Sing the praises to our King
00:00:39.04\00:00:41.46
For He is the King of Kings
00:00:41.49\00:00:44.16
We sing the praises to our King
00:00:44.19\00:00:46.49
For He's the King of Kings
00:00:46.52\00:00:48.99
We sing the praises to our King
00:00:49.02\00:00:51.49
For He is the King of Kings
00:00:51.52\00:00:54.21
We sing the praises to our King
00:00:54.24\00:00:56.52
For He is the King of Kings
00:00:56.55\00:00:58.73
Give Him glory
00:00:58.76\00:01:01.61
For He is the King
00:01:01.64\00:01:03.78
Give Him glory
00:01:03.81\00:01:06.71
For He is the King of Kings
00:01:06.74\00:01:08.89
Give Him glory
00:01:08.92\00:01:11.69
For He is the King
00:01:11.72\00:01:13.83
Give Him glory
00:01:13.86\00:01:16.64
For He is the King of Kings
00:01:16.67\00:01:19.34
We sing the praises to our King
00:01:19.37\00:01:21.73
For He is the King of Kings
00:01:21.76\00:01:24.22
We sing the praises to our King
00:01:24.25\00:01:26.57
For He is the King of Kings
00:01:26.60\00:01:29.27
We sing the praises to our King
00:01:29.30\00:01:31.67
For He is the King of Kings
00:01:31.70\00:01:34.23
We sing the praises to our King
00:01:34.26\00:01:36.63
For He is the King of Kings
00:01:36.66\00:01:38.90
Give Him glory
00:01:38.93\00:01:41.68
For He is the King
00:01:41.71\00:01:43.80
Give Him glory
00:01:43.83\00:01:46.66
For He is the King of Kings
00:01:46.69\00:01:50.15
All hail King Jesus!
00:01:50.18\00:01:54.88
All hail Emmanuel!
00:02:00.05\00:02:05.31
All hail King Jesus!
00:02:09.86\00:02:14.87
All hail Emmanuel!
00:02:19.79\00:02:24.79
He reigns forever
00:02:28.78\00:02:31.22
He reigns
forever He reigns forever
00:02:31.25\00:02:36.26
And evermore!
00:02:36.29\00:02:38.87
He reigns forever
00:02:38.90\00:02:41.34
He reigns
forever He reigns forever
00:02:41.37\00:02:46.33
And evermore!
00:02:46.36\00:02:48.82
He reigns forever
00:02:48.85\00:02:51.32
He reigns
forever He reigns forever
00:02:51.35\00:02:56.47
And evermore!
00:02:56.50\00:02:58.78
He reigns forever
00:02:58.81\00:03:01.36
He reigns
forever He reigns forever
00:03:01.39\00:03:06.30
And evermore!
00:03:06.33\00:03:08.88
He reigns forever
00:03:08.91\00:03:11.18
He reigns forever
00:03:11.21\00:03:13.60
He reigns forever and evermore
00:03:13.63\00:03:19.55
All hail King Jesus!
00:03:19.58\00:03:24.54
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:03:37.18\00:03:39.07
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:03:39.10\00:03:41.74
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:03:41.77\00:03:43.87
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:03:43.90\00:03:47.05
And He shall lift you up
00:03:47.08\00:03:51.47
Higher and higher
00:03:51.50\00:03:52.66
And He shall lift you up
00:03:52.69\00:03:57.70
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:04:03.05\00:04:05.68
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:04:05.71\00:04:07.52
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:04:07.55\00:04:09.87
And He shall lift you up
00:04:09.90\00:04:14.45
Higher and higher
00:04:14.48\00:04:15.78
And He shall lift you up
00:04:15.81\00:04:21.38
Our God is an awesome God
00:04:21.41\00:04:24.46
He reigns from heaven above
00:04:24.49\00:04:27.39
With wisdom, pow'r and love
00:04:27.42\00:04:30.48
Our God is an awesome God
00:04:30.51\00:04:33.34
Our God is an awesome God
00:04:33.37\00:04:36.58
He reigns from heaven above
00:04:36.61\00:04:39.53
With wisdom, pow'r and love
00:04:39.56\00:04:42.54
Our God is an awesome God
00:04:42.57\00:04:45.44
Our God is an awesome God
00:04:45.47\00:04:48.29
He reigns from heaven above
00:04:48.32\00:04:51.45
With wisdom, pow'r and love
00:04:51.48\00:04:54.35
Our God is an awesome God
00:04:54.38\00:04:57.48
Our God is an awesome God
00:04:57.51\00:05:03.17
Our God is an awesome God
00:05:07.19\00:05:10.17
He reigns from heaven above
00:05:10.20\00:05:13.34
With wisdom, pow'r and love
00:05:13.37\00:05:16.32
Our God is an awesome God
00:05:16.35\00:05:19.69
Our God is an awesome God
00:05:19.72\00:05:22.60
He reigns from heaven above
00:05:22.63\00:05:25.89
With wisdom, pow'r and love
00:05:25.92\00:05:28.92
Our God is an awesome God
00:05:28.95\00:05:32.83
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:05:38.00\00:05:39.72
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:05:39.75\00:05:42.37
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:05:42.40\00:05:44.23
Humble thyself in
the sight of the Lord
00:05:44.26\00:05:47.60
And He shall lift you up
00:05:47.63\00:05:51.52
Higher and higher
00:05:51.55\00:05:52.81
And He shall lift you up
00:05:52.84\00:05:58.81
And He shall lift you up
00:05:58.84\00:06:03.74
Higher and higher
00:06:03.77\00:06:05.04
And He shall lift you up
00:06:05.07\00:06:10.97
What an amazing
exchange God offers us.
00:06:15.99\00:06:19.89
Humility for glory.
00:06:19.92\00:06:22.23
Sin for righteousness.
00:06:22.26\00:06:25.05
And one day
when He glorifies us,
00:06:25.08\00:06:27.00
when He finally lifts
us up, the ultimate time,
00:06:27.03\00:06:30.80
we will have the joy of
giving it right back to Him.
00:06:30.83\00:06:35.02
The crown that He puts on
our head when He lifts us up,
00:06:35.05\00:06:39.14
off of this earth
to heaven forever,
00:06:39.17\00:06:42.64
that crown which He puts
on our head after He says,
00:06:42.67\00:06:45.41
well done, my good
and faithful servant,
00:06:45.44\00:06:49.46
that crown we will
joyfully, I believe,
00:06:49.49\00:06:52.66
take off our heads and
lay it down at His feet.
00:06:52.69\00:06:56.48
Amen.
00:06:56.51\00:06:57.54
We fall down
00:07:09.84\00:07:12.41
We lay our crowns
00:07:12.44\00:07:15.19
At the feet of Jesus
00:07:15.22\00:07:21.82
The greatness of Mercy and love
00:07:21.85\00:07:27.46
At the feet of Jesus
00:07:27.49\00:07:32.59
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:07:32.62\00:07:38.77
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:07:38.80\00:07:44.95
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:07:44.98\00:07:51.05
Is the Lamb
00:07:51.08\00:07:55.04
We fall down
00:07:58.60\00:08:01.20
We lay our crowns
00:08:01.23\00:08:03.90
At the feet of Jesus
00:08:03.93\00:08:10.28
The greatness of Mercy and love
00:08:10.31\00:08:15.70
At the feet of Jesus
00:08:15.73\00:08:20.75
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:08:20.78\00:08:26.60
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:08:26.63\00:08:32.91
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:08:32.94\00:08:39.14
Is the Lamb
00:08:39.17\00:08:42.90
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:08:42.93\00:08:47.94
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:08:47.97\00:08:53.84
And we cry holy, holy, holy
00:08:53.87\00:09:00.48
Is the Lamb
00:09:00.51\00:09:04.79
Before the throne of God above
00:09:21.22\00:09:26.41
I have a strong and perfect plea
00:09:26.44\00:09:31.11
A great high
Priest whose name is Love
00:09:31.14\00:09:35.99
Who ever lives and pleads for me
00:09:36.02\00:09:40.74
My name is graven on His hands
00:09:40.77\00:09:45.53
My name is written on His heart
00:09:45.56\00:09:50.32
I know that while
in Heaven He stands
00:09:50.35\00:09:55.04
No tongue can
bid me thence depart
00:09:55.07\00:09:59.72
No tongue can
bid me thence depart
00:09:59.75\00:10:06.90
When Satan tempts me to despair
00:10:06.93\00:10:11.53
And tells me of the guilt within
00:10:11.56\00:10:16.45
Upward I look and see Him there
00:10:16.48\00:10:20.73
Who made an end of all my sin
00:10:20.76\00:10:25.84
Because the sinless Savior died
00:10:25.87\00:10:30.46
My sinful soul is counted free
00:10:30.49\00:10:35.23
For God the Just is satisfied
00:10:35.26\00:10:39.70
To look on Him and pardon me
00:10:39.73\00:10:44.48
To look on Him and pardon me
00:10:44.51\00:10:51.70
Behold Him there the Risen Lamb
00:10:51.73\00:10:56.62
My perfect
spotless Righteousness
00:10:56.65\00:11:01.05
The great unchangeable I Am
00:11:01.08\00:11:05.69
The King of glory and of grace
00:11:05.72\00:11:10.31
One with Himself I cannot die
00:11:10.34\00:11:14.85
My soul is
purchased by His blood
00:11:14.88\00:11:19.60
My life is hid
with Christ on high
00:11:19.63\00:11:24.46
With Christ my Savior and my God
00:11:24.49\00:11:29.37
With Christ my Savior and my God
00:11:29.40\00:11:35.71
Isaiah 55,
00:11:47.87\00:11:50.64
"Seek the Lord
while He may be found,
00:11:50.67\00:11:55.21
Call on Him while He is near.
