0:00:00.260,0:00:20.600 ♪ theme music ♪ 0:00:20.600,0:00:22.160 (Derek) Welcome to Hope Sabbath School, 0:00:22.166,0:00:25.432 an in-depth, interactive study [br]of the Word of God. 0:00:25.432,0:00:27.429 I'm glad you joined us today 0:00:27.429,0:00:29.348 as we continue a series of studies 0:00:29.348,0:00:31.025 on the Gospel of Matthew. 0:00:31.025,0:00:34.698 Our topic today: The Sermon [br]of Jesus on the Mount. 0:00:34.698,0:00:36.554 It's going to be a great blessing, 0:00:36.554,0:00:37.959 and we're especially happy 0:00:37.959,0:00:39.596 that one of our team, Stephanie, 0:00:39.596,0:00:41.102 is going to be teaching today. 0:00:41.102,0:00:42.455 Stephanie, we are looking forward 0:00:42.455,0:00:43.540 to a great study. 0:00:43.540,0:00:45.928 (Derek) And we're glad that each one of you 0:00:45.928,0:00:47.343 has joined us for our study today. 0:00:47.343,0:00:48.454 It's been a great series, hasn't it? 0:00:48.454,0:00:50.688 I notice people ask, "It's not 0:00:50.688,0:00:51.928 the same people every time?" 0:00:51.928,0:00:54.754 No, but we're all studying, and this 0:00:54.754,0:00:56.130 Gospel of Matthew, I think 0:00:56.130,0:00:58.440 the biggest challenge is we could take 0:00:58.440,0:01:00.320 a whole series of studies 0:01:00.320,0:01:01.648 on just one section, 0:01:01.648,0:01:03.899 like the Sermon on the Mount, 0:01:03.899,0:01:06.312 but we have to look at the big picture 0:01:06.312,0:01:09.112 and the message that Jesus is giving us 0:01:09.112,0:01:10.296 through His sermon in Matthew. 0:01:10.296,0:01:12.056 So, we want to pray that God would bless. 0:01:12.056,0:01:13.566 Before I do, though, I want to welcome 0:01:13.566,0:01:15.615 our Hope Sabbath School members 0:01:15.615,0:01:16.610 around the world. 0:01:16.610,0:01:17.702 Thank you for writing to us. 0:01:17.702,0:01:21.378 You can write to us at sshope@hopetv.org, 0:01:21.378,0:01:23.088 and we're always happy to know 0:01:23.088,0:01:26.173 how God is blessing your lives. 0:01:26.173,0:01:28.510 Gerard writes from the Cameroon. 0:01:28.510,0:01:31.305 He says, "Hi, Hope Sabbath School team. 0:01:31.305,0:01:34.486 I'm a church member in the Cameroon. 0:01:34.486,0:01:37.444 I like to spend my time studying 0:01:37.444,0:01:39.475 with Hope Sabbath School, 0:01:39.475,0:01:42.411 and I now have an iPhone, and I'm ready 0:01:42.411,0:01:44.861 to get the Hope Sabbath School app." 0:01:44.861,0:01:46.301 (Team) Amen. 0:01:46.301,0:01:49.105 (Derek) Well, I think we have the iPhone 0:01:49.105,0:01:53.307 Hope Sabbath School app in 137 countries, 0:01:53.307,0:01:55.797 and we have the Android app, 0:01:55.797,0:01:58.170 which is only more recent; 0:01:58.170,0:02:00.136 that's, I think, in 150 countries. 0:02:00.136,0:02:02.939 So, we're glad, Gerard, that you're 0:02:02.939,0:02:05.508 going to get the Hope Sabbath School app 0:02:05.508,0:02:07.303 for your iPhone, and it's great 0:02:07.303,0:02:08.612 because you click, and the most 0:02:08.612,0:02:10.670 recent program opens up. 0:02:10.670,0:02:12.950 He concludes by saying, 0:02:12.950,0:02:16.993 "Hope Sabbath School is like[br]a river of blessing for me," 0:02:16.993,0:02:18.252 (Team) Amen. 0:02:18.252,0:02:19.645 (Derek) "...and I'm learning more 0:02:19.645,0:02:20.681 about the Word of God. 0:02:20.681,0:02:23.511 My dream is to be with you one day live 0:02:23.511,0:02:25.533 in this amazing Bible study." 0:02:25.533,0:02:27.724 Well, you know if you come over here 0:02:27.724,0:02:29.796 when we're filming, Gerard, 0:02:29.796,0:02:31.058 we would love to have you on our team, 0:02:31.058,0:02:32.580 but you're just as much a part 0:02:32.580,0:02:34.451 of Hope Sabbath School[br]right there in the Cameroon. 0:02:34.451,0:02:37.432 And I want to invite you [br]and everyone else watching, 0:02:37.451,0:02:39.978 think about gathering a group together. 0:02:39.978,0:02:41.817 You can download the outline, 0:02:41.817,0:02:43.636 the same outline that Stephanie 0:02:43.636,0:02:45.624 will be using today in our study, 0:02:45.624,0:02:48.395 from our website, hopetv.org/hopess. 0:02:48.395,0:02:49.781 You can download the outline, 0:02:49.781,0:02:51.728 or you can watch the program [br]with a group of friends; 0:02:51.728,0:02:54.216 hold up your iPHone for them, Gerard, 0:02:54.216,0:02:56.237 but get a group of people watching. 0:02:56.237,0:02:58.058 We can share what we've learned together. 0:02:58.058,0:02:59.778 Here's a note from Pavel. 0:02:59.778,0:03:02.326 Anybody want to guess where Pavel is from? 0:03:02.326,0:03:03.284 (Team) Russia. 0:03:03.284,0:03:05.289 (Derek) He's from Russia, that's right. 0:03:05.289,0:03:06.738 How did you know? 0:03:06.738,0:03:09.229 He says, "Greetings, Hope Sabbath[br]School, from Russia. 0:03:09.229,0:03:11.854 We always watch the [br]Sabbath School discussion 0:03:11.854,0:03:14.072 and truly enjoy it. 0:03:14.072,0:03:16.416 Our younger daughter, Veronica, 0:03:16.416,0:03:19.451 Consistently asks me to send you a message, 0:03:19.451,0:03:21.116 so, here it is." 0:03:21.116,0:03:23.588 Here comes the message from Veronica: 0:03:23.588,0:03:25.829 "I was sitting in the kitchen 0:03:25.829,0:03:29.723 and enjoying your songs; I like you. 0:03:29.723,0:03:32.648 My name is Veronica, and I'm 5 years old." 0:03:32.648,0:03:34.969 Well, it's good to know 0:03:34.969,0:03:36.237 we have Hope Sabbath School members 0:03:36.237,0:03:37.547 who are 5 years old, right? 0:03:37.547,0:03:38.492 (Team) Amen. 0:03:38.492,0:03:39.888 (Derek) Thank you, Veronica, 0:03:39.888,0:03:40.723 for your message, 0:03:40.723,0:03:42.367 and we hope you will sing our new 0:03:42.367,0:03:44.841 Scripture song, "Praise Him[br]in the Heights." 0:03:44.841,0:03:47.429 You can download that[br]from our website, too. 0:03:47.429,0:03:49.491 "I'm watching you every week," 0:03:49.491,0:03:52.827 continues Veronica, "with my mom and dad. 0:03:52.827,0:03:56.589 Thank you for the songs. [br]I love them and I love all of you." 0:03:56.589,0:04:01.113 Well, thank you so much, Veronica![br]We love you, too. 0:04:01.113,0:04:03.519 And your mommy and daddy, thank you 0:04:03.519,0:04:06.592 for being part of our Hope Sabbath [br]School there in Russia. 0:04:06.592,0:04:09.498 It's amazing what a variety of people 0:04:09.498,0:04:10.639 we have watching, isn't it? 0:04:10.639,0:04:12.844 Grace writes to us from China, 0:04:12.844,0:04:16.419 and she says, "I often translate 0:04:16.419,0:04:18.359 Hope Sabbath School for my mother 0:04:18.359,0:04:20.832 who teaches a Sabbath School 0:04:20.832,0:04:22.958 in a small church in Beijing. 0:04:22.958,0:04:24.942 So, this is what we are talking about, 0:04:24.942,0:04:26.793 making Hope Sabbath School available 0:04:26.793,0:04:28.041 in other languages. 0:04:28.041,0:04:30.071 It's already happening by individuals. 0:04:30.071,0:04:32.557 Remember a recent email [br]from someone in Russia. 0:04:32.557,0:04:35.463 Her husband was translating for her. 0:04:35.463,0:04:38.520 "Please pray for my family so that we 0:04:38.520,0:04:41.284 can all love and reverence God." 0:04:41.284,0:04:42.814 Wow. 0:04:42.814,0:04:45.047 "These days there are many temptations 0:04:45.047,0:04:47.961 for people of all ages, [br]especially young people. 0:04:47.961,0:04:52.623 Pray for us so that we can have[br]the wisdom to follow God. 0:04:52.623,0:04:53.649 God bless you." 0:04:53.649,0:04:55.078 Well, we'll do that, Grace. 0:04:55.078,0:04:58.104 God bless you there in [br]the great country of China. 0:04:58.104,0:05:00.635 May God bless your witness[br]to those around you. 0:05:00.635,0:05:05.152 Here's one last really encouraging[br]email from Christian. 0:05:05.152,0:05:08.550 Now, that name has special significance, 0:05:08.550,0:05:09.926 as you'll discover in a minute. 0:05:09.926,0:05:13.392 Christian is from Malawi, and Malawi 0:05:13.392,0:05:16.015 is right there in the heart[br]of Africa, right? 0:05:16.015,0:05:19.247 "Dear Saints," that's an encouraging title. 0:05:19.247,0:05:22.644 "Dear Saints, I'm happy to God 0:05:22.644,0:05:26.296 for using Hope Sabbath School[br]to bring a change to my life. 0:05:26.296,0:05:27.292 (Team) Amen. 0:05:27.292,0:05:29.472 (Derek) This is wonderful. 0:05:29.472,0:05:32.808 "It has really made an impact on my life 0:05:32.808,0:05:36.243 since I grew up a Muslim, and I never 0:05:36.243,0:05:38.165 found the truth as I found it now. 0:05:38.165,0:05:43.068 Now I have decided to follow [br]Jesus and be baptized. 0:05:43.068,0:05:44.470 (Team) Amen! Praise God. 0:05:44.470,0:05:46.524 (Derek) Wow. 0:05:46.524,0:05:48.956 "As I am speaking, I am now 0:05:48.956,0:05:51.538 a true believer in Bible truth. 0:05:51.538,0:05:54.388 Thank you for the mission you're doing 0:05:54.388,0:05:56.778 in cooperating with Jesus Christ 0:05:56.778,0:06:01.310 in saving lost sinners like me." 0:06:01.310,0:06:02.623 Is that powerful? 0:06:02.623,0:06:04.091 (Team) Amen. Praise God. 0:06:04.091,0:06:06.460 (Derek) "May the Good Lord bless us all, 0:06:06.460,0:06:08.203 and now you understand." 0:06:08.203,0:06:11.830 He has another name, but he's [br]been given a new name. 0:06:11.830,0:06:14.028 His name is Christian. 0:06:14.028,0:06:16.823 Thanks for writing to us, Christian, 0:06:16.823,0:06:18.615 from Malawi, and we just want 0:06:18.615,0:06:20.953 to praise God for the way [br]He's leading you, 0:06:20.953,0:06:23.482 not only for your salvation but to be 0:06:23.482,0:06:25.437 a blessing to those around you. 0:06:25.437,0:06:27.705 Right now we want to sing[br]our Scripture song. 0:06:27.705,0:06:30.897 It's word for word from Psalm 148. 0:06:30.897,0:06:33.565 So, it's 3,000 years old, but it's got 0:06:33.565,0:06:35.331 a new tune; I hope you'll enjoy it. 0:06:35.331,0:06:37.585 "Praise Him in the Heights." 