; they were the ones walking past 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Samaritan on the road and these people. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think that it's hard because, as humans 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and even as you grew up as a child, you learned that if you study hard 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and you get a good grade, or if you do this then you get a reward. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, it goes against the way even society 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 runs and functions, that, if you do something then 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you get something. An action has an equal reaction. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But here God is showing us that it really doesn't depend upon you 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or me or us, it all has to depend upon Christ, and that's where 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the faith comes in. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, it's the faith, it'is the obedience, it's all depending upon Christ. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's really His righteousness that's working in us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I think what happens, at least for me, is that... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I'm sorry...it's just that once you are honest with yourself, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and when you realize, "I keep trying, and I keep failing, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that's not good enough," at some point you just have 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to get tired of trying and failing, and you realize it can't depend 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 upon me anymore. I have to reach out to somebody who I know 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 was successful in this life, and it was Christ. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) And who has the power to do it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Exactly. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) To get us out of the mess. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I think we've all been there, haven't we? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team Member) Yeah! 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) We realize that we need Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Andrea, you wanted to share? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Andrea) I only wanted to reflect 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a little bit on your question, which was 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 how would we express if we have been 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in a similar situation, and where we felt 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we needed to do something in order to earn God's favor. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I recall I was a teenager and have sat 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in church many times listening 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to baptismal appeals and calls to give our lives to Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, as the pastor's daughter, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it was something I would listen to very frequently. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 However, I had the feeling or a tendency 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of thinking that I have to be very prepared to make that step. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, for years I have resisted the call, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I have considered that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'm not ready yet, or I'm not good enough... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Wow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Andrea) ...until I was 17 when I started 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to meditate more upon this decision, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and decided I have to make this step 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 even if I'm not feeling quite ready, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the Lord will take care of the rest. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Andrea) I cannot tell you how blessed 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I felt afterwards. It was the best decision of my life. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie, Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) You know what Jesus said, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Stephanie, in the Sermon on the Mount just a little later. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He said, "Seek first the Kingdom 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and His righteousness." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And really what Tricia Lee 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is saying is righteousness is a gift, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 back to that miracle of new creation 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we talked about in a previous study. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 God is going to change us from the inside 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so that we are motivated by love, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 even in the keeping of the Commandments. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Love to God and love to those around us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And that's a miracle of the new creation. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) And I believe John, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 chapter 14:15 tells us a little bit about that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 John, chapter 14, verse 15. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, Nathan, would you be willing 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to read that for us? John, chapter 14, verse 15. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) Right. I'm reading from the New King James Version. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 John 14 and verse 15: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Wow. Very simple, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team Member) Very plain. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, how does your attitude 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 towards God's law change when you have 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 this trusting, loving relationship 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with Jesus as your Savior and your Lord? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 How does that change? Olric? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) You want to keep it because, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when you have this love relationship 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with God, I compare it to a marriage. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You know, for those who are married here on the set. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You know, you have your spouse, you exchange vows and so forth. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, you know, some folks, they 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 may be married for 7 years, 4 years, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 50 years, and sometimes we question 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we ask them, "How did you "guys" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 maintain that relationship, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that connection, the obedience to the vows?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And they just say to me, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "It's very simple: I love the other person. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That's why I do what I do." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, when you are in that love relationship 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with God, you want to do the things 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that pleases Him the same way He likes 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 doing things that blesses you. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, you are motivated by a love for God, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that is what really propels you to obedience. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) The heart's been changed. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) The heart's been changed. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) The heart's been changed. Missy and then Nathan. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Missy) I see Scripture as God 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in continual pursuit of humanity, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Look at me; look at my face; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 look at what I've done for you. Please, keep your attention on me. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Look at what I've said in My Word. Get to know me." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Missy) When we are able to hone in on that, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Law is a natural result of the relationship. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Powerful. Nathan. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) Well, I love this woman. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) You better tell the people 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that that's your wife. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) This is my wife, and, you know, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if I do something that hurts her, that hurts me. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 To see my wife hurting 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because of something I've done 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 would break my heart. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, when we're in love with the Lord, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we realize that when we break His Law we're hurting Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's given us His Law because He wants us to be happy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) And when I wander away 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from that Law that He's given, which is 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a Law of freedom, a Law of liberty, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and it's a Law that brings joy to my life, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I know that not only am I hurting myself, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but I'm hurting Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) So, my love for Him just propels 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 me into naturally obeying the Law 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because I don't want to break His heart; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I don't want to hurt Him, as well. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Okay, Joshua, and then 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we'll go to Tricia Lee, and then we have to move on. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Joshua) I believe that we not only serve 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a holy God but we serve a practical God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, when I look at His Commandments, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I see that even if I weren't a Christian 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it would be in my best interest to still keep these Commandments. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Joshua) So, if you think about what it 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 would be like to murder someone, and what 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you would have to live with after that, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and if you know what it feels like 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to commit adultery and see the effects 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of that trickling after, if you look 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 at each and every Law, you'll see, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Wait a minute. He's not telling me 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to keep these Laws as hoops to jump through 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in order to make it into Heaven," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but it's for our own good and for our best interest to keep these Laws. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Something that Missy 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and Joshua mentioned about getting to know God 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and what's in our best interest, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think that the Devil's deception is that we would think of God as someone 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who is out to get us, someone that cannot be trusted. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And if He's a being that is not to be trusted or, you know, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 wants to hurt us, then I don't care about what He's saying, I don't care 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 about His Laws, (that breaking them) is not good for me. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When we do exactly what Missy is saying, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 try to get to know Him, allow Him to enter our lives, and we see who He is, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 like, how Jesus came, the best example and revelation of the Father, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He lived a whole life, when we see the life of Christ, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 how could we not want to be more like Him? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 How could we not want to see truly who the Father is, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and then everything He's saying starts to make sense as things for our benefit, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as things that will help us be in a loving relationship with Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, even Christ coming and expounding and fulfilling the Law 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 was us seeing the Father as who He really is, not the deception, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 not the lies, the angry God with lightening and thunderbolts. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When we see that, then the Law starts to be something beautiful 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for our best interest and something that helps us be in a good, loving, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 strong relationship with Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) We have full confidence... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Yeah, yeah. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) ...that He has the best interest in mind. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We need to move on to God's ideal 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for His children, which somewhat connects 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with what we've already been speaking about. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew, chapter 5, verse 48, and, Nicole, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if you would be willing to read that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for us, and then we'll follow it up 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with Luke 6:36, and, Nancy, if you would read that one after Matthew 5:48. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nicole) Okay, Matthew 5:48. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'm reading it from the New International Version, and the Bible says: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) And then Luke 6:36. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're looking at these two in conjunction with each other. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nancy) Okay, and this is from the New King James Version. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) All right, what is Jesus asking us to do? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Be like God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) To be like God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's asking us, may I mention it this way: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's asking us to do the impossible without Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It would be impossible without Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You understand what I'm saying? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But He's giving us the strength to do it, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so, it's not impossible, but without Him, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if we're trying to do it as only head knowledge, it is going to be impossible. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And, you know, Stephanie, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 sometimes people read that like, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Be perfect," and think that's the way to 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 make God love us, right? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Never quite good enough. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That's not what it's saying at all. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) That's why Luke's wording 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is different is important. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's saying, "I want you to reflect 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the beauty of my Father's character." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And what does it look like? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus said, "If you want to know 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 what the Father is like, look at Me." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, He's saying, "I want you to reflect my character to the world," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that is not to earn His love. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He already loves us. It's out of that loving relationship. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. Go ahead, you wanted to say something. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Andrea) I also wanted to add 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to what Elder Morris said, that this perfection that God is calling us to 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is not so much a state of sinlessness 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as the spiritual maturity to which we need 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to attain, and the Lord can help us to attain that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, of course, at each state 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the Christain's experience, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 there is a different level of maturity 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because what is perfect for a grade one student to add 2 + 2 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is not perfect for a grade five student 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and to a grade eight student. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So this perfection is where we are at; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 if we just fulfill what God requires us to do at that stage, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we have attained to God's ideal. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. All right, Olric. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Let me encapsulate what she's saying. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 At each stage, God reveals light to us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He reveals more of Himself to us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Perfection that is being talked about here 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is the progressive state of growth, Christian maturity. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 A plant starts out as a seedling, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but then it grows to a big tree and bears fruit. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 A baby starts off walking on fours 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and mumbling, but eventually they grow, and they walk on legs, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and now they can talk well and do things for themselves. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 There is maturing; there is growth. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 God's ideal of perfection is that you should continually grow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Not that you reach a stage here, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 where, "Hah! You're perfect. Now you don't need to go any further." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 No. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 His idea of perfection is progressive Christian maturity. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, let me... Go ahead, go ahead, Kyle. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Kyle) You know, somebody might be worried, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Well, I'm not perfect, and I have all these faults," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and my only thing I think we could all say: "Look to Jesus." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie/Team) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Kyle) Look to Jesus, because Jesus, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 ?as we look to Him, "If ye love Me, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 keep My Commandments," He says. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The only way that we can truly grow 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in likeness to Him is to fall in love 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with Him, and how do we fall in love with Him? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 By looking to Him, spending time with Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie/Team) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Kyle) That is so key because otherwise 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we're just going to try to earn our righteousness, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that will never get us anywhere. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, we must look to Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek/Team) Amen. Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Beautiful, beautiful. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, my question, I think we already have 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 an answer for it, but my question is: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Is this a means of salvation 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or an evidence of a living, loving connection with Jesus? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Simple. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it's an evidence of a living connection 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 with Jesus, not a means to salvation. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) All right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Will you share with us a verse that supports that? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Galatians 2, verses... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Galatians, chapter 2. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, Olric, you'll go ahead and read 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Galatians, chapter 2, I believe, 20 and 21. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Galatians, chapter 2, verses 20 and 21? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Reading from the New Living Translation, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Word of God says: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Wow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Another verse, another promise that we can share. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Someone out there, as Kyle was saying, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 may be wondering, "How do I do this?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "How is this practical?" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Let me just say people may not know who wrote the Galatian letter, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but Saul of Tarsus, later called Paul the Apostle, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 he had gone down that road of trying to earn righteousness. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie/Team): Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) He said, "I was flawless," you know? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But he was killing people who believe in Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) So, he understands the miracle of his changed heart. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I just want to emphasize, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I know it is one stage and then another, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but it's a miracle at every stage. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie/Team): Amen. Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) For us to be who God's calling us to be, is a miracle. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) It is. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And Paul would be the first one 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to say that it is a miracle. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That's why he says that if anyone is in Christ, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 she or he is a new creation. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Because he's seen it himself. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) It's key that in that verse 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is mentioned Christ now lives in me. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He says, "It is no longer I who live, but I died. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I surrender self and the old way, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I accept Christ in my heart, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and He changes me internally. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Now what I do is motivated by love." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, it is very important to see the transformation. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Would you share with us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a time when you experienced 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 or you saw someone who represented 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the character of Christ. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What impact did that have on you? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You saw someone had the character of Christ. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What was the impact on you, or what was 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the impact when someone saw 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the character of Christ in you? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What impact did that have on you? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Stephanie, I was 7 years old... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Go ahead. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Oh good, if I can just share real briefly. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 ...and my teacher in Form 2 (this is back in the UK) 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 was full of the love of Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I was only privileged to go 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to a Christian school for four years, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but that one year with Christine Emmerson 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 my teacher changed my life... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Wow. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) ...because she was full of the love of God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And when you see that, and I think 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that's the ultimate witness, it's not just what we say. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When the love of God fills a heart, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we just say, "I just want to be like that," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that person says, "Well, I'm 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a follower of Jesus, so follow Him." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Reflecting the light of Jesus. Nancy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nancy) My dad is full of the love of Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And, you know, what he does is he studies 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the Bible in the morning, a chapter 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the morning, and a chapter 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the evening, a chapter in the New, a chapter in the Old. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I like to think about it 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as him "marinating" his life in Jesus, you know? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's a cooking term, when you take 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 some meat or some tofu, and you put it, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you know, in all of those sauces and things. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Well, that's what he does with his life, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and so everything he does is covered in Jesus. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nancy) He's been a great example to me. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek/Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Praise God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) I'm guessing that he's been 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on his knees praying often, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I think that's the section that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 we want to move into next. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We've talked about the head knowledge, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that it reaches our hearts, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and, as a result, our hands or our actions 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 produce what has already happened inside. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Now we are going to talk about how we sustain that, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that is by spending time with God in prayer. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, Juliana, if you would read 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5 through 13. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew chapter 6, verses 5 through 13, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 talking about Jesus teaching on prayer. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Juliana) I'm reading from the New King James Version: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie/Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) What important lessons 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 can we learn about prayer from Jesus' example? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go ahead, Tricia Lee. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) We're counseled not to have vain repetitions, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so, there were practices that heathens had at the time but also was part 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the religious practices to repeat certain things. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "The more I say it, then the more likely God will hear," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but here this model, in its simplest way, is a conversation. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think, even in talking to God, we are acknowledging that He's hearing us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're not just saying phrases out, and hoping they go somewhere. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We're actually speaking to another Being who can hear and understand 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and wants to have a conversation with us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So, we have full confidence 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the Person that we love and trust. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Nathan, and then we'll go to Olric. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) I can't miss the distinction 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus is making between people who pray 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to be seen by others, and it's not just 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 what they say but where they are when they are saying it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They're out on the street corners, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 versus people who are praying in secret. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He says, "Go into your room and pray 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to your Father who is also in secret." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, in other words, what He's showing us 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 here is this is an intimate time. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'm sorry if this sounds a little 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 too far fetched, but just like 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a married couple behind closed doors 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and the intimacy that they share. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They are having quiet time or conversation, you know. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 No one else is there, and this is 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the same way, He says, "With your Father 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in Heaven, you are behind closed doors, intimate communion." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's just you and Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You're not showing off to the world. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You're not doing this before others. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You're having quiet time. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, Jesus wants us to be having 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 intimate communion with our Father quietly. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Just to think that 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's willing to spend quiet time with us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) The God of the universe. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I mean, think about that. That's powerful. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) It's very key that Nathan 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 points that out because in verse 16 of that same chapter 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He uses the word "hypocrite." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He says, "Don't fast as the hypocrites do." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That word is a key word, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 because in the Greek it means an "actor," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you know, someone who puts on a show, a performance. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, what is Jesus saying about these individuals who pray to be heard 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 by many people or use many words to look religious and so forth? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He's saying, "You're just acting," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and my Bible says to me, "If you harbor 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 iniquity in your heart, God will not hear your prayers." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 This was a problem with the religious leaders and those who were doing it 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for outward show; the heart wasn't right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Right, He was asking 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 for an inward change. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go ahead, Nicole. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nicole) Just to take it a little differently, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 you can also teach someone how to pray, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so when I look at this verse and I look at this text, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think about children and make sure 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we instill within our children 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 the desire to pray and the need to pray. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We have to teach them how to pray 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and how to spend that time with God, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 so they can then grow to a place 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 when they can spend that quiet time in their "closets" 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 knowing what they're to say. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So I think that we should really remember 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that we all have to teach our children how to pray. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) I agree. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) That's true. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) You know, I'm thinking, in the light of what Nathan said, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the little book "Steps to Christ," 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it speaks about prayer as the opening 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of the heart to God as to a friend. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 That's very personal. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Even the Lord's prayer could become 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 a vain repetition, if you just repeat it ten times 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and think that God will hear you by saying it 10 times. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 In fact, if you look at the Gospels, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus prays a lot of different prayers. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) He does. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) He is opening His heart to His Father as to a friend. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And I think what I'm hearing 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in this great Sermon on the Mount, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 just like with loving obedience, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 is when you love God you want to talk to Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And you want to listen, too. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) You have an open communication. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Juliana, and then we need to move on. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Juliana) I was just going to say really succinctly 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that what this says to me, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and I guess why I choked up trying to read it, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 was that it says we have a direct connection. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team Member) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Juliana) We don't have anything else in the way. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) That's right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Juliana) That the God of the universe 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 wants to talk to me and wants me to talk to Him. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Wow, that's powerful. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Let's move on; Matthew, chapter 7. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Thank you so much for sharing. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew, chapter 7, and we'll go to verse 24 to 27, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and, Jason, would you read that for us? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew, chapter 7, and we're moving 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 into our last section of our study 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that is "Living What We Learn." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go ahead. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Jason) I'll be reading from the New King James Version, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Matthew, chapter 7, verse 24 through 27. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) What is Jesus' appeal in these verse? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What is Jesus' appeal? Missy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Missy) Trust and obey, Just to listen 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to what He has to say and do them. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's just simple. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Yes. Go ahead, Joshua. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Joshua) I would just say to build 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 your foundation on Christ. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Essentially, if you look at family structures, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it never made sense to me as to why 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 atheists get married, you know? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Think about it just for a second. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Just picture that in your mind for a minute. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 How is it, if you're not focused 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on the love of Christ and the beauty 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of His Word and the understanding 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 of His heart rather than your own, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 how is it that you can unite yourself 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in a marriage and try to build your family 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on a structure that cannot stand, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that's built on worldly principles that are like sand? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They can change at any time. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 They are weak. They are futile. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, when I think about that in my own life, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I say, "Okay, I have to build my foundation on Christ." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Joshua) Because outside of that, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 everything else is just going to be a wreck, you know, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and it's really that simple. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I think it's a lesson to us to just say, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Okay, let's going about things 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in the smartest way possible," and this is it. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Nathan and then we'll come up to Kyle. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Nathan) Jesus is comparing two kinds of people here. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Both of them heard His Word. He says, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Whoever hears these sayings of Mine 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and does them," and then He says later, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "Whoever hears these sayings and does not do them." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So it's not about just hearing and knowing, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it's actually about putting it in practice. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 He says, "The one who puts into practice 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 these teachings of Mine, this is 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 solid rock foundation that you can 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 build on, and it's trustworthy, so build on this. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 But if you hear it and don't do it, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 whatever you're building on is like sand." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Right. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It's not a solid foundation. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) You won't make it through the storm. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Kyle. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Kyle) I'll just add to what Nathan said. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Just to think that this whole time 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 in Matthew 5 we've been looking at, you know, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Jesus' standard of righteousness versus 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 what our human standard is. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And if we build our lives on our own righteousness, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on our own works, then it's like sand. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We have no real foundation. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The only Rock is the Rock of Christ's righteousness 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that can get us through the storm. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, you know, it all connects; 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 it's dependence upon Him, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 even the prayer thing. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Prayer is all about dependence on God, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and depending on His righteousness, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 on His character in our hearts, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 will give us the foundation that will 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 carry us through that storm. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Tricia Lee, did you have a comment you wanted to share? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) I was just reflecting on what Juliana mentioned about the invitation 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to connect with the Lord, "our Father." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Even in reading this, I just feel as though personally I would be a fool 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 not to accept that invitation, that the great God of the universe came, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 sent His Son, went to all this length to show me who He really was, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to show me what His Law means, to show me how to love other people, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 who wants to love me and wants to accept my love to Him, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and He's just giving me the simple way to Him 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that I have to be kind of silly in seeing all of this and then saying, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "No, I'd rather build it my own way." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 It just really feels like it's just a heart-felt invitation, and that, wow, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 how do I respond to that. I was just thinking about that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) So I want to move on. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We have one more verse to read, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and that's John, chapter 13:17. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'll ask Tricia Lee if you would read that for us. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 The question is, why does Jesus want 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 us to live in harmony with His Word? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) John, chapter 13, verse 17. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 I'm reading from the New King James Version, and it reads: 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Tricia Lee, I think that is 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 what you were talking about. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Tricia Lee) It's a blessing. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) God wants us to be happy. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. Yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) It has to go from the head 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to the heart, to the hands, and to the "how." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 How do I do that? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 By spending time with Jesus 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and falling in love with my Savior and Lord. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Then what happens? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 When you're sharing with others, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 doesn't it make you happy? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You're in the will of God. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 There's no better peace than that. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Go ahead, Olric. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Olric) Let me just wrap this study here together. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 We see clearly Jesus is saying, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 "The law is important, you must keep it, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 but I don't want you to keep it 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 from an unconverted heart because 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 to do that is to do it with a heart 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that is not connected to the love of God, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 that is devoid of the right motives and right thoughts." 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 So, keep the Law but make sure the heart is converted. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Why? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Because when you do that you build your faith. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) Our faith is built upon the Rock, yes. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 And our eyes are fixed on Jesus,... 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Stephanie) ...the Author and Finisher of our faith, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and we share that with joy in our hearts. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 What a God. What a God we serve. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 Thank you so much for this lesson 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 and for sharing today. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) Thanks, Stephanie. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 You know, the Sermon on the Mount ends 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 by saying they were astonished 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 at His teaching because He taught as One 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 having authority, and really our authority 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 comes from that living connection with God, doesn't it? 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Team) Amen. 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 (Derek) And I want to challenge you, 99:59:59.999 --> 99:59:59.999 as you think about this message,