00:11:55.24\00:11:58.77
Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
00:11:58.80\00:12:04.26
Let him turn to the Lord,
and He will have mercy on him.
00:12:04.29\00:12:09.02
Let him turn to our God,
for He will freely pardon."
00:12:09.05\00:12:15.82
As we seek God this morning,
00:12:15.85\00:12:18.89
I invite you, as we
sing our prayer song,
00:12:18.92\00:12:21.47
to join us at the front
00:12:21.50\00:12:23.29
as we approach this
wonderful God in prayer.
00:12:23.32\00:12:27.14
Oh Lord, You're beautiful
00:12:33.41\00:12:40.54
Your face is all I seek
00:12:42.08\00:12:49.90
And when Your
eyes are on this child
00:12:50.67\00:12:58.67
Your grace abounds to me
00:12:59.15\00:13:07.07
Oh Lord, You're beautiful
00:13:07.82\00:13:15.82
Your face is all I seek
00:13:16.60\00:13:24.55
And when Your
eyes are on this child
00:13:24.58\00:13:32.55
Your grace abounds to me
00:13:33.05\00:13:40.36
All merciful
God, infinite, eternal
00:13:42.92\00:13:49.78
and unchangeable,
glorious in holiness,
00:13:49.81\00:13:56.45
full of love and compassion
00:13:56.48\00:14:00.12
and abundant in grace and truth,
00:14:00.15\00:14:04.52
hallowed be Your name.
00:14:04.55\00:14:08.02
We praise you, oh God,
for our creation, preservation
00:14:08.05\00:14:14.46
and all the
blessings of life You grant us.
00:14:14.49\00:14:18.56
For Your Word which
is a lamp to our feet
00:14:18.59\00:14:22.19
and a light to our path.
00:14:22.22\00:14:25.61
For the everlasting
riches of Your mercy.
00:14:25.64\00:14:30.83
For Your patience
that is born with us.
00:14:30.86\00:14:35.76
For earth and sky
00:14:35.79\00:14:38.27
and all the beauties of this
world in glorious spring time.
00:14:38.30\00:14:44.60
We rejoice to see
00:14:44.63\00:14:46.19
the miracle of life
all around us once again.
00:14:46.22\00:14:50.57
Life coming from seeming death.
00:14:50.60\00:14:55.72
We take hope as we remember
what Jesus can do for us.
00:14:55.75\00:15:02.26
We uplift to You, all who
have come forward this morning,
00:15:02.29\00:15:06.60
some to say thank You
for a special blessing,
00:15:06.63\00:15:10.83
some to lay before
You a request or concern.
00:15:10.86\00:15:14.74
Hear our prayers, oh Lord.
00:15:14.77\00:15:18.77
Amen.
00:15:18.80\00:15:20.30
Thank you Andrews Academy.
00:18:35.08\00:18:36.81
The concert band, powerful.
00:18:36.84\00:18:38.89
Thank you very much.
00:18:38.92\00:18:40.02
That music perhaps reflects
00:18:44.64\00:18:46.10
how some of us
are feeling right now.
00:18:46.13\00:18:50.81
Strong and bombastic and angry.
00:18:50.84\00:18:56.06
I just learned last night
00:19:02.11\00:19:06.50
of a story that makes me angry.
00:19:06.53\00:19:14.09
There are some of you
here in worship who are angry
00:19:14.12\00:19:19.53
for reasons known
only to you and God.
00:19:19.56\00:19:27.16
So often anger has to do with
00:19:27.19\00:19:31.01
our sense of a miscarriage
of justice, something unfair.
00:19:31.04\00:19:38.06
I'm angry.
00:19:38.09\00:19:40.34
I'm going to ask God right now
00:19:40.37\00:19:42.78
to not let that anger
seep into this teaching,
00:19:42.81\00:19:48.37
because this teaching
addresses what makes us angry.
00:19:48.40\00:19:54.48
And I don't want
to get in the way.
00:19:54.51\00:19:56.37
You need to hear what
Jesus is about to teach you
00:19:56.40\00:20:01.50
through a
passage in the gospels.
00:20:01.53\00:20:07.38
I want to pray with you.
00:20:07.41\00:20:09.81
Then we'll plunge
into the Word together.
00:20:09.84\00:20:13.47
Holy Father,
that music was strong.
00:20:13.50\00:20:19.90
You got to know Your children.
00:20:19.93\00:20:23.15
There are times when
we have strong feelings,
00:20:23.18\00:20:29.84
and we don't know what to do.
00:20:29.87\00:20:34.30
We're not sure how
to right the wrong.
00:20:34.33\00:20:41.59
We're not sure how to
take away the injustice,
00:20:41.62\00:20:46.28
particularly when
free will is involved
00:20:46.31\00:20:48.68
and human choices
are protected by You,
00:20:48.71\00:20:54.54
as we would only have it.
00:20:54.57\00:20:57.49
This is been some
week on this planet,
00:20:57.52\00:21:03.03
in this nation,
upon this campus.
00:21:03.06\00:21:08.24
Oh God, a word, please.
00:21:08.27\00:21:13.29
Hide us all
00:21:18.52\00:21:21.13
so that Christ's spirit
might get through to all of us.
00:21:21.16\00:21:26.68
We pray in Jesus' name, amen.
00:21:26.71\00:21:32.29
There is an ugly word
00:21:32.32\00:21:36.78
in our human vocabulary
00:21:36.81\00:21:40.36
that most of us
wish to never use.
00:21:40.39\00:21:44.95
It is a dark word.
00:21:44.98\00:21:48.46
It feels cruel and angry.
00:21:48.49\00:21:54.07
The word is revenge, revenge.
00:21:54.10\00:22:00.01
What does revenge mean?
00:22:00.04\00:22:02.44
Simply put, revenge
means settling the score.
00:22:02.47\00:22:09.63
Revenge happens when
self perceived justice
00:22:09.66\00:22:14.65
decides to take
matters into its own hands
00:22:14.68\00:22:18.78
and settle the score.
00:22:18.81\00:22:20.77
Sometimes with
tragic, tragic consequences,
00:22:20.80\00:22:25.35
as the whole world
observed this last week.
00:22:25.38\00:22:33.14
The tragedy on the
campus of Virginia Tech,
00:22:33.17\00:22:39.05
in that massacre,
00:22:39.08\00:22:41.32
the near tragedy
on our own campus,
00:22:41.35\00:22:45.75
on the same day at
almost the same moment.
00:22:45.78\00:22:52.25
Because of a self perceived
need to settle the score
00:22:52.28\00:22:59.53
and take care of justice,
take it into his own hands.
00:22:59.56\00:23:04.94
Does God behave that way?
00:23:04.97\00:23:09.42
Once upon a time,
Jesus told a story
00:23:09.45\00:23:12.74
and it's going to surprise
you, because it sure seems like,
00:23:12.77\00:23:18.46
in fact, God feels the same way.
00:23:18.49\00:23:22.36
Open your Bible, please,
to the Gospel of St. Luke.
00:23:22.39\00:23:26.80
The gospel of Luke 18.
00:23:26.83\00:23:32.88
In a story about vengeance
00:23:32.91\00:23:36.44
and justice and God.