0:06:37.585,0:06:39.664 Let's sing it together. 0:06:39.664,0:06:46.788 ♪ music ♪ 0:08:44.603,0:08:46.937 (Derek) And for those of you[br]who don't know, 0:08:46.937,0:08:50.265 in Hebrew "Praise the Lord"[br]is "Hallelujah!" 0:08:50.265,0:08:52.614 So, what a beautiful, ancient, 0:08:52.614,0:08:54.695 Scripture song with a [br]message for us today. 0:08:54.695,0:08:56.678 And, Stephanie, as you lead us 0:08:56.678,0:08:59.005 in this important study of the sermon 0:08:59.005,0:09:01.025 of Jesus on the Mount, I know in the end 0:09:01.025,0:09:02.844 we are going to say, "Praise the Lord!" 0:09:02.864,0:09:04.409 because it's really encouraging news. 0:09:04.409,0:09:06.852 So, why don't you lead us in prayer[br]as we begin our study. 0:09:06.852,0:09:09.609 (Stephanie) Let's bow our heads. 0:09:09.609,0:09:12.863 Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much 0:09:12.863,0:09:16.661 for giving us this opportunity [br]to study Your Word. 0:09:16.661,0:09:19.509 We just ask that, as we study Your Word, 0:09:19.509,0:09:21.420 You would send Your Holy Spirit 0:09:21.420,0:09:24.168 to guide us and to direct us, 0:09:24.168,0:09:26.201 that at the end of the study, Lord, 0:09:26.201,0:09:28.831 our lives would be changed, and we 0:09:28.831,0:09:30.094 would have something to share 0:09:30.094,0:09:31.402 with those around us. 0:09:31.402,0:09:33.294 In Jesus' name, amen. 0:09:33.294,0:09:34.361 (Team) Amen. 0:09:34.361,0:09:35.777 (Stephanie) So, our study today 0:09:35.777,0:09:38.430 is on the Sermon on the Mount 0:09:38.430,0:09:42.028 according to Matthew, but we also know 0:09:42.028,0:09:46.107 that Luke records this Sermon on the Mount 0:09:46.107,0:09:51.350 as well, and there are some [br]differences that we see. 0:09:51.350,0:09:53.488 Before we go looking into looking 0:09:53.488,0:09:55.831 at some verses, we do see some differences 0:09:55.831,0:10:00.188 between the account of Matthew[br]and that of Luke. 0:10:00.188,0:10:03.337 What can we learn from the differences 0:10:03.337,0:10:04.871 that we see? 0:10:04.871,0:10:09.024 Notice that Matthew is how [br]many chapters it spans over? 0:10:09.024,0:10:11.021 (Derek) Three whole chapters. 0:10:11.021,0:10:12.171 (Stephanie) Three whole chapters, 0:10:12.171,0:10:13.580 and that's over 100 verses. 0:10:13.580,0:10:15.725 And Luke spans over how many verses? 0:10:15.725,0:10:17.586 (Derek) I think there's 30. 0:10:17.586,0:10:18.719 (Stephanie) Just around 30. 0:10:18.719,0:10:21.918 So, what can we learn from the differences 0:10:21.918,0:10:23.968 that we see there, anyone? 0:10:23.968,0:10:25.806 (Derek) You know, Stephanie, 0:10:25.806,0:10:28.310 it's interesting that even [br]in the 30 verses of Luke 0:10:28.310,0:10:30.523 some things are new. 0:10:30.523,0:10:32.757 So, that tells me that probably 0:10:32.757,0:10:34.846 neither of them has everything. 0:10:34.846,0:10:36.678 If Jesus taught all day on the mount, 0:10:36.678,0:10:40.484 that the Spirit's guiding [br]them to share some insights. 0:10:40.484,0:10:41.597 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:10:41.597,0:10:43.356 (Derek) It's not a video. 0:10:43.356,0:10:44.366 (Stephanie) That's right. 0:10:44.366,0:10:45.870 (Derek) Guided by the Holy Spirit, 0:10:45.870,0:10:47.384 which is interesting because then 0:10:47.384,0:10:48.807 we ask, "Why did the Holy Spirit 0:10:48.807,0:10:51.401 inspire Matthew to include what he did?" 0:10:51.401,0:10:53.159 but there's probably much more. 0:10:53.159,0:10:54.586 (Stephanie) So, we've learned that 0:10:54.586,0:10:56.282 it's thought-inspired right? 0:10:56.282,0:10:58.349 It's not exact word-by-word inspired. 0:10:58.349,0:10:59.859 Was there someone else? 0:10:59.859,0:11:01.805 (Kyle) It's like the four Gospels[br]are all a little different 0:11:01.805,0:11:04.049 because each one has [br]a different perspective. 0:11:04.049,0:11:07.280 God uses each personality [br]to bring a new insight, 0:11:07.280,0:11:10.035 and He puts it all together [br]for a more complete picture. 0:11:10.035,0:11:11.560 (Derek) Stephanie, I [br]just want to catch you 0:11:11.560,0:11:13.395 because I understand what you are saying 0:11:13.395,0:11:15.552 about thought inspired versus word. 0:11:15.552,0:11:17.937 I think Matthew and Luke are writing[br]down the words Jesus said.[br] 0:11:17.937,0:11:18.865 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:11:18.865,0:11:20.395 (Derek) So, it's a little different 0:11:20.395,0:11:22.008 from the prophet being given a vision 0:11:22.008,0:11:23.123 like Daniel, and he writes it 0:11:23.123,0:11:25.121 in his own words, rather than[br]being dictated. 0:11:25.121,0:11:27.685 I think here Jesus may have said 0:11:27.685,0:11:29.505 different things in different ways 0:11:29.505,0:11:32.105 during the day, and for some reason, 0:11:32.105,0:11:34.290 which maybe we'll discover in our study, 0:11:34.290,0:11:37.684 Matthew decides, "I'm going [br]to record some of these." 0:11:37.684,0:11:39.668 By the way, he was there, right? 0:11:39.668,0:11:41.174 He was an eye witness, Matthew. 0:11:41.174,0:11:42.230 (Team) He was. 0:11:42.230,0:11:43.890 (Derek) Luke has to talk to eye witnesses, 0:11:43.890,0:11:46.738 and so he, guided by the Spirit, too, 0:11:46.738,0:11:48.027 gets some other insights, 0:11:48.027,0:11:51.143 but I think the Holy Spirit's definitely 0:11:51.159,0:11:54.189 given us a reliable account [br]of what Jesus said. 0:11:54.189,0:11:55.420 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:11:55.420,0:11:58.820 Is there a difference in the audience 0:11:58.820,0:12:01.913 that Matthew and Luke are speaking to? 0:12:01.913,0:12:03.193 Yes, Olric. 0:12:03.193,0:12:05.366 (Olric) Matthew's Gospel, [br]from our research, 0:12:05.366,0:12:09.152 is more targeted to a Jewish audience, 0:12:09.152,0:12:11.787 so in his Gospel he tends to play up 0:12:11.787,0:12:15.522 more Jesus' kingship, and in his rendering 0:12:15.522,0:12:17.514 of the Sermon on the Mount it is 0:12:17.514,0:12:21.403 a little longer than Luke's version 0:12:21.403,0:12:22.900 because we know in those days 0:12:22.900,0:12:25.992 a king is the person invested 0:12:25.992,0:12:27.895 with the authority to enforce the law, 0:12:27.895,0:12:30.586 keep the law in the land like the lawgiver. 0:12:30.586,0:12:34.571 So he spends a little more time on that 0:12:34.571,0:12:36.795 as opposed to Luke, who was writing more 0:12:36.795,0:12:39.826 to Gentiles, but he wanted the Gentiles 0:12:39.826,0:12:42.545 to see the law in a way that was 0:12:42.545,0:12:44.177 more applicable to them. 0:12:44.177,0:12:46.007 So he did not include many of the things 0:12:46.007,0:12:47.705 that Matthew was about. 0:12:47.705,0:12:48.832 (Stephanie) So, would you say that 0:12:48.832,0:12:51.922 in Matthew some of the very detailed 0:12:51.922,0:12:59.556 renditions that Matthew shares[br]connects with the Jews? 0:12:59.556,0:13:00.397 (Olric) Yes. 0:13:00.397,0:13:02.400 (Stephanie) ...in a way that is powerful? 0:13:02.400,0:13:03.454 (Olric) Yes, indeed. 0:13:03.454,0:13:04.549 (Stephanie) All right. 0:13:04.549,0:13:07.146 Let's go ahead and jump into[br]Matthew, chapter 5, 0:13:07.146,0:13:10.990 and we'll read verses 17 through 19. 0:13:10.990,0:13:14.049 And, Joshua, if you would be willing 0:13:14.049,0:13:16.932 to read for us those first three verses [br] 0:13:16.932,0:13:21.355 in Matthew, chapter 5, [br]verses 17 through 19. 0:13:21.355,0:13:23.112 (Joshua) Absolutely, and I'll be reading 0:13:23.112,0:13:26.989 from the New King James [br]Version; the Bible says: 0:13:57.147,0:13:59.690 (Stephanie) So, what are we [br]talking about here? 0:13:59.690,0:14:02.336 We're talking about the Law of God, right? 0:14:02.336,0:14:03.329 (Joshua) Yeah. 0:14:03.329,0:14:04.559 (Stephanie) This is the introduction 0:14:04.559,0:14:07.708 to the Law of God that Matthew [br]is talking about. 0:14:07.708,0:14:09.717 Let's go and look at a few more verses, 0:14:09.717,0:14:12.568 and then we'll consider some questions 0:14:12.568,0:14:15.467 as they relate to the verses that we read. 0:14:15.467,0:14:19.325 In Matthew, chapter 5:21-22. 0:14:19.325,0:14:21.134 Olric, would you read that for us, 0:14:21.134,0:14:26.418 Matthew, chapter 5, verses 21 and 22. 0:14:26.418,0:14:30.081 And then we'll read verses 27 and 28. 0:14:30.081,0:14:34.539 (Olric) Reading from the New [br]Living Translation: 0:15:06.099,0:15:08.942 (Stephanie) Wow, that's pretty strong. 0:15:08.942,0:15:11.509 Yes, go ahead and continue on. 0:15:26.620,0:15:29.378 (Stephanie) So, do you see a pattern? 0:15:29.378,0:15:32.347 What is the pattern that you see[br]in these verses? 0:15:32.347,0:15:33.660 Go ahead, Tricia Lee. 0:15:33.660,0:15:36.098 (Tricia Lee) Well, first if we[br]were wondering, "Well, what law 0:15:36.098,0:15:38.477 is he talking about," it's clear[br]as we kept reading 0:15:38.477,0:15:40.175 that he's talking about the [br]Ten Commandments 0:15:40.175,0:15:42.052 that the people at the time [br]believed, prided themselves 0:15:42.052,0:15:44.353 in being able to keep, [br]and you start to understand 0:15:44.353,0:15:46.523 more about what Jesus meant when He said, 0:15:46.523,0:15:48.790 "I've come to fulfill," to give [br]a clearer understanding 0:15:48.790,0:15:50.830 of what it truly means to keep the Law. 0:15:50.830,0:15:53.209 And at the time, they were more concerned 0:15:53.209,0:15:56.039 about the outward physicality of behaviors 0:15:56.039,0:15:58.367 that proved that they [br]were observing the laws, 0:15:58.367,0:16:01.428 but here Jesus starts to point [br]to what's happening in our hearts, 0:16:01.428,0:16:02.428 in our minds, in our thoughts, 0:16:02.428,0:16:04.036 and kind of showing that 0:16:04.036,0:16:07.551 breaking the Law or even sin [br]doesn't just occur in an action, 0:16:07.551,0:16:10.042 it kind of starts in our hearts[br]and our minds. 0:16:10.042,0:16:12.969 So, again, in fulfilling that Law,[br]He's really kind of peeling back 0:16:12.969,0:16:16.333 what they thought was the reality[br]in showing that it's much deeper 0:16:16.333,0:16:18.269 than they thought in just the behavior. 0:16:18.269,0:16:20.917 There's something that's happening[br]in the heart that only He can come 0:16:20.917,0:16:23.392 and help them fix or [br]help them actually be.[br] 0:16:23.392,0:16:24.858 (Stephanie) Did you have a comment, Jason?[br] 0:16:24.858,0:16:25.576 Go ahead. 0:16:25.576,0:16:27.389 (Jason) Yes, I'm looking at this here, 0:16:27.389,0:16:29.321 and it talks about how He didn't come 0:16:29.321,0:16:30.946 to destroy but to fulfill, 0:16:30.946,0:16:32.377 because Jesus could be accused 0:16:32.377,0:16:34.724 of these new teachings [br]as destroying the law, 0:16:34.724,0:16:35.929 but what He's saying is, 0:16:35.929,0:16:37.109 "Look, I'm not destroying the Law; 0:16:37.109,0:16:38.854 I'm showing you what it really means." 0:16:38.854,0:16:41.414 So, He's not saying what [br]was said of old is untrue; 0:16:41.414,0:16:44.507 He's saying what was said of old,[br]it is true, but also this. 0:16:44.507,0:16:46.438 So, you have a very limited picture 0:16:46.438,0:16:48.241 of what the Law is, but this is 0:16:48.241,0:16:50.149 a greater understanding,[br]a greater fulfillment 0:16:50.149,0:16:52.286 of what the Law truly is. 0:16:52.286,0:16:53.764 And that is what He is doing [br]here in the sermon. 0:16:53.764,0:16:55.417 (Stephanie) He's expounding on that. 0:16:55.417,0:16:56.261 Yes, Missy. 0:16:56.261,0:16:58.271 (Missy) From the fall of humanity, 0:16:58.271,0:17:01.055 you know, they had perfection in Eden. 0:17:01.055,0:17:04.034 Then came the fall.[br]They fell so far. 0:17:04.034,0:17:05.679 Humanity just, fell, fell, fell, 0:17:05.679,0:17:08.308 and so, step by step, through Scripture 0:17:08.308,0:17:11.002 you see how God is taking them 0:17:11.002,0:17:12.724 step by step back to His ideal 0:17:12.724,0:17:14.832 until you could see the fulfillment 0:17:14.832,0:17:18.056 of the Law in Christ when [br]He came to humanity. 0:17:18.056,0:17:20.266 And it was supposed to be a revelation 0:17:20.266,0:17:21.896 of who God really was. 0:17:21.896,0:17:23.447 You know, opening our minds 0:17:23.447,0:17:25.517 to what the Law really meant. 0:17:25.517,0:17:26.769 (Stephanie) Yes. Nathan. 0:17:26.769,0:17:29.926 (Nathan) Keep in mind that Matthew[br]is writing to Jews... 0:17:29.926,0:17:30.922 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:17:30.922,0:17:34.332 (Nathan) ...and Moses was [br]the great hero as the lawgiver. 0:17:34.332,0:17:36.474 Moses went up on Mount Sinai 0:17:36.474,0:17:38.238 to receive the Law from God, 0:17:38.238,0:17:39.856 and then he gave it to the people, 0:17:39.856,0:17:41.727 and the people did their [br]best to keep the law, 0:17:41.727,0:17:42.937 but Moses was the one 0:17:42.937,0:17:46.210 who lead them out of slavery [br]and into the Promised Land, right? 0:17:46.210,0:17:47.456 So, the "deliverer." 0:17:47.456,0:17:48.391 (Stephanie) Right. 0:17:48.391,0:17:50.149 (Nathan) Now Matthew is showing 0:17:50.149,0:17:52.408 Jesus is the One who went [br]up on the mountain 0:17:52.408,0:17:54.647 and now expounds upon the Law. 0:17:54.647,0:17:57.611 He's the new Moses, showing them, [br]"Okay, you received the Law 0:17:57.611,0:17:59.584 on the mountain from God[br]through Moses." 0:17:59.584,0:18:01.566 Now up on this mountain 0:18:01.566,0:18:03.708 Jesus is saying, "Let me show you what 0:18:03.708,0:18:05.287 this Law really means and how 0:18:05.287,0:18:06.778 it applies deeply inwardly, 0:18:06.778,0:18:08.663 and then you're going to be free, 0:18:08.663,0:18:11.795 not just from Egypt [br]but from the slavery of sin..." 0:18:11.795,0:18:12.680 (Team) Wow. 0:18:12.680,0:18:14.798 (Nathan) "...when we get to the depths 0:18:14.798,0:18:16.801 of what the Law means deep in the heart." 0:18:16.801,0:18:19.812 (Stephanie) I want to go to [br]another passage before we leave 0:18:19.812,0:18:23.653 the teaching of Jesus about the Law of God. 0:18:23.653,0:18:28.212 We'll move to Matthew 5:43-48, 0:18:28.212,0:18:31.554 and, Kyle, would you be willing[br]to read that for us? 0:18:31.554,0:18:34.095 Matthew 5:43-48. 0:18:34.095,0:18:39.216 (Kyle) I'll be reading from[br]the New King James Version. 0:18:39.216,0:18:40.305 The Bible says: 0:19:35.477,0:19:36.670 (Stephanie) Wow. 0:19:36.670,0:19:38.347 There's a lot in that verse. 0:19:38.347,0:19:41.471 What do you pull out from those verses? 0:19:41.471,0:19:42.443 Go ahead, Joshua. 0:19:42.443,0:19:44.311 (Joshua) I will say that it's this aspect 0:19:44.311,0:19:46.352 of Christianity that's the most difficult. 0:19:46.352,0:19:49.508 You know, if you compare this[br]sort of command from Jesus 0:19:49.508,0:19:51.883 to the Ten Commandments, 0:19:51.883,0:19:54.143 the Ten Commandments [br]actually look pretty easy. 0:19:54.143,0:19:55.970 You know, if you tell me I'm supposed 0:19:55.970,0:19:58.462 to love my enemies, do good to those 0:19:58.462,0:20:00.384 who are persecuting me, 0:20:00.384,0:20:02.113 it's like, "Are you serious?" 0:20:02.113,0:20:04.228 But at the same time we have to think 0:20:04.228,0:20:05.835 about the fact that people 0:20:05.835,0:20:08.348 outside of Christianity judge us 0:20:08.348,0:20:10.068 based on this sort of thing, 0:20:10.068,0:20:12.845 not simply how many times do you 0:20:12.845,0:20:14.729 go to church in a week or how many 0:20:14.729,0:20:16.153 Bible verses do you know, 0:20:16.153,0:20:18.212 but it's in our character and in the way 0:20:18.212,0:20:19.313 that we treat others. 0:20:19.313,0:20:21.109 (Stephanie) Wow.[br]Go ahead, Juliana. 0:20:21.109,0:20:22.875 (Juliana) Actually this summer I was 0:20:22.875,0:20:25.077 traveling around in Europe and happened 0:20:25.077,0:20:27.749 to interact with an individual on a train. 0:20:27.749,0:20:31.288 And somehow we got to talking [br]about this kind of stuff, 0:20:31.288,0:20:33.547 and he told me, "You know, 0:20:33.547,0:20:36.621 Christianity is supposed to be [br]so much more radical than it is. 0:20:36.621,0:20:38.292 So many people, they focus just 0:20:38.292,0:20:39.513 on the Ten Commandments, 0:20:39.513,0:20:42.200 but what about the Sermon on the Mount?" 0:20:42.200,0:20:44.943 It kind of goes along with what [br]you are saying, like, people 0:20:44.951,0:20:47.135 from the outside are looking [br]at us, and, it's like, wow! 0:20:47.135,0:20:50.125 This is what Christianity [br]is supposed to be. 0:20:50.125,0:20:52.702 And I think that he was completely right, 0:20:52.702,0:20:54.878 that we should be looking a lot more 0:20:54.878,0:20:56.582 at the Sermon on the Mount for many 0:20:56.582,0:20:58.795 of the things of how we should 0:20:58.795,0:21:00.211 interact with other people. 0:21:00.211,0:21:01.998 (Stephanie) So isn't it interesting. 0:21:01.998,0:21:05.367 I think Jesus was trying to move us 0:21:05.367,0:21:07.147 away from just a head knowledge 0:21:07.147,0:21:08.836 to a heart knowledge, right? 0:21:08.836,0:21:09.550 (Team) Yes. 0:21:09.550,0:21:11.052 (Stephanie) A heart experience. 0:21:11.052,0:21:14.219 (Derek) You know, I think, Stephanie, [br]something Jason said earlier 0:21:14.219,0:21:17.009 is really important because [br]some Christians get confused 0:21:17.009,0:21:19.056 and say the Ten Commandments[br]doesn't matter; 0:21:19.056,0:21:21.153 we just need to love, but that's absurd. 0:21:21.153,0:21:25.184 That's like saying, "Don't hate people,[br]but you can kill them." 0:21:25.184,0:21:29.829 "Don't lust after someone, but you [br]can commit adultery with him or her." 0:21:29.829,0:21:31.374 It's not that. 0:21:31.374,0:21:33.338 The Commandments stands, 0:21:33.338,0:21:36.968 but, as Tricia Lee was pointing out, 0:21:36.968,0:21:39.607 God is calling us to a much [br]higher standard. 0:21:39.607,0:21:43.429 In fact, to be honest, it's [br]an impossible standard 0:21:43.429,0:21:44.607 if we're going to do it 0:21:44.607,0:21:47.379 in our own strength because we know 0:21:47.379,0:21:48.724 how feeble we are. 0:21:48.724,0:21:49.437 (Team) Yes. 0:21:49.437,0:21:51.057 (Derek) It's going to take a miracle... 0:21:51.057,0:21:51.956 (Stephanie) Exactly. 0:21:51.956,0:21:54.409 (Derek) ...so that, as Joshua pointed out, 0:21:54.409,0:21:57.225 people will look, and they'll actually see 0:21:57.225,0:22:00.076 Jesus reflected, right? 0:22:00.076,0:22:01.676 Instead of us. 0:22:01.676,0:22:04.503 (Stephanie) And that happens as a result 0:22:04.503,0:22:07.268 of the head knowledge going [br]to our hearts, right? 0:22:07.268,0:22:10.007 And that's the next section that we 0:22:10.007,0:22:15.625 want to move into, this outward conformity 0:22:15.625,0:22:18.689 versus an inward conversion. 0:22:18.689,0:22:23.945 And, I'd like us to move [br]to Matthew, chapter 5, verse 20. 0:22:23.945,0:22:27.510 Go back to Matthew, chapter 5, verse 20, 0:22:27.510,0:22:30.117 and, Missy, would you read that for us? 0:22:30.117,0:22:34.337 (Missy) I am reading from [br]the New Living Translation: 0:22:46.370,0:22:48.417 (Stephanie) So, I think [br]this is coming back 0:22:48.417,0:22:50.235 to what Juliana was saying. 0:22:50.235,0:22:53.411 People expect something more 0:22:53.411,0:22:57.179 than just a check off, right? 0:22:57.179,0:22:58.999 They want something real. 0:22:58.999,0:23:05.168 (Olric) But it's not just the realness. 