00:23:36.47\00:23:43.04
Because here we
have been in a semester
00:23:43.07\00:23:45.76
and we've been talking
mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy
00:23:45.79\00:23:48.48
and it is a fair
question to be raised
00:23:48.51\00:23:50.56
at some point
along the way, okay, boy.
00:23:50.59\00:23:56.91
Whatever happened to justice?
00:23:56.94\00:23:59.89
Is there no justice in
the divine heart of mercy,
00:23:59.92\00:24:04.37
no vengeance
00:24:04.40\00:24:07.14
when the innocent suffer
in the hands of a perpetrator?
00:24:07.17\00:24:12.60
No vengeance.
00:24:12.63\00:24:14.64
Jesus told a
story, once upon a time,
00:24:19.33\00:24:22.59
Luke Chapter 18.
00:24:22.62\00:24:25.03
If you didn't
bring a Bible today,
00:24:25.06\00:24:26.09
grab that pew Bible in
front of you because this--
00:24:26.12\00:24:28.17
you haven't read
the story in a long time
00:24:28.20\00:24:29.71
and you need to see this story.
00:24:29.74\00:24:32.08
Luke Chapter 18,
00:24:32.11\00:24:33.14
let me give you the
page number in the pew Bible,
00:24:33.17\00:24:34.53
that would be page
706, New King James Version.
00:24:34.56\00:24:39.28
Those of you
watching on television,
00:24:39.31\00:24:40.42
grab a Bible if
there's one near you.
00:24:40.45\00:24:42.59
Take a look at this, will you?
00:24:42.62\00:24:44.19
Luke 18:1,
00:24:44.22\00:24:45.66
"Then, He, Jesus,
spoke a parable to them,
00:24:45.69\00:24:47.75
that men and women ought always
to pray and not lose heart."
00:24:47.78\00:24:51.86
Now that is the primary
punch line to this story,
00:24:51.89\00:24:55.32
but I'm not concerned today
about the primary punch line,
00:24:55.35\00:24:57.40
it's the secondary punch
line and it is inescapable.
00:24:57.43\00:25:00.24
You'll get it,
trust me, you'll get it.
00:25:00.27\00:25:02.22
The secondary punch line is
what we're looking for today.
00:25:02.25\00:25:05.22
So Jesus speaks in verse 2
00:25:05.25\00:25:06.64
and if you have a
red letterd Bible,
00:25:06.67\00:25:07.75
now it's all red, it's all red.
00:25:07.78\00:25:10.33
This is Jesus telling the story.
00:25:10.36\00:25:12.12
Verse 2, and Jesus said,
00:25:12.15\00:25:13.28
"There was in a certain city
00:25:13.31\00:25:15.30
a judge who did not
fear God nor regard man."
00:25:15.33\00:25:20.38
I've known a few
judges in my life.
00:25:20.41\00:25:22.69
Tried not to know them
on a very intimate basis
00:25:22.72\00:25:24.66
but had to meet
with them on occasion.
00:25:24.69\00:25:29.49
Now here's a judge who, as
you'll know in just a moment,
00:25:29.52\00:25:32.13
is proud that he is
both Godless and heartless.
00:25:32.16\00:25:36.61
Most of the judges I've met
00:25:36.64\00:25:37.70
seemed to be fairly
compassionate individuals,
00:25:37.73\00:25:39.48
but I suppose
there are a few judges,
00:25:39.51\00:25:41.83
Godless and
heartless, this is one of them.
00:25:41.86\00:25:44.42
Jesus said there was
a city once upon a time
00:25:44.45\00:25:46.02
and in this city was a judge
00:25:46.05\00:25:47.43
who is both
Godless and heartless.
00:25:47.46\00:25:49.54
And next verse, verse 3.
00:25:49.57\00:25:50.96
In that same city was the widow.
00:25:50.99\00:25:53.24
Now, in this, in the
culture of the orient
00:25:53.27\00:25:55.70
in which Jesus is
telling the story,
00:25:55.73\00:25:57.38
we're talking,
ladies and gentlemen,
00:25:57.41\00:25:58.87
about the bottom
of the food chain.
00:25:58.90\00:26:01.51
A widow is at the very bottom.
00:26:01.54\00:26:02.78
She's the most helpless.
00:26:02.81\00:26:04.16
And I tell you
what, if she dies,
00:26:04.19\00:26:06.00
if rather her husband
dies and she has no kids,
00:26:06.03\00:26:08.22
she is really up a
creek without a paddle.
00:26:08.25\00:26:11.60
If she has no sons,
00:26:11.63\00:26:13.17
there is nobody that
goes to care for her,
00:26:13.20\00:26:15.23
she has no advocate, she
has to do it all herself.
00:26:15.26\00:26:18.15
She's a widow of that caliber.
00:26:18.18\00:26:20.70
In the same city,
Jesus says in verse 3,
00:26:20.73\00:26:22.62
"There was a widow,
and she came to the judge
00:26:22.65\00:26:25.25
and she said, 'Get justice
for me from my adversary.'"
00:26:25.28\00:26:29.89
The Greek word can
actually be translated two ways.
00:26:29.92\00:26:32.60
It could be translated
avenge me, I want revenge,
00:26:32.63\00:26:35.45
I want avenge,
avengement, avenge me
00:26:35.48\00:26:38.55
or can be
translated, give me justice,
00:26:38.58\00:26:40.87
I got an adversary.
00:26:40.90\00:26:42.38
Well, Jesus doesn't
tell us what's going on here.
00:26:42.41\00:26:45.43
We read between the lines.
00:26:45.46\00:26:46.62
Apparently when her
beloved life companion died,
00:26:46.65\00:26:51.38
there was a piece
of family property
00:26:51.41\00:26:52.87
that he had
mortgaged out to somebody else
00:26:52.90\00:26:54.49
and it's time for her
to get that property back,
00:26:54.52\00:26:56.97
but whoever has the
property is refusing to do it.
00:26:57.00\00:26:59.65
Won't give it back.
00:26:59.68\00:27:00.71
No, no, no, you
have no-- he's gone.
00:27:00.74\00:27:06.37
So she has to go to the court
and she pleads for justice.
00:27:06.40\00:27:11.53
Verse 4, "And..."
00:27:11.56\00:27:13.02
Jesus said, let me
tell about that judge again.
00:27:13.05\00:27:15.39
"He would not for a while."
00:27:15.42\00:27:17.98
In the Greek it reads this way.
00:27:18.01\00:27:19.16
He kept on refusing her.
00:27:19.19\00:27:21.23
Over and over she kept coming,
over and over you can say,
00:27:21.26\00:27:23.83
he kept saying, no, no, no,
no, no, don't have time, go.
00:27:23.86\00:27:28.16
He would not for a while.
00:27:28.19\00:27:30.99
I say for a while
because he maybe Godless
00:27:31.02\00:27:34.22
and he maybe heartless
but he is not mindless.
00:27:34.25\00:27:38.10
There's only so much
of this you can take.
00:27:38.13\00:27:41.14
Bright, bright judge.
00:27:41.17\00:27:43.59
As verse 4 says, "And
he would not for a while,
00:27:43.62\00:27:45.50
but afterward he
said within himself..."
00:27:45.53\00:27:47.58
He's rather proud of who he is.
00:27:47.61\00:27:49.24
"Though I do not
fear God nor regard man."
00:27:49.27\00:27:52.49
I am godless and I am heartless,
00:27:52.52\00:27:54.01
I'm a coolheaded jurist.
00:27:54.04\00:27:56.40
'Even though I am," verse 5,
00:27:56.43\00:27:58.29
"yet, because this widow
troubles me, I will avenge her,
00:27:58.32\00:28:02.75
lest by her continual
coming she weary me.''
00:28:02.78\00:28:06.79
Now Peterson, in his
rendition in the message
00:28:06.82\00:28:09.77
of this particular
line, he translates it.
00:28:09.80\00:28:11.85
He translates it.
00:28:11.88\00:28:13.57
Otherwise, if I
don't get rid of her,
00:28:13.60\00:28:15.95
she is going to
end up beating me
00:28:15.98\00:28:17.71
black and blue by her
pounding, I like that.
00:28:17.74\00:28:20.75
I see this little widow.
00:28:20.78\00:28:21.82
You see the little
widow, tiny little fist,
00:28:21.85\00:28:23.42
and she is coming up
that big chest of judge,
00:28:23.45\00:28:25.11
she's pounding,
give me justice, give me.
00:28:25.14\00:28:27.30
No. Give me justice.
00:28:27.33\00:28:28.63
No. Give me justice.
00:28:28.66\00:28:30.30
No. Give me justice.