0:23:05.168,0:23:06.371 Notice here he says, 0:23:06.371,0:23:08.276 "Unless your righteousness 0:23:08.276,0:23:11.668 exceeds their righteousness, what was 0:23:11.668,0:23:14.593 their righteousness that was[br]not sufficient for God? 0:23:14.593,0:23:16.441 Their righteousness...mind you, 0:23:16.441,0:23:18.085 righteousness means "right doing." 0:23:18.085,0:23:21.884 So, they had the outward expression 0:23:21.884,0:23:25.136 of doing right, but at the same time 0:23:25.136,0:23:27.552 the inward conversion was not there. 0:23:27.552,0:23:30.709 What they were doing was not from a heart 0:23:30.709,0:23:34.760 that genuinely loved God and loved people. 0:23:34.760,0:23:38.109 So you find that a lot [br]of what was being done 0:23:38.109,0:23:40.996 looked right to the folks on the outside, 0:23:40.996,0:23:43.803 but God knew that the heart[br]was not transformed. 0:23:43.803,0:23:46.497 So, Jesus is saying,"It's not just 0:23:46.497,0:23:49.184 to do right on the outside; I want 0:23:49.184,0:23:52.478 your heart to be in [br]the right condition also." 0:23:52.478,0:23:54.795 That means that your actions 0:23:54.795,0:23:57.400 will be inspired and motivated 0:23:57.400,0:23:59.830 by the right desires. 0:23:59.830,0:24:01.753 (Stephanie) So, it starts in the heart, 0:24:01.753,0:24:05.696 it starts in the mind, and then[br]our actions follow. 0:24:05.696,0:24:06.927 Go ahead. 0:24:06.927,0:24:09.083 (Kyle) I'm just going to add[br]onto what he said 0:24:09.083,0:24:11.157 because the Pharisees, they had a scale. 0:24:11.157,0:24:14.499 They said, "Okay, this is a sin and [br]this is worse and worse and worse, 0:24:14.499,0:24:15.655 and this is a good deed, 0:24:15.655,0:24:18.660 and this one's really good,[br]and this one's really, really good." 0:24:18.660,0:24:21.945 And they almost would balance and [br]say, "If your good deeds outweighed 0:24:21.945,0:24:24.854 your bad deeds, then you earned[br]righteousness in God's sight." 0:24:24.854,0:24:28.187 So, it was this whole outward way[br]of building up themselves, basically, 0:24:28.187,0:24:30.528 to feel like they were good[br]and accepted by God. 0:24:30.528,0:24:33.256 But Jesus comes, and He says,[br]"That's not what it's about. 0:24:33.256,0:24:35.743 Every amount of human [br]righteousness is inadequate." 0:24:35.743,0:24:38.873 The only thing is the [br]true heart righteousness 0:24:38.873,0:24:40.903 that you were talking about, Pastor Derek. 0:24:40.903,0:24:42.573 That is only from the Holy Spirit. 0:24:42.573,0:24:44.165 And that's a total transformation 0:24:44.165,0:24:46.223 of character; true perfection[br]in God's eyes. 0:24:46.233,0:24:48.509 (Stephanie) By the way, 0:24:48.509,0:24:49.856 we look at it, and we say, 0:24:49.856,0:24:52.728 "Oh, it has to exceed the [br]righteousness of the Pharisees." 0:24:52.728,0:24:54.679 Well, we know what the righteousness 0:24:54.679,0:24:56.124 of the Pharisees looked like, 0:24:56.124,0:24:58.060 but for those who were listening, 0:24:58.060,0:25:00.820 the Pharisees were on a high level. 0:25:00.820,0:25:01.775 (Team) Right. 0:25:01.775,0:25:03.876 (Stephanie) So, for them, they were 0:25:03.876,0:25:06.532 thinking, "Whoa! [br]For us to exceed that -- 0:25:06.532,0:25:09.673 we can't even match them! 0:25:09.673,0:25:11.753 How do we exceed that?" 0:25:11.753,0:25:14.403 So, what is Jesus trying to teach? 0:25:14.403,0:25:18.925 Also another question that [br]I would have, too, is that, 0:25:18.925,0:25:23.405 have you ever tried to earn [br]the favor of Christ, of God? 0:25:23.405,0:25:25.561 I mean, let's be real.[br] 0:25:25.561,0:25:28.462 Have you ever been in that situation? 0:25:28.462,0:25:30.216 Please be willing to share, I hope, 0:25:30.216,0:25:34.742 a time when maybe you've tried to do that. 0:25:34.742,0:25:38.006 What was that like?[br]Go ahead, Tricia Lee. 0:25:38.006,0:25:40.868 (Tricia Lee) Your first question [br]about how could they exceed 0:25:40.868,0:25:42.598 the righteousness of the Pharisees. 0:25:42.598,0:25:43.939 The Pharisees, you're right. 0:25:43.939,0:25:46.418 They were very good at doing [br]what the law required, 0:25:46.418,0:25:48.639 and the different requirements [br]that they made, 0:25:48.639,0:25:51.837 but they did not love God, [br]and they did not love other people 0:25:51.837,0:25:53.104 other than themselves. 0:25:53.104,0:25:54.775 And we find that that was what God 0:25:54.775,0:25:57.984 was trying to teach them was that,[br]at the heart of the commandments, 0:25:57.994,0:25:59.869 loving the Lord more than anything else 0:25:59.869,0:26:01.676 and loving your neighbor as yourself, 0:26:01.676,0:26:03.564 and they completely missed all of that. 0:26:03.564,0:26:07.121 So, the "checking of the boxes" meant[br]nothing because they didn't love God. 0:26:07.121,0:26:10.178 They crucified Him, tried to kill Him[br]at every chance they could. 0:26:10.178,0:26:13.323 They did not love their neighbors;[br]they were the ones walking past 0:26:13.323,0:26:15.392 the Samaritan on the road [br]and these people. 0:26:15.392,0:26:17.408 I think that it's hard because, as humans, 0:26:17.408,0:26:20.724 and even as you grew up as a child,[br]you learned that if you study hard 0:26:20.724,0:26:23.867 and you get a good grade, [br]or if you do this then you get a reward. 0:26:23.867,0:26:25.786 So, it goes against the way even society 0:26:25.786,0:26:28.184 runs and functions, that,[br]if you do something 0:26:28.184,0:26:30.842 then you get something.[br]An action has an equal reaction. 0:26:30.842,0:26:33.936 But here God is showing us that[br]it really doesn't depend upon you 0:26:33.936,0:26:38.025 or me or us, it all has [br]to depend upon Christ, 0:26:38.025,0:26:39.772 and that's where the faith comes in. 0:26:39.772,0:26:43.230 So, it's the faith, it'is the obedience, [br]it's all depending upon Christ. 0:26:43.230,0:26:45.920 It's really His righteousness [br]that's working in us. 0:26:45.920,0:26:48.501 And I think what happens, [br]at least for me, is that... 0:26:48.501,0:26:52.915 and I'm sorry...it's just that[br]once you are honest with yourself, 0:26:52.915,0:26:55.859 and when you realize, "I keep [br]trying, and I keep failing, 0:26:55.859,0:26:58.472 and that's not good enough,"[br]at some point you just have 0:26:58.472,0:27:00.962 to get tired of trying and [br]failing, and you realize 0:27:00.962,0:27:02.830 it can't depend upon me anymore. 0:27:02.830,0:27:05.182 I have to reach out to somebody who I know 0:27:05.182,0:27:07.460 was successful in this life, [br]and it was Christ. 0:27:07.460,0:27:09.523 (Stephanie) And who has [br]the power to do it. 0:27:09.523,0:27:11.024 To get us out of the mess. 0:27:11.024,0:27:13.170 And I think we've all [br]been there, haven't we? 0:27:13.170,0:27:14.047 (Tricia Lee) Yeah! 0:27:14.047,0:27:16.061 (Stephanie) We realize that we need Jesus.[br] 0:27:16.061,0:27:17.798 Andrea, you wanted to share? 0:27:17.798,0:27:19.672 (Andrea) I only wanted to reflect 0:27:19.672,0:27:23.326 a little bit on your question, which was 0:27:23.326,0:27:27.695 how would we express if we have been 0:27:27.695,0:27:30.972 in a similar situation where we felt 0:27:30.972,0:27:32.322 we needed to do something 0:27:32.322,0:27:35.162 in order to earn God's favor. 0:27:35.162,0:27:38.306 And I recall I was a teenager 0:27:38.306,0:27:41.616 and have sat in church many times 0:27:41.616,0:27:43.885 listening to baptismal appeals 0:27:43.885,0:27:51.532 and calls to give our lives to Jesus. 0:27:51.532,0:27:53.954 And as the pastor's daughter, 0:27:53.954,0:27:57.912 it was something I would [br]listen to very frequently. 0:27:57.912,0:28:02.021 However, I had the feeling or a tendency 0:28:02.021,0:28:05.377 of thinking that I have to be 0:28:05.377,0:28:08.577 very prepared to make that step. 0:28:08.577,0:28:13.903 So for years I have resisted the call, 0:28:13.903,0:28:16.160 and I have considered 0:28:16.160,0:28:18.769 I'm not ready yet, or [br]I'm not good enough... 0:28:18.769,0:28:20.069 (Stephanie) Wow. 0:28:20.069,0:28:25.508 (Andrea) ...until I was 17 when I started 0:28:25.508,0:28:28.399 to meditate more upon this decision, 0:28:28.399,0:28:31.990 and decided I have to make this step 0:28:31.990,0:28:34.822 even if I'm not feeling quite ready, 0:28:34.822,0:28:37.501 and the Lord will take care of the rest. 0:28:37.501,0:28:38.387 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:28:38.387,0:28:40.272 (Andrea) I cannot tell you how blessed 0:28:40.272,0:28:41.522 I felt afterwards. 0:28:41.522,0:28:43.738 It was the best decision of my life. 0:28:43.738,0:28:45.931 (Stephanie, Team) Amen. 0:28:45.931,0:28:47.625 (Derek) You know what Jesus said, 0:28:47.625,0:28:50.385 Stephanie, in the Sermon [br]on the Mount just a little later. 0:28:50.385,0:28:52.590 He said, "Seek first the Kingdom 0:28:52.590,0:28:54.720 and His righteousness." 0:28:54.720,0:28:55.739 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:28:55.739,0:28:57.498 (Derek) And really what Tricia Lee 0:28:57.498,0:28:59.764 is saying is righteousness is a gift, 0:28:59.764,0:29:01.663 back to that miracle of new creation 0:29:01.663,0:29:03.827 that we talked about in a previous study. 0:29:03.827,0:29:07.360 God is going to change us from the inside 0:29:07.360,0:29:12.487 so that we are motivated by love, 0:29:12.487,0:29:14.507 even in the keeping of the Commandments. 0:29:14.507,0:29:16.965 Love to God and love to those around us. 0:29:16.965,0:29:19.800 And that's a miracle of the new creation. 0:29:19.800,0:29:23.115 (Stephanie) And I believe [br]John, chapter 14:15 0:29:23.115,0:29:25.109 tells us a little bit about that. 0:29:25.109,0:29:29.229 John, chapter 14, verse 15. 0:29:29.229,0:29:31.294 And, Nathan, would you be willing 0:29:31.294,0:29:34.823 to read that for us?[br]John, chapter 14, verse 15. 0:29:34.823,0:29:37.663 (Nathan) Right. I'm reading[br]from the New King James Version. 0:29:37.663,0:29:41.794 John 14 and verse 15: 0:29:46.142,0:29:48.445 (Stephanie) Wow.[br]Very simple, right? 0:29:48.445,0:29:49.829 (Team Member) Very plain. 0:29:49.829,0:29:54.651 (Stephanie) So, how does your attitude 0:29:54.651,0:29:58.142 towards God's law change when you have 0:29:58.142,0:30:02.106 this trusting, loving relationship 0:30:02.106,0:30:06.507 with Jesus as your Savior and your Lord? 0:30:06.507,0:30:10.530 How does that change?[br]Olric. 0:30:10.530,0:30:13.006 (Olric) You want to keep it because, 0:30:13.006,0:30:15.823 when you have this love [br]relationship with God, 0:30:15.823,0:30:17.701 I compare it to a marriage. 0:30:17.701,0:30:20.466 You know, for those who are [br]married here on the set. 0:30:20.466,0:30:23.155 You know, you have your spouse, 0:30:23.155,0:30:25.515 you exchange vows and so forth. 0:30:25.515,0:30:27.371 And, you know, some folks, 0:30:27.371,0:30:30.508 they may be married for [br]30 years, 40 years, 50 years, 0:30:30.508,0:30:33.247 and sometimes you[br]question and you ask them, 0:30:33.247,0:30:36.250 "How did you 'guys' [br]maintain that relationship, 0:30:36.250,0:30:39.923 that connection, the [br]obedience to the vows?" 0:30:39.923,0:30:41.466 And they just say to me, 0:30:41.466,0:30:44.222 "It's very simple:[br]I love the other person. 0:30:44.222,0:30:45.994 That's why I do what I do." 0:30:45.994,0:30:48.851 So, when you are in that love relationship 0:30:48.851,0:30:51.334 with God, you want to do the things 0:30:51.334,0:30:55.532 that pleases Him the same way He likes 0:30:55.532,0:30:58.153 doing things that blesses you. 0:30:58.153,0:31:01.709 So, you are motivated by a love for God, 0:31:01.709,0:31:04.887 that is what really propels [br]you to obedience. 0:31:04.887,0:31:06.178 (Stephanie) The heart's been changed. 0:31:06.178,0:31:07.252 (Olric) The heart's been changed. 0:31:07.252,0:31:09.677 (Stephanie) The heart's been changed.[br]Missy and then Nathan. 0:31:09.677,0:31:12.509 (Missy) I see Scripture as God 0:31:12.509,0:31:16.110 in continual pursuit of humanity, 0:31:16.110,0:31:19.360 "Look at me; look at my face; 0:31:19.360,0:31:21.120 look at what I've done for you. 0:31:21.120,0:31:23.280 Please, keep your attention on me. 0:31:23.280,0:31:25.240 Look at what I've said in My Word. 0:31:25.240,0:31:26.511 Get to know me." 0:31:26.511,0:31:27.771 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:31:27.772,0:31:31.626 (Missy) When we are able [br]to hone in on that, 0:31:31.626,0:31:36.096 the Law is a natural [br]result of the relationship. 0:31:36.096,0:31:38.503 (Stephanie) Powerful.[br]Nathan. 0:31:38.503,0:31:42.448 (Nathan) Well, I love this woman. 0:31:42.448,0:31:44.638 (Derek) You better tell the people 0:31:44.638,0:31:49.219 that that's your wife. 0:31:49.219,0:31:51.661 (Nathan) This is my wife, and, you know, 0:31:51.661,0:31:56.723 if I do something that [br]hurts her, that hurts me. 0:31:56.723,0:31:58.767 To see my wife hurting 0:31:58.767,0:32:01.275 because of something I've done 0:32:01.275,0:32:02.853 would break my heart. 0:32:02.853,0:32:05.301 So when we're in love with the Lord, 0:32:05.301,0:32:08.337 we realize that when we break [br]His Law we're hurting Him. 0:32:08.337,0:32:11.001 He's given us His Law because [br]He wants us to be happy. 0:32:11.001,0:32:12.125 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:32:12.125,0:32:14.166 (Nathan) And when I wander away 0:32:14.166,0:32:16.765 from that Law that He's given, 0:32:16.765,0:32:18.726 which is a Law of freedom,[br]a Law of liberty, 0:32:18.726,0:32:21.196 and it's a Law that brings joy to my life, 0:32:21.196,0:32:24.021 I know that not only am I hurting myself, 0:32:24.021,0:32:25.741 but I'm hurting Him. 0:32:25.741,0:32:26.563 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:32:26.563,0:32:28.071 (Nathan) So my love for Him just propels 0:32:28.071,0:32:30.388 me into naturally obeying the Law 0:32:30.388,0:32:32.008 because I don't want to break His heart; 0:32:32.008,0:32:33.311 I don't want to hurt Him, as well. 0:32:33.311,0:32:36.184 (Stephanie) Okay, Joshua, and then 0:32:36.184,0:32:38.264 we'll go to Tricia Lee, and then [br]we have to move on. 0:32:38.264,0:32:40.593 (Joshua) I believe that we not only serve 0:32:40.593,0:32:43.267 a holy God but we serve a practical God. 0:32:43.267,0:32:45.445 So, when I look at His Commandments, 0:32:45.445,0:32:48.310 I see that even if I weren't a Christian 0:32:48.310,0:32:52.318 it would be in my best interest [br]to still keep these Commandments. 0:32:52.318,0:32:53.418 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:32:53.418,0:32:55.688 (Joshua) So, if you think about what it 0:32:55.688,0:32:57.765 would be like to murder someone, and what 0:32:57.765,0:32:59.559 you would have to live with after that, 0:32:59.559,0:33:01.641 if you know what it feels like 0:33:01.641,0:33:03.983 to commit adultery and see the effects 0:33:03.983,0:33:06.563 of that trickling after, if you look 0:33:06.563,0:33:08.680 at each and every Law, you'll see, 0:33:08.680,0:33:11.275 "Wait a minute. [br]He's not telling me 0:33:11.275,0:33:13.505 to keep these Laws as [br]hoops to jump through 0:33:13.505,0:33:15.461 in order to make it into Heaven," 0:33:15.461,0:33:23.194 but it's for our own good and for our [br]best interest to keep these Laws. 0:33:23.194,0:33:24.166 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:33:24.166,0:33:27.123 (Tricia Lee) Something that Missy 0:33:27.123,0:33:29.424 and Joshua mentioned [br]about getting to know God 0:33:29.424,0:33:30.697 and what's in our best interest, 0:33:30.697,0:33:35.091 I think that the Devil's deception is that[br]we would think of God as someone 0:33:35.091,0:33:37.375 who is out to get us, someone[br]that cannot be trusted. 0:33:37.375,0:33:40.782 And if He's a Being that is not [br]to be trusted or, you know, 0:33:41.027,0:33:44.942 wants to hurt us, then I don't care[br]about what He's saying, I don't care 0:33:44.942,0:33:47.588 about His Laws, what's not good for me. 0:33:47.588,0:33:49.504 When we do exactly what Missy is saying, 0:33:49.574,0:33:52.208 try to get to know Him, allow Him [br]to enter our lives, and we see who He is, 0:33:52.208,0:33:55.418 like, how Jesus came, the best [br]example, a revelation of the Father, 0:33:55.418,0:33:58.571 He lived a whole life, when [br]we see the life of Christ, 0:33:58.571,0:34:00.818 how could we not want to be more like Him? 0:34:00.818,0:34:04.086 How could we not want to see [br]truly who the Father is, 0:34:04.086,0:34:06.360 and then everything He's saying [br]starts to make sense as things 0:34:06.360,0:34:09.880 for our best interest, as [br]things that will help us 0:34:09.880,0:34:11.781 be in a loving relationship with Him. 0:34:11.781,0:34:14.170 So even Christ coming and expounding[br]and fulfilling the Law 0:34:14.170,0:34:17.323 was us seeing the Father as who [br]He really is, not the deception, 0:34:17.323,0:34:21.054 not the lies, the angry God [br]with lightening and thunderbolts. 0:34:21.054,0:34:23.029 When we see that, then the Law[br]starts to be something beautiful 0:34:23.029,0:34:26.252 for our best interest and something that[br]helps us be in a good, loving, 0:34:26.252,0:34:28.042 strong relationship with Him. 0:34:28.042,0:34:29.324 (Stephanie) We have full confidence... 0:34:29.324,0:34:30.636 (Tricia Lee) Yeah, yeah. 0:34:30.636,0:34:32.627 (Stephanie) ...that He has [br]the best interest in mind. 0:34:32.627,0:34:35.422 We need to move on to God's ideal 0:34:35.422,0:34:37.216 for His children, which somewhat connects 0:34:37.216,0:34:39.201 with what we've already [br]been speaking about. 0:34:39.201,0:34:42.896 Matthew, chapter 5, verse 48, and, Nicole, 0:34:42.896,0:34:44.424 if you would be willing to read that 0:34:44.424,0:34:46.800 for us, and then we'll follow it up 0:34:46.800,0:34:52.793 with Luke 6:36, and, Nancy, if you [br]would read that one after Matthew 5:48. 0:34:52.793,0:34:54.355 (Nicole) Okay, Matthew 5:48. 0:34:54.355,0:34:58.222 I'm reading it from the New International[br]Version, and the Bible says: 0:35:01.352,0:35:04.613 (Stephanie) And then Luke 6:36. 0:35:04.613,0:35:08.383 We're looking at these two [br]in conjunction with each other. 0:35:08.383,0:35:14.192 (Nancy) Okay, and this is from the[br]New King James Version. 0:35:22.462,0:35:25.234 (Stephanie) All right, what is [br]Jesus asking us to do? 0:35:25.234,0:35:29.199 (Olric) Be like God. 0:35:29.199,0:35:30.489 (Stephanie) To be like God. 0:35:30.489,0:35:34.441 He's asking us, may I mention it this way: 0:35:34.441,0:35:40.776 He's asking us to do the [br]impossible without Him. 0:35:40.776,0:35:44.391 It would be impossible without Him. 0:35:44.391,0:35:45.945 You understand what I'm saying? 0:35:45.945,0:35:49.518 But He's giving us the strength to do it, 0:35:49.518,0:35:53.680 so, it's not impossible, but without Him, 0:35:53.680,0:35:59.102 if we're trying to do it as only head[br]knowledge, it is going to be impossible. 0:35:59.102,0:36:00.428 (Derek) And, you know, Stephanie, 0:36:00.428,0:36:01.960 sometimes people read that like, 0:36:01.960,0:36:04.281 "Be perfect," and think that's the way to 0:36:04.281,0:36:06.392 make God love us, right? 0:36:06.392,0:36:07.680 Never quite good enough. 0:36:07.680,0:36:10.022 That's not what it's saying at all. 0:36:10.022,0:36:11.085 (Stephanie) Right. 0:36:11.085,0:36:12.979 (Derek) That's why Luke's wording 0:36:12.979,0:36:14.509 is different is important. 