00:28:30.33\00:28:31.71
All right, you can have it.
00:28:31.74\00:28:34.60
She's pound me black and blue.
00:28:34.63\00:28:38.84
Then the Lord said, verse 6,
00:28:38.87\00:28:42.56
"Hear what the unjust judge..."
00:28:42.59\00:28:45.86
By the way, by
the way, please note,
00:28:45.89\00:28:48.36
Jesus passes
judgment on the judge.
00:28:48.39\00:28:52.22
He is unjust.
00:28:52.25\00:28:54.05
And even in a land like
ours and a county like this one,
00:28:54.08\00:28:57.31
there are unjust judges.
00:28:57.34\00:29:01.61
It's just part of the journey.
00:29:01.64\00:29:04.40
"Then the Lord said, 'Hear
what the unjust judge said.'"
00:29:04.43\00:29:08.11
Verse 7, "And shall God
not avenge His own elect
00:29:08.14\00:29:12.16
who cry out day
and night to Him,
00:29:12.19\00:29:14.20
though He bears long with them?"
00:29:14.23\00:29:16.32
Verse 8, "I tell you that
He will avenge them speedily."
00:29:16.35\00:29:21.38
Do you know why?
00:29:21.41\00:29:23.34
Because vengeance is
mine sayeth the Lord,
00:29:23.37\00:29:27.71
and I will repay.
00:29:27.74\00:29:29.96
That's why.
00:29:29.99\00:29:31.91
Have mercy, there
is justice, hallelujah.
00:29:31.94\00:29:35.71
I wish you'd write that down.
00:29:35.74\00:29:37.82
Friend of God,
write that down, will you?
00:29:37.85\00:29:39.53
There is justice
for the friends of God.
00:29:39.56\00:29:41.53
Pull out your study guide,
00:29:41.56\00:29:42.59
you got a study guide
in that worship bulletin.
00:29:42.62\00:29:44.88
Thank you ushers, let's
get these study guides out.
00:29:44.91\00:29:46.92
I'll tell you why
you want the study guide,
00:29:46.95\00:29:48.56
because I have a quotation here
00:29:48.59\00:29:49.96
that you can't
get anywhere on earth
00:29:49.99\00:29:51.96
but this study guide.
00:29:51.99\00:29:53.46
A private paper was
sent to me by some lawyers,
00:29:53.49\00:29:55.67
I'll talk about
that in just a moment.
00:29:55.70\00:29:57.18
I'm quoting that paper.
00:29:57.21\00:29:58.41
You want the study guide.
00:29:58.44\00:29:59.87
Hold your hand up if you
don't have a study guide.
00:29:59.90\00:30:01.33
Make sure everybody here--
00:30:01.36\00:30:02.39
Do you have your
study guides here?
00:30:02.42\00:30:03.82
Pull your study
guides out, very good.
00:30:03.85\00:30:05.90
And while we're doing that,
00:30:05.93\00:30:06.96
those of you who are
watching on television,
00:30:06.99\00:30:08.18
let me put our
website on the screen for you.
00:30:08.21\00:30:09.85
You can join with us right now.
00:30:09.88\00:30:11.17
You got to fill this out.
00:30:11.20\00:30:12.23
There it is, www.pmchurch.tv.
00:30:12.26\00:30:16.25
That's our website.
00:30:16.28\00:30:17.45
Please go to our website.
00:30:17.48\00:30:19.14
You click on to this
series, Mercy Came A Runnin'.
00:30:19.17\00:30:22.94
Mercy, mercy,
mercy and now justice.
00:30:22.97\00:30:25.49
"Whatever Happened to Justice?"
00:30:25.52\00:30:26.55
That's the title
of this teaching.
00:30:26.58\00:30:27.85
"Whatever Happened to Justice?"
00:30:27.88\00:30:28.97
It'll say study
guide, click there
00:30:29.00\00:30:31.08
and you'll have
the same quotation
00:30:31.11\00:30:33.16
that you can get
nowhere else on earth
00:30:33.19\00:30:34.64
but right there
in our study guide.
00:30:34.67\00:30:36.50
That's yours so
quickly got to your computer,
00:30:36.53\00:30:38.73
pull that study
guide up and let's go.
00:30:38.76\00:30:41.25
Fill it out, please.
00:30:41.28\00:30:43.51
Would you fill it in,
that verse, vengeance?
00:30:43.54\00:30:45.78
Write it in, "Vengeance
is Mine, I will repay."
00:30:45.81\00:30:51.41
Two words you got to
write in, says the Lord.
00:30:51.44\00:30:53.42
Where's that coming from?
00:30:53.45\00:30:54.50
Romans 12:19,
would you write in 19,
00:30:54.53\00:30:57.01
I think the study guide says
9, it's 19, slip of my finger.
00:30:57.04\00:31:01.99
That's supposed to be 19,
so make sure you have 19 there.
00:31:02.02\00:31:04.06
It's quoted, this line
is out of Deuteronomy 32:35.
00:31:04.09\00:31:10.68
It's quoted in both Romans 12:19
00:31:10.71\00:31:12.90
and again in Hebrews 10:30,
00:31:12.93\00:31:14.88
so the Old Testament line is
embraced by the New Testament.
00:31:14.91\00:31:17.92
"'Vengeance is Mine,
00:31:17.95\00:31:18.98
and I will
repay, 'says the Lord."
00:31:19.01\00:31:20.35
Jot it down. Have
mercy, there is justice.
00:31:20.38\00:31:24.24
Have mercy, there is justice.
00:31:24.27\00:31:26.02
What's the punch line,
00:31:26.05\00:31:27.09
the secondary punch
line of Jesus' parable?
00:31:27.12\00:31:29.04
Keep your pen moving.
00:31:29.07\00:31:30.10
"Shall not God avenge His own.''
00:31:30.13\00:31:33.01
Who are His own? Those
are His friends on earth.
00:31:33.04\00:31:35.26
You're a friend of God?
00:31:35.29\00:31:36.58
You're going through,
you're suffering through
00:31:36.61\00:31:37.84
some injustice,
hold on, my friend,
00:31:37.87\00:31:40.18
I got good news for you.
00:31:40.21\00:31:41.36
We may have been
talking about mercy heretofore,
00:31:41.39\00:31:43.54
but today it's justice.
00:31:43.57\00:31:45.95
Hold on. Hold on.
00:31:45.98\00:31:48.13
"Shall not God avenge His own
00:31:48.16\00:31:49.83
who cry out day
and night to Him?"
00:31:49.86\00:31:52.37
Luke 18:7.
00:31:52.40\00:31:55.53
This week...
00:31:55.56\00:31:57.99
This week the world
remember the holocaust
00:31:58.02\00:32:01.89
and commemorations
around the planet,
00:32:01.92\00:32:03.83
6 million Jews
00:32:03.86\00:32:06.48
exterminated by an
insane tyrant, an ideology.
00:32:06.51\00:32:09.97
But lest we forget,
I need to remind you
00:32:10.00\00:32:12.45
that is not the only
sorry chapter in the history
00:32:12.48\00:32:16.07
of the human race in
the 20th century now gone.
00:32:16.10\00:32:20.39
I've a book in my library by
a writer name Gary A. Haugen,
00:32:20.42\00:32:24.26
title of the book "The
Good News of Injustice."
00:32:24.29\00:32:27.48
Let me quote you,
it's in the study guide,
00:32:27.51\00:32:28.77
let me quote to
you from Haugen's book.
00:32:28.80\00:32:31.64
You need to fill
in the last word.
00:32:31.67\00:32:33.97
Put it on the screen.
00:32:34.00\00:32:35.03
"The outcome in
the 20th century..."
00:32:35.06\00:32:36.55
You want to talk
about the century behind us.
00:32:36.58\00:32:37.92
"The outcome in the 20th century
00:32:37.95\00:32:39.08
could be described
an open-mouthed grave.
00:32:39.11\00:32:43.31
An entire generation of
European youth composting..."
00:32:43.34\00:32:46.83
That's right,
that's not misspelling.
00:32:46.86\00:32:49.53
They've turned to compost,
fertilizing the soil of Europe.
00:32:49.56\00:32:54.96
"Composting the World
War I battlefields of Verdun
00:32:54.99\00:32:58.41
and the Somme,
Hitler's six million Jews,
00:32:58.44\00:33:00.52
Stalin's twenty
million Soviet citizens,
00:33:00.55\00:33:02.54
Mao's tens of
millions of political enemies
00:33:02.57\00:33:04.95
and peasant famine victims,
00:33:04.98\00:33:06.40
Pol Pot's two
million Cambodians,
00:33:06.43\00:33:08.46
the Interhamwe's
million Tutsi Rwandans,
00:33:08.49\00:33:11.18
and the millions
of lives wasted away
00:33:11.21\00:33:13.18
during
apartheid's forty-year reign."