0:36:14.509,0:36:17.589 He's saying, "I want you to reflect 0:36:17.589,0:36:18.815 the beauty of my Father's character." 0:36:18.815,0:36:20.183 And what does it look like? 0:36:20.183,0:36:21.973 Jesus said, "If you want to know 0:36:21.973,0:36:23.075 what the Father is like, look at Me." 0:36:23.075,0:36:27.380 So, He's saying, "I want you to [br]reflect my character to the world," 0:36:27.380,0:36:30.773 and that is not to earn His love. 0:36:30.773,0:36:34.607 He already loves us.[br]It's out of that loving relationship. 0:36:34.607,0:36:38.104 (Stephanie) Yes.[br]Go ahead, you wanted to say something. 0:36:38.104,0:36:39.475 (Andrea) I also wanted to add 0:36:39.475,0:36:46.856 to what Elder Morris said, that this[br]perfection that God is calling us to 0:36:46.856,0:36:52.130 is not so much a state of sinlessness 0:36:52.130,0:36:55.924 as the spiritual maturity to which we need 0:36:55.924,0:37:00.417 to attain, and the Lord can [br]help us to attain that. 0:37:00.417,0:37:01.653 And, of course, at each state 0:37:01.653,0:37:03.865 of the Christain's experience, 0:37:03.865,0:37:07.187 there is a different level of maturity 0:37:07.187,0:37:12.597 because what is perfect for [br]a grade one student to add 2 + 2 0:37:12.597,0:37:15.515 is not perfect for a grade five student 0:37:15.515,0:37:17.249 or a grade eight student. 0:37:17.265,0:37:21.057 So this perfection is where we are at; 0:37:21.057,0:37:26.320 if we just fulfill what God requires [br]us to do at that stage, 0:37:26.320,0:37:29.571 we have attained to God's ideal. 0:37:29.571,0:37:30.983 (Stephanie) Amen.[br]All right, Olric. 0:37:30.983,0:37:33.635 (Olric) Let me encapsulate [br]what she's saying. 0:37:33.635,0:37:37.889 At each stage, God reveals light to us. 0:37:37.889,0:37:40.701 He reveals more of Himself to us. 0:37:40.701,0:37:44.072 Perfection that is being talked about here 0:37:44.072,0:37:48.670 is the progressive state [br]of growth, Christian maturity. 0:37:48.670,0:37:51.139 A plant starts out as a seedling, 0:37:51.139,0:37:54.799 but then it grows to a big tree [br]and bears fruit. 0:37:54.799,0:37:57.865 A baby starts off walking on fours 0:37:57.865,0:38:01.857 and mumbling, but eventually [br]they grow, and they walk on legs, 0:38:01.857,0:38:05.066 and now they can talk well [br]and do things for themselves. 0:38:05.066,0:38:06.995 There is maturing; there is growth. 0:38:06.995,0:38:12.641 God's ideal of perfection is that[br]you should continually grow. 0:38:12.641,0:38:15.026 Not that you reach a stage here, 0:38:15.026,0:38:18.232 where, "Hah! You're perfect.[br]Now you don't need to go any further." 0:38:18.232,0:38:19.237 No. 0:38:19.237,0:38:23.254 His idea of perfection is [br]progressive Christian maturity. 0:38:23.254,0:38:25.449 (Stephanie) So, let me...[br]Go ahead, go ahead, Kyle. 0:38:25.449,0:38:28.513 (Kyle) You know, somebody [br]might be worried, 0:38:28.513,0:38:31.809 "Well, I'm not perfect, and I [br]have all these faults," 0:38:31.809,0:38:35.476 and my only thing I think we [br]could all say: "Look to Jesus." 0:38:35.476,0:38:36.540 (Stephanie/Team) Yes. 0:38:36.540,0:38:38.640 (Kyle) Look to Jesus, because Jesus, 0:38:39.008,0:38:39.978 as we look to Him, "If ye love Me, 0:38:40.234,0:38:41.529 keep My Commandments," He says. 0:38:41.529,0:38:44.534 The only way that we can truly grow 0:38:44.534,0:38:46.146 in likeness to Him is to fall in love 0:38:46.146,0:38:47.668 with Him, and how do we [br]fall in love with Him? 0:38:47.668,0:38:49.491 By looking to Him, spending time with Him. 0:38:49.491,0:38:50.529 (Stephanie/Team) Yes. 0:38:50.529,0:38:51.771 (Kyle) That is so key because otherwise 0:38:51.771,0:38:53.435 we're just going to try [br]to earn our righteousness, 0:38:53.435,0:38:54.933 and that will never get us anywhere. 0:38:54.933,0:38:56.621 So, we must look to Jesus. 0:38:56.621,0:38:58.023 (Derek/Team) Amen. Yes. 0:38:58.023,0:38:59.264 (Stephanie) Beautiful, beautiful. 0:38:59.264,0:39:01.255 So, my question, I think we already have 0:39:01.255,0:39:03.029 an answer for it, but my question is: 0:39:03.029,0:39:05.725 Is this a means of salvation 0:39:05.725,0:39:08.855 or an evidence of a living, [br]loving connection with Jesus? 0:39:08.855,0:39:09.952 (Olric) Simple.[br] 0:39:09.952,0:39:13.546 it's an evidence of a living connection 0:39:13.546,0:39:16.376 with Jesus, not a means to salvation. 0:39:16.376,0:39:17.468 (Stephanie) All right. 0:39:17.468,0:39:20.279 Will you share with us a [br]verse that supports that? 0:39:20.279,0:39:22.051 (Olric) Galatians 2, verses... 0:39:22.051,0:39:23.534 (Stephanie) Galatians, chapter 2. 0:39:23.534,0:39:24.955 So, Olric, you'll go ahead and read 0:39:24.955,0:39:27.296 Galatians, chapter 2, [br]I believe, 20 and 21. 0:39:27.296,0:39:33.267 (Olric) Galatians, chapter 2, [br]verses 20 and 21? 0:39:33.267,0:39:34.397 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:39:34.397,0:39:40.000 (Olric) Reading from the [br]New Living Translation, 0:39:40.000,0:40:10.169 the Word of God says: 0:40:10.169,0:40:11.171 (Stephanie) Wow. 0:40:11.171,0:40:14.736 Another verse, another [br]promise that we can share. 0:40:14.736,0:40:18.145 Someone out there, as Kyle was saying, 0:40:18.145,0:40:22.857 may be wondering, "How do I do this?" 0:40:22.857,0:40:24.455 "How is this practical?" 0:40:24.455,0:40:25.481 Yes. 0:40:25.481,0:40:28.675 (Derek) Let me just say people may not [br]know who wrote the Galatian letter, 0:40:28.675,0:40:32.228 but Saul of Tarsus, later [br]called Paul the Apostle, 0:40:32.228,0:40:35.839 he had gone down that road [br]of trying to earn righteousness. 0:40:35.839,0:40:36.923 (Stephanie/Team): Yes. 0:40:36.923,0:40:39.710 (Derek) He said, "I was [br]flawless," you know? 0:40:39.710,0:40:42.229 But he was killing people [br]who believe in Jesus. 0:40:42.229,0:40:43.844 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:40:43.844,0:40:46.990 (Derek) So, he understands [br]the miracle of his changed heart. 0:40:46.990,0:40:48.766 And I just want to emphasize, 0:40:48.766,0:40:51.092 I know it is one stage and then another, 0:40:51.092,0:40:53.584 but it's a miracle at every stage. 0:40:53.584,0:40:54.623 (Stephanie/Team): Amen. Yes. 0:40:54.623,0:40:58.787 (Derek) For us to be who God's [br]calling us to be, is a miracle. 0:40:58.787,0:40:59.660 (Stephanie) It is. 0:40:59.660,0:41:01.097 (Derek) And Paul would be the first one 0:41:01.097,0:41:02.856 to say that it is a miracle. 0:41:02.856,0:41:05.212 That's why he says that [br]if anyone is in Christ, 0:41:05.212,0:41:06.947 she or he is a new creation. 0:41:06.947,0:41:08.026 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:41:08.026,0:41:09.541 (Derek) Because he's seen it himself. 0:41:09.541,0:41:10.895 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:41:10.895,0:41:13.375 (Olric) It's key that in that verse 0:41:13.375,0:41:16.426 is mentioned Christ now lives in me. 0:41:16.426,0:41:19.931 He says, "It is no longer [br]I who live, but I died. 0:41:19.931,0:41:22.684 I surrender self and the old way, 0:41:22.684,0:41:25.321 and I accept Christ in my heart, 0:41:25.321,0:41:27.828 and He changes me internally. 0:41:27.828,0:41:31.849 Now what I do is motivated by love." 0:41:31.849,0:41:34.728 So, it is very important [br]to see the transformation. 0:41:34.728,0:41:36.168 (Stephanie) Would you share with us 0:41:36.168,0:41:38.382 a time when you experienced 0:41:38.382,0:41:43.407 or you saw someone who represented 0:41:43.407,0:41:44.783 the character of Christ. 0:41:44.783,0:41:46.720 What impact did that have on you? 0:41:46.720,0:41:52.009 You saw someone had [br]the character of Christ. 0:41:52.009,0:41:55.623 What was the impact on you, or what was 0:41:55.623,0:41:57.729 the impact when someone saw 0:41:57.729,0:42:00.544 the character of Christ in you? 0:42:00.544,0:42:02.548 What impact did that have on you? 0:42:02.548,0:42:06.299 (Derek) Stephanie, I was 7 years old... 0:42:06.299,0:42:07.515 (Stephanie) Go ahead. 0:42:07.515,0:42:09.519 (Derek) Oh good, if I can [br]just share real briefly. 0:42:09.519,0:42:13.318 ...and my teacher in Form 2[br](this is back in the UK) 0:42:13.318,0:42:15.822 was full of the love of Jesus. 0:42:15.822,0:42:19.031 I was only privileged to go 0:42:19.031,0:42:20.602 to a Christian school for four years, 0:42:20.602,0:42:24.240 but that one year with Christine Emmerson 0:42:24.240,0:42:27.418 my teacher changed my life... 0:42:27.418,0:42:28.508 (Stephanie) Wow. 0:42:28.508,0:42:30.670 (Derek) ...because she was [br]full of the love of God. 0:42:30.670,0:42:34.393 And when you see that, and I think 0:42:34.393,0:42:37.850 that's the ultimate witness,[br]it's not just what we say. 0:42:37.850,0:42:41.845 When the love of God fills a heart, 0:42:41.845,0:42:46.530 we just say, "I just [br]want to be like that," 0:42:46.530,0:42:48.441 and that person says, "Well, I'm 0:42:48.441,0:42:50.736 a follower of Jesus, so follow Him." 0:42:50.736,0:42:51.781 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:42:51.781,0:42:54.687 Reflecting the light of Jesus.[br]Nancy. 0:42:54.687,0:42:59.291 (Nancy) My dad is full [br]of the love of Jesus. 0:42:59.291,0:43:05.122 And, you know, what he does is he studies 0:43:05.122,0:43:07.450 the Bible in the morning, a chapter 0:43:07.450,0:43:10.125 in the morning, and a chapter 0:43:10.125,0:43:12.977 in the evening, a chapter in [br]the New, a chapter in the Old. 0:43:12.977,0:43:14.650 I like to think about it 0:43:14.650,0:43:19.521 as him "marinating" his life [br]in Jesus, you know? 0:43:19.521,0:43:23.467 It's a cooking term, when you take 0:43:23.467,0:43:27.265 some meat or some tofu, and you put it, 0:43:27.265,0:43:32.180 you know, in all of those [br]sauces and things. 0:43:32.180,0:43:33.685 Well, that's what he does with his life, 0:43:33.685,0:43:37.613 and so everything he does [br]is covered in Jesus. 0:43:37.613,0:43:38.643 (Team) Amen. 0:43:38.643,0:43:42.863 (Nancy) He's been a great example to me. 0:43:42.863,0:43:44.090 (Derek/Stephanie) Amen. 0:43:44.090,0:43:45.419 (Team) Praise God. 0:43:45.419,0:43:48.757 (Stephanie) I'm guessing that he's been 0:43:48.757,0:43:50.367 on his knees praying often, 0:43:50.367,0:43:54.206 and I think that's the section that 0:43:54.206,0:43:55.466 we want to move into next. 0:43:55.466,0:43:57.245 We've talked about the head knowledge, 0:43:57.245,0:44:00.215 and that it reaches our hearts, 0:44:00.215,0:44:04.279 and, as a result, our hands or our actions 0:44:04.279,0:44:07.310 produce what has already happened inside. 0:44:07.310,0:44:09.600 Now we are going to talk [br]about how we sustain that, 0:44:09.600,0:44:13.348 and that is by spending [br]time with God in prayer. 0:44:13.348,0:44:17.440 So, Juliana, if you would read 0:44:17.440,0:44:21.807 Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5 through 13. 0:44:21.807,0:44:27.583 Matthew chapter 6, verses 5 through 13, 0:44:27.583,0:44:31.657 talking about Jesus teaching on prayer. 0:44:31.657,0:45:51.320 (Juliana) I'm reading from [br]the New King James Version: 0:45:51.320,0:45:52.651 (Stephanie/Team) Amen. 0:45:52.651,0:45:54.968 (Stephanie) What important lessons 0:45:54.968,0:45:57.916 can we learn about prayer[br]from Jesus' example? 0:45:57.916,0:46:01.330 Go ahead, Tricia Lee. 0:46:01.330,0:46:05.528 (Tricia Lee) I like that we're counseled[br]not to have vain repetitions, 0:46:05.528,0:46:09.812 so, there were practices that heathens [br]had at the time but also was part 0:46:09.812,0:46:12.344 of the religious practices [br]to repeat certain things. 0:46:12.344,0:46:15.000 "The more I say it, then [br]the more likely God will hear," 0:46:15.290,0:46:20.687 but here this model, in its [br]simplest way, is a conversation. 0:46:22.022,0:46:23.883 I think, even in talking to God, we are [br]acknowledging that He's hearing us. 0:46:23.883,0:46:27.120 We're not just saying phrases out,[br]and hoping they go somewhere. 0:46:27.120,0:46:30.254 We're actually speaking to another [br]Being who can hear and understand 0:46:30.254,0:46:32.190 and wants to have a conversation with us. 0:46:32.190,0:46:33.564 (Stephanie) So, we have full confidence 0:46:33.564,0:46:35.904 in the Person that we love and trust. 0:46:35.904,0:46:36.934 (Tricia Lee) Yes. 0:46:36.934,0:46:37.878 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:46:37.878,0:46:39.335 Nathan, and then we'll go to Olric. 0:46:39.335,0:46:40.655 (Nathan) I can't miss the distinction 0:46:40.655,0:46:43.307 Jesus is making between people who pray 0:46:43.307,0:46:47.245 to be seen by others, and it's not just 0:46:47.245,0:46:49.733 what they say but where they [br]are when they are saying it. 0:46:49.733,0:46:51.030 They're out on the street corners, 0:46:51.030,0:46:53.904 versus people who are praying in secret. 0:46:53.904,0:46:56.095 He says, "Go into your room and pray 0:46:56.095,0:46:57.644 to your Father who is also in secret." 0:46:57.644,0:46:59.493 So, in other words, what He's showing us 0:46:59.493,0:47:01.723 here is this is an intimate time. 0:47:01.723,0:47:05.189 I'm sorry if this sounds a little 0:47:05.189,0:47:07.173 too far fetched, but just like 0:47:07.173,0:47:09.861 a married couple behind closed doors 0:47:09.861,0:47:11.668 and the intimacy that they share. 0:47:11.668,0:47:15.858 They are having quiet time[br]or conversation, you know. 0:47:15.858,0:47:17.748 No one else is there, and this is 0:47:17.748,0:47:19.655 the same way, He says, "With your Father 0:47:19.655,0:47:22.604 in Heaven, you are behind [br]closed doors, intimate communion."[br] 0:47:22.604,0:47:24.320 It's just you and Him. 0:47:24.320,0:47:25.859 You're not showing off to the world. 0:47:25.859,0:47:27.223 You're not doing this before others. 0:47:27.223,0:47:28.672 You're having quiet time. 0:47:28.672,0:47:33.095 So, Jesus wants us to be having 0:47:33.095,0:47:34.761 intimate communion [br]with our Father quietly. 0:47:34.761,0:47:36.031 (Stephanie) Just to think that 0:47:36.031,0:47:38.769 He's willing to spend quiet time with us. 0:47:38.769,0:47:39.798 (Team) Amen. 0:47:39.798,0:47:41.212 (Stephanie) The God of the universe. 0:47:41.212,0:47:43.819 I mean, think about that.[br]That's powerful. 0:47:43.819,0:47:46.387 (Olric) It's very key that Nathan 0:47:46.387,0:47:51.453 points that out because in [br]verse 16 of that same chapter 0:47:51.453,0:47:54.101 He uses the word "hypocrite." 0:47:54.101,0:47:56.348 He says, "Don't fast as the hypocrites do." 0:47:56.348,0:47:59.340 That word is a key word, 0:47:59.340,0:48:01.367 because in the Greek it means an "actor," 0:48:01.367,0:48:04.214 you know, someone who puts [br]on a show, a performance. 0:48:04.214,0:48:09.104 So, what is Jesus saying about these [br]individuals who pray to be heard 0:48:09.104,0:48:13.809 by many people or use many words [br]to look religious and so forth? 0:48:13.809,0:48:15.697 He's saying, "You're just acting," 0:48:15.697,0:48:19.155 and my Bible says to me, "If you harbor 0:48:19.155,0:48:23.375 iniquity in your heart, God [br]will not hear your prayers." 0:48:23.375,0:48:27.252 This was a problem with the religious [br]leaders and those who were doing it 0:48:27.252,0:48:29.688 for outward show; the heart wasn't right. 0:48:29.688,0:48:31.063 (Stephanie) Right, He was asking 0:48:31.063,0:48:32.910 for an inward change. 0:48:32.910,0:48:33.933 Go ahead, Nicole. 0:48:33.933,0:48:36.215 (Nicole) Just to take it [br]a little differently, 0:48:36.215,0:48:38.498 you can also teach someone how to pray, 0:48:38.498,0:48:41.329 so when I look at this verse [br]and I look at this text, 0:48:41.329,0:48:42.929 I think about children and make sure 0:48:42.929,0:48:44.453 that we instill within our children 0:48:44.453,0:48:46.643 the desire to pray and the need to pray. 0:48:46.643,0:48:48.791 We have to teach them how to pray 0:48:48.791,0:48:50.270 and how to spend that time with God, 0:48:50.270,0:48:51.919 so they can then grow to a place 0:48:51.919,0:48:53.969 when they can spend that [br]quiet time in their "closets" 0:48:53.969,0:48:55.582 knowing what they're to say. 0:48:55.582,0:48:57.441 So I think that we should really remember 0:48:57.441,0:48:59.436 that we all have to teach [br]our children how to pray. 0:48:59.436,0:49:00.585 (Stephanie) I agree. 0:49:01.722,0:49:04.332 (Derek) You know, I'm thinking,[br]in the light of what Nathan said, 0:49:04.332,0:49:05.673 in the little book "Steps to Christ," 0:49:05.673,0:49:07.535 it speaks about prayer as the opening 0:49:07.535,0:49:09.548 of the heart to God as to a friend. 0:49:09.548,0:49:11.019 That's very personal. 0:49:11.019,0:49:14.577 Even the Lord's prayer could become 0:49:14.577,0:49:17.217 a vain repetition, if you [br]just repeat it ten times 0:49:17.217,0:49:20.305 and think that God will hear [br]you by saying it ten times. 0:49:21.262,0:49:21.695 In fact, if you look at the Gospels, 0:49:25.255,0:49:26.853 Jesus prays a lot of different prayers. 0:49:26.853,0:49:27.734 (Stephanie) He does. 0:49:27.734,0:49:29.291 (Derek) He is opening His heart [br]to His Father as to a friend. 0:49:29.291,0:49:30.732 And I think what I'm hearing 0:49:30.732,0:49:32.114 in this great Sermon on the Mount, 0:49:32.114,0:49:33.717 just like with loving obedience, 0:49:33.717,0:49:36.701 is when you love God you [br]want to talk to Him. 0:49:36.701,0:49:37.811 (Stephanie) Yes. 0:49:37.811,0:49:39.155 (Derek) And you want to listen, too. 0:49:39.155,0:49:40.997 (Stephanie) You have [br]an open communication. 0:49:40.997,0:49:44.536 Juliana, and then we need to move on. 0:49:44.536,0:49:46.587 (Juliana) I was just going [br]to say really succinctly 0:49:46.587,0:49:48.216 that what this says to me, 0:49:48.216,0:49:50.729 and I guess why I choked up [br]trying to read it, 0:49:50.729,0:49:53.922 was that it says we have [br]a direct connection. 0:49:53.922,0:49:55.061 (Team Member) Amen. 0:49:55.061,0:49:57.059 (Juliana) We don't have [br]anything else in the way. 0:49:57.059,0:49:58.153 (Stephanie) That's right. 0:49:58.153,0:49:59.471 (Juliana) That the God of the universe 0:49:59.471,0:50:04.007 wants to talk to me and [br]wants me to talk to Him. 0:50:04.007,0:50:04.913 (Derek) Amen. 0:50:04.913,0:50:07.334 (Stephanie) Wow, that's powerful. 0:50:07.334,0:50:13.475 Let's move on; Matthew, chapter 7. 0:50:13.475,0:50:14.727 Thank you so much for sharing. 0:50:14.727,0:50:18.282 Matthew, chapter 7, and [br]we'll go to verses 24 to 27, 0:50:18.282,0:50:21.444 and, Jason, would you read that for us? 0:50:21.444,0:50:22.767 Matthew, chapter 7, and we're moving 0:50:22.767,0:50:25.184 into our last section of our study 0:50:25.184,0:50:27.689 that is "Living What We Learn." 0:50:27.689,0:50:28.799 Go ahead. 0:50:28.799,0:50:32.087 (Jason) I'll be reading from [br]the New King James Version, 0:50:32.087,0:50:41.335 Matthew, chapter 7, verse 24 through 27. 0:51:16.446,0:51:21.840 (Stephanie) What is Jesus' [br]appeal in these verse? 0:51:21.840,0:51:24.568 What is Jesus' appeal?[br]Missy. 0:51:24.568,0:51:27.440 (Missy) Trust and obey, Just listen 0:51:27.440,0:51:30.109 to what He has to say and do them. 0:51:30.109,0:51:32.391 It's just simple. 0:51:32.690,0:51:34.604 (Stephanie) Yes.[br]Go ahead, Joshua. 0:51:34.604,0:51:36.260 (Joshua) I would just say to build 0:51:36.260,0:51:37.890 your foundation on Christ. 0:51:37.890,0:51:39.774 Essentially, if you look [br]at family structures, 0:51:39.774,0:51:43.182 it never made sense to me as to why 0:51:43.182,0:51:46.448 atheists get married, you know? 0:51:46.448,0:51:48.103 Think about it just for a second. 0:51:48.103,0:51:49.801 Just picture that in your [br]mind for a minute. 0:51:49.801,0:51:52.486 How is it, if you're not focused 0:51:52.486,0:51:55.868 on the love of Christ and the beauty 0:51:55.868,0:51:58.680 of His Word and the understanding 0:51:58.680,0:51:59.724 of His heart rather than your own, 0:51:59.724,0:52:01.629 how is it that you can unite yourself 0:52:01.629,0:52:04.585 in a marriage and try to build your family 0:52:04.585,0:52:07.232 on a structure that cannot stand, 0:52:07.232,0:52:10.850 that's built on worldly [br]principles that are like sand? 0:52:10.850,0:52:12.577 They can change at any time. 0:52:12.577,0:52:14.333 They are weak.[br]They are futile. 0:52:14.333,0:52:16.828 So, when I think about [br]that in my own life, 0:52:16.828,0:52:20.667 I say, "Okay, I have to build [br]my foundation on Christ." 0:52:20.667,0:52:21.688 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:52:21.688,0:52:23.068 (Joshua) Because outside of that, 0:52:23.068,0:52:25.455 everything else is just going [br]to be a wreck, you know, 0:52:25.455,0:52:27.306 and it's really that simple. 0:52:27.306,0:52:29.947 I think it's a lesson to us to just say, 0:52:33.521,0:52:33.771 "Okay, let's go about things 0:52:34.352,0:52:36.174 in the smartest way [br]possible," and this is it. 0:52:36.174,0:52:37.230 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:52:37.230,0:52:38.473 Nathan and then we'll come up to Kyle. 0:52:38.473,0:52:40.971 (Nathan) Jesus is comparing [br]two kinds of people here. 0:52:40.971,0:52:43.195 Both of them heard His Word. He says, 0:52:43.195,0:52:44.961 "Whoever hears these sayings of Mine 0:52:44.961,0:52:47.728 and does them," and then He says later, 0:52:47.728,0:52:50.210 "Whoever hears these sayings[br]and does not do them." 0:52:52.283,0:52:53.219 So it's not about just [br]hearing and knowing, 0:52:53.219,0:52:53.937 it's actually about [br]putting it in practice. 0:52:53.937,0:52:55.800 He says, "The one who puts into practice 0:52:55.800,0:52:57.905 these teachings of Mine, this is 0:52:57.905,0:52:59.761 solid rock foundation that you can 0:52:59.761,0:53:03.164 build on, and it's trustworthy,[br]so build on this. 0:53:03.164,0:53:04.933 But if you hear it and don't do it, 0:53:04.933,0:53:06.983 whatever you're building on is like sand." 0:53:06.983,0:53:08.155 (Stephanie) Right. 0:53:08.155,0:53:09.812 (Nathan) It's not a solid foundation. 0:53:09.830,0:53:11.050 (Stephanie) You won't [br]make it through the storm. 0:53:11.050,0:53:12.673 (Stephanie) Kyle. 0:53:12.673,0:53:14.219 (Kyle) I'll just add to what Nathan said. 0:53:14.219,0:53:15.995 Just to think that this whole time 0:53:15.995,0:53:18.183 in Matthew 5 we've been [br]looking at, you know, 0:53:18.183,0:53:19.620 Jesus' standard of righteousness versus 0:53:19.620,0:53:21.889 what our human standard is. 0:53:21.889,0:53:25.417 And if we build our lives [br]on our own righteousness, 0:53:25.417,0:53:28.556 on our own works, then it's like sand. 0:53:28.556,0:53:30.345 We have no real foundation. 0:53:30.345,0:53:33.094 The only Rock is the Rock [br]of Christ's righteousness 0:53:33.094,0:53:34.988 that can get us through the storm. 0:53:34.988,0:53:37.429 So, you know, it all connects; 0:53:37.429,0:53:38.748 it's dependence upon Him, 0:53:38.748,0:53:40.003 even the prayer thing. 0:53:40.003,0:53:41.899 Prayer is all about dependence on God, 0:53:41.899,0:53:44.260 and depending on His righteousness, 0:53:44.260,0:53:46.007 on His character in our hearts, 0:53:46.007,0:53:50.178 will give us the foundation that will 0:53:50.178,0:53:51.543 carry us through that storm. 0:53:51.543,0:53:52.636 (Stephanie) Amen. 0:53:52.636,0:53:55.076 Tricia Lee, did you have a[br]comment you wanted to share? 0:53:55.076,0:53:58.092 (Tricia Lee) I was just reflecting on what[br]Juliana mentioned about the invitation 0:53:58.092,0:54:00.307 to connect with the Lord, "our Father." 0:54:00.307,0:54:05.140 Even in reading this, I just feel as [br]though personally I would be a fool 0:54:05.140,0:54:09.282 not to accept that invitation, that [br]the great God of the universe came, 0:54:09.282,0:54:13.186 sent His Son, went to all this length[br]to show me who He really is, 0:54:16.048,0:54:16.558 to show me what His Law means,[br]to show me how to love other people, 0:54:17.057,0:54:19.208 who wants to love me and [br]wants to accept my love to Him, 0:54:19.208,0:54:22.428 and He's just giving me [br]the simple way to Him 0:54:22.428,0:54:27.313 that I have to be kind of silly in [br]seeing all of this and then saying, 0:54:27.313,0:54:29.159 "No, I'd rather build it my own way." 0:54:29.159,0:54:33.542 It just really feels like it's just a [br]heart-felt invitation, and that, wow, 0:54:33.542,0:54:36.715 how do I respond to that.[br]I was just thinking about that. 0:54:36.715,0:54:39.143 (Stephanie) So I want to move on. 0:54:39.143,0:54:40.711 We have one more verse to read, 0:54:40.711,0:54:45.947 and that's John, chapter 13:17. 0:54:45.947,0:54:51.127 I'll ask Tricia Lee if you [br]would read that for us. 0:54:51.127,0:54:54.306 The question is, why does Jesus want 0:54:54.306,0:54:56.833 us to live in harmony with His Word? 0:54:56.833,0:54:59.162 (Tricia Lee) John, chapter 13, verse 17. 0:54:59.162,0:55:05.025 I'm reading from the New King [br]James Version, and it reads: 0:55:10.133,0:55:11.793 (Stephanie) Tricia Lee, I think that is 0:55:11.793,0:55:13.527 what you were talking about. 0:55:13.527,0:55:14.621 (Tricia Lee) It's a blessing. 0:55:14.621,0:55:16.964 (Stephanie) God wants us to be happy. 0:55:16.964,0:55:18.109 (Team) Amen. Yes. 0:55:18.109,0:55:20.042 (Stephanie) It has to go from the head 0:55:20.042,0:55:23.310 to the heart, to the [br]hands, and to the "how." 0:55:23.310,0:55:24.516 How do I do that? 0:55:24.516,0:55:25.765 By spending time with Jesus 0:55:25.765,0:55:29.416 and falling in love with [br]my Savior and Lord. 0:55:29.416,0:55:31.248 Then what happens? 0:55:31.248,0:55:33.116 When you're sharing with others, 0:55:33.116,0:55:34.620 doesn't it make you happy? 0:55:34.620,0:55:38.012 You're in the will of God. 0:55:38.012,0:55:40.350 There's no better peace than that. 0:55:40.350,0:55:41.676 Go ahead, Olric. 0:55:41.676,0:55:44.900 (Olric) Let me just wrap [br]this study here together. 0:55:44.900,0:55:47.190 We see clearly Jesus is saying, 0:55:47.190,0:55:51.105 "The law is important, you must keep it, 0:55:51.105,0:55:53.832 but I don't want you to keep it 0:55:53.832,0:55:57.044 from an unconverted heart because 0:55:57.044,0:56:00.711 to do that is to do it with a heart 0:56:00.711,0:56:03.000 that is not connected to the love of God, 0:56:03.000,0:56:07.323 that is devoid of the right[br]motives and right thoughts." 0:56:07.323,0:56:11.430 So, keep the Law but make [br]sure the heart is converted. 0:56:11.430,0:56:12.885 Why? 0:56:12.885,0:56:15.080 Because when you do [br]that you build your faith. 0:56:15.080,0:56:18.583 (Stephanie) Our faith is [br]built upon the Rock, yes. 0:56:18.583,0:56:21.121 And our eyes are fixed on Jesus,... 0:56:21.121,0:56:22.022 (Team) Amen. 0:56:22.022,0:56:23.757 (Stephanie) ...the Author [br]and Finisher of our faith, 0:56:23.757,0:56:26.566 and we share that with joy in our hearts. 0:56:26.566,0:56:29.500 What a God.[br]What a God we serve. 0:56:29.500,0:56:31.593 Thank you so much for this lesson 0:56:31.593,0:56:33.953 and for sharing today. 0:56:33.953,0:56:35.357 (Derek) Thanks, Stephanie. 0:56:35.357,0:56:37.478 You know, the Sermon on the Mount ends 0:56:37.478,0:56:38.813 by saying they were astonished 0:56:38.813,0:56:40.887 at His teaching because He taught as One 0:56:40.887,0:56:44.519 having authority, and really our authority 0:56:44.519,0:56:46.603 comes from that living [br]connection with God, doesn't it? 0:56:46.603,0:56:47.635 (Team) Amen. 0:56:47.635,0:56:48.888 (Derek) And I want to challenge you, 0:56:48.888,0:56:50.277 as you think about this message, 0:56:50.277,0:56:51.532 I have to be honest. 0:56:51.532,0:56:55.457 If I look at God's ideal, [br]it's an impossible standard 0:56:55.457,0:56:58.133 unless a miracle happens in my heart, 0:56:58.133,0:57:01.243 that God's grace not only saves me 0:57:01.243,0:57:05.450 but transforms me into that follower 0:57:05.450,0:57:06.896 of Jesus that He wants me to be, 0:57:06.896,0:57:09.204 to reflect the beauty [br]of His character to others. 0:57:09.204,0:57:11.285 That's God's plan for you and for me. 0:57:11.285,0:57:15.681 Why don't we pray that that[br]miracle can happen each day, 0:57:15.681,0:57:19.980 not only for our blessing but [br]the blessing of those around us. 0:57:19.980,0:57:20.973 Let's pray. 0:57:20.973,0:57:23.276 Our Father in Heaven, we're astonished 0:57:23.276,0:57:27.170 at the teaching of Jesus, to [br]know how much You love us 0:57:27.170,0:57:30.612 and how much You want to [br]work in us and through us. 0:57:30.612,0:57:34.207 Oh, Lord, forgive us where we have tried 0:57:34.207,0:57:36.282 to build our own righteousness, 0:57:36.282,0:57:40.896 to build on sand instead of [br]on Jesus the Solid Rock. 0:57:40.896,0:57:43.548 Please, accept our lives now 0:57:43.548,0:57:45.122 and work in us and through us 0:57:45.122,0:57:47.972 as we follow you with love in our hearts, 0:57:47.972,0:57:51.319 is our prayer, in Jesus' name, amen. 0:57:51.319,0:57:54.134 Thanks for joining us [br]for Hope Sabbath School. 0:57:54.134,0:57:57.334 We are learning a lot from [br]the Gospel of Matthew. 0:57:57.334,0:58:00.558 Take what you learn and [br]share it with those around you. 0:58:00.558,0:58:29.997 ♪ theme music ♪