00:33:13.21\00:33:15.19
Now hold on.
00:33:15.22\00:33:16.25
"We can easily forget that
the same spirit of darkness
00:33:16.28\00:33:20.18
rules our present age.
00:33:20.21\00:33:23.52
Outside the
affluent West, however,
00:33:23.55\00:33:25.44
in the Two-Thirds World,
00:33:25.47\00:33:26.84
where most of the children
God created actually live,"
00:33:26.87\00:33:29.90
get it down, "the
Fall is being played out
00:33:29.93\00:33:32.28
in ways more familiar
to the biblical writers.
00:33:32.31\00:33:34.82
It is manifest in a
world of brutal injustice."
00:33:34.85\00:33:39.16
Write it down.
00:33:39.19\00:33:40.26
It's the biblical
world all over again,
00:33:40.29\00:33:43.04
we're experiencing it today.
00:33:43.07\00:33:45.03
The biblical world of injustice.
00:33:45.06\00:33:47.91
Let me put a verse or
two on the screen for you.
00:33:47.94\00:33:50.90
Joel 3:3, how does it read?
00:33:50.93\00:33:52.88
"They have cast
lots for My people,
00:33:52.91\00:33:54.58
they have given a boy
as payment for a harlot,
00:33:54.61\00:33:57.44
and sold a girl for
wine, that they may drink."
00:33:57.47\00:34:02.07
Gary Haugen tells about a
Canadian Christian program
00:34:02.10\00:34:05.71
television crew
that went to the Sudan,
00:34:05.74\00:34:08.03
all right, you know
Sudan, you've heard of Darfur,
00:34:08.06\00:34:11.08
they went to the Sudan.
00:34:11.11\00:34:12.82
While the cameras are rolling,
00:34:12.85\00:34:14.67
they bought 319 women
and children, on camera,
00:34:14.70\00:34:20.55
from the slave
traders for $108 each.
00:34:20.58\00:34:24.28
They bought 319 human beings.
00:34:24.31\00:34:26.57
Don't you tell me that slavery
is something in our past.
00:34:26.60\00:34:28.96
It is a part of
life in the 21st century.
00:34:28.99\00:34:32.34
Where is the
justice in that, huh?
00:34:32.37\00:34:33.97
Where's the justice?
00:34:34.00\00:34:35.88
Let's put another
text on the screen,
00:34:35.91\00:34:37.37
Psalm 37:14,
00:34:37.40\00:34:39.35
"The wicked have drawn the
sword and have bent their bow,
00:34:39.38\00:34:42.36
to cast down the
poor and the needy,
00:34:42.39\00:34:44.07
to slay those who
are of upright conduct."
00:34:44.10\00:34:46.69
Let's talk about Brazil. A
bunch of you are from Brazil.
00:34:46.72\00:34:49.14
Let's talk about the
state police in Brazil
00:34:49.17\00:34:51.07
who are being
bought off by land owners
00:34:51.10\00:34:53.45
to destroy, to murder hapless,
landless, homeless human beings
00:34:53.48\00:35:00.78
that are getting in the way
of their massive land holdings.
00:35:00.81\00:35:05.15
Where is the justice in that?
00:35:05.18\00:35:07.53
Let's put another
text on the screen,
00:35:07.56\00:35:08.63
how about the New
Testament Roman 3:15-18,
00:35:08.66\00:35:12.02
"Their feet are
swift to shed blood,
00:35:12.05\00:35:13.94
destruction and
misery are in their ways,
00:35:13.97\00:35:16.01
and the way of
peace they have not known.
00:35:16.04\00:35:18.06
There is no fear of
God before their eyes."
00:35:18.09\00:35:22.08
I don't know if you've
followed the news this week.
00:35:22.11\00:35:24.62
But in Turkey, while our
mayhem was going on, in Turkey,
00:35:24.65\00:35:27.56
a tiny little
Christian printing press,
00:35:27.59\00:35:30.54
in the heart of that
modern Islamic nation,
00:35:30.57\00:35:32.72
somebody walked in and
slew the three workers,
00:35:32.75\00:35:36.04
shot them in the back.
00:35:36.07\00:35:38.18
Where is the justice in that?
00:35:38.21\00:35:41.97
You want to talk about America?
00:35:42.00\00:35:44.34
Let's talk about
America, the land of the free.
00:35:44.37\00:35:49.74
I received a paper from
some Australian lawyers.
00:35:49.77\00:35:54.27
They said Pastor Nelson, we
want you to read this paper,
00:35:54.30\00:35:56.76
it's entitled, "The
State of Exception."
00:35:56.79\00:35:59.92
In the paper they are examining
what is happening today
00:35:59.95\00:36:02.58
in a place called
Guantanamo Bay Detention Center.
00:36:02.61\00:36:06.89
You may have heard of it.
00:36:06.92\00:36:09.78
As the result of
the war on terror,
00:36:09.81\00:36:13.36
foreign individuals can be taken
00:36:13.39\00:36:16.77
from any country on earth
00:36:16.80\00:36:18.91
and placed in
detention in Guantanamo Bay
00:36:18.94\00:36:22.14
with the normal
constitutional freedoms
00:36:22.17\00:36:24.07
granted to liberty
loving Americans denied them.
00:36:24.10\00:36:28.87
Run by the US
government and the US military.
00:36:28.90\00:36:32.22
So that paper which
you won't be able to find,
00:36:32.25\00:36:37.06
is partially quoted
in your study guide.
00:36:37.09\00:36:39.32
I have the longer
quote, a longer quote,
00:36:39.35\00:36:41.06
I'll put it on the screen.
00:36:41.09\00:36:42.75
"A state of exception
is a form of governance
00:36:42.78\00:36:45.81
characterized by suspension
of the democratic legal process
00:36:45.84\00:36:49.82
in favor of
'extra-judicial state violence'
00:36:49.85\00:36:53.09
against specified groups."
00:36:53.12\00:36:57.98
You're gonna brood
on this for a while.
00:36:58.01\00:37:00.47
"It depends upon a
certain political climate
00:37:00.50\00:37:03.78
and may arise in any democracy.
00:37:03.81\00:37:08.81
Guantanamo stands
as a direct consequence
00:37:08.84\00:37:12.71
of that form of governance.
00:37:12.74\00:37:14.57
Integrated in the penal system,
00:37:14.60\00:37:16.49
the Guantanamo inmate
is an exemplary element
00:37:16.52\00:37:20.08
subject to 'extreme measures'
00:37:20.11\00:37:23.48
legalized by the
state of exception."
00:37:23.51\00:37:26.43
Couldn't do it in
America but we'll do it here.
00:37:26.46\00:37:32.16
Keep reading.
00:37:32.19\00:37:33.22
"According to his legal status,
00:37:33.25\00:37:34.43
the Guantanamo
inmate is synonymous
00:37:34.46\00:37:36.40
with numerous
historical examples of groups
00:37:36.43\00:37:38.32
and individuals marginalized..."
00:37:38.35\00:37:40.20
This is Australian English,
00:37:40.23\00:37:41.40
so the spelling
will look different.
00:37:41.43\00:37:42.95
"Marginalized for their
convictions and affiliations,
00:37:42.98\00:37:45.86
the Huguenots, the Basques,
Kurds, Jews, Christians,
00:37:45.89\00:37:49.06
Muslim groups, Gypsies, illegal
immigrants, African refugees.
00:37:49.09\00:37:52.69
However..." Now here
comes the punch line.
00:37:52.72\00:37:54.61
"The Guantanamo
case is not limited
00:37:54.64\00:37:56.89
to the current
political ambience."
00:37:56.92\00:37:59.69
Emphasis now is mine.
00:37:59.72\00:38:01.27
"It is a potential
prelude to situations
00:38:01.30\00:38:04.47
that may deny the
political convictions
00:38:04.50\00:38:06.97
and civic values of
given minority groups."
00:38:07.00\00:38:12.30
But let me finish the sentence.
00:38:12.33\00:38:13.79
In America, in the future,
00:38:13.82\00:38:17.58
all right, in America, in
the future, piece by piece.
00:38:17.61\00:38:24.98
And we're all so distracted,
that we're just letting it go.
00:38:25.01\00:38:30.62
Got to have it for the sake
of our security, you understand.
00:38:30.65\00:38:36.64
Tell that to 6 million Jews,
00:38:36.67\00:38:40.75
for the sake of
security, please.
00:38:40.78\00:38:47.22
Where's the justice
in what we just read?
00:38:47.25\00:38:49.67
The ancient prophets knew
all about this day coming.
00:38:49.70\00:38:52.21
It was not
unfamiliar to their own day.
00:38:52.24\00:38:54.18
Look at this, Habakkuk 1:4,
00:38:54.21\00:38:57.06
"Therefore the law is ignored
and justice is never upheld.
00:38:57.09\00:39:02.09
For the wicked
surround the righteous,
00:39:02.12\00:39:03.80
therefore justice
comes out perverted."
00:39:03.83\00:39:06.83
Look at this Micah 3:9
"Hear this, you leaders..."
00:39:06.86\00:39:09.52
You see leaders
make the difference.
00:39:09.55\00:39:10.86
Leaders can change what we have
counted on, they can reverse.
00:39:10.89\00:39:15.80
"Hear this, you
leaders of the house of Jacob,
00:39:15.83\00:39:17.39
you rulers of
the house of Israel,
00:39:17.42\00:39:18.76
who despises justice and
distort all that is right."
00:39:18.79\00:39:22.26
What's going to happen?
00:39:22.29\00:39:23.32
Ecclesiastes 5:8,
00:39:23.35\00:39:24.95
"If you see the poor
oppressed in a district,
00:39:24.98\00:39:27.10
and justice and rights denied,
00:39:27.13\00:39:29.02
guess what, don't be
surprised at such things."
00:39:29.05\00:39:32.38
It happens on this planet.
00:39:32.41\00:39:37.34
Amazing.
00:39:37.37\00:39:40.96
And Jesus spoke
a parable to them,
00:39:40.99\00:39:43.76
that men and women ought always
to pray and not lose heart.
00:39:43.79\00:39:47.73
And he said, "There was
in a certain city a judge
00:39:47.76\00:39:51.06
who did not fear
God nor regard man.
00:39:51.09\00:39:53.87
Now there was a
widow in that city,
00:39:53.90\00:39:55.23
and she came to him, saying,
00:39:55.26\00:39:56.55
'Get justice for
me from my adversary.'
00:39:56.58\00:39:59.30
And he would not, for a while,
00:39:59.33\00:40:01.98
but afterward he
said within himself,
00:40:02.01\00:40:03.45
'Though I do not
fear God nor regard man,
00:40:03.48\00:40:05.22
yet because this widow
troubles me I will avenge her,
00:40:05.25\00:40:07.97
lest by her
continual coming she weary me.'
00:40:08.00\00:40:11.25
Then the Lord said, 'Hear
what the unjust judge said.
00:40:11.28\00:40:14.73
And shall God not
avenge His own elect
00:40:14.76\00:40:16.56
who cry out day
and night to Him,
00:40:16.59\00:40:18.28
though He bears long with them?
00:40:18.31\00:40:19.96
I tell you that He
will avenge them speedily.'"
00:40:19.99\00:40:23.22
Speedily.
00:40:23.25\00:40:26.20
You know what?
00:40:26.23\00:40:27.94
When you're unfairly,
00:40:27.97\00:40:29.42
when you're unfairly,
and that's a key word.
00:40:29.45\00:40:31.25
When you're
unfairly suffering, unfairly,
00:40:31.28\00:40:36.14
you never cry out for mercy.
00:40:36.17\00:40:38.76
You always cry out for justice.
00:40:38.79\00:40:41.95
Isn't that right?
00:40:41.98\00:40:43.45
Yeah. Give me justice,
avenge me of my adversary.
00:40:43.48\00:40:49.00
You can be certain that
there are many grieving families
00:40:49.03\00:40:52.65
in the Virginia
Tech community today
00:40:52.68\00:40:54.71
who are crying out for justice.
00:40:54.74\00:40:58.67
And you can be just as certain
00:40:58.70\00:41:01.07
that there is a
little Korean family
00:41:01.10\00:41:03.07
in that same region today
that is pleading for mercy,
00:41:03.10\00:41:07.93
because that's
the reality of it all.
00:41:07.96\00:41:09.97
Justice and mercy
always go together.
00:41:10.00\00:41:14.42
They are inseparable.
00:41:14.45\00:41:16.13
When you ask for one,
you will get the other.
00:41:16.16\00:41:18.72
When one comes running to you,
the other cannot be far behind.
00:41:18.75\00:41:22.12
Justice and mercy,
00:41:22.15\00:41:26.96
inseparable, inseparable,
00:41:26.99\00:41:31.82
which of course is
precisely the truth
00:41:31.85\00:41:34.21
of the everlasting gospel.
00:41:34.24\00:41:36.66
That great
passage, Romans 3:23-26.
00:41:36.69\00:41:39.92
Don't look it up in your Bible.
00:41:39.95\00:41:41.21
Let's put it on the
screen and it's going to be from
00:41:41.24\00:41:43.28
Today's New
International Version.
00:41:43.31\00:41:45.30
You have it in your study guide.
00:41:45.33\00:41:46.40
Let's-- remember how we used
to have to diagram sentences
00:41:46.43\00:41:49.17
in the old English
classes, and became the subject,
00:41:49.20\00:41:51.29
and predicate, direct object,
let's do a little diagramming,
00:41:51.32\00:41:55.42
not that heavy,
from these four lines.
00:41:55.45\00:41:57.93
You have them all
right there. You got it.
00:41:57.96\00:42:01.74
All right,
let's go, Romans 3:23.
00:42:01.77\00:42:04.34
This is a TNIV.
Yeah, fill it in.
00:42:04.37\00:42:06.39
"For all."
00:42:06.42\00:42:07.52
now, you knew this
verse, "For all have sinned
00:42:07.55\00:42:11.13
and fall short of
the glory of God."
00:42:11.16\00:42:13.50
How many of us have sinned?
00:42:13.53\00:42:15.45
Oh, that is a no-brainer.
00:42:15.48\00:42:17.99
And because we have
sinned, what do we deserve?
00:42:18.02\00:42:20.69
What do sinners deserve?
00:42:20.72\00:42:22.32
Sinners deserve justice.
00:42:22.35\00:42:23.71
By the way,
ladies and gentlemen,
00:42:23.74\00:42:24.77
that's the definition.
00:42:24.80\00:42:25.84
Justice is what we deserve.
00:42:25.87\00:42:27.38
Mercy is always
what we do not deserve,
00:42:27.41\00:42:30.17
by definition, right?
00:42:30.20\00:42:32.87
We deserve justice.
00:42:32.90\00:42:34.09
And what is
justice for a sinner?
00:42:34.12\00:42:35.35
It's eternal death.
00:42:35.38\00:42:36.41
Death pays a wage and
it's eternal, Romans 6:23.
00:42:36.44\00:42:39.53
All right, let's go to
verse 24. Write it down.
00:42:39.56\00:42:42.01
And, by the way, this
is the very next verse,
00:42:42.04\00:42:44.18
I like the way
that TNIV renders it.
00:42:44.21\00:42:46.17
All have sinned and
all, the whole human race,
00:42:46.20\00:42:49.14
"All are justified
freely by His grace..."
00:42:49.17\00:42:52.66
Write it in.
00:42:52.69\00:42:53.73
"Through the redemption
that came by Christ Jesus."
00:42:53.76\00:42:56.42
Did you catch that, guys?
00:42:56.45\00:42:57.82
We deserve the
penalty of justice,
00:42:57.85\00:43:00.53
the penalty of
death, we're all sinners,
00:43:00.56\00:43:02.28
but mercy,
hallelujah, mercy came a runnin'
00:43:02.31\00:43:04.82
through Christ Jesus,
00:43:04.85\00:43:05.91
came a runnin'
straight to you and me.
00:43:05.94\00:43:08.12
You agree? Mercy came a runnin'.
00:43:08.15\00:43:12.84
Do we get what we deserve?
00:43:12.87\00:43:13.90
No, we get what we
don't deserve, that's mercy.
00:43:13.93\00:43:19.95
Because in mercy's
grace, we're justified.
00:43:19.98\00:43:21.83
You know what justified means?
00:43:21.86\00:43:22.89
It means to be acquitted.
It means to be pardoned.
00:43:22.92\00:43:24.78
It means to be
set free, no charges.
00:43:24.81\00:43:27.59
Everything's been
dropped. You're free to go.
00:43:27.62\00:43:30.40
Oh, when the judge says
that, bring it on, hallelujah.
00:43:30.43\00:43:34.36
Oh, great, so now we
got mercy, no more justice.
00:43:34.39\00:43:36.85
Is that what Paul is
teaching. No, no, no, no.
00:43:36.88\00:43:40.99
Look at verse 25, fill it in.
00:43:41.02\00:43:42.77
"God presented Christ as
a sacrifice of atonement,
00:43:42.80\00:43:46.20
through the
shedding of his blood,
00:43:46.23\00:43:47.68
to be received by faith.
00:43:47.71\00:43:49.28
He did this to demonstrate
his justice." Write it down.
00:43:49.31\00:43:53.05
"He did this to
demonstrate his justice,
00:43:53.08\00:43:54.59
because in his
forbearance and tolerance
00:43:54.62\00:43:56.86
he had left the sins committed
beforehand unpunished."
00:43:56.89\00:44:01.02
Ladies and gentlemen,
that is precisely the point.
00:44:01.05\00:44:03.53
In order to have mercy,
00:44:03.56\00:44:05.02
somebody has to provide justice.
00:44:05.05\00:44:07.67
You can't have
one without the other.
00:44:07.70\00:44:09.96
To get the one, you
have to have the other.
00:44:09.99\00:44:12.55
When one comes running,
00:44:12.58\00:44:13.70
the other is already
there, that's the point.
00:44:13.73\00:44:18.10
Final line, verse 26.
00:44:18.13\00:44:20.16
'God did this," fill it in.
00:44:20.19\00:44:21.58
"God did this to
demonstrate his justice
00:44:21.61\00:44:23.43
at the present
time, so as to be just..."
00:44:23.46\00:44:28.04
That's his justice,
it's divine justice.
00:44:28.07\00:44:30.51
"So as to be just and
the one who justifies."
00:44:30.54\00:44:35.29
That's divine
mercy, the one who acquits,
00:44:35.32\00:44:37.83
pardons, lets you go,
00:44:37.86\00:44:39.38
justifies those who
have faith in Jesus.
00:44:39.41\00:44:42.25
My dear, friends, Calvary,
00:44:42.28\00:44:44.68
Calvary is the dramatic
blending of divine justice,
00:44:44.71\00:44:48.44
which says I got a
law and that law says,
00:44:48.47\00:44:51.60
this is the way we
operate the universe,
00:44:51.63\00:44:53.80
I cannot change that law.
00:44:53.83\00:44:56.04
Calvary is the blending of
divine justice and divine mercy
00:44:56.07\00:44:59.54
that says even
though they've broken a law,
00:44:59.57\00:45:02.43
I will pardon them.
00:45:02.46\00:45:04.98
It is the climax
of divine justice
00:45:05.01\00:45:09.44
and divine mercy embracing.
00:45:09.47\00:45:11.54
In fact, Psalm 85:10
says they actually kiss,
00:45:11.57\00:45:15.45
they kissed at the cross.
00:45:15.48\00:45:19.19
You want to read a powerful
expression of this truth?
00:45:19.22\00:45:21.53
Keep your study
guide right there.
00:45:21.56\00:45:22.59
Look at this from
Desire of Ages, unbelievable,
00:45:22.62\00:45:24.97
Desire of Ages, powerful.
00:45:25.00\00:45:28.10
"Through Jesus..."
00:45:28.13\00:45:29.16
What's going on
here in Romans 3?
00:45:29.19\00:45:31.06
What went on on Calvary?
00:45:31.09\00:45:32.12
"Through Jesus,
00:45:32.15\00:45:33.18
God's mercy was
manifested to men and women,
00:45:33.21\00:45:36.08
but mercy does not
set aside justice."
00:45:36.11\00:45:38.98
Write that down, key point.
00:45:39.01\00:45:40.76
It does not set aside justice.
00:45:40.79\00:45:42.39
"The law reveals the
attributes of God's character,
00:45:42.42\00:45:45.37
and not a jot or a tittle,"
00:45:45.40\00:45:47.77
not a crossing of a T,
not a dotting of an eye,
00:45:47.80\00:45:49.97
"of it could be changed to meet
man in his fallen condition."
00:45:50.00\00:45:53.46
Oh, Father, Father,
I just came from earth,
00:45:53.49\00:45:55.36
you're not
going to believe this.
00:45:55.39\00:45:56.44
Adam and Eve have disobeyed.
00:45:56.47\00:45:59.40
They have rebelled against You.
00:45:59.43\00:46:00.95
What you told them
not to do, they've done.
00:46:00.98\00:46:02.97
What are we gonna do?
00:46:03.00\00:46:04.03
Father says,
well, you know what,
00:46:04.06\00:46:05.10
let's do this,
let's just change the law.
00:46:05.13\00:46:06.91
If we re-write the law
then they haven't disobeyed
00:46:06.94\00:46:09.49
and everybody will be happy.
00:46:09.52\00:46:11.32
Are you crazy? He
can't, it's His throne.
00:46:11.35\00:46:15.02
If He rewrites the
law or abrogates it
00:46:15.05\00:46:17.65
or shoves it to the side,
He no longer has the throne.
00:46:17.68\00:46:20.89
He can't be Him. He can't be He.
00:46:20.92\00:46:25.45
He can't.
00:46:25.48\00:46:28.04
Mercy does not
set aside justice.
00:46:28.07\00:46:30.80
Now read that next sentence.
00:46:30.83\00:46:33.09
Oh, this is powerful.
00:46:33.12\00:46:34.25
"God did not change His
law, but He sacrificed Himself."
00:46:34.28\00:46:41.32
Isn't that something?
00:46:41.35\00:46:42.68
"He sacrificed Himself in
Christ for our redemption.
00:46:42.71\00:46:47.66
Which is why
both," write it down,
00:46:47.69\00:46:49.66
"both justice and
mercy triumphed at Calvary."
00:46:49.69\00:46:54.98
What do you say to that? Amen.
00:46:55.01\00:46:57.97
Both triumphed,
both of them at Calvary.
00:46:58.00\00:47:02.07
Oh, great, oh great.
00:47:02.10\00:47:04.02
Does that mean that all
is going to be forgiven now?
00:47:04.05\00:47:06.17
There is no accounting,
00:47:06.20\00:47:07.94
you can with
impunity do what you wish.
00:47:07.97\00:47:10.41
Not on your
life. No, no, no, no.
00:47:10.44\00:47:14.46
God is clear.
00:47:14.49\00:47:16.46
Vengeance, you
know, what God says,
00:47:16.49\00:47:21.44
ready my lips, read my
lips, "Vengeance is mine,
00:47:21.47\00:47:27.19
and I will, I
promise you, I will repay."
00:47:27.22\00:47:31.27
I will repay.
00:47:31.30\00:47:34.05
There is a day
of reckoning coming,
00:47:34.08\00:47:35.93
for those who have despised
mercy and denied justice.
00:47:35.96\00:47:39.45
Any landlords here?
00:47:39.48\00:47:44.95
Any employers here?
00:47:44.98\00:47:52.53
Any neighbors here?
00:47:52.56\00:47:56.81
There is a day
of reckoning coming.
00:47:56.84\00:48:03.43
Those who have despised
mercy and denied justice,
00:48:03.46\00:48:05.69
who withheld the
just wages of the laborer,
00:48:05.72\00:48:10.05
who have denied the
just rights of the prisoner,
00:48:10.08\00:48:13.36
who have abused the
just liberties of a child
00:48:13.39\00:48:15.55
or woman or human being,
00:48:15.58\00:48:17.02
who have silenced the just
in order to destroy the truth.
00:48:17.05\00:48:21.55
There is a day of
reckoning coming for Babylon.
00:48:21.58\00:48:24.78
Ever heard of her?
00:48:24.81\00:48:28.04
When the prayers of the
souls under the altar of heaven
00:48:28.07\00:48:31.54
will one day be answered.
00:48:31.57\00:48:32.85
Do you remember that prayer?
00:48:32.88\00:48:34.18
How long O God, just and true,
00:48:34.21\00:48:37.49
how long until You
avenge our blood on those
00:48:37.52\00:48:39.87
who dwell on the earth?
00:48:39.90\00:48:43.22
God says, shh,
vengeance is mine,
00:48:43.25\00:48:46.50
I will repay, I will repay.
00:48:46.53\00:48:52.28
And that's why the prayer
is found in the apocalypse.
00:48:52.31\00:48:55.04
Oh, God, then repay her
double according to her works,
00:48:55.07\00:49:01.09
for she is drunk with
the blood of the saints
00:49:01.12\00:49:03.74
and with the blood
of the martyrs of Jesus.
00:49:03.77\00:49:05.53
Repay her double. I will repay.
00:49:05.56\00:49:09.92
In just a few weeks,
00:49:09.95\00:49:13.20
I cannot believe that this--
00:49:13.23\00:49:17.92
that I get to be part of
this, in just a few weeks
00:49:17.95\00:49:23.46
with a handful of
Andrews University students,
00:49:23.49\00:49:27.50
I get to go to North Italy
00:49:27.53\00:49:30.34
and we're going
to stand in the dank,
00:49:30.37\00:49:32.42
dark caves of the Waldensians
who fled for their lives,
00:49:32.45\00:49:39.29
where the blood of the innocent
00:49:39.32\00:49:40.90
was spilled on
those rocky floors.
00:49:40.93\00:49:46.11
Vengeance is mine, I
will repay, I will repay.
00:49:46.14\00:49:50.92
Of course, if the truth is known
00:49:55.18\00:49:58.40
then we all know the truth.
00:49:58.43\00:50:01.66
The dark perpetrator behind
all of our inhuman injustices,
00:50:01.69\00:50:06.75
perpetrator is one and
the same, the fallen Lucifer.
00:50:06.78\00:50:13.13
We got an email today,
from someone in the family,
00:50:13.16\00:50:19.17
with the announcement,
that the cancer has spread
00:50:19.20\00:50:22.80
to the entire body and
there is no treatment left.
00:50:22.83\00:50:30.51
Who do you suppose is
ultimately responsible
00:50:30.54\00:50:33.52
for this insanity we
live with on this planet, huh?
00:50:33.55\00:50:37.05
This pain and
suffering of divorce.
00:50:37.08\00:50:38.75
Who do you suppose
will get the rap in the end?
00:50:38.78\00:50:42.06
The pain and
suffering of disease of death.
00:50:42.09\00:50:44.94
Is there no vengeance for
the one who did this to me?
00:50:44.97\00:50:50.69
Vengeance is mine, I will repay.
00:50:54.51\00:51:00.19
Revelation 20,
look at those words.
00:51:00.22\00:51:05.40
Revelation 20, "And
fire came down from heaven,
00:51:05.43\00:51:13.31
out of heaven from
God and devoured them.
00:51:13.34\00:51:19.73
And the devil,
who deceived them,
00:51:19.76\00:51:21.23
was cast into the lake
of fire and brimstone."
00:51:21.26\00:51:26.47
Ladies and
gentlemen, let it be clear
00:51:26.50\00:51:28.80
that divine
justice has made certain
00:51:28.83\00:51:31.36
that there will be hell to pay.
00:51:31.39\00:51:36.54
No, it's impossible you--
00:51:36.57\00:51:38.13
The truth is if
there is no justice,
00:51:38.16\00:51:40.15
there can be no
mercy, for justice
00:51:40.18\00:51:43.67
and mercy are inseparable,
00:51:43.70\00:51:45.98
which means when
one comes a runnin',
00:51:46.01\00:51:47.63
the other cannot be far behind.
00:51:47.66\00:51:49.70
Some of you, this very day are
crying out for divine justice.
00:51:49.73\00:51:55.56
I need to tell you, my friend,
00:51:55.59\00:51:56.91
mercy, mercy hears your plea.
00:51:56.94\00:52:03.83
And mercy will
answer your prayer.
00:52:03.86\00:52:06.55
Don't you take revenge?
00:52:06.58\00:52:09.03
Don't you touch it?
00:52:09.06\00:52:11.96
Vengeance is mine,
I'll take care of this.
00:52:11.99\00:52:14.94
You leave it
alone, don't you touch it.
00:52:14.97\00:52:17.62
The mercy hears you.
00:52:17.65\00:52:20.78
And there is a day coming,
00:52:20.81\00:52:23.87
when into the nail
scarred hands of mercy,
00:52:23.90\00:52:26.40
justice will be taken.
00:52:26.43\00:52:27.74
It will be a strange
justice and I need to warn you,
00:52:27.77\00:52:29.96
it may not look like the justice
00:52:29.99\00:52:32.90
you were asking for,
00:52:32.93\00:52:35.08
but this much is clear.
00:52:35.11\00:52:37.31
On that day, both mercy
and justice will be satisfied.
00:52:37.34\00:52:43.44
God will be satisfied.
00:52:43.47\00:52:45.51
And you will be
satisfied as well.
00:52:45.54\00:52:48.77
"For shall not
God avenge his own,
00:52:48.80\00:52:50.73
who cry out to
him night and day."
00:52:50.76\00:52:56.69
Be still, my soul
00:53:34.08\00:53:37.66
The Lord is on thy side
00:53:37.69\00:53:44.44
Bear patiently the
cross of grief or pain
00:53:44.47\00:53:52.43
Leave to thy God
00:53:54.73\00:53:58.93
To order and provide
00:53:58.96\00:54:05.86
In every change
00:54:05.89\00:54:09.61
He faithful will remain
00:54:09.64\00:54:16.67
Be still, my soul,
00:54:16.70\00:54:21.31
Thy best, thy heavenly, friend
00:54:21.34\00:54:28.44
Through thorny ways
00:54:28.47\00:54:33.06
Leads to a joyful end
00:54:33.09\00:54:41.00
Be still, my soul
00:54:41.03\00:54:45.37
the hour is hastening on
00:54:45.40\00:54:52.47
When we shall be
00:54:52.50\00:54:56.80
Forever with the Lord
00:54:56.83\00:55:03.97
When disappointment
00:55:04.00\00:55:08.90
grief, and fear are gone
00:55:08.93\00:55:15.27
Sorrow forgot
00:55:15.30\00:55:19.62
love's purest joys restored
00:55:19.65\00:55:27.04
Be still, my soul
00:55:27.07\00:55:31.64
When change and tears are past
00:55:31.67\00:55:39.32
All safe and blessed
00:55:39.35\00:55:44.90
we shall meet at last
00:55:44.93\00:55:51.52
Holy Father,
00:55:58.25\00:56:03.05
we take comfort in knowing
00:56:03.08\00:56:07.92
that You will
have the last word.
00:56:07.95\00:56:14.68
Justice and mercy
shall triumph together
00:56:14.71\00:56:21.65
and when they do, may we
be there for the celebration.
00:56:21.68\00:56:28.74
In the name of Jesus Christ,
00:56:30.45\00:56:32.57
our justice, at our mercy, amen.
00:56:32.60\00:56:38.51
Let me take one more moment
of you time to let you know
00:56:58.66\00:57:01.04
that one of the blessings
I received from this telecast
00:57:01.07\00:57:03.63
is being in touch
with viewers like you
00:57:03.66\00:57:05.34
all across Michiana and our
nation and literally the world.
00:57:05.37\00:57:09.07
I'm humbled and honored
00:57:09.10\00:57:10.13
with your sharing
the journey with us.
00:57:10.16\00:57:11.53
Sometimes it's a Bible question,
00:57:11.56\00:57:13.33
other times it's an
observation or a suggestion
00:57:13.36\00:57:15.67
and sometimes just a
note to share a prayer
00:57:15.70\00:57:17.60
or a prayer request.
00:57:17.63\00:57:19.06
I'd love to hear from you
00:57:19.09\00:57:20.32
and it's so easy to be in touch.
00:57:20.35\00:57:21.82
Just go to our Pioneer Memorial
Church website www.pmchurch.tv,
00:57:21.85\00:57:27.45
and click on contact,
and then the word pastor
00:57:27.48\00:57:30.52
and then jot down the
message you wish to send.
00:57:30.55\00:57:33.05
If you have a prayer
request, click on those words
00:57:33.08\00:57:35.86
or call our toll
free number 1-877-HIS-WILL
00:57:35.89\00:57:40.11
and I promise you
that our prayer partners
00:57:40.14\00:57:42.10
will lift your
personal need to God,
00:57:42.13\00:57:43.98
because, nobody
should have to journey alone.
00:57:44.01\00:57:46.40
Not only do we have Jesus
but we also have each other.
00:57:46.43\00:57:49.38
So write me, won't
you at www.pmchurch.tv.
00:57:49.41\00:57:53.87
In the meantime,
may the God whose mercy
00:57:53.90\00:57:55.85
continually runs after us,
00:57:55.88\00:57:57.93
be with you 24/7,
every step of the way.
00:57:57.96\00:58:02.04
I will see you again,
right here, next time.
00:58:02.07\00:58